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WO2024194927A1 - Système de génération d'aérosol, procédé de commande et support d'enregistrement non transitoire - Google Patents

Système de génération d'aérosol, procédé de commande et support d'enregistrement non transitoire Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024194927A1
WO2024194927A1 PCT/JP2023/010606 JP2023010606W WO2024194927A1 WO 2024194927 A1 WO2024194927 A1 WO 2024194927A1 JP 2023010606 W JP2023010606 W JP 2023010606W WO 2024194927 A1 WO2024194927 A1 WO 2024194927A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
unit
heating
heating unit
detection pulse
detection
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/JP2023/010606
Other languages
English (en)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
学 山田
康信 井上
遼 田村
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Japan Tobacco Inc
Original Assignee
Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Japan Tobacco Inc filed Critical Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority to KR1020257029735A priority Critical patent/KR20250140116A/ko
Priority to JP2025507908A priority patent/JPWO2024194927A1/ja
Priority to CN202380095624.3A priority patent/CN120857879A/zh
Priority to PCT/JP2023/010606 priority patent/WO2024194927A1/fr
Priority to EP23928512.5A priority patent/EP4666888A1/fr
Publication of WO2024194927A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024194927A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A24F40/53—Monitoring, e.g. fault detection
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/46—Shape or structure of electric heating means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A24F40/51—Arrangement of sensors

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to an aerosol generation system, a control method, and a non-transitory storage medium.
  • inhalation devices such as electronic cigarettes and nebulizers
  • inhalation devices generate aerosol imparted with flavor components using a substrate that includes an aerosol source for generating aerosol and a flavor source for imparting flavor components to the generated aerosol.
  • Users can taste the flavor by inhaling the aerosol imparted with flavor components generated by the inhalation device.
  • the action of a user inhaling an aerosol is hereinafter also referred to as a puff or a puffing action.
  • Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that detects the insertion of a substrate into the suction device based on a change in capacitance detected by a capacitance sensor mounted on the suction device.
  • the present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above problems, and the purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanism that enables further miniaturization of the suction device.
  • an aerosol generation system includes a power supply unit that accumulates and supplies power, a storage unit that stores a substrate containing an aerosol source, a heating unit that uses power supplied from the power supply unit to heat the substrate stored in the storage unit, and a control unit that controls the power supply to the heating unit, and the control unit executes, as a first process, determining the state of the storage unit based on the time series transition of a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit obtained by repeatedly applying a group of detection pulses including one first detection pulse to the heating unit.
  • the control unit may determine the state of the storage unit in the first process based on the parameters at the start of application of the first detection pulse included in the first group of detection pulses and the parameters at the start of application of the first detection pulse included in the second group of detection pulses that follows the first group of detection pulses.
  • the control unit may, in the first process, determine the state of the storage unit based on the parameters at the start of application of the first detection pulses included in the first group of detection pulses and statistical values of one or more of the parameters before the start of application, and the parameters at the start of application of the first detection pulses included in the second group of detection pulses following the first group of detection pulses and statistical values of one or more of the parameters before the start of application.
  • the group of detection pulses may include one or more second detection pulses, and the one or more parameters before the application of the first detection pulse begins may be acquired when the one or more second detection pulses are applied to the heating section, and the duration of the second detection pulse may be shorter than the duration of the first detection pulse.
  • the control unit may determine the state of the storage unit in the first process based on the parameters at the end of application of the first detection pulse included in the first group of detection pulses and the parameters at the end of application of the first detection pulse included in the second group of detection pulses that is next to the first group of detection pulses.
  • the control unit may, in the first process, determine the state of the storage unit based on the parameter at the end of application of the first detection pulse included in the first group of detection pulses and a statistical value of one or more of the parameters after the application ends, and the parameter at the end of application of the first detection pulse included in the second group of detection pulses next to the first group of detection pulses and a statistical value of one or more of the parameters after the application ends.
  • the group of detection pulses may include one or more second detection pulses, and the one or more parameters after the application of the first detection pulse is terminated may be acquired when the one or more second detection pulses are applied to the heating section, and the duration of the second detection pulse may be shorter than the duration of the first detection pulse.
  • the first process may include initially applying a third detection pulse to the heating portion, and the duration of the third detection pulse may be longer than the duration of the first detection pulse.
  • the control unit may control the configuration of the pulses applied to the heating unit in the first process based on the temperature of the heating unit or the environmental temperature at the start of the first process.
  • the control unit may control the configuration of the pulses applied to the heating unit during the first process based on the length of the period during which power supply to the heating unit is stopped at the start of the first process.
  • the control unit may start the first process when a predetermined user action is detected as a trigger, and may terminate the first process if the time series transition of a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit does not satisfy a predetermined condition within a predetermined time period after the start of the first process.
  • the control unit may start a second process when it is determined in the first process that the time series transition of the parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit satisfies a predetermined condition, and in the second process, control the operation of the heating unit based on control information for generating an aerosol.
  • the aerosol generating system may further include the substrate.
  • a control method executed by a computer that controls an aerosol generation system the aerosol generation system having a power supply unit that accumulates and supplies power, a storage unit that stores a substrate containing an aerosol source, and a heating unit that heats the substrate stored in the storage unit using the power supplied from the power supply unit, the control method including controlling the power supply to the heating unit, the control method including executing, as a first process, determining the state of the storage unit based on the time series transition of a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit obtained by repeatedly applying a group of detection pulses including one first detection pulse to the heating unit.
  • a non-transitory storage medium having stored therein a program executed by a computer that controls an aerosol generation system, the aerosol generation system having a power supply unit that accumulates and supplies power, a storage unit that stores a substrate containing an aerosol source, and a heating unit that uses the power supplied from the power supply unit to heat the substrate stored in the storage unit, the program causing the computer to function as a control unit that controls the power supply to the heating unit, and the control unit executing, as a first process, determining the state of the storage unit based on the time series transition of a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit obtained by repeatedly applying a group of detection pulses including one first detection pulse to the heating unit.
  • the present disclosure provides a mechanism that allows for further miniaturization of the suction device.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a suction device
  • 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a first process executed by a suction device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining a first process executed by the suction device according to the present embodiment.
  • 1 is a graph showing a schematic example of a heating profile.
  • 11 is a diagram for explaining power supply control based on a heating profile.
  • FIG. 11A to 11C are diagrams for explaining experimental results regarding the suction device according to the present embodiment.
  • 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of a process executed by the suction device according to the present embodiment.
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a first criterion for determining the state of the container in the first process.
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a second criterion for determining the state of the container in the first process.
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a second criterion for determining the state of the container in the first process.
  • 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining experimental results regarding the suction device.
  • elements having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished by assigning an index containing different letters or numbers after the same reference numeral.
  • multiple elements having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished as devices 1A, 1B, and 1C as necessary.
  • only the same reference numeral may be assigned.
  • devices 1A, 1B, and 1C they may be referred to simply as device 1.
  • the inhalation device is a device that generates a substance to be inhaled by a user.
  • the substance generated by the inhalation device is described as an aerosol.
  • the substance generated by the inhalation device may be a gas.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a suction device.
