WO2025126387A1 - Power supply unit for aerosol generation device - Google Patents

Abstract

A power supply unit (110) of an inhalation device (100) comprises: a power supply (111); and a control unit (116) configured so as to control charging and/or discharging of the power supply (111). The power supply (111) is attached to the power supply unit (110) in a replaceable and detachable manner. The control unit (116) can execute: identification processing for identifying the type of power supply (111) attached to the power supply unit (110); and control value change processing for changing, on the basis of the power supply (111) type identified by the identification processing, at least one control value used for controlling the power supply 111.

Description

Aerosol generator power supply unit

This disclosure relates to a power supply unit for an aerosol generating device.

Conventionally, as one type of aerosol generating device, an inhalation device that generates an aerosol containing a flavor component and allows the user to inhale the generated aerosol has been known. Typically, such an inhalation device generates an aerosol by supplying power from a power source to a heating unit, which is an electric resistance or induction heating heater, and heating an aerosol source with the heating unit.

Among this type of suction device, there are known ones that allow the user to replace the battery, such as the suction devices described in Patent Documents 1 to 5.

China Patent Publication No. 107373765 China Utility Model Publication No. 208480616 China Utility Model Publication No. 206507325 China Utility Model Publication No. 204407377 China Utility Model Publication No. 209609859

In suction devices where the battery is replaceable by the user, the battery may be replaced with a different type of battery. In this case, the optimal control value for controlling the battery in the suction device may differ depending on the specifications and characteristics of the type of battery attached to the suction device. Therefore, in order to perform optimal control for controlling the battery in the suction device depending on the specifications and characteristics of the type of battery attached to the suction device, it is desirable to identify the type of battery attached to the suction device and set the control value used to control the battery to an appropriate value depending on the type of battery.

This disclosure discloses a power supply unit for an aerosol generating device that can identify the type of power supply unit attached and set the control value used to control the power supply unit to an appropriate value depending on the type of power supply unit.

The power supply unit of the aerosol generating device of the present disclosure comprises:
A power supply unit;
A control unit configured to control at least one of charging and discharging of the power supply unit,
A power supply unit of an aerosol generating device for heating an aerosol source to generate an aerosol, comprising:
the power supply unit is attached to the power supply unit in a replaceable and detachable manner;
The control unit is
an identification process for identifying the type of the power supply unit attached to the power supply unit;
a control value changing process for changing at least one control value used to control the power supply unit based on the type of the power supply unit identified in the identification process;
It is possible to execute the following.

The power supply unit of the aerosol generating device disclosed herein can identify the type of power supply unit installed and set the control value used to control the power supply unit to an appropriate value depending on the type of power supply unit.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a first configuration example of a suction device according to the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a second configuration example of the suction device of the present disclosure. 1 is an overall perspective view of a suction device of the present disclosure; 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams for explaining operation modes of the suction device of the present disclosure. 1A is a schematic diagram for explaining a first example of a manner in which a power supply unit in a suction device according to the present disclosure can be attached and detached; FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a second example of a manner in which a power supply unit can be attached and detached in the suction device of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a third example of a manner in which a power supply unit can be attached and detached in the suction device of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control flow when a power supply unit is replaced in the suction device of the present disclosure. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of a mode for determining whether or not a power supply unit has been replaced in the suction device of the present disclosure. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of a mode for determining whether or not the power supply unit has been replaced in the suction device of the present disclosure. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining a first example of a method for identifying the type of a power supply section attached to a power supply unit in the suction device of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a second example of a method for identifying the type of a power supply part attached to a power supply unit in the suction device of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a third example of a method for identifying the type of a power supply part attached to a power supply unit in the suction device of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of a portion related to charging and discharging a power supply unit in the suction device of the present disclosure; FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process for changing various control values used to control a power supply unit, the process being executed by a control unit of the suction device of the present disclosure. 10 is a flowchart showing a heating control availability determination flow executed by a control unit of the suction device of the present disclosure. This figure shows the change in output voltage of the power supply unit when a user starts heating and power is supplied to the heating unit for a short period of time, when a power supply unit of type a is attached to the suction device of the present disclosure and when a power supply unit of type b is attached to the suction device. 11 is a diagram showing charging control of a power supply unit in the suction device of the present disclosure. FIG.

Below, one embodiment of the power supply unit, control method, and control program of the aerosol generating device of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is an example of the application of the aerosol generating device of the present disclosure to an inhalation device. The drawings should be viewed in the direction of the reference symbols. In the following, identical or similar elements are given identical or similar reference symbols, and their descriptions may be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[1. Configuration example of suction device]
An inhalation device, which is an example of an aerosol generating device of the present disclosure, is a device that generates a substance to be inhaled by a user. In the following description, the substance generated by the inhalation device is described as an aerosol. Alternatively, the substance generated by the inhalation device may be a gas.

<1-1. First configuration example of suction device>
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first configuration example of an inhalation device. As shown in Fig. 1, an inhalation device 100A of this configuration example includes a power supply unit 110, a cartridge 120, and a flavoring 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 guiding section 122, and a liquid storage section 123. The flavoring cartridge 130 includes a flavor source 131 and a mouthpiece 124. An air flow path 180 is formed in the cartridge 120 and the flavoring cartridge 130.

The power supply unit 111A accumulates power. The power supply unit 111A supplies power to each component of the suction device 100A based on the control of the control unit 116A. The power supply unit 111A is configured to be rechargeable by power received from the external power supply 1000. Here, the predetermined power is power that the suction device 100A can receive in terms of hardware, and can be, for example, DC power having a predetermined voltage (for example, 5 to 20 V). The external power supply 1000 can be, for example, an AC adapter (AC: Alternating Current) configured to be able to output the predetermined power. The external power supply 1000 is not limited to an AC adapter, and can be, for example, a mobile charger (also called a mobile battery), a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. The power supply unit 111A can be, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 111A is detachably attached to the power supply unit 110 by the user.

The sensor unit 112A acquires various information related to the suction device 100A. The sensor unit 112A is composed of, for example, a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow rate sensor, or a temperature sensor, and acquires values associated with the user's suction.

As one example, the sensor unit 112A may include a pressure sensor (also referred to as a "puff sensor") capable of detecting a change in pressure (hereinafter also referred to as "internal pressure") inside the suction device 100A caused by the user's inhalation. As another example, the sensor unit 112A may include a flow rate sensor capable of detecting a flow rate (hereinafter also simply referred to as "flow rate") caused by the user's inhalation. As another example, the sensor unit 112A may include a temperature sensor (also referred to as a "puff thermistor") capable of detecting the temperature of the heating unit 121A or the area around the heating unit 121A.

The sensor unit 112A may also include a voltage sensor capable of detecting the terminal voltage of the power supply unit 111A. Furthermore, the sensor unit 112A may also include a temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the power supply unit 111A.

The sensor unit 112A may also be configured to include an input device that accepts information input from a user, such as an operation button or a switch. As an example, the sensor unit 112A may include an operation button as an input device that accepts a mode change request, which will be described later.

Notification unit 113A notifies the user of information. Notification unit 113A may be configured, for example, as 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 114A stores various information (e.g., programs and data) for the operation of the suction device 100A. The storage unit 114A may be configured, for example, from a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory.

The communication unit 115A 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 116A functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation of the suction device 100A in accordance with various programs stored in the memory unit 114A, etc. For example, the control unit 116A controls the power supply (electricity supply) from the power supply unit 111A to each component (e.g., the heating unit 121A described below), and the charging of the power supply unit 111A with electric power received from the external power supply 1000. The control unit 116A is realized by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor. As an example, the control unit 116A can be realized by the MCU 104 (MCU: Micro Controller Unit) described below, etc.

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, or water. The aerosol source may contain tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor components. When the 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, for example, heating the aerosol source and atomizing the aerosol source. The heating unit 121A is configured in any shape, such as a coil, film, or blade, and is made of any material, such as metal or polyimide. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the heating unit 121A is configured as a coil wound with a heating resistor, such as nichrome or stainless steel, and is wrapped 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 one example, power supply to the heating unit 121A may be performed when the sensor unit 112A detects that the user has started inhaling and/or that specific information has been input. Then, power supply to the heating unit 121A may be stopped when the sensor unit 112A detects that the user has stopped inhaling and/or that specific information has been input.

The heating unit 121A may be configured to generate aerosols by vibration or induction heating. When aerosols are generated by vibration, the suction device 100A includes a vibration unit as the heating unit 121A. The vibration unit is configured, for example, of a plate-shaped member containing piezoelectric ceramics that functions as an ultrasonic vibrator. When the vibration unit vibrates, the aerosol source guided to the surface of the vibration unit by the liquid guide unit 122 is atomized by ultrasonic waves generated by the vibration of the vibration unit, and an aerosol is generated.

When the aerosol is generated by induction heating, the suction device 100A includes a susceptor and an electromagnetic induction source as the heating unit 121A. The susceptor is made of a conductive material such as metal, and generates heat by electromagnetic induction. The susceptor is disposed close to the liquid guide unit 122. As an example, the susceptor is made of a metal conductor and is wound around the liquid guide unit 122. The electromagnetic induction source heats the susceptor by electromagnetic induction. The electromagnetic induction source is made of, for example, a coiled conductor, and generates a magnetic field when an alternating current is supplied from the power supply unit 111A. When a magnetic field is generated, an eddy current is generated in the susceptor, generating Joule heat. The aerosol source held in the liquid guide unit 122 is heated and atomized by the Joule heat, generating an aerosol.

