JP6899480B1 - Aerosol generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an aerosol generator capable of stably supplying an appropriate amount of menthol to a user. An aerosol aspirator 1 includes a storage chamber 42 for storing an aerosol source 71, a heating chamber 43 for generating an aerosol 72, and a capsule 50 having a storage chamber 53 for accommodating a flavor source 52. .. The heating chamber 43 includes a wick 44 that transports the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 to the heating chamber 43 and holds it in the heating chamber 43, and a first load 45 that heats the aerosol source 71 held in the wick 44. , Is housed. The aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 both contain menthol 80. The aerosol aspirator 1 connects the heating chamber 43 and the accommodation chamber 53, and provides an aerosol flow path 90 that transports the aerosol source 71 vaporized and / or atomized by the first load 45 in the heating chamber 43 to the accommodation chamber 53. Be prepared. [Selection diagram] Fig. 3

Description

The present invention relates to an aerosol generator.

Patent Document 1 discloses an aerosol delivery system 100 (aerosol generator) that vaporizes and / or atomizes an aerosol source by heating it to generate an aerosol. In the aerosol delivery system of Patent Document 1, the produced aerosol flows through the second aerosol generation device 400 (containment chamber) in which the aerosol generation element 425 (flavor source) is housed, so that the flavor component contained in the flavor source is contained. Is added to the aerosol and the user can inhale the aerosol containing the flavor component.

The aerosol delivery system described in Patent Document 1 includes a reservoir substrate 214, a space (heating chamber) in which a liquid transport element 238 and a heating element 240 are housed, and a second aerosol generation device 400 in which an aerosol generation element 425 is housed. (Accommodation room) and. The aerosol precursor composition is stored in the reservoir substrate 214. The liquid transport element 238 transports and holds the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir substrate 214 to the heating chamber. The aerosol precursor composition retained in the liquid transport element 238 is heated by the heating element 240 to become an aerosol, passes through the aerosol generation element 425 of the second aerosol generator 400, and after the flavor component is added, the user Is supplied to.

Further, Patent Document 1 discloses that menthol may be contained in both the aerosol precursor composition and the aerosol-producing element of the second aerosol-generating apparatus.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-150031

However, Patent Document 1 describes the temperature distribution of menthol and the adsorption and desorption of menthol when both the aerosol precursor composition and the aerosol generating element 425 of the second aerosol generating apparatus 400 contain menthol. There is no disclosure about.

The aerosol delivery system described in Patent Document 1 includes a space (heating chamber) in which a liquid transport element 238 and a heating element 240 are housed, and a second aerosol generation device 400 (accommodation) in which an aerosol generation element 425 is housed. Since the chamber) is partitioned by the first separating element 450 and arranged so as to be adjacent to each other, the aerosol generating element 425 of the second aerosol generating device 400 affects the influence of heat by the heating element 240 from the heating chamber. It is easy to receive.

Therefore, in the aerosol delivery system 100 described in Patent Document 1, when both the aerosol precursor composition and the aerosol generating element 425 of the second aerosol generating apparatus 400 include a menthol, the second aerosol generating apparatus 400 The aerosol-generating element 425 of the above is susceptible to heat from the heating element 240. Then, when the aerosol generation element 425 of the second aerosol generation device 400 becomes hot, the menthol contained in the aerosol generation element 425 is detached. If the desorption of menthol contained in the aerosol-forming element progresses, there is a problem that the supply of menthol to the user becomes unstable.

On the other hand, in the aerosol delivery system 100 described in Patent Document 1, when the aerosol precursor composition contains menthol and the aerosol-forming element 425 does not contain menthol, the menthol contained in the aerosol precursor composition becomes the aerosol-producing element 425. It will be adsorbed. As a result, there is a problem that the amount of menthol supplied to the user is reduced.

The present invention provides an aerosol generator capable of stably supplying an appropriate amount of menthol to a user.

The first invention is
A storage chamber for storing aerosol sources and
A heating chamber for heating the aerosol source and
A containment unit having a containment chamber for accommodating a flavor source,
In the heating chamber
The aerosol source stored in the storage chamber is transported to the heating chamber and held in the heating chamber with at least a part of the holding portion.
An aerosol generator that contains at least a portion of a first load that heats and vaporizes and / or atomizes the aerosol source held in the retainer.
Both the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol.
An aerosol flow path is provided that connects the heating chamber and the containment chamber and transports the aerosol source vaporized and / or atomized by the first load in the heating chamber to the containment chamber .
A second load that heats the flavor source and
Power supply and
A controller for controlling the discharge from the power source to the first load and the discharge from the power source to the second load is further provided.
The controller
At the time of aerosol supply, the aerosol source held in the holding portion is heated by the first load, and the vaporized and / or atomized aerosol source is aerosolized and supplied to the storage chamber.
Said second load temperature, the temperature of the storage chamber, or the temperature of the flavor source is such that the temperature below the temperature of the first load, that controls the discharge to the second load from the power source.
The second invention is
A storage chamber for storing aerosol sources and
A heating chamber for heating the aerosol source and
A containment unit having a containment chamber for accommodating a flavor source,
In the heating chamber
The aerosol source stored in the storage chamber is transported to the heating chamber and held in the heating chamber with at least a part of the holding portion.
An aerosol generator that contains at least a portion of a first load that heats and vaporizes and / or atomizes the aerosol source held in the retainer.
Both the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol.
An aerosol flow path is provided that connects the heating chamber and the containment chamber and transports the aerosol source vaporized and / or atomized by the first load in the heating chamber to the containment chamber.
Further provided with a second load to heat the flavor source,
The aerosol source vaporized and / or atomized by the first load is aerosolized in the heating chamber and the aerosol flow path to generate an aerosol.
The containment room
An inlet for introducing the aerosol into the containment chamber from the aerosol flow path, and
It has an outlet portion for discharging the aerosol introduced into the containment chamber to the outside of the containment chamber.
In the flow direction of the aerosol in the containment chamber, where the aerosol flows from the inlet to the outlet.
The storage chamber includes a first space in which the flavor source exists, and a second space located between the first space and the outlet portion and adjacent to the outlet portion, and in which the flavor source does not exist. Have.
The third invention is
A storage chamber for storing aerosol sources and
A heating chamber for heating the aerosol source and
A containment unit having a containment chamber for accommodating a flavor source,
In the heating chamber
The aerosol source stored in the storage chamber is transported to the heating chamber and held in the heating chamber with at least a part of the holding portion.
An aerosol generator that contains at least a portion of a first load that heats and vaporizes and / or atomizes the aerosol source held in the retainer.
Both the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol.
An aerosol flow path is provided that connects the heating chamber and the containment chamber and transports the aerosol source vaporized and / or atomized by the first load in the heating chamber to the containment chamber.
Further provided with a second load to heat the flavor source,
The aerosol source vaporized and / or atomized by the first load is aerosolized in the heating chamber and the aerosol flow path to generate an aerosol.
The containment room
An inlet for introducing the aerosol into the containment chamber from the aerosol flow path, and
It has an outlet portion for discharging the aerosol introduced into the containment chamber to the outside of the containment chamber.
In the flow direction of the aerosol in the containment chamber, where the aerosol flows from the inlet to the outlet.
The accommodation chamber includes a heating region in which the second load is arranged, a non-heating region in which the second load is not arranged, located between the heating region and the outlet portion and adjacent to the outlet portion. Have.

The fourth invention is
A storage chamber for storing aerosol sources and
A heating chamber for heating the aerosol source and
A containment unit having a containment chamber for accommodating a flavor source,
In the heating chamber
The aerosol source stored in the storage chamber is transported to the heating chamber and held in the heating chamber with at least a part of the holding portion.
An aerosol generator that contains at least a portion of a first load that heats and vaporizes and / or atomizes the aerosol source held in the retainer.
Both the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol.
The heating chamber and the storage chamber are arranged physically apart from and / or are thermally insulated from each other, in communication with each other,
A second load that heats the flavor source and
Power supply and
A controller for controlling the discharge from the power source to the first load and the discharge from the power source to the second load is further provided.
The controller
At the time of aerosol supply, the aerosol source held in the holding portion is heated by the first load, and the vaporized and / or atomized aerosol source is aerosolized and supplied to the storage chamber.
The discharge from the power source to the second load is controlled so that the temperature of the second load, the temperature of the storage chamber, or the temperature of the flavor source is lower than the temperature of the first load .

According to the first to third inventions , since both the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol, the menthol derived from the aerosol source is less likely to be adsorbed by the flavor source. This allows the user to be supplied with an appropriate amount of menthol. Further, since the aerosol source vaporized and / or atomized by the first load in the heating chamber is transported to the containment chamber at a temperature lowered as it flows through the aerosol flow path, the containment chamber is heated by the first load. It becomes difficult to be affected by the heating chamber. As a result, the menthol adsorbed on the flavor source is suppressed from being rapidly detached, so that the menthol can be stably supplied to the user. In this way, many menthols can be stably supplied to the user.

According to the fourth invention, since both the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol, the menthol derived from the aerosol source is less likely to be adsorbed by the flavor source. This allows the user to be supplied with an appropriate amount of menthol. Further, since the heating chamber and the accommodating chamber are physically separated from each other and / or are insulated from each other and communicate with each other, the accommodating chamber is less susceptible to the influence of heat due to the first load. As a result, the menthol adsorbed on the flavor source is suppressed from being rapidly detached, so that the menthol can be stably supplied to the user. In this way, an appropriate amount of menthol can be stably supplied to the user.

It is a perspective view which shows typically the schematic structure of an aerosol aspirator. It is another perspective view of the aerosol aspirator of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the aerosol aspirator of FIG. It is a perspective view of the power supply unit in the aerosol aspirator of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which the capsule is housed in the capsule holder in the aerosol aspirator of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the hardware structure of the aerosol aspirator of FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the power supply unit shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the aerosol temperature at the time of using the aerosol aspirator of FIG.

