WO2021181993A1 - Inhaler and method for manufacturing inhaler - Google Patents

Abstract

An inhaler comprising: a voltage regulator for generating voltage to supply power to a heater for heating an aerosol source; a resistor connected to the heater and the voltage regulator in series; a transistor for switching the amount of power to be supplied to the heater; an operational amplifier including an uninverted input terminal connected to a first end of the heater and an inverted input terminal connected to a second end of the heater for measuring a heater voltage applied to the heater; and a drive circuit connected between an output terminal of the operational amplifier and a control terminal of the transistor. The drive circuit continuously supplies an off-signal to the control terminal until an output signal of the operational amplifier becomes smaller than a threshold when the output signal is larger than the threshold, and continuously supplies an on-signal to the control terminal until the output signal becomes larger than the threshold when the output signal is smaller than the threshold.

Description

Aspirator and manufacturing method of aspirator

The present invention relates to an aspirator and a method for manufacturing the aspirator.

Various methods have been proposed to control the temperature of the heater of an aspirator for electronic cigarettes and the like. Patent Document 1 describes a technique for adjusting the electrical energy supplied to the heater in order to keep the actual operating temperature of the heater lower than a predetermined maximum operating temperature. Patent Document 2 describes a technique for controlling on / off of energization of a heater based on a change in the resistance value of a heater that heats a molded product of a flavor raw material. Patent Document 3 describes a technique for changing the temperature of a heater according to a temperature profile.

Japanese Patent No. 5739800 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-041654 Japanese Patent No. 6125008

It is desirable to control the temperature of the heater as intended in order to achieve the intended flavor of the gas discharged from the aspirator. An object of the present invention is to provide an advantageous technique for accurately controlling the temperature of a heater of an aspirator.

In view of the above issues, according to the first configuration,
A voltage regulator that produces a voltage to power the heater to heat the aerosol source,
A resistor connected in series with the heater and the voltage regulator,
A transistor that switches the amount of power supplied to the heater,
An operational amplifier having a non-inverting input terminal connected to the first end of the heater and an inverting input terminal connected to the second end of the heater in order to measure the heater voltage applied to the heater.
A drive circuit connected between the output terminal of the operational amplifier and the control terminal of the transistor is provided.
The drive circuit
When the output signal of the operational amplifier is larger than the threshold value, the off signal is continuously supplied to the control terminal until the output signal becomes smaller than the threshold value.
When the output signal is smaller than the threshold value, the on signal is continuously supplied to the control terminal until the output signal becomes larger than the threshold value.
An aspirator is provided.

According to the second configuration
Further equipped with a memory for storing the threshold value in a digital format,
The drive circuit compares the output signal converted into a digital format with the threshold value stored in the memory, and supplies an on signal or an off signal to the control terminal based on the comparison result. To judge whether
The aspirator according to the first configuration is provided.

According to the third configuration
A voltage generator that generates a voltage to power the heater to heat the aerosol source,
A resistor connected between the heater and the voltage generation circuit,
A control circuit that monitors the heater voltage applied to the heater and controls the power supplied from the voltage generation circuit to the heater based on the magnitude relationship between the heater voltage being monitored and the threshold value.
A suction device is provided.

According to the fourth configuration
Further equipped with a memory for storing the threshold value in a digital format,
The control circuit converts the threshold value stored in the memory into an analog format, and determines the magnitude relationship by comparing the threshold value in the analog format with the heater voltage being monitored.
The aspirator according to the third configuration is provided.

According to the fifth configuration
The threshold value is equal to the value of the heater voltage in a state where the heater is supplied with power from the voltage generation circuit so that the temperature of the heater is included in the range in which the aerosol can be generated from the suction device. The aspirator described in the configuration is provided.

According to the sixth configuration
The aerosol source is removable from the aspirator with the heater coupled to the aspirator.
The threshold value is the value of the heater voltage at the time of new product in a state where power is supplied to the heater from the voltage generation circuit so that the temperature of the heater is included in a range in which an aerosol can be generated from the suction device. equal,
The aspirator according to the fourth configuration is provided.

According to the seventh configuration
The control circuit
When the heater voltage under monitoring is smaller than the threshold value, a first amount of electric power is continuously supplied to the heater until the heater voltage under monitoring reaches the threshold value.
When the heater voltage under monitoring is greater than the threshold value, the power supplied to the heater is maintained at a second amount lower than the first amount until the heater voltage under monitoring drops to the threshold value.
The aspirator according to any one of the third to sixth configurations is provided.

According to the eighth configuration
The control circuit has one of the third configuration to the seventh configuration in which the supply of electric power to the heater is stopped when the heater voltage under monitoring exceeds an upper limit value higher than the threshold value. The described aspirator is provided.

According to the ninth configuration
The aspirator includes a recess into which an aerosol generating article having an aerosol substrate holding the aerosol source can be inserted and removed.
The heater is configured to be capable of heating the aerosol-generating article inserted in the recess.
The aspirator according to any one of the third to eighth configurations is provided.

According to the tenth configuration
The control circuit provides the suction device according to the ninth configuration, which switches the threshold value to another value based on the usage status of the suction device while the heater is heating the aerosol-generating article.

According to the eleventh configuration
The aspirator according to the tenth configuration is provided, wherein the usage situation includes at least one of a number of suctions, a length of suction, and an amount of suction.

According to the twelfth configuration
The control circuit according to any one of the third to eleventh configurations, wherein the voltage value generated by the voltage generation circuit is switched to another value in order to change the temperature change rate of the heater. Aspirators are provided.

According to the thirteenth configuration
The control circuit provides the aspirator according to any one of the third to eleventh configurations, which gradually decreases or gradually increases the threshold value in order to change the temperature change rate of the heater.

According to the 14th configuration
The control circuit
A transistor connected between the heater and the voltage generation circuit is provided.
If the heater voltage is less than the threshold, turn on the transistor and turn it on.
If the heater voltage is greater than the threshold, the transistor is turned off.
The aspirator according to the third configuration is provided.

According to the fifteenth configuration
The resistor is the first resistor and
The control circuit
The first resistor and the first transistor connected in series between the voltage generation circuit and the first end of the heater,
A second resistor and a second transistor connected in series between the voltage generation circuit and the first end of the heater,
A first comparator having a non-inverting input terminal to which the threshold value is supplied and an inverting input terminal connected to the first end of the heater.
Includes a non-inverting input terminal connected to the first end of the heater and a second comparator having an inverting input terminal to which the threshold is supplied.
The resistance value of the second resistor is higher than the resistance value of the first resistor.
The output of the first comparator is supplied to the control terminal of the first transistor, and is supplied to the control terminal of the first transistor.
The suction device according to the fourteenth configuration is provided in which the output of the second comparator is supplied to the control terminal of the second transistor.

According to the 16th configuration
The resistor is the first resistor and
The control circuit
With the first resistor and the first transistor connected in series to the second end of the heater,
A second resistor and a second transistor connected in series with the second end of the heater,
A first comparator having a non-inverting input terminal to which the threshold value is supplied and an inverting input terminal connected to the first end of the heater.
Includes a non-inverting input terminal connected to the first end of the heater and a second comparator having an inverting input terminal to which the threshold is supplied.
The resistance value of the second resistor is higher than the resistance value of the first resistor.
The output of the first comparator is supplied to the control terminal of the first transistor, and is supplied to the control terminal of the first transistor.
The suction device according to the fourteenth configuration is provided in which the output of the second comparator is supplied to the control terminal of the second transistor.

According to the 17th configuration
The control circuit includes a microcontroller that converts the threshold value stored in the memory in a digital format into an analog format and supplies the threshold value in the analog format to the first comparator and the second comparator.
The memory stores a first threshold value and a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value.
The microcontroller
The first threshold value is supplied to the first comparator as the threshold value, and the first threshold value is supplied to the first comparator.
The second threshold value is supplied to the second comparator as the threshold value, and the second threshold value is supplied to the second comparator.
The control circuit further includes a third transistor and a fourth transistor.
The first threshold is supplied from the microcontroller to the first comparator through the third transistor.
The second threshold is supplied from the microcontroller to the second comparator through the fourth transistor.
The output of the first comparator is further supplied to the control terminal of the third transistor.
The suction device according to the fifteenth configuration or the sixteenth configuration is provided in which the output of the second comparator is further supplied to the control terminal of the fourth transistor.