  • the suction device 100 includes a power supply unit 111, a sensor unit 112, a notification unit 113, a memory unit 114, a communication unit 115, a control unit 116, a heating unit 121, a storage unit 140, and a heat insulating unit 144.
  • the power supply unit 111 stores power.
  • the power supply unit 111 supplies power to each component of the suction device 100 under the control of the control unit 116.
  • the power supply unit 111 may be configured, for example, by a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.
  • the sensor unit 112 acquires various information related to the suction device 100.
  • the sensor unit 112 is configured with a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow rate sensor, or a temperature sensor, and acquires values associated with suction by the user.
  • the sensor unit 112 is configured with an input device such as a button or switch that accepts information input from the user.
  • the notification unit 113 notifies the user of information.
  • the notification unit 113 is composed of, for example, a light-emitting device that emits light, a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, or a vibration device that vibrates.
  • the storage unit 114 stores various information for the operation of the suction device 100.
  • the storage unit 114 is configured, for example, from a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory.
  • the communication unit 115 is a communication interface capable of performing communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard.
  • Such communication standards may include, for example, standards using Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark)), NFC (Near Field Communication), or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area).
  • the control unit 116 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation of the suction device 100 in accordance with various programs.
  • the control unit 116 is realized by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor.
  • the storage section 140 has an internal space 141 and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 while storing a part of the stick-shaped substrate 150 in the internal space 141.
  • the storage section 140 has an opening 142 that connects the internal space 141 to the outside, and stores the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 through the opening 142.
  • the storage section 140 is a cylindrical body with the opening 142 and the bottom 143 as the bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 141.
  • An air flow path that supplies air to the internal space 141 is connected to the storage section 140.
  • An air inlet hole which is an air inlet to the air flow path, is arranged, for example, on the side of the suction device 100.
  • An air outlet hole which is an air outlet from the air flow path to the internal space 141, is arranged, for example, on the bottom 143.
  • the stick-type substrate 150 includes a substrate portion 151 and a mouthpiece portion 152.
  • the substrate portion 151 includes an aerosol source.
  • the aerosol source includes a flavor component derived from tobacco or non-tobacco.
  • the aerosol source may include a medicine.
  • the aerosol source may be a liquid such as polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and water, which include a flavor component derived from tobacco or non-tobacco, or may be a solid which includes a flavor component derived from tobacco or non-tobacco.
  • the stick-type substrate 150 When the stick-type substrate 150 is held in the storage portion 140, at least a portion of the substrate portion 151 is stored in the internal space 141, and at least a portion of the mouthpiece portion 152 protrudes from the opening 142.
  • the suction mouth portion 152 protruding from the opening 142 in their mouth and inhales air flows into the internal space 141 via an air flow path (not shown) and reaches the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from the base portion 151.
  • the heating unit 121 generates aerosol by heating the aerosol source and atomizing the aerosol source.
  • the heating unit 121 is configured in a film shape and is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the storage unit 140.
  • the heating unit 121 generates heat, the substrate unit 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated from the outer periphery, and an aerosol is generated.
  • the heating unit 121 generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111.
  • power may be supplied when the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has started inhaling and/or that specific information has been input. Power supply may be stopped when the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has stopped inhaling and/or that specific information has been input.
  • the insulating section 144 prevents heat transfer from the heating section 121 to other components.
  • the insulating section 144 is made of a vacuum insulating material or an aerogel insulating material.
  • the configuration of the suction device 100 is not limited to the above, and various configurations such as those exemplified below are possible.
  • the heating unit 121 may be configured in a blade shape and disposed so as to protrude from the bottom 143 of the storage unit 140 into the internal space 141.
  • the blade-shaped heating unit 121 is inserted into the substrate 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 and heats the substrate 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 from the inside.
  • the heating unit 121 may be disposed so as to cover the bottom 143 of the storage unit 140.
  • the heating unit 121 may be configured as a combination of two or more of a first heating unit that covers the outer periphery of the storage unit 140, a blade-shaped second heating unit, and a third heating unit that covers the bottom 143 of the storage unit 140.
  • the storage unit 140 may include an opening/closing mechanism such as a hinge that opens and closes a portion of the outer shell that forms the internal space 141. The storage unit 140 may then open and close the outer shell to accommodate the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 while clamping it.
  • the heating unit 121 may be provided at the clamping location in the storage unit 140, and may heat the stick-shaped substrate 150 while pressing it.
  • the heating unit 121 uses power supplied from the power supply unit 111 to heat the stick-shaped substrate 150 (more specifically, the aerosol source contained in the stick-shaped substrate 150) contained in the storage unit 140, thereby generating an aerosol.
  • the control unit 116 then controls the power supply to the heating unit 121.
  • the suction device 100 is an example of an aerosol generation system that generates an aerosol.
  • the combination of the suction device 100 and the stick-shaped substrate 150 may be regarded as an aerosol generation system.
  • the control unit 116 determines the state of the accommodation unit 140 based on a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit 121.
  • the parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit 121 is assumed to be the electrical resistance (hereinafter also simply referred to as resistance) of the heating unit 121 (more precisely, the heating resistor constituting the heating unit 121).
  • the control unit 116 obtains the resistance of the heating unit 121 by applying a voltage to the heating unit 121.
  • the resistance of the heating unit 121 increases as the temperature of the heating unit 121 increases, and the resistance of the heating unit 121 decreases as the temperature of the heating unit 121 decreases. That is, in the following description, the resistance and the temperature may be interchangeable.
  • the control unit 116 executes a first process.
  • the first process includes acquiring the resistance of the heating unit 121 and judging the state of the storage unit 140 based on the acquired resistance of the heating unit 121. In particular, in the first process, the control unit 116 judges whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140.
  • the control section 116 ends the first process and executes the second process.
  • the second process includes heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on a heating profile.
  • the heating profile is control information for generating an aerosol.
  • the suction device 100 can generate an aerosol by heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on the heating profile. The heating profile will be described in detail later.
  • the stick-shaped substrate 150 may be erroneously determined that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage section 140 even though the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted into the storage section 140.
  • Such an erroneous determination may occur when an item other than the stick-shaped substrate 150, such as a cleaning swab, is inserted into the storage section 140, or when outside air is blown into the storage section 140. This is because the resistance of the heating section 121 may change in these cases, just as it does when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage section 140.
  • the control unit 116 therefore acquires the resistance of the heating unit 121 during heating based on the heating profile, and judges the state of the storage unit 140 based on the acquired resistance of the heating unit 121. In particular, the control unit 116 judges whether or not the judgment in the first process that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 was an erroneous judgment.
  • control unit 116 determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage unit 140, i.e., if it determines that the determination in the first process is correct, it continues heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on the heating profile. On the other hand, if the control unit 116 determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted in the storage unit 140, i.e., if it determines that the determination in the first process is incorrect, it stops heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on the heating profile.
  • the heating section 121 for heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 can be used to detect the insertion of the stick-shaped substrate 150. In other words, there is no need to install another sensor such as a capacitance sensor to detect the insertion of the stick-shaped substrate 150. This allows the suction device 100 to be further miniaturized.
