WO2025126350A1 - Flavor inhaler or aerosol-generating apparatus, method for controlling same, and program therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a flavor inhaler or the like with which it is possible to improve response speed. Provided is a method for controlling a device that is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generation device provided with a power supply unit, a heating unit that heats a flavor source or an aerosol source, and a control unit that controls power supply from the power supply unit to the heating unit by PID control based on control information for controlling the temperature of the heating unit, wherein the control unit controls the heating unit while switching a PID gain used for the PID control in accordance with an elapsed time from the start of control based on the control information or a transition of a temperature at which the aerosol source is heated, and determines that an integrated value of the integral term of the PID gain is not to be reset at a specific switching timing of control with respect to the heating unit on the basis of a predetermined condition.

Description

Flavor inhalation device or aerosol generating device, its control method and its program

The present invention relates to a flavor inhalation device or an aerosol generating device (hereinafter referred to as "flavor inhalation device, etc.").

As an alternative to cigarettes, flavor inhalers such as heated tobacco products that heat stick-type smoking articles and inhale the flavor that is generated are becoming popular. For example, Cited Document 1 discloses that in such flavor inhalers, the temperature control of the heating section of the flavor inhaler is achieved by PID (Proportional-Integral-Differential Controller).

International Publication No. WO2023/181279

The temperature control disclosed in the cited document 1 describes that the PID gain, which is a parameter of the PID control, is switched at a predetermined timing during heating of the flavor inhaler or the like. In addition, when switching the PID gain, the integrated value of the integral term of the gain may be reset because the response speed becomes slow if the integrated value of the integral term of the gain is not reset. In addition, it is possible to increase user satisfaction by further increasing the response speed.
In view of the above problems, the present invention has an object to provide a flavor inhalation device or the like that can improve the response speed.

In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a device that is a flavor inhalation tool or an aerosol generating device, comprising a power supply unit, a heating unit that heats a flavor source or an aerosol source, and a control unit that controls the power supply from the power supply unit to the heating unit by PID control based on control information for controlling the temperature of the heating unit, the control unit controls the heating unit while switching the PID gain used in the PID control in response to the elapsed time since control based on the control information was started or the transition of the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated, and is configured to determine not to reset the integrated value of the integral term of the PID gain at a specific switching timing of the control for the heating unit based on a predetermined condition.

In another aspect of the present invention, the predetermined condition is when switching from constant value control, which is control for keeping the temperature constant, to temperature increase control, which is control for increasing the temperature of the heating section, when switching from the temperature increase control to the constant value control, or when switching from the constant value control to the constant value control.

In another aspect of the present invention, the predetermined condition is when, during preheating of the flavor source or the aerosol source, there is a switch from constant value control, which is a control for keeping the temperature constant, to temperature increase control, which is a control for increasing the temperature of the heating unit, when there is a switch from the temperature increase control to the constant value control, or when there is a switch from the constant value control to the constant value control.

In another aspect of the present invention, the predetermined condition is that the value of I gain is zero before the control of the heating unit is switched.

Another aspect of the present invention is a control method for a device that is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generating apparatus, comprising a power supply unit, a heating unit that heats a flavor source or an aerosol source, and a control unit that controls the power supply from the power supply unit to the heating unit by PID control based on control information for controlling the temperature of the heating unit, the control unit controlling the heating unit while switching a PID gain used in the PID control in response to the elapsed time since control based on the control information was started or the transition of the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated, and the control method includes a step of determining not to reset the integrated value of the integral term of the PID gain at a specific switching timing of the control for the heating unit based on a predetermined condition.

Another aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a processor of a device that is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generating device, the device comprising a power supply unit, a heating unit that heats a flavor source or an aerosol source, and a control unit that controls the power supply from the power supply unit to the heating unit by PID control based on control information for controlling the temperature of the heating unit, to execute a step of controlling the heating unit while switching a PID gain used in the PID control in accordance with the elapsed time since control based on the control information was started or the transition of the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated, and determining not to reset the integrated value of the integral term of the PID gain at a specific switching timing of the control for the heating unit based on a predetermined condition.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a flavor inhalation device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a flavor inhalation device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a heating profile. FIG. 4 shows details of a portion of a heating profile. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a heating profile. 11 is a diagram showing a change in the duty ratio of PWM when the integrated value of the integral term of the gain is reset when the PID gain is switched; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a change in the duty ratio of PWM in a case where the integrated value of the integral term of the gain is not reset when the PID gain is switched. FIG. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of a process flow executed by a flavor inhalation device or the like according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

The flavor inhalation device or the like according to the present embodiment is a flavor inhalation device or an aerosol generating device, which is a device that generates a substance to be inhaled by a user. The substance generated by the flavor inhalation device or the like may be an aerosol or a gas that is not an aerosol. The flavor inhalation device is a device for inhaling a flavor, and may be, but is not limited to, a device for, for example, an electronic cigarette, a heated cigarette, a conventional cigarette, or the like. The aerosol generating device is a device for inhaling the generated aerosol, and may be, but is not limited to, a device for, for example, an electronic cigarette, a heated cigarette, a medical nebulizer, or the like. The flavor inhalation device or the like includes so-called reduced-risk products (RRPs).
(Configuration of flavor inhalation device, etc.)
(First Configuration Example)

1A is a schematic diagram showing a first configuration example of a flavor inhalation device or the like. As shown in FIG. 1A, the flavor inhalation device or the like 100A according to this configuration example includes, as an example, a power supply unit 110, a cartridge 120, and a flavor imparting cartridge 130. The power supply unit 110 includes a power supply section 111A, a sensor section 112A, a notification section 113A, a memory section 114A, a communication section 115A, and a control section 116A. The cartridge 120 includes a heating section 121A, a liquid guide section 122, and a liquid storage section 123. The flavor imparting cartridge 130 includes a flavor source 131, and a mouthpiece 124. An air flow path 180 is formed in the cartridge 120 and the flavor imparting cartridge 130.

