JP2024114869A - Smoking system, power feeding control method, program, primary device and secondary device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly switch a mode between a charging mode and a direct heating mode.

SOLUTION: A smoking system comprises: a secondary device including a load for atomizing an aerosol source or heating a flavor source, and a power supply capable of feeding electric power to the load; a primary device capable of feeding electric power to the load and the power supply when the primary device is connected to the secondary device; and a control unit capable of executing a first mode for feeding electric power from the primary device to the load, and a second mode for feeding electric power from the primary device to the power supply. The control unit executes a transition mode having a transition period for changing a predefined variable related to power feeding between the first mode and the second mode, in at least one of first transition which is transition from the first mode to the second mode and second transition from the second mode to the first mode.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4A

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a smoking system, a power supply control method, a program, a primary device, and a secondary device.

There is a known smoking system in which a heating device that uses an electric heater to heat an aerosol-generating article is charged with a portable charger after each specified number of cigarettes (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In particular, when a large amount of power is required to release aerosol from an aerosol-generating article, smoking is not possible during charging, making continuous smoking impossible.

To address this issue, it is conceivable to generate aerosols by supplying power directly from the charger to the heater, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, for example. In this case, it is necessary to switch between a conventional mode in which the built-in rechargeable battery of the heating device is charged from the charger, and a mode in which power is supplied directly from the charger to the heater.

Special Publication No. 2012-527222 Special Publication No. 2015-500647

As is widely known, it is preferable to set the amount of power supply (rate) to an appropriate value depending on the characteristics and use of the object to be powered. Therefore, the amount of power supplied when charging a rechargeable battery is generally different from the amount of power supplied when supplying power to a heater. For this reason, if the mode is switched immediately without special consideration when switching between a mode in which the charger charges the built-in rechargeable battery and a mode in which power is supplied directly to the heater, as in Patent Document 2, there is a risk that the rechargeable battery will deteriorate or the heater will not function adequately. In addition, if direct power supply to the heater is started before an aerosol-generating article is attached to the heating device, there is a risk that the charger's power will be wasted.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and one of its objectives is to smoothly switch between charging mode and direct heating mode while ensuring safety and ease of use for the user.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a smoking system comprising: a secondary device including a load for atomizing an aerosol source or heating a flavor source and a power source capable of supplying power to the load; a primary device capable of supplying power to the load and the power source when connected to the secondary device; and a control unit capable of executing a first mode in which the primary device supplies power to the load and a second mode in which the primary device supplies power to the power source, wherein the control unit executes a transition mode having a transition time for changing a predetermined variable related to power supply between the first mode and the second mode in at least one of a first transition from the first mode to the second mode and a second transition from the second mode to the first mode.

In another aspect of the present invention, the smoking system is the above-mentioned aspect, in which the control unit executes the transition mode in both the first transition and the second transition.

In another aspect of the present invention, the smoking system according to the above aspect is such that the transition time of the transition mode in the first transition and the transition time of the transition mode in the second transition are different in length.

In another aspect of the present invention, the smoking system according to the above aspect is such that the transition time of the transition mode in the first transition is shorter than the transition time of the transition mode in the second transition.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the above aspect, the predetermined variable is the amount of power supplied from the primary device to the secondary device, and the control unit executes each mode such that in the first mode, the primary device supplies power to the load at a first power supply amount, in the transition mode of the first transition, the control unit executes a process on the primary device to reduce the power supply amount from the first power supply amount, and does not supply power from the primary device to the power source, and in the second mode, the primary device supplies power to the power source at a second power supply amount smaller than the first power supply amount.

In another aspect of the present invention, the smoking system according to the above aspect includes a means for switching between a state in which power can be supplied from the primary device to the power source and a state in which power cannot be supplied from the primary device to the power source, and the predetermined variable is the amount of power supplied from the primary device to the secondary device, and the control unit executes each mode by controlling the means to supply power from the primary device to the load at a first power supply amount in the first mode, and by controlling the means to set the primary device in a state in which power cannot be supplied from the primary device to the power source and by executing a process on the primary device to reduce the amount of power supply from the first power supply amount in the transition mode of the first transition, and by controlling the means to set the primary device in a state in which power can be supplied from the primary device to the power source and by supplying power from the primary device to the power source at a second power supply amount smaller than the first power supply amount in the second mode.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the above aspect, the means is a switch provided between the primary device and the power source, and the control unit electrically disconnects the primary device and the power source by controlling the switch to open in the transition mode of the first transition, and electrically connects the primary device and the power source by controlling the switch to close in the second mode.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the above aspect, a diode is provided between the primary device and the power source, with the forward direction being from the primary device to the power source, the means is a regulator capable of adjusting the relative voltage between the output voltage of the primary device and the voltage of the power source, and the control unit controls the regulator in the transition mode of the first transition so that the output voltage of the primary device is higher than the voltage of the power source, and in the second mode so that the voltage of the power source is higher than the output voltage of the primary device.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the above aspect, the control unit performs a process on the primary device to gradually reduce the amount of power supplied from the first amount of power supplied to the second amount of power supplied in the transition mode of the first transition, and supplies power from the primary device to the load at the gradually decreasing amount of power supplied.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the above aspect, the control unit does not supply power from the primary device to the power source and the load in the transition mode of the first transition.

Another aspect of the present invention is a smoking system according to the above aspect, further comprising a switch provided between the primary device and the power source and the load, capable of switching between a state in which power can be supplied from the primary device to the power source and the load and a state in which power cannot be supplied from the primary device, and the control unit electrically isolates the primary device from the power source and the load by controlling the switch to open in the transition mode of the first transition.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the above aspect, the primary device includes a restraint unit that can maintain a connection between the secondary device and the primary device in a restrained state and can release the connection in an unrestrained state, and the control unit distinguishes between the first transition and the second transition based on the state of the restraint unit.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the above aspect, the control unit maintains the transition mode of the second transition in the unrestrained state until contact is made between the load and an aerosol-generating article including an aerosol source.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling power supply from a primary device to a secondary device in a smoking system, the power supply control method including the steps of: recognizing, as an active mode, one of a first mode in which the primary device supplies power to a load provided in the secondary device that atomizes an aerosol source or heats a flavor source, and a second mode in which the primary device supplies power to a power source provided in the secondary device that can supply power to the load; receiving an instruction to transition from the active mode to the other of the first mode and the second mode; and, in response to the instruction, executing a transition mode having a transition time for changing a predetermined variable related to power supply between the first mode and the second mode in at least one of a first transition from the first mode to the second mode and a second transition from the second mode to the first mode.

Another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a smoking system to execute the above method.

Another aspect of the present invention is a primary device capable of supplying power to a load that atomizes an aerosol source or heats a flavor source and a secondary device that includes a power source capable of supplying power to the load when connected to the secondary device, the primary device including a control unit capable of executing a first mode in which power is supplied from the primary device to the load and a second mode in which power is supplied from the primary device to the power source, the control unit executing a transition mode having a transition time for changing a predetermined variable related to power supply between the first mode and the second mode in at least one of a first transition from the first mode to the second mode and a second transition from the second mode to the first mode.

Another aspect of the present invention is a secondary device that is connectable to a primary device that includes a load that atomizes an aerosol source or heats a flavor source and a power source capable of supplying power to the load, and includes a control unit that is capable of executing a first mode in which power is supplied from the primary device to the load and a second mode in which power is supplied from the primary device to the power source, and the control unit executes a transition mode having a transition time for changing a predetermined variable related to power supply between the first mode and the second mode in at least one of a first transition that is a transition from the first mode to the second mode and a second transition that is a transition from the second mode to the first mode.

