Patent Publication Number: US-2020281277-A1

Title: Inhalation component generation device, method for controlling inhalation component generation device, and program

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/JP2017/037754, filed on Oct. 18, 2017. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an inhalation component generation device including a load configured to vaporize or atomize an inhalation component source with electric power from a power supply, a method of controlling the inhalation component generation device, and a program. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Instead of a conventional cigarette, there has been proposed an inhalation component generation device (an electronic cigarette or heated tobacco) used for tasting an inhalation component generated by vaporizing or atomizing a flavor source such as tobacco or an aerosol source with a load such as a heater (PTL 1 to PTL 3). Such an inhalation component generation device includes a load configured to vaporize or atomize a flavor source and/or an aerosol source, a power supply configured to supply electric power to the load, and a control unit configured to control the load and the power supply. The load is, for example, a heater. 
     In such an inhalation component generation device, there is room for improvement in the electric control regarding the electric power to be supplied to the load and the charge and discharge of the power supply. 
     PTL 4 to PTL 6 each disclose a method of estimating the degree of degradation of a power supply. PTL 7 and PTL 8 each disclose a method of monitoring the abnormality of a power supply. PTL 9 discloses a method of suppressing the degradation of a power supply. PTL 10 to PTL 12 each disclose calibrating a state of charge (SOC) and charge capacitance of a battery when the power supply reaches a full charge under predetermined conditions. PTL 4 to PTL 12 each do not specify that the above-described methods are applied to the inhalation component generation device. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     PTL 1: International Publication No. WO 2014/150942 
     PTL 2: National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2017-514463 
     PTL 3: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-184627 
     PTL 4: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-251948 
     PTL 5: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2016-176709 
     PTL 6: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-052033 
     PTL 7: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-317811 
     PTL 8: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-050045 
     PTL 9: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2017-005985 
     PTL 10: International Publication No. WO 2014/046232 
     PTL 11: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-128416 
     PTL 12: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2017-022852 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     A first feature provides an inhalation component generation device including a load configured to vaporize or atomize an inhalation component source with electric power from a power supply, and a control unit configured to be capable of acquiring a value related to an operation amount of the load and a voltage value of the power supply, wherein the control unit is configured to be capable of estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply based on the value related to the operation amount of the load operated in a period in which the acquired voltage value of the power supply is in a predetermined voltage range. 
     The second feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to the first feature, wherein the value related to the operation amount of the load is an amount of electric power supplied to the load, or an operation time, a temperature or the number of operations of the load. 
     The third feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to the first feature, wherein the value related to the operation amount of the load is a consumption amount of the inhalation component source. 
     The fourth feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to the first feature, further including a replaceable cartridge containing the inhalation component source, wherein the value related to the operation amount of the load is the number of replacement times of the cartridge. 
     The fifth feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to the first feature or the second feature, further including a sensor configured to be capable of outputting a signal requesting an operation of the load, wherein the control unit is configured to be capable of deriving the value related to the operation amount of the load based on an output of the sensor. 
     The sixth feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to the fifth feature, further including an inhalation port for inhaling by a user, wherein the sensor is configured to output an output value that varies depending on inhalation from the inhalation port, the control unit is configured to detect the inhalation according to the output values from the sensor, and the control unit is configured to be capable of deriving the value related to the operation amount of the load based on at least one of a detected inhalation period and inhalation amount. 
     The seventh feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to the sixth feature, wherein the output value is a value related to a pressure change in the inhalation component generation device, and the control unit is configured to detect the inhalation only when an absolute value of the output value is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold. 
     The eighth feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to any one of the fifth feature to the seventh feature, wherein the control unit includes a power control unit configured to control a power supply from the power supply to the load, and the power control unit is configured to equalize the electric power to be supplied from the power supply to the load among a plurality of times of the inhalation or operations of the load. 
     The ninth feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to any one of the fifth feature to the eighth feature, wherein the control unit includes a power control unit configured to control a power supply from the power supply to the load, and when the control unit detects a request for the inhalation or operations of the load, the power control unit is configured to control a voltage to be applied to the load in a pulse width modulation having a duty ratio that increases as the voltage value of the power supply decreases. 
     The tenth feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to any one of the first feature to the ninth feature, wherein the control unit is configured to compare the value related to the operation amount of the load operated in a period in which the acquired voltage value of the power supply is in the predetermined voltage range with a predetermined threshold, and to determine that the power supply has been degraded or has failed when the value related to the operation amount of the load is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold. 
     The eleventh feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to the tenth feature, wherein the control unit is configured not to perform determination of degradation or failure of the power supply in the predetermined voltage range when a range contributing to vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source in the predetermined voltage range is equal to or less than a predetermined ratio or width. 
     The twelfth feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to the tenth feature, wherein the control unit is configured to correct to reduce at least one of the predetermined threshold and a lower limit value of the predetermined voltage range when the range contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source in the predetermined voltage range is equal to or less than a predetermined ratio or width. 
     The thirteenth feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to any one of the tenth feature to the twelfth feature, wherein the control unit is configured to perform the comparison in each of the plurality of predetermined voltage ranges, and to determine that the power supply has been degraded or has failed when the value related to the operation amount of the load is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold in at least one of the plurality of predetermined voltage ranges. 
     The fourteenth feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to the thirteenth feature, wherein the plurality of predetermined voltage ranges do not overlap one another. 
     The fifteenth feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to the thirteenth feature or the fourteenth feature, wherein the control unit is configured to be capable of estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply based on the value related to the operation amount of the load operated in a period in which the acquired voltage value of the power supply is in a specific voltage range even in the specific voltage range covering one or more of the plurality of predetermined voltage ranges. 
     The sixteenth feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to the fifteenth feature, wherein the control unit is configured to not perform determination of degradation or failure of the power supply in an irregular range in which a range contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source among the plurality of predetermined voltage ranges is equal to or less than a predetermined ratio or width, and to exclude the irregular range from the specific voltage range. 
     The seventeenth feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to the fifteenth feature, wherein the control unit is configured to compare the value related to the operation amount of the load operated in a period in which the acquired voltage value of the power supply is in a specific voltage range with a specific threshold even in the specific voltage range covering two or more voltage ranges adjacent to each other among the plurality of predetermined voltage ranges, and to determine that the power supply has been degraded or has failed when the value related to the operation amount of the load is equal to or less than the specific threshold, and the specific threshold is set to be smaller than a total sum of the predetermined thresholds for comparing the operation amounts of the load in the respective two or more voltage ranges. 
     The eighteenth feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to the seventeenth feature, wherein the control unit is configured not to perform determination of degradation or failure of the power supply in an irregular range in which the range contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source among the plurality of predetermined voltage ranges is equal to or less than a predetermined ratio or width, and to exclude the irregular range from the specific voltage range to subtract, from the specific threshold, a value equal to or less than the predetermined threshold to be compared with the operation amount of the load in the irregular range. 
     The nineteenth feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to the seventeenth feature, wherein the control unit is configured to, when there is an irregular range in which a range contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source among the plurality of predetermined voltage ranges is equal to or less than a predetermined ratio or width, reduce a predetermined threshold to be compared with the operation amount of the load in an irregular range and the specific threshold. 
     The twentieth feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to the twelfth feature or the nineteenth feature, wherein the control unit is configured to be capable of acquiring a voltage of the power supply while the load is not operating, and the control unit is configured to correct the predetermined threshold when the voltage of the power supply falls below an upper limit value of the predetermined range without contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source. 
     The twenty-first feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to the eleventh feature, the twelfth feature, the sixteenth feature or the eighteenth feature, wherein a fact that the range contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source in the predetermined voltage range is equal to or less than a predetermined ratio or width is caused by the power supply being not charged to a fully charged voltage or by prolonged neglect during which the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source is not performed by the load. 
     The twenty-second feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to the eleventh feature, the twelfth feature, the sixteenth feature, the eighteenth feature, or the twenty-first feature, wherein the control unit is configured to measure a time period having elapsed since the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source by the load and detect prolonged neglect of the power supply based on the elapsed time period. 
     The twenty-third feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to the eleventh feature, the twelfth feature, the sixteenth feature, the eighteenth feature, or the twenty-first feature, wherein the control unit is configured to detect prolonged neglect of the power supply based on a voltage change of the power supply after the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source by the load. 
     The twenty-fourth feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to any one of the thirteenth feature to the nineteenth feature, wherein the plurality of predetermined voltage ranges are set to be narrower as the voltage range in which a change in a voltage value of the power supply with respect to the change in a charged amount of the power supply is smaller. 
     The twenty-fifth feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to any one of the first feature to the twenty-fourth feature, wherein, when the range contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source is equal to or less than a predetermined ratio or width in the predetermined voltage range, the control unit is configured to set a new predetermined voltage range based on the voltage of the power supply contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source after prolonged neglect during which the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source is not performed by the load, and the value related to the operation amount of the load operated until the voltage of the power supply is lowered from the voltage to a lower limit value of the predetermined voltage range. 
     The twenty-sixth feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to any one of the first feature to the tenth feature, the thirteenth feature to the fifteenth feature, and the seventeenth feature, wherein the control unit is configured to integrate, as an integral value, a time in which the voltage of the power supply has dropped without contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source in the predetermined range, and the control unit is configured to add a value obtained by correcting the integral value based on a predetermined relationship to the value related to the operation amount of the load. 
     The twenty-seventh feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to any one of the first feature to the twenty-sixth feature, wherein the predetermined voltage range is set to a range excluding a plateau range in which a change in voltage value of the power supply with respect to a change in the charged amount of the power supply is smaller than other voltage ranges. 
     The twenty-eighth feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to the twenty-seventh feature, wherein the plateau range is defined by a range including both of a plateau range in which, in a new state, a change in the voltage value of the power supply with respect to a change in the charged amount of the power supply is smaller than other voltage ranges and a plateau range in which, in a degraded state, a change in the voltage value of the power supply with respect to a change in the charged amount of the power supply is smaller than other voltage ranges. 
     The twenty-ninth feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to any one of the first feature to the twenty-eighth feature, further including a temperature sensor configured to output a temperature of the power supply, wherein the control unit is configured to be capable of changing or correcting an algorithm for estimating or detecting at least one of the degradation and failure of the power supply, when the temperature of the power supply is lower than a first temperature threshold. 
     The thirtieth feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to the twenty-ninth feature, wherein the control unit is configured to compare, with a predetermined threshold, the value related to the operation amount of the load operated in the period in which the acquired voltage value of the power supply is in a predetermined voltage range, and to determine that the power supply has been degraded or has failed when the value related to the operation amount of the load is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, and the control unit is configured to correct to reduce the predetermined threshold when the temperature of the power supply is lower than the first temperature threshold, and to perform the comparison based on the corrected threshold. 
     The thirty-first feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to any one of the first feature to the thirtieth feature, further including a temperature sensor configured to output a temperature of the power supply, wherein the control unit is configured not to estimate or detect at least one of the degradation or failure of the power supply when the temperature of the power supply is lower than a second temperature threshold. 
     The thirty-second feature provides the inhalation component generation device according to any one of the first feature to the thirty-first feature, further including a temperature sensor configured to output a temperature of the power supply and a heater configured to heat the power supply, wherein the control unit is configured to heat the power supply by control of the heater when the temperature of the power supply is lower than a third temperature threshold. 
     The thirty-third feature provides a method of controlling an inhalation component generation device including a load configured to vaporize or atomize an inhalation component source with electric power from a power supply, the method including the steps of acquiring a voltage value of the power supply, and estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply based on a value related to an operation amount of the load operated in a period in which the acquired voltage value of the power supply is in a predetermined voltage range. 
     The thirty-fourth feature provides an inhalation component generation device including a load configured to vaporize or atomize an inhalation component source with electric power from a power supply, and a control unit configured to be capable of acquiring a value related to an operation amount of the load and a voltage value of the power supply, wherein the control unit is configured to be capable of estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply based on a voltage of the power supply changed in a period in which the acquired value related to the operation amount of the load is in a predetermined range. 
     The thirty-fifth feature provides a method of controlling an inhalation component generation device including a load configured to vaporize or atomize an inhalation component source with electric power from a power supply, the method including the steps of acquiring a value related to an operation amount of the load, and estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply based on a voltage of the power supply changed in a period in which the acquired value related to the operation amount of the load is in a predetermined range. 
     The thirty-sixth feature provides a program causing an inhalation component generation device to execute the method according to the thirty-third feature or the thirty-fifth feature. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating an inhalation component generation device according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating an atomizing unit according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an inhalation sensor according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating the inhalation component generation device. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an electrical circuit of an atomizing unit and an electrical unit. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating an electrical circuit of a charger and the electrical unit in a state in which the charger is connected. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control method in a power supply mode of the inhalation component generation device. 
         FIG. 8  is a graph showing an example of control of an amount of electric power supplied from a power supply to a load. 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first diagnostic processing. 
         FIG. 10  is a graph for explaining a predetermined voltage range for the first diagnostic function. 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control method by a processor of the charger. 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control method of a control unit in a charging mode. 
         FIG. 13  is a graph for explaining increase in voltage of a normal power supply and a degraded or failed power supply during charging. 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating a block of a voltage sensor. 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating processing for calibration of a predetermined correlation of a voltage sensor. 
         FIG. 16  is a graph showing an example of calibration of the predetermined correlation of the voltage sensor. 
         FIG. 17  is a graph showing another example of calibration of the predetermined correlation of the voltage sensor. 
         FIG. 18  is a diagram illustrating a block of a voltage sensor according to another example. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, embodiments will be described. Note that the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference signs in the description of the drawings below. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and ratios in dimensions may be different from actual ones. 
     Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined with reference to the following description. Moreover, it is a matter of course that parts having different dimensional relationships and ratios may be included between the mutual drawings. 
