CN115460946A - Inhalation device, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is an inhalation device capable of improving the quality of inhalation experience provided to a user. The inhalation device is provided with: a receiving portion that receives an inhaled article; a heating part that heats the received inhalation article; a power supply unit configured to supply power to the heating unit; a memory storing data relating to a plurality of heating profiles; a control unit for controlling the operation of the inhalation device based on the plurality of heating curves; and a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the heating unit. The control unit executes a preheating operation common to the plurality of heating profiles, the common preheating operation including a first preheating operation including: the temperature of the heating section is maintained at substantially the same first heating temperature during a first heating period common to the plurality of heating profiles.

Description

Inhalation device, method, and program

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an inhalation device, method, and program.

Background

Conventionally, as one of electronic devices, an inhalation device that generates an inhalation component such as an aerosol to which a fragrance is given is known. In such an inhalation device, usually, an inhalation article (also referred to as a refill) to which a fragrance is given is attached, and a user performs an inhalation operation.

Among inhalation devices, a device is known in which a plurality of heating profiles for heating an inhalation composition are prepared in advance and can be selected. For example, in an inhalation device where the heating profile can be selected by the user, the user is provided with an inhalation experience that matches the user's preferences. Alternatively, in an inhalation device capable of automatically selecting a heating profile according to the characteristics of an inhaled substance, a user is provided with an inhalation experience suitable for the inhaled substance. Here, the inhalation experience refers to, for example, an experience provided to the user by inhaling aerosol, and at least one of the five senses is stimulated for the user.

For example, patent document 1 discloses an electronic vapor inhaler that selectively supplies an operating temperature in accordance with a heating profile so that a heating element is heated at a high temperature or a low temperature.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese Kokai publication 2018-534926

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In order to provide the user with a inhalation experience according to the preference of the user and the kind of flavor, it is desirable that the user himself/herself be able to select an appropriate operation mode from a plurality of operation modes corresponding to a plurality of heating profiles and/or be able to switch to an appropriate operation mode depending on the environment. On the other hand, for example, when the period from when the power is turned on until the time when the heating is enabled differs for each of the plurality of heating profiles, a user who intentionally switches to a specific operation mode may feel uncomfortable. That is, it is desirable to provide a plurality of heating profiles that do not make the user particularly aware of the switching of the action mode.

The present disclosure has been made in view of such a point. That is, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an inhalation device capable of further improving the quality of an inhalation experience (i.e., satisfaction at the time of inhalation) provided to a user. More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide an inhalation device that can flexibly select and switch an operation mode by a user. Another object of the present invention is to provide a suction device that can realize a suction experience without making a user aware of switching of an operation mode.

Means for solving the problems

According to the present disclosure, in a first aspect, an inhalation device is provided. The inhalation device comprises: a receiving portion that receives an inhaled article; a heating unit that heats the received inhaled article; a power supply unit configured to supply power to the heating unit; a memory storing data relating to a plurality of heating profiles; a control unit for controlling the operation of the inhalation device based on the plurality of heating curves; and a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the heating unit. The control unit executes a preliminary heating operation common to the plurality of heating profiles, the common preliminary heating operation including a first preliminary heating operation including: the temperature of the heating section is maintained at substantially the same first heating temperature during a first heating period common to the plurality of heating profiles.

According to the above inhalation device, a common preliminary heating operation is provided. That is, the user can inhale the inhalation device 10 at the same timing without being particularly aware of switching of the operation mode, and therefore, the user can intuitively and easily use the device, and the quality of inhalation experience can be improved.

In the inhalation device according to the second aspect, the first heating temperature is a predetermined maximum heating temperature of the heating portion detected by the temperature detection portion with respect to the plurality of heating curves.

In the inhalation device according to the third aspect, the prescribed maximum heating temperature is 240 degrees celsius (° c) in the inhalation device according to the second aspect.

An inhalation device according to a fourth aspect is the inhalation device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the common preliminary heating operation further includes a second preliminary heating operation, before the first preliminary heating operation, as follows: the heating unit is supplied with electric power of an amount common to the plurality of heating curves from the electric power unit, and raises the temperature of the heating unit to a first heating temperature.

In the inhalation device according to the fifth aspect, in the inhalation device according to the fourth aspect, the amount of electric power supplied in the second preliminary heating operation is based on the maximum output of the power supply unit at the time of the second preliminary heating operation.

The inhalation device according to a sixth aspect is the inhalation device according to the fourth or fifth aspect, further comprising a first notification unit, wherein the control unit causes the first notification unit to perform notification in a first manner during the first preliminary heating operation, and causes the first notification unit to perform notification in a second manner different from the first manner during the second preliminary heating operation.

The inhaler according to a seventh aspect is the inhaler according to the sixth aspect, wherein the first notification unit includes a plurality of LEDs, and the first aspect and the second aspect are configured with different light emission patterns based on a combination of the plurality of LEDs.

The inhalation device according to an eighth aspect is the inhalation device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, further comprising a second notification unit, wherein the control unit causes the second notification unit to notify completion of the common preliminary heating operation at a timing common to the plurality of heating profiles.

The inhalation device according to a ninth aspect is the inhalation device according to the eighth aspect, wherein the second notification unit includes a vibration motor, and the notification of completion includes vibration of the vibration motor.

An inhaler according to a tenth aspect is the inhaler according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, further comprising an operation button for receiving a press by a user, wherein the control unit switches between the plurality of operation modes based on the plurality of heating profiles in response to a predetermined number of presses within a predetermined time.

The inhaler according to an eleventh aspect is the inhaler according to the tenth aspect, further comprising a third notification unit, wherein the control unit causes the third notification unit to notify switching of the third notification mode.

The inhalation device according to a twelfth aspect is the inhalation device according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, further comprising: a shutter capable of opening an opening associated with the receiving portion; and an opening detection unit that detects that the opening is opened, the control unit allowing switching between a plurality of operation modes based on the plurality of heating profiles only when the opening is opened.

The inhalation device of the thirteenth aspect is the inhalation device of any one of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein the control section performs the heating operation during inhalation after the preliminary heating operation, the heating operation during inhalation including maintaining the temperature of the heating section at the first heating temperature during a second heating period, the second heating period being different for each of the plurality of heating profiles.

In the inhalation device according to a fourteenth aspect, the plurality of heating profiles includes a first heating profile and a second heating profile, the second heating period in the first heating profile is shorter than the second heating period in the second heating profile, and the temperature of the heating portion after the second heating period in the first heating profile is decreased to the second heating temperature faster than the temperature of the heating portion after the second heating period in the second heating profile.

In addition, in a fifteenth aspect, a method of operating an intake device that receives intake articles is provided. The method comprises the following steps: a step of determining one of a plurality of heating profiles; detecting a trigger for starting heating an inhalation article; a step of preheating an absorbent article according to one of the heating profiles, the step of preheating comprising: detecting a temperature of the heating portion and maintaining a substantially same first heating temperature during a first heating period common to the plurality of heating profiles; and a step of heating the inhalation article according to the heating curve to generate an inhalation component.

According to the above method, a common preheating action is provided. That is, the user can inhale the inhalation device 10 at the same timing without being particularly aware of the switching of the operation mode, and therefore, the user can intuitively and easily use the device, and the quality of the inhalation experience can be improved.

In the method of the sixteenth aspect, in the method of the fifteenth aspect, the first heating temperature is a predetermined maximum heating temperature of the heating section with respect to a heating curve.

The method according to a seventeenth aspect is the method according to the fifteenth or sixteenth aspect, wherein the step of performing preliminary heating further includes increasing the temperature of the heating portion to the first heating temperature by supplying electric power of an amount common to the plurality of heating profiles.

