JP7829062B2 - Aerosol generator - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to an aerosol generating apparatus.

Electronic cigarettes and nebulizers, which generate aerosols for users to inhale, are widely used. These devices generate aerosols by heating an aerosol source. As a result, users can enjoy the flavor of the aerosol by inhaling it.

In recent years, suction devices that generate aerosols with more complex flavors by combining multiple flavor sources have been investigated. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a steam supply system that generates steam from two liquid flavor sources and mixes the generated steams in a predetermined ratio to impart desired flavor characteristics to the steam.

Special Publication No. 2020-507311

On the other hand, in aerosol generators that impart flavor to aerosols using multiple flavor sources, the frequent exchange of multiple flavor sources could potentially reduce the usability of the aerosol generator.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to achieve higher usability in an aerosol generating device that uses multiple flavor sources.

To solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating device is provided comprising: a plurality of flavor sources, each containing at least one flavor source capable of generating an aerosol to be inhaled by a user; a plurality of atomizing units that generate the aerosol flavored by the plurality of flavor sources; a storage unit that stores composition ratio information relating to the composition ratio of flavors applied to the generated aerosol; and a control unit that controls the atomizing units based on the composition ratio information, wherein when it is determined that one of the plurality of flavor sources should be replaced, the control unit determines whether or not to output a notification to the other flavor sources among the plurality of flavor sources prompting the replacement of the other flavor sources based on the amount used in a single inhalation of the other flavor sources in the inhalation up to immediately before the replacement.

The control unit may output a notification prompting the replacement of the other flavor source if the remaining amount of the other flavor source is less than the amount obtained by multiplying the number of inhalations when the other flavor source is used alone by the amount of the other flavor source used in one inhalation up to the time immediately before replacement.

If the control unit finds that the other flavor sources are of the same type as the one flavor source for which replacement has been determined, it may cancel the decision to replace the one flavor source or not output a notification prompting the replacement of the one flavor source.

The control unit may further determine whether or not to output a notification prompting the replacement of the other flavor sources when one of the multiple flavor sources is replaced.

The aforementioned multiple flavor sources may include at least one liquid aerosol source.

The aforementioned multiple flavor sources may further include solid flavor sources.

The solid flavor source may be a stick-type base material capable of generating an aerosol.

When the control unit determines that the stick-type substrate needs to be replaced, if the remaining amount of the liquid aerosol source is less than the amount obtained by multiplying the number of times the stick-type substrate has been used by the amount of the liquid aerosol source used in one suction up to the time immediately before the replacement, the control unit may output a notification prompting the replacement of the liquid aerosol source.

As described above, the present invention makes it possible to achieve higher usability in an aerosol generating device that uses multiple flavor sources.

This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a suction device according to one embodiment of the present invention. This is a flowchart illustrating the operation flow of a suction device. This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a modified suction device.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, thus omitting redundant explanations.

<1. Configuration of the suction device>
First, with reference to Figure 1, the configuration of a suction device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the suction device according to this embodiment. In the following description, the substance generated by the suction device 100 will be described as an aerosol, but the substance generated by the suction device 100 may be a gas.

As shown in Figure 1, the suction device 100 comprises a plurality of flavor sources 130, a power supply unit 111, a sensor unit 112, a notification unit 113, a storage unit 114, a communication unit 115, and a control unit 116.

The power supply unit 111 stores power and supplies power to the components of the suction device 100 based on control by the control unit 116. The power supply unit 111 may be composed of a rechargeable battery, such as a lithium-ion secondary battery. The power supply unit 111 may be charged by connecting to an external power source via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like, or it may be charged wirelessly using power transmission technology while not connected to a power-transmitting device. Furthermore, the power supply unit 111 may be detachably provided from the suction device 100, or it may be provided in a way that allows it to be replaced with a new power supply unit 111.

The sensor unit 112 acquires various information related to the suction device 100 and outputs the acquired information to the control unit 116. For example, the sensor unit 112 may be composed of a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow sensor, or a temperature sensor, and may acquire information regarding the amount of change associated with suction by the user. Another example is that the sensor unit 112 may be composed of an input device such as a button or switch, and may acquire information indicating that input from the user has been received.