Hereinafter, the aerosol aspirator 1, which is an embodiment of the aerosol generator of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. The drawings shall be viewed in the direction of the reference numerals.

(Overview of aerosol aspirator)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the aerosol aspirator 1 generates an aerosol without combustion, adds a flavor component to the generated aerosol, and allows the user to suck the aerosol containing the flavor component. It is an instrument for doing. As an example, the aerosol aspirator 1 has a rod shape.

The aerosol aspirator 1 includes a power supply unit 10, a cartridge cover 20 for accommodating a cartridge 40 for accommodating an aerosol source 71, and a capsule holder 30 for accommodating a capsule 50 having an accommodating chamber 53 for accommodating a flavor source 52. , Equipped with. The power supply unit 10, the cartridge cover 20, and the capsule holder 30 are provided in this order from one end side to the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol aspirator 1. The power supply unit 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape centered on a center line L extending in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol aspirator 1. The cartridge cover 20 and the capsule holder 30 have a substantially annular shape centered on a center line L extending in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol aspirator 1. The outer peripheral surface of the power supply unit 10 and the outer peripheral surface of the cartridge cover 20 have a substantially annular shape having substantially the same diameter, and the capsule holder 30 has a substantially annular shape having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the power supply unit 10 and the cartridge cover 20. ing.

Hereinafter, in the present specification and the like, in order to simplify and clarify the description, the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped aerosol aspirator 1 is defined as the first direction X. Then, in the first direction X, the side where the power supply unit 10 of the aerosol aspirator 1 is arranged is defined as the bottom side, and the side where the capsule holder 30 of the aerosol aspirator 1 is arranged is defined as the top side for convenience. In the drawing, the bottom side of the aerosol aspirator 1 in the first direction X is shown as D, and the top side of the aerosol aspirator 1 in the first direction is shown as U.

The cartridge cover 20 has a hollow substantially annular shape with both end surfaces on the bottom side and the top side open. The cartridge cover 20 is made of, for example, a metal such as stainless steel. The cartridge cover 20 is connected to the top end of the power supply unit 10 at the bottom end. The cartridge cover 20 is removable from the power supply unit 10. The capsule holder 30 has a hollow substantially annular shape with both end surfaces on the bottom side and the top side open. The capsule holder 30 is connected to the top end of the cartridge cover 20 at the bottom end. The capsule holder 30 is made of, for example, a metal such as aluminum. The capsule holder 30 is removable from the cartridge cover 20.

The cartridge 40 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is housed inside the cartridge cover 20. The cartridge 40 can be housed inside the cartridge cover 20 with the capsule holder 30 removed from the cartridge cover 20, and can be taken out from the inside of the cartridge cover 20. Therefore, the aerosol aspirator 1 can be used by exchanging the cartridge 40.

The capsule 50 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and has a hollow substantially annular shape so that the top end in the first direction X is exposed in the first direction X from the top end of the capsule holder 30. It is housed in the hollow portion of the capsule holder 30. The capsule 50 is removable from the capsule holder 30. Therefore, the aerosol aspirator 1 can be used by exchanging the capsule 50.

(Power supply unit)
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the power supply unit 10 includes a hollow substantially annular power supply unit case 11 centered on a center line L extending in the first direction X. The power supply unit case 11 is made of, for example, a metal such as stainless steel. The power supply unit case 11 has a top surface 11a which is an end surface on the top side in the first direction X of the power supply unit case 11, a bottom surface 11b which is an end surface on the bottom side in the first direction X of the power supply unit case 11, and a top surface 11a. It has a side surface 11c extending in a substantially annular shape about the center line L from the bottom surface 11b to the bottom surface 11b in the first direction X.

A discharge terminal 12 is provided on the top surface 11a of the power supply unit case 11. The discharge terminal 12 is provided so as to project from the top surface 11a of the power supply unit case 11 toward the top side in the first direction X.

Further, on the top surface 11a, an air supply unit 13 for supplying air to the heating chamber 43 of the cartridge 40, which will be described later, is provided in the vicinity of the discharge terminal 12. The air supply unit 13 is provided so as to project from the top surface 11a of the power supply unit case 11 toward the top side in the first direction X.

A charging terminal 14 that can be electrically connected to an external power supply (not shown) is provided on the side surface 11c of the power supply unit case 11. In the present embodiment, the charging terminal 14 is provided on the side surface 11c near the bottom surface 11b, and is a receptacle to which, for example, a USB (Universal Social Bus) terminal, a microUSB terminal, or the like can be connected.

The charging terminal 14 may be a power receiving unit capable of receiving power transmitted from an external power source in a non-contact manner. In such a case, the charging terminal 14 (power receiving unit) may be composed of a power receiving coil. The method of wireless power transfer (WPT: Wireless Power Transfer) may be an electromagnetic induction type, a magnetic resonance type, or a combination of an electromagnetic induction type and a magnetic resonance type. Further, the charging terminal 14 may be a power receiving unit capable of receiving power transmitted from an external power source without contact. As another example, the charging terminal 14 may have both a receptacle to which a USB terminal, a microUSB terminal, and the like can be connected, and the above-mentioned power receiving unit.

A user-operable operation unit 15 is provided on the side surface 11c of the power supply unit case 11. The operation unit 15 is provided on the side surface 11c near the top surface 11a. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 15 is provided at a position about 180 degrees away from the charging terminal 14 with the center line L as the center when viewed from the first direction X. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 15 is a circular push button type switch when the side surface 11c of the power supply unit case 11 is viewed from the outside. The operation unit 15 may have a shape other than a circular shape, or may be composed of a switch other than a push button type, a touch panel, or the like.

The power supply unit case 11 is provided with a notification unit 16 for notifying various information. The notification unit 16 is composed of a light emitting element 161 and a vibrating element 162 (see FIG. 6). In the present embodiment, the light emitting element 161 is provided inside the power supply unit case 11 of the operation unit 15. The periphery of the circular operation unit 15 has translucency when the side surface 11c of the power supply unit case 11 is viewed from the outside, and is configured to be lit by the light emitting element 161. In the present embodiment, the light emitting element 161 can emit light in red, green, blue, white, and purple.

The power supply unit case 11 is provided with an air intake port (not shown) for taking in outside air inside. The air intake port may be provided around the charging terminal 14, or may be provided around the operation unit 15, and may be provided in the power supply unit case 11 at a position away from the charging terminal 14 and the operation unit 15. It may have been. The air intake port may be provided on the cartridge cover 20. The air intake port may be provided at two or more of the above-mentioned locations.

A power supply 61, an intake sensor 62, an MCU 63 (Micro Controller Unit), and a charging IC 64 (IC: Integrated Circuit) are housed in a hollow portion of a hollow substantially annular power supply unit case 11. There is. Inside the power supply unit case 11, an LDO regulator 65 (LDO: Low Drop Out), a DC / DC converter 66, a first temperature detection element 67 including a voltage sensor 671 and a current sensor 672, and a voltage sensor A second temperature detection element 68, including a 681 and a current sensor 682, is housed (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

The power supply 61 is a chargeable / dischargeable power storage device such as a secondary battery or an electric double layer capacitor, and is preferably a lithium ion secondary battery. The electrolyte of the power supply 61 may be composed of one or a combination of a gel-like electrolyte, an electrolyte, a solid electrolyte, and an ionic liquid.

The intake sensor 62 is provided in the vicinity of the operation unit 15. The intake sensor 62 is a pressure sensor that detects a puff (suction) operation. The intake sensor 62 is configured to output a value of a change in pressure (internal pressure) inside the power supply unit 10 caused by suction by the user through the suction port 58 of the capsule 50, which will be described later. The intake sensor 62 has, for example, an output value (for example, a voltage value) according to the internal pressure that changes according to the flow rate of air sucked from the air intake port toward the suction port 58 of the capsule 50 (that is, the user's puff operation). Or the current value) is output. The intake sensor 62 may output an analog value or may output a digital value converted from the analog value.

The intake sensor 62 may include a temperature sensor that detects the temperature (outside air temperature) of the environment in which the power supply unit 10 is placed in order to compensate for the pressure to be detected. The intake sensor 62 may be composed of a condenser microphone, a flow rate sensor, or the like instead of the pressure sensor.

The MCU 63 is an electronic component that controls various types of the aerosol aspirator 1. Specifically, the MCU 63 is mainly composed of a processor, and is a memory 63a composed of a storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) necessary for operating the processor and a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing various information. (See FIG. 6). Specifically, the processor in the present specification is an electric circuit in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined.

The MCU 63 determines that an aerosol generation request has been made when the puff operation is performed and the output value of the intake sensor 62 exceeds the threshold value, and thereafter, when the output value of the intake sensor 62 falls below this threshold value, the aerosol generation request is made. Judge that it has been completed. In this way, the output value of the intake sensor 62 is used as a signal indicating an aerosol generation request. Therefore, the intake sensor 62 constitutes a sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request. The intake sensor 62 may make the above-described determination instead of the MCU 63, and the MCU 63 may receive a digital value according to the determination result from the intake sensor 62. As a specific example, the intake sensor 62 outputs a high-level signal when it is determined that the aerosol generation request has been made, and the intake sensor 62 outputs a low-level signal when it is determined that the aerosol generation request has been completed. May be output. Further, the threshold value determined by the MCU 63 or the intake sensor 62 that the aerosol generation request has been made may be different from the threshold value determined by the MCU 63 or the intake sensor 62 that has completed the aerosol generation request.

The MCU 63 may detect the aerosol generation request based on the operation of the operation unit 15 instead of the intake sensor 62. For example, when the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 15 to start suctioning the aerosol, the operation unit 15 may be configured to output a signal indicating an aerosol generation request to the MCU 63. In this case, the operation unit 15 constitutes a sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request.

