Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1
POWER SUPPLY UNIT FOR AEROSOL INHALER, AND CONTROL METHOD
AND CONTROL PROGRAM OF THE SAME
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply unit for an aerosol
inhaler, and a
control method and control program of the power supply unit.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] There is available an aerosol inhaler which includes an aerosol
generation source, a
load for generating an aerosol from the aerosol generation source, a power
supply able to
discharge power to the load, and a control unit for controlling the power
supply (see Patent
Literatures 1 and 2 for instance).
[0003] Patent Literature 1: JP-A-2018-093877
Patent Literature 2: JP-A-2015-534458
[0004] Since an aerosol inhaler may be often used, it is desirable that
it is possible to
quickly charge a power supply of the aerosol inhaler.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a power supply unit
for an aerosol
inhaler, and a control method and control program of the power supply unit,
capable of
making the aerosol inhaler useable by early completing charging of a power
supply.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a power
supply unit for an
aerosol inhaler, the power supply unit comprising: a power supply that is able
to discharge
power to a load for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generation source;
and a control
unit that is configured to determine whether the power supply which is being
charged has
reached a predetermined charge state lower than a fully charged state, and
complete charging
of the power supply in a case of determining that the power supply has reached
the
predetermined charge state.
[0007] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a power
supply unit for an
aerosol inhaler, the power supply unit comprising: a power supply that is able
to discharge
power to a load for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generation source;
and a control
unit that is configured to determine whether the power supply which is being
charged has
reached a predetermined charge state lower than a fully charged state, and
complete charging
of the power supply in a case of determining that the power supply has reached
the
predetermined charge state, wherein the control unit includes a first control
unit and a second
control unit which individually determine whether the power supply has reached
the
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-11
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predetermined charge state based on a plurality of conditions for determining
that the power
supply has reached the predetermined charge state, and complete the charging
of the power
supply, the first control unit is a circuit for performing control on the
charging of the power
supply, and the second control unit is a circuit for performing control on
discharge of power
of the power supply to the load.
[0008] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a power
supply unit for an
aerosol inhaler, the power supply unit comprising: a power supply that is able
to discharge
power to a load for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generation source; a
first control
unit that is configured to perform control on charging of the power supply;
and a second
control unit that is configured to perform control on discharge of power of
the power supply
to the load, wherein each of the first control unit and the second control
unit completes
charging of the power supply in a case where any one of a plurality of
conditions is satisfied.
[0009] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a control
method of a
power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler, the power supply unit including a
power supply that
is able to discharge power to a load for generating an aerosol from an aerosol
generation
source, a first control unit that is configured to perform control on charging
of the power
supply, and a second control unit that is configured to perform control on
discharge of power
of the power supply to the load, the control method comprising: causing the
first control unit
to execute control for completing the charging of the power supply in a case
where any one of
a plurality of conditions is satisfied, and causing the second control unit to
execute control for
completing the charging of the power supply in a case where any one of the
plurality of
conditions is satisfied.
[0010] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer
program
product for a power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler, the power supply unit
including a
power supply that is able to discharge power to a load for generating an
aerosol from an
aerosol generation source, a first control unit that is configured to perform
control on charging
of the power supply, and a second control unit that is configured to perform
control on
discharge of power of the power supply to the load, the computer program
product comprising
a computer readable memory storing computer executable instructions thereon
that when
executed by a computer perform the method steps of: causing the first control
unit to execute
control for completing charging of the power supply in a case where any one of
a plurality of
conditions is satisfied, and causing the second control unit to execute
control for completing
charging of the power supply in a case where any one of the plurality of
conditions is
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-11
lb
satisfied.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol inhaler equipped with a
power supply unit
of an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the aerosol inhaler of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol inhaler of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the power supply unit in the aerosol inhaler
of Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the main part configuration of the
power
supply unit in the aerosol inhaler of Fig. 1.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-11
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Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the circuit configuration of the
power
supply unit in the aerosol inhaler of Fig. 6.
Fig. 7 is a flow chart for explaining a power supply charging operation of the
power
supply unit shown in Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a view for explaining the charging operation shown in Fig. 7.
Fig. 9 is a flow chart for explaining a modification of the power supply
charging
operation of the power supply unit shown in Fig. 6.
Fig. 10 is a view for explaining the charging operation shown in Fig. 9.
Fig. 11 is a view for explaining the charging operation shown in Fig. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Hereinafter, a power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler according to an
embodiment
of the present invention will be described. First of all, the aerosol inhaler
equipped with the
power supply unit will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.
[0015] (AEROSOL INHALER)
An aerosol inhaler 1 is a device for inhaling an aerosol containing a flavor
without
combustion, and has a rod shape extending along a certain direction
(hereinafter, referred to as
the longitudinal direction A). The aerosol inhaler 1 includes a power supply
unit 10, a first
cartridge 20, and a second cartridge 30 which are arranged in the order along
the longitudinal
direction A. The first cartridge 20 can be attached to and detached from the
power supply
unit 10. The second cartridge 30 can be attached to and detached from the
first cartridge 20.
In other words, the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 can be
individually replaced.
[0016] (POWER SUPPLY UNIT)
The power supply unit 10 of the present embodiment includes a power supply 12,
a
charging IC 55, a protection IC 56, an MCU 50, a switch 19, a voltage sensor
16, various
sensors, and so on in a cylindrical power supply unit case 11, as shown in
Fig. 3, Fig. 4, and
Fig. 6. The power supply 12 is a chargeable secondary battery, an electric
double-layer
capacitor, or the like, and is preferably a lithium-ion battery.
[0017] On a top part 11 a of the power supply unit case 11 positioned on one
end side in the
longitudinal direction A (the first cartridge (20) side), a discharging
terminal 41 is provided.
The discharging terminal 41 is provided so as to protrude from the top surface
of the top part
lla toward the first cartridge 20, and is configured to be able to be
electrically connected to a
load 21 of the first cartridge 20.
[0018] Further, on a part of the top surface of the top part lla in the
vicinity of the
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discharging terminal 41, an air supply part 42 for supplying air to the load
21 of the first
cartridge 20 is provided.
[0019] On a bottom part 11 b of the power supply unit 10 positioned on the
other end side
in the longitudinal direction A (the opposite side to the first cartridge 20),
a charging terminal
43 able to be electrically connected to an external power supply 60 (see Fig.
6) capable of
charging the power supply 12 is provided. The charging terminal 43 is provided
on the side
surface of the bottom part lib, such that, for example, at least one of USB
terminals, micro
USB terminals, and Lightning terminals can be connected thereto. However, the
charging
terminal 43 may be a power receiving part able to receive power from the
external power
supply 60 in a non-contact manner.
