JP2005058421A - Electronic inhalator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic inhalator which can atomize and discharge a liquid substance and can control the quantity of discharge (the quantity of inhalation) of a discharged substance (inhaled substance) easily and accurately. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic inhalator 1 includes a casing 2 with a discharge aperture (an inhalation aperture 4), a discharge means 14 which is provided in the above casing 2 and is equipped with at least one discharge head which drives an actuator to change the pressure in a cavity filled with the liquid substance including predetermined ingredients for a human body to receive and discharges the liquid substance as a droplet through a nozzle connected to the cavity, an atomizing means 18 which is provided in the above casing and atomizes the droplet discharged by the above discharge means 14, and a controlling means 27 which is provided in the casing 2 and controls the driving of the above discharge means 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic inhalation device.

Inhalation devices are known for inhaling flavors and drugs. Conventional inhalation devices are roughly classified into two types: a vapor-type inhaler and a nebulizer inhaler.
(1) A steam-type inhaler boils hot water, generates steam, and sucks the steam. However, since the steam particles are relatively large, there is a drawback that they do not enter deep into the throat.
(2) Nebulizer inhalers can be classified into three types: jet type, ultrasonic type, and mesh type (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, each of the conventional inhaler devices cannot accurately control the discharge amount (inhalation amount) of a discharge product such as flavor and medicine. For this reason, the range which can be applied is narrow, and it is difficult to apply to a medicine inhaler or the like that requires a fine control of the release amount.

JP 2001-149473 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic inhalation device that can discharge a liquid material in the form of a mist and can easily and accurately control the discharge amount (inhalation amount) of the discharge material (inhalation material). It is in.

Such an object is achieved by the present invention described below.
An electronic inhalation device of the present invention includes a casing having a discharge port,
The liquid material is ejected as droplets from a nozzle communicating with the cavity by changing the pressure in the cavity, which is provided in the casing and is filled with a liquid material containing a predetermined component taken in by a living body by driving an actuator. Discharge means having at least one discharge head;
An atomizing means provided in the casing for atomizing droplets discharged from the discharge means;
Control means provided in the casing and for controlling driving of the discharge means.

Thus, by operating the discharge means and the atomization means, liquid droplets are discharged from the discharge means, and the droplets are atomized by the atomization means. Then, by inhaling in this state, an air-fuel mixture of air and a predetermined component is released from the discharge port, and the air-fuel mixture can be inhaled.
Further, since a fluid jet method (for example, an ink jet method) is adopted as the discharge means, a target amount of droplets can be discharged accurately and reliably from the discharge means. Thereby, the predetermined component can be sucked accurately and reliably by the target amount.

In the electronic inhaler of the present invention, it is preferable that the atomizing means is a heating means for heating and atomizing droplets discharged from the discharge means.
Thereby, the droplet discharged from the discharge means can be atomized easily and reliably.
In the electronic inhaler of the present invention, it is preferable that the atomizing means is a vibrating means for vibrating the droplets discharged from the discharging means to atomize.
Thereby, the droplet discharged from the discharge means can be atomized easily and reliably.

In the electronic inhaler of the present invention, it is preferable that at least a part of the discharge means and / or at least a part of the atomization means be detachable from the casing.
Thereby, it can be easily cleaned, repaired or exchanged.
In the electronic inhalation device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the electronic inhalation device further includes a mounting portion on which a cartridge having a storage portion in which the liquid material is stored is detachably mounted.
Thereby, by attaching the cartridge to the mounting portion of the casing, the liquid material is supplied from the storage portion to the discharge means, and by removing the cartridge from the mounting portion of the casing, the liquid material is supplied from the storage portion to the discharge means. Is stopped.

In the electronic inhalation device of the present invention, it is preferable that at least a part of the discharge means and / or at least a part of the atomization means are provided in the cartridge.
Thereby, by attaching and detaching the cartridge to and from the mounting portion of the casing, the discharge means and the atomizing means are attached to and detached from the casing integrally with the cartridge.
In the electronic inhaler of the present invention, it is preferable to have a power switch for turning on / off the power supply by attaching / detaching the cartridge to / from the mounting portion.
Thus, the power is turned on via the power switch by attaching the cartridge to the mounting portion of the casing, and the power is turned off via the power switch by removing the cartridge from the mounting portion of the casing.