The charging IC 64 is provided in the vicinity of the charging terminal 14. The charging IC 64 controls the electric power input from the charging terminal 14 and charged to the power source 61 to control the charging of the power source 61. The charging IC 64 may be arranged in the vicinity of the MCU 63.

(cartridge)
As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge 40 includes a substantially cylindrical cartridge case 41 whose axial direction is the longitudinal direction. The cartridge case 41 is made of a resin such as polycarbonate. Inside the cartridge case 41, a storage chamber 42 for storing the aerosol source 71 and a heating chamber 43 for heating the aerosol source 71 are formed. In the heating chamber 43, the wick 44 that transports the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 to the heating chamber 43 and holds it in the heating chamber 43, and the aerosol source 71 held in the wick 44 are heated and vaporized and / or Alternatively, a first load 45 to be atomized is housed. The cartridge 40 further includes a first aerosol flow path 46 that aerosolizes and transports the vaporized and / or atomized aerosol source 71 by the first load 45 from the heating chamber 43 toward the capsule 50.

The storage chamber 42 and the heating chamber 43 are formed adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The heating chamber 43 is formed on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40, and the storage chamber 42 is adjacent to the heating chamber 43 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 and extends to the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. Is formed in. A connection terminal 47 is provided on the end surface of the cartridge case 41 on one end side in the longitudinal direction, that is, on the end surface of the cartridge case 41 on the side where the heating chamber 43 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40.

The storage chamber 42 has a hollow substantially annular shape with the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 as the axial direction, and stores the aerosol source 71 in the annular portion. The storage chamber 42 may contain a porous body such as a resin web or cotton, and the aerosol source 71 may be impregnated with the porous body. The storage chamber 42 may not contain the resin web or the porous material on the cotton, and may store only the aerosol source 71. The aerosol source 71 contains a liquid such as glycerin and / or propylene glycol. In addition, the aerosol source 71 includes a menthol 80. In FIG. 3, the menthol 80 is shown in particles for the sake of clarity, but in the present embodiment, the menthol 80 is dissolved in a liquid such as glycerin and / or propylene glycol. Further, the menthol 80 shown in FIG. 3 and the like is merely a simulated one, and the position and quantity of the menthol 80 in the storage chamber 42, the position and quantity of the menthol 80 in the capsule 50, and the positional relationship between the menthol 80 and the flavor source 52. Note that does not always match the real thing.

The wick 44 is a liquid holding member that draws the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 from the storage chamber 42 into the heating chamber 43 by utilizing the capillary phenomenon and holds it in the heating chamber 43. The wick 44 is made of, for example, glass fiber or porous ceramic. The wick 44 may extend inside the storage chamber 42.

The first load 45 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 47. In the present embodiment, the first load 45 is composed of heating wires (coils) wound around the wick 44 at a predetermined pitch. The first load 45 may be an element capable of heating the aerosol source 71 held in the wick 44 to vaporize and / or atomize it. The first load 45 may be, for example, a heat generating element such as a heat generating resistor, a ceramic heater, and an induction heating type heater. As the first load 45, one having a correlation between the temperature and the electric resistance value is used. As the first load 45, for example, a load having a PTC (Positive Temperature Coafficient) characteristic in which the electric resistance value increases as the temperature increases is used. Instead of this, as the first load 45, for example, one having an NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) characteristic in which the electric resistance value decreases as the temperature increases may be used. Further, a part of the first load 45 may be provided outside the heating chamber 43.

The first aerosol flow path 46 is formed in the hollow portion of the storage chamber 42 having a hollow substantially annular shape, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The first aerosol flow path 46 is formed by a wall portion 46a extending in a substantially annular shape in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The wall portion 46a of the first aerosol flow path 46 also serves as an inner peripheral side wall portion of the storage chamber 42 having a substantially annular shape. In the first aerosol flow path 46, the first end portion 461 of the cartridge 40 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the heating chamber 43, and the second end portion 462 of the cartridge 40 in the longitudinal direction is the other end surface of the cartridge case 41 on the other end side. It is open to.

The first aerosol flow path 46 is formed so that the cross-sectional area does not change or increases from the first end portion 461 to the second end portion 462 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The cross-sectional area of the first aerosol flow path 46 may increase discontinuously from the first end portion 461 toward the second end portion 462, or continuously increases as shown in FIG. May be good.

The cartridge 40 is housed in a hollow portion of a hollow substantially annular cartridge cover 20 so that the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 is the first direction X, which is the longitudinal direction of the aerosol aspirator 1. Further, in the cartridge 40, in the first direction X, the heating chamber 43 is on the bottom side of the aerosol aspirator 1 (that is, the power supply unit 10 side), and the storage chamber 42 is on the top side of the aerosol aspirator 1 (that is, the capsule 50 side). As described above, the cartridge cover 20 is housed in the hollow portion.

The first aerosol flow path 46 of the cartridge 40 is formed so as to extend in the first direction X on the center line L of the aerosol aspirator 1 in a state where the cartridge 40 is housed inside the cartridge cover 20.

The cartridge 40 is provided in the hollow portion of the cartridge cover 20 so that the connection terminal 47 is maintained in contact with the discharge terminal 12 provided on the top surface 11a of the power supply unit case 11 when the aerosol aspirator 1 is used. Be housed. When the discharge terminal 12 of the power supply unit 10 and the connection terminal 47 of the cartridge 40 come into contact with each other, the first load 45 of the cartridge 40 is electrically connected to the power supply 61 of the power supply unit 10 via the discharge terminal 12 and the connection terminal 47. Connect to.

Further, in the cartridge 40, when the aerosol aspirator 1 is used, the air flowing in from the air intake port (not shown) provided in the power supply unit case 11 is shown by the arrow B in FIG. 3, the power supply unit case. It is housed in the hollow portion of the cartridge cover 20 so as to be taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply portion 13 provided on the top surface 11a of 11. Although the arrow B is tilted with respect to the center line L in FIG. 3, it may be in the same direction as the center line L. In other words, the arrow B may be parallel to the centerline L.

The first load 45 is the electric power supplied from the power supply 61 via the discharge terminal 12 provided in the power supply unit case 11 and the connection terminal 47 provided in the cartridge 40 when the aerosol aspirator 1 is used. Heats the aerosol source 71 held in the wick 44 without burning. Then, in the heating chamber 43, the aerosol source 71 heated by the first load 45 is vaporized and / or atomized. At this time, the vaporized and / or atomized aerosol source 71 contains vaporized and / or atomized menthol 80 as well as vaporized and / or atomized glycerin and / or propylene glycol.

Then, the aerosol source 71 vaporized and / or atomized in the heating chamber 43 is aerosolized using the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply unit 13 of the power supply unit case 11 as a dispersion medium. Further, the aerosol source 71 vaporized and / or atomized in the heating chamber 43 and the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply unit 13 of the power supply unit case 11 communicate with the heating chamber 43 in the first aerosol flow path. From the first end portion 461 of 46 to the second end portion 462 of the first aerosol flow path 46, it flows through the first aerosol flow path 46 while further being aerosolized. The temperature of the aerosol source 71 vaporized and / or atomized in the heating chamber 43 decreases in the process of flowing through the first aerosol flow path 46, and aerosolization is promoted. In this way, the aerosol source 71 vaporized and / or atomized in the heating chamber 43 and the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply unit 13 of the power supply unit case 11 are used to form the heating chamber 43 and the first aerosol. Aerosol 72 is generated in the flow path 46. The aerosol 72 in the heating chamber 43 and the first aerosol flow path 46 also includes an aerosolized menthol 80 derived from the aerosol source 71.

(Capsule holder)
The capsule holder 30 is provided with a side wall 31 extending in a substantially annular shape in the first direction X, and has a hollow substantially annular shape with both bottom and top side surfaces open. The side wall 31 is made of, for example, a metal such as aluminum. The capsule holder 30 is connected to the top end of the cartridge cover 20 by screwing, locking, or the like at the bottom end, and is removable from the cartridge cover 20. The inner peripheral surface 31a of the substantially annular shape side wall 31 has an annular shape centered on the center line L of the aerosol aspirator 1, has a diameter larger than that of the first aerosol flow path 46 of the cartridge 40, and is a cartridge cover. The diameter is smaller than 20.

The capsule holder 30 includes a bottom wall 32 provided at the bottom end of the side wall 31. The bottom wall 32 is formed of, for example, resin. The bottom wall 32 is fixed to the bottom end of the side wall 31, and closes the hollow portion surrounded by the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 31 at the bottom end of the side wall 31 except for the communication hole 33 described later.

The bottom wall 32 is provided with a communication hole 33 penetrating in the first direction X. The communication hole 33 is formed at a position overlapping the center line L when viewed from the first direction. With the cartridge 40 housed inside the cartridge cover 20 and the capsule holder 30 mounted on the cartridge cover 20, the communication hole 33 is the first of the cartridge 40 when viewed from the top side of the first direction X. The aerosol flow path 46 is formed so as to be located inside the communication hole 33.

A second load 34 may be provided on the side wall 31 of the capsule holder 30. The second load 34 may be provided at a position separated from both the bottom end and the top end of the side wall 31. The second load 34 may be provided on the bottom side of the side wall 31. In other words, the second load 34 may not be provided on the top side of the side wall 31 in contact with the capsule 50. The second load 34 has a ring shape along the substantially ring-shaped side wall 31, and extends in the first direction X. The second load 34 heats the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50 to heat the flavor source 52 housed in the storage chamber 53. The second load 34 may be an element capable of heating the flavor source 52 by heating the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50. The second load 34 may be, for example, a heat generating element such as a heat generating resistor, a ceramic heater, and an induction heating type heater. As the second load 34, one having a correlation between the temperature and the electric resistance value is used. As the second load 34, for example, a load having a PTC (Positive Temperature Coafficient) characteristic in which the electric resistance value increases as the temperature increases is used. Instead of this, as the second load 34, for example, one having an NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) characteristic in which the electric resistance value decreases as the temperature increases may be used. The second load 34 is electrically connected to the power supply 61 of the power supply unit 10 in a state where the cartridge cover 20 is attached to the power supply unit 10 and the capsule holder 30 is attached to the cartridge cover 20.