     [Outline of Disclosure] 
     It is important to estimate or detect the degradation of a chargeable and dischargeable power supply for the safety of the device and the more accurate control. However, it is difficult to accurately diagnose the degraded state of the power supply. Particularly in the inhalation component generation device having no complicated control circuit, the complicate electrical control is difficult, and no attempt is made to estimate or detect the degraded state of the power supply. 
     An inhalation component generation device according to one aspect includes a load configured to vaporize or atomize an inhalation component source with electric power from a power supply, and a control unit configured to be capable of acquiring a value related to an operation amount of the load and a voltage value of the power supply. The control unit is configured to be capable of estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply based on the value related to the operation amount of the load operated in a period in which the acquired voltage value of the power supply is in a predetermined voltage range. 
     A method of controlling an inhalation component generation device according to one aspect relates to a method of controlling an inhalation component generation device including a load configured to vaporize or atomize an inhalation component source with electric power from a power supply. The method includes the steps of acquiring a voltage value of the power supply, and estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply based on the value related to an operation amount of the load operated in a period in which the acquired voltage value of the power supply is in a predetermined voltage range. 
     A possible range of an output voltage value of the power supply is substantially constant regardless of the degraded state of the power supply. However, a voltage of the degraded power supply decreases rapidly together with the discharge of the electric power as compared with a new power supply. In view of such power supply characteristics, an operation amount of the load that is capable of operating in a period in which the acquired voltage value of the power supply is in a predetermined voltage range differs between a new power supply and the degraded power supply. 
     Accordingly, according to an inhalation component generation device according to the above-described aspect and a method of controlling the inhalation component generation device, it becomes possible to estimate or detect at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply based on the value related to the operation amount of the load operated in a period in which the acquired voltage value of the power supply is in a predetermined voltage range. 
     An inhalation component generation device according to one aspect includes a load configured to vaporize or atomize an inhalation component source with electric power from a power supply, and a control unit configured to be capable of acquiring a value related to an operation amount of the load and a voltage value of the power supply. The control unit is configured to be capable of estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply based on a difference in voltage of the power supply changed in a period in which the acquired value related to the operation amount of the load is in a predetermined range. 
     A method of controlling of an inhalation component generation device according to one aspect relates to a method of controlling an inhalation component generation device including a load configured to vaporize or atomize an inhalation component source with electric power from a power supply. The method includes the steps of acquiring a value related to an operation amount of the load, and estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply based on a difference in voltage of the power supply changed in a period in which the acquired value related to the operation amount of the load is in a predetermined range. 
     In view of the above-described power supply characteristics, a voltage range of the power supply changed in a period in which the acquired value related to the operation amount of the load is in a predetermined range differs between a new power supply and the degraded power supply. Accordingly, it is possible to estimate or detect at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply based on a difference in voltage of the power supply changed in a period in which the acquired value related to the operation amount of the load is in a predetermined range. 
     According to the above-described aspect, the degradation or failure of the power supply can be estimated or detected based on the voltage value of the power supply and the operation amount of the load, so that there can be obtained an advantage that another additional sensor is unnecessary. That is, at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply can be estimated or detected with a minimum of sensor types. However, the inhalation component generation device may include other additional sensors that acquire other parameters different from the voltage value of the power supply and the operation amount of the load. 
     First Embodiment 
     (Inhalation Component Generation Device) 
     Hereinafter, an inhalation component generation device according to a first embodiment will be described.  FIG. 1  is an exploded view illustrating an inhalation component generation device according to one embodiment.  FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating an atomizing unit according to one embodiment.  FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an inhalation sensor according to one embodiment.  FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating an electric configuration of the inhalation component generation device.  FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an electrical circuit of the atomizing unit and an electrical unit.  FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating an electrical circuit of a charger and the electrical unit in a state in which the charger is connected. 
     An inhalation component generation device  100  may be a non-combustion-type flavor inhaler for inhaling an inhalation component (an inhaling flavor component) without combustion. The inhalation component generation device  100  may have a shape extending along a predetermined direction A which is a direction from a non-inhalation port end E 2  toward an inhalation port end E 1 . In this case, the inhalation component generation device  100  may include one end E 1  having an inhalation port  141  for inhaling an inhalation component and the other end E 2  opposite to the inhalation port  141 . 
     The inhalation component generation device  100  may include an electrical unit  110  and an atomizing unit  120 . The atomizing unit  120  may be configured to be detachably attached to the electrical unit  110  through mechanical connection parts  111  and  121 . When the atomizing unit  120  and the electrical unit  110  are mechanically connected to each other, a load  121 R (described later) in the atomizing unit  120  is electrically connected to a power supply  10  provided in the electrical unit  110  through electrical connection terminals  110   t  and  120   t . That is, the electrical connection terminals  110   t  and  120   t  form a connection part capable of electrically disconnecting and connecting the load  121 R from/to the power supply  10 . 
     The atomizing unit  120  includes an inhalation component source to be inhaled by a user, and the load  121 R configured to vaporize or atomize the inhalation component source with electric power from the power supply  10 . The inhalation component source may include an aerosol source that generates aerosol and/or a flavor source that generates a flavor component. 
     The load  121 R may be any element capable of generating aerosol and/or a flavor component from an aerosol source and/or a flavor source by receiving the electric power. The load  121 R may be, for example, a heat generating element such as a heater or an element such as an ultrasound generator. Examples of the heat generating element include a heat generation resistor, a ceramic heater, and an induction heating type heater. 
     Hereinafter, a more detailed example of the atomizing unit  120  will be described with reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . The atomizing unit  120  may include a reservoir  121 P, a wick  121 Q, and the load  121 R. The reservoir  121 P may be configured to store a liquid aerosol source or flavor source. The reservoir  121 P may be, for example, a porous body made of a material such as a resin web. The wick  121 Q may be a liquid holding member that draws the aerosol source or the flavor source from the reservoir  121 P using capillary action. The wick  121 Q may be made of, for example, glass fiber or porous ceramic. 
     The load  121 R atomizes the aerosol source held by the wick  121 Q or heats the flavor source held by the wick  121 Q. The load  121 R is formed of, for example, a resistive heating element (for example, a heating wire) wound around the wick  121 Q. 
     The air that has flowed in from an inlet hole  122 A passes through the vicinity of the load  121 R in the atomizing unit  120 . The inhalation component generated by the load  121 R flows together with the air toward the inhalation port. 
     The aerosol source may be a liquid at ordinary temperature. For example, polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin and propylene glycol, water or the like may be used as the aerosol source. The aerosol source itself may contain the flavor component. Alternatively, the aerosol source may include a tobacco raw material that emits an inhaling flavor component by being heated or an extract deriving from the tobacco raw material. 
     Note that, although an example of the liquid aerosol source at ordinary temperature has been described in detail in the above-described embodiment, an aerosol source that is a solid at ordinary temperature may be also used instead of the liquid aerosol source. 
     The atomizing unit  120  may include a replaceable flavor unit (cartridge)  130 . The flavor unit  130  includes a cylindrical body  131  that accommodates the flavor source. The cylindrical body  131  may include a membrane member  133  and a filter  132 . The flavor source may be provided in a space formed by the membrane member  133  and the filter  132 . 
     The atomizing unit  120  may include a breaking part  90 . The breaking part  90  is a member for breaking a part of the membrane member  133  of the flavor unit  130 . The breaking part  90  may be held by a partition wall member  126  for partitioning into the atomizing unit  120  and the flavor unit  130 . The partition wall member  126  is made of, for example, a polyacetal resin. The breaking part  90  is, for example, a cylindrical hollow needle. An airflow path that pneumatically communicates between the atomizing unit  120  and the flavor unit  130  is formed by puncturing the membrane member  133  with a tip of the hollow needle. Here, it is preferable that an inside of the hollow needle is provided with a mesh having a roughness of not allowing the flavor source to pass through. 
     According to an example of the preferred embodiment, the flavor source in the flavor unit  130  imparts the inhaling flavor component to the aerosol generated by the load  121 R of the atomizing unit  120 . The flavor imparted to the aerosol by the flavor source is sent to the inhalation port of the inhalation component generation device  100 . Thus, the inhalation component generation device  100  may have a plurality of inhalation component sources. Alternatively, the inhalation component generation device  100  may have only one inhalation component source. 
     The flavor source in the flavor unit  130  may be a solid at ordinary temperature. By way of example, the flavor source comprises an ingredient piece of a plant material which imparts the inhaling flavor component to the aerosol. Shredded tobacco or a forming body obtained by forming a tobacco material such as a tobacco raw material in a granular form, may be used as an ingredient piece which is a component of the flavor source. 
     Alternatively, the flavor source may comprise a forming body obtained by forming a tobacco material into a sheet form. Also, the ingredient piece, which is a component of the flavor source, may comprise a plant (for example, mint, a herb, and the like) other than tobacco. The flavor source may be provided with flavor such as menthol. 
     The inhalation component generation device  100  may include a mouthpiece  142  having the inhalation port  141  through which a user inhales the inhalation component. The mouthpiece  142  may be configured to be detachably attached to the atomizing unit  120  or the flavor unit  130 , or may be configured to be an integral part of the atomizing unit  120  or the flavor unit  130 . 
     The electrical unit  110  may include the power supply  10 , a notification part  40 , and a control unit  50 . The power supply  10  stores the electric power necessary for the operation of the flavor inhaler  100 . The power supply  10  may be detachably attached to the electrical unit  110 . The power supply  10  may be, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery. 
     The control unit  50  may include, for example, a controller  51  such as a microcontroller, an inhalation sensor  20 , and a push button  30 . In addition, the inhalation component generation device  100  may include a voltage sensor  150 , a current sensor  160 , and a temperature sensor  170 , where appropriate. The controller  51  performs various types of control necessary for the operation of the inhalation component generation device  100  according to the output values from the voltage sensor  150 , the current sensor  160 , and the temperature sensor  170 . For example, the controller  51  may constitute a power control unit that controls the electric power from the power supply  10  to the load  121 R. 
     When the atomizing unit  120  is connected to the electrical unit  110 , the load  121 R provided in the atomizing unit  120  is electrically connected to the power supply  10  of the electrical unit  110  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     The inhalation component generation device  100  may include a switch  140  capable of electrically connecting and disconnecting the load  121 R to or from the power supply  10 . The switch  140  is opened or closed by the control unit  50 . The switch  140  may be comprised of, for example, a MOSFET. 
     When the switch  140  is turned on, the electric power is supplied from the power supply  10  to the load  121 R. On the other hand, when the switch  140  is turned off, the supply of the electric power from the power supply  10  to the load  121 R is stopped. The turning on and off of the switch  140  is controlled by the control unit  50 . 
     The control unit  50  may include a request sensor capable of outputting a signal requesting the operation of the load  121 R. The request sensor may be, for example, a push button  30  to be pressed by a user, or the inhalation sensor  20  configured to detect a user&#39;s inhaling operation. The control unit  50  acquires an operation request signal to the load  121 R and generates a command for operating the load  121 R. In a specific example, the control unit  50  outputs the command for operating the load  121 R to the switch  140 , and the switch  140  is turned on according to this command. Thus, the control unit  50  is configured to control the supply of the electric power from the power supply  10  to the load  121 R. When the electric power is supplied from the power supply  10  to the load  121 R, the inhalation component source is vaporized or atomized by the load  121 R. 
     In addition, the inhalation component generation device  100  may include a stop part  180  configured to shut off or reduce a charging current to the power supply  10 , where appropriate. The stop part  180  may be comprised of, for example, a MOSFET switch. The control unit  50  can turn off the stop part  180  to forcibly shut off or reduce the charging current to the power supply  10 , even if the electrical unit  110  is connected to a charger  200 . Note that even if a dedicated stop part  180  is not necessarily provided, the control unit  50  can turn off the switch  140  to forcibly shut off or reduce the charging current to the power supply  10 . 
     The voltage sensor  150  may be configured to output a voltage of the power supply  10 . The control unit  50  can obtain an output value of the voltage sensor  150 . That is, the control unit  50  is configured to be capable of acquiring a voltage value of the power supply  10 . 
     The current sensor  160  may be configured to be capable of detecting an amount of current that has flowed out from the power supply  10  and an amount of current that has flowed into the power supply  10 . The temperature sensor  170  may be configured to be capable of outputting a temperature of the power supply  10 , for example. The control unit  50  is configured to be capable of acquiring outputs of the voltage sensor  150 , the current sensor  160 , and the temperature sensor  170 . The control unit  50  performs various types of control using these outputs. 
     The inhalation component generation device  100  may include a heater  70  configured to heat the power supply  10 , where appropriate. The heater  70  may be provided in the vicinity of the power supply  10 , and is configured to be operable according to a command from the control unit  50 . 
     The inhalation sensor  20  may be configured to output an output value that varies depending on inhalation from the inhalation port. Specifically, the inhalation sensor  20  may be a sensor that outputs a value (for example, a voltage value or a current value) that changes according to the flow rate of air (i.e., a user&#39;s puff operation) inhaled from the non-inhalation port side toward the inhalation port side. Examples of such a sensor include a condenser microphone sensor, and a known flow sensor. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a specific example of the inhalation sensor  20 . The inhalation sensor  20  illustrated in  FIG. 3  includes a sensor body  21 , a cover  22 , and a substrate  23 . The sensor body  21  is comprised of, for example, a capacitor. An electric capacity of the sensor body  21  changes due to vibration (pressure) generated by air inhaled from an air introduction hole  125  (i.e., air inhaled from the non-inhalation port side toward the inhalation port side). The cover  22  is provided on the inhalation port side with respect to the sensor body  21 , and has an opening  22 A. Providing the cover  22  having the opening  22 A allows the electric capacity of the sensor body  21  to be changed easily, and improves the response characteristic of the sensor body  21 . The substrate  23  outputs a value (here, a voltage value) indicating the electric capacity of the sensor body  21  (capacitor). 
