INHALATION DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001]The present disclosure relates to an inhalation device, control method, and program for generating an aerosol from a substrate having an aerosol source.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002]Conventionally, for example, inhalation devices are known to generate an aerosol provided with a flavor component and deliver the generated aerosol to a user in an inhalable manner. Such inhalation devices typically deliver to the user an aerosol generated by heating a substrate that comprises an aerosol source, using a heating unit (also referred to as a “heating element”), which is an electrical resistance type or inductive heating type heater.

[0003]Generally, the inhalation device operates the heating unit after the substrate has been inserted into an accommodating portion. For example, the electrically heated smoking system of PTL 1 is initiated when a detector detects a smoking article in a cavity.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

[0004][PTL 1] Publication number of Japanese translation of PCT international application JP 2012-513750A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

[0005]However, in low temperature environments (hereinafter also referred to as cold environments), starting operation of the heating unit after the substrate has been inserted into the accommodating portion increases the user's wait time from the insertion of the substrate until the aerosol becomes inhalable, so there was a problem of reduced convenience of use of the inhalation device.

[0006]The present disclosure provides an inhalation device, control method, and program with improved convenience of use in a cold environment.

Solution to Problem

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0029]According to the present disclosure, convenience can be improved with regard to use in low temperature environments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first configuration example (inhalation device 100A) of an inhalation device;

[0031]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second configuration example (inhalation device 100B) of an inhalation device;

[0032]FIG. 3 is an overall oblique view of an inhalation device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033]FIG. 4 is an oblique view of an internal unit 10 viewed from the front right side;

[0034]FIG. 5 is an oblique view of the internal unit 10 viewed from the front left side;

[0035]FIG. 6 is an exploded oblique view of the internal unit 10;

[0036]FIG. 7 is an oblique cross-sectional view of a heater assembly 30;

[0037]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view at A-A in FIG. 5, and shows the structure around a stick detection sensor 12 and a stick guide 31 (accommodating portion 140C);

[0038]FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the progression of light emitted from a stick detection sensor 12 in the state in which a stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated and not accommodated;

[0039]FIG. 10 is a graph showing detection or non-detection of the stick-type substrate 150 based on brightness;

[0040]FIG. 11 is a developed view of a heating unit 121C, which is a film heater;

[0041]FIG. 12 is a graph showing a stick heating profile and a preheating heating profile;

[0042]FIG. 13 is a graph showing that after operation of the heating unit 121C is started based on the preheating heating profile, operation of the heating unit 121C based on the stick heating profile is executed;

[0043]FIG. 14 is a graph showing that, when a fault occurs in the heating unit 121C during preheating, operation of the heating unit 121C is forced to terminate; and

[0044]FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of processes performed by an MCU 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0045]The inhalation device, control method, and program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings. Two configuration examples (a first configuration example and a second configuration example) to which the configuration of the inhalation device according to the present disclosure can be applied are described. It should be noted that, hereinafter, the same or similar elements may be given the same or similar reference signs, and the description thereof may be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

1. Configuration Example of Inhalation Device

[0046]An inhalation device is a device for generating a substance to be inhaled by a user. Hereinafter, the substance generated by the inhalation device is described as being an aerosol. Alternatively, the substance generated by the inhalation device may be a gas.

(1) First Configuration Example

[0047]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first configuration example of an inhalation device. As shown in FIG. 1, an inhalation device 100A of the present configuration example includes a power supply unit 110, a cartridge 120, and a flavoring cartridge 130. The power supply unit 110 comprises a power source unit 111A, a sensor unit 112A, a notification unit 113A, a memory unit 114A, a communication unit 115A, and a control unit 116A. The cartridge 120 includes a heating unit 121A, a liquid guiding portion 122, and a liquid storage portion 123. The flavoring cartridge 130 includes a flavor source 131 and a mouthpiece 124. An air flow path 180 is formed in the cartridge 120 and the flavoring cartridge 130.

[0048]The power source unit 111A stores electrical power. The power source unit 111A then supplies the electric power to each component of the inhalation device 100A in accordance with control performed by the control unit 116A. The power source unit 111A may be configured, for example, by a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

[0049]The sensor unit 112A acquires various types of information relating to the inhalation device 100A. As an example, the sensor unit 112A is configured from a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow rate sensor or a temperature sensor, and so on, and acquires values associated with inhalation by a user. As another example, the sensor unit 112A is configured from an input device, such as a button or switch, for accepting input of information from the user.

[0050]The notification unit 113A notifies the user of information. The information that the notification unit 113A notifies to the user includes, for example, a SOC (State of charge) indicating a state of charge of the power source unit 111A, preheating time at the time of suction, suction period, and so on. The notification unit 113A can be configured from, for example, a light-emitting device that emits light, a display device that displays images, a sound output device that outputs sound, a vibration device that vibrates, and so on.

[0051]The memory unit 114A stores various types of information for the operation of the inhalation device 100A. The memory unit 114A can be configured from a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, for example.

[0052]The communication unit 115A is a communication interface capable of performing communication in accordance with any wired or wireless communication standard. Examples of communication standards that may be used include standards that employ Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) (registered trademark), Near-Field Communication (NFC), or Low Power Wide Area (LPWA), and so on.

[0053]The control unit 116A functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls overall operation within the inhalation device 100A in accordance with various programs. The control unit 116A is realized by a central processing unit (CPU) or an electronic circuit such as a microprocessor, for example.

[0054]The liquid storage portion 123 stores an aerosol source. The aerosol source is atomized to generate an aerosol. The aerosol source is a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerol or propylene glycol, or a liquid such as water, for example. The aerosol source may include tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor components. If the inhalation device 100A is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may include a drug.

[0055]The liquid guiding portion 122 guides the aerosol source, which is the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion 123, from the liquid storage portion 123, and holds the aerosol source. The liquid guiding portion 122 is, for example, a wick formed by twisting a fibrous material such as glass fibers or a porous material such as a porous ceramic. In such case, the aerosol source stored in the liquid storage portion 123 is guided by the capillary effect of the wick.

[0056]The heating unit 121A heats the aerosol source to atomize the aerosol source, thereby generating the aerosol. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the heating unit 121A is configured as a coil wrapped around the liquid guiding portion 122. When the heating unit 121A generates heat, the aerosol source held in the liquid guiding portion 122 is then heated and atomized. generating the aerosol. The heating unit 121A generates heat when supplied with electricity from the power source unit 111A. For example, electricity may be supplied when the sensor unit 112A detects that the user has started inhaling and/or that predetermined information has been input. The supply of electricity to the heating unit 121A may then be stopped when the sensor unit 112A detects that the user has finished inhaling and/or that predetermined information has been input. It should be noted that the inhalation action of the user on the inhalation device 100A is detectable, for example, based on pressure (internal pressure) exceeding a predetermined threshold in the inhalation device 100A. detected by a puff sensor.

