JP7300075B2 - Heating unit for flavor inhaler and flavor inhaler - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a heating unit for a flavor inhaler and a flavor inhaler.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, flavor inhalers for inhaling flavor or the like without burning materials are known. A flavor inhaler has, for example, a chamber containing a flavor generating article, and a heater for heating the flavor generating article contained in the chamber (see Patent Documents 1 to 3, for example).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-521123 Japanese Patent No. 5963375 International Publication No. 2016/207407 pamphlet

According to a first aspect, a heating unit for a flavor inhaler is provided for heating smokable material to atomize the smokable material. A heating unit for a flavor inhaler includes a compartment defining a receptacle for receiving a smokable substance having an opening and sides surrounding the opening, a heating part for heating the compartment, and a fixing for securing the heating part to the compartment. and a first heat insulating portion disposed between the heating portion and the fixed portion. The smokable material may be a solid smokable material.

According to the first aspect, since the heating section is fixed to the partitioning section by the fixing section, the partitioning section and the heating section can be substantially integrated. At this time, since the first heat insulating portion can reduce the influence of heat from the heating portion to the fixed portion, the fixed portion can withstand use even under high-temperature heating. Thus, according to a first aspect, there is provided an integrated flavor inhaler heating unit capable of high temperature heating. Such an integrated unit has high stability against impact and shaking, and is advantageous in mass production of the unit itself and flavor inhalers incorporating the unit in some cases.

The heating unit may be arranged on the outer surface of the compartment (on the side opposite to the containing unit). The heating section is, for example, a resistance heating section, and can heat the compartment by thermal conduction. The resistive heating unit for example comprises a heating element, which may be a heating track. The heating unit may be a film heater. A film heater may, for example, have a structure in which a layer of electrically insulating material and a layer of heating tracks are superimposed. Also, for example, the heating section can have a structure in which a layer of heating tracks is arranged between two layers of electrically insulating material. The electrically insulating material may be, for example, polyimide, PEEK (polyetheretherketone), or Teflon (registered trademark)-based fluororesin. Also, the heating track can be for example stainless steel or metal such as copper. These materials for the electrically insulating material and the heating track result in a flexible heating structure that is easy to manufacture and highly reliable.

The heating section may have a first portion located on the side opposite to the opening and a second portion located on the side of the opening. The heater power density of the second portion is preferably higher than the heater power density of the first portion, or the heating rate of the second portion is preferably higher than the heating rate of the first portion, or The heating temperature of the second portion is preferably higher than the heating temperature of the first portion at the same arbitrary time. The second portion preferably covers the outer surface of the compartment corresponding to more than half of the smokable material in the longitudinal direction of the smokable material when the smokable material is positioned at the desired position within the compartment. According to this, it is possible to shorten the time from when the heating unit is activated until the first puff can be performed while suppressing energy consumption.

The maximum temperature of the temperature profile when the heating unit heats the smokable substance is preferably selected from 250°C to 310°C, 250°C to 300°C, or 250°C to 290°C. Here, the temperature of the heating part refers to the temperature of the part that generates heat for heating the smokable substance, such as the temperature of the resistance heating part and the temperature of the susceptor. By setting the maximum temperature of the temperature profile when the heating unit heats the smokable substance to one of these temperature ranges, it is possible to quickly raise the temperature of the smokable substance without damaging the device.

It is preferable that the first heat insulating portion is in contact with the heating portion and the fixed portion. This allows the heating unit for a flavor inhaler to have a simpler and more stable structure than when the first heat insulating part does not come into contact with either the heating part or the fixing part.

Preferably, the heating section has a main surface parallel to the side surface of the partition, and the first heat insulating section is arranged to extend along the main surface of the heating section. Thereby, the first heat insulating portion can effectively insulate the heating portion. Here, "parallel to the side surface of the partition" includes being substantially parallel to the side surface of the partition. Moreover, it is preferable that the first heat insulating portion be arranged so as to cover the entire main surface of the heating portion.

The wall thickness of the compartment is preferably substantially uniform. This makes it possible to heat the entire compartment more uniformly. This simplifies the structure of the compartment and facilitates high-precision manufacturing. A uniform thickness here includes a substantially uniform thickness. The thickness of the partition is, for example, 0.04 mm or more and 1.00 mm or less, preferably 0.04 mm or more and 0.50 mm or less, and more preferably 0.05 mm or more and 0.10 mm or less.

The compartment may have a bottomed or bottomless tubular member. Also, the compartment may have a bottom. Alternatively, the heating unit for the flavor inhaler has an abutting part inside or outside the compartment against which a consumable article (hereinafter simply referred to as consumable article) having a smokable substance inserted in the storage part of the compartment is abutted. You may The bottom or abutment preferably supports a portion of the consumable such that at least a portion of the end face of the consumable is exposed. The bottoms or abutments of the compartments may have protrusions or grooves. Also, the bottom or abutment of the compartment may have holes to bring air into the compartment. The partition can be made of, for example, metal with high thermal conductivity such as stainless steel, heat-resistant resin, paper, or the like. The compartment may be, for example, a cylindrical container with a bottom or a cylindrical body without a bottom, and may be cylindrical or rectangular.

The compartment may contain a susceptor. In this case, it is preferable that the heating section includes a cylindrical induction coil that surrounds the side surface of the compartment, and the first heat insulating section has magnetic permeability and non-conductivity (electrical insulation). Here, "having non-conductivity" includes having substantially non-conductivity. This provides an IH (induction heating) assembly of integrated and stable construction.

A side of the compartment may include a susceptor. This allows the partition to receive energy from the induction coil (magnetic lines of force generated around the induction coil) more efficiently than when only the bottom of the partition includes a susceptor. More specifically, a side of the compartment may include a tubular susceptor surrounding the housing and have a current path surrounding the housing. As a result, an eddy current can be efficiently generated because of the annular current path. Moreover, the side surface of the partition may be configured with a susceptor, and may have a current path surrounding the housing. In this case, since the side surface of the partition itself is composed of the susceptor, the partition can have a simple and inexpensive configuration.

As used herein, the term "susceptor" means a material capable of converting electromagnetic energy into heat and means a material intended to heat a "smokable substance". The susceptor is placed in a position to transfer heat to the "smokable substance". Eddy currents induced in the susceptor and magnetic hysteresis losses in the susceptor cause heating of the susceptor when the susceptor is placed in a fluctuating electromagnetic field.

The susceptor preferably comprises a material selected from at least one of the group consisting of aluminum, iron, nickel, and alloys thereof (eg, nichrome and stainless steel). The shape of the susceptor is arbitrary, and may be, for example, granular, rod-like, strip-like, tubular, or cylindrical. Eddy currents can be efficiently generated if the susceptor has a tubular shape with an annular electrical flow path. A plurality of susceptors of the same shape may be arranged in the partition, or susceptors of different shapes may be arranged.

In the present specification, "has magnetic permeability" means that the relative magnetic permeability is greater than 1 and less than 1.000001. Materials having magnetic permeability and non-conductivity (electrical insulation) include, for example, glass, plants, wood, paper, and resins such as PEEK.

The bottom of the compartment is preferably made of a magnetically permeable and non-conductive (electrically insulating) material. If the bottom of the compartment has a susceptor, the tip of the smokable material can be locally overheated. Therefore, by forming the bottom of the compartment from the above material, induction heating does not occur at the bottom of the compartment, so that the smokable substance can be heated more uniformly from the sides than when the bottom includes a susceptor. .

Moreover, it is preferable that the heating unit for the flavor inhaler has a second heat insulating part between the partition part and the induction coil. In this case, the second heat insulator may be magnetically permeable and non-conductive (electrically insulating). Here, "having non-conductivity" includes having substantially non-conductivity. This provides an IH (induction heating) assembly of integrated and stable construction. Moreover, it has at least one of the following effects. The second heat insulating portion reduces the heat transfer of the susceptor to the litz wire sheath that may constitute the induction coil. Since the heat from the susceptor is suppressed from being transferred to the induction coil by the second heat insulating portion, it is possible to make it difficult for the heat to move from the accommodating portion to the outside. Overheating of the housing due to the heat of the susceptor can be reduced. In addition, since the second heat insulating portion has magnetic permeability and non-conductivity (electrical insulation), heat generation is unlikely to occur in the second heat insulating portion, and the susceptor disposed inside the second heat insulating portion can be generated by the induction coil. It is possible to efficiently generate heat by the magnetic lines of force.