     The inhalation component generation device  100 , more specifically, the electrical unit  110  may be configured to be connectable to the charger  200  for charging the power supply  10  in the electrical unit  110  (see  FIG. 6 ). When the charger  200  is connected to the electrical unit  110 , the charger  200  is electrically connected to the power supply  10  of the electrical unit  110 . 
     The electrical unit  110  may include a determination part configured to determine whether the charger  200  is connected. The determination part may be, for example, means for determining the presence or absence of connection of the charger  200  based on a change in potential difference between a pair of electrical terminals to which the charger  200  is connected. The determination part is not limited to this means, and may be any means that can determine the presence or absence of the connection of the charger  200 . 
     The charger  200  includes an external power supply  210  for charging the power supply  10  in the electrical unit  110 . A pair of electrical terminals  110   t  of the electrical unit  110  for electrically connecting the charger  200  can also serve as a pair of electrical terminals of the electrical unit  110  for electrically connecting the load  121 R. 
     When the external power supply  210  is an AC power supply, the charger  200  may include an inverter configured to convert alternating current to direct current. The charger  200  may include a processor  250  configured to control the charging of the power supply  10 . Furthermore, the charger  200  may include an ammeter  230  and a voltmeter  240 , where appropriate. The ammeter  230  acquires a charging current to be supplied from the charger  200  to the power supply  10 . The voltmeter  240  acquires a voltage between the pair of electrical terminals to which the charger  200  is connected. The processor  250  of the charger  200  uses the output value from the ammeter  230  and/or the voltmeter  240  to control the charging of the power supply  10 . In addition, the charger  200  may further include a voltage sensor configured to acquire a direct-current voltage output from the inverter, and a converter capable of boosting and/or stepping down the direct-current voltage output by the inverter. 
     To simplify the structure of the inhalation component generation device  100 , the processor  250  of the charger  200  may be configured to be incapable of communicating with the control unit  50  of the electrical unit  110 . That is, a communication terminal for communicating between the processor  250  of the charger  200  and the control unit  50  is unnecessary. In other words, in the connection interface with the charger  200 , the electrical unit  110  has only two electrical terminals, one for a main positive bus and the other for a main negative bus. 
     The notification part  40  issues notification for notifying a user of various types of information. The notification part  40  may be, for example, a light emitting element such as an LED. Instead of this, the notification part  40  may be an element that generates sound, or a vibrator. 
     The notification part  40  may be configured to notify a user when a remaining amount of the power supply  10  is low but is not insufficient and when the remaining amount of the power supply  10  is insufficient, based on the voltage of the power supply  10 . For example, when the remaining amount of the power supply  10  is insufficient, the notification part  40  issues notification different from that when the remaining amount of the power supply  10  is not insufficient. For example, when the voltage of the power supply  10  is in the vicinity of a discharge termination voltage, the remaining amount of the power supply  10  can be determined to be insufficient. 
     (Power Supply Mode) 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a control method in a power supply mode according to one embodiment. The power supply mode is a mode in which electric power can be supplied from the power supply  10  to the load  121 R. The power supply mode can be performed at least when the atomizing unit  120  is connected to the electrical unit  110 . 
     The control unit  50  sets a counter (Co) that measures a value related to the operation amount of the load to “0” (step S 100 ), and determines whether to have acquired the operation request signal to the load  121 R (step S 102 ). The operation request signal may be a signal acquired from the inhalation sensor  20  when the inhalation sensor  20  detects the user&#39;s inhaling operation. That is, the control unit  50  may perform a pulse width modulation (PWM) control with respect to the switch  140  when the user&#39;s inhaling operation has been detected by the inhalation sensor  20  (step S 104 ). Alternatively, the operation request signal may be a signal acquired from the push button  30  when it is detected that the push button  30  has been pressed by the user. That is, when the control unit  50  detects that the user has pressed the push button, the control unit  50  may perform the PWM control with respect to the switch  140  (step S 104 ). Note that in step S 104 , a pulse frequency modulation (PFM) control may be performed instead of the PWM control. A duty ratio in the PWM control and a switching frequency in the PFM control may be adjusted by various parameters such as a voltage of the power supply  10  acquired by the voltage sensor  150 . 
     When the PWM control is performed with respect to the switch  140  by the control unit  50 , aerosol is generated. 
     The control unit  50  determines whether to have detected an end timing of the power supply to the load  121 R (step S 106 ). When detecting the end timing, the control unit  50  ends the power supply to the load (step S 108 ). When the control unit  50  ends the power supply to the load (step S 108 ), the control unit  50  acquires a value (ΔCo) related to the operation amount of the load  121 R (step S 110 ). This acquired value (ΔCo) related to the operation amount of the load  121 R is a value in a period between steps S 104  and S 108 . The value (ΔCo) related to the operation amount of the load  121 R may be, for example, an amount of electric power supplied to the load  121 R for a predetermined time, i.e., in the period between steps S 104  and S 108 , an operation time of the load  121 R, or a consumption amount of the inhalation component source consumed for the predetermined time. 
     Next, the control unit  50  acquires an accumulated value “Co=Co+ΔCo” of the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R (step S 112 ). Then, the control unit  50  performs a first diagnostic function (step S 114 ) as necessary. 
     The end timing of the power supply to the load  121 R may be a timing when the inhalation sensor  20  detects the end of the operation for using the load  121 R. For example, the end timing of the power supply to the load  121 R may be a timing when the inhalation sensor  20  detects the end of the user&#39;s inhaling operation. Instead of this, the end timing of the power supply to the load  121 R may be a timing when the control unit  50  detects the release of the pressing of the push button  30 . Furthermore, the end timing of the power supply to the load  121 R may be a timing when the control unit  50  detects that a predetermined cut-off time has elapsed since the start of the power supply to the load  121 R. The predetermined cut-off time may be preset based on a period required for a general user to perform one inhaling operation. For example, the predetermined cut-off time may be in a range of 1 to 5 seconds, preferably 1.5 to 3 seconds, and more preferably 1.5 to 2.5 seconds. 
     If the control unit  50  does not detect the end timing of the power supply to the load  121 R, the control unit  50  performs the PWM control with respect to the switch  140  again, and continues the power supply to the load  121 R (step S 104 ). Then, when the control unit  50  detects the end timing of the power supply to the load  121 R, the control unit  50  acquires the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R (step S 110 ), and derives the accumulated value of the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R (step S 112 ). 
     In this way, when the power supply to the load ends (step S 108 ), the control unit  50  can acquire the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R in a period from the acquisition of the operation request signal to the load until the end timing of the power supply to the load  121 R, i.e., in one puff operation. The operation amount of the load  121 R in one puff operation may be, for example, an amount of electric power supplied to the load  121 R in one puff operation. Instead of this, the operation amount of the load  121 R in one puff operation may be, for example, the operation time of the load  121 R in one puff operation. The operation time of the load  121 R may be the total sum of power pulses supplied to the load  121 R in one puff operation (also see  FIG. 8 ), or may be a time period required for one puff operation, i.e., a time period from the acquisition of the operation request signal to the load  121 R until the end timing of the power supply to the load  121 R is detected. Furthermore, the operation amount of the load  121 R in one puff operation may be a consumption amount of the inhalation component source consumed in one puff operation. The consumption amount of the inhalation component source can be estimated from the amount of electric power supplied to the load  121 R, for example. When the inhalation component source is a liquid, the consumption amount of the inhalation component source can be acquired by a sensor configured to measure a weight of the inhalation component source remaining in the reservoir or a height of the liquid level of the inhalation component source. In addition, the operation amount of the load  121 R in one puff operation may be a temperature of the load  121 R, for example, a maximum temperature of the load  121 R in one puff operation, or a heat quantity generated in the load  121 R. The temperature and the heat quantity of the load  121 R can be acquired or estimated using the temperature sensor, for example. 
       FIG. 8  is a graph showing an example of control of an amount of electric power supplied from the power supply  10  to the load  121 R.  FIG. 8  shows a relationship between an output value of the inhalation sensor  20  and a voltage to be supplied to the load  121 R. 
     The inhalation sensor  20  is configured to output an output value that varies depending on inhalation from the inhalation port  141 . The output value of the inhalation sensor  20  may be a value (for example, a value indicating a pressure change in the inhalation component generation device  100 ) according to a flow velocity and a flow rate of the gas in the flavor inhaler as shown in  FIG. 8 , but is not necessarily limited thereto. 
     When the inhalation sensor  20  outputs an output value that varies depending on inhalation, the control unit  50  may be configured to detect the inhalation according to the output value of the inhalation sensor  20 . For example, the control unit  50  may be configured to detect the user&#39;s inhaling operation when the output value of the inhalation sensor  20  is equal to or larger than a first predetermined value O 1 . Accordingly, the control unit  50  may determine to have acquired the operation request signal to the load  121 R when the output value of the inhalation sensor  20  has become equal to or larger than the first predetermined value O 1  (step S 102 ). On the other hand, the control unit  50  may determine to have detected the end timing of the power supply to the load  121 R when the output value of the inhalation sensor  20  has become equal to or smaller than a second predetermined value O 2  (step S 106 ). In this way, the control unit  50  may be configured to be capable of deriving a value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R, for example, the total time to supply electric power to the load  121 R in one puff operation, based on the output of the inhalation sensor  20 . More specifically, the control unit  50  is configured to be capable of deriving a value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R based on at least one of the detected inhalation period and inhalation amount. 
     Here, the control unit  50  is configured to detect the inhalation only when an absolute value of the output value of the inhalation sensor  20  is equal to or larger than the first predetermined value (predetermined threshold) O 1 . This can prevent the load  121 R from operating due to the noise of the inhalation sensor  20 . In addition, since the second predetermined value O 2  for detecting the end timing of the power supply to the load  121 R is a value for performing the transition from a state in which the load  121 R is already operating to a state in which the load  121 R is not operating, the second predetermined value O 2  may be smaller than the first predetermined value O 1 . This is because false operation of the load  121 R due to picking up of noise of the inhalation sensor  20  like the first predetermined value O 1 , i.e., the transition from the state in which the load  121 R is not operating to the state in which the load  121 R is operating cannot occur. 
     Furthermore, the control unit  50  may include a power control unit configured to control an amount of electric power supplied from the power supply  10  to the load  121 R. The power control unit adjusts, for example, the amount of electric power from the power supply  10  to be supplied to the load  121 R by the pulse width modulation (PWM) control. The duty ratio relating to the pulse width may be a value smaller than 100%. Note that the power control unit may control an amount of electric power to be supplied from the power supply  10  to the load  121 R by the pulse frequency modulation (PFM) control instead of the pulse width modulation control. 
     For example, when the voltage value of the power supply  10  is relatively high, the control unit  50  narrows the pulse width of the voltage to be supplied to the load  121 R (see a middle graph in  FIG. 8 ). For example, when the voltage value of the power supply  10  is relatively low, the control unit  50  widens the pulse width of the voltage to be supplied to the load  121 R (see a lower graph in  FIG. 8 ). The control of the pulse width can be performed, for example, by adjusting the length of time from turning on of the switch  140  to turning off of the switch  140 . Since the voltage value of the power supply  10  decreases with reduction in a charge amount of the power supply, the amount of electric power is adjusted according to the voltage value. When the control unit  50  thus performs the pulse width modulation (PWM) control, an effective value of the voltage supplied to the load  121 R is about the same in both cases where the voltage of the power supply  10  is relatively high and relatively low. 
     As described above, it is preferable that the power control unit is configured to control the voltage to be applied to the load  121 R in the pulse width modulation (PWM) control having a duty ratio that increases as the voltage value of the power supply  10  decreases. This enables an amount of aerosol generated during the puff operation to be substantially equalized regardless of the remaining amount of the power supply  10 . More preferably, the power control unit preferably controls the duty ratio of the pulse width modulation (PWM) control so that an amount of electric power per pulse supplied to the load  121 R becomes constant. 
     (First Diagnostic Function) 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an example of a flowchart of the first diagnostic function. The first diagnostic function is processing for estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10  based on the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R operated in a period in which the voltage value of the power supply  10  is in a predetermined voltage range.  FIG. 10  is a graph for explaining the predetermined voltage range for the first diagnostic function. 
     Specifically, the control unit  50  acquires a voltage (V batt ) of the power supply  10  (step S 200 ). The voltage (V batt ) of the power supply  10  can be acquired using the voltage sensor  150 . The voltage of the power supply  10  may be an open circuit voltage (OCV) acquired in a state in which the load  121 R is not electrically connected to the power supply  10 , or may be a closed circuit voltage (CCV) acquired in a state in which the load  121 R is electrically connected to the power supply  10 . Note that it is preferable that the voltage of the power supply  10  is defined by the open circuit voltage (OCV) rather than by the closed circuit voltage (CCV) to eliminate the influences of changes in internal resistance and temperature due to voltage drop and discharge accompanying electrical connection of the load  121 R. The open circuit voltage (OCV) is obtained by acquiring the voltage of the power supply  10  in a state in which the switch  140  is turned off. Note that the open circuit voltage (OCV) may be estimated from the closed circuit voltage (CCV) by known various methods instead of acquiring the open circuit voltage (OCV) using the voltage sensor  150 . 
     Next, the control unit  50  determines whether the acquired voltage of the power supply  10  is equal to or lower than an upper limit value of the predetermined voltage range (step S 202 ). When the voltage of the power supply  10  is higher than the upper limit value of the predetermined voltage range, the process ends without estimating or detecting degradation and failure of the power supply. 