The cartridge 120 and the flavoring cartridge 130 are examples of so-called "refills." At least a portion of one or both of the refills 120 and 130 may be colored according to the type of refill. In addition, the coloring according to the type is not limited to the refill, and may be any component attached to the flavor inhaler 100A.

The power supply unit 111A stores power. The power supply unit 111A supplies power to each component of the flavor inhaler 100A under the control of the control unit 116A. The power supply unit 111A may be configured, for example, by a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

The sensor unit 112A acquires various information related to the flavor inhalation device 100A. The sensor unit 112A may include a pressure sensor such as a microphone capacitor, a flow sensor, or a temperature sensor. The sensor unit 112A may also include an input device such as a button or switch that accepts information input from the user.

The notification unit 113A has a function of notifying the user of various information related to the flavor inhalation device 100A. The notification unit 113A may include, for example, a display device that displays messages and images, a light-emitting device or light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits light, a sound output device or acoustic element that outputs sound, a vibration device that vibrates, etc.

The memory unit 114A stores various information for the operation of the flavor inhalation device 100A. The memory unit 114A is composed of a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory. The memory unit 114A may include a volatile memory that provides a working area for control by the control unit 116A. The memory unit 114A may also hold data for controlling the heating profile.

The communication unit 115A may be a communication interface capable of performing communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard. For example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be adopted as such a communication standard. The communication unit 115A may also include a communication interface (including a communication module) conforming to a specific LPWA wireless communication standard or a wireless communication standard having similar restrictions. For example, Sigfox or LoRA-WAN may be adopted as such a communication standard.

The control unit 116A functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation of the flavor inhalation device 100A according to various programs. The control unit 116A can be realized by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and electronic circuits such as a microprocessor. For example, the control unit 116A can execute control for executing a heating process of the aerosol source in the heating unit 121A. As an example, the control unit 116A can control the heating process according to a heating profile that indicates how the aerosol source should be heated.

The liquid storage unit 123 stores the aerosol source. The aerosol source is atomized to generate an aerosol. The aerosol source is, for example, a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and water. The aerosol source may contain a flavor component derived from tobacco or a non-tobacco source. If the flavor inhalation device 100A is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may contain a medicine.

The liquid guide section 122 guides and holds the aerosol source, which is a liquid stored in the liquid storage section 123, from the liquid storage section 123. The liquid guide section 122 is, for example, a wick formed by twisting a fiber material such as glass fiber or a porous material such as porous ceramic. In this case, the aerosol source stored in the liquid storage section 123 is guided by the capillary effect of the wick.

The heating unit 121A generates an aerosol by heating the aerosol source and atomizing the aerosol source. In the example shown in FIG. 1A, the heating unit 121A is configured as a coil and is wound around the liquid guide unit 122. When the heating unit 121A generates heat, the aerosol source held in the liquid guide unit 122 is heated and atomized, and an aerosol is generated. The heating unit 121A generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111A. As an example, power may be supplied when the sensor unit 112A detects that the user has started inhaling, that predetermined information has been input, that the user has operated a button or switch at any timing, etc. Then, when the sensor unit 112A detects that the user has ended inhaling and/or that predetermined information has been input, power supply may be stopped.
The flavor source 131 is a component for imparting flavor components to the aerosol. The flavor source 131 may include tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor components.

The air flow path 180 is a flow path for air inhaled by the user. The air flow path 180 has a tubular structure with an air inlet hole 181, which is an entrance of air into the air flow path 180, and an air outlet hole 182, which is an exit of air from the air flow path 180, at both ends. In the middle of the air flow path 180, the liquid guide section 122 is arranged on the upstream side (the side closer to the air inlet hole 181), and the flavor source 131 is arranged on the downstream side (the side closer to the air outlet hole 182). The air flowing in from the air inlet hole 181 as the user inhales is mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating section 121A, and as shown by the arrow 190, is transported through the flavor source 131 to the air outlet hole 182. When the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air passes through the flavor source 131, the flavor components contained in the flavor source 131 are imparted to the aerosol.

Mouthpiece 124 is a member that is held by the user when inhaling. Air outlet hole 182 is arranged in mouthpiece 124. By holding mouthpiece 124 in the mouth and inhaling, the user can take in a mixed fluid of aerosol and air into the oral cavity.
The above describes an example of the configuration of the flavor inhaler 100A. Of course, the configuration of the flavor inhaler 100A is not limited to the above, and various configurations such as those exemplified below may be used.

As an example, the flavor inhalation device 100A may not include the flavor imparting cartridge 130. In that case, the cartridge 120 is provided with a mouthpiece 124.