A 1st heat insulation part and a 2nd heat insulation part have the same structure. This makes it possible to make the heating unit for the flavor inhaler simpler and less expensive than when the first heat insulating portion and the second heat insulating portion have different configurations. At least one of the first heat insulating portion and the second heat insulating portion may have a portion located between adjacent wires of the induction coil. That is, the first heat insulating portion may have a portion positioned between adjacent wires of the induction coil, and the second heat insulating portion may have a portion positioned between adjacent wires of the induction coil. . Thereby, the position of the induction coil in the longitudinal direction can be fixed, and stable induction heating becomes possible. Both the first insulation section and the second insulation section may have portions located between adjacent wires of the induction coil. As a result, the position of the induction coil in the longitudinal direction can be further fixed, and more stable induction heating becomes possible.

The first heat insulating part and the second heat insulating part may form an integral heat insulating part. Thereby, the heat insulating structure of the heating unit for the flavor inhaler can be made simpler. The induction coil may be embedded in the integral insulation or partially covered by the integral insulation on at least both inner and outer sides of the induction coil. Thereby, the position of the induction coil can be firmly fixed. The second insulation may contact both the compartment and the induction coil. This allows the heating unit for the flavor inhaler to have a more stable structure than when the second heat insulating part does not contact either the partition part or the induction coil.

At least one of the first heat insulating part or the second heat insulating part maintains a predetermined distance between the air and the heating part and the compartment when the heating part is fixed to the compartment; 2 and a support for restricting the movement of air contained in the insulation, with air between the supports. That is, the first heat insulating portion may have the support portion described above and the air provided between the support portions, or the second heat insulating portion may have the support portion described above and the air provided between the support portions. Alternatively, the first heat insulating portion and the second heat insulating portion may have the support portion described above and the air provided between the support portions. As a result, the heat for heating the smokable substance emitted from the resistance heating portion, the susceptor, or the like can be more effectively insulated. The thickness of at least one of the first heat insulating portion and the second heat insulating portion can be, for example, 0.10 mm or more and 3.00 mm or less, 0.30 mm or more and 1.50 mm or less, or 0.50 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less. . That is, the thickness of the first heat insulating portion may be 0.10 mm or more and 3.00 mm or less, 0.30 mm or more and 1.50 mm or less, or 0.50 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less, and the thickness of the second heat insulating portion may be , 0.10 mm or more and 3.00 mm or less, 0.30 mm or more and 1.50 mm or less, or 0.50 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less, and the thickness of the first heat insulation part and the second heat insulation part is 0.10 mm 3.00 mm or more, 0.30 mm or more and 1.50 mm or less, or 0.50 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less. Thereby, the space required for disposing the first heat insulating part or the second heat insulating part can be reduced while maintaining the desired heat insulating performance. The thermal conductivity of the supporting portion of at least one of the first heat insulating portion and the second heat insulating portion is preferably 0.300 W/m/K or less, more preferably 0.100 W/m/K or less, and 0.050 W/m/K. K or less is most preferred. That is, the thermal conductivity of the supporting portion of the first heat insulating portion is preferably 0.300 W/m/K or less, more preferably 0.100 W/m/K or less, and most preferably 0.050 W/m/K or less. In other words, the thermal conductivity of the supporting portion of the second heat insulating portion is preferably 0.300 W/m/K or less, more preferably 0.100 W/m/K or less, and most preferably 0.050 W/m/K or less. It can also be said that the thermal conductivity of the supporting portion of the first heat insulating portion and the second heat insulating portion is preferably 0.300 W/m/K or less, more preferably 0.100 W/m/K or less, and 0.050 W/m It can be said that /K or less is the most preferable. Thereby, the thermal conductivity of the first heat insulating portion or the second heat insulating portion can be reduced.

The thermal conductivity of at least one of the first heat insulating portion and the second heat insulating portion is preferably 0.050 W/m/K or less, more preferably 0.026 W/m/K or less, and 0.013 W/m/K or less. Most preferred. In other words, the thermal conductivity of the first heat insulating portion is preferably 0.050 W/m/K or less, more preferably 0.026 W/m/K or less, and most preferably 0.013 W/m/K or less. The thermal conductivity of the second heat insulating portion is preferably 0.050 W/m/K or less, more preferably 0.026 W/m/K or less, and most preferably 0.013 W/m/K or less. The thermal conductivity of the heat insulating part and the second heat insulating part is preferably 0.050 W/m/K or less, more preferably 0.026 W/m/K or less, and most preferably 0.013 W/m/K or less. As a result, the heat for heating the smokable substance emitted from the resistance heating portion, the susceptor, or the like can be more effectively insulated. Note that the thermal conductivity of at least one of the first heat insulating part or the second heat insulating part is, for example, the thickness of the first heat insulating part or the second heat insulating part, the thermal conductivity of the support part, the shape or volume of the support part, the support part It can be changed depending on the volume of air provided between and the like.

At least one supporting portion of the first heat insulating portion or the second heat insulating portion may be, for example, a fiber, a non-woven fabric, a woven fabric, a porous body, or the like. That is, the support portion of the first heat insulating portion may be fiber, nonwoven fabric, woven cloth, porous material, or the like, and the support portion of the second heat insulating portion may be fiber, nonwoven fabric, woven cloth, Alternatively, it may be a porous body or the like, and the support portions of the first heat insulating portion and the second heat insulating portion may be fibers, non-woven fabric, woven cloth, porous bodies, or the like. In addition, at least one support portion of the first heat insulating portion or the second heat insulating portion can be made of any material that can exhibit desired heat insulating performance, such as ceramic, glass, aerogel, plant, wood, or It may be constructed from paper or the like. That is, the supporting portion of the first heat insulating portion may be made of ceramic, glass, aerogel, plant, wood, paper, or the like, and the supporting portion of the second heat insulating portion may be made of ceramic, glass, aerogel, plant, wood, or the like. , or may be made of paper or the like, and the supporting portions of the first heat insulating portion and the second heat insulating portion may be made of ceramic, glass, aerogel, plant, wood, paper, or the like. At least one support portion of the first heat insulating portion or the second heat insulating portion preferably has flexibility. That is, it can be said that the supporting portion of the first heat insulating portion preferably has flexibility, and it can be said that the supporting portion of the second heat insulating portion preferably has flexibility. It can also be said that the supporting portion of the second heat insulating portion preferably has flexibility. This makes it easier to assemble the first heat insulating part or the second heat insulating part, and allows it to be assembled to compartments of various shapes. At least one supporting portion of the first heat insulating portion or the second heat insulating portion can be made of any material capable of exhibiting desired heat insulating performance. It may be made of sheet-like ceramic fiber such as glass fiber, glass wool, super wool (registered trademark), rock wool, mineral wool, or the like. That is, the supporting portion of the first heat insulating portion is, for example, metal fiber, organic compound fiber, ceramic fiber such as glass fiber, sheet-like ceramic fiber such as sheet-like glass fiber, glass wool, super wool (registered trademark), rock It may be made of wool, mineral wool, or the like, and the supporting portion of the second heat insulating portion may be made of, for example, metal fiber, organic compound fiber, ceramic fiber such as glass fiber, or sheet-like ceramic such as sheet-like glass fiber. Fiber, glass wool, super wool (registered trademark), rock wool, or mineral wool, etc., and the support part of the first heat insulating part and the second heat insulating part may be made of, for example, ceramic fiber such as glass fiber, sheet It may be made of sheet-like ceramic fiber such as glass fiber, glass wool, super wool (registered trademark), rock wool, mineral wool, or the like. Other examples of ceramic fibers include carbon fibers, alumina fibers, silicon carbide fibers, and the like. Examples of materials that make up the fibers of metal fibers include metals, alloys, and plastics that are coated with organic compound resins such as metals and alloys, and non-metal cores that are completely covered with metals and alloys. be done. Examples of metals and metals constituting metal alloys include aluminum, stainless steel, and iron. Examples of organic compound fibers include fibers made from highly heat-resistant materials such as PEEK. In addition, at least when the support portion is made of ceramic fiber such as glass fiber, radiant heat transfer from the area heated to a high temperature by the heat for heating the smokable substance emitted from the resistance heating portion, susceptor, etc. can be expected to reduce the