     When the voltage of the power supply  10  is equal to or smaller than the upper limit value of the predetermined voltage range, the control unit  50  determines whether the voltage of the power supply acquired one time earlier, i.e., in the previous puff operation is equal to or lower than the upper limit value of the above-described predetermined voltage range (step S 204 ). When the voltage value of the power supply  10  acquired one time earlier, i.e., in the previous puff operation is higher than the upper limit value of the above-described predetermined voltage range, the control unit  50  can determine that the voltage value of the power supply  10  becomes equal to or lower than the upper limit value of the above-described predetermined voltage range by the latest puff operation for the first time. In this case, an accumulation counter (ICo) for counting an accumulated value of values related to the operation amount of the load  121  is set to “0” (step S 206 ). When the accumulation counter (ICo) is set to “0,” the process proceeds to the following step S 208 . 
     When the voltage value of the power supply acquired one time earlier, i.e., in the previous puff operation is equal to or lower than the upper limit value of the above-described predetermined voltage range (step S 204 ), or the accumulation counter (ICo) is set to “0” (step S 206 ), the control unit  50  determines whether the voltage of the power supply  10  is lower than a lower limit value of the predetermined voltage range (step S 208 ). 
     When the voltage of the power supply  10  is equal to or higher than the lower limit value of the predetermined voltage range, an integral value “ICo=ICo+Co” of the values related to the operation amount of the load  121 R is derived (step S 210 ). Here, “Co” is a value accumulatively obtained in step S 112  illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Then, the process ends without estimating or detecting degradation or failure of the power supply  10 . 
     When this process ends, the control unit  50  waits until acquiring an operation request signal to the load  121 R again (step S 102  in  FIG. 7 ). When the control unit  50  acquires the operation request signal to the load  121 R again, the control unit  50  derives a value (Co) related to the operation amount of the load  121 R in one puff operation, and starts the first diagnostic function S 114  again. 
     When the voltage of the power supply  10  is within the predetermined voltage range in the first diagnostic function, the control unit  50  accumulates the values related to the operation amount of the load  121 R (step S 210 ). Thereby, the control unit  50  can acquire a value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R operated in a period in which the voltage value of the power supply  10  is in a predetermined voltage range. 
     In step S 208 , when the voltage of the power supply  10  is lower than the lower limit value of the predetermined voltage range, the control unit  50  determined whether a value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R operated in a period in which the acquired voltage value of the power supply  10  is in a predetermined voltage range, i.e., the above-described integral value of ICo is larger than a predetermined threshold (step S 220 ). When the above-described integral value of ICo is larger than the predetermined threshold, the control unit  50  determines that the power supply  10  is normal, and the processing of the first diagnostic function ends. 
     When the above-described integral value of ICo is equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold, the control unit  50  determines that the power supply  10  is degraded or fails (step S 220 ), and the control unit  50  notifies the user of abnormality through the notification part  40  (step S 224 ). The notification part  40  can notify the user of degradation or failure of the power supply  10  by predetermined light, sound or vibration. In addition, when the control unit  50  determines that the power supply  10  is degraded or fails, the control unit  50  may perform control to disable the power supply to the load  121 R as necessary. Note that in the present embodiment, when the voltage of the power supply  10  is determined to be lower than the lower limit value of the predetermined voltage range (step S 208 ), the value Co related to the operation amount of the load  121 R is not added to the integral value ICo of the values related to the operation amount of the load  121 R. In other words, when step S 208  is determined to be affirmative, step S 210  is not performed. Alternatively, when the voltage of the power supply  10  is determined to be lower than the lower limit value of the predetermined voltage range (step S 208 ), the value Co related to the operation amount of the load  121 R may be added to the integral value ICo of the values related to the operation amount of the load  121 R. In other words, even when step S 208  is determined to be affirmative, the same step as step S 210  may be performed. In this case, the same step as step S 210  can be performed before step S 220 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , when the power supply  10  is degraded, the voltage of the power supply  10  rapidly decreases with an increase in the value related to the operation amount of the load, for example, the amount of electric power to the load  121  or the operation time of the load  121 . Therefore, the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R operated in a period in which the voltage value of the power supply  10  is in a predetermined voltage range decreases with the degradation of the power supply. This is shown by the relationship “Q 1 &lt;Q 2 ” in  FIG. 10 . In addition, “Q 1 ” in  FIG. 10  is a value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R operated in a period in which the voltage value of the power supply  10  is in a predetermined voltage range when the power supply  10  is a degraded product. On the other hand, “Q 2 ” in  FIG. 10  is a value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R operated in a period in which the voltage value of the power supply  10  is in a predetermined voltage range when the power supply  10  is new. Therefore, as described above, the control unit  50  can estimate or detect the degradation of the power supply  10  based on the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R operated in a period in which the voltage value of the power supply  10  is in a predetermined voltage range. Note that when the power supply  10  fails, the voltage of the power supply  10  rapidly decreases with an increase in the value related to the operation amount of the load, for example, the amount of electric power to the load  121 R or the operation time of the load  121 , as in the case where the power supply  10  is degraded. Accordingly, the control unit  50  can estimate or detect the failure of the power supply  10  based on the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R operated in a period in which the voltage value of the power supply  10  is in a predetermined voltage range. That is, the control unit  50  can estimate or detect at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10  based on the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R operated in a period in which the voltage value of the power supply  10  is in a predetermined voltage range. 
     The predetermined threshold used in step S 220  may be determined by experiment in advance according to the type of the power supply  10 . The predetermined threshold is set to be lower than a value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R by which the new power supply  10  can operate in the predetermined voltage range. 
     The value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R may be the amount of electric power supplied to the load  121 R, the operation time of the load  121 R, the consumption amount of the inhalation component source, or the like, as described above. 
     Here, as described above, when the pulse width modulation (PWM) control of electric power supplied to the load  121 R is performed based on the voltage of the power supply  10  acquired by the voltmeter  150 , a value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R is, more preferably, the operation time of the load  121 R. In this case, the operation time of the load  121 R is a time period required for one puff operation, i.e., a time period from the acquisition of the operation request signal to the load  121 R until the end timing of the power supply to the load  121 R is detected. Since the amount of electric power supplied to the load  121 R per unit time is equalized by the pulse width modulation (PWM) control, the operating time of the load  121 R is proportional to the total amount of electric power supplied to the load  121 R in a predetermined voltage range. Therefore, when the pulse width modulation (PWM) control of the electric power supplied to the load  121 R is performed, the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R is defined by the operation time of the load  121 R, thereby high accurate diagnosis of the power supply  10  can be performed with relatively simple control. 
     Instead of the example described above, the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R may be the number of operations of the load  121 R operated in a predetermined voltage range. In this case, steps S 110  and S 112  are unnecessary in the flowchart of  FIG. 7 . Then, in the flowchart of  FIG. 9 , the number of times that the voltage of the power supply  10  has entered the predetermined voltage range may be counted. Specifically, “ICo=ICo+Co” may be replaced with “ICo=ICo+1” in step S 210 . 
     Furthermore, instead of the example described above, the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R may be the number of replacement times of the replaceable cartridge containing an inhalation component source, for example, the flavor unit  130 . In the inhalation component generation device  100  in which the cartridge needs to be replaced a plurality of times before the charge of the power supply  10  is consumed, the number of replacement times of the cartridge can also be used as a value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R. 
     When a temperature of the power supply  10  is lower than a first temperature threshold, the control unit  50  may be configured to be capable of changing or correcting an algorithm for estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10 , i.e., an algorithm for performing the first diagnostic function illustrated in  FIG. 9 . Specifically, it is preferable that the control unit  50  corrects the predetermined threshold in step S 220  to be smaller, and performs the comparison in step S 220  based on the corrected threshold. The first temperature threshold may be set, for example, in the range of 1 to 5° C. 
     It is known that when the temperature of the power supply  10  is low, the internal resistance (impedance) of the power supply  10  increases. As a result, even when the power supply  10  is not degraded, the operation amount of the load  121 R operated in a period in which the voltage value of the power supply  10  is in a predetermined voltage range is reduced. Therefore, when the temperature of the power supply  10  is low, the predetermined threshold in step S 220  is corrected to be smaller to alleviate the influence of the temperature and to suppress deterioration in detection accuracy of degradation or failure of the power supply  10 . 
     Furthermore, when the temperature of the power supply  10  is lower than a second temperature threshold, the control unit  50  may be configured not to estimate or detect at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10 . That is, when the temperature of the power supply  10  is lower than the second temperature threshold, the control unit  50  does not necessarily perform the first diagnostic function illustrated in  FIG. 9 . Here, the second temperature threshold may be smaller than the first temperature threshold. The second temperature threshold may be set, for example, in the range of −1 to 1° C. 
     Furthermore, when the temperature of the power supply  10  is lower than a third temperature threshold, the control unit  50  may heat the power supply  10  by the control of the heater  70 . When the temperature of the power supply  10  is low, increasing the temperature of the power supply  10  can suppress deterioration in detection accuracy of degradation or failure of the power supply  10 . The third temperature threshold may be set, for example, in the range of −1 to 1° C. 
     (Predetermined Voltage Range for First Diagnostic Function) 
     The predetermined voltage range used in the first diagnostic function will be further described with reference to  FIG. 10 . The predetermined voltage range may be a predetermined section (voltage range) between the discharge termination voltage and the fully charged voltage. Therefore, the first diagnostic function is not performed when the voltage value of the power supply  10  is lower than the discharge termination voltage. 
     It is preferable that the predetermined voltage range is set to a range excluding a plateau range in which a change in voltage value of the power supply  10  with respect to a change in the charged amount or state of charge of the power supply  10  is smaller than other voltage ranges. The plateau range is defined, for example, by a voltage range in which the amount of change in the voltage of the power supply  10  with respect to the change in the state of charge (SOC) is 0.01 to 0.005 (V/%) or less. 
     Since the plateau range has a large storage capacity in a relatively small voltage range, the value related to the operation of the load  121 R may fluctuate significantly in the relatively small voltage range. Therefore, the possibility of false detection in the first diagnostic function described above is increased. Therefore, it is preferable that the predetermined voltage range is set to a range excluding the plateau range. 
     The plateau range in which the predetermined voltage range is not set may be defined by a range including both of a plateau range in which a change in the voltage value of the power supply  10  in a new state with respect to a change in the charged amount or state of charge of the power supply  10  is smaller than other voltage ranges and a plateau range in which a change in the voltage value of the power supply  10  in a degraded state with respect to a change in the charged amount or state of charge of the power supply  10  is smaller than other voltage ranges. As a result, the possibility of causing false detection can be reduced for both of the power supply  10  in the new state and the power supply  10  in the degraded state. 
     Also, the first diagnostic function may be performed in a plurality of predetermined voltage ranges. It is preferable that the plurality of predefined voltage ranges do not overlap one another. The control unit  50  can perform the first diagnostic function in the same flow as the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 9  in each predetermined voltage range. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 10 , three predetermined voltage ranges (a first section, a second section and a third section) are set. In an example, the upper limit value of the first section may be 4.1 V and the lower limit value of the first section may be 3.9 V. The upper limit value of the second section may be 3.9 V, and the lower limit value of the second section may be 3.75 V. The upper limit value of the third section may be 3.75 V, and the lower limit value of the third section may be 3.7 V. 
     The control unit  50  may perform the comparison in step S 220  in each of the plurality of predetermined voltage ranges, and determine that the power supply  10  has been degraded or has failed when the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R in at least one of the plurality of predetermined voltage ranges is equal to or smaller than the above-described predetermined threshold (see step S 220 ). 
     It is preferable that the plurality of predetermined voltage ranges are set to be narrower as the voltage range in which the change in the voltage value of the power supply  10  with respect to the change in the charged amount or state of charge of the power supply  10  is smaller. As a result, the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R operating in each predetermined voltage range is equalized, so that the accuracy of the first diagnostic function performed in each predetermined voltage range is equalized. 
     Furthermore, the control unit  50  may be configured to be capable of estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10  based on the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R operated in a period in which the voltage value of the power supply  10  is in a specific voltage range even in the specific voltage range covering one or more of the plurality of predetermined voltage ranges. Specifically, the control unit  50  may set, for example, a voltage range including at least two, preferably three of the first, second and third sections shown in  FIG. 10  as a specific voltage range, and perform the diagnostic function illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
     When the diagnostic function illustrated in  FIG. 9  is performed in the specific voltage range covering two or more predetermined voltage ranges adjacent to each other among the plurality of predetermined voltage ranges, it is preferable that the predetermined threshold used in step S 220  is smaller than the total sum of the predetermined thresholds used in step S 220  of the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 9  that is performed in the respective predetermined voltage ranges. For example, the predetermined threshold used in step S 220  when the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 9  is performed in the entire section including the first section, the second section, and the third section may be smaller than the total sum of the predetermined thresholds used in step S 220  when the flowcharts illustrated in  FIG. 9  are separately performed in the first section, the second section and the third section, respectively. As a result, at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10  may be estimated or detected in the entire section in some cases, even when at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10  cannot be estimated or detected in each of the first section, the second section, and the third section depending on the state of the power supply  10  and how to use the inhalation component generation device  100 . Therefore, the accuracy of estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10  can be improved. 
     (Irregular Processing of First Diagnostic Function) 
     When charging the power supply  10  causes the power supply  10  to be charged to a value larger than the lower limit of the predetermined voltage range and smaller than the upper limit of the predetermined voltage range, and the power supply  10  is typically not charged to the fully charged voltage, the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R operated in the entire predetermined voltage range cannot be acquired, resulting that the first diagnostic function illustrated in  FIG. 9  described above does not function properly in some cases. 
     In addition, when a long period of time has elapsed since vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source by the load  121 R, the power supply  10  may be naturally discharged by a dark current or the like, and the voltage of the power supply  10  may naturally decrease. In such a case, the voltage range that contributes to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source does not become 100% with respect to the predetermined voltage range described above, and may be equal to or less than a predetermined ratio or width. For example, it is assumed that the voltage of the power supply  10  decreases from 3.9 V to 3.8 V by vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source, and then the voltage of the power supply  10  becomes 3.65 V after prolonged neglect. In this case, the voltage range that contributes to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source is about 40% with respect to the predetermined voltage range (the second section in  FIG. 10 ). As described above, when the voltage of the power supply  10  significantly decreases regardless of the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source, the first diagnostic function illustrated in  FIG. 9  described above does not function properly in some cases. 