(capsule)
The capsule 50 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and includes a side wall 51 having both end faces open and extending in a substantially annular shape. The side wall 51 is formed of, for example, a resin such as plastic. The side wall 51 has a substantially annular shape having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the inner peripheral surface 31a of the side wall 31 of the capsule holder 30.

The capsule 50 includes a storage chamber 53 in which the flavor source 52 is housed. As shown in FIG. 3, the storage chamber 53 may be formed in the internal space of the capsule 50 surrounded by the side wall 51. Alternatively, the entire internal space of the capsule 50 excluding the outlet portion 55 described later may be the accommodation chamber 53.

The storage chamber 53 includes an inlet portion 54 provided on one end side of the capsule 50 extending in a substantially cylindrical shape in the cylindrical axial direction, and an outlet portion 55 provided on the other end side of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axial direction. In the present embodiment, the flavor source 52 includes tobacco granules 521 obtained by molding the tobacco raw material into granules, and menthol 80. Specifically, in the flavor source 52, the menthol 80 is adsorbed on the tobacco granules 521. The flavor source 52 may contain chopped tobacco instead of the tobacco granules 521. Further, the flavor source 52 may contain a plant other than tobacco (for example, mint, Chinese medicine, herbs, etc.) instead of the tobacco granules 521. Further, the flavor source 52 may be added with another fragrance in addition to the menthol 80.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the storage chamber 53 is formed in the internal space of the capsule 50, the inlet portion 54 is located at a position separated from the bottom of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50, and is the internal space of the capsule 50. May be a partition wall for partitioning the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axial direction. The inlet portion 54 may be a mesh-like partition wall through which the flavor source 52 cannot pass and the aerosol 72 can pass through.

When the entire internal space of the capsule 50 excluding the outlet portion 55 is the accommodation chamber 53, the bottom portion of the capsule 50 also serves as the inlet portion 54.

The outlet portion 55 is a filter member filled in the internal space of the capsule 50 surrounded by the side wall 51 at the end portion on the top side of the side wall 51 in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50. The outlet portion 55 is a filter member through which the flavor source 52 cannot pass and the aerosol 72 can pass through. In the present embodiment, the outlet portion 55 is provided near the top of the capsule 50, but the outlet portion 55 may be provided at a position away from the top of the capsule 50.

The accommodation chamber 53 is located between the first space 531 in which the flavor source 52 exists, the first space 531 and the outlet portion 55, is adjacent to the outlet portion 55, and has a second space 532 in which the flavor source 52 does not exist. Have. In the present embodiment, in the accommodation chamber 53, the first space 531 and the second space 532 are formed adjacent to each other in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50. In the first space 531, one end side of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axis direction is adjacent to the inlet portion 54, and the other end side of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axis direction is adjacent to the second space 532. In the second space 532, one end side of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axis direction is adjacent to the first space 531 and the other end side of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axis direction is adjacent to the outlet portion 55. The first space 531 and the second space 532 may be partitioned by a mesh-like partition wall 56 through which the flavor source 52 cannot pass and the aerosol 72 can pass. The first space 531 and the second space 532 may be formed without using such a partition wall 56. As a specific example, the flavor source 52 is housed in a part of the storage chamber 53 in a pressed state, and the flavor source 52 is difficult to move in the storage chamber 53, so that the first space 531 and the second space 532 are stored. And may be formed. As another specific example, while allowing the flavor source 52 to move freely in the storage chamber 53, the flavor source 52 moves to the bottom side of the storage chamber 53 by gravity when the user performs a suction operation from the mouthpiece 58. Then, the first space 531 and the second space 532 may be formed.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the accommodation chamber 53 is formed in the internal space of the capsule 50, the capsule 50 is provided with a second capsule 50 between the bottom portion and the inlet portion 54 of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50. The aerosol flow path 57 may be formed.

The second aerosol flow path 57 is formed by the internal space of the capsule 50 surrounded by the side wall 51 between the bottom portion and the inlet portion 54 of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50. Therefore, in the second aerosol flow path 57, the first end portion 571 of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axial direction is opened at the bottom of the capsule 50, and the second end portion 572 of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axial direction is the storage chamber 53. It is connected to the accommodation chamber 53 at the entrance portion 54.

The opening area of the communication hole 33 provided in the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first aerosol flow path 46 of the cartridge 40, and the cross-sectional area of the second aerosol flow path 57 is the cartridge. It is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first aerosol flow path 46 of 40 and the opening area of the communication hole 33 provided in the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30. Therefore, rather than the cross-sectional area of the first end portion 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 connected to the heating chamber 43 of the cartridge 40, the second end portion 572 of the second aerosol flow path 57 connected to the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50. The cross-sectional area in is larger. The aerosol flow path 90 in the present embodiment is composed of a first aerosol flow path 46, a communication hole 33, and a second aerosol flow path 57. The cross-sectional area at the first end 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 connected to the heating chamber 43 is smaller than the cross-sectional area at the second end 462 of the first aerosol flow path 46 connected to the communication hole 33. The cross-sectional area of the first end portion 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 connected to the heating chamber 43 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the communication hole 33. The cross-sectional area of the communication hole 33 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second aerosol flow path 57. That is, the aerosol flow path 90 has a second end connected to the accommodating chamber 53 rather than the cross-sectional area of the first end 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 constituting the first end connected to the heating chamber 43. The cross-sectional area at the second end 572 of the constituent second aerosol flow path 57 is larger. Further, the aerosol flow path 90 is formed so that the cross-sectional area increases from the first end portion to the second end portion.

When the entire internal space of the capsule 50 excluding the outlet portion 55 is the accommodation chamber 53, the bottom portion of the capsule 50 also serves as the inlet portion 54, so that the above-mentioned second aerosol flow path 57 is not formed. That is, the aerosol flow path 90 in the present embodiment is composed of the first aerosol flow path 46 and the communication hole 33. The cross-sectional area at the first end 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 connected to the heating chamber 43 is smaller than the cross-sectional area at the second end 462 of the first aerosol flow path 46 connected to the communication hole 33. The cross-sectional area of the first end portion 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 connected to the heating chamber 43 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the communication hole 33. Also in the present embodiment, the aerosol flow path 90 is connected to the accommodating chamber 53 rather than the cross-sectional area of the first end portion 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 constituting the first end portion connected to the heating chamber 43. The cross-sectional area of the communication holes 33 forming the two ends is larger. Further, the aerosol flow path 90 is formed so that the cross-sectional area increases from the first end portion to the second end portion.

In the state where the capsule 50 is housed in the capsule holder 30, a space may be formed between the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30 and the bottom of the capsule 50. That is, the aerosol flow path 90 in the present embodiment is composed of the first aerosol flow path 46, the communication hole 33, and the space formed between the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30 and the bottom of the capsule 50. .. The cross-sectional area at the first end 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 connected to the heating chamber 43 is smaller than the cross-sectional area at the second end 462 of the first aerosol flow path 46 connected to the communication hole 33. The cross-sectional area of the first end portion 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 connected to the heating chamber 43 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the communication hole 33. The cross-sectional area of the communication hole 33 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the space formed between the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30 and the bottom of the capsule 50. In this case as well, the aerosol flow path 90 has a second end connected to the accommodating chamber 53 rather than the cross-sectional area of the first end portion 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 constituting the first end portion connected to the heating chamber 43. The cross-sectional area in the space formed between the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30 and the bottom of the capsule 50, which constitutes the portion, is larger. Further, the aerosol flow path 90 is formed so that the cross-sectional area increases from the first end portion to the second end portion.

The capsule 50 is housed in a hollow portion of a hollow substantially annular capsule holder 30 so that the cylindrical axial direction of the substantially cylindrical shape is the first direction X, which is the longitudinal direction of the aerosol aspirator 1. Further, in the capsule 50, in the first direction X, the capsule holder 30 has an inlet portion 54 on the bottom side (that is, the cartridge 40 side) of the aerosol aspirator 1 and an outlet portion 55 on the top side of the aerosol aspirator 1. It is housed in the hollow part. When the capsule 50 is housed in the hollow portion of the capsule holder 30, the capsule holder is such that the other end of the side wall 51 is exposed in the first direction X from the top end of the capsule holder 30. It is housed in 30 hollow portions. The other end of the side wall 51 is a suction port 58 for the user to perform a suction operation when the aerosol suction device 1 is used. The other end of the side wall 51 may have a step so that the capsule holder 30 is easily exposed in the first direction X from the top end.

As shown in FIG. 5, the capsule 50 is housed in the hollow portion of the hollow substantially annular cartridge cover 20, and is placed in the hollow portion of the annular second load 34 provided in the capsule holder 30. , A part of the containment chamber 53 is accommodated.

Returning to FIG. 3, the storage chamber 53 is heated with the heating region 53A in which the second load 34 of the capsule holder 30 is arranged while being housed in the hollow portion of the cartridge cover 20 in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50. It has a non-heated region 53B located between the region 53A and the outlet portion 55, adjacent to the outlet portion 55, and where the second load 34 of the capsule holder 30 is not arranged.

In the present embodiment, in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50, the heated region 53A overlaps at least a part of the first space 531 and the non-heated region 53B overlaps at least a part of the second space 532. In the present embodiment, the first space 531 and the heated region 53A substantially coincide with each other in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50, and the second space 532 and the non-heated region 53B substantially coincide with each other.