[0057]The flavor source 131 is a component for imparting a flavor component to the aerosol. The flavor source 131 may include tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor components.

[0058]The air flow path 180 is a flow path for air to be inhaled by the user. The air flow path 180 has a tubular structure with an air inflow hole 181, which is an inlet for air into the air flow path 180, and an air outflow hole 182, which is an outlet for air from the air flow path 180. Midway through the air flow path 180, the liquid guiding portion 122 is disposed upstream (closer to the air inflow hole 181), and the flavor source 131 is disposed downstream (closer to the air outflow hole 182). Air flowing in through the air inflow hole 181 upon inhalation by the user is mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating unit 121A and transported through the flavor source 131 to the air outflow hole 182, as shown by the arrow 190. When the mixed fluid of aerosol and air passes through the flavor source 131, the flavor component contained in the flavor source 131 is applied to the aerosol.

[0059]The mouthpiece 124 is a member that is held in the user's mouth during inhalation. The air outflow hole 182 is disposed in the mouthpiece 124. The user holds the mouthpiece 124 in their mouth to make it possible to draw the mixed fluid of aerosol and air into the oral cavity.

[0060]A configuration example of the inhalation device 100A has been described above. The inhalation device 100A is, of course, not limited to the configuration described above, and may adopt various configurations, such as those illustrated below as examples.

[0061]As an example, the inhalation device 100A need not include the flavoring cartridge 130. In this case, the cartridge 120 is provided with the mouthpiece 124.

[0062]As another example, the inhalation device 100A may include a plurality of types of aerosol sources. Other types of aerosol may be generated by a plurality of types of aerosol generated from the plurality of types of aerosol sources being mixed in the air flow path 180 to cause a chemical reaction.

[0063]Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating provided by the heating unit 121A. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be vibration atomization or induction heating.

(2) Second Configuration Example

[0064]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second configuration example of an inhalation device. As illustrated in FIG. 2, an inhalation device 100B according to the present configuration example comprises a power source unit 111B, a sensor unit 112B, a notification unit 113B, a memory unit 114B, a communication unit 115B, a control unit 116B, a heating unit 121B, an accommodating portion 140, and a heat insulating portion 144. While the inhalation device 100A of the first configuration example had the power supply unit 110 containing the power source unit 111A and the separate heating unit 121A, the inhalation device 100B of the second configuration example has an integral power source unit 111B and a heating unit 121B. That is, the inhalation device 100B of the second configuration example can also be referred to as a power supply unit with a built-in heating unit.

[0065]The power source unit 111B, sensor unit 112B, notification unit 113B, memory unit 114B, communication unit 115B, and control unit 116B are each substantially identical to the corresponding component included in the inhalation device 100A according to the first configuration example.

[0066]The accommodation portion 140 has an internal space 141, and holds a stick-type substrate 150 while accommodating a portion of the stick-type substrate 150 in the internal space 141. The accommodating portion 140 has an opening 142 allowing the internal space 141 to communicate with the outside, and accommodates the stick-type substrate 150 that has been inserted into the internal space 141 from the opening 142. For example, the accommodating portion 140 is a cylindrical body comprising the opening 142 and a bottom portion 143 serving as a bottom surface, and defines the columnar internal space 141. An air flow path for supplying air to the internal space 141 is connected to the accommodating portion 140. An air inflow hole, which is an inlet for air into the air flow path, is disposed in a side surface of the inhalation device 100, for example. An air outflow hole serving as an outlet for air from the air flow path to the internal space 141 is disposed in the bottom portion 143, for example.

[0067]The stick-type substrate 150 comprises a substrate portion 151 and an mouthpiece portion 152. The substrate portion 151 includes an aerosol source. The aerosol source includes a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. If the inhalation device 100B is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may include a drug. The aerosol source may be, for example, a liquid such as water and polyhydric alcohols such as glycerol and propylene glycol comprising the tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component, or else may be a solid comprising the tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. In a state in which the stick-type substrate 150 is being held in the accommodation portion 140, at least a portion of the substrate portion 151 is accommodated in the internal space 141, and at least a portion of the mouthpiece portion 152 protrudes from the opening 142. Then, when the user holds the mouthpiece portion 152 protruding from the opening 142 in their mouth and inhales, air flows into the internal space 141 via the air flow path, which is not illustrated on the drawings, and reaches the inside of the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from the substrate portion 151.

[0068]In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the heating unit 121B is configured in a film shape and is disposed so as to cover the outer periphery of the accommodating portion 140. Then, when the heating unit 121B generates heat, the substrate portion 151 of the stick-type substrate 150 is heated from the outer periphery, generating the aerosol.

[0069]The heat insulating portion 144 prevents heat transfer from the heating unit 121B to other components. For example, the heat insulating portion 144 is configured from a vacuum heat insulating material or an aerogel heat insulating material, or the like.

[0070]A configuration example of the inhalation device 100B has been described above. The inhalation device 100B is, of course, not limited to the configuration described above, and various configurations may be adopted, such as the examples illustrated below.

[0071]As one example, the heating unit 121B may have a blade-like form and may be arranged so as to protrude into the internal space 141 from the bottom portion 143 of the accommodating portion 140. In that case, the blade-like heating unit 121B is inserted into the substrate portion 151 of the stick-type substrate 150 and heats the substrate portion 151 of the stick-type substrate 150 from the inside. As another example, the heating unit 121B may be arranged so as to cover the bottom portion 143 of the accommodating portion 140. Furthermore, the heating unit 121B may be configured from a combination of two or more from among a first heating unit covering the outer circumference of the accommodating portion 140, a blade-like second heating unit, and a third heating unit covering the bottom portion 143 of the accommodating portion 140.

[0072]As another example, the accommodating portion 140 may comprise an opening/closing mechanism such as a hinge for opening/closing part of an external casing that forms the internal space 141. By opening/closing the casing, the accommodating portion 140 may then receive and grip the stick-type substrate 150 that has been inserted into the internal space 141. In this case, the heating unit 121B may be provided on the gripping part of the accommodating portion 140, and may heat the stick-type substrate 150 while pressing the same.

[0073]Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating provided by the heating unit 121B. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating. In this case, the inhalation device 100B comprises at least an electromagnetic induction source such as a coil for generating a magnetic field, instead of the heating unit 121B. A susceptor that generates heat by means of induction heating may be provided in the inhalation device 100B, or may be contained in the stick-type substrate 150.

[0074]The inhalation device 100B may further include the heating unit 121A, the liquid guiding portion 122, the liquid storage portion 123 and the air flow path 180 according to the first configuration example, and the air flow path 180 may supply air to the internal space 141. In this case, the mixed fluid of aerosol and air generated by the heating unit 121A flows into the internal space 141 and is further mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating unit 121B, and reaches the oral cavity of the user.