The method according to an eighteenth aspect is any one of the fifteenth to seventeenth aspects, wherein the step of generating the inhalation component includes maintaining the temperature of the heating section at the first heating temperature in a second heating period following the first heating period, the second heating period being different for each of the plurality of heating profiles.

As for the method of the nineteenth viewpoint, in any one of the fifteenth viewpoint to the eighteenth viewpoint, the method further includes: detecting that the shutter opens an opening provided in the inhalation device and receiving the inhaled article; and switching between a plurality of operation modes based on the plurality of heating profiles in accordance with a predetermined user operation on the inhalation device, the switching being permitted only when the opening is opened.

Further, in a twentieth aspect, there is provided a program for causing an inhalation device to execute any one of the methods of the fifteenth aspect to the nineteenth aspect.

Drawings

Fig. 1A is an overall perspective view of an inhalation device according to an embodiment.

Figure 1B is an overall perspective view of the inhalation device of figure 1A holding an inhaled article.

Figure 1C is a schematic top view of the inhalation device of figure 1A.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the inhalation device of figure 1A.

Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of an inhalation article.

Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the inhalation device of fig. 1A.

Fig. 5 is an exemplary state transition diagram relating to the heating operation of fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a heating operation performed by the inhalation device of fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a graph showing a heating curve of an example of the inhalation device of fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a graph showing a heating curve of another example of the inhalation device of fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a schematic flowchart of the preheating operation performed by the inhalation device of fig. 4.

Fig. 10 is a schematic flowchart of the heating operation during inhalation performed by the inhalation device of fig. 4.

Detailed Description

An inhalation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the inhalation device includes an electronic cigarette, a nebulizer, but is not limited to these. In particular, various inhalation devices for generating an aerosol inhaled by a user or an aerosol imparted with a scent may be included. Furthermore, the generated inhalation component source may contain invisible vapors in addition to aerosols.

In the drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and the description of each embodiment may omit duplicated description about the same or similar elements. Note that the features shown in the respective embodiments may be applied to other embodiments as long as they are not contradictory to each other. Further, the drawings are schematic and do not necessarily correspond to actual sizes, ratios, and the like. The drawings may include portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios from each other.

(1) Basic structure (appearance) of suction device

With reference to fig. 1A to 1C, the external appearance of the inhalation device 10 according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 1A is an overall perspective view of the inhalation device 10, fig. 1B is an overall perspective view of the inhalation device 10 in a state in which an aerosol-generating substrate is held, and fig. 1C is a plan view of the inhalation device 10 as viewed from the insertion direction of the aerosol-generating substrate.

In the present embodiment, the inhalation device 10 is detachably mounted with an aerosol-generating substrate having a flavor-generating substrate such as a filler containing an aerosol source and a flavor source, for example. Then, by heating the attached inhalation article 110, an aerosol containing a fragrance is generated.

As understood by those skilled in the art, an aerosol-generating substrate is an example of an inhalation article 110 (hereinafter, aerosol-generating substrates may also be collectively referred to as "inhalation articles"). The aerosol-generating substrate comprises an aerosol source which may be either a solid or a liquid. The aerosol source may be a liquid such as a polyol such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water. The aerosol source may also comprise a cigarette material or an extract derived from a cigarette material that releases a flavour component upon heating. When the inhalation device 10 is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may contain a medicament for inhalation by the patient. Depending on the application, the aerosol-generating substrate may also not comprise a fragrance source.

As shown in fig. 1A, the inhalation device 10 has a top case 11A, a bottom case 11B, a cover 12, a shutter 13, an operation button 14, and a display portion 18. The top housing 11A and the bottom housing 11B are connected to each other, thereby constituting the outermost housing 11 of the inhalation device 10. The housing 11 may also be sized to accommodate a user's hand. In this case, when the user uses the inhalation device 10, the user can hold the inhalation device 10 with the hand to inhale the aerosol.

The top case 11A has an opening (not shown), and the cover 12 is coupled to the top case 11A so as to close the opening. As shown in fig. 1B, the cover 12 has an opening 12a into which the inhalation article 110 can be inserted. The shutter 13 is configured to open and close the opening 12a of the lid 12. For example, the shutter 13 may be of a sliding type.

More specifically, the shutter 13 is attached to the cover 12 and configured to be movable along the surface of the cover 12 between a first position for closing the opening 12a and a second position for opening the opening 12a. In the example of fig. 1C, the shutter 13 is located at the first position, and the user slides the shutter 13 in the arrow direction with the fingers, whereby the opening 12a is opened. In a state where the opening 12a is opened, the inhalation article 110 is inserted into the opening 12a, the receiving portion 42 opposed to the opening 12a receives the inhalation article 110, and the filler of the inhalation article 110 is held inside.

The operation button 14 is used, for example, to switch the power of the inhalation device 10 on and off. Specifically, as shown in fig. 1B, the user can heat the absorbent article 110 by pressing (long-pressing) the operation button 14 in a state where the absorbent article 110 is inserted into the opening 12a and supplying power from the power supply unit 20 to the heating unit 40. If the inhalation item 110 is heated, an aerosol is generated from an aerosol source contained by the inhalation item 110 into which the flavour of the flavour source is drawn. The user inhales through the portion of the inhalation article 110 protruding from the inhalation device 10, thereby inhaling the aerosol containing the fragrance. In the present specification, the direction in which the inhalation article 110 as an aerosol-generating substrate is inserted into the opening 12a is referred to as the longitudinal direction of the inhalation device 10.

In the present embodiment, the operation button 14 can also be used to switch between a plurality of operation modes. Specifically, the user can switch between the plurality of operation modes by continuously pressing the operation button 14 a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period.

The configuration of the inhalation device 10 shown in fig. 1A to 1C is merely an example of the configuration of the inhalation device according to the present disclosure. The inhalation device 10 according to the present disclosure can be configured in various ways: by heating the inhalation article 110 (aerosol-generating substrate) comprising the aerosol source, an aerosol can be generated and the user can inhale the generated aerosol source.

The display unit 18 operates in accordance with the operating state of the inhalation device 10 to provide a user with explicit notification by displaying in a different manner. The display unit 18 may constitute a part of the notification unit 60 (described later). In the example of fig. 1C, the display unit 18 includes five LEDs (Light Emitting diodes) 18a to 18e, and emits Light in one or more colors. For example, the LED18a is an LED corresponding to a plurality of colors for presenting an operation mode selected by the user, and the LEDs 18b to 18e are LEDs corresponding to a single color (white) for presenting an operation state of the inhaler 10.

(2) Internal structure of inhalation device

Next, the internal structure of the inhalation device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows 3-3 shown in fig. 1A. The inhaler 10 includes a power supply unit 20, a circuit unit 30, and a heating unit 40 in an internal space of a housing 11 (a top housing 11A and a bottom housing 11B). The circuit unit 30 includes a first circuit board 31 and a second circuit board 32 electrically connected to the first circuit board 31.

The first circuit board 31 may extend in the longitudinal direction, and in this case, the power supply unit 20 and the heating unit 40 are separated by the first circuit board 31. That is, the heat generated in the heating portion 40 is suppressed from being transferred to the power supply portion 20. The second circuit board 32 may be disposed between the top case 11A and the power supply unit 20 and extend in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the first circuit board 31. The operation button 14 is disposed adjacent to the second circuit board 32. When the user presses the operation button 14, a part of the operation button 14 comes into contact with the second circuit substrate 32.

The first circuit board 31 and the second circuit board 32 include, for example, a microprocessor or the like, and can control the supply of electric power from the power supply section 20 to the heating section 40. That is, the first circuit board 31 and the second circuit board 32 can be configured as a control unit 50 (described later) that controls heating of the absorbent article 110 by the heating unit 40.