In the electronic inhaler of the present invention, it is preferable that a power source is provided in the casing.
In the electronic inhaler of the present invention, it is preferable to have a detecting means for detecting the air volume flowing through the casing.
Thereby, the air volume of the air flowing through the casing or the air-fuel mixture of the air and the predetermined component is detected by the detection means, and the control is performed based on the detection result of the detection means (in response to the signal from the detection means). Various controls can be performed by means.

In the electronic inhaler of the present invention, it is preferable that the control unit controls the driving of the discharge unit based on the detection result of the detection unit.
Thereby, the air volume of the air flowing through the casing or the air-fuel mixture of the air and the predetermined component is detected by the detection means, and the control is performed based on the detection result of the detection means (in response to the signal from the detection means). The drive of the discharge means is controlled by the means, and the ON / OFF of the discharge means and the discharge amount of the liquid droplets discharged from the discharge means are controlled.
Accordingly, a predetermined component in an amount corresponding to the user's suction force can be taken into the mouth.

In the electronic suction device of the present invention, it is preferable to have a heating means for heating the air flowing through the casing or an air-fuel mixture containing air and the predetermined component.
Thereby, the air which distribute | circulates the inside of a casing, or the air-fuel | gaseous mixture of air and a predetermined component can be heated as needed.
In the electronic inhalation device of the present invention, the predetermined component is preferably a medicinal component and / or a flavor component.

In the electronic inhaler according to the present invention, it is preferable that the electronic inhaler has a restricting means for restricting a total amount of the predetermined component passing through the discharge port.
Thereby, the inhalation amount of the predetermined component can be managed.
In the electronic inhaler of the present invention, it is preferable that the restricting means restricts the total amount of droplets ejected from the ejecting means.
Thereby, the inhalation amount of the predetermined component can be easily managed.

The electronic inhalation device of the present invention preferably has an inhalation mask provided in the vicinity of the discharge port.
Thereby, the air-fuel mixture of the air discharged from the discharge port and the predetermined component can be inhaled from the nose.
In the electronic inhaler of the present invention, it is preferable that the inhalation mask is detachable from the casing.
Thus, by removing the suction mask, the air-fuel mixture of the air discharged from the discharge port and the predetermined component can be sucked from the mouth over the base end side of the casing.

Hereinafter, an electronic inhalation device of the present invention will be described in detail based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.
1 to 5 show a first embodiment of an electronic inhaler according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the entire electronic inhaler, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of the ejection unit and the atomization unit in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of the ejection unit, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the electronic inhaler.

For convenience of explanation, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the left side is described as “tip”, and the right side is described as “base end”.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the electronic inhalation device 1 includes an apparatus main body 100 having a rod shape (whistle shape) as a whole and a liquid material (hereinafter simply referred to as “liquid material”) containing a predetermined component taken in by a living body. And a cartridge 21 having a storage portion in which is stored.

The apparatus main body 100 includes a casing 2, discharge means 14 for discharging liquid droplets into the casing 2, atomization means 18 for atomizing (miniaturizing) liquid droplets discharged from the discharge means 14, and discharge. The control means 27 which controls the drive of the means 14 and the atomization means 18, etc. are provided.
The overall shape of the casing 2 has a rod shape (whistle shape). At the base end portion (one end portion in the longitudinal direction) of the casing 2, a gripping portion 7 is provided. At the center portion of the gripping portion 7, air or a mixture containing air and a predetermined component is provided. A flow path 3 having a predetermined length for circulating air or the like is provided along the longitudinal direction.

The flow path 3 has a circular cross section in the present embodiment, and the base end thereof opens (opens) at the center of the end face on the base end side of the gripping portion 7, and the opening is predetermined. The component (air mixture containing air and a predetermined component) is formed in a suction port (discharge port) 4 for sucking into the mouth.
In the middle of the flow path 3, a tapered surface 5 having a diameter that gradually increases toward the tip is formed. On the tip side of the taper surface 5, an intake port (side port) 6 that penetrates the casing 2 in the radial direction. And the inside of the flow path 3 is opened to the outer surface side of the casing 2 through the intake port 6. The number of intake ports 6 is one in the present embodiment, but may be plural. When the breathing part 7 is held by the mouth and breathes in, air is taken into the flow path 3 through the intake port 6, and this air circulates in the flow path 3 toward the suction port 4. Into the mouth.