2. Configuration Examples of the Inhalation Device of the Present Disclosure

[0075]Next, an embodiment of the inhalation device (hereinafter referred to as the inhalation device 100) applying the configuration of the inhalation device of the present disclosure is described in relation to the inhalation device 100B of the second configuration example previously described. It should be noted that, although the specific description is omitted, some of the configuration of the inhalation device 100 elaborated below can also be applied to the inhalation device 100A of the first configuration example.

Overall Configuration of Inhalation Device

[0076]FIG. 3 is an overall oblique view of the inhalation device 100. In the following, in the inhalation device 100, the insertion and removal direction of the stick-type substrate 150 relative to the inhalation device 100 is defined as the vertical direction, the sliding movement direction of a shutter 23 described below is defined as the front-rear direction, and the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the front-rear direction is defined as the left-right direction. Also, as shown in the figures, Fr is the front, Rr is the rear, L is the left side, R is the right side, U is up, and D is down.

[0077]The inhalation device 100 is preferably sized to fit in the hand, for example, having a rod shape. For example, the user holds the inhalation device 100 in one hand, with fingertips in contact with the front surface of the inhalation device 100. Note that the shape of the inhalation device 100 is not limited to a rod shape, but can be any shape (for example, rounded substantially cuboid shape or ovoid shape).

[0078]The inhalation device 100 comprises an internal unit 10 (see FIGS. 4 to 6), and a case 20 that constitutes the external appearance of the inhalation device 100. The case 20 has a lower case 21 and an upper case 22. A portion of the internal unit 10 is accommodated in the lower case 21, and the entire internal unit 10 is accommodated in the case 20 by covering the lower case 21 with the upper case 22 from above.

[0079]The upper surface of the inhalation device 100 is provided with an opening 27 (see FIGS. 4 to 6) through which the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted and removed, and a shutter 23 that is slidable in the front-rear direction. The opening 27 is arranged at the rear of the upper surface of the inhalation device 100. The shutter 23 selectively takes an open state (front position) in which the opening 27 is open to allow insertion and removal of the stick-type substrate 150, and a closed state (rear position) in which the shutter 23 is positioned above the opening 27 to obstruct the opening 27. When inserting the stick-type substrate 150 into the opening 27, the user places the shutter 23 in the open state.

[0080]In the vicinity of the shutter 23, a shutter detection sensor 11 (see FIG. 4) is provided. The shutter detection sensor 11 detects whether or not the shutter 23 is in the open state. The shutter detection sensor 11 is an example of the sensor unit 112B of the inhalation device 100B of FIG. 2.

[0081]A USB (Universal Serial Bus) port 26 (see FIG. 4) is provided on the upper surface of the inhalation device 100 arranged adjacent to the opening 27. In the open state described above, the shutter 23 obstructs the USB port 26. On the other hand, in the closed state described above, the shutter 23 does not block the USB port 26 and the USB port 26 is open. The USB port 26 is configured to be electrically connectable with an external power source (not shown on the drawings) capable of supplying power to charge a power source unit 111C (see FIG. 4). The USB port 26 is, for example, a receptacle in which a mating plug can be inserted. As an example, in the present embodiment, the USB port 26 is a USB Type-C receptacle.

[0082]An operation unit 24 and a light emitting unit 25 are provided on the front side of the inhalation device 100. The operation unit 24 is arranged below the light-emitting unit 25. In more detail, the operation unit 24 and the light-emitting unit 25 are one component of the internal unit 10 housed in the case 20, and are configured so that a part of the operation unit 24 and the light-emitting unit 25 are exposed through an opening formed in the front face of the case 20. The light emitting unit 25 is an example of the notification unit 113A of the inhalation device 100B of FIG. 2.

[0083]The operation unit 24 is a button-type switch that can be operated by a user, and is an input device for receiving input of information from a user. The operation unit 24 is connected to a main board 50 which will be described later (see FIGS. 4 to 6). The user depressing the operation unit 24, for example, activates a Micro Controller Unit (MCU) 1 (see FIGS. 4 to 6) or a heating unit 121C (see FIG. 7). Note that the MCU 1 acts as the control unit 116B in the inhalation device 100B. Also, the MCU 1 may be integrally provided with the functions of the communication unit 115B in addition to the functions of the control unit 116B in the inhalation device 100B. Furthermore, the MCU 1 may be configured from one IC, and may be configured from two or more ICs. For example, discharge control for the heating unit 121C and charging control to the power source unit 111C may be performed in one IC or may be performed in separate ICs.

[0084]As an example, the light emitting unit 25 is configured from a light-emitting device such as a light-emitting diode (LED). In more detail, the light emitting unit 25 includes a plurality of LEDs 251 (see FIG. 6) provided on the main board 50, and a transparent cover 250 covering the plurality of LEDs 251 and allowing the transmission of light from the LEDs 251. A portion of the transparent cover 250 is exposed through an opening formed in the front face of the case 20. In the present embodiment, for example, it is assumed that the plurality of LEDs 251 is configured to emit light in a plurality of colors including blue, yellow and red. Note that the number of light emitting elements can be set arbitrarily, for example there may be one light emitting element in the light emitting unit 25.

[0085]The light-emitting unit 25 emits light in a predetermined light-emitting mode by a command from the MCU 1 to notify the user of the predetermined information. Here, the light emitting mode can be, for example, a light emitting color, but this is not a limitation, for example it can be the intensity of the illumination (in other words luminance) or the illumination pattern (e.g. blinking at a predetermined time interval). Also, the predetermined information is, for example, operational information indicating whether the inhalation device 100 is powered on or not.

[0086]Next, the internal unit 10 of the inhalation device 100 of the present embodiment is described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. FIG. 4 is an oblique view of the internal unit 10 from the front right side, FIG. 5 is an oblique view of the internal unit 10 from the front left side, and FIG. 6 is an exploded oblique view of the internal unit 10. Note that the internal unit 10 is the inhalation device 100 from which the case 20 and the shutter 23 have been removed.

[0087]The internal unit 10 comprises a chassis 40, the main board 50, a vibration device 60, a heater assembly 30; the power source unit 111C, a power supply board 71, a peripheral FPC (flexible printed circuit) 72, a sensor FPC 73, and various sensors. It should be noted that the power supply board 71 may be a flexible circuit board, a rigid board as described below, or a combination of a flexible board and a rigid board, but here the example of a flexible circuit board is described as an example.

Chassis

[0088]The chassis 40 comprises, as shown in the exploded oblique view of FIG. 6, a power supply retention portion 41 holding the power source unit 111C, a board retention portion 42 holding the main board 50, and a heater retention portion 43 holding the heater assembly 30. The power supply retention portion 41 is located at the lower part of the chassis 40, and the board retention portion 42 and the heater retention portion 43 are located at the upper part of the chassis 40.