The flavor source 131 is a component for imparting flavor components to the aerosol. The flavor source 131 includes flavor components derived from tobacco or non-tobacco. For example, the flavor source 131 may be derived from tobacco, such as a processed product in which cut tobacco or tobacco raw materials are formed into a granular, sheet, or powder form. The flavor source 131 may also include a non-tobacco-derived product made from plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint and herbs). As an example, the flavor source 131 may include a flavor component such as menthol. The flavor source 131 may also be a stick-shaped member. When the inhalation device 100A is a medical inhaler, the flavor source 131 may include a drug for the patient to inhale. Note that the flavor source 131 is not limited to a solid, and may be a liquid containing flavor components such as polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and water. The flavor source 131 may also be placed inside a container such as a capsule.

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.

The mouthpiece 124 is a member that is held by the user when inhaling. An air outlet hole 182 is arranged in the mouthpiece 124. By holding the mouthpiece 124 in the mouth and inhaling, the user can take in the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air into the mouth.

The above describes an example of the configuration of the suction device 100A. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100A is not limited to the above, and various configurations such as those shown below are possible.

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

As another example, the inhalation device 100A may further include a flavor source heating unit (not shown) that heats the flavor source 131. The flavor source heating unit is, for example, configured in a film shape and arranged to cover the outer periphery of the flavor source 131. The flavor source heating unit generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111A, and heats the flavor source 131 from the outer periphery. The flavor source heating unit may be, for example, configured in a blade shape, and may pierce the flavor source 131 to heat the flavor source 131 from the inside. The flavor source heating unit may also be configured to heat the flavor source 131 by vibration or induction heating. By providing such a flavor source heating unit, the temperature of the flavor source 131 can be increased compared to a case in which the flavor source heating unit is not provided, making it possible to increase the amount of flavor components imparted to the aerosol.

As another example, the suction device 100A may include multiple types of aerosol sources. Multiple types of aerosols generated from the multiple types of aerosol sources may be mixed in the air flow path 180 and undergo a chemical reaction to generate further types of aerosols.

Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121A. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be vibration atomization or induction heating.

<1-2. Second configuration example of suction device>
2 is a schematic diagram showing a second configuration example of the suction device. As shown in FIG. 2, the suction device 100B of this configuration example includes a power supply unit 111B, a sensor unit 112B, a notification unit 113B, a storage unit 114B, a communication unit 115B, a control unit 116B, a heating unit 121B, a storage 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 suction device 100A described above. In the case of the suction device 100B shown in FIG. 2, the suction device 100B itself can be said to be a power supply unit. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 111B is detachably attached to the suction device 100B by the user.

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. For example, 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. When the inhalation device 100B is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may include a medicine. The aerosol source may be, for example, a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and water, which includes a flavor component derived from tobacco or non-tobacco, or may be a solid containing a flavor component derived from tobacco or non-tobacco. When the stick-type substrate 150 is held in the storage portion 140, at least a part of the substrate portion 151 is stored in the internal space 141, and at least a part of the mouthpiece portion 152 protrudes from the opening 142. When the user holds the mouthpiece portion 152 protruding from the opening 142 in his/her 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 substrate portion 151.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the heating section 121B is configured as a film heater with conductive tracks made of a heating resistor having a correlation between electrical resistance and temperature, and is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the storage section 140. When the heating section 121B generates heat, the substrate section 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated from the outer periphery, and an aerosol is generated. Note that the heating resistor of the heating section 121B can be the same as the heating resistor of the heating section 121A described above.

The insulating section 144 prevents heat transfer from the heating section 121B to other components. For example, the insulating section 144 is made of a vacuum insulating material or an aerogel insulating material.

The above describes an example of the configuration of the suction device 100B. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100B is not limited to the above, and various configurations such as those shown below are possible.

As one example, the heating section 121B may be configured in a blade shape and disposed so as to protrude from the bottom 143 of the storage section 140 into the internal space 141. In that case, the blade-shaped heating section 121B is inserted into the substrate section 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 and heats the substrate section 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 from the inside. As another example, the heating section 121B may be disposed so as to cover the bottom 143 of the storage section 140. Furthermore, the heating section 121B may be configured as a combination of two or more of a first heating section that covers the outer periphery of the storage section 140, a blade-shaped second heating section, and a third heating section that covers the bottom 143 of the storage section 140.

As another example, 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. In this case, the heating unit 121B may be provided at the clamping location in the storage unit 140, and may heat the stick-shaped substrate 150 while pressing it.

Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121B. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating. In that case, the suction device 100B has at least an electromagnetic induction source such as a coil that generates a magnetic field, instead of the heating unit 121B. A susceptor that generates heat by induction heating may be provided in the suction device 100B, or may be included in the stick-shaped substrate 150.

The suction 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 flow path 180 may supply air 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 user's oral cavity.

In the following, the suction device 100A and the suction device 100B described above will be referred to as "suction device 100" without distinction. Similarly, the power supply unit 111A and the power supply unit 111B will be referred to as "power supply unit 111", the sensor unit 112A and the sensor unit 112A will be referred to as "sensor unit 112", the notification unit 113A and the notification unit 113B will be referred to as "notification unit 113", the memory unit 114A and the memory unit 114B will be referred to as "memory unit 114", the communication unit 115A and the communication unit 115B will be referred to as "communication unit 115", the control unit 116A and the control unit 116B will be referred to as "control unit 116", and the heating unit 121A and the heating unit 121B will be referred to as "heating unit 121".

[2. Example of external configuration of suction device]
Fig. 3 is an overall perspective view of the suction device 100 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the suction device 100 includes a case 20 and a shutter 50. The case 20 houses a power supply unit 110 of the suction device 100.

A panel 30 is also attached to the case 20. The panel 30 is attached to the case 20 to form the outermost housing 40 of the suction device 100. Furthermore, by being equipped with the panel 30, the suction device 100 can buffer heat released to the outside even when the power supply unit 110 generates heat. In other words, the panel 30 functions to insulate the heat generated from the heating portion of the power supply unit 110. Furthermore, the panel 30 is formed so that its surface is approximately curved. When attached to the case 20, the panel 30 defines an internal space together with the surface of the case 20.

When a user presses the surface of panel 30 with a fingertip, panel 30 deforms to form a recess toward case 20. As a result of this deformation of panel 30, a protrusion on panel 30 comes into contact with an operation button on the surface of case 20, and the operation button is pressed down. In other words, the portion of the surface of panel 30 that is pressed with the fingertip forms operation section 15.

[3. Examples of suction device operating modes]

As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 116 has a number of operating modes for operating the suction device 100. In this example, the control unit 116 has the following operating modes for operating the suction device 100: a suction mode, a standby mode, a sleep mode, and a shipping mode. The control unit 116 controls the discharge from the power supply unit 111 to operate the suction device 100 in the suction mode, the standby mode, the sleep mode, and the shipping mode.

The suction mode is a mode in which heating control of the heating unit 121 is performed. When the operation mode is switched to the suction mode, the control unit 116 performs heating control of the heating unit 121.

In standby mode, almost all functions are active except for the heating control of the heating unit 121. When a specific operation is performed by the user, such as a suction operation, the control unit 116 switches the operation mode from standby mode to suction mode. In addition, in suction mode, when the heating control of the heating unit 121 ends because the time of current flow to the heating unit 121 or the number of suctions by the user reaches an upper limit, the control unit 116 switches the operation mode from suction mode to standby mode.

The sleep mode is a mode in which the suction device 100 consumes less power than the standby mode, and can be directly transitioned to the standby mode. Therefore, by transitioning the suction device 100 to the sleep mode, the control unit 116 can reduce the power consumption of the power supply unit 111 while maintaining a state in which it is possible to return to another mode as necessary. When the suction device 100 is operating in the sleep mode, it is possible for the sensor unit 112 to detect the opening of the shutter 50, the connection of the USB cable, the operation of the operation unit 15, etc., and to monitor the remaining battery level, but it is not possible to immediately operate the heating unit 121. When a predetermined operation is performed, such as the operation of the operation unit 15 by the user, the control unit 116 switches the operation mode from the sleep mode to the standby mode. In addition, when a predetermined condition is met, such as a predetermined period of no operation in the standby mode, the control unit 116 switches the operation mode from the standby mode to the sleep mode.

The shipping mode consumes less power than the sleep mode, and is a mode in which the main power supply path from the power supply unit 111 is cut off, and the dark current is significantly reduced to minimize the power consumption of the power supply unit 111. In the shipping mode, the discharge from the power supply unit 111 is limited to a minimum, for example, only to a part of the sensor unit 112 that detects the connection of a USB cable, a part that detects that the operation unit 15 has been operated, and a part of the control unit 116 that changes the mode in which the suction device 100 operates based on the function of detecting the connection of a USB cable, etc., in the sensor unit 112 and the function of detecting that the operation unit 15 has been operated. The shipping mode is used, for example, during transportation after the suction device 100 is manufactured and shipped, or during long-term storage in a warehouse, and transports and stores the suction device 100 while suppressing the power consumption of the power supply unit 111. In this example, it is also used when replacing the power supply unit 111, as described below. The control unit 116 switches the operation mode from the shipping mode to the standby mode when a predetermined operation is performed, such as when the user operates the operation unit 15 or when the external power source 1000 is connected to the suction device 100. Note that the control unit 116 may switch the operation mode from the shipping mode to the sleep mode when a predetermined operation is performed, such as when the user operates the operation unit 15 or when the external power source 1000 is connected to the suction device 100.