  Discharge means 14 and atomization means 18 are provided on the portion of the casing 2 corresponding to the longitudinal center of the flow path 3 so as to face the flow path 3. The liquid droplets are discharged into the flow path 3 by driving the discharge means 14, and the droplets discharged from the discharge means 14 are atomized (miniaturized) and atomized by driving the atomizing means 18. The liquid material mixed with the air flowing through the flow path 3 flows through the flow path 3 and flows into the opening from the suction port 4 as an air-fuel mixture. The discharge means 14 and the atomization means 18 will be described later in detail.

The constituent material of the casing 2 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include various resins, various metals, and various ceramics.
Needless to say, the shapes of the casing 2 and the apparatus main body 100 are not limited to the illustrated shapes.
Here, the liquid material is not particularly limited as long as it includes a predetermined component taken in by a living body, and examples thereof include a solution, a dispersion, and an emulsion. Moreover, as said predetermined component, a medicinal component, a flavor component, etc. are mentioned, for example. In addition, both a medicinal component and a flavor component may be included.

  The liquid substance (flavor generating medium) containing a flavor component is a medium that can generate a flavor by ejecting it as droplets, and is appropriately selected depending on the application. This flavor generating medium includes, for example, predetermined substances among various substances extracted from natural products and their constituent components. As a flavor substance contained in the flavor generation medium, for example, when applied as an electronic cigarette (pseudo smoking tool), menthol, caffeine, a precursor such as a glycoside that generates a flavor by thermal decomposition, a tobacco extract component And tobacco components such as tobacco smoke pseudo-condensate. In this case, it is preferable to detoxify the flavor generating medium, and it is preferable to remove harmful components.

Moreover, since the flavor production | generation medium in the case of applying as an electronic cigarette (pseudo smoking tool) adds smoke to a flavor, it can contain the substance which produces | generates an aerosol at the time of a heating, for example. Examples of substances that generate aerosols include polyols such as glycerin and propylene glycol, lower alcohols, saccharides, and mixtures thereof.
In addition, in order to prepare a liquid substance containing a medicinal component, a predetermined drug is dissolved or dispersed in, for example, oil, water, alcohol or the like that is harmless to a living body. Thereby, a solution (chemical solution), a dispersion, an emulsion, etc. are obtained.

  The ejection means 14 employs a fluid jet method (for example, an ink jet method). The fluid jet method is a method in which an actuator is driven to change the pressure in a cavity (pressure chamber) filled with a fluid such as a liquid, thereby ejecting the fluid as droplets from a nozzle communicating with the cavity. Examples of the fluid jet method include a film boiling fluid jet method such as a thermal jet method (bubble jet method (“Bubble Jet is a registered trademark”)), a piezoelectric method (piezo method), an electrostatic method, and the like. . However, it is not limited to these methods, and any method having the same function may be used.

  2. Description of the Related Art A film boiling fluid jet type discharge head such as a thermal jet type (bubble jet type (“Bubble Jet is a registered trademark”)) includes a film boiling type actuator having a heating element (heater) that generates heat when energized. In this film boiling fluid jet system, for example, a heating element is heated by energization, thereby generating bubbles, and droplets are ejected by the pressure of the bubbles (change in fluid pressure due to the bubbles).

In addition, a piezoelectric (piezo type) ejection head includes a piezoelectric element (piezo element), and includes a piezoelectric actuator that uses the piezoelectric effect (piezo effect) of the piezoelectric element. In this piezoelectric system, for example, a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element, and the volume of the cavity (pressure chamber) is changed by displacing (deforming) the piezoelectric element. Discharge.
Further, the electrostatic discharge head includes an electrostatic actuator. In this electrostatic method, for example, a voltage is applied between the opposing electrodes of the electrostatic actuator to generate a Coulomb force, and the diaphragm is displaced (deformed) to change the volume of the cavity (pressure chamber). By changing the pressure in the cavity 51, droplets are ejected.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the discharge means 14 includes a plurality (four in the illustrated example) of fluid jet type discharge heads 15 each having a nozzle 16 for discharging liquid droplets. That is, the ejection unit 14 includes a head unit having a plurality of fluid jet type ejection heads 15. The number of ejection heads 15 is not limited to four, and may be one, two, three, or five or more.