[0020] In this case, the charging terminal 43 (the power receiving part) may
be composed
of a power receiving coil. The wireless power transfer system may be an
electromagnetic
induction type, or may be a magnetic resonance type. Also, the charging
terminal 43 may be
a power receiving part able to receive power from the external power supply 60
without any
contact point. As another example, the charging terminal 43 may be configured
such that at
least one of USB terminals, micro USB terminals, and Lightning terminals can
be connected
thereto and the above-mentioned power receiving part is included therein.
[0021] On the side surface of the top part lla of the power supply unit case
11, an
operation unit 14 which the user can operate is provided so as to face the
opposite side to the
charging terminal 43. More specifically, the operation unit 14 and the
charging terminal 43
are symmetric with respect to the point of intersection of a straight line
connecting the
operation unit 14 and the charging terminal 43 and the center line of the
power supply unit 10
in the longitudinal direction A. The operation unit 14 is composed of a button
type switch, a
touch panel, or the like. In the vicinity of the operation unit 14, an
inhalation sensor 15 for
detecting a puff action are provided.
[0022] The charging IC 55 is disposed close to the charging terminal 43, and
performs
control on charging of the power supply 12 with power which is input from the
charging
terminal 43. The charging IC 55 includes a converter for converting direct
current, which is
applied from an inverter 61 or the like provided for converting alternating
current into direct
current on a charging cable which is connected to the charging terminal, into
direct current
having a different parameter, a voltmeter for measuring charging voltage VcHG
which is
supplied from the converter to the power supply 12, an ammeter for measuring
charging
current IcHG which is supplied from the converter to the power supply 12, a
processor for
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controlling them, and so on. In this specification, the processor is more
specifically an
electric circuit configured by combining circuit elements such as
semiconductor elements.
[0023] The charging IC 55 selectively performs constant current charging (CC
charging)
for charging the power supply 12 by performing control such that the charging
current ICHG
becomes constant, and constant voltage charging (CV charging) for charging the
power
supply 12 by performing control such that the charging voltage VcHG becomes
constant. The
charging IC 55 charges the power supply 12 by CC charging, in the state where
power-supply
voltage Vgatt corresponding to the amount of power stored in the power supply
12 is lower
than a predetermined CV switch voltage, and charges the power supply 12 by CV
charging, in
the state where the power-supply voltage Vgatt is equal to or higher than the
above-mentioned
CV switch voltage.
[0024] The MCU 50 is connected to various sensor devices, such as the
inhalation sensor
for detecting a puff (inhaling) action, a voltage sensor 16 for measuring the
power-supply
voltage VBatt of the power supply 12, and a temperature sensor 17 for
measuring the
15 temperature of the power supply 12, the operation unit 14, a notifying
unit 45 (to be described
below), and a memory 18 for storing the number of puff actions, the time for
which power has
been applied to the load 21, as shown in Fig. 5, and performs a variety of
control on the
aerosol inhaler 1. The MCU 50 is specifically a processor.
[0025] Also, in the power supply unit case 11, an air intake (not shown in the
drawings) for
taking in air is formed. The air intake may be formed around the operation
unit 14, or may
be formed around the charging terminal 43.
[0026] (FIRST CARTRIDGE)
As shown in Fig. 3, the first cartridge 20 includes a reservoir 23 for storing
an
aerosol source 22, the electric load 21 for atomizing the aerosol source 22, a
wick 24 for
drawing the aerosol source from the reservoir 23 toward the load 21, an
aerosol channel 25
for an aerosol generated by atomizing the aerosol source 22 to flow toward the
second
cartridge 30, an end cap 26 for storing a part of the second cartridge 30.
[0027] The reservoir 23 is formed so as to surround the aerosol channel 25,
and holds the
aerosol source 22. In the reservoir 23, a porous member such as a resin web or
cotton may
be stored, and the porous member may be impregnated with the aerosol source
22. The
aerosol source 22 includes a liquid such as glycerin, propylene glycol, or
water.
[0028] The wick 24 is a liquid holding member for drawing the aerosol source
22 toward
the load 21 using capillarity, and is configured with, for example, glass
fiber, a porous
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ceramic, or the like.
[0029] The load 21 atomizes the aerosol source 22 without combustion by power
which is
supplied from the power supply 12 through the discharging terminal 41. The
load 21 is
configured with a heating wire wound with a predetermined pitch (a coil).
However, the
5 load 21 needs only to be an element capable of atomizing the aerosol
source 22, thereby
generating an aerosol, and is, for example, a heating element or an ultrasonic
wave generator.
Examples of the heating element include a heating resistor, a ceramic heater,
an induction
heating type heater, and so on.
[0030] The aerosol channel 25 is provided on the downstream side of the load
21 on the
center line L of the power supply unit 10.
[0031] The end cap 26 includes a cartridge storage part 26a for storing a part
of the second
cartridge 30, and a connecting passage 26b for connecting the aerosol channel
25 and the
cartridge storage part 26a.
[0032] (SECOND CARTRIDGE)
The second cartridge 30 holds a flavor source 31. The end part of the second
cartridge 30 on the first cartridge (20) side is stored in the cartridge
storage part 26a provided
in the end cap 26 of the first cartridge 20, so as to be able to be removed.
The end part of the
second cartridge 30 on the opposite side to the first cartridge (20) side is
configured as an
inhalation port 32 for the user. However, the inhalation port 32 does not
necessarily need to
be configured integrally with the second cartridge 30 so as not to be
separable from the
second cartridge, and may be configured to be able to be attached to and
detached from the
second cartridge 30. If the inhalation port 32 is configured separately from
the power supply
unit 10 and the first cartridge 20 as described above, it is possible to keep
the inhalation port
32 sanitary.
[0033] The second cartridge 30 adds a flavor to the aerosol generated by
atomizing the
aerosol source 22 by the load 21, by passing the aerosol through the flavor
source 31. As a
raw material piece which constitutes the flavor source, a compact made by
forming shredded
tobacco or a tobacco raw material into a grain shape can be used. The flavor
source 31 may
be configured with a plant (such as mint or a herbal medicine, or a herb)
other than tobacco.
To the flavor source 31, a flavoring agent such as menthol may be added.
[0034] The aerosol inhaler 1 of the present embodiment can generate an aerosol
containing
the flavor by the aerosol source 22, the flavor source 31, and the load 21. In
other words, the
aerosol source 22 and the flavor source 31 constitute an aerosol generation
source for
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generating an aerosol.