As another example, the flavor inhalation device 100A may include a plurality of types of aerosol sources. A plurality of types of aerosols generated from the plurality of types of aerosol sources may be mixed in the air flow path 180 and undergo a chemical reaction to generate yet another type of aerosol.
(Second Configuration Example)

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a second configuration example of a flavor inhalation device, etc. As shown in FIG. 1B, the flavor inhalation device, etc. 100B according to this configuration example includes, as an example, a power supply unit 111B, a sensor unit 112B, a notification unit 113B, a memory unit 114B, a communication unit 115B, a control unit 116B, a heating unit 121B, a holding unit 140, and a heat insulating unit 144.

Each of the power supply unit 111B, the sensor unit 112B, the notification unit 113B, the memory unit 114B, the communication unit 115B, and the control unit 116B is substantially the same as the corresponding components included in the flavor inhalation device etc. 100A according to the first configuration example.

The holding part 140 has an internal space 141 and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 while accommodating a part of the stick-shaped substrate 150 in the internal space 141. The stick-shaped substrate 150 is also an example of a so-called "refill". The holding part 140 has an opening 142 that connects the internal space 141 to the outside, and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 from the opening 142. For example, the holding part 140 is a cylindrical body with the opening 142 and the bottom part 143 as the bottom surface, and defines the columnar internal space 141. The holding part 140 also has the function of defining a flow path for air to be supplied to the stick-shaped substrate 150. An air inlet hole, which is the entrance of air to such a flow path, is arranged in the bottom part 143, for example. On the other hand, an air outlet hole, which is the exit of air from such a flow path, is the opening 142.

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 may be a solid or liquid, and is atomized by heating to generate an aerosol. The aerosol source may be tobacco-derived, such as a processed product in which cut tobacco or tobacco raw materials are formed into a granular, sheet, or powder form. The aerosol source may also include non-tobacco-derived aerosol sources made from plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint and herbs). As an example, the aerosol source may include a flavoring component such as menthol. When the flavor inhalation device 100 is a medical inhaler, the aerosol source may include a drug for the patient to inhale. When the stick-type substrate 150 is held by the holding portion 140, at least a portion of the substrate portion 151 is accommodated in the internal space 141, and at least a portion of the mouthpiece portion 152 protrudes from the opening 142. When the user holds the suction mouth portion 152 protruding from the opening 142 in their mouth and sucks, air flows into the internal space 141 through an air inlet hole (not shown) and reaches the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from the base portion 151.

The heating unit 121B has a configuration similar to that of the heating unit 121A according to the first configuration example. However, in the example shown in Fig. 1B, the heating unit 121B is configured in a film shape and is arranged so as to cover the outer periphery of the holding unit 140. When the heating unit 121B generates heat, the substrate unit 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated from the outer periphery, and an aerosol is generated.
The heat insulating section 144 prevents heat transfer from the heating section 121B to other components. For example, the heat insulating section 144 is made of a vacuum heat insulating material, an aerogel heat insulating material, or the like.
The above describes an example of the configuration of the flavor inhaler 100B. Of course, the configuration of the flavor inhaler 100B is not limited to the above, and various configurations such as those exemplified below may be used.

As one example, the heating unit 121B may be configured in a blade shape and disposed so as to protrude from the bottom 143 of the holding unit 140 into the internal space 141. In that case, the blade-shaped heating unit 121B 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. As another example, the heating unit 121B may be disposed so as to cover the bottom 143 of the holding unit 140. Furthermore, the heating unit 121B may be configured as a combination of two or more of a first heating unit that covers the outer periphery of the holding unit 140, a blade-shaped second heating unit, and a third heating unit that covers the bottom 143 of the holding unit 140.

As another example, the holding 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 holding unit 140 may then clamp the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 by opening and closing a portion of the outer shell. In this case, the heating unit 121B may be provided at the clamping location in the holding unit 140, and may heat the stick-shaped substrate 150 while pressing it.

Moreover, the flavor inhalation device 100B may further include the heating unit 121A, the liquid guide unit 122, the liquid storage unit 123, and the air flow path 180 according to the first configuration example, and the air outlet hole 182 of the air flow path 180 may also serve as an air inlet hole to the internal space 141. In this case, the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air generated by the heating unit 121A flows into the internal space 141 and is further mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating unit 121B, and reaches the oral cavity of the user.
(Heating Profile)

The control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile. The control of the operation of the heating unit 121 is achieved by controlling the power supply from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121. The heating unit 121 uses the power supplied from the power supply unit 111 to heat the aerosol source contained in the stick-shaped substrate 150, etc.

The heating profile is control information for controlling the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated. The heating profile may be control information for controlling the temperature of the heating unit 121. As an example, the heating profile may include a target value for the temperature of the heating unit 121 (hereinafter also referred to as the target temperature). The target temperature may change depending on the elapsed time from the start of heating, in which case the heating profile includes information that specifies the time series progression of the target temperature. As another example, 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. ON/OFF of the power supply to the heating unit 121 may be regarded as ON/OFF of the heating unit 121.

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. By controlling the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile, the flavor tasted by the user can change.

The temperature control of the heating unit 121 can be achieved, for example, by known feedback control. In this embodiment, the feedback control is PID control. In this embodiment, the control unit 116 can supply power from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121 in the form of pulses using pulse width modulation (PWM). In this case, 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 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. In another example, the temperature of the heating section 121 can be measured by a temperature sensor such as a thermistor installed near the heating section 121.