According to the present invention, it is possible to smoothly switch between charging mode and direct heating mode while ensuring safety and ease of use for the user.

1 is a configuration diagram of a smoking system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 shows an electrical diagram of a smoking system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. 2 shows state transitions of an electrical circuit 200 for multiple operating modes of a smoking system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an example of a timing chart showing the transition of the state of the smoking system 100 when switching from a direct heating mode to a charging mode. 1 is an example of a timing chart showing the transition of the state of the smoking system 100 when switching from a charging mode to a direct heating mode. 13 is another example of a timing chart showing the transition of the state of the smoking system 100 when switching from the direct heating mode to the charging mode. 13 is another example of a timing chart showing the transition of the state of the smoking system 100 when switching from the charging mode to the direct heating mode. A flowchart showing an exemplary process 500 for a control unit (control unit 134 and/or 154) of the smoking system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention to implement control for switching the operation mode of the smoking system 100. A flowchart showing another exemplary process 600 for a control unit (control unit 134 and/or 154) of the smoking system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention to control switching of the operation mode of the smoking system 100. An example of an air intake passage 810 provided in the secondary device 140 is shown. An example of an air intake passage 820 provided in the primary device 120 is shown.

The following describes in detail an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of a smoking system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Please note that Figure 1 shows each element of the smoking system 100 in a schematic and conceptual manner, and does not show the exact arrangement, shape, dimensions, positional relationship, etc. of each element and the smoking system 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the smoking system 100 includes a primary device 120 and a secondary device 140. The smoking system 100 is configured to be capable of a first use mode in which the secondary device 140 is electrically connected to the primary device 120, and a second use mode in which the secondary device 140 is electrically disconnected from the primary device 120. For example, in the smoking system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, the secondary device 140 is electrically connected to the primary device 120 by being inserted into the connection port 122 of the primary device 120, and is electrically disconnected from the primary device 120 by being removed from the connection port 122. As another example, the electrical connection and disconnection between the primary device 120 and the secondary device 140 may be performed by connecting and disconnecting a conductive cable such as a USB cable.

The secondary device 140 is a device that generates an aerosol or vapor containing a flavor component by electrically heating an aerosol-generating article 160 for smoking. A user who is a smoker can inhale the aerosol or vapor generated from the secondary device 140. The primary device 120 is a device for supplying power to the secondary device 140 in a first usage form. In the first usage form, the primary device 120 can charge a secondary power source 148 built into the secondary device 140. In a second usage form, the secondary device 140 can operate using the built-in secondary power source 148. The smoking system 100 is returned from the second usage form to the first usage form, for example, when a predetermined amount of the secondary power source 148 is consumed. When returned to the first usage form, the secondary device 140 can not only recharge the secondary power source 148 by receiving power from the primary device 120, but also directly heat the aerosol-generating article 160 using the power supplied from the primary device 120.

As shown in FIG. 1, the secondary device 140 includes an aerosol-generating article holder 142, a load 144, a drive circuit 146, a secondary power source 148, a user operation unit 152, a control unit 154, and a memory 156. The secondary device 140 is configured to have a shape and dimensions suitable for a user to inhale aerosol or vapor, for example. A user can smoke by holding the secondary device 140 between his or her fingers, for example. As an example, the outer shape of the secondary device 140 may be generally cylindrical, similar to a cigarette, but this should not be construed as limiting, and any other shape and dimensions may be used.

The aerosol-generating article holding section 142 is a space configured to hold the aerosol-generating article 160. Therefore, the aerosol-generating article holding section 142 can have a shape corresponding to the aerosol-generating article 160. For example, the aerosol-generating article 160 may include a solid aerosol substrate formed into a cylindrical stick having a diameter similar to that of a cigarette. FIG. 1 shows a secondary device 140 in which such an aerosol-generating article 160 is inserted into the aerosol-generating article holding section 142. The aerosol substrate is formed, for example, by processing tobacco shreds or granular or powdered tobacco raw material that releases flavor components when heated into a cylindrical shape and adding a liquid aerosol source thereto. In this embodiment, the aerosol substrate and/or the aerosol source function as a flavor source. As shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol-generating article 160 is held in the aerosol-generating article holding part 142 with one end thereof and a main part including the aerosol substrate housed inside the aerosol-generating article holding part 142 and the other end thereof protruding from the aerosol-generating article holding part 142. A user can smoke by holding the end of the aerosol-generating article 160 protruding from the aerosol-generating article holding part 142 in his mouth.

In consideration of ease of use, the secondary device 140 is preferably configured to have a shape similar to that of an existing cigarette. In addition, since the secondary device 140 has a hollow aerosol-generating article holding section 142, restrictions are placed on the arrangement of electrical components inside the secondary device 140. As a result, the secondary power source 148 is preferably small, and its capacity is relatively small. On the other hand, since the primary device 120 does not have such restrictions, it is preferable that the primary power source 126 has a sufficiently large capacity compared to the secondary power source 148 so that the secondary power source 148 can be charged multiple times. For example, it is preferable that the primary power source 126 has a capacity 5 to 40 times that of the secondary power source 148, but is not limited to this range. In addition, it is preferable that both the primary power source 126 and the secondary power source 148 are composed of lithium-ion secondary batteries, but is not limited to this.

The aerosol-generating article 160 and the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142 may be configured differently from that shown in FIG. 1. For example, the aerosol-generating article 160 may be a liquid aerosol source containing a flavor component (flavor source). As an example, the liquid aerosol source containing a flavor component (flavor source) is a polyol such as glycerin or propylene glycol containing a nicotine component. In this embodiment, the aerosol source functions as a flavor source. When the aerosol-generating article 160 is an aerosol source containing a flavor component (flavor source), the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142 is made of a fibrous or porous material such as glass fiber or porous ceramic, and holds the aerosol source as a liquid in the gaps between the fibers or in the pores of the porous material. Alternatively, the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142 may be configured as a tank that contains a liquid. In such a configuration, the secondary device 140 additionally includes a mouthpiece member. The user can inhale the generated aerosol or vapor by holding the mouthpiece in their mouth.

The load 144 is a heating element for electrically heating the aerosol-generating article 160 held in the aerosol-generating article holding section 142. The load 144 is arranged in contact with the aerosol-generating article 160 or in the vicinity of the aerosol-generating article 160 so as to be able to heat the aerosol-generating article 160. In the second usage mode in which the secondary device 140 is separated from the primary device 120, the load 144 heats the aerosol-generating article 160 by being supplied with power from a secondary power source 148 built into the secondary device 140. In the first usage mode in which the secondary device 140 is connected to the primary device 120, the load 144 heats the aerosol-generating article 160 by being supplied with power from the primary device 120. Note that when the aerosol-generating article 160 includes an aerosol source and an aerosol base material, the aerosol-generating article 160 is heated by the load 144 as described above, thereby raising the temperature of the aerosol source and generating aerosol. On the other hand, if the aerosol-generating article 160 is a liquid aerosol source containing a flavor component (flavor source), the aerosol may be generated by directly heating the aerosol source with the load 144.