(Configuration when using an aerosol aspirator)
The aerosol aspirator 1 configured in this way is used in a state where the cartridge cover 20, the capsule holder 30, the cartridge 40, and the capsule 50 are attached to the power supply unit 10. In this state, in the aerosol aspirator 1, at least the first aerosol flow path 46 provided in the cartridge 40 and the communication hole 33 provided in the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30 provide the aerosol flow path 90. It is formed. When the accommodation chamber 53 is formed in the internal space of the capsule 50 as shown in FIG. 3, the second aerosol flow path 57 provided in the capsule 50 also forms a part of the aerosol flow path 90. When the capsule 50 is housed in the capsule holder 30, if a space is formed between the bottom wall of the capsule holder 30 and the bottom of the capsule 50, it is formed between the bottom wall of the capsule holder 30 and the bottom of the capsule 50. The space to be created also forms a part of the aerosol flow path 90. The aerosol flow path 90 connects the heating chamber 43 of the cartridge 40 and the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50, and transports the aerosol 72 generated in the heating chamber 43 from the heating chamber 43 to the storage chamber 53.

When the user performs a suction operation from the suction port 58 during use of the aerosol suction device 1, the air flowing in from the air intake port (not shown) provided in the power supply unit case 11 is indicated by the arrow B in FIG. As shown by, the air is taken into the heating chamber 43 of the cartridge 40 from the air supply unit 13 provided on the top surface 11a of the power supply unit case 11. Further, the first load 45 generates heat, the aerosol source 71 held in the wick 44 is heated, and the aerosol source 71 heated by the first load 45 is vaporized and / or atomized in the heating chamber 43. Then, the aerosol source 71 vaporized and / or atomized by the first load 45 is aerosolized using the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply unit 13 of the power supply unit case 11 as a dispersion medium. The aerosol source 71 vaporized and / or atomized in the heating chamber 43 and the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply unit 13 of the power supply unit case 11 are connected to the first aerosol flow path 46 communicating with the heating chamber 43. From the first end portion 461 to the second end portion 462 of the first aerosol flow path 46, it flows through the first aerosol flow path 46 while further being aerosolized. The aerosol 72 thus generated is accommodated from the second end portion 462 of the first aerosol flow path 46, through the communication hole 33 provided in the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30, and from the inlet portion 54 of the capsule 50. Introduced in room 53. According to the embodiment, before the aerosol 72 is introduced into the storage chamber 53, it flows through the second aerosol flow path 57 provided in the capsule 50, or the bottom wall of the capsule holder 30 and the bottom of the capsule 50. It flows through the space formed between them.

The aerosol 72 introduced from the inlet portion 54 into the accommodation chamber 53 was accommodated in the first space 531 as the aerosol 72 flows from the inlet portion 54 to the outlet portion 55 in the first direction X of the aerosol aspirator 1. By passing through the flavor source 52, the flavor component is added from the flavor source 52.

In this way, the aerosol 72 flows through the accommodation chamber 53 from the inlet portion 54 to the outlet portion 55 in the first direction X of the aerosol aspirator 1. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the accommodation chamber 53, the flow direction of the aerosol 72 in which the aerosol 72 flows from the inlet portion 54 to the outlet portion 55 is the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50, and the first direction X of the aerosol aspirator 1 is X. It has become.

Further, when the aerosol aspirator 1 is used, the second load 34 provided in the capsule holder 30 generates heat and heats the heating region 53A of the storage chamber 53. As a result, the flavor source 52 housed in the first space 531 of the storage room 53 and the aerosol 72 flowing through the heating region 53A of the storage room 53 are heated.

Experiments have shown that in the aerosol aspirator 1, in order to increase the amount of flavor component added to the aerosol, it is effective to increase the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol source 71 and raise the temperature of the flavor source 52. I know it. The phenomenon that the amount of flavor component added to the aerosol increases when the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol source 71 increases is because the larger the amount of aerosol, the more the flavor component accompanied by the aerosol when passing through the aerosol source 52. I can explain. The phenomenon that the amount of flavor components added to the aerosol increases as the temperature of the flavor source 52 increases is that the higher the temperature of the flavor source 52, the easier it is for the flavor source 52 and the flavor added to the flavor source 52 to accompany the aerosol. Can be explained from.

Here, the adsorption of the menthol 80 to the flavor source 52 inside the capsule 50 will be described in detail. The tobacco granules 521 constituting the flavor source 52 are sufficiently larger than the molecules of menthol 80 and function as an adsorbent for menthol 80, which is an adsorbent. The menthol 80 is adsorbed on the tobacco granules 521 by chemisorption and is adsorbed on the tobacco granules 521 by physical adsorption. Chemisorption can occur by covalent bonding between the outermost electrons in the molecules that make up the tobacco granules 521 and the outermost electrons in the molecules that make up the menthol 80. Physical adsorption can occur due to van der Waals forces acting between the surface of the tobacco granules 521 and the surface of the menthol 80. As the amount of menthol 80 adsorbed on the tobacco granules 521 increases, the tobacco granules 521 and the menthol 80 enter a state called an adsorption equilibrium state. In the adsorption equilibrium state, the amount of menthol 80 newly adsorbed on the tobacco granules 521 and the amount of menthol 80 desorbed from the tobacco granules 521 are equal. That is, even if the menthol 80 is newly supplied to the tobacco granules 521, the apparent adsorption amount does not change. Not limited to the tobacco granules 521 and the menthol 80, the amount of adsorption in the adsorption equilibrium state decreases as the temperature of the adsorbent and the adsorbent increases. Both chemical adsorption and physical adsorption proceed in a form in which the menthol 80 occupies the adsorption site at the interface of the tobacco granules 521, and the adsorption amount of the menthol 80 when the adsorption site is completely filled is called the saturated adsorption amount. It will be easily understood that the adsorption amount in the adsorption equilibrium state described above is less than the saturated adsorption amount.

As described above, in general, the higher the temperature of the flavor source 52, the lower the amount of menthol 80 adsorbed on the tobacco granules 521 in the state of adsorption equilibrium between the tobacco granules 521 and the menthol 80. Therefore, when the flavor source 52 is heated by the second load 34 and the temperature rises, the amount of menthol 80 adsorbed on the tobacco granules 521 decreases, and a part of the menthol 80 adsorbed on the tobacco granules 521 is removed. Release.

Then, the aerosol 72 including the aerosolized menthol 80 derived from the aerosol source 71 and the aerosolized menthol 80 derived from the flavor source 52 flows through the second space 532 and is discharged from the outlet portion 55 to the outside of the accommodation chamber 53. It is supplied from the mouthpiece 58 into the user's mouth.

At this time, the accommodation chamber 53 is located between the first space 531 where the flavor source 52 exists, the first space 531 and the outlet portion 55 in the flow direction of the aerosol 72 in the accommodation chamber 53, that is, in the first direction X. It has a second space 532, which is adjacent to the outlet portion 55 and in which the flavor source 52 does not exist. The menthol 80 desorbed from the flavor source 52 in the first space 531 flows from the first space 531 to the second space 532 while being aerosolized together with the aerosol 72 including the menthol 80 derived from the aerosolized aerosol source 71. Then, the menthol 80 derived from the flavor source 52 is promoted to become an aerosol in the process of flowing through the second space 532 in which the flavor source 52 does not exist. Thereby, a more appropriate amount of menthol 80 derived from the aerosolized flavor source 52 can be produced.

Further, the menthol 80 that has been heated in the heating region 53A and desorbed from the flavor source 52 flows from the heating region 53A to the non-heating region 53B while being aerosolized together with the aerosol 72 containing the menthol 80 derived from the aerosolized aerosol source 71. .. Since the temperature of the non-heated region 53B is lower than that of the heated region 53A, the temperature of the menthol 80 derived from the flavor source 52 decreases in the process of flowing through the non-heated region 53B, and aerosolization is promoted. Thereby, a more appropriate amount of menthol 80 derived from the aerosolized flavor source 52 can be produced.

In the present embodiment, in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50, at least a part of the first space 531 overlaps with the heating region 53A, and at least a part of the second space 532 overlaps with the non-heating region 53B. The menthol 80 desorbed from the flavor source 52 by being heated by the second load 34 at the portion overlapping the heating region 53A of the first space 531 flows to the second space 532 and flows into the non-heating region of the second space 532. The temperature drops in the process of flowing through the portion overlapping with 53B, and aerosolization is promoted.

Since the aerosol aspirator 1 of the present embodiment includes a second load 34 that heats the flavor source 52, by heating the flavor source 52, an appropriate amount of flavor components can be added to the aerosol 72 and supplied to the user. .. Further, by heating the flavor source 52, the amount of menthol 80 adsorbed on the flavor source 52 is reduced, a part of the menthol 80 adsorbed on the flavor source 52 is desorbed, and the menthol 80 is derived from the aerosol source 71. Since the menthol 80 can be suppressed from being adsorbed on the flavor source 52, a more appropriate amount of the menthol 80 can be supplied to the user.

Further, the second load 34 has a ring shape along the substantially ring-shaped side wall 31, and extends in the first direction X, and the capsule 50 has a ring-shaped first portion provided on the capsule holder 30. A part of the accommodating chamber 53 is accommodated in the hollow portion of the load 34. Therefore, when the second load 34 generates heat to heat the heating region 53A of the storage chamber 53, the flavor source 52 housed in the first space 531 can be uniformly heated. As a result, an appropriate amount of flavor component can be added to the aerosol 72 from the flavor source 52 and supplied to the user's mouth. Further, it is possible to prevent the menthol 80 contained in a part of the flavor source 52, which has become locally heated due to the local heating of the flavor source 52, from being rapidly desorbed and vaporized and / or atomized. As a result, it is possible to prevent the menthol 80 contained in a part of the flavor source 52 that has become locally hot from being suddenly supplied to the user's mouth, and the menthol 80 can be stably supplied to the user.