     Such prolonged neglect can be detected based on an elapsed time obtained by measuring the time period having elapsed since vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source by the load  121 R. That is, the control unit  50  may start a timer that counts the elapsed time at step S 108  of  FIG. 7 . Instead of this, the prolonged neglect can also be detected based on the voltage change of the power supply  10  after vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source by the load  121 R. In this case, the control unit  50  may acquire the difference between the present voltage of the power supply  10  and the voltage of the power supply  10  previously acquired at the step S 200  of  FIG. 9 . When the difference in voltage exceeds a predetermined value, the control unit  50  can determine that the prolonged neglect has occurred. 
     Therefore, as described above, when a situation occurs such that the first diagnostic function does not function properly, it is preferable to correct the algorithm of the first diagnostic function or not to perform the first diagnostic function. 
     For example, it is preferable that the control unit  50  does not perform the determination of the degradation or failure of the power supply  10  in the predetermined voltage range when the range contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source in the predetermined voltage range is equal to or less than the predetermined ratio or width. As a result, the control unit  50  can prevent false detection in the first diagnostic function when a value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R operated over the entire predetermined voltage range cannot be acquired due to incomplete charging, natural discharge, and the like. 
     Instead of this, the control unit  50  may correct to reduce the predetermined threshold in step S 220  illustrated in  FIG. 9  when the range contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source in the predetermined voltage range is equal to or less than the predetermined ratio or width. For example, the first diagnostic function can be performed while suppressing false detection of the first diagnostic function by correcting to reduce the predetermined threshold according to the range contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source in the predetermined voltage range. 
     Furthermore, as described above, when the first diagnostic function is performed in a plurality of predetermined voltage ranges, the control unit  50  does not necessarily perform the determination of the vaporization or atomization of the power supply in the irregular range in which the range contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source among the plurality of predetermined voltage ranges is equal to or less than the predetermined ratio or width. That is, in each of the predetermined voltage ranges (for example, the first section, the second section, and the third section), the control unit  50  does not perform the determination of the degradation or failure of the power supply in the section (irregular range) in which a value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R cannot be sufficiently acquired due to incomplete charging, natural discharge, and the like. 
     Even in such a case, the control unit  50  may estimate or detect at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10  based on the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R operated in a period in which the voltage value of the power supply  10  is in a specific voltage range in the specific voltage range covering one or more of the plurality of predetermined voltage ranges. In this case, it is preferable that the specific voltage range covering one or more predetermined voltage ranges is set excluding an irregular range. 
     For example, in the example shown in  FIG. 10 , when the power supply  10  is charged until the voltage of the power supply  10  becomes 4.05 V, the first diagnostic function is not necessarily performed in the first section. In this case, at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10  may be estimated or detected based on the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R operated in the voltage range of the combined section (3.7 V to 3.9 V) of the second section and the third section. 
     In this case, the predetermined threshold used in step S 220  in the case of performing the first diagnostic function based on the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R operated in the voltage range of the combined section of the first section and the second section may be configured by subtracting a value equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold used in step S 220  in the case of performing the first diagnostic function based on the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R operated in the voltage range of the third section from the predetermined threshold (specific threshold) used in step S 220  in the case of performing the first diagnostic function based on the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R operated in the voltage range of the entire combined section of the first section, the second section and the third section. 
     Furthermore, as described above, when there is an irregular range in a plurality of predetermined voltage ranges, and the first diagnostic function is performed in a wider range including the irregular range, for example, the entire section (the first section, the second section, and the third section), the predetermined threshold used in step S 220  may be corrected to be reduced. 
     The control unit  50  may correct at least one of the lower limit value of the predetermined voltage range and the predetermined threshold based on the voltage of the power supply  10  contributing to vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source after prolonged neglect in the predetermined voltage range. As an example, the control unit  50  may correct to reduce the lower limit value of the predetermined voltage range (to approach 0 V) to perform the first diagnosis function in the predetermined voltage range without correcting the predetermined threshold. As another example, the control unit  50  may perform the first diagnostic function in the predetermined voltage range by correcting to reduce the predetermined threshold without correcting the lower limit value of the predetermined voltage range. As further another example, the control unit  50  may correct both of the lower limit value of the predetermined voltage range and the predetermined threshold to perform the first diagnostic function in the predetermined voltage range. 
     Note that the control unit  50  may set a new predetermined voltage range and the corresponding predetermined threshold in step S 220  illustrated in  FIG. 9  based on the voltage of the power supply  10  contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source after prolonged neglect in the predetermined voltage range and the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R operated until the voltage of the power supply  10  is dropped from the voltage to the lower limit value of the predetermined voltage range. This newly set predetermined voltage range is used in the first diagnostic function at and after the next charging. 
     The control unit  50  may correct at least one of the lower limit value of the predetermined voltage range and the predetermined threshold based on the voltage of the power supply  10  contributing to vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source after prolonged neglect in the predetermined voltage range. As an example, the control unit  50  may correct to reduce the lower limit value of the predetermined voltage range (to approach 0 V) to perform the first diagnosis function in the predetermined voltage range without correcting the predetermined threshold. As another example, the control unit  50  may perform the first diagnostic function in the predetermined voltage range by correcting to reduce the predetermined threshold without correcting the lower limit value of the predetermined voltage range. As further another example, the control unit  50  may correct both of the lower limit value of the predetermined voltage range and the predetermined threshold to perform the first diagnostic function in the predetermined voltage range. 
     In addition, the control unit  50  may continue to monitor the voltage of the power supply  10  even when the inhalation component generation device  100  is not used, for example, while the load  121 R is not operating. In this case, the control unit  50  may perform the first diagnostic function while correcting the predetermined threshold in step S 220  illustrated in  FIG. 9  as described above even when the voltage of the power supply  10  falls below the upper limit value of the predetermined voltage range not contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source such as natural discharge. 
     Instead of this, the control unit  50  may acquire an integral value obtained by integrating the time in which the voltage of the power supply  10  has dropped without contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source. If this integral value is converted into a value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R based on a predetermined relationship, the first diagnostic function can be performed without correcting the predetermined threshold in step S 220  illustrated in  FIG. 9  as described above. That is, the control unit  50  may integrate, as an integral value, the time in which the voltage of the power supply  10  has dropped without contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source in the predetermined range, and add a value obtained by correcting the integral value based on a predetermined relationship to the value related to the operation amount of the load. As an example, the integral value may be corrected to be reduced based on the ratio between a current value or power consumption per unit time when the voltage of the power supply  10  drops without contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source and a current value or power consumption per unit time when the voltage of the power supply  10  drops while contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source, and may be converted into a value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R. Note that the current value or power consumption per unit time when the voltage of the power supply  10  drops without contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source and the current value or power consumption per unit time when the voltage of the power supply  10  drops while contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source may be actually measured using the voltage sensor  150 , the current sensor  160 , and the like. Alternatively, these values may be stored in advance in a memory or the like in the control unit  50 , and the control unit  51  may read these values as necessary. Note that instead of these values, the ratio between the current value or power consumption per unit time when the voltage of the power supply  10  drops without contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source and the current value or power consumption per unit time when the voltage of the power supply  10  drops while contributing to the vaporization or atomization of the inhalation component source may be directly stored in the memory. 
     (Charge Control by Processor of Charger) 
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control method by a processor of the charger  200 . The processor  250  determines whether to be connected to the electrical unit  110  (step S 300 ). The processor  250  waits until the charger  200  is connected to the electrical unit  110 . 
     The connection between the processor  250  and the electrical unit  110  can be detected in a known method. For example, the processor  250  can determine whether to be connected to the electrical unit  110  by detecting a change in voltage between a pair of electrical terminals of the charger  200  using the voltmeter  240 . 
     When the charger  200  is connected to the electrical unit  110 , the processor  250  determines whether the power supply  10  is deeply discharged (step S 302 ). Here, deep discharge of the power supply  10  means a state in which the voltage of the power supply  10  is lower than the deep discharge determination voltage lower than the discharge termination voltage. The deep discharge determination voltage may be, for example, in the range of 3.1 V to 3.2 V. 
     The processor  250  of the charger  200  can estimate the voltage of the power supply  10  by means of the voltmeter  240 . The processor  250  can determine whether the power supply  10  is deeply discharged by comparing the estimated value of the voltage of the power supply  10  with the deep discharge determination voltage. 
     When the processor  250  determines that the power supply  10  is deeply discharged, the processor  250  charges the power supply  10  with low-rate power (step S 304 ). As a result, the power supply  10  can be recovered from the deeply discharged state to a state of a voltage higher than the discharge termination voltage. 
     When the voltage of the power supply  10  is equal to or higher than the discharge termination voltage, the processor  250  determines whether the voltage of the power supply  10  is equal to or higher than the switching voltage (step S 306 ). The switching voltage is a threshold for dividing into a section of constant current charging (CC charging) and a section of constant voltage charging (CV charging). The switching voltage may be, for example, in the range of 4.0 V to 4.1 V. 
     When the voltage of the power supply  10  is less than the switching voltage, the processor  250  charges the power supply  10  by a constant current charging method (step S 308 ). When the voltage of the power supply  10  is equal to or higher than the switching voltage, the processor  250  charges the power supply  10  by a constant voltage charging method (step S 310 ). In the constant voltage charging method, charging proceeds and the voltage of the power supply  10  increases, and therefore the charging current decreases. 
     When charging of the power supply  10  is started by the constant voltage charging method, the processor  250  determines whether the charging current is equal to or smaller than a predetermined charging completion current (step S 312 ). Here, the charging current can be acquired by the ammeter  230  in the charger  200 . When the charging current is larger than the predetermined charging completion current, charging of the power supply  10  is continued by the constant voltage charging method. 
     When the charging current is equal to or smaller than the predetermined charging completion current, the processor  250  determines that the power supply  10  is fully charged, and stops the charging (step S 314 ). 
     (Control by Control Unit in Charging Mode) 
       FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control method of the control unit in a charging mode.  FIG. 13  is a graph for explaining increase in voltage of a normal power supply and a degraded or failed power supply during charging. The charging mode is a mode in which the power supply  10  can be charged. 
     The control unit  50  may perform a second diagnostic function that estimates or detects at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10  during charging of the power supply  10  by the charger  200 . In the present embodiment, the second diagnostic function may include a failure diagnosis function that diagnoses a failure of the power supply  10  and a degradation diagnosis function that diagnoses degradation of the power supply  10 . As will be described in detail below, the control unit  50  may be configured to be capable of estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10  based on a time period required for the voltage value of the power supply  10  to reach the upper limit from the lower limit of the predetermined voltage range during charging of the power supply  10 . Since the voltage value of the power supply  10  can be acquired by using the voltage sensor  150 , the control unit  50  can perform the failure diagnosis function and the degradation diagnosis function described later without communicating with the processor  250  of the charger  200 . 
     Specifically, first, when the control unit  50  is not activated during charging, the control unit  50  is automatically activated (step S 400 ). More specifically, when the voltage of the power supply  10  exceeds a lower limit value of the operation guaranteed voltage of the control unit  50 , the control unit  50  is automatically activated. Here, the lower limit value of the operation guaranteed voltage may be in the range of the deep discharge voltage. The lower limit value of the operation guaranteed voltage may be, for example, in the range of 2.0 V to 2.5 V. 
     The control unit  50  determines whether to be in the charging mode (step S 402 ). The charging mode can be determined by detecting the connection of the charger  200  to the electrical unit  110 . The connection of the charger  200  to the electrical unit  110  can be detected by acquiring a change in voltage between the pair of electrical terminals  110   t.    
     When the control unit  50  detects the connection of the charger  200  to the electrical unit  110 , a timer is activated, and measures the time from the start of charging or the activation of the control unit (step S 404 ). 
     Next, the control unit  50  performs the failure diagnosis function of the power supply  10 . Specifically, the control unit  50  acquires the voltage (V batt ) of the power supply  10 , and determines whether the voltage (V batt ) of the power supply  10  is larger than the deep discharge determination voltage (step S 406 ). The voltage (V batt ) of the power supply  10  can be acquired by using the voltage sensor  150 . The deep discharge determination voltage is as described above, and may be, for example, in the range of 3.1 V to 3.2 V (discharge termination voltage). Note that, during the charging of the power supply  10 , the control unit  50  periodically acquires the voltage of the power supply  10 . 
     When the electrode structure or the electrolyte of the power supply  10  is irreversibly changed due to deep discharge, the electrochemical reaction during normal charging does not proceed inside the power supply  10  even in charging. Therefore, when the time period in which the voltage (V batt ) of the power supply  10  is equal to or lower than the deep discharge determination voltage exceeds a predetermined time period, for example, 300 msec, from the activation of the timer, the control unit  50  estimates or detects that the power supply  10  has failed due to deep discharge (steps S 408  and S 410 ). In addition, even if the time period required for the voltage value of the power supply  10  to reach the deep discharge determination voltage from the activation of the timer exceeds a predetermined time period, for example, 300 msec, the control unit  50  determines that the power supply  10  has failed due to deep discharge (steps S 412  and S 410 ). 
     When the control unit  50  estimates or detects that the power supply  10  has failed due to deep discharge, the control unit  50  performs a predetermined protection operation (step S 414 ). The protection operation may be, for example, an operation in which the control unit  50  forcibly stops or restricts the charging of the power supply  10 . Forced stop or restriction of charging can be achieved by disconnecting the electrical connection between the power supply  10  and the charger  200  in the electrical unit  110 . For example, the control unit  50  may turn off at least one of the switch  140  and the stop part  180 . The control unit  50  may notify the user of an abnormality through the notification part  40  when the control unit  50  estimates or detects that the power supply  10  has failed due to deep discharge. 