Any arrangement may be used for contacting the load 144 and the aerosol-generating article 160. As an example, the load 144 may be arranged so as to be exposed to the surface of the inner wall of the aerosol-generating article holding section 142. With this arrangement, the aerosol-generating article 160 inserted into the aerosol-generating article holding section 142 comes into contact with the load 144 at its outer peripheral surface (e.g., the side surface of a cylindrical stick), so that the aerosol-generating article 160 can be heated from the outer periphery. As another example, the load 144 may penetrate into the aerosol substrate (e.g., by piercing the aerosol substrate) when the aerosol-generating article 160 is inserted into the aerosol-generating article holding section 142. With this arrangement, the load 144 can heat the aerosol-generating article 160 from the inside. Note that the load 144 may not be in direct contact with the aerosol-generating article 160, but may be arranged in the vicinity of the aerosol-generating article 160 to such an extent that the aerosol-generating article 160 can be heated.

The secondary power source 148 is a power source used to operate the secondary device 140 in the second usage mode. The secondary power source 148 can supply power to the load 144 via the drive circuit 146. The remaining capacity of the secondary power source 148 decreases when power is supplied to the load 144, but the secondary power source 148 can recover the remaining capacity by being charged by the primary device 120 in the first usage mode.

The user operation unit 152 is configured to be able to accept operations on the secondary device 140 from the user. User operations on the secondary device 140 include, for example, a startup instruction for starting the secondary device 140 and a power supply instruction for supplying power to the load 144. The user operation unit 152 may have a startup instruction unit for inputting a startup instruction and a power supply instruction unit for inputting a power supply instruction separately, or may have a single instruction unit capable of accepting both a startup instruction and a power supply instruction. As an example, the user operation unit 152 is configured as a button, switch, knob, lever, touch sensor, etc. that can be physically operated by the user.

The control unit 154 is an electronic circuit module configured as a microprocessor or microcomputer, and is programmed to control the operation of the secondary device 140 in accordance with computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 156. The memory 156 is an information storage medium such as a ROM, a RAM, or a flash memory. In addition to the computer-executable instructions, the memory 156 stores configuration data necessary for controlling the secondary device 140.

1 and 2, the primary device 120 includes a connection port 122, a power supply circuit 124, a primary power source 126, a user operation unit 132, a control unit 134, and a memory 136. Each of these elements of the primary device 120 is included in, for example, a main body 120A of the primary device 120. The primary device 120 further includes a restraining unit 120B depicted as a lid in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the lid 120B is engaged with the main body 120A by a hinge 120C and attached to the top of the main body 120A, and the main body 120A can be opened and closed. FIG. 1 shows the primary device 120 with the lid 120B open. When the lid 120B is in a closed state, the lid 120B restrains the secondary device 140 inserted in the connection port 122 so that the secondary device 140 does not fall out of the connection port 122. The lid 120B may be a slide-opening lid. In addition, the restraining portion 120B may be configured not in the form of a lid, but by other members capable of restraining the movement of the secondary device 140 (for example, a structure in which a claw engages with the secondary device 140, or a structure in which magnets are used for attraction, etc.).

The connection port 122 is a space for accommodating the secondary device 140 in the first mode of use of the smoking system 100. When the secondary device 140 is inserted into the connection port 122, the connection terminal 146-1 of the secondary device 140 comes into contact with the connection terminal 124-2 of the primary device 120 arranged inside the connection port 122. The connection terminal 146-1 is a terminal that is part of the drive circuit 146 of the secondary device 140, and the connection terminal 124-2 is a terminal that is part of the power supply circuit 124 of the primary device 120. This electrically connects the secondary device 140 to the primary device 120.

The primary power source 126 is a power source used to supply power to the secondary device 140 in the first usage form. When the smoking system 100 is driven in a charging mode described later in the first usage form, the primary power source 126 charges the secondary power source 148 of the secondary device 140 via the power supply circuit 124 and the drive circuit 146. When the smoking system 100 is driven in a direct heating mode described later in the first usage form, the primary power source 126 can also supply power to the load 144 of the secondary device 140 via the power supply circuit 124 and the drive circuit 146. As a result, the load 144 of the secondary device 140 can heat the aerosol-generating article 160 by receiving power from the primary power source 126 as soon as the secondary device 140 is inserted into the connection port 122, without waiting for the remaining capacity of the secondary power source 148 built into the secondary device 140 to be restored. The remaining capacity of the primary power source 126 decreases when power is supplied to the secondary device 140, but the remaining capacity of the primary power source 126 can be restored by being charged by an external charging device (not shown) via an external connection terminal (not shown).

The user operation unit 132 is configured to be able to accept operations on the primary device 120 from a user. User operations on the primary device 120 include, for example, an operation instruction for permitting power supply to the secondary device 140. As an example, the user operation unit 132 is configured as a button, switch, knob, lever, touch sensor, etc. that can be physically operated by the user.

The control unit 134 is an electronic circuit module configured as a microprocessor or microcomputer, and is programmed to control the operation of the primary device 120 in accordance with computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 136. The memory 136 is an information storage medium such as a ROM, RAM, or flash memory. In addition to the computer-executable instructions, the memory 136 stores configuration data necessary for controlling the primary device 120.

2 shows an electrical circuit diagram of the smoking system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the electrical circuit 200 of the smoking system 100 includes the power supply circuit 124 of the primary device 120 and the drive circuit 146 of the secondary device 140. The power supply circuit 124 of the primary device 120 includes a DC/DC converter 124-1 and a connection terminal 124-2. The DC/DC converter 124-1 increases or decreases the voltage of the primary power source 126 according to the control by the control unit (the control unit 134 of the primary device 120 and/or the control unit 154 of the secondary device 140), thereby adjusting the output voltage of the primary device 120. In addition, since a DC/DC converter generally has a voltage control mode for controlling the output voltage and a current (power) mode for controlling the output current (power), the DC/DC converter 124-1 may adjust the output current (power) of the primary device 120. The drive circuit 146 of the secondary device 140 includes a first switch SW1, a second switch SW2, a third switch SW3, a fourth switch SW4, and a connection terminal 146-1. Each switch SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4 is an electrical switch such as a transistor, and is controlled by a control unit (the control unit 154 of the secondary device 140 and/or the control unit 134 of the primary device 120) to switch between an on state and an off state individually. The electric circuit 200 is configured by electrically connecting the secondary device 140 inserted into the connection port 122 of the primary device 120 to the primary device 120 via the connection terminal 146-1 on the secondary device 140 side and the connection terminal 124-2 on the primary device 120 side.

3 shows state transitions 300 of the electrical circuit 200 for multiple operating modes of the smoking system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The smoking system 100 can operate in four modes: a normal smoking mode, a normal non-smoking mode, a charging mode, and a direct heating mode. The normal smoking mode is a mode in which smoking is performed by electrically disconnecting the secondary device 140 from the primary device 120 and operating it alone. The normal non-smoking mode is a mode in which smoking is stopped while the secondary device 140 is disconnected from the primary device 120. The charging mode is a mode in which the secondary device 140 is connected to the primary device 120 and the secondary power source 148 of the secondary device 140 is charged from the primary power source 126 of the primary device 120. The direct heating mode is a mode in which smoking is performed by connecting the secondary device 140 to the primary device 120 and directly supplying power from the primary power source 126 of the primary device 120 to the load 144 of the secondary device 140. The normal smoking mode and normal non-smoking mode correspond to the second usage mode, and the charging mode and direct heating mode correspond to the first usage mode.