The power supply unit 20 includes a power supply 21 electrically connected to the first circuit board 31 and the second circuit board 32. The power source 21 may be, for example, a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. The power supply 21 is electrically connected to the heating portion 40 through at least one of the first circuit board 31 and the second circuit board 32. That is, the power source 21 can supply electric power to the heating unit 40 to heat the absorbent article 110. The amount of power supplied from the power source 21 to the heating unit 40 and/or the time for supplying power can be adjusted by the control unit. The power supply 21 may be disposed adjacent to the heating unit 40 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof. That is, even if the size of the power supply 21 is increased, the length of the inhalation device 10 in the longitudinal direction can be suppressed from increasing.

Here, the inhalation device 10 may have a terminal 22 connectable to an external power supply (not shown). The terminal 22 can be connected to a cable such as a micro USB (Universal Serial Bus). When the power supply 21 is a rechargeable battery, an external power supply is connected to the terminal 22 of the power supply 21, so that a current can be applied from the external power supply to the power supply 21 to charge the power supply 21. Further, by connecting a data transmission cable such as a micro USB cable to the terminal 22, data related to the operation of the inhalation device 10 can be transferred to and from an external device.

The heating part 40 has a heating unit 41 extending in the longitudinal direction. The heating unit 41 is formed of a plurality of cylindrical members, and is cylindrical as a whole. The heating unit 41 is configured to be capable of receiving a part of the inhalation article 110 therein, and has a function of defining a flow path of air supplied to the inhalation article 110 and a function of heating the inhalation article 110 from the outer periphery.

More specifically, the heating unit 40 is a PI film heater in which one or more conductive tracks (loads) made of stainless steel foil are sandwiched between Polyimide (PI) films having electrical insulation properties. The PI film heater is configured such that a PI film is wound around the outer periphery of a stainless steel pipe. In addition, the stainless steel tube is configured to receive a portion of the receptacle 42 of the intake article 110 therein. Then, a current is applied to the load to perform resistance heating and transfer heat to the stainless steel pipe via the PI film, and as a result, the suction article 110 received inside the stainless steel pipe is heated.

Alternatively, the heating unit 41 may be disposed so as to heat the intake article 110 radially from the center axis in the longitudinal direction, thereby constituting a heating portion.

In order to allow air to flow into the interior of the heating block 41, a vent 15 for allowing air to flow in is formed in the bottom case 11B. Specifically, the vent 15 is in fluid communication with one end portion (the left end portion in fig. 2) of the heating element 41. The suction device 10 further includes a cap 16 detachably attached to the air vent 15. The cap 16 is configured to allow air to flow into the heating block 41 from the vent hole 15 even when attached to the vent hole 15, and may have, for example, a through hole or a notch (neither is shown). By attaching the cap 16 to the air vent 15, it is possible to suppress substances generated from the inhalation article 110 received in the heating unit 41 from falling out of the housing 11 through the air vent 15. Further, by detaching the cap 16, the inside of the heating element 41 or the inside of the cap 16 can also be cleaned.

The other end portion (the end portion on the right side in fig. 2) of the heating assembly 41 is in fluid communication with the opening 12a. A substantially cylindrical outer heat dissipation fin 17 is provided between the opening 12a and the other end of the heating unit 41. When the inhalation device 10 receives the inhalation article 110 through the opening 12a by the inside thereof (fig. 1B), a part of the inhalation article 110 is arranged inside the heating unit 41 via the outer fins 17. Therefore, the outer heat radiation fin 17 is preferably formed such that the size of one opening 12a on the shutter 13 side is larger than the size of the opening on the other end side of the heating unit 41. That is, it is easy for the user to insert the inhalation article 110 from the opening 12a toward the inside of the outer fin 17.

In a state where the inhalation article 110 is received into the inhalation device 10 from the opening 12a (fig. 1B), if a user inhales from a portion protruding from the inhalation device 10, that is, from a filter portion 115 (described later) of the inhalation article 110, air flows into the inside of the heating block 41 from the air vent 15 in accordance with the inhalation. The incoming air passes through the interior of the heating assembly 41 along with aerosol generated from the inhalation article 110 to the mouth of the user. Therefore, the side of the heater block 41 close to the air vent 15 is the upstream side, and the side of the heater block 41 close to the opening 12a (the side close to the outer heat radiating fins 17) is the downstream side.

In the example of fig. 2, the vent 15 is provided at a position where the flow path is formed linearly in the longitudinal direction, but the flow path is not necessarily limited to this. Alternatively, for example, the vent hole 15 may be provided at a position on the surface of the bottom case 11B perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and in this case, the flow path may be formed in a substantially L shape.

(3) Structure of suction article

Here, referring to fig. 3, the configuration of an inhalation article 110 as an aerosol-generating substrate containing a flavor source, which is received by the inhalation device 10 according to the present embodiment, will also be described. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 110 along arrows 3-3. The suction article 110 has: a base material portion 110A including a filler 111 (corresponding to an example of a flavor-generating base material) and a first roll of paper 112 around which the filler 111 is wound; and a mouthpiece 110B formed at the end opposite to the base material 110A. The base material portion 110A and the mouthpiece portion 110B are connected by a second roll paper 113 different from the first roll paper 112. However, the second roll paper 113 may be omitted, and the base material portion 110A and the mouthpiece portion 110B may be connected to each other by the first roll paper 112.

The suction port 110B includes a paper tube part 114, a filter part 115, and a hollow section part 116 disposed between the paper tube part 114 and the filter part 115. The hollow section 116 comprises, for example, a filling layer with one or more hollow channels and a plug-type package covering the filling layer. Since the packing density of the fibers in the packed layer is high, air and aerosol flow only in the hollow passage and hardly in the packed layer during inhalation. In the inhaled article 110, when it is desired to make the reduction in the conveyance amount of aerosol caused by the filtration of the aerosol component in the filter portion 115 smaller, it is effective to shorten the length of the filter portion 115 and to switch it to the hollow section portion 116, which is effective in increasing the conveyance amount of aerosol.

In the example of fig. 3, the suction port portion 110B is constituted by three sections. In another example, the suction port portion 110B may be formed of one or two segments, or may be formed of four or more segments. For example, the hollow section 116 may be omitted, and the mouthpiece 110B may be formed by arranging the paper tube section 114 and the filter section 115 so as to be adjacent to each other.

The length of the absorbent article 110 in the longitudinal direction is preferably 40mm to 90mm, more preferably 50mm to 75mm, and still more preferably 50mm to 60mm. The circumference of the absorbent article 110 is preferably 15mm to 25mm, more preferably 17mm to 24mm or less, and further preferably 20mm to 22mm. The length of the base material portion 110A of the suction article 110 may be 20mm, the length of the first roll of paper 112 may be 20mm, the length of the hollow section portion 116 may be 8mm, and the length of the filter portion 115 may be 7mm. The length of each of these segments can be appropriately changed in accordance with manufacturing adaptability, required quality, and the like.

The filling 111 of the inhalation article 110 may contain an aerosol source which is heated at a specified temperature to generate an aerosol. The type of the aerosol source is not particularly limited, and the aerosol source can be selected from various natural extracts and/or their components according to the application. For example, contemplated aerosol sources are glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1, 3-butanediol, mixtures thereof, and the like. The content of the aerosol source in the filler 111 is not particularly limited, and is usually 5 wt% or more, preferably 10 wt% or more, and is usually 50 wt% or less, preferably 20 wt% or less, from the viewpoint of sufficiently generating an aerosol and providing a good flavor.