[0089]The power supply retention portion 41 has a cylindrical shape, with a portion of the side cut out, in other words a substantially semi-cylindrical shape. The power supply retention portion 41 has a bottom wall portion 401, a side wall portion 402 having a circular arc shape and standing upwards from the bottom wall portion 401, and a top wall portion 403 provided at the upper end of the side wall portion 402. The power source unit 111C is arranged in a space surrounded by the bottom wall portion 401, the side wall portion 402 and the top wall portion 403.

[0090]The board retention portion 42 is provided in a vertical wall portion 404 extending upward from the top wall portion 403 of the power supply retention portion 41. The board retention portion 42 is provided on one side (here on the front side) of the vertical wall portion 404 in the front-rear direction, and holds the main board 50.

[0091]The heater retention portion 43 is provided on the opposite side (here on the rear side) to the board retention portion 42 of the vertical wall portion 404 in the front-rear direction. The heater retention portion 43 has a space surrounded by the vertical wall portion 404, a left and right pair of wall portions 405 extending from the vertical wall portion 404 in a front-rear direction, and an upper surface of the top wall portion 403 of the power supply retaining portion 41, and the heater assembly 30 is arranged in this space.

Main Board

[0092]The main board 50 is a rigid board with a plurality of electronic components (elements) mounted on both sides. On the main board 50, the MCU 1, the LED 251, a charging IC (integrated circuit), a step-up DC/DC converter, and so on, are mounted. The main board 50 is held in the substrate retention portion 42 of the chassis 40 so that the element mounting surface is oriented in the front-rear direction. In FIG. 6, only a surface 501 of the main board 50 (here the front surface) is shown. Therefore, the charging IC and the step-up DC/DC converter mounted on the reverse side 502 (here on the rear side), are not shown.

[0093]In the lower region of the surface 501 of the main board 50, a power connection portion 51 is provided for electrical connection with the power source unit 111C. The power connection portion 51 is electrically connected to the power source unit 111C via the power supply board 71. The power source unit 111C is a cylindrical lithium-ion secondary battery, and is an example of the power source unit 111B of the inhalation device 100B of FIG. 2.

[0094]As shown in FIG. 6, the power source unit 111C is provided with a positive electrode tab Il la and a negative electrode tab 111b. The power source unit 111C is arranged in the power supply retention portion 41 of the chassis 40 so that the positive electrode tab 111a and the negative electrode tab 111b are arranged to the front. The power supply board 71 is arranged in front of the power source unit IIIC and the main board 50, and extends in the vertical direction. The power supply board 71 is connected to the positive and negative electrode tabs 111a, 111b of the power source unit 111C and is connected to the power connection portion 51 of the main board 50. The power of the power source unit 111C is transmitted to the main board 50 through an electrically conductive track formed in the power supply board 71, and is supplied to each electronic component. The power supply board 71 is also provided with a power supply temperature sensor 16. The power supply temperature sensor 16 is a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the power source unit 111C. The power supply temperature sensor 16 is, for example, a thermistor. The power supply temperature sensor 16 is an example of the sensor unit 112B of the inhalation device 100B of FIG. 2.

[0095]The USB port 26 is provided in an upper region of the reverse side 502 of the main board 50. The USB port 26 is electrically connected to the charging IC (not shown) by wires formed in the main board 50.

[0096]A heater connection is provided on the reverse side 502 of the main board 50, in addition to the charging IC and the step-up DC/DC converter, that are not shown. The charging IC performs charging control to supply (charge) the power input from the USB port 26 to the power source unit 111C. The step-up DC/DC converter steps up the voltage of the power supplied from the power source unit 111C, to supply the heating unit 121C (see FIG. 7).

[0097]A board connection part 121a extending from below the heater assembly 30 is connected to a heater connection part, to provide power to the heating unit 121C of the heater assembly 30. The heating unit 121C of the heater assembly 30 is thereby supplied with power from the power source unit 111C via the main board 50.

Vibration Device

[0098]The vibration device 60 is configured with a vibrating element such as for example a vibrating motor. As shown in FIG. 6, the vibration device 60 is arranged in the power supply retention portion 41 of the chassis 40 between the top surface of the power source unit 111C and the top wall portion 403. Lead wires 61 of the vibration device 60 are connected to the peripheral FPC 72. The vibration device 60 vibrates in a predetermined vibration mode by a command from the MCU 1, to notify the user of predetermined information. For example, at the start or end of heating of the stick-type substrate 150, the vibration device 60 vibrates in a predetermined vibration mode to notify the user of the start or end of heating. The vibration device 60 is an example of the notification unit 113B of the inhalation device 100B of FIG. 2.

Heater Assembly

[0099]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional oblique view of the heater assembly 30.

[0100]The heater assembly 30 comprises the heating unit 121C, accommodating portion 140C, and an insulating portion 144C. The heating unit 121C is, for example, a film heater, and is wound around the outer circumference of the accommodating portion 140C. Also, the heating unit 121C and the board connection part 121a may be configured with a single heater FPC.

[0101]The heater assembly 30 is also provided with a stick guide 31. The stick guide 31 is provided at the top of the heater assembly 30, and guides the insertion and removal of the stick-type substrate 150 into the accommodating portion 140C. The stick guide 31 is a cylindrical-shaped member, has the opening 27, and constitutes part of the accommodating portion 140C.

[0102]The heater assembly 30 is also provided with a heater temperature sensor 15 capable of measuring the temperature of the heating unit 121C. More specifically, the heater temperature sensor 15 is provided between the heating unit 121C and the insulating portion 144C, in contact with or close to the heating unit 121C. The heater temperature sensor 15 is, for example, a thermistor.

Sensor FPC

[0103]As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor FPC 73 is arranged in the heater retention portion 43 between the vertical wall portion 404 and the heater assembly 30. The sensor FPC 73 is equipped with a stick detection sensor 12, a suction sensor 13, and a case temperature sensor 14. The stick detection sensor 12, the suction sensor 13, and the case temperature sensor 14 are examples of the sensor unit 112B of the inhalation device 100B of FIG. 2.

[0104]The stick detection sensor 12 is a sensor capable of detecting the stick-type substrate 150 accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C. In the present embodiment, the stick detection sensor 12 is an optical sensor capable of detecting the stick-type substrate 150 based on the amount of light reflected from the light emitted to the accommodating portion 140C. Here, amount of light is a concept that includes luminous flux, illuminance, luminous emittance, brightness, luminance, and so on. The optical sensor is for example an infrared ray (IR) sensor.

[0105]The suction sensor 13 is a sensor that detects a puff action (suction action) of a user. The suction sensor 13 comprises, for example, a capacitor microphone, a pressure sensor, or the like. The suction sensor 13 is provided in proximity to the stick guide 31 in the sensor FPC 73.