3, in the normal smoking mode, the control unit sets the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the fourth switch SW4 to the on state, and sets the third switch SW3 to the off state. As a result, power is supplied from the secondary power source 148 of the secondary device 140 to the load 144, and the aerosol-generating article 160 is heated by the load 144. Therefore, the user can smoke in the second usage mode. Also, in the normal non-smoking mode, the control unit sets all the switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4 to the off state. As a result, power supply to the load 144 is cut off, and heating of the aerosol-generating article 160 is stopped. In the charging mode, the control unit sets the third switch SW3 to the on state, and sets the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the fourth switch SW4 to the off state. As a result, power is supplied from the primary power source 126 of the primary device 120 to the secondary power source 148 of the secondary device 140, and the secondary power source 148 is charged. On the other hand, in the direct heating mode, the control unit sets the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 to an ON state, and sets the third switch SW3 and the fourth switch SW4 to an OFF state. As a result, power is directly supplied from the primary power source 126 of the primary device 120 to the load 144, and the aerosol-generating article 160 is heated by the load 144. Therefore, the user can smoke even in the first usage mode.

In this way, the smoking system 100 can switch the operation mode by controlling the on and off states of each switch included in the drive circuit 146 of the secondary device 140. The smoking system 100 is further configured to execute a transition mode in between the charging mode and the direct heating mode when switching between the charging mode and the direct heating mode in the first usage form in which the secondary device 140 is connected to the primary device 120, rather than immediately switching from the charging mode to the direct heating mode or from the direct heating mode to the charging mode. That is, the switching of the operation mode in the first usage form of the smoking system 100 is performed by switching from the charging mode to the direct heating mode via the transition mode, or by switching from the direct heating mode to the charging mode via the transition mode. The transition mode may be interposed in both the direction from the charging mode to the direct heating mode and the direction from the direct heating mode to the charging mode, or the transition mode may be interposed only in one of the directions.

The transition mode is a mode in which a process is performed to change variables related to the power supply from the primary device 120 to the secondary device 140. The variables related to the power supply include, as a non-limiting example, the amount of power supplied from the primary device 120 to the secondary device 140 (i.e., the discharge rate from the primary power source 126 of the primary device 120). For example, since it is preferable to set the amount (rate) of power supply to an appropriate value depending on the characteristics and use of the power supply target, the amount of power supplied from the primary device 120 to the secondary device 140 in the charging mode is different from the amount of power supplied from the primary device 120 to the secondary device 140 in the direct heating mode.

For example, when a lithium ion secondary battery is used as the secondary power source 148 of the secondary device 140, the lithium ion secondary battery has a property of rate dependency, although there are differences depending on the materials such as electrodes, electrolyte, active material, or conductive additive and their structures. This rate dependency refers to the correlation between the magnitude of the charge rate or discharge rate and the effect on the deterioration of the lithium ion secondary battery. Note that the deterioration of the lithium ion secondary battery referred to here is expressed, for example, by the ratio of the current chargeable capacity or dischargeable capacity to the chargeable capacity or dischargeable capacity when it is new (at the time of shipment from the factory). As a general tendency, the higher the rate, the greater the effect on the deterioration of the lithium ion secondary battery becomes at an accelerated rate. Also, even at the same rate, the effect of charging on deterioration is about 2 to 3 times greater than the effect of discharging on deterioration. Therefore, it is preferable that the amount of power supplied from the primary device 120 to the secondary device 140 in the charging mode be controlled to a relatively small value in order to suppress the deterioration of the secondary power source 140 being charged.

On the other hand, in the direct heating mode, since the primary power source 126 mainly supplies power to the load 144, there is no restriction on the suppression of deterioration of the secondary power source 140 as described above. Rather, since it is necessary to heat the aerosol-generating article 160 to a temperature at which aerosols are generated, it is preferable that the amount of power supplied from the primary device 120 to the secondary device 140 in the direct heating mode is controlled to a relatively large value. If a lithium-ion secondary battery is also used as the primary power source 126 of the primary device 120, there is a concern that the primary power source 126 may deteriorate due to the rate dependency of the primary power source 126 itself when the amount of power supplied from the primary device 120 to the secondary device 140 is controlled to a large value. Here, it is preferable that the primary power source 126 has a sufficiently large capacity compared to the secondary power source 148 so that the secondary power source 148 can be charged multiple times as described above, but as is widely known, the rate of a secondary battery generally decreases as the capacity increases. In addition, the primary power source 126 discharges the secondary device 140, but as described above, discharging has a smaller effect on deterioration than charging. Therefore, even if the amount of power supplied from the primary device 120 to the secondary device 140 is controlled to a large value, deterioration of the primary power source 126 can be sufficiently suppressed by adjusting this within an appropriate range.

In order to fill the difference in the amount of power supplied from the primary device 120 to the secondary device 140 in the charging mode and the direct heating mode, the smoking system 100 executes a process in the transition mode to change the amount of power supplied from the primary device 120 to the secondary device 140 from the amount of power supplied in the mode before the operation mode switching (one of the charging mode and the direct heating mode) to the amount of power supplied in the mode after the switching (the other of the charging mode and the direct heating mode). The change in the amount of power supplied is realized, for example, by controlling the output voltage and output current (power) from the DC/DC converter 124-1 of the primary device 120. In this way, the smoking system 100 executes a process to change the amount of power supplied in the transition mode, thereby enabling smooth switching between the charging mode and the direct heating mode in the first usage form.

The length of time that the transition mode lasts (hereinafter referred to as the transition time) may be set to various values. For example, when the operation mode is switched from the direct heating mode to the charging mode, the transition time may simply be set to the time required for the DC/DC converter 124-1 of the primary device 120 to change the output voltage or output current (voltage). This length of time depends only on the electrical processing of the DC/DC converter 124-1 and may typically be less than one second. Also, for example, when the operation mode is switched from the charging mode to the direct heating mode, the transition mode may be postponed until the user inserts the aerosol-generating article 160 into the aerosol-generating article holding section 142 of the secondary device 140 in preparation for starting smoking after the voltage is changed by the DC/DC converter 124-1. In this case, the transition time is typically longer than one second, for example, several seconds to several tens of seconds, because it is necessary to wait for the user's manual operation.

Figure 4A is a timing chart showing an example of the transition of the state of the smoking system 100 when switching from the direct heating mode to the charging mode. Referring to Figure 4A, the smoking system 100 first operates in the direct heating mode. As described above, in the direct heating mode, the control unit sets the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 of the drive circuit 146 of the secondary device 140 to the on state and the third switch SW3 to the off state. The control unit also controls the DC/DC converter 124-1 of the power supply circuit 124 of the primary device 120 to adjust the amount of power supplied from the primary device 120 to the load 144 of the secondary device 140 so that the aerosol-generating article 160 is heated or maintained at a predetermined target temperature.

The smoking system 100 then transitions to the transition mode, for example, when a specific user operation is input to the user operation unit 132 or 152. For example, the user inputs an instruction to switch the smoking system 100 from the direct heating mode to the charging mode via the user operation unit 132 or 152. When the control unit receives such a user operation, the control unit transitions the smoking system 100 to the transition mode by changing the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 of the drive circuit 146 of the secondary device 140 from the on state to the off state and maintaining the third switch SW3 in the off state. In the transition mode, the control unit also controls the DC/DC converter 124-1 of the primary device 120 to change the amount of power supplied from the primary device 120 to the secondary device 140 from the amount of power supplied for the direct heating mode to the amount of power supplied for the charging mode. As described above, the maximum power supply amount (charging rate) permitted when charging the rechargeable battery (secondary power source 148) is generally smaller than the power supply amount required for heating the heater (load 144). If charging is performed at a rate greater than the maximum allowable rate, the performance of the secondary power source 148 may deteriorate. Therefore, the control unit controls the DC/DC converter 124-1 so that the power supply amount from the primary device 120 decreases from the high power supply amount for the direct heating mode to the low power supply amount for the charging mode. It takes a finite time (for example, less than one second) for the power supply amount to decrease completely, but in the transition mode of FIG. 4A, the third switch SW3 of the drive circuit 146 of the secondary device 140 is set to the off state, so that it is possible to prevent the secondary power source 148 of the secondary device 140 from being charged by the relatively high power supply amount before it decreases completely to the low power supply amount for the charging mode. In addition, since it takes only a very short time for the power supply amount to decrease to the low power supply amount for the charging mode, it is possible to practically realize a quick switch from the direct heating mode to the charging mode.