When in the shipping mode, the control unit 116 transitions the mode to the standby mode by a predetermined operation by the user. When in the sleep mode, the control unit 116 transitions the mode to the standby mode by a predetermined operation by the user, and transitions the mode to the shipping mode by a predetermined operation by the user (different from the operation for transitioning to the standby mode). When in the standby mode, the control unit 116 transitions the mode to the suction mode by a predetermined operation by the user, and transitions the mode to the sleep mode by a predetermined operation by the user (different from the operation for transitioning to the suction mode). When in the suction mode, the control unit 116 transitions the mode to the standby mode when a predetermined operation by the user is performed or when a predetermined condition is satisfied. When in the standby mode, the control unit 116 may transition the mode to the shipping mode by a predetermined operation by the user. In this case, the predetermined operation by the user for transitioning from the sleep mode to the shipping mode and the predetermined operation by the user for transitioning from the standby mode to the shipping mode may be the same operation.

[4. Removing and attaching the power supply unit]
The power supply section 111 is attached to the power supply unit 110 so as to be detachable by the user. In the following description, the direction in which the flavor source 131 or the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted into the inhalation device 100 is defined as the up-down direction, and the side of the inhalation device 100 into which the flavor source 131 or the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted is defined as the upper side. That is, the flavor source 131 or the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted into the inhalation device 100 from above. Also, a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction may be referred to as the lateral direction, and a surface facing the lateral direction may be referred to as a side surface.

Note that, although the first to third examples are described below as examples of how the power supply unit 111 can be attached or detached, the power supply unit 111 may be attached to the power supply unit 110 in a manner other than the first to third examples so as to be detachable by the user.

<4-1. First example of how to attach and detach the power supply unit>

As shown in FIG. 5, the case 20 has a bottom wall portion 21 that forms at least a part of the bottom surface, and the bottom wall portion 21 is provided on the case 20 so as to be openable and closable around a hinge portion 21a that extends laterally.

The lower region of the case 20 is formed with a power supply housing 200 capable of housing the power supply unit 111. When the bottom wall 21 is opened, the power supply housing 200 communicates with the outside of the case 20, and the power supply unit 111 can be inserted into the power supply housing 200 from below the case 20. In other words, the bottom wall 21 functions as an opening and closing member for the power supply housing 200.

The power supply unit 111 includes a positive terminal 111c, a negative terminal 111d, and a temperature terminal 111e through which an electrical signal related to the temperature of the power supply unit 111 flows. The case 20 includes a positive terminal connection part 20a electrically connected to the positive terminal 111c of the power supply unit 111, a negative terminal connection part 20b electrically connected to the negative terminal 111d of the power supply unit 111, and a temperature terminal connection part 20c electrically connected to the temperature terminal 111e of the power supply unit 111. The power supply unit 111 includes a battery temperature sensor (not shown). The battery temperature sensor is, for example, a thermistor. The battery temperature sensor outputs a detection signal indicating the electrical resistance value of the resistor contained in the battery temperature sensor as a detection signal indicating a parameter related to the temperature of the power supply unit 111. The battery temperature sensor may also output a detection signal directly indicating the battery temperature. A detection signal indicating a parameter related to the temperature of the power supply unit 111 flows through the temperature terminal 111e.

When the power supply unit 111 is accommodated in the power supply accommodating section 200, it is held by the bottom wall section 21 and the upper wall section 22 of the power supply accommodating section 200. When accommodated in the power supply accommodating section 200, the power supply unit 111 is held in a state in which the positive terminal 111c is electrically connected to the positive terminal connection section 20a, the negative terminal 111d is electrically connected to the negative terminal connection section 20b, and the temperature terminal 111e is electrically connected to the temperature terminal connection section 20c.

In this example, the positive terminal 111c, the negative terminal 111d, and the temperature terminal 111e are all provided on the upper surface of the power supply unit 111, and the positive terminal connection part 20a, the negative terminal connection part 20b, and the temperature terminal connection part 20c are all provided on the upper wall part 22 of the power supply housing part 200.

When the bottom wall 21 is opened while the power supply unit 111 is housed in the power supply housing 200, the power supply housing 200 communicates with the outside of the case 20, and the power supply unit 111 can be removed from the power supply housing 200.

In this way, the power supply unit 111 is attached to the power supply unit 110 in a manner that allows the user to attach and detach it.

<4-2. Second example of how to attach and detach the power supply unit>

As shown in FIG. 6, a power supply housing 200 capable of housing the power supply unit 111 is formed in the lower region of the case 20. When the panel 30 described above is removed from the case 20, the power supply housing 200 communicates with the outside of the case 20, and the power supply unit 111 can be inserted into the power supply housing 200 from the side of the case 20. In other words, the panel 30 also functions as an opening and closing member for the power supply housing 200.

The power supply unit 111 includes a positive terminal 111c, a negative terminal 111d, and a temperature terminal 111e through which an electrical signal related to the temperature of the power supply unit 111 flows. The case 20 includes a positive terminal connection part 20a that electrically connects to the positive terminal 111c of the power supply unit 111, a negative terminal connection part 20b that electrically connects to the negative terminal 111d of the power supply unit 111, and a temperature terminal connection part 20c that electrically connects to the temperature terminal 111e of the power supply unit 111.

When the power supply unit 111 is accommodated in the power supply accommodating section 200, it is held in the power supply accommodating section 200. When accommodated in the power supply accommodating section 200, the power supply unit 111 is held in a state in which the positive terminal 111c is electrically connected to the positive terminal connection section 20a, the negative terminal 111d is electrically connected to the negative terminal connection section 20b, and the temperature terminal 111e is electrically connected to the temperature terminal connection section 20c.

In this example, the positive terminal 111c is provided on the top surface of the power supply unit 111, the negative terminal 111d is provided on the bottom surface of the power supply unit 111, and the temperature terminal 111e is provided on the side surface of the power supply unit 111. The positive terminal connection portion 20a is provided on the top wall portion 22 of the power supply accommodating portion 200, the negative terminal connection portion 20b is provided on the bottom wall portion 21 of the power supply accommodating portion 200, and the temperature terminal connection portion 20c is provided on the side wall portion 23 of the power supply accommodating portion 200.

When the panel 30 is removed from the case 20 with the power supply unit 111 housed in the power supply housing 200, the power supply housing 200 communicates with the outside of the case 20, and the power supply unit 111 can be removed from the power supply housing 200.

In this way, the power supply unit 111 is attached to the power supply unit 110 in a manner that allows the user to attach and detach it.

<4-3. Third example of how to attach and detach the power supply unit>

As shown in FIG. 7, the case 20 includes an upper case 201 that constitutes the exterior of the upper region of the suction device 100, and a lower case 202 that constitutes the exterior of the lower region of the suction device 100.

The lower case 202 is open at the top and houses the power supply unit 111 inside. In this way, in this example, the power supply unit 111 and the lower case 202 are modularized to form the battery pack 10.

The top surface of the power supply unit 111 is provided with a positive terminal 111c, a negative terminal 111d, and a temperature terminal 111e through which an electrical signal related to the temperature of the power supply unit 111 flows. The bottom end of the upper case 201 is provided with a positive terminal connection part 20a that electrically connects to the positive terminal 111c of the power supply unit 111, a negative terminal connection part 20b that electrically connects to the negative terminal 111d of the power supply unit 111, and a temperature terminal connection part 20c that electrically connects to the temperature terminal 111e of the power supply unit 111.

The battery pack 10, in which the power supply unit 111 and the lower case 202 are modularized, is attached to the upper case 201 from below. For example, both the upper case 201 and the lower case 202 have a generally cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction, and a screw groove is machined on one of the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the upper case 201 and the upper end of the lower case 202 and the other inner peripheral surface of the lower end of the upper case 201 and the upper end of the lower case 202, and the lower end of the upper case 201 and the upper end of the lower case 202 are screwed together to attach the battery pack 10, in which the power supply unit 111 and the lower case 202 are modularized, to the upper case 201. Also, for example, a magnet may be provided on one of the lower end of the upper case 201 and the upper end of the lower case 202, and the other of the lower end of the upper case 201 and the upper end of the lower case 202 may be formed of a ferromagnetic material, and the lower end of the upper case 201 and the upper end of the lower case 202 may be attracted to each other by the magnetic force of the magnet, thereby mounting the battery pack 10 in which the power supply unit 111 and the lower case 202 are modularized to the upper case 201. Also, for example, the lower case 202 may have a locking portion such as a claw-like portion, and the locking portion may be locked to the upper case 201, thereby mounting the battery pack 10 in which the power supply unit 111 and the lower case 202 are modularized to the upper case 201.

When the battery pack 10, in which the power supply unit 111 and the lower case 202 are modularized, is attached to the upper case 201, the power supply unit 111 is held in a state in which the positive terminal 111c is electrically connected to the positive terminal connection part 20a, the negative terminal 111d is electrically connected to the negative terminal connection part 20b, and the temperature terminal 111e is electrically connected to the temperature terminal connection part 20c.

In this way, the battery pack 10, in which the power supply unit 111 and the lower case 202 are modularized, is removably attached to the upper case 201, and the power supply unit 111 is removably attached to the power supply unit 110 by the user.

[5. Control flow when the power supply unit is replaced]

Next, the control flow when the power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 is replaced will be explained with reference to FIG. 8.

First, the control unit 116 executes a process of determining whether the power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 has been replaced (step S100). Details of the process of determining whether the power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 has been replaced will be described later.

When step S100 is completed, the control unit 116 proceeds to step S101, where it determines whether or not it has been determined in step S101 that the power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 has been replaced.

If the control unit 116 determines in step S101 that the power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 has not been replaced (step S101: NO), the control unit 116 returns to step S100.

If the control unit 116 determines in step S101 that the power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 has been replaced (step S101: YES), the control unit 116 proceeds to step S200.