  • the heating section 121 may increase in temperature.
  • the first process may be considered as a process for heating the stick-shaped substrate 150.
  • heating refers to heating based on the heating profile in the second process.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams for explaining the first processing performed by the suction device 100 according to this embodiment.
  • a graph 30 shown in FIG. 2 shows an example of a time series transition of a voltage applied to the heating unit 121 in the first processing.
  • the vertical axis of the graph 30 is voltage in volts.
  • the horizontal axis of the graph 30 is time in seconds.
  • a graph 35 shown in FIG. 3 shows an example of a time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 when the voltage shown in FIG. 2 is applied.
  • the vertical axis of the graph 35 is resistance in ohms.
  • the horizontal axis of the graph 35 is time in seconds.
  • the graph 35 illustrates a case where the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted into the storage unit 140 at the timing indicated by the arrow 39, i.e., 5 seconds after the start of the first processing.
  • the control unit 116 repeatedly applies a group of detection pulses 34 including one first detection pulse 31 to the heating unit 121.
  • the pulse here is a wave having a predetermined voltage.
  • the first detection pulse 31 is a pulse for increasing the temperature of the heating unit 121 while acquiring the resistance of the heating unit 121.
  • the period during which one group of detection pulses 34 is applied is also referred to as a detection cycle below.
  • the period during which the first detection pulse 31 is applied in the detection cycle is also referred to as a temperature rise period.
  • the period during which the first detection pulse 31 is not applied in the detection cycle is also referred to as a temperature fall period.
  • the duration of the detection cycle is 0.5 seconds
  • the first 0.1 seconds of the detection cycle is the temperature rise period
  • the remaining 0.4 seconds is the temperature fall period.
  • the resistance of the heating section 121 fluctuates up and down.
  • the resistance of the heating section 121 in the process in which the application of the detection pulse group 34 is repeated, the resistance of the heating section 121 repeatedly rises and falls, and then gradually rises.
  • the voltage and width of the first detection pulse 31 are adjusted so that the resistance of the heating section 121 gradually rises or is maintained at a constant value in the process in which the application of the detection pulse group 34 is repeated.
  • the control unit 116 determines the state of the storage unit 140 based on the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 obtained by repeatedly applying the detection pulse group 34 to the heating unit 121. In detail, the control unit 116 determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 when the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 satisfies a predetermined condition. On the other hand, the control unit 116 determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has not been inserted into the storage unit 140 when the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 does not satisfy the predetermined condition.
  • the time series transition of the resistance of the heating section 121 during the period when the detection pulse group 34 is applied to the heating section 121 differs between the case where the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage section 140 and the case where it is not.
  • the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted in the storage section 140 during the period from the start of the first process to the elapse of 5 seconds.
  • the resistance at the start of the application of the first detection pulse 31 is located on line 37
  • the resistance at the end of the application of the first detection pulse 31 is located on line 38.
  • the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage section 140 during the period after 5 seconds have elapsed from the start of the first process.
  • the control unit 116 determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140. With this configuration, it becomes possible to determine whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 with a simple configuration.
  • the first process may include first applying a third detection pulse 33 to the heating unit 121.
  • the third detection pulse 33 is a pulse for increasing the temperature of the heating unit 121 while acquiring the resistance of the heating unit 121.
  • the duration of the third detection pulse 33 is longer than the duration of the first detection pulse 31.
  • the duration of the first detection pulse 31 is 0.1 seconds
  • the duration of the third detection pulse 33 is 0.5 seconds.
  • the control unit 116 may start the first process when a predetermined user action is detected as a trigger.
  • the predetermined user action may be any user action that is assumed to result in the stick-type substrate 150 being inserted into the storage unit 140 immediately after the predetermined user action is performed.
  • One example of the predetermined user action is opening the lid that opens and closes the opening 142.
  • Another example of the predetermined user action is lifting the suction device 100.
  • Another example of the predetermined user action is canceling the charging of the suction device 100.
  • the presence or absence of these predetermined user actions may be detected by a sensor provided on the lid, a motion sensor, or the like. With this configuration, the first process may be performed only at the timing when the stick-type substrate 150 may be inserted. This makes it possible to reduce power consumption.
  • the control unit 116 ends the first process if the time series change in the resistance of the heating unit 121 does not satisfy a predetermined condition until a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the first process. In other words, the control unit 116 stops the first process if it does not determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 until a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the first process.
  • the predetermined time may be set, for example, according to the time that is normally assumed to be required from the time the user performs a predetermined user operation that triggers the start of the first process to the time the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the predetermined time is 10 seconds, and the detection cycle is repeated a maximum of 18 times. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress power consumption within a range that does not deteriorate usability.
  • control unit 116 starts the second process when it is determined in the first process that the time series change in the resistance of the heating unit 121 satisfies a predetermined condition.
  • control unit 116 starts the second process when it is determined in the first process that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140.
  • control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile, and determines the state of the accommodation unit 140. These processing will be described in order below.
  • the control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 based on a heating profile.
  • the control of the operation of the heating unit 121 is realized by controlling the power supply from the power source unit 111 to the heating unit 121.
  • the heating unit 121 heats the stick-shaped substrate 150 using the power supplied from the power source unit 111.
  • the heating profile is control information for controlling the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated.
  • the heating profile specifies the target value of a parameter corresponding to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated.
  • An example of the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated is the temperature of the heating unit 121.
  • An example of the target value of a parameter corresponding to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated is the target value of the temperature of the heating unit 121 (hereinafter also referred to as the target temperature).
  • the temperature of the heating unit 121 may be controlled to change according to the elapsed time from the start of heating. In that case, the heating profile includes information that specifies the time series progression of the target temperature.
  • the heating profile may include parameters that specify the method of supplying power to the heating unit 121 (hereinafter also referred to as the power supply parameters).
  • the power supply parameters include, for example, the voltage applied to the heating unit 121, ON/OFF of the power supply to the heating unit 121, or the feedback control method to be adopted. Turning the power supply to the heating unit 121 on/off may be considered as turning the heating unit 121 on/off.
  • the control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 so that the temperature of the heating unit 121 (hereinafter also referred to as the actual temperature) changes in the same manner as the target temperature defined in the heating profile.
  • the heating profile is typically designed to optimize the flavor experienced by the user when the user inhales the aerosol generated from the stick-shaped substrate 150. Therefore, by controlling the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile, the flavor experienced by the user can be optimized.
  • the temperature control of the heating unit 121 can be realized, for example, by known feedback control.
  • the feedback control may be, for example, PID control (Proportional-Integral-Differential Controller).
  • the control unit 116 may supply power from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121 in the form of pulses by pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM).
  • PWM pulse width modulation
  • PFM pulse frequency modulation
  • the control unit 116 can control the temperature of the heating unit 121 by adjusting the duty ratio of the power pulse in the feedback control.
  • the control unit 116 may perform simple on/off control in the feedback control.
  • control unit 116 may perform heating by the heating unit 121 until the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, interrupt heating by the heating unit 121 when the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, and resume heating by the heating unit 121 when the actual temperature becomes lower than the target temperature.