As described above, in the aerosol aspirator 1 of the present embodiment, since both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain the menthol 80, the menthol 80 derived from the aerosol source 71 is less likely to be adsorbed by the flavor source 52. This allows the user to be supplied with an appropriate amount of menthol 80. Further, the aerosol source 71 vaporized and / or atomized by the first load 45 in the heating chamber 43 has a temperature lowered when flowing through the aerosol flow path 90 and is transported to the accommodation chamber 53. The heating chamber 43 is less likely to be affected by the heat generated by the first load 45. As a result, the menthol 80 is prevented from being rapidly detached from the flavor source 52, so that the menthol 80 can be stably supplied to the user. In this way, the aerosol aspirator 1 of the present embodiment can stably supply an appropriate amount of menthol 80 to the user.

Further, in a state where the cartridge cover 20, the capsule holder 30, the cartridge 40, and the capsule 50 are attached to the power supply unit 10, the aerosol flow path 90 extends in the first direction X and heats in the first direction X. A storage chamber 42 is arranged between the chamber 43 and the accommodation chamber 53.

In this way, the heating chamber 43 of the cartridge 40 and the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50 are physically separated from each other and communicate with each other by the aerosol flow path 90.

Therefore, since the heating chamber 43 and the accommodation chamber 53 can be arranged apart from each other without increasing the dimension of the aerosol aspirator 1 in the first direction X, the aerosol aspirator 1 increases the dimension in the first direction X. Without this, the accommodation chamber 53 can be made less susceptible to the influence of heat from the first load 45 from the heating chamber 43. As a result, the menthol 80 is prevented from being rapidly detached from the flavor source 52, so that the menthol 80 can be stably supplied to the user. In this way, the aerosol aspirator 1 of the present embodiment can stably supply an appropriate amount of menthol 80 to the user.

Since the first aerosol flow path 46 is formed in the hollow portion of the storage chamber 42 having a hollow substantially annular shape and extends in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40, the first aerosol flow path 46 and the storage chamber 42 Are arranged so that at least a part of them overlap in the first direction X.

As a result, the length of the aerosol flow path 90 can be increased while suppressing the increase in the dimension of the aerosol aspirator 1 in the first direction X. Therefore, the accommodation chamber 53 can be made less susceptible to the influence of heat from the first load 45 from the heating chamber 43, while suppressing the increase in the size of the aerosol aspirator 1 in the first direction X.

In general, the lower the concentration and / or pressure of the menthol 80, the smaller the amount of the menthol 80 adsorbed on the tobacco granules 521 in the adsorption equilibrium state between the tobacco granules 521 and the menthol 80.

Then, as described above, the first aerosol flow path 46 is formed so that the cross-sectional area increases from the first end portion 461 to the second end portion 462 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The communication hole 33 is the first of the cartridge 40 when viewed from the top side of the first direction X in a state where the cartridge 40 is housed inside the cartridge cover 20 and the capsule holder 30 is mounted on the cartridge cover 20. The aerosol flow path 46 is formed so as to be located inside the communication hole 33.

Therefore, the aerosol flow path 90 of the present embodiment is connected to the accommodating chamber 53 rather than the cross-sectional area of the first end portion 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 constituting the first end portion connected to the heating chamber 43. The cross-sectional area at the two ends is larger, and the cross-sectional area increases from the first end connected to the heating chamber 43 to the second end connected to the accommodating chamber 53. The second end of the aerosol flow path 90 connected to the accommodation chamber 53 is, depending on the embodiment, the first end 571 of the capsule 50, the second end 572 of the second aerosol flow path 57, and the communication hole 33. Consists of any one of the tops of the

Therefore, the aerosol source 71 vaporized and / or atomized by the first load 45 in the heating chamber 43 is separated from the heating chamber 43 in the process of flowing through the aerosol flow path 90, and in addition, the temperature is lowered, and the aerosol flow. As the cross-sectional area of the road 90 increases, the pressure and temperature decrease. As a result, the adsorption of the menthol 80 derived from the aerosol source 71 to the flavor source 52 can be further suppressed, so that a more appropriate amount of the menthol 80 can be supplied to the user.

(Details of power supply unit)
As shown in FIG. 6, the DC / DC converter 66 is connected between the first load 45 and the power supply 61 with the cartridge 40 mounted on the power supply unit 10. The MCU 63 is connected between the DC / DC converter 66 and the power supply 61. The second load 34 is connected between the MCU 63 and the DC / DC converter 66 with the cartridge 40 mounted on the power supply unit 10. As described above, in the power supply unit 10, the series circuit of the DC / DC converter 66 and the first load 45 and the second load 34 are connected in parallel to the power supply 61 with the cartridge 40 mounted.

The DC / DC converter 66 is a booster circuit capable of boosting the input voltage and outputting the voltage, and is configured to be able to supply the input voltage or the boosted voltage of the input voltage to the first load 45. According to the DC / DC converter 66, the electric power supplied to the first load 45 can be adjusted, so that the amount of the aerosol source 71 atomized by the first load 45 can be controlled. As the DC / DC converter 66, for example, a switching regulator that converts an input voltage into a desired output voltage can be used by controlling the on / off time of the switching element while monitoring the output voltage. When a switching regulator is used as the DC / DC converter 66, the input voltage can be output as it is without boosting by controlling the switching element. The DC / DC converter 66 is not limited to the boost converter described above, but may be a step-down type (back converter) or a buck-boost type.

The processor of the MCU 63 is configured to be able to acquire the temperature of the flavor source 52 in order to control the discharge to the second load 34, which will be described later, by using a switch (not shown). Further, the processor of the MCU 63 is preferably configured so as to be able to acquire the temperature of the first load 45. The temperature of the first load 45 can be used to suppress overheating of the first load 45 and the aerosol source 71, and to highly control the amount of the aerosol source 71 atomized by the first load 45.

The voltage sensor 671 measures and outputs a voltage value applied to the first load 45. The current sensor 672 measures and outputs the value of the current flowing through the first load 45. The output of the voltage sensor 671 and the output of the current sensor 672 are input to the MCU 63, respectively. The processor of the MCU 63 acquires the resistance value of the first load 45 based on the output of the voltage sensor 671 and the output of the current sensor 672, and determines the temperature of the first load 45 based on the acquired resistance value of the first load 45. get. Specifically, for example, the voltage sensor 671 and the current sensor 672 may be composed of an operational amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter. At least a part of the voltage sensor 671 and / or at least a part of the current sensor 672 may be provided inside the MCU 63.

If a constant current is applied to the first load 45 when acquiring the resistance value of the first load 45, the current sensor 672 is unnecessary in the first temperature detection element 67. Similarly, if a constant voltage is applied to the first load 45 when acquiring the resistance value of the first load 45, the voltage sensor 671 is unnecessary in the first temperature detection element 67.

The voltage sensor 681 measures and outputs a voltage value applied to the second load 34. The current sensor 682 measures and outputs the value of the current flowing through the second load 34. The output of the voltage sensor 681 and the output of the current sensor 682 are input to the MCU 63, respectively. The processor of the MCU 63 acquires the resistance value of the second load 34 based on the output of the voltage sensor 681 and the output of the current sensor 682, and determines the temperature of the second load 34 based on the acquired resistance value of the second load 34. get. The temperature of the second load 34 does not exactly match the temperature of the flavor source 52 heated by the second load 34, but can be regarded as substantially the same as the temperature of the flavor source 52. Further, the temperature of the second load 34 does not exactly match the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50 heated by the second load 34, but is considered to be substantially the same as the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50. Can be done. Therefore, the second temperature detection element 68 may be used as a temperature detection element for detecting the temperature of the flavor source 52 or the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50. Specifically, for example, the voltage sensor 681 and the current sensor 682 may be composed of an operational amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter. At least a part of the voltage sensor 681 and / or at least a part of the current sensor 682 may be provided inside the MCU 63.

If a constant current is passed through the second load 34 when the resistance value of the second load 34 is acquired, the current sensor 682 is unnecessary in the second temperature detection element 68. Similarly, if a constant voltage is applied to the second load 34 when acquiring the resistance value of the second load 34, the voltage sensor 681 is unnecessary in the second temperature detection element 68.

When the temperature of the second load 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50 is acquired by using the second temperature detecting element 68, the power supply having the lowest replacement frequency in the aerosol aspirator 1 is used. The unit 10 can be provided with the second temperature detection element 68. In this way, the manufacturing cost of the capsule holder 30 and the cartridge 40 can be reduced.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the power supply unit 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows a specific example of a configuration in which the second temperature detection element 68 does not have the current sensor 682 and the first temperature detection element 67 does not have the current sensor 672.

As shown in FIG. 7, the power supply unit 10 includes a power supply 61, an MCU 63, an LDO regulator 65, a switch SW1, a series circuit of a resistance element R1 and a switch SW2 connected in parallel to the switch SW1. A parallel circuit C2 including a parallel circuit C1, a switch SW3, a series circuit of a resistance element R2 and a switch SW4 connected in parallel to the switch SW3, an operational capacitor OP1 and an analog digital converter ADC1 constituting a voltage sensor 671. And an operational switch OP2 and an analog-digital converter ADC2 constituting the voltage sensor 681. At least one of the operational amplifier OP1 and the operational amplifier OP2 may be provided inside the MCU 63.

The resistance element described in the present specification may be an element having a fixed electric resistance value, for example, a resistor, a diode, a transistor, or the like. In the example of FIG. 7, the resistance element R1 and the resistance element R2 are resistors, respectively.

The switch described in the present specification is a switching element such as a transistor that switches between blocking and conducting a wiring path. In the example of FIG. 7, the switches SW1 to SW4 are transistors, respectively.