In step S200, the control unit 116 executes a process for identifying the type of power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110. Details of the flow of the process for identifying the type of power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 will be described later. Then, the process proceeds to step S300.

In this way, when it is determined that the power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 has been replaced, a process for identifying the type of power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 is performed, so that the process for identifying the type of power supply unit 111 can be performed at the necessary and appropriate timing.

In step S300, the control unit 116 determines whether or not it was possible to identify the type of power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 in step S200.

If the control unit 116 is unable to identify the type of power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 in step S200 (step S300: NO), the control unit 116 proceeds to step S301. Examples of cases in which the control unit 116 is unable to identify the type of power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 in step S200 include when a power supply that is not compatible with the suction device 100 is attached to the power supply unit 110, or when the detection of the identification unit in the identification flow for the type of power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 fails.

In step S301, the control unit 116 transitions the suction device 100 to an unusable state, and returns to step S100. For example, the control unit 116 prohibits transition to the standby mode even if the user performs an operation to transition to the standby mode. Also, for example, the control unit 116 prohibits power supply to the heating unit 121 even if the control unit 116 detects a suction operation by the user.

This improves safety by making it possible to render the suction device 100 unusable in cases such as when a power supply that is not compatible with the suction device 100 is attached to the power supply unit 110, or when a power supply that is compatible with the suction device 100 is not properly attached to the power supply unit 110.

On the other hand, if the control unit 116 is able to identify the type of power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 in step S200 (step S300: YES), it proceeds to step S400, where it performs a process of changing the various control values used to control the power supply unit 111 in accordance with the type of power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110, and ends the series of control operations.

[6. Determining whether the power supply unit has been replaced]
Next, first to third examples will be described as examples of the manner in which it is determined whether or not the power supply unit 111 has been replaced in step S100 described above. Note that it may be determined whether or not the power supply unit 111 has been replaced in a manner other than the first to third examples.

<6-1. First Example of Determining Whether or Not the Power Supply Unit Has Been Replaced>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a first example of a manner of determining whether or not the power supply unit 111 has been replaced.

In this example, when replacing the power supply unit 111, the user must perform a predetermined operation to switch the operation mode of the suction device 100 to the shipping mode, taking safety and other factors into consideration. The predetermined operation for switching the operation mode of the suction device 100 to the shipping mode is, for example, an operation of continuously pressing and holding the operation unit 15 for a predetermined period of time (for example, 5 seconds) or more. In addition, for example, the power supply unit 110 of the suction device 100 can communicate with a communication terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a PC (Personal Computer), and the communication terminal and the power supply unit 110 of the suction device 100 can be linked via an application installed on the communication terminal, and the predetermined operation for switching the operation mode of the suction device 100 to the shipping mode may be an operation of switching the operation mode of the suction device 100 to the shipping mode using the application installed on the communication terminal.

First, the control unit 116 determines whether the mode in which the suction device 100 is operated is the shipping mode (step S111). If the mode in which the suction device 100 is operated is not the shipping mode (step S111: NO), the control unit 116 proceeds to step S114, determines that the power supply unit 111 has not been replaced, and ends the determination of whether the power supply unit 111 has been replaced in step S100.

If the mode in which the suction device 100 is to be operated is the shipping mode (step S111: YES), the control unit 116 proceeds to step S112.

The user performs a predetermined operation to switch the operation mode of the suction device 100 to the shipping mode, and then replaces the power supply unit 111 by removing the power supply unit 111 from the suction device 100 and attaching a new power supply unit 111 to the suction device 100.

Then, the user attaches a new power supply unit 111 to the suction device 100, and when replacement of the power supply unit 111 is completed, performs a predetermined operation to switch the operating mode of the suction device 100 from the shipping mode to the sleep mode or the standby mode. The predetermined operation to switch the operating mode of the suction device 100 from the shipping mode to the sleep mode or the standby mode is, for example, an operation of connecting the external power supply 1000 to the external connection terminal of the suction device 100.

In step S112, the control unit 116 determines whether a predetermined operation has been performed to switch the operating mode of the suction device 100 from the shipping mode to the sleep mode or the standby mode. If a predetermined operation has not been performed to switch the operating mode of the suction device 100 from the shipping mode to the sleep mode or the standby mode (step S112: NO loop), the control unit 116 goes into a standby state until the predetermined operation is performed.

When a predetermined operation is performed to switch the operating mode of the suction device 100 from the shipping mode to the sleep mode or the standby mode (step S112: YES), the control unit 116 proceeds to step S113, determines that the power supply unit 111 has been replaced, and ends the determination of whether the power supply unit 111 has been replaced in step S100.

This allows simple control to determine whether the power supply unit 111 has been replaced.

<6-2. Second Example of Determining Whether or Not the Power Supply Unit Has Been Replaced>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a second example of a manner of determining whether or not the power supply unit 111 has been replaced.

First, the control unit 116 determines whether the suction device 100 has transitioned to a state in which the power supply unit 111 can be removed (step S121). For example, in the first example of the power supply unit attachment/detachment mode described above, regarding whether the suction device 100 has transitioned to a state in which the power supply unit 111 can be removed, if the bottom wall unit 21 that can be opened and closed about the hinge unit 21a is in the open state and the power supply accommodating unit 200 is in the open state, the control unit 116 determines that the suction device 100 has transitioned to a state in which the power supply unit 111 can be removed (step S121: YES), and determines that the suction device 100 has not transitioned to a state in which the power supply unit 111 can be removed if the bottom wall unit 21 that can be opened and closed about the hinge unit 21a is not in the open state and the power supply accommodating unit 200 is not in the open state (step S121: NO). Also, for example, in the second example of the above-mentioned power supply unit attachment/detachment mode, with regard to whether or not the suction device 100 has transitioned to a state in which the power supply unit 111 can be removed, if the panel 30 is removed from the case 20 and the power supply accommodating unit 200 is in the open state, the suction device 100 determines that the power supply unit 111 has transitioned to a state in which it can be removed (step S121: YES), and if the panel 30 is not removed from the case 20 and the power supply accommodating unit 200 is not in the open state, the suction device 100 determines that the power supply unit 111 has not transitioned to a state in which it can be removed (step S121: NO). Also, for example, in the third example of the power supply unit attachment/detachment mode described above, regarding whether or not the suction device 100 has transitioned to a state in which the power supply unit 111 can be removed, if the battery pack 10 in which the power supply unit 111 and the lower case 202 are modularized is removed from the upper case 201, the suction device 100 determines that the power supply unit 111 has transitioned to a state in which it can be removed (step S121: YES), and if the battery pack 10 in which the power supply unit 111 and the lower case 202 are modularized is not removed from the upper case 201, the suction device 100 determines that the power supply unit 111 has not transitioned to a state in which it can be removed (step S121: NO).

If the suction device 100 has not transitioned to a state in which the power supply unit 111 can be removed (step S121: NO loop), the control unit 116 proceeds to step S124, determines that the power supply unit 111 has not been replaced, and ends the determination of whether the power supply unit 111 has been replaced in step S100.

If the suction device 100 has transitioned to a state in which the power supply unit 111 can be removed (step S121: YES), the control unit 116 proceeds to step S122.

After the user transitions the power supply unit 111 to a removable state, the user removes the power supply unit 111 from the suction device 100 and replaces the power supply unit 111 by attaching a new power supply unit 111 to the suction device 100.

Then, the user attaches a new power supply unit 111 to the suction device 100, and when the replacement of the power supply unit 111 is completed, the state transitions to a state in which the power supply unit 111 is not removed. For example, in the first example of the power supply unit attachment/detachment mode described above, the state in which the power supply unit 111 is not removed is a state in which the bottom wall portion 21, which can be opened and closed about the hinge portion 21a, is in a closed state, and the power supply storage portion 200 is in a closed state. Also, for example, in the second example of the power supply unit attachment/detachment mode described above, the state in which the power supply unit 111 is not removed is a state in which the panel 30 is attached to the case 20, and the power supply storage portion 200 is in a closed state. Also, for example, in the third example of the power supply unit attachment/detachment mode described above, the state in which the power supply unit 111 is not removed is a state in which the battery pack 10, in which the power supply unit 111 and the lower case 202 are modularized, is attached to the upper case 201.

In step S122, the control unit 116 determines whether the suction device 100 has transitioned to a state in which the power supply unit 111 is not removed. If the suction device 100 has not transitioned to a state in which the power supply unit 111 is not removed (step S122: NO loop), the control unit 116 goes into a standby state until the suction device 100 transitions to a state in which the power supply unit 111 is not removed.

When the suction device 100 transitions to a state in which the power supply unit 111 is not removed (step S122: YES), the control unit 116 proceeds to step S123, determines that the power supply unit 111 has been replaced (step S100: YES), and ends the determination of whether the power supply unit 111 has been replaced in step S100.

This allows simple control to determine whether the power supply unit 111 has been replaced.

[7. How to identify the type of power supply unit]
Next, first to third examples will be described as examples of a method for identifying the type of power supply unit 111 attached to power supply unit 110 in step S200 described above. Note that the type of power supply unit 111 attached to power supply unit 110 may be identified by methods other than the first to third examples. In this way, the control unit 116 is capable of executing an identification process for identifying the type of power supply unit 111 attached to power supply unit 110, so that the type of power supply unit 111 attached to power supply unit 110 can be identified.

<7-1. First example of method for identifying the type of power supply part attached to the power supply unit>
In this example, the type of power supply section 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 is identified by measuring the terminal-to-terminal voltage of the power supply section 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 and the current flowing between the terminals of the power supply section 111, and based on the measured terminal-to-terminal voltage value and current value.