The filling 111 of the inhalation item 110 may contain cut tobacco as a flavour source. The material of the tobacco shred is not particularly limited, and known materials such as tobacco leaves and medium stems can be used. The content of the filler 111 in the inhalation article 110 is, for example, 200 to 400mg, preferably 250 to 320mg, when the circumference is 22mm and the length is 20 mm. The moisture content of the filler 111 is, for example, 8 to 18% by weight, preferably 10 to 16% by weight. With such a moisture content, the occurrence of a curl mark is suppressed, and the roll-up suitability in the production of the base material portion 110A is improved. The size of the cut tobacco used as filler 111 and the method of producing the same are not particularly limited. For example, a tobacco leaf obtained by cutting a dried tobacco leaf into a width of 0.8mm to 1.2mm may be used. In addition, the following tobacco leaves may also be used: the sheet processing is performed on the tobacco leaves obtained by pulverizing and homogenizing the dried tobacco leaves into particles having an average particle size of about 20 to 200 μm, and the tobacco leaves are cut into pieces having a width of 0.8 to 1.2mm. Further, the tobacco leaves after the sheet processing may be used as the filler 111 without cutting the tobacco leaves after the sheet processing.

The first roll paper 112 and the second roll paper 113 of the suction article 110 can be made of a base paper having a grammage of, for example, 20gsm to 65gsm, preferably 25gsm to 45 gsm. The thicknesses of the first roll paper 112 and the second roll paper 113 are not particularly limited, but are 10 μm to 100 μm, preferably 20 μm to 75 μm, and more preferably 30 μm to 50 μm from the viewpoints of rigidity, air permeability, and ease of adjustment in paper making.

The first roll 112 and the second roll 113 of the suction article 110 may contain a filler. The content of the filler is 10 wt% or more and less than 60 wt%, preferably 15 wt% to 45 wt%, based on the total weight of the first roll paper 112 and the second roll paper 113. The filler is preferably 15 to 45 wt% with respect to the preferred grammage range (25 to 45 gsm). Examples of the filler include calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, and kaolin. The paper containing such a filler exhibits a preferable white bright color from the viewpoint of appearance when used as roll paper of the absorbent article 110, and can permanently maintain white. By containing a large amount of such a filler, for example, the ISO whiteness of the roll paper can be adjusted to 83% or more. From the viewpoint of practical use as the roll paper of the absorbent article 110, the first roll paper 112 and the second roll paper 113 preferably have a tensile strength of 8N/15mm or more. The tensile strength can be increased by reducing the content of the filler. Specifically, the content of the filler can be increased by making the content of the filler smaller than the upper limit of the content of the filler in each of the exemplary grammage ranges.

(4) Functional block structure of inhalation device

The functional configuration of the inhalation device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the inhalation device 10. The inhalation device 10 includes: power supply section 20, heating section 40, receiving section 42, control section 50, notification section 60, sensor 70, memory 80, and connection section 90.

The power supply unit 20 is configured to supply electric power to each component such as the heating unit 40, the control unit 50, the notification unit 60, the sensor 70, the memory 80, and the connection unit 90. In particular, the power supply unit 20 supplies electric power to the heating unit 40 with an output commanded by the control unit according to a preset heating profile in order to heat the absorbent article 110. Alternatively, the power supply unit 20 may be configured to be connected to another device including the power supply 21.

The heating unit 40 is supplied with electric power from the power supply unit 20, and applies current to a load to perform resistance heating. And, the suction article 110 received by the receiving portion 42 is heated by transferring heat from the inside of the outer circumferential receiving portion 42. The receiving portion 42 is configured to receive the inhalation article 110 through the opening 12a from the arrow direction shown in the figure and hold the filler 111.

The control unit 50 is configured to control the operation of the inhalation device 10. The control unit 50 is configured to transfer information between the components of the inhalation device 10. The control unit 50 may be an electronic circuit module configured as a microprocessor or a microcomputer. The control section 50 is programmed to control the operation of the inhalation device 10 in accordance with computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 80. The control unit 50 reads data from the memory 80 and uses the data for controlling the operation of the inhalation device 10, or stores the data in the memory 80.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 50 is configured to control the operation of the inhalation device 10 based on a plurality of heating profiles stored in the memory 80. More specifically, the control unit 50 performs a heating operation corresponding to a specific one of the heating curves. The heating action includes a preliminary heating action common to the plurality of heating profiles. The common preheating operation includes a preheating operation for temperature rise and a preheating operation for temperature maintenance. In the preliminary heating operation for increasing the temperature, the control unit 50 supplies electric power of an amount common to the plurality of heating profiles from the power supply unit 20 to the heating unit 40, and increases the temperature of the heating unit 40 to a maximum heating temperature substantially equal to each other among the plurality of heating profiles. In the preliminary heating operation for temperature maintenance, the temperature of the heating unit 40 is maintained at substantially the same predetermined maximum heating temperature for a predetermined heating period common to the plurality of heating profiles.

Here, in the present application, the two temperatures are "substantially the same" in the sense that the temperature difference is within a range in which the user does not feel (scent) change in his or her inhalation experience even when the values of the two temperatures are not exactly the same. For example, when the inhalation device 10 according to the present embodiment is heated, the temperature difference of less than 20 degrees celsius may be included in substantially the same range. More specifically, as a result of the present inventors' earnest experiments, the following were found: if the inhalation starts in the range of a temperature difference of minus 5 degrees celsius to less than plus 10 degrees celsius and outside the inhalation starts in the range of a temperature difference of minus 10 degrees celsius to less than plus 10 degrees celsius, the user does not feel the change.

In this way, the inhalation device 10 of the present embodiment realizes the preliminary heating operation common to the heating curves based on the plurality of operation patterns. Thus, in the operation of the inhaler 10 during the preliminary heating, the time until the inhaler 10 can inhale is shared among the plurality of operation modes. That is, the user can inhale the inhaler 10 at the same timing without being particularly aware of switching of the operation mode, and therefore, the user can intuitively and easily use the inhaler, and the quality of the inhalation experience can be improved.

For example, although the period of the preliminary heating operation is common as a whole, a plurality of heating curves for the preliminary heating operation for increasing the temperature may be different, and the heating period may be different in this portion. In this case, the manufacturer needs to finely adjust the heating profile relating to the preliminary heating operation for temperature maintenance and to share the preliminary operation as a whole. In the fine adjustment, it is necessary to take into account the disturbance of the surrounding environment such as the ambient temperature generated during the preliminary heating and the residual heat during the continuous inhalation, which is troublesome for the manufacturer. On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, since the preheating operation for temperature rise is shared, the manufacturer only needs to share the setting data of the plurality of heating profiles at the time of manufacturing, and thus the process at the time of manufacturing can be simplified.

In addition, when the plurality of heating curves relating to the preliminary heating operation for temperature maintenance are different, it is necessary to adjust not only the inhalation device 10 but also the inhaled article 110 in some cases. However, it is not practical to perform adjustment of the inhalation item 110 afterwards, for example, after the inhalation item 110 is sold. On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, the period of the preliminary heating operation for maintaining the temperature is shared, and this can be avoided.

Returning to fig. 4, the control unit 50 may be configured to incorporate a timer 55 and measure a desired period based on a clock (e.g., RTC (real time clock)). For example, the control unit 50 can measure, by a timer, various operation periods such as a period during which the power supply unit 20 supplies power to the heating unit 40, a period during which the temperature detection unit 72 maintains the heating unit 40 at a desired temperature, and a period during which the suction detection unit 74 detects a suction operation.

The notification unit 60 is configured to give an explicit notification to the user. In particular, notification is performed in accordance with the operating state and/or state transition of the inhalation device 10. Specifically, the notification unit 60 can give various types of notifications to the user by light emission, display, sound emission, vibration, or any combination thereof. The notification unit 60 may include a plurality of LEDs 18a to 18e, and may be configured to emit light in a plurality of light emission patterns (on, off, and blinking) in one or more colors. Note that the notification unit 60 may be provided with a vibration motor to form a plurality of vibration modes, and may be combined with the light emission modes of the LEDs 18a to 18 e. In the present embodiment, the notification unit 60 includes a mode switching notification unit 62, a preliminary heating period notification unit 64, a preliminary heating completion notification unit 66, and a heating period notification unit 68, and each notification unit may include all or a part of the LEDs 18a to 18e and the vibration motor.