According to the eighteenth configuration
The fifteenth configuration to the control circuit further includes a square wave generation circuit that converts a voltage input to the non-inverting input terminal of the first comparator or a voltage output from an output terminal of the first comparator into a square wave. The aspirator according to any one of the 17 configurations is provided.

According to the 19th configuration
The suction device according to the eighteenth configuration is provided, wherein the control circuit further includes a bypass circuit that can be switched to a path that bypasses the square wave generation circuit.

According to the 20th configuration
A heater for heating the aerosol source and
A voltage generation circuit that generates a voltage to supply electric power to the heater,
A resistor connected between the heater and the voltage generation circuit,
Memory to store the threshold and
A control circuit that monitors the heater voltage applied to the heater and controls the power supplied from the voltage generation circuit to the heater based on the magnitude relationship between the heater voltage being monitored and the threshold value.
It is a manufacturing method of an aspirator equipped with
A step of determining the value of the heater voltage at the time of a new product in a state where electric power is supplied from the voltage generation circuit to the heater so that the temperature of the heater is included in a range in which an aerosol can be generated from the suction device. ,
A step of storing the determined value as the threshold value in the memory, and
A manufacturing method is provided.

According to the 21st configuration
A heater for heating the aerosol source and
A voltage generation circuit that generates a voltage to supply electric power to the heater,
A resistor connected between the heater and the voltage generation circuit,
Memory to store the threshold and
A control circuit that monitors the heater voltage applied to the heater and controls the power supplied from the voltage generation circuit to the heater based on the magnitude relationship between the heater voltage being monitored and the threshold value.
It is a suction device equipped with
The threshold is equal to the value of the heater voltage in a state where power is being supplied to the heater from the voltage generation circuit so that the temperature of the heater is within a range in which an aerosol can be generated from the aspirator.
An aspirator is provided in which the threshold is different from the threshold of another aspirator having each component of the aspirator.

According to the 22nd configuration
A heater for heating the aerosol source and
A voltage generation circuit that generates a voltage to supply electric power to the heater,
A resistor connected between the heater and the voltage generation circuit,
Memory to store the threshold and
A control circuit that monitors the heater voltage applied to the heater and controls the power supplied from the voltage generation circuit to the heater based on the magnitude relationship between the heater voltage being monitored and the threshold value.
A suction device is provided.

The above means provides an advantageous technique for accurately controlling the temperature of the heater of the aspirator.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be clarified by the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the attached drawings, the same or similar configurations are given the same reference numbers.

The accompanying drawings are included in the specification and are used to form a part thereof, show embodiments of the present invention, and explain the principles of the present invention together with the description thereof.
The figure explaining the structural example of the aspirator of embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining the structural example of the aspirator of embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining the temperature profile example of the heater of embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining the structural example of the electric component of embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining the operation example of the electric component of embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining the operation example of the electric component of embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining the control circuit of the 1st configuration example of this invention. The figure explaining the operation of the control circuit of the 1st configuration example of this invention. The figure explaining the control circuit of the 2nd structural example of this invention. The figure explaining the control circuit of the 3rd structural example of this invention. The figure explaining the control circuit of the 4th structural example of this invention. The figure explaining the control circuit of the 5th structural example of this invention. The figure explaining the control circuit of the 6th structural example of this invention. The figure explaining the example of gradual increase and gradual decrease of the target value of this invention. The figure explaining the control circuit of the 7th structural example of this invention. The figure explaining the structural example of the square wave generation circuit of this invention. The figure explaining the control circuit of the 8th structural example of this invention. The figure explaining the example of the method of determining the target value of the heater voltage of this invention.

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

FIG. 1A schematically shows the configuration of the aspirator 100 of one embodiment. The suction device 100 may be configured to provide the user with a gas containing an aerosol or a gas containing an aerosol and a flavoring substance through the mouthpiece 130 according to the suction operation by the user. The aspirator 100 may include a controller 102 and an atomizer 104. The suction device 100 may include a holding unit 103 that holds the atomizer 104 in a removable state. The controller 102 may be understood as a controller for an aspirator. The atomizer 104 may be configured to atomize the aerosol source. The aerosol source can be, for example, a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin or propylene glycol. Alternatively, the aerosol source may include a drug. The aerosol source may be a liquid, a solid, or a mixture of a liquid and a solid. A vapor source such as water may be used instead of the aerosol source.

The aspirator 100 may further include a capsule 106 containing a flavor source 131, and the atomizer 104 may include a capsule holder 105 that holds the capsule 106 in a removable state. The flavor source 131 may be, for example, a molded product obtained by molding a tobacco material. Alternatively, the flavor source 131 may be composed of plants other than tobacco (eg, mint, herbs, Chinese herbs, coffee beans, etc.). A fragrance such as menthol may be added to the flavor source. The flavor source 131 may be added to the aerosol source. The capsule holder 105 may be provided on the controller 102 instead of the atomizer 104.

The controller 102 may include an electrical component 110. The electrical component 110 may include a user interface 116. Alternatively, the controller 102 may be understood to include the electrical components 110 and the user interface 116. The user interface 116 is, for example, a display unit DISP (for example, a light emitting element such as an LED and / or an image display such as an LCD) and / or an operation unit OP (for example, a switch such as a button switch and / or). , Touch display) can be included.

The holding unit 103 of the controller 102 may include a first electrical contact 111 and a second electrical contact 112. In a state where the atomizer 104 is held by the holding unit 103, the first electric contact 111 of the holding unit 103 is in contact with the third electric contact 113 of the atomizer 104, and the second electric contact 112 of the holding unit 103. Can contact the fourth electrical contact 114 of the atomizer 104. The controller 102 may supply power to the atomizer 104 through the first electrical contact 111 and the second electrical contact 112.

The atomizer 104 may include the above-mentioned third electrical contact 113 and fourth electrical contact 114. Further, the atomizer 104 includes a heater 127 for heating the aerosol source, a container 125 for holding the liquid aerosol source, and a transport unit 126 for transporting the aerosol source held by the container 125 to the heating region by the heater 127. Can include. The transport unit 126 may also be called a wick. At least a portion of the heating region of the heater 127 may be located in the flow path 128 provided in the atomizer 104. The first electric contact 111, the third electric contact 113, the heater 127, the fourth electric contact 114, and the second electric contact 112 form a current path for passing a current through the heater 127. The transport unit 126 may be made of, for example, a fibrous material or a porous material.

The atomizer 104 can include a capsule holder 105 that detachably holds the capsule 106, as described above. In one example, the capsule holder 105 may house a portion of the capsule 106 in the capsule holder 105 or in the atomizer 104 and hold the capsule 106 so as to expose the other portion. The user can suck the gas containing the aerosol by holding the mouthpiece 130 with his mouth. The removable capsule 106 includes a mouthpiece 130 to keep the suction cup 100 clean.

When the user grabs the mouthpiece 130 and performs a suction operation, as illustrated by the arrow, air flows into the flow path 128 of the atomizer 104, and the aerosol generated by the heater 127 heating the aerosol source is generated. It is transported toward the mouthpiece 130 by the air. Then, in the configuration in which the flavor source 131 is arranged, the flavor substance generated by the flavor source 131 is added to the aerosol, transported to the mouthpiece 130, and sucked into the user's mouth.

FIG. 1B schematically shows the configuration of the aspirator 150 of another embodiment. In the following, the same reference numerals will be given to the components of the aspirator 150 similar to those of the aspirator 100, and the description thereof will be omitted. The aspirator 150 may be configured to provide the user with a gas containing an aerosol or a gas containing an aerosol and a flavoring substance through the mouthpiece 130, depending on the suction operation by the user.

The aspirator 150 may include a controller 102 and an aerosol generating article 151. The suction device 150 may include a holding portion 152 that holds the aerosol-generating article 151 in a removable state. The controller 102 may be understood as a controller for an aspirator. The aerosol-generating article 151 may include an aerosol substrate 153 holding an aerosol source and a filter 154. In the aerosol base material 153, an aerosol source and a flavor source can be mixed. As an example, the flavor source may function as an aerosol substrate 153. The flavor source can be, for example, a molded product obtained by molding a tobacco material. Alternatively, the flavor source may be composed of plants other than tobacco (eg, mint, herbs, Chinese herbs, coffee beans, etc.). A fragrance such as menthol may be added to the flavor source.