The LDO regulator 65 is connected to the main positive bus LU connected to the positive electrode of the power supply 61. The MCU 63 is connected to the LDO regulator 65 and the main negative bus LD connected to the negative electrode of the power supply 61. The MCU 63 is also connected to each of the switches SW1 to SW4, and controls the opening and closing of these switches. The LDO regulator 65 steps down the voltage from the power supply 61 and outputs the voltage. The output voltage V0 of the LDO regulator 65 is also used as the operating voltage of each of the MCU 63, the DC / DC converter 66, the operational amplifier OP1, the operational amplifier OP2, and the notification unit 16. Instead, at least one of the MCU 63, the DC / DC converter 66, the operational amplifier OP1, the operational amplifier OP2, and the notification unit 16 may use the output voltage of the power supply 61 itself as the operating voltage. Alternatively, at least one of the MCU 63, the DC / DC converter 66, the operational amplifier OP1, the operational amplifier OP2, and the notification unit 16 uses a voltage output by a regulator (not shown) separate from the LDO regulator 65 as an operating voltage. May be good. The output voltage of this regulator may be different from or the same as V0.

The DC / DC converter 66 is connected to the main bus LU. The first load 45 is connected to the main negative bus LD. The parallel circuit C1 is connected to the DC / DC converter 66 and the first load 45.

The parallel circuit C2 is connected to the main positive bus LU. The second load 34 is connected to the parallel circuit C2 and the main negative bus LD.

The non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 is connected to the connection node between the parallel circuit C1 and the first load 45. The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 is connected to each of the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 and the main negative bus LD via a resistance element.

The non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 is connected to the connection node between the parallel circuit C2 and the second load 34. The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 is connected to each of the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 and the main negative bus LD via a resistance element.

The analog-to-digital converter ADC1 is connected to the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP1. The analog-to-digital converter ADC2 is connected to the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP2. The analog-to-digital converter ADC1 and the analog-to-digital converter ADC2 may be provided outside the MCU 63.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the power supply unit 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows a specific example of a configuration in which the second temperature detection element 68 does not have the current sensor 682 and the first temperature detection element 67 does not have the current sensor 672.

(MCU)
Next, the function of the MCU 63 will be described. The MCU 63 includes a temperature detection unit, a power control unit, and a notification control unit as functional blocks realized by the processor executing a program stored in the ROM.

The temperature detection unit acquires the first temperature T1 as the temperature of the first load 45 based on the output of the first temperature detection element 67. Further, the temperature detection unit acquires the second temperature T2 as the temperature of the second load 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50 based on the output of the second temperature detection element 68. To do.

In the case of the circuit example shown in FIG. 7, the temperature detection unit controls the switch SW1, the switch SW3, and the switch SW4 in a cutoff state, and controls the DC / DC converter 66 so as to output a predetermined constant voltage. .. Further, the temperature detection unit acquires the output value (voltage value applied to the first load 45) of the analog-to-digital converter ADC1 in a state where the switch SW2 is controlled to be in a conductive state, and is based on this output value. The first temperature T1 as the temperature of the first load 45 is acquired.

The non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 may be connected to the terminal on the DC / DC converter 66 side of the resistance element R1, and the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 may be connected to the terminal on the switch SW2 side of the resistance element R1. .. In this case, the temperature detection unit controls the switch SW1, the switch SW3, and the switch SW4 in a cut-off state, and controls the DC / DC converter 66 so as to output a predetermined constant voltage. Further, the temperature detection unit acquires the output value (voltage value applied to the resistance element R1) of the analog-to-digital converter ADC1 in a state where the switch SW2 is controlled to be in a conductive state, and based on this output value, the first The first temperature T1 as the temperature of one load 45 can be acquired.

In the case of the circuit example shown in FIG. 7, the temperature detection unit controls the switch SW1, the switch SW2, and the switch SW3 in a cutoff state, and outputs a predetermined constant voltage such as a DC / DC converter (not shown). Control the element of. Further, the temperature detection unit acquires the output value (voltage value applied to the second load 34) of the analog-digital converter ADC2 in a state where the switch SW4 is controlled to be in a conductive state, and is based on this output value. , The temperature of the second load 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the second temperature T2 as the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50 is acquired.

The non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 may be connected to the terminal on the main primary bus LU side of the resistance element R2, and the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 may be connected to the terminal on the switch SW4 side of the resistance element R2. In this case, the temperature detection unit controls the switch SW1, the switch SW2, and the switch SW3 in a cut-off state, and controls the above-mentioned element so as to output a predetermined constant voltage. Further, the temperature detection unit acquires the output value (voltage value applied to the resistance element R2) of the analog-digital converter ADC2 in a state where the switch SW4 is controlled to be in a conductive state, and based on this output value, the first 2 The temperature of the load 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50 can be obtained.

The notification control unit controls the notification unit 16 so as to notify various information. For example, the notification control unit controls the notification unit 16 to give a notification prompting the replacement of the capsule 50 in response to the detection of the replacement timing of the capsule 50. The notification control unit is not limited to the notification prompting the replacement of the capsule 50, and may give a notification prompting the replacement of the cartridge 40, a notification prompting the replacement of the power supply 61, a notification prompting the charging of the power supply 61, and the like.

The power control unit discharges from the power supply 61 to the first load 45 (discharge required to heat the load) and from the power supply 61 to the second load 34 in response to the signal indicating the aerosol generation request output from the intake sensor 62. Controls the discharge (discharge required to heat the load).

Based on the output of the first temperature detection element 67, the power control unit heats the power supply 61 to the second load 34 so that the first temperature T1, which is the temperature of the first load 45, converges to the target temperature. To control the discharge for.

Further, the power control unit targets the second temperature T2, which is the temperature of the second load 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50, based on the output of the second temperature detection element 68. The discharge for heating from the power source 61 to the second load 34 is controlled so as to converge to the temperature.

The electric power control unit transfers the unit flavor amount from the power source 61 to the first load 45 so that the unit flavor amount, which is the amount of the flavor component added from the flavor source 52 to the aerosol 72 generated for each aerosol generation request, converges to the target amount. It controls the discharge and the discharge from the power supply 61 to the second load 34. This target amount is a value that is appropriately determined. For example, the target range of the unit flavor amount may be appropriately determined, and the median value in this target range may be set as the target amount. As a result, by converging the unit flavor amount to the target amount, it is possible to converge the unit flavor amount to the target range having a certain range. In addition, weight may be used as a unit of a unit flavor amount and a target amount.

In the case of the circuit example shown in FIG. 7, the power control unit controls the switch SW2, the switch SW3, and the switch SW4 in a cut-off state, and controls the DC / DC converter 66 so as to output an appropriate voltage. Further, the power control unit controls the switch SW1 to be in a conductive state to discharge the aerosol source 71 from the power source 61 to the first load 45. Further, the power control unit controls the switch SW1, the switch SW2, and the switch SW4 in a cut-off state, and controls the switch SW3 in a conductive state to heat the second load 34 from the power supply 61. Discharge.

(Function of MCU power control unit when supplying aerosol)
Next, the function of the power control unit of the MCU 63 at the time of supplying the aerosol will be described with reference to FIG. When the aerosol is supplied, the aerosol source 71 held in the wick 44 in the heating chamber 43 of the cartridge 40 is heated by the first load 45, and the vaporized and / or atomized aerosol source 71 is aerosolized into the storage chamber of the capsule 50. It means when it is supplied to 53.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the power control unit of the MCU 63, when the aerosol is supplied, the first temperature T1, which is the temperature of the first load 45 acquired based on the output of the first temperature detecting element 67, is the boiling point of the menthol. And the discharge from the power source 61 to the first load 45 is controlled so that the temperature is equal to or higher than the boiling point of glycerin and / or propylene glycol. For example, in the power control unit of the MCU 63, when the aerosol is supplied, the first temperature T1, which is the temperature of the first load 45 acquired based on the output of the first temperature detection element 67, is about 215 [° C.] or higher. The discharge from the power supply 61 to the first load 45 is controlled so as to be.

Therefore, in the heating chamber 43 of the cartridge 40, the aerosol source 71 held in the wick 44 is heated at a temperature higher than the boiling point of menthol and the boiling point of glycerin and / or propylene glycol, and more reliably vaporizes and / or atomizes. .. This causes the wick 44 to hold an appropriate amount of the aerosol source 71 according to the aerosol production request, and reliably vaporizes and / or reliably vaporizes and / or glycerin and / or propylene glycol of the menthol and glycerin and / or propylene glycol of the aerosol source 71 held in the wick 44. Since it can be atomized, an aerosol 72 containing menthol 80 can be more reliably produced in an appropriate amount.

The power control unit of the MCU 63 determines the temperature of the second load 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50, which is acquired based on the output of the second temperature detection element 68 at the time of supplying the aerosol. The discharge from the power source 61 to the second load 34 is controlled so that a certain second temperature T2 becomes a temperature lower than the temperature of the first load 45. Specifically, since the temperature below the first temperature T1, which is the temperature of the first load 45, is controlled to be equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature as described above, the second temperature T2 is set to be lower than the predetermined temperature. Controls the discharge from the power supply 61 to the second load 34.

Therefore, the second temperature T2, which is the temperature of the second load 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50, is lower than the first temperature T1 which is the temperature of the first load 45. In the storage chamber 53, it is possible to prevent the menthol 80 contained in the flavor source 52 from being rapidly detached and vaporized and / or atomized. As a result, it is possible to prevent the menthol 80 contained in the flavor source 52 from being suddenly supplied to the user's mouth, and the menthol 80 can be stably supplied to the user.

Further, the power control unit of the MCU 63 has acquired the temperature of the second load 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50, which is acquired based on the output of the second temperature detecting element 68 at the time of supplying the aerosol. The discharge from the power source 61 to the second load 34 is controlled so that the second temperature T2, which is the temperature, is higher than the melting point of the menthol and lower than the boiling point of the menthol. Generally, the melting point of menthol is about 42 [° C.] to 45 [° C.], and the boiling point of menthol is about 212 [° C.].