The control unit 50 may cause the mode switching notification unit 62 to notify switching between the plurality of operation modes. For example, the switching may be indicated to the user by causing the LED18a to emit light in a different color according to the operation mode and causing the vibration motor of the second notification portion to vibrate. Thus, the user can grasp completion of switching between the plurality of operation modes by the vibration of the inhalation device 10.

The control unit 50 may cause the preheating period notification unit 64 to notify the preheating operation period for temperature increase and the preheating operation period for temperature maintenance in different manners. For example, the stage of the preliminary heating operation period may be indicated to the user by causing three LEDs 18a to c to emit light in stages with the passage of time during the preliminary heating operation period for increasing the temperature, and by causing five LEDs 18a to e to emit light in stages with the passage of time during the preliminary heating operation period for maintaining the temperature. That is, different light emission patterns may be configured by a combination of a plurality of LEDs.

In this way, by performing notification in different manners, the user can intuitively grasp the progress of the preliminary heating operation. In each of the embodiments, the light emission pattern in which the LEDs emit light in a stepwise manner with the passage of time is configured, so that the user can intuitively grasp the progress of the preliminary heating operation.

The control unit 50 may cause the preheating completion notification unit 66 to notify completion of the preheating operation in response to expiration of the preheating operation period. For example, the completion of the preliminary heating operation may be indicated to the user by vibrating the vibration motor for 1 second. Thus, the user can grasp the completion of the preliminary heating operation by the vibration of the inhalation device 10.

The control unit may cause the heating period notification unit 68 to display the stage of the heating period to the user by causing the five LEDs 18a to e to emit light in stages with the elapse of time during the inhalation-time heating operation after the preliminary heating operation. Alternatively, the vibration motor may be vibrated at a specific time such as 30 seconds before expiration of the heating operation period at the time of inhalation and at the expiration of the heating period, thereby indicating the specific time relating to inhalation to the user.

In this way, by configuring the light emission pattern in which the LEDs are caused to emit light in a stepwise manner with the elapse of time and vibrating the vibration motor at a specific timing related to inhalation, the user can more intuitively grasp the progress of the preliminary heating operation.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the preliminary heating operation is shared among a plurality of heating curves. The notification operation by the preliminary heating period notification unit 64 and the preliminary heating completion notification unit 66 is executed at a timing when the plurality of heating profiles are common during a period from the start of the preliminary heating operation to the expiration of the preliminary heating operation period. That is, in the preliminary heating operation, a notification is made that a plurality of heating curves are common to each other and is displayed to the user. In particular, for a user who is notified of the completion of preliminary heating at a common timing, the user can shift to the subsequent inhalation operation without being aware of the difference between the plurality of operation modes. That is, the inhalation device 10 of the present embodiment is intuitive and easy for the user to use, and is advantageous in improving the quality of the inhalation experience.

The sensor 70 is configured to detect various operating states of the inhalation device 10. In the present embodiment, the sensor 70 includes a temperature detection unit 72, a suction detection unit 74, a pressing detection unit 76, and an opening detection unit 78.

The temperature detection unit 72 is configured to detect the temperature of the heating unit 40 (more specifically, the load included in the heating unit 40). For example, the temperature detection unit is configured to detect a value (a current value of a load flowing through the heating unit 40, a voltage value of a load applied to the heating unit 40, or the like) necessary for determining a resistance value of the load of the heating unit 40. When the resistance value of the load of the heating portion 40 has temperature dependency, the temperature of the heating portion 40 can be estimated based on the detected resistance value of the load of the heating portion 40. Alternatively, the temperature detection portion may also include a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heating portion 40.

The inhalation detector 74 is configured to detect a series of inhalation operations performed by the user through the mouthpiece section 110B using a pressure sensor that detects pressure fluctuations in the air intake flow path and/or the aerosol flow path from the vent 15 to the heater block 41 or a flow rate sensor that detects a flow rate. The control unit 50 can determine the number of inhalations and/or the inhalation time of the user using the inhalation detection unit 74. The inhalation detector 74 may be configured to detect an inhalation operation using a weight sensor for detecting the weight of a component of the inhaled article 110. Alternatively, the apparatus may be configured to detect the height of the liquid level inside when the aerosol source is a liquid.

The pressing detection unit 76 is configured to detect that the pressing of the operation button 14 by the user is accepted. Specifically, when the user presses the operation button 14, it is detected that a part of the operation button 14 is in contact with the second circuit board 32 disposed in the vicinity thereof.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 50 switches between a plurality of operation modes based on a plurality of heating profiles based on the detection by the pressing detection unit 76. Specifically, the control unit 50 may be configured to switch between the plurality of operation modes in response to the press detection unit 76 detecting that the operation button 14 has been pressed a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period. That is, the user can customize the inhalation experience according to the preference, and the convenience of the inhalation device 10 can be improved.

The opening detection portion 78 is configured to detect that the opening 12a is opened (or closed) by the shutter 13. Specifically, it is mechanically determined which position the shutter 13 is located at on the lid 12 is the first position to close the opening 12a or the second position to open the opening 12a. In the present embodiment, the opening detection unit 78 detects the opening of the opening 12a, and the control unit 50 is configured to allow switching between the plurality of operation modes only when the opening 12a is opened. This prevents the operation mode from being arbitrarily switched by a malfunction when the user does not desire it.

In addition to the above, the sensor 70 may be used to detect the SOC (State of Charge) of the power supply unit 20, the discharge State of the power supply unit 20, the integrated current value, the voltage, or the like. The current integrated value may be obtained by a current integration method, an SOC-OCV (Open Circuit Voltage) method, or the like.

The Memory 80 is a storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or a flash Memory, and is configured to store various data related to the operation of the inhaler 10 including computer-executable instructions. In the present embodiment, the memory 80 may store data relating to a plurality of heating profiles. The heating profile is setting data defining an operation mode of the inhalation device 10, and particularly defines a heating operation pattern from the start to the end of heating by the heating unit 40 based on heating information including a heating temperature and a heating time. The control unit 50 causes the power supply unit 20 to supply electric power to the heating unit 40 according to the heating profile. The heating profile may be set individually according to the type of fragrance contained in the inhalation article, or may be manually set by the user.

The memory 80 stores, in addition to computer-executable instructions, setting data and firmware programs necessary for controlling the operation of the inhalation device 10. For example, the memory 80 may store data related to a control method (light emission, sound emission, vibration, or the like) of the notification unit 60, a value detected by the sensor 70, and the like. The setting data may be set by user input.

The connection portion 90 is used when the inhalation device 10 is connected so as to be able to communicate with an external device. The communication here may be wired communication and/or wireless communication. In the case of wired communication, a data transmission cable such as a micro USB cable is connected by using an external connection terminal (terminal 22), so that data related to the operation of the inhalation device 10 is input/output to/from an external device. On the other hand, when the communication of the connection unit 90 is wireless communication, the connection unit 90 serves as a communication module including short-range wireless communication based on Bluetooth (e.g., bluetooth Low Energy).

When the inhalation device 10 is connected to an external input device via the terminal 22, various setting data and/or firmware of the inhalation device 10 stored in the memory 80 can be rewritten based on a command from the external device. For example, the inhalation device 10 may be configured to be able to rewrite information related to the control mode (light emission, sound emission, vibration, and the like) of the notification unit 60 and a part of the heating curve at the time of inhalation (a temperature range allowed at the time of heating, a heating time, the number of times of inhalation, and the like) via the connection unit 90.