The notification unit 113 notifies the user of information. The notification unit 113 may be composed of a light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). For example, the notification unit 113 may emit light in different colors or lighting timing patterns when the power supply unit 111 is in a charging state, when the power supply unit 111 is charging, when it is determined that at least one of the multiple flavor sources 130 needs to be replaced, or when an abnormality occurs in the inhalation device 100. In addition to or instead of the light-emitting device, the notification unit 113 may be composed of a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, or a vibration device that vibrates. Furthermore, the notification unit 113 may be composed of multiple light-emitting devices (such as LEDs). In such a case, the multiple light-emitting devices constituting the notification unit 113 may be uniquely associated with each of the multiple flavor sources 130. According to this, the suction device 100 can notify the user of a flavor source 130 that has reached the replacement time by, for example, lighting up or flashing a light-emitting device corresponding to that flavor source 130 that has reached the replacement time.

The storage unit 114 stores various information for the operation of the suction device 100. The storage unit 114 may be composed of a non-volatile storage medium such as flash memory. The storage unit 114 may also further include a volatile storage medium for temporarily storing commands transmitted to the suction device 10. For example, the storage unit 114 may store information related to the OS (Operating System) of the suction device 100. The storage unit 114 may also store information related to user suction, such as the number of suctions, suction times, or cumulative suction time.

The communication unit 115 is a communication interface capable of performing communication in accordance with any wired or wireless communication standard. The communication unit 115 may be a communication interface compliant with, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), wired LAN, Wi-Fi®, or Bluetooth®. The communication unit 115 may transmit information related to suction by the user to the user's smartphone, and may receive information related to OS updates for the suction device 100 from a server.

The control unit 116 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and control device, and controls the overall operation of the suction device 100 according to various programs. The control unit 116 is implemented by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (central processing unit) or a microprocessor. The control unit 116 may also include a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs and calculation parameters used by the CPU, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing parameters that change as needed. For example, the control unit 116 may control power supply from the power supply unit 111 to other components, charging of the power supply unit 111, detection of information by the sensor unit 112, notification of information by the notification unit 113, storage or reading of information by the storage unit 114, and transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 115.

The multiple flavor sources 130 include at least one flavor source capable of generating aerosols, and are components capable of generating aerosols with multiple flavors. The multiple flavor sources 130 can generate aerosols with desired flavors by controlling the generation ratio of aerosols or flavors by the control unit 116. Alternatively, the multiple flavor sources 130 can generate aerosols with desired flavors by controlling the mixing ratio of aerosols or flavors by controlling the flow path by the control unit 116. The aerosols with desired flavors can be inhaled by the user of the inhalation device 100, providing the user with a more complex inhalation experience. The multiple flavor sources 130 are each held by a holding part (not shown) provided by the inhalation device 100. That is, the inhalation device 100 may be equipped with multiple holding parts (not shown) corresponding to the multiple flavor sources 130.

As an example, the flavor source capable of generating aerosols may be a liquid storage unit that stores a liquid aerosol source. The liquid aerosol source is, for example, a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or a liquid such as water. The liquid aerosol source may further contain flavor components derived from tobacco or non-tobacco, and if the inhalation device 100 is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, it may further contain a drug.

The liquid storage unit can generate aerosols by heating a liquid aerosol source in a heating unit (not shown). Specifically, the liquid storage unit can generate aerosols by heating the liquid aerosol source stored in the liquid storage unit with a heating unit that generates heat through power supply from the power supply unit 111, thereby atomizing the liquid aerosol source. Note that the means for generating aerosols are not limited to heating the liquid aerosol source with the heating unit. For example, aerosols may be generated by atomizing the liquid aerosol source through vibration atomization.

As another example, the flavor source capable of generating aerosols may be a solid flavor source. For example, the flavor source capable of generating aerosols may be a stick-type substrate containing a solid aerosol source. The stick-type substrate includes a substrate portion containing the solid aerosol source and a mouthpiece portion. While held in the suction device 100, the solid aerosol source can be atomized and an aerosol generated by heating the substrate portion in a heating unit (not shown). The generated aerosol is then drawn into the user's mouthpiece.

