DE202018006956U1 - aerosol generating device, control device - Google Patents

Abstract

Aerosol generating device (1), comprising:
a load (3) configured to heat an aerosol generating article (9) using power provided by a power source (4), the aerosol generating article (9) comprising an aerosol forming substrate (9a) configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source; and
a control unit (8) configured to receive a temperature of the load (3) and to control the power to be provided by the power source (4) to the load (3) by feedback control,
wherein the control unit (8) is configured to control the power to be provided by the power source (4) to the load (3) based on a comparison between an operation value obtained in the feedback control and a predetermined value,
wherein the operating value and the predetermined value are values relating to a duty cycle related to a corresponding power provided to the load (3), and
wherein the control unit (8)
configured to obtain a larger value of the operation value and the predetermined value in the comparison between the operation value and the predetermined value, and
configured to control the power supplied by the power source (4) to the load based on the larger value.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device and a control device.

STATE OF THE ART

For example, an aerosol generating device is used that is configured to heat an aerosol generating article using an electrical heating element, such as an electrical heat source, and generate aerosols.

The aerosol generating device includes an electric heating element and a control unit configured to control the electric heating element itself or the current provided to the electric heating element. The aerosol generating device is mounted with an aerosol generating article, such as a stick or a tube comprising a cigarette formed into a sheet or particle shape. The aerosol generating article is heated by the electric heating element so that aerosols are generated.

For example, as a method for heating the aerosol generating article, there are the following three heating methods.

In a first heating method, a rod-shaped electric heating element is inserted into the aerosol generating article, and the electric heating element inserted into the aerosol generating article heats the aerosol generating article. Japanese Patent Nos. 6,046,231 , 6,125,008 and 6,062,457 and similar disclose control technologies for heating by the first heating process, for example.

In a second heating method, an annular electric heating element is arranged coaxially with the aerosol generating article at an outer peripheral part of the aerosol generating article, and the electric heating element heats the aerosol generating article from an external ambient side of the aerosol generating article.

In a third heating method, a metal part (also called a "susceptor") that generates heat (or heat) by an eddy current generated therein by a magnetic field penetrating the metal part is introduced into the aerosol generating article in advance. Then, the aerosol generating article is mounted on an aerosol generating device having a coil, alternating current flows through the coil to generate a magnetic field, and the metal part in the aerosol generating article mounted on the aerosol generating device is heated using an induction heating (IH) phenomenon.

WO2014102091A1 relates to a method for controlling aerosol generation in an aerosol generating device, the device comprising: a heating element comprising at least one heating element configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate; and a source for providing power to the heating element, comprising the steps of: controlling the power provided to the heating element such that, in a first phase, power is provided such that the temperature of the heating element is increased from an initial temperature to a first temperature, in a second phase, power is provided such that the temperature of the heating element falls below the first temperature, and in a third phase, power is provided such that the temperature of the heating element is increased again.

WO2013098397A2 relates to an aerosol generating device configured for inhalation of a generated aerosol by the user, the device comprising: a heating element configured to heat an aerosol forming substrate; a power source connected to the heating element; and a controller connected to the heating element and the power source, the controller configured to control the power provided to the heating element from the power source to maintain the temperature of the heating element at a target temperature, and configured to monitor changes in the temperature of the heating element or changes in the power provided to the heating element to detect a change in the airflow past the heating element indicative of inhalation by the user. The controller can determine when a user has inhaled and use this to dynamically control the device, as well as provide inhalation data of the user for later analysis.

US2014096782A1 discloses an article comprising a portion of the control body having a first component for controlling. A portion of the cartridge body is removably connected to the portion of the control body. The portion of the cartridge body comprises a consumption assembly having an aerosol precursor composition, a heating element and a second component for controlling. The The consumable assembly is configured to communicate with the first control component when the cartridge body and the control body portion engage. The first component is configured to send a request to the second control component and to receive a response to the request from the second control component. The first control component is further configured to release the consumable assembly for use with the control body portion if the response is consistent with the request.

EP3228198A1 relates to an atomizing device comprising a heating element and a temperature control switch. The positioning of the temperature control switch is side by side with the heating element, or the heating element is clipped onto the temperature control switch. The heating element is connected in series with the temperature control switch. Both the heating element and the temperature control switch are electrically connected to a power supply device. An electronic cigarette comprising the atomizing device is also provided.

US2015359263A1 relates to an electronic vaporizer comprising a heating element for heating a fluid to produce a vapor; a power source for supplying electrical power to the heating element for heating the fluid; and a power control circuit configured to regulate the supply of electrical power from the power source to the heating element based at least in part on an operating temperature of the heating element and a temperature setting to prevent the operating temperature of the heating element from exceeding the temperature setting.

WO2014/040988 A2 discloses a method for controlling a heating element in heated smoking devices by monitoring the duty cycle of the current pulses provided to the heating element and determining whether the duty cycle deviates from an expected duty cycle value.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

The subject matter of the invention is realized by the appended claims. Examples are provided for a better understanding of the present disclosure. For example, it is preferable that a period of time from the start of heating to the time when a user can inhale aerosols is short in the aerosol generating device from the viewpoint of convenience of the aerosol generating device. Also from the viewpoint of quality of the aerosol generating device, it is preferable to stabilize an amount of aerosol generation after the user can inhale aerosols until the heating is over, thereby stabilizing the aroma and taste given to the user.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situations, and is to provide an aerosol generating device and a control device capable of appropriately heating an aerosol generating article to thereby stabilize an amount of aerosol generation.

SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

An aerosol generating device of a first example includes a load (or consumer) and a control unit. The load is configured to heat an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol forming substrate configured to receive or support an aerosol source and/or a flavor source using current (or power) provided by a power supply (or power supply). The control unit is configured to obtain a temperature of the load and control the current provided by the power supply to the load through feedback control. The control unit is configured to determine the current provided to the load from a current source (or power source) based on a comparison between an operation value obtained in the feedback control and a predetermined value.

A control method of a second example is a control method of the current provided from a power source to a load used to heat an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one aerosol source or a flavor source. The control method includes starting the power supply from the power source to the load, sensing a temperature of the load and controlling the current provided from the power source to the load by feedback control, and determining the current provided from the power source to the load based on a comparison between a value obtained in the feedback control obtained operation value and a predetermined value.

An aerosol generating device of a third example includes a load and a control unit. The load is configured to heat an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol forming substrate configured to receive or support an aerosol source and/or a flavor source using power provided by a power source. The control unit is configured to obtain a temperature of the load and control the power provided by the power source to the load by feedback control based on a difference between the temperature of the load and a predetermined temperature. The control unit is configured to correct an operation value obtained in the feedback control so that an absolute value of the difference is not increased.

A control method of a fourth example is a control method for a current supplied from a power source to a load used to heat an aerosol generating article including an aerosol forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source. The control method includes starting supply of the current from the power source to the load, detecting a temperature of the load and controlling the current supplied from the power source to the load by feedback control based on a difference between the temperature of the load and a predetermined temperature, and correcting an operation value obtained in the feedback control so that an absolute value of the difference is not increased.

An aerosol generating device of a fifth example includes a load and a control unit. The load is configured to heat an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol forming substrate configured to receive or support an aerosol source and/or a flavor source using power provided from a power source. The control unit is configured to obtain a temperature of the load and control the power provided from the power source to the load by feedback control based on a difference between the temperature of the load and a predetermined temperature. The control unit is configured to correct an operation value obtained in the feedback control to suppress a decrease in the temperature of the load.

A control method of a sixth example is a control method for a current supplied from a power source to a load used to heat an aerosol generating article including an aerosol forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source. The control method includes starting the power supply from the power source to the load, obtaining a temperature of the load and controlling the current supplied from the power source to the load by feedback control based on a difference between the temperature of the load and a predetermined temperature, and correcting an operation value obtained in the feedback control to suppress a decrease in the temperature of the load.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

According to the present embodiments of the invention, it is possible to appropriately heat the aerosol generating article and thereby stabilize an amount (or amount) of aerosol generation.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• [ 1 ] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a basic configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.
• [ 2 ] 2 is a diagram showing an example of changes in power supplied to a load by controlling according to the embodiment and the temperature of the load.
• [ 3 ] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of control executed by a control unit of the aerosol generating apparatus according to the embodiment.
• [ 4 ] 4 is a control block diagram illustrating an example of control executed by the control unit according to Example 1A.
• [ 5 ] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in a preparation phase by the control unit according to Example 1A.
• [ 6 ] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a condition in which a temperature of the load is uneven between the preparation phase and a use phase.
• [ 7 ] 7 is a diagram showing an example of duty cycle control in a first subphase.
• [ 8 ] 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit according to Example 1B.
• [ 9 ] 9 shows an example of a relationship between the current flowing from a power source to a load and a voltage applied from the power source to the load.
• [ 10 ] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the relationships among a full charge voltage, a discharge end voltage, a current corresponding to the full charge voltage, and a current corresponding to the discharge end voltage in the first sub-phase of the preparation phase.
• [ 11 ] 11 is a graph showing an example of comparison between a temperature change of the load in the preparation phase when the power source voltage at the beginning of the first sub-phase is a full charge voltage and a temperature change of the load in the preparation phase when the power source voltage at the beginning of the first sub-phase is close to the discharge end voltage in a constant duty cycle case.
• [ 12 ] 12 is a diagram exemplifying a relationship between the full charge voltage and the discharge end voltage implemented by PWM control, and a relationship between a current corresponding to the full charge voltage and a current corresponding to the discharge end voltage.
• [ 13 ] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit according to Example 1C.
• [ 14 ] 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of control executed by the control unit according to Example 1D.
• [ 15 ] 15 is a block diagram illustrating an example of control executed by the control unit according to Example 1D.
• [ 16 ] 16 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit according to Example 1D.
• [ 17 ] 17 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit according to Example 1E.
• [ 18 ] 18 is a block diagram illustrating an example of control executed by the control unit according to Example 2A.
• [ 19 ] 19 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 2A.
• [ 20 ] 20 is a control block diagram illustrating an example of changing a limiter width in a limiter changing unit in accordance with Example 2B.
• [ 21 ] 21 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 2B.
• [ 22 ] 22 is a diagram showing an example of a change in the limiter width used in the unit and a condition of increasing the temperature of the load.
• [ 23 ] 23 is a diagram showing an example of a change in the limiter width according to Example 2C.
• [ 24 ] 24 is a control block diagram showing an example of control executed by the control unit according to Example 2D.
• [ 25 ] 25 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 2D.
• [ 26 ] 26 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the usage phase by the control unit according to Example 2E.
• [ 27 ] 27 is a diagram showing an example of comparison between a final temperature of the use phase using a second embodiment and a target temperature using a prior art aerosol generating device.
• [ 28 ] 28 is a diagram showing an example of comparing a difference between the end temperature of the use phase and a measured temperature value according to the second embodiment and a difference between the target temperature and a measured temperature value according to the Aero sol generating device of the related prior art.
• [ 29 ] 29 is a table showing a comparison of the preparation phase and the use phase performed by the control unit according to a third embodiment.
• [ 30 ] 30 is a control block diagram illustrating an example of control executed by the control unit according to Example 4A.
• [ 31 ] 31 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 4A.
• [ 32 ] 32 is a diagram showing an example of generating a temperature overshoot condition of load 3.
• [ 33 ] 33 is a control block diagram showing an example of control executed by the control unit according to Example 4B.
• [ 34 ] 34 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 4B.
• [ 35 ] 35 is a control block diagram showing an example of the control executed by the control unit according to Example 4C.
• [ 36 ] 36 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 4C.
• [ 37 ] 37 is a control block diagram showing an example of the control executed by the control unit according to Example 4D.
• [ 38 ] 38 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in an overshoot detection unit according to Example 4D.
• [ 39 ] 39 is a control block diagram showing an example of control executed by the control unit according to Example 4E.
• [ 40 ] 40 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit according to Example 4E.
• [ 41 ] 41 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 4E.
• [ 42 ] 42 is a control block diagram showing an example of the control executed by the control unit according to Example 5A.
• [ 43 ] 43 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 5A.
• [ 44 ] 44 is a graph showing an example of changes in the temperature of load 3 and the limiter width.
• [ 45 ] 45 shows an example of a limiter changing unit according to Example 5B.
• [ 46 ] 46 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 5B.
• [ 47 ] 47 is a control block diagram showing an example of the control executed by the control unit according to Example 5C.
• [ 48 ] 48 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 5C.
• [ 49 ] 49 is a control block diagram showing an example of the control executed by the control unit according to Example 5D.
• [ 50 ] 50 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 5D.
• [ 51 ] 51 is a graph showing an example of changes in load temperature and limiter width according to Example 5E.
• [ 52 ] 52 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 5E.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following descriptions, the functions and constitutional elements that are omitted or substantially the same are denoted by the same reference numerals and described only when necessary.

An aerosol generating device of the present embodiment will be described by taking an aerosol generating device for an aerosol generating article (solid heater or solid heater) as an example. However, the aerosol generating device of the present embodiment may also be an aerosol generating device of another type or use, such as a medical nebulizer (spray device).

The aerosol generating device of the present embodiment will be described as an example of a case where aerosols are generated using the first method of heating the aerosol generating article from inside the aerosol generating article using an electric heating element inserted into the aerosol generating article. However, the aerosol generating device of the present embodiment may also use another heating method such as the second heating method of heating the aerosol generating article from outside the aerosol generating article using an annular electric heating element arranged at an outer peripheral part of the aerosol generating article or the third heating method of heating the aerosol generating article from inside the aerosol generating article using an induction heating phenomenon.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of a basic configuration of an aerosol generating device 1 according to the embodiment.

The aerosol generating device 1 comprises an assembly unit 2, a load 3, a power source 4, a timer 5, a temperature measuring unit 6, a power source measuring unit 7 and a control unit 8.

The mounting unit 2 is configured to removably support an aerosol generating article 9.

The aerosol generating article 9 includes an aerosol forming substrate 9a configured to receive or support, for example, an aerosol source or a flavor source. The aerosol generating article 9 may be, for example, a smoking article that can be formed into a shape, such as a stick shape, that is easy to use.

The aerosol source can be liquid or solid and can include, for example, polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin or propylene glycol. The aerosol source can also contain, for example, a nicotine component in addition to the polyhydric alcohol.

The aerosol-forming substrate 9a is a solid material into which the aerosol source is introduced or carried and may, for example, be a cigarette leaf.

The aerosol forming substrate 9a may be a substrate capable of emitting a volatile compound capable of generating aerosols, such that the substrate functions as an aerosol source or flavor source, for example. The volatile compound is emitted by heating the aerosol forming substrate 9a. In the present embodiment, the aerosol forming substrate 9a is a part of the aerosol generating article 9.

For example, the load 3 is an electric heating element configured to generate heat when power is supplied from the power source 4, thereby heating the aerosol generating article 9 mounted on the mounting unit 2.

The power source 4 is a battery or a battery pack in which a battery, a field emission transistor (FET), a FET for discharging, a protection IC (integrated circuit), a device for monitoring and the like are combined, and is configured to supply power to the load 3. The power source 4 is a rechargeable secondary battery and may be, for example, a lithium-ion secondary battery. The power source 4 may be included in the aerosol generating device 1 or configured separately from the aerosol generating device 1.

The timer 5 is configured to output to the control unit 8 a timer value t indicating a time since which the load 3 has been supplied with power in a non-operation state.

Herein, the non-operational state may be a state in which the power source 4 is turned off, or a state in which the power source 4 is turned on but is not waiting for the supply of power to the load 3. The non-operational state may also be a standby state.

Meanwhile, the timer may also indicate a time from the start of aerosol generation, a time from the start of heating of the load 3, or a time from the start of control by the control unit 8 of the aerosol generating device 1.

The temperature measuring unit 6 is configured to measure, for example, a temperature of the load 3 (heater temperature) and output the measured temperature value to the control unit 8. Using a heater having a If the heater 3 has a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) characteristic in which a resistance value changes depending on a temperature, the load 3 can be used. If this is the case, the temperature measuring unit 6 can be configured to measure an electrical resistance value of the heater 3 and to derive a temperature of the heater 3 from the measured electrical resistance value.

The power source measuring unit 7 is configured to measure a power source state value indicating a state of the power source 4, such as a value concerning a remaining amount of the power source 4, a voltage value output from the power source 4, or a current discharged from the power source 4 or a current charged in the power source 4, and to output the power source state value to the control unit 8.

Herein, as the value concerning the remaining amount of the power source 4, for example, an output voltage of the power source 4 may be used. Alternatively, a state of charge (SOC) of the power source 4 may also be used. The SOC may be estimated from a voltage or current measured by a sensor using an open circuit voltage (SOC-OCV) method or a current integration method (Coulomb counting method) for integrating charging and discharging currents of the power source 4.

The control unit 8 is configured to control the power provided by the power source 4 to the load 3 based on the input of the timer 5 and the input of the temperature measurement value from the temperature measurement unit 6, for example. Also, the control unit 8 may be configured to perform the control using the state of the power source input from the power source measurement unit 7, for example. The control unit 8 comprises a computer, controller or processor and a memory, and the computer, controller or processor may be configured to execute a program stored in the memory to perform the control, for example.

2 is a diagram showing an example of changes in the power supplied to the load 3 by the controller according to the present embodiment and the temperature of the load 3. In 2 the horizontal axis indicates the timer value t, that is, time, and the vertical axis indicates the power supplied to load 3 and the temperature of load 3.

The control unit 8 is configured to switch the control mainly between a preparation phase and a use phase.

For example, in the preparation phase, a state in which the load 3 cannot generate a predetermined amount or more of aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9 is referred to as a preparation state. The preparation state may also be a state after heating of the load 3 starts in response to a user input until the user is allowed to inhale (puff) aerosols with the aerosol generating device 1, for example. In other words, in the preparation state, it is considered that the user is not allowed to inhale aerosols with the aerosol generating device 1.

The predetermined amount corresponds to an amount of aerosol generation at which the user is allowed to, for example, inhale aerosols.

In particular, the predetermined amount may be an amount at which an effective amount of aerosols can be delivered, for example, into a user's mouth. As used herein, the effective amount may be an amount at which the user can be provided with flavor and aroma from the aerosol source or flavor source included in the aerosol generating article. The predetermined amount may also be an amount of aerosols generated by the load 3 that can be delivered, for example, into the user's mouth. The predetermined amount may also be an amount of aerosols generated when the temperature of the load 3 is equal to or higher than a boiling point of the aerosol source, for example. The predetermined amount may also be an amount of aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9 when the power provided to the load 3 is equal to or higher than the power that should be provided to the load 3 to generate aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9, for example. In the state of preparation, the load 3 cannot generate aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9, i.e., the predetermined amount can be zero.

When the control unit 8 supplies power to the load 3 in the non-operation state or when the load 3 is in the preparation state, it controls the power supplied to the load 3 from the power source 4 by feedforward control (F/F control).

When the load 3 transitions from the preparation state to a state of use, the control unit 8 may execute feedback control (F/B control) or both the feedback control and the feedforward control.

For example, in the use phase, a state in which the load 3 can generate the predetermined amount or more of aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9 is referred to as a use state. The use state may also be a state after the user is allowed to inhale aerosols until the aerosol generation is terminated, for example.

The control executed by the control unit 8 will be described specifically in the first to fifth embodiments described later.

A dashed line L1 indicates a state in which the power supplied to the load 3 changes according to the timer value t. For example, the control unit 8 can control the power supplied to the load 3 from the power source 4 by pulse width modulation (PWM) control or pulse frequency modulation (PFM) control at a 1 switch not shown. Alternatively, the control unit 8 can control the power provided by the power source 4 to the load 3 by controlling the output voltage of the power source 4 by a switch 1 DC/DC converter, not shown. In the preparation phase in which the load 3 is in the preparation state, a high power is supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3, and then the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 is decreased. When the load 3 transitions from the preparation phase to the use phase in which the load is in the use state, the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 gradually (or stepwise) increases as the timer value t is increased. Then, when an end condition of the use phase state of the load 3 is met, for example, when the temperature of the load 3 reaches an end temperature of the use phase or when the timer value t is a threshold value or greater indicating an end of the use phase, the power supply to the load 3 is stopped.

A solid line L2 indicates a state in which the temperature of the load 3 changes depending on the timer value t. In the preparation phase, the temperature of the load 3 increases rapidly while the high power is supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3. After the power supplied to the load 3 from the power source 4 in the preparation phase is reduced, the temperature of the load 3 is maintained or slightly increased. When the transition is made to the use phase, the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 gradually increases over time, and the temperature of the load 3 also gradually increases. The control unit 8 executes the feedback control based on the temperature measurement value input from the temperature measurement unit 6 so that the temperature of the load 3 at the end of the use phase shall be the end temperature of the use phase.

The end temperature of the use phase is a temperature of the load 3 which is set to eventually approach or reach in the feedback control. The feedback control of the present embodiment controls the power supply to the load 3 so that there is no difference between the end temperature of the use phase and the measured temperature value at the end of the use phase.

3 is a control block diagram showing an example of control executed by the control unit 8 of the aerosol generating device 1 of the present embodiment.

The control unit 8 comprises a preparation unit 10, a differential unit 11, an amplification unit 12, a limiter changing unit 13, a limiter unit 14 and a comparison unit 15. The constitutive elements of the control unit 8 will be particularly described later.

The control performed by the control unit 8 mainly has first to fifth features. The power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 is controlled by the control unit 8, so that it is possible to shorten a time of the preparation phase and stabilize the amount of aerosol generation in the use phase.

The control unit 8 has a first feature for executing the feedforward control in the preparation phase.

The control unit 8 has a second feature for expanding a limiter width of the limiter unit 14 in the feedback control in the use phase.

The control unit 8 has a third feature which consists in using different modes for controlling between the preparation phase and the use phase.

The control unit 8 has a fourth feature for suppressing the temperature decrease of the load 3 during the transition from the preparation phase to the use phase.

The control unit 8 has a fifth feature to restore the temperature decrease when the user inhales aerosols during the use phase.

The aerosol generating device 1 of the present embodiment is configured to heat the aerosol generating article 9 by, for example, the load 3, thereby generating aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9. The control unit 8 is configured to control the power supply to the load 3 so that the aerosols generated when the load 3 is heated do not vary greatly.

To implement stable aerosol generation in one mode or phase of control, it is necessary to change control parameters such as a target temperature over time, so it may be difficult to perform stable control.

In contrast, the control unit 8 of the present embodiment divides and uses the plurality of different modes, particularly the feedforward control and the feedback control for heating the load 3, thereby enabling the stable aerosol generation.

In the first to fifth embodiments to be described later, the first feature to the fifth feature will be described in particular.

In the present embodiment and the first to fifth embodiments, for example, the feedforward control and the feedback control may be configured as different modes of control. The feedforward control may be control in which an operation amount of an operation target is not determined based on a control amount of a control target. In other words, the feedback control may be control in which a control amount of a control target is not used as a component for feedback, for example. As another example, the feedforward control may also be control in which a control amount of a control target is determined based on only a predetermined algorithm or a predetermined variable, or based on a combination of the predetermined algorithm or the predetermined variable and any physical quantity obtained before a control instruction concerning the operation amount is issued to a target of the operation. The feedback control may, for example, be control in which an operation amount of an operation target is determined based on a control amount of a control target. In other words, the feedback control may be a control in which a control amount of a control target is used as a component for the feedback, for example. As another example, the feedback control may also be a control in which a control amount of a target of the operation is determined based on a combination of an arbitrary physical quantity obtained during execution of the control in addition to a predetermined algorithm or variable.