  • the temperature of the heating section 121 can be quantified, for example, by measuring or estimating the electrical resistance value of the heating section 121 (more precisely, the heating resistor that constitutes the heating section 121). This is because the electrical resistance value of the heating resistor changes depending on the temperature.
  • the electrical resistance value of the heating resistor can be estimated, for example, by measuring the amount of voltage drop in the heating resistor.
  • the amount of voltage drop in the heating resistor can be measured by a voltage sensor that measures the potential difference applied to the heating resistor.
  • the temperature of the heating section 121 can be measured by a temperature sensor such as a thermistor installed near the heating section 121.
  • a heating session is a period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is controlled based on a heating profile.
  • the start of a heating session is the timing when heating based on the heating profile starts.
  • the end of a heating session is the timing when a sufficient amount of aerosol is no longer generated.
  • a heating session includes a pre-heating period in the first half and a puffable period in the second half.
  • the puffable period is a period during which a sufficient amount of aerosol is expected to be generated.
  • the pre-heating period is the period from the start of heating to the start of the puffable period. Heating performed during the pre-heating period is also referred to as pre-heating.
  • the notification unit 113 may notify the user of information indicating the timing at which preheating will end. For example, the notification unit 113 may notify the user of information predicting the end of preheating before the end of preheating, or may notify the user of information indicating that preheating has ended at the timing at which preheating has ended.
  • the notification to the user may be performed, for example, by lighting an LED or vibrating. The user may refer to such a notification and begin puffing immediately after preheating has ended.
  • the notification unit 113 may notify the user of information indicating the timing when the puffing period will end. For example, the notification unit 113 may notify the user of information predicting the end of the puffing period before the end of the puffing period, or may notify the user of information indicating that the puffing period has ended at the timing when the puffing period has ended.
  • the notification to the user may be performed, for example, by lighting an LED or vibrating. The user may refer to such a notification and continue puffing until the puffing period ends.
  • FIG. 4 is a graph that shows a schematic example of a heating profile.
  • the horizontal axis of graph 20 is time.
  • the vertical axis of graph 20 is temperature.
  • Line 21 shows the time series progression of the target temperature.
  • a heating session may include an initial heating period, an intermediate temperature drop period, and a re-heating period, in that order.
  • the initial heating period is a period in which the temperature of the heating unit 121 rises rapidly after the start of heating and is maintained at a high temperature.
  • the intermediate temperature drop period is a period in which the temperature of the heating unit 121 drops after the initial heating period.
  • the re-heating period is a period in which the temperature of the heating unit 121 rises again after the intermediate temperature drop period.
  • the target temperature rises rapidly to around 300°C during the initial heating period, then drops to around 230°C during the intermediate temperature drop period, and then rises stepwise to around 260°C during the re-heating period.
  • power supply to the heating unit 121 may be interrupted and heating may be turned off.
  • the period from the start of heating to the middle of the initial temperature rise period is the pre-heating period, and the period from the middle of the initial temperature rise period to the end of the re-heating period is the puffable period.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining power supply control based on a heating profile.
  • Graph 40 shown in FIG. 5 shows an example of the time series transition of the voltage applied to the heating section 121 during power supply control based on a heating profile.
  • the vertical axis of graph 40 is voltage in volts.
  • the horizontal axis of graph 40 is time in milliseconds.
  • the control unit 116 repeatedly applies a heating pulse group 44 including a measurement pulse 41 to the heating unit 121.
  • the measurement pulse 41 is a pulse applied to measure the resistance of the heating unit 121.
  • the heating pulse group 44 may include one or more heating pulses 42.
  • the heating pulse 42 is a pulse applied to increase the temperature of the heating unit 121.
  • the period during which one heating pulse group 44 is applied is also referred to as a heating cycle below.
  • the period during which the measurement pulses 41 are applied during the heating cycle is also referred to as a measurement period.
  • the period during which the measurement pulses 41 are not applied during the heating cycle is also referred to as a non-measurement period.
  • the heating pulses 42 may be applied.
  • the duration of the heating cycle is 50 milliseconds, with the first 3 milliseconds of the heating cycle being the measurement period and the remaining 47 milliseconds being the non-measurement period.
  • the control unit 116 controls the configuration of the heating pulse 42 during the non-measurement period.
  • the configuration here refers to whether or not the heating pulse 42 is applied, and the duration of the heating pulse 42.
  • the duration of the heating pulse 42 can be set to any time equal to or less than 47 milliseconds.
  • the number and start timing of the heating pulses 42 during the non-measurement period can also be set arbitrarily.
  • control unit 116 acquires the resistance of the heating unit 121 when the measurement pulse 41 is applied during the measurement period. Then, based on the resistance of the heating unit 121 acquired during the measurement period and the heating profile, the control unit 116 controls the configuration of the heating pulse 42 during the non-measurement period that belongs to the same heating cycle as the measurement period. In so doing, the control unit 116 controls the duty ratio of the heating pulse 42 during the non-measurement period based on the temperature of the heating unit 121 calculated from the resistance of the heating unit 121 and the target temperature specified in the heating profile.
  • the above-mentioned heating pulse group 44 is applied to the heating unit 121 during the initial heating period and the reheating period of the heating session.
  • the heating pulse group 44 does not have to be applied to the heating unit 121 during the intermediate temperature drop period of the heating session.
  • whether or not the temperature of the heating unit 121 has dropped to the target temperature during the intermediate temperature drop period may be determined by a separately provided temperature sensor such as a thermistor, or may be simply determined based on the elapsed time since the supply of power to the heating unit 121 was stopped.
  • the control unit 116 determines the state of the storage unit 140 based on the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 obtained by repeatedly applying the heating pulse group 44 to the heating unit 121. In detail, when the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 satisfies a predetermined condition, the control unit 116 determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140. On the other hand, when the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the control unit 116 determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has not been inserted into the storage unit 140.
  • the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 during the period when the heating pulse group 44 is applied to the heating unit 121 differs depending on whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage unit 140.
  • the resistance (i.e., temperature) of the heating unit 121 rises rapidly compared to when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage unit 140. Therefore, for example, the control unit 116 determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage unit 140 when the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 falls within the range of the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 expected when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted. With this configuration, it becomes possible to determine whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage unit 140 with a simple configuration.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the experimental results regarding the suction device 100 according to this embodiment.
  • Graph 50 shown in FIG. 6 shows the time series change in the resistance of the heating section 121 when the suction device 100 executes the first process and the second process.
  • the vertical axis of graph 50 is resistance in ohms.
  • the horizontal axis of graph 50 is time in seconds.
  • the resistance of the heating section 121 measured at each time point is plotted on graph 50, and consecutive plots in time are connected by lines.
  • Graph 50 shows the time series change in the resistance of the heating section 121 when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted at the timing indicated by arrow 59, i.e., 4.5 seconds after the start of the first process.