For example, a stick-type substrate may be heated from the outside by a heating element configured in the form of a film that covers the outer circumference of the substrate, thereby atomizing the solid aerosol source contained in the substrate and generating an aerosol. Alternatively, a stick-type substrate may be heated from the inside by a heating element configured in the form of a blade that is inserted into the interior of the substrate, thereby atomizing the solid aerosol source contained in the substrate and generating an aerosol. Furthermore, a stick-type substrate may be heated from the bottom by a heating element positioned to cover the bottom of the substrate, thereby atomizing the solid aerosol source contained in the substrate and generating an aerosol. The heating method of the heating element may be either resistance heating or induction heating. For example, the heating element may heat the stick-type substrate by resistance heating, or it may heat a stick-type substrate containing a susceptor by induction heating.

Furthermore, the multiple flavor sources 130 may include solid flavor sources that do not generate aerosols. Such flavor sources are, for example, capsule-type flavor sources in which a drug, fragrance, or tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived solid material is sealed in a container such as a capsule. For example, a capsule-type flavor source may be a capsule containing a tobacco-derived solid material formed from shredded tobacco or tobacco raw materials into granules, sheets, or powder, or a non-tobacco-derived solid material made from plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint or herbs). The capsule-type flavor source can impart a desired flavor to an aerosol by passing an aerosol generated from a liquid aerosol source through the capsule.

Furthermore, since preheating is not required for liquid aerosol sources or solid flavor sources that do not generate aerosols, it is possible to miniaturize the heating unit for heating these flavor sources 130. Therefore, the suction device 100 may control the generation of aerosols or flavors from multiple flavor sources 130 by heating each of the multiple flavor sources 130 with separate heating units and heating profiles. The heating profile is a control sequence used when the control unit 116 controls the heating unit. Specifically, the heating profile is a control sequence that includes control by the control unit 116 to bring the temperature of the heating unit to a target temperature. The heating profile may also be information that defines the time-series change of the target temperature of the heating unit.

On the other hand, solid flavor sources capable of generating aerosols (i.e., stick-type substrates) require preheating. Therefore, the suction device 100 may control the generation of aerosols or flavors from multiple flavor sources 130 by heating the entire group of multiple flavor sources 130 with a single heating profile.

The suction device 100 generates an aerosol with a flavor for one inhalation by combining the flavors or aerosols produced from the multiple flavor sources 130 described above, thereby allowing the user to inhale an aerosol with a more complex flavor.

Examples of combinations of multiple flavor sources 130 used in the suction device 100 include combinations of multiple solid flavor sources, combinations of multiple liquid aerosol sources, combinations of at least one solid flavor source and at least one liquid aerosol source, combinations of one capsule-type flavor source and multiple liquid aerosol sources, or combinations of multiple capsule-type flavor sources and at least one liquid aerosol source.

<2. Technical Features of the Invention>
Next, the technical features of the suction device 100 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail.

In a suction device 100 that uses multiple flavor sources 130, if flavors are generated from the multiple flavor sources 130 in different proportions, the consumption rates of each of the multiple flavor sources 130 will differ. Therefore, the timing at which each of the multiple flavor sources 130 is depleted may differ.

In the suction device 100 according to this embodiment, when it is determined that one of the multiple flavor sources 130 needs to be replaced, the device determines whether or not to output a notification prompting the replacement of the other flavor sources 130. Specifically, if the suction device 100 uses the flavor sources 130 in the same proportion before and after the replacement of the flavor source 130 that has been determined to be replaced, and the other flavor sources 130 cannot be used as many times as the unused flavor source 130 could be used on its own, it outputs a notification prompting the replacement of the other flavor sources 130.

For example, the suction device 100 may decide whether or not to output a notification prompting the replacement of the other flavor source 130 as follows. First, let X be the maximum number of times the other flavor source 130 can be used when used alone, and let Y be the amount of aerosol source used in one suction. Then the total volume of aerosol contained in the other flavor source 130 will be XY. Next, let Z (%) be the proportion of the other flavor source 130 before and after the replacement of the flavor source 130 for which replacement has been determined, with the total being 100%. Then the amount of aerosol source used in one suction will be YZ. Here, if the remaining amount of the other flavor source 130 is A, and the value obtained by dividing the remaining amount A by the amount of aerosol source used YZ at a proportion of Z% is less than X, the suction device 100 may decide to output a notification prompting the replacement of the other flavor source 130.