Each ejection head 15 is formed to have a different diameter of the nozzle 16. For example, by combining ON / OFF of these ejection heads 15, the liquid material ejection amount is accurately and reliably adjusted to a predetermined amount. be able to.
Then, by adjusting the discharge amount of the liquid material and controlling the number of times each discharge head 15 is driven, the total amount of liquid droplets (liquid material) discharged from the discharge means 14 (total discharge amount) is set to a predetermined amount. Adjustment (regulation) can be performed accurately and reliably. That is, the amount of liquid droplets (liquid material) discharged from the discharge means 14 can be managed easily, accurately and reliably.

Hereinafter, a configuration example of the ejection head 15 when the electrostatic method is employed will be described as a representative based on FIG. FIG. 4 shows only one of the plurality of ejection heads 15.
As shown in FIG. 4, the discharge head 15 has a three-layer structure in which a silicon nozzle plate 41 is stacked on the upper side of the silicon substrate 42 and a glass substrate 43 is stacked on the lower side.
Between the silicon substrate 42 and the nozzle plate 41, there are a cavity (pressure chamber) 51 filled with a liquid material, a reservoir 53, and an orifice (supply port) 52 that allows the reservoir 53 and the cavity 51 to communicate with each other. Is provided. A nozzle (exit) 16 that communicates between the inside and outside of the cavity 51 is provided at a portion corresponding to the cavity 51 of the nozzle plate 41. The part of the silicon substrate 42 facing the cavity 51 is formed on a diaphragm (bottom wall) 45 that is thinner than the other parts.

The diaphragm 45 is configured to be elastically deformable (elastically displaceable) in the out-of-plane direction (thickness direction), that is, the vertical direction.
The vibration plate 45, the segment electrode 46 disposed on the upper portion of the glass substrate 43, and the insulating layer 47 and the gap (recessed portion) 54 therebetween constitute the main part of the electrostatic actuator (actuator) 44. .

  An ejection head driving circuit (voltage applying means) 29 including a driving circuit for applying a driving voltage between the segment electrode 46 and the common electrode 48 facing the segment electrode 46 (between the counter electrodes) is a CPU 28 described later. Charging / discharging between the counter electrodes is performed in accordance with a signal (discharge data) input from. One output terminal of the ejection head drive circuit 29 is connected to each segment electrode 46, and the other output terminal is connected to an input terminal 49 of a common electrode 48 formed on the silicon substrate 42. Since impurities are implanted into the silicon substrate 42 and itself has conductivity, a voltage can be applied (supplied) from the input terminal 49 to the diaphragm 45 (the entire common electrode 48).

  When a driving voltage is applied between the opposing electrodes from the ejection head driving circuit 29, a Coulomb force is generated between the opposing electrodes, and the diaphragm 45 bends toward the segment electrode 46 side with respect to the initial state shown in FIG. The volume of the cavity 51 increases (expands). In this state, when the electric charge between the counter electrodes is suddenly discharged under the control of the ejection head drive circuit 29, the diaphragm 45 is restored upward by its elastic restoring force, and the diaphragm 45 in the initial state shown in FIG. The volume of the cavity 51 is suddenly reduced (contracted). As a result, the pressure in the cavity 51 increases, and a part of the liquid filling the cavity 51 is discharged as droplets from the nozzle 16 communicating with the cavity 51 by the compression pressure generated in the cavity 51. The

An intake port 55 that communicates with the reservoir 53 is provided in the portion of the glass substrate 43 corresponding to the reservoir 53. A base end side of a supply pipe 33 which will be described later is connected to the intake 55, and a liquid material is supplied into the reservoir 53 from the cartridge 21 which will be described later via the supply pipe 33 and the intake 55.
The atomizing means 18 in the present embodiment is configured by a heating means that receives and heats liquid droplets ejected from the nozzles 16 of the ejection heads 15 and atomizes them.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the atomizing means 18 includes a droplet receiving plate (droplet receiving portion) 181 that receives liquid droplets discharged from the nozzles 16 of the discharge heads 15, and a droplet receiving plate. A heating unit 182 that heats the droplet receiving plate 181 is provided on the lower side in FIG. The atomizing means 18 atomizes the droplets received by the droplet receiving plate 181 by heating the droplet receiving plate 181 by the heating unit 182. Further, the droplet receiving plate 181 and the heating unit 182 may be integrated.

In this case, the average particle size of the atomized liquid is preferably about 1 to 100 μm, and more preferably 10 μm or more when deposited before going into the back of the throat. Moreover, when reaching the larynx, bronchi, and lungs behind the throat, it is preferably 10 μm or less.
The droplet receiving plate 181 faces the nozzle 16 (nozzle surface) of each ejection head 15 and is disposed at a predetermined distance from the tip (nozzle surface) of the nozzle 16. In order to increase the probability of landing when the maximum air velocity obtained from the intake air volume is Va, the droplet velocity is Vd, and the length of the droplet receiving plate 181 in the airflow direction is D, the separation distance L is D · Vd / It is preferably about Va ± (D · Vd / Va) / 5, more preferably about (D · Vd / Va) / 2 ± (D · Vd / Va) / 10. Each dimension (unit) is assumed to be expressed in a unified unit such as (mm) in order to indicate a mutual ratio.

  The space between the nozzle 16 (nozzle surface) of each ejection head 15 and the droplet receiving plate 181 is the above-described flow path 3 through which air or the like flows, and atomization is performed by the air flowing through the flow path 3. The liquefied (misted) liquid material flows. That is, the atomized liquid is mixed with the air flowing through the flow path 3 to form an air-fuel mixture, flows through the flow path 3, is discharged from the suction port 4, and is sucked by the user.

  The heating unit 182 is not particularly limited as long as it has a function capable of heating the droplet receiving plate 181, and examples thereof include a micro heater. The microheater converts electricity into heat energy, and its shape and method can be arbitrarily selected. Usually, a heater thin film is formed and heat is generated by passing a current through the resistor.

In addition, you may comprise so that a part or whole (all) of the atomization means 18 may be detachably attached to the casing 2 (apparatus main body 100).
That is, for example, only the droplet receiving plate 181 or both the droplet receiving plate 181 and the heating unit 182 may be detachably attached to the casing 2.
Thereby, the receiving surface (surface) which receives the droplet in the droplet receiving plate 181 can be easily cleaned.

Further, a part or the whole of the atomizing means 18 is provided in the cartridge 21 (the cartridge 21 and a part or the whole of the atomizing means 18 are integrated), and these are integrated into the casing 2 (the apparatus main body 100). The cartridge chamber (mounting unit) 8 may be detachably mounted.
As shown in FIG. 2, there is an air volume as a detection means in the middle of the flow path 3 on the tip side (left side in the figure) of the discharge means 14 (atomization means 18) (the root portion of the tapered surface 5 of the flow path 3). A sensor 19 is provided, and the flow rate of a fluid (air or a mixture of air and a predetermined component) flowing through the flow path 3 is detected by the air volume sensor 19.
The air volume sensor 19 may be provided on the downstream side of the discharge means 14 (the atomizing means 18), that is, on the base end side (the right side in FIG. 2).

Further, a heating means 20 is provided in the middle of the flow path 3 on the base end side (right side in the figure) of the discharge means 14 (atomization means 18), and the heating means 20 is driven as necessary depending on the nature of the medicine. As a result, the fluid flowing through the flow path 3 (air or a mixture containing air and a predetermined component) is heated, and the fluid heated to a predetermined temperature flows out from the suction port 4. The heating means 20 is not particularly limited as long as it has a function of heating a fluid, and examples thereof include a micro heater.
The heating means 20 may be detachably attached to the gripping part 7, for example, and may be attached to the gripping part 7 as necessary.

Further, the heating means 20 is provided on the upstream side of the discharge means 14 (the atomizing means 18), that is, the tip side (left side in FIG. 2), and is circulated in the flow path 3 by the driving of the heating means 20. The air before reaching (air before being mixed with liquid droplets) may be heated.
In addition, a cartridge chamber (mounting portion) 8 having a predetermined depth whose upper surface opens to the outer surface side of the casing 2 is provided at the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the casing 2 (the left portion of the flow path 3 in the drawing). A cartridge 21 containing (filled) a liquid material is detachably mounted in the cartridge chamber 8. A cartridge detection / power switch 9 is provided on one end surface (left side in FIG. 2) of the cartridge chamber 8 in the axial direction. When the cartridge 21 is mounted (attached) to the cartridge chamber 8, the cartridge detection / power switch 9 is turned ON, the mounted state of the cartridge 21 is detected, the power supply 26 is turned ON, and the cartridge 21 is removed from the cartridge chamber 8. When the cartridge is removed (removed), the cartridge detection / power switch 9 is turned OFF, the unmounted state of the cartridge 21 is detected, and the power supply 26 is turned OFF.

The cartridge 21 has a cartridge main body (casing) 210 whose overall shape is box-shaped. A predetermined amount of liquid material is stored (filled) in the chamber 212 inside the cartridge body 210.
The constituent material of the cartridge main body (casing) 210 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include various resins.

The cartridge 21 is provided with a part or the whole (all) of the discharge means 14 described above (the cartridge 21 and a part or the whole of the discharge means 14 are integrated), and these are integrated with the casing 2 (the apparatus main body). 100) the cartridge chamber (mounting portion) 8 may be detachably mounted.
On the lower surface side of the chamber 212 of the cartridge body 210, a portion to be punctured 211 into which a sharp end portion 331 on the distal end side of the supply tube 33 described later is punctured is formed. When the cartridge 21 is mounted in the cartridge chamber 8, the sharp end portion 331 of the supply pipe 33 punctures the puncture portion 211 of the cartridge main body 210 and penetrates. Thereby, the inside of the chamber 212 and the supply pipe 33 communicate with each other.

A supply pipe 33 is embedded in the outer peripheral edge portion of the casing 2 so as to communicate between a portion corresponding to the chamber 212 of the cartridge chamber 8 and the discharge means 14 described above in the axial direction. A sharp end (puncture needle) 331 is formed at the distal end of the supply tube 33. A liquid material is supplied from the chamber 212 of the cartridge 21 to the discharge means 14 via the supply pipe 33.
In addition, a power source (power source unit) 26 is provided at the proximal end side of the distal end portion (the left portion of the cartridge chamber 8 in the drawing) of the casing 2, and the discharge means 14, the atomizing means 18, and the air volume sensor 19 are disposed at the distal end side. Control means 27 for controlling the driving of the heating means 20 and the power source 26 are incorporated. The power source 26 may be configured to be detachably mounted in the casing 2.
As the power supply 26, for example, a battery such as a primary battery or a secondary battery can be used. In this case, it is possible to reduce the size and weight by using a fuel cell having a high energy density. The fuel cell may be shaped like a cartridge so that it can be easily replaced.

  In addition, a ring (ring body) 12 is installed at the tip end portion (the other end portion in the longitudinal direction) 11 of the casing 2 so as to be rotatable and movable. For example, by attaching a string or a chain (not shown) to the ring 12, it can be hung on the user's neck, and the electronic inhaler 1 can be suspended from the neck like an accessory (necklace). For this reason, it is very convenient to carry the electronic inhaler 1, and when it is desired to use the electronic inhaler 1, it can be used easily and quickly anytime and anywhere.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 27 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 28 that controls driving of the discharge unit 14, the atomization unit 18, the heating unit 20, the air volume sensor 19, the power supply 26, and the like, and the discharge unit 14. An ejection head drive circuit 29 in which a circuit to be driven is incorporated, and an atomization means drive circuit 30 in which a circuit for driving the atomization means 18 is incorporated are provided.

The electronic inhaler 1 according to the present embodiment can perform various controls by including the control means 27 as described above.
For example, when the electronic inhaler 1 is applied to a device for inhaling a medicine (medicinal ingredient), the control means 27 releases the medicine (medicinal ingredient) (inhalation amount), that is, the medicinal effect passing through the suction port 4. The total amount of ingredients can be regulated (controlled), thereby managing the dose of the drug. Therefore, the main function of the regulating means for regulating the total amount of the predetermined components passing through the suction port (release port) 4 is achieved by the control means 27.

The total amount of medicinal components that pass through the suction port 4 can be regulated by regulating the total amount of liquid droplets ejected from the ejection means 14.
Further, the heating of the air or the air-fuel mixture containing air and a predetermined component by the heating means 20 can be controlled to be turned on because the immediate effect improvement of the drug or the secondary product drug by thermal decomposition is desired. Become. Further, for example, when inhaling a medicine, the heating means 20 can be switched ON / OFF according to the kind of the medicine.

  When the breathing part 7 of the electronic inhalation device 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above is sandwiched between the lips and breathed in, air flows into the flow path 3 from the intake port 6, and the flow path 3 The air volume flowing through the interior is detected by the air volume sensor 19, and the ejection section 14 is driven by the control section 27 in accordance with the signal from the air volume sensor 19 (based on the detection result of the air volume sensor 19), and the nozzle 16 of the ejection head 15. A predetermined amount of liquid droplets are discharged into the flow path 3, and the liquid droplets are atomized by the atomizing means 18, and the air flowing through the flow path 3 and the atomized liquid (predetermined Component) and the mixture gas flows into the mouth from the suction port 4.

For example, when the predetermined component is a flavor component, the flavor component diffuses in the mouth and the flavor can be tasted.
When the predetermined component is a medicinal component, the medicinal component can be inhaled (inhaled).
In this case, since a fluid jet method (for example, an ink jet method) is adopted for the ejection unit 14, a target amount of liquid droplets can be ejected accurately and reliably from the ejection unit 14. Thereby, the predetermined component can be sucked accurately and reliably by the target amount.

Further, a sufficient amount of liquid droplets can be discharged into the casing 2 from the start of driving of the discharge means 14, and a sufficient amount of predetermined components can be sucked from the start of suction.
In addition, downsizing, weight reduction, energy saving, stable spraying, uniforming of the particle size of the liquid material, and miniaturization can be achieved.

Next, a second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the discharge means and the atomization means in the second embodiment of the electronic inhaler according to the present invention.
Hereinafter, the electronic inhalation device 1 according to the second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment described above, and description of similar matters will be omitted.
In the electronic inhalation device 1 of the second embodiment, the atomizing means 18 is constituted by a vibrating means that receives and vibrates the liquid droplets discharged from the nozzles 16 of the respective discharge heads 15 and makes them atomize. .

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the atomizing means 18 includes a droplet receiving plate (droplet receiving portion) 181 that receives liquid droplets discharged from the nozzles 16 of the discharge heads 15, and a droplet receiving plate. 181 and a vibrating portion 183 that vibrates the droplet receiving plate 181. The atomizing means 18 causes the droplet receiving plate 181 to vibrate by the vibration unit 183 to atomize the droplet received by the droplet receiving plate 181.

The vibration unit 183 is not particularly limited as long as it has a function capable of vibrating the droplet receiving plate 181, and examples thereof include an ultrasonic vibration generator. Further, the droplet receiving plate 181 and the vibration unit 183 may be integrated.
The other configuration is the same as that shown in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
According to the electronic inhaler 1, the same effect as that of the first embodiment described above can be obtained.

Next, a third embodiment will be described.
7 and 8 show a third embodiment of the electronic inhaler according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the entire electronic inhaler, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. .
For convenience of explanation, in FIGS. 7 and 8, the left side is described as “tip” and the right side as “base end”.

Hereinafter, the electronic inhalation device 1 according to the third embodiment will be described with a focus on differences from the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, and description of similar matters will be omitted.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the electronic suction device 1 of the third embodiment has a suction mask 61 that is detachably attached to the gripping portion 7 of the casing 2 (device main body 100). The suction mask 61 is provided in the vicinity of the suction port (discharge port) 4 so as to cover the suction port 4.
The constituent material of the suction mask 61 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include various resins, various metals, and various ceramics.

By providing this inhalation mask 61, the air-fuel mixture of the air discharged from the suction port 4 and the atomized liquid material (predetermined component) can be inhaled from the nose.
Further, the air-fuel mixture discharged from the suction port 4 can be sucked from the mouth without holding the gripping part 7.
Further, since the suction mask 61 is detachable, the suction mask 61 is removed, and similarly to the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the grip portion 7 is held and discharged from the suction port 4. The air-fuel mixture can also be inhaled from the mouth.

Other configurations are the same as those shown in the first and second embodiments.
According to the electronic inhaler 1, the same effects as those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above can be obtained.
The suction mask 61 may be fixedly installed (fixed) to the casing 2 (device main body 100).

As described above, the present invention has been described based on the illustrated embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration of each unit can be replaced with any configuration having the same function. . In addition, any other component may be added to the present invention.
Further, the present invention may be a combination of any two or more configurations (features) of the above embodiments.
Moreover, in this invention, you may provide the ventilation means which ventilates the air which distribute | circulates the inside of a casing, or the air-fuel mixture containing air and a predetermined component.

The top view of 1st Embodiment of the electronic inhalation device by this invention. Sectional drawing of FIG. The figure which shows typically the structural example of the discharge means and atomization means of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the structural example of a discharge means. The block diagram of the electronic inhalation device of a 1st embodiment. The figure which shows typically the structural example of the discharge means and atomization means in 2nd Embodiment. The top view of 3rd Embodiment of the electronic inhalation device by this invention. Sectional drawing of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic suction device 2 ... Casing 3 ... Flow path 4 ... Suction port 5 ... Tapered surface 6 ... Intake port 7 ... Holding part 8 ... Cartridge chamber 9 ... Cartridge detection and power switch 11 …… Tip 12 …… Ring 14 …… Discharge means 15 …… Discharge head 16 …… Nozzle 18 …… Atomizing means 19 …… Air volume sensor 20 …… Heating means 21 …… Cartridge 211 …… Punctured portion 212 ...... ... Chamber 26 ... Power supply 27 ... Control means 28 ... CPU 29 ... Discharge head drive circuit 30 ... Atomization means drive circuit 33 ... Supply pipe 331 ... Sharp end 41 ... Nozzle plate 42 ... Silicon substrate 43 …… Glass substrate 44 …… Electrostatic actuator 45 …… Vibration plate 46 …… Segment electrode 47 …… Insulating layer 48 …… Common electrode 49 …… Input terminal 51 …… Cavite 52 ...... orifice 53 ...... reservoir 54 ...... voids 55 ...... inlet 61 ...... inhalation mask 100 ...... apparatus main body 181 ...... droplet receiving portion 182 ...... heating unit 183 ...... vibrating unit 210 ...... cartridge body

Claims (16)

A casing having a discharge port;
The liquid material is ejected as droplets from a nozzle communicating with the cavity by changing the pressure in the cavity, which is provided in the casing and is filled with a liquid material containing a predetermined component taken in by a living body by driving an actuator. Discharge means having at least one discharge head;
An atomizing means provided in the casing for atomizing droplets discharged from the discharge means;
An electronic inhaler comprising: a control unit that is provided in the casing and controls driving of the discharge unit.   The electronic inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the atomizing unit is a heating unit that heats and atomizes the droplets discharged from the discharge unit.   The electronic inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the atomizing means is a vibrating means that vibrates the liquid droplets discharged from the discharge means.   The electronic inhalation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least a part of the discharge means and / or at least a part of the atomization means are detachable from the casing.   The electronic inhalation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a mounting portion on which a cartridge having a storage portion in which the liquid material is stored is detachably mounted.   The electronic inhalation device according to claim 5, wherein at least a part of the discharge means and / or at least a part of the atomization means are provided in the cartridge.   The electronic inhaler according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a power switch for turning on / off the power by attaching / detaching the cartridge to / from the mounting portion.   The electronic inhaler according to claim 1, wherein a power source is provided in the casing.   The electronic inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising detection means for detecting the amount of air flowing through the casing.   10. The electronic inhalation device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit controls driving of the discharge unit based on a detection result of the detection unit.   The electronic inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a heating unit that heats air flowing through the casing or an air-fuel mixture containing air and the predetermined component.   The electronic inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined component is a medicinal component and / or a flavor component.   The electronic inhaler according to claim 1, further comprising a restricting unit that restricts a total amount of the predetermined component that passes through the discharge port.   The electronic inhalation device according to claim 13, wherein the regulating unit regulates a total amount of droplets ejected from the ejection unit.   The electronic inhaler according to claim 1, further comprising an inhalation mask provided in the vicinity of the discharge port. The electronic inhaler according to claim 15, wherein the inhalation mask is detachable from the casing.

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