The aerosol-generating article 151 may have a rod-like shape. The heater 127 has a protruding shape (for example, a needle shape or a blade shape). The holding portion 152 forms a recess. By inserting the aerosol-generating article 151 into the recess of the holding portion 152, the heater 127 is inserted into the aerosol base material 153 of the aerosol-generating article 151. As a result, the heater 127 is in a state where the aerosol source in the aerosol base material 153 can be heated. The used aerosol-generating article 151 can be removed from the aspirator 150 with the heater 127 coupled to the aspirator 150. In this way, the aerosol-generating article 151 can be inserted and removed from the recess of the aspirator.

The heater 127 is coupled to the controller 102, and power is supplied from the controller 102. When the user grabs the mouthpiece 130 and performs a suction operation, as illustrated by the arrow, air flows into the aerosol base material 153, and the aerosol generated by the heater 127 heating the aerosol source is flavored by the air. It is transported together with the substance toward the mouthpiece 130.

The heater 127 of the aerosol-generating article 151 heats the aerosol-generating article 151 from the inside. Instead, the heater 127 may have a structure for heating the aerosol-generating article 151 from the outside. For example, the heater 127 has a ring shape, and the aerosol-generating article 151 may be inserted into the ring. Further, the heater 127 may be one or may be separated into a plurality of heaters 127. When the heater 127 is separated into a plurality of parts, a part of the heater 127 may heat the aerosol-generating article 151 from the inside, and the remainder of the heater 127 may heat the aerosol-generating article 151 from the outside.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the temperature profile of the target temperature of the heater 127. For example, in the aspirator 150, the distribution of the aerosol source inside the aerosol-generating article 151 can change depending on the usage conditions. In some embodiments, the controller 102 controls the temperature of the heater 127 to an appropriate value in response to this change.

Graph 200 in FIG. 2 shows an example of the temperature profile of the heater 127. The horizontal axis of the graph 200 shows the elapsed time from the start of suction, and the vertical axis of the graph 200 shows the temperature of the heater 127. At time t0, it is assumed that the heater 127 is at room temperature.

At time t0, the controller 102 rapidly heats the heater 127 so that the temperature of the heater 127 reaches the target temperature T _Target1. From time t1 to t2, the controller 102 maintains the temperature of the heater 127 at the target temperature T _Target1. If the aerosol source is sufficiently heated, then the amount of aerosol generated may be excessive. _{Therefore, the controller 102 lowers} the temperature of the heater 127 from time t2 to t3 so that the temperature of the heater 127 becomes the target temperature T Target2. The target temperature T _Target2 is lower than the target temperature T _Target1. From time t3 to t4, the controller 102 maintains the temperature of the heater 127 at the target temperature T _{Target 2.}

After a certain amount of time has passed from the start of aerosol generation, the amount of aerosol source around the heater 127 decreases, so that the aerosol source located far from the heater 127 is heated. Therefore, the controller 102 raises the temperature of the heater 127 after the time t4. The rate of change in temperature rise after time t4 is lower than the rate of change in temperature rise from time t0 to t1.

In this way, the controller 102 controls the temperature of the heater 127 by appropriately switching the target temperature of the heater 127. The temperature profile of the heater 127 is not limited to that shown in the graph 200, and may vary depending on the configuration of the heater 127 and the type of aerosol source. Further, when the heater 127 is separated into a plurality of heaters, a temperature profile may be set for each individual heater.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the electric component 110. The electrical component 110 may include a power source (eg, a battery) 301, a voltage generation circuit 302 that generates electric power to supply the heater 127, and a control circuit 303 that controls the electric power supplied to the heater 127. The resistance value R _HTR of the heater 127 changes depending on the temperature of the heater 127. For example, the resistance value R _HTR of the heater 127 has a positive correlation with the temperature of the heater 127.

The voltage generation circuit 302 can include, for example, a voltage converter (voltage regulator) 321 that converts the power supply voltage Vbat supplied from the power supply 301 into the heater drive voltage Vout. Further, the voltage generation circuit 302 may include a voltage conversion circuit 322 such as an LDO (Low DropOut) that converts the power supply voltage Vbat into a voltage Vmcu for an MCU (microcontroller unit) in the control circuit 303.

The control circuit 303 controls the electrical component 110 as a whole. As part of such control, the control circuit 303 performs feedback control so that the temperature of the heater 127 while heating the aerosol source approaches the target temperature. Specifically, the target value calculation unit 331 of the control circuit 303 calculates a target value of a physical quantity having a correlation with the temperature of the heater 127 and stores it in the memory before the user starts using the suction device 100. .. As will be described later, this physical quantity may be a voltage (also referred to as a heater voltage) applied to the heater 127. This target value is set so that the temperature of the heater 127 during heating of the aerosol source becomes the target temperature. After that, the power supply control unit 332 of the control circuit 303 monitors this physical quantity while the user is using the suction device 100, and supplies the heater 127 from the voltage generation circuit 302 so that the physical quantity being monitored approaches the target value. Control the power generated. As the target temperature of the heater 127 changes, the target value of the physical quantity that correlates with the temperature of the heater 127 may also change.

The electric component 110 may further include a temperature sensor 304 that detects the temperature of a predetermined portion of the electric component 110, and a puff sensor (for example, a pressure sensor) 305 that detects the puff operation of the user. The temperature sensor 304 may be incorporated in the puff sensor 305 or the power supply 301.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show the operation of the aspirator 100. This operation is controlled by the control circuit 303. The control circuit 303 includes a memory for storing the program and a processor that operates according to the program. The operations of FIGS. 4A and 4B may be processed by the processor executing a program in memory.

In step S401, the control circuit 303 waits for the atomization request to be received, and when the atomization request is received, the control circuit 303 executes step S402. The atomization requirement is a requirement to generate an aerosol from an aerosol source, more specifically to control the heater 127 within a target temperature range to generate an aerosol from the aerosol source. The atomization request may be an operation in which the puff sensor 305 detects that the user has performed a suction operation (puff operation) through the mouthpiece 130, and the puff sensor 305 notifies the control circuit 303 of the detection. Alternatively, the atomization request may be an operation in which the operation unit OP notifies the control circuit 303 that the user has operated the operation unit OP.

In step S402, the control circuit 303 acquires the power supply voltage Vbat from a power supply management circuit (not shown), and determines whether or not the power supply voltage Vbat exceeds the discharge cutoff voltage Vend (for example, 3.2V). When the power supply voltage Vbat is equal to or lower than the discharge end voltage Vend, it means that the remaining dischargeable amount of the power supply 301 is not sufficient. Therefore, when the power supply voltage Vbat is equal to or lower than the discharge end voltage Vend, in step S419, the control circuit 303 uses the display unit DISP of the user interface 116 to notify the power supply 301 to be charged. This notification may be to light the LED in red when the display DISP includes the LED. When the power supply voltage Vbat exceeds the discharge end voltage Vend, in step S403, the control circuit 303 can notify that normal operation is possible by using the display unit DISP of the user interface 116. This notification may be to light the LED in blue when the display DISP includes the LED.

Following step S403, in step S404, the control circuit 303 starts power supply control for the heater 127. The power supply control for the heater 127 includes a temperature control for controlling the heater 127 within a target temperature range. The details of this temperature control will be described later.

Then, in step S405, the control circuit 303 _{resets the suction time TL} to 0, and then in step S406, the control circuit 303 adds Δt to the _{suction time TL.} Δt corresponds to the time interval between the execution of step S406 and the execution of the next step S406.

Next, in step S407, the control circuit 303 determines whether or not the atomization request is completed, and if the atomization request is completed, in step S409, the control circuit 303 controls the power supply to the heater 127. Stop. On the other hand, when the atomization request is not completed, in step S408, the control circuit 303 _{determines whether or not the suction time TL} (for example, 2.0 to 2.5 sec) has reached the upper limit time, and determines whether the suction time has reached the upper limit time. If the _TL has not reached the upper limit time, the process returns to step S406.

Following step S409, in step S410, the control circuit 303 turns off the LED that was lit in blue. Then, in step S411, the control circuit 303 updates the integration time _{T A.} More specifically, in step S411, it adds the suction time _{T L} the accumulated time _{T A} at the moment. Accumulated time T _A is the accumulated time used for the capsule 106 is aspirated, in other words, be a cumulative time the aerosol is aspirated through the flavor source 131 of the capsule 106.