[0035] The aerosol generation source in the aerosol inhaler 1 is a part which
the user can
replace to use. For this part, for example, one first cartridge 20 and one or
more (for
example, five) second cartridges 30 can be provided as one set to the user.
.. [0036] The configuration of the aerosol generation source which can be used
in the aerosol
inhaler 1 is not limited to the configuration in which the aerosol source 22
and the flavor
source 31 are configured separately, and may be a configuration in which the
aerosol source
22 and the flavor source 31 are formed integrally, a configuration in which
the flavor source
31 is omitted and the aerosol source 22 contains a substance which can be
contained in the
flavor source 31, a configuration in which the aerosol source 22 contains a
medical substance
or the like instead of the flavor source 31, or the like.
[0037] For an aerosol inhaler 1 including an aerosol generation source
configured by
integrally forming an aerosol source 22 and a flavor source 31, for example,
one or more (for
example, 20) aerosol generation sources may be provided as one set to the
user.
.. [0038] In the case of an aerosol inhaler 1 including only an aerosol source
22 as an aerosol
generation source, for example, one or more (for example, 20) aerosol
generation sources may
be provided as one set to the user.
[0039] In the aerosol inhaler 1 configured as described above, as shown by an
arrow B in
Fig. 3, air entering from the intake (not shown in the drawings) formed in the
power supply
unit case 11 passes through the air supply part 42, and passes near the load
21 of the first
cartridge 20. The load 21 atomizes the aerosol source 22 drawn from the
reservoir 23 by the
wick 24. The aerosol generated by atomizing flows through the aerosol channel
25 together
with the air entering from the intake, and is supplied to the second cartridge
30 through the
connecting passage 26b. The aerosol supplied to the second cartridge 30 passes
through the
.. flavor source 31, whereby the flavor is added, and is supplied to the
inhalation port 32.
[0040] Also, in the aerosol inhaler 1, a notifying unit 45 for notifying a
variety of
information is provided (see Fig. 5). The notifying unit 45 may be configured
with a light
emitting element, or may be configured with a vibrating element, or may be
configured with a
sound output element. The notifying unit 45 may be a combination of two or
more elements
of light emitting elements, vibrating elements, and sound output elements. The
notifying
unit 45 may be provided in any one of the power supply unit 10, the first
cartridge 20, and the
second cartridge 30; however, it is preferable that the notifying unit be
provided in the power
supply unit 10. For example, the area around the operation unit 14 is
configured to have
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translucency to permit light which is emitted by a light emitting element such
as an LED to
pass through.
[0041] (ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT)
Now, the details of the electric circuit of the power supply unit 10 will be
described
with reference to Fig. 6.
The power supply unit 10 includes the power supply 12, a positive electrode
side
discharging terminal 41a and a negative electrode side discharging terminal
41b which
constitute the discharging terminal 41, a positive electrode side charging
terminal 43a and a
negative electrode side charging terminal 43b which constitute the charging
terminal 43, the
MCU (Micro Controller Unit) 50 which is connected between the positive
electrode side of
the power supply 12 and the positive electrode side discharging terminal 41a
and between the
negative electrode side of the power supply 12 and the negative electrode side
discharging
terminal 41b, the charging IC 55 which is disposed on the power transmission
path between
the charging terminal 43 and the power supply 12, the protection IC 56 which
is disposed on
the power transmission path between the charging IC 55 and the power supply
12, and a
switch 19 which is disposed on the power transmission path between the power
supply 12 and
the discharging terminal 41.
[0042] The switch 19 is configured with, for example, a semiconductor element
such as a
MOSFET, and is opened and closed by control of the MCU 50. The MCU 50 has a
function
of detecting that the external power supply 60 is connected to the charging
terminal 43, on the
basis of variation in the voltage between the MCU and the charging terminal
43.
[0043] In the electric circuit of the power supply unit 10 shown in Fig.
6, the switch 19 is
provided between the positive electrode side of the power supply 12 and the
positive electrode
side discharging terminal 41a. Instead of this so-called plus control type,
the switch 19 may
be a minus control type which is provided between the negative electrode side
discharging
terminal 41b and the negative electrode side of the power supply 12.
[0044] In the case where the power supply 12 is being charged by the charging
IC 55, the
protection IC 56 monitors the power-supply voltage VBatt measured by the
voltage sensor 16,
and in the case where the power-supply voltage VBatt reaches a protection
voltage threshold
(hereinafter, as an example, it is assumed that the protection voltage
threshold is 4.275 V), the
protection IC shuts off the power transmission path extending from the
charging IC 55 to the
power supply 12, thereby stopping charging of the power supply 12 in order to
protect the
power supply 12 from overcharging or overcurrent. If the power transmission
path
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extending from the charging IC 55 to the power supply 12 is shut off by the
protection IC 56,
the charging IC 55 ends charging of the power supply 12.
[0045] (MCU)
Now, the configuration of the MCU 50 will be described in more detail.
As shown in Fig. 5, the MCU 50 includes an aerosol generation request
detecting
unit 51, an operation detecting unit 52, a power control unit 53, and a
notification control unit
54 as functional blocks.
[0046] The aerosol generation request detecting unit 51 detects a request for
aerosol
generation on the basis of the output result of the inhalation sensor 15. The
inhalation sensor
15 is configured to output the value of a variation in the pressure in the
power supply unit 10
(the internal pressure) caused by inhalation of the user through the
inhalation port 32. The
inhalation sensor 15 is, for example, a pressure sensor for outputting an
output value (for
example, a voltage value or a current value) according to the internal
pressure which varies
according to the flow rate of air which is sucked from the intake (not shown
in the drawings)
toward the inhalation port 32 (i.e. a puff action of the user). The inhalation
sensor 15 may be
configured with a capacitor microphone or the like.
[0047] The operation detecting unit 52 detects an operation which is performed
on the
operation unit 14 by the user.
[0048] The notification control unit 54 controls the notifying unit 45 such
that the notifying
.. unit notifies a variety of information. For example, the notification
control unit 54 controls
the notifying unit 45 in response to detection of a timing to replace the
second cartridge 30,
such that the notifying unit notifies the timing to replace the second
cartridge 30. The
notification control unit 54 detects and notifies a timing to replace the
second cartridge 30, on
the basis of the number of puff actions and the cumulative time for which
power has been
supplied to the load 21, stored in the memory 18. The notification control
unit 54 is not
limited to notification of a timing to replace the second cartridge 30, and
may notify a timing
to replace the first cartridge 20, a timing to replace the power supply 12, a
timing to charge
the power supply 12, and so on.