As shown in FIG. 11, the power supply unit 111 generates an electromotive force E [V] and has an internal resistance r [Ω]. The internal resistance r [Ω] of the power supply unit 111 varies depending on the type of the power supply unit 111. Then, the type of the power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 is identified by obtaining the value of the internal resistance r [Ω] of the power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110.

In this example, the voltage between the terminals of the power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 and the current flowing between the terminals of the power supply unit 111 are measured. According to the circuit diagram in Fig. 11, if the voltage between the terminals of the power supply unit 111 is V [V] and the current flowing between the terminals of the power supply unit 111 is I [A], the following formula (1) is established.
E[V]=r[Ω]・I[A]+V[V]...(1)

Transforming equation (1) gives the following equation (2).
V[V]=E[V]-r[Ω]・I[A]...(2)

The electromotive force E [V] of the power supply unit 111 can be obtained by measuring the terminal voltage V [V] when the current I [A] is set to zero. In other words, the electromotive force E [V] of the power supply unit 111 can be obtained by measuring the terminal voltage V [V] when the circuit is open. In addition, the internal resistance r [Ω] of the power supply unit 111 can be obtained by substituting the measured terminal voltage V [V] and current I [A] into equation (2).

The memory unit 114 stores an identification table that associates the type of power supply unit 111 with the value of internal resistance r [Ω].

The control unit 116 refers to the identification table stored in the memory unit 114 and identifies the type of power supply unit 111 that corresponds to the acquired value of internal resistance r [Ω] as the type of power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110.

This makes it possible to identify the type of power supply unit 111 at low cost and simply, without the need to provide a separate component for identifying the type of power supply unit 111.

<7-2. Second example of method for identifying the type of power supply part attached to the power supply unit>
In this example, the power supply section 111 is provided with an identification resistor R2 having a different value for each type of power supply section 111. When the power supply section 111 is powered, an identification voltage V2 is applied to the identification resistor R2. The power supply section 111 is configured so that the identification voltage V2 is a predetermined voltage for each type of power supply section 111. The type of the power supply section 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 is identified based on the identification voltage V2.

As shown in FIG. 12, the power supply unit 111 generates an electromotive force E [V] and has an internal resistance r [Ω]. Furthermore, the power supply unit 111 is provided with an identification resistor R2 of a different value for each type of power supply unit 111, and when the power supply unit 111 is supplied with power, an identification voltage V2 that is a predetermined voltage for each type of power supply unit 111 is applied to the identification resistor R2. Then, by acquiring the value of the identification voltage V2 of the power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110, the type of the power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 is identified.

For example, the first type of power supply unit 111 is provided with an identification resistor R2 to which 1 [V] is applied as an identification voltage V2, and the second type of power supply unit 111 is provided with an identification resistor R2 to which 2 [V] is applied as an identification voltage V2.

This allows the type of power supply unit 111 to be identified with greater accuracy.

<7-3. Third example of method for identifying the type of power supply part installed in the power supply unit>
In this example, an identification member 111f provided with an identifier capable of identifying the type of the power supply unit 111 is attached to the power supply unit 111. The identification member 111f provided with the identifier may be, for example, a barcode determined for each type of power supply unit 111, a two-dimensional code determined for each type of power supply unit 111, an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag in which information regarding the type of power supply unit 111 is written, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag in which information regarding the type of power supply unit 111 is written, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 13, in this example, the identification member 111f is attached to the side of the power supply section 111. Then, when the power supply section 111 is properly attached to the power supply unit 110, a reading sensor 24 is provided at a position facing the identifier of the identification member 111f. The reading sensor 24 may be provided, for example, on the side wall section 23 of the power supply accommodating section 200 described above, or on the upper case 201 described above. The reading sensor 24 reads the identifier of the identification member 111f attached to the power supply section 111.

The type of power supply section 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 is identified based on the identifier information read by the reading sensor 24.

This allows the type of power supply unit 111 to be identified with greater accuracy, and also allows the reading sensor 24 to read more information from the identifier of the identification member 111f.

In this case, if the identifier on the identification member 111f and the reading sensor 24 are not correctly aligned, it may be possible that the reading sensor 24 will not be able to read the identifier on the identification member 111f attached to the power supply unit 111.

For this reason, in the power supply unit 111, the positive terminal 111c, the negative terminal 111d, and the temperature terminal 111e are preferably provided on the same predetermined surface that constitutes the outer surface of the power supply unit 111. In this case, when the power supply unit 111 is attached to the power supply unit 110, it is pushed into the case 20 in one predetermined direction, thereby ensuring electrical connection of the positive terminal 111c, the negative terminal 111d, and the temperature terminal 111e with the positive terminal connection portion 20a, the negative terminal connection portion 20b, and the temperature terminal connection portion 20c, respectively. Furthermore, when the power supply unit 111 is attached to the power supply unit 110, it is aligned by pushing it into the case 20 in one predetermined direction, so that the identifier provided on the identification member 111f and the reading sensor 24 are easily aligned correctly.

In this way, in the power supply unit 111, the positive terminal 111c, the negative terminal 111d, and the temperature terminal 111e are provided on the same predetermined surface that constitutes the outer surface of the power supply unit 111, thereby ensuring reliable electrical connection between the positive terminal 111c, the negative terminal 111d, and the temperature terminal 111e and the positive terminal connection portion 20a, the negative terminal connection portion 20b, and the temperature terminal connection portion 20c, and also enabling the identifier provided on the identification member 111f to be correctly aligned with the reading sensor 24.

Furthermore, the outer surface of the power supply unit 111 may be configured to have multiple surfaces facing either upward, downward, forward, backward, left, or right, and the shape of the power supply accommodating unit 200 may be configured to have a surface shape that faces the multiple surfaces of the power supply unit 111.

This prevents the power supply unit 111 from becoming misaligned in the power supply housing 200, ensuring reliable electrical connection between the positive terminal 111c, the negative terminal 111d, and the temperature terminal 111e and the positive terminal connection portion 20a, the negative terminal connection portion 20b, and the temperature terminal connection portion 20c, and also ensuring proper alignment between the identifier provided on the identification member 111f and the reading sensor 24.

<7-4. Fourth example of method for identifying the type of power supply part attached to the power supply unit>
In this example, the power supply unit 110 of the suction device 100 is capable of communicating with a communication terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a PC (Personal Computer), and the communication terminal and the power supply unit 110 of the suction device 100 can be linked via an application installed on the communication terminal.

Then, using an application installed on the communication terminal, the user inputs information regarding the power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 of the suction device 100, and the communication terminal transmits the information regarding the power supply unit 111 input by the user to the power supply unit 110, and the power supply unit 110 identifies the type of power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 based on the information regarding the power supply unit 111 received from the communication terminal.

[8. An example of the configuration of the part related to charging and discharging the power supply unit]
Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of a portion related to charging and discharging of power supply unit 111 in suction device 100. In Fig. 14, thick solid lines represent electrical wiring, and solid arrows represent control signals or detection signals.

As shown in FIG. 14, the suction device 100 is configured to further include, in addition to the power supply unit 111, a power receiving unit 101, a charging IC 102, a battery level gauge 103, an MCU 104, and a protection IC 105. The control unit 116 described above is configured, for example, by the charging IC 102, the battery level gauge 103, and the MCU 104 shown in FIG. 14.

The power supply unit 111 is configured to be rechargeable by power received from an external power supply 1000. Here, the external power supply 1000 is a device configured to be capable of outputting a predetermined power. The predetermined power is power that the suction device 100 can receive in terms of hardware, and can be, for example, DC power having a predetermined voltage (e.g., 5 to 20 V). The external power supply 1000 can be, for example, an AC adapter (AC: Alternating Current) configured to be capable of outputting the predetermined power. The external power supply 1000 is not limited to an AC adapter, and can be, for example, a mobile charger (also called a mobile battery), a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, or a tablet terminal.

The power supply unit 111 is configured to be able to supply the stored power to each component of the suction device 100, such as the charging IC 102, the battery level gauge 103, the MCU 104, and the heating unit 121 (not shown in FIG. 14). Note that while FIG. 14 illustrates an example in which power is directly supplied from the power supply unit 111 to the MCU 104, this is not limiting. For example, power may be supplied from the power supply unit 111 to the MCU 104 via the charging IC 102.

The power receiving unit 101 is configured to be capable of receiving power output from the external power source 1000. As an example, the power receiving unit 101 may be an external connection terminal provided in the case 20 and capable of being electrically connected to the external power source 1000. The external connection terminal is, for example, a receptacle to which a connector such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) can be connected. The power receiving unit 101 may also be a power receiving coil or the like configured to be capable of contactlessly receiving power transmitted from the external power source 1000. In this case, the method of contactless power transmission (WPT: Wireless Power Transfer) may be an electromagnetic induction type, a magnetic resonance type, or a combination of the electromagnetic induction type and the magnetic resonance type.

The charging IC 102 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) that is electrically provided between the power receiving unit 101 and the power supply unit 111 and is configured to be able to control the charging of the power supply unit 111 with the power received from the external power source 1000 via the power receiving unit 101.

As an example, when a user requests to start charging, the charging IC 102 starts charging the power supply unit 111 with the power received from the external power supply 1000. Here, the request to start charging can be, for example, the establishment of an electrical connection between the suction device 100 and the external power supply 1000. The request to start charging can also be a predetermined operation performed in a state where an electrical connection between the suction device 100 and the external power supply 1000 has been established. One example of this operation can be pressing a predetermined operation button provided on the suction device 100. This operation is not limited to a direct operation on the suction device 100, and can also be, for example, an operation on another device such as a smartphone that can communicate with the suction device 100.