In the first to third embodiments, the term "overheat" means a state in which a temperature of a control target is slightly higher than a temperature to be controlled (for example, the end temperature of the use phase or the target temperature). Note that this does not necessarily mean that the control target is in a state of too high a temperature.

(First embodiment)

In the first embodiment, the feedforward control in the preparation phase is described.

The control unit 8 of the first embodiment controls the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 by the feedforward control when it starts the power supply to the load 3 in the non-operation state or when the load 3 is in the preparation state in which the load 3 cannot generate a predetermined amount or more of aerosols from an aerosol generating article. In this way, the temperature of the load 3 in the preparation state is increased by the feedforward control, so that it is possible to accelerate the increase in the temperature of the load 3 until the load is in the use state.

The control unit 8 is configured to execute the feedforward control to supply the load 3 with a power required for the load 3 to transition from the non-operation state or the preparation state to the use state. In this way, the temperature of the load 3 is increased to the use state by the feedforward control, so that it is possible to shorten a time required for the load 3 to be in the use state.

Specifically, it is described herein that the control unit 8 executes the feedforward control to shorten a time until the load 3 is in the use state. For example, when the control unit 8 executes the feedback control to transfer the load 3 in the non-operation state or the preparation state to the use state, a control amount affects the determination of an operation amount. For this, the time required for the load 3 to enter the use state may be lengthened. In particular, in an aspect in which the load 3 is used by the feedback control from a relatively early state of the preparation phase to the use state, when a gain (transfer function) is small, an increase in the temperature of the load 3 is slowed down, and when the gain is large, it is difficult for the load 3 to approach the use state. Even in an aspect in which a target temperature of the load 3 is gradually increased over time by the feedback control in the preparation phase, if the measured temperature value of the load 3 reverses the target temperature, stagnation of the temperature increase may occur. On the other hand, if the control unit 8 executes the feedforward control in the preparation phase, the problem that occurs when the feedback control as described above is used in the preparation phase does not occur. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time until the load 3 is in the use state. For this reason, with respect to the control executed by the control unit 8 to transfer the load 3 in the non-operation state or in the preparation state to the use state, it can be said that the feedforward control is preferable to the feedback control.

The control unit 8 may be configured to execute the feedforward control to suppress the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 after supplying the required amount of power to the load 3. For example, in this case, to suppress the power, the power supplied to the load 3 may be suppressed to maintain the temperature of the load 3. In this way, after supplying the required amount of power to the load 3, the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 is suppressed, so that overheating of the aerosol generating device 1 and the aerosol generating article 9 can be prevented. If the aerosol generating device 1 is put into an overheated state, the lifetime of the power source 4, the control unit 8, the load 3, a circuit for electrically connecting the power source 4 and the load 3, and the like of the aerosol generating device 1 may be reduced. Also, if the aerosol generating article 9 is placed in the overheated state, the flavor and taste of the aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9 may be affected.

The control unit 8 may be configured to control the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 by the feedback control after supplying the required amount of power to the load 3. In this way, the feedback control is carried out after supplying the required amount of power to the load 3, so that it is possible to improve the accuracy of the control after supplying the required amount of power to the load 3 by the feedback control whose control stability is excellent, thereby stabilizing the aerosol generation.

The feedforward control executed by the control unit 8 is divided into a first sub-phase and a second sub-phase, and the values of the variables used in the feedforward control in the first sub-phase and the second sub-phase can be set differently. If the different values of the variables include different control variables, different constants, and different threshold values. In this way, the feedforward control is divided into the first sub-phase and the second sub-phase and the different values of the variables are used, so that the accuracy of the control can be improved compared with a case where a single use phase is used. Meanwhile, the functions or algorithms used in the feedforward control in the first sub-phase and the second sub-phase can be set differently. The first sub-phase and the second sub-phase will be described later with reference to the 4 to 8 described in detail.

It is assumed that the first subphase is executed earlier than the second subphase, for example.

The power (W) or the amount of power (Wh) provided to the load 3 in the first sub-phase can be set to be greater than the power (W) or the amount of power (Wh) provided to the load 3 in the second sub-phase. Since the increase in the temperature of the load 3 in the second sub-phase is slow or stopped, it is possible to increase the temperature temperature of load 3 after termination of the feedforward control.

A time period of the first sub-phase may be set longer than a time period of the second sub-phase. In this way, the time of the first sub-phase in which the state (temperature) of the load 3 is dominantly changed is set longer than the second sub-phase, so that it is possible to shorten a total period of the feedforward control as a result. In other words, the aerosol generating device 1 can more quickly have aerosols with the desired flavor and taste from the aerosol generating article 9.

The control unit 8 may be configured to execute the feedforward control so that the load 3 is in the use state at the end of the second sub-phase. Thereby, it is possible to stably bring the temperature of the load 3 to a temperature required in the use state by the end of the second sub-phase using the feedforward control. In addition, since an amount of power discharged from the power source 4 is reduced compared to a case where the load 3 is in the use state before the second sub-phase is over, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the power source 4 in addition to improving the specific power consumption of the power source 4.

The control unit 8 may be configured to perform the feedforward control to supply the power or the amount of power required to put the load 3 into the state in which aerosols can be generated in the second sub-phase and to maintain the state of use of the load 3. In this way, the power or the amount of power required to maintain the state of use in the second sub-phase is supplied to the load 3, so that it is possible to avoid supplying an extremely low power or an extremely low amount of power in the second sub-phase. Therefore, it is possible to suppress situations in which the load 3 is not in the state of use, the aerosol generating device 1 cannot generate aerosols having the desired flavor and taste from the aerosol generating article 9 in the phase of use, and the specific power consumption of the power source 4 is reduced.

The control unit 8 may be configured to perform the feedforward control so that the load 3 is in the use phase before the first subphase is changed to the second subphase. This makes it possible to put the load 3 into the control state at an early stage in the first subphase and maintain the state by adjusting the temperature of the load 3 in the second subphase, which increases the stability of the control.

The control unit 8 may be configured to execute the feedforward control to supply the power or the amount of power required to maintain the use state to the load 3 in the use state in the second sub-phase. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a situation in which an extremely low power or an extremely low amount of power is supplied in the second sub-phase and the load 3 is thereby not put into the use state. As a result, it is possible to stabilize the load 3 in the use state. Also, it is possible to suppress deviations in the temperature of the load 3 at the end of the second sub-phase.

The second subphase may be set shorter than the first subphase and equal to or longer than a unit time of the control that is (can be) implemented by the control unit 8, for example. Thereby, the second subphase is executed for an appropriate period of time so that it is possible to stabilize the temperature of the load 3.

The control unit 8 may be configured to change the values of variables used in the feedforward control based on an initial state, which is a state during or before execution of the feedforward control of the load 3. For example, in this case, the initial state includes an initial temperature and the like. Changing the values of variables includes changing a control variable, changing a constant, and changing a threshold value. In this way, the values of variables used in the feedback control are changed based on the initial state, so that it is possible to suppress the deviation in the temperature of the load 3 during execution and/or at the end of the feedforward control, which may be caused due to external factors such as a product defect, an initial condition, an atmospheric temperature, and the like.

The control unit 8 can be configured to change the values of variables in order to supply the load 3 with the power or the amount of power required to transition the load 3 from the initial state to the use state. This makes it possible to compensate for the deviation in the temperature of the load 3 in the use state at the end of the feedback control, which may be caused due to external factors such as a product defect, an initial condition, an atmospheric temperature and the like.

The control unit 8 may be configured to obtain a value relating to a remaining amount of the power source 4 and to change the values of variables used in the feedforward control based on the value relating to the remaining amount during or before execution of the feedforward control. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the deviation in the temperature of the load 3 which may be caused by a difference in the remaining amount of the power source 4.

The control unit 8 may be configured to increase at least one of a duty ratio, a voltage, and a turn-on time of the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 when the value related to the remaining amount is smaller. For example, in a case where a DC/DC converter is used, a pulse wave may not be applied to the load 3 due to a smoothing action of a smoothing capacitor provided on an output side of the DC/DC converter. Therefore, the control unit 8 may control a time (turn-on time) during which the power is supplied to the load 3 based on the value related to the remaining amount. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the deviation in the temperature of the load 3 caused by a difference in the remaining amount of the power source 4.

The control unit 8 may be configured to change the values of variables such that a first amount of power provided from the power source 4 to the load 3 based on a value relating to a first remaining amount obtained from the power source 4 is substantially the same as a second amount of power provided from the power source 4 to the load 3 based on a value relating to a second remaining amount obtained from the power source 4 and different from the value relating to the first remaining amount. For example, the PWM control may be performed such that a constant power is provided to the load 3 regardless of the remaining amount of the power source 4. As a result, the deviation in the temperature of the load 3 caused by a difference in the remaining amount of the power source 4 can be suppressed.

The control unit 8 may be configured to acquire a value related to a remaining amount of the power source 4 and to change the values of variables used in the feedforward control based on a state of the load 3 during or before execution of the feedforward control and the value related to the remaining amount. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the deviation in the temperature of the load 3 during execution and/or at the end of the feedforward control, which may be caused by external factors such as a product defect, an initial condition, an atmospheric temperature, and the like, in addition to a difference in the remaining amount of the power source 4.

The control unit 8 may be configured to reduce at least one of a duty ratio, a voltage, and a duty cycle of the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 when the load 3 approaches the use state in which the load may generate aerosols, and to reduce at least one of a duty ratio, a voltage, and a duty cycle of the power when the value related to the remaining amount is larger based on the state of the load 3. For example, in this case, at least one of a duty ratio, a voltage, and a duty cycle of the power obtained from the state of the load 3 such as an initial temperature may be corrected with the remaining amount of the power source 4, so that it is possible to suppress the variation in the temperature of the load 3 during execution and/or at the end of the feedforward control, which may be caused by the remaining amount of the power source 4, in addition to the external factors such as a product defect, an initial condition, an atmospheric temperature and the like.

The control unit 8 may be configured to change the duty cycle, voltage, and duty cycle such that a first amount of power provided by the power source 4 to the load 3 based on a value related to a first residual amount sensed by the power source 4 is substantially the same as a second amount of power provided by the power source 4 to the load 3 based on a value related to a second residual amount sensed by the power source 4 and different from the value related to the first residual amount. If the first amount of power and the second amount of power can be set differently depending on the state of the load 3. Thereby, for example, the PWM control can be executed so that the same power is provided to the load 3 in the form of the first remaining amount and the second remaining amount. As a result, it is possible to suppress the deviation in the temperature of the load 3 during the execution and/or at the end of the feedforward control, which may be caused by the remaining amount of the power source 4 in addition to the external factors such as a product defect, an initial condition, an atmospheric temperature and the like.

The control unit 8 may be configured to change the values of variables used in the feedforward control based on a resistance value of the load 3 or a deterioration state in the load 3 during or before execution of the feedforward control. For example, in this case, the control unit 8 may be configured to determine the state of deterioration based on the number of uses or a cumulative value of the times of use of the load 3. Thereby, the temperature of the load 3 can be stabilized even if the load 3 deteriorates and thus the electrical resistance value at room temperatures and the like changes as the number of uses of the aerosol generating device 1 is increased. Even if the load 3 has a positive temperature coefficient characteristic (PTC characteristic) and the load 3 deteriorates and its characteristic changes, the temperature of the load 3 can be stabilized.

The various controls by the control unit 8 can also be implemented by the control unit 8 executing a program.

With respect to the first embodiment, specific control examples are further described in the following embodiments 1A to 1E.

<Example 1A>

4 is a control block diagram showing an example of control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 1A.

The preparation unit 10 of the control unit 8 receives the timer value t output from the timer 5 and receives a key instruction value corresponding to the timer value t in the preparation phase. The control unit 8 switches a switch 25 provided in a circuit for electrically connecting the load 3 and the power source 4 as shown in 9 shown, according to the obtained key instruction value, thereby controlling the power supplied to the load 3 based on the key instruction value.

In Example 1A, a heating state for the load 3 is switched based on the duty instruction value, specifically, the duty ratio indicated by the duty instruction value. However, when controlling a DC/DC converter provided in the circuit for electrically connecting the load 3 and the power source 4, instead of the switch 25, the heating state for the load 3 may be switched based on the current supplied to the load 3, the voltage applied to the load 3, or their set values, for example, and a value for instructing the heating state for the load 3 may be changed as needed.

The preparation phase further comprises the first subphase and the second subphase. The first subphase and the second subphase may also be distinguished by the duty cycle specified by the duty cycle. Also, the first subphase and the second subphase may be distinguished by the current provided to the load 3, the voltage applied to the load 3, or their setpoints.

A period Δt ₁ of the first subphase is a time period from the start of power supply to the load 3 in the non-operating state to time t ₁ .

A period Δt ₂ of the second subphase is a period from time t ₁ to the end time t ₂ of the preparation phase.

The time Δt ₁ of the first subphase is longer than the time Δt ₂ of the second subphase.

A duty cycle D ₁ in the first subphase is larger than a duty cycle D ₂ in the second subphase. In Example 1A, the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 is set to be larger as the duty cycle increases. Therefore, the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the first subphase is larger than the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the second subphase.

In the first sub-phase, the control unit 8 controls the power provided to the load 3 based on the key command value, which indicates a large duty cycle until the temperature of the load 3 (aerosol generating article 9) reaches an aerosol generating temperature. This makes it possible to generate aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9 in the early state from the start of power supply (power input) from the power source 4 to the load 3.

In the second sub-phase, the control unit 8 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on a duty instruction value indicating a duty ratio smaller than the duty ratio of the first sub-phase to suppress a change in the temperature of the load 3 until the load enters the use phase and to maintain the temperature of the load 3 (aerosol generating article 9) at the aerosol generating temperature or higher. Even if the temperature deviates slightly at the end of the first sub-phase, the control unit 8 suppresses and absorbs the deviation by controlling in the second sub-phase. As a result, the flavor and taste of the aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9 in the use phase become stable.

In this way, in the preparation phase, the high power of the load 3 is provided to rapidly increase the temperature of the load 3 through the first sub-phase, and the low power for heat retention is provided to the load 3 through the second sub-phase, so that it is possible to stabilize the amount of aerosol generation and the flavor and taste thereof in the use phase after the preparation phase.

5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 1A.

In step S501, the preparation unit 10 determines whether there is a request for aerosol generation. If it is determined that there is no request for aerosol generation (“No” in step S501), the preparation unit 10 repeats step S501. As a first example, in step S501, the preparation unit 10 may determine whether there is a request for aerosol generation based on whether an input for starting heating of the load 3 is made by a user. Specifically, if an input for starting heating of the load 3 is made by a user, the preparation unit 10 may determine that there is a request for aerosol generation. On the other hand, if no input for starting heating of the load 3 is made by a user, the unit 10 may determine that there is no request for aerosol generation. As a second example, the aerosol generation device 1 includes a sensor for detecting the user's inhalation, which is in 1 not shown, and can use the user's inhalation detected by the sensor as input for starting heating of the load 3. As a third example, the aerosol generating device 1 comprises at least one button, a switch, a touch panel and a user interface, which in 1 not shown, and can serve an operation thereon as an input to start heating the load 3.

When it is determined that there is a request for aerosol generation, the preparation unit 10 activates the timer 5 in step S502.

In step S503, input of the timer value t from the timer 5 to the processing unit 10 begins.

In step S504, the preparation unit 10 switches the switch 25 provided in the circuit for electrically connecting the load 3 and the power source 4 shown in 9 based on the duty cycle value indicating the duty cycle D ₁ in the first subphase, thereby controlling the power supplied to the load 3.

In step S505, the preparation unit 10 determines whether the timer value t is the end time t ₁ or longer of the first sub-phase. When it is determined that the timer value t is not the end time t ₁ or longer of the first sub-phase (a determination unit result in step S505 is "No"), the preparation unit 10 repeats step S505.

When it is determined that the timer value t is the end time t ₁ or longer of the first sub-phase (a determination result in step S505 is "Yes"), the preparation unit 10 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the duty instruction value indicating the duty ratio D ₂ in the second sub-phase in step S506.

In step S507, the preparation unit 10 determines whether the timer value t is the end time t ₂ or longer of the second sub-phase. If it is determined that the timer value t is not the end time t ₂ or longer of the second sub-phase (a determination result in step S507 is "No"), the preparation unit 10 repeats step S507. If it is determined that the timer value t is the end time t 2 or longer of the second sub-phase (a determination result in step S507 is "Yes"), the preparation unit 10 ends the preparation phase and proceeds to the use phase.

In example 1A, as described above, the control unit 8 controls the heating of the load 3 using feedforward control in the preparation phase. Therefore, after there is a request for aerosol generation and the power supply from the power source 4 to the load 3 starts, it is possible to increase the rate of temperature increase of the load 3.

In Example 1A, in the preparation phase, the feedforward control increases the temperature of load 3 to a temperature at which aerosols can be inhaled. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time after the aerosol generation request until the user can inhale aerosols.

In Example 1A, since the power supplied to the load 3 in the first sub-phase of the preparation phase is increased once and then the power supplied to the load 3 in the second sub-phase of the preparation phase is decreased, it is possible to suppress overheating of the load 3.

The control unit 8 controls the heating of the load 3 using the feedforward control in the preparation phase, so that it is possible to increase the increase in the temperature of the load 3 after the request for aerosol generation and the start of power supply to the load 3 by the power source 4, shorten the time after the request for aerosol generation until the user can inhale aerosols, and prevent overheating of the load 3. Herein, the reasons are described in detail. For example, if the control unit 8 controls the heating of the load 3 using the feedback control in the preparation phase, a control amount influences a decision on the operation amount, so the speed of increase in the temperature of the load 3 is likely to be slow. Also, the time after the request for aerosol generation until the user can inhale aerosols is likely to be extended for the same reason. Particularly, in an aspect in which the load 3 is heated to the temperature at which aerosols can be generated in a relatively early state of the preparation phase, the speed of increase in the temperature of the load 3 is slow when the increase is small, and when the increase is large, it is difficult to bring the temperature of the load 3 to the temperature at which aerosols can be generated, so that the load 3 is likely to be overheated. Also, in an aspect in which the target temperature of the load 3 is gradually increased over time, stagnation of the temperature increase may occur when the measured temperature value of the load 3 reverses the target temperature. However, when the control unit 8 controls the heating of the load 3 using the feedforward control in the preparation phase, these problems do not occur. Therefore, it is possible to increase the increase in the temperature of the load 3 after there is a request for aerosol generation and the power supply from the power source 4 to the load 3 starts. Also, it is possible to shorten the time after the request for aerosol generation until the user can inhale aerosols. In addition, it is possible to prevent overheating of the load 3 and shorten the time until the load 3 enters the use state. Therefore, it can be said that the feedforward control is preferable to the feedback control as the control used for heating the load 3 in the preparation phase.

<Example 1B>

Example 1B describes the control of changing the power provided to load 3 in the first sub-phase based on the measured temperature value indicating the temperature of load 3.

6 is a diagram showing an example of a condition where a temperature of the load is uneven between the preparation phase and the use phase. 6 is a graph showing an example of a relationship between the timer value t and the temperature of the load 3 and a relationship between the timer value t and the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3. The horizontal axis indicates the timer value t. The vertical axis indicates the temperature of the load 3 or the duty cycle of the power supplied to the load 3.

Even after the preparation phase is over, the temperature of load 3 may rapidly differ from the final temperature of the preparation phase when the load transitions from the preparation phase to the use phase or immediately after the transition to the use phase.

If the final temperature of the preparation phase is not stable at or near the aerosol generation temperature, the temperature of load 3 shows a large deviation, so that the temperature of load 3 cannot reach the aerosol generation temperature at least in the early stage of the use phase.

For example, the following three factors can be assumed as factors that cause a change in the temperature of load 3 when the preparation phase is over.

A first factor is a shift in the initial state of load 3, for example a shift in the temperature of load 3 at the time when the increase in temperature of load 3 begins.

A second factor is a shift in the output voltage of the power source 4, which may be caused by a reduction in the remaining amount or a deterioration of the power source 4.

A third factor is a product defect of the aerosol generating article 9 or the aerosol generating device 1.

The first and second factors can at least be mitigated by implementing the following control in the first subphase.

The third factor can at least be relaxed by controlling heat retention in the second subphase.

7 is a diagram showing an example of controlling the duty cycle D ₁ in the first subphase. 7 shows a relationship between the timer value t and the temperature of the load 3, and a relationship between the timer value t and the duty cycle. The horizontal axis indicates the timer value t. The vertical axis indicates the temperature of the load 3 or the duty cycle of the power supplied to the load 3.

If the duty cycle D ₁ is set constant in the first subphase and the duty cycle D ₂ is set constant in the second subphase, if the temperature of the load 3 is low or high at the beginning of the first subphase, the temperature of the load 3 is also low or high at the end of the second subphase and the temperature of the load 3 varies at the end of the preparation phase.

In contrast, according to Example 1B, the control unit 8 changes the duty cycle D ₁ in the first sub-phase based on the measured temperature value at the beginning of the first sub-phase, thereby suppressing the deviation of the temperature of the load 3 at the end of the preparation phase based on the shift of the temperature of the load 3 at the beginning of the first sub-phase.

In particular, if the measured temperature value at the beginning of the first sub-phase is small, the control unit 8 increases the duty cycle D ₁ in the first sub-phase. Conversely, if the measured temperature value at the beginning of the first sub-phase is large, the control unit 8 decreases the duty cycle D ₁ in the first sub-phase.

8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 1B.

The processing from step S801 to step S803 is the same as the processing from step S501 to step S503 in 5 .

In step S804, a measured temperature value T _start at the beginning of the first sub-phase is input as an initial state from the temperature measuring unit 6 into the preparation unit 10.

In step S805, the preparation unit 10 obtains the duty cycle D ₁ (T _start ) in the first sub-phase based on the measured temperature value T _start and switches the switch 25 provided in the circuit for electrically connecting the load 3 and the power source 4 as shown in 9 based on the duty cycle value indicating the duty cycle D ₁ (T _start ) in the first subphase, thereby controlling the power supplied to load 3.

The processing from step S806 to step S808 is the same as the processing from step S505 to step S507 in 5 .

In Example 1B, as described above, it is possible to suppress the deviation in the temperature of the load 3 at the end of the preparation phase based on the shift in the temperature of the load 3 at the beginning of the first sub-phase, so that it is possible to stabilize the amount of aerosol generation and the liking and taste thereof in the use phase after the preparation phase.

In Example 1B, the control unit 8 changes the key instruction value in the first sub-phase based on the measured temperature value T _start at the beginning of the first sub-phase. However, the control unit 8 may change the key instruction value in the second sub-phase based on the measured temperature value T _start , or it may change both the key instruction value in the first sub-phase and the key instruction value in the second sub-phase based on the measured temperature value T _start .

<Example 1C>

In Example 1C, the control of changing the power in the first sub-phase based on the SOC of the power source 4 is described as an example of the value related to the remaining amount of the power source 4 or the PWM control that makes the voltage applied to the load 3 constant even if the SOC of the power source 4 changes.

9 shows an example of a relationship between the current flowing from the power source 4 to the load 3 and a voltage applied from the power source 4 to the load 3. An ammeter 23 outputs the current A flowing from the power source 4 to the load 3, and a voltmeter 24 outputs a voltage V applied from the power source 4 to the load 3. Also, the (in 9 The control unit 8 (not shown) receives a value output from the ammeter 23 and a value output from the voltmeter 24. Meanwhile, as the ammeter 23 and the voltmeter 24, an ammeter and a voltmeter each having a shunt resistor with a known resistance value embedded therein may be used, or a Hall element may be used. Meanwhile, from the viewpoint of weight or volume, it is advantageous to use those in which a shunt resistor is embedded, and from the viewpoint of measurement accuracy or less influence on a measurement target, to use the Hall element. Also, the ammeter 23 or the voltmeter 24 may output a measurement value as a digital value or as an analog value. When the ammeter 23 or the voltmeter 24 outputs an analog value, the control unit 8 may convert the analog value into a digital value by an A/D converter.