In other words, when the suction device 100 determines that one of the multiple flavor sources 130 needs to be replaced, and the remaining amount of the other flavor sources 130 is less than the amount that satisfies a sufficient number of uses (for example, the maximum number of uses of the other flavor source 130 when unused on its own), it can output a notification prompting the replacement of the other flavor source 130. This is because if the other flavor source 130 can be used for the number of times it can be used when used 100% on its own from an unused state (the maximum number of uses X in the above determination), the frequency of replacing the flavor source 130 will not impair the user's comfort. Therefore, if the frequency of replacing the flavor source 130 is such that it does not impair the user's comfort, the suction device 100 may use a predetermined value smaller than the maximum number of uses X in the above determination to determine whether or not to output a notification prompting the replacement of the other flavor source 130.

According to this, the suction device 100 can determine when to replace another flavor source 130 after replacing one flavor source 130, after a sufficient number of uses have been made. This prevents frequent replacement of flavor sources 130. Furthermore, the suction device 100 can simultaneously output a notification prompting the replacement of another flavor source 130 only if the remaining amount of the other flavor source 130 is less than a sufficient number of uses when the replacement of one flavor source 130 is determined. Therefore, the suction device 100 can maintain user usability for suctioning and output a notification prompting the replacement of the flavor source 130 when a certain amount of the flavor source 130 has been consumed.

Furthermore, the suction device 100 may decide whether or not to output a notification prompting the replacement of other flavor sources 130 not only when it is determined that one flavor source 130 needs to be replaced, but also when one flavor source 130 has actually been replaced.

However, if there are other flavor sources 130 of the same type as one flavor source 130 that has been decided to be replaced, the suction device 100 may cancel the decision to replace one flavor source 130. That is, if there are multiple flavor sources 130 of the same type among the multiple flavor sources 130 attached to the suction device 100, the suction device 100 may cancel the decision to replace a used flavor source 130 of the same type until all of the used flavor sources 130 have been used up and a decision to replace another flavor source 130 of the same type has been made. Note that the suction device 100 can achieve the same effect even if it decides to replace the flavor source but does not output a notification of replacement, rather than canceling the decision to replace it.

In such cases, the suction device 100 can allow the user to continue suctioning using another flavor source 130 of the same type that has not been deemed to need replacement. Therefore, if it does not affect the user's suctioning, the suction device 100 can cancel the replacement of the flavor source 130 and reduce the frequency of flavor source 130 replacement, thereby providing the user with a more comfortable suctioning experience.

<3. Operation of the suction device>
Next, with reference to Figure 2, the operation flow of the suction device 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation flow of the suction device 100. Each of the operations of the suction device 100 described below is controlled by the control unit 116.

As shown in Figure 2, first, the suction device 100 generates flavor from multiple flavor sources 130 based on instructions from the user (S101). Next, the suction device 100 checks whether it has been determined that one of the multiple flavor sources 130 should be replaced (S103). For example, the suction device 100 may decide to replace one flavor source 130 because it has run out of flavor sources 130. If it has not been determined that one of the multiple flavor sources 130 should be replaced (S103/No), the suction device 100 repeats the operation of step S101 and continues to generate flavor from the multiple flavor sources 130.

On the other hand, if it is determined that one of the multiple flavor sources 130 should be replaced (S103/Yes), the suction device 100 first notifies the user of the replacement of one flavor source 130 via the notification unit 113 (S105). Next, the suction device 100 determines whether the remaining amount of the other flavor sources 130 is less than the amount obtained by multiplying the maximum number of uses of the other flavor source 130 by the amount of the other flavor source 130 used in the previous suction (S107).

If the remaining amount of the other flavor source 130 is less than the multiplied amount (S107/Yes), the suction device 100 outputs a notification prompting the replacement of the other flavor source 130 (S109). On the other hand, if the remaining amount of the other flavor source 130 is equal to or greater than the multiplied amount (S107/No), the suction device 100 repeats the operation of step S101 without prompting the replacement of the other flavor source 130, and continues to generate flavor from the multiple flavor sources 130. Note that the notifications output in steps S105 and S109 may be output simultaneously.