After a predetermined transition time has elapsed, the smoking system 100 transitions from the transition mode to the charging mode. In the charging mode, the control unit continues to hold the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 of the drive circuit 146 of the secondary device 140 in the same off state as in the transition mode, and changes the third switch SW3 from the off state to the on state. This causes the primary device 120 to supply power to the secondary power source 148 of the secondary device 140 at a low power supply amount for the charging mode, thereby charging the secondary power source 148. Note that in the series of transitions from the direct heating mode to the charging mode via the transition mode, the fourth switch SW4 is controlled to continue in the off state.

Figure 4B is a timing chart showing an example of the transition of the state of the smoking system 100 when switching from the charging mode to the direct heating mode. Referring to Figure 4B, the smoking system 100 first operates in the charging mode. As described above, in the charging mode, the control unit sets the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 of the drive circuit 146 of the secondary device 140 to the off state and the third switch SW3 to the on state. The control unit also controls the DC/DC converter 124-1 of the power supply circuit 124 of the primary device 120 to adjust the amount of power supplied from the primary device 120 to the secondary power source 148 of the secondary device 140 to a predetermined low value.

The smoking system 100 then transitions to the transition mode, for example, when a specific user operation is input to the user operation unit 132 or 152. For example, the user inputs an instruction to switch the smoking system 100 from the charging mode to the direct heating mode via the user operation unit 132 or 152. When the control unit receives such a user operation, the control unit transitions the smoking system 100 to the transition mode by changing the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 of the drive circuit 146 of the secondary device 140 from the off state to the on state and changing the third switch SW3 from the on state to the off state. In the transition mode, the control unit also controls the DC/DC converter 124-1 of the primary device 120 to change the amount of power supplied from the primary device 120 to the secondary device 140 from a low amount of power supplied for the charging mode to a high amount of power supplied for the direct heating mode (for example, gradually increasing the amount of power supplied from the low amount of power supplied for the charging mode to a high amount of power supplied for the direct heating mode as shown in FIG. 4B). Unlike the case of FIG. 4A, in the direct heating mode, which is the mode after switching, there is no particular restriction on the amount of power supplied to the load 144, so in the transition mode in FIG. 4B, the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 are set to the on state. As a result, power supply from the primary device 120 to the load 144 of the secondary device 140 begins in the transition mode, and the aerosol-generating article 160 can be heated as quickly as possible. Note that in the series of transitions from the charging mode to the direct heating mode via the transition mode, the fourth switch SW4 is controlled to continue in the off state.

Figure 4C is a timing chart showing another example of the transition of the state of the smoking system 100 when switching from the direct heating mode to the charging mode. The timing chart of Figure 4C differs from the timing chart of Figure 4A only in that the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 are set to the ON state in the transition mode. When a predetermined user operation is received in the direct heating mode, the control unit transitions the smoking system 100 to the transition mode while maintaining the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 of the drive circuit 146 of the secondary device 140 in the ON state and the third switch SW3 in the OFF state. In the transition mode, the control unit controls the DC/DC converter 124-1 of the primary device 120 to gradually reduce the amount of power supplied from the primary device 120 to the secondary device 140 from a high amount of power supplied for the direct heating mode to a low amount of power supplied for the charging mode.

In the smoking system 100 in which the load 144 of the secondary device 140 is configured to be in direct physical contact with the aerosol-generating article 160, after the user has finished smoking and removed the aerosol-generating article 160 from the aerosol-generating article holding section 142, components of the aerosol-generating article 160 may remain on the surface of the load 144. If these remaining components are left as they are, they may adversely affect the reliability and heating capacity of the load 144. In the transition mode shown in FIG. 4C, the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 of the drive circuit 146 of the secondary device 140 are set to the on state, so that the heating of the load 144 continues even after the direct heating mode ends. This allows the components of the aerosol-generating article 160 remaining on the surface of the load 144 to evaporate, thereby cleaning the load 144.

The transition time for which the transition mode continues may be set to a predetermined length of time assumed to be necessary to sufficiently effectively clean the load 144. When such a predetermined length of transition time has elapsed, the smoking system 100 transitions from the transition mode to the charging mode. In the charging mode, the control unit changes the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 from the on state to the off state, and changes the third switch SW3 from the off state to the on state. This causes charging from the primary device 120 to the secondary power source 148 of the secondary device 140. Note that in the series of transitions from the direct heating mode to the charging mode via the transition mode, the fourth switch SW4 is controlled to be continuously in the off state.

Figure 4D is a timing chart showing another example of the transition of the state of the smoking system 100 when switching from the charging mode to the direct heating mode. The timing chart of Figure 4D differs from the timing chart of Figure 4B in that the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 are set to the off state in the transition mode. When the control unit receives a predetermined user operation in the charging mode, the control unit maintains the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 of the drive circuit 146 of the secondary device 140 in the same off state as in the charging mode, and changes the third switch SW3 from the on state to the off state, thereby transitioning the smoking system 100 to the transition mode. The control unit also controls the DC/DC converter 124-1 of the primary device 120 in the transition mode to change the amount of power supplied from the primary device 120 to the secondary device 140 from a low amount of power supplied for the charging mode to a high amount of power supplied for the direct heating mode. However, unlike the case of FIG. 4B, because the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 are in the off state, the power supply to the load 144 is suspended while the transition mode continues. For example, immediately after switching from the charging mode to the transition mode, the aerosol-generating article 160 may not yet be attached to the aerosol-generating article holding section 142 of the secondary device 140. In such a situation, by suspending the power supply to the load 144, it is possible to prevent the load 144 from running dry.

4D, the transition mode may continue, for example, until the aerosol-generating article 160 is attached to the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142. Alternatively, the duration of the transition mode may be set regardless of the attachment of the aerosol-generating article 160 to the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142. In other words, the transition mode may continue before and after the aerosol-generating article 160 is attached to the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142. As an example, the transition mode may continue until the acquisition or estimation of the charge state of the secondary power source 148 of the secondary device 140 is completed. When the control unit detects that the aerosol-generating article 160 is attached to the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142, it changes the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 from the OFF state to the ON state and maintains the third switch SW3 in the OFF state. As a result, the smoking system 100 transitions from the transition mode to the direct heating mode, and power is supplied from the primary device 120 to the load 144 of the secondary device 140. During the series of transitions from the charging mode through the transition mode to the direct heating mode, the fourth switch SW4 is controlled to remain in the off state.

5 is a flow chart showing an exemplary process 500 for a control unit (control unit 134 and/or 154) of the smoking system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention to control switching between operational modes of the smoking system 100. The process 500 is initiated in either a first mode of use in which the secondary device 140 is connected to the primary device 120, or in a second mode of use in which the secondary device 140 is disconnected from the primary device 120.