In step S412, the control circuit 303 determines the accumulated time _{T A} suction time (e.g., 120 sec) whether or not exceed. If the accumulated time T _A has not exceeded the respirable time means that the capsule 106 can be still provided a flavoring substance, in this case, the flow returns to step S401. If the accumulated time T _A exceeds the respirable time, in step S413, the control circuit 303 waits for occurrence of the atomization required. Then, when the atomization request occurs, in step S414, the control circuit 303 waits for the atomization request to continue for a predetermined time, and then in step S416, the control circuit 303 prohibits power supply control to the heater 127. .. Note that step S414 may be omitted.

Next, in step S416, the control circuit 303 uses the display unit DISP of the user interface 116 to notify the replacement of consumables (capsule 106 of the aspirator 100 and aerosol-generating article 151 of the aspirator 150). This notification may be to blink the LED in blue (repeatedly turning on and off) when the display unit DISP includes an LED. In response, the user can replace the consumables. In one example, one atomizer 104 and a plurality (eg, 5) capsules 106 may be sold as a set. In such an example, after one set of atomizers 104 and all capsules 106 have been consumed, the consumed set of atomizers 104 and the last capsule 106 are new sets of atomizers. Can be replaced with 104 and capsule 106.

In step S417, the control circuit 303 waits for the replacement of consumables (capsule 106 of the aspirator 100 and aerosol generating article 151 of the aspirator 150) to be completed, and in step S418, the control circuit 303 supplies power to the heater 127. The prohibition of control is released, and the process returns to step S401.

Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 5, a first configuration example of the control circuit 303 for feedback control of the heater 127 will be described. The control circuit 303 may include an MCU 501, switches SW1 and SW2, shunt resistors R _shunt1 and R _shunt2, and an operational amplifier 502. The MCU 501 may include a memory 511, a switch drive unit 512, a target value calculation unit 331, a comparison unit 513, and an ADC (analog-to-digital converter) 415. The switch drive unit 512, the target value calculation unit 331, and the comparison unit 513 may be realized by a general-purpose processor, a dedicated circuit, or a combination of both. The power supply control unit 332 is configured by the switches SW1 and SW2, the shunt resistors R _shunt1 and R _shunt2 , the switch drive unit 512, and the comparison unit 513.

The switch SW1 and the shunt resistor R _shunt1 are connected in series between the supply line of the heater drive voltage Vout from the voltage generation circuit 302 and the heater 127. The resistance value of the _{shunt resistor R shunt 1} is marked as R shunt 1 in the _{same manner as its code.} The same applies to the other resistors described below. In the example of FIG. 5, the shunt resistor _{R Shunt1} is connected between the switch SW1 and the heater 127. Instead of this, the switch SW1 may be connected between the shunt resistor _{R Shunt1} and the heater 127.

The switch SW1 may be composed of, for example, a transistor, specifically a FET (field effect transistor) IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor). Hereinafter, the case where various switches such as the switch SW1 are composed of FETs will be described, but the FETs may be composed of IGBTs or other switches. The control signal SWC1 is supplied from the switch drive unit 512 to the control terminal of the switch SW1 (for example, the gate of the FET). The switch SW1 switches on / off according to the value of the control signal SWC1. The control signal that turns on the switch SW1 (that is, the conducting state) is called an on signal, and the control signal that turns off the switch SW1 (that is, the non-conducting state) is called an off signal. The on signal is, for example, high level, and the off signal is, for example, low level. The same applies to the control signals of other switches described below.

The switch SW2 and the shunt resistor R _shunt2 are connected in series between the supply line of the heater drive voltage Vout from the voltage generation circuit 302 and the heater 127. The resistance value of the shunt resistor _{R Shunt2} is sufficiently larger than the resistance value of the shunt resistor _{R shunt1.} In the example of FIG. 5, the shunt resistor _{R Shunt2} is connected between the switch SW2 and the heater 127. Instead of this, the switch SW2 may be connected between the shunt resistor _{R Shunt2} and the heater 127. The switch SW2 may be composed of, for example, a transistor, specifically an FET or an IGBT. A control signal SWC2 is supplied from the switch drive unit 512 to the control terminal of the switch SW2 (for example, the gate of the FET). The switch SW2 switches on / off according to the value of the control signal SWC2.

The operational amplifier (differential amplifier) 502 has a non-inverting input terminal, an inverting input terminal, and an output terminal. The non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 502 is connected to one end of the heater 127 (specifically, the third electric contact 113). The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 502 is connected to another end (specifically, the fourth electrical contact 114) of the heater 127. The output terminal of the operational amplifier 502 is connected to the input terminal of the ADC 415. In this way, the operational amplifier 502 _{supplies the voltage V HTR} applied to the heater 127 to the ADC 415. In the first configuration example of FIG. 5, the control circuit 303 monitors _{the output of the operational amplifier 502, that is, the voltage V HTR as a physical quantity having a correlation with the temperature of the heater.} The control circuit 303 controls the power supplied to the heater 127 so that _{the voltage V HTR approaches the target value.}

The switch drive unit 512 may supply a control signal to a switch (transistor) other than the switch SW1 and the switch SW2. For example, control of a switch (transistor) built in a voltage converter (voltage regulator) 321 or a switch (transistor) (not shown) provided between the heater 127 and the ground or in the supply line of the heater drive voltage Vout. A control signal may be supplied to the terminal from the switch drive unit 512.

A method of determining the target value V _Target of the voltage V _HTR will be described with reference to FIG. As will be described later, the target value V _Target is used as a comparison target with the voltage V _{HTR being monitored.} Therefore, the target value V _Target may be referred to as a threshold value. The control circuit 303 may perform an operation of determining the _{target value V Target} in a state where the heater 127 is not heated, for example, before step S404 in FIG. 4A. The determination of the target value V _Target may be performed when the heater 127 is new. The new heater 127 may be, for example, a state before the user starts using the heater 127 to suck the aerosol. The period during which the heater 127 is new may include the time of manufacture of the aspirators 100, 150. Further, the control circuit 303 may determine the _{target value V Target} when the heater 127 is not in a new state.

In step S1601, the target value calculation unit 331 measures the current temperature of the heater 127, and sets this temperature as the reference temperature T _Ref . The reference temperature T _Ref may be determined based on the temperature at an arbitrary location in the aspirator 100 (for example, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 304) or the room temperature.

In step S1602, the target value calculation unit 331 turns off the switch SW1 and turns on the switch SW2. As a result, a current flows from the supply line of the heater drive voltage Vout _{to the ground via the switch SW2, the shunt resistor R shunt2,} and the heater 127. The target value calculation unit 331 _{receives the voltage V HTR} applied to the heater 127 from the ADC 415 in digital form. The target value calculation unit 331 calculates _{the reference resistance value R Ref by applying this voltage V HTR} to the following equation (1).

In the formula (1), Vout and R _Shunt2 are specified values. These values are written to memory 511 at the time of manufacture.

In step S1603, the target value calculation unit 331 calculates the target value V _Target according to the equation (2), and stores the target value V _Target in the memory 511 in the digital format in step S1604.

In the formula (2), α and T _Target are specified values. These values are written to memory 511 at the time of manufacture. α is the temperature coefficient [ppm / ° C.] of the heater 127. α is a value determined by the material and size of the heater 127.

T _Target is the target temperature of the heater 127 during heating of the aerosol source. The target temperature T _Target is set, for example, at the time of manufacture. The target value V _Target corresponds to _{the voltage V HTR} at the time when the temperature of the heater 127 is the target temperature T _Target. In other words, the target value V _Target is the heater 127 in a state where the voltage generation circuit 302 supplies power to the heater 127 so that the temperature of the heater 127 is within the range in which aerosols can be generated from the aspirators 100 and 150. Equal to the value of voltage V _HTR. In the aspirator 100, the target temperature T _Target is set to be in the range of 210 ° C. or higher and lower than 230 ° C., for example, 220 ° C. By performing feedback control so that the voltage V _HTR approaches the target value V _Target , the temperature of the heater 127 also fluctuates so as to approach the _{target temperature T Target.}

The circuit characteristics of the control circuit 303 may differ from one suction device to another depending on the product tolerances of the elements constituting the control circuit 303 and the like. Therefore, the target value V _Target determined as described above may differ from product to product. In other words, the target value V _Target of one aspirator can be different from _{the target value V Target} of another aspirator having the same components as this aspirator.

