EP4674290A1

EP4674290A1 - Aerosol generation device and aerosol generation system

Info

Publication number: EP4674290A1
Application number: EP23928574.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Takafumi Izumiya; Hirofumi Matsumoto; Kazutoshi SERITA; Hiroshi HODONO; Takahiro Sakamoto
Original assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Current assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date: 2023-03-20
Filing date: 2023-03-20
Publication date: 2026-01-07
Also published as: JPWO2024194991A1; WO2024194991A1

Abstract

PROBLEM: To provide a more suitable arrangement relating to an inhalation device.SOLUTION: An aerosol-generating device comprising: an accommodating portion having an internal space capable of accommodating a substrate containing an aerosol source; an antenna for emitting electromagnetic waves into the internal space; an oscillation unit for generating an alternating current supplied to the antenna; and a control unit for controlling operation of the oscillation unit, wherein the antenna includes at least a first part and a second part different from the first part, the control unit controls the oscillation unit so as to generate at least an alternating current at a first frequency or a second frequency different from the first frequency, and the antenna emits electromagnetic waves from the first part when an alternating current at the first frequency is supplied, and emits electromagnetic waves from the first part and the second part when an alternating current at the second frequency is supplied.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating device and to an aerosol-generating system.

BACKGROUND ART

Inhalation devices such as heated tobacco products that generate substances to be inhaled by a user are in widespread use. For example, an inhalation device employs an aerosol source for generating an aerosol, and a substrate including a flavor source or the like for imparting a flavor component to the generated aerosol, to generate an aerosol to which the flavor component has been imparted. The user can enjoy the flavor by inhaling the aerosol to which the flavor component has been imparted, generated by the inhalation device. The action by which the user inhales the aerosol will also be referred to below as "puffing" or a "puffing action".
Various heating mechanisms for heating the substrate have been designed for heated tobacco products. PTL 1 below, for example, describes technology for heating a substrate by utilizing a patch antenna which emits microwaves.

CITATION LIST

PATENT LITERATURE

PTL 1: WO 2021/90022 A1

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

However, the technology disclosed in PTL 1 has only recently been developed, and there is still room for improvement in various aspects.
Accordingly, the present disclosure takes account of the abovementioned problem, and the objective of the present disclosure lies in providing a more suitable arrangement relating to an inhalation device.

SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

In order to solve the problem above, one aspect of the present invention provides an aerosol-generating device comprising: an accommodating portion having an internal space capable of accommodating a substrate containing an aerosol source; an antenna for emitting electromagnetic waves into the internal space; an oscillation unit for generating an alternating current supplied to the antenna; and a control unit for controlling operation of the oscillation unit, wherein the antenna includes at least a first part and a second part different from the first part, the control unit controls the oscillation unit so as to generate at least an alternating current at a first frequency or a second frequency different from the first frequency, and the antenna emits electromagnetic waves from the first part when an alternating current at the first frequency is supplied, and emits electromagnetic waves from the first part and the second part when an alternating current at the second frequency is supplied.
The antenna may comprise a plurality of linear portions and one or more coil portions, the first part and the second part may include at least the linear portions, and the second part may further comprise the coil portion at an end portion on the first part side.
The length of the linear portion included in the first part and the length of the linear portion included in the second part may be determined on the basis of the first frequency and the second frequency.
The length of the linear portion included in the first part may be greater than the length of the linear portion included in the second part.
The length of the linear portion included in the first part may be the same as or substantially the same as the length of the linear portion included in the second part.
The length of the linear portion included in the first part may be smaller than the length of the linear portion included in the second part.
The antenna may be formed by one metal wire.
The antenna may be disposed in the internal space.
The accommodating portion may have an opening enabling the internal space to communicate with the outside, and the antenna may be arranged so as to protrude from the bottom portion of the accommodating portion toward the opening.
The accommodating portion may be a metal tube.
Furthermore, in order to solve the problem above, another aspect of the present invention provides an aerosol-generating system comprising: a substrate containing an aerosol source; and an aerosol-generating device which uses the substrate to generate an aerosol, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises: an accommodating portion having an internal space capable of accommodating the substrate; an antenna for emitting electromagnetic waves into the internal space; an oscillation unit for generating an alternating current supplied to the antenna; and a control unit for controlling operation of the oscillation unit, and the antenna includes at least a first part and a second part different from the first part, the control unit controls the oscillation unit so as to generate at least an alternating current at a first frequency or a second frequency different from the first frequency, and the antenna emits electromagnetic waves from the first part when an alternating current at the first frequency is supplied, and emits electromagnetic waves from the first part and the second part when an alternating current at the second frequency is supplied.
A part of the substrate lying over the first part and a part of the substrate lying over the second part while the substrate is accommodated in the accommodating portion may be formed from different materials.
The aerosol source may comprise tobacco leaf or a liquid.
The accommodating portion may have an opening enabling the internal space to communicate with the outside, the antenna may be arranged so as to protrude from the bottom portion of the accommodating portion toward the opening, and at least a portion of the substrate may surround the periphery of the antenna in a state in which the substrate is accommodated in the accommodating portion.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

As described above, the present disclosure provides a more suitable arrangement relating to an inhalation device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration example of an inhalation device.
Fig. 2 schematically shows a state before a stick-type substrate is accommodated in an accommodating portion.
Fig. 3 schematically shows a state in which the stick-type substrate is accommodated in the accommodating portion.
Fig. 4 shows a variant configuration of a multiband antenna.
Fig. 5 shows another example of the configuration of the multiband antenna.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the appended drawings. It should be noted that components having substantially the same functional configuration will be assigned the same reference numbers in the description and drawings to avoid giving a duplicate description.

1. Configuration example of inhalation device

An inhalation device is a device for generating a substance to be inhaled by a user. Hereinafter, the substance generated by the inhalation device will be described as being an aerosol. Additionally, the substance generated by the inhalation device may be a gas.
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration example of an inhalation device. As shown in fig. 1, an inhalation device 100 according to this configuration example comprises a power source unit 111, a sensor unit 112, a notification unit 113, a memory unit 114, a communication unit 115, a control unit 116, a heating unit 120, and an accommodating portion 140.
The power source unit 111 stores electrical power. The power source unit 111 then supplies the electrical power to each component of the inhalation device 100 in accordance with control performed by the control unit 116. The power source unit 111 may be configured by a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery, for example.
The sensor unit 112 acquires various types of information relating to the inhalation device 100. As an example, the sensor unit 112 is configured by a pressure sensor such as a capacitor microphone, a flow rate sensor or a temperature sensor, etc., and acquires values associated with inhalation by a user. As another example, the sensor unit 112 is configured by an input device, such as a button or switch, for accepting input of information from the user.
The notification unit 113 notifies the user of information. The notification unit 113 is configured by a light-emitting device which emits light, a display device which displays images, a sound output device which outputs sound, or a vibration device which vibrates, etc., for example.
The memory unit 114 stores various types of information for the operation of the inhalation device 100. The memory unit 114 is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, for example.
The communication unit 115 is a communication interface capable of performing communication in accordance with any wired or wireless communication standard. Examples of communication standards that may be used include standards that employ Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) (registered trademark), NFC (Near-Field Communication), or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area), for example.
The control unit 116 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls overall operation within the inhalation device 100 in accordance with various programs. The control unit 116 is realized by a CPU (central processing unit) or an electronic circuit such as a microprocessor, for example.
The accommodating portion 140 has an internal space 141, and holds a stick-type substrate 150 while accommodating a portion of the stick-type substrate 150 in the internal space 141. The accommodating portion 140 has an opening 142 allowing the internal space 141 to communicate with the outside, and accommodates the stick-type substrate 150 which has been inserted into the internal space 141 from the opening 142. For example, the accommodating portion 140 is a cylindrical body comprising the opening 142 and a bottom portion 143 serving as a bottom surface, and defines the columnar internal space 141. An air flow path for supplying air to the internal space 141 is connected to the accommodating portion 140. An air inflow hole, which is an inlet for air into the air flow path, is disposed in a side surface of the inhalation device 100, for example. An air outflow hole, which is an outlet for air from the air flow path to the internal space 141, is disposed in the bottom portion 143, for example.
The stick-type substrate 150 comprises a substrate portion 151 and a mouthpiece portion 152. The substrate portion 151 contains an aerosol source. The aerosol source comprises a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. If the inhalation device 100 is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may include a drug. The aerosol source may, for example, be a liquid such as water or a polyhydric alcohol, for example glycerol or propylene glycol, containing the tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component, or may be a solid including the tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. In a state in which the stick-type substrate 150 is held in the accommodating portion 140, at least part of the substrate portion 151 is accommodated in the internal space 141, and at least part of the mouthpiece portion 152 protrudes from the opening 142. Then, when the user holds the mouthpiece portion 152 protruding from the opening 142 in their mouth and inhales, air flows into the internal space 141 via the air flow path, which is not illustrated in the drawings, and reaches the inside of the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from the substrate portion 151.
The heating unit 120 heats the aerosol source to atomize the aerosol source, thereby generating the aerosol. In particular, the heating unit 120 emits microwaves to the stick-type substrate 150 accommodated in the accommodating portion 140. The aerosol source contained in the stick-type substrate 150 is directly heated by means of the microwaves, and an aerosol is generated. The microwaves are electromagnetic waves having a wavelength of approximately 1 mm-1 m and a frequency of 300 MHz-300 GHz. As an example, the frequency of the microwaves emitted by the heating unit 120 may be approximately 5.8 GHz. As another example, the frequency of the microwaves emitted by the heating unit 120 may be approximately 2.4-2.5 GHz. The amount of heat generated by the emission of microwaves may vary according to the type of aerosol source. For example, aerosol sources such as glycerol and propylene glycol are known to react with microwaves to strongly generate heat. The heating unit 120 emits microwaves when supplied with electricity from the power source unit 111. By way of example, electricity may be supplied when the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has started inhaling and/or that predetermined information has been input. The supply of electricity may then be stopped when the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has finished inhaling and/or that predetermined information has been input.
A configuration example of the inhalation device 100 has been described above.
Note that the inhalation device 100 is an example of an aerosol-generating device that generates an aerosol. The inhalation device 100 and the stick-type substrate 150 cooperate to generate an aerosol. The combination of the inhalation device 100 and the stick-type substrate 150 may therefore be considered to be an aerosol-generating system.

2. Detailed configuration of heating mechanism

The detailed configuration of the heating mechanism of the inhalation device 100 will be described next with reference to fig. 2 and 3. Fig. 2 schematically shows a state before the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140. Fig. 3 schematically shows a state in which the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140.
The heating unit 120 comprises a multiband antenna 123 and an oscillation unit 124, as shown in fig. 2 and 3.
The multiband antenna 123 is an antenna which emits microwaves into the internal space 141. The multiband antenna 123 may in particular switch the frequency of the microwaves emitted and a range of emission of the microwaves. A typical multiband antenna is configured by connecting antenna elements before and after a trap capable of blocking a current. The trap is a parallel resonant circuit in which a coil and a capacitor are connected in parallel. The trap can then switch whether or not the current is blocked by utilizing a characteristic of parallel resonant circuits according to which impedance is at a maximum and current no longer flows in a resonant state. When the trap allows a flow of current, microwaves are emitted from both of the antenna elements connected before and after the trap. Meanwhile, when the trap blocks the current, microwaves are emitted from the antenna element running from an electrical supply point to the trap. The frequency of the current flowing through the antenna differs according to whether the trap allows a flow of current or blocks the current, so the frequency of the microwaves emitted also differs.
As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the multiband antenna 123 includes a first part 121 and a second part 122. The multiband antenna 123 especially includes the first part 121 and the second part 122 running from the electrical supply point to a tip end. The first part 121 and the second part 122 include at least linear portions obtained by forming a metal wire into a linear shape. To be more specific, the first part 121 comprises a linear portion. Meanwhile, the second part 122 comprises a linear portion 122A, and also includes a coil portion 122B at an end portion on the first part 121 side. The coil portion 122B constitutes a parallel resonant circuit functioning as the trap. Furthermore, the linear portion included in the first part 121 (i.e., the first part 121 itself) and the linear portion 122A included in the second part 122 constitute antenna elements connected by means of the coil portion 122B functioning as the trap. When the coil portion 122B allows a flow of current, microwaves are then emitted from both of the antenna elements connected before and after the coil portion 122B, that is, from the first part 121 and the second part 122. Meanwhile, when the coil portion 122B blocks the current, microwaves are emitted from the antenna element running from the electrical supply point to the coil portion 122B, that is, emitted from the first part 121.
The multiband antenna 123 may be formed by one metal wire. Adopting a simple configuration for the multiband antenna 123 enables the multiband antenna 123 to be made more compact. It is also possible to improve the ease of maintenance, such as facilitating cleaning and replacement.
The oscillation unit 124 generates an alternating current supplied to the multiband antenna 123. The oscillation unit 124 comprises an oscillation circuit for converting direct current to alternating current, and an amplifier for amplifying electrical signals, etc., and is connected to the multiband antenna 123 by means of a coaxial cable. The alternating current supplied from the oscillation unit 124 flows to the multiband antenna 123, and microwaves are emitted from the multiband antenna 123 as the alternating current flows.
The control unit 116 controls operation of the oscillation unit 124. To be more specific, the control unit 116 controls the oscillation unit 124 so as to generate an alternating current at a first frequency or a second frequency different from the first frequency. The multiband antenna 123 emits microwaves from the first part 121 when an alternating current at the first frequency is supplied, and emits microwaves from the first part 121 and the second part 122 when an alternating current at the second frequency is supplied. The first frequency is the resonant frequency of the parallel resonant circuit constituting the trap comprising the coil portion 122B. The coil portion 122B constituting the trap therefore blocks the current when an alternating current at the first frequency is supplied to the multiband antenna 123. As a result, microwaves at the first frequency are emitted from the first part 121 alone. Meanwhile, the second frequency is different from the resonant frequency. The coil portion 122B constituting the trap therefore allows a flow of current when an alternating current at the second frequency is supplied to the multiband antenna 123. As a result, microwaves at the second frequency are emitted from both the first part 121 and the second part 122. Here, microwaves may be emitted not only from the linear portion 122A of the second part 122, but also from the coil portion 122B.
The length of the first part 121 and the length of the linear portion 122A included in the second part 122 are determined on the basis of the first frequency and the second frequency. For example, it will be assumed that the multiband antenna 123 is configured as a dual-band antenna for 2.5 GHz and 5.8 GHz. That is to say, it will be assumed that the first frequency is 5.8 GHz and the second frequency is 2.5 GHz. When the multiband antenna 123 emits 5.8 GHz microwaves, the first part 121 operates as a 1/4 wavelength monopole antenna. The wavelength at 5.8 GHz is approximately 52 mm, so the length of the first part 121 is approximately 13 mm, which is one quarter of the wavelength. Meanwhile, when the multiband antenna 123 emits 2.5 GHz microwaves, the first part 121 and the linear portion 122A included in the second part 122 operate as a 1/4 monopole antenna. The wavelength at 2.5 GHz is approximately 120 mm, so the total length of the first part 121 and the linear portion 122A included in the second part 122 is approximately 30 mm, which is one quarter of the wavelength. When the length of the first part 121 is approximately 13 mm, the sum of the length of the linear portion 122A included in the second part 122 and the length of the coil portion 122B stretched out straight is approximately 17 mm. It should be noted that the length of the linear portion 122A varies according to the winding diameter and the number of turns of the coil portion 122B, and a gap between the coil portion 122B and the accommodating portion 140 which functions as a capacitor, etc., as will be described later.
The control unit 116 may also vary, in time series, the frequency of the alternating current generated by the oscillation unit 124. For example, the control unit 116 may, in accordance with the time elapsed from the start of heating, vary the frequency of the alternating current generated by the oscillation unit 124 from the first frequency to the second frequency, or from the second frequency to the first frequency. This configuration enables switching of the frequency of microwaves emitted from the multiband antenna 123 to the stick-type substrate 150, and of the range of the stick-type substrate 150 over which microwaves are emitted.
As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the substrate portion 151 of the stick-type substrate 150 includes a first part 151-1 and a second part 151-2. The first part 151-1 of the substrate portion 151 constitutes a part lying over the first part 121 of the multiband antenna 123 while the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140. The second part 151-2 of the substrate portion 151 constitutes a part lying over the second part 122 of the multiband antenna 123 while the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140. Microwaves at the first frequency or the second frequency are emitted to the first part 151-1 of the stick-type substrate 150. Meanwhile, microwaves at the second frequency are emitted to the second part 151-2 of the stick-type substrate 150.
The first part 151-1 and the second part 151-2 may be formed by different materials. For example, the first part 151-1 and the second part 151-2 may contain different types of tobacco leaf. Tobacco leaf as referred to here is an example of the aerosol source, and includes, in addition to tobacco leaf itself, shredded extracts, etc. produced from tobacco leaf. The first part 151-1 and the second part 151-2 of the stick-type substrate 150 are preferably formed by materials commensurate with the difference in frequency of microwaves which may be emitted. For example, the first part 151-1 may be formed by a material which is susceptible to heating by microwaves at the first frequency and the second frequency, and the second part 151-2 may be formed by a material which is susceptible to heating by microwaves at the second frequency. This configuration enables suitable aerosol generation in response to switching of the frequency of microwaves emitted and switching of the range of microwave emission by the multiband antenna 123.
As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the multiband antenna 123 is disposed in the internal space 141 of the accommodating portion 140. The multiband antenna 123 can therefore be placed in proximity to the aerosol source contained in the stick-type substrate 150 which is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140, thus enabling the aerosol source to be heated more efficiently.
Here, the multiband antenna 123 is arranged so as to protrude from the bottom portion 143 of the accommodating portion 140 toward the opening 142, as shown in fig. 2 and 3. By virtue of this configuration, the multiband antenna 123 is able to emit microwaves evenly into the whole of the internal space 141.
At least a portion of the stick-type substrate 150 then surrounds the periphery of the multiband antenna 123 in a state in which the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 140, as shown in fig. 3. To be more specific, the substrate portion 151 of the stick-type substrate 150 is formed with a cylindrical shape and is provided with a hollow part 153 running from an end portion of the substrate portion 151 up to a boundary section with the mouthpiece portion 152. For example, the cylindrical substrate portion 151 may be formed by rolling a sheet or a porous molding containing an aerosol source. The stick-type substrate 150 is then inserted into the accommodating portion 140 while the multiband antenna 123 is accommodated in the hollow part 153. As a result, microwaves can be emitted to the substrate portion 151 from the multiband antenna 123 at very close range.
The accommodating portion 140 is a metal tube. For example, the accommodating portion 140 is formed by any metal such as SUS (steel use stainless) or aluminum.
By virtue of this configuration, the accommodating portion 140 can function as a capacitor constituting the trap of the multiband antenna 123. That is to say, a capacitor may be omitted from the multiband antenna 123. This allows the multiband antenna 123 to be made narrower. As a result, the hollow part 153 of the stick-type substrate 150 can be narrowed, and the substrate portion 151 can be filled with a greater quantity of aerosol source.
Furthermore, by virtue of this configuration, the accommodating portion 140 can block microwaves emitted from the multiband antenna 123. As a result, it is possible to prevent adverse effects on the human body by preventing leakage of microwaves.
The detailed configuration of the heating mechanism of the inhalation device 100 has been described above. As described above, the multiband antenna 123 may switch the frequency of the microwaves emitted and the range of emission of the microwaves. The stick-type substrate 150 may then be constructed in accordance with switching of the frequency and range of emission of the microwaves emitted from the multiband antenna 123. This configuration allows the user experience to be designed with a higher degree of freedom. Furthermore, the multiband antenna 123 can be constructed in a compact manner, therefore enabling the inhalation device 100 to be made more compact.

3. Supplementary information

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure were described in detail above with reference to the appended drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited to those examples. It is obvious that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs will be able to conceive of a number of variant examples or modified examples within the scope of the technical concept disclosed in the claims, and any such variant examples or modified examples are naturally understood to fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.
In the embodiment described above, dimensions of the multiband antenna 123 were given by way of example, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. Supplementary information regarding the dimensions of the multiband antenna 123 will be given with reference to fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows a variant configuration of the multiband antenna 123. The inhalation device 100 may be fitted with the multiband antennas 123A-123D shown in fig. 4. The length of the first part 121 may be greater than the length of the linear portion 122A included in the second part 122, as in the case of the multiband antennas 123A and 123B. Note that the length of the linear portion 122A included in the second part 122 may be zero, as shown for the multiband antenna 123A. The length of the first part 121 may be the same as or substantially the same as the length of the linear portion 122A included in the second part 122, as in the case of the multiband antenna 123C. The length of the first part 121 may be smaller than the length of the linear portion 122A included in the second part 122, as in the multiband antenna 123D.
The embodiment above described an example in which the multiband antenna 123 comprises two linear portions (i.e., the first part 121 and the linear portion 122A of the second part 122), and one trap (i.e., the coil portion 122B of the second part 122), but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. The multiband antenna 123 may comprise three or more linear portions and two or more traps. In other words, the multiband antenna 123 is not limited to having two linear portions connected by means of a trap, and three or more linear portions may be connected by means of traps. The control unit 116 may then control the oscillation unit 124 so as to generate an alternating current at any one of three or more different frequencies. In that case, the multiband antenna 123 may emit microwaves at three or more different frequencies to three or more different parts of the stick-type substrate 150. The configuration of the stick-type substrate 150 may also be appropriately modified in accordance with the number of frequencies of microwaves that the multiband antenna 123 is capable of emitting, and the range of emission of microwaves at each frequency.
The embodiment above described an example in which the accommodating portion 140 functions as a capacitor constituting the trap of the multiband antenna 123, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. The multiband antenna 123 may comprise a separate capacitor. Such a configuration will be described with reference to fig. 5. Fig. 5 shows another example of the configuration of the multiband antenna 123. The multiband antenna 123 may further comprise a capacitor 125 connected in parallel with the coil portion 122B, as shown in fig. 5. By virtue of this configuration, the trap of the multiband antenna 123 is configured by the coil portion 122B and the capacitor 125.
The embodiment above described an example in which the multiband antenna 123 is arranged so as to penetrate the hollow part 153 provided in the center of the stick-type substrate 150 inserted in the accommodating portion 140, in order to heat the stick-type substrate 150 from the inside, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. For example, the multiband antenna 123 may be arranged along an inner wall of the accommodating portion 140 and may heat the stick-type substrate 150 from the outside.
A stick-type substrate 150 formed with a cylindrical shape was cited as an example of a substrate containing an aerosol source in the embodiment described above, but the substrate may be formed with any shape. For example, the substrate may be formed with a prismatic shape or a plate shape. Moreover, the shape and arrangement of the multiband antenna 123 may be adjusted, as appropriate, according to the shape of the substrate.
The stick-type substrate 150 was cited as an example of a substrate containing an aerosol source in the embodiment described above, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. A cartridge or capsule having a tank for storing an aerosol source as a liquid may also be used as the substrate containing an aerosol source. In addition to the tank mentioned above, a cartridge has a configuration comprising a delivery line for delivering, into the user's mouth, an aerosol atomized from the aerosol source stored in the tank, and a mouthpiece which the user holds in their mouth. A capsule has a configuration omitting the delivery line and the mouthpiece from the cartridge, and these omitted components are provided in the inhalation device 100 instead.
It should be noted that the series of processes performed by each device described in the present description may be realized by using software, hardware, or any combination of software and hardware. Programs constituting the software are prestored on a recording medium (more specifically, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) provided internally or externally to each device, for example. When the programs are then executed, for example, by a computer for controlling each device described in the present description, the programs are read into a RAM and executed by means of a processing circuit such as a CPU. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a flash memory, etc. Furthermore, the computer programs may be distributed via a network, for example, without the use of a recording medium. Furthermore, the computer may be an application-specific integrated circuit such as ASIC, a general-purpose processor which executes functions by reading software programs, or a computer on a server used for cloud computing, etc. Furthermore, the series of processes performed by each device described in the present description may be processed in a distributed manner by multiple computers.
The following configurations also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

(1) An aerosol-generating device comprising: an accommodating portion having an internal space capable of accommodating a substrate containing an aerosol source;
- an antenna for emitting electromagnetic waves into the internal space;
- an oscillation unit for generating an alternating current supplied to the antenna; and
- a control unit for controlling operation of the oscillation unit,
- wherein
- the antenna includes at least a first part and a second part different from the first part,
- the control unit controls the oscillation unit so as to generate at least an alternating current at a first frequency or a second frequency different from the first frequency, and
- the antenna emits electromagnetic waves from the first part when an alternating current at the first frequency is supplied, and emits electromagnetic waves from the first part and the second part when an alternating current at the second frequency is supplied.
(2) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed in (1) above, wherein the antenna comprises a plurality of linear portions and one or more coil portions,
- the first part and the second part include at least the linear portions, and
- the second part further comprises the coil portion at an end portion on the first part side.
(3) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed in (2) above, wherein the length of the linear portion included in the first part and the length of the linear portion included in the second part are determined on the basis of the first frequency and the second frequency.
(4) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed in (3) above, wherein the length of the linear portion included in the first part is greater than the length of the linear portion included in the second part.
(5) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed in (3) above, wherein the length of the linear portion included in the first part is the same as or substantially the same as the length of the linear portion included in the second part.
(6) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed in (3) above, wherein the length of the linear portion included in the first part is smaller than the length of the linear portion included in the second part.
(7) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed in any one of (1) to (6) above, wherein the antenna is formed by one metal wire.
(8) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed in any one of (1) to (7) above, wherein the antenna is disposed in the internal space.
(9) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed in (8) above, wherein the accommodating portion has an opening enabling the internal space to communicate with the outside, and
the antenna is arranged so as to protrude from the bottom portion of the accommodating portion toward the opening.
(10) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed in any one of (1) to (9) above, wherein the accommodating portion is a metal tube.
(11) An aerosol-generating system comprising: a substrate containing an aerosol source; and
- an aerosol-generating device which uses the substrate to generate an aerosol,
- wherein
- the aerosol-generating device comprises:
  - an accommodating portion having an internal space capable of accommodating the substrate;
  - an antenna for emitting electromagnetic waves into the internal space;
  - an oscillation unit for generating an alternating current supplied to the antenna; and
  - a control unit for controlling operation of the oscillation unit,
    and
  - the antenna includes at least a first part and a second part different from the first part,
  - the control unit controls the oscillation unit so as to generate at least an alternating current at a first frequency or a second frequency different from the first frequency, and
  - the antenna emits electromagnetic waves from the first part when an alternating current at the first frequency is supplied, and emits electromagnetic waves from the first part and the second part when an alternating current at the second frequency is supplied.
(12) The aerosol-generating system as disclosed in (11) above, wherein a part of the substrate lying over the first part and a part of the substrate lying over the second part while the substrate is accommodated in the accommodating portion are formed from different materials.
(13) The aerosol-generating system as disclosed in (11) or (12) above, wherein the aerosol source comprises tobacco leaf or a liquid.
(14) The aerosol-generating system as disclosed in any one of (11) to (13) above, wherein the accommodating portion has an opening enabling the internal space to communicate with the outside,
- the antenna is arranged so as to protrude from the bottom portion of the accommodating portion toward the opening, and
- at least a portion of the substrate surrounds the periphery of the antenna in a state in which the substrate is accommodated in the accommodating portion.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

100 Inhalation device
111 Power source unit
112 Sensor unit
113 Notification unit
114 Memory unit
115 Communication unit
116 Control unit
120 Heating unit (121: first part, 122: second part)
122A Linear portion
122B Coil portion
123 Multiband antenna
124 Oscillation unit
125 Capacitor
140 Accommodating portion
141 Internal space
142 Opening
143 Bottom portion
150 Stick-type substrate
151 Substrate portion (151-1: first part, 151-2: second part)
152 Mouthpiece portion
153 Hollow part

Claims

An aerosol-generating device comprising: an accommodating portion having an internal space capable of accommodating a substrate containing an aerosol source;
an antenna for emitting electromagnetic waves into the internal space;

an oscillation unit for generating an alternating current supplied to the antenna; and

a control unit for controlling operation of the oscillation unit,

wherein

the antenna includes at least a first part and a second part different from the first part,

the control unit controls the oscillation unit so as to generate at least an alternating current at a first frequency or a second frequency different from the first frequency, and

the antenna emits electromagnetic waves from the first part when an alternating current at the first frequency is supplied, and emits electromagnetic waves from the first part and the second part when an alternating current at the second frequency is supplied.
The aerosol-generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises a plurality of linear portions and one or more coil portions,
the first part and the second part include at least the linear portions, and

the second part further comprises the coil portion at an end portion on the first part side.
The aerosol-generating device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the length of the linear portion included in the first part and the length of the linear portion included in the second part are determined on the basis of the first frequency and the second frequency.
The aerosol-generating device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the length of the linear portion included in the first part is greater than the length of the linear portion included in the second part.
The aerosol-generating device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the length of the linear portion included in the first part is the same as or substantially the same as the length of the linear portion included in the second part.
The aerosol-generating device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the length of the linear portion included in the first part is smaller than the length of the linear portion included in the second part.
The aerosol-generating device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the antenna is formed by one metal wire.
The aerosol-generating device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the antenna is disposed in the internal space.
The aerosol-generating device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the accommodating portion has an opening enabling the internal space to communicate with the outside, and
the antenna is arranged so as to protrude from the bottom portion of the accommodating portion toward the opening.
The aerosol-generating device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the accommodating portion is a metal tube.
An aerosol-generating system comprising: a substrate containing an aerosol source; and
an aerosol-generating device which uses the substrate to generate an aerosol,

wherein

the aerosol-generating device comprises:
an accommodating portion having an internal space capable of accommodating the substrate;

an antenna for emitting electromagnetic waves into the internal space;

an oscillation unit for generating an alternating current supplied to the antenna; and

a control unit for controlling operation of the oscillation unit,
and

the antenna includes at least a first part and a second part different from the first part,

the control unit controls the oscillation unit so as to generate at least an alternating current at a first frequency or a second frequency different from the first frequency, and

the antenna emits electromagnetic waves from the first part when an alternating current at the first frequency is supplied, and emits electromagnetic waves from the first part and the second part when an alternating current at the second frequency is supplied.
The aerosol-generating system as claimed in claim 11, wherein a part of the substrate lying over the first part and a part of the substrate lying over the second part while the substrate is accommodated in the accommodating portion are formed from different materials.
The aerosol-generating system as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the aerosol source comprises tobacco leaf or a liquid.
The aerosol-generating system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the accommodating portion has an opening enabling the internal space to communicate with the outside,
the antenna is arranged so as to protrude from the bottom portion of the accommodating portion toward the opening, and

at least a portion of the substrate surrounds the periphery of the antenna in a state in which the substrate is accommodated in the accommodating portion.