The air volume ratio of at least one of the first heat insulation part and the second heat insulation part is preferably 50% or more, more preferably 65% or more, and most preferably 80% or more. Moreover, it is preferable that it is 95% or less. That is, it can be said that the air volume ratio of the first heat insulation part is preferably 50% or more, more preferably 65% or more, most preferably 80% or more, and preferably 95% or less. The air volume ratio is preferably 50% or more, more preferably 65% or more, most preferably 80% or more, and preferably 95% or less. It can be said that the ratio is preferably 50% or more, more preferably 65% or more, most preferably 80% or more, and preferably 95% or less. In addition, "air volume ratio" refers to the ratio of the volume of air to the volume of the supporting portion and air. By setting the air volume ratio within these values, it becomes easier to obtain an appropriate compressive stress in the heat insulating portion while maintaining higher heat insulating performance.

The compressive stress of the supporting portion of at least one of the first heat insulating portion and the second heat insulating portion is preferably 0.1 N/mm ² or more and 1.0 N/mm 2 or less, and 0.1 N/mm ^{2 or} more and 0.5 N/mm ² The following is more preferable, and 0.1 N/mm ² or more and 0.3 N/mm ² or less is most preferable. That is, the compressive stress of the supporting portion of the first heat insulating portion is preferably 0.1 N/mm ² or more and 1.0 N/mm ² or less, more preferably 0.1 N/mm ² or more and 0.5 N/mm ² or less, and 0 It can be said that 0.1 N/mm ² or more and 0.3 N/mm ² or less is the most preferable, and the compressive stress of the second heat insulating portion is preferably 0.1 N/mm ² or more and 1.0 N/mm ² or less, and 0.1 N/mm mm ² or more and 0.5 N/mm ^{2 or} less is more preferable, and it can be said that 0.1 N/mm ² or more and 0.3 N/mm ² or less is most preferable. 0.1 N/mm ² or more and 1.0 N/mm ² or less is preferable, 0.1 N/mm ² or more and 0.5 N/mm ² or less is more preferable, and 0.1 N/mm ² or more and 0.3 N/mm ² or less is most preferable. It can be said that it is preferable. As a result, even in a state where the first heat insulation part or the second heat insulation part is fixed under pressure by the fixing part, the shape change of the first heat insulation part or the second heat insulation part is suppressed, and it is included in the heat insulation part. It is possible to reduce the deterioration of the heat insulating function due to the decrease in air volume. Also, the proper flexibility of the first heat insulating part or the second heat insulating part is maintained, and the easiness of arranging the first heat insulating part or the second heat insulating part can be improved.

Further, when at least one of the first heat insulating portion and the second heat insulating portion is a sheet, the compressive stress in the thickness direction of the heat insulating sheet is preferably 0.1 N/mm ² or more and 1.0 N/mm ² or less, and 0.1 N/mm mm ² or more and 0.5 N/mm ² or less is more preferable, and 0.1 N/mm ² or more and 0.3 N/mm ² or less is most preferable. That is, the compressive stress in the thickness direction of the heat insulating sheet of the first heat insulating portion is preferably 0.1 N/mm ² or more and 1.0 N/mm ² or less, and more preferably 0.1 N/mm ² or more and 0.5 N/mm ² or less. Preferably, 0.1 N/mm ² or more and 0.3 N/mm ² or less is most preferable, and the compressive stress in the thickness direction of the heat insulating sheet of the second heat insulating part is 0.1 N/mm ² or more and 1.0 N/mm ² or less is preferable, 0.1 N/mm ² or more and 0.5 N/mm ² or less is more preferable, and it can be said that 0.1 N/mm ² or more and 0.3 N/mm ^{2 or} less is the most preferable. 2 The compressive stress in the thickness direction of the heat insulating sheet of the heat insulating portion is preferably 0.1 N/mm ² or more and 1.0 N/mm ² or less, more preferably 0.1 N/mm ² or more and 0.5 N/mm ^{2 or} less. .1 N/mm ² or more and 0.3 N/mm ² or less is most preferable. As a result, even in a state where the first heat insulation part or the second heat insulation part is pressured in the thickness direction of the heat insulation sheet by the fixing part and fixed, the change in shape of the first heat insulation part or the second heat insulation part is suppressed, It is possible to suppress the deterioration of the heat insulating function due to the decrease in the volume of the air contained in the heat insulating portion. Also, the proper flexibility of the first heat insulating part or the second heat insulating part is maintained, and the easiness of arranging the first heat insulating part or the second heat insulating part can be improved.

The density of the air provided between the supporting portions of at least one of the first heat insulating portion and the second heat insulating portion is preferably uniform in the thickness direction of the first heat insulating portion or the second heat insulating portion. In other words, it can be said that it is preferable that the density of the air provided between the support portions of the first heat insulating portion is uniform in the thickness direction of the first heat insulating portion. It can be said that it is preferable that the density of the air is uniform in the thickness direction of the second heat insulating portion, and the density of the air provided between the first heat insulating portion and the support portion of the second heat insulating portion is the same as that of the first heat insulating portion. It can also be said that it is preferable to be uniform in the thickness direction of the part or the second heat insulating part. Thereby, the 1st heat insulation part or the 2nd heat insulation part can have more uniform heat insulation performance. Uniform here includes being substantially uniform. The thickness direction of the first heat insulating part or the second heat insulating part can also be said to be a direction orthogonal to the side surface of the compartment, a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the compartment, or a direction in which the smokable substance is inserted into the compartment. It can be said that the direction is perpendicular to the

The density of the air provided between the supporting portions of at least one of the first heat insulating portion and the second heat insulating portion is preferably uniform in the width direction of the first heat insulating portion or the second heat insulating portion. In other words, it can be said that the density of the air provided between the support portions of the first heat insulating portion is preferably uniform in the width direction of the first heat insulating portion. It can be said that it is preferable that the density of the air is uniform in the width direction of the second heat insulating part, and the density of the air provided between the first heat insulating part and the support part of the second heat insulating part is the same as that of the first heat insulating part. It can also be said that it is preferable to be uniform in the width direction of the part or the second heat insulating part. Thereby, the 1st heat insulation part or the 2nd heat insulation part can have more uniform heat insulation performance. Uniform here includes being substantially uniform. The width direction of the first heat insulating part or the second heat insulating part can be said to be the direction parallel to the side surface of the compartment, or the longitudinal direction of the compartment or the direction of insertion of the smokable substance into the compartment. good.

The fixed portion may be a biasing portion that biases the heating portion toward the partition. The urging portion may be, for example, a ring or sheet that shrinks due to heat, or an elastic ring or sheet made of rubber or the like. The biasing portion is preferably configured to heat shrink. As a result, the biasing portion can more reliably fix the heating portion, and the fixing portion can be shrunk to fix the heating portion after placing the fixing portion in an uncontracted state at a predetermined position. is also easy. When the urging part covers the compartment and the heating part, the longitudinal direction of the compartment (which can be said to be the direction in which the smokable substance is inserted into the compartment) is more pronounced than the longitudinal direction of the compartment. It is preferable that the shrinkage rate in the circumferential direction around the axis is high. More preferably, the urging portion is thermally shrunk only in the circumferential direction of the partition. Since the urging portion does not thermally shrink in the longitudinal direction of the partition, the range in the longitudinal direction of the partition to which the fixing portion can be fixed is not reduced, so that the heating portion can be fixed more reliably. Considering the flexibility of the biasing portion, the heat resistance temperature of the biasing portion is, for example, 150° C. (a member with an excessively high heat resistance temperature may become ceramic or the like, which may cause problems in terms of flexibility). 300° C. or higher, 150° C. or higher and 270° C. or lower, or 150° C. or higher and 230° C. or lower.