The period from the start to the end of the process of generating aerosol using the stick-shaped substrate 150 is also referred to as a heating session below. In other words, the heating session is a period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is controlled based on the heating profile. The start of the heating session is the timing when heating based on the heating profile is started. The end of the heating session is the timing when a sufficient amount of aerosol is no longer generated. The heating session includes a pre-heating period and a puffable period following the pre-heating period. Here, the action of the user inhaling the aerosol is referred to as a "puff" or a "puffing action" (hereinafter the same). The puffable period is a period during which a sufficient amount of aerosol is expected to be generated. The pre-heating period is a period from the start of heating to the start of the puffable period. Heating performed in the pre-heating period is also referred to as pre-heating.
An example of a heating profile according to this embodiment is shown in Table 1 below.

As shown in Table 1, the heating profile may be divided into a number of periods, and the time series progression of the target temperature and the time series progression of the power supply parameters may be specified in each period. In the example shown in Table 1, the heating profile is divided into a total of 10 periods, STEP 0 to STEP 9. In each STEP, the time series progression of the target temperature and the time series progression of the power supply parameters are specified.

The temperature change of the heating unit 121 when the control unit 116 performs temperature control according to the heating profile shown in Table 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a graph showing an example of the temperature change of the heating unit 121 when the temperature control is performed based on the heating profile shown in Table 1. The horizontal axis of this graph is time (seconds). The vertical axis of this graph is the temperature of the heating unit 121. Line 21 in this graph shows the temperature change of the heating unit 121. As shown in FIG. 2, the temperature of the heating unit 121 changes in the same way as the target temperature specified in the heating profile. An example of a heating profile will be described below with reference to Table 1 and FIG. 2.

As shown in Table 1 and FIG. 2, in STEP 0, the temperature of the heating section 121 rises from the initial temperature to 300°C. The initial temperature is the temperature of the heating section 121 at the start of heating. In this example, time control is not performed in STEP 0. Here, time control is a control that also determines the elapsed time until the target value of the heating profile (here, the target temperature) is reached. That is, in STEP 0, a target value is set as the heating profile, but a target of the elapsed time until the target value is reached does not have to be set. When time control is performed, the STEP is terminated by using the elapse of the duration as a trigger. In this example, since time control is not performed in STEP 0, it is terminated by using the temperature of the heating section 121 reaching 300°C as a trigger. In the example in FIG. 2, STEP 0 ends in 20 seconds. Thereafter, in STEP 1 and STEP 2, the temperature of the heating section 121 is maintained at 300°C. The pre-heating period ends with the end of STEP 1, and the puffable period begins with the start of STEP 2. Note that in STEP 0, not performing time control does not prevent control such as stopping heating by determining that an error has occurred if a specified temperature is not reached within a specified time.

For users, a shorter preheating time is preferable. However, for example, if the stick-shaped substrate 150 in FIG. 1B is not heated sufficiently, moisture may not completely evaporate and may remain inside the stick-shaped substrate 150. If the user puffs in this state, hot water vapor may be delivered to the user's mouth. For this reason, it is desirable to rapidly increase the temperature of the heating section 121 to 300°C in STEP 0, and to ensure that STEP 1 continues for a certain period of time.

In this example, in STEP 0 to STEP 2, power is supplied to the heating unit 121 at a high voltage. This allows the temperature of the heating unit 121 to quickly reach 300°C and to be maintained at a high temperature thereafter. It also makes it possible to shorten the pre-heating period.

As shown in Table 1 and FIG. 2, in STEP 3, the temperature of the heating unit 121 drops to 220°C. In STEP 3, the power supply to the heating unit 121 is turned off. This makes it possible to quickly lower the temperature of the heating unit 121. On the other hand, the voltage applied to the heating unit 121 is switched from a high voltage to a low voltage. If the voltage is switched during the period when power is being supplied to the heating unit 121, the accuracy of the temperature control may decrease due to reasons such as noise being introduced into the gain of the PID control. In this regard, by switching the voltage during the period when power is not being supplied to the heating unit 121, it is possible to prevent the accuracy of the temperature control from decreasing due to the voltage switching.

Here, the control in STEP 3 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a graph showing in detail an example of the temperature transition of the heating unit 121 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows in detail STEP 0 to STEP 4, which are the first half of the temperature transition of the heating unit 121 shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, STEP 3 in this example can be divided into three periods: STEP 3-1, STEP 3-2, and STEP 3-3. After the duration of STEP 2 has elapsed, in STEP 3-1, which is the beginning of STEP 3, the control unit 116 interrupts the power supply from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121. This causes the temperature of the heating unit 121 to drop. However, if the temperature of the heating unit 121 drops too much, the smoking taste delivered to the user may deteriorate. Therefore, in STEP 3-2, which is the middle of STEP 3, when the temperature of the heating unit 121 falls below 220°C, the power supply to the heating unit 121 is resumed, and heating is resumed. In order to prevent deterioration of the smoking taste, it is desirable to rapidly increase the temperature of the heating unit 121 until it reaches 220°C in STEP 3-2. In STEP 3-1 and STEP 3-2, no time control is performed. On the other hand, time control is performed for STEP 3 as a whole. Therefore, the control unit 116 maintains the temperature of the heating unit 121 at 220°C in STEP 3-3, which is the period until the duration of STEP 3 ends. Of course, time control does not have to be performed for STEP 3 as a whole. In that case, STEP 3-3 is omitted.

As shown in Table 1 and FIG. 2, the temperature of the heating unit 121 then gradually rises to 270°C in STEP 4 to STEP 7. In this manner, control information across multiple STEPs may be defined. After that, in STEP 8, the temperature of the heating unit 121 is maintained at 270°C.