  • the resistance of the heating section 121 repeatedly rises and falls, gradually increasing until the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted. Then, immediately after the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted, the resistance of the heating section 121 drops from plot 51A to plot 51B, and from plot 52A to plot 52B. Note that plots 51A and 51B correspond to the resistance of the heating section 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31. Plots 52A and 52B correspond to the resistance of the heating section 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31. Based on this drop in the resistance of the heating section 121, the control section 116 determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage section 140. Therefore, the first process ends and the second process begins, and the resistance of the heating section 121 rises rapidly.
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the process flow executed by the suction device 100 according to this embodiment.
  • the control unit 116 determines whether a specific user operation has been detected (step S102). For example, the control unit 116 determines whether a user operation to open a cover that opens and closes the opening 142, a user operation to lift the suction device 100, or a user operation to cancel charging of the suction device 100 has been detected by the sensor unit 112.
  • step S102 If it is determined that the specified user operation has not been detected (step S102: NO), the control unit 116 waits until the specified user operation is detected.
  • step S104 the control unit 116 starts the first process (step S104). For example, the control unit 116 first applies the third detection pulse 33 to the heating unit 121, and then repeatedly applies the detection pulse group 34 to the heating unit 121.
  • control unit 116 determines whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 (step S106). For example, the control unit 116 determines whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 based on whether or not the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 obtained by repeatedly applying the detection pulse group 34 to the heating unit 121 satisfies a predetermined condition.
  • step S106 If it is determined that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 (step S106: YES), the control unit 116 ends the first process and starts the second process (step S108). For example, the storage unit 140 repeatedly applies the heating pulse group 44 to the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile.
  • step S106 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the first process (step S110). For example, the control unit 116 determines whether 10 seconds have elapsed since the start of the first process.
  • step S110 NO
  • the process returns to step S106.
  • step S110 YES
  • the control unit 116 ends the first process (step S112). Then, the process ends.
  • control unit 116 determines whether or not the determination result in the first process is correct (step S114). For example, the control unit 116 determines whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 based on whether or not the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 obtained by repeatedly applying the heating pulse group 44 to the heating unit 121 satisfies a predetermined condition.
  • step S114 If the result of the first process is determined to be correct, that is, if it is determined that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage section 140 (step S114: YES), the control section 116 continues heating based on the heating profile (step S116). When heating based on the heating profile ends, the process ends.
  • step S114 if it is determined that the result of the first process is erroneous, that is, if it is determined that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted in the storage section 140 (step S114: NO), the control section 116 ends the heating based on the heating profile (step S118). Then, the process ends.
  • the notification unit 113 may appropriately notify information indicating the progress of the above-mentioned processing. For example, the notification unit 113 may notify that a first processing has been started, the determination result of the first processing, that a second processing has been started, and the determination result of the second processing.
  • Criteria for determining the accommodation section 140 in the first process> An example of the criteria for determining the state of the container 140 in the first process will be described below.
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the first criterion for determining the state of the storage unit 140 in the first process.
  • a graph 60 shown in FIG. 8 shows an example of the time series change in the resistance of the heating unit 121 in the first process.
  • the vertical axis of the graph 60 is resistance in ohms.
  • the horizontal axis of the graph 60 is time in seconds.
  • the resistances in plots 61A and 61B in graph 60 are the resistances of the heating section 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31.
  • the resistances in plots 62A and 62B are the resistances of the heating section 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31.
  • the control unit 116 judges the state of the storage unit 140 based on the time series change in the resistance of the heating unit 121 when the two detection pulse groups 34 are applied to the heating unit 121.
  • the two detection pulse groups 34 used for judging the state of the storage unit 140 are two detection pulse groups 34 that are consecutive in time.
  • the two detection pulse groups 34 used for judging the state of the storage unit 140 are the two detection pulse groups 34 that are consecutive in time that were most recently applied to the heating unit 121.
  • the control unit 116 repeatedly judges the state of the storage unit 140 while switching between the two detection pulse groups 34 used for judging the state of the storage unit 140 each time it applies a detection pulse group 34.
  • the first detection pulse group 34 is also referred to as the first detection pulse group 34
  • the detection pulse group 34 next to the first detection pulse group 34 is also referred to as the second detection pulse group 34.
  • the control unit 116 may determine the state of the accommodation unit 140 based on the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the first detection pulse group 34 and the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the second detection pulse group 34. In detail, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted when the resistance at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the second detection pulse group 34 is less than the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the first detection pulse group 34. Such a condition is also referred to as a first condition hereinafter.
  • the resistance in plot 61A may correspond to the resistance at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the first detection pulse group 34.
  • the resistance in plot 61B corresponds to the resistance at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the second detection pulse group 34.
  • the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 when the resistance in plot 61B is less than the resistance in plot 61A.
  • the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has not been inserted into the storage unit 140 when the resistance in plot 61B is equal to or greater than the resistance in plot 61A.
  • control unit 116 may determine the state of the accommodation unit 140 based on the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the first detection pulse group 34 and the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the second detection pulse group 34. In detail, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted when the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the second detection pulse group 34 is less than the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the first detection pulse group 34. Such a condition is also referred to as a second condition hereinafter.
  • the resistance in plot 62A may correspond to the resistance at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the first detection pulse group 34.
  • the resistance in plot 62B corresponds to the resistance at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the second detection pulse group 34.
  • the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 when the resistance in plot 62B is less than the resistance in plot 62A.
  • the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has not been inserted into the storage unit 140 when the resistance in plot 62B is equal to or greater than the resistance in plot 62A.
  • control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140. Alternatively, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 when both the first condition and the second condition are satisfied.
  • the determination criterion for the storage unit 140 in the first process is not limited to the first determination criterion described in the above embodiment.
  • other examples of the determination criterion for the storage unit 140 in the first process will be described with reference to Figs. 9 and 10.
  • FIG. 9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining the second criterion for determining the state of the storage unit 140 in the first process.
  • Graph 70 shown in FIG. 9 shows an example of the time series transition of the voltage applied to the heating unit 121 in the first process.
  • the vertical axis of graph 70 is voltage in volts.
  • the horizontal axis of graph 70 is time in seconds.
  • Graph 80 shown in FIG. 10 shows an example of the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 when the voltage shown in FIG. 9 is applied.
  • the vertical axis of graph 80 is resistance in ohms.
  • the horizontal axis of graph 80 is time in seconds.
  • the control unit 116 may repeatedly apply a group of detection pulses 34 including one first detection pulse 31 and one or more second detection pulses 32 to the heating unit 121.
  • the second detection pulse 32 is a pulse for acquiring the resistance of the heating unit 121.
  • the duration of the second detection pulse 32 is shorter than the duration of the first detection pulse 31.
  • the resistances in plots 81A, 81B, and 81C in graph 80 are the resistances of the heating section 121 when the application of the first detection pulse 31 begins.
  • the resistances in plots 82A and 82B are the resistances of the heating section 121 when the application of the first detection pulse 31 ends.
  • the resistances in plots 83A to 86A and plots 83B to 86B are obtained when the second detection pulse 32 is applied.
  • control unit 116 judges the state of the storage unit 140 based on the time series change in the resistance of the heating unit 121 when the first group of detection pulses 34 and the second group of detection pulses 34, which are successive in time, are applied to the heating unit 121.