[0106]The case temperature sensor 14 is a sensor for measuring the temperature of the case 20. The case temperature sensor 14 is, for example, a thermistor. The case temperature sensor 14 is arranged in the sensor FPC 73 next to the inner surface of the case 20.

[0107]The sensor FPC 73 is also provided with a heater temperature sensor connection part 731 connected to the heater temperature sensor 15 of the heater assembly 30. The heater temperature sensor connection part 731 is provided in the lower part of the sensor FPC 73. In more detail, lead wires 15a are connected to the heater temperature sensor 15, and the heater temperature sensor connection part 731 is connected to the lead wires 15a extending from underneath the heater assembly 30.

[0108]The stick detection sensor 12, the suction sensor 13, the case temperature sensor 14, and the heater temperature sensor connection part 731 are connected to a board connection part 730 via an electrically conductive track formed in the sensor FPC 73. The board connection part 730 is connected to a sensor FPC connection part 55 provided in a central region of the surface 501 of the main board 50. Thereby, the detection result of each sensor is output to the MCU 1, and so on, mounted on the main board 50.

[0109]In the inhalation device 100 configured in this way, when the open state of the shutter 23 is detected by the shutter detection sensor 11 and the stick-type substrate 150 is detected by the stick detection sensor 12, the MCU 1 starts the heating by the heating unit 121C. When a user inhales on the mouthpiece portion 152 of the stick-type substrate 150, aerosol is supplied into the user's mouth from the aerosol source of the stick-type substrate 150 heated by the heating unit 121C. The suction sensor 13 detects the number of puffs, and the MCU 1 stops the heating after a predetermined number of puffs or after a predetermined time has elapsed. During heating of the inhalation device 100, the case temperature sensor 14, the heater temperature sensor 15, and the power supply temperature sensor 16 measure each temperature, and if it is determined that there is abnormal heating, the MCU 1 stops or reduces the heating by the heating unit 121C. The user can also operate the operation unit 24 to, for example, check the SOC of the power source unit 111C. The light-emitting unit 25 (LEDs 251) and the vibration device 60 notify the user of various information such as the SOC of the power source unit 111C, error indications, and so on. When the SOC of the power source unit 111C drops, the user can connect an external power source to the USB port 26 to charge the power source unit 111C.

Stick Detection Sensor

[0110]Next, details of the stick detection sensor 12 are described using FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0111]The stick detection sensor 12 is an optical sensor that irradiates light into the accommodating portion 140C and detects the amount of light reflected from the accommodating portion 140C. The MCU 1 is configured to be able to detect whether the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C based on the amount of reflected light detected by the stick detection sensor 12. Here, the light irradiated and received by the stick detection sensor 12 is, for example, near infrared, in which case the stick detection sensor 12 is an IR sensor. In the following, the stick detection sensor 12 detects “brightness” as an example of the amount of light.

[0112]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view at A-A in FIG. 5, and shows the structure around the sensor FPC 73, the stick detection sensor 12, and the stick guide 31 (accommodating portion 140C). The sensor FPC 73 is a flexible member and is arranged around the accommodating portion 140C. The stick detection sensor 12 is provided on the sensor FPC 73. This allows the stick detection sensor 12 to be arranged around the accommodating portion 140C more easily than when the stick detection sensor 12 is provided on the rigid main board 50. Due to the greater degree of freedom in the arrangement, the inhalation device 100 can be made smaller.

[0113]The stick detection sensor 12 is arranged at a predetermined distance from the stick guide 31 to reduce the effect of heat from the stick guide 31 (accommodating portion 140C). In addition, a transmission filter 311 that transmits light is provided in part of the wall delimiting the accommodating portion 140C in the stick guide 31, and the sensor FPC 73 is arranged around the accommodating portion 140C so that the stick detection sensor 12 is opposite to and at a predetermined distance from the transmission filter 31. The portion of the stick guide 31 where the transmission filter 311 is not provided is configured to be non-transmissive to light.

[0114]As shown in FIG. 9, the stick detection sensor 12 emits light through the transmission filter 311 to the accommodating portion 140C and receives its reflected light. In the state in which the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C (also referred to hereinafter as the accommodated state), light emitted from the stick detection sensor 12 is reflected on the surface of the stick-type substrate 150 immediately after transmission through the transmission filter 311. The stick detection sensor 12 receives the reflected light reflected on the surface of the stick-type substrate 150. On the other hand, in the state in which the stick-type substrate 150 is not accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C (hereinafter also referred to as an unaccommodated state), the light emitted from the stick detection sensor 12 is transmitted through the transmission filter 311, passes through the accommodating portion 140C, and is reflected at the internal wall of the accommodating portion 140C. The stick detection sensor 12 receives reflected light reflected at the inner wall of the accommodating portion 140C.

[0115]In this way, the distance that light travels from emission to receiving light in the accommodated state is shorter than in the unaccommodated state. Therefore, the brightness of the reflected light received by the stick detection sensor 12 in the accommodated state is higher than in the unaccommodated state. The MCU 1 performs detection of the stick-type substrate 150 based on this difference in brightness between the accommodated state and the unaccommodated state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the MCU 1 detects the stick-type substrate 150 when the brightness of the reflected light detected by the stick detection sensor 12 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value L1. On the other hand, the MCU 1 does not detect the stick-type substrate 150 if the brightness of the reflected light detected by the stick detection sensor 12 is less than the predetermined value L1.

[0116]Note that in this embodiment, two stick detection sensors 12 and two transmission filters 311 are provided. For example, the MCU 1 can be configured to not detect the stick-type substrate 150 unless the detection result of both stick detection sensors 12 indicates the accommodated state of the stick-type substrate 150.

Heating Unit, Heater Temperature Sensor

[0117]Next, the heating unit 121C and the heater temperature sensor 15 are described using FIGS. 7 and 11.

[0118]In the present embodiment, the heating unit 121C is a film heater and is arranged wrapped around an outer circumference of the accommodating portion 140C, which is a cylindrical body. FIG. 11 shows a developed view of the heating unit 121C, which is a film heater. The heating unit 121C consists of a film-like pair of electrically insulating layers 321 and an electrically conductive layer 322 arranged between the pair of electrically insulating layers 321. The electrically insulating layers 321 are preferably made from a material with excellent electrical insulation properties, for example polyimide. The electrically conductive layer 322 is made from a metallic material, for example copper foil.

[0119]In the electrically conductive layer 322, an electrically conductive track 322a is formed. The electrically conductive track 322a is formed by etching, leaving the required points of the electrically conductive layer 322. The electrically conductive track 322a is formed in a meandering pattern consisting of a plurality of straight portions extending in parallel and a plurality of circular arcs connecting adjacent straight portions. Both ends of the electrically conductive track 322a are electrically connected to the board connection part 12la and connected to the main board 50 via the board connection part 121a (see FIG. 7). With such a connection, the electrically conductive track 322a is supplied with power from the power source unit 111C via the main board 50 and the board connection part 121a. Current flows through the electrically conductive track 322a causing the heating unit 121C to heat up.