In the above example, it is explained that the target value V _Target is calculated by dividing into the equations (1) and (2). However, the target value calculation unit 331 may calculate the _{target value V Target} according to the formula in which these formulas are integrated.

As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the target temperature T _Target of the heater 127 can have a plurality of values. Therefore, the target value calculation unit 331 determines a target value _{V Target} for each of the plurality of target temperatures _{T Target,} may be stored in memory 511.

Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 6, the feedback control of the temperature of the heater 127 will be described. The control circuit 303 executes this feedback control during suction by the user (for example, between steps S404 and S409 in FIGS. 4A and 4B).

In step S601, the comparison unit 513 reads _{the target value V Target} of the initial value in the digital format from the memory 511. After that, the comparison unit 513 compares the read digital target value V _{Target with the voltage V HTR} received from the ADC 415 in the digital format, and continues to supply these comparison results to the switch drive unit 512. In this way, the comparison unit 513 monitors the _{voltage V HTR applied to the heater 127.} In the example of FIG. 2, a heater voltage corresponding to the target temperature _{T Target1} is read as a target value _{V Target.}

In step S602, the switch drive unit 512 turns off the switch SW1 by supplying an off signal as the control signal SWC1, and turns on the switch SW2 by supplying an on signal as the control signal SWC2. _{After that, the switch drive unit 512 determines whether the voltage V HTR} is lower than the target value V _Target based on the output from the comparison unit 513. When this condition is satisfied (“YES” in step S602), the switch drive unit 512 transitions the process to step S603, and in other cases (“NO” in step S602), the switch drive unit 512 steps the process. Transition to S604.

In step S603, the switch drive unit 512 turns on the switch SW1 by supplying an on signal as the control signal SWC1, and turns off the switch SW2 by supplying an off signal as the control signal SWC2. The switch drive unit 512 maintains the state when the switch SW1 has already been supplied with the on signal, and maintains the state when the switch SW2 has already been supplied with the off signal. This state is maintained until the comparison result by the comparison unit 513 changes. Thus, from the supply line of the heater driving voltage Vout, the switch SW1, a current flows to the ground via the shunt resistor _{R Shunt1} and heater 127. On the other hand, no current flows in the path passing through the switch SW2. By current flows through shunt resistor _{R Shunt1} the heater 127, the power required to heat the heater 127 is supplied, the temperature of the heater 127 is increased. The shunt resistor R shunt 1 _{has a resistance value for passing} a current capable of raising the temperature of the heater 127.

In step S604, the switch drive unit 512 turns off the switch SW1 by supplying an off signal as the control signal SWC1, and turns on the switch SW2 by supplying an on signal as the control signal SWC2. The switch drive unit 512 maintains the state when the switch SW2 has already been supplied with the on signal, and maintains the state when the switch SW1 has already been supplied with the off signal. This state is maintained until the comparison result by the comparison unit 513 changes. As a result, a current flows from the supply line of the heater drive voltage Vout _{to the ground via the switch SW2, the shunt resistor R shunt2,} and the heater 127. On the other hand, no current flows in the path passing through the switch SW1. Since the shunt resistor _{R Shunt2} is sufficiently large, not supplied power required to heat the heater 127, the temperature of the heater 127 is lowered. That is, the shunt resistor R shunt 2 _{has a resistance value for passing} a current capable of lowering the temperature of the heater 127. The amount of power current is supplied to the heater 127 when flowing through the shunt resistor _{R Shunt2} is lower than the amount of power supplied to the heater 127 when a current flows through the shunt resistor _{R shunt1.} When the resistance value of the shunt resistor R _Shunt2 is sufficiently large, the power supplied to the heater 127 is substantially zero.

In step S605, the switch drive unit 512 determines whether or not the target value switching condition is satisfied. When this condition is satisfied (“YES” in step S605), the switch drive unit 512 transitions the process to step S606, and in other cases (“NO” in step S605), the switch drive unit 512 steps the process. Transition to S602.

The target value switching condition may be based on the usage status of the aspirators 100 and 150. This usage may include at least one of the number of suctions, the length of suction, and the amount of suction. For example, the comparison unit 513 may measure the elapsed time from the start of suction with a timer and switch the target value according to the elapse of a predetermined time from the start of suction. Further, the comparison unit 513 may include a counter that counts the number of times the user has performed suction, and may switch the target value when the value of this counter reaches a predetermined value. Further, the suction devices 100 and 150 further include a sensor for measuring the amount of suction by the user, and the comparison unit 513 switches the target value according to the amount of suction detected by this sensor reaching a predetermined value. You may. The comparison unit 513 measures the elapsed time from the start of supplying electric power to the heater 127 with a timer, and sets a target value according to the elapse of a predetermined time after starting to supply electric power to the heater 127. May be switched.

In step S606, the comparison unit 513 reads out _{the target value V Target} of the initial value after switching from the memory 511. After that, the comparison unit 513 compares the read digital target value V _{Target with the voltage V HTR} received from the ADC 415 in the digital format, and continues to supply these comparison results to the switch drive unit 512. In the example of FIG. 2, a heater voltage corresponding to the target temperature _{T Target2} is read as a target value _{V Target.} After the target value V _Target is switched, the heater voltage is controlled so as to approach the new target value V _Target.

In step S607, the switch drive unit 512 determines whether or not to end the heat treatment. When this condition is satisfied (“YES” in step S607), the switch drive unit 512 ends the process, and in other cases (“NO” in step S607), the switch drive unit 512 shifts the process to step S602. do. The condition for terminating the heat treatment is the condition for transitioning to step S409 in FIG. 4B described above.

As described above, the control circuit 303 controls the electric power supplied to the heater 127 so that _{the voltage V HTR} approaches the target value V _Target. Specifically, the control circuit 303 switches the amount of power supplied from the voltage generation circuit 302 to the heater 127 based on the comparison result between the _{monitored voltage V HTR} and the target value V _Target. As described above, since the target value V _Target is set so that the temperature of the heater 127 becomes the target temperature T _Target , this feedback control brings the temperature of the heater 127 while heating the aerosol source to a desired range. Be maintained. In steps S604 and S605 described above, when the equal sign is satisfied, the branch is branched to NO, but the branch may be changed to YES instead. Further, the control circuit 303 _{directly compares the monitored voltage V HTR with the target value V Target} without converting it into another value, and performs feedback control. Therefore, the followability in the feedback control is improved.

Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 7, a second configuration example of the control circuit 303 for feedback control of the heater 127 will be described. In the second configuration example, the feedback control executed by the MCU 501 in the first configuration example of FIG. 5 is executed by the analog circuit. Hereinafter, the differences from the first configuration example will be mainly described.

The control circuit 303 of the second configuration example further includes a comparator CMP and an inverter 702 for logic inversion as compared with the control circuit 303 of the first configuration example. Further, the MCU 501 of the second configuration example does not include the switch drive unit 512 and the comparison unit 513, but includes a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) 701.

The inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP is connected to the end of the heater 127 on the supply line side of the heater drive voltage Vout (that is, the third electrical contact 113). _{Therefore, the voltage V HTR} applied to the heater 127 is supplied to the inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP. _{An analog-type target value V Target} is supplied from the MCU 501 (specifically, DAC701) to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP. Therefore, the comparator CMP outputs the comparison result between the _{voltage V HTR} and the target value V _Target. That is, the comparator CMP monitors the _{voltage V HTR} as a physical quantity that correlates with the temperature of the heater 127.

The output signal from the comparator CMP is supplied to the control terminal of the switch SW1 via the voltage divider circuit. Further, the output signal from the comparator CMP is supplied to the control terminal of the switch SW2 via the inverter 702 and the voltage dividing circuit. Both or one of these voltage divider circuits may be omitted. _{The DAC 701 reads the target value V Target} in digital format from the memory 511, converts it into an analog format, and supplies it to the comparator CMP.