  • the control unit 116 may determine the state of the accommodation unit 140 based on a first statistical value related to the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the first detection pulse group 34 and a second statistical value related to the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the second detection pulse group 34.
  • the first statistical value is a statistical value of the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the first detection pulse group 34 and the resistance of one or more heating units 121 before the start of application.
  • the second statistical value is a statistical value of the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the second detection pulse group 34 and the resistance of one or more heating units 121 before the start of application.
  • the one or more parameters before the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 are acquired when one or more second detection pulses 32 are applied to the heating unit 121 immediately before the first detection pulse 31 is applied to the heating unit 121.
  • any statistical value such as an average value, a median value, or a total value may be adopted.
  • the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 has been inserted into the accommodation unit 140 when the second statistical value is less than the first statistical value. Such a condition is also referred to as a third condition hereinafter.
  • the resistance in plot 81B is the resistance at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31
  • at least the resistance in plot 86A is the resistance before the start of application of the first detection pulse 31.
  • the resistance in plot 81C is the resistance at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31
  • at least the resistance in plot 86B is the resistance before the start of application of the first detection pulse 31.
  • the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage unit 140 when the second statistical value of the resistance in plot 81C and the resistance in plot 86B is less than the first statistical value of the resistance in plot 81B and the resistance in plot 86A.
  • control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted into the storage unit 140 when the second statistical value of the resistance in plot 81C and the resistance in plot 86B is equal to or greater than the first statistical value of the resistance in plot 81B and the resistance in plot 86A.
  • control unit 116 may determine the state of the accommodation unit 140 based on a third statistical value related to the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the first detection pulse group 34 and a fourth statistical value related to the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the second detection pulse group 34.
  • the third statistical value is a statistical value of the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the first detection pulse group 34 and the resistance of one or more heating units 121 after the application ends.
  • the fourth statistical value is a statistical value of the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the second detection pulse group 34 and the resistance of one or more heating units 121 after the application ends.
  • the one or more parameters after the application of the first detection pulse 31 is completed are acquired when one or more second detection pulses 32 are applied to the heating unit 121 immediately after the application of the first detection pulse 31 to the heating unit 121.
  • any statistical value such as an average value, a median value, or a total value may be adopted.
  • the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 has been inserted into the accommodation unit 140 when the fourth statistical value is less than the third statistical value. Such a condition is also referred to as a fourth condition hereinafter.
  • the resistance in plot 82A is the resistance at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31
  • at least the resistance in plot 83A is the resistance after the end of application of the first detection pulse 31.
  • the resistance in plot 82B is the resistance at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31
  • at least the resistance in plot 83B is the resistance after the end of application of the first detection pulse 31.
  • the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage unit 140 when the fourth statistical value of the resistance in plot 82B and the resistance in plot 83B is less than the third statistical value of the resistance in plot 82A and the resistance in plot 83A.
  • control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted into the storage unit 140 when the fourth statistical value of the resistance in plot 82B and the resistance in plot 83B is equal to or greater than the third statistical value of the resistance in plot 82A and the resistance in plot 83A.
  • control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140. Alternatively, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 when both the third condition and the fourth condition are satisfied.
  • the first and second judgment criteria may be combined as appropriate.
  • the third condition may be adopted for judgment based on the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31.
  • the second condition may be adopted for judgment based on the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31.
  • the second judgment criterion the number of resistors of the heating section 121 that are referenced to judge the state of the storage section 140 is greater than that of the first judgment criterion. Therefore, compared to the first judgment criterion, the second judgment criterion can suppress a decrease in the accuracy of judging the state of the storage section 140 due to the influence of disturbances.
  • Control unit 116 may control the configuration of pulses applied to heating unit 121 in the first process. As one example, control unit 116 may control the presence or absence of second detection pulse 32. As another example, control unit 116 may control the presence or absence of third detection pulse 33. As another example, control unit 116 may control the voltage and/or duration of each of first detection pulse 31, second detection pulse 32, and third detection pulse 33.
  • the control unit 116 may control the configuration of pulses applied to the heating unit 121 in the first process based on the temperature (i.e., resistance) of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process.
  • the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process is greatly affected by whether or not so-called chain smoking has been performed, in which the stick-shaped substrate 150 is replaced while continuously heating and aerosol is inhaled.
  • the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process is high when chain smoking is performed and low when chain smoking is not performed. In this regard, with this configuration, it is possible to optimize the configuration of pulses applied to the heating unit 121 in the first process depending on whether or not chain smoking is performed.
  • control unit 116 may control the presence or absence of the third detection pulse 33 based on the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process.
  • the control unit 116 may not apply the third detection pulse 33 to the heating unit 121, and may apply the detection pulse group 34 to the heating unit 121 repeatedly up to 20 times.
  • the control unit 116 may apply the third detection pulse 33 to the heating unit 121, and may apply the detection pulse group 34 to the heating unit 121 repeatedly up to 18 times.
  • control unit 116 may control the duration of the third detection pulse 33 based on the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process.
  • control unit 116 may shorten the duration of the third detection pulse 33 the higher the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process, and may lengthen the duration of the third detection pulse 33 the lower the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process.
  • the duration of the third detection pulse 33 can be set just right, making it possible to reduce power consumption.
  • the control unit 116 may control the configuration of the pulses applied to the heating unit 121 in the first process based on the length of the period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is stopped at the start of the first process.
  • control unit 116 may control the presence or absence of the third detection pulse 33 based on the length of the period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is stopped at the start of the first process.
  • control unit 116 may not apply the third detection pulse 33 to the heating unit 121 if the period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is stopped at the start of the first process is less than a predetermined time, and may apply the third detection pulse 33 to the heating unit 121 if the period is equal to or longer than the predetermined time.
  • control unit 116 may control the duration of the third detection pulse 33 based on the length of the period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is stopped at the start of the first process.
  • control unit 116 may shorten the duration of the third detection pulse 33 the shorter the period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is stopped at the start of the first process, and may lengthen the duration of the third detection pulse 33 the longer the period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is stopped at the start of the first process.
  • the duration of the third detection pulse 33 can be set just right, making it possible to reduce power consumption.
  • the control unit 116 may also control the configuration of the pulses applied to the heating unit 121 in the first process based on the environmental temperature at the start of the first process.
  • the environmental temperature is, for example, the outside air temperature, which can be detected by a temperature sensor such as a thermistor.
  • the control unit 116 may control the duration of the third detection pulse 33 based on the outside air temperature at the start of the first process.
  • the control unit 116 may extend the duration of the third detection pulse 33 as the outside air temperature decreases. With this configuration, when the outside air temperature is low and the heating unit 121 is difficult to heat up, the duration of the third detection pulse 33 can be extended to sufficiently heat up the heating unit 121.
  • the pure outside air temperature does not have to be used as the environmental temperature
  • the temperature of the suction device 100 (for example, the temperature of a part of the suction device 100 that is somewhat distant from the heating unit 121) may be used as the environmental temperature.
  • the control unit 116 may control the duration of the first detection pulse 31 based on at least one of the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process, the length of the period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is stopped at the start of the first process, or the environmental temperature. In this case, it is desirable to set the width of the first detection pulse 31 to a value such that the resistance of the heating unit 121 gradually increases or is maintained at a constant value during the process in which the application of the detection pulse group 34 is repeated.