     As described above, the control unit  50  may perform the failure diagnosis function based on a time period required for the voltage value of the power supply  10  to reach the upper limit from the lower limit of the predetermined voltage range during charging of the power supply  10 . 
     The lower limit of the predetermined voltage range may be, for example, the lower limit value of the operation guaranteed voltage of the control unit  50 . In this case, as described above, the control unit  50  performs the failure diagnosis function based on the time period required to reach the deep discharge determination voltage (a predetermined threshold) from the activation of the timer after activation of the control unit  50 . Instead of this, the lower limit of the predetermined voltage range may be set to a value lower than the discharge termination voltage of the power supply  10  and larger than the lower limit value of the operation guaranteed voltage of the control unit  50 . In this case, the timer may be activated when the voltage of the power supply  10  reaches the lower limit of the predetermined voltage range. 
     It is preferable that the failure diagnosis function described above is configured to be infeasible when the inhalation component generation device  100  is in a mode other than the charging mode. As a result, when the voltage of the power supply  10  temporarily decreases to deep discharge due to factors such as falling to a very low temperature state in the power supply mode, the failure diagnosis function can be prevented from being erroneously performed. 
     In addition, the failure diagnosis function described above may be configured to estimate or detect a failure of the power supply when the voltage value of the power supply  10  is lower than the discharge termination voltage of the power supply  10  during charging of the power supply  10 . 
     When the time period required for the voltage value of the power supply  10  to reach the deep discharge determination voltage from the activation of the timer is a predetermined time period, for example, 300 msec or less, it is determined that the influence of deep discharge is small, and charging of the power supply  10  may be continued (step S 416 ). In this case, the control unit  50  may further perform the degradation diagnosis function described below. It is preferable that the control unit  50  is configured not to simultaneously perform the failure diagnosis function and the degradation diagnosis function to prevent hunting of the failure diagnosis function and the degradation diagnosis function. 
     In the degradation diagnosis function, first, the control unit  50  acquires the voltage value of the power supply  10  during charging, and determines whether the voltage of the power supply is equal to or higher than the lower limit value of the predetermined voltage range (step S 420 ). Here, it is preferable that the upper limit value of the predetermined voltage range used in the failure diagnosis function described above is smaller than the lower limit value of the predetermined voltage range used in the degradation diagnosis function. On the other hand, it is preferable that the predetermined voltage range used in the degradation diagnosis function does not include the discharge termination voltage. By thus setting the predetermined voltage ranges used in each of the failure diagnosis function and the degradation diagnosis function, hunting of the above-described failure diagnosis function and the degradation diagnosis function can be more effectively prevented. 
     It is more preferable that the control unit  50  is configured to be capable of performing the degradation diagnosis function that estimates or detects degradation of the power supply  10  when the voltage value of the power supply  10  is higher than the discharge termination voltage of the power supply  10  during charging of the power supply  10 . Thereby, hunting of the failure diagnosis function and the degradation diagnosis function can be prevented. Note that, to prevent hunting of the failure diagnosis function and the degradation diagnosis function, the control unit  50  may be configured not to perform both of the failure diagnosis function and the degradation diagnosis function when the voltage of the power supply  10  is the discharge termination voltage. 
     When the voltage of the power supply  10  is equal to or higher than the lower limit value of the predetermined voltage range, the control unit  50  resets the timer and reactivates the timer (step S 422 ). The control unit  50  measures an elapsed time by the timer until the voltage of the power supply  10  becomes equal to or higher than the upper limit value of the predetermined voltage range (step S 424 ). 
     When the power supply  10  is degraded, the full charging capacity of the power supply  10  tends to decrease although the possible values of the voltage of the power supply  10  such as a fully charged voltage and a discharge termination voltage are not changed. Therefore, the control unit  50  determines whether the elapsed time period required for the voltage of the power supply  10  to reach the upper limit value from the lower limit value of the predetermined voltage range is longer than the predetermined time period (step S 426 ). The control unit  50  estimates or detects that the power supply  10  has been degraded when the voltage value of the power supply  10  has reached the upper limit from the lower limit of the predetermined voltage range within the predetermined time period during charging of the power supply  10  (step S 428 ). 
     When the control unit  50  estimates or detects that the power supply  10  has been degraded, the control unit  50  performs a predetermined protection operation (step S 430 ). The protection operation may be, for example, an operation in which the control unit  50  forcibly stops or restricts the charging of the power supply  10 . Forced stop or restriction of charging can be achieved by disconnecting the electrical connection between the power supply  10  and the charger  200  in the electrical unit  110 . For example, the control unit  50  may turn off at least one of the switch  140  and the stop part  180 . In addition, the control unit  50  may notify the user of an abnormality through the notification part  40  when the control unit  50  estimates or detects that the power supply  10  has been degraded. 
     When the voltage value of the power supply  10  does not reach within the predetermined time period from the lower limit to the upper limit of the predetermined voltage range during charging of the power supply  10 , the control unit  50  determines that the degradation of the power supply  10  is slight, and charging of the power supply  10  is continued (step S 432 ). 
     The failure diagnosis function and the degradation diagnosis function may be configured to be performed using the same variable value, and the elapsed time period from the lower limit to the upper limit of the predetermined voltage range in the example described above. In this case, it is preferable that the magnitude relationship between the variable value and the threshold for estimating or detecting that the power supply has failed or has been degraded is reversed between the failure diagnosis function and the degradation diagnosis function. More specifically, the control unit  50  determines that the power supply  10  has failed when the variable value used for the failure diagnosis function, which is the above-mentioned elapsed time period in the above-mentioned example, is larger than the first threshold, for example 300 msec. On the other hand, the control unit  50  determines that the power supply  10  has been degraded when the variable value used for the degradation diagnosis function, which is the above-mentioned elapsed time period in the above-mentioned example, is smaller than the second threshold (predetermined time period). As shown in  FIG. 13 , in the voltage range equal to or lower than the discharge termination voltage, the voltage of the normal power supply  10  rises during charging earlier than that of the degraded or failed power supply  10 . On the other hand, in the voltage range higher than the discharge termination voltage, the voltage of the degraded or failed power supply  10  rises during charging earlier than that of the normal power supply  10 . By reversing the magnitude relationship between the variable value and the threshold in the failure diagnostic function and the degradation diagnostic function, it is possible to estimate or detect the degradation or failure of the power supply  10  in both of the failure diagnostic function and the degradation diagnostic function. 
     When a temperature of the power supply  10  is lower than a fourth temperature threshold, the control unit  50  may be configured to be capable of changing or correcting an algorithm for estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10 , i.e., an algorithm for performing the second diagnostic function illustrated in  FIG. 12 . Specifically, it is preferable that the control unit  50  corrects the predetermined time period in step S 412  and/or step S 426 , and performs the comparison in step S 412  and/or step S 426  based on the corrected time period threshold. The fourth temperature threshold may be set, for example, in the range of 1 to 5° C. 
     It is known that when the temperature of the power supply  10  is low, the internal resistance of the power supply  10  is increased. Thereby, even in the power supply  10  which has not been degraded, the time period until the voltage of the power supply  10  reaches the upper limit from the lower limit of the predetermined voltage range changes. Therefore, when the temperature of the power supply  10  is low, the predetermined time period is corrected in step S 412  and/or step S 426  to thereby alleviate the influence of the temperature and suppress deterioration in detection accuracy of degradation or failure of the power supply  10 . 
     Furthermore, when the temperature of the power supply  10  is lower than a fifth temperature threshold, the control unit  50  may be configured not to estimate or detect at least one of deterioration and failure of the power supply  10 . That is, when the temperature of the power supply  10  is lower than the fifth temperature threshold, the control unit  50  does not necessarily perform the failure diagnosis function and/or the degradation diagnosis function illustrated in  FIG. 12 . Here, the fifth temperature threshold may be smaller than the fourth temperature threshold. The fifth temperature threshold may be set, for example, in the range of −1 to 1° C. 
     Furthermore, when the temperature of the power supply  10  is lower than a sixth temperature threshold, the control unit  50  may heat the power supply  10  by the control of the heater  70 . When the temperature of the power supply  10  is low, increasing the temperature of the power supply  10  can suppress deterioration in detection accuracy of degradation or failure of the power supply  10 . The sixth temperature threshold may be set, for example, in the range of −1 to 1° C. 
     (Predetermined Voltage Range for Degradation Diagnosis Function) 
     The predetermined voltage range used in the degradation diagnosis function will be further described with reference to  FIG. 13 . The predetermined voltage range may be a predetermined section (voltage range) between the discharge termination voltage and the fully charged voltage. 
     It is preferable that the predetermined voltage range is set to a range excluding a plateau range in which a change in voltage value of the power supply  10  with respect to a change in the charged amount or state of charge of the power supply  10  is smaller than other voltage ranges. The plateau range is defined, for example, by a voltage range in which the amount of change in the voltage of the power supply  10  with respect to the change in the state of charge is 0.01 to 0.005 (V/%) or less. 
     The plateau range is less likely to produce a significant difference between a normal power supply and a degraded power supply due to the small variation of the voltage of the power supply with respect to the elapsed time period of charging. Therefore, the possibility of false detection in the above-mentioned degradation diagnostic function is increased. Accordingly, it is preferable that the predetermined voltage range is set to a range excluding the plateau range. 
     Furthermore, it is preferable that the predetermined voltage range used in the degradation diagnosis function is set to a range excluding the range in which the constant voltage charging is performed on the power supply  10 . The range in which the constant voltage charging is performed corresponds to the end of the charging sequence and thus corresponds to a range in which the fluctuation of the voltage of the power supply with respect to the elapsed time period of charging is small. Therefore, the accuracy of the degradation diagnostic function can be enhanced by setting the predetermined voltage range used in the degradation diagnostic function to a range excluding the range in which the constant voltage charging is performed. 
     Here, the processor  250  of the charger  200  uses the voltmeter  240  in the charger  200  to estimate the voltage of the power supply  10 . Meanwhile, the control unit  50  uses the voltage sensor  150  in the electrical unit  110  to acquire the voltage of the power supply  10 . By the way, the voltage of the power supply  10  recognized by the charger  200  is a value obtained by adding a voltage drop in the contact resistance of the connection terminal  110   t  or the resistance of the lead wire electrically connecting the charger  200  and the power supply  10  to the true value of the voltage of the power supply  10 . On the other hand, the voltage of the power supply  10  recognized by the control unit  50  is not affected by at least the voltage drop in the contact resistance of the connection terminal  110   t . Therefore, a deviation may occur between the voltage of the power supply  10  recognized by the charger  200  and the voltage of the power supply  10  recognized by the control unit  50 . In consideration of this deviation, it is preferable that the voltage range of the power supply  10  that performs the degradation diagnosis function is set to a range lower than the voltage value obtained by subtracting the predetermined value from the switching voltage described above. 
     Furthermore, it is preferable that the predetermined voltage range used in the degradation diagnosis function is set to a range excluding a range in which the notification part  40  notifies that the remaining amount of the power supply  10  is insufficient. When the predetermined voltage range is set near the discharge termination voltage, the power supply  10  cannot be charged over the entire predetermined voltage range when the power supply  10  is charged before the voltage of the power supply  10  decreases to the discharge termination voltage. Therefore, the above degradation diagnostic function does not function properly in some cases. By setting the predetermined voltage range used in the degradation diagnosis function except for the range in which the remaining amount of the power supply  10  is insufficient, the degradation diagnosis function can be functioned normally even if the voltage of the power supply  10  is charged before the voltage of the power supply  10  decreases to the discharge termination voltage. 
     Also, the degradation diagnosis function may be performed at a plurality of predetermined voltage ranges. It is preferable that the plurality of predefined voltage ranges do not overlap one another. The control unit  50  can perform the degradation diagnosis function in the same flow as a part of the degradation diagnosis function of the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 12  in each predetermined voltage range. In the example shown in  FIG. 13 , two predetermined voltage ranges (first and second sections) are set. 
     (Relationship Between First Diagnostic Function and Second Diagnostic Function) 
     As described above, the control unit  50  is configured to be capable of performing the first diagnostic function of estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10  during operation of the load  121 R, and the second diagnostic function of estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10  during charging of the power supply  10 . 
     Here, it is preferable that the first diagnostic function and the second diagnostic function include different algorithms. Thereby, to estimate or detect at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10 , an optimal algorithm can be applied according to charging and discharging of the power supply  10 . 
     The first diagnostic function, i.e., the diagnostic function performed during operation of the load  121 R may include at least one algorithm for estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10 . In the above embodiment, the first diagnostic function includes only one algorithm for estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10 . 
     For example, in a small-sized and portable inhalation component generation device  100  such as an electronic cigarette or a heated tobacco, it is desirable to mount a control unit  50  having a simple control function. When the control unit  50  having such a simple control function is used to control the supply of electric power to the load  121 R in the power supply mode, the calculation capability of the control unit  50  is limited in the power supply mode. When the first diagnostic function includes only one algorithm, the control unit  50  can estimate or detect at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10  within a range not affecting the other control, for example, the power control to the load  121 R. 
     The second diagnostic function, i.e. the diagnostic function performed during charging of the power supply  10 , may include at least one algorithm for estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10 . In the above embodiment, the second diagnosis function includes two of the failure diagnosis function and the degradation diagnosis function described above. In addition to the above embodiments, the second diagnostic function may further include one or more other algorithms for estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10 . 
     Preferably, the number of algorithms included in the second diagnostic function is greater than the number of algorithms included in the first diagnostic function. Charging of the power supply  10  is controlled by an external charger  200  separate from the inhalation component generation device  100 . Therefore, the control unit  50  has a surplus in calculation capability in the charging mode as compared to the power supply mode. By increasing the number of algorithms included in the second diagnostic function in the charging mode by using the margin of the calculation capability, at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10  can be estimated or detected with higher accuracy in the charging mode. 