[0049] In the state where one unused second cartridge 30 is set, if a
predetermined number
of puff actions are performed, or if the cumulative time for which power has
been applied to
the load 21 due to puff actions reaches a predetermined value (for example,
120 seconds), the
notification control unit 54 determines that the second cartridge 30 is used
up (i.e. the
remaining amount is zero or the second cartridge is empty), and notifies the
timing to replace
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the second cartridge 30.
[0050] Also, in the case of determining that all of the second cartridges 30
included in one
set are used up, the notification control unit 54 may determine that one first
cartridge 20
included in the single set is used up (i.e. the remaining amount is zero or
the first cartridge is
empty), and notify the timing to replace the first cartridge 20.
[0051] Also, the notification control unit 54 calculates the state of
charge (SOC) which is a
numerical index indicating the ratio of the amount of power stored in the
power supply 12
(the amount of stored power) to the capacity of the power supply 12, and
controls the
notifying unit 45 such that the notifying unit notifies the calculated SOC.
[0052] The notification control unit 54 determines, for example, which of a
first range
equal to or larger than 0% and smaller than 33%, a second range equal to or
larger than 33%
and smaller than 66%, and a third range equal to or larger than 66% and
smaller than 100%
the SOC belongs to. Further, depending on the case where the SOC is in the
first range, the
case where the SOC is in the second range, and the case where the SOC is in
the third range,
the notification control unit 54 performs control, for example, turning on or
flashing light
emitting elements included in the notifying unit 45 in different colors,
turning on or flashing
light emitting elements included in the notifying unit 45 in different
patterns, changing the
number of light emitting elements to be turned on or flashed, of a plurality
of light emitting
elements included in the notifying unit 45, changing the output sound of a
sound output
element of the notifying unit 45, or changing the vibration pattern of a
vibrating element of
the notifying unit 45. Therefore, the user of the aerosol inhaler 1 can
intuitively the
magnitude of the SOC of the power supply 12 by sound, color, or vibration, not
by characters
or an image which is displayed on a display or the like.
[0053] If the notification control unit 54 notifies the SOC in the above-
mentioned way,
even if early charging completion control to be described below is performed,
as compared to
the case of directly displaying the value of the SOC, it is possible to
effectively reduce a
feeling of strangeness which the user feels.
[0054] The power control unit 53 controls discharging of the power supply 12
through the
discharging terminal 41 by switching on and off the switch 19 if the aerosol
generation
request detecting unit 51 detects the request for aerosol generation.
[0055] The power control unit 53 performs control such that the amount of
aerosol which is
generated by atomizing the aerosol source by the load 21 falls in a desired
range, i.e. such that
the amount of power which is supplied from the power supply 12 to the load 21
falls in a
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predetermined range. Specifically, the power control unit 53 controls
switching on and off
of the switch 19 by, for example, PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control.
Alternatively, the
power control unit 53 may control switching on and off of the switch 19 by PFM
(Pulse
Frequency Modulation) control.
.. [0056] The power control unit 53 stops supply of power from the power
supply 12 to the
load 21 if a predetermined period passes after start of supply of power to the
load 21. In
other words, even while the user is actually performing a puff action, if the
puff period
exceeds a certain period, the power control unit 53 stops supply of power from
the power
supply 12 to the load 21. The certain period is determined to suppress
variation in user's
puff period.
[0057] By control of the power control unit 53, the current which flows in the
load 21
during one puff action becomes substantially a constant value which is
determined according
to substantially constant effective voltage which is supplied to the load 21
by PWM control,
and the resistance values of the discharging terminal 41 and the load 21. In
the aerosol
inhaler 1 of the present embodiment, when the user inhales an aerosol using
one unused
second cartridge 30, the cumulative time for which power can be supplied to
the load 21 is
controlled to a maximum of, for example, 120 seconds. Therefore, in the case
where one
first cartridge 20 and five second cartridges 30 constitute one set, it is
possible to obtain the
maximum amount of power required to empty (use up) the single set, in advance.
[0058] Also, the power control unit 53 detects an electric connection between
the charging
terminal 43 and the external power supply 60.
[0059] In the above-mentioned CV charging, in theory, charging is kept until
the charging
voltage VCHG and the power-supply voltage VBatt become equal. As the power-
supply
voltage VBatt approaches the charging voltage VCHG, power which is stored in
the power
supply 12 steps down. Therefore, it takes a very long time for the charging
voltage VCHG
and the power-supply voltage Vsatt to become strictly equal. For this reason,
in general CV
charging, charging is considered to be completed when charging current becomes
equal to or
smaller than a threshold. However, sometimes, due to an error of a-sensor
which detects
voltage or current, or setting of a threshold, it takes a long time for
charging to be considered
to be completed.
[0060] For this reason, the power control unit 53 also performs control for
stopping
(completing) charging of the power supply 12 in the case where a predetermined
condition is
satisfied in the state where charging of the power supply 12 is being
performed by the
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charging IC 55.
[0061] The power supply unit 10 configured as described above determines
whether the
power supply 12 which is being charged from the external power supply 60 has
reached a
predetermined charge state lower than the fully charged state (for example, a
range in which
the SOC is between 80% and 96%, or a range in which the SOC between 80% and
90%, or
the like), and completes charging of the power supply 12 in the case of
determining that the
charge state of the power supply 12 has reached the predetermined charge
state. For
example, when it is assumed that the full charging voltage of the power supply
12 (the
power-supply voltage when the SOC is 100%) is 4.2 V, if the power supply unit
10 determines
that the power-supply voltage Vgatt has become, for example, about 4.06 V, the
power supply
unit 10 completes charging of the power supply 12. In this way, the time
required until
charging is completed is shortened.
[0062] By the way, the power-supply voltage VBatt and the SOC have a
correlation. In the
case where it is determined that the power-supply voltage Vgatt has become,
for example,
about 4.06 V, if charging of the power supply 12 is completed, the SOC becomes
about 85%
to 96%.
[0063] The charging IC 55 and the MCU 50 are configured to determine whether
the
charge state of the power supply 12 has reached the predetermined charge
state, using
different determination conditions, respectively. As a result, the accuracy of
determination
improves, and the probability of completing charging of the power supply 12
before the
power supply 12 becomes the fully charged state increases. Also, it becomes
possible to
complete charging of the power supply 12 before the power supply 12 becomes
the fully
charged state, even in the case where one of the charging IC 55 and the MCU 50
does not
normally operate.
[0064] Also, the predetermined charge state is a state where the amount of
power equal to
or larger than the amount of power required to be supplied to the load 21 in
order to empty
one set or two sets of unused aerosol generation sources which are provided to
the user is
stored in the power supply 12. Therefore, even in the state where charging of
the power
supply 12 has been completed before the power supply becomes the fully charged
state, it is
.. possible to use up one set or two sets of aerosol generation sources.