The biasing portion may be a sheet member or a string member (which may be wrapped into a ring shape). The urging portion is made of, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyurethane, nylon, polyvinyl formal, polyvinyl butyral, polyimide (PI), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), gelatin, and polysaccharides. can consist of The urging portion is preferably made of polyimide.

The flavor inhaler heating unit may further have an electromagnetic shield between the fixed part and the induction coil. The electromagnetic shield may include Ni—Zi based ferrite, for example.

The induction coil may be composed of a single wire, but may be a helical litz wire from the viewpoint of effective heat generation. A litz wire has a core made of metal and a sheath made of an electrical insulator that covers the core. The single wire or litz wire core preferably comprises a material selected from at least one of the group consisting of, for example, copper, aluminum, nickel, silver, gold, and alloys thereof such as stainless steel. The litz wire sheath can be, for example, polyimide or polyester. Considering the flexibility of the sheath part, the heat resistance temperature of the sheath part is, for example, 150 ° C. or more 300 ℃ or less, 150 ℃ or more and 270 ℃ or less, or 150 ℃ or more and 230 ℃ or less.

The induction coil may be wound helically (three-dimensional spiral) or spiral (two-dimensional spiral). The shape of the induction coil may be cylindrical (a bent helical or spiral coil) or planar. The induction coil may be adjacent to the partition, surround the partition, or protrude inside the partition. Part can be energized. One or more induction coils may be provided. As an example of the configuration surrounding the partition, the induction coil may be configured in a helical shape so as to surround the partition, or may be configured by bending a spiral coil so as to surround the partition, A plurality of planar coils surrounding the partition may be provided, but a helical configuration surrounding the partition can provide a simple configuration and reduce manufacturing costs.

The frequency applied to the induction coil may be between about 80 kHz and 500 kHz, preferably between about 150 kHz and 250 kHz, more preferably between 190 kHz and 210 kHz. Alternatively, the frequency applied to the induction coil can be 1 MHz or more and 30 MHz or less, preferably 2 MHz or more and 10 MHz or less, more preferably 5 MHz or more and 7 MHz or less. These frequencies may be determined in consideration of properties such as the material and shape of the susceptor.

The flavor inhaler heating unit may be arranged to operate with a varying electromagnetic field having a magnetic flux density of up to about 0.5 Tesla (T) to 2.0 Tesla (T).

The solid smokable material may be wrapped by a breathable first wrapping paper. The first paper wrapper may be provided with a lid that is breathable and prevents the smokable substance from falling. The lid may be glued to the first paper wrapper or may be fixed to the first paper wrapper by frictional force. The lid can be, for example, a paper filter or an acetate filter. The consumable may have a tubular member. The tubular member can be a paper tube or hollow filter.

A hollow filter may consist of a packing layer having one or more hollow channels and a plug wrapper covering the packing layer. Since the packed bed has a high packing density of fibers, air and aerosol flow only through the hollow channels during suction, and hardly flow inside the packed bed. The hollow filter may have a mouthpiece made up of adjacent filter sections or the like.

The longitudinal length of the solid smokable substance is preferably 40 mm to 90 mm, more preferably 50 mm to 75 mm, even more preferably 50 mm to 60 mm. The circumference of the solid smokable material is preferably between 15 mm and 25 mm, more preferably between 17 mm and 24 mm, and even more preferably between 20 mm and 23 mm. The length of the solid smokable substance is 12 mm to 22 mm, the length of the first wrapping paper is 12 mm to 22 mm, the length of the hollow filter portion is 7 mm to 26 mm, and the length of the filter portion is 6 mm to 20 mm. good.

The smokable material included in the consumable may contain an aerosol source that is heated at a predetermined temperature to generate an aerosol. The type of aerosol source is not particularly limited, and extracts from various natural products and/or constituents thereof can be selected depending on the application. Aerosol sources can include, for example, glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and mixtures thereof. The content of the aerosol source in the solid smokable substance (% by weight relative to the weight of the entire smokable substance) is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of generating a sufficient aerosol and imparting a good flavor and taste, it is usually 5. % by weight or more, preferably 10% by weight or more, and usually 50% by weight or less, preferably 20% by weight or less.

For solid smokable materials, tobacco such as lamina, backbone, or other known botanicals may be used as a flavor source. Moreover, the shape of the flavor source such as tobacco may be chopped, sheet-like, string-like, powdery, granular, pellet-like, slurry-like, or porous. The range of the content of smokable substances such as cigarettes in consumables is, for example, 200 mg to 400 mg and 250 mg to 320 mg when the size of the smokable substances is 20 mm to 23 mm in circumference and 18 mm to 22 mm in length. is preferred. The moisture content of the smokable substance containing tobacco or the like as a flavor source (% by weight relative to the weight of the entire smokable substance) is, for example, 8% to 18% by weight, preferably 10% to 16% by weight. . Such a water content suppresses the occurrence of winding stains and improves the winding suitability during production. There are no particular restrictions on the size of the tobacco cut used as an example of the smokable substance and the preparation method thereof. For example, dried tobacco leaves cut into pieces having a width of 0.8 mm to 1.2 mm may be used. Alternatively, dried tobacco leaves may be pulverized to have an average particle size of about 20 μm to 200 μm and homogenized, processed into sheets, and cut into pieces having a width of 0.8 mm to 1.2 mm. . Furthermore, the above-mentioned sheet-processed material may be gathered without being chopped and used as the smokable material. Further, the smokable material may be liquid, and the liquid may have a viscosity, in which case the smokable material may be predominantly an aerosol source. The content of the aerosol source in the liquid smokable material (wt% relative to the weight of the total smokable material) can be 80 wt% or more, 90 wt% or more, or 95 wt% or more. The smokable material may also contain one or more flavorants. The type of flavoring agent is not particularly limited, but menthol is preferable from the viewpoint of imparting a good smoking taste.

The consumable item may have a second wrapping paper, different from the first wrapping paper, wrapping at least one of the tubular member, the hollow filter portion, and the filter portion. The second paper wrapper may wrap a portion of the first paper wrapper that wraps the smokable substance. The consumable first paper wrapper and second paper wrapper can be made from base paper having a basis weight of, for example, 20 gsm to 65 gsm. Although the thickness of the first wrapping paper and the second wrapping paper is not particularly limited, it is preferably 10 μm to 100 μm from the viewpoint of rigidity, air permeability, and ease of adjustment during paper manufacturing.

The consumable first paper wrapper and second paper wrapper may include filler. The content of the filler can be 10% to 60% by weight, preferably 15% to 45% by weight, based on the total weight of the first wrapping paper and the second wrapping paper. For the preferred basis weight range (25 gsm to 45 gsm), the filler is preferably 15% to 45% by weight. Examples of fillers that can be used include calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, and kaolin. Paper containing such a filler exhibits a bright white color, which is preferable from the viewpoint of appearance when used as wrapping paper for consumables, and can permanently maintain its whiteness. By including a large amount of such fillers, for example, the ISO whiteness of the wrapping paper can be increased to 83% or higher. Moreover, from the practical viewpoint of using them as consumable wrapping paper, it is preferable that the first wrapping paper and the second wrapping paper have a tensile strength of 8 N/15 mm or more. This tensile strength can be increased by lowering the filler content. Specifically, the tensile strength can be increased by making the content of the filler less than the upper limit of the content of the filler shown in each basis weight range exemplified above.

Note that features of other aspects can be combined or applied to the first aspect as long as the actions and effects of the first aspect are not inhibited.

