EP-4736684-A1 - AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE

EP4736684A1EP 4736684 A1EP4736684 A1EP 4736684A1EP-4736684-A1

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device comprising: a heating unit for heating an aerosol source; a memory for recording an operation log; a first constant voltage circuit for generating an operating power supply of the memory; a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature change at a measurement site that accompanies heating by the heating unit; an AD conversion circuit for converting an output voltage of the temperature sensor to digital data; a second constant voltage circuit for generating a reference voltage supplied to the AD conversion circuit; and a control unit for stopping heating by the heating unit when the output voltage of the temperature sensor exceeds a threshold, wherein a potential of the operating power supply of the memory and a potential of the reference voltage are the same.

Inventors

AOYAMA, Tatsunari
MINATO, JUNJI
UCHIBORI, Tomoya

Assignees

Japan Tobacco Inc.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20230629

Claims (6)

An aerosol-generating device comprising: a heating unit for heating an aerosol source; a memory for recording an operation log; a first constant voltage circuit for generating an operating power supply of the memory; a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature change at a measurement site that accompanies heating by the heating unit; an AD conversion circuit for converting an output voltage of the temperature sensor to digital data; a second constant voltage circuit for generating a reference voltage supplied to the AD conversion circuit; and a control unit for stopping heating by the heating unit when the output voltage of the temperature sensor exceeds a threshold, wherein a potential of the operating power supply of the memory and a potential of the reference voltage are the same.
The aerosol-generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor operates with the reference voltage as an operating power supply.
The aerosol-generating device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the temperature sensor has a non-linear temperature characteristic.
The aerosol-generating device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the temperature sensor measures a temperature on an enclosure surface or around the heating unit.
The aerosol-generating device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the aerosol source is a solid.
The aerosol-generating device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the aerosol source is a liquid.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating device. BACKGROUND ART Aerosol-generating devices, which are portable electronic appliances, are equipped with various electronic components. For example, aerosol-generating devices are equipped with an MCU (= Micro Controller Unit), a memory, an AD (= Analog to Digital) conversion circuit, a sensor, a heater for heating, and an LED (= Light-Emitting Diode). Power supply potentials needed for operation of the electronic components are not always the same. For example, the power supply potential required by a processor, the power supply potential required by a memory, an AD conversion circuit and a sensor, and the power supply potential required by an LED are different. CITATION LIST PATENT LITERATURE PTL 1: JP 2019-526889 APTL2: JP 2021-503271 A SUMMARY OF INVENTION TECHNICAL PROBLEM Aerosol-generating devices, which are portable electronic devices, employ a circuit configuration in which electronic components having the same power supply potential are connected to the same power supply line. For example, the memory and the AD conversion circuit are connected to the same power supply line. The potential of the power supply line here is used as the operating power supply of the memory, and is also used as a reference voltage for the AD conversion circuit. However, the potential of the power supply line may fluctuate due to operation of the memory. Fluctuations in the potential of this power supply line spread to the AD conversion circuit which is connected to the same power supply line, causing a reduction in conversion accuracy of the AD conversion circuit. In light of this problem, the present disclosure provides technology to ensure that conversion accuracy of an AD conversion circuit is unaffected even when a memory supplied with power having the same potential as the AD conversion circuit is operated. SOLUTION TO PROBLEM One aspect of the present disclosure provides an aerosol-generating device comprising: a heating unit for heating an aerosol source; a memory for recording an operation log; a first constant voltage circuit for generating an operating power supply of the memory; a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature change at a measurement site that accompanies heating by the heating unit; an AD conversion circuit for converting an output voltage of the temperature sensor to digital data; a second constant voltage circuit for generating a reference voltage supplied to the AD conversion circuit; and a control unit for stopping heating by the heating unit when the output voltage of the temperature sensor exceeds a threshold, wherein a potential of the operating power supply of the memory and a potential of the reference voltage are the same. The temperature sensor may operate with the reference voltage as an operating power supply. In addition, the temperature sensor may have a non-linear temperature characteristic. Furthermore, the temperature sensor may measure a temperature on an enclosure surface or around the heating unit. The aerosol source may be a solid. The aerosol source may be a liquid. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to ensure that conversion accuracy of an AD conversion circuit is unaffected even when a memory supplied with power having the same potential as the AD conversion circuit is operated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a diagram in which a front face side of an aerosol-generating device is viewed from diagonally above.Fig. 2 is a diagram in which the front face side of the aerosol-generating device is viewed from diagonally below.Fig. 3 is a diagram in which a main body device with a front panel removed is viewed from the front.Fig. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the main body device.Fig. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an electronic circuit used in Embodiment 1.Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the internal configuration of an MCU and connection relationships with peripheral circuits. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments relating to the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical parts are indicated by identical reference signs. Terms An aerosol-generating device according to each embodiment is a form of electronic cigarette. In the following description, a substance generated by the aerosol-generating device will be referred to as an aerosol. An aerosol refers to a mixture of minute liquid or solid particles suspended in a gas, and air or another gas. The embodiments describe aerosol-generating devices which generate the aerosol without associated burning. Moreover, inhalation of the aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating device will also be referred to as a "puff". In each embodiment, an aerosol-generating device to which it is possible to attach a solid aerosol source is described. It should be noted that a container for a