[0065] For example, it is assumed that current to flow in the load 21 during
discharging of
the power supply 12 is set to 1.44 A and the maximum of cumulative time for
which power is
supplied to the load 21 for each second cartridge 30 is controlled to 120
seconds. In this
CA 3060459 2019-10-28
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case, the maximum amount of power necessary to empty one set becomes 240 mAh,
and the
maximum amount of power necessary to empty two sets becomes 480 mAh. As the
power
supply 12, a large-capacity power supply is used such that the SOC becomes
smaller than
100% when the amount of stored power is, for example, 480 mAh or a value
larger than 480
mAh by a small margin (for example, 510 mAh or 540 mAh).
[0066] (POWER SUPPLY CHARGING OPERATION)
Fig. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the power supply unit
10
during charging of the power supply 12. Fig. 8 is a view illustrating examples
of the
temporal transitions of the charging voltage VCHG, the charging current ICHG,
and the
power-supply voltage VBatt during charging of the power supply 12.
[0067] If the MCU 50 detects an electric connection between the charging
terminal 43 and
the external power supply 60, the operation shown in Fig. 7 is started.
Hereinafter, as an
example, the case where the full charging voltage of the power supply 12 is
4.2 V and the
above-mentioned CV switch voltage is 4.0 V will be described. Further, on the
assumption
that a power supply 12 having full charge capacity of 610 mAh is used and
charging is
completed if 540 mAh is stored in the power supply 12, the following
description will be
made. In this case, the predetermined charge state is the state where the SOC
is 89%. Also,
in this operation, some or all of processes which are performed by each of the
MCU 50 and
the charging IC 55 can be performed according to a program by a processor.
[0068] First of all, the MCU 50 activates a built-in timer (STEP 51). Next,
the charging
IC 55 acquires the power-supply voltage VBatt from the voltage sensor 16 (STEP
S2), and
determines whether the power-supply voltage VBatt is equal to or higher than
the CV switch
voltage, or not (STEP S3). If the power-supply voltage Vsatt is lower than the
CV switch
voltage ("NO" in STEP S3), the charging IC 55 starts charging of the power
supply 12 by CC
charging (STEP S4), and then returns to STEP S2. While the power-supply
voltage Vsatt is
lower than the CV switch voltage, the processes of STEP Si to STEP S4 are
repeated, and the
power supply 12 is quickly charged by CC charging.
[0069] Then, if the power-supply voltage VBatt reaches the CV switch voltage
("YES" in
STEP S3), the charging IC 55 starts charging of the power supply 12 by CV
charging in which
the charging voltage VCHG has a value larger than the value of the CV switch
voltage
(preferably, power-supply voltage, i.e. 4.06 V, corresponding to the
predetermined charge
state in which the SOC is 89%) (STEP S5).
[0070] If CV charging is started in STEP S5, the charging IC 55 acquires the
charging
CA 3060459 2019-10-28
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current IcHG from the internal ammeter, and determines whether the charging
current IcHG is
equal to or smaller than a current threshold (in the example of Fig. 7, 46 mA)
, or not (STEP
S7). This current threshold was a threshold determined by starting CV charging
from a state
where power-supply voltage was 4.0 V under predetermined conditions (such as
atmospheric
temperature, the temperature of the power supply 12, and so on) and actually
measuring
change of the charging current IcHG, and is such a value that it is possible
to determine that the
SOC is 89% if the charging current IcHG becomes the corresponding value.
[0071] If the charging current IcHG is equal to or smaller than the current
threshold ("YES"
in STEP S7), the charging IC 55 determines that the charge state of the power
supply 12 has
reached the predetermined charge state, i.e. the SOC of 89%, and stops supply
of power from
the external power supply 60 to the power supply 12, thereby completing
charging of the
power supply 12 (STEP S8, a time ti of Fig. 8).
[0072] In the case where it is determined in STEP S7 that the charging current
IcHG exceeds
the current threshold ("NO" in STEP S7), the charging IC 55 determines that
the SOC of the
power supply 12 has not reached 89%, and keeps the CV charging. By the way,
the curve
showing the change of the charging current IcHG after the start of the CV
charging as shown in
Fig. 8 also changes according to the atmospheric temperature in the place
where the power
supply unit 10 is placed and the temperature of the power supply 12. Also, the
measurement
value of the charging current IcHG also can change according to measurement
errors of various
sensors, aging of various sensors, and so on. For this reason, even through
the SOC actually
reaches 89%, the determination in STEP S7 may become "NO".
[0073] For this reason, in this case, the MCU 50 acquires the power-supply
voltage Vuaii
from the voltage sensor 16 (STEP S9), and determines whether the power-supply
voltage Vsatt
is equal to or larger than a threshold TH1, or not (STEP S10). As the
threshold TH1, the
power-supply voltage, i.e. 4.06 V, corresponding to the SOC of 89% is set.
However, it is
preferable that a value (for example, 4.2 V or the like) obtained by adding a
certain voltage to
the power-supply voltage, i.e. 4.06 V, be set as the threshold TH1 in
consideration of an error
of the voltage sensor 16 and so on.
[0074] In the case where the power-supply voltage Vgatt is equal to or larger
than the
threshold TH1 ("YES" in STEP S10), the MCU 50 determines that the SOC of the
power
supply 12 has become 89% or greater, and instructs the charging IC 55 to
complete the
charging (STEP S11). If receiving this instruction, the charging IC 55 stops
supply of power
from the external power supply 60 to the power supply 12, thereby completing
the charging of
CA 3060459 2019-10-28
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the power supply 12, in STEP S8. Alternatively, in the circuit configuration
of Fig. 6, a
switch (not shown in the drawings) provided between the charging IC 55 and the
power
supply 12 may be turned off to forcibly stop supply of power from the external
power supply
60 to the power supply 12.
[0075] In the case where the power-supply voltage Vsatt is smaller than the
threshold TH1
("NO" in STEP S10), the MCU 50 determines whether the timer value of the built-
in timer
has reached a predetermined time threshold (in the example of Figs. 7 and 8,
90 minutes)
(STEP S12). In the case where the timer value has reached the time threshold
("YES" in
STEP S12), the MCU 50 determines that the SOC of the power supply 12 has
reached 89%,
and instructs the charging IC 55 to complete the charging (STEP S11). By this
process of
STEP S11, as shown in Fig. 8, even though the charging is not completed at the
time ti, at a
time t2, the charging is completed before the power supply becomes the fully
charged state.