Also, the power source 4 and the load 3 are electrically connected through the circuit, so that when the control unit 8 opens/closes (switches) the switch 25 provided in the circuit, the power supply from the power source 4 to the load 3 is controlled. For example, the switch 25 may be composed of at least one of the following elements: a switch, a contactor, and a transistor. Meanwhile, the circuit may also comprise a DC/DC converter instead of the switch 25 or in addition to the switch 25. In this case, the control unit 8 controls the DC/DC converter, thereby providing the power supply from the power source 4 to the load 3.

In 9 the voltmeter 24 is provided closer to the load 3 than the switch 25. However, to use the SOC-OCV method to obtain the SOC of the power source 4, another voltmeter may be provided closer to the power source 4 than the switch 25. The other voltmeter enables an output of an open circuit voltage (OCV) of the power source 4.

10 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship between an output voltage and an output current concerning the remaining amount of the power source 4 in the first sub-phase of the preparation phase. In 10 the horizontal axis indicates the timer value t, and it should be noted that the second sub-phase after time t ₁ is omitted. The vertical axis indicates the voltage or current output from the power source 4. Also in 10 the dashed line indicates the voltage and current when the remaining amount of the power source 4 is 100%. The solid line indicates the voltage and current when the discharge end voltage or a voltage close to the discharge end voltage is output because the remaining amount of the power source 4 is at or close to 0%. In 10 V _full-charged and V _EOD indicate the full charge voltage and the end discharge voltage of the power source 4, respectively.

In 10 It is assumed that the duty cycle D ₁ in the first subphase is 100%.

If, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the electrical resistance of the circuit for electrically connecting the load 3 and the power source 4 is negligibly small and the circuit does not aim to have the power source 4 supply power simultaneously with the load 3, the output current corresponding to the remaining amount of the power source 4 is obtained by dividing the output voltage of the power source 4 by a resistance value R of the load 3.

The current I _full-charged output when the output voltage of the power source 4 is the full-charge voltage is obtained by the full-charge voltage/resistance of the load 3 (V _full-charged /R) using the simplified model described above.

The current I _EOD output when the output voltage of the power source 4 is the end of discharge voltage is obtained by the end of discharge voltage/resistance of the load 3 (V _EOD /R) when the simplified model as described above is used.

In the first sub-phase of the preparation phase, the current V _full-charged /R output when the output voltage of the power source 4 is the full-charge voltage V _full-charged is greater than the current V _EOD /R output when the output voltage of the power source 4 is the end-of-discharge voltage V _EOD .

11 is a diagram showing an example of the comparison between a temperature change of the load 3 in the preparation phase when a voltage of the power source 4 is the full charge voltage at the beginning of the first sub-phase, and a temperature change of the load 4 in the preparation phase when a voltage of the power source 4 is close to the discharge end voltage at the beginning of the first sub-phase, in a case where the duty cycle is constant. In 11 the horizontal axis indicates the timer value t. The vertical axis indicates the temperature or duty cycle of the power supplied to the load 3. As described above, the current supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 and the voltage applied when the power source 4 is near the discharge end voltage are smaller compared to a case where the power source 4 is at the full charge voltage. Therefore, the temperature change of the load 3 in the preparation phase when the power source 4 is at the full charge voltage is larger than the temperature change of the load 3 in the preparation phase when the power source 4 is near the discharge end voltage.

When the power source 4 is at full charge voltage, the power supplied by the power source 4 to the load 3 in the first sub-phase is expressed by the following equation.
$$\text{W}={\left({\text{V}}_{\text{full}-\text{charged}}\cdot \text{D}\right)}^2/\text{R}$$

On the other hand, when the power source 4 is close to the discharge end voltage, the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the first sub-phase is expressed by the following equation.
$$\text{W}={\left({\text{V}}_{\text{E}.\text{O}.\text{D}}\cdot \text{D}\right)}^2/\text{R}$$

In both equations, D indicates the duty cycle of the power supplied to load 3.

A difference between the two equations is obtained. A difference between the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the first sub-phase when the power source 4 is at the full charge voltage and the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the first sub-phase when the power source 4 is near the discharge end voltage is expressed by a following equation.
$$\Delta \text{W}=\left\{{\left({\text{V}}_{\text{fully}-\text{charged}}\cdot \text{D}\right)}^2-{\left({\text{V}}_{\text{E}.\text{O}.\text{D}}\cdot \text{D}\right)}^2\right\}/\text{R}$$

For example, if the full-charge voltage V _{full-charged is} 4.2 V, the end-of-discharge voltage V _EOD is 3.2 V, the electrical resistance value R of the load 3 is 1.0 Ω and the duty cycle D is 100%, the difference in power ΔW is 7.4 W.

For this reason, the temperature of the load 3 at the end of the preparation phase changes depending on the remaining capacity of the power source 4 even if various conditions such as a condition (for example, an area of contact and the like) concerning heat transfer between the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9, an initial temperature of the load 3, a heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9, and the like are the same.

Therefore, in Example 1C, the control unit 8 changes the power in the first sub-phase, i.e., the duty cycle, based on the output voltage of the power source 4, thereby suppressing the temperature change of the load 3 at the end of the preparation phase.

In this example 1C, the control unit 8 may also perform the PWM control to make the voltage to be applied to the load 3 constant so as to exclude the influence of the output voltage of the power source 4. In the PWM control, a pulsed voltage waveform is changed so that a region of an effective voltage waveform remains the same. Herein, the effective voltage can be obtained from "applied voltage × duty ratio". In another example, the effective voltage can be obtained from the root mean square (RMS).

12 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the output voltage and the output current of the power source 4 when the PWM control is performed depending on the remaining amount of the power source 4. In 12 the horizontal axis indicates the timer value t, and note that the second sub-phase is omitted after time t1. The vertical axis indicates the voltage or current output from the power source 4.

In the preparation phase, the control unit 8 performs control such that an area of a pulsed voltage waveform corresponding to the full-charge voltage V _full-charged is equal to an area of a voltage waveform corresponding to the end-of-discharge voltage V _EOD ).

Equation (1) gives a relationship between the duty cycle D _full-charged , which corresponds to the full charge voltage V _full-charged , the full charge voltage voltage V _full-charged , the end-of-discharge voltage V _EOD and the duty cycle D _EOD , which corresponds to the end-of-discharge voltage V _EOD .
[Equation 1] $${\text{D}}_{\text{full\_charged}}=\frac{{\text{V}}_{\text{E}.\text{O}.\text{D}}\cdot {\text{D}}_{\text{E}.\text{O}.\text{D}}}{{\text{V}}_{\text{full\_charged}}}=\frac{3.2\times 100\%}{4.2}\cong 0.76$$

In equation (1), when the duty cycle D _EOD , which corresponds to the end-of-discharge voltage V _EOD , is set to 100%, the duty cycle D _full-charged , which corresponds to the full-charge voltage V _full-charged , is 76%.

In this way, the control unit 8 can suppress the deviation of the temperature of the load 3 at the end of the preparation phase by controlling the duty cycle based on the output voltage of the power source 4 in the first sub-phase including the preparation phase.

13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 1C.

The process from step S1301 to step S1303 is the same as the process from step S501 to step S503 in 5 .

In step S1304, the power source measuring unit 7 measures the output voltage (battery voltage) V _Batt of the power source 4.

In step S1305, the processing unit 10 receives the duty cycle D ₁ = (V _EOD ·D _EOD )/V _Batt .

In step S1306, the preparation unit 10 switches the switch 25 provided in the circuit for electrically connecting the load 3 and the power source 4, as shown in 9 based on the duty cycle value indicating the duty cycle D ₁ , thereby controlling the power supplied to load 3.

The processing from step S1307 to step S1309 is the same as the processing from step S505 to step S507 in 5 .

In Example 1C, as described above, the duty ratio D ₁ in the first sub-phase including the preparation phase is changed according to the output voltage of the power source 4, which is an example of the value related to the remaining amount of the power source 4, so that the deviation of the temperature of the load at the end of the preparation phase can be suppressed. For this, it is possible to stabilize the amount of aerosol generation as well as the flavor and taste in the use phase after the preparation phase.

In Example 1C, the aspect in which the output voltage of the power source 4 is used as an example of the value concerning the remaining amount of the power source 4 was described. Instead, the duty cycle D ₁ in the first sub-phase including the preparation phase may be changed depending on the SOC of the power source 4, which is another example of the value concerning the remaining amount of the power source 4.

If the SOC value is used as the value of the remaining amount of the power source 4, the SOC value is defined as 100% when the voltage of the power source 4 is the well-known full charge voltage. On the other hand, the SOC is defined as 0% when the voltage of the power source 4 is the discharge end voltage. Also, the SOC continuously changes from 100% to 0% depending on the remaining amount of the power source 4. For example, when a lithium-ion secondary battery is used as the power source 4, the full charge voltage and the discharge end voltage are 4.2 V and 3.2 V, respectively. However, the full charge voltage and the discharge end voltage of the power source 4 are not limited to this. As described above, the control unit 8 can obtain the SOC of the power source 4 by the SOC-OCV method, the current integration method (Coulomb counting method), or the like.

<Example 1D>

In order to control the temperature of the load 3 at the end of the preparation phase with higher accuracy, the control is preferably performed based on a plurality of initial conditions, for example on both values related to the temperature of the load 3 and the remaining amount of the power source 4.

In Example 1D, the feedforward control of obtaining the duty ratio D _EOD (T _HTR ) corresponding to the discharge end voltage V _EOD based on the measured temperature value T _HTR , obtaining the duty ratio D1 in the first sub-phase based on the discharge end voltage V _EOD , the duty ratio D _EOD (T _HTR ) and the battery voltage V _Batt , and switching the switch 25 provided in the circuit for electrically connecting the load 3 and the power source 4 is performed as in 9 shown, using the duty cycle D1.

14 is a diagram showing an example of a control that is controlled by the control unit 8 is carried out according to Example 1D. In 14 the horizontal axis indicates the timer value t. The vertical axis indicates the temperature or duty cycle of the power supplied to load 3.

The left diagram of 14 shows a relationship between the duty cycle and the change in temperature of load 3. In the left diagram of 14 only the duty cycle D ₁ in the first sub-phase of the duty cycle D1 in the first sub-phase and the duty cycle D ₂ in the second sub-phase are changed. When the duty cycle D ₁ is set to the large duty cycle shown with the thick solid line, the temperature of the load 3 changes, as shown for example with the solid line in the upper left diagram of 14 On the other hand, if the duty cycle D ₁ is set to the small duty cycle shown by the thin solid line, the temperature of the load 3 changes as shown by the dashed line in the upper left diagram of 14 As shown in the left diagram of 14 As shown, the temperature of the load 3 changes according to the level (height) of the duty cycle D1 in the first subphase, ie the temperature of the load 3 is different at each timer value t.

That is, even if the initial conditions such as the values concerning the temperature of the load 3 and the remaining amount of the power source 4 are different, the temperature of the load 3 at the end of the preparation phase can still be greatly controlled if the duty cycle D ₁ is adjusted in the first sub-phase.

Therefore, according to Example 1D, the control unit ₈ performs the control such that the higher the temperature of the load 3 (initial temperature) at the beginning of the first sub-phase, the smaller the duty cycle D ₁ in the first sub-phase is, and the lower the temperature of the load 3 at the beginning of the first sub-phase, the larger the duty cycle D 1 in the first sub-phase is, as shown in the right diagram of 14 shown.

Meanwhile, according to Example 1D, the control unit 8 may change the duty cycle D ₁ based on the value (for example, the output voltage of the power source 4) concerning the remaining amount of the power source 4 in addition to the temperature of the load 3 at the beginning of the first sub-phase. In this way, as shown in the right diagram of 14 As shown, it is possible to further strongly control the temperature of the load 3 at the end of the preparation phase and to approximate it to a specific value, although the initial conditions, such as the values regarding the temperature of the load 3 and the remaining amount of the power source 4, are different.

15 is a block diagram showing an example of control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 1D.

In Example 1D, the control unit 8 comprises an initial setting unit 16 and a preparation unit 10.

The initial setting unit 16 has a relationship between the temperature of the load 3 and the duty ratio _DEOD corresponding to the discharge end voltage _VEOD .

The initial setting unit 16 receives the measured temperature value T _HTR at the beginning of the first sub-phase from the temperature measuring unit 6 and obtains a duty cycle _DEOD (T _HTR ) corresponding to the discharge end voltage V _EOD based on the relationship between the temperature and the duty cycle and the measured temperature value T _HTR .

Also, the initial setting unit 16 inputs the voltage V _Batt from the power source measuring unit 7, obtains the duty ratio D ₁ =V _EOD ·D _EOD (T _HTR )/V _Batt , and outputs the duty instruction value indicating the duty ratio D ₁ to the preparation unit 10.

When the timer value t from the timer 5 is input to the preparation unit 10, the preparation unit 10 determines whether the timer value t is in the first sub-phase or the second sub-phase, controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the duty instruction value indicating the duty cycle D ₁ in the first sub-phase, and controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the duty instruction value indicating the duty cycle D ₂ in the second sub-phase.

16 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 1D.

The process from step S1601 to step S1603 is the same as the process from step S501 to step S503 in 5 .

In step S1604, the measured temperature value T _start at the beginning of the first sub-phase is input from the temperature measuring unit 6 to the initial setting unit 16.

In step S1605, the output voltage V _Batt of the power source 4 is determined from the power source measurement unit 7 into the initial setting unit 16.

In step S1606, the initial setting unit 16 obtains the duty ratio D _EOD (T _start ) corresponding to the discharge end voltage V _EOD based on the relationship between the temperature and the duty ratio and the measured temperature value T _start input in step S1604, and obtains the duty ratio D ₁ =V _EOD ·D _EOD (T _start )/V _Batt based on the voltage V _Batt and the duty ratio D _EOD (T _start ).

In step S1607, the preparation unit 10 controls the switch 25 provided in the circuit for electrically connecting the load 3 and the power source 4, as shown in 9 based on the duty cycle D ₁ , thus controlling the power supplied to the load 3.

The processing from step S1608 to step S1610 is the same as the processing from step S505 to step S507 in 5 .

As described above, according to Example 1D, the control unit 8 changes the duty ratio D ₁ in the first sub-phase based on the values related to the initial temperature of the load 3 and the remaining amount of the power source 4. Specifically, the initial setting unit 16 obtains the duty ratio D _E . _O . _D (T _stare ) corresponding to the discharge end voltage V _EOD based on the relationship between the temperature and the duty ratio and the measured temperature value T _start , and obtains the duty ratio D ₁ corresponding to the first sub-phase based on the discharge end voltage V _EOD , the duty ratio D _EOD (T _start ), and the voltage V _Batt . Thereby, it is possible to further control the temperature of the load 3 high at the end of the preparation phase also by the feedforward control in which a control amount of a control target is not used as a feedback component for determining the operation amount.

<Example 1E>

Example 1E describes that the feedforward control is changed based on a deterioration of load 3 in the preparation phase.

When the total number of uses N _sum of the load 3 is increased, deterioration, oxidation phenomenon and the like occur, so that the load 3 is deteriorated. When the load 3 is deteriorated, the electric resistance value R _HTR of the load 3 tends to increase. That is, there is a correlation between the total number of uses N _sum indicating a deterioration state of the load 3 and the electric resistance value R _HTR of the load 3.

Therefore, in Example 1E, the power is supplied to the load 3 so that the temperature of the load 3 is stable even when the resistance value R _HTR is increased due to the deterioration of the load 3. A method of supplying the power to the load 3 so that the temperature of the load 3 is stable regardless of the state of deterioration in the load 3 will be described in detail below.

[Gleichung 3] $${\text{P}}_{\text{HTR}}={\text{V}}_{\text{HTR}}\cdot {\text{I}}_{\text{HTR}}=\frac{{\left(\text{V}\cdot \text{D}\right)}^2}{{\text{R}}_{\text{HTR}}}$$

If the current flowing through the load 3 is denoted as IHTR, the voltage applied to the load 3 is denoted as VHTR, the power supplied to the load 3 is denoted as _PHTR , a resistance of the load is denoted as _RHTR , the output of the power source 4 is denoted as V and the duty cycle of the power supplied to the load 3 is denoted as D, equations (2) and (3) are obtained. Note that VHTR is an RMS value of the voltage.
[Equation 2] $${\text{I}}_{\text{HTR}}=\frac{\text{V}\cdot \text{D}}{{\text{R}}_{\text{HTR}}}$$

[Equation 3] $${\text{P}}_{\text{HTR}}={\text{V}}_{\text{HTR}}\cdot {\text{I}}_{\text{HTR}}=\frac{{\left(\text{V}\cdot \text{D}\right)}^2}{{\text{R}}_{\text{HTR}}}$$

Herein, the power is denoted as _{PHTR_new} when load 3 is new (not degraded), the resistance as _{RPHTR new} when load 3 is new, and the duty cycle as D _new when load 3 is new.

Also, the power is denoted as _{PHTR_used} when the load 3 is old (degraded), the resistance is denoted as R _{HTR used} when the load 3 is old, and the duty cycle is denoted as D _used when the load 3 is old.

The power _{PHTR_new} when load 3 is new is preferably the same as the power _{PHTR_used} when load 3 is old.

This gives the following equation (4).
[Equation 4] $$\begin{array}{l}{\text{P}}_{\text{HTR\_new}}={\text{P}}_{\text{HTR\_used}}\\ \to \frac{{\left(\text{V}\cdot {\text{D}}_{\text{new}}\right)}^2}{{\text{R}}_{\text{HTR\_new}}}=\frac{{\left(\text{V}\cdot {\text{D}}_{\text{used}}\right)}^2}{{\text{R}}_{\text{HTR\_used}}}\\ \to \frac{{\text{D}}_{\text{used}}}{{\text{D}}_{\text{new}}}=\sqrt{\frac{{\text{R}}_{\text{HTR\_used}}}{{\text{R}}_{\text{HTR\_new}}}}\\ \to {\text{D}}_{\text{used}}=\sqrt{\frac{{\text{R}}_{\text{HTR\_used}}}{{\text{R}}_{\text{HTR\_new}}}}\cdot {\text{D}}_{\text{new}}\end{array}$$

If the correlation between the total number of uses N _sum indicating a state of deterioration of the load 3 and the electrical resistance value R _HTR of the load 3 is linear or can be approximated to be linear, equation (4) can be rewritten as the following equation (5).
[Equation 5] $${\text{D}}_{\text{used}}\equiv \sqrt{\frac{\mathrm{\alpha }\cdot {\text{N}}_{\text{sum}}\cdot {\text{R}}_{\text{HTR\_new}}}{{\text{R}}_{\text{HTR\_new}}}}\cdot {\text{D}}_{\text{new}}=\sqrt{\mathrm{\alpha }\cdot {\text{N}}_{\text{sum}}}\cdot {\text{D}}_{\text{new}}$$

Therefore, if the correlation between the total number of uses N _sum indicating a deterioration state of the load 3 and the electric resistance value R _HTR of the load 3 is linear or can be approximated to be linear, the control unit 8 can obtain the duty ratio D _used corresponding to the deteriorated load 3 based on the equation (5) when the total number of uses N _sum of the load 3 is detected.

On the other hand, if the correlation between the total number of uses N _sum indicating a deteriorated condition of the load 3 and the electrical resistance value R _HTR of the load 3 is nonlinear, when the electrical resistance value R _HTR of the load 3 is given by the function of the total number of uses N _sum of the load 3, the equation (4) can be rewritten into a following equation (6).
[Equation 6] $${\text{D}}_{\text{used}}\equiv \sqrt{\frac{{\text{R}}_{\text{HTR}}\left({\text{N}}_{\text{sum}}\right)}{{\text{R}}_{\text{HTR}}\left(0\right)}}\cdot {\text{D}}_{\text{new}}$$

Therefore, if the correlation between the total number of uses N _sum indicating a state of deterioration of the load 3 and the electrical resistance value R _HTR of the load 3 is non-linear when the total number of uses N _sum of the load 3 is used, the control unit 8 may use equation (6) to obtain the duty cycle D _used corresponding to the deteriorated load 3 based on a resistance R(0) of the load 3 whose total number of uses N _sum is zero (the load 3 is new), a resistance R(N _sum ) of the load 3 whose total number of uses is N _sum , and the duty cycle D _new when the load 3 is new.

17 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 1E.

The process from step S1701 to step S1703 is the same as the process from step S501 to step S503 in 5 .

In step S1704, the resistance value R _{HTR used} when the load 3 is deteriorated is input from the power source measuring unit 7 to the preparation unit 10.

In step S1705, when the correlation between the total number of uses N _sum indicating a deteriorated state of the load 3 and the electric resistance value R _HTR of the load 3 is linear or can be approximated to be linear, the preparation unit 10 obtains the duty ratio D _used corresponding to the deteriorated load 3 based on the obtained total number of uses N _sum of the load 3 and the equation (5). On the other hand, when the correlation between the total number of uses N _sum indicating a state of deterioration of the load 3 and the electrical resistance value R _HTR of the load 3 is nonlinear, the preparation unit 10 uses equation (6) to obtain the duty cycle D _used corresponding to the deteriorated load 3 based on the total number of uses N _sum of the load 3, the resistance R(0) of the load 3 when the total number of uses N _sum is zero (the load 3 is new), the resistance R(N _sum ) of the load 3 when the total number of uses is N _sum , and the duty cycle D _new when the load 3 is new.

In step S1706, the preparation unit 10 switches the switch 25 provided in the circuit for electrically connecting the load 3 and the power source 4 as shown in 9 based on the duty cycle value indicating the duty cycle D _used in the first subphase, thereby controlling the power supplied to load 3.

The process from step S1707 to step S1709 is the same as the process from step S505 to step S507 in 5 .

In Example 1E, as described above, even if the load 3 is increased due to factors such as the increase in the total number of uses N _sum the load 3 is deteriorated, the power of the load 3 must be provided so that the temperature of the load 3 is stabilized.

In the present example, the total number of uses N _sum of the load 3 is used as a physical quantity indicating the state of deterioration of the load 3. However, instead of the total number of uses N _sum , for example, an integrated time of operation of the load 3, an integrated power consumption of the load 3, an integrated amount of aerosol generation of the load 3, an electrical resistance value of the load 3 at predetermined temperatures such as room temperature, and the like may be used.

(Second embodiment)

In a second embodiment, the control of changing at least one of the gain of the amplifying unit 12 and a limiter width (range) used in the limiter unit 14 in the feedback control executed in the use phase will be described.

In the aerosol generating device 1 configured to heat the aerosol generating article 9, in order to stabilize the aerosols generated from the aerosol generating article 9 over time, it is necessary to gradually shift an aerosol generating position of the aerosol generating article 9 away from the vicinity of the load 3 by gradually increasing the temperature of the load 3 or the aerosol generating article 9. The reason is that when heating of the aerosol generating article 9 starts, aerosols are generated earlier at a position closer to the load 3 in the aerosol generating article 9, taking heat transfer from the load 3 to the aerosol generating article 9 into consideration. That is, when an aerosol source in a position of the aerosol generating article 9 near the load 3 is completely atomized and aerosol generation is completed, it is necessary to atomize an aerosol source distant from the load 3 to continuously generate aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9. That is, it is necessary to shift the position of aerosol generation from a position of the aerosol generation article 9 close to the load 3 to a position of the aerosol generation article 9 away from the load 3 in which the aerosol source is not completely atomized because the efficiency of heat transfer from the load 3 decreases.

As described above, the position of the aerosol generating article 9 away from the load 3 is inferior to the position of the aerosol generating article 9 close to the load 3 from the viewpoint of heat transfer. Therefore, when aerosols are to be generated in the position of the aerosol generating article 9 away from the load 3, the load 3 needs to transfer a lot of heat to the aerosol generating article 9 compared with a case where aerosols are generated in the position of the aerosol generating article 9 close to the load 3. In other words, when aerosols are to be generated in the position of the aerosol generating article 9 away from the load 3, it is necessary to increase the temperature of the load 3 compared with a case where aerosols are generated in the position of the aerosol generating article 9 close to the load 3.

In the second embodiment, the control of stabilizing an amount of aerosols generated from the aerosol generating article 9 over time by shifting the aerosol generating position of the aerosol generating article 9 from a position near the load 3 to a position away from the load will be described.

For example, when a first heating method is used in which the load 3 heats the aerosol generating article 9 from within the load 3, a central part of the aerosol generating article 9 is the position of the aerosol generating article 9 close to the load 3. Also, an outer peripheral part of the aerosol generating article 9 is the position of the aerosol generating article 9 away from the load 3.

For example, when a second heating method is used in which the load 3 heats the aerosol generating article 9 from outside thereof, the outer peripheral part of the aerosol generating article 9 is the position of the aerosol generating article 9 near the load 3. Also, the central part of the aerosol generating article 9 is the position of the aerosol generating article 9 which is away from the load 3.

For example, when a third heating method is used in which the load 3 heats the aerosol generating article 9 using induction heating (IH), a position of the aerosol generating article 9 that is in contact with or near a susceptor is the position of the aerosol generating article 9 near the load 3. Also, a position of the aerosol generating article 9 that is not in contact with or away from the susceptor is the position of the aerosol generating article 9 away from the load 3.

However, when it is intended to gradually increase the temperature of the load 3 or the aerosol generating article 9 by gradually increasing a target temperature in the feedback control, if the measured temperature value temporarily exceeds the target temperature, the temperature increase stagnates at that time, so that the User who inhales aerosols may feel unwell.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, at least one of the magnifications of the gain unit 12 and the limiter width of the limiter unit 14 is gradually increased in the use phase to smoothly increase the temperature of the load 3 or the aerosol generating article 9 without delay and thereby generate stable aerosols. Meanwhile, the increase in the gain of the gain unit 12 may mean that a correlation between an output value and an input value of the gain unit 12 is adjusted so that an absolute value of an output value to an input value input to the gain unit 12 after a gain is increased is larger than an absolute value of the output value to the input value input to the gain unit 12 before a gain is increased. Also, the increase in the limiter width of the limiter unit 14 may mean that a maximum value which can be regarded as an absolute value of an output value output from the limiter unit 14 is increased.

Comparing the control by the control unit 8 according to the second embodiment and the control by a prior art aerosol generating device, the control by the control unit 8 according to the second embodiment has the feature of performing the control while keeping the end temperature of the use phase constant, rather than the control of increasing, decreasing, and re-increasing the target temperature used in the feedback control. That is, in the second embodiment, since the temperature of the load 3 is lower than the end temperature of the use phase used under the feedback control, the temperature of the load 3 or the aerosol generating article 9 is increased evenly without delay throughout the entire use phase, so that aerosols are stably generated.

The control by the control unit 8 according to the second embodiment has the feature that it is not a control of narrowing the limiter width of the limiter unit 14 based on the timer value t. Also, the control by the control unit 8 according to the second embodiment has the feature that it is not a control of increasing the target temperature based on the timer value t while setting the limiter width of the limiter unit 14 to be constant. In other words, in the control by the control unit 8 according to the second embodiment, the limiter width is continuously widened or gradually narrowed without being narrowed as the use phase progresses.

For example, when the temperature of the load 3 in the use phase is equal to or higher than a value at which the predetermined amount or more of aerosols can be generated from the aerosol generating article 9, the control unit 8 according to the second embodiment may obtain the temperature of the load 3 and a progress degree of the use phase, execute the feedback control so that the temperature of the load 3 converges to a predetermined temperature, and increase an increment in the feedback control or an upper limit value of the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 as the progress degree in the feedback control progresses. Thereby, it is possible to gradually and stably increase the temperature of the load 3 without delay. That is, it is possible to stabilize the amount of aerosols generated from the aerosol generating article 9 throughout the use phase.

Herein, the control unit 8 can increase the magnification of the feedback control by changing any one of the proportional control (P), the integral control (I), and the differential control (D) of the PID (Proportional Integral Differential) control. Also, the control unit 8 can increase a gain of the proportional control, the integral control, and the differential control, or a plurality of gains. Also, the control unit 8 can increase both the magnification and the upper limit of the power supplied to the load 3.

The control unit 8 can be configured to increase the magnification or the upper limit as the degree of progress advances so that the temperature of the load 3 does not decrease from the beginning of the use phase. This can suppress the amount of aerosol generation from being reduced.

A gain magnification width or upper limit to a progressive width of the degree of advancement can be set constant. This can improve the stability of the feedback control.

The control unit 8 can be configured to change an increase rate of the gain value or the upper limit value to the advancing width of the degree of advancement. This makes it possible to generate an amount of aerosols corresponding to the degree of advancement.

The control unit 8 can be configured to increase the magnification rate as the degree of progress increases. Thereby, it is possible not to reduce the amount of aerosol generation generated. Also, it is possible to shorten a period in which the load 3 is at high temperatures, so that it is possible to prevent the load 3 and the aerosol generation device 1 from overheating, thereby improving the durability of the load 3 and the aerosol generation device 1. Since the period in which the load 3 is at high temperatures is short, it is also possible to simplify an adiabatic structure of the aerosol generation device 1. In particular, when the aerosol generation device 1 adopts the second method for heating, it is possible to simplify the adiabatic structure.

The control unit 8 may be configured to reduce the magnification rate as the degree of progress increases. Thereby, it is possible to extend a period of time in which the load 3 is at high temperatures, so that it is possible not to reduce the amount of aerosol generation. Since it is possible to extend the period of time in which the load 3 is at high temperatures, it is possible to increase the amount of aerosols generated by an aerosol generating article 9. Also, by a long period of increasing the magnification or the upper limit, it is possible to quickly compensate for the temperature drop (e.g., temperature drop) caused by the user inhaling (or breathing in) aerosols, and thus compensate for the temperature of the load 3. That is, it is possible to stabilize the amount of aerosols generated by an aerosol generating article 9 over the entire period of use.

The control unit 8 may be configured to determine the magnification or upper limit value corresponding to the progress degree based on a first relationship (correlation) that the magnification or upper limit value increases as the progress degree increases, and to change the first relationship based on a change in the progress degree with time. Thereby, it is possible to change a degree of increase of the gain or the upper limit value in accordance with a progress degree of the progress degree and to supply an appropriate amount of power to the load 3 in accordance with an actual progress degree, so that it is possible to stabilize the amount of aerosol generation.

The control unit 8 can be configured to change the first relationship so that the gain or the upper limit is increased as the degree of progress increases. In this case, if the gain or the upper limit is not decreased, it is possible not to reduce the amount of aerosol generation.

When the progress degree is delayed compared with a predetermined progress degree, the control unit 8 may change the first relationship so that the increase width of the gain or upper limit value is increased according to the advancing width of the progress degree, and may set the temperature of the load 3 as the progress degree. By further delaying the increase in the temperature of the load 3, it is possible to slightly increase the temperature of the load 3, so that it is possible to suppress the amount of aerosol generation from being reduced.

When the progress degree further progresses compared with a predetermined progress degree, the control unit 8 may change the first relationship so that the increase width of the gain or the upper limit value corresponding to the progressing width of the progress degree decreases, and may set the temperature of the load 3 as the progress degree. Thereby, when the increase in the temperature of the load 3 further progresses, it is possible to make it difficult for the temperature of the load 3 to increase, so that an increase in the amount of aerosol generation can be suppressed.

When the progress degree is delayed compared to a predetermined progress degree, the control unit 8 may change the first relationship so that the increase width of the gain or the upper limit value corresponding to the advance width of the progress degree decreases, and may set the progress degree to include at least a number of times of aerosol inhalation, an amount of aerosol inhalation, and an amount of aerosol generation. For example, when the aerosol inhalation is delayed compared to a predetermined progress degree, it is assumed that the aerosol source near the load 3 is not exhausted. In this case, if the increase width of the gain or the upper limit value is reduced, it is possible to effectively use the aerosol source in the aerosol generation article 9.

When the degree of progress further progresses compared to a predetermined degree of progress, the control unit 8 may change the first relationship so that the increasing width of the gain or the upper limit value corresponding to the advancing width of the degree of progress increases, and may set the degree of progress to be at least a number of Mal of aerosol inhalation, an amount of aerosol inhalation and an amount of aerosol generation. For example, when the degree of progress is more advanced compared to a predetermined degree of progress, it is assumed that the position of aerosol generation of the aerosol generation article 9 is shifted to a position farther from the load 3 than expected. In this case, even if the magnification width of the magnification or the upper limit is increased, it is possible to positively generate aerosols from the position of aerosol generation farther from the load 3.

The control unit 8 may be configured to temporarily change the first relation or change a part of the first relation. In this case, if the magnification width of the increment or the upper limit is temporarily changed and then returned to the original magnification width, the stability of the control can be improved.

The control unit 8 can be configured to change a whole part of the first relation after the last degree of progress is received by the control unit 8. In this case, if the magnification width of the increment or the upper limit is changed completely, the possibility that the change must be made again can be reduced.

In the meantime, the control unit 8 can be configured to change the entire first relation comprising the progress level that is further back than the last progress level.

The control unit 8 may be configured to change a part of the first relation according to the latest progress degree obtained by the control unit 8, and set a relation between the progress degree and the gain or upper limit value at the end of the use phase to be the same before and after the change of the first relation. In this case, if the gain or upper limit value does not change at the end of the use phase, it is possible to largely suppress the amount of power supplied to the load 3, thereby improving the stability of the control.

The predetermined temperature may be a temperature of the load 3 necessary to generate aerosols from the aerosol source or the aerosol-forming substrate 9a included in the assembled aerosol generating article 9 and located at a position farthest from the load 3. Thereby, it is possible to effectively generate aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9.

When the temperature of the load 3 reaches the predetermined temperature, the control unit 8 can terminate the use phase. This makes it possible to prevent overheating of the aerosol generating article 9.

When the temperature of the load 3 reaches the predetermined temperature or when the degree of progress reaches the predetermined threshold, the control unit 8 can terminate the use phase. This makes it possible to terminate the feedback control more safely.

When the temperature of the load 3 reaches the predetermined temperature and the degree of progress reaches a predetermined threshold, the control unit 8 can terminate the use phase. This makes it possible to generate more aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9 with the termination condition strictly set within an appropriate range.

The control unit 8 may be configured to increase the increase or the upper limit so that a period of time in which the temperature of the load 3 is lower than the predetermined temperature is longer than a period of time in which the temperature of the load 3 is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature in the use phase. In this case, if the period in which the temperature of the load 3 is not close to the predetermined temperature is longer than the period in which the temperature of the load 3 is close to the predetermined temperature, it is possible to suppress the increase in the amount of aerosol generation.

The time of the usage phase, the number of aerosol inhalations, the amount of aerosol generation or the temperature of the load 3 according to the control of the control unit 8 can be used as the degree of progress.

The control unit 8 according to the second embodiment is configured to increase the magnification of the feedback control or the upper limit of the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 so that the temperature of the load 3 gradually approaches from a first temperature at which the predetermined amount or more of aerosols can be generated from the aerosol source or the aerosol forming substrate 9a contained in the aerosol generating article 9 and located in a position closest to the load 3, to a second temperature at which the predetermined amount or more of aerosols can be generated from the aerosol source or the aerosol forming substrate 9a contained in the aerosol generating article 9 and located in a position closest to the load 3. game is furthest away from the load 3. Thereby, the control unit 8 can effectively perform the aerosol generation over the entire range from a position near the load 3 to a position of the aerosol generating article 9 which is away from the load 3 through the feedback control.

For example, in the use phase, if the temperature of the load 3 is equal to or greater than a value at which the predetermined amount or more of aerosols can be generated from the aerosol generating article 9, the control unit 8 according to the second embodiment may obtain the temperature of the load 3 and the progress degree of the use phase, determine the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 based on a difference between the temperature of the load 3 and the predetermined temperature, and execute the feedback control so that a rate of change of the power supply amount with the progress of the use phase is larger than a rate of change of the predetermined temperature with the progress of the use phase. Meanwhile, the rate of change may also include a state in which the rate of change is zero, that is, no change occurs. Thereby, it is possible to gradually and stably increase the temperature of the load 3 without delay.

For example, in the use phase, if the temperature of the load 3 is equal to or greater than a value at which the predetermined amount or more of aerosols can be generated from the aerosol generating article 9, the control unit 8 according to the second embodiment may detect the temperature of the load 3 and the progress degree of the use phase, and determine the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 based on a difference between the temperature of the load 3 and the predetermined temperature, and perform feedback control such that a value obtained by subtracting the temperature of the load 3 from the predetermined temperature decreases with the progress of the use phase and the amount of power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 is increased with the progress of the use phase. Thereby, it is possible to gradually and stably increase the temperature of the load 3 without delay.

The various controls by the control unit 8 can also be implemented by the control unit 8 executing the program.

Regarding the second embodiment, specific examples of the control are further described in the following embodiments 2A to 2F.

<Example 2A>

18 is a control block diagram showing an example of control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 2A.

The limiter changing unit 13 of the control unit 8 maintains the first relationship in which an input parameter including at least a timer value t, the measured temperature value of the load 3, and a puff profile, and the limiter width of the limiter unit 14 are connected to each other. The timer value t, the measured temperature value of the load 3, and the puff profile are examples of the value indicating the degree of progress of the use phase. Instead, other physical quantities or variables that tend to increase according to the degree of progress of the use phase may be used.

Example 2A describes a case where the timer value t, the temperature reading, and the puff profile are used as input parameters. However, a part of the timer value t, the temperature reading, and the puff profile can also be used as input parameters.

The connection between the input parameter and the delimiter width can be managed by a table or a data structure such as a list structure, and a function can be used that affects the input parameter and the delimiter width. The same applies to a variety of connections described later.

In the use phase, the control unit 8 uses the input of the timer value t from the timer 5 and the input of the temperature measurement value indicating the temperature of the load 3 from the temperature measuring unit 6.

The control unit 8 detects the user's inhalation based on an output value of a sensor configured to detect a physical quantity that changes with the user's inhalation, such as a flow sensor, a flow rate sensor, and a pressure sensor provided in the aerosol generating device 1, and generates a puff profile indicating an inhalation state, such as the number of time-series inhalations of the user or an amount of inhalation.

The control unit 8 comprises the limiter changing unit 13, the differential unit 11, the amplifying unit 12 and the limiter unit 14.

The limiter changing unit 13 determines an enlargement width of the limiter width used in the limiter unit 14 based on the input parameter, and gradually enlarges the limiter width as the use phase progresses.

For example, in Example 2A, the limiter changing unit 13 is not allowed to change the limiter width. In other words, when the limiter width is changed, the limiter changing unit 13 is only allowed to widen the limiter width. Also, in the following Examples 2B to 2F of the second embodiment, the limiter width used in the limiter changing unit 13 is not allowed to be narrowed.

Specifically, the limiter changing unit 13 changes the limiter width of the limiter unit 14 so that a width between a maximum value of the limiter and a minimum value of the limiter is increased as the timer value t is increased.

The difference unit 11 receives a difference between the temperature value measured by the temperature measuring unit 6 and the end temperature of the use phase. In this example 2A, it is assumed that the end temperature of the use phase is a fixed value that the temperature of the load 3 is to reach at the end of the use phase, for example by the feedback control.

The amplification unit 12 obtains a duty ratio at which the difference is relieved or reduced based on the difference between the measured temperature value and the end temperature of the use phase. In other words, the amplification unit 12 outputs to the limiting unit 14 a duty ratio that has a correlation between a difference between the measured temperature value and the end temperature of the use phase and the duty ratio and corresponds to a difference between the input measured temperature value and the end temperature of the use phase.

The limiter unit 14 controls so that the duty ratio obtained from the gain unit 12 includes the limiter width. Specifically, when the duty ratio obtained from the gain unit 12 exceeds the maximum value of the limiter width obtained from the limiter changing unit 13, the limiter unit 14 sets the duty ratio as the maximum value of the limiter width, and when the obtained duty ratio falls below the minimum value of the limiter width obtained from the limiter changing unit 13, the limiter unit 14 limits the duty ratio to the minimum value of the limiter width. As a result of the limiter processing, the limiter unit 14 outputs a duty operation value indicating the duty ratio included in the limiter width, for example, to the 3 comparison unit 15 shown. The key operation value is a value obtained as a result of feedback control by the control unit 8.

19 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 2A.

In step S1901, the control unit 8 inputs the timer value t from the timer 5.

In step S1902, the control unit 8 determines whether the timer value t is equal to or greater than the time t _thre indicating an end of the use phase.

When it is determined that the timer value t is equal to or greater than the time t _thre (a determination result in step S1902 is positive), the control unit 8 stops supplying power to the load 3 and ends the usage phase.

When it is determined that the timer value t is not equal to or greater than the time t _thre (a determination result in step S1902 is negative), the difference unit 11 of the control unit 8 obtains a difference ΔT _HTR between the end temperature of the use phase of the load 3 and the temperature measurement value input from the temperature measurement unit 6 in step S1903.

In step S1904, the limiter changing unit 13 of the control unit 8 determines the increase in the magnification width of the limiter width used in the limiter unit 14 based on at least one of the timer value t, the measured temperature value, and the puff profile, and changes the limiter width.

In step S1905, the amplification unit 12 of the control unit 8 obtains the duty ratio (duty operation value) D _cmd based on the difference ΔT _HTR . When a correlation between the input value and the output value in the amplification unit 12 is referred to as a function K, the processing of the amplification unit 12 can be expressed by D _cmd =K(ΔT _HTR ). In particular, if the correlation between the input value and the output value in the amplification unit 12 is gain unit 12 is linear, if a gain coefficient which is a gradient of the correlation is denoted as K, the processing of the gain unit 12 can be expressed by D _cmd =K _× ΔT _HTR .

In step S1906, the amplifying unit 14 of the control unit 8 performs the limiter processing so that the duty ratio D _cmd obtained from the amplifying unit 12 falls within the limiter width of the amplifying unit 14, thereby obtaining a limiter processed duty ratio D _cmdd .

In step S1907, the control unit 8 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on a duty instruction value indicating the duty ratio D _cmdd , and then the processing returns to step S1901. Meanwhile, the duty ratio D _cmdd may also be applied to the switch 25 provided between the power source 4 and the load 3 or to the DC/DC converter provided between the power source 4 and the load 3.

In the above processing, the order of step S1904 and step S1905 may be swapped.

In the control performed by the control unit 8 according to Example 2A, the limiter width used in the limiter unit 14 is changed to be gradually widened each time the phase of use progresses, and the temperature of the load 3 is controlled based on the duty ratio D _cmdd in the limiter width. Thereby, it is possible to increase the temperature of the load 3 or the aerosol generating article 9 without delay, so that it is possible to stably generate aerosols.

<Example 2B>

In Example 2B, a control is described in which the limiter changing unit 13 determines the enlargement width of the limiter width based on a determination of whether a heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is larger than expected with the passage of time of the usage phase and changes the limiter width.

In Example 2B, the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 can also be strictly obtained from a mass and a specific heat of the aerosol generating article 9. As another example, the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 can be treated as a physical quantity that depends on the compositions or structures of the aerosol-forming substrate 9a, the flavor source, and the aerosol source provided in the aerosol generating article 9, and has a larger value as the residual amounts of the aerosol generating article 9, the flavor source, and the aerosol source are larger. That is, when the aerosol generating article 9 is heated by the load 3, at least a part of the aerosol-forming substrate 9a and the flavor source or the aerosol source is consumed, so that the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 tends to decrease as the use phase progresses. In other words, the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is assumed to indicate an amount of aerosols that can be generated by the aerosol generating article 9, a remaining amount of aerosols that can be inhaled by the user of the aerosol generating device 1, the number of remaining inhalations, or an amount of heat that can be applied to the aerosol generating article 9 by the aerosol generating device 1. Note that the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is not zero even when an amount of aerosols that can be generated by the aerosol generating article 9, a remaining amount of aerosols that can be inhaled by the user of the aerosol generating device 1, or the number of remaining inhalations is zero.

The control unit 8 and/or the limiter changing unit 13 according to Example 2B may determine, based on the measured temperature value or the puff profile, whether the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is larger than expected as the time series of the usage phase progresses. For example, the control unit 8 and/or the limiter changing unit 13 according to Example 2B stores in advance ideal time series data about the temperature of the load 3 or the aerosol generating article 9 in the usage phase, the number of inhalations by the user of the aerosol generating device 1 in the usage phase, or an integrated value of the amount of inhalation. By comparing the ideal time series data and the measured temperature value or the puff profile, it may be determined whether the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is larger than expected as the time series of the usage phase progresses.

In particular, if the measured temperature value is delayed from the ideal time series data, the control unit 8 and/or the limiter changing unit 13 may determine that the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is larger than expected. On the other hand, the control unit 8 and/or the limiter changing unit 13 may determine that the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is smaller than expected as the measured temperature value progresses with respect to the ideal time series data.

In other words, in a state where the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is large, the measured temperature value is estimated to be small. On the other hand, in a state where the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is not large (small), the measured temperature value is estimated to be large.

When the measured temperature value is small, the limiter changing unit 13 increases the enlargement width of the limiter width.

When the measured temperature value is large, the limiter changing unit 13 narrows the enlargement width of the limiter width.

Meanwhile, when the puff profile is delayed from the ideal time series data, the control unit 8 and/or the limiter changing unit 13 may determine that the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is larger than expected. If the user does not inhale the aerosol generating device 1 more than expected, this will be clearly evident from the delay in the puff profile. It should therefore be noted that it is less necessary to expand the magnification width of the limiter width to increase or maintain the amount of aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9 by expanding the magnification width of the limiter width.

Even if the puff profile progresses with respect to the ideal time series data, the control unit 8 and/or the limiter changing unit 13 may determine that the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is smaller than expected. If the user inhales the aerosol generating device 1 more than expected, this will be clearly seen in the progression of the puff profile. It should therefore be noted that in order to increase or maintain the amount of aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9 by expanding the magnification width of the limiter width, it is necessary to positively expand the magnification width of the limiter width.

When the puff profile is delayed, the limiter changing unit 13 narrows the enlargement width of the limiter width.

As the puff profile progresses, the limiter changing unit 13 increases the enlargement width of the limiter width.

Meanwhile, as described above, even if one of the measured temperature values and the puff profile is used for the progress degree of the use phase, in Example 2B, the limiter changing unit 13 does not narrow the limiter width with the progress of the use phase.

20 shows an example of changing the limiter width in the limiter changing unit 13 in accordance with Example 2B. In 20 the dashed line sloping upwards indicates the increase in the limiter width enlargement before changing. In a first example of changing the limiter width, which is indicated by the dashed line in 20 As shown, the limiter changing unit 13 temporarily expands or decreases the enlargement width of the limiter width based on the input parameter and then returns the enlargement width of the limiter width to the state before changing, which is indicated by the downward sloping dashed line in 20 It is to be noted that the limiter changing unit 13 does not output the enlargement width of the limiter width before changing, which is shown with the dashed line, in an area where the limiter width shown with the dashed line in the first limiter width changing example is applied.

In a second example of changing the limiter width, which is shown with the solid line in 20 As shown in Fig. 1, the limiter changing unit 13 expands or decreases the increase width of the limiter width based on the input parameter, and then maintains the change of the limiter width by the increase width. In other words, in the second change example, the axes of the function including the limiter width and the input parameter are smoothly changed.

In a third example of changing the limiter width, which is shown with the dashed-dotted line in 20 As shown, the delimiter changing unit 13 increases or decreases the enlargement width of the delimiter width based on the input parameter, and then changes the enlargement width of the delimiter width to be a delimiter width expected at the end of the use phase.

21 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 2B. In 21 An example is shown of a case where the enlargement width of the limiter width is determined based on the puff profile or the measured temperature value, and the limiter width is changed based on the determined enlargement width.

The processing of step S2101 and step S2102 is the same as the processing of step S1901 and step S1902 in 19 .

When it is determined in step S2102 that the timer value t is not equal to or greater than the time t _thre (a determination result is negative), the puff profile or the temperature measurement value, for example, is input to the limiter changing unit 13 in step S2103.

In step S2104, the limiter changing unit 13 determines whether the input of the puff profile or the temperature measurement value is within an assumed range (within a predetermined range). Meanwhile, the description "the input puff profile or the measured temperature value is within an assumed range" indicates that there is no deviation between the ideal time series data and the input puff profile or the measured temperature value, or that there is a slight deviation.

When it is determined that the puff profile or the temperature measurement value is within the assumed range (a determination result in step S2104 is positive), the processing proceeds to step S2106.

When it is determined that the puff profile or the temperature measurement value is not within the assumed range (a determination result in step S2104 is negative), the limiter changing unit 13 changes the enlargement width of the limiter width in step S2105, and the processing proceeds to step S2106.

The processing from step S2106 to step S2110 is the same as the processing from step S1903 to step S1907 in 19 .

The above-described effects of the operation of Example 2B are described.

The speed of aerosol generation by the aerosol generation device 1 differs from user to user. Also, there is an inevitable product error between the aerosol generation device 1 and/or the aerosol generation article 9. In Example 2B, the enlargement width of the limiter width used using the limiter unit 14 is changed based on the progress degree of the use phase to absorb the error based on the aerosol inhalation speed of the user and the product error. Thereby, it is possible to stabilize the control of aerosol generation.

<Example 2C>

It is possible to prevent overheating of the aerosol generating article 9 by, for example, suppressing the period in which the load 3 has high temperatures.

Meanwhile, it is possible to promote aerosol generation at a position of the aerosol generating article 9 away from the load 3 by extending the period in which the load 3 has high temperatures.

Therefore, in Example 2C, it is described that the enlargement width of the limiter width is increased or decreased and the temperature of the load 3 is controlled to prevent overheating of the aerosol generating article 9 or to promote aerosol generation.

In order to generate aerosols stably over the entire use phase, it is necessary to generate aerosols from a position of the aerosol generating article 9 that is away from the load 3 over time from the start of aerosol generation.

As described above, when a position of the aerosol generating article 9 remote from the load 3 is exposed to a temperature suitable for aerosol generation, it is necessary to expose the load 3 to higher temperatures than at the start of aerosol generation.

The control unit 8 controls the load 3 to reach the end temperature of the use phase at the end of the use phase. However, it is possible to prevent the load 3 from overheating because the period of time during which the load is kept at the end temperature of the use phase is shorter.

Meanwhile, there is a case where the load 3 is preferably kept at high temperatures for a long time in order to generate a sufficient amount of aerosols even in a position away from the load 3.

22 is a diagram showing an example of a change in the limiter width used in the limiter unit 14 and a state of increasing the temperature of the load 3. In 22 the horizontal axis indicates the timer value t. The vertical axis indicates the temperature or the limiter width.

A line L _28A indicates that the smaller the timer value (time) t is, the smaller the limiter width enlargement width is, and the larger the timer value t is, the larger the limiter width enlargement width is. A temperature change corresponding to the line L _28A is a line L _28B . The line L _28B shows that an increase in the temperature of the load 3 occurs slowly and the temperature of the load 3 is increased as it approaches the end of the use phase. The limiter changing unit 13 can prevent an overheated state of the load 3 by changing the increase width of the limiter width to follow the line L _28A and the line L _28B .

Meanwhile, a line L _28C indicates that the smaller the timer value (time) t is, the larger the enlargement width of the limiter width is, and the larger the timer value t is, the smaller the enlargement width of the limiter width is. A temperature change corresponding to the line L _28C is a line L _28D . The line L _28D shows that an increase in the temperature of the load 3 occurs quickly and the period of time in which the temperature of the load 3 is kept near the end temperature of the use phase is extended. The limiter changing unit 13 can generate a sufficient amount of aerosols from a position of the aerosol generating article 9 away from the load 3 by changing the enlargement width of the limiter width to follow the line L _28C and the line L _28D .

23 is a diagram showing an example of a change in the limiter width according to Example 2C.

The limiter changing unit 13 basically changes the limiter width based on, for example, the timer value t, and determines the enlargement width of the limiter width at the time of changing the limiter width based on the puff profile and/or the measured temperature value.

A line L _29A indicates an expanded state of the enlarging width of the limiter width, and a line L _29B indicates a narrowed state of the enlarging width of the limiter width.

In example 2C described above, the limiter width enlargement width is changed depending on the degree of advance, thereby preventing overheating of load 3.

Also in Example 2C, it is possible to effectively generate aerosols in the position of the aerosol generating article 9 away from the load 3.

<Example 2D>

In Example 2A to Example 2C, the limiter changing unit 13 changes the limiter width used in the limiter unit 14.

In contrast, in Example 2D, the gain of the gain unit 12 is changed based on the input parameter, which includes at least a timer value t, the temperature of the load 3, and the puff profile.

24 is a control block diagram showing an example of control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 2D.

A gain unit 17 provided in the control unit 8 according to Example 2D changes a gain used in the gain unit 12 based on the input parameter including at least one of the timer value t, the measured temperature value, and the puff profile. The change in the gain includes, for example, a change in a characteristic of the controller, a change in a gain function, and a change in a value included in a gain function. The gain function has a second relationship in which, for example, a difference between the end temperature of the use phase and the measured temperature value and a duty cycle corresponding to the difference are related to each other.

When the amplification unit 17 changes a gain used in the amplification unit 12, a duty ratio obtained using the differential input from the differential unit 11 may be changed based on the input parameter.

25 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 2D.

The process from step S2501 to step S2503 is the same as the process from step S1901 to step S1903 in 19 .

In step S2504, the gain changing unit 17 of the control unit 8 changes a gain of the gain unit 12 based on the input parameter.

The processing from step S2505 to step S2507 is the same as the processing from step S1905 to step S1907 in 19 .

In Example 2D, as described above, the gain of the gain unit 12 is changed except for the limiter width of the limiter unit 14 to stabilize the control of aerosol generation.

<Example 2E>

In Example 2E, an end condition of the use phase is that the measured temperature value is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature, and control of terminating the use phase when the measured temperature value is equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature is described. For example, herein, the predetermined temperature may be equal to or higher than the end temperature of the use phase of the load 3. The predetermined temperature may be the temperature of the load 3 necessary to generate aerosols from the aerosol source or aerosol-forming substrate 9a contained in the aerosol generating article 9 and located in the position farthest from the load 3, for example as described above.

26 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 2E.

The processing from step S2601 to step S2607 is the same as the processing from step S1901 to step S1907 in 19 .

When it is determined in step S2602 that the timer value t is equal to or greater than the time t3 (a determination result is positive), the control unit 8 determines in step S2608 whether the measured temperature value is equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature.

When it is determined that the measured temperature value is equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature (a determination result in step S2608 is positive), the control unit 8 stops the power supply to the load 3 and ends the use phase.

When it is determined that the measured temperature value is not equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature (a determination result in step S2608 is negative), the control unit 8 repeats step S2608.

In example 2E, as described above, the use phase is terminated when the measured temperature value is equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature.

In particular, in Example 2E, the end condition of the use phase is the condition where the timer value t is equal to or greater than the time t _thre and the measured temperature value is equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature.

At the same time, the final condition is strictly set so that it is possible to generate more aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9 while preventing the aerosol generating article 9 from being overheated.

In the meantime, the condition where the timer value t is equal to or greater than the time t _thre can also be used as the end condition of the use phase, as described in Examples 2A to 2C.

As the end condition of the use phase, one of the states in which the timer value t is equal to or greater than the time t _thre or the state in which the measured temperature value is equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature can also be used. This makes it possible to safely end the use phase, thereby preventing overheating of the aerosol generating article 9.

<Example 2F>

In Example 2F, features of the control by the control unit 8 in the use phase in the second embodiment are described.

27 is a diagram showing an example of comparison between a final temperature of the use phase according to the second embodiment and a target temperature according to an aerosol generating device of the related art. In 27 the horizontal axis indicates the timer value t. The vertical axis indicates the temperature or the power. The power can also be specified by the duty cycle, for example.

For example, in the prior art aerosol generating device, as shown with a line L _33A , the increase in the target temperature of the load 3 and/or the aerosol generating article 9 is controlled over time.

In contrast, in the control performed by the control unit 8 of the second embodiment, as shown by a line L _33B , the end temperature of the use phase is constant, that is, it does not change. In the second embodiment, the magnification width of the power supplied to the load 3 is gradually increased, as shown by a line L _33C .

In other words, in the control executed by the control unit 8 of the second embodiment, a rate of change of the power supplied to the load 3 with the progress the use phase is greater than a rate of change of the end temperature of the use phase as the use phase progresses.

28 is a diagram showing an example of comparing a difference between the end temperature of the use phase and the measured temperature value according to the second embodiment and a difference between the target temperature and the measured temperature value according to the aerosol generating device of the related art. In 28 the horizontal axis indicates the timer value t. The vertical axis indicates the difference or power.

For example, in the related art aerosol generating device as shown with a line L _34A , the temperature of the load 3 is directly controlled so that a value obtained by subtracting the measured temperature value from the target temperature is reduced.

In contrast, in the control executed by the control unit 8 of the second embodiment, as shown with a line L _34B , a value obtained by subtracting the measured temperature value from the end temperature of the use phase is reduced with the increase of the timer value t, that is, with time.

In this way, in the control executed by the control unit 8 of the second embodiment, the value obtained by subtracting the measured temperature value from the end temperature of the use phase decreases as the use phase progresses, and the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 increases simultaneously with the progress of the use phase.

(Third embodiment)

In a third embodiment, a case will be described in which the aerosol generating device 1 executes various controls in multiple phases, and the multiple phases include a first phase executed first and a second phase executed later than the first phase.

The aerosol generating device 1 according to the third embodiment includes the load 3 configured to heat the aerosol generating article 9 using the energy supplied from the energy source 4, and the control unit 8 configured to control the energy supplied from the energy source 4 to the load 3 in multiple phases in which different control modes are executed. The control modes are different in the multiple phases concerning the heating of the aerosol generating article 9, so that a control mode having a characteristic suitable for one phase can be used, and further the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 heated by the load 3 can be highly controlled. Therefore, even with an aerosol generating article 9 having a complicated structure, it is possible to highly control the aerosols to be generated.

For example, as described in the first and second embodiments, the control unit 8 may be configured to execute a first feedforward control in the first phase and execute at least one of a second feedforward control and the feedback control in the second phase. In this way, the control by the control unit 8 is shifted from the feedforward control to the feedback control, so that it is possible to realize the rapid increase in the temperature of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 by the feedforward control and the stable aerosol generation by the feedback control at the same time, which are contradictory effects.

The number of control modes used in the second phase may be larger than the number of control modes used in the first phase. Therefore, after the transition from the first phase to the second phase, it is possible to realize the stable aerosol generation using the plurality of control modes.

A time for executing the first phase may be shorter than a time for executing the second phase when the rate of increase in temperature of the load 3 is lower than that in the first phase. This shortens the time of execution in the phase in which the increase in temperature of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 occurs faster, so that it is possible to generate aerosols early.

The time for executing the first phase may be shorter than the time for executing the second phase when the temperature of the load or an average temperature of the load is higher than in the first phase. This shortens the time of execution in the phase where the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 or the average temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 are lower, so that it is possible to generate aerosols early.

An amount of power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the first phase may be smaller than an amount of power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the second phase in which the rate of temperature increase of the load 3 is lower than in the first phase. Thereby, an amount of power to be consumed in the phase in which the rate of increase of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 is higher is reduced, so that it is possible to utilize the efficiency of the power source 4 for aerosol generation.

The amount of power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the first phase may be smaller than the amount of power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the second phase in which the temperature of the load or an average temperature of the load is higher than in the first phase. This reduces an amount of power to be consumed in the phase in which the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 or the average temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 are lower, so that it is possible to improve the efficiency of the power source 4 for aerosol generation using.

The power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the first phase may be larger than the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the second phase in which the increase rate of the temperature of the load 3 is lower than that in the first phase. In this way, the power consumed in the first phase is larger than the power consumed in the second phase, so that it is possible to quickly generate aerosols in the first phase, stably generate a preferable amount of aerosols in the second phase, and suppress the power consumed in the second phase.

The power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the first phase may be higher than the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the second phase when the temperature of the load or an average temperature of the load is higher than that in the first phase. In this way, the power consumed in the first phase is greater than the power consumed in the second phase, so that it is possible to quickly generate aerosols in the first phase, stably generate a preferred amount of aerosols in the second phase, and suppress the power consumed in the second phase.

The increase rate of the temperature of the load 3 in the second phase may be lower than the increase rate of the temperature of the load 3 in the first phase, and the number of conditions for terminating the second phase when it is satisfied may be larger than the number of conditions for terminating the first phase when it is satisfied. In this way, it is possible to stably terminate the aerosol generation.

The rate of increase in temperature of the load 3 in the second phase may be lower than the rate of increase in temperature of the load 3 in the first phase, and the number of end conditions that should be satisfied to end the second phase may be greater than the number of end conditions that should be satisfied to end the first phase. By determining the end of the second phase more accurately, it is possible to sufficiently secure the time in which the second phase is carried out, thereby generating more aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9.

The temperature or average temperature of the load 3 in the second phase may be higher than the temperature or average temperature of the load 3 in the first phase, and the number of conditions for terminating the second phase when it is satisfied may be greater than the number of conditions for terminating the first phase when it is satisfied. This makes it possible to stably terminate the aerosol generation.

The temperature or average temperature of the load 3 in the second phase may be higher than the temperature or average temperature of the load 3 in the first phase, and the number of end conditions that should be satisfied to end the second phase may be greater than the number of end conditions that should be satisfied to end the first phase. By determining the end of the second phase more accurately, it is possible to sufficiently secure the time in which the second phase is carried out, thereby generating more aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9.

The plurality of phases include the first phase and the second phase in which the rate of increase in the temperature of the load 3 is lower than in the first phase, and the number of variables obtained by the control unit 8 before the execution of the first phase or before the increase in the temperature of the load 3 in the first phase and used in controlling the power supplied by the power source 4 to the load 3 in the first phase may be larger than the number of variables obtained by the control unit 8 before the execution of the second phase or before the increasing the temperature of the load 3 in the second phase and used in controlling the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the second phase. As a result, the environmental settings at the beginning of the phase increase in the phase in which the temperature increase rate is higher, so that it is possible to increase the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 more stably and quickly.

The multiple phases include a phase in which the temperature increase rate of the load 3 is the lowest, and the control unit 8 may not obtain variables used in controlling the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the lowest phase before the execution of the lowest phase or before the temperature increase of the load 3 in the lowest phase, or may not execute the control of the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the lowest phase based on variables obtained before the execution of the lowest phase or before the temperature increase of the load 3 in the lowest phase. Since it is possible to omit the acquisition of variables for the phase in which the temperature increase rate is the lowest, it is possible to immediately execute the phase in which the temperature increase rate is the lowest. It is also possible to simplify the control of the phase in which the temperature increase rate is the lowest.

The multiple phases include the first phase and the second phase in which the temperature or the average temperature of the load 3 is higher than in the first phase, and the number of variables obtained by the control unit 8 before the execution of the first phase or before the increase in the temperature of the load 3 in the first phase and used in controlling the power supplied to the load 3 from the power source 4 in the first phase may be larger than the number of variables obtained by the control unit 8 before the execution of the second phase or before the increase in the temperature of the load 3 in the second phase and used in controlling the power supplied to the load 3 from the power source 4 in the second phase. Thereby, the environmental settings at the beginning of the phase increase in the phase in which the temperature increase rate is higher, so that it is possible to increase the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 more stably and quickly.

The multiple phases include a phase in which the temperature or the average temperature of the load 3 is the highest, and the control unit 8 may not obtain variables used in controlling the power supplied to the load 3 in the highest phase from the power source 4 before executing the highest phase or before increasing the temperature of the load 3 in the highest phase, or may not execute the control of the power supplied to the load 3 in the highest phase from the power source 4 based on variables obtained before executing the highest phase or before increasing the temperature of the load 3 in the highest phase. Since it is possible to omit the acquisition of variables for the phase in which the temperature or the average temperature is the highest, it is possible to immediately execute the phase in which the temperature or the average temperature is the highest. Also, it is possible to simplify the control of the phase with the highest temperature or average temperature.

The temperature increase rate of the load 3 in the second phase may be lower than the temperature increase rate of the load 3 in the first phase, and the number of times variables and/or algorithms used in the control of the second phase are changed during execution of the control of the second phase may be greater than the number of times variables and/or algorithms used in the control of the first phase are changed during execution of the control of the first phase. At this time, the number of times during the phase changes in the phase in which the increase rate of the load 3 is lower, so that the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 can be further greatly controlled to stably generate aerosols.

Herein, changing variables used using the controller includes changing one variable to another variable and changing a value stored in a variable, for example.

For example, changing the algorithm includes changing an algorithm to another algorithm, changing a function, processing and variable used in an algorithm, changing part of a function and changing part of the processing.

The control unit 8 may be configured so as not to change a variable and/or an algorithm used in the control in a phase of the plurality of phases in which the increase rate of the load 3 is the highest during the execution of the control in the highest phase. This makes it possible to detect of variables for the phase in which the temperature increase rate is highest and to simplify the control in the phase in which the temperature increase rate is highest.

The temperature or the average temperature of the load 3 in the second phase may be higher than the temperature or the average temperature of the load 3 in the first phase, and the number of times of changing variables and/or algorithms used in the control in the second phase during execution of the control in the second phase may be greater than the number of times of changing variables and/or algorithms used in the control in the first phase during execution of the control in the first phase. Here, the number of times of changing during the phase increases in the phase in which the temperature or the average temperature of the load 3 is higher, so that the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 can be further greatly controlled to stably generate aerosols.

The control unit 8 may be configured not to change a variable and/or an algorithm used in control in a phase of the plurality of phases in which the temperature or the average temperature of the load 3 is the lowest during execution of control of the lowest phase. Since it is possible to omit the acquisition of variables for the phase in which the temperature or the average temperature is the lowest, it is possible to immediately execute the phase in which the temperature or the average temperature is the lowest. It is also possible to simplify the control of the phase in which the temperature or the average temperature is the lowest.

The increase rate of the temperature of the load 3 in the second phase may be lower than the increase rate of the temperature of the load 3 in the first phase, the control unit 8 may be configured to detect the inhalation of aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9, and the increase width of the power supplied to the load 3 from the power source 4 in accordance with the inhalation detected in the second phase may be set larger than the increase width of the power supplied to the load 3 from the power source 4 in accordance with the inhalation detected in the first phase. Thereby, the temperature in the phase where the increase rate of the load 3 is lower can be restored with a larger increase width with respect to the temperature decrease caused by the inhalation, so that it is possible to suppress the amount of aerosol generation and not lower the temperature of the load 3 by the inhalation.

The temperature or average temperature of the load 3 in the second phase may be higher than the temperature or average temperature of the load 3 in the first phase, the control unit 8 may be configured to detect the inhalation of aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9, and the magnification width of the power provided from the power source 4 to the load 3 in accordance with the inhalation detected in the second phase may be set larger than the magnification width of the power provided from the power source 4 to the load 3 in accordance with the inhalation detected in the first phase. Thereby, the temperature can be restored with a larger magnification width with respect to the temperature decrease due to the inhalation in the phase where the temperature or average temperature of the load 3 is higher, so that it is possible to suppress the amount of aerosol generation and the temperature of the load 3 from being lowered due to the inhalation.

The control unit 8 can be configured to obtain, for each of the several phases, degrees of progress based on different variables. In this way, for each phase, a variable corresponding to the degree of progress is changed, so that it is possible to better recognize the progress of a phase.

The control unit 8 can be configured to obtain, based on time, a degree of progress of a phase of the plurality of phases in which the increase rate of the load 3 is the highest. In this way, it is possible to prevent overheating of the load 3 by determining the degree of progress of the phase in which the increase in temperature is the highest in time.

The control unit 8 can be configured to obtain, based on time, a degree of progress of a phase of the plurality of phases in which the temperature or the average temperature of the load 3 is the lowest. In this way, it is possible to prevent overheating of the load 3 by determining the degree of progress of the phase in which the temperature or the average temperature of the load 3 is the lowest in time.

The control unit 8 may be configured to detect the inhalation of aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9 and to obtain, based on the temperature of the load 3 or the inhalation, a degree of progress of a phase of the plurality of phases in which the increase rate of the temperature of the load 3 is the lowest. In this way, the degree of progress is determined based on the temperature of the load 3 or the inhalation, so that the degree of progress of the phase can be determined based on a result of aerosol generation of the aerosol generation article 9. For this, it is possible to generate more aerosols by the aerosol generation article 9.

The control unit 8 may be configured to detect inhalation of aerosols generated from the aerosol generating article 9 and determine, based on the temperature of the load 3 or the inhalation, a degree of progress of a phase of the plurality of phases in which the temperature or the average temperature of the load 3 is the highest. In this way, the degree of progress is determined based on the temperature of the load 3 or the inhalation in the phase in which the temperature or the average temperature is the highest, so that the degree of progress of the phase can be determined based on a result of aerosol generation of the aerosol generating article 9. Therefore, it is possible to generate more aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9.

The control unit 8 may be configured to perform the feedback control in the multiple phases in which the target temperatures are different, and to set the gain of the feedback control and/or the upper limit of the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 differently in each of the multiple phases. The control modes in the different phases with respect to heating are different, so that a control mode having a characteristic suitable for a phase can be used, and the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 heated by the load 3 can still be well controlled. Therefore, it is possible to highly control the aerosols to be generated even if the aerosol generating article 9 has a complicated structure.

In the third embodiment, the use phase may be further divided into multiple phases, and the multiple phases may include the first phase and the second phase.

In this case, the target temperature of the first phase may be lower than the target temperature of the second phase, and at least one of the gain and the upper limit value used by the control unit 8 in the first phase may be set larger than at least one of the gain and the upper limit value used by the control unit 8 in the second phase. Thereby, in the phase where the target temperature is lower, at least one of the gains and the upper limit value can be increased. In addition, in the first phase, the rate of temperature rise of the load 3 depending on the target temperature can be greatly controlled by the feedback control instead of the feedforward control.