The charging IC 102 controls the power used to charge the power supply unit 111 when the power supply unit 111 is being charged. The constant current charging current value Icc [A], the constant voltage charging voltage value Vcv [V], the charging switching voltage Vc [V], and the charging end voltage Ve [V] are set in the charging IC 102 and stored in memory. The charging IC 102 controls the power used to charge the power supply unit 111 based on the constant current charging current value Icc [A], the constant voltage charging voltage value Vcv [V], the charging switching voltage Vc [V], and the charging end voltage Ve [V] stored in memory. Details of the charging control of the power supply unit 111 by the charging IC 102 will be described later.

The battery level meter 103 is an integrated circuit (IC) that measures the remaining charge (SOC: State Of Charge) of the power supply unit 111. The battery level meter 103 periodically measures the open circuit voltage between the terminals of the power supply unit 111, and calculates the remaining charge of the power supply unit 111 based on the measured open circuit voltage of the power supply unit 111.

The battery level meter 103 uses a current detection resistor to accumulate the amount of current flowing into the power supply unit 111 during charging, and measures the amount of current flowing out of the power supply unit 111 during discharging, and periodically calculates the remaining charge of the power supply unit 111 based on the amount of current flowing into the power supply unit 111 during charging and the amount of current flowing out of the power supply unit 111 during discharging, and stores and accumulates this in the memory of the battery level meter 103. The battery level meter 103 may also store measurement data such as the discharge characteristics (unloaded) and temperature characteristics of the power supply unit 111 in memory, and periodically measure the voltage, current, and temperature of the power supply unit 111 while it is operating to calculate the impedance of the power supply unit 111, and periodically calculate the remaining charge of the power supply unit 111 based on the calculated impedance of the power supply unit 111.

Here, due to deterioration over time or the like, a discrepancy may occur between the remaining charge of the power supply unit 111 calculated based on the open circuit voltage of the power supply unit 111 and the actual remaining charge of the power supply unit 111.

Then, when the operating mode of the suction device 100 is the sleep mode, the battery level meter 103 measures the open circuit voltage of the power supply unit 111, and calculates the remaining charge of the power supply unit 111 based on the open circuit voltage. The battery level meter 103 then calculates a correction value from the difference between the remaining charge of the power supply unit 111 calculated based on the open circuit voltage and the remaining charge of the power supply unit 111 up to that point that has been stored in the memory of the battery level meter 103. The calculation of the correction value is performed periodically, and the correction value is overwritten and stored in the memory of the battery level meter 103.

Then, the battery level meter 103 calculates the corrected remaining charge of the power supply unit 111, which is corrected to a more accurate remaining charge, based on the remaining charge of the power supply unit 111, which is calculated based on the amount of current flowing into the power supply unit 111 during charging and the amount of current flowing out of the power supply unit 111 during discharging, and on a correction value stored in the memory of the battery level meter 103. The calculated corrected remaining charge of the power supply unit 111 may be notified to the notification unit 113.

In addition, when a new power supply unit 111 is attached to the power supply unit 110, and a predetermined operation such as the user operating the operation unit 15 or connecting the external power supply 1000 to the power receiving unit 101 is performed, the operation mode of the suction device 100 is switched from the shipping mode to the standby mode or the sleep mode, the battery level meter 103 measures the open circuit voltage of the power supply unit 111 and calculates the remaining charge of the power supply unit 111 based on the open circuit voltage in response to an instruction from the MCU 104. Then, the battery level meter 103 calculates the remaining charge of the power supply unit 111 based on the amount of current flowing into the power supply unit 111 during charging and the amount of current flowing out of the power supply unit 111 during discharging, starting from the remaining charge of the power supply unit 111 calculated based on the open circuit voltage.

In this case, if the remaining charge of the power supply unit 111 calculated in the battery level meter 103 based on the amount of current flowing into the power supply unit 111 during charging and the amount of current flowing out of the power supply unit 111 during discharging is corrected using the correction value stored in memory when the previous power supply unit 111 was attached, the corrected remaining charge of the power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 after replacement will be a value that differs from the actual remaining charge of the power supply unit 111.

When the MCU 104 determines that the power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 has been replaced, the battery level meter 103, in response to an instruction from the MCU 104, erases the remaining charge of the power supply unit 111 that was calculated and stored in memory based on the amount of current that flowed into the power supply unit 111 during charging and the amount of current that flowed out of the power supply unit 111 during discharging, and the correction value stored in memory. Then, after it is determined that the power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 has been replaced, it newly stores in memory the remaining charge of the power supply unit 111 that was calculated based on the amount of current that flowed into the power supply unit 111 during charging and the amount of current that flowed out of the power supply unit 111 during discharging, and the correction value calculated after it is determined that the power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 has been replaced.

The battery level meter 103 also has set in it an upper limit current Imax [A] for determining whether the power discharged from the power supply unit 111 is an overcurrent, and an upper limit voltage Vmax [V] for determining whether the power discharged from the power supply unit 111 is an overvoltage, and these are stored in memory. The battery level meter 103 cuts off discharge from the power supply unit 111 when the power discharged from the power supply unit 111 exceeds the upper limit current Imax [A] and when the power discharged from the power supply unit 111 exceeds the upper limit voltage Vmax [V].

Furthermore, the nominal voltage Vn [V] and charge capacity CC [Ah] of the power supply unit 111 are set in the battery level gauge 103 and stored in memory. The nominal voltage Vn [V] is a voltage value established as a guideline for the terminal voltage obtained when the power supply unit 111 is used under normal conditions. The charge capacity CC [Ah] is the maximum amount of electricity that can be discharged when the power supply unit 111 is fully charged.

The MCU 104 is a computer that is mainly composed of a processor that performs various calculations and controls the entire suction device 100 according to a pre-prepared program. The control objects controlled by the MCU 104 include the charging IC 102, the battery level gauge 103, etc.

The MCU 104 is set with a threshold voltage Vth [V], which is stored in the memory. The threshold voltage Vth [V] is a voltage value for determining whether the amount of power required to complete heating one flavor source 131 or stick-shaped substrate 150 remains as the remaining charge of the power supply unit 111. The threshold voltage Vth [V] is used in the heating control availability determination flow of the suction device 100, which will be described later.

The protection IC 105 is an integrated circuit (IC) that protects the power supply unit 111 from overcharging, overdischarging, overvoltage, overcurrent, short circuits, etc. The protection IC 105 operates independently of the control unit 116.

The protection IC 105 is set with a forced stop current Ifs [A] and a forced stop voltage Vfs [V], which are stored in memory. The forced stop current Ifs [A] is set to a value greater than the upper limit current Imax [A] set in the battery level gauge 103. The protection IC 105 forcibly stops discharging from the power supply unit 111 when the current of the power discharged from the power supply unit 111 becomes equal to or greater than the forced stop current Ifs [A]. The forced stop voltage Vfs [V] is set to a value greater than the upper limit voltage Vmax [V] set in the battery level gauge 103. The protection IC 105 forcibly stops discharging from the power supply unit 111 when the voltage of the power discharged from the power supply unit 111 becomes equal to or greater than the forced stop voltage Vfs [V].

In this way, the power supply unit 111 is doubly protected from overcurrent and overvoltage by the battery level gauge 103 and the protection IC 105. Under normal circumstances, the battery level gauge 103 controls the power discharged from the power supply unit 111 to be equal to or less than the upper limit current Imax [A] and the upper limit voltage Vmax [V]. Even if an abnormality occurs in the battery level gauge 103, the protection IC 105 controls the power discharged from the power supply unit 111 to be equal to or less than the forced stop current Ifs [A] and the forced stop voltage Vfs [V].

[9. Processing for changing various control values used to control the power supply unit]
Next, the process of changing various control values used to control the power supply unit 111, which is executed in step S400, will be described with reference to FIG.

If the control unit 116 is able to identify the type of power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 in step S200 (step S300: YES), the control unit 116 executes a process of changing various control values in controlling the power supply unit 111 in step S400.

The control unit 116 first proceeds to step S401 and controls the notification unit 113 to start notifying the user of information indicating that the power supply unit 111 has been properly replaced and that the suction device 100 is now ready for use. If the notification unit 113 is a display device that displays images, it starts a boot animation, for example.

Then, the control unit 116 proceeds to step S402, where it controls the charging IC 102 to prohibit charging of the power supply unit 111 from the external power supply 1000, and controls the MCU 104 to prohibit power supply from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121. Then, it proceeds to step S403.

In step S403, the control unit 116 erases the remaining charge of the power supply unit 111, which is calculated based on the amount of current flowing into the power supply unit 111 during charging and the amount of current flowing out of the power supply unit 111 during discharging and stored in the memory of the battery level meter 103, and the correction value stored in the memory of the battery level meter 103.

This makes it possible to prevent the power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 after replacement from being controlled using a correction value corresponding to the power supply unit 111 that was attached to the power supply unit 110 before the replacement, so that the power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 after replacement can be more appropriately controlled.

Then, the control unit 116 proceeds to step S404, and compares the information on the type of power supply unit 111 stored in the memory unit 114 as the type of power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 with the information on the type of power supply unit 111 identified in step S200 to determine whether they are the same.

If, in step S404, the information on the type of power supply unit 111 stored in the memory unit 114 as the type of power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 is the same as the information on the type of power supply unit 111 identified in step S200 (step S404: YES), the control unit 116 does not change the various control values in controlling the power supply unit 111 and proceeds to step S407.

If, in step S404, the information on the type of power supply unit 111 stored in the memory unit 114 as the type of power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 differs from the information on the type of power supply unit 111 identified in step S200 (step S404: NO), the control unit 116 proceeds to step S405.