(5) General operation of inhalation device

A schematic operation example of the inhalation device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 shows an example of a state transition of the inhaler 10 in response to a user operation and a heating operation performed by the inhaler 10. Fig. 6 is a flowchart of the entire heating operation performed by the inhaler 10. These are merely examples, and those skilled in the art will understand that there are many states other than the respective states shown in fig. 5.

In the present embodiment, the state of the inhalation device 10 includes "unusable state" and "usable state". The inhaler 10 can transition between these states in accordance with user operation. The "usable state" includes a "standby state", a "heating state", and a "heating stop state", and the inhaler 10 can be caused to transition to the standby state, the heating state, and the heating stop state in this order in a heating operation according to an operation by a user. Further, the heating state includes a preliminary heating state and an inhalable state continuous therewith.

The initial state of the inhaler 10 is an "unusable state" (START) in which the user does not perform any operation on the inhaler 10 and does not operate the inhaler 10. The user opens the shutter 13 of the inhalation device 10 (OP 1). In response to this, the opening detection unit 78 detects that the shutter opens the opening 12a (step S10).

As a result of step S10, the inhaler 10 is activated, and transitions to the "standby state" of the "usable state". In response to this, the notification unit 60 may cause the LED18a to emit light in a color corresponding to the current operation mode. The "standby state" is a state before the inhalation device 10 performs the heating operation, and particularly a state of waiting for the start of the preliminary heating operation. In the "standby state", the user inserts the inhalation article 110 from the opening 12a. In response to this, the receiving portion 44 receives the inhaled article 110 inside (step S20).

In the "standby state", one of the plurality of heating profiles stored in the memory 80 is determined and activated before the heating operation of the inhalation device 10 (step S30). The plurality of operation modes are associated with the plurality of heating profiles, respectively, and the user can determine in which operation mode the inhalation device 10 is to be operated. For example, the plurality of action modes includes a "standard mode" and a "power mode". The "standard mode" refers to a heating mode in which the user can continuously enjoy a stable fragrance. "Power mode" refers to a heating mode in which the user is able to obtain a greater inhalation experience than "standard mode", in an attempt to provide the user with a greater quality of inhalation experience for one inhalation article 110.

In the initial setting at the time of shipment of the inhaler 10, the operation mode may be set to the "standard mode", and the heating profile corresponding to the "standard mode" may be validated. The user can be set to selectively switch between the "normal mode" and the "power mode" by switching the operation mode (OP 2). The switching operation may be a predetermined number of consecutive presses of the operation button 14 within a predetermined period, and may be, for example, two presses within 1000 milliseconds from the first press of the operation button 14 (in this case, a total of three consecutive presses). According to such a switching operation, the heating curve corresponding to the selected operation mode is validated.

The switching operation is detected by the press detection unit 76, and notification by the mode switching notification unit 62 is executed in response to this. Specifically, the control unit 50 causes the mode switching notification unit 62 to notify switching between the plurality of operation modes.

Next, in order to shift the inhaler 10 from the "standby state" to the "heating state", the user presses the operation button 14 (OP 3). For example, the long press operation of the operation button 14 may be 2 seconds or more. Such pressing of the operation button 14 is detected by the pressing detection unit 76. That is, the pressing detection unit 76 detects a trigger for starting heating the inhalation article 110 (step S40).

The "preheating state" in the "heating state" is a state during the preheating operation period from the start of the supply of electric power from the power supply section 20 to the heating section 40 until the inhalation article 110 becomes the "inhalable state" in which aerosol can be generated. The heating unit 40 performs a preliminary heating operation of preliminarily heating the absorbent article 110 in accordance with the heating profile determined in step S30 (step S50). During the preheating operation period, the notification by the preheating period notification unit 64 is performed. Further, if the preheating operation period expires, the preheating completion notification unit 66 notifies that the preheating is completed. The details of the preliminary heating operation during the preliminary heating operation will be described later.

If the duration of the pre-heating action expires, then the inhalation device 10 automatically transitions from the "pre-heating state" to the "inhalable state". The "inhalable state" is a state in which the inhalation device 10 can generate aerosol upon completion of the preliminary heating operation, and is a state in which the inhalation operation of the user can be accepted. The heating unit 40 performs an inhalation heating operation for heating the inhalation article 110 according to the heating profile determined in step S30 to generate an inhalation component (step S60).

After the inhalation article 110 is heated in step S60, the inhalation device 10 automatically shifts to the "heating stop state". The "heating stopped state" is a state in which the supply of electric power from the power supply unit 20 to the heating unit 40 is stopped, and is a state in which the user can receive an inhalation operation. That is, the certain operation after the control unit stops the supply of electric power to the power supply unit 20 may be included in the suction heating operation. In the heating operation at the time of inhalation, the notification by the heating period notification unit 68 is performed. In addition, if the period of the heating operation expires during inhalation, the same notification may be made. The details of the heating operation at the time of inhalation will be described later.

After the period of the heating operation at the time of inhalation expires, the user finally closes the shutter 13 of the inhalation device 10 (OP 4). In response to this, the opening detection unit 78 detects that the shutter closes the opening 12a, and the inhaler 10 transitions from the "usable state" to the "unusable state" and returns to the initial state (END).

(6) Individual actuation of inhalation devices

With reference to fig. 7 to 10, an example of the individual operation of the inhalation device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 7 is a graph of an example of a heating curve corresponding to the "standard mode" in the inhaler 10, and fig. 8 is a graph of an example of a heating curve corresponding to the "power mode". Fig. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a preliminary heating operation in a heating operation performed by the inhalation device, and fig. 10 is a schematic flowchart of a heating operation during inhalation. The heating curves in fig. 7 and 8 include curves corresponding to the preliminary heating operation and the suction heating operation.

By operating the inhalation device 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the user with an appropriate inhalation experience corresponding to the operation mode selected by the user himself/herself. Such actuation of the inhalation device 10 is intuitive to the user and can improve the quality of the inhalation experience. In particular, the examples of the heating curves of fig. 7 and 8 are both defined as functions of convex shape. That is, after the heating of the inhalation device 10 is started, the quality of the inhalation experience of the user gradually improves, and further, the satisfaction of the user comes to a peak at a certain timing. And, thereafter, the satisfaction gradually reaches a peak and decreases. That is, it is possible for the user to intuitively predict when the period during which smoking is possible expires. This can further improve the quality of the inhalation experience of the user.

(6-1) preliminary heating action

As shown in fig. 9, the preliminary heating action is started in response to detection of a trigger to start heating the inhalation article 110 in step S40. First, the control unit 50 causes the temperature detection unit 72 to start detecting the temperature of the heating unit 40, and starts the measurement by the built-in timer 55 (step S52). Next, the control unit 50 performs a preliminary heating operation for increasing the temperature. Specifically, the control unit 50 causes the power supply unit 20 to supply electric power to the heating unit 40, thereby raising the temperature of the heating unit 40 to a predetermined heating temperature. More specifically, electric power is supplied from the power supply unit 20 to the heating unit 40 at the maximum output of the power supply unit 20 during the preliminary heating operation, and the temperature of the heating unit 40 is raised to a predetermined maximum heating temperature (step S54).

Here, the amount of electric power supplied from the power supply section 20 to the heating section 40 is common between the heating curve of the "standard mode" and the heating curve of the "power mode". The predetermined maximum heating temperature is a heating curve that can pass through the "standard mode" and the "power mode", and the predetermined maximum heating temperature detected by the temperature detector 72 may be set to 240 degrees celsius (° c), for example. Thus, in the preliminary heating operation for increasing the temperature, the heating curve in the "standard mode" and the heating curve in the "power mode" are common, and the temperature of the heating portion 40 can be set at the time t ₀ Linearly up to 240 degrees celsius (fig. 7 and 8). In addition, time t ₀ According to the maximum output of the power supply unit 20 during the preliminary heating operationThe same as above.