[0076] As the time threshold, for example, a value obtained by adding a
certain margin to
the time taken for the SOC to become 89% by CV charging when the CV charging
was started
from the state where the SOC was 0% (the time actually measured during
manufacturing) can
be set. Since the time which is required to charge the power supply 12 tends
to shorten as
deterioration progresses, if the time which is obtained during manufacturing
is used as a
reference, in any deteriorated state or healthy state, it is possible to
surely complete charging
of the power supply 12.
[0077] In the case where the timer value has not reached the time threshold
("NO" in STEP
S12), the MCU 50 determines that the SOC of the power supply 12 has not reach
89%. In
this case, the protection IC 56 acquires the power-supply voltage Vuatt from
the voltage sensor
16 (STEP S13), and determines whether the power-supply voltage VBatt is equal
to or larger
than a threshold TH2, or not (STEP S14). The threshold TH2 is a value
necessary to protect
the power supply 12 from overcharging or overcurrent, and is set to a value
larger than the full
charging voltage.
[0078] In the case where the power-supply voltage Vuatt has reached the
threshold TH2
("YES" in STEP S14), the protection IC 56 shuts off the power transmission
path extending
from the external power supply 60 to the power supply 12 (STEP S15). After
STEP S15, in
STEP S8, charging is completed. In the case where the power-supply voltage
VBatt has not
reached the threshold TH2 ("NO" in STEP S14), the process is shifted to STEP
S6.
[0079] (EFFECTS OF EMBODIMENT)
As described above, according to the power supply unit 10, since it is
possible to
CA 3060459 2019-10-28
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complete charging of the power supply 12 before the power supply 12 becomes
the fully
charged state, quick charging requiring a shorter time until completion of
charging becomes
possible. Also, whether the power supply 12 is in the predetermined charge
state lower than
the fully charged state is determined by each of three different conditions,
i.e. the condition on =
the charging current IcHG (the condition that the charging current IcHG should
be equal to or
larger than the current threshold), the condition on the power-supply voltage
VBatt (the
condition that the power-supply voltage VHatt should be equal to or larger
than the threshold
TH1), and the condition on the charging time which is the elapsed time from
start of charging
(the condition that the timer value should be equal to or larger than the time
threshold).
Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the determination, and it
is possible to
raise the probability that charging of the power supply 12 is forcibly
completed before the
power supply 12 becomes the fully charged state.
[0080] Also, the charging IC 55 and the MCU 50 perform the above-mentioned
determination in cooperation with each other. Therefore, as compared to the
case of
performing the determination by only the charging IC 55 or the case of
performing the
determination by only the MCU 50, or other cases, it is possible to use a
charging IC and an
MCU having lower performance as the charging IC 55 and the MCU 50,
respectively.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the power supply
unit 10.
Especially, during charging of the power supply 12, the MCU 50 is not required
to perform
control for discharging of power to the load 21, so it has a margin in
capacity. Therefore,
efficient distributed processing becomes possible, and it is possible to
improve the processing
efficiency of the entire power supply unit 10.
[0081] Also, as compared to an embodiment in which charging of the power
supply 12 is
completed by only CC charging to be described below, since CV charging is
performed after
CC charging, it is possible to reduce the SOC of the power supply 12 and
voltage variation at
the time of completion of charging
[0082] (FIRST MODIFICATION OF CHARGING OPERATION OF POWER SUPPLY
UNIT)
The MCU 50 may change the time threshold to be compared with the timer value
in
STEP S12 of Fig. 7. Specifically, the MCU 50 changes the time threshold
according to the
ambient temperature of the power supply 12 acquired from the temperature
sensor 17. In the
case where the temperature of the power supply 12 is low, the charging time
which is required
until the power supply reaches a desired power-supply voltage is long. For
this reason, it is
CA 3060459 2019-10-28
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preferable that in the case where the temperature is equal to or lower than a
predetermined
threshold, the MCU 50 set the time threshold to a larger value as compared to
the case where
the temperature exceeds the predetermined threshold. In this case, it is
possible to further
improve the accuracy of determination on the charge state of the power supply
12.
[0083] Also, the MCU 50 may change the time threshold according to the SOH
(State Of
Health) which is an index including the healthy state or deteriorated state of
the power supply
12. As described above, the time which is required to charge the power
supply 12 tends to
shorten as deterioration progresses. For this reason, it is preferable to set
the temperature
threshold shorter as deterioration of the power supply 12 progresses. In this
case, it is
possible to further improve the accuracy of determination on the charge state
of the power
supply 12.
[0084] (SECOND MODIFICATION OF CHARGING OPERATION OF POWER SUPPLY
UNIT)
Fig. 9 is a flow chart for explaining a modification of the operation of the
power
supply unit 10 during charging of the power supply 12. Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 are
views
illustrating examples of the temporal transitions of the charging voltage
VCHG, the charging
current Icuo, and the power-supply voltage Vsaii during the operation shown in
Fig. 9.
[0085] If the MCU 50 detects an electric connection between the charging
terminal 43 and
the external power supply 60, the operation shown in Fig. 9 is started.
Hereinafter, as an
example, the case where the full charging voltage of the power supply 12 is
4.2 V and the
above-mentioned CV switch voltage is 4.0 V will be described. Further, on the
assumption
that a power supply 12 having full charge capacity of 610 mAh is used and
charging is
completed if 500 mAh is stored in the power supply 12, the following
description will be
made. In this case, the predetermined charge state is the state where the SOC
is 82%.
[0086] First of all, the MCU 50 activates the built-in timer (STEP S21). Next,
the
charging IC 55 acquires the power-supply voltage VHatt from the voltage sensor
16 (STEP
S22), and determines whether the power-supply voltage VBaii is lower than the
CV switch
voltage (STEP S23). If the power-supply voltage VBaii is lower than the CV
switch voltage
("YES" in STEP S23), the charging IC 55 starts charging of the power supply 12
by CC
charging (STEP S24). Examples of the transitions of the voltage and the
current when STEP
S24 is performed are shown in Fig. 10.
[0087] If CC charging is started, the MCU 50 acquires the power-supply voltage
VBatt from
the voltage sensor 16 (STEP S25), and determines whether the power-supply
voltage Vnaii is
CA 3060459 2019-10-28
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equal to or higher than the CV switch voltage, or not (STEP S26). In the case
where the
power-supply voltage Vsatt is equal to or higher than the CV switch voltage
("YES" in STEP
S26), the MCU 50 determines that the SOC of the power supply 12 has reached
82%, and
instructs the charging IC 55 to complete the charging (STEP S27). If receiving
this
instruction, the charging IC 55 stops supply of power from the external power
supply 60 to
the power supply 12, thereby completing charging of the power supply 12, in
STEP S28 (a
time t3 of Fig. 10).