In step S405, the control unit 116 rewrites the information on the type of power supply unit 111 stored in the memory unit 114 as the type of power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 to the information on the type of power supply unit 111 identified in step S200. Then, the process proceeds to step S406.

In step S406, the control unit 116 changes various control values for controlling the power supply unit 111 based on the information on the type of power supply unit 111 stored in the memory unit 114.

Specifically, the control unit 116 changes the nominal voltage Vn [V] and charging capacity CC [Ah] of the power supply unit 111 set in the battery level gauge 103, the constant current charging current value Icc [A], constant voltage charging voltage value Vcv [V], charging switching voltage Vc [V], and charging end voltage Ve [V] set in the charging IC 102, and the threshold voltage Vth [V] set in the MCU 104.

The memory unit 114 stores a control value table that links multiple types of power supply units 111 with the nominal voltage Vn [V], charging capacity CC [Ah], constant current charging current value Icc [A], constant voltage charging voltage value Vcv [V], charging switching voltage Vc [V], charging end voltage Ve [V], and threshold voltage Vth [V] corresponding to each type of power supply unit 111.

In step S406, the control unit 116 refers to the information on the type of power supply unit 111 stored in the memory unit 114 and the control value table, and calls up the nominal voltage Vn [V], charging capacity CC [Ah], constant current charging current value Icc [A], constant voltage charging voltage value Vcv [V], charging switch voltage Vc [V], charging end voltage Ve [V], and threshold voltage Vth [V] corresponding to the type of power supply unit 111 stored in the memory unit 114. Then, the control unit 116 changes the nominal voltage Vn [V] and charging capacity CC [Ah] of the power supply unit 111 set in the battery level gauge 103, the constant current charging current value Icc [A], constant voltage charging voltage value Vcv [V], charging switching voltage Vc [V], and charging end voltage Ve [V] set in the charging IC 102, and the threshold voltage Vth [V] set in the MCU 104 to the called nominal voltage Vn [V], charging capacity CC [Ah], constant current charging current value Icc [A], constant voltage charging voltage value Vcv [V], charging switching voltage Vc [V], charging end voltage Ve [V], and threshold voltage Vth [V].

This allows the battery level gauge 103 to be set with appropriate nominal voltage Vn [V], charging capacity CC [Ah], constant current charging current value Icc [A], constant voltage charging voltage value Vcv [V], charging switching voltage Vc [V], charging end voltage Ve [V], and threshold voltage Vth [V] depending on the type of power supply unit 111.

On the other hand, the upper limit current Imax [A] and upper limit voltage Vmax [V] set in the battery level gauge 103 are not changed. Note that the protection IC 105 operates independently of the control unit 116, and the forced stop current Ifs [A] and forced stop voltage Vfs [V] set in the protection IC 105 are not changed by the control unit 116.

Even if the upper limit current Imax [A] and upper limit voltage Vmax [V] set in the battery level gauge 103 are not changed, the power discharged from the power supply unit 111 is controlled by the protection IC 105, which operates independently of the control unit 116, so that it is equal to or less than the forced stop current Ifs [A] and the forced stop voltage Vfs [V]. Therefore, even if the upper limit current Imax [A] and upper limit voltage Vmax [V] set in the battery level gauge 103 are not changed, the power discharged from the power supply unit 111 can be safely controlled. As a result, by not changing the upper limit current Imax [A] and upper limit voltage Vmax [V] set in the battery level gauge 103, the number of times the upper limit current Imax [A] and upper limit voltage Vmax [V] are written to the memory of the battery level gauge 103 can be reduced, and the life of the battery level gauge 103 can be extended.

When the control unit 116 has completed changing the various control values in controlling the power supply unit 111 in step S406, the control unit 116 proceeds to step S407.

In step S407, the control unit 116 controls the charging IC 102 to lift the prohibition on charging the power supply unit 111 from the external power supply 1000 that was executed in step S402, and controls the MCU 104 to lift the prohibition on the supply of power from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121 that was executed in step S402. Then, the process proceeds to step S408.

In step S408, the control unit 116 controls the notification unit 113 to end notification to the user that the power supply unit 111 has been properly replaced and that the suction device 100 is now ready for use. If the notification unit 113 is a display device that displays images, for example, the boot animation is ended. Then, the process of changing the various control values in controlling the power supply unit 111 is ended.

In this way, at least one of the multiple control values in the control of the power supply unit 111 is changed based on the type of the power supply unit 111, and at least one of the multiple control values in the control of the power supply unit 111 is not changed based on the type of the power supply unit 111.

This allows the power supply unit 111 to be appropriately controlled according to the type of power supply unit 111, and also minimizes the need to rewrite the control values, thereby reducing the load on the control unit 116 and extending its lifespan.

In addition, the various control values used to control the power supply unit 111 are changed between the start of notification to the user that the power supply unit 111 has been properly replaced and that the suction device 100 is ready for use and the end of said notification, so that the time during which the suction device 100 is unavailable due to replacement of the power supply unit 111 can be shortened.

In addition, when the various control values used to control the power supply unit 111 are changed, charging and discharging of the power supply unit 111 is prohibited, improving the safety of the suction device 100.

While steps S401 to S408 are being executed, the control unit 116 may monitor whether the suction device 100 has transitioned to a state in which the power supply unit 111 can be removed, and may temporarily suspend execution of steps S401 to S408 if the suction device 100 has transitioned to a state in which the power supply unit 111 can be removed. If it is detected that the suction device 100 has transitioned to a state in which the power supply unit 111 cannot be removed, the control unit 116 may then resume execution of steps S401 to S408. During execution of step S406, i.e., while changing various control values in the control of the power supply unit 111, if the suction device 100 has transitioned to a state in which the power supply unit 111 can be removed, the control unit 116 may store the control values for which the change has been completed and the control values for which the change has not been completed, and when it is detected that the suction device 100 has transitioned to a state in which the power supply unit 111 cannot be removed and execution of steps S401 to S408 is resumed, only the control values for which the change has not been completed may be changed. Furthermore, if the suction device 100 transitions to a state in which the power supply unit 111 can be removed while step S406 is being executed, i.e., while various control values in the control of the power supply unit 111 are being changed, the control unit 116 may change all of the control values to be changed again when it is detected that the suction device 100 has transitioned to a state in which the power supply unit 111 cannot be removed and execution of steps S401 to S408 is resumed.

This prevents the power supply unit 111 from being removed while the various control values used to control the power supply unit 111 are being changed, thereby preventing malfunctions in the suction device 100.

In this embodiment, the process of changing the various control values in the control of the power supply unit 111 in step S400 is triggered when the type of power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 can be identified in step S200 (step S300: YES). However, the process of changing the various control values in the control of the power supply unit 111 may also be triggered when the user performs an operation to start heating or when the user requests to start charging.

[10. Flow of determining whether or not heating control of the suction device is possible]
Next, a heating control availability determination flow for the suction device 100, which determines whether or not heating control is possible in the suction device 100, will be described with reference to FIG.

When the operation mode of the suction device 100 is in the standby mode, the control unit 116 determines whether or not the user has performed a heating start operation on the suction device 100 (step S501). If the user has not performed a heating start operation (step S501: NO), the control unit 116 proceeds to step S502, where it determines whether or not the time that has elapsed since the operation mode of the suction device 100 transitioned to the standby mode is greater than or equal to a predetermined time. If the time that has elapsed since the operation mode of the suction device 100 transitioned to the standby mode is not greater than or equal to the predetermined time (step S502: NO), the control unit 116 returns to step S501 and waits until the user performs a heating start operation. If the time that has elapsed since the operation mode of the suction device 100 transitioned to the standby mode is greater than or equal to the predetermined time (step S502: YES), the control unit 116 proceeds to step S503, where the operation mode of the suction device 100 is switched to the sleep mode, and the series of controls is terminated.

When the operation mode of the suction device 100 is in standby mode and the user performs an operation to start heating (step S501: YES), the control unit 116 proceeds to step S504.

In step S504, the control unit 116 determines whether the amount of power remaining in the power supply unit 111 is sufficient to complete heating of one flavor source 131 or stick-shaped substrate 150.

Specifically, referring also to FIG. 17, in step S504, the control unit 116 supplies power to the heating unit 121 for a short period of time and determines whether the output voltage of the power supply unit 111 has fallen below the threshold voltage Vth [V] stored in memory. If the output voltage of the power supply unit 111 has fallen below the threshold voltage Vth [V] in step S504 (step S504: YES), the control unit 116 determines that the amount of power required to complete heating of one flavor source 131 or stick-shaped substrate 150 is not remaining as the remaining charge of the power supply unit 111 and that heating control cannot be performed, prohibits the operating mode from switching to the inhalation mode (step S505), and ends the series of control operations. As a result, the control unit 116 is unable to perform heating control of the heating unit 121.

If, in step S504, the output voltage of the power supply unit 111 does not fall below the threshold voltage Vth [V] (step S504: NO), the control unit 116 determines that the amount of power required to complete heating one flavor source 131 or stick-shaped substrate 150 remains as the remaining charge of the power supply unit 111 and that heating control can be performed, and switches the operating mode to the inhalation mode (step S506), ending the series of controls. Then, when the operating mode has been switched to the inhalation mode, the control unit 116 executes heating control of the heating unit 121.

For example, assume that there are power supply units 111 of type a and power supply units 111 of type b, and that the internal resistance value of power supply unit 111 of type b is greater than that of power supply unit 111 of type a. In this case, if the remaining charge of each is the same, the voltage drop that occurs when power is supplied to heating unit 121 for a short period of time will be greater in power supply unit 111 of type b than in power supply unit 111 of type a.