A change width of the temperature of the load 3 in the first phase may be larger than a change width of the temperature of the load 3 in the second phase, and at least one of the gain and the upper limit value used by the control unit 8 in the first phase may be set larger than at least one of the gain and the upper limit value used by the control unit 8 in the second phase. Thereby, at least one of the gains and the upper limit value can be increased in the phase in which the change width of the temperature of the load 3 is larger. In addition, in the first phase, the rate of temperature rise of the load 3 according to the target temperature can be greatly controlled by the feedback control instead of the feedforward control.

The target temperature of the second phase may be higher than the target temperature of the first phase, and a change width of the gain and/or the upper limit value used in the first phase by the control unit 8 may be set smaller than a change width of the gain and/or the upper limit value used in the second phase by the control unit 8. Thereby, the change width of the gain and/or the upper limit value in the phase where the target temperature is higher can be increased. In addition, in the first phase, the rate of temperature rise of the load 3 can be controlled to a large extent according to the target temperature by the feedback control instead of the feedforward control.

The change width of the temperature of the load 3 in the second phase may be smaller than the change width of the temperature of the load 3 in the first phase, and a change width of at least one of the gains and the upper limit value used by the control unit 8 in the first phase may be set smaller than at least one of the gains and the upper limit value used by the control unit 8 in the second phase. Thereby, the change width of the gain and/or the upper limit value may be increased in the phase in which the change width of the temperature of the load 3 is smaller. In addition, in the In the first phase, the rate of temperature rise of load 3 according to the target temperature can be strongly controlled by feedback control instead of feedforward control.

The control unit 8 may be configured to change the target temperature, gain, and upper limit of the power of the second phase based on the progress degree of the first phase. This makes it possible to change a variable value of a later phase based on a progress degree of an earlier phase. Therefore, a smooth transition from the earlier phase to the later phase is possible.

The control unit 8 may be configured to perform the feedback control in the multiple phases and set different gains in the feedback control in each of the multiple phases. This makes it possible to perform appropriate control by the feedback control in each phase.

The various controls by the control unit 8 can also be implemented by the control unit 8 executing a program.

29 is a table showing a comparison of the preparation phase and the use phase executed by the control unit according to the third embodiment. As described above, the preparation phase is a phase corresponding to the preparation state in which the load 3 cannot generate the predetermined amount or more of aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9, for example. In addition, the use phase is a phase corresponding to the use state in which the load 3 can generate the predetermined amount or more of aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9. Therefore, in order to generate aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9, it is necessary for the control unit 8 to shift a phase to be executed in the order from the preparation phase to the use phase.

As described in the first embodiment, the control mode used in the preparation phase is feedforward control. The end condition of the preparation phase is that a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the preparation phase, for example.

In the preparation phase, the charge 3 in the preparation state is brought into the use state, and aerosols are rapidly generated from the aerosol generating article 9. Therefore, the execution time of the preparation phase is shorter than the execution time of the use phase.

The preparation phase is designed so that the load 3 in the preparation state enters the use state. In the preparation phase, aerosol generation is not required, and the power consumption per unit time in the preparation phase is larger than the power consumption per unit time in the use phase. Meanwhile, since the preparation phase is preferably carried out only for a short time, a total amount of energy consumption over the entire preparation phase is smaller than a total amount of energy consumption over the entire use phase.

In the feedforward control used in the preparation phase, it is difficult to reflect a state of the control target in the controller during the execution of the control. Therefore, in the preparation phase, as described above, an environmental adjustment for changing the control characteristic may be performed based on the measured temperature value at the start of the preparation phase, the charging rate of the power source 4, or the like. Through the environmental adjustment, the state of the load 3 and/or the aerosol generating article 9 at the end of the preparation phase can be unified.

In the preparation phase, the control variable (control parameter) or control function may or may not be changed from a predetermined value or function before the execution of the phase.

The preparation phase is intended to transfer the load 3 from the preparation state to the use state. In the preparation phase, the aerosol generation is not required and the inhalation by the user of the aerosol generating device 1 is not assumed in the preparation phase. Therefore, in the preparation phase, the recovery of the temperature decrease due to the user's inhalation is not carried out.

For this purpose, the preparation phase is preferably only carried out for a short time. The time value t, i.e. the operating time, is therefore used as the input parameter of the pre-control carried out in the preparation phase. The operating time, which increases reliably over time, is used as the input parameter so that the preparation phase can be continued safely in order to shorten the operating time as much as possible.

The change in the temperature measurement value (temperature curve) in the preparation phase shows a rather linear increase trend, as it takes the consumer 3 from the preparation phase to the final temperature in the shortest possible time. preparation state to the standby state.

In contrast, as described in the second embodiment, the feedback control mode is used in the usage phase, although feedforward control may also be used in part.

Since one of the purposes of the use phase is to generate more aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9, it is necessary to design the condition of whether to terminate the use phase more carefully. Therefore, as the end condition of the use phase, for example, the lapse of a predetermined time, the reaching of a predetermined temperature, or the lapse of a predetermined time and the reaching of a predetermined temperature are used.

The use phase is used to generate more aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9. Therefore, an execution period of the use phase is longer than an execution period of the preparation phase.

The load 3 is already in the use state when the use phase is executed. Since it is not necessary to significantly increase the temperature of the load 3 in the use phase compared with the preparation phase, therefore, the amount of energy consumed in the use phase is smaller than the amount of energy consumed in the preparation phase, and the energy consumption in the use phase is less than the energy consumption in the preparation phase. Meanwhile, since it is necessary to generate many aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9 in the use phase, the total amount of energy over the entire use phase is larger than the total amount of energy in the preparation phase. Since the control is mainly carried out in the use phase, the ambient setting at the beginning of the use phase can be omitted, or the measured temperature value at the end of the preparation phase can be used as the ambient temperature.

In the use phase, for example, the control variable such as a gain may be changed to strongly control the temperature of the load 3 and/or the temperature of the aerosol generating object 9.

Since it is necessary in the use phase to stabilize the aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9, the recovery of the temperature decrease caused by inhalation is carried out.

When executing the feedforward control in the use phase, the input parameter of the feedforward control in the use phase may be, for example, the time value t, the measured temperature value and the puff profile or a combination thereof. Since it is necessary to generate more aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9 in the use phase, it is necessary to further strongly control the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9. Therefore, it should be noted that the measured temperature value or the puff profile, which only increases as the phase progresses, can be used as the input parameter of the feedforward control.

Since the temperature of the load 3 in the use phase is controlled so that the aerosol generating position of the aerosol generating article 9 changes with time, the temperature of the load 3 in the use phase changes in a curve.

In the third embodiment, as described above, the feedforward control is performed in the preparation phase and the feedback control is performed in the use phase so that aerosols are generated. Therefore, for example, compared with a case where only the feedback control is used, it is possible to improve the comfort of the user who inhales aerosols, improve the power efficiency, and stably generate aerosols.

(Fourth Embodiment)

In a fourth embodiment, a case will be described where the power supplied to the load 3 is controlled using a larger value of an operation value obtained as a result of the feedback control in the use phase and a predetermined value. By the control, for example, the temperature drop of the load 3 that occurs in the transition from the preparation phase to the use phase can be suppressed.

The control unit 8 according to the fourth embodiment is configured to determine the power supplied to the load 3 from the power source 4 based on a comparison between an operation value obtained in the feedback control and a predetermined value, for example. For example, the predetermined value may be a minimum guaranteed value. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 from dropping sharply, compared with a case where there is no minimum guaranteed value.

The control unit 8 may also be configured to determine the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 based on a larger value of the operation value and the predetermined value. This can prevent a situation in which the power supplied to the load 3 is controlled based on a value smaller than the predetermined value and thus the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 drop sharply.

The control unit 8 may be configured to control the power supplied to the load 3 in the multiple phases from the power source 4, wherein the multiple phases may include the first phase and the second phase performed after the first phase, and the predetermined value used in the second phase may be determined based on the power supplied to the load 3 in the first phase from the power source 4. In this way, the predetermined value used in the second phase is determined based on the power used in the first phase, so that it is possible to suppress the temperature drop of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 when transitioning from the first phase to the second phase.

The predetermined value used in the second phase may also be determined based on a value related to the power finally determined in the first phase. In this way, the predetermined value used in the second phase is determined based on a value related to the power finally determined in the first phase, so that it is possible to efficiently suppress the temperature drop of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 when changing from the first phase to the second phase.

The control unit 8 may be configured to perform the feedback control so that the temperature of the load 3 is gradually increased, and the predetermined value may change with the increase of the temperature of the load 3. In this case, if the minimum guaranteed value changes with the advance of the phase, it is possible to use the corresponding minimum guaranteed value corresponding to the advance of the phase. Therefore, even if the phase advances, it is possible to suppress a sharp drop in the temperature of the load 3.

The control unit 8 can also be configured to perform the feedback control so that the operation value is gradually increased, and the predetermined value can be changed with the increase in the temperature of the load 3. Thereby, even if the phase advances and the temperature of the load 3 is increased, it is possible to prevent a sharp drop in the temperature of the load 3 by using the corresponding minimum guaranteed value corresponding to the phase advance.

The control unit 8 may also be configured to gradually increase a magnification of the feedback control. Thereby, it is possible to increase the operation value as the phase progresses. Therefore, since it is possible to increase the temperature of the load 3 and/or the aerosol generating article 9 according to the phase progress, it is possible to stably generate aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9 throughout the entire use phase as described in the second embodiment.

The control unit 8 may also be configured to gradually increase the upper limit of the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the feedback control. In this way, it is possible to increase the operation value as the phase progresses. Therefore, since it is possible to increase the temperature of the load 3 and/or the aerosol generating article 9 according to the progress of the phase, it is possible to stably generate aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9 throughout the entire use phase as described in the second embodiment.

The predetermined value may decrease gradually. If so, it is possible to reduce the minimum guaranteed value as the phase progresses. In particular, when the minimum guaranteed value is provided to suppress the temperature drop of the load 3 that occurs when the phase transitions from the preparation phase to the use phase, the need to provide the minimum guaranteed value decreases as the phase progresses. Therefore, it is possible to reduce an influence of the minimum value on the control as the phase progresses.

The control unit 8 may be configured to change the predetermined value to zero during execution of the feedback control. If so, an influence of the minimum value on the control can be suppressed, which is not required as the phase advances as described above.

Herein, changing the predetermined value to zero includes temporarily changing the predetermined value to zero.

The control unit 8 may decrease the predetermined value when an overshoot is detected in which the temperature of the load 3 changes by a threshold value or more per predetermined time. In this way, when the excess of the temperature of the load 3 is detected, the minimum guaranteed value is decreased to reduce an influence of the minimum guaranteed value on the operation value obtained by the feedback control executed by the control unit 8. Therefore, it is possible to resolve the overshoot early.

When the overshoot is resolved, the control unit 8 may reset the predetermined value to a value before the overshoot was detected. This makes it possible to restore the minimum guaranteed value based on the resolution of the overshoot and prevent the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 from dropping sharply after the overshoot is resolved.

The predetermined value may be determined as a value or more necessary to maintain the temperature of the load 3. At this time, the minimum guaranteed value is determined so that the temperature of the load 3 is not lowered, so that a decrease in the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 can be suppressed.

The control unit 8 may also be configured to determine or correct the predetermined value based on the temperature of the load 3. Since the minimum guaranteed value is determined or corrected based on the temperature of the load 3, the minimum guaranteed value becomes a value reflecting a state of the load 3, compared with a case where the minimum guaranteed value is not determined or corrected. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the temperature drop of the load 3.

The control unit 8 may also be configured to determine or correct the predetermined value so that an absolute value of a difference between the temperature of the load 3 and the predetermined temperature is not increased. Since the minimum guaranteed value is determined or corrected so that the difference between the predetermined temperature and the temperature of the load 3 is not increased, the minimum guaranteed value becomes a value reflecting the progress of the use phase, compared with a case where the minimum guaranteed value is not determined or corrected. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the temperature drop of the load 3.

The control unit 8 may also be configured to detect the temperature of the load 3, control the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 by the feedback control based on the difference between the temperature of the load 3 and the predetermined temperature, and correct the operation value obtained in the feedback control to suppress the temperature drop of the load 3. At this time, the operation value is corrected to a value reflecting the temperature of the load 3, which is a control value of the feedback control executed by the control unit 8. Therefore, even if a small operation value is obtained in the feedback control, it is possible to effectively suppress a large drop in the temperature of the load 3.

The various controls by the control unit 8 can also be implemented by the control unit 8 executing a program.

<Example 4A>

30 is a control block diagram showing an example of control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 4A.

The comparison unit 15 provided in the control unit 8 according to Example 4A compares an operation value obtained as a result of the feedback control with a predetermined value and outputs a larger value in the use phase.

The predetermined value is, for example, a minimum guaranteed value of the duty instruction value indicating the duty cycle provided to the load 3. As the predetermined value, for example, the duty cycle at the end of the preparation phase can be used as the value concerning the performance in the preparation phase.

In particular, the comparison unit 15 will be described in more detail. The comparison unit 15 is inputted with a key operation value from the limiter unit 14 and a minimum guaranteed value in the use phase. The comparison unit 15 compares the key operation value and the minimum guaranteed value and obtains a value larger than the key instruction value. The control unit 8 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the key instruction value. Meanwhile, the key instruction value may be applied to the switch 25 provided between the power source 4 and the load 3 or to the DC/DC converter provided between the power source 4 and the load 3.

31 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 4A.

The process from step S3101 to step S3106 is the same as the process from step S1901 to step S1906 in 19 .

In step S3107, the comparison unit 15 of the control unit 8 determines whether the duty ratio D _cmdd indicated by the duty operation value input from the limiter unit 14 is equal to or greater than the minimum guaranteed value.

When it is determined that the duty ratio D _cmdd is equal to or greater than the minimum guaranteed value (a determination result in step S3107 is positive), the control unit 8 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the duty instruction value indicating the duty ratio D _cmdd in step S3108, and then the processing returns to step S3101.

When it is determined that the duty ratio D _cmdd is not equal to or greater than the minimum guaranteed value (a determination result in step S3107 is negative), the control unit 8 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the minimum guaranteed value in step S3109, and then the processing returns to step S3101.

The above-described effects of the operation of Example 4A are described.

For example, in order to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable, the aerosol generating device 1 configured to heat the aerosol generating article 9 to generate aerosol controls the power supplied to the load 3 so that the aerosols generated by the heating do not vary greatly. As described above, the control of the power supplied to the load 3 is preferably carried out in multiple phases such as the preparation phase and the use phase. For example, as described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the control unit 8 executes the use phase after the preparation phase, so that it is possible to realize both the early aerosol generation by the aerosol generating device 1 and the stable aerosol generation thereafter.

Also, in the control of the shift from one phase to another phase, it is advantageous to prevent the temperature of the load 3 from changing greatly at the phase shift. In particular, when the controls used before and after the phase shift are more different, the time of the shift from one phase to another phase becomes a period of transition of the control. Therefore, it can be said that the temperature of the load 3, which is a common control amount, is likely to vary by the different phases.

In Example 4A, in the phase shift, the control parameter used in the phase before the shift is used as the minimum guaranteed value. Therefore, compared with a case where the minimum guaranteed value is not used, it is possible to prevent the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 from changing greatly in the phase shift.

<Example 4B>

Example 4B describes the control of adequate suppression of overshoot even when overshoot, i.e., the strong increase in the temperature of load 3, occurs.

32 is a diagram showing an example of generating a state of overshoot of the temperature of the load 3. In 32 it is assumed that the minimum guaranteed value is constant.

The temperature of load 3 increases gradually with the increase of the timer value t, which is an example of an index indicating the degree of progress of a phase in the use phase, i.e. with time.

The limiter width increases gradually as the timer value t increases.

The amplification unit 12 obtains a duty cycle based on a difference between the measured temperature value and the end temperature of the usage phase.

The amplifying unit 14 obtains a duty ratio within a range of the limiter width based on the duty ratio obtained by the amplifying unit 12, and obtains a duty operation value indicating the duty ratio within the range of the limiter width. Since the limiter width is gradually increased, the duty ratio indicated by the duty operation value can also be gradually increased.

If the temperature of the load 3 exceeds (or overshoots) during the use phase, the control unit 8 reduces the key command value to suppress the overshoot. For example, when the temperature of the load 3 immediately exceeds the end temperature of the use phase in the feedback control, the control unit 8 lowers the temperature of the load 3, which is a control value, by decreasing the duty ratio, which is an operation value. However, since the duty ratio specified by the duty instruction value does not fall below the minimum guaranteed value, there is a possibility that the temperature of the load 3 is insufficiently recovered.

Therefore, in this example 4B, the minimum guaranteed value is gradually decreased according to the progress degree of the use phase based on the input parameter including at least one of the timer value t, the temperature of the load 3, and the puff profile, so that the temperature of the load 3 can be appropriately restored even if the temperature of the load 3 exceeds . The minimum guaranteed value is provided to suppress the large change in the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 that may be generated when transitioning from the preparation phase to the use phase. That is, once the control unit 8 executes the use phase, the need to provide the minimum guaranteed value is reduced. Therefore, even if the minimum guaranteed value is gradually decreased according to the progress degree of the use phase, the control unit 8 can control the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 to a large extent.

33 is a block diagram illustrating an example of control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 4B.

A gradual decrease unit 18 provided in the control unit 8 according to Example 4B gradually decreases the minimum guaranteed value indicating the duty cycle at the end of the preparation phase based on the progress degree of the use phase indicated by the input parameter including, for example, the timer value t, the measured temperature value, and the puff profile. Meanwhile, the timer value t, the measured temperature value, and the puff profile used when the gradual decrease unit 18 indicates the progress degree of the use phase may be the same as or different from those used when the limiter changing unit 13 and/or the gain unit 17 indicates the progress degree of the use phase.

The comparison unit 15 compares the duty cycle D _cmdd processed by the limiter unit 14 with the minimum guaranteed value gradually decreased by the gradual decrease unit 18, and obtains as a result of the comparison a value indicating a larger value than the duty instruction value.

34 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 4B.

The process from step S3401 to step S3406 is the same as the process from step S1901 to step S1906 in 19 .

In step S3407, the control unit 8 receives the input parameter.

In step S3408, the gradual reduction unit 18 of the control unit 8 obtains the minimum guaranteed value, which is gradually reduced based on the input parameter, for example. For example, when the input parameter is the timer value t, it is determined that the larger the timer value t, the further the use phase progresses, and the minimum guaranteed value is reduced. Meanwhile, the gradual reduction unit 18 may gradually reduce the minimum guaranteed value based on the measured temperature value and/or the puff profile instead of the timer value t or together with the timer value t.

In step S3409, the comparison unit 15 of the control unit 8 determines whether the duty cycle D _cmdd processed by the limiter is equal to or greater than the gradually decreased minimum guaranteed value.

When it is determined that the duty ratio D _cmdd is equal to or greater than the minimum guaranteed value which is gradually decreased (a determination result in step S3409 is positive), the control unit 8 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the duty instruction value indicating the duty ratio D _cmdd in step S3410, and then the processing returns to step S3401.

When it is determined that the duty ratio D _cmdd is not equal to or larger than the gradually decreased minimum guaranteed value (a determination result in step S3409 is negative), the control unit 8 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the gradually decreased minimum guaranteed value in step S3411, and then the processing returns to step S3401.

In Example 4B, as described above, the progress degree of the use phase is determined based on the input parameter including at least one of the timer value t, the temperature of the load 3, and the puff profile, and the minimum guaranteed value is gradually decreased as the progress degree of the use phase progresses. Thereby, when the overshoot occurs in the load 3, it is possible to sufficiently suppress the power supplied to the load 3, so that it is possible to promptly and appropriately resolve the overshoot.

<Example 4C>

Example 4C is a modified example of Example 4B. In this Example 4C, control is performed in the course of the use phase so that the key operation value is used as the key instruction value. In other words, in the control of Example 4C, the minimum guaranteed value is invalidated or set to zero based on the input parameter, or the processing of the comparison unit 15 based on the minimum guaranteed value is canceled.

35 is a control block diagram showing an example of control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 4C.

A changing unit 19 provided in the control unit 8 according to Example 4C changes the minimum guaranteed value to zero or cancels it when the input parameter comprising at least one of the timer value t, the measured temperature value and the puff profile indicates, for example, a predetermined degree of progress.

When the minimum guaranteed value is changed to zero by the changing unit 19, the comparing unit 15 sets the key operation value input from the limiter changing unit 14 as the key instruction value.

The control unit 8 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the key instruction value corresponding to the operation value of the load.

36 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 4C. In 36 shows a case where the degree of progress of the use phase is determined using the timer value t as an input parameter. However, the degree of progress of the use phase can also be determined using the temperature measurement value or the puff profile.

The process from step S3601 to step S3606 is the same as the process from step S1901 to step S1906 in 19 .

In step S3607, the changing unit 19 of the control unit 8 determines whether the timer value t is less than a predetermined time t _thre2 , for example.

When it is determined that the timer value t is less than a predetermined time t _thre2 (a determination result in step S3607 is positive), the comparison unit 15 of the control unit 8 determines in step S3608 whether the duty ratio D _cmdd processed by the limiter is equal to or greater than the minimum guaranteed value.

When it is determined by the changing unit 19 that the timer value t is not less than the predetermined time t _thre2 (a determination result in step S3607 is negative), or when it is determined by the comparing unit 15 that the duty ratio D _cmdd is equal to or greater than the minimum guaranteed value (a determination result in step S3608 is positive), the control unit 8 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the duty instruction value indicating the duty ratio D _cmdd in step S3609, and then the processing returns to step S3601.

When it is determined by the comparison unit 15 that the duty ratio D _cmdd is not equal to or greater than the minimum guaranteed value (a determination result in step S3608 is negative), the control unit 8 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the minimum guaranteed value in step S3610, and then the processing returns to step S3601.

In Example 4C, as described above, it is determined based on the input parameter whether the progress of the use phase is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, and when it is determined that the progress of the use phase is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the control is switched to the control in which the minimum guaranteed value is not used. When a disturbance in the behavior of the temperature of the load 3 such as an overshoot of the temperature occurs, the feedback control controls the output of a large amount of operation, so that it is possible to greatly control the power supplied to the load 3. For this, it is possible to quickly and appropriately resolve or converge the disturbance in the behavior of the temperature of the load 3.

<Example 4D>

Example 4D is a modified example of Example 4C. In Example 4D, when the temperature exceedance is detected, the control unit 8 overrides the minimum guaranteed value, sets the minimum guaranteed value to zero, or aborts the processing of the comparison unit 15 based on the minimum guaranteed value.

37 is a block diagram illustrating an example of control executed by the control unit 8 in accordance with Example 4D.

An overshoot detection unit 20 provided in the control unit according to Example 4D overrides or reduces the minimum guaranteed value when, for example, the overshoot of the temperature is detected, and reaffirms or increases the minimum guaranteed value when the overshoot of the temperature is resolved.

38 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the overshoot detection unit 20 according to Example 4D.

In step S3801, the over-temperature detection unit 20 performs the over-temperature detection and determines whether the over-temperature is detected.

If it is determined that the overshoot is not detected (a detection result in step S3801 is negative), the processing of step S3801 is repeated.

When it is determined that the excess is detected (a detection result in step S3801 is positive), the excess detection unit 20 invalidates or reduces the minimum guaranteed value in step S3802.

In step S3803, the overshoot detection unit 20 determines whether the overshoot has been resolved.

If it is determined that the overshoot has not been resolved (a determination result in step S3803 is negative), the processing of step S3803 is repeated.

When it is detected that the excess is resolved, the excess detection unit 20 returns the minimum guaranteed value in step S3804.

In example 4D described above, when the temperature exceedance is detected, the minimum guaranteed value is invalidated or reduced so that it is possible to immediately and appropriately resolve the temperature exceedance.

<Example 4E>

In Example 4E, the control unit 8 obtains a minimum guaranteed value having a duty cycle required to maintain the temperature of the load 3 based on the input parameter indicating the degree of progress in the usage phase, sets a larger value of the duty operation value obtained from the boosting unit 12 and the minimum guaranteed value as the duty instruction value, and controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the duty instruction value.

Example 4E describes a case where the temperature reading is used as an input parameter indicating the degree of progress in the use phase. However, the timer value t or the puff profile can also be used as input parameters.

39 is a block diagram showing an example of control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 4E.

For example, a heat retention control unit 21 provided in the control unit 8 according to Example 4E obtains a minimum guaranteed value that is a duty ratio required to maintain the temperature of the load 3 based on the measured temperature value, and outputs the minimum guaranteed value required for heat retention to the comparison unit 15. For example, the measured temperature value and the minimum guaranteed value that is a duty ratio required to heat the load 3 are analytically or experimentally determined according to the measured temperature value. Then, the heat retention control unit 21 may also use a model formula or a table referring to a correlation between the measured temperature value and the minimum guaranteed value derived from, for example, the analysis result or the experiment result. Meanwhile, the heat retention control unit 21 may also use a correlation between another control parameter such as the timer value t or the puff profile indicating the degree of progress in the phase of use and the minimum guaranteed value.

In this way, the duty cycle required to maintain the temperature of the load 3 is used as the minimum guaranteed value, so that the second sub-phase including the preparation phase can be included in the use phase. In this case, the second sub-phase in the preparation phase can be omitted. Therefore, in Example 4E, the period of the preparation phase can be shortened, and the temperature drop of the load 3 can be suppressed because the temperature of the load 3 is maintained according to the minimum guaranteed value.

40 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 4E.

The processing from step S4001 to step S4005 in 40 is the same as the processing from step S501 to step S505 in 5 .

It should be noted that in the process of 40 the processing of step S4006 and step S4007, which correspond to step S506 and step S507, in the process of 5 is omitted.

41 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 4E.

In step S4101, the heat retention control unit 21 of the control unit 8 inputs the measured temperature value T _HTR from the temperature measuring unit 6.

In step S4102, the heat retention control unit 21 obtains the duty cycle required to maintain the temperature indicated by the measured temperature value T _HTR , and outputs a minimum guaranteed value D _lim (T _HTR ) indicating the duty cycle required for heat retention to the comparison unit 15. For example, when the heat retention control unit 21 has the correlation between the input parameter and the minimum guaranteed value as a model formula, D _lim (T _HTR ) is a function. For example, when the heat retention control unit 21 has the correlation between the control parameter and the minimum guaranteed value in the form of a table, D _lim (T _HTR ) is a query for this table.

The process from step S4103 to step S4111 is the same as the process from step S3101 to step S3109 in 31 . In the meantime, the processing may return to step S4103 or step S4101 after step S4110 and step S4111.

In Example 4E, as described above, it is possible to appropriately solve the temperature change such as overshoot while ensuring the heat retention of load 3. Also, in Example 4E, it is possible to omit the second sub-phase from the preparation phase, thereby shortening the preparation phase.

(Fifth embodiment)

In an electronic cigarette or a heating type cigarette, in order not to affect the amount and flavor of the aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9, even when the temperature of the load 3 is feedback controlled and the temperature of the load 3 decreases due to the user's inhalation, it is preferably necessary to promptly compensate for the temperature decrease and compensate the temperature of the load 3.

However, for example, if the operation amount obtained by the feedback control is small, insufficient power is supplied to the load 3 whose temperature has dropped, so it may take time for the temperature drop of the load 3 to be compensated.

Therefore, in a fifth embodiment, when the user's inhalation is detected, the operation amount obtained by the feedback control is temporarily increased to immediately compensate for the temperature decrease of the load 3 caused by the inhalation. Specifically, when the temperature decrease due to the aerosol inhalation occurs in the use phase, the control unit 8 of the fifth embodiment performs control of increasing the limiter width of the unit 14 used in the feedback control compared with the limiter width before the temperature decrease occurs. Thereby, in the fifth embodiment, the temperature decrease of the load 3 in the inhalation is immediately compensated to compensate for the temperature of the load 3. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the amount and flavor of the aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9 even when the inhalation is performed by the user.

When the temperature drop of the load 3 is detected during the execution of the feedback control, the control unit 8 of the fifth embodiment can change the value of the variable used in the feedback control to increase the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3. Thereby, compared with a case where the value of the variable used in the feedback control is not changed, it is possible to increase the temperature of the Load 3 to quickly restore. Herein, changing the variables used in the controller includes changing a variable to another variable and changing a value stored in a variable, for example.

When the drop is detected, the control unit 8 may increase at least one of the gains used in the feedback control and the upper limit of the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3. Thereby, compared with a case where both the magnification and the upper limit of the power are not increased, the temperature of the load 3 can be quickly recovered.

When the drop is detected, the control unit 8 can increase the target temperature used in the feedback control. In this way, the temperature of the load 3 can be quickly recovered compared with a case where the target temperature is not increased.

The control unit 8 may be configured to perform the feedback control so that the temperature of the load 3 is gradually increased, and may change the variable to a value different from a value before the change based on the detection of the drop when the drop is dissolved. For example, this makes it possible to provide more power to the load 3 than before the detection of the drop. As described in the second embodiment, in order to stabilize the amount of aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9, it is necessary to increase the temperature of the load 3 and the temperature of the aerosol generating article 9 heated by the load 3 over time. Therefore, more power is provided to the load 3 than before the detection of the drop, so that the decrease in the amount of aerosol generation before and after the drop can be suppressed.

The control unit 8 may be configured to perform the feedback control so as to gradually increase the power supplied to the load 3 from the power source 4, and may change the variable to a value different from a value before the change based on the detection of the droplet when the droplet is dissolved. For example, by doing this, it is possible to supply more power to the load 3 than before the droplet is detected. As described above, more power is supplied to the load 3 than before the droplet is detected, so it is possible to suppress the decrease in the amount of aerosol generation before and after the droplet.

The control unit 8 may be configured to gradually increase the gain used in the feedback control and/or the upper limit of the power supplied to the load 3 from the power source 4 as the feedback control progresses; it may increase the gain and/or the upper limit by an increment or more corresponding to the progress of the feedback control when the drop is detected, and it may change the gain and/or the upper limit to a value different from a value before the increase based on the detection of the drop when the drop is dissolved. This makes it possible, for example, to provide more power to the load 3 than before the drop was detected. For this, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the amount of aerosol generation before and after the drop.

The control unit 8 can change the gain and/or the upper limit so that it does not decrease when the drop is detected or when the drop is dissolved. This makes it possible to prevent stagnation of the temperature of the load 3. However, the amount of aerosol generation is difficult to decrease over time.

The control unit 8 may change at least one of the gains and the upper limit value to be increased when the drop is detected or when the drop is dissolved. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the reduction in the amount of aerosol generation.

The control unit 8 may increase the magnification of the gain and/or the upper limit value by an increment corresponding to the progress of the feedback control when the drop is dissolved. Since it is possible to increase the temperature of the load 3 in accordance with the same control before the drop is detected, it is possible to stably generate aerosols after the drop is dissolved without being influenced by the state of inhalation. Therefore, the user of the aerosol generating device 1 does not feel uncomfortable with the amount and flavor of the aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9 during the entire use period. Therefore, it is possible to improve the quality of the aerosol generating device 1.

When the drop is dissolved, the control unit 8 may change at least one of the gain values and the upper limit to a value different from a value before the increase based on the detection of the drop, so that the higher power than before the detection of the drop is supplied from the power source 4 is provided to the load 3. This makes it possible not to reduce the amount of aerosol generated.

The control unit 8 may be configured to reduce the amount of change of the variable with the progress of the feedback control. Here, the feedback control functions to output a large amount of operation with the progress of the phase, so that it is possible to suppress the change of a variable whose degree of importance is lowered from the control.

When the feedback control advances by a predetermined degree of progress or more and the drop is detected, the control unit 8 can set the change amount of the variable to zero. This allows the variable not to be changed even if the drop occurs after the phase advances to a certain extent. Meanwhile, after the phase advances to a certain extent, the drop is immediately resolved by the feedback control which is capable of outputting the large operation amount. For this, it is suppressed that the amount of aerosol generation is reduced.

The control unit 8 may be configured to reduce an increase in the gain and/or the upper limit value as the feedback control progresses. Thereby, the feedback control functions to output a large amount of operation as the phase progresses, so that it is possible to suppress the change in the gain and/or the upper limit value when a degree of change significance of the gain and/or the upper limit value is lowered to affect the control.

When the feedback control advances by a predetermined degree of advance or more and the drop is detected, the control unit 8 may set the amount of change of at least one of the gains and the upper limit value to zero. Thereby, the feedback control normally functions to output a large amount of operation with the phase advance, so that when the change of at least one of the gain and the upper limit value is not necessary, the change of at least one of the gain and the upper limit value can be suppressed.

The control unit 8 may be configured to perform the feedback control so that the temperature of the load 3 is constant, and may change the changed variable to a value before the change based on the detection of the drop when the drop is resolved. This makes it possible to resolve the drop in a timely manner and return the control state to the state before the drop was detected.

The control unit 8 may be configured to recognize as a decrease that the temperature of the load 3 decreases by a first threshold value or more or that the power provided to the load 3 by the power source 4 is increased by a second threshold value or more, wherein the first threshold value may be a value by which it is possible to distinguish a decrease in temperature of the load 3 when inhaling aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9 and a decrease in temperature of the load 3 when not inhaling aerosols, and the second threshold value may be a value by which it is possible to distinguish an increase in power provided by the power source 4 to the load 3 when inhaling aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9 and an increase in power provided by the power source 4 to the load 3 when not inhaling aerosols. If the temperature drop is caused by inhalation of aerosols, it is possible to immediately reduce the amount of aerosol generation.

When the temperature drop of the load 3 is detected during the execution of the feedback control, the control unit 8 can override the upper limit of the power used in the feedback control and supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3. Thereby, it is possible to increase the power supplied to the load 3 based on the detection of the droplet, so that it is possible to immediately suppress the amount of aerosol generation reduced by the droplet.

The various controls by the control unit 8 can also be implemented by the control unit 8 executing a program.

<Example 5A>

42 is a control block diagram showing an example of control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 5A.

The limiter changing unit 13 of the control unit 8 controls the enlargement width of the limiter width by the feedforward control based on the input parameter.

When the user inhales aerosols, a gas passes through the aerosol generating device 1 generated air flow ventilates the environment of the load 3, so that the temperature of the load 3 is temporarily lowered. When the inhalation of the aerosol is detected, the limiter changing unit 13 of Example 5A temporarily changes the enlargement width of the limiter width, thereby immediately compensating for the temperature decrease of the load 3 caused by the inhalation.

43 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 5A.

The process from step S4301 to step S4303 is the same as the process from step S1901 to step S1903 in 19 .

In step S4304, the control unit 8 determines whether the inhalation is detected. The inhalation is detected based on an output value of a sensor configured to detect a physical quantity that changes with the user's inhalation, such as a flow sensor, a flow rate sensor, and a pressure sensor, provided in the aerosol generating device 1.

If it is determined that the inhalation is not detected (a detection result in step S4304 is negative), the processing proceeds to step S4306.

When it is determined that the inhalation is detected (a determination result in step S4304 is positive), the limiter changing unit 13 changes a correlation for the limiter width change so that the enlargement width of the limiter width used in the limiter unit 14 is large with respect to an input profile in step S4305, and proceeds to step S4306.

The process from step S4306 to step S4309 is the same as the process from step S1904 to step S1907 in 19 .

In Example 5A, as described above, when the inhalation is detected, the enlargement width of the limiter width used in the limiter unit 14 is expanded to increase the tactile operation value obtained by the feedback control, so that it is possible to immediately restore the temperature decrease of the load 3 due to the inhalation. Therefore, even if the user performs the inhalation, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the amount and flavor of the aerosols generated from the aerosol generating article 9.

<Example 5B>

Example 5B describes controlling the further increase in the limiter width magnification when inhalation is detected compared to the limiter width magnification when inhalation is not detected.

44 is a graph showing an example of changes in the temperature of load 3 and the limiter width. In 44 the horizontal axis indicates the timer value t and the vertical axis indicates the temperature or the limiter width.

The limiter changing unit 13 of the control unit 8 controls the enlargement width of the limiter width to increase the temperature of the load 3 more after detecting the inhalation than before detecting the inhalation.

If the inhalation is not detected, the limiter changing unit 13 changes the magnification of the limiter width with increasing timer value t, ie over time, as shown with a line L _50A .

When the inhalation is detected, the limiter changing unit 13 changes the limiter width to be larger than a change in the line L _50A as shown with a line L _50B after the temperature of the load 3 is recovered.

Meanwhile, as shown in the line L _50C , the limiter changing unit 13 may change the limiter width after the end of the temperature recovery to be smaller than the limiter width while the temperature drop due to inhalation is released. If this is the case, the limiter changing unit 13 may set the limiter width after the end of the temperature recovery to be larger than the limiter width before inhalation detection. Also, the limiter changing unit 13 may reset the limiter width after the end of the temperature recovery to a state before inhalation detection.

For example, when the control unit 8 evaluates the degree of progress of the use phase based on the temperature of the load 3, the degree of progress of the use phase stagnates when the temperature drops due to inhalation. When the temperature of the load 3 is restored and the limiter width is changed as shown in the line L _50A , the degree of progress of the use phase delays compared with a case where inhalation is not detected because the line L _50A indicates the enlargement width when inhalation is not detected. Therefore, when inhalation is detected, the limiter changing unit 13 changes the limiter width to be larger. than the change of line L _50A as shown with line L _50B after the temperature of load 3 is restored. This makes it possible to make up for the delay in the degree of progress of the use phase due to inhalation.

Meanwhile, the limiter changing unit 13 may change the limiter width to be larger than the change when the inhalation is not detected as shown in the line L _50B when the inhalation is detected. Thereby, even if the user of the aerosol generating device 1 performs the inhalation in an arbitrary puff profile, the progress degree of the use phase can be made uniform. Therefore, the flavor and taste of aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9 can be made stable regardless of the puff profile, so that it is possible to improve the quality of the aerosol generating device.

45 shows an example of the limiter changing unit 13 according to Example 5B.

The limiter changing unit 13 according to Example 5B determines the enlargement width of the limiter width based on the input parameter including at least one of the timer value t, the measured temperature value, and the puff profile.

The limiter changing unit 13 increases the limiter width when the inhalation is detected from, for example, the temperature decrease of the load 3 or the puff profile. The larger the increase width of the limiter width (expansion degree) is, the more the temperature increase of the load 3 can be promoted. That is, a degree of temperature recovery of the load 3 is different between a case where the increase in the increase width of the limiter width as in 45 is small, and a case where it is large, corresponding to an area A ₅₁ representing the difference. Therefore, an area defined by the enlargement width of the limiter width shown with the upwardly inclined dashed line when the inhalation is not detected and the expanded enlargement width shown with the dashed line is preferably larger the larger the degree of temperature decrease of the load 3 or the larger the need to increase the temperature of the load 3.

46 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 5B.

The process from step S4601 to step S4603 is the same as the process from step S4301 to step S4303 in 43 .

In step S4604, the limiter changing unit 13 of the control unit 8 determines whether a third relationship between the input parameter and the limiter width (hereinafter referred to as correlation for limiter width change), for example, has already been changed. Herein, the correlation for limiter width change may also be expressed by correlation data or correlation function.

When it is determined that the correlation for the limiter width change has not been changed yet (a result of the determination in step S4604 is negative), the processing proceeds to step S4607.

When it is determined that the correlation for the limiter width change has already been changed (a determination result in step S4604 is positive), the limiter changing unit 13 determines in step S4605 whether the temperature decrease of the load 3 has been restored, for example, whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the temperature decrease of the load 3.

When it is determined that the temperature decrease of the load 3 has not recovered (a determination result in step S4605 is negative), the processing proceeds to step S4607.

When it is determined that the temperature decrease of the load 3 has been restored (a determination result in step S4605 is positive), the limiter changing unit 13 returns the correlation for the limiter width change to an original state before the inhalation detection in step S4606, and the processing proceeds to step S4607.

The processing from step S4607 to step S4612 is the same as the processing from step S4304 to step S4309 in 43 .

In Example 5B, as described above, when the inhalation is detected, the limiter width can be increased, and the temperature of the load 3 can be increased further after the inhalation than before the temperature of the load 3 is decreased due to the inhalation. Thereby, it is possible to catch up with the delay in heating after the temperature increase of the load 3 and optimize the heating of the load 3.

In Example 5B, the correlation for the limiter width change is also reset to the state before the temperature decrease, so that stable aerosol generation can be implemented after the temperature decrease is restored.

<Example 5C>

In Example 5C, in the use phase, the control unit 8 stably controls the temperature of the load 3 through the feedback control by reducing the influence of the feedforward control for changing the limiter width when the limiter width is expanded to a certain extent.

47 is a control block diagram showing an example of the control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 5C.

The control unit 8 detects the inhalation based on an output value of a sensor configured to detect a physical quantity that changes with the user's inhalation, such as a flow sensor, a flow rate sensor and a pressure sensor provided in the aerosol generating device 1.

In the use phase, the limiter changing unit 13 gradually expands the limiter width through the feedforward control based on the input parameter. When the inhalation is detected, the limiter changing unit 13 expands the enlargement width of the limiter width to recover the temperature of the load 3.

A limiter width control unit 22 provided in the control unit 8 suppresses the increase in the limiter width upon detection of inhalation when the limiter width increases to a certain extent.

Specifically, the limiter width control unit 22 has a fourth relationship (hereinafter referred to as a compensation relationship) in which, for example, a limiter width and a compensation coefficient corresponding to the limiter width are related to each other. The compensation coefficient indicates to what extent the limiter width is expanded to restore the temperature when inhalation is detected. For example, the limiter width and the compensation coefficient in the compensation relationship have an inverse correlation. That is, for example, the smaller the limiter width is, the larger the compensation coefficient is, and the larger the limiter width is, the smaller the compensation coefficient is. The smaller the compensation coefficient is, the further the increase in the expansion width of the limiter width that is changed when inhalation is detected is suppressed. As a result, the larger the compensation coefficient is, the more sensitively the limiter width is expanded with respect to inhalation detection, and the smaller the compensation coefficient is, the more sensitively the expansion of the limiter width with respect to inhalation detection is limited.

For example, as in 47 As shown in the fourth relation, when the magnification of the limiter width is increased to a threshold value or more, the corresponding compensation coefficient may be zero. For example, the compensation coefficient as shown in 47 shown, have an upper limit in the fourth relationship.

In Example 5C, as the limiter width is increased, the effect of recovery from the temperature drop by the limiter width increase in the inhalation detection is reduced, and the effect of recovery from the temperature drop by the feedback control in the inhalation detection is increased. In particular, as the enlargement width is increased, the possibility that the duty ratio output from the amplification unit 12 corresponds to the operation value increases. For example, the duty ratio output from the amplification unit 12 depends on the difference between the end temperature of the use phase and the measured temperature value. Therefore, when there is no influence of the limiter unit 14, the temperature drop is effectively controlled by the feedback control. This makes it possible to perform the control stably.

48 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 5C. In 48 it is determined whether the limiter width should be changed upon detection of an inhalation based on whether the timer value t is less than a threshold value t _thre3 . However, it can also be determined whether the limiter width should be changed upon detection of the inhalation based on the measured temperature value and/or the puff profile instead of the timer value t or together with the timer value t .

The process from step S4801 to step S4803 is the same as the process from step S4301 to step S4303 in 43 .

In step S4804, the limiter width control unit 22 determines whether the timer value t is smaller than a threshold value t _thre3 indicating an advanced state of the usage phase.

When it is determined that the timer value t is not smaller than the threshold value t _thre3 (a determination result in step S4804 is negative), the limiter width control unit 22 does not change the correlation for the limiter width change, and the processing proceeds to step S4807.

When it is determined that the timer value t is smaller than the threshold value t _thre3 , the limiter changing unit 13 determines whether inhalation is detected in step S4805.

When it is determined that inhalation is not detected (a detection result in step S4805 is negative), the processing proceeds to step S4807.

When it is determined that inhalation is detected, the limiter changing unit 13 changes the correlation for the limiter width change used in the limiter changing unit 13 based on the timer value t in step S4806, and the processing proceeds to step S4807.

The process from step S4807 to step S4810 is the same as the process from step S4306 to step S4309 in 43 .

The above-described effects of the operation of Example 5C are described.

As the use phase progresses, the limiter width is expanded and the limitation of the size of the key operation value obtained by the limiter unit 14 is relaxed. If the limiter width used in the limiter unit 14 is sufficiently expanded, the feedback control is likely to function effectively, so that it is possible to compensate for the temperature decrease of the load 3 during inhalation by the feedback control even if the limiter width is not expanded during inhalation. In this case, if the limiter width is expanded, the control performed in the use phase may be quite complicated.

In Example 5C, in order to compensate for the temperature drop of the load 3 that occurs during inhalation, the degree of expansion of the limiter width during inhalation is gradually reduced, so that it is possible to secure the stability of the temperature of the load 3 using the feedback control with a large operation amount that can be output.

<Example 5D>

In Example 5D, control of recovery of the temperature decrease of the load 3 upon detection of inhalation is described by changing the gain unit 12. Herein, changing a gain includes, for example, changing a gain function, changing a value included in the gain function, and the like.

49 is a control block diagram showing an example of control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 5D.

The gain changing unit 17 provided in the control unit 8 according to Example 5D changes a gain used in the gain unit 12 when, for example, the inhalation is detected. Specifically, when the inhalation is detected, the gain changing unit 17 changes the gain of the gain unit 12, specifically, it increases the gain of the gain unit 12 to obtain a larger duty cycle than when the inhalation is not detected based on a difference input from the difference unit 11.

This makes it possible to restore the temperature decrease of load 3 during inhalation.

50 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 5D.

The process from step S5001 to step S5004 is the same as the process from step S4301 to step S4304 in 43 .

If it is determined in step S5004 that the inhalation is not detected (a detection result is negative), the processing proceeds to step S5006.

When it is determined in step S5004 that the inhalation is detected (a determination result is positive), the gain changing unit 17 changes a correlation for gain change indicating a correlation between a gain and an input parameter in step S5005, and the processing proceeds to step S5006.

In step S5006, the gain changing unit 17 changes the gain of the amplifying unit 12 based on the input parameter.

The process from step S5007 to step S5009 is the same as the process from step S4307 to step S4309 in 43 .

In Example 5D, as described above, when inhalation occurs, the gain unit 12 is changed to compensate for the temperature decrease of the load 3 early.

Meanwhile, when the inhalation is detected, the control unit 8 may change the end temperature of the use phase to increase the operation value obtained by the feedback control, instead of increasing the enlargement width of the limiter width used in the limiter unit 14 or the gain of the gain unit 12 or together with the enlargement width of the limiter width or the gain. When the end temperature of the use phase is used, the difference output from the gain unit 11 increases, so that the duty ratio output from the gain unit 12 increases. As a result, the duty operation value output from the feedback control can be increased.

<Example 5E>

Example 5E describes the control of increasing the limiter width when inhalation is detected and returning the limiter width to a value before inhalation was detected after the temperature decrease of load 3 due to inhalation is restored.

