Aerosol generation device provided with control unit for detection of abnormal state of sensor
Inventors
Akao, Takeshi • Yamada, Manabu • Tezuka, Hiroshi
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12262752-B2
Publication Date
2025-04-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
A power supply unit of an aerosol generation device that supplies electric power to a load that generates aerosol including a sensor that is in an operating state among a normal state and a plurality of abnormal states, and detects an aerosol generation request while the power supply unit is in an active state, a control unit that detects a state of the sensor, and generates an error signal capable of distinguishing between a first and second abnormal states when the sensor is in at least one of the first and second abnormal states included in the plurality of abnormal states, and a notification unit that makes a notification in a different mode for each type of the error signal, wherein the control unit causes the power supply unit to undergo a transition from the active state to a sleep state after generating the error signal, and the plurality of abnormal states include a state in which supply of electric power to the load is unnecessary for detection by the control unit.
Core Innovation
A power supply unit of an aerosol generation device supplies electric power to a load that generates aerosol. The power supply unit includes a sensor in an operating state among a normal state and a plurality of abnormal states, and the sensor detects an aerosol generation request while the power supply unit is in an active state. The control unit detects the state of the sensor and generates an error signal capable of distinguishing between abnormal states.
The control unit generates an error signal capable of distinguishing between a first abnormal state and a second abnormal state when the sensor is in at least one of the first and second abnormal states included in the plurality of abnormal states. The plurality of abnormal states include a state in which supply of electric power to the load is unnecessary for detection by the control unit, so the control distinguishes abnormal conditions based on whether electric power to the load is unnecessary.
The power supply unit further includes a notification unit that makes a notification in a different mode for each type of the error signal. The document also describes abnormal-state classification using timing and threshold conditions such as time-interval, duration, integrated heating time, and count thresholds, and different abnormal states map to distinct notification patterns.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims covering a power supply unit and a control method, with four core inventive features: sensor-based abnormal-state detection, error-signal generation that distinguishes abnormal states, mode-differentiated notification by error-signal type, and an active-to-sleep transition after generating the error signal.
Sensor-based normal and abnormal state error signaling for an aerosol generation request
A sensor in an operating state among a normal state and a plurality of abnormal states detects an aerosol generation request while the power supply unit is in an active state, and a control unit detects the state of the sensor and generates an error signal capable of distinguishing between abnormal states.
Mode-differentiated notification for each error-signal type
A notification unit makes a notification in a different mode for each type of the error signal.
Active-to-sleep transition after generating the error signal
The control unit causes the power supply unit to undergo a transition from the active state to a sleep state after generating the error signal.
Abnormal-state inclusion where power to the load is unnecessary for detection
The plurality of abnormal states include a state in which supply of electric power to the load is unnecessary for detection by the control unit.
Threshold-defined abnormal-state classification and distinct notification patterns
The document refines the plurality of abnormal states using threshold conditions such as duration, total time period within a predetermined time period, and occurrence count within a predetermined time period, and maps multiple abnormal states to different error-signal types that correspond to different notification modes.
Across the independent claim set, the invention centers on distinguishing among multiple sensor abnormal states by generating error signals, issuing notifications in different modes for each error-signal type, and transitioning from active to sleep after generating the error signal, with abnormal states including conditions where electric power to the load is unnecessary for detection.
Stated Advantages
Simplifies recognition of trouble cause/content by differentiating notifications according to error-signal type.
Enables easier determination of the reason for sensor trouble without separate inspection by using mode-differentiated notifications reflecting classified abnormal-state types.
Reduces power consumption by transitioning from the active state to the sleep state after generating the error signal.
Documented Applications
Aerosol-generation device power supply control that detects sensor trouble and distinguishes abnormal states while the power supply unit is active, including abnormal classifications based on timing/duration/count thresholds and notifications for error-signal types.
Suction-action sensor anomaly detection using timing thresholds and an active-to-sleep transition after generating an error signal.
Dual-sensor state detection where abnormal states are associated with distinct notification patterns for overcurrent/short-circuit related indication using a microphone capacitor and a PTC thermistor.
Mapping multiple abnormal states, including cases where supply of electric power to the load is unnecessary for detection, to distinct notification patterns so a user can recognize the trouble cause/content from the notification mode.
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