     To simplify the structure of the inhalation component generation device  100 , the processor  250  of the charger  200  may be configured to be incapable of communicating with the control unit  50  of the electrical unit  110 . When the inhalation component generation device  100  is configured as described above, not only the structure can be simplified, but also the control unit  50  does not have to allocate calculation capability for communication with the processor  250  of the charger  200 . Therefore, since more calculation capability can be allocated to the second diagnostic function in the charging mode, at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10  can be estimated or detected with higher accuracy in the charging mode. 
     More preferably, the number of simultaneously executable algorithms included in the second diagnostic function is greater than the number of simultaneously executable algorithms included in the first diagnostic function. In the example illustrated in the above embodiment, the failure diagnosis function and the degradation diagnosis function described above may be simultaneously executable. Alternatively, in the charging mode, when the voltage of the power supply  10  drops, a diagnostic function of detecting an internal short circuit of the power supply  10  as a failure may be performed simultaneously with the above-described degradation diagnosis function. 
     It is preferable that the number of sensors required to perform the second diagnostic function is less than the number of sensors required to perform the first diagnostic function. In the above embodiment, the second diagnostic function can be performed by using the voltage sensor  150  for acquiring the voltage of the power supply  10  and the temperature sensor  170  as needed. On the other hand, the first diagnostic function can be performed by using the voltage sensor  150  for acquiring the voltage of the power supply  10 , the request sensor (the inhalation sensor  20  or the push button  30 ), and the temperature sensor  170  as needed. Note that, the timer for measuring time is not included in a sensor. 
     It is preferable that the sensors required to perform the second diagnostic function do not include the request sensor (the inhalation sensor  20  or the push button  30 ). It is unlikely from the normal usability of the inhalation component generation device  100  that the request sensor is operated during charging. In other words, if the sensors required to perform the second diagnostic function include a request sensor that is not originally operated, some inconvenience may occur in the second diagnostic function. Thus, it is preferable that the second diagnostic function performed during charging can be performed without using the request sensor that requests the supply of electric power to the load  121 R. 
     It is preferable that the predetermined voltage range used for the failure diagnosis function and the degradation diagnosis function described above in the second diagnosis function, for example, a combined range of the section from the lower limit of the operation guaranteed voltage to the deep discharge determination threshold, the first section and the second section shown in  FIG. 13  is wider than the predetermined voltage range used for the first diagnosis function, for example, a combined range of the first section, the second section, and the third section shown in  FIG. 10 . Since the range of possible values of the voltage of the power supply  10  in the charging mode is wider than that in the power supply mode, the accuracy of the diagnosis of the degradation or failure of the power supply in the charging mode can be improved by enlarging the predetermined voltage range used in the second diagnostic function. 
     (Performance of Second Diagnostic Function by Charger) 
     In the example described above, the control unit  50  of the electrical unit  110  performs the second diagnostic function (the failure diagnostic function and the degradation diagnostic function). Instead of this, the processor  250  of the charger  200  may perform the second diagnostic function that estimates or detects at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10  based on the time period required for the voltage value of the power supply  10  to reach the upper limit from the lower limit of the predetermined voltage range during charging of the power supply  10 . In this case, the processor  250  of the charger  200  performs an algorithm as a process similar to the process in the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
     However, since the processor  250  of the charger  200  performs the second diagnostic function, step S 400  in the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 12  is unnecessary. Also, the voltage of the power supply  10  acquired by the processor  250  is estimated by a voltmeter  240  provided in the charger  200 . The protection operation (steps S 414  and S 430 ) may be an operation in which the processor  250  of the charger  200  stops the charging current. The other processing is the same as when the control unit  50  of the electrical unit  110  performs the second diagnostic function, and thus the description thereof will be omitted. Thus, if the processor of the charger  200  electrically connected to the power supply  10  instead performs at least a part of the second diagnostic function that is be originally performed by the control unit  50 , the control unit  50  can perform further another algorithm as the second diagnostic function to thereby improve the accuracy of the diagnosis of the degradation or failure of the power supply in the charging mode. 
     (Voltage Sensor) 
     First, the details of the voltage sensor  150  will be described with reference to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 14 . The voltage sensor  150  is configured to convert an analog voltage value of the power supply  10  into a digital voltage value using a predetermined correlation, and to output the digital voltage value. Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 14 , the voltage sensor  150  may include an A/D converter  154  that converts an analog input value into a digital output value. The A/D converter  154  has a conversion table  158  for converting analog input values into digital output values. 
     The resolution involved in the conversion to digital voltage values is not limited to a particular resolution, and may be, for example, 0.05 V/bit. In this case, the output value from the voltage sensor  150  is converted every 0.05 V. 
     Note that the conversion table  158  illustrated in  FIG. 14  shows the correlation when the reference voltage (V ref )  156  described later is higher than the voltage of the power supply  10 , for example, the fully charged voltage of the power supply  10 . In this case, in the predetermined correlation  158 , a higher analog voltage value is associated with a higher digital voltage value. 
     A voltage (an analog voltage (V analog )) of the power supply  10  is input to an inverting input terminal  150 - 2  of the operational amplifier  150 - 1 , and a reference voltage (V ref )  156  (for example, 5.0 V) which is a constant voltage higher than the voltage (an analog voltage (V analog )) of the power supply  10  is input to the other non-inverting input terminal  150 - 3 . The operational amplifier  150 - 1  inputs the difference of these voltages or the value (V input ) obtained by amplifying the difference to the A/D converter  154 . The A/D converter  154  converts an analog voltage value (V input ) into a digital voltage value (V output ) based on the predetermined correlation (conversion table)  158  and outputs it. When the control unit  50  acquires the voltage of the power supply  10  in all the processes described above, the control unit  50  (controller  51 ) acquires the digital voltage value (V output ) output from the voltage sensor  150 . 
     Here, it is preferable that when the voltage (analog voltage (V analog )) of the power supply  10  is a fully charged voltage, the predetermined correlation (conversion table)  158  is set to output the digital voltage value (V output ) corresponding to the fully charged voltage, and when the voltage (analog voltage (V analog )) of the power supply  10  is a discharge termination voltage, the predetermined correlation (conversion table)  158  is set to output the digital voltage value (V output ) corresponding to the discharge termination voltage. 
     However, due to a product error such as a reference voltage, degradation of the power supply  10  or the like, an error may be generated in the digital voltage value (V output ) to be output. Therefore, it is preferable to properly calibrate the predetermined correlation (conversion table)  158  of the voltage sensor  150 . 
     Next, the calibration of the predetermined correlation (conversion table)  158  of the voltage sensor  150  will be described.  FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating processing for calibration of the predetermined correlation  158  of the voltage sensor  150 . The control unit  50  may be configured to be able to calibrate the correlation  158  based on changes in the analog or digital voltage values acquired during charging of the power supply  10 . 
     First, the threshold voltage is set to an initial value (step S 500 ). Here, it is preferable to set the initial value of the threshold voltage to a value smaller than the fully charged voltage of the digital voltage value. For example, the initial value of the threshold voltage is 4.05 V. 
     The control unit  50  detects the start of charging (step S 502 ). The start of charging may be detected by the connection of the charger  200  to the electrical unit  110 . When the charging is started, the control unit  50  acquires the voltage of the power supply  10  every predetermined time (step S 504 ). The acquired voltage of the power supply  10  may be a digital voltage value output from the voltage sensor  150 . 
     Next, the control unit  50  determines whether the acquired voltage of the power supply  10  is higher than the threshold voltage (step S 506 ). When the acquired voltage of the power supply  10  is equal to or lower than the threshold voltage, the voltage of the power supply  10  is acquired again after the elapse of a predetermined time (step S 504 ), and the process returns to step S 506 . 
     When the acquired voltage of the power supply  10  is higher than the threshold voltage, the value of the threshold voltage is updated to the acquired voltage value of the power supply  10  (step S 508 ). Then, the control unit  50  calibrates the predetermined correlation  158  of the voltage sensor  150  as necessary (step S 510 ). 
     Next, the control unit  50  determines whether the charging has been completed (step S 512 ). When the charging has not completed, the voltage of the power supply  10  is acquired again (step S 504 ), and the process returns to step S 506 . The control unit  50  may calibrate the predetermined correlation  158  of the voltage sensor  150  each time the voltage of the power supply  10  becomes larger than the threshold voltage in the period until the charging ends. In this case, the control unit  50  does not need to perform the process (step S 520 ) of calibrating the predetermined correlation  158  of the voltage sensor  150  after the charging is completed. 
     Alternatively, the control unit  50  does not necessarily calibrate the predetermined correlation  158  in the period from the charging start to the charging end. That is, the control unit  50  does not need to perform step S 510 . In this case, the control unit  50  performs a process of calibrating the predetermined correlation  158  of the voltage sensor  150  after the charging is completed (step S 520 ). 
     As described above, the control unit  50  may perform the process of calibrating the predetermined correlation  158  of the voltage sensor  150  at any one of the timings of step S 510  and step S 520 . 
     When the predetermined reset condition is satisfied after completion of charging of the power supply  10 , the threshold voltage is reset to an initial value, for example, 4.05 V again (step S 522 ). The reset condition may be, for example, that the inhalation component generation device  100  is turned off. This is because a factor causing an error in the digital voltage value (V output ) output from the voltage sensor  150  due to a product error, degradation of the power supply  10 , or the like may vary every time the reset condition such as the inhalation component generation device  100  turning off is satisfied. 
     In the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 15 , it is preferable that the threshold voltage at the time of manufacture or actuation of the inhalation component generation device  100  is set to a value smaller than the fully charged voltage of the power supply  10 . Taking into consideration that an error may be generated in the digital output value of the voltage sensor  150 , the digital output value of the voltage sensor  150  may stay below the fully charged voltage even if the voltage (analog voltage value) of the power supply  10  reaches the fully charged voltage during the initial charging of the power supply  10 . Therefore, by setting the threshold voltage at the time of manufacture or activation of the inhalation component generation device  100  to a value smaller than the fully charged voltage, the predetermined correlation  158  of the voltage sensor  150  can be prevented from becoming uncalibrated during the initial charging of the power supply  10  from the time of manufacture or activation of the inhalation component generation device  100 . 
     More specifically, it is preferable that the threshold voltage at the time of manufacture or activation of the inhalation component generation device  100  is set to be equal to or lower than a value obtained by subtracting the absolute value of the product error from the fully charged voltage (for example, 4.2 V) of the power supply  10  among a plurality of digital voltage values that can be output from the voltage sensor  150 . For example, when an error of about ±0.11 V can be generated in the voltage sensor  150 , the threshold voltage at the time of manufacture or actuation of the inhalation component generation device  100  may be set to 4.09 V or less. 
     Furthermore, it is more preferable that the threshold voltage at the time of manufacture or actuation of the inhalation component generation device  100  is set to a maximum value in a range of not higher than a value obtained by subtracting the absolute value of the product error from the fully charged voltage (for example, 4.2 V) of the power supply  10  among a plurality of digital voltage values that can be output from the voltage sensor  150 . Thus, when the threshold voltage at the time of manufacture or activation of the inhalation component generation device  100  is set, the predetermined correlation  158  of the voltage sensor  150  can be prevented from becoming uncalibrated during the initial charging of the power supply  10  from the time of manufacture or activation of the inhalation component generation device  100  described above. Furthermore, the voltage sensor  150  can be suppressed from being calibrated more frequently as compared with the case where the threshold voltage at the time of manufacture or activation of the inhalation component generation device  100  is set to a value other than the maximum value in a range of not higher than a value obtained by subtracting the absolute value of the product error from the fully charged voltage (for example, 4.2 V) of the power supply  10  among a plurality of digital voltage values that can be output from the voltage sensor  150 . 
     For example, when the resolution of the digital voltage value is 0.05 V/bit and an error of about ±0.11 V may be generated in the voltage sensor  150 , the threshold voltage at the time of manufacture or actuation of the inhalation component generation device  100  may be 4.05 V. This is a voltage value of 4.09 V or less, which is a value obtained by subtracting the absolute value of the product error from the fully charged voltage of the power supply  10 . It will be appreciated that the maximum digital voltage value is 4.05 V among the digital voltage values (for example, 3.95 V, 4.00 V, and 4.05 V) that can be output from the voltage sensor  150 . 
     In the flowchart described above, the control unit  50  performs calibration of the predetermined correlation  158  when the digital voltage value obtained during charging of the power supply  10  becomes higher than the threshold voltage. Alternatively, the control unit  50  may perform calibration of the predetermined correlation  158  when the digital voltage value obtained during charging of the power supply  10  reaches a maximum value or a local maximum value. 
     By recording the history of digital voltage values output from the voltage sensor  150 , the control unit  50  can extract the maximum value of the digital voltage values acquired from the start to the end of charging. 
     Furthermore, by detecting a decrease in digital voltage value output from the voltage sensor  150  during charging, the control unit  50  can extract the local maximum value of the digital voltage values acquired from the start to the end of charging. 
     Note that the calibration of the predetermined correlation  158  of the voltage sensor  150  does not need to be performed at the timing illustrated in the above-described flowchart, and may be performed at any timing, for example, during charging, after charging, or at the next actuation of the inhalation component generation device  100 . 
     (Predetermined Correlation Calibration) 
     Next, the calibration of the predetermined correlation  158  of the voltage sensor  150  will be described. The control unit  50  calibrates the correlation  158  so that the digital voltage value higher than the maximum or local maximum value of the digital voltage value acquired during charging of the power supply  10  or the threshold voltage corresponds to the fully charged voltage value of the power supply  10 . Here, by charging the power supply  10  to the fully charged voltage even if the correlation  158  is calibrated so that the digital voltage value higher than the threshold voltage corresponds to the fully charged voltage value of the power supply  10 , the correlation  158  is finally calibrated so that the maximum or local maximum value of the digital voltage value acquired in at least a part of sections during charging of the power supply  10  corresponds to the fully charged voltage value of the power supply  10 . 