When process 500 is started, first in step S502, the control unit determines whether or not secondary device 140 is connected to primary device 120. For example, the control unit can determine whether or not secondary device 140 is inserted into connection port 122 of primary device 120, i.e., whether or not secondary device 140 is connected to primary device 120, by detecting electrical contact between connection terminal 146-1 of secondary device 140 and connection terminal 124-2 of primary device 120. Process 500 proceeds to step S504 if secondary device 140 is connected to primary device 120, and proceeds to step S524 if secondary device 140 is not connected.

When the secondary device 140 is connected to the primary device 120, that is, when the smoking system 100 is in the first use form, in step S504, the control unit determines whether the restraining unit 120B of the primary device 120 is in a restrained state or a non-restrained state. The restraining state of the restraining unit 120B is a state in which the restraining unit 120B restrains the secondary device 140 so that the electrical connection between the primary device 120 and the secondary device 140 inserted into the connection port 122 is maintained. The non-restraining state of the restraining unit 120B is a state in which the restraining unit 120B does not restrain the secondary device 140 inserted into the connection port 122, and therefore the electrical connection between the primary device 120 and the secondary device 140 can be released. For example, in a configuration in which the restraining unit 120B is a lid, a state in which the lid 120B is closed is a restrained state, and a state in which the lid 120B is open is a non-restrained state. The control unit can determine whether the restraint unit 120B is in a restrained state or a non-restrained state based on, for example, a signal from a mechanical switch linked to the movement of the restraint unit 120B. Alternatively, the primary device 120 may be configured so that the lid 120B automatically opens when the main power button is turned on, and automatically closes when the main power button is turned off. In the process 500, if the restraint unit 120B is in a non-restrained state, the process proceeds to step S506, and if the restraint unit 120B is in a restrained state, the process proceeds to step S516. The lid 120B may be a slide-opening and closing type lid. In addition, the restraint unit 120B may be configured not as a lid but as another member capable of restraining the movement of the secondary device 140 (for example, a structure that engages a claw with the secondary device 140, or a structure that utilizes magnet attraction).

When the restraint section 120B of the primary device 120 is in the non-restraint state, in step S506, the control section determines whether or not the aerosol-generating article 160 is inserted into the aerosol-generating article holding section 142 of the secondary device 140. For example, the secondary device 140 includes a mechanical switch that is pressed by the aerosol-generating article 160 when the aerosol-generating article 160 is inserted into the aerosol-generating article holding section 142. The mechanical switch supplies an electrical signal indicating that it has been pressed by the aerosol-generating article 160 to the control section. Based on this signal, the control section can determine whether or not the aerosol-generating article 160 is inserted into the aerosol-generating article holding section 142. If the aerosol-generating article 160 is inserted into the aerosol-generating article holding section 142, the process 500 proceeds to step S508, and if not, step S506 is repeated. In this embodiment, if it is determined in step S506 that the aerosol-generating article 160 is inserted in the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142 of the secondary device 140, the direct heating mode is executed in step S508. In addition, between steps S506 and S508, it may be determined whether or not there is a sufficient amount of the aerosol-generating article 160 remaining inserted in the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142. If there is not a sufficient amount of the aerosol-generating article 160 remaining, it is not possible to generate sufficient aerosol even if the direct heating mode is executed in step S508, so the direct heating mode may not be executed, or direct heating may be stopped when there is no remaining amount of the aerosol-generating article 160.

In step S508, the control unit controls the smoking system 100 to operate in the direct heating mode. More specifically, as described above, the control unit sets the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 of the drive circuit 146 of the secondary device 140 to the on state and the third switch SW3 to the off state. The control unit also controls the DC/DC converter 124-1 of the power supply circuit 124 of the primary device 120 to adjust the amount of power supplied from the primary device 120 to the load 144 of the secondary device 140 so that the aerosol-generating article 160 is heated or maintained at a predetermined target temperature. This step S508 corresponds to the direct heating mode that is first implemented when switching the operation of the smoking system 100 from the direct heating mode to the charging mode, as shown in the timing charts of Figures 4A and 4C. In step S508, power is supplied from the primary device 120 to the load 144 of the secondary device 140, so that the user can smoke in the first usage mode in which the secondary device 140 is connected to the primary device 120.

The control unit then determines in step S510 whether the state of the restraining unit 120B of the primary device 120 has changed from an unrestrained state to a restrained state (e.g., whether the lid 120B has been closed). For example, the user can give the smoking system 100 an instruction to switch the operating mode of the smoking system 100 from the direct heating mode to the charging mode by changing the restraining unit 120B from an unrestrained state to a restrained state (e.g., by performing an operation to close the lid 120B). If the state of the restraining unit 120B has changed to a restrained state, the process 500 proceeds to step S512, and if it remains in the unrestrained state, the process returns to step S508.

In addition, in step S510, instead of determining whether the state of the restraint section 120B has changed from the non-restraint state to the restraint state, it may be determined whether the aerosol-generating article 160 has been removed from the aerosol-generating article holding section 142. In such an example, the process 500 proceeds to step S512 if the aerosol-generating article 160 has been removed from the aerosol-generating article holding section 142, and returns to step S508 if the aerosol-generating article 160 remains inserted in the aerosol-generating article holding section 142.

When the restraint unit 120B is changed to the restraint state, in step S512, the control unit controls the smoking system 100 to transition from the direct heating mode to the transition mode. For example, the control unit changes the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 of the drive circuit 146 of the secondary device 140 from the on state to the off state, and maintains the third switch SW3 in the off state. The control unit also controls the DC/DC converter 124-1 of the primary device 120 to change the amount of power supplied from the primary device 120 to the secondary device 140 from a high power supply amount for the direct heating mode to a low power supply amount for the charging mode. This corresponds to the control performed in the transition mode of the timing chart of FIG. 4A. By controlling the transition mode in this way, it is possible to avoid the secondary power source 148 of the secondary device 140 being charged by a high power supply amount. Alternatively, the control unit may gradually reduce the amount of power supplied from the primary device 120 to the secondary device 140 from a high amount of power for the direct heating mode to a low amount of power for the charging mode while keeping the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 of the drive circuit 146 of the secondary device 140 in the on state and the third switch SW3 in the off state. This corresponds to the control performed in the transition mode of the timing chart of FIG. 4C. By controlling the transition mode in this way, it is possible to prevent the secondary power source 148 of the secondary device 140 from being charged by a high amount of power, and to perform cleaning of the load 144.

In order to improve the cleaning effect on the load 144, it may be determined whether the aerosol-generating article 160 has been removed from the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142 during cleaning. As an example, the control unit may determine whether the aerosol-generating article 160 has been removed from the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142 based on the temperature rise rate of the load 144 when power is supplied to the load 144 in the transition mode. The heat capacity of the load 144 is larger when the aerosol-generating article 160 is attached to the aerosol-generating article holding unit 146 than when the aerosol-generating article 160 is removed from the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142, and therefore the temperature rise rate of the load 144 is slower when the same current or power is supplied to the load 144. By utilizing such characteristics, it is possible to determine with high accuracy whether the aerosol-generating article 160 has been removed from the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142 during cleaning, without using a dedicated sensor. As another example, when it is determined that the aerosol-generating article 160 is attached to the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142 during cleaning, the control unit may issue a notification to prompt the user to remove the aerosol-generating article 160 from the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142. In addition, when issuing the notification, the cleaning of the load 144 may be interrupted.