[0088] In the case where it is determined in STEP S23 that the power-supply
voltage VBatt
is equal to or higher than the CV switch voltage ("NO" in STEP S23), the
charging IC 55
.. starts charging of the power supply 12 by CV charging with the charging
voltage VCHG set to a
value (preferably, 4.06 V which is the power-supply voltage corresponding to
the SOC of
82%) larger than the CV switch voltage (STEP S31). Examples of the transitions
of the
voltage and the current when STEP S31 is performed are shown in Fig. 11.
[0089] If the CV charging is started in STEP S31, the charging IC 55 acquires
the charging
current IcHG from the internal ammeter (STEP S32), and determines whether the
charging
current IcHG is equal to or smaller than the current threshold (in the example
of Fig. 9, 46 mA)
(STEP S33).
[0090] If the charging current IcHG is equal to or smaller than the current
threshold ("YES"
in STEP S33), the charging IC 55 determines that the charge state of the power
supply 12 has
reached the SOC of 82%, and stops supply of power from the external power
supply 60 to the
power supply 12, thereby completing charging of the power supply 12 (STEP S28,
a time ti
of Fig. 11).
[0091] In the case where it is determined in STEP S33 that the charging
current ICHG
exceeds the current threshold ("NO" in STEP S33), the charging IC 55
determines that the
SOC of the power supply 12 has not reached 82%, and keeps the CV charging.
Also, in this
case, the MCU 50 determines whether the timer value of the built-in timer has
reached the
predetermined time threshold (in the examples of Fig. 9 and Fig. 11, 90
minutes) (STEP S34).
[0092] In the case where the timer value has reached the time threshold ("YES"
in STEP
S34), the MCU 50 determines that the SOC of the power supply 12 has reached
82%, and
shifts the process to STEP S27. By this process of STEP S27, as shown in Fig.
11, even
though the charging is not completed at the time ti, at a time t2, the
charging is completed
before the power supply becomes the fully charged state.
[0093] In the case where the timer value has not reached the time threshold
("NO" in STEP
CA 3060459 2019-10-28
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S34), the MCU 50 determines that the SOC of the power supply 12 has not reach
82%. In
this case, the protection IC 56 acquires the power-supply voltage VBatt from
the voltage sensor
16 (STEP S35), and determines whether the power-supply voltage VBatt is equal
to or larger
than a threshold TH2, or not (STEP S36).
[0094] In the case where the power-supply voltage Vs= has reached the
threshold TH2
("YES" in STEP S36), the protection IC 56 shuts off the power transmission
path extending
from the external power supply 60 to the power supply 12 (STEP S37). After
STEP S37, in
STEP S28, charging is completed. In the case where the power-supply voltage
VBait has not
reached the threshold TH2 ("NO" in STEP S36), the process is shifted to STEP
S32.
[0095] According to the operation of the second modification described above,
if the
power-supply voltage is lower than the CV switch voltage, charging of the
power supply 12 is
performed only by CC charging, and before the power supply reaches the fully
charged state,
the charging is completed. Therefore, even in the state where the amount of
power stored in
the power supply 12 is small, it is possible to shorten the time which is
required until
completion of charging, and it is possible to raise user satisfaction.
[0096] Also, even in the case where the power-supply voltage is equal to or
higher than the
CV switch voltage, by the processes of STEP S33 and STEP S34, it is possible
to complete
charging before the power supply becomes the fully charged state. Therefore,
it is possible
to shorten the time which is required until completion of charging, and it is
possible to raise
user satisfaction.
[0097] In this specification, at least the following inventions (1) to
(19) are disclosed.
[0098] (1) A power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler, the power supply unit
comprising:
a power supply that is able to discharge power to a load for generating an
aerosol
from an aerosol generation source; and
a control unit that is configured to determine whether the power supply which
is
being charged has reached a predetermined charge state lower than a fully
charged state, and
complete charging of the power supply in a case of determining that the power
supply has
reached the predetermined charge state.
[0099] According to (1), it becomes possible to complete charging before the
power supply
reaches the fully charged state. Therefore, it is possible to early complete
charging. Also,
since the power supply does not become the fully charged state, it is possible
to suppress
deterioration of the power supply, and it is possible to extend the life of
the power supply unit.
[0100] (2) The power supply unit according to (1), wherein
CA 3060459 2019-10-28
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the control unit charges the power supply by constant current charging, and in
a
case of determining that the power supply which is being charged by the
constant current
charging has reached the predetermined charge state, the control unit ends the
constant current
charging, thereby completing the charging of the power supply.
[0101] According to (2), since it is possible to complete charging of the
power supply only
by constant current charging, it is possible to shorten the charging time.
[0102] (3) The power supply unit according to (1), wherein
the control unit charges the power supply by constant voltage charging, and in
a
case of determining that the power supply which is being charged by the
constant voltage
charging has reached the predetermined charge state, the control unit ends the
constant
voltage charging, thereby completing the charging of the power supply.
[0103] According to (3), since it is possible to perform charging by constant
voltage
charging until the power supply becomes the predetermined charge state, it is
possible to
stabilize the voltage of the power supply when the charging is completed.
[0104] (4) The power supply unit according to (3), wherein
the control unit charges the power supply by constant current charging in a
state
where an voltage of the power supply is smaller than a first value smaller
than a full charging
voltage, and charges the power supply by the constant voltage charging using a
voltage
having a second value larger than the first value as supply voltage for the
power supply, in a
state where the voltage of the power supply reaches the first value.
[0105] According to (4), since charging is performed by the constant voltage
charging until
the power supply becomes the predetermined charge state, it is possible to
stabilize the
voltage of the power supply when the charging is completed. Also, even if
charging is
performed two or more times, it is possible to suppress variation in the
voltage or SOC of the
power supply when the charging is completed.
[0106] (5) The power supply unit according to (4), wherein
the second value is smaller than the full charging voltage.
[0107] According to (5), since the constant voltage charging is performed with
the voltage
lower than the full charging voltage, accurate charging becomes possible.
[0108] (6) The power supply unit according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein:
the control unit completes the charging of the power supply in a case where
any one
of a plurality of conditions for determining that the power supply has reached
the
predetermined charge state is satisfied.
CA 3060459 2019-10-28
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[0109] According to (6), since it is possible to determine the timing to
complete the
charging, according to the plurality of conditions, it is possible to raise
the probability that the
charging is forcibly completed before the power supply reaches the fully
charged state.
[0110] (7) The power supply unit according to (6), wherein
the plurality of conditions includes a condition on a charging current of the
power
supply, and a condition on a voltage of the power supply.