The control unit 50 determines whether the temperature of the heating unit 40 reaches a predetermined maximum heating temperature using the temperature detection unit 72 and the timer 55 (step S55). If the temperature of the heating unit 40 does not reach the maximum heating temperature (No), the operation of step S54 is continued for a maximum of 30 seconds. Even when the temperature of the heating unit 40 does not reach the maximum heating temperature after the lapse of 30 seconds, the preliminary heating operation may be interrupted as the output of the power supply unit 20 is insufficient.

When the temperature of the heating unit 40 reaches the maximum heating temperature in step S55 (Yes), the control unit 50 performs the preliminary heating operation for temperature maintenance after the preliminary heating operation for temperature increase. Specifically, the control unit 50 continues the high-temperature heating so as to maintain the temperature of the heating unit 40 at the maximum heating temperature for a predetermined period of time (step S56). The preliminary heating action for temperature maintenance is common between the heating profile of the "standard mode" and the heating profile of the "power mode". Specifically, the constant period t for maintaining the maximum heating temperature of 240 degrees celsius ₁ The heating curves are common, and a period in the range of 10 to 15 seconds (14 seconds in this example) may be set (fig. 7 and 8), for example.

In step S57, the period of high-temperature heating for maintaining the temperature reaches a fixed period t ₁ When the preliminary heating operation period for temperature maintenance expires (Yes), the control unit 50 ends the preliminary heating operation and then starts the heating operation at the time of inhalation.

(6-2) heating action at inhalation

As shown in fig. 10, when the preliminary heating operation period expires (Yes in step S57), the heating operation during inhalation is executed after the preliminary heating operation.

First, the control unit 50 continues the high-temperature heating so as to further maintain the maximum heating temperature of the heating unit 40 maintained in the preliminary heating operation for maintaining the temperature (step S61). In the heating operation during inhalation, the high-temperature heating is continued for a certain period t to maintain the temperature ₂ Can be set to be in a "normal modeThe heating profile of "and the heating profile of" power mode "differ. Specifically, the maximum heating temperature of 240 degrees celsius is maintained for a certain period t ₂ It may be set to 1 second in the heating curve of the "standard mode" (fig. 7). On the other hand, it may be set to 36 seconds in the heating curve of "power mode" (fig. 8).

Here, the "standard mode" heating profile may also provide the user with a suction experience that is not as strong as the "power mode" heating profile. That is, from the viewpoint of the satisfaction provided to the user, the constant period t of maintaining the maximum heating temperature in the heating curve of the "standard mode" is ₂ Can be set to the same period t in the heating curve than in the "power mode ₂ Short.

It is known to those skilled in the art that the balance of the aroma of the generated aerosol varies depending on the heating temperature. In the heating operation during inhalation, the heating period for maintaining the maximum heating temperature is set to a heating curve different for each heating curve, so that the user can select an inhalation experience corresponding to the intensity of the satisfaction without changing the balance of the flavor.

The period during which the high-temperature heating is performed to maintain the temperature in step S62 reaches a fixed period t ₂ In the case of (Yes), the control unit 50 ends the high-temperature heating operation for maintaining the maximum heating temperature and starts the temperature lowering operation during the suction-time heating operation. Specifically, the control unit 50 sets the predetermined period t ₃ Heating for temperature decrease is performed so that the heating portion 40 decreases to a predetermined temperature at a predetermined rate (step S63). For a certain period t of temperature drop ₃ It may be set to differ between the heating profile of the "standard mode" and the heating profile of the "power mode".

More specifically, the fixed period t ₃ The heating curve of the "standard mode" may be set to a period (45 seconds in this example) in the range of 30 seconds to 50 seconds (fig. 7). On the other hand, in the heating curve of the "power mode", the period (a) in the range of 60 seconds to 90 seconds may be set80 seconds in this example) (fig. 8). That is, during a certain period t ₃ The heating profile of the "standard mode" drops in temperature at a faster rate than the heating profile of the "power mode". In the temperature lowering operation, the heating curve in the "standard mode" may lower the temperature of the heating portion 40 to 200 degrees celsius, while the heating curve in the "power mode" may lower the temperature to 205 degrees celsius. Additionally, as described above, 200 degrees celsius and 205 degrees celsius may be considered to be substantially the same temperature. This is because the temperature difference is in a range where the user cannot feel the change (fragrance).

Here, the heating profile of the "standard mode" may also provide the user with a suction experience that is not as strong as the heating profile of the "power mode". That is, from the viewpoint of the satisfaction degree provided to the user, the certain period t in the heating curve of the "standard mode" is set to be ₃ A certain period t in the heating curve that can be set to a specific "power mode ₃ Short. The temperature drop in the heating curve of the "standard mode" may be set to be lower than the temperature drop in the heating curve of the "power mode".

In this way, in the heating operation during inhalation, the constant period t for maintaining the maximum heating temperature is used ₂ A certain period t for lowering the temperature ₃ The setting is different for each heating profile, and different inhalation experiences corresponding to the operation modes can be flexibly provided to the user. That is, it is intuitive for the user and can improve the quality of the inhalation experience.

The period during which heating is performed for the purpose of temperature decrease in step S64 reaches a fixed period t ₃ In the case of (Yes), the control unit 50 ends the temperature lowering operation and starts the low temperature heating operation during the suction heating operation. Specifically, the control unit 50 continues the low-temperature heating until the power supply to the heating unit 40 is stopped, so as to maintain the temperature of the heating unit 40 at the temperature decreased in step S63 (step S65). A certain period t for low temperature heating ₄ May be set to differ between the heating profile of the "standard mode" and the heating profile of the "power mode".

Specifically, the constant period t ₄ In the "standard mode" heating profile, it may be set to 214 seconds in this example (fig. 7). On the other hand, in the heating profile of the "power mode", it may be set to 144 seconds in this example (fig. 8). That is, during a certain period t ₄ The heating curve in the "standard mode" is longer than the heating curve in the "power mode" in order to maintain a low temperature, and is also suitable from the viewpoint of the satisfaction provided to the user.

The period during which heating is performed for the temperature decrease in step S66 reaches a fixed period t ₄ In the case of (Yes), the control unit 50 ends the low-temperature heating and stops the supply of electric power from the power supply unit 20 to the heating unit 40 during the heating operation during the suction. Specifically, the control unit 50 controls the timing T ₅ The supply of electric power is stopped, and the temperature of the heating portion 40 is lowered (step S67). More specifically, the fixed period t ₅ The heating curve of the "normal mode" and the heating curve of the "power mode" may be set to 144 seconds in common (fig. 8 and 9).

The period during which the power supply is stopped in step S68 reaches a fixed period t ₅ In the case (Yes), finally, the control unit 50 ENDs the heating operation at the time of inhalation (END). The duration of the series of inhalation heating operations is common between the heating curve in the "normal mode" and the heating curve in the "power mode", and may be set to 270 seconds in this example (fig. 8 and 9).

In this way, by making the period of the series of heating operations at the time of inhalation common between the heating curve of the "standard mode" and the heating curve of the "power mode", the user can end the inhalation operation at the same timing, and therefore the user does not recognize the difference between the operation modes in the "standard mode" and the "power mode". That is, it is intuitive for the user and can improve the quality of the inhalation experience.

(7) Modification example

(7-1) example of modification of heating Curve

In the above description, the fixed time t set in the heating curve ₁ ～t ₅ Is set to be givenAnd (4) determining the value. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in the modification, for example, the number of times of inhalation operation by the user may be set instead of the fixed time t ₁ ～t ₅ The information of (a). In the case where the heating profile is set using the number of times of inhalation operation, the control unit 50 may cause the inhalation detection unit 74 to detect the number of times of inhalation during the inhalation operation of the user.

