EP3845081A1

EP3845081A1 - Flavor component delivery device

Info

Publication number: EP3845081A1
Application number: EP18931510.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Keiji MARUBASHI; Takuma Nakano; Masayuki Tsuji; Takehiro MITSUTSUKA
Original assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Current assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date: 2018-08-27
Filing date: 2018-08-27
Publication date: 2021-07-07
Also published as: JP7019053B2; EP3845081A4; WO2020044385A1; JPWO2020044385A1

Abstract

To estimate a state of a flavor source contained in a flavor source such as tobacco in a container without providing a sensor in the container. A flavor component delivery device includes: a flavor container configured to house a flavor source and release a gas and/or aerosol containing a flavor component of the flavor source; a first sensor arranged upstream or downstream of the flavor container in a flow path through the flavor container to a mouthpiece; and a controller configured to estimate a state of the flavor source in the flavor container on a basis of a measurement result of the first sensor.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a flavor component delivery device.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, there is known a flavor component delivery device which is configured to deliver a gas and/or aerosol containing a flavor component in tobacco or the like into the mouth in response to the suction of a user. In such a flavor component delivery device, a container having a pod shape or a rod shape housing tobacco is used.
PTL 1 discloses an electronic cigarette that measures the temperature of an aerosol or vapor.

CITATION LIST

PATENT LITERATURE

PTL 1: WO2017/084489

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

In order to directly measure the state of the tobacco housed in the container mentioned above, for example the temperature, it is necessary to install a sensor inside the container. However, it is not always easy to install a sensor inside a container. In addition, such containers may be replaceable after use, and there is a problem that the cost of installing a sensor in the container itself will increase.
An object of the present invention is to estimate the state of a flavor source contained in a container, e.g., tobacco, without installing a sensor in the container.

SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

According to a first aspect, a flavor component delivery device is provided. The flavor component delivery device includes: a flavor container configured to house a flavor source and release a gas and/or aerosol containing a flavor component of the flavor source; a first sensor arranged upstream or downstream of the flavor container in a flow path through the flavor container to a mouthpiece; and a controller configured to estimate a state of the flavor source in the flavor container on a basis of a measurement result of the first sensor.
According to a second aspect, the flavor component delivery device according to the first aspect further includes: a heating mechanism configured to heat the flavor source in the flavor container, in which wherein at least part of the heating mechanism is arranged along an outer wall of the flavor container.
According to a third aspect, the flavor component delivery device according to the second aspect, in which the heating mechanism includes an induction coil that generates an alternating magnetic field and a susceptor that is inductively heated by the alternating magnetic field, and the induction coil is arranged along the outer wall of the flavor container, and the susceptor is housed in the flavor container together with the flavor source.
According to a fourth aspect, the flavor component delivery device according to the third aspect, in which the flavor source and/or the susceptor includes powder, and the flavor container includes a partition wall that prevents the powder from flowing out of the flavor container and allows the gas and/or aerosol to pass through. s
According to a fifth aspect, the flavor component delivery device according to the fourth aspect, in which the susceptor includes powder, and the powder, which is the susceptor, is at least partially covered with the flavor source.
According to a sixth aspect, the flavor component delivery device according to any of the third to fifth aspects, in which the flavor container includes a first region at least partially surrounded by the induction coil and a second region not surrounded by the coil and arranged adjacent to the first region, and the flavor source and the susceptor are arranged only in the first region.
According to a seventh aspect, the flavor component delivery device according to the sixth aspect referring to the third or fourth aspect, in which the susceptor has a long shape protruding from at least one end of the induction coil to outside of the induction coil.
According to an eighth aspect, the flavor component delivery device according to any of the second to seventh aspects, in which the controller is configured to control a heating temperature of the flavor source by the heating mechanism on a basis of a measurement result of the first sensor.
According to a ninth aspect, the flavor component delivery device according to the eighth aspect, in which the controller is configured to control the heating temperature such that the flavor component or an other component in the flavor container is heated at a temperature lower than a temperature at which the flavor component or the other component is aerosolized.
According to a tenth aspect, the flavor component delivery device according to any of the first to ninth aspects, in which the controller is configured to detect suction by a user through the mouthpiece on a basis of a measurement result of the first sensor.
According to an eleventh aspect, the flavor component delivery device according to any of the first to tenth aspects, in which the first sensor is configured to be arranged downstream of the flavor container in the flow path and measure a physical quantity representing a state of the gas and/or aerosol released from the flavor container.
According to a twelfth aspect, the flavor component delivery device according to the eleventh aspect, in which the first sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the gas and/or aerosol released from the flavor container.
According to a thirteenth aspect, the flavor component delivery device according to the twelfth aspect, further including: a housing that houses the first sensor; and a heat insulator disposed between the first sensor and the housing.
According to a fourteenth aspect, the flavor component delivery device according to the eleventh aspect, in which the first sensor is configured to measure a concentration of a component contained in the gas and/or aerosol released from the flavor container.
According to a fifteenth aspect, the flavor component delivery device according to any of the eleventh to fourteenth aspects, further including: a second sensor arranged upstream of the flavor container in the flow path, in which the controller is configured to estimate a state of the flavor source in the flavor container on a basis of measurement results of both the first sensor and the second sensor.
According to a sixteenth aspect, the flavor component delivery device according to the fifteenth aspect, in which the first sensor includes a gas component concentration sensor, the second sensor includes a temperature sensor, and the controller detects suction of a user via the mouthpiece on a basis of the measurement result of the second sensor, and, when the suction by the user is detected, determines whether or not a concentration of a component of the gas and/or aerosol containing the flavor component released from the flavor container measured by the first sensor reaches a predetermined value.
According to a seventeenth aspect, the flavor component delivery device according to any of the eleventh to sixteenth aspects, further including: a check valve that prevents the gas from flowing upstream in the flow path from the mouthpiece.
According to an eighteenth aspect, the flavor component delivery device according to any of the first to seventeenth aspects, in which the flow path includes an air inlet configured to incorporate air from outside of the flavor component delivery device and a release path configured to lead the gas and/or aerosol released from the flavor container to the mouthpiece, and the air inlet is provided only on an upstream side of the release path of the flow path.
According to a nineteenth aspect, the flavor component delivery device according to any of the first to eighteenth aspects, further including: an aerosol generation unit; and an inflow path that leads an aerosol generated by the aerosol generation unit into the flavor container.
According to a twentieth aspect, a flavor component delivery device is provided. The flavor component delivery device includes: a flavor container configured to house a flavor source and release a gas and/or aerosol containing a flavor component of the flavor source; a sensor arranged downstream of the flavor container in a flow path through the flavor container toward a mouthpiece and configured to measure a physical quantity representing a state of the gas and/or aerosol released from the flavor container; and a controller configured to detect suction by a user through the mouthpiece on a basis of a measurement result of the sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flavor component delivery device according to a first embodiment.
Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flavor component delivery device according to a second embodiment.
Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flavor component delivery device according to a third embodiment.
Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flavor component delivery device according to a fourth embodiment.
Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flavor component delivery device according to a fifth embodiment.
Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flavor component delivery device according to a sixth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below, the same or equivalent components are designated by the same reference numerals and duplicate description will be omitted.

Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flavor component delivery device according to the first embodiment. A flavor component delivery device 10 includes a battery unit 20 and a body unit 30. The battery unit 20 includes a battery 21 and a controller 22. The body unit 30 includes a housing 31, a mouthpiece 32, a flavor container 40, and an induction coil 61. The housing 31 is configured to be connectable with the battery unit 20. The housing 31 has a wiring, which is not shown, for electrically connecting the battery 21 and the induction coil 61 via the controller 22, when connected to the battery unit 20.
The mouthpiece 32 is connected to one end of the housing 31. Note that the mouthpiece 32 may be integrally formed with the housing 31. The housing 31 has an air inlet 35 near the connection with the battery unit 20. The air inlet 35 is configured to draw air into the interior of the housing 31 from outside the flavor component delivery device 10 when the user sucks the mouthpiece 32. In the present embodiment, the mouthpiece 32 has a check valve 36. The check valve 36 can prevent a gas from flowing upstream from the mouthpiece 32 into an airflow path.
The housing 31 includes therein an inflow path 51, through which air passes from the air inlet 35 until it reaches the flavor container 40, and a release path 52, through which the gas and/or aerosol released from the flavor container 40 reach the mouthpiece 32. The air flowing from the air inlet 35 passes through the inflow path 51 and the inside of the flavor container 40. The air flowing into the flavor container 40, along with the gas and/or aerosol containing the flavor component generated from the flavor container 40, as described below, reaches the mouth of the user from the mouthpiece 32 through the release path 52. Therefore, the air inlet 35, the inflow path 51, the inside of the flavor container 40, the release path 52, and the mouthpiece 32 form the airflow path. Here, as shown in Fig. 1, the air inlet 35 is provided only on the upstream side of the release path 52, and air inflow from the outside of the flavor component delivery device 10 occurs only through the air inlet 35. In other words, the flavor component delivery device 10 is configured to prevent air from flowing directly into the release path 52 from the outside.
The flavor container 40 is detachably housed inside the housing 31. The flavor container 40 includes therein a tobacco source 42 (corresponding to an example of the flavor source) and a susceptor 44 made of any material that can be heated by electromagnetic induction. The tobacco source 42 and the susceptor 44 are housed in the flavor container 40 in a state where they can exchange heat with each other. For example, the tobacco source 42 and the susceptor 44 may be housed in the flavor container 40 in a flowable state or be housed in a practically non-flowable state, for example, by compression or adhesion. In the illustrated embodiment, the tobacco source 42 and the susceptor 44 are powders having a predetermined particle size. Note that, without limitation, the tobacco source 42 and the susceptor 44 can be of any shape, such as columnar or sheet form. Further, the heat generation efficiency can be improved by the susceptor 44 having a ring shape or a torus shape. The susceptor 44 may be at least partly coated with the tobacco source 42.
The flavor container 40 is, for example, substantially cylindrical in shape and has a bottom wall 40a (corresponding to an example of the partition wall), which is positioned upstream, a side wall 40b (corresponding to an example of the outer wall), and a filter 45 (corresponding to an example of the partition wall). The side wall 40b is made of a resin, for example, and is configured to prevent the gas from passing through. The bottom wall 40a is made of, for example, resin and has one or more holes. The bottom wall 40a is configured to prevent the powdered tobacco source 42 and susceptor 44 from flowing out of the flavor container 40 and to allow the air of the air inlet 35 to pass through the holes. The filter 45 is provided inside or at the end of the flavor container 40 and constitutes the downstream end face of the flavor container 40. The filter 45 is configured to prevent the powdered tobacco source 42 and susceptor 44 from flowing out of the flavor container 40, and to allow the gas and/or aerosol containing the flavor component generated from the flavor container 40 to pass through.
The induction coil 61 is arranged in the housing 31 along the side wall 40b of the flavor container 40. In the illustrated example, the induction coil 61 is fixed to the housing 31. The induction coil 61 is configured to generate an alternating magnetic field to inductively heat the susceptor 44 in the flavor container 40. The susceptor 44 is inductively heated by the induction coil 61, which heats the tobacco source 42 housed in the flavor container 40 and a flavor component such as nicotine and the like contained in the tobacco source 42. Therefore, the induction coil 61 and the susceptor 44 constitute a heating mechanism that heats the tobacco source 42 and the flavor component contained therein.
As shown in the drawings, the flavor container 40 has a first region A1 arranged upstream, where the tobacco source 42 and the susceptor 44 are housed, and a second region A2 arranged downstream, where the filter 45 is arranged. The first region A1 is at least partially surrounded by the induction coil 61. Further, the second region A2 is not surrounded by the induction coil 61, but is arranged adjacent to the first region A1. The tobacco source 42 and the susceptor 44 are arranged only in the first region A1, not in the second region A2.
The controller 22 is configured to control the current flowing to the induction coil 61, so that the heating temperature of the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 can be controlled. The controller 22 can control the heating temperature so that the tobacco source 42 is heated at a temperature lower than the temperature at which the flavor component such as nicotine and the like and other components contained in the tobacco source 42 are aerosolized. The controller 22 can also control the heating temperature so that it is heated at the same or higher temperature at which the flavor component such as nicotine and the like and other components contained in the tobacco source 42 are aerosolized. In that case, the controller 22 can control the heating temperature so that the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 does not burn.
The controller 22 of the flavor component delivery device 10 controls the current flowing in the induction coil 61 to vaporize the flavor component contained in the tobacco source 42. When the user sucks the mouthpiece 32, the air from the air inlet 35 flows into the flavor container 40. The flavor container 40 releases the vaporized flavor component from the tobacco source 42. The gas and/or aerosol containing the flavor component reaches the mouth of the user with the air flowing into the flavor container 40.
The flavor component delivery device 10 further includes a downstream sensor 72 provided downstream of the flavor container 40. In the first embodiment, the downstream sensor 72 is a temperature sensor. Specifically, the downstream sensor 72 is configured to measure or estimate the temperature (corresponding to an example of the physical quantity) of the gas and/or aerosol containing the flavor component released by the flavor container 40. Note that, in another embodiment, the downstream sensor 72 can be a chemical sensor, such as a gas component concentration sensor. In this case, the downstream sensor 72 is configured to measure or estimate the concentration (corresponding to an example of the physical quantity) of components of the gas and/or aerosol containing the flavor component released by the flavor container 40.
The downstream sensor 72 is housed inside the housing 31 and fixed directly or indirectly to the housing 31, for example, as shown in the drawing. In one embodiment, as shown in the drawing, a heat insulator 33 is arranged between the downstream sensor 72 and the housing 31. This can reduce the influence of the temperature of the outside of the housing 31 on the downstream sensor 72.
The downstream sensor 72 is electrically connected to the controller 22 and is configured to be capable of transmitting the detected data to the controller 22. Specifically, the controller 22 receives data, from the downstream sensor 72, indicating the temperature of the gas and/or aerosol containing the flavor component released by the flavor container 40. The controller 22 is configured to estimate the state of the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 on the basis of the received temperature data. Specifically, the controller 22 can estimate the extent of the temperature of the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 on the basis of the received temperature data. That is, the controller 22 can, for example, estimate the temperature of the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 to be a temperature that is higher by a predetermined value than the temperature received. Further, the controller 22 can also estimate the extent of the remaining amount of flavor component in the flavor container 40 on the basis of the received temperature data. Specifically, on the basis of he received temperature data, the controller 22 can estimate the amount of flavor component released from the heat history of the tobacco source 42, i.e., the record of the heating temperature and the heating time of the tobacco source 42, and, when it exceeds a predetermined threshold value, can estimate that the remaining amount of flavor component is insufficient.
Further, also when the downstream sensor 72 is a gas component concentration sensor, the controller 22 can estimate the extent of the remaining amount of flavor component in the flavor container 40 on the basis of the received component concentration data. Specifically, the controller 22, on the basis of the received gas component concentration data, can measure or estimate an accumulated amount of flavor component released from the tobacco source 42, and when the accumulated amount exceeds a predetermined threshold, can estimate that the remaining amount of flavor component is below a predetermined lower limit. Further, the controller 22 can estimate the evaporation rate of the flavor component contained in the tobacco source 42 on the basis of the received gas component concentration data. Specifically, the controller 22 can estimate the evaporation rate of the flavor component by measuring or estimating the amount of flavor component released from the tobacco source 42 per given time on the basis of the received gas component concentration data.
Further, the controller 22 can estimate degradation or alteration of the tobacco source 42 (corresponding to an example of the state of the flavor source) on the basis of the data received from the downstream sensor 72. Specifically, the controller 22 can determine that volatile components generated by degradation or alteration of the tobacco source 42 remain downstream when the component concentration data received from the downstream sensor 72 is greater than a predetermined threshold value when the user is not sucking.
Further, the controller 22 is configured to control the heating temperature of the flavor component contained in the tobacco source 42 by the induction coil 61 and the susceptor 44 on the basis of the measurement results of the downstream sensor 72. Specifically, for example, when the controller 22 estimates that the temperature of the flavor component in the flavor container 40 is higher than a target temperature, the controller 22 can reduce the value of current flowing in the induction coil 61 to reduce the heating by the induction coil 61 and the susceptor 44. Meanwhile, when the controller 22 estimates that the temperature of the flavor component in the flavor container 40 is lower than the target temperature, the controller 22 can increase the value of current flowing in the induction coil 61 to increase the heating by the induction coil 61 and the susceptor 44. The target temperature may always be a fixed value or may be a value that varies with elapsed time after activation of the heating mechanism, the number of times of suction or the time of suction by the user, or the like. Further, for example, when the controller 22 estimates that the remaining amount of the flavor component in the flavor container 40 is less than the predetermined value, the controller 22 can increase the amount of evaporation of the flavor component by increasing the heating by the induction coil 61 and the susceptor 44.
Further, the controller 22 can detect the user's suction through the mouthpiece 32 on the basis of the measurement results of the downstream sensor 72. Specifically, when the user sucks through the mouthpiece 32, the flow of the gas and/or aerosol from the air inlet 35 to the mouthpiece 32 changes the temperature detected by the downstream sensor 72. Therefore, the controller 22 receives temperature data continuously or intermittently from the downstream sensor 72 and determines whether or not there is a change in the received temperature over a predetermined value. The controller 22 determines that the user has sucked when it is determined that there has been a change in received temperature over a predetermined value.
The controller 22 can switch the control of the heating mechanism according to the result of suction detection using the downstream sensor 72. For example, the controller 22 can compensate for the heat lost by suction from the flavor container and/or the heating mechanism by increasing the power supply to the heating mechanism over a period of time after the suction detection. Further, the controller 22 stores the number of times of suction, the time of suction, or the like after the activation of the device in a memory, which is not shown, and can terminate the power supply to the heating mechanism when the number of times of suction, the time of suction, or the like reaches a certain value. This prevents the user from continuously using the same flavor container 40 when the remaining amount of the flavor component in the flavor container 40 is low. Note that, the flavor component delivery device 10 may drive the heating mechanism with or without the user's suction and may drive the heating mechanism only during the period when the user's suction is detected. In the latter case, since the heating mechanism is not driven during the period when suction is not detected, the total power consumption until the flavor source in the flavor container 40 is heated can be reduced. The flavor component delivery device 10 can have a suction sensor separate from the downstream sensor 72.
Further, when the downstream sensor 72 is a gas component concentration sensor, the detected component concentration changes. Therefore, the controller 22 receives the concentration data continuously or intermittently from the downstream sensor 72, in a case where the downstream sensor 72 is a gas component concentration sensor, and determines whether or not there is a change in the received concentration over a predetermined value. The controller 22 determines that the user has sucked when it is determined that there has been a change in the received concentration received over a predetermined value.
As described above, with the flavor component delivery device 10 of the fist embodiment, the controller 22 can estimate the state of the flavor component in the flavor container 40 on the basis of the measurement results of the downstream sensor 72. Thus, the state of the flavor component contained in the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 can be estimated with a simple configuration without installing a sensor in the flavor container 40. Note that, when the induction coil 61, a heating source, is arranged outside the flavor container 40, as in the case of the first embodiment, it is difficult to arrange a temperature detection mechanism (e.g., temperature sensor) inside the flavor container 40. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is not necessary to arrange a sensor in the flavor container 40, and it is particularly useful when the heating source is positioned outside the flavor container 40.
Further, according to first embodiment, the powdered tobacco source 42 and susceptor 44 are housed in the flavor container 40, and the tobacco source 42 is heated through the susceptor 44. In this way, the susceptor 44 can be distributed in the flavor container 40 and thus the tobacco source 42 can be heated more evenly.
According to first embodiment, the induction coil 61 is arranged to at least partially surround the first region A1, and the second region A2 is not surrounded by the induction coil 61. Therefore, since the induction coil 61 is not arranged around the second region A2, which does not contribute to the evaporation of the flavor component, the coil length of the induction coil 61 can be minimized.
Note that, according to the first embodiment, the induction coil 61 and the susceptor 44 are adopted as the heating mechanism of the flavor component, but, without limitation, a resistance heater may also be adopted as the heating mechanism. In that case, the susceptor 44 is not needed in the flavor container 40. Further, according to the first embodiment, the tobacco source 42 and the susceptor 44 are housed in the flavor container 40, but an aerosol source such as water, glycerin, or propylene glycol may be further housed. In that case, the flavor container 40 is configured to release an aerosol with the gas containing the flavor component.
According to the first embodiment, the controller 22 can control the heating temperature of the flavor component in the flavor container 40 on the basis of the measurement results of a first sensor. Therefore, the flavor component delivery device 10 can bring the heating temperature of the flavor component closer to a target value and generate the gas and/or aerosol containing a desired amount of flavor component.
According to the first embodiment, the controller 22 can control the heating temperature, i.e., the induction coil 61, so that the flavor component in the flavor container 40 or other components contained in the tobacco source 42 are heated at a temperature lower than the temperature at which they are aerosolized. For example, when the atmospheric temperature is ambient temperature, the flavor component and other components in the tobacco source 42 are aerosolized when heated at or above about 150°C. The controller 22 can control the heating temperature such that the tobacco source 42 is heated below 150°C, and thus the flavor component can be delivered to the user practically in an invisible state. Further, by heating the tobacco source 42 at a lower temperature, the depletion of the flavor component or the like contained in the tobacco source 42 can be delayed. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with the flavor component over a long period of time. For example, the heating temperature of the tobacco source 42 can be preferably equal to or less than 100°C, more preferably equal to or less than 80°C. On the other hand, in order to deliver the desired amount of flavor component, the heating temperature of the tobacco source 42 can be equal to or more than the ambient temperature, preferably equal to or more than 40°C.
According to the first embodiment, the controller 22 can detect the user's suction through the mouthpiece 32 on the basis of the measurement results of the downstream sensor 72. Therefore, there is no need to provide a puff detection sensor separately from the downstream sensor 72, which can reduce the number of parts of the flavor component delivery device 10 and simplifies the structure.
According to the first embodiment, the heat insulator 33 is arranged between the downstream sensor 72 and the housing 31. Thus, the influence of the external temperature of the housing 31 on the downstream sensor 72 can be reduced. Therefore, the heat insulator 33 is particularly useful when the downstream sensor 72 is a temperature sensor.
According to the first embodiment, the flavor component delivery device 10 includes the check valve 36 which prevents the gas from flowing from the mouthpiece 32 towards the release path 52 (part of the flow path). Thus, the influence of air flow from the mouthpiece 32 on the downstream sensor 72 can be suppressed, and, especially, the false detection of the downstream sensor 72 by the user's blowing through the mouthpiece 32 can be prevented.
According to the first embodiment, the air inlet 35 is provided only on the upstream side of the release path 52, and the air inflow from the outside of the flavor component delivery device 10 is only performed through the air inlet 35. In other words, the flavor component delivery device 10 is configured to prevent the air from directly flowing into the release path 52 from the outside. This prevents the gas and/or aerosol released from the interior of the flavor container 40 from being cooled by the outside air. Therefore, the temperature of the gas and/or aerosol can be measured more accurately by the downstream sensor 72.

Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flavor component delivery device 10 according to the second embodiment. The flavor component delivery device 10 according to the second embodiment differs from the flavor component delivery device 10 according to first embodiment in that an upstream sensor 74 is provided instead of the downstream sensor 72 and in terms of the configuration of the flavor container 40. However, instead of the configuration of the flavor container 40 shown in Fig. 2, the configuration of the flavor container 40 according to another embodiment may be adopted, or the configuration of the flavor container 40 shown in Fig. 2 may be adopted in another embodiment.
As shown in the drawing, the flavor component delivery device 10 has the upstream sensor 74 provided upstream of the flavor container 40. According to the second embodiment, the upstream sensor 74 is configured to measure the temperature (corresponding to an example of the physical quantity) of the air flowing into the flavor container 40 from the air inlet 35. According to another embodiment, the upstream sensor 74 can be a gas component concentration sensor. In this case, the upstream sensor 74 is configured to measure the concentration (corresponding to an example of the physical quantity) of a gas component flowing into the flavor container 40.
The upstream sensor 74 is housed inside the housing 31, and is, for example, directly or indirectly fixed to the housing 31 as shown in the drawing. According to an embodiment, as shown in the drawing, a heat insulator 34 is arranged between the upstream sensor 74 and the housing 31. This can reduce the influence of the external temperature of the housing 31 on the upstream sensor 74.
The upstream sensor 74 is electrically connected to the controller 22 and is configured to be capable of transmitting the detected data to the controller 22. Specifically, the controller 22 receives data, from the upstream sensor 74, indicating the temperature of the air flowing into the flavor container 40 from the air inlet 35. The controller 22 is configured to estimate the state of the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 on the basis of the received temperature data. Specifically, the controller 22 can estimate the extent of variations in the temperature of the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 on the basis of the received temperature data. The temperature of the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 can vary depending on the temperature of the air flowing into the flavor container 40. Specifically, for example, when the temperature of the air flowing into the flavor container 40 is lower than a predetermined value, the temperature of the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 can be lower than expected. Therefore, the controller 22 can bring the heating temperature of the tobacco source 42 close to the target temperature regardless of the temperature of the flowing air by controlling the induction coil 61 according to the received temperature (temperature of the air flowing into the flavor container 40).
When the upstream sensor 74 is a gas component concentration sensor, the controller 22 can estimate the deterioration or alteration (corresponding to an example of the state of the flavor source) of the tobacco source 42 on the basis of the data received from the upstream sensor 74. Specifically, the controller 22 can determine that volatile components generated by degradation or alteration of the tobacco source 42 remain upstream when the component concentration data received from the upstream sensor 74 is greater than a predetermined threshold value when the user is not sucking.
The flavor container 40 includes therein a tobacco source 42 (corresponding to an example of the flavor source) and a susceptor 44 made of any material that can be heated by electromagnetic induction. In the illustrated embodiment, the tobacco source 42 is powders having a predetermined particle size. The susceptor 44 has a long shape such as a column or plate extending in the direction of the flow path of the flavor component delivery device 10. Further, the susceptor 44 is arranged such that the end of the susceptor 44 protrudes outward from at least one end of the induction coil 61 (the downstream end in the illustrated example). This can improve the heating efficiency of the induction coil 61 to the susceptor 44. Note that the susceptor 44 may be configured so that both ends protrude outward from both ends of the induction coil 61. On the other hand, when one end of the susceptor 44 (the upstream end in the illustrated example) is arranged inside the induction coil 61, as shown in the drawing, the end of the susceptor 44 preferably extends to the vicinity of the end of the induction coil 61. The shape of the tobacco source 42 is not limited to powder, but can be of any shape such as columnar or sheet shape. Further, the susceptor 44 may be at least partly coated with the tobacco source 42.

Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flavor component delivery device according to the third embodiment. The flavor component delivery device 10 according to the third embodiment differs from the flavor component delivery device 10 according to the first embodiment in that an upstream sensor 74 is further provided.
The upstream sensor 74 and the downstream sensor 72 are configured to detect the temperature of the air flowing from the air inlet 35. Note that, in another embodiment, the upstream sensor 74 and/or the downstream sensor 72 can be a gas component concentration sensor.
The upstream sensor 74 and the downstream sensor 72 are electrically connected to the controller 22 and are configured to be capable of transmitting the detected data to the controller 22. The controller 22 is configured to estimate the state of the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 on the basis of the measurement results of the upstream sensor 74 and the downstream sensor 72. Specifically, the controller 22 can estimate the extent of the temperature of the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 on the basis of the respective received temperature data. That is, as for the controller 22, when the temperature received from the upstream sensor 74, i.e., the temperature of the air flowing to the flavor container 40 is excessively high or low, the downstream sensor 72 can be influenced by the external temperature of the flavor component delivery device 10. Therefore, when the temperature received from the upstream sensor 74 exceeds a predetermined value (for example, 30°C), the controller 22 can estimate that the temperature of the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 estimated based on the measurement result of the downstream sensor 72 is lower than usual. Further, when the temperature received from the upstream sensor 74 is lower than a predetermined value (for example, 10°C), the controller 22 can estimate that the temperature of the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 estimated based on the measurement result of the downstream sensor 72 is higher than usual.
Thus, according to the third embodiment, since the flavor component delivery device 10 has the upstream sensor 74 and the downstream sensor 72, the state of the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 can be estimated more accurately even in a high temperature environment or a low temperature environment.
Further, when the upstream sensor 74 and the downstream sensor 72 are gas component concentration sensors, the controller 22 can determine the difference between the component concentration value measured by the upstream sensor 74 and the component concentration value measured by the downstream sensor 72 to determine the amount of component derived from the tobacco source 42. As an example, by measuring or estimating the concentration of the flavor component derived from the tobacco source 42 with the upstream sensor 74 and the downstream sensor 72, the controller 22 can estimate how much the flavor component in the flavor container 40 has evaporated (state of the tobacco source 42). Further, as another example, by measuring or estimating the concentration of components such as carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide derived from the tobacco source 42 with the upstream sensor 74 and the downstream sensor 72, the controller 22 can estimate whether the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 is undergoing excessive thermal decomposition (state of the tobacco source 42). Thus, the controller 22 can control the amount of electric power to the induction coil 61, i.e., the heating temperature of the flavor component of the tobacco source 42 via the susceptor 44, on the basis of the amount of component derived from the tobacco source 42.
When the upstream sensor 74 and/or the downstream sensor 72 is a gas component concentration sensor, as described above, the controller 22 can estimate the deterioration or alteration of the tobacco source 42 on the basis of the data received from the upstream sensor 74 and/or the downstream sensor 72.
Furthermore, when the upstream sensor 74 is a temperature sensor and the downstream sensor 72 is a gas component concentration sensor, the controller 22 first detects the user's suction through the mouthpiece 32 on the basis of the measurement results of the upstream sensor 74. Specifically, when the user sucks through the mouthpiece 32, the flow of the gas and/or aerosol from the air inlet 35 to the mouthpiece 32 changes the temperature detected by the upstream sensor 74. Therefore, the controller 22 receives temperature data continuously or intermittently from the upstream sensor 74 and determines whether or not there has been a change in the received temperature over a predetermined value. The controller 22 determines that the user has sucked when it is determined that there has been a change in received temperature over the predetermined value.
Next, the downstream sensor 72 measures or estimates the concentration of the components of the gas and/or aerosol containing the flavor component released by the flavor container 40. The controller 22 determines whether or not the concentration of the components of the gas and/or aerosol measured or estimated by the downstream sensor 72 has reached a predetermined value when the user's suction is detected on the basis of the measurement results of the upstream sensor 74. When the concentration does not reach the predetermined value, the controller 22 can determine that the remaining amount of the flavor component contained in the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 is insufficient.

Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flavor component delivery device according to the fourth embodiment. The flavor component delivery device 10 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the flavor component delivery device 10 according to the third embodiment in that an aerosol generation unit separate from the tobacco source 42 is provided.
As shown in the drawing, the flavor component delivery device 10 includes an aerosol generation unit 76 upstream of the flavor container 40, i.e., in the inflow path 51. The aerosol generation unit 76 includes, for example, an aerosol source, which is not shown, a heating element, and the like. The heating element of the aerosol generation unit 76 is electrically connected to the battery 21 via the controller 22 and is powered by the battery 21. This allows the heating element to heat the aerosol source and generate an aerosol.
The aerosol generated by the aerosol generation unit 76 flows into the interior of the flavor container 40 with the air flowing from the air inlet 35 by the user's suction. The flow path between the aerosol generation unit 76 and the flavor container 40 constitutes an inflow path that leads the aerosol generated by the aerosol generation unit 76 to the flavor container 40. The controller 22 controls the current flowing to the induction coil 61 to vaporize the flavor component contained in the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40. The aerosol is released from the flavor container 40, incorporating the flavor component evaporated from the tobacco source 42, and reaches the mouth of the user through the release path 52 and the mouthpiece 32.
The upstream sensor 74 is configured to detect the temperature of the air flowing from the air inlet 35 and/or the aerosol generated by the aerosol generation unit 76. The downstream sensor 72 is configured to detect the temperature of the gas and/or aerosol containing the flavor component released from the flavor container 40. Note that, in another embodiment, the upstream sensor 74 and/or the downstream sensor 72 can be a gas component concentration sensor.
The upstream sensor 74 and the downstream sensor 72 are electrically connected to the controller 22 and are configured to be capable of transmitting the detected data to the controller 22. The controller 22 is configured to estimate the state of the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 on the basis of the measurement results of the upstream sensor 74 and the downstream sensor 72.
Specifically, the controller 22 can estimate the extent of the temperature of the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 on the basis of the respective received temperature data. That is, when the temperature which the controller 22 received from the upstream sensor 74, i.e., the temperature of the air and/or aerosol flowing to the flavor container 40 is excessively high or low, the downstream sensor 72 can be influenced by the external temperature of the flavor component delivery device 10. Therefore, when the temperature received from the upstream sensor 74 exceeds a predetermined value (for example, 30°C), the controller 22 can estimate that the temperature of the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 estimated based on the measurement result of the downstream sensor 72 is lower than usual. Further, when the temperature received from the upstream sensor 74 is lower than a predetermined temperature (for example, 10°C), the controller 22 can estimate that the temperature of the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 estimated based on the measurement result of the downstream sensor 72 is higher than usual.
Further, when the upstream sensor 74 and the downstream sensor 72 are gas component concentration sensors, the controller 22 can determine the difference between the component concentration value measured by the upstream sensor 74 and the component concentration value measured by the downstream sensor 72 to determine the amount of component derived from the tobacco source 42. As an example, by measuring or estimating the concentration of the flavor component derived from the tobacco source 42 with the upstream sensor 74 and the downstream sensor 72, the controller 22 can estimate how much the flavor component in the flavor container 40 has been incorporated by the aerosol (state of the tobacco source 42). Further, as another example, by measuring or estimating the concentration of components such as carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide derived from the tobacco source 42 with the upstream sensor 74 and the downstream sensor 72, the controller 22 can estimate whether the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 is undergoing excessive thermal decomposition (state of the tobacco source 42). Thus, the controller 22 can control the heating temperature of the heating element of the aerosol generation unit 76, i.e., the amount of generation of aerosol on the basis of the amount of component derived from the tobacco source 42.
When the upstream sensor 74 and/or the downstream sensor 72 is a gas component concentration sensor, as described above, the controller 22 can estimate the deterioration or alteration of the tobacco source 42 on the basis of the data received from the upstream sensor 74 and/or the downstream sensor 72.
Furthermore, when the upstream sensor 74 is a temperature sensor and the downstream sensor 72 is a gas component concentration sensor, the controller 22 first detects the user's suction through the mouthpiece 32 on the basis of the measurement results of the upstream sensor 74. Specifically, when the user sucks through the mouthpiece 32, the flow of the gas and/or aerosol from the air inlet 35 to the mouthpiece 32 changes the temperature detected by the upstream sensor 74. Therefore, the controller 22 receives temperature data continuously or intermittently from the upstream sensor 74 and determines whether or not there has been a change in the received temperature over a predetermined value. The controller 22 determines that the user has suctioned when it is determined that there has been a change in received temperature received over the predetermined value.
Next, the downstream sensor 72 measures or estimates the concentration of the components of the gas and/or aerosol containing the flavor component released by the flavor container 40. The controller 22 determines whether or not the concentration of the components of the gas and/or aerosol measured or estimated by the downstream sensor 72 has reached a predetermined value when the user's suction is detected on the basis of the measurement result of the upstream sensor 74. When the concentration does not reach the predetermined value, the controller 22 can determine that the remaining amount of the flavor component contained in the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 is insufficient.
Note that, according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, only one of the upstream sensor 74 and the downstream sensor 72 may be provided. Further, according to the fourth embodiment, description is given of the case where the heating mechanism including the induction coil 61 and the susceptor 44 is provided. However, this heating mechanism may not be provided. In this case, the aerosol released from the aerosol source is released from the flavor container 40, incorporating the flavor component contained in the tobacco source 42, and reaches the mouth of the user through the release path 52 and the mouthpiece 32.

Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flavor component delivery device according to the fifth embodiment. The flavor component delivery device 10 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the flavor component delivery device 10 according to the second embodiment in terms of the configuration of the flavor container 40, and the heating mechanism.
The flavor component delivery device 10 according to the fifth embodiment includes a resistance heater 62 as a heating mechanism for heating the flavor component. In the illustrated example, the resistance heater 62 is fixed to the housing 31. Further, the flavor container 40 according to the fifth embodiment is formed in the form of a stick. The flavor container 40 includes the tobacco source 42, a cooling unit 46 (corresponding to an example of the release path), and the filter 45, and is wrapped with paper on the outer circumference to constitute the side wall 40b. According to the fifth embodiment, the part where the tobacco source 42 is housed corresponds to the first region A1, and the cooling unit 46, which is adjacent to the first region A1 and is not surrounded by the resistance heater 62, corresponds to the second region A2.
The flavor container 40 is inserted through an opening 10a formed in the flavor component delivery device 10 so that the tobacco source 42 is arranged inside the resistance heater 62. In other words, at least a part of the resistance heater 62 is arranged along the side wall 40b of the flavor container 40. The filter 45 of the flavor container 40 is exposed to the outside of the flavor component delivery device 10 and constitutes a mouthpiece for the user to suck. The tobacco source 42 is formed, for example, by crimping a sheet of tobacco. The tobacco source 42 may contain the aerosol source. The cooling unit 46 is configured to cool the flavor component and/or aerosol that evaporates from the tobacco source 42 and then leads it to the filter 45. The cooling unit 46 can be formed, for example, by filling the side wall 40b with a coolant such as a sheet of plastic. Further, for example, the cooling unit 46 can be configured as a hollow portion without arranging the coolant. The upstream end of the flavor container 40 is open, but, without limitation, the flavor container 40 may include the bottom wall 40a as shown in Fig. 1.
The resistance heater 62 is electrically connected to the battery 21 via the controller 22, and the heat generated by the resistance heater 62 heats the tobacco source 42 and the flavor components such as nicotine contained in the tobacco source 42 arranged therein. When the user sucks the filter 45, the air from the air inlet 35 flows into the flavor container 40. The flavor container 40 releases the flavor component and/or aerosol evaporated from the tobacco source 42, and the flavor component and/or aerosol reaches the mouth of the user with the air that flows into the flavor container 40.
As described above, also when the flavor container 40 having a stick shape as shown in Fig. 5 is used, the controller 22 can estimate the state of the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 on the basis of the temperature data or component concentration data received from the upstream sensor 74.

Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flavor component delivery device according to the sixth embodiment. The flavor component delivery device 10 according to the sixth embodiment differs from the flavor component delivery device 10 according to the first embodiment in terms of an air flow path, the configuration of the mouthpiece 32, the configuration of the flavor container 40, and a heating mechanism.
The flavor component delivery device 10 according to the sixth embodiment includes a resistance heater 63 as a heating mechanism for heating the flavor component. In the illustrated example, the resistance heater 63 is fixed to the housing 31. Further, the flavor container 40 of the sixth embodiment is formed in the form of a pod. The flavor container 40 has a side wall 40b and a bottom wall 40a, in which the tobacco source 42 is housed. Note that, in addition to the tobacco source 42, an aerosol source or susceptor may be provided in the flavor container 40. When the susceptor is housed in the flavor container 40, an induction coil can be used instead of the resistance heater 63. The bottom wall 40a of the flavor container 40 is closed, and the side opposite the mouthpiece 32 of the flavor container 40 is at least partially open. In the illustrated embodiment, the tobacco source 42 is powder having a predetermined particle size. Note that the tobacco source 42 is not limited to powder, but can be of any shape such as columnar or sheet form. The housing 31 has a cavity 31a housing the flavor container 40.
The mouthpiece 32 is connected to the end of the housing 31. The mouthpiece 32 has an inlet passage 32a and an outlet passage 32b in communication with the cavity 31a of the housing 31. According to the sixth embodiment, the downstream sensor 72 is provided in the outlet passage 32b. Note that, according to the sixth embodiment, a heat insulator is not provided between the downstream sensor 72 and the mouthpiece 32. Further, the upstream sensor may be provided in the inlet passage 32a.
The resistance heater 63 is provided at the position opposite the bottom wall 40a of the flavor container 40. The resistance heater 63 is electrically connected to the battery 21 via the controller 22, and the heat generated by the resistance heater 63 heats the tobacco source 42 stored in the flavor container 40 and the flavor component such as nicotine and/or aerosol source contained in the tobacco source 42. When the user sucks the mouthpiece 32, air from the inlet passage 32a of the mouthpiece 32 flows into the flavor container 40. The flavor container 40 releases the flavor component and/or aerosol evaporated from the tobacco source 42, and the flavor component and/or aerosol reaches the user's mouth through the outlet passage 32b with the air flowing into the flavor container 40. Note that, part of the air flowing from the inlet passage 32a can pass through the cavity 31a and flow out of the air outlet without flowing into the flavor container 40.
Also when the flavor container 40 having a pod shape is used as shown in Fig. 6, the controller 22 can estimate the state of the tobacco source 42 in the flavor container 40 on the basis of temperature data or component concentration data received from the downstream sensor 72 and/or the upstream sensor.
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but can be modified in various ways within the scopes of the claims and the technical ideas described in the specification and the drawings. Note that any shape or material that is not directly described in the specifications or drawings falls within the scope of the technical ideas of the present invention as long as it has the operation and effect of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGN LIST