After the smoking system 100 transitions to the transition mode, for example after a predetermined transition time has elapsed, the control unit controls the smoking system 100 to transition from the transition mode to the charging mode in step S514. This allows the user to charge the secondary power source 148 of the secondary device 140 using the primary device 120. Step S514 corresponds to the charging mode implemented after mode switching in the timing charts of Figures 4A and 4C. The process 500 then returns to step S504.

On the other hand, if the determination result of step S504 indicates that the restraint unit 120B of the primary device 120 is in a restrained state, the control unit controls the smoking system 100 to operate in a charging mode in step S516. More specifically, as described above, the control unit sets the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 of the drive circuit 146 of the secondary device 140 to an OFF state and the third switch SW3 to an ON state. The control unit also controls the DC/DC converter 124-1 of the power supply circuit 124 of the primary device 120 to adjust the amount of power supplied from the primary device 120 to the secondary power source 148 of the secondary device 140 to a predetermined low value. This step S516 corresponds to the charging mode that is first implemented when switching the operation of the smoking system 100 from the charging mode to the direct heating mode, as shown in the timing charts of Figures 4B and 4D.

The control unit then determines in step S518 whether the state of the restraining unit 120B of the primary device 120 has changed from a restrained state to a non-restrained state (e.g., whether the lid 120B has been opened). For example, the user can give the smoking system 100 an instruction to switch the operating mode of the smoking system 100 from the charging mode to the direct heating mode by changing the restraining unit 120B from a restrained state to a non-restrained state (e.g., by performing an operation to open the lid 120B). If the state of the restraining unit 120B has changed to a non-restrained state, the process 500 proceeds to step S520, and if it remains in the restrained state, the process returns to step S516.

When the restraint unit 120B is changed to the non-restraint state, in step S520, the control unit controls the smoking system 100 to transition from the charging mode to the transition mode. For example, the control unit changes the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 of the drive circuit 146 of the secondary device 140 from the off state to the on state, and changes the third switch SW3 from the on state to the off state. The control unit also controls the DC/DC converter 124-1 of the primary device 120 to change the amount of power supplied from the primary device 120 to the secondary device 140 from a low amount of power supplied for the charging mode to a high amount of power supplied for the direct heating mode. This corresponds to the control performed in the transition mode of the timing chart of FIG. 4B. By controlling the transition mode in this way, the aerosol-generating article 160 can be heated quickly.

After the smoking system 100 transitions to the transition mode, for example after a predetermined transition time has elapsed, the control unit controls the smoking system 100 to transition from the transition mode to the direct heating mode in step S522. Step S522 corresponds to the direct heating mode implemented after mode switching in the timing chart of FIG. 4B. In step S522, the user can smoke in the first usage mode in which the secondary device 140 is connected to the primary device 120. Process 500 then returns to step S504.

When the determination result of step S502 indicates that the secondary device 140 is not connected to the primary device 120, that is, when the smoking system 100 is in the second usage mode, the control unit sets the mode of the smoking system 100 to the normal smoking mode or the normal non-smoking mode in step S524. For example, when the main power button (user operation unit 152) of the secondary device 140 is turned on, the control unit operates the smoking system 100 in the normal smoking mode. As a result, power is supplied from the secondary power source 148 of the secondary device 140 to the load 144, and the user can smoke using the secondary device 140 alone. Also, for example, when the main power button of the secondary device 140 is turned off, the control unit operates the smoking system 100 in the normal non-smoking mode. In this way, the secondary device 140 can operate alone in the second usage mode separated from the primary device 120.

Figure 6 is a flowchart showing another exemplary process 600 for the control unit (control unit 134 and/or 154) of the smoking system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention to control switching of the operation mode of the smoking system 100. Process 600 differs from process 500 described above in that it includes steps S519 and S521 that are performed when the state of restraint unit 120B changes to the non-restraint state in step S518.

In step S519, the control unit determines whether or not an aerosol-generating article 160 has been inserted into the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142 of the secondary device 140. When an operation is performed to insert an aerosol-generating article 160 into the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142, process 600 proceeds to step S522 (as described for process 500) and the direct heating mode is implemented. On the other hand, if an aerosol-generating article 160 has not yet been inserted into the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142, process 600 proceeds to step S521.

In step S521, the control unit controls the smoking system 100 to transition from the charging mode to the transition mode. For example, the control unit maintains the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 of the drive circuit 146 of the secondary device 140 in the same off state as in the charging mode, and changes the third switch SW3 from the on state to the off state. The control unit also controls the DC/DC converter 124-1 of the primary device 120 to change the amount of power supplied from the primary device 120 to the secondary device 140 from a low power supply amount for the charging mode to a high power supply amount for the direct heating mode. This corresponds to the control performed in the transition mode of the timing chart of FIG. 4D. By controlling the transition mode in this way, it is possible to prevent the load 144 from burning dry.

Following step S521, process 600 further repeats the judgment of step S519. As a result, the transition mode of step S521 is continuously performed until an aerosol-generating article 160 is inserted into the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142. The smoking system 100 can be operated to transition to the direct heating mode when the user inserts an aerosol-generating article 160 into the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142.

In the process 500 shown in FIG. 5, the control unit (control unit 134 and/or 154) may transition the smoking system 100 from the mode before the change (direct heating mode or charging mode) to the transition mode based on the state of the restraint unit 120B. In the process 600 shown in FIG. 6, the control unit (control unit 134 and/or 154) may transition the smoking system 100 from the charging mode to the transition mode based on whether or not the aerosol-generating article 160 is inserted into the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142 of the secondary device 140, in addition to the state of the restraint unit 120B. Alternatively, the condition for transitioning from the mode before the change to the transition mode may be only whether or not the aerosol-generating article 160 is inserted into the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142 of the secondary device 140. Alternatively, an input to the user operation unit 132 or 152 may be used.

As described above, the control unit (control unit 134 and/or 154) of the smoking system 100 transitions the smoking system 100 from the previous mode (direct heating mode or charging mode) to the transition mode using conditions that require specific and direct user operation, such as the state of the restraint unit 120B, whether the aerosol-generating article 160 has been inserted into the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142 of the secondary device 140, and input to the user operation unit 132 or 152. Alternatively, the smoking system 100 may transition from the previous mode (direct heating mode or charging mode) to the transition mode using conditions that are not related to user operation or conditions that are more indirectly related to user operation. As an example of a condition that is more indirectly related to user operation, whether the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating article 160 has fallen below a predetermined threshold may be used. The control unit (control unit 134 and/or 154) may estimate the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating article 160 by using the number of cigarettes smoked or the integrated value of the time or amount of power supplied from the secondary power source 148 to the load 144 since a new aerosol-generating article 160 was inserted into the aerosol-generating article holding unit 142. Note that the method of estimating the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating article 160 is not limited to these, and various methods can be adopted. Alternatively, a sensor that can accurately measure the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating article 160 may be used. As such a sensor, for example, a weight sensor or an optical sensor can be used.