In the second configuration example, the _{method of determining the target value V Target} is the same as that of the first configuration example, and thus the description thereof will be omitted. The feedback control of the temperature of the heater 127 in the second configuration example will be described. The control circuit 303 executes this feedback control during suction by the user (for example, between steps S404 and S409 in FIGS. 4A and 4B). During this feedback control, the MCU 501 may perform the same processing as in steps S601, S605 and S606 of FIG. 6 to switch the _{target value V Target.}

In order to start supplying power to the heater 127, the DAC701 _{reads the target value V Target} from the memory 511, converts it into an analog format, and continues to supply it to the comparator CMP. Immediately after suction, the temperature of the heater 127 is low, and therefore the voltage V _HTR is also low, so that the comparator CMP outputs a high level as a comparison result. As a result, a high level is supplied to the control terminal of the switch SW1, and the switch SW1 is turned on. Further, the low level logically inverted by the inverter 702 is supplied to the control terminal of the switch SW2, and the switch SW2 is turned off. As a result, a current flows through the heater 127 and the temperature of the heater 127 rises as in the first configuration example.

When the temperature of the heater 127 rises and the voltage V _HTR exceeds the target value V _Target , the comparator CMP outputs a low level as a comparison result. As a result, a low level is supplied to the control terminal of the switch SW1, and the switch SW1 is turned off. Further, a high level logically inverted by the inverter 702 is supplied to the control terminal of the switch SW2, and the switch SW2 is turned on. As a result, a current flows as in the first configuration example, and the temperature of the heater 127 drops. After that, when the voltage V _HTR falls below the target value V _Target , electric power is supplied to the heater 127 so that the temperature of the heater 127 rises.

As described above, the control circuit 303 controls the electric power supplied to the heater 127 so that _{the voltage V HTR} approaches the target value V _{Target. In the second configuration example, since the magnitude comparison of the voltage V HTR} and the target value V _Target is performed by an analog circuit (specifically, the comparator CMP) not included in the MCU 501, the power is controlled without being bound by the operating clock of the MCU 501. Can be done. Therefore, even higher speed control becomes possible. Further, since the MCU 501 does not compare the size, the processing load of the MCU 501 is reduced.

Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 8, a third configuration example of the control circuit 303 for feedback control of the heater 127 will be described. The second configuration example of FIG. 7 has one comparator system, whereas the third configuration example has two comparator systems. Hereinafter, the differences from the second configuration example will be mainly described.

The control circuit 303 of the third configuration example does not include the comparator CMP and the inverter 702, but includes the comparators CMP1 and CMP2 and the switches SW3 and SW4 as compared with the control circuit 303 of the second configuration example. Further, the MCU 501 of the third configuration example does not include the DAC 701, but includes the DACs 801 and 802.

The inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP1 is connected to the end of the heater 127 on the supply line side of the heater drive voltage Vout (that is, the third electrical contact 113). _{Therefore, the voltage V HTR} applied to the heater 127 is supplied to the inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP1. _{An analog-type target value V Target} is supplied to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP1. Therefore, the comparator CMP1 outputs a comparison result between the _{voltage V HTR} and the target value V _Target. The output signal from the comparator CMP1 is supplied to the control terminal of the switch SW1 via the voltage divider circuit.

The non-inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP2 is connected to the end of the heater 127 on the supply line side of the heater drive voltage Vout (that is, the third electrical contact 113). _{Therefore, the voltage V HTR} applied to the heater 127 is supplied to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP2. _{An analog-type target value V Target} is supplied to the inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP2. Therefore, the comparator CMP2 outputs the comparison result between the _{voltage V HTR} and the target value V _Target. The output signal from the comparator CMP2 is supplied to the control terminal of the switch SW2 via the voltage divider circuit. The comparator CMP1 and the comparator CMP2 configured as described above output signals of different levels from each other.

_{The DAC 801} reads the target value V Target 1 in the digital format from the memory 511, converts it into the analog format, and supplies it to the comparators CMP1 and CMP2 via the switch SW3. _{The DAC 802} reads the target value V Target 2 in the digital format from the memory 511, converts it into the analog format, and supplies it to the comparators CMP1 and CMP2 via the switch SW4. Since the comparator CMP1 and the comparator CMP2 output signals of different levels, only one of the switches SW3 and SW4 is turned on. Therefore, when the switch SW3 is on (that is, the switch SW4 is off), the target value V _Target1 is supplied to the comparators CMP1 and CMP2 as the target value V _Target. Switch SW4 is turned on (i.e., the switch SW3 is turned off) when the target value _{V Target2} is supplied to the comparator CMP1 and CMP2 as the target value _{V Target.}

The target value V _{Target1 is a target value of the voltage V HTR} when the switch SW1 is on and the switch SW2 is off. The target value V _{Target2 is a target value of the voltage V HTR} when the switch SW1 is off and the switch SW2 is on. The target value calculation unit 331 calculates these target values according to the above equation (1) and the following equations (3) and (4), and stores them in the memory 511.

In the formulas (3) and (4), α, Vout, R _Shunt1 and R _Shunt2 are specified values and are written to the memory 511 at the time of manufacture, for example. The target temperature T _Target is as described above for equation (2). Since R _Shunt1 > R _Shunt2 , V _Target1 <V _Target2 .

In the same manner as in the first configuration example, the target value calculation unit 331 calculates the reference resistance value R _Ref according to the equation (1), and applies this value to the equations (3) and (4) to obtain the target value V _Target1. And the target value V _Target2 is calculated. When the target temperature _{T Target} there are multiple, for each of a plurality of target temperatures _{T Target,} target value _{V Target1} and the target value _{V Target2} is calculated.

The feedback control of the temperature of the heater 127 in the third configuration example will be described. The control circuit 303 executes this feedback control during suction by the user (for example, between steps S404 and S409 in FIGS. 4A and 4B). During this feedback control, the MCU 501 may perform the same processing as in steps S601, S605 and S606 of FIG. 6 to switch between the _{target value V Target 1} and the target value V _{Target 2.}

In order to start supplying power to the heater 127, the _{DAC 801} reads the target value V Target1 from the memory 511, converts it into an analog format, and continues to supply it to the switch SW3. Further, the DAC _{802 reads the target value V Target 2} from the memory 511, converts it into an analog format, and continues to supply it to the switch SW4. At this point, it is assumed that the switch SW3 is on and the switch SW4 is off. Therefore, the target value V _Target1 is supplied to the comparators CMP1 and CMP2 as _{the target value V Target.}

Immediately after suction, the temperature of the heater 127 is low, and therefore the voltage V _HTR is also low, so that the comparator CMP1 outputs a high level as a comparison result, and the comparator CMP2 outputs a low level as a comparison result. As a result, a high level is supplied to the control terminal of the switch SW1 and the control terminal of the switch SW3, and the switches SW1 and SW3 are turned on. Further, a low level is supplied to the control terminal of the switch SW2 and the control terminal of the switch SW4, and the switches SW2 and SW4 are turned off. As a result, a current flows through the heater 127 and the temperature of the heater 127 rises as in the first configuration example. Further, the target value V _Target1 continues to be supplied to the comparators CMP1 and CMP2 as _{the target value V Target.}

When the temperature of the heater 127 rises and the voltage V _HTR exceeds the target value V _Target , the comparator CMP1 outputs a low level as a comparison result, and the comparator CMP2 outputs a high level as a comparison result. As a result, a low level is supplied to the control terminal of the switch SW1 and the control terminal of the switch SW3, and the switches SW1 and SW3 are turned off. Further, a high level is supplied to the control terminal of the switch SW2 and the control terminal of the switch SW4, and the switches SW2 and SW4 are turned on. As a result, a current flows through the heater 127 and the temperature of the heater 127 drops as in the first configuration example. Further, the target value V _Target2 is supplied to the comparators CMP1 and CMP2 as _{the target value V Target.} After that, when the voltage V _HTR falls below the target value V _Target , electric power is supplied to the heater 127 so that the temperature of the heater 127 rises.

As described above, the control circuit 303 controls the electric power supplied to the heater 127 so that _{the voltage V HTR} approaches the target value V _{Target. In the third configuration example, since the target value V Target} value is switched according to whether the temperature of the heater 127 is rising or falling, more detailed feedback control can be performed.

Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 9, a fourth configuration example of the control circuit 303 for feedback control of the heater 127 will be described. The fourth configuration example further includes delay circuits 901 and 902 as compared to the third configuration example. Hereinafter, the differences from the third configuration example will be mainly described.