[0111] According to (7), since it is possible to determine the timing to
complete the
charging according to the plurality of conditions related to different
physical amounts, it is
possible to raise the probability that the charging is forcibly completed
before the power
supply reaches the fully charged state.
[0112] (8) The power supply unit according to (7), wherein
the plurality of conditions includes a condition on a charging time of the
power
supply.
[0113] According to (8), since it also is possible to determine the timing
to complete the
charging according to the condition related to the charging time, it is
possible to raise the
probability that the charging is forcibly completed before the power supply
reaches the fully
charged state.
[0114] (9) The power supply unit according to any one of (6) to (8), wherein
the control unit includes a first control unit and a second control unit which
individually determine whether the power supply has reached the predetermined
charge state
based on the conditions, and complete the charging of the power supply.
[0115] According to (9), it is possible to perform the determination for
completing the
charging in parallel by the first control unit and the second control unit.
Therefore, it is
possible to raise the probability that the charging is forcibly completed
before the power
supply reaches the fully charged state. Also, since it becomes unnecessary to
use expensive
units as the control unit as compared to the case of performing the
determination by one
control unit, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost.
[0116] (10) The power supply unit according to (9), wherein
the first control unit and the second control unit perform the determination
based on
the different conditions.
[0117] According to (10), it is possible to perform determination for
completing charging
on the basis of different determination criteria in parallel by the first
control unit and the
second control unit. Therefore, it is possible to raise the probability that
the charging is
CA 3060459 2019-10-28
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forcibly completed before the power supply reaches the fully charged state.
[0118] (11) The power supply unit according to (9) or (10), wherein
the first control unit is a circuit for performing control on the charging of
the power
supply, and
the second control unit is a circuit for performing control on discharge of
power of
the power supply to the load.
[0119] According to (11), it is possible to perform determination for
completing charging
by the second control unit having a margin in capacity during charging.
Therefore, it is
possible to distribute the load on the individual control units.
[0120] (12) The power supply unit according to (11), further including:
a protection circuit that is configured to protect the power supply.
[0121] According to (12), even through a state where it is impossible to
complete charging
although the power supply has reached the full charging voltage occurs, it is
possible to
protect the power supply. Therefore, it is possible to secure safety while
performing quick
charging.
[0122] (13) The power supply unit according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein
the predetermined charge state is a state where power equal to or larger than
an
amount of power required to be applied to the load in order to empty the
aerosol generation
source which is unused is stored in the power supply.
[0123] According to (13), if charging of the power supply is completed, it
becomes
possible to use up the aerosol generation source by the aerosol inhaler.
Therefore, it is
possible to prevent frequent charging of the power supply, thereby suppressing
deterioration
of the power supply.
[0124] (14) The power supply unit according to any one of (1) to (13), further
comprising:
a notifying unit that is configured to notify an amount of power stored in the
power
supply by an element other than an element for displaying a character or an
image.
[0125] According to (14), the amount of power stored in the power supply can
be notified
by, for example, the color, light emission pattern, or the like of the light
emitting element.
Therefore, even though charging of the power supply is completed by control of
the control
unit before the power supply becomes the fully charged state, it is possible
to prevent a
feeling of strangeness from being given to the user.
[0126] (15) A power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler, the power supply unit
comprising:
a power supply that is able to discharge power to a load for generating an
aerosol
CA 3060459 2019-10-28
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from an aerosol generation source;
a first control unit that is configured to perform control on charging of the
power
supply; and
a second control unit that is configured to perform control on discharge of
power of
the power supply to the load,
wherein each of the first control unit and the second control unit completes
charging
of the power supply in a case where any one of a plurality of conditions is
satisfied.
[0127] According to (15), since it is possible to determine the timing to
complete charging
according to the plurality of conditions, it is possible to raise the
probability that the charging
is forcibly completed in a state where the power supply has reached the
desired charge state.
[0128] (16) A control method of a power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler,
the power
supply unit including a power supply that is able to discharge power to a load
for generating
an aerosol from an aerosol generation source, the control method comprising:
a control step of determining whether the power supply has reached a
predetermined charge state lower than a fully charged state, during charging
of the power
supply, and completing the charging of the power supply in a case of
determining that the
power supply has reached the predetermined charge state.
[0129] (17) A control program of a power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler,
the power
supply unit including a power supply that is able to discharge power to a load
for generating
an aerosol from an aerosol generation source, the control program making a
computer
execute:
a control step of determining whether the power supply has reached a
predetermined charge state lower than a fully charged state, during charging
of the power
supply, and completing the charging of the power supply in a case of
determining that the
power supply has reached the predetermined charge state.
[0130] (18) A control method of a power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler,
the power
supply unit including a power supply that is able to discharge power to a load
for generating
an aerosol from an aerosol generation source, a first control unit that is
configured to perform
control on charging of the power supply, and a second control unit that is
configured to
perform control on discharge of power of the power supply to the load, the
control method
comprising:
causing the first control unit to execute control for completing the charging
of the
power supply in a case where any one of a plurality of conditions is
satisfied, and causing the
CA 3060459 2019-10-28
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second control unit to execute control for completing the charging of the
power supply in a
case where any one of the plurality of conditions is satisfied,
[0131] (19) A control program of a power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler,
the power
supply unit including a power supply that is able to discharge power to a load
for generating
an aerosol from an aerosol generation source, a first control unit that is
configured to perform
control on charging of the power supply, and a second control unit that is
configured to
perform control on discharge of power of the power supply to the load, the
control program
comprising:
causing the first control unit to execute control for completing charging of
the
power supply in a case where any one of a plurality of conditions is
satisfied, and causing the
second control to execute control for completing charging of the power supply
in a case where
any one of the plurality of conditions is satisfied.
[0132] According to (16) to (19), it becomes possible to complete charging
before the
power supply reaches the fully charged state. Therefore, it is possible to
early complete
charging. Also, since the power supply does not become the fully charged
state, it is
possible to suppress deterioration of the power supply, and it is possible to
extend the life of
the power supply unit.
[0133] According to (1), and (15) to (19), it becomes possible to complete
charging before
the power supply reaches the fully charged state. Therefore, it is possible to
early complete
charging. Also, since the power supply does not become the fully charged
state, it is
possible to suppress deterioration of the power supply, and it is possible to
extend the life of
the power supply unit. Therefore, there is energy saving effect in which it is
possible to use
the power supply for a long time without replacing with a brand new one.
[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to make an aerosol
inhaler usable
by early completing charging of a power supply.
CA 3060459 2019-10-28