[0120]A temperature sensor FPC 33 is provided on the surface of the heating unit 121C, and the temperature sensor FPC 33 is fitted with the heater temperature sensor 15 (for example, a thermistor). The temperature sensor FPC 33 is provided on the heating unit 121C by a method such as crimping (thermal crimping or ultrasonic thermal crimping) or printing directly on the heating unit 121C. The temperature sensor FPC 33 is arranged between the heating unit 121C and the insulating portion 144C in a direction perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction of the stick-type substrate 150, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0121]The temperature sensor FPC 33 consists of a film-like pair of electrically insulating layers 331 and an electrically conductive layer 332 arranged between the pair of electrically insulating layers 331. The heater temperature sensor 15 is mounted on an electrically conductive track 332a formed in the electrically conductive layer 332. The heater temperature sensor 15 is electrically connected to the main board 50 via the electrically conductive track 332a, the lead wires 15a connected to the electrically conductive track 332a, and the sensor FPC 73 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). By mounting the heater temperature sensor 15 on the flexible temperature sensor FPC 33, a smaller, lighter and thinner structure in the vicinity of the heating unit 121C can be realized.

[0122]To explain an example of temperature acquisition when the heater temperature sensor 15 is a thermistor, the MCU 1 energizes the electrically conductive track 332a, for example triggered by the shutter 23 being in the open state, and obtains (calculates) the temperature of the heating unit 121C based on the measured resistance value of the thermistor.

Example of Operation of Inhalation Device

[0123]Next, an example of operation of the inhalation device 100 is described.

[0124]The inhalation device 100 is activated, for example in response to the shutter 23 being in the open state. Specifically, the MCU 1 is activated in response to the shutter detection sensor 11 detecting the open state of the shutter 23. After activation of the MCU 1, operation of the heating unit 121C, and so on, is enabled. Here, the shutter detection sensor 11, for example, comprises a magnet provided in the shutter 23 and a Hall IC (integrated circuit) provided at the top end of the main board 50. It should be noted that the MCU 1 may be activated in response to pressing the operation unit 24.

[0125]In response to the shutter 23 being in the open state, the stick detection sensor 12 starts to emit and receive light, and detects the amount of the reflected light. The MCU 1 automatically starts heating the stick-type substrate 150 after detecting the stick-type substrate 150 based on the detection result of the stick detection sensor 12. It should be noted that the MCU 1 may initiate heating of the stick-type substrate 150 in response to a heating request from the user. Here, the heating request from the user is, for example, a pressing action on the operation unit 24 or a suction action on the inhalation device 100.

[0126]Next, heating of the stick-type substrate 150 is explained.

[0127]The MCU 1 operates the heating unit 121C based on a stick heating profile for heating the stick-type substrate 150 in response to the stick-type substrate 150 being accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C. The stick heating profile is information defining a time series transition of the target temperature, which is the target value of the temperature of the heating unit 121C, and is information for heating the stick-type substrate 150. The stick heating profile is pre-stored in ROM, for example. The MCU 1 generates an aerosol from the stick-type substrate 150 by controlling the temperature of the heating unit 121C based on the stick heating profile.

[0128]FIG. 12 shows an example of a stick heating profile. According to the stick heating profile, the heating unit 121C can be heated to T1 (about 300° C.) in conjunction with the start of heating, and then lowered in temperature to T2, after which the temperature is raised again to T3. Here, the target temperatures T1 to T3 of the stick heating profile are the temperatures in a first temperature region in which the aerosol is generated, in other words, the region above the temperature T0 (about 230 to 250° C.) at which the aerosol starts to be generated. The heating can then be ended when the elapsed time since the start of heating control is t1. When it is envisaged that the temperature of the heating unit 121C has reached T1 and the heating unit 121C has become sufficiently hot, a sufficient amount of aerosol is expected to be generated and the user is able to inhale. Note that the heating period before inhalation is possible is also referred to as the preheating period.

[0129]Elaborating on the temperature control of the heating unit 121C that is based on the stick heating profile, the MCU 1 controls the temperature of the heating unit 121C based on the divergence between a target temperature corresponding to an elapsed time from the start of heating control, and the actual temperature of the heating unit 121C (also referred to as “actual temperature” hereinafter). More specifically, at this time, the MCU 1 controls the temperature of heating unit 121C so that the time series transition of the actual temperature of the heating unit 121C is similar to the time series transition of the target temperature defined in the stick heating profile. It should be noted that heating control of the accommodating portion 140C is also performed based on a preheating heating profile that is described later.

[0130]The stick heating profile is typically designed so that, when the user inhales the aerosol generated from the stick-type substrate 150, the flavour tasted by the user is optimized. Therefore, controlling the temperature of the heating unit 121C based on the stick heating profile can optimize the flavor tasted by the user, and provide a high-quality smoking experience to the user.

[0131]When using the inhalation device 100 in a low temperature environment, the difference in the temperature of the heating unit 121C at the beginning of heating and the first temperature region in which the aerosol is generated is large, so it takes longer to heat the heating unit 121C compared with using it in an environment that is not a low temperature environment. Therefore, starting operation of the heating unit 121C after or at the same time that the stick-type substrate 150 has been accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C increases the user's wait time between accommodating the stick-type substrate 150 and being able to inhale aerosol in a low temperature environment.

[0132]Therefore, the MCU 1 initiates operation (i.e. preheating) of the heating unit 121C before the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the storage portion 140C when the temperature of the heating unit 121C is below a predetermined temperature. Here, the predetermined temperature is, for example, 0° C.

[0133]With preheating, the difference between the temperature of the heating unit 121C at the time that the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C and the first temperature region in which the aerosol is generated is reduced compared with no preheating. Therefore, the waiting time for the user from accommodating the stick-type substrate 150 to being able to inhale the aerosol is reduced, especially in low temperature environments, and the usability of the inhalation device 100 is improved.

[0134]When performing preheating, the MCU 1 sets the target temperature of the heating unit 121C to a temperature within a second temperature region (for example, 50 to 100° C.) which is lower than the first temperature region in which the aerosol is generated, and starts operation of the heating unit 121C. The second temperature region is a region below the temperature T0 at which the aerosol starts to be generated. This can prevent excessive heating of the accommodating portion 140C before the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C. Note that the temperature set when preheating is performed is not limited to 50 to 100° C., and it may be a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature (for example 0° C.) used for judging the temperature of the heating unit 121C.