51 is a graph showing an example of changes in the temperature of load 3 and the limiter width according to Example 5E. In the graph, the horizontal axis indicates the timer value t, and the vertical axis indicates the temperature of load 3 and the limiter width.

As described above, the temperature of the load 3 is lowered during inhalation. When the inhalation is detected, the limiter changing unit 13 of the control unit 8 increases the limiter width so that the control unit 8 restores the lowered temperature of the load 3.

The limiter changing unit 13 detects the recovery of the temperature of the load 3 when the temperature of the load 3 returns to the state before the detection of the inhalation or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection of the inhalation, for example. Then, the limiter changing unit 13 changes the limiter width back to a value before the detection of the inhalation.

The control of Example 5E can also be applied to a case where the temperature of load 3 is kept constant.

52 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 5E.

The process from step S5201 to step S5205 is the same as the process from step S4601 to step S4605 in 46 .

If it is determined in step S5204 that the correlation for the limiter width change has not yet been changed (a negative determination result), the process proceeds to step S5207.

When it is also determined in step S5205 that the temperature decrease of the load 3 has not been recovered (a determination result is negative), the processing proceeds to step S5207.

When it is determined in step S5205 that the temperature decrease of the load 3 has been restored (a determination result is positive), the limiter changing unit 13 returns the limiter width to an original state in step S5206, and the processing proceeds to step S5207.

In step S5207, the control unit 8 determines whether inhalation is detected.

If it is determined that the inhalation is not detected (a detection result in step S5207 is negative), the processing proceeds to step S5209.

When it is determined that the inhalation is detected (a determination result in step S5207 is positive), the limiter changing unit 13 expands the limiter width used in the limiter unit 14 in step S5208 and proceeds to step S5209.

The process from step S5209 to step S5212 is the same as the process from step S4609 to step S4612 in 46 .

In Example 5E, as described above, when the inhalation is detected, the temperature of the load 3 can be promptly and appropriately restored, and after the temperature of the load 3 is restored, the limiter width used in the limiter unit 14 can be reset to the value before the inhalation lation is detected. In this way, the temperature of load 3 can be stabilized.

The above embodiments can be freely combined. The embodiments are exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

• E1. Aerosolerzeugungsvorrichtung, umfassend eine Last, die konfiguriert ist, einen Aerosolerzeugungsartikel unter Nutzung von Leistung zu erhitzen, die von einer Leistungsquelle bereitgestellt wird, wobei der Aerosolerzeugungsartikel ein aerosolbildendes Substrat umfasst, das konfiguriert ist, mindestens eine von einer Aerosolquelle und einer Geschmacksstoffquelle zu halten oder zu tragen; und eine Steuerungseinheit, die konfiguriert ist, eine Temperatur der Last zu erhalten und die Leistung, die von der Leistungsquelle an die Last bereitgestellt wird, durch Rückkopplungssteuerung zu steuern, wobei die Steuerungseinheit konfiguriert ist, die Leistung, die von der Leistungsquelle an die Last bereitgestellt wird, basierend auf einem Vergleich zwischen einem Operationswert, der in der Rückkopplungssteuerung erhalten wird, und einem vorbestimmten Wert zu bestimmen.
• E2. Die Aerosolerzeugungsvorrichtung gemäß E2, wobei die Steuerungseinheit konfiguriert ist, die Leistung, die von der Leistungsquelle an die Last bereitgestellt wird, basierend auf einem größeren Wert des Operationswertes und des vorbestimmten Wertes zu bestimmen.
• E3. Die Aerosolerzeugungsvorrichtung gemäß E2, wobei die Steuerungseinheit konfiguriert ist, die Leistung, die von der Leistungsquelle an die Last bereitgestellt wird, in mehreren Phasen zu steuern, wobei die mehreren Phasen eine erste Phase und eine zweite Phase umfassen, die nach der ersten Phase ausgeführt wird, und wobei der vorbestimmte Wert, der in der zweiten Phase verwendet wird, basierend auf einem Wert bestimmt wird, der sich auf die Leistung bezieht, die von der Leistungsquelle an die Last in der ersten Phase bereitgestellt wird.
• E4. Die Aerosolerzeugungsvorrichtung gemäß E3, wobei der vorbestimmte Wert, der in der zweiten Phase verwendet wird, basierend auf einem Wert bestimmt wird, der sich auf die Leistung bezieht, die schließlich in der ersten Phase bestimmt wird.
• E5. Die Aerosolerzeugungsvorrichtung gemäß E2, wobei die Steuerungseinheit konfiguriert ist, die Rückkopplungssteuerung auszuführen, so dass die Temperatur der Last allmählich erhöht wird, und wobei der vorbestimmte Wert sich mit einer Erhöhung der Temperatur der Last ändert.
• E6. Aerosolerzeugungsvorrichtung gemäß E2, wobei die Steuerungseinheit konfiguriert ist, die Rückkopplungssteuerung so auszuführen, dass der Operationswert allmählich erhöht wird, und wobei sich der vorbestimmte Wert mit einer Erhöhung der Temperatur der Last ändert.
• E7. Die Aerosolerzeugungsvorrichtung nach E5 oder E6, wobei die Steuerungseinheit konfiguriert ist, eine Vergrößerung in der Rückkopplungssteuerung allmählich zu erhöhen.
• E8. Aerosolerzeugungsvorrichtung nach E5 oder E6, wobei die Steuerungseinheit konfiguriert ist, eine obere Grenze der Leistung, die von der Leistungsquelle an die Last bereitgestellt wird, in der Rückkopplungssteuerung allmählich zu erhöhen.
• E9. Die Aerosolerzeugungsvorrichtung gemäß E7 oder E8, wobei der vorbestimmte Wert allmählich abnimmt.
• E10. Die Aerosolerzeugungsvorrichtung gemäß E7 oder E8, wobei die Steuerungseinheit konfiguriert ist, den vorbestimmten Wert während der Ausführung der Rückkopplungssteuerung auf Null zu ändern.
• E11. Die Aerosolerzeugungsvorrichtung gemäß einem der Punkte E2 bis E10, wobei die Steuerungseinheit den vorbestimmten Wert verringert, wenn eine Überschreitung erkannt wird, bei der sich die Temperatur der Last um einen Schwellenwert oder mehr pro vorbestimmter Zeit ändert.
• E12. Die Aerosolerzeugungsvorrichtung gemäß E11, wobei die Steuerungseinheit, wenn die Überschreitung behoben ist, den vorbestimmten Wert auf einen Wert zurücksetzt, bevor die Überschreitung erkannt wurde.
• E13. Die Aerosolerzeugungsvorrichtung gemäß einem der Punkte E1 bis E12, wobei der vorbestimmte Wert als ein Wert oder größer bestimmt wird, der notwendig ist, um die Temperatur der Last beizubehalten.
• E14. Die Aerosolerzeugungsvorrichtung nach einem der Punkte E1 bis E12, wobei die Steuerungseinheit konfiguriert ist, den vorbestimmten Wert basierend auf der Temperatur der Last zu bestimmen oder zu korrigieren.
• E15. Die Aerosolerzeugungsvorrichtung nach E14, wobei die Steuerungseinheit konfiguriert ist, den vorbestimmten Wert zu bestimmen oder zu korrigieren, so dass ein absoluter Wert einer Differenz zwischen der Temperatur der Last und der vorbestimmten Temperatur nicht ansteigt.
• E16. Ein Steuerungsverfahren für Leistung, die von einer Leistungsquelle einer Last bereitgestellt wird, die verwendet wird, um einen Aerosolerzeugungsartikel zu erhitzen, der ein aerosolformendes Substrat umfasst, das konfiguriert ist, zumindest eine Aerosolquelle oder eine Geschmacksstoffquelle zu halten oder zu tragen, wobei das Steuerungsverfahren umfasst, die Zufuhr der Leistung von der Leistungsquelle zu der Last zu starten; das Erfassen einer Temperatur der Last und das Steuern der Leistung, die von der Leistungsquelle zu der Last bereitgestellt wird, durch Rückkopplungssteuerung; und das Bestimmen der Leistung, die von der Leistungsquelle zu der Last bereitgestellt wird, basierend auf einem Vergleich zwischen einem Betriebswert, der in der Rückkopplungssteuerung erhalten wird, und einem vorbestimmten Wert.
• E17. Eine Steuerungsvorrichtung zum Steuern der Leistung, die einer Last von einer Leistungsquelle bereitgestellt wird, die verwendet wird, um einen Aerosolerzeugungsartikel zu erhitzen, der ein aerosolbildendes Substrat umfasst, das konfiguriert ist, mindestens eine Aerosolquelle oder eine Geschmacksstoffquelle zu halten oder zu tragen, wobei die Steuerungsvorrichtung konfiguriert ist, zum Starten der Zufuhr der Leistung von der Leistungsquelle zu der Last; Steuern der Leistung, die von der Leistungsquelle der Last bereitgestellt wird, durch Rückkopplungssteuerung; und Bestimmen der Leistung, die von der Leistungsquelle der Last bereitgestellt wird, basierend auf einem Vergleich zwischen einem Operationswert, der bei der Rückkopplungssteuerung erhalten wird, und einem vorbestimmten Wert.
• E18. Eine Aerosolerzeugungsvorrichtung, umfassend eine Last, die konfiguriert ist, einen Aerosolerzeugungsartikel unter Nutzung von Leistung zu erhitzen, die von einer Leistungsquelle bereitgestellt wird, wobei der Aerosolerzeugungsartikel ein aerosolbildendes Substrat umfasst, das konfiguriert ist, mindestens eine von einer Aerosolquelle und einer Geschmacksstoffquelle zu halten oder zu tragen; und eine Steuerungseinheit, die konfiguriert ist, eine Temperatur der Last zu erfassen und die Leistung, die von der Leistungsquelle der Last bereitgestellt wird, durch Rückkopplungssteuerung basierend auf einer Differenz zwischen der Temperatur der Last und einer vorbestimmten Temperatur zu steuern, wobei die Steuerungseinheit konfiguriert ist, einen Operationswert, der in der Rückkopplungssteuerung erhalten wird, so zu korrigieren, dass ein absoluter Wert der Differenz nicht erhöht wird.
• E19. Ein Steuerungsverfahren für Leistung, die von einer Leistungsquelle einer Last bereitgestellt wird, die zum Erhitzen eines Aerosolerzeugungsartikels verwendet wird, der ein aerosolbildendes Substrat umfasst, das konfiguriert ist, zumindest eine Aerosolquelle oder eine Geschmacksstoffquelle zu halten oder zu tragen, wobei das Steuerungsverfahren umfasst, das Starten der Leistungsversorgung von der Leistungsquelle zu der Last; das Erfassen einer Temperatur der Last und das Steuern der Leistung, die von der Leistungsquelle an die Last bereitgestellt wird, durch Rückkopplungssteuerung basierend auf einer Differenz zwischen der Temperatur der Last und einer vorbestimmten Temperatur; und das Korrigieren eines Operationswertes, der in der Rückkopplungssteuerung erhalten wird, so dass sich ein absoluter Wert der Differenz nicht erhöht.
• E20. Eine Steuerungsvorrichtung zum Steuern einer Leistung, die von einer Leistungsquelle zu einer Last bereitgestellt wird, die verwendet wird, um einen Aerosolerzeugungsartikel zu erhitzen, der ein aerosolbildendes Substrat umfasst, das konfiguriert ist, mindestens eine Aerosolquelle oder eine Geschmacksstoffquelle zu halten oder zu tragen, wobei die Steuerungsvorrichtung konfiguriert ist, die Zufuhr der Leistung von der Leistungsquelle zu der Last zu starten; eine Temperatur der Last zu erhalten und die Leistung, die von der Leistungsquelle der Last bereitgestellt wird, durch Rückkopplungssteuerung basierend auf einer Differenz zwischen der Temperatur der Last und einer vorbestimmten Temperatur zu steuern; und einen Operationswert, der in der Rückkopplungssteuerung erhalten wird, so zu korrigieren, dass ein absoluter Wert der Differenz nicht vergrößert wird.
• E21. Eine Aerosolerzeugungsvorrichtung, umfassend eine Last, die konfiguriert ist, einen Aerosolerzeugungsartikel unter Nutzung von Leistung zu erhitzen, die von einer Leistungsquelle bereitgestellt wird, wobei der Aerosolerzeugungsartikel ein aerosolbildendes Substrat umfasst, das konfiguriert ist, mindestens eine Aerosolquelle oder eine Geschmacksstoffquelle zu halten oder zu tragen; und eine Steuerungseinheit, die konfiguriert ist, eine Temperatur der Last zu erfassen und die Leistung, die von der Leistungsquelle an die Last bereitgestellt wird, durch Rückkopplungssteuerung basierend auf einer Differenz zwischen der Temperatur der Last und einer vorbestimmten Temperatur zu steuern, wobei die Steuerungseinheit konfiguriert ist, um einen Operationswert zu korrigieren, der bei der Rückkopplungssteuerung erhalten wird, um eine Abnahme der Temperatur der Last zu unterdrücken.
• E22. Ein Steuerungsverfahren für Leistung, die von einer Leistungsquelle einer Last bereitgestellt wird, die zum Erhitzen eines Aerosolerzeugungsartikels verwendet wird, der ein aerosolbildendes Substrat umfasst, das konfiguriert ist, zumindest eine Aerosolquelle oder eine Geschmacksstoffquelle zu halten oder zu tragen, wobei das Steuerungsverfahren umfasst, das Starten der Leistungsversorgung von der Leistungsquelle zu der Last; das Erfassen einer Temperatur der Last und das Steuern der Leistung, die von der Leistungsquelle an die Last bereitgestellt wird, durch Rückkopplungssteuerung basierend auf einer Differenz zwischen der Temperatur der Last und einer vorbestimmten Temperatur; und das Korrigieren eines Operationswertes, der bei der Rückkopplungssteuerung erhalten wird, um eine Abnahme der Temperatur der Last zu unterdrücken.
• E23. Eine Steuerungsvorrichtung zum Steuern einer Leistung, die von einer Aerosolerzeugungsvorrichtung einer Last bereitgestellt wird, die zum Erhitzen eines Aerosolerzeugungsartikels verwendet wird, der ein aerosolbildendes Substrat umfasst, das konfiguriert ist, zumindest eine Aerosolquelle oder eine Geschmacksstoffquelle zu halten oder zu tragen, wobei die Steuerungsvorrichtung konfiguriert ist, die Zufuhr der Leistung von der Leistungsquelle zur Last zu starten; eine Temperatur der Last zu erhalten und die Leistung, die von der Leistungsquelle der Last bereitgestellt wird, durch Rückkopplungssteuerung basierend auf einer Differenz zwischen der Temperatur der Last und einer vorbestimmten Temperatur zu steuern; und einen Operationswert zu korrigieren, der bei der Rückkopplungssteuerung erhalten wird, um eine Abnahme der Temperatur der Last zu unterdrücken.
• E24. Ein Programm zum Bewirken, dass ein Computer das Steuerungsverfahren gemäß einem der Punkte E16, E19 und E22 implementiert.

Further existing embodiments of the present invention are described below as E1 to E21:

• E1. An aerosol generating device comprising a load configured to heat an aerosol generating article using power provided from a power source, the aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source; and a control unit configured to obtain a temperature of the load and control power provided from the power source to the load through feedback control, the control unit configured to determine power provided from the power source to the load based on a comparison between an operation value obtained in the feedback control and a predetermined value.
• E2. The aerosol generating device according to E2, wherein the control unit is configured to determine the power supplied from the power source to the load based on a larger value of the operation value and the predetermined value.
• E3. The aerosol generating device according to E2, wherein the control unit is configured to control the power provided from the power source to the load in multiple phases, the multiple phases comprising a first phase and a second phase performed after the first phase, and wherein the predetermined value used in the second phase is determined based on a value related to the power provided from the power source to the load in the first phase.
• E4. The aerosol generating device according to E3, wherein the predetermined value used in the second phase is determined based on a value related to the power finally determined in the first phase.
• E5. The aerosol generating device according to E2, wherein the control unit is configured to execute the feedback control so that the temperature of the load is gradually increased, and wherein the predetermined value changes with an increase in the temperature of the load.
• E6. The aerosol generating device according to E2, wherein the control unit is configured to perform the feedback control so that the operation value is gradually increased, and wherein the predetermined value changes with an increase in the temperature of the load.
• E7. The aerosol generating device according to E5 or E6, wherein the control unit is configured to gradually increase a magnification in the feedback control.
• E8. The aerosol generating device according to E5 or E6, wherein the control unit is configured to gradually increase an upper limit of the power supplied from the power source to the load in the feedback control.
• E9. The aerosol generating device according to E7 or E8, wherein the predetermined value gradually decreases.
• E10. The aerosol generating device according to E7 or E8, wherein the control unit is configured to change the predetermined value to zero during execution of the feedback control.
• E11. The aerosol generating device according to any one of E2 to E10, wherein the control unit decreases the predetermined value when an excess is detected in which the temperature of the load changes by a threshold value or more per predetermined time.
• E12. The aerosol generating device according to E11, wherein the control unit, when the exceedance is resolved, resets the predetermined value to a value before the exceedance was detected.
• E13. The aerosol generating device according to any one of E1 to E12, wherein the predetermined value is determined as a value or more necessary to maintain the temperature of the load.
• E14. The aerosol generating device according to any one of items E1 to E12, wherein the control unit is configured to determine or correct the predetermined value based on the temperature of the load.
• E15. The aerosol generating device according to E14, wherein the control unit is configured to determine or correct the predetermined value so that an absolute value of a difference between the temperature of the load and the predetermined temperature does not increase.
• E16. A control method for power provided by a power source to a load used to heat an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source, the control method comprising starting supply of power from the power source to the load; sensing a temperature of the load and controlling power provided by the power source to the load by feedback control; and determining power provided by the power source to the load based on a comparison between an operating value obtained in the feedback control and a predetermined value.
• E17. A control device for controlling power provided to a load from a power source used to heat an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source, the control device configured to start supplying power from the power source to the load; controlling power provided by the power source to the load by feedback control; and determining power provided by the power source to the load based on a comparison between an operation value obtained in the feedback control and a predetermined value.
• E18. An aerosol generating device comprising a load configured to heat an aerosol generating article using power provided from a power source, the aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source; and a control unit configured to detect a temperature of the load and control the power provided from the power source to the load by feedback control based on a difference between the temperature of the load and a predetermined temperature, the control unit configured to correct an operation value obtained in the feedback control so that an absolute value of the difference is not increased.
• E19. A control method for power supplied from a power source to a load used for heating an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source, the control method comprising starting power supply from the power source to the load; detecting a temperature of the load and controlling power supplied from the power source to the load by feedback control based on a difference between the temperature of the load and a predetermined temperature; and correcting an operation value obtained in the feedback control so that an absolute value of the difference does not increase.
• E20. A control device for controlling power supplied from a power source to a load used to heat an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source, the control device configured to start supplying the power from the power source to the load; obtaining a temperature of the load and controlling the power supplied from the power source to the load by feedback control based on a difference between the temperature of the load and a predetermined temperature; and correcting an operation value obtained in the feedback control so that an absolute value of the difference is not increased.
• E21. An aerosol generating device comprising a load configured to heat an aerosol generating article using power provided from a power source, the aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source; and a control unit configured to detect a temperature of the load and control power provided from the power source to the load by feedback control based on a difference between the temperature of the load and a predetermined temperature, the control unit configured to correct an operation value obtained in the feedback control to suppress a decrease in the temperature of the load.
• E22. A control method for power supplied from a power source to a load used for heating an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source, the control method comprising starting power supply from the power source to the load; detecting a temperature of the load and controlling power supplied from the power source to the load by feedback control based on a difference between the temperature of the load and a predetermined temperature; and correcting an operation value obtained in the feedback control to suppress a decrease in the temperature of the load.
• E23. A control device for controlling a power supplied from an aerosol generating device to a load used for heating an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source, the control device being configured to start supplying the power from the power source to the load; obtaining a temperature of the load and controlling the power supplied from the power source to the load by feedback control based on a difference between the temperature of the load and a predetermined temperature; and correcting an operation value obtained in the feedback control to suppress a decrease in the temperature of the load.
• E24. A program for causing a computer to implement the control method according to any one of E16, E19 and E22.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• JP 6,046,231 [0005]
• JP 6,125,008 [0005]
• JP 6,062,457 [0005]
• WO 2014102091A1 [0008]
• WO 2013098397A2 [0009]
• US 2014096782A1 [0010]
• EP 3228198A1 [0011]
• US 2015359263A1 [0012]
• WO 2014/040988 A2 [0013]

Claims (13)

An aerosol generating device (1) comprising: a load (3) configured to heat an aerosol generating article (9) using power provided by a power source (4), the aerosol generating article (9) comprising an aerosol forming substrate (9a) configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source; and a control unit (8) configured to obtain a temperature of the load (3) and to control the power to be provided by the power source (4) to the load (3) by feedback control, wherein the control unit (8) is configured to control the power to be provided by the power source (4) to the load (3) based on a comparison between an operation value obtained in the feedback control and a predetermined value, wherein the operation value and the predetermined value are values relating to a duty cycle related to a corresponding power provided to the load (3), and wherein the control unit (8) is configured to obtain a larger value of the operation value and the predetermined value in the comparison between the operation value and the predetermined value, and is configured to control the power provided by the power source (4) to the load based on the larger value. Aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit (8) is configured to control the power provided by the power source (4) to the load (3) in multiple phases, the multiple phases comprising a first phase and a second phase performed after the first phase, and wherein the predetermined value used in the second phase is determined based on a value related to the power provided by the power source (4) to the load (3) in the first phase. Aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 2 , wherein the predetermined value used in the second phase is determined based on a value related to the power finally determined in the first phase. Aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit (8) is configured to execute the feedback control so that the temperature of the load (3) is gradually increased, and wherein the predetermined value changes with an increase in the temperature of the load. Aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 1 wherein the control unit (8) is configured to perform the feedback control so that the operation value is gradually increased, and wherein the predetermined value changes with an increase in the temperature of the load. Aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the control unit (8) is configured to gradually perform an increase in the feedback control. Aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein the control unit (8) is configured to gradually increase an upper limit of the power supplied from the power source (4) to the load (3) in the feedback control. Aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 6 or 7 , with the specified value gradually decreasing. Aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the control unit (8) is configured to change the predetermined value to zero during execution of the feedback control. Aerosol generating device (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 , wherein the control unit (8) lowers the predetermined value when an exceedance is detected in which the temperature of the load (3) changes by a threshold value or more per predetermined time. Aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 10 , wherein the control unit (8), when the exceedance is detected, resets the predetermined value to a value before the detection of the exceedance. Aerosol generating device (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 11 , wherein the predetermined value is determined as a value or greater required to maintain the temperature of the load, or wherein the control unit (8) is configured to determine or correct the predetermined value based on the temperature of the load, wherein the control unit (8) is preferably configured to determine or correct the predetermined value such that an absolute value of a difference between the temperature of the load (3) and the predetermined temperature is not increased. A control device for controlling power provided by an aerosol generating device (4) to a load used to heat an aerosol generating article (9) comprising an aerosol forming substrate (9a) configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source, the control device configured to: start the supply of power from the power source (4) to the load (3); obtain a temperature of the load (3) and control the power to be provided by the power source (4) to the load (3) by feedback control; and controlling the power supplied from the power source (4) to the load (3) based on a comparison between an operation value obtained in the feedback control and a predetermined value, wherein the operation value and the predetermined value are values relating to a duty ratio related to a corresponding power supplied to the load, and wherein controlling the power includes obtaining a larger value of the operation value and the predetermined value in the comparison between the operation value and the predetermined value and is performed based on the larger value.

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