According to a second aspect, a flavor inhaler is provided. The flavor inhaler has the flavor inhaler heating unit described above and an external heat insulator. An external heat insulator is arranged between the fixed part and the housing. Thereby, since the flavor inhaler has the first heat insulating portion of the flavor inhaler heating unit and the outer heat insulating portion, it is possible to improve the heating efficiency of the smokable substance and suppress the temperature rise of the housing. In other words, the compartment is kept warm by the first heat insulating part at a position where the space is relatively small and close to the heating part, and the outer surface of the housing is prevented from being overheated by the external heat insulating part at a position where the space is relatively large and far from the heating part. reduced.

The flavor inhaler is preferably a portable or handheld device. Moreover, it is preferable that the external heat insulating part has a thickness larger than that of the first heat insulating part. Thereby, the heat insulating effect can be improved. The thickness here means the thickness in the direction perpendicular to the side surface of the partition. The external heat insulating part is arranged so as to cover at least the entire main surface of the first heat insulating part. Thereby, the heat insulating effect can be improved.

The external insulation may include, for example, a case defining an interior space. The case can be made of, for example, metal such as stainless steel, or synthetic resin such as plastic. The interior space may for example be evacuated or filled with an insulating material such as aerogel. Especially when the airgel heat insulating material and the first heat insulating part such as ceramic fiber such as glass fiber are combined, the first heat insulating part reduces the radiant heat from the heating part before reaching the airgel heat insulating material which is the external heat insulating part. Therefore, even an airgel heat insulating material having low heat insulating performance against radiant heat can effectively contribute to heat insulation. In that case, the emissivity of the first heat insulating portion is preferably 0.7 or more, more preferably 0.9 or more. Selecting the emissivity from the above range reduces the transmittance, so that the radiant heat transfer from the point where the heat for heating the smokable substance with the highest temperature in the flavor inhaler is generated is effectively suppressed. can be done. In other words, an external heat insulating part made of a heat insulating material such as an airgel heat insulating material having low heat insulating performance against radiant heat is combined with a first heat insulating part having an emissivity of preferably 0.7 or more, more preferably 0.9 or more. As a result, a synergistic thermal insulation effect that complements each other can be expected.

It should be noted that features of other aspects can be combined or applied to the second aspect as well as long as the actions and effects of the second aspect are not inhibited.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a flavor inhaler for heating smokable material to atomize the smokable material. The flavor inhaler is disposed between a compartment having an opening and a side surface surrounding the opening, a heating part for heating the compartment, a housing containing the compartment and the heating part, and the side of the compartment and the housing. and an external thermal insulation disposed between the thermal insulation and the housing. The smokable material may be a solid smokable material. Thereby, since the flavor inhaler has the heat insulating portion and the external heat insulating portion, it is possible to improve the heating efficiency of the smokable substance and suppress the temperature rise of the housing. In other words, the heat insulation of the compartment is provided at a position where the space is relatively small and close to the heating section, and the external heat insulation is provided at a position where the space is relatively large and far from the heating section to reduce overheating of the outer surface of the housing. be.

Where A is the shortest distance between the outer surface of the compartment and the inner surface of the housing, the heat insulating part is within the range of A/5, preferably A/10, more preferably A/20 from the outer surface of the compartment. is preferably placed in the Thereby, heat insulation of the compartment can be efficiently performed.

When the shortest distance between the outer surface of the compartment and the inner surface of the housing is A, the outer heat insulating part is 5A/6 or more, preferably 4A/6 or more, more preferably 3A/6 from the outer surface of the compartment. It is preferable that they are spaced apart from each other. Thereby, overheating of the outer surface of the housing can be suppressed more efficiently.

It should be noted that features of other aspects can be combined or applied to the third aspect as well as long as the actions and effects of the third aspect are not impaired.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a heating unit for a flavor inhaler for heating smokable material to atomize the smokable material. A heating unit for a flavor inhaler has an opening and sides surrounding the opening, a compartment defining a receptacle for receiving a smokable substance, a heating section for heating the compartment, and between the compartment and the heating section. and a second heat insulating portion disposed. The compartment contains a susceptor. The heating section is a cylindrical induction coil that surrounds the side of the compartment. The second heat insulating part is magnetically permeable and non-conductive (electrically insulating). The smokable material may be a solid smokable material. Here, "having non-conductivity" includes having substantially non-conductivity.

According to a fourth aspect, an IH (induction heating) assembly of integrated and stable construction is provided. In addition, the second heat insulating portion reduces the transfer of the heat of the susceptor to the litz wire sheath that may constitute the induction coil. Furthermore, since the second heat insulating portion suppresses the heat from the susceptor from being transferred to the induction coil, the heat from the susceptor is less absorbed by the induction coil, and as a result, the heat is transferred from the housing portion to the outside. can be made difficult. Similarly, overheating of the housing due to the heat of the susceptor can be reduced. Since the second heat insulation part has magnetic permeability and non-conductivity (electrical insulation), heat generation is unlikely to occur in the second heat insulation part, and the magnetic lines of force generated by the induction coil in the susceptor disposed inside the second heat insulation part It is possible to efficiently generate heat by

It should be noted that features of other aspects can be combined or applied to the fourth aspect as well, as long as the actions and effects of the fourth aspect are not impaired.

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a heating unit for a flavor inhaler for heating smokable material to atomize the smokable material. A heating unit for a flavor inhaler has an opening and sides surrounding the opening, a compartment defining a receptacle for receiving a smokable substance, a heating section for heating the compartment, and between the compartment and the heating section. and a second heat insulating portion disposed. The second heat insulator has magnetic permeability and non-conductivity (electrical insulation). The compartment contains a susceptor. The heating section is a cylindrical induction coil that surrounds the side of the compartment. The second heat insulating part is magnetically permeable and non-conductive (electrically insulating). Here, "having non-conductivity" includes having substantially non-conductivity. The smokable material may be a solid smokable material.

According to the fifth aspect, the partitioned portion is induction-heated by the heating portion, but the second heat insulating portion can reduce the transfer of heat from the partitioned portion to the heating portion. Moreover, in the fifth aspect, the heating unit for the flavor inhaler may have an external heat insulating portion as necessary. Thereby, the temperature rise of the housing can be reduced. Moreover, in the fifth aspect, the heating unit for the flavor inhaler may have an electromagnetic shield as necessary.

It should be noted that features of other aspects can be combined or applied to the fifth aspect as well, as long as the actions and effects of the fifth aspect are not inhibited.

According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a heating unit for a flavor inhaler for heating smokable material to atomize the smokable material. A heating unit for a flavor inhaler has an opening and side surfaces surrounding the opening and defines a compartment defining a container for receiving a smokable substance, a heating unit for heating a susceptor disposed within the container, and a heating unit. and a fixing portion that is fixed to the portion. The compartment is magnetically permeable and non-conductive (electrically insulating). The heating section is a cylindrical induction coil that surrounds the side of the compartment. The smokable material may be a solid smokable material. The partition may be made of a resin material such as PEEK.

According to a sixth aspect, an IH (induction heating) assembly of integrated and stable construction is provided. In addition, since the heating section is configured to heat the susceptor disposed within the housing section, heat from the susceptor is less likely to be released from the housing section.

It should be noted that features of other aspects can be combined or applied to the sixth aspect as well, as long as the actions and effects of the sixth aspect are not inhibited.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the flavor inhaler which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing of a 1st heat insulation part. It is a schematic sectional drawing of an external heat insulation part. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the form of the heating unit for the flavor inhaler in the first embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the flavor inhaler of 2nd Embodiment. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a first heat insulating portion and a second heat insulating portion; FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the form of the heating unit for the flavor inhaler of the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows another example of a form of the flavor inhaler which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows another example of the form of the flavor inhaler which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the flavor inhaler of 3rd Embodiment.

<First embodiment>
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a flavor inhaler 100 according to the first embodiment. Flavor inhaler 100 is preferably a portable or handheld device. As shown in FIG. 1 , the flavor inhaler 100 has a battery 10 , a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 20 , a heating unit 40 for the flavor inhaler, and a housing 102 .