Here, in this example, power is supplied to the heating unit 121 at a low voltage in STEP 4 to STEP 8. This is because in STEP 4 to STEP 8, there is no need to rapidly increase the temperature of the heating unit 121 or maintain it at a high temperature. By lowering the voltage in STEP 4 to STEP 8, it is possible to reduce power consumption during the entire heating session.

As shown in Table 1 and FIG. 2, in STEP 9, the temperature of the heating unit 121 drops. In STEP 9, the power supply to the heating unit 121 is turned off. On the other hand, the voltage applied to the heating unit 121 is switched from a low voltage to a high voltage. This makes it possible to start the next heating session at a high voltage. Also, by switching the voltage during a period when power is not being supplied to the heating unit 121, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the accuracy of temperature control due to the voltage switching. In this example, STEP 9 specifies the duration, but does not specify the target temperature. Therefore, STEP 9 ends when the duration ends. In STEP 9, a sufficient amount of aerosol can be generated by the residual heat of the stick-shaped substrate 150. Therefore, in this example, the puffable period, i.e., the heating session, ends with the end of STEP 9.

The user may be notified of the timing when the puffing period begins and ends. For example, the user may be notified at the start of STEP 2 and at the end of STEP 9. The user may refer to such notifications and puff during the puffing period.

The heating profile described above is merely an example, and various other examples are possible. As an example, the number of STEPs, the duration of each STEP, and the target temperature may be changed as appropriate. As another example, time control may be performed in STEP 0. For example, in STEP 0, the temperature of the heating unit 121 may be increased from the initial temperature to 300° C. and then maintained at 300° C. until the duration ends. Alternatively, in STEP 0, the temperature rise speed of the heating unit 121 may be controlled so that the temperature reaches 300° C. at the end of the duration. As another example, in STEP 4, the temperature of the heating unit 121 may be maintained at 220° C.
(PID Gain Control)

In this embodiment, the control unit 116 controls the power supply from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121 by PID control based on the heating profile. PID control is a method of controlling the input value to the controlled object using three elements: the deviation between the output value from the controlled object and a target value, the integral of the deviation, and the derivative of the deviation. In this embodiment, the controlled object is the heating unit 121, the output value from the heating unit 121 is the actual temperature, the target value is the target temperature, and the input value is a parameter that specifies the amount of power supplied to the heating unit 121 (for example, the duty ratio in PWM control).

PID control involves at least three parameters: P gain, I gain, and D gain. These PID control parameters are hereinafter collectively referred to as PID gain. P gain is a coefficient by which the deviation is multiplied. I gain is a coefficient by which the integral value of the deviation is multiplied. D gain is a coefficient by which the derivative value of the deviation is multiplied. For example, the control unit 116 calculates the duty ratio at a certain time by adding the value obtained by multiplying the deviation between the actual temperature and the target temperature at that time by the P gain, the value obtained by multiplying the integral value of the deviation by the I gain, and the value obtained by multiplying the derivative value of the deviation by the D gain. Note that one or two of the P gain, I gain, and D gain may be set to 0.

Typically, by increasing the P gain, the time it takes for the actual temperature to reach the target temperature can be shortened. However, if the P gain is too large, overshoot and undershoot are more likely to occur. In other words, if the P gain is too large, the amplitude of the hunting in which the temperature rises and falls around the target temperature becomes larger. On the other hand, the smaller the P gain, the larger the steady-state deviation.

Typically, by increasing the D gain, it is possible to make overshoot and undershoot less likely to occur. In other words, by increasing the D gain, it is possible to reduce the amplitude of hunting.

Typically, the steady-state deviation can be suppressed by increasing the I gain. On the other hand, if the I gain is too large, overshoot and undershoot tend to occur, and the amplitude of hunting increases.
Hereinafter, the PID control according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The heating profile includes two or more different PID gains that are defined in accordance with the elapsed time since the start of the control based on the heating profile or the transition of the temperature of the heating unit 121. The control unit 116 controls the power supply from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121 while switching the PID gains in accordance with the elapsed time since the start of the control based on the heating profile or the transition of the temperature of the heating unit 121. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 116 uses a PID gain G ₁ in STEP 0, a PID gain G ₂ in STEP 1 and STEP 2, a PID gain G ₃ in STEP 3-2, and a PID gain G ₄ in STEP 3-3 and STEP 4. These PID gains are defined in the heating profile together with information that defines the switching timing. For example, the control unit 116 switches the PID gain to be used when triggered by the start or end of each STEP, or when the temperature of the heating unit 121 reaches a predetermined temperature. Specifically, the control unit 116 starts using the PID gain G ₁ with the start of STEP 0 as a trigger. Next, the control unit 116 switches to the PID gain G ₂ with the temperature of the heating unit 121 reaching 300° C. as a trigger. Next, the control unit 116 switches to the PID gain G 3 with the start of STEP 3-2 as a trigger. Then, the control unit 116 switches to the PID gain _{G 4} with the temperature of the heating unit 121 reaching 220° C. as a trigger. The heating session includes periods in which the temperature transitions in different modes, such as a period in which the temperature is raised quickly, a period in which the temperature is raised slowly, a period in which the temperature is lowered, and a period in which the temperature is maintained. In this regard, according to this configuration, the operation of the heating unit 121 can be controlled using a PID gain appropriate for the mode of temperature transition. This makes it possible to more accurately track the actual temperature to the target temperature specified in the heating profile. As a result, it is possible to deliver an appropriate smoking taste to the user throughout the heating session.

The PID gain _G1 is a PID gain for quickly making the temperature of the heating unit 121 reach a predetermined temperature (i.e., 300° C.). On the other hand, the PID gain _G2 is a PID gain for maintaining the temperature of the heating unit 121 at a predetermined temperature. The P gain included in the PID gain _G1 is preferably larger than the P gain included in the PID gain _G2 . With this configuration, the control unit 116 can determine a larger duty ratio in STEP 0 in which the PID gain _G1 is used, compared to STEP 1 in which the PID gain _G2 is used. That is, in STEP 0, the temperature of the heating unit 121 can be quickly made to reach a predetermined temperature. Also, the I gain included in the PID gain _G2 is preferably larger than the I gain included in the PID gain _G1 . With this configuration, in STEP ₁ in which the PID gain G2 is used, where the temperature change is smaller than in STEP 0 in which the PID gain _G1 is used, the steady-state deviation can be effectively reduced by increasing the I gain, and the temperature of the heating unit 121 can be appropriately maintained at a predetermined temperature.

The same can be said about the PID gain _G3 and the PID gain _G4 . The PID gain _G3 is a PID gain for quickly reaching the temperature of the heating unit 121 to a predetermined temperature (i.e., 220° C.). On the other hand, the PID gain _G4 is a PID gain for maintaining the temperature of the heating unit 121 at a predetermined temperature. It is desirable that the P gain included in the PID gain _G3 is larger than the P gain included in _the PID gain _G4 . With this configuration, the control unit 116 can determine a larger duty ratio in STEP3-2 in which the PID gain _G3 is used, compared to STEP3-3 in which the PID gain G4 is used. That is, it is possible to quickly reach the temperature of the heating unit 121 to a predetermined temperature in STEP3-2. It is also desirable that the I gain included in the PID gain _G4 is larger than the I gain included in the PID gain _G3 . With this configuration, in STEP 3-3 in which PID gain _G4 is used and in which the temperature change is smaller than in STEP 3-2 in which PID gain _G3 is used, the steady-state deviation can be effectively reduced by increasing the I gain, and the temperature of the heating unit 121 can be appropriately maintained at a predetermined temperature.

In this embodiment, the voltage is higher during the period when the PID gain _G1 is used than during the period when the PID gain _G3 is used. When the voltage is high, the amplitude of hunting that occurs when the P gain and I gain are large becomes larger compared to when the voltage is low. Therefore, it is desirable that the P gain and/or I gain in the PID gain _G1 is smaller than the P gain and/or I gain in the PID gain _G3 . This makes it possible to suppress fluctuations in the deviation between the actual temperature and the target temperature during the period when the PID gain _G1 is used.

The same can be said about PID gain _G2 and PID gain _G4 . In this embodiment, the voltage is higher during the period when PID gain _G2 is used than during the period when PID gain _G4 is used. When the voltage is high, the amplitude of hunting that occurs when the P gain and I gain are large becomes larger compared to when the voltage is low. Therefore, it is desirable that the P gain and/or I gain in PID gain _G2 is smaller than the P gain and/or I gain in PID gain _G4 . This makes it possible to suppress the fluctuation of the deviation between the actual temperature and the target temperature during the period when PID gain _G2 is used.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the integrated value of the integral term of the gain is reset (i.e., set to zero) at the start of heating and at a predetermined timing. This makes it possible to avoid a slow response speed. On the other hand, if the integrated value of the integral term of the gain is reset, the duty ratio becomes zero and the temperature of the heating unit 121 drops, which takes time to increase the temperature. Therefore, the integrated value of the integral term of the gain is not reset under certain conditions.
Here, in this embodiment, the "predetermined timing" refers to switching between the following steps (STEPs).
・When switching from temperature increase control (control to increase the temperature of the heating part) to temperature decrease control (control to decrease the temperature of the heating part) ・When switching from constant value control (control to keep the temperature of the heating part constant) to temperature decrease control ・When switching from temperature decrease control to temperature increase control ・When switching from temperature decrease control to constant value control

For example, the transition from STEP 2 to STEP 3 and the transition from STEP 8 to STEP 9 in Fig. 2 correspond to the time when the constant value control is switched to the temperature decreasing control. Also, for example, the transition from STEP 3-1 to STEP 3-2 in Fig. 3 corresponds to the time when the temperature decreasing control is switched to the temperature increasing control.
On the other hand, the integrated value of the integral term of the gain is not reset at the following timings.
・When switching from constant value control to temperature rise control ・When switching from temperature rise control to constant value control ・When transitioning from constant value control to constant value control

For example, the switch from STEP 3-3 to STEP 4 in FIG. 3 corresponds to the switch from constant value control to temperature rise control. Also, for example, the switch from STEP 3-2 to STEP 3-3 in FIG. 3 corresponds to the switch from temperature rise control to constant value control. Also, for example, the transition from STEP 1 to STEP 2 in FIG. 2 corresponds to the switch from constant value control to constant value control.

In this way, when the temperature drop control is not involved and it is desired to maintain the temperature of the heating unit 121 at a certain level, by not resetting the integrated value of the integral term of the gain, it is possible to avoid a drop in the temperature of the heating unit 121. In particular, from the viewpoint of shortening the time that the user has to wait as much as possible during the pre-heating period, it is useful to prevent the temperature of the heating unit 121 from dropping by not resetting the integrated value of the integral term of the gain.
(Specific example)

The PID gain control according to this embodiment will be further described below. Figure 4 shows another specific example of a heating profile. Below, the PID gain control during the pre-heating period will be described in particular.

In this example, similarly to the example of Fig. 3, the PID gain is switched from PID1 to PID2 when the heating profile transitions from STEP0 to STEP1. However, since the switching from PID1 to PID2 is a switching from temperature rise control to constant value control, the integrated value of the integral term of the gain is not reset in the PID gain control of this embodiment. In addition, in this example, the PID gain in STEP0 (PID1; Kp1 (P gain)/Ki1 (I gain)/Kd1 (D gain)), the PID gain in STEP1 (PID2; Kp2 (P gain)/Ki2 (I gain)/Kd2 (D gain)), and the PID gain when heating is resumed immediately after the heating unit OFF period (PID3; Kp3 (P gain)/Ki3 (I gain)/Kd3 (D gain)) are assumed to be set as follows.
(PID1)
Kp1: 10000000 (T.B.C.)
Ki1:6000 (T.B.C.)
Kd1:0 (T.B.C)
(PID2)
Kp2: 5000 (T.B.C.)
Ki2: 3000 (T.B.C.)
Kd2:0 (T.B.C.)
(PID3)
Kp3: 10000000 (T.B.C.)
Ki3: 6000 (T.B.C.)
Kd3:0 (T.B.C.)

Assuming the above settings, Figures 5A and 5B show the difference in the drop in the PWM duty ratio when the integrated value of the gain integral term is reset and not reset when switching from PID1 to PID2 (STEP0 to STEP1). Figure 5A shows the change in the PWM duty ratio when the integrated value of the gain integral term is reset when switching from PID1 to PID2. Figure 5B shows the change in the PWM duty ratio when the integrated value of the gain integral term is not reset when switching from PID1 to PID2. The vertical axis of Figures 5A and 5B represents the duty ratio (%), and the horizontal axis represents time (seconds). Note that in this example, the upper limit value for the output of the gain integral term in PID1 is 100%, and it is assumed that the integrated value of the integral term has reached the upper limit when switching to PID2.

In FIG. 5A, when switching from PID1 to PID2, the integrated value of the gain integral term is reset, i.e., the integral term becomes zero, and the duty ratio drops to 16% (see the area surrounded by the dashed line). This causes a large drop in the temperature of the heating unit 121. In contrast, in FIG. 5B, when switching from PID1 to PID2, the duty ratio is the ratio of the integrated value of the integral term to the upper limit value (=100%) / Ki1 (=6000) × Ki2 (=3000) = 50%, which is a smaller drop compared to the case of FIG. 5A (see the area surrounded by the dashed line). In other words, it can be seen that the temperature drop of the heating unit 121 is reduced more in FIG. 5B.

Also, when the step is switched, if the value of the I gain in a certain step is zero, the integrated value of the integral term of the gain may be set to zero. As a result, if the value of the I gain in the step before the switch is zero, the output of the integral term of the PID gain immediately after the step switch is 0%, and the same effect as that of resetting the integrated value of the integral term of the gain can be obtained. For example, when Ki1=0 and Ki2=3000, the output of the integral term of the gain PID2 immediately after switching to STEP1 is 0% according to the calculation formula of the integrated value of the integral term of the gain in STEP0 (=0)×Ki2 (=3000).
(Flow diagram)
FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a gain control method executed by the flavor inhalation device 100 according to the present embodiment.

First, the control unit 116 determines whether heating by the heating unit 121 has started (step S102). More specifically, the control unit 116 determines whether a user operation instructing the start of heating has been detected. One example of a user operation instructing the start of heating is an operation on the flavor inhalation device 100, such as operating a switch or the like provided on the flavor inhalation device 100. Another example of a user operation instructing the start of heating is inserting the stick-shaped substrate 150 into the flavor inhalation device 100.

If the control unit 116 determines that heating has not started (step S102: No), the control unit 116 waits until it determines that heating has started, for example by detecting a user operation to instruct the start of heating.

If the control unit 116 determines that heating has started (step S102: Yes), the control unit 116 resets the integrated value of the integral term of the gain (step S104).

The control unit 116 determines whether the step has been switched (step S106). For example, the control unit 116 can determine whether the step has been switched by determining whether the temperature of the heating unit 121 has reached the target temperature or whether a predetermined time has elapsed in the time control. The control unit 116 waits until the step has been switched (step S106: No).

When the control unit 116 determines that the step has been switched (step S106: Yes), the control unit 116 determines whether to reset the integrated value of the integral term of the gain (step S108). In this embodiment, the integrated value of the integral term of the gain is reset when switching from temperature increase control to temperature decrease control, when switching from fixed value control to temperature decrease control, when switching from temperature decrease control to temperature increase control, or when switching from temperature decrease control to constant value control. In this embodiment, the integrated value of the gain is not reset when switching from constant value control to temperature increase control, when switching from temperature increase control to constant value control, or when transitioning from constant value control to constant value control.

When the control unit 116 determines to reset the integrated value of the gain integral term (step S108: Yes), the control unit 116 resets the integrated value of the gain integral term (step S110).When the control unit 116 determines not to reset the integrated value of the gain integral term (step S108: No), the control unit 116 controls the integrated value of the gain integral term by the upper limit without resetting it (step S112).
Steps S104 to S112 are repeated until the heating process is completed (step S114).