  • the width of the first detection pulse 31 may be set to a fixed value independent of the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process, the length of the period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is stopped at the start of the first process, and the environmental temperature.
  • control unit 116 may not apply both the first detection pulse 31 and the second detection pulse 32 in the first process. That is, the control unit 116 may apply a detection pulse group 34 including only the second detection pulse 32, without including the first detection pulse 31 and the third detection pulse 33, to the heating unit 121 in the first process.
  • the control unit 116 may apply a detection pulse group 34 including only the second detection pulse 32 to the heating unit 121 when the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.
  • the control unit 116 may determine the state of the storage unit 140 based on the manner of decrease in the resistance of the heating unit 121. Experimental results regarding the manner of decrease in the resistance of the heating unit 121 will be described with reference to FIG. 11.
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the experimental results regarding the suction device 100.
  • Graph 90 shows the experimental results of the time series change in the resistance of the heating unit 121 immediately after the heating unit 121 stops heating after the heating unit 121 has sufficiently increased in temperature.
  • the vertical axis of graph 90 is resistance in ohms.
  • the horizontal axis of graph 90 is time in seconds, which indicates the elapsed time from the end of heating.
  • Line 91 shows the experimental results when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage unit 140.
  • Line 92 shows the experimental results when nothing is inserted into the storage unit 140 and breathing is continued.
  • Line 93 shows the experimental results when a cleaning swab is inserted into the storage unit 140.
  • the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage unit 140 if the rate at which the resistance of the heating unit 121 decreases exceeds a predetermined threshold. More simply, for example, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage unit 140 if the difference between the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the current time and the resistance R of the heating unit 121 one second ago exceeds a predetermined threshold.
  • control unit 116 may increase the predetermined threshold as the resistance of the heating unit 121 increases. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of the determination.
  • the control unit 116 may determine the state of the storage unit 140 based on the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 when two detection pulse groups 34 are applied to the heating unit 121, but the present disclosure is not limited to such an example.
  • the control unit 116 may determine the state of the storage unit 140 based on the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 when three or more detection pulse groups 34 are applied to the heating unit 121. For example, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 when the first condition or the third condition is continuously satisfied and/or the third condition or the fourth condition is continuously satisfied for three detection pulse groups 34.
  • the resistance of the heating section 121 increases as the temperature of the heating section 121 increases, and the resistance of the heating section 121 decreases as the temperature of the heating section 121 decreases, but the present disclosure is not limited to such an example.
  • the resistance of the heating section 121 may decrease as the temperature of the heating section 121 increases, and the resistance of the heating section 121 may increase as the temperature of the heating section 121 decreases.
  • the parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit 121 used to determine the state of the storage unit 140 is the resistance of the heating unit 121, but the present disclosure is not limited to such an example.
  • the parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit 121 used to determine the state of the storage unit 140 may be the temperature of the heating unit 121 calculated based on the resistance of the heating unit 121.
  • the parameter related to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated which is specified in the heating profile, is the target value of the temperature of the heating unit 121, but the present disclosure is not limited to such an example.
  • the heating profile may also specify a target value of the resistance of the heating unit 121.
  • the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121.
  • the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating.
  • the suction device 100 may have, instead of the heating unit 121, an electromagnetic induction source such as a coil that generates a magnetic field, and a susceptor that generates heat by induction heating.
  • the electromagnetic induction source may be arranged so as to cover the outer periphery of the storage unit 140.
  • the storage unit 140 may be configured as a susceptor.
  • the susceptor may be configured in a blade shape and arranged so as to protrude from the bottom 143 of the storage unit 140 into the internal space 141.
  • the series of processes performed by each device described in this specification may be realized using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.
  • the programs constituting the software are stored in advance, for example, in a recording medium (more specifically, a non-transient storage medium readable by a computer) provided inside or outside each device.
  • Each program is loaded into a RAM when executed by a computer that controls each device described in this specification, and executed by a processing circuit such as a CPU.
  • the recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, etc.
  • the computer program may be distributed, for example, via a network without using a recording medium.
  • the computer may be an application-specific integrated circuit such as an ASIC, a general-purpose processor that executes functions by reading a software program, or a computer on a server used in cloud computing.
  • ASIC application-specific integrated circuit
  • ASIC application-specific integrated circuit
  • CPU central processing unit
  • CPU central processing unit
  • server a server used in cloud computing.
  • the series of processes performed by each device described in this specification may be distributed and processed by multiple computers.
  • a power supply unit that stores and supplies power
  • a container that contains a substrate containing an aerosol source
  • a heating unit that heats the base material accommodated in the accommodation unit by using the power supplied from the power supply unit
  • a control unit that controls power supply to the heating unit; Equipped with the control unit executes, as a first process, determining a state of the accommodation unit based on a time series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit obtained by repeatedly applying a group of detection pulses including one first detection pulse to the heating unit.
  • Aerosol generation systems are examples of the accommodation unit that stores and supplies power
  • a container that contains a substrate containing an aerosol source
  • a heating unit that heats the base material accommodated in the accommodation unit by using the power supplied from the power supply unit
  • a control unit that controls power supply to the heating unit
  • Equipped with the control unit executes, as a first process, determining a state of the accommodation unit based on a time series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating
  • the control unit in the first process, determines a state of the containing unit based on the parameter at the start of application of the first detection pulse included in a first group of detection pulses and the parameter at the start of application of the first detection pulse included in a second group of detection pulses subsequent to the first group of detection pulses.
  • the control unit in the first process, determines a state of the containing unit based on the parameter at the time when application of the first detection pulse included in the first detection pulse group starts and a statistical value of one or more of the parameters before the application starts, and the parameter at the time when application of the first detection pulse included in the second detection pulse group next to the first detection pulse group starts and a statistical value of the one or more parameters before the application starts.
  • the group of sensing pulses includes one or more second sensing pulses; the one or more parameters before the start of application of the first detection pulse are acquired when the one or more second detection pulses are applied to the heating unit; a duration of the second sensing pulse is shorter than a duration of the first sensing pulse;
  • the control unit in the first process, determines a state of the container unit based on the parameter at the end of application of the first detection pulse included in a first group of detection pulses and the parameter at the end of application of the first detection pulse included in a second group of detection pulses subsequent to the first group of detection pulses.
  • control unit in the first process, determines a state of the containing unit based on the parameter at the end of application of the first detection pulse included in a first group of detection pulses and a statistical value of the one or more parameters after the application ends, and the parameter at the end of application of the first detection pulse included in a second group of detection pulses subsequent to the first group of detection pulses and a statistical value of the one or more parameters after the application ends.
  • the group of sensing pulses includes one or more second sensing pulses; the one or more parameters after the end of application of the first detection pulse are acquired when the one or more second detection pulses are applied to the heating unit; a duration of the second sensing pulse is shorter than a duration of the first sensing pulse; The aerosol generating system described in (6) above.
  • the first process includes initially applying a third detection pulse to the heating unit; a duration of the third sensing pulse is longer than a duration of the first sensing pulse; The aerosol generation system described in any one of (1) to (7).