[0135]After preheating has started, the MCU 1 operates the heating unit 121C in response to the stick-type substrate 150 being accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C by setting the target temperature for the heating unit 121C to a temperature within the first temperature region in which an aerosol is generated. This allows the heating unit 121C to be heated to a temperature within the first temperature region, where an aerosol is rapidly generated in response to the stick-type substrate 150 being accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C.

[0136]On the other hand, when the temperature of the heating unit 121C is greater than or equal to the predetermined temperature, the MCU 1 sets the target temperature to a temperature within the first temperature region where an aerosol is generated, in response to the stick-type substrate 150 being accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C, and starts the operation of the heating unit 121C. In other words, when the temperature of the heating unit 121C is greater than or equal to the predetermined temperature, the MCU 1 does not operate (i.e. preheat) the heating unit 121C before the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C. When the temperature of the heating unit 121C is greater than or equal to the predetermined temperature, the wait time of the user from accommodating the stick-type substrate 150 to being able to inhale the aerosol is relatively short. Therefore, preheating need not be performed and power consumption can be reduced compared with when preheating is performed.

[0137]Next, preheating is explained in more detail.

[0138]The comparison of the temperature of the heating unit 121C, which is a condition for whether or not to perform preheating, with the predetermined temperature is, for example, triggered by the opening of the shutter 23. In other words, the MCU 1 determines whether the temperature of the heating unit 121C is below the predetermined temperature when the shutter 23 is moved from the closed state to the open state. The temperature of the heating unit 121C is measured, for example, by the heater temperature sensor 15 previously described. When the MCU 1 determines that the temperature of the heating unit 121C is below the predetermined temperature, it initiates operation of the heating unit 121C before the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C. In this way, the preheating can be triggered by the opening of the shutter 23, which is one indication of the user's intention to use the inhalation device 100. This can reduce additional preheating and reduce power consumption proportionately, as compared to when preheating is triggered only by the temperature of the heating unit 121C falling below the predetermined temperature.

[0139]Then, when the MCU 1 determines that the temperature of the heating unit 121C is below the predetermined temperature, it initiates operation of the heating unit 121C based on a preheating heating profile before the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C. As shown by the dashed line of FIG. 12, the preheating heating profile is information defining a time series transition of the target temperature, which is the target value of the temperature of the heating unit 121C, and information for preheating the accommodating portion 140C when the stick-type substrate 150 is not accommodated. The preheating heating profile is, for example, pre-stored in the ROM. The preheating heating profile is a different heating profile to the stick heating profile, with different information such as target temperature and operating time, for example, as described below.

[0140]According to the preheating heating profile, the temperature of the heating unit 121C is maintained at a temperature T4 after increasing to T4 after the start of heating. The target temperature T4 of the preheating heating profile is within the second temperature region and not in the first temperature region. Also, although details will be described later, the heating control based on the preheating heating profile is defined to be terminated when the elapsed time since the start of operation of the heating unit 121C is t2.

[0141]FIG. 13 is a graph showing a time series transition of the target temperature of the heating unit 121C when the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C when preheating is taking place. The MCU 1 switches the reference heating profile from the preheating heating profile to the stick heating profile in response to the stick-type substrate 150 being accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C, and operates the heating unit 121C based on the stick heating profile.

[0142]Here, the MCU 1 starts the operation of the heating unit 121C before the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C, and after starting the operation of the heating unit 121C, if the stick-type substrate 150 is not accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C within a predetermined time period, the MCU 1 ends the operation of the heating unit 121C. The predetermined time is the operating time t2 included in the preheating heating profile, for example, 30 seconds. This prevents the accommodating portion 140C where the stick-type substrate 150 is not accommodated from continuing to be heated, and can also prevent increased power consumption due to operation of the heating unit 121C before the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated.

[0143]Also, when the heating unit 121C is operated with the target temperature set to T4 before the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C, and when the MCU 1 detects that the temperature of the heating unit 121C exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold T5, which is higher than the target temperature T4, the MCU 1 terminates the operation of the heating unit 121C. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, when the temperature of the heating unit 121C exceeds the predetermined temperature threshold TS (the elapsed time t3 since the start of preheating), the MCU 1 determines that a fault, such as thermal runaway, has occurred, for example due to a fault in the heating unit 121C. The MCU 1 then forces the operation of the heating unit 121C to terminate even before the end of the operation time t2 of the preheating heating profile. Note that instead of terminating the operation of the heating unit 121C, the MCU 1 may reduce the amount of power supplied to the heating unit 121C.

[0144]In this way, when preheating is taking place, for example in the event of a fault in the heating unit 121C, the MCU 1 can detect the fault from to the detection result of the heater temperature sensor 15, and can respond appropriately to the fault.

Examples of Notifications by the Notification Unit

[0145]Next, examples of notifications to the user during heating are described. Light emitted by the light emitting unit 25 (LED 251), which is an example of the notification unit 113B of FIG. 2, will now be described.

[0146]The light-emitting unit 25 notifies the user that the heating unit 121C is in operation. Specifically, the light-emitting unit emits light in a predetermined light emitting mode when the heating unit 121C is operated according to the preheating heating profile before the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C, and when the heating unit 121C is operated according to the stick heating profile after the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the light-emitting unit emits yellow light during preheating and red light during heating of the stick-type substrate 150. It should be noted that the light-emitting mode may be the same or different before and after the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C. The light emitting modes may also be distinguished by changing the number of LEDs 251 that emit light out of the plurality of LEDs 251.

[0147]Such notifications allow the user to easily and visually understand that the heating unit 121C is in operation. In particular, when the heating unit 121C is operating before the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C, the user can see the light emitted by the light emitting unit 25 and take care not to bring their fingers close to the opening 27, for example.

[0148]Also, as previously described, when the heating unit 121C is operated before the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C, a fault in the heating unit 121C could cause the MCU 1 to detect that the temperature of the heating unit 121C has exceeded the predetermined temperature threshold T5. At this time, the light-emitting unit 25 notifies the user of termination of the operation of the heating unit 121C or reducing the amount of power supplied to the heating unit 121C with a light-emitting mode different from the light-emitting mode during normal preheating. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, in contrast to during normal preheating when the light-emitting unit 25 emits yellow light, when terminating operation of the heating unit 121C or reducing the amount of power supplied to the heating unit 121C due to a fault, the light-emitting unit 25 emits yellow light and blinks at a predetermined interval of time. Such a notification makes it easy for the user to visually understand that the heating unit 121C (inhalation device 100) is faulty.

[0149]Note that notification by the notification unit 113B is not limited to light emitted by the light emitting unit 25, but may, for example, be a vibration from the vibration device 60. Specifically, the vibration device 60 may vibrate during operation of the heating unit 121C to notify the user that the heating unit 121C is in operation. The vibration device 60 may also vibrate with a different vibration mode during normal preheating and during preheating when the inhalation device 100 is faulty.