The delay circuit 901 is connected to a node between the output terminal of the comparator CMP1 and the control terminal of the switch SW1. The delay circuit 902 is connected to a node between the output terminal of the comparator CMP2 and the control terminal of the switch SW2. The delay circuits 901 and 902 can adjust the speed of switching. As a result, the temperature change of the heater 127 can be smoothed, and the life of the switch SW1 and the switch SW2 can be extended.

Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 10, a fifth configuration example of the control circuit 303 for feedback control of the heater 127 will be described. The fifth configuration example further includes capacitors CP1 and CP2 and switches SW5 and SW6 as compared with the third configuration example. Hereinafter, the differences from the third configuration example will be mainly described.

The capacitor CP1 is connected to a node between the microcontroller 501 (specifically, DAC801) and the switch SW3. The switch SW5 is connected in parallel to the capacitor CP1. The capacitor CP1 can hold _{the target value V Target1} in the analog format output by the DAC801. Therefore, MCU501 sets the target value _{V Target1} the DAC801 is output after the capacitor CP1 is held, can be stopped DAC801. When the value of the target value V _Target1 is updated, the MCU 501 resets the value held in the capacitor CP1 by turning on the switch SW5, and then holds the updated target value V _Target1 in the capacitor CP1. Let me.

The capacitor CP2 is connected to a node between the microcontroller 501 (specifically, DAC802) and the switch SW4. The switch SW6 is connected in parallel to the capacitor CP2. The capacitor CP2 can hold the target value V Target 2 in the analog format output by the _{DAC 802.} The other functions of the capacitor CP2 are the same as those of the capacitor CP1. According to the fifth configuration example, the involvement of the MCU 501 in the feedback control can be further reduced, and the burden on the MCU 501 is further reduced.

Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 11, a sixth configuration example of the control circuit 303 for feedback control of the heater 127 will be described. The sixth configuration example further includes a comparator CMP3 and DAC1101 as compared with the third configuration example. Hereinafter, the differences from the third configuration example will be mainly described.

The inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP3 is connected to the end of the heater 127 on the supply line side of the heater drive voltage Vout (that is, the third electrical contact 113). _{Therefore, the voltage V HTR} applied to the heater 127 is supplied to the inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP3. _{An analog upper limit value V Upper} is supplied to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP3. Therefore, the comparator CMP3 outputs the comparison result between the _{voltage V HTR} and the upper limit value V _Upper. The output signal from the comparator CMP3 is supplied to the control terminal of the switch SW2 via the voltage divider circuit. The voltage divider circuit connected to the control terminal of the switch SW2 supplies a low level to the control terminal of the switch SW2 when at least one of the output of the comparator CMP2 and the output of the comparator CMP3 is low level, and the output of the comparator CMP2 and the comparator When both the output of the CMP3 and the output of the CMP3 are high level, the high level is supplied to the control terminal of the switch SW2.

The upper limit value V _{Upper is set to be equal to the voltage V HTR} when the temperature of the heater 127 is 230 ° C. or higher, and is stored in the memory 511. The upper limit value V _Upper is a value higher than any of the above-mentioned target values V _Target. When the monitored voltage V _HTR is less than the upper limit V _Upper , the output signal of the comparator CMP3 becomes high level. In this case, electric power is supplied to the heater 127 in the same manner as in the third configuration example.

When the monitored voltage V _HTR reaches the upper limit value V _Upper , the low level is supplied to the control terminal of the switch SW1 and the low level is also supplied to the control terminal of the switch SW2. Therefore, the supply of electric power from the voltage generation circuit 302 to the heater 127 is stopped. In this way, according to the sixth configuration example, overheating of the heater 127 is suppressed.

As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the temperature rise rate of the heater 127 immediately after the start of suction and the temperature rise rate during suction are different from each other. Depending on the required temperature profile, not only the temperature rise rate but also the temperature drop rate may be different. Therefore, a method of changing the temperature change rate of the heater 127 will be described below.

Graph 1200 in FIG. 12 shows an example of a temperature change of the heater 127. The horizontal axis of the graph 200 shows the time, and the vertical axis of the graph 200 shows the temperature of the heater 127. It is assumed that the target temperature is switched from TGT1 to TGT2 at time t0. In this case, the temperature of the heater 127 becomes the temperature TGT2 at time t1. On the other hand, from time t3 to time t4, the target temperature gradually increases in five stages. Therefore, the time for switching the temperature of the heater 127 from TGT1 to TGT2 (t4-t3) is longer than the time for directly switching the target temperature (t1-t0). _{Therefore, the control circuit 303 gradually increases the above-mentioned target value V Target} (that is, increases in a plurality of stages) when it is desired to reduce the temperature rise rate of the heater 127. _{Further, the control circuit 303 gradually reduces the above-mentioned target value V Target} (that is, decreases in a plurality of stages) when it is desired to reduce the temperature drop rate of the heater 127. This method can be applied to any of the above-mentioned configuration examples.

Another method for changing the temperature change rate of the heater 127 will be described below. In the method described below, the temperature rise rate of the heater 127 is changed by switching the electric power supplied to the heater 127 in order to raise the temperature of the heater 127.

A seventh configuration example of the control circuit 303 for feedback control of the heater 127 will be described with reference to FIG. In this configuration example, the control circuit 303 can change the temperature rise rate of the heater 127. The seventh configuration example further includes a square wave generation circuit 1300 as compared with the third configuration example. The square wave generation circuit 1300 is a circuit that outputs an input signal (for example, a voltage signal) as a square wave. The square wave generation circuit 1300 is connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP1. Therefore, the target value V _Target supplied from the switch SW3 is input to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP1 via the square wave generation circuit 1300.

A specific circuit configuration of the square wave generation circuit 1300 is shown with reference to FIG. The square wave generation circuit 1300 has a configuration as shown in FIG. _{The target value V Target} input to the square wave generation circuit 1300 is output as a square wave as shown in the graph 1400. Therefore, even when the heater voltage V _HTR is lower than the target value V _Target , the switch SW1 is not maintained on and is switched on and off periodically. Correspondingly, the amount of electric power supplied to the heater 127 decreases, so that the temperature rise rate of the heater 127 decreases.

The control circuit 303 may further include a bypass circuit 1401 that can be switched to a path that bypasses the square wave generation circuit 1300. The bypass circuit 1401 is composed of, for example, a switch SW7. When the switch SW7 is turned on, the target value V _Target continues to be supplied to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP1. Therefore, as compared with the case where the switch SW7 is turned off (that is, a square wave is supplied), the amount of electric power supplied to the heater 127 increases, and the temperature rise rate of the heater 127 increases. In this way, the control circuit 303 can change the temperature rise rate of the heater 127 by switching the switch SW7 on and off.

The square wave generation circuit 1300 may be connected to the output terminal of the comparator CMP1 (for example, the position of the node 1301 in FIG. 13) instead of being connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP1. Even in this case, the temperature rise rate of the heater 127 can be changed in the same manner as described with reference to FIG.

An eighth configuration example of the control circuit 303 for feedback control of the heater 127 will be described with reference to FIG. In this configuration example, the control circuit 303 can change the temperature rise rate of the heater 127. The eighth configuration example further includes the switch SW8 as compared with the third configuration example. Further, the voltage generation circuit 302 can generate two types of constant voltages, Vout1 and Vout2. Here, it is assumed that the voltage Vout1 is larger than the voltage Vout2.

The control circuit 303 supplies electric power from the voltage Vout1 to the heater 127 when it is desired to set the temperature rise rate of the heater 127 to the higher value. The control circuit 303 supplies electric power from the voltage Vout2 to the heater 127 when it is desired to set the temperature rise rate of the heater 127 to the lower value. In this way, the control circuit 303 can change the temperature rise rate of the heater 127.

The temperature change rate of the heater 127 may be changed at any time. For example, it may be performed at the same time as the change of the target temperature, or may be performed while the temperature of the heater 127 is changing toward the target temperature.

In any of the control circuits of the first to eighth configurations of the present invention, the switch SW1, the switch SW2, and the shunt resistor R are located between the supply line of the heater drive voltage Vout from the voltage generation circuit 302 and the heater 127. _Shunt1, shunt resistor _{R Shunt2} is provided. Alternatively, between the ground and the heater 127, the switch SW1, the switch SW2, shunt resistor _{R Shunt1,} may be provided a shunt resistor _{R shunt2.}

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

This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-043279 submitted on March 12, 2020, and all the contents thereof are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims (22)

1. A voltage regulator that produces a voltage to power the heater to heat the aerosol source,
   A resistor connected in series with the heater and the voltage regulator,
   A transistor that switches the amount of power supplied to the heater,
   An operational amplifier having a non-inverting input terminal connected to the first end of the heater and an inverting input terminal connected to the second end of the heater in order to measure the heater voltage applied to the heater.
   A drive circuit connected between the output terminal of the operational amplifier and the control terminal of the transistor is provided.
   The drive circuit
   When the output signal of the operational amplifier is larger than the threshold value, the off signal is continuously supplied to the control terminal until the output signal becomes smaller than the threshold value.
   When the output signal is smaller than the threshold value, the on signal is continuously supplied to the control terminal until the output signal becomes larger than the threshold value.
   Aspirator.
2. Further equipped with a memory for storing the threshold value in a digital format,
   The drive circuit compares the output signal converted into a digital format with the threshold value stored in the memory, and supplies an on signal or an off signal to the control terminal based on the comparison result. To judge whether
   The aspirator according to claim 1.
3. A voltage generator that generates a voltage to power the heater to heat the aerosol source,
   A resistor connected between the heater and the voltage generation circuit,
   A control circuit that monitors the heater voltage applied to the heater and controls the power supplied from the voltage generation circuit to the heater based on the magnitude relationship between the heater voltage being monitored and the threshold value.
   Aspirator equipped with.
4. Further equipped with a memory for storing the threshold value in a digital format,
   The control circuit converts the threshold value stored in the memory into an analog format, and determines the magnitude relationship by comparing the threshold value in the analog format with the heater voltage being monitored.
   The aspirator according to claim 3.
5. The threshold is equal to the value of the heater voltage in a state where power is being supplied to the heater from the voltage generation circuit so that the temperature of the heater is included in a range in which an aerosol can be generated from the suction device. 4. The aspirator according to 4.
6. The aerosol source is removable from the aspirator with the heater coupled to the aspirator.
   The threshold value is the value of the heater voltage at the time of new product in a state where power is supplied to the heater from the voltage generation circuit so that the temperature of the heater is included in a range in which an aerosol can be generated from the suction device. equal,
   The aspirator according to claim 4.
7. The control circuit
   When the heater voltage under monitoring is smaller than the threshold value, a first amount of electric power is continuously supplied to the heater until the heater voltage under monitoring reaches the threshold value.
   When the heater voltage under monitoring is greater than the threshold value, the power supplied to the heater is maintained at a second amount lower than the first amount until the heater voltage under monitoring drops to the threshold value.
   The aspirator according to any one of claims 3 to 6.
8. The control circuit according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the control circuit stops supplying electric power to the heater when the heater voltage under monitoring exceeds an upper limit value higher than the threshold value. Aspirator.
9. The aspirator includes a recess into which an aerosol generating article having an aerosol substrate holding the aerosol source can be inserted and removed.
   The heater is configured to be capable of heating the aerosol-generating article inserted in the recess.
   The aspirator according to any one of claims 3 to 8.
10. The suction device according to claim 9, wherein the control circuit switches the threshold value to another value based on the usage status of the suction device while the heater is heating the aerosol-generating article.
11. The suction device according to claim 10, wherein the usage state includes at least one of the number of suctions, the length of suction, and the amount of suction.
12. The aspirator according to any one of claims 3 to 11, wherein the control circuit switches the value of the voltage generated by the voltage generation circuit to another value in order to change the temperature change rate of the heater. ..
13. The aspirator according to any one of claims 3 to 11, wherein the control circuit gradually decreases or gradually increases the threshold value in order to change the temperature change rate of the heater.
14. The control circuit
    A transistor connected between the heater and the voltage generation circuit is provided.
    If the heater voltage is less than the threshold, turn on the transistor and turn it on.
    If the heater voltage is greater than the threshold, the transistor is turned off.
    The aspirator according to claim 3.
15. The resistor is the first resistor and
    The control circuit
    The first resistor and the first transistor connected in series between the voltage generation circuit and the first end of the heater,
    A second resistor and a second transistor connected in series between the voltage generation circuit and the first end of the heater,
    A first comparator having a non-inverting input terminal to which the threshold value is supplied and an inverting input terminal connected to the first end of the heater.
    Includes a non-inverting input terminal connected to the first end of the heater and a second comparator having an inverting input terminal to which the threshold is supplied.
    The resistance value of the second resistor is higher than the resistance value of the first resistor.
    The output of the first comparator is supplied to the control terminal of the first transistor, and is supplied to the control terminal of the first transistor.
    The suction device according to claim 14, wherein the output of the second comparator is supplied to the control terminal of the second transistor.
16. The resistor is the first resistor and
    The control circuit
    With the first resistor and the first transistor connected in series to the second end of the heater,
    A second resistor and a second transistor connected in series with the second end of the heater,
    A first comparator having a non-inverting input terminal to which the threshold value is supplied and an inverting input terminal connected to the first end of the heater.
    Includes a non-inverting input terminal connected to the first end of the heater and a second comparator having an inverting input terminal to which the threshold is supplied.
    The resistance value of the second resistor is higher than the resistance value of the first resistor.
    The output of the first comparator is supplied to the control terminal of the first transistor, and is supplied to the control terminal of the first transistor.
    The suction device according to claim 14, wherein the output of the second comparator is supplied to the control terminal of the second transistor.
17. The control circuit includes a microcontroller that converts the threshold value stored in the memory in a digital format into an analog format and supplies the threshold value in the analog format to the first comparator and the second comparator.
    The memory stores a first threshold value and a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value.
    The microcontroller
    The first threshold value is supplied to the first comparator as the threshold value, and the first threshold value is supplied to the first comparator.
    The second threshold value is supplied to the second comparator as the threshold value, and the second threshold value is supplied to the second comparator.
    The control circuit further includes a third transistor and a fourth transistor.
    The first threshold is supplied from the microcontroller to the first comparator through the third transistor.
    The second threshold is supplied from the microcontroller to the second comparator through the fourth transistor.
    The output of the first comparator is further supplied to the control terminal of the third transistor.
    The suction device according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the output of the second comparator is further supplied to the control terminal of the fourth transistor.
18. The control circuit further includes a square wave generation circuit that converts a voltage input to the non-inverting input terminal of the first comparator or a voltage output from an output terminal of the first comparator into a square wave, according to claims 15 to 17. The aspirator according to any one of the above items.
19. The suction device according to claim 18, wherein the control circuit further includes a bypass circuit that can be switched to a path that bypasses the square wave generation circuit.
20. A heater for heating the aerosol source and
    A voltage generation circuit that generates a voltage to supply electric power to the heater,
    A resistor connected between the heater and the voltage generation circuit,
    Memory to store the threshold and
    A control circuit that monitors the heater voltage applied to the heater and controls the power supplied from the voltage generation circuit to the heater based on the magnitude relationship between the monitored heater voltage and the threshold value.
    It is a manufacturing method of an aspirator equipped with
    A step of determining the value of the heater voltage at the time of a new product in a state where electric power is supplied from the voltage generation circuit to the heater so that the temperature of the heater is included in a range in which an aerosol can be generated from the suction device. ,
    A step of storing the determined value as the threshold value in the memory, and
    A manufacturing method.
21. A heater for heating the aerosol source and
    A voltage generation circuit that generates a voltage to supply electric power to the heater,
    A resistor connected between the heater and the voltage generation circuit,
    Memory to store the threshold and
    A control circuit that monitors the heater voltage applied to the heater and controls the power supplied from the voltage generation circuit to the heater based on the magnitude relationship between the heater voltage being monitored and the threshold value.
    It is a suction device equipped with
    The threshold is equal to the value of the heater voltage in a state where power is being supplied to the heater from the voltage generation circuit so that the temperature of the heater is within a range in which an aerosol can be generated from the aspirator.
    The aspirator, wherein the threshold is different from the threshold of another aspirator having each component of the aspirator.
22. A heater for heating the aerosol source and
    A voltage generation circuit that generates a voltage to supply electric power to the heater,
    A resistor connected between the heater and the voltage generation circuit,
    Memory to store the threshold and
    A control circuit that monitors the heater voltage applied to the heater and controls the power supplied from the voltage generation circuit to the heater based on the magnitude relationship between the heater voltage being monitored and the threshold value.
    Aspirator equipped with.

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