  • the control unit controls a configuration of pulses to be applied to the heating unit in the first process based on a temperature of the heating unit or an environmental temperature at the start of the first process.
  • the aerosol generation system described in any one of (1) to (8). (10) the control unit controls a configuration of pulses to be applied to the heating unit in the first process based on a length of a period during which power supply to the heating unit is stopped at the start of the first process.
  • the aerosol generation system described in any one of (1) to (8). (11) The control unit is starting the first process when a predetermined user action is detected; when a time series transition of the parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit does not satisfy a predetermined condition until a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the first process, the first process is terminated.
  • the control unit is starting a second process when it is determined in the first process that a time series transition of a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit satisfies a predetermined condition; In the second process, an operation of the heating unit is controlled based on control information for generating an aerosol.
  • the aerosol generating system further comprises the substrate.
  • a computer-implemented control method for controlling an aerosol generation system comprising: The aerosol generating system comprises: a power supply unit that stores and supplies power; A container that contains a substrate containing an aerosol source; a heating unit that heats the base material accommodated in the accommodation unit by using the power supplied from the power supply unit; having The control method includes: Controlling power supply to the heating unit; Controlling the power supply to the heating unit includes executing, as a first process, determining a state of the accommodation unit based on a time series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit obtained by repeatedly applying a group of detection pulses including one first detection pulse to the heating unit. Control methods.
  • a non-transitory storage medium storing a program executed by a computer that controls an aerosol generating system
  • the aerosol generation system comprises: a power supply unit that stores and supplies power; A container that contains a substrate containing an aerosol source; a heating unit that heats the base material accommodated in the accommodation unit by using the power supplied from the power supply unit; having The program causes the computer to function as a control unit that controls power supply to the heating unit, the control unit executes, as a first process, determining a state of the accommodation unit based on a time series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit obtained by repeatedly applying a group of detection pulses including one first detection pulse to the heating unit.
  • a non-transitory storage medium that stores a program.

Landscapes

  • Control Of Resistance Heating (AREA)
  • Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système qui permet de réduire davantage la taille d'un dispositif d'inhalation. Ce système de génération d'aérosol comprend : une unité d'alimentation électrique qui accumule et fournit de l'énergie électrique ; une unité de réception qui reçoit un matériau de base contenant une source d'aérosol ; une unité de chauffage qui utilise l'énergie électrique fournie par l'unité d'alimentation électrique et chauffe le matériau de base logé dans l'unité de réception ; et une unité de commande qui commande l'alimentation électrique de l'unité de chauffage, l'unité de commande exécutant, en tant que premier processus, une détermination de l'état de l'unité de réception sur la base d'une transition en série chronologique d'un paramètre correspondant à la température de l'unité de chauffage obtenue par application répétée, à l'unité de chauffage, d'un groupe d'impulsions de détection comprenant une première impulsion de détection.
PCT/JP2023/010606 2023-03-17 2023-03-17 Système de génération d'aérosol, procédé de commande et support d'enregistrement non transitoire Pending WO2024194927A1 (fr)

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KR1020257029735A KR20250140116A (ko) 2023-03-17 2023-03-17 에어로졸 생성 시스템, 제어 방법, 및 컴퓨터 판독 가능한 매체에 저장된 프로그램
JP2025507908A JPWO2024194927A1 (fr) 2023-03-17 2023-03-17
CN202380095624.3A CN120857879A (zh) 2023-03-17 2023-03-17 气溶胶产生系统、控制方法和非暂时性记录介质
PCT/JP2023/010606 WO2024194927A1 (fr) 2023-03-17 2023-03-17 Système de génération d'aérosol, procédé de commande et support d'enregistrement non transitoire
EP23928512.5A EP4666888A1 (fr) 2023-03-17 2023-03-17 Système de génération d'aérosol, procédé de commande et support d'enregistrement non transitoire

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PCT/JP2023/010606 WO2024194927A1 (fr) 2023-03-17 2023-03-17 Système de génération d'aérosol, procédé de commande et support d'enregistrement non transitoire

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JP2020521438A (ja) * 2017-05-26 2020-07-27 ケーティー・アンド・ジー・コーポレーション シガレット挿入感知機能を有するエアロゾル生成装置及びその方法
JP2020525014A (ja) * 2017-06-30 2020-08-27 フィリップ・モーリス・プロダクツ・ソシエテ・アノニム 誘導加熱装置、誘導加熱装置を備えるエアロゾル発生システム、およびそれを操作する方法
JP2022509085A (ja) * 2018-11-19 2022-01-20 アール・エイ・アイ・ストラテジック・ホールディングス・インコーポレイテッド エアロゾル送達デバイスにおける温度制御
JP2022079558A (ja) * 2016-07-25 2022-05-26 フィリップ・モーリス・プロダクツ・ソシエテ・アノニム ヒーター管理
JP2022545285A (ja) * 2019-08-23 2022-10-26 フィリップ・モーリス・プロダクツ・ソシエテ・アノニム 装置の中へのエアロゾル発生物品の挿入または装置からのエアロゾル発生物品の取り出しのうちの少なくとも一つを検出するための手段を備えたエアロゾル発生装置

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2015507476A (ja) * 2011-12-30 2015-03-12 フィリップ・モーリス・プロダクツ・ソシエテ・アノニム エアロゾル発生装置内のエアロゾル形成基材の検出
JP2017510270A (ja) 2014-03-21 2017-04-13 ブリティッシュ アメリカン タバコ （インヴェストメンツ） リミテッドＢｒｉｔｉｓｈ Ａｍｅｒｉｃａｎ Ｔｏｂａｃｃｏ （Ｉｎｖｅｓｔｍｅｎｔｓ） Ｌｉｍｉｔｅｄ 喫煙材を加熱するための装置および喫煙材物品
JP2022079558A (ja) * 2016-07-25 2022-05-26 フィリップ・モーリス・プロダクツ・ソシエテ・アノニム ヒーター管理
JP2020521438A (ja) * 2017-05-26 2020-07-27 ケーティー・アンド・ジー・コーポレーション シガレット挿入感知機能を有するエアロゾル生成装置及びその方法
JP2020525014A (ja) * 2017-06-30 2020-08-27 フィリップ・モーリス・プロダクツ・ソシエテ・アノニム 誘導加熱装置、誘導加熱装置を備えるエアロゾル発生システム、およびそれを操作する方法
JP2022509085A (ja) * 2018-11-19 2022-01-20 アール・エイ・アイ・ストラテジック・ホールディングス・インコーポレイテッド エアロゾル送達デバイスにおける温度制御
JP2022545285A (ja) * 2019-08-23 2022-10-26 フィリップ・モーリス・プロダクツ・ソシエテ・アノニム 装置の中へのエアロゾル発生物品の挿入または装置からのエアロゾル発生物品の取り出しのうちの少なくとも一つを検出するための手段を備えたエアロゾル発生装置

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CN120857879A (zh) 2025-10-28
KR20250140116A (ko) 2025-09-24
JPWO2024194927A1 (fr) 2024-09-26

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