10: flavor component delivery device
21: battery
22: controller
31: housing
32: mouthpiece
32a: inlet passage
32b: outlet passage
33: heat insulator
34: heat insulator
35: air inlet
36: check valve
40: flavor container
40a: bottom wall
40b: side wall
42: tobacco source
44: susceptor
45: filter
51: inflow path
52: release path
61: induction coil
62: resistance heater
63: resistance heater
72: downstream sensor
74: upstream sensor
76: aerosol generation unit
A1: first region
A2: second region

Claims

A flavor component delivery device comprising:
a flavor container configured to house a flavor source and release a gas and/or aerosol containing a flavor component of the flavor source;

a first sensor arranged upstream or downstream of the flavor container in a flow path through the flavor container to a mouthpiece; and

a controller configured to estimate a state of the flavor source in the flavor container on a basis of a measurement result of the first sensor.
The flavor component delivery device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a heating mechanism configured to heat the flavor source in the flavor container,

wherein

at least part of the heating mechanism is arranged along an outer wall of the flavor container.
The flavor component delivery device according to claim 2, wherein
the heating mechanism includes an induction coil that generates an alternating magnetic field and a susceptor that is inductively heated by the alternating magnetic field, and
the induction coil is arranged along the outer wall of the flavor container, and the susceptor is housed in the flavor container together with the flavor source.
The flavor component delivery device according to claim 3, wherein
the flavor source and/or the susceptor includes powder, and
the flavor container includes a partition wall that prevents the powder from flowing out of the flavor container and allows the gas and/or aerosol to pass through.
The flavor component delivery device according to claim 4, wherein
the susceptor includes powder, and the powder, which is the susceptor, is at least partially covered with the flavor source.
The flavor component delivery device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein
the flavor container includes a first region at least partially surrounded by the induction coil and a second region not surrounded by the coil and arranged adjacent to the first region, and
the flavor source and the susceptor are arranged only in the first region.
The flavor component delivery device according to claim 6 referring to claim 3 or 4, wherein
the susceptor has a long shape protruding from at least one end of the induction coil to outside of the induction coil.
The flavor component delivery device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the controller is configured to control a heating temperature of the flavor source by the heating mechanism on a basis of a measurement result of the first sensor.
The flavor component delivery device according to claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to control the heating temperature such that the flavor component or an other component in the flavor container is heated at a temperature lower than a temperature at which the flavor component or the other component is aerosolized.
The flavor component delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the controller is configured to detect suction by a user through the mouthpiece on a basis of a measurement result of the first sensor.
The flavor component delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first sensor is configured to be arranged downstream of the flavor container in the flow path and measure a physical quantity representing a state of the gas and/or aerosol released from the flavor container.
The flavor component delivery device according to claim 11, wherein the first sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the gas and/or aerosol released from the flavor container.
The flavor component delivery device according to claim 12, further comprising:
a housing that houses the first sensor; and

a heat insulator disposed between the first sensor and the housing.
The flavor component delivery device according to claim 11, wherein the first sensor is configured to measure a concentration of a component contained in the gas and/or aerosol released from the flavor container.
The flavor component delivery device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, further comprising:
a second sensor arranged upstream of the flavor container in the flow path,

wherein

the controller is configured to estimate a state of the flavor source in the flavor container on a basis of measurement results of both the first sensor and the second sensor.
The flavor component delivery device according to claim 15, wherein
the first sensor includes a gas component concentration sensor,
the second sensor includes a temperature sensor, and
the controller detects suction of a user via the mouthpiece on a basis of the measurement result of the second sensor, and, when the suction by the user is detected, determines whether or not a concentration of a component of the gas and/or aerosol containing the flavor component released from the flavor container measured by the first sensor reaches a predetermined value.
The flavor component delivery device according to any one of claims 11 to 16, further comprising:
a check valve that prevents the gas from flowing upstream in the flow path from the mouthpiece.
The flavor component delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein
the flow path includes an air inlet configured to incorporate air from outside of the flavor component delivery device and a release path configured to lead the gas and/or aerosol released from the flavor container to the mouthpiece, and
the air inlet is provided only on an upstream side of the release path of the flow path.
The flavor component delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, further comprising:
an aerosol generation unit; and

an inflow path that leads an aerosol generated by the aerosol generation unit into the flavor container.
A flavor component delivery device comprising:
a flavor container configured to house a flavor source and release a gas and/or aerosol containing a flavor component of the flavor source;

a sensor arranged downstream of the flavor container in a flow path through the flavor container toward a mouthpiece and configured to measure a physical quantity representing a state of the gas and/or aerosol released from the flavor container; and

a controller configured to detect suction by a user through the mouthpiece on a basis of a measurement result of the sensor.