The flavor inhaler heating unit 40 is configured to heat the solid smokable substance 30 to atomize the smokable substance. The smokable material 30 forms part of a consumable 31, for example in the shape of a column extending along its longitudinal direction. The consumable 31 may be, for example, a tobacco stick in which the smokable substance comprises tobacco. Battery 10 stores power for use in flavor inhaler 100 . For example, battery 10 is a lithium ion battery. Battery 10 may be rechargeable by an external power source.

The PCB 20 is composed of a CPU, memory, etc., and controls the operation of the flavor inhaler 100 . For example, the PCB 20 starts heating the smokable substance 30 in response to user manipulation of an input device such as a push button or slide switch (not shown), and finishes heating the smokable substance 30 after a certain period of time has elapsed. The PCB 20 may terminate heating of the smokable substance 30 even before a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of heating of the smokable substance 30 when the number of puffs by the user exceeds a predetermined value. For example, a puff action is detected by a sensor (not shown).

Alternatively, the PCB 20 may initiate heating of the smokable material upon initiation of the puffing action and terminate heating of the smokable material 30 upon termination of the puffing action. The PCB 20 may terminate heating of the smokable material 30 even before the end of the puffing action if a certain amount of time has passed since the beginning of the puffing action. In this embodiment, the PCB 20 is arranged between the battery 10 and the flavor inhaler heating unit 40 .

In the illustrated example, the flavor inhaler 100 is configured to receive a stick of smokable substance 30 . Also, as shown, the battery 10 , PCB 20 , and flavor inhaler heating unit 40 may be arranged laterally, ie, perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the smokable substance 30 into the flavor inhaler 100 . The housing 102 is a housing that accommodates the battery 10, the PCB 20, and the heating unit 40 for the flavor inhaler.

The flavor inhaler heating unit 40 has a partition section 50 , a heating section 60 , a first heat insulating section 70 , and a fixing section 80 . As shown, the heating section 60 is arranged on the outer surface of the partition section 50 , and the first heat insulating section 70 is arranged between the heating section 60 and the fixing section 80 . When assembling the heating unit 40 for the flavor inhaler, first, the first heat insulation part 70 is wrapped around the heating part 60 while the heating part 60 is wrapped around the outer surface of the partition part 50 . Subsequently, the fixing part 80 is wound around the outer surface of the heating part 60 .

Compartment 50 has an opening 51 and sides 52 surrounding opening 51 to define a receptacle 53 for receiving smokable substance 30 . In the illustrated example, the compartment 50 is a tubular member having a bottom 55 . Bottom 55 preferably supports smokable material 30 such that at least a portion of the end surface of smokable material 30 is exposed. In the illustrated example, the bottom portion 55 is provided with a hole 54 for introducing air into the container 53 and exposing a portion of the end surface of the smokable substance 30 . The hole 54 communicates with an air flow path 102 a formed in the housing 102 , and the air flow path 102 a communicates with the outside of the housing 102 . The compartment 50 of the first embodiment can be made of a highly thermally conductive metal such as stainless steel.

Heating unit 60 is configured to heat compartment 50 . The heating section 60 is, for example, a resistance heating section, and can heat the partition section 50 by thermal conduction. In the first embodiment, the heating section 60 is a film heater. Specifically, the heating part 60 may have a structure in which an insulating layer 61 made of an electrical insulating material and a heating layer 62 made of a heating track are stacked. The heating unit 60 may be composed only of heating tracks. The insulating layer 61 is arranged to cover at least one surface of the heating unit 60 , preferably both surfaces of the heating unit 60 .

The first heat insulating portion 70 is arranged so as to contact both the heating portion 60 and the fixed portion 80 . FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first heat insulating portion 70. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the first heat insulating portion 70 includes a support portion 71 that maintains a predetermined distance between the heating portion 60 and the partition portion 50 when the heating portion 60 is fixed to the partition portion 50; air 72 provided between 71 . That is, the first heat insulating part 70 can have the supporting part 71 having an air layer inside. Moreover, it is preferable that the support portion 71 of the first heat insulating portion 70 has flexibility. Specifically, for example, the support portion 71 of the first heat insulating portion 70 may be made of glass fiber, and may be sheet-like glass fiber.

The density of the air 72 provided between the support portions 71 of the first heat insulating portion 70 is preferably uniform in the thickness direction of the first heat insulating portion 70 . Moreover, it is preferable that the density of the air 72 provided between the support portions 71 of the first heat insulating portion 70 is uniform in the width direction of the first heat insulating portion 70 .

As shown in FIG. 1, the heating section 60 has a main surface parallel to the side surface 52 of the partition section 50, and the first heat insulating section 70 is arranged to extend along the main surface of the heating section 60. is preferred. More preferably, the first heat insulating section 70 covers the entire heating section 60 in the longitudinal direction of the compartment 50 (the direction of insertion of the smokable substance 30). Moreover, the first heat insulating portion 70 is preferably arranged so as to cover the entire main surface of the heating portion 60 in the longitudinal direction of the partition portion 50 in the direction orthogonal to the side surface 52 of the partition portion 50 . Moreover, it is preferable that the first heat insulating portion 70 be arranged so as to cover the main surface of the heating portion 60 over the entire circumferential direction of the partition portion 50 . Therefore, it is most preferable that the first heat insulating portion 70 be arranged so as to cover the entire main surface of the heating portion 60 .

The fixing part 80 is configured to fix the heating part 60 to the compartment part 50 . As a result, the heating section 60 can be fixed in substantially close contact with the outer surface of the partition section 50, so that the heating efficiency is further improved and the structure around the chamber 50 is stabilized. The fixing portion 80 may be a biasing portion 80 that biases the heating portion 60 toward the partition portion 50 . The biasing portion 80 may be, for example, a ring or sheet that shrinks due to heat, or an elastic ring or sheet made of rubber or the like. The biasing portion 80 is preferably configured to be heat shrinkable. It is preferable that the biasing portion 80 has a higher contraction rate in the circumferential direction than in the longitudinal direction of the partitioning portion 50 when covering the partitioning portion 50 and the heating portion 60 . More preferably, the urging portion 80 is thermally shrunk only in the circumferential direction of the partition portion 50 .

In the first embodiment, the biasing portion 80 can be a sheet member. The biasing portion 80 is preferably made of polyimide.

In the first embodiment, since the first heat insulating portion 70 is provided between the fixed portion 80 and the heating portion 60 , it is possible to suppress the transfer of heat from the heating portion 60 to the fixed portion 80 . As a result, the temperature of the heating unit 60 can be made higher than before, and the smokable substance 30 can be heated to a higher temperature.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the flavor inhaler 100 according to the first embodiment may further have an external heat insulating part 85 . The external heat insulating part 85 is arranged between the fixed part 80 and the housing 102 . Therefore, the flavor inhaler 100 has the first heat insulating portion 70 and the external heat insulating portion 85 of the heating unit 40 for the flavor inhaler. Thereby, the heating efficiency of the smokable substance 30 can be improved and the temperature rise of the housing 102 can be suppressed. In other words, the compartment 50 is warmed by the first heat insulating portion 70 at a position where the space is relatively small and close to the heating portion 60, and the housing 102 is warmed by the external heat insulating portion 85 at a position where the space is relatively large and far from the heating portion 60. Overheating of the outer surface, PCB 20 and battery 10 is suppressed.

The outer heat insulating portion 85 is preferably thicker than the first heat insulating portion 70 . In addition, the outer heat insulating portion 85 covers the main surface of the first heat insulating portion 70 parallel to the side surface 52 of the partition portion 50 in the direction perpendicular to the side surface 52 of the partition portion 50 along the longitudinal direction of the partition portion 50. is preferably arranged. Moreover, it is preferable that the external heat insulating portion 85 be arranged so as to cover the first heat insulating portion 70 over the entire circumferential direction of the partition portion 50 .