Based on the above operation, when the suction device 100 determines that one of the multiple flavor sources 130 needs to be replaced, it can output a notification to the user prompting them to simultaneously replace the other flavor sources 130 based on the remaining amount of the other flavor sources 130. Specifically, the suction device 100 can prompt the user to replace the other flavor sources 130 only if the remaining number of uses of the other flavor sources 130 is less than the maximum number of uses of the unused flavor sources 130 individually. Therefore, the suction device 100 can prompt the user to replace the flavor sources 130 at a time when a certain amount of the flavor sources 130 have been consumed, while maintaining the usability of the user's suction.

<4. Variant Example>
Furthermore, with reference to Figure 3, a modified example of the suction device 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation flow of a modified example of the suction device 100.

This modified example relates to a suction device 100 that uses both a liquid aerosol source and a stick-type substrate containing a solid aerosol source, and provides a mechanism for determining whether or not to notify the user of the need to replace the liquid aerosol source when it is determined that the stick-type substrate needs to be replaced.

Specifically, when the suction device 100 determines that a stick-type substrate needs to be replaced, if the number of times the liquid aerosol source can be used with the same composition ratio as before and after the replacement of the stick-type substrate is less than the maximum number of uses for an unused stick-type substrate, it outputs a notification prompting the replacement of the liquid aerosol source.

This is because, compared to liquid aerosol sources, stick-type substrates generally have a lower maximum number of uses on their own, resulting in fewer uses for unused stick-type substrates than the remaining uses for liquid aerosol sources. Therefore, in this modified example, the suction device 100 determines whether the remaining amount of liquid aerosol source is sufficient by using a threshold obtained by multiplying the number of uses of the replaced stick-type substrate by the amount of liquid aerosol source used in the previous suction. According to this, if the liquid aerosol source runs out before the suction of the stick-type substrate that has been determined to be replaced is finished, the suction device 100 can output a notification to the user prompting them to replace the liquid aerosol source as well.

The operation of the suction device 100 according to this modified example is as shown in Figure 3. First, the suction device 100 generates flavor from a plurality of flavor sources 130 based on instructions from the user (S201). Here, the plurality of flavor sources 130 include a liquid aerosol source and a stick-type substrate containing a solid aerosol source.

Next, the suction device 100 checks whether it has been determined that one of the multiple flavor sources 130 needs to be replaced (S203). For example, the suction device 100 may determine that the stick-type base material needs to be replaced because it has been completely consumed according to the heating profile. If it has not been determined that the stick-type base material needs to be replaced (S203/No), the suction device 100 repeats the operation of step S101 and continues to generate flavor from the multiple flavor sources 130.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the stick-type substrate needs to be replaced (S203/Yes), the suction device 100 first notifies the user of the replacement of the stick-type substrate via the notification unit 113 (S205). Next, the suction device 100 determines whether the remaining amount of liquid aerosol source is less than the amount obtained by multiplying the number of times the stick-type substrate has been used by the amount of liquid aerosol source used in the previous suction (S207).

If the remaining amount of liquid aerosol source is less than the multiplied amount (S207/Yes), the suction device 100 outputs a notification prompting replacement of the liquid aerosol source (S209). On the other hand, if the remaining amount of liquid aerosol source is equal to or greater than the multiplied amount (S207/No), the suction device 100 repeats the operation of step S201 without prompting replacement of the liquid aerosol source, and continues to generate flavor from the multiple flavor sources 130. Note that the notifications output in steps S205 and S209 may be output simultaneously. In this modified example, the decision to replace the liquid aerosol source may be made when replacing the stick-type substrate according to the flowchart shown in Figure 3, or when replacing other liquid aerosol sources according to the flowchart shown in Figure 2. In either case, if it is determined that the liquid aerosol source should be replaced, the suction device 100 may output a notification prompting replacement of the liquid aerosol source.

Based on the above operation, the suction device 100 can output a notification to the user prompting them to replace the liquid aerosol source as well, based on the remaining amount of liquid aerosol source, when it is determined that the stick-type substrate needs to be replaced. Specifically, the suction device 100 can prompt the user to replace the liquid aerosol source only when the remaining number of uses of the liquid aerosol source is less than the number of uses of the stick-type substrate. Therefore, the suction device 100 can output a notification to the user prompting the replacement of the liquid aerosol source only when there is not enough liquid aerosol source remaining to consume the stick-type substrate completely. Thus, the suction device 100 can improve the usability of the user's suction without hindering the user's suction.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear to any person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these will naturally also be understood to fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

The processes described using flowcharts in this specification do not necessarily have to be executed in the order shown. Some processing steps may be executed in parallel. Additional processing steps may be adopted, and some processing steps may be omitted.