Examples of Processes Performed by the Control Unit

[0150]Next, examples of the processes performed by the MCU 1 are explained using the flowchart shown in FIG. 15.

[0151]The MCU 1 first determines whether the shutter 23 is in the open state (step S101). If the shutter 23 is not in the open state (step S101: NO), the MCU 1 repeatedly monitors step S101 until the shutter 23 is in the open state.

[0152]When the shutter 23 is in the open state (step S101: YES), the MCU 1 determines whether the temperature of the heating unit 121C is less than the predetermined temperature (step S102). Specifically, when the shutter 23 is in the open state, the MCU 1 energizes the electrically conductive track 332A of the temperature sensor FPC 33 and, based on the measured resistance value of the heater temperature sensor 15 (here thermistor), the MCU 1 can obtain the temperature of the heating unit 121C. The MCU 1 then determines whether the temperature of the heating unit 121C obtained from the heater temperature sensor 15 is less than the predetermined temperature. Note that, when the shutter 23 is changed to the open state, the stick detection sensor 12 also starts operation.

[0153]If the temperature of the heating unit 121C is greater than or equal to the predetermined temperature (step S102: NO), the MCU 1 determines whether the stick-type substrate 150 has been accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C (step S103). Specifically, the MCU 1 obtains the detection result from the stick detection sensor 12 to determine whether the stick-type substrate 150 has been accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C. If the stick-type substrate 150 is not accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C (step S103: NO), the MCU1 repeatedly monitors step S103 until the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C.

[0154]When the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C (step S103: YES), the MCU 1 operates the heating unit 121C based on the stick heating profile (step S106). In this way, heating of the stick-type substrate 150 is started, and an aerosol is generated. Heating of the stick-type substrate 150 terminates when the operating time contained in the stick heating profile has elapsed, or when the predetermined number of suctions has been exceeded since the start of heating the stick-type substrate 150.

[0155]Returning to step S102, if the temperature of the heating unit 121C is less than the predetermined temperature (step S102: YES), the MCU 1 initiates operation of the heating unit 121C based on the preheating heating profile (step S104).

[0156]Then, the MCU 1 determines whether the stick-type substrate 150 has been accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C within a predetermined time after the start of operation of the heating unit 121C (step S105). When the stick substrate 150 has been accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C within a predetermined time period (step S105: YES), the MCU 1 operates the heating unit 121C based on the stick heating profile (step S106). On the other hand, when the stick-type substrate 150 has not been accommodated in the accommodating portion 140C within a predetermined time period (step S105: NO), the MCU 1 terminates the operation of the heating unit 121C based on the preheating heating profile (step S107).

[0157]Note that the inhalation device 100 control method according to the present embodiment described above can be realized by executing a pre-prepared program on a computer (processor). The program is stored on a computer-readable storage medium, and is executed by being read out from the storage medium. The program may also be provided in a form stored in a non-transitory storage medium such as a flash memory, or may be provided over a network such as the Internet. Also, the computer running the program can be, for example, included in the inhalation device 100 (for example, the MCU 1), but this is not a limitation, and it may also be included in another device (for example, a smartphone or server device) that is able to communicate with the inhalation device 100.

Modified Example

[0158]In the aforementioned embodiment, the MCU 1 obtains the temperature of the heating unit 121C based on the measurement result of the heater temperature sensor 15, but this is not a limitation. For example, the MCU 1 may temporarily energize the heating unit 121C and obtain the temperature of the heating unit 121C based on the measured resistance value of the heating unit 121C. In such a configuration, the MCU 1 need not provide the heater temperature sensor 15 as it can obtain the temperature of the heating unit 121C based on the resistance value of the heating unit 121C.

[0159]An embodiment of the present invention and a modified example have been described above with reference to the drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. It is obvious that a person skilled in the art will be able to conceive of a number of variant examples or modified examples within the scope disclosed in the claims, and any such variant examples or modified examples are naturally understood to fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components in the embodiment described above may be arbitrarily combined within a range not deviating from the spirit of the invention.

[0160]For example, in the embodiment described above, the MCU 1 operated the heating unit 121C based on a stick heating profile and a preheating heating profile, but this is not a limitation. The MCU 1 may operate the heating unit 121C based on information that is not a time sequence (for example, information defining only the target temperature of the heating unit 121C without time information), and not on a heating profile that is information defining a time sequence of a target temperature.

[0161]Also, in the embodiment described above, by providing the heater temperature sensor 15 in the heating unit 121C, the MCU 1 could detect whether the heating unit 121C has a fault, such as thermal runaway, based on the measurement result of the heater temperature sensor 15. Likewise, the MCU 1 may detect whether there is a fault (such as unexpected heat generation) in the power source unit 111C based on the measurement result of the power supply temperature sensor 16. When the MCU 1 detects a fault in the power source unit 111C, it terminates the power supply or reduces the power supply amount from the power source unit 111C to each device. Also, a temperature sensor may be provided on the main board 50 and the MCU 1 may detect whether there is a fault (such as unexpected heat generation) in the main board 50 based on the detection result of this temperature sensor. If the MCU 1 detects a fault in the main board 50, it restricts some of the functions of the electronic components mounted in the main board 50. Furthermore, the notification unit such as the light emitting unit 25 or the vibration device 60 may notify the user of the defect in a predetermined notification mode when it detects these defects.

[0162]Also, in the embodiments described above, an optical sensor was described as an example of the stick detection sensor 12, but this is not a limitation. For example, the stick detection sensor 12 may be a pressure sensor that detects pressure fluctuations in the accommodating portion 140C due to insertion and removal of the stick-type substrate 150. In this case, the MCU 1 detects the stick-type substrate 150 based on the pressure variation detected by the pressure sensor. Also, when identification information is affixed to the stick-type substrate 150, the stick detection sensor 12 may be an identification information reader capable of reading the identification information of the stick-type substrate 150. In this case, the MCU 1 detects the stick-type substrate 150 based on the result of a reading by the identification information reader. The stick detection sensor 12 may also be a mechanical switch provided in the vicinity of the accommodating portion 140C (for example, the bottom surface of the accommodating portion 140C) that is depressed by the stick-type substrate 150. In this case, the MCU 1 detects the stick-type substrate 150 by the switch being depressed. Also, if the stick-type substrate 150 contains a susceptor, the MCU 1 may detect the stick-type substrate 150 based on a change in the characteristics of the circuit of the inhalation device 100 (for example, a change in inductance) due to the insertion of the stick-type substrate 150.

[0231]According to (14), when the temperature of the heating unit is below the predetermined temperature, the operation of the heating unit is initiated before the substrate is accommodated in the accommodating portion, thereby reducing the waiting time for a user from accommodating the substrate to being able to inhale aerosol, especially in low temperature environments, and the convenience with respect to the use of the inhalation device is improved.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST