EP4260735A1

EP4260735A1 - Flavor inhaler and flavor inhaler manufacturing method

Info

Publication number: EP4260735A1
Application number: EP20965148.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Noriyoshi Sato; Yuki Masuda; Yuki Nishimura
Original assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Current assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date: 2020-12-11
Filing date: 2020-12-11
Publication date: 2023-10-18
Also published as: JPWO2022123766A1; TW202222189A; WO2022123766A1

Abstract

There is provided a flavor inhaler including a housing, a first member that is housed in the housing, a state detection unit that is supported by the first member, and a second member that is housed in the housing, a state of the second member being detected by the state detection unit, where the housing biases the first member against the second member, and the state detection unit is positioned at a predetermined position relative to the second member in a state where the first member is biased against the second member.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a flavor inhaler and a flavor inhaler manufacturing method.

BACKGROUND ART

These days, in the field of electronic cigarettes, an electronic component for detecting a state of a device is often mounted on the device, and the device is driven based on desired information that is acquired by the electronic component. For example, according to PTL 1, an airflow sensor is provided in a cigarette heating device, and whether a user is smoking a cigarette or not is determined based on a pressure that is detected by the airflow sensor.

CITATION LIST

PATENT LITERATURE

PTL 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2020-18285

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

The present disclosure provides a flavor inhaler and a manufacturing method thereof according to which an electronic component held by a first member is positioned at a position suitable for detecting a state of a second member.

SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

A first aspect of the present disclosure is a flavor inhaler including: a housing; a first member that is housed in the housing; a state detection unit that is supported by the first member; and a second member that is housed in the housing, a state of the second member being detected by the state detection unit, where the housing biases the first member against the second member, and the state detection unit is positioned at a predetermined position relative to the second member in a state where the first member is biased against the second member.
In the first aspect described above, the first member supporting the state detection unit is biased against the second member inside the housing, and the state detection unit is thereby positioned at a position suitable for detecting the state of the second member. Therefore, according to the first aspect, the state detection unit may be appropriately positioned relative to the second member and the state of the second member may be detected by a simple configuration.
A second aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler according to the first aspect, the flavor inhaler further including a support member that is housed in the housing, and that supports the state detection unit from a side opposite to the second member, where the housing biases the first member against the second member in a state where the state detection unit is held by the first member and the support member.
In the second aspect described above, the support member that holds the state detection unit with the first member is provided. Therefore, according to the second aspect, the state detection unit may be even more stably held at a desired position by the first member and the support member.
A third aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler according to the second aspect, where the support member is formed from an elastic body.
In the third aspect described above, the support member that holds the state detection unit with the first member is formed from an elastic body. Therefore, according to the third aspect, the state detection unit may be stably biased against the second member by the elastic body.
A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler according to the first to third aspects, where the housing includes a first housing element, and a second housing element that is attached to the first housing element, the first member is disposed on the second housing element, and the first member is biased against the second member due to the first housing element and the second housing element being attached to each other.
In the fourth aspect described above, the first member is biased against the second member due to the first housing element and the second housing element that form the housing being attached to each other, and the state detection unit is thereby positioned relative to the second member. Therefore, according to a seventh aspect, positioning of the state detection unit inside the housing may be achieved by a regular process in the course of device manufacture, and the number of steps may be reduced.
A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler according to the first aspect, where the first member includes a main body portion, and an extending portion that extends from the main body portion, that is bendable relative to the main body portion, and that supports the state detection unit, the housing holds the extending portion of the first member in a bent state, and the extending portion of the first member is biased against the second member in a state of being bent by the housing.
In the fifth aspect described above, when the extending portion of the first member is bent inside the housing, the state detection unit that is supported by the extending portion is positioned at a position that is suitable for detecting the state of the second member. Therefore, according to the fifth aspect, the state detection unit may be appropriately positioned relative to the second member and the state of the second member may be detected by a simple configuration.
A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler according to the fifth aspect, where the first member is formed from an elastic body.
In the sixth aspect described above, the main body portion and the extending portion of the first member are formed from elastic bodies. Therefore, according to the second aspect, the extending portion of the first member may be easily held in the bent state.
A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler according to the fifth or sixth aspect, where the first member is an O-ring, and a part of the second member is inserted in the main body portion of the O-ring.
In the seventh aspect described above, the state detection unit is supported by the extending portion of the O-ring, and the main body portion of the O-ring is fixed to the second member. Accordingly, the state detection unit may be positioned relative to the second member by a simple configuration.
An eighth aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler according to the first to seventh aspects, where the second member is an aerosol generation mechanism, and the state detection unit detects temperature or pressure of the aerosol generation mechanism.
In the eighth aspect described above, the temperature or the pressure of the aerosol generation mechanism is detected by the state detection unit that is appropriately positioned relative to the aerosol generation mechanism. Therefore, according to the eighth aspect, the temperature or the pressure of the aerosol generation mechanism may be highly accurately detected.
A ninth aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler according to the eighth aspect, where the state detection unit detects a puffing action on the aerosol generation mechanism.
In the ninth aspect described above, the puffing action on the aerosol generation mechanism is detected by the state detection unit that is appropriately positioned relative to the aerosol generation mechanism. Therefore, according to the ninth aspect, the puffing action on the aerosol generation mechanism may be highly accurately detected.
A tenth aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler according to the fifth to ninth aspects, where the housing includes a first housing element, and a second housing element that is attached to the first housing element, and the extending portion of the first member is held in a bent state due to the first housing element and the second housing element being attached to each other.
In the tenth aspect described above, the extending portion is bent due to the first housing element and the second housing element that form the housing being attached to each other, and the state detection unit is thereby positioned relative to the second member. Therefore, according to the tenth aspect, positioning of the state detection unit inside the housing may be achieved by a regular process in the course of device manufacture, and the number of steps may be reduced.
An eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler according to the fourth or tenth aspect, the flavor inhaler further including an external cover that covers the first housing element.
In the eleventh aspect described above, the first housing element of the housing of the flavor inhaler is further covered with the external cover. Therefore, according to the eleventh aspect, transfer of heat that is generated inside the housing to outside the flavor inhaler may be suppressed.
A twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is a flavor inhaler manufacturing method including: preparing a first housing element; preparing a first member that supports a state detection unit; disposing the first member and the second member at predetermined positions relative to the first housing element; and positioning the state detection unit at a predetermined position relative to the second member by pressing, by the first housing element, the first member supporting the state detection unit and biasing the first member against the second member.
With the flavor inhaler manufactured by the twelfth aspect described above, the first member supporting the state detection unit is pressed by the first housing element, and the state detection unit is thereby positioned at a position suitable for detection of the state of the second member. Therefore, according to the twelfth aspect, the flavor inhaler may be provided according to which the state detection unit may be positioned relative to the second member by a simple configuration.
A thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler manufacturing method according to the twelfth aspect, including: further preparing a support member that supports the state detection unit from a side opposite to the second member; and positioning the state detection unit at a predetermined position relative to the second member by pressing the first member by the first housing element via the support member in a state where the state detection unit is held by the first member and the support member.
In the thirteenth aspect described above, the support member that supports the state detection unit with the first member is provided. Therefore, according to the thirteenth aspect, the flavor inhaler may be provided according to which the state detection unit may be stably held at a desired position by the first member and the support member.
A fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler manufacturing method according to the twelfth aspect, where the first member includes a main body portion, and an extending portion that extends from the main body portion, that is bendable relative to the main body portion, and that supports the state detection unit, the housing holds the extending portion of the first member in a bent state, and the state detection unit is positioned at a predetermined position relative to the second member due to the extending portion supporting the state detection unit being biased against the second member by being pressed by the first housing element and bent by the main body portion.
In the fourteenth aspect described above, the extending portion of the first member is bent inside the housing, and the state detection unit that is supported by the extending portion is thereby positioned at a position suitable for detection of the state of the second member. Therefore, according to the fourteenth aspect, the flavor inhaler may be provided according to which the state detection unit is appropriately positioned relative to the second member and the state of the second member is detected by a simple configuration.
A fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler manufacturing method according to the twelfth to fourteenth aspects, where the second member is an aerosol generation mechanism, and the state detection unit detects temperature or pressure of the aerosol generation mechanism.
With the flavor inhaler manufactured by the fifteenth aspect described above, the temperature or the pressure of the aerosol generation mechanism is detected by the state detection unit that is appropriately positioned relative to the aerosol generation mechanism. Therefore, according to the fifteenth aspect, the flavor inhaler may be provided according to which the temperature or the pressure of the aerosol generation mechanism may be highly accurately detected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1A is a schematic front view of a flavor inhaler according to a first embodiment.
Fig. 1B is a schematic top view of the flavor inhaler.
Fig. 1C is a schematic bottom view of the flavor inhaler.
Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a consumable.
Fig. 3A is a front view of the flavor inhaler from which an outer housing is removed.
Fig. 3B is a side view of the flavor inhaler from which the outer housing is removed.
Fig. 3C is a perspective view of a back surface of a front housing element of an inner housing.
Fig. 4A is a schematic front perspective view of the flavor inhaler from which the front housing element of the inner housing is removed.
Fig. 4B is a schematic front perspective view of a thermistor that is housed inside the inner housing.
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler taken along arrows 5-5 shown in Fig. 1B.
Fig. 6A is a perspective view of a chamber.
Fig. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the chamber taken along arrows 6B-6B shown in Fig. 6A.
Fig. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the chamber taken along arrows 7A-7A shown in Fig. 6B.
Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the chamber taken along arrows 7B-7B shown in Fig. 6B.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the chamber and a heating unit.
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 7B, where the consumable is disposed at a desired position inside the chamber.
Fig. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler taken along arrows 10-10 shown in Fig. 1B.
Fig. 11 is a top view of an O-ring.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a back surface of a first wall of the inner housing, Fig. 12 showing a bent state of the O-ring that is housed inside the inner housing.
Fig. 13 is a side view showing an insertion guide member and a periphery thereof from an X-axis positive direction side, Fig. 13 showing a state where the O-ring that is bent is biased against the insertion guide member.
Fig. 14 is a graph showing time on a horizontal axis, and temperatures of the chamber and the insertion guide member and a remaining amount of flavor in the consumable on a vertical axis.
Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view according to a second embodiment, Fig. 15 showing a mechanism for holding a thermistor and biasing and positioning the thermistor relative to an insertion guide member.
Fig. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of the insertion guide member according to the second embodiment and a periphery thereof.
Fig. 17 is an enlarged front view according to the second embodiment, Fig. 17 showing the thermistor that is positioned relative to the insertion guide member.
Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an arrangement of the thermistor that is housed inside an inner housing according to the second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(First Embodiment)

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below, same or corresponding structural elements will be denoted by a same reference sign, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.
Fig. 1A is a schematic front view of a flavor inhaler 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 1B is a schematic top view of the flavor inhaler 100. Fig. 1C is a schematic bottom view of the flavor inhaler 100. In the drawings described in the present specification, an X-Y-Z orthogonal coordinate system may be added for the sake of description. In the coordinate system, a Z-axis faces vertically upward, an X-Y plane cuts the flavor inhaler 100 in a horizontal direction, and a Y-axis extends from a front surface to a back surface of the flavor inhaler 100. The Z-axis may also be said to be an insertion direction of a consumable that is to be housed in a chamber 50 of an atomizing unit 30 described later. Furthermore, the Y-axis may also be said to be a direction that is orthogonal to the insertion direction of the consumable, along which a first wall 10a and a second wall 10b described later face each other. Moreover, an X-axis direction may be said to be a device longitudinal direction on a plane that is orthogonal to the insertion direction of the consumable. A Y-axis direction may be said to be a device transverse direction on the plane that is orthogonal to the insertion direction of the consumable.
For example, the flavor inhaler 100 generates an aerosol including a flavor by heating a stick-shaped consumable including a flavor source including an aerosol source.
As shown in Figs. 1A to 1C, the flavor inhaler 100 includes an outer housing 101 formed from a front cover 101A and a rear cover 101B, and a slide cover 102. The front cover 101A is an example of an external cover of the present disclosure.
The outer housing 101 forms an outermost housing of the flavor inhaler 100, and has a size that can be fitted in a hand of a user. At the time of using the flavor inhaler 100, a user may hold the flavor inhaler 100 in the hand, and may inhale the aerosol. Additionally, with respect to the outer housing 101, the front cover 101A may be formed of resin such as polycarbonate, and the rear cover 101B may be formed of metal such as aluminum, for example. However, the outer housing 101 is not limited to the materials mentioned above, and may be formed of resin, or more specifically, polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin, or polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polymer alloy containing a plurality of types of polymers, or metal such as aluminum, and selection may be freely made therefrom as appropriate.
The outer housing 101 includes a first through hole, not shown, for receiving a consumable, and the slide cover 102 is slidably attached to the outer housing 101 to close the first through hole. More specifically, the slide cover 102 is movable along an outer surface of the outer housing 101, between a close position of closing the first through hole in the outer housing (a position shown in Figs. 1A and 1B) and an open position of opening the first through hole. For example, the slide cover 102 may be moved between the close position and the open position by the user manually operating the slide cover 102. The slide cover 102 may thus allow or restrict access of the consumable into the flavor inhaler 100.
Figs. 1B and 1C show the front cover 101A and the rear cover 101B of the flavor inhaler 100 to have a substantially same thickness, but a structure of the outer housing 101 is not limited thereto. One of the front cover 101A or the rear cover 101B may be made thicker than the other.
The flavor inhaler 100 may further include a terminal, not shown. The terminal may be an interface for connecting the flavor inhaler 100 to an external power source, for example. In the case where a power source of the flavor inhaler 100 is a rechargeable battery, current may be supplied from the external power source to the power source and the power source may be charged when the external power source is connected to the terminal. Furthermore, by connecting a data transmission cable to the terminal, data about operation of the flavor inhaler 100 may be transmitted to an external device.
Next, a consumable that is used with the flavor inhaler 100 will be described. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a consumable 110. In the present disclosure, a smoking system may be formed by the flavor inhaler 100 and the consumable 110. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the consumable 110 includes a smokable substance 111, a cylindrical member 114, a hollow filter portion 116, and a filter portion 115. The smokable substance 111 is wrapped with a first rolling paper 112. The cylindrical member 114, the hollow filter portion 116, and the filter portion 115 are wrapped with a second rolling paper 113 different from the first rolling paper 112. The second rolling paper 113 is also wrapped around a part of the first rolling paper 112 that is wrapped around the smokable substance 111. The cylindrical member 114, the hollow filter portion 116, and the filter portion 115 are thus joined to the smokable substance 111. Additionally, the second rolling paper 113 may be omitted, and the cylindrical member 114, the hollow filter portion 116, and the filter portion 115 may instead be joined to the smokable substance 111 using the first rolling paper 112. A lip release agent 117 is applied on an outer surface of the second rolling paper 113, around an end portion on the filter portion 115 side, to prevent lips of the user from sticking to the second rolling paper 113. The part of the consumable 110 where the lip release agent 117 is applied functions as a mouthpiece of the consumable 110.
The smokable substance 111 may include a flavor source, such as tobacco, and an aerosol source, for example. Furthermore, the first rolling paper 112 wrapped around the smokable substance 111 may be a breathable sheet member. The cylindrical member 114 may be a paper tube or a hollow filter. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the consumable 110 includes the smokable substance 111, the cylindrical member 114, the hollow filter portion 116, and the filter portion 115, but the structure of the consumable 110 is not limited thereto. For example, the hollow filter portion 116 may be omitted, and the cylindrical member 114 and the filter portion 115 may be disposed next to each other.
Fig. 3A is a front view of the flavor inhaler 100 from which the outer housing 101 is removed. Fig. 3B is a side view of the flavor inhaler 100 from which the outer housing 101 is removed. Fig. 3C is a perspective view of a back surface of a front housing element 10A forming a front surface of an inner housing 10.
As shown in Fig. 3A, when the outer housing 101 is removed, the inner housing 10 is exposed. The inner housing 10 houses the atomizing unit 30, a power source unit 20 and the like described later, and is, for example, made of resin, or more specifically, may be formed of polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polymer alloy containing a plurality of types of polymers, or metal such as aluminum. From the standpoint of heat resistance and strength, the inner housing 10 is desirably formed of PEEK. However, the material of the inner housing 10 is not limited thereto. The inner housing 10 is an example of a housing of the present disclosure.
Fig. 3B is a side view of the flavor inhaler 100, as shown in Fig. 3A, from which the outer housing 101 is removed, the flavor inhaler 100 being seen from an X-axis positive direction side. As shown in Fig. 3B, the inner housing 10 is formed from a front housing element 10A disposed on a front surface side (a Y-axis negative direction side) of the flavor inhaler 100, and a rear housing element 10B disposed on a back surface side (a Y-axis positive direction side) of the flavor inhaler 100. The front housing element 10A of the inner housing 10 is an example of a first housing element of the present disclosure, and the rear housing element 10B of the inner housing 10 is an example of a second housing element of the present disclosure.
Fig. 3C is a perspective view of a back surface of the front housing element 10A, Fig. 3C showing only the front housing element 10A. Figs. 3B and 3C show the front housing element 10A and the rear housing element 10B of the inner housing 10 to have a substantially same thickness, but the structure of the inner housing 10 is not limited thereto. One of the front housing element 10A or the rear housing element 10B may be made thicker than the other.
As shown in Fig. 3B, a wall of the inner housing 10 on the front surface side (the Y-axis negative direction side) will be referred to as a first wall 10a, and a wall on the back surface side (the Y-axis positive direction side) will be referred to as a second wall 10b. That is, the inner housing 10 includes the first wall 10a and the second wall 10b that face each other in the Y-axis direction, and a side wall 10c that connects the first wall 10a and the second wall 10b. The front housing element 10A includes at least the first wall 10a, and the rear housing element 10B includes at least the second wall 10b. The side wall 10c is formed by the front housing element 10A and the rear housing element 10B.
Next, an internal structure of the flavor inhaler 100 will be described. Fig. 4A is a schematic front perspective view of the flavor inhaler 100 from which the outer housing 101, the slide cover 102, and the front housing element 10A of the inner housing 10 are removed. Fig. 4B is a schematic front perspective view of a thermistor 72 that is housed inside the inner housing 10. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler 100 taken along arrows 5-5 shown in Fig. 1B.
As shown in Figs. 4A and 5, the power source unit 20 and the atomizing unit 30 are provided in an inner space of the inner housing 10 of the flavor inhaler 100. A circuit unit, not shown, is also provided in the inner space of the inner housing 10.
The circuit unit includes a microprocessor, for example, and is capable of controlling supply of power from the power source unit 20 to the atomizing unit 30. The circuit unit may thus control heating of the consumable 110 by the atomizing unit 30.
The power source unit 20 includes a power source 21 that is electrically connected to the circuit unit not shown. For example, the power source 21 may be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. The power source 21 is electrically connected to the atomizing unit 30 via the circuit unit. The power source 21 may thus supply power to the atomizing unit 30 so that the consumable 110 is appropriately heated.
As shown in Fig. 5, the atomizing unit 30 includes the chamber 50 extending in a longitudinal direction of the consumable 110, a heating unit 40 surrounding a part of the chamber 50, a heat insulating portion 32, and an insertion guide member 34 having a substantially cylindrical shape. The chamber 50 houses the consumable 110. The heating unit 40 is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the chamber 50, and the heating unit 40 heats the consumable 110 that is housed in the chamber 50. Details of the chamber 50 and the heating unit 40 will be given later. The atomizing unit 30 is an example of a second member and an aerosol generation mechanism of the present disclosure.
The heat insulating portion 32 is disposed to surround the chamber 50 and the heating unit 40. The heat insulating portion 32 may be an aerogel, for example. The insertion guide member 34 is formed of a resin material such as PEEK, PC, or ABS, and is provided between the slide cover 102 in the close position and the chamber 50. When the slide cover 102 is in the open position, the insertion guide member 34 communicates with outside of the flavor inhaler 100, and guides insertion of the consumable 110 into the chamber 50 when the consumable 110 is inserted in the insertion guide member 34.
The flavor inhaler 100 further includes a first support portion 35 and a second support portion 38 for supporting both ends of the chamber 50 and the heat insulating portion 32. The first support portion 35 is disposed to support end portions of the chamber 50 and the heat insulating portion 32 on the slide cover 102 side (a Z-axis positive direction side). Furthermore, an O-ring 37 for supporting the insertion guide member 34 is installed on the first support portion 35. The second support portion 38 is disposed to directly or indirectly support end portions of the chamber 50 and the heat insulating portion 32 on a Z-axis negative direction side. Moreover, as shown in Fig. 5, a bottom member 36 may be provided on a bottom part of the chamber 50. The bottom member 36 may function as a stopper that achieves positioning of the consumable 110 that is inserted in the chamber 50. The bottom member 36 may demarcate a space where air can be supplied, in a surface where the consumable 110 abuts against. The O-ring 37 is an example of a first member of the present disclosure. The surface of the bottom member 36 where the consumable 110 abuts against is uneven, and the bottom member 36 may, but not limited to, be formed of a resin material such as PEEK, metal, glass, ceramic or the like. Furthermore, the first support portion 35 and the second support portion 38 may be formed of elastomer such as silicone rubber, for example. Moreover, in the case of joining the bottom member 36 to the bottom part of the chamber 50, an adhesive that may be made of a resin material such as epoxy resin, or an organic material may be used.
As shown in Fig. 4A, in a state where the front housing element 10A of the inner housing 10 is removed, a part of the O-ring 37 protrudes on the front surface side (the Y-axis negative direction side) of the flavor inhaler 100. The protruding part is an extending portion 37B of the O-ring 37 described later. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 4, the thermistor 72 is disposed on a front surface (the Y-axis negative direction side) of the atomizing unit 30. For the sake of description, Fig. 4A omits detailed illustration of the power source unit 20 and the atomizing unit 30. Details of the O-ring 37 will be given later.
As shown in Fig. 4A, the thermistor 72 includes a detection unit 72A, and a connection unit 72B for connecting the detection unit 72A to the circuit unit not shown. As shown in Fig. 4A, the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72 is supported by the extending portion 37B of the O-ring 37. The detection unit 72A is a temperature sensor. As described later, the detection unit 72A supported by the extending portion 37B of the O-ring 37 is positioned at a predetermined position relative to the insertion guide member 34 of the atomizing unit 30 in a state where the extending portion 37B is bent. The flavor inhaler 100 may detect a puffing action of the user, or in other words, an inhaling action on the device, based on a temperature at the predetermined position relative to the insertion guide member 34 detected by the detection unit 72A. Additionally, when the detection unit 72A is a pressure sensor instead of the temperature sensor, the thermistor 72 may be a device for detecting the puffing action based on an atmospheric pressure at the predetermined position relative to the insertion guide member 34. As shown in Fig. 4, the connection unit 72B may be bent so as to be appropriately housed inside the inner housing 10. The detection unit 72A is an example of a state detection unit of the present disclosure.
Fig. 4B shows a specific example of a configuration of the thermistor 72. The connection unit 72B of the thermistor 72 includes two conducting wires that are covered by insulation coatings. Moreover, the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72 is formed from a device, electrical resistance of which changes according to a change in temperature, and glass that covers the device. One end of each of the two conducting wires of the connection unit 72B is connected to the detection unit 72A, and the thermistor 72 is thereby formed. Furthermore, the other end of each of the two conducting wires of the connection unit 72B is connected to the circuit unit that is described above and that is not shown. Constant microcurrent is supplied from the power source 21 of the power source unit 20 to the thermistor 72 via the circuit unit. When a temperature of a part where the device of the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72 abuts changes, electrical resistance of the device changes, and voltage of the thermistor 72 changes. Because the level of current that is supplied to the thermistor 72 is constant, the value of electrical resistance of the device may be calculated from the measured voltage according to Ohm's law. With respect to the device of the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72, the relationship between a temperature and an electrical resistance value is already known. Accordingly, the temperature of the device of the detection unit 72A may be calculated by measuring the value of the voltage of the thermistor 72.
Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 4A, an opening 74 is provided in an upper surface (a surface on the Z-axis positive direction side) of the side wall 10c of the inner housing 10. The opening 74 in the inner housing 10 communicates with the first through hole, not shown, of the outer housing 101 described above, and an opening 52 in the chamber 50 described later. The opening 74 in the inner housing 10 is formed by a second through hole 34A in the insertion guide member 34 described later.
Next, details of the chamber 50 and the heating unit 40 will be given. Fig. 6A is a perspective view of the chamber 50. Fig. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the chamber 50 taken along arrows 6B-6B shown in Fig. 6A. Fig. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the chamber 50 taken along arrows 7A-7A shown in Fig. 6B. Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the chamber 50 taken along arrows 7B-7B shown in Fig. 6B. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the chamber 50 and the heating unit 40. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 7B, where the consumable 110 is disposed at a desired position inside the chamber 50.
As shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, the chamber 50 may be a cylindrical member including the opening 52 through which the consumable 110 is inserted, and a cylindrical side wall portion 60 for housing the consumable 110. A flange portion 52A is formed around the opening 52 in the chamber 50. The chamber 50 is desirably formed of a material that has heat resistance and that has small thermal expansion coefficient, and may be formed of metal such as stainless steel, resin such as PEEK, glass, ceramic or the like, for example. The consumable 110 may thus be efficiently heated in the chamber 50.
As shown in Figs. 6B and 7B, the side wall portion 60 includes a contact portion 62 and a separated portion 66. When the consumable 110 is disposed at the desired position inside the chamber 50, the contact portion 62 contacts or presses a part of the consumable 110, and the separated portion 66 is separate from the consumable 110. Additionally, in the present specification, "desired position inside the chamber 50" refers to a position where the consumable 110 is appropriately heated, or a position of the consumable 110 when the user smokes. The contact portion 62 includes an inner surface 62a and an outer surface 62b. The separated portion 66 includes an inner surface 66a and an outer surface 66b. As shown in Fig. 8, the heating unit 40 is disposed on the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62. The heating unit 40 is desirably disposed on the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 with no gap in between. Additionally, the heating unit 40 may include an adhesive layer. In this case, the heating unit 40 including the adhesive layer is desirably disposed on the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 with no gap in between.
As shown in Figs. 6A and 7B, the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 is flat. In the case where a strip-shaped electrode 48 is connected to the heating unit 40 disposed on the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 as shown in Fig. 8, because the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 is flat, the strip-shaped electrode 48 may be prevented from being warped. As shown in Figs. 6B and 7B, the inner surface 62a of the contact portion 62 is flat. Furthermore, as shown in Figs. 6B and 7B, a thickness of the contact portion 62 is uniform.
As shown in Figs. 6A, 6B, and 7B, the chamber 50 includes two contact portions 62 in a circumferential direction of the chamber 50, and the two contact portions 62 face each other while being parallel to each other. A distance between at least parts of the inner surfaces 62a of the two contact portions 62 is desirably smaller than a width of a part where the consumable 110 that is inserted in the chamber 50 is disposed between the contact portions 62.
As shown in Fig. 7B, the inner surface 66a of the separated portion 66 may have, as a whole, an arc-shaped cross-section on a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal direction (a Z-axis direction) of the chamber 50. Furthermore, the separated portion 66 is disposed adjacent to the contact portions 62 in the circumferential direction.
As shown in Fig. 6B, the chamber 50 may include a hole 56a in a bottom portion 56 to allow the bottom member 36 shown in Fig. 6 to penetrate and be disposed inside the chamber 50. The bottom member 36 provided on the bottom portion 56 supports a part of the consumable 110 that is inserted in the chamber 50 in such a way that at least a part of an end surface of the consumable 110 is exposed. Furthermore, the bottom portion 56 may support a part of the consumable 110 in such a way that the end surface of the consumable 110 that is exposed communicates with a second gap 67B (see Fig. 9) described later.
As shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, the chamber 50 desirably includes a cylindrical non-holding portion 54 between the opening 52 and the side wall portion 60. A gap may be formed between the non-holding portion 54 and the consumable 110 in a state where the consumable 110 is positioned at the desired position in the chamber 50. Furthermore, as shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, the chamber 50 desirably includes a first guide portion 58 including a tapered surface 58a that connects an inner surface of the non-holding portion 54 and the inner surfaces 62a of the contact portions 62.
As shown in Fig. 8, the heating unit 40 includes a heating element 42. The heating element 42 may be a heating track, for example. The heating element 42 is desirably disposed to heat the contact portion 62 without coming into contact with the separated portion 66 of the chamber 50. In other words, the heating element 42 is desirably disposed only on the outer surface of the contact portion 62. Heating capacity of the heating element 42 may be different between a part for heating the separated portion 66 of the chamber 50 and a part for heating the contact portion 62. More specifically, the heating element 42 may heat the contact portion 62 to a temperature higher than that of the separated portion 66. For example, an arrangement density of the heating track of the heating element 42 may be adjusted between the contact portion 62 and the separated portion 66. Furthermore, the heating element 42 may have substantially same heating capacity along an entire circumference of the chamber 50, and may be wound around an outer circumference of the chamber 50. As shown in Fig. 8, in addition to the heating element 42, the heating unit 40 desirably includes an electrically insulating member 44 that covers at least one surface of the heating element 42. The electrically insulating member 44 is disposed to cover both surfaces of the heating element 42.
As shown in Fig. 9, when the consumable 110 is disposed at the desired position inside the chamber 50, the consumable 110 may be pressed by coming into contact with the contact portion 62 of the chamber 50. The second gap 67B is formed between the consumable 110 and the separated portion 66. The second gap 67B may communicate with the opening 52 in the chamber 50 and the end surface of the consumable 110 positioned inside the chamber 50. Accordingly, air flowing in from the opening 52 in the chamber 50 may pass through the second gap 67B and flow into the consumable 110. In other words, an air passage (the second gap 67B) is formed between the consumable 110 and the separated portion 66.
Next, an arrangement position and an arrangement manner of the atomizing unit 30 inside the inner housing 10 will be described. Fig. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler 100 taken along arrows 10-10 shown in Fig. 1B, where a state where the consumable 110 is inserted in the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50 is shown.
The insertion guide member 34 includes the second through hole 34A, and a first engaging claw 34B formed on an outer circumference. The insertion guide member 34 is inserted from outside the outer housing 101 by passing through the first through hole provided in the outer housing 101 to receive the consumable, and the first engaging claw 34B is engaged with an engaging portion, not shown, of the inner housing 10, and the insertion guide member 34 is thereby prevented from coming off the flavor inhaler 100 while having a periphery of the second through hole 34A exposed to outside the flavor inhaler. The second through hole 34A of the insertion guide member 34 is formed to a size with which the first gap 67A is formed with respect to an outer circumference of the consumable 110 when the consumable 110 is inserted in the second through hole 34A.
The first support portion 35 includes a third through hole 35A, an annular first rib 35B, and a circular circumferential portion 35C. The third through hole of the first support portion 35 is formed to a size that does not allow the flange portion 52A (see Figs. 6A and 6B) formed at a tip end of the chamber 50 to pass through, and thus, when an insertion attempt is made through the third through hole from the bottom part side of the chamber 50, the flange portion 52A is held by the first support portion 35. When a tip end of the insertion guide member 34 abuts the flange portion 52A of the chamber 50, the chamber 50 is positioned relative to the insertion guide member 34. The first rib is pressed into a recessed part of the O-ring 37 to hold the O-ring 37. The circular circumferential portion of the first support portion 35 holds the cylindrical heat insulating portion 32 from an inner diameter side.
As described above, the chamber 50 includes the hole 56a in the bottom portion 56 (see Fig. 6B) to allow the bottom member 36 shown in Fig. 6 to pass through and be disposed inside the chamber 50. The bottom member 36 provided on the bottom portion 56 supports a part of the consumable 110 that is inserted in the chamber 50 while allowing at least a part of the end surface of the consumable 110 to be exposed. The bottom portion 56 of the chamber 50 supports a part of the consumable 110 in such a way that a tip end surface of the consumable 110 that is exposed forms a third gap 67C relative to the bottom member 36, and that the third gap 67C communicates with the second gap 67B described later (see Fig. 9). Additionally, for the sake of description, the uneven shape of the bottom member 36 is shown in Fig. 10 to be different from that in Fig. 5.
A spacer 39A is formed to have a ring shape, the bottom member 36 is inserted in a hole that is provided at a center, and the second support portion 38 is fitted to the bottom member 36 protruding from the hole at the center, and the spacer 39A is thereby immovably attached between the bottom member 36 and the second support portion 38. An outer shape of the spacer 39A faces an inner surface of the heat insulating portion 32, and positions the heat insulating portion 32.
The second support portion 38 includes a protrusion 39B, not shown, that is to fit in a hole provided in the inner housing 10, and when the protrusion 39B fits in the hole, positioning relative to the inner housing 10 is achieved. Furthermore, a periphery of the protrusion 39B abuts against the inner housing 10 while being compressed. That is, the second support portion 38 is disposed in a compressed manner, and a reaction force biases the insertion guide member 34 via the spacer 39A and the bottom member 36. Accordingly, an end portion of the insertion guide member 34 on the Z-axis positive direction side and the flange portion 52A of the chamber 50 come into close contact with each other. As a result of the configuration described above, the first gap 67A, the second gap 67B, and the third gap 67C form a connected space.
As described above, the air passage (the second gap 67B) is formed between the separated portion 66 and the consumable 110, and thus, air passing through the air passage may absorb heat from the separated portion 66 and may cool the separated portion 66.
As described above, the heating element 42 of the heating unit 40 is disposed in such a way as to heat the contact portion 62 without coming into contact with the separated portion 66 of the side wall portion 60 of the chamber 50. That is, because the separated portion 66 is not directly heated by the heating unit 40, heating of the separated portion 66 by the heating unit 40 may be suppressed.
As shown in Fig. 10, the outer housing 101 houses the inner housing 10 inside. An inner surface (a surface on the Y-axis positive direction side) of the front cover 101A of the outer housing 101 faces an outer surface (a surface on the Y-axis negative direction side) of the first wall 10a of the inner housing 10. Because the first wall 10a of the inner housing 10 is covered by the front cover 101A of the outer housing 101, heat from the atomizing unit 30 that is transferred to the first wall 10a of the inner housing 10 may be prevented from being transferred to outside the flavor inhaler 100. As a result, the user may be prevented from feeling uncomfortable when holding the flavor inhaler 100.
Next, details of the O-ring 37 and its arrangement with respect to the inner housing 10 will be given. Fig. 11 is a top view of the O-ring 37. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the back surface (the Y-axis negative direction side) of the front housing element 10A of the inner housing 10, Fig. 12 showing a bent state of the O-ring 37 that is housed inside the inner housing 10. Fig. 13 is a side view showing the insertion guide member 34 and its periphery from the X-axis positive direction side, Fig. 13 showing a state where the O-ring 37 that is bent is biased against the insertion guide member 34.
As shown in Fig. 11, the O-ring 37 includes an annular main body portion 37A, and the extending portion 37B extending in the Y-axis negative direction from the main body portion 37A. As described above, in Fig. 4 showing the state where the front housing element 10A of the inner housing 10 is removed, the extending portion 37B is disposed protruding on the front surface side (the Y-axis negative direction side) of the flavor inhaler 100. The O-ring 37 is formed such that the extending portion 37B may be bent in the Z-axis direction relative to the main body portion 37A with a connection part between the main body portion 37A and the extending portion 37B as a fulcrum. For example, the O-ring 37 may be formed from an elastic body such as rubber.
Positioning of the detection unit 72A at a predetermined position relative to the insertion guide member 34 will be described. As shown in Fig. 4, the extending portion 37B of the O-ring 37 shown in Fig. 11 is capable of supporting the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72. By bending the extending portion 37B supporting the detection unit 72A in the Z-axis positive direction, the detection unit 72A may be disposed at an appropriate position relative to the insertion guide member 34 of the atomizing unit 30. With the flavor inhaler 100 of the present disclosure, due to the first wall 10a being attached to the second wall 10b and the side wall 10c of the inner housing 10, the first wall 10a presses the extending portion 37B of the O-ring 37, and bends the extending portion 37B in the Z-axis positive direction.
Fig. 12 shows a bent state of the extending portion 37B of the O-ring 37 that is housed inside the inner housing 10. For the sake of description, Fig. 12 omits illustration of parts, housed inside the inner housing 10, other than the O-ring 37 and the thermistor 72.
As shown in Fig. 4, in the state where the first wall 10a of the inner housing 10 of the flavor inhaler 100 is removed, the extending portion 37B of the O-ring 37 protrudes on the front surface side (the Y-axis negative direction side) of the flavor inhaler 100. When the first wall 10a is attached to the side wall 10c in this state, the extending portion 37B of the O-ring 37 is pressed by a back surface (a surface on the Y-axis positive direction side) of the first wall 10a, and is, as a result, bent along the Z-axis direction.
For example, by pressing the extending portion 37B of the O-ring 37 by the first wall 10a from a lower end side (the Z-axis negative direction side) of the flavor inhaler 100, the extending portion 37B may be bent in the Z-axis positive direction. In Fig. 12, the extending portion 37B of the O-ring 37 is pressed by the first wall 10a of the inner housing 10, and is bent in the Z-axis positive direction. In the state shown in Fig. 12, the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72 supported by the extending portion 37B is disposed at an appropriate position relative to the insertion guide member 34 of the atomizing unit 30, and temperature measurement for detecting the puffing action of the user may be performed with sufficient accuracy.
As shown in Fig. 13, the extending portion 37B of the O-ring 37 that is pressed by the first wall 10a of the inner housing 10 is biased against the insertion guide member 34 of the atomizing unit 30. Fig. 13 is a side view showing the insertion guide member 34 and its periphery from the X-axis positive direction side. For the sake of description, Fig. 13 omits illustration of the first wall 10a of the inner housing 10 and parts, housed inside the inner housing 10, other than the O-ring 37, the first support portion 35, and the thermistor 72. When the extending portion 37B of the O-ring 37 is biased against the insertion guide member 34 of the atomizing unit 30, the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72 supported by the extending portion 37B is stably held at a position suitable for measuring temperature or pressure.
Next, the purpose of measuring the temperature of the insertion guide member 34 by the thermistor 72 of the flavor inhaler 100 of the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 14 is a graph showing time t on a horizontal axis, and a temperature of the chamber 50, a temperature of the insertion guide member 34, and a remaining amount of flavor in the consumable 110 on a vertical axis. Additionally, the graph shown in Fig. 14 is merely an example, and the behaviors are not restrictive.
In Fig. 14, the temperature of the chamber 50 is T5 at time t = t0, and heating is continued until t = t9 at the maximum. Furthermore, at time t = t0, the temperature of the insertion guide member 34 that receives heat from the chamber 50 is T4. Moreover, at time t = t0, the remaining amount of flavor in the consumable 110 is 100%. When the user inhales a predetermined amount (an inhaled amount of one puff is indicated by a diagonal line) between times t1 and t2, the temperature of the insertion guide member 34 falls from T4 to T2, and the remaining amount of flavor in the consumable 110 is reduced to 80%. The user does not perform inhalation between times t2 and t3, and thus, the insertion guide member 34 receives heat from the chamber 50, and the temperature of the insertion guide member 34 rebounds to T3. When the user again inhales a predetermined amount (a second puff) between times t3 and t4, the temperature of the insertion guide member 34 falls from T3 to T1, and the remaining amount of flavor in the consumable is reduced to 60%. The user does not perform inhalation between times t4 and t5 (longer than an elapsed time between times t2 and t3), and thus, the insertion guide member 34 receives heat from the chamber 50, and the temperature of the insertion guide member 34 rebounds to T4. As described above, an end point until which heating of the chamber 50 can be continued is t = t9, but when the number of puffs by the user is increased, the remaining amount of flavor in the consumable 110 is reduced faster. Accordingly, the number of puffs is measured based on measurement of the temperature of the insertion guide member 34 by the thermistor 72, and the flavor inhaler 100 is controlled such that heating of the chamber 50 is ended (more specifically, supply of power to the electrode 48 connected to the heating element 42 of the chamber 50 is stopped) when the number of puffs exceeds a predetermined number of times, by determining that there is not enough remaining amount of flavor in the consumable 110. By controlling heating of the chamber 50 based on the number of puffs, there may be provided the flavor inhaler that meets requirements of users, with which a user may inhale a sufficient amount of flavor at the time of inhalation and consumption of the power source 21 of the power source unit 20 may be reduced by not performing wasteful heating, for example.
With the flavor inhaler 100 of the first embodiment, the puffing action of the user may be detected by positioning the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72 at a predetermined position relative to the insertion guide member 34 of the atomizing unit 30 by a simple configuration of bending, by the first wall 10a of the inner housing 10, the extending portion 37B of the O-ring 37 supporting the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72.

(Second Embodiment)

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Additionally, structural elements the same or corresponding to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by same reference signs, and redundant description will be omitted.
Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view according to the second embodiment, Fig. 15 showing a mechanism for holding the thermistor 72 and biasing and positioning the thermistor 72 relative to an insertion guide member 234. Fig. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of the insertion guide member 234 according to the second embodiment and a periphery thereof. Fig. 17 is an enlarged front view according to the second embodiment, Fig. 17 showing the thermistor 72 that is positioned relative to the insertion guide member 234. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an arrangement of the thermistor 72 that is housed inside the inner housing 10 according to the second embodiment.
A flavor inhaler 200 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is different from the flavor inhaler 100 of the first embodiment with respect only to a mechanism related to positioning of the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72. In the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the thermistor 72 is positioned relative to the insertion guide member 34 by using the O-ring 37 that supports the insertion guide member 34. More specifically, the O-ring 37 is provided with the extending portion 37B that extends from the main body portion 37A, and the extending portion 37B of the O-ring 37 supporting the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72 is bent to thereby cause the thermistor 72 to be biased against the insertion guide member 34 to be positioned at a position suitable for measurement of the temperature or the pressure. In the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the O-ring 37 is not provided with the extending portion 37B. In the second embodiment, positioning of the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72 relative to the insertion guide member 234 is achieved by clamping the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72 by a holding member 220 and an elastic member 230 shown in Fig. 15. That is, the thermistor 72 is placed in a state of being held by the holding member 220 that is a first member and the elastic member 230 that is a support member, and the detection unit 72A is thus positioned relative to the insertion guide member 234. Additionally, the "state of being held" here refers to a state where the thermistor is caused to stay at a predetermined position thanks to the holding member 220 and the elastic member 230 directly or indirectly contributing in such a way that the thermistor is disposed at the predetermined position.
Fig. 15 shows the thermistor 72, the holding member 220, and the elastic member 230. The holding member 220 includes a penetrating rectangular hole 220A, a curved groove portion 220B, and a first claw 220C and a second claw 220D provided inside the groove portion 220B. The detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72 is housed inside the rectangular hole 220A. Furthermore, the connection unit 72B including the two conducting wires that are covered by insulation coatings moves past the first claw 220C and the second claw 220D to be housed inside the groove portion 220B. An end portion of the connection unit 72B of the thermistor 72 that is connected to the detection unit 72A moves past the first claw 220C and the second claw 220D while being bent from a straight shape and is inclined to return to the straight shape in the groove portion 220B and is thus positioned under the first claw 220C and the second claw 220D at all times so as not to be easily removed from the groove portion 220B. The detection unit 72A including the device is housed in the penetrating rectangular hole 220A, and thus, both surfaces in a penetrating direction of the rectangular hole 220A are exposed from the holding member 220. For example, the holding member 220 may be formed of resin such as polycarbonate or PEEK. Furthermore, the elastic member 230 is a sustaining member that is disposed between the holding member 220 that is positioned relative to the insertion guide member 234 and a first wall 210a of the inner housing, and that is for holding the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72 at a position suitable for detecting the temperature or the pressure. The holding member 220 according to the second embodiment is an example of the first member of the present disclosure. The elastic member 230 according to the second embodiment is an example of the support member of the present disclosure.
Fig. 16 shows the insertion guide member 234 according to the second embodiment and its periphery. For the sake of description, Fig. 16 omits illustration of the chamber 50 and parts of the inner housing 10 other than a rear housing element 210B and the insertion guide member 234. Compared to the insertion guide member 34 of the first embodiment, the insertion guide member 234 according to the second embodiment includes an abutting portion 234A on an outer circumference. As described later, the abutting portion 234A is a part against which the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72 housed inside the rectangular hole 220A of the holding member 220 is biased. Furthermore, compared to the rear housing element 10B of the inner housing 10 of the first embodiment, a shelf portion 212 is provided vertically above (near an end portion on the Z-axis positive direction side of) an inner wall (a surface on the Y-axis positive direction side) of the rear housing element 210B according to the second embodiment, the shelf portion 212 being disposed next to the insertion guide member 234. The detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72 housed inside the rectangular hole 220A of the holding member 220 is designed to be biased against the abutting portion 234A of the insertion guide member 234 when the holding member 220 housing a tip end portion of the thermistor 72 is fixed to the shelf portion 212 of the first wall 210a of the inner housing 10. The shelf portion 212 of the rear housing element 210B and the holding member 220 may be fixed by a double-sided tape, for example.
Fig. 17 shows a state where the insertion guide member 234 is housed in the rear housing element 210B of the inner housing 10 according to the second embodiment, and where the holding member 220 housing the tip end portion of the thermistor 72 is fixed to the shelf portion 212. As shown in Fig. 17, in this state, the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72 housed inside the rectangular hole 220A of the holding member 220 is biased against the abutting portion 234A of the insertion guide member 234. By forming the inner housing 10 by assembling the front housing element 210A of the inner housing 10 with the rear housing element 210B in a state where the elastic member 230 is biased against the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72 from a front side of Fig. 17, the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72 is fixed at a desirable position relative to the insertion guide member 234. The front housing element 210A according to the second embodiment is an example of the first housing element of the present disclosure, and the rear housing element 210B is an example of the second housing element of the present disclosure.
Fig. 18 is a diagram showing, from the Z-axis negative direction, the thermistor 72 of the inner housing 10 of the second embodiment configured in the manner described above and its periphery. The front housing element 210A (the first wall 210a formed by the same) of the inner housing 10 biases the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72 against the insertion guide member 234 via the elastic member 230.
With the flavor inhaler 200 of the second embodiment, the puffing action of the user may be detected by positioning the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72 at a predetermined position relative to the insertion guide member 234 of the atomizing unit 30 by a simple configuration of fixing the holding member 220 housing the tip end of the thermistor 72 to the shelf portion 212 of the rear housing element 210B of the inner housing 10 and performing pressing by the front housing element 210A (the first wall 210a formed by the same) of the inner housing 10 via the elastic member 230.
In the first embodiment of the present disclosure, a mechanism of bending the extending portion 37B of the O-ring 37 by the first wall 10a of the inner housing 10 is described to be used for positioning of the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72. In the second embodiment of the present disclosure, a holding mechanism based on a combination of the holding member 22 and the elastic member 230 is described to be used for positioning of the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations described above. In order to achieve positioning of various electronic components provided in the flavor inhaler, a method of providing a bendable extending potion at a sustaining component that is disposed near a corresponding electronic component and pressing and bending the extending portion supporting the electronic component by a wall of the housing may be adopted. Furthermore, in order to achieve positioning of various electronic components provided in the flavor inhaler, a method of pressing and fixing a holding mechanism that is a combination of a holding member and an elastic member by a wall portion of the housing may be adopted. Additionally, the second embodiment describes a configuration where the holding member 220 housing the tip end of the thermistor 72 is fixed to the shelf portion 212 of the rear housing element 210B of the inner housing 10, and the method of fixing is not limited to an adhesive tape or the like and fixing may be achieved by any suitable method. Furthermore, the holding member 220 may be integrally formed with the rear housing element 210B of the inner housing 10. Moreover, in the second embodiment, the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72 is housed inside the rectangular hole 220A in the holding member 220 such that positioning relative to the insertion guide member 234 is also achieved, but in the case where positioning of the detection unit 72A is achieved by arrangement positions of the first claw 220C and the second claw 220D, or the shape of the groove portion 220B, the shapes of other members may be changed as appropriate or other members may be omitted without being limited to the rectangular hole.
Heretofore, the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, but the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications may be made within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, the specification, and the drawings. Any shape or material not directly described in the specification and the drawings fall within the scope of the technical idea of the present disclosure as long as the advantageous effects of the present disclosure may be achieved by the same. For example, the flavor inhaler 100 of the present disclosure includes a so-called counter-flow air passage with which air flowing in from the opening 52 in the chamber 50 is supplied to the end surface of the consumable 110, but such a case is not restrictive, and a so-called bottom-flow air passage with which air is supplied from the bottom portion 56 of the chamber 50 into the chamber 50 may instead be provided. Furthermore, the heating element 42 does not have to adopt resistance heating and may instead adopt induction heating. In this case, the heating element 42 may heat the chamber 50 by induction heating. Moreover, in the case where the consumable 110 includes a susceptor, the susceptor of the consumable 110 may be heated by the heating element 42 by induction heating.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

10 inner housing
10A front housing element
10B rear housing element
10a first wall
10b second wall
10c side wall
20 power source unit
21 power source
30 atomizing unit
32 heat insulating portion
34 insertion guide member
34A second through hole
34B first engaging claw
35 first support portion
35A third through hole
35B first rib
35C circular circumferential portion
36 bottom member
37 O-ring
37A main body portion
37B extending portion
38 second support portion
39A spacer
39B protrusion
40 heating unit
42 heating element
44 electrically insulating member
48 electrode
50 chamber
52 opening
52A flange portion
54 non-holding portion
56 bottom portion
56a hole
58 first guide portion
58a tapered surface
60 side wall portion
62 contact portion
62a inner surface
62b outer surface
66 separated portion
66a inner surface
66b outer surface
67A first gap
67B second gap
67C third gap
72 thermistor
72A detection unit
72B connection unit
74 opening
100 flavor inhaler
101 outer housing
101A front cover
101B rear cover
102 slide cover
110 consumable
111 smokable substance
112 first rolling paper
113 second rolling paper
114 cylindrical member
115 filter portion
116 hollow filter portion
117 lip release agent
200 flavor inhaler
212 shelf portion
210A front housing element
210B rear housing element
210a first wall
220 holding member
220A rectangular hole
220B groove portion
220C first claw
220D second claw
230 elastic member
234 insertion guide member
234A abutting portion

Claims

A flavor inhaler comprising:
a housing;

a first member that is housed in the housing;

a state detection unit that is supported by the first member; and

a second member that is housed in the housing, a state of the second member being detected by the state detection unit, wherein

the housing biases the first member against the second member, and

the state detection unit is positioned at a predetermined position relative to the second member in a state where the first member is biased against the second member.
The flavor inhaler according to claim 1, further comprising a support member that is housed in the housing, and that supports the state detection unit from a side opposite to the second member, wherein
the housing biases the first member against the second member in a state where the state detection unit is held by the first member and the support member.
The flavor inhaler according to claim 2, wherein the support member is formed from an elastic body.
The flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the housing includes a first housing element, and a second housing element that is attached to the first housing element,

the first member is disposed on the second housing element, and

the first member is biased against the second member due to the first housing element and the second housing element being attached to each other.
The flavor inhaler according to claim 1, wherein
the first member includes a main body portion, and an extending portion that extends from the main body portion, that is bendable relative to the main body portion, and that supports the state detection unit,

the housing holds the extending portion of the first member in a bent state, and

the extending portion of the first member is biased against the second member in a state of being bent by the housing.
The flavor inhaler according to claim 5, wherein the first member is formed from an elastic body.
The flavor inhaler according to claim 5 or 6, wherein
the first member is an O-ring, and

a part of the second member is inserted in the main body portion of the O-ring.
The flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein
the second member is an aerosol generation mechanism, and

the state detection unit detects temperature or pressure of the aerosol generation mechanism.
The flavor inhaler according to claim 8, wherein the state detection unit detects a puffing action on the aerosol generation mechanism.
The flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein
the housing includes a first housing element, and a second housing element that is attached to the first housing element, and

the extending portion of the first member is held in a bent state due to the first housing element and the second housing element being attached to each other.
The flavor inhaler according to claim 4 or 10, further comprising an external cover that covers the first housing element.
A flavor inhaler manufacturing method comprising:
preparing a first housing element;

preparing a first member that supports a state detection unit;

preparing a second member, a state of which is detected by the state detection unit;

disposing the first member and the second member at predetermined positions relative to the first housing element; and

positioning the state detection unit at a predetermined position relative to the second member by pressing, by the first housing element, the first member supporting the state detection unit and biasing the first member against the second member.
The flavor inhaler manufacturing method according to claim 12, comprising:
further preparing a support member that supports the state detection unit from a side opposite to the second member; and

positioning the state detection unit at a predetermined position relative to the second member by pressing the first member by the first housing element via the support member in a state where the state detection unit is held by the first member and the support member.
The flavor inhaler manufacturing method according to claim 12, wherein
the first member includes a main body portion, and an extending portion that extends from the main body portion, that is bendable relative to the main body portion, and that supports the state detection unit,

the housing holds the extending portion of the first member in a bent state, and

the state detection unit is positioned at a predetermined position relative to the second member due to the extending portion supporting the state detection unit being biased against the second member by being pressed by the first housing element and bent by the main body portion.
The flavor inhaler manufacturing method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein
the second member is an aerosol generation mechanism, and

the state detection unit detects temperature or pressure of the aerosol generation mechanism.