Furthermore, the following configurations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.
(1)
Multiple flavor sources, each containing at least one flavor source capable of generating an aerosol that is inhaled by the user,
Multiple atomizing units that generate the aerosol to which the flavor has been imparted from the multiple flavor sources,
A storage unit that stores information on the proportion of flavors imparted to the generated aerosol,
A control unit that controls the atomizing unit based on the aforementioned composition ratio information,
Equipped with,
Aerosol generating device, wherein the control unit determines, when it is determined that one of the plurality of flavor sources should be replaced, whether or not to output a notification to the other flavor sources to prompt them to replace the other flavor sources based on the amount used in a single inhalation of the other flavor sources in the inhalation up to immediately before the replacement.
(2)
The aerosol generating apparatus according to (1), wherein the control unit outputs a notification prompting the replacement of the other flavor source if the remaining amount of the other flavor source is less than the amount obtained by multiplying the number of times the other flavor source is used when used alone by the amount used in one inhalation of the other flavor source in inhalation up to immediately before replacement.
(3)
The aerosol generating apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the control unit cancels the decision to replace the one flavor source or does not output a notification prompting the replacement of the one flavor source if the other flavor sources include the same type of flavor source as the one flavor source for which replacement has been determined.
(4)
The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the control unit further determines whether or not to output a notification prompting the replacement of the other flavor sources when one of the plurality of flavor sources is replaced.
(5)
The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein the plurality of flavor sources include at least one liquid aerosol source.
(6)
The aerosol generating apparatus according to (5), wherein the plurality of flavor sources further comprises a solid flavor source.
(7)
The aerosol generating apparatus according to (6), wherein the solid flavor source is a stick-type substrate capable of generating an aerosol.
(8)
The aerosol generating apparatus according to (7), wherein the control unit, when it is determined that the stick-type substrate should be replaced, outputs a notification prompting the replacement of the liquid aerosol source if the remaining amount of the liquid aerosol source is less than the number of times the stick-type substrate has been used multiplied by the amount of the liquid aerosol source used in one suction in the suction up to immediately before the replacement.

100 Suction device 111 Power supply unit 112 Sensor unit 113 Notification unit 114 Storage unit 115 Communication unit 116 Control unit 130 Flavoring source

Claims (8)

Multiple flavor sources, each containing at least one flavor source capable of generating an aerosol that is inhaled by the user,
Multiple atomizing units that generate the aerosol to which the flavor has been imparted from the multiple flavor sources,
A storage unit that stores information on the proportion of flavors imparted to the generated aerosol,
A control unit that controls the atomizing unit based on the aforementioned composition ratio information,
Equipped with,
Aerosol generating device, wherein the control unit determines, when it is determined that one of the plurality of flavor sources should be replaced, whether or not to output a notification to the other flavor sources to prompt them to replace the other flavor sources based on the amount used in a single inhalation of the other flavor sources in the inhalation up to immediately before the replacement. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit outputs a notification prompting the replacement of the other flavor source if the remaining amount of the other flavor source is less than the amount obtained by multiplying the number of inhalations when the other flavor source is used alone by the amount used in one inhalation of the other flavor source in inhalations up to immediately before replacement. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit cancels the decision to replace the one flavor source or does not output a notification prompting the replacement of the one flavor source if the other flavor sources include the same type of flavor source as the one flavor source for which replacement has been determined. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further determines whether or not to output a notification prompting the replacement of the other flavor sources when one of the plurality of flavor sources is replaced. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flavor sources include at least one liquid aerosol source. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of flavor sources further include solid flavor sources. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the solid flavor source is a stick-type substrate capable of generating an aerosol. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, when the control unit determines that the stick-type substrate needs to be replaced, if the remaining amount of the liquid aerosol source is less than the amount obtained by multiplying the number of uses of the stick-type substrate by the amount of the liquid aerosol source used in one suction up to the time immediately before the replacement, the control unit outputs a notification prompting the replacement of the liquid aerosol source.