Therefore, if the threshold voltage Vth [V] is set to a constant value regardless of the type of power supply unit 111, it may happen that the type b power supply unit 111 is determined to be unable to execute heating control even if the remaining charge is the amount of power required to complete heating of one flavor source 131 or stick-shaped substrate 150.

The threshold voltage Vth [V] is set to a smaller value for the type of power supply unit 111 with a larger internal resistance, and is set to a larger value for the type of power supply unit 111 with a smaller internal resistance.

In this way, an appropriate threshold voltage Vth [V] is set depending on the type of power supply unit 111, so that it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not heating control can be performed in the suction device 100.

In addition, secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries generally deteriorate the more they are repeatedly charged and discharged, and the actual charge capacity decreases. In consideration of this, the control unit 116, for example the MCU 104, may count the number of times heating control has been performed since it was determined that the power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 has been replaced, store this in memory, and each time heating control has been performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times), control the battery level meter 103 to reduce the charge capacity CC [Ah] by a predetermined value (for example, 50 [mAh]). This control may be performed, for example, every time immediately after the number of times heating control has been performed since it was determined that the power supply unit 111 attached to the power supply unit 110 has been replaced reaches the predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times).

This allows the battery level gauge 103 to set a value that is closer to the actual charge capacity CC [Ah] of the power supply unit 111.

[11. Charging control of power supply unit]
Next, charging control of the power supply unit 111 in the suction device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the suction device 100, when the charging IC 102 receives an instruction from the MCU 104 to start charging, it controls the charging of the power supply unit 111 based on the control value set in the charging IC 102.

When charging the power supply unit 111, the charging IC 102 performs constant current charging if the battery voltage Vbat [V] is less than the charging switching voltage Vc [V], switches to constant voltage charging when the battery voltage Vbat [V] becomes equal to or greater than the charging switching voltage Vc [V], and terminates charging the power supply unit 111 when the charging end voltage Ve [V] is reached.

When performing constant current charging, the charging IC 102 charges the power supply unit 111 with a constant current charging current value Icc [A] stored in memory. When performing constant voltage charging, the charging IC 102 charges the power supply unit 111 with a constant voltage charging voltage value Vcv [V] stored in memory.

The amount of current that the power supply unit 111 can pass and the battery voltage Vbat when fully charged vary depending on the type.

Therefore, if the constant current charging current value Icc [A] and the constant voltage charging voltage value Vcv [V] are fixed values regardless of the type of power supply unit 111, the charging time may become longer depending on the type of power supply unit 111.

In this disclosure, the constant current charging current value Icc [A] and the constant voltage charging voltage value Vcv [V] are set appropriately depending on the type of power supply unit 111, so that the power supply unit 111 can be charged efficiently in a short time.

Furthermore, if the charging end voltage Ve [V] is a fixed value regardless of the type of power supply unit 111, depending on the type of power supply unit 111, there may be an inconvenience that charging of the power supply unit 111 ends before the power supply unit 111 is fully charged.

In this disclosure, an appropriate charge end voltage Ve [V] is set depending on the type of power supply unit 111, so that the power supply unit 111 can be reliably charged to a fully charged state.

The above describes an embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified, improved, etc. as appropriate.

For example, in this embodiment, the power supply unit 111 is replaced after the operating mode for operating the suction device 100 is transitioned to a shipping mode, but this is not limited to the shipping mode, and may be a standby mode or any operating mode in which the suction device 100 consumes less power than in the standby mode. For example, the suction device 100 may have a dedicated operating mode for replacing the power supply unit 111, and the power supply unit 111 may be replaced after the operating mode for operating the suction device 100 is transitioned to the dedicated operating mode for replacing the power supply unit 111.

This specification describes at least the following items. In parentheses, examples of corresponding components in the above-mentioned embodiments are shown, but the present invention is not limited to these.

(1) a power supply unit (power supply unit 111);
A control unit (control unit 116) configured to control at least one of charging and discharging of the power supply unit,
A power supply unit (power supply unit 110) of an aerosol generating device (inhalation device 100) that heats an aerosol source to generate an aerosol,
the power supply unit is attached to the power supply unit in a replaceable and detachable manner;
The control unit is
an identification process for identifying the type of the power supply unit attached to the power supply unit;
a control value changing process for changing at least one control value used to control the power supply unit based on the type of the power supply unit identified in the identification process;
It is possible to
Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

According to (1), the control value used to control the power supply unit can be changed to an appropriate value depending on the type of power supply unit, so that the power supply unit can be appropriately controlled.

(2) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to (1),
The control unit has a battery level meter (battery level meter 103) that measures the remaining charge of the power supply unit,
The battery fuel gauge includes:
The remaining charge of the power supply unit is periodically calculated and accumulated,
when a predetermined condition is satisfied, an open circuit voltage of the power supply unit is measured, and a correction value is calculated and stored from a difference between a remaining charge of the power supply unit calculated based on the measured open circuit voltage of the power supply unit and a remaining charge of the power supply unit stored in the battery remaining capacity meter up to that point,
the control value changed in the control value changing process includes the correction value,
The control unit is
when the type of the power supply unit is identified in the identification process, the correction value stored in the battery fuel gauge is erased.
Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

According to (2), it is possible to prevent the power supply unit attached to the power supply unit after replacement from being controlled using the correction value corresponding to the power supply unit attached to the power supply unit before the replacement, so that the power supply unit attached to the power supply unit after the replacement can be more appropriately controlled.

(3) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to (1),
The control unit is
A controller (MCU 104) capable of executing a heating control feasibility determination process that determines whether or not heating control for heating an aerosol source to generate an aerosol is possible based on whether or not the output voltage of the power supply unit has fallen below a threshold voltage (threshold voltage Vth),
The controller is configured to set the threshold voltage.
the control value changed in the control value change process includes the threshold voltage.
Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

According to (3), in the heating control feasibility determination process, it is possible to appropriately determine whether heating control is possible depending on the type of power supply unit attached to the power supply unit.

(4) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to (1),
The control unit has a charging IC (charging IC 102) configured to be able to control charging of the power supply unit by power received from an external power supply (external power supply 1000),
The charging IC includes:
A constant current charging current value (constant current charging current value Icc) which is a current value when the power supply unit is charged at a constant current;
A constant-voltage charging voltage value (constant-voltage charging voltage value Vcv) which is a voltage value when the power supply unit is subjected to constant-voltage charging;
A charge switching voltage (charge switching voltage Vc) which is a voltage value for switching the charging of the power supply unit from constant current charging to constant voltage charging and/or from constant voltage charging to constant current charging;
A charge end voltage (charge end voltage Ve) which is a voltage value at which charging of the power supply unit is terminated;
is set,
The control value changed in the control value change process includes at least one of the constant current charging current value, the constant voltage charging voltage value, the charging switch voltage, and the charging end voltage.
Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

(4) According to the type of power supply unit attached to the power supply unit, the power supply unit can be charged efficiently in a short time, and charging can be reliably performed until the power supply unit is fully charged.

100 Suction device (aerosol generating device)
103 Battery remaining capacity meter 110 Power supply unit 111 Power supply section 116 Control section 1000 External power supply Icc Constant current charging current value 102 Charging IC
104 MCU (controller)
Vth: Threshold voltage Vcv: Constant voltage charging voltage value Vc: Charge switching voltage Ve: Charge end voltage

Claims (4)

A power supply unit;
A control unit configured to control at least one of charging and discharging of the power supply unit,
A power supply unit of an aerosol generating device for heating an aerosol source to generate an aerosol, comprising:
the power supply unit is attached to the power supply unit in a replaceable and detachable manner;
The control unit is
an identification process for identifying the type of the power supply unit attached to the power supply unit;
a control value changing process for changing at least one control value used to control the power supply unit based on the type of the power supply unit identified in the identification process;
It is possible to
Power supply unit for the aerosol generator. A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to claim 1,
the control unit has a battery level meter that measures a remaining charge of the power supply unit,
The battery fuel gauge includes:
The remaining charge of the power supply unit is periodically calculated and accumulated,
when a predetermined condition is satisfied, an open circuit voltage of the power supply unit is measured, and a correction value is calculated and stored from a difference between a remaining charge of the power supply unit calculated based on the measured open circuit voltage of the power supply unit and a remaining charge of the power supply unit stored in the battery remaining capacity meter up to that point,
the control value changed in the control value changing process includes the correction value,
The control unit is
when the type of the power supply unit is identified in the identification process, the correction value stored in the battery fuel gauge is erased.
Power supply unit for the aerosol generator. A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to claim 1,
The control unit is
a controller capable of executing a heating control availability determination process for determining whether or not heating control for heating an aerosol source to generate an aerosol is possible based on whether or not the output voltage of the power supply unit has fallen below a threshold voltage;
The controller is configured to set the threshold voltage.
the control value changed in the control value change process includes the threshold voltage.
Power supply unit for the aerosol generator. A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to claim 1,
the control unit has a charging IC configured to be able to control charging of the power supply unit with power received from an external power supply,
The charging IC includes:
a constant current charging current value, which is a current value when the power supply unit is charged with a constant current;
a constant-voltage charging voltage value which is a voltage value when the power supply unit is subjected to constant-voltage charging;
A charging switching voltage is a voltage value at which the charging of the power supply unit is switched from constant current charging to constant voltage charging and/or from constant voltage charging to constant current charging;
a charge cut-off voltage which is a voltage value at which charging of the power supply unit is terminated;
is set,
The control value changed in the control value change process includes at least one of the constant current charging current value, the constant voltage charging voltage value, the charging switch voltage, and the charging end voltage.
Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

Images