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the external heat insulating portion 85. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3 , the external insulation 85 may include a case 86 defining an interior space 87 . The case 86 may be made of, for example, metal such as stainless steel, or synthetic resin such as plastic. The interior space 87 may for example be evacuated or filled with an insulating material such as aerogel.

In FIG. 1, when the shortest distance between the outer surface of the compartment 50 and the inner surface of the housing 102 is A, the first heat insulating part 70 extends from the outer surface of the compartment 50 by A/5, preferably A/10. , and more preferably within the range of A/20. In other words, when L1 is the distance between the outer surface of the partition section 50 and the outer surface of the first heat insulating section 70, L1 is A/5 or less, preferably A/10 or less, and more preferably A/20. It is below. Thereby, heat insulation of the partition part 50 can be efficiently performed.

Further, it is preferable that the external heat insulating portion 85 be arranged at a distance of 5 A/6 or more, preferably 4 A/6 or more, more preferably 3 A/6 or more from the outer surface of the partition portion 50 . In other words, when the distance between the outer surface of the partition 50 and the inner surface of the outer heat insulating portion 85 is L2, L2 is 5A/6 or more, preferably 4A/6 or more, and more preferably 3A/6 or more. is. Thereby, overheating of the outer surface of the housing 102 can be suppressed more efficiently.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another form example of the heating unit 40 for a flavor inhaler in the first embodiment. In the flavor inhaler heating unit 40 shown in FIG. 1 , the first heat insulating part 70 and the fixing part 80 are arranged only at positions corresponding to the main surface of the heating part 60 . On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 4 , the first heat insulating portion 70 also covers the end surface of the heating portion 60 . That is, the first heat insulating portion 70 is longer than the heating portion 60 in the longitudinal direction of the partition portion 50 and also covers both ends of the heating portion 60 . Thereby, the heat from the heating unit 60 can be more efficiently insulated. Further, as shown in FIG. 4 , the fixing portion 80 may also cover the end surfaces of the first heat insulating portion 70 and the heating portion 60 . That is, the fixed portion 80 is longer than the first heat insulating portion 70 and the heating portion 60 in the longitudinal direction of the partition portion 50 and also covers both end portions of the first heat insulating portion 70 and the heating portion 60 . Thereby, the fixing portion 80 can more reliably fix the heating portion 60 to the partition portion 50 .

<Second embodiment>
Next, the flavor inhaler 100 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler 100 of the second embodiment. The flavor inhaler 100 of the second embodiment differs from the flavor inhaler 100 of the first embodiment in the configuration of the heating unit 40 for the flavor inhaler.

In the second embodiment, the flavor inhaler heating unit 40 has a partition section 50, a second heat insulating section 73, a heating section 60, a first heat insulating section 70, an electromagnetic shield 88, and a fixing section 80. .

The heating section 60 of the second embodiment has a substantially tubular induction coil surrounding the side surface 52 of the partition section 50 . Compartment 50 may also include a susceptor. The susceptor may be arranged on the outer surface or the inner surface of the compartment 50, or may be included in the side surface 52 that constitutes the compartment 50. In the illustrated example, the side 52 of the compartment 50 It may be constructed of a metal such as stainless steel to be inductively heated by a . As a result, the partition 50 can receive energy (magnetic lines of force generated around the induction coil) from the heating section 60 more efficiently than when only the bottom 55 of the partition 50 includes a susceptor. More specifically, side 52 of compartment 50 includes a tubular susceptor surrounding housing 53 and has a current path surrounding housing 53 . As a result, an eddy current can be efficiently generated because of the annular current path.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the bottom portion 55 of the partition portion 50 may be made of synthetic resin such as PEEK having magnetic permeability and non-conductivity (electrical insulation). When the bottom 55 of the compartment 50 has a susceptor, the tip of the smokable material 30 can be locally overheated. Therefore, since the bottom portion 55 of the compartment portion 50 is made of a magnetically permeable and non-conductive material, induction heating does not occur at the bottom portion 55 of the compartment portion 50, which reduces smoking compared to the case where the bottom portion 55 includes a susceptor. The possible substance 30 can be uniformly heated from the side.

The first heat insulating portion 70 preferably has magnetic permeability and non-conductivity (electrical insulation). The electromagnetic shield 88 and the fixed part 80 can be protected from the heat of the partition part 50 by the first heat insulating part 70 . Also, the second heat insulating portion 73 may have magnetic permeability and non-conductivity (electrical insulation). As a result, an IH (induction heating) assembly having a stable structure in which the members necessary for heating are arranged in layers around the partitioned portion as an axis and in which the members necessary for heating are integrated is provided. Such a configuration may be advantageous both for mass production of the IH assembly itself and for mass production of flavor inhalers incorporating the IH assembly. Moreover, it has at least one of the following effects. The litz wire sheath that can form the induction coil of the heating unit 60 can be protected from the heat of the susceptor (the side surface 52 of the compartment 50 ) by the second heat insulating unit 73 . Since the second heat insulating portion 73 prevents heat from being transferred from the susceptor (the side surface 52 of the partition portion 50 ) to the induction coil of the heating portion 60 , it is possible to make it difficult for heat to move from the housing portion 53 to the outside. . It is possible to prevent the housing 102 from being overheated by the heat of the susceptor (the side surface 52 of the compartment 50).

The first heat insulating portion 70 and the second heat insulating portion 73 have the same configuration. This makes it possible to make the heating unit 40 for a flavor inhaler simpler and less expensive than when the first heat insulating portion 70 and the second heat insulating portion 73 have different configurations. FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the first heat insulating portion 70 and the second heat insulating portion 73. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6 , at least one of the first heat insulating portion 70 and the second heat insulating portion 73 may have portions 70 a and 73 a positioned between adjacent wires of the induction coil of the heating portion 60 . Thereby, the position of the induction coil in the longitudinal direction can be fixed, and stable induction heating becomes possible. Both the first insulation section 70 and the second insulation section 73 may have portions 70a, 73a located between adjacent wires of the induction coil. As a result, the position of the induction coil in the longitudinal direction can be further fixed, and more stable induction heating becomes possible.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another form example of the heating unit 40 for a flavor inhaler of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7 , the first heat insulating portion 70 and the second heat insulating portion 73 may form an integral heat insulating portion 75 . Thereby, the heat insulation structure of the heating unit 40 for flavor inhalers can be made simpler. In this case, the induction coil of the heating unit 60 may be embedded in the integral heat insulating portion 75 or at least both inner and outer sides of the induction coil may be partially covered with the integral heat insulating portion 75 . Thereby, the position of the induction coil can be firmly fixed.

In the second embodiment, the second heat insulating section 73 may contact both the partition section 50 and the induction coil of the heating section 60 . This allows the heating unit 40 for a flavor inhaler to have a more stable structure than when the second heat insulating part 73 does not come into contact with either the partition part 50 or the induction coil.

As shown in FIG. 2 in the first embodiment, the second heat insulating portion 73 may have support portions and air provided between the support portions, similar to the first heat insulating portion 70 . As a result, heat from the susceptor (the side surface 52 of the partition 50) can be more effectively insulated. Moreover, it is preferable that the supporting portion of the second heat insulating portion 73 has flexibility. This facilitates the assembly of the second heat insulating portion 73 and allows it to be assembled to partition portions 50 of various shapes. Specifically, for example, the support portion of the second heat insulating portion 73 may be made of glass fiber.

The density of the air provided between the supporting portions of the second heat insulating portion 73 is preferably uniform in the thickness direction of the second heat insulating portion 73 . Moreover, it is preferable that the density of the air provided between the supporting portions of the second heat insulating portion 73 is uniform in the width direction of the second heat insulating portion 73 .

As shown in FIG. 5 , the induction coils of the heating section 60 may be arranged so as to surround the partition section 50 . The induction coil of the heating unit 60 may be composed of a single wire, but may be a helical litz wire from the viewpoint of effective heat generation.