In this way, when the number of inhalation actions is applied, the actual situation of the inhalation action of the user is dynamically fed back, so that the quality of the inhalation experience can be improved more intuitively for the user.

The values of the heating temperature and the heating period in the examples of the heating curves shown in fig. 7 and 8 are merely examples, and those skilled in the art will understand that the values can be set to various values from the viewpoint of the quality of the inhalation experience provided to the user, the satisfaction, and/or the characteristics of the inhalation article 110.

(7-2) modification of the notification section

In the above description, the notification unit 60 may include a plurality of LEDs 18a to 18e, and a plurality of light emission patterns (on, off, and blinking) may be configured in one or more colors. Further, the vibration motor may be provided to form a plurality of vibration modes, and the vibration mode may be combined with the light emission modes of the LEDs 18a to 18 e. However, the configuration of the notification unit 60 and the manner of notification are not limited to this, and any operation may be used as long as the notification is explicitly notified to the user, and the notification may be realized by light emission, vibration, display, sound emission, a combination thereof, or the like. This enables a more flexible notification method to the user.

For example, the notification unit 60 may include one or more speakers, or may be configured to notify the user based on sound together with the plurality of LEDs 18a to 18e and the vibration motor. Alternatively, the notification unit 60 may include one or more displays, or may be configured to notify the user by displaying text/image information on the display.

< other embodiments >

In the above description, inhalation devices and methods according to some embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the present disclosure, if executed by a processor, may also be implemented as a program for causing the processor to execute a method of operating an inhalation device, or a computer-readable storage medium storing the program.

The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above together with modifications and application modes of the embodiments of the present disclosure, but these are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that changes, additions, improvements, and the like can be made to the embodiments as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments, but should be defined only by the claims and equivalents thereof.

Description of the symbols

10 \8230, an inhalation device 11 (11A, 11B) \8230, a housing 12 \8230, a cover 12a \8230, an opening 13 \8230, a shutter 14 \8230, an operation button 110 \8230, an inhalation article (aerosol generation substrate) 110A \8230, a substrate portion 110B \8230, an inhalation port portion 111 \8230, a filler 112,113 \8230, a roll paper 114 \8230, a paper 115 \8230, a filter portion 116 \8230, a middle section 15 \8230, an air vent 16 \8230, a cap 17 \8230, an outer heat dissipation sheet 20 \8230, a power supply portion 21 \8230, a power supply, 22 \8230, an external terminal, 30 method 8230, circuit portions 31 and 32 method 8230, a circuit substrate 40 method 8230, a heating portion 41 method 8230, a heating assembly 42 method 8230, a receiving portion 50 method 8230, a control portion 60 method 8230, a notification portion 62 method 8230, a mode switching notification portion 64 method 8230, a notification portion during preliminary heating 66 method 8230, a notification portion after preliminary heating completion 68 method 8230, a notification portion during heating 70 method 8230, a sensor 72 method 8230, a temperature detection portion 74 method 8230, an inhalation detection portion 76 method 8230, a pressing detection portion 823078 method, an opening detection portion 80 method 30, a memory 90 8230and a connection portion.

Claims (20)

1. An inhalation device is provided with:

a receiving portion that receives an inhaled article;

a heating part that heats the received inhalation article;

a power supply unit configured to supply electric power to the heating unit;

a memory storing data relating to a plurality of heating profiles;

a control unit that controls an operation of the inhalation device based on the plurality of heating profiles; and

a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the heating unit,

the control unit executes a preliminary heating operation common to the plurality of heating profiles,

the common preheating action includes a first preheating action as follows: the temperature of the heating unit is maintained at substantially the same first heating temperature during a first heating period common to the plurality of heating profiles.

2. The inhalation device of claim 1,

the first heating temperature is a predetermined maximum heating temperature of the heating portion detected by the temperature detecting portion with respect to the plurality of heating curves.

3. The inhalation device according to claim 2,

the prescribed maximum heating temperature is 240 degrees celsius.

4. The inhalation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the common preheating action further comprises, before the first preheating action, a second preheating action of: the heating section is supplied with electric power of an amount common to the plurality of heating curves from the electric power section, and raises the temperature of the heating section to the first heating temperature.

5. The inhalation device of claim 4,

the amount of the electric power supplied in the second preliminary heating operation is based on the highest output of the power supply unit at the time of the second preliminary heating operation.

6. The inhalation device of claim 4 or 5,

the inhalation device is further provided with a first notification portion,

the control unit causes the first notification unit to perform notification in a first manner during the first preliminary heating operation, and causes the first notification unit to perform notification in a second manner different from the first manner during the second preliminary heating operation.

7. The inhalation device of claim 6,

the first notification unit is provided with a plurality of LEDs,

the first and second modes are configured to have different light emission patterns based on a combination of the plurality of LEDs.

8. The inhalation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

the inhalation device is further provided with a second notification portion,

the control unit causes the second notification unit to notify completion of the common preliminary heating operation at a timing when the plurality of heating profiles are common.

9. The inhalation device according to claim 8,

the second notification unit is provided with a vibration motor,

the notification of completion includes a vibration of the vibration motor.

10. The inhalation device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

the inhalation device further comprises an operation button for receiving a press by a user,

the control unit switches between a plurality of operation modes based on the plurality of heating profiles in accordance with a predetermined number of times of the pressing within a predetermined time.

11. The inhalation device of claim 10,

the suction device is further provided with a third communication part,

the control unit causes the third notification unit to notify the switching in a third mode.

12. The inhalation device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,

the suction device further includes:

a shutter capable of opening an opening associated with the receiving portion; and

an opening detection unit that detects an event that the opening is opened,

the control portion allows switching between a plurality of operation modes based on the plurality of heating profiles only when the opening is opened.

13. The inhalation device according to any one of claims 1 to 12,

the control unit executes a heating operation during inhalation subsequent to the preliminary heating operation,

the heating operation during inhalation includes maintaining the temperature of the heating section at the first heating temperature during a second heating period,

the second heating period is different for each of the plurality of heating profiles.

14. The inhalation device of claim 13,

the plurality of heating profiles includes a first heating profile and a second heating profile,

the second heating period in the first heating profile is shorter than the second heating period in the second heating profile,

the temperature of the heating portion after the second heating period in the first heating profile decreases to a second heating temperature faster than the temperature of the heating portion after the second heating period in the second heating profile.

15. A method of actuating an inhalation device for receiving an inhaled article, the method comprising:

a step of determining one of a plurality of heating profiles;

detecting a trigger for starting heating the inhalation article;

a step of preheating said absorbent article according to one of said heating profiles, said step of preheating comprising: a step of detecting a temperature of the heating portion and maintaining a substantially same first heating temperature during a first heating period common to the plurality of heating profiles; and

and heating the inhalation article according to the heating profile to generate an inhalation component.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein,

the first heating temperature is a predetermined maximum heating temperature of the heating unit with respect to the heating curve.

17. The method of claim 15 or 16,

the step of performing the preliminary heating further includes increasing the temperature of the heating portion to the first heating temperature by supplying electric power of an amount common to the plurality of heating profiles.

18. The method of any one of claims 15 to 17,

the step of generating an inhalation component includes maintaining the temperature of the heating portion at the first heating temperature in a second heating period following the first heating period,

the second heating period is different for each of the plurality of heating profiles.

19. The method of any one of claims 15 to 18,

the method further comprises the following steps:

detecting that a shutter opens an opening provided in the inhalation device, the opening being for receiving the inhaled article; and

switching between a plurality of operation modes based on the plurality of heating profiles in accordance with a predetermined user operation for the inhalation device,

the switching is allowed only in case the opening is opened.

20. In a program for executing a program,

causing an inhalation device to perform the method of any one of claims 15 to 19.

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