7A shows an example of an air intake flow path 710 provided in the secondary device 140. FIG. 7B shows an example of an air intake flow path 720 provided in the primary device 120. Since the smoking system 100 is configured to be able to smoke by inserting the secondary device 140 into the connection port 122 of the primary device 120 in the first usage form (direct heating mode), a structure is required to supply a sufficient amount of air to the aerosol-generating article 160 even when the secondary device 140 is inserted into the connection port 122. The exemplary air intake flow path 710 provided in the secondary device 140 allows air to be taken in from the opening side of the aerosol-generating article holding portion 142 and to flow to the vicinity of the load 144. The exemplary air intake flow path 720 provided in the primary device 120 is configured to take in air from the bottom of the main body portion 120A of the primary device 120 and guide it to the innermost part of the connection port 122. The air introduced into the connection port 122 through the air intake passage 720 passes through an air intake passage of the secondary device 140 (not shown in FIG. 7B) that is formed as a passage different from the air intake passage 710 of FIG. 7A and opens at the tip portion (the end opposite to the aerosol-generating article holding portion 142) of the secondary device 140 inserted into the connection port 122, and is further introduced to the vicinity of the load 144 inside the secondary device 140. The smoking system 100 may have either the air intake passage 710 or 720, or may have both. With such air intake passages 710 and/or 720, a sufficient amount of air can be supplied to the aerosol-generating article 160 in the secondary device 140 even when the secondary device 140 is inserted into the connection port 122 of the primary device 120 in the direct heating mode and smoking is performed.

In the above embodiment, the flow of power in the direct heating mode, transition mode, and charging mode was controlled by switching the on and off states of the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, the third switch SW3, and the fourth switch SW4, respectively, but the means for controlling the flow of power in each mode are not limited to this. As an example, in FIG. 2, a backflow prevention diode that sets the direction of charging from the primary power source 126 to the secondary power source 148 as the forward direction may be provided on the circuit that branches from each of the main positive bus and main negative bus of the drive circuit 146 that connects from the connection terminal 146-1 of the secondary device 140 to the load 144 and leads to the secondary power source 148. In the direct heating mode in which the supply of power from the primary power source 126 to the secondary power source 148 is stopped, the DC/DC converter 124-1 of the primary device 120 may be controlled so that the output voltage from the primary device 120 is lower than the terminal voltage of the secondary power source 148. On the other hand, in a charging mode in which power is supplied from the primary power source 126 to the secondary power source 148, the DC/DC converter 124-1 of the primary device 120 is controlled so that the output voltage from the primary device 120 is higher than the terminal voltage of the secondary power source 148.

The means for adjusting the relative voltage between the terminal voltage of the primary power source 126 and the terminal voltage of the secondary power source 148 is not limited to the DC/DC converter 124-1 of the primary device 120. For example, a DC/DC converter may also be provided in the secondary device 140. Alternatively, at least one of the primary power source 126 and the secondary power source 148 may be configured with a plurality of power storage devices, and the series connection and parallel connection of these may be switched.

The above describes an embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the primary device 120 in the direct heating mode supplies power only to the load 144 of the secondary device 140, and the primary device 120 in the charging mode supplies power only to the secondary power source 148 of the secondary device 140. However, this is not limited to this, and a portion of power may be simultaneously supplied to each of the load 144 and the secondary power source 148 of the secondary device 140.

100 Smoking system 120 Primary device 120A Main body 120B Restraint (lid)
120C Hinge 122 Connection port 124 Power supply circuit 124-1 DC/DC converter 124-2 Connection terminal 126 Primary power source 132 User operation unit 134 Control unit 136 Memory 140 Secondary device 142 Aerosol-generating article holding unit 144 Load 146 Drive circuit 146-1 Connection terminal 148 Secondary power source 152 User operation unit 154 Control unit 156 Memory 160 Aerosol-generating article 200 Electric circuit 710 Air intake flow path 720 Air intake flow path

Claims (20)

A secondary device including a load for atomizing an aerosol source or heating a flavor source and a power source capable of powering the load;
a primary device capable of supplying power to the load and the power source when connected to the secondary device;
Including,
In a first mode of supplying power to the load, a first power supply amount is supplied from the primary device to the secondary device, and in a second mode of supplying power to the power source, a second power supply amount is supplied from the primary device to the secondary device.
Smoking system. The first power supply amount is smaller than the second power supply amount.
2. A smoking system as claimed in claim 1. The first mode is a heating mode for atomizing the aerosol source or heating the flavor source,
The second mode is a charging mode in which the power source is charged.
3. A smoking system according to claim 1 or 2. The smoking system comprises:
In the first mode, the primary device is capable of simultaneously powering the load and the power source.
4. A smoking system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The smoking system comprises:
A transition from the first mode to the second mode is possible.
5. A smoking system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The power supply device further includes a means for switching between a state in which power can be supplied from the primary device to the load and a state in which power cannot be supplied from the primary device to the load;
The smoking system comprises:
Controlling the means to transition from the first mode to the second mode;
6. A smoking system as claimed in claim 5. the means is a switch disposed between the primary device and the load;
The smoking system comprises:
Controlling the switch to an on state to transition from the first mode to the second mode;
7. A smoking system according to claim 6. a diode provided between the primary device and the power source, the diode having a forward direction from the primary device to the power source;
the means is a voltage adjustment circuit capable of adjusting a relative voltage between an output voltage of the primary device and a voltage of the load;
The smoking system comprises:
transitioning from the first mode to the second mode by controlling the voltage regulation circuit so that a voltage at the load is higher than an output voltage of the primary device;
7. A smoking system as claimed in claim 6. A control method for controlling power supply between a secondary device including a load for atomizing an aerosol source or heating a flavor source and a power source capable of supplying power to the load, and a primary device capable of supplying power to the load and the power source when connected to the secondary device, comprising:
supplying power from the primary device to the load at a first power supply rate in a first mode of supplying power to the load;
supplying power from the primary device to the power source at a second power supply rate in a second mode of supplying power to the power source;
A control method comprising: The first power supply amount is smaller than the second power supply amount.
The control method according to claim 9. The first mode is a heating mode for atomizing the aerosol source or heating the flavor source,
The second mode is a charging mode in which the power source is charged.
The control method according to claim 9 or 10. In the first mode, the primary device is capable of simultaneously powering the load and the power source.
A control method according to any one of claims 9 to 11. a load for atomizing an aerosol source or heating a flavor source;
a power source capable of supplying power to the load;
a control unit that controls power supply between the load and a primary device capable of supplying power to the power source when the load and the primary device are connected to the power source,
The control unit is
In a first mode of supplying power to the load, a first power supply amount is supplied from the primary device to the secondary device, and in a second mode of supplying power to the power source, a second power supply amount is supplied from the primary device to the secondary device.
Secondary device. The first power supply amount is smaller than the second power supply amount.
The secondary device of claim 13. The first mode is a heating mode for atomizing the aerosol source or heating the flavor source,
The second mode is a charging mode in which the power source is charged.
A secondary device according to claim 13 or 14. The control unit is
in the first mode, causing the primary device to simultaneously power the load and the power source;
A secondary device according to any one of claims 13 to 15. The control unit is
transitioning from the first mode to the second mode;
A secondary device according to any one of claims 13 to 16. The primary device further includes a means for switching between a state in which power can be supplied from the primary device to the load and a state in which power cannot be supplied from the primary device to the load.
The control unit is
Controlling the means to transition from the first mode to the second mode;
20. The secondary device of claim 17. the means is a switch disposed between the primary device and the load;
The control unit is
Controlling the switch to an on state to transition from the first mode to the second mode;
20. The secondary device of claim 18. a diode provided between the primary device and the power source, the diode having a forward direction from the primary device to the power source;
the means is a voltage adjustment circuit capable of adjusting a relative voltage between an output voltage of the primary device and a voltage of the load;
The control unit is
controlling the voltage regulation circuit so that a voltage at the load is higher than an output voltage at the primary device to transition from the first mode to the second mode;
20. The secondary device of claim 18.

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