     When the power supply  10  is charged to the full charge, the voltage of the power supply  10  has reached the fully charged voltage. In addition, since the fully charged voltage of the power supply  10  is less likely to be affected by a factor causing the error in the digital voltage value (V output ) output from the voltage sensor  150  due to a product error such as the reference voltage, degradation of the power supply  10 , or the like, the fully charged voltage of the power supply  10  is particularly useful as a reference for calibration. Therefore, when the correlation  158  is calibrated as described above, the voltage sensor  150  outputs a digital voltage value corresponding to the fully charged voltage value when an analog voltage value corresponding to the fully charged voltage is input to the voltage sensor  150 . This allows the voltage sensor  150  to be properly calibrated. 
       FIG. 16  is a graph showing an example of calibration of the predetermined correlation  158  of the voltage sensor  150 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , the predetermined correlation  158  may be calibrated to gain-adjust the correspondence between analog voltage values and digital voltage values. The gain adjustment can be performed, for example, by increasing or decreasing the vertical axis value (analog voltage value) or horizontal axis value (digital voltage value) of the predetermined correlation  158  at a constant rate. That is, in the gain adjustment, the slope of the predetermined correlation  158 , more specifically, the slope of the approximate straight line of the predetermined correlation  158  is adjusted. 
       FIG. 17  is a graph showing another example of calibration of the predetermined correlation  158  of the voltage sensor  150 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , the predetermined correlation  158  may be calibrated to offset-adjust the correspondence between analog voltage values and digital voltage values. The offset adjustment can be performed, for example, by increasing or decreasing the value (analog voltage value) on the vertical axis of the predetermined correlation  158  by a certain value. The offset adjustment has an advantage of easy adjustment because it merely increases or decreases the intercept of the predetermined correlation  158 , specifically, the intercept of the approximate straight line of the predetermined correlation  158  by a certain value. 
     The relationship between the analog voltage value and the digital voltage value needs to be defined in the range from the discharge termination voltage to the fully charged voltage in both of before and after the offset adjustment. Therefore, it is preferable that the predetermined correlation  158  includes at least one of the correspondence between the digital voltage value lower than the discharge termination voltage of the power supply  10  and the analog voltage value, and the correspondence between the digital voltage value higher than the fully charged voltage of the power supply  10  and the analog voltage value. 
     The predetermined correlation  158 , once calibrated, may be maintained without changing the correlation until the next calibration. Alternatively, the predetermined correlation  158  may return to the initial correlation upon shutdown or subsequent activation of the inhalation component generation device  100 . Here, the initial correlation may be a predetermined correlation at the time of manufacture of the inhalation component generation device  100 . 
     At the time of manufacture or activation of the inhalation component generation device  100 , it is preferable that the predetermined correlation  158  is calibrated or set so that the analog voltage value less than an analog voltage value corresponding to the fully charged voltage value when the voltage sensor  150  has no error corresponds to the fully charged digital voltage value. That is, at the time of manufacture or activation of the inhalation component generation device  100 , the voltage sensor  150  is designed to output a digital voltage value corresponding to the fully charged voltage when a predetermined analog voltage value smaller than the fully charged voltage is input to the voltage sensor  150 . For example, at the time of manufacture or activation of the inhalation component generation device  100 , the voltage sensor  150  may be designed to output a digital voltage value (4.2 V) corresponding to the fully charged voltage when an analog voltage value of 4.1 V smaller than the fully charged voltage (4.2 V) is input to the voltage sensor  150 . Thereby, even if there is a manufacturing error, the voltage sensor  150  is configured to output a digital voltage value that is equal to or higher than an actual analog voltage value at the time of manufacture or actuation of the inhalation component generation device  100 . 
     In this case, in the first charge from the time of manufacture or actuation of the inhalation component generation device  100 , the analog voltage value of the actual power supply  10  can be prevented from exceeding the fully charged voltage before the control unit  50  recognizes that the fully charged voltage has been reached. In other words, in the case where the voltage sensor  150  outputs a small digital voltage value due to a manufacturing error or the like with respect to the actual value of the voltage of the power supply  10 , the voltage value of the power supply  10  can be prevented from exceeding the fully charged voltage, thereby falling into overcharge, when the voltage sensor  150  outputs a digital voltage value corresponding to the fully charged voltage of the power supply  10 . Therefore, if the control unit  50  has a process of forcibly stopping charging when the output voltage value from the voltage sensor  150  exceeds the fully charged voltage, overcharge of the power supply  10  can be prevented. 
     It is more preferable that the predetermined correlation  158  at the time of manufacture or actuation of the inhalation component generation device  100  is calibrated or set so that the analog voltage value corresponding to a value closest to the value obtained by subtracting the absolute value of the product error from the fully charged voltage of the power supply  10  when the voltage sensor  150  has no error corresponds to the fully charged voltage value among a plurality of digital voltage values that can be output from the voltage sensor  150 . As a result, the power supply  10  can be prevented from being overcharged by underestimating the voltage of the power supply  10  due to a product error or the like. Furthermore, in the initial state of the predetermined correlation  158 , the difference in numerical value between the analog voltage value and the digital voltage value is increased, and the actual value of the power supply  10  and the digital voltage corresponding thereto can be suppressed from being separated from each other. 
     (Another Aspect of Predetermined Correlation) 
       FIG. 18  is a diagram illustrating a block of a voltage sensor  150  according to another example. The configuration of the voltage sensor  150  is the same as that illustrated in  FIG. 14  except for the voltages to be input to an inverting input terminal  150 - 2  and a non-inverting input terminal  150 - 3 , and the predetermined correlation (conversion table)  158 . 
     In the present example, the conversion table  158  shows the correlation when the reference voltage (V ref )  156  described later is lower than the voltage of the power supply  10 , for example, the discharge termination voltage of the power supply  10 . In this case, in the predetermined correlation  158 , a lower analog voltage value is associated with a higher digital voltage value. 
     In a general A/D converter using an operational amplifier, the digital value of the value input to the non-inverting input terminal corresponds to the maximum digital value that can be output. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 14 , since the constant reference voltage (V ref )  156  is input to the non-inverting input terminal  150 - 3 , the maximum digital value that can be output is constant. On the other hand, in the example illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the voltage (analog voltage (V analog )) of the power supply  10  that varies according to the charged amount of the power supply  10  can be input to the non-inverting input terminal  150 - 3 . Therefore, the maximum digital value that can be output is variable. Also, the analog value corresponding to the maximum digital value is determined from the calculation capability of the control unit  50  or the voltage sensor  150 , regardless of the maximum digital value. 
     That is, in the example illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the analog voltage value (V input ) is converted in the digital value of the voltage of the power supply  10  input to the inverting input terminal  150 - 2 , and is output as the digital output value (V output ). Furthermore, in the example illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the analog voltage value (V input ) is converted in the digital value of the power supply of the power supply  10  input to the non-inverting input terminal  150 - 3 , and is output as the digital output value (V output ). 
     Therefore, in the example illustrated in  FIG. 14 , first, the conversion table  158  is derived from the constant maximum digital value and the constant analog value corresponding thereto. Next, the analog voltage value (V input ) input to the conversion table  158  is converted into a digital voltage value (V output ) corresponding thereto, and is output. This digital voltage value (V output ) corresponds to the digital value of the voltage of the power supply  10  input to the inverting input terminal  150 - 2 . 
     On the other hand, in the example illustrated in  FIG. 18 , first, the conversion table  158  is derived from the constant digital value and the analog voltage value (V input ) corresponding thereto. Next, the conversion table  158  is used to convert a constant analog value corresponding to the maximum digital value to a digital voltage value (V output ) and the digital voltage value (V output ) is output. The digital voltage value (V output ) corresponds to the digital value of the voltage of the power supply  10  input to the non-inverting input terminal  150 - 3 . 
     Specifically, coordinates of measured or known digital values and analog values corresponding thereto, and the relationship between a predetermined digital voltage value (V output ) and an analog voltage value (V input ) may be set as the conversion table  158 . As an example, when the relationship between the digital voltage value (V output ) and the analog voltage value (V input ) approximates a straight line passing through a predetermined intercept, the conversion table  158  may be set so that the coordinates and the intercept are positioned on the approximate straight line. Note that it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the relationship between the digital voltage value (V output ) and the analog voltage value (V input ) can be approximated not only by a straight line but also by a curve. 
     In both of the examples illustrated in  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 18 , the measured or known digital values and the analog values corresponding thereto are the digital values of the reference voltage (V ref )  156  and the analog values corresponding thereto. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 14 , since the reference voltage (V ref )  156  is input to the non-inverting input terminal  150 - 3 , it is not necessary to measure an analog value corresponding to the reference voltage (V ref )  156 . On the other hand, in the example illustrated in  FIG. 18 , it should be noted that since the reference voltage (V ref )  156  is input to the inverting input terminal  150 - 2 , it is necessary to measure an analog value corresponding to the reference voltage (V ref )  156 . 
     Note that as in the example illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the analog voltage value (V input ) is converted into a digital value of the value input to the inverting input terminal  150 - 2  of the operational amplifier  150 - 1 , and it is known that a larger analog voltage value is associated with a larger digital voltage value in the form output as the digital voltage value (V output ). On the other hand, as in the example illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the analog voltage value (V input ) is converted into a digital value of the value input to the non-inverting input terminal  150 - 3  of the operational amplifier  150 - 1 , and it should be noted that a smaller analog voltage value is associated with a larger digital voltage value in the form output as the digital voltage value (V output ). 
     Here, it is preferable that the predetermined correlation (conversion table)  158  is set so that when the voltage (analog voltage (V analog )) of the power supply  10  is a fully charged voltage, the digital voltage value (V output ) corresponding to the fully charged voltage is output, and when the voltage (analog voltage (V analog )) of the power supply  10  is a discharge termination voltage, the digital voltage value (V output ) corresponding to the discharge terminal voltage is output. 
     However, an error may be generated in the output digital voltage value (V output ) due to a product error, degradation of the power supply  10  or the like. Therefore, it is preferable to properly calibrate the predetermined correlation (conversion table)  158  of the voltage sensor  150 . 
     Control regarding calibration of the predetermined correlation (conversion table)  158  can be performed in the same manner as the above-described flowchart (see  FIG. 15 ). As described above, it should be noted that the calibration of the predetermined correlation (conversion table)  158  may be performed by the gain correction shown in  FIG. 16  or the offset correction shown in  FIG. 17 , but in either case, the analog value corresponding to the maximum digital value is calibrated. 
     However, it is preferable that the predetermined correlation  158  at the time of manufacture or actuation of the inhalation component generation device  100  is calibrated or set so that the analog voltage value (V input ) higher than the analog voltage value corresponding to the fully charged voltage value when the voltage sensor  150  has no error corresponds to the fully charged voltage value. That is, at the time of manufacture or activation of the inhalation component generation device  100 , the voltage sensor  150  is designed to output a digital voltage value corresponding to the fully charged voltage when an analog voltage value associated with the predetermined voltage of the power supply  10  smaller than the fully charged voltage is input to the voltage sensor  150 . For example, at the time of manufacture or activation of the inhalation component generation device  100 , the voltage sensor  150  may be designed to output a digital voltage value (4.2 V) corresponding to the fully charged voltage when an analog voltage value of 4.1 V smaller than the fully charged voltage (4.2 V) is input to the voltage sensor  150 . Thereby, even if there is a manufacturing error, the voltage sensor  150  is configured to output a digital voltage value that is equal to or higher than an actual analog voltage value at the time of manufacture or actuation of the inhalation component generation device  100 . 
     (Voltage of Power Supply Acquired by Control Unit) 
     The control unit  50  (controller  51 ) may acquire a digital voltage value (V output ) output from the voltage sensor  150  when acquiring the voltage of the power supply  10  in all the processes described above. That is, it is preferable that the control unit  50  (controller  51 ) performs the various types of control described above based on the digital voltage value output from the voltage sensor  150  using the calibrated predetermined correlation  158 . As a result, the control unit  50  (controller  51 ) can accurately perform the various types of control described above. 
     For example, the power control unit described above may control the power supply from the power supply  10  to the load  121 R based on the digital voltage value output from the voltage sensor  150 . More specifically, the power control unit may perform the PWM control of the electric power supplied from the power supply  10  to the load  121 R based on the digital voltage value. 
     Also, in another example, the control unit  50  may estimate or detect at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10  based on the digital voltage value output from the voltage sensor  150  using the calibrated correlation  158  (first diagnostic function and/or second diagnostic function) 
     (Program and Storage Medium) 
     The aforementioned flow illustrated in  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 15  can be performed by the control unit  50 . That is, the control unit  50  may have a program that causes the inhalation component generation device  100  to execute the above-described method, and a storage medium in which the program is stored. Furthermore, the aforementioned flow illustrated in  FIG. 11  and optionally in  FIG. 12  can be performed by the processor  250  of the external charger  200 . That is, the processor  250  may have a program that causes a system including the inhalation component generation device  100  and the charger  200  to execute the above-described method, and a storage medium in which the program is stored. 
     Other Embodiments 
     Although the present invention has been described by the embodiments described above, it should not be understood that the descriptions and the drawings that form a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples and operation techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. 
     For example, in the first diagnostic function illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the control unit  50  is configured to estimate or detect at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10  based on the value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R operated in a period in which the acquired voltage value of the power supply  10  is in a predetermined voltage range. Instead of this, the control unit  50  may configured to be capable of estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10  based on the voltage of the power supply  10  changed in a period in which the acquired value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R is in a predetermined range. Even in this case, it should be noted that the degradation or failure of the power supply  10  can be estimated or detected, as described in the above embodiment. Similarly, a method including the steps of acquiring a value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R, and estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply  10  based on the voltage of the power supply  10  changed in a period in which the acquired value related to the operation amount of the load  121 R is in a predetermined range is also included in the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it should be noted that a program for causing the inhalation component generation device  100  to execute such a method is also included in the scope of the present invention.