Up to this point, we have explained the embodiments of the present invention, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and may be embodied in various different forms within the scope of its technical concept.

Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described, but includes all embodiments that achieve the same effect as the object of the present invention. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the combination of the features of the invention defined by each claim, but can be defined by any desired combination of specific features among all the respective features disclosed.

The following configurations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.
(1)
A device that is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generating device, comprising:
A power supply unit;
A heating unit for heating a flavor source or an aerosol source;
a control unit that controls power supply from the power supply unit to the heating unit by PID control based on control information for controlling the temperature of the heating unit;
Equipped with
The control unit controls the heating unit while switching the PID gain used in the PID control in accordance with the elapsed time since control based on the control information was started or the change in the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated, and is configured to determine not to reset the integrated value of the integral term of the PID gain at a specific switching timing of control over the heating unit based on predetermined conditions.
(2)
The device described in (1) above, wherein the predetermined condition is when switching from constant value control, which is control for keeping the temperature constant, to temperature increase control, which is control for increasing the temperature of the heating section, when switching from the temperature increase control to the constant value control, or when switching from the constant value control to the constant value control.
(3)
The device described in (1) above, wherein the predetermined condition is when switching from constant value control, which is control for keeping the temperature constant, to temperature increase control, which is control for increasing the temperature of the heating section, during preheating of the flavor source or the aerosol source, when switching from the temperature increase control to the constant value control, or when switching from the constant value control to the constant value control.
(4)
The device described in (1) above, wherein the predetermined condition is that the value of I gain before control of the heating section is switched is zero.
(5)
A method for controlling a device that is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generating device, the device comprising: a power supply unit; a heating unit that heats a flavor source or an aerosol source; and a control unit that controls power supply from the power supply unit to the heating unit by PID control based on control information for controlling a temperature of the heating unit, the method comprising:
A control method including a step in which the control unit controls the heating unit while switching a PID gain used in the PID control in accordance with the elapsed time since control based on the control information was started or a change in the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated, and determines not to reset the integrated value of the integral term of the PID gain at a specific switching timing of control for the heating unit based on predetermined conditions.
(6)
A processor of a device which is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generating device, the device comprising: a power supply unit; a heating unit which heats a flavor source or an aerosol source; and a control unit which controls power supply from the power supply unit to the heating unit by PID control based on control information for controlling the temperature of the heating unit;
A program that controls the heating unit while switching the PID gain used in the PID control in accordance with the elapsed time since control based on the control information was started or the change in the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated, and executes a step of determining not to reset the integrated value of the integral term of the PID gain at a specific switching timing of control for the heating unit based on predetermined conditions.

21...Graph line 100A, 100B...Flavor inhalation device, etc. 110...Power supply unit 111A, 111B...Power supply section 112A, 112B...Sensor section 113A, 113B...Notification section 114A, 114B...Memory section 115A, 115B...Communication section 116A, 116B...Control section 117A, 117B...Conversion section 120...Cartridge 121A, 121B...Heating section 122...Liquid guide section 123...Liquid storage section 124...Mouthpiece 130...Flavor imparting cartridge 131...Flavor source 140...Retaining section 141...Internal space 142...Opening 143...Bottom 144...Insulating section 150...Stick-shaped substrate 151...Substrate section 152...Suction mouth section 180...Air flow path 181: Air inlet hole 182: Air outlet hole

Claims (6)

A device that is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generating device, comprising:
A power supply unit;
A heating unit for heating a flavor source or an aerosol source;
a control unit that controls power supply from the power supply unit to the heating unit by PID control based on control information for controlling the temperature of the heating unit;
Equipped with
The control unit controls the heating unit while switching the PID gain used in the PID control in accordance with the elapsed time since control based on the control information was started or the change in the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated, and is configured to determine not to reset the integrated value of the integral term of the PID gain at a specific switching timing of control over the heating unit based on predetermined conditions. The device of claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is when switching from constant value control, which is control for keeping the temperature constant, to temperature increase control, which is control for increasing the temperature of the heating unit, when switching from the temperature increase control to the constant value control, or when switching from the constant value control to the constant value control. The device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is when switching from constant value control, which is control for keeping the temperature constant, to temperature increase control, which is control for increasing the temperature of the heating unit, when switching from the temperature increase control to the constant value control, or when switching from the constant value control to the constant value control, during preheating of the flavor source or the aerosol source. The device of claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that the value of I gain is zero before control of the heating unit is switched. A method for controlling a device that is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generating device, the device comprising: a power supply unit; a heating unit that heats a flavor source or an aerosol source; and a control unit that controls power supply from the power supply unit to the heating unit by PID control based on control information for controlling a temperature of the heating unit, the method comprising:
A control method including a step in which the control unit controls the heating unit while switching a PID gain used in the PID control in accordance with the elapsed time since control based on the control information was started or a change in the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated, and determines not to reset the integrated value of the integral term of the PID gain at a specific switching timing of control for the heating unit based on predetermined conditions. A processor of a device which is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generating device, the device comprising: a power supply unit; a heating unit which heats a flavor source or an aerosol source; and a control unit which controls power supply from the power supply unit to the heating unit by PID control based on control information for controlling the temperature of the heating unit;
A program that controls the heating unit while switching the PID gain used in the PID control in accordance with the elapsed time since control based on the control information was started or the change in the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated, and executes a step of determining not to reset the integrated value of the integral term of the PID gain at a specific switching timing of control for the heating unit based on predetermined conditions.