The induction coil of the heating unit 60 may be wound in a helical (three-dimensional spiral) or spiral (two-dimensional vortex) shape. The shape of the induction coil may be cylindrical (a bent helical or spiral coil) or planar. The induction coil may be adjacent to the partition portion 50, may surround the partition portion 50, or may protrude into the partition portion 50. By being arranged so as to surround the partition portion 50, an efficient energy can be supplied to the heat-generating portion of the compartment 50 at . One or more induction coils may be provided. As an example of a configuration surrounding the partitioning portion 50, the induction coil may be configured in a helical shape so as to surround the partitioning portion 50, or may be configured by bending a spiral coil so as to surround the partitioning portion 50. Alternatively, a plurality of planar coils surrounding the partition 50 may be provided, but the helical configuration surrounding the partition 50 can provide a simple configuration and reduce the manufacturing cost.

The electromagnetic shield 88 arranged between the fixed part 80 and the induction coil of the heating part 60 may contain, for example, Ni—Zi system ferrite.

According to the flavor inhaler 100 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 or 7 described above, the heating section 60 including the induction coil can heat the side surface 52 of the partition section 50 by electromagnetic induction. At this time, the first heat insulating portion 70 and the second heat insulating portion 73 can prevent the heat from the side surface 52 of the partition portion 50 from being transmitted to the fixed portion 80 or the electromagnetic shield 88 . As a result, the temperature of the compartment 50 can be made higher than before, and the smokable substance 30 can be heated to a higher temperature.

The partition part 50 of the flavor inhaler 100 according to the second embodiment may have a susceptor inside the housing part 53 . FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another form example of the flavor inhaler 100 according to the second embodiment. In the illustrated example, a pin-, blade- or plate-like susceptor 90 is arranged in the housing portion 53 of the partition portion 50 . Susceptor 90 is arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction of partition 50 . Once the smokable substance 30 is inserted and positioned at the desired location within the container 53 , the susceptor 90 is inserted and positioned within the smokable substance 30 . In this state, the susceptor 90 is induction-heated by the heating unit 60, so that the smokable substance 30 can be heated.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the compartment 50 may be made of a synthetic resin such as PEEK, which is magnetically permeable and non-conductive (electrically insulating). As a result, the energy from the heating section 60 (magnetic lines of force generated around the induction coil) is not absorbed by the partition section 50 and is efficiently transmitted to the susceptor 90 .

In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 8 , the flavor inhaler heating unit 40 does not necessarily have to include the second heat insulating portion 73 . This is because the smokable substance 30 exists between the susceptor 90 and the heating portion 60 when the smokable substance 30 is heated, so that the transfer of heat from the susceptor 90 to the heating portion 60 can be reduced.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing still another example of the form of the flavor inhaler 100 according to the second embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 9 , the flavor inhaler heating unit 40 does not have a susceptor, but instead a susceptor 92 is provided inside the smokable substance 30 . The shape of the susceptor 92 is arbitrary and, for example, the susceptor 92 may be arranged inside the smokable substance 30 in the form of granules, rods, strips, tubes, cylinders, or the like. In the example shown in FIG. 9, similar to the example in FIG. 8, the compartment 50 can be made of a synthetic resin such as PEEK that is magnetically permeable and non-conductive (electrically insulating).

Once the smokable substance 30 is in the desired location within the container 53 , the susceptor 92 is positioned within the induction coil of the heating portion 60 . In this state, the susceptor 92 is induction-heated by the heating unit 60, so that the smokable substance 30 can be heated.

Moreover, in the example shown in FIG. 9 , the heating unit 40 for a flavor inhaler does not necessarily have to include the second heat insulating portion 73 as in the example shown in FIG. 8 . This is because the smokable substance 30 exists between the susceptor 92 and the heating portion 60 when the smokable substance 30 is heated, so that the transfer of heat from the susceptor 92 to the heating portion 60 can be reduced.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a flavor inhaler 100 according to a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler 100 of the third embodiment. The flavor inhaler 100 of the third embodiment differs from the flavor inhaler 100 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 in the configuration of the heating unit 40 for the flavor inhaler. Specifically, in the third embodiment, the heating unit 40 for a flavor inhaler does not have the first heat insulating portion 70 and the fixing portion 80 .

In the third embodiment, the side surface 52 of the partition portion 50 is induction-heated by the heating portion 60 , but the heat from the partition portion 50 can be suppressed from being transferred to the heating portion 60 by the second heat insulating portion 73 . In addition, in the third embodiment, the flavor inhaler heating unit 40 may have an external heat insulating portion 85 as necessary. Thereby, the temperature rise of the housing 102 can be reduced. In addition, in the third embodiment, the flavor inhaler heating unit 40 may have an electromagnetic shield 88 as necessary.

In addition, in the third embodiment, the second heat insulating portion 73 is biased and fixed to the partition portion 50 by the induction coil of the heating portion 60 . Therefore, even if the heating unit 40 for a flavor inhaler does not include the fixing portion 80 , the second heat insulating portion 73 can be fixed to the outer surface of the partition portion 50 .

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, specification and drawings. is possible. Any shape or material that is not directly described in the specification and drawings is within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention as long as it produces the action and effect of the present invention. In addition, the shape, degree, etc. expressed in the specification as at least "substantially" in terms of shape, degree, etc. are not limited to "strictly the shape, degree, etc." It is intended to include "the shape, degree, etc. of the range in which the action is performed."

30 : Smokable substance 40 : Heating unit for flavor inhaler 50 : Compartment part 51 : Opening 52 : Side surface 53 : Storage part 60 : Heating part 70 : First heat insulation part 71 : Support part 72 : Air 73 : Second heat insulation part 75 : Thermal insulation part 80 : Fixed part, biasing part 85 : External thermal insulation part 88 : Electromagnetic shield 90 : Susceptor 92 : Susceptor 100 : Flavor suction device 102 : Housing

Claims (12)

A heating unit for a flavor inhaler that heats a consumable in the form of a column containing a solid smokable substance to atomize the smokable substance, comprising:
a partitioning portion having an opening and side surfaces surrounding the opening and partitioning a housing portion for receiving the columnar consumable;
a heating unit that heats the partition;
a fixed part;
a housing that accommodates the partition portion, the heating portion, and the fixing portion inside ;
the compartment includes a susceptor;
The heating unit includes a tubular induction coil surrounding the side surface of the partition,
The heating unit for the flavor inhaler,
a first heat insulating portion disposed between the induction coil and the fixed portion;
a second heat insulator disposed between the susceptor and the induction coil;
an electromagnetic shield arranged between the fixed part and the induction coil,
The flavor inhaler , wherein the fixing part is configured to fix the first heat insulating part or the second heat insulating part. The flavor inhaler according to claim 1,
A flavor inhaler , wherein the side surface of the compartment is composed of the susceptor and has a current path surrounding the container. In the flavor inhaler according to claim 1 or 2,
The flavor inhaler , wherein the first heat insulating part has a portion located between adjacent wires of the induction coil. In the flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The flavor inhaler , wherein the first insulation portion includes glass fiber. In the flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The flavor inhaler, wherein the first heat insulating portion has a thickness of 0.10 mm or more and 3.00 mm or less. In the flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A said 1st heat insulation part and a said 2nd heat insulation part are flavor inhalers which have the same structure. In the flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
At least one of the first heat insulating portion and the second heat insulating portion includes a sheet, and the compressive stress in the thickness direction of the sheet is 0.1 N/mm ² or more and 1.0 N/mm ² or less. In the flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The flavor inhaler , wherein the fixed part is made of polyimide. In the flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
When the shortest distance between the outer surface of the compartment and the inner surface of the housing is A, the first heat insulating part is arranged within a range of A/5 from the outer surface of the compartment. vessel. In the flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
and an external heat insulator disposed between the fixed portion and the housing. In the flavor inhaler according to claim 10 ,
The flavor inhaler, wherein the outer heat insulating part is arranged at a distance of 5A/6 or more from the outer surface of the compartment, where A is the shortest distance between the outer surface of the compartment and the inner surface of the housing. A flavor suction system comprising the consumable and a flavor suction device according to any one of claims 1-11 .

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