Therefore, the second temperature T2, which is the temperature of the second load 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50, is higher than the melting point of menthol. The amount of menthol 80 adsorbed on the tobacco granules 521 in the adsorption equilibrium state is reduced. As a result, the menthol 80 derived from the aerosol source 71 is suppressed from being adsorbed on the flavor source 52, and a part of the menthol 80 of the flavor source 52 is desorbed and vaporized and / or atomized. On the other hand, since the second temperature T2, which is the temperature of the second load 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50, is lower than the boiling point of the menthol, the menthol 80 contained in the flavor source 52. Is suppressed from rapidly desorbing and vaporizing and / or atomizing. As a result, a more appropriate amount of menthol 80 can be stably supplied to the user.

Further, the power control unit of the MCU 63 has acquired the temperature of the second load 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50, which is acquired based on the output of the second temperature detecting element 68 at the time of supplying the aerosol. The discharge from the power source 61 to the second load 34 is controlled so that the second temperature T2, which is the temperature, is higher than the melting point of the aerosol and 90 [° C.] or less.

The second temperature T2, which is the temperature of the second load 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50, is higher than the melting point of menthol and 90 [° C.] or less, so that the aerosol source 71 It is possible to prevent the derived menthol 80 from being adsorbed on the flavor source 52. At the same time, the temperature at which the menthol 80 desorbed from the flavor source 52 and vaporized and / or atomized can be easily aerosolized. As a result, more menthol 80 can be stably supplied to the user in the state of aerosol.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can come up with various modifications or modifications within the scope of the claims, which naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Understood. In addition, each component in the above embodiment may be arbitrarily combined as long as the gist of the invention is not deviated.

For example, in the present embodiment, the heating chamber 43 of the cartridge 40 and the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50 are physically separated from each other and communicate with each other by the aerosol flow path 90. The chamber 43 and the accommodation chamber 53 do not necessarily have to be physically separated from each other. The heating chamber 43 and the accommodating chamber 53 may be insulated from each other and communicate with each other. Even in this case, since the heating chamber 43 and the accommodation chamber 53 are insulated from each other, the accommodation chamber 53 can be made less susceptible to the heat generated by the first load 45 of the heating chamber 43. As a result, the menthol 80 is prevented from being rapidly detached from the flavor source 52, so that the menthol 80 can be stably supplied to the user. Further, the heating chamber 43 and the accommodating chamber 53 are physically separated from each other and are insulated from each other, and may communicate with each other.

Further, for example, the overall shape of the aerosol aspirator 1 is not limited to the shape in which the power supply unit 10, the cartridge 40, and the capsule 50 are arranged in a row as shown in FIG. The aerosol aspirator 1 may have any shape such as a substantially box shape as long as the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are interchangeably configured with respect to the power supply unit 10.

Further, for example, the cartridge 40 may have a configuration integrated with the power supply unit 10.

Further, for example, the capsule 50 may be configured to be replaceable with respect to the power supply unit 10, and may be detachable from the power supply unit 10.

Further, for example, in the present embodiment, the first load 45 and the second load 34 are heaters that generate heat by the electric power discharged from the power source 61, but the first load 45 and the second load 34 are from the power source 61. It may be a Perche element capable of both heat generation and cooling depending on the electric power to be discharged. When the first load 45 and the second load 34 are configured in this way, the degree of freedom in controlling the temperature of the aerosol source 71 and the temperature of the flavor source 52 is widened, so that the unit flavor amount can be controlled to a higher degree.

Further, for example, in the present embodiment, the MCU 63 controls the discharge from the power source 61 to the first load 45 and the second load 34 so that the amount of the flavor component converges to the target amount. Is not limited to one specific value, and may be a range having a certain width.

Further, for example, in the present embodiment, the MCU 63 controls the discharge from the power source 61 to the second load 34 so that the temperature of the flavor source 52 converges to the target temperature, but the target temperature is specified. It is not limited to one value of, and may be a range having a certain width.

At least the following matters are described in this specification. The components and the like corresponding to the above-described embodiments are shown in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

(1) A storage chamber (storage chamber 42) for storing the aerosol source (aerosol source 71) and
A heating chamber (heating chamber 43) for heating the aerosol source and
A storage unit (capsule 50) having a storage room (storage room 53) in which a flavor source (flavor source 52) is housed is provided.
In the heating chamber
At least a part of the holding portion (wick 44) that transports the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber to the heating chamber and holds it in the heating chamber, and
An aerosol generator (aerosol aspirator 1) containing at least a part of a first load (first load 45) that heats and vaporizes and / or atomizes the aerosol source held in the holding portion. ) And
Both the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol (menthol 80).
An aerosol flow path (aerosol flow path 90) that connects the heating chamber and the accommodation chamber and transports the aerosol source vaporized and / or atomized by the first load in the heating chamber to the accommodation chamber. Equipped with an aerosol generator.

According to (1), since both the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol, the menthol derived from the aerosol source is less likely to be adsorbed by the flavor source. This allows the user to be supplied with an appropriate amount of menthol. Further, since the aerosol source vaporized and / or atomized by the first load in the heating chamber is transported to the containment chamber at a temperature lowered as it flows through the aerosol flow path, the containment chamber is heated by the first load. It becomes difficult to be affected by the heating chamber. As a result, the menthol adsorbed on the flavor source is suppressed from being rapidly detached, so that the menthol can be stably supplied to the user. In this way, an appropriate amount of menthol can be stably supplied to the user.

(2) The aerosol generator according to (1).
The aerosol flow path has a shape extending in the first direction (first direction X).
An aerosol generator in which the storage chamber is arranged between the heating chamber and the storage chamber in the first direction.

According to (2), since the storage chamber is arranged between the heating chamber and the accommodation chamber in the first direction in which the aerosol flow path extends, the dimensions of the aerosol generator in the first direction are not increased. The heating chamber and the accommodating chamber can be separated from each other. In other words, the aerosol generator can make the containment chamber less susceptible to heat from the first load from the heating chamber without increasing the dimensions in the first direction. As a result, the menthol adsorbed on the flavor source is suppressed from being rapidly detached, so that the menthol can be stably supplied to the user.

(3) The aerosol generator according to (2).
An aerosol generator in which the aerosol flow path and the storage chamber are arranged so that at least a part thereof overlaps with each other in the first direction.

According to (3), since the aerosol flow path and the storage chamber are arranged so that at least a part of them overlap each other in the first direction, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the aerosol generator in the first direction. At the same time, the length of the aerosol flow path in the first direction can be increased. In other words, the aerosol generator can make the containment chamber less susceptible to heat from the first load from the heating chamber, while suppressing the increase in dimensions in the first direction. As a result, the menthol adsorbed on the flavor source is suppressed from being rapidly detached, so that the menthol can be stably supplied to the user.

(4) The aerosol generator according to (3).
The aerosol flow path has a second end (second aerosol) connected to the accommodation chamber rather than a cross-sectional area at the first end (first end 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46) connected to the heating chamber. An aerosol generator formed so that the cross-sectional area at the second end portion 572) of the flow path 57 is larger and the cross-sectional area increases from the first end portion toward the second end portion. ..

According to (4), the aerosol source vaporized and / or atomized by the first load in the heating chamber is cooled by moving away from the heating chamber in the process of flowing through the aerosol flow path, and in addition, the aerosol flow. As the cross-sectional area of the road increases, the pressure and temperature decrease. As a result, the adsorption of menthol derived from the aerosol source to the flavor source can be further suppressed, so that a more appropriate amount of menthol can be supplied to the user.

(5) The aerosol generator according to any one of (1) to (4).
An aerosol generator further comprising a second load (second load 34) for heating the flavor source.

According to (5), since the aerosol-forming apparatus further includes a second load for heating the flavor source, by heating the flavor source, an appropriate amount of flavor component can be added to the aerosol and supplied to the user. Further, by heating the flavor source, the amount of menthol derived from the aerosol source that can be adsorbed on the flavor source is reduced, a part of the menthol adsorbed on the flavor source is desorbed, and the menthol derived from the aerosol source is released. Since it can be suppressed from being adsorbed on the flavor source, a more appropriate amount of menthol can be supplied to the user.

(6) The aerosol generator according to (5).
Power supply (power supply 61) and
A controller (MCU63) for controlling the discharge from the power supply to the first load and the discharge from the power supply to the second load is further provided.
The controller
At the time of aerosol supply, the aerosol source held in the holding portion is heated by the first load, and the vaporized and / or atomized aerosol source is aerosolized and supplied to the storage chamber.
An aerosol that controls the discharge from the power source to the second load so that the temperature of the second load, the temperature of the storage chamber, or the temperature of the flavor source is lower than the temperature of the first load. Generator.

According to (6), when the aerosol is supplied, the temperature of the second load, the temperature of the storage chamber, or the temperature of the flavor source is lower than the temperature of the first load, so that the temperature is included in the flavor source in the storage chamber. It is possible to prevent the menthol from being rapidly detached and vaporized and / or atomized. As a result, it is possible to prevent the menthol contained in the flavor source from being suddenly supplied to the user's mouth, and the menthol can be stably supplied to the user.

(7) The aerosol generator according to (6).
The controller is used to supply the aerosol so that the temperature of the second load, the temperature of the storage chamber, or the temperature of the flavor source is higher than the melting point of menthol and lower than the boiling point of menthol. An aerosol generator that controls the discharge from the second load.

According to (7), the temperature of the second load, the temperature of the flavor source, or the temperature of the storage chamber is lower than the boiling point of the menthol, so that the menthol contained in the flavor source is rapidly desorbed and vaporized and / Or atomization is suppressed. At the same time, the temperature of the second load, the temperature of the flavor source, or the temperature of the storage chamber is higher than the boiling point of menthol, so that the amount of menthol adsorbed on the flavor source in the adsorption equilibrium state between the flavor source and menthol is reduced. It is possible to prevent the menthol derived from the aerosol source from being adsorbed on the flavor source. As a result, a more appropriate amount of menthol can be stably supplied to the user.

(8) The aerosol generator according to (7).
The controller is an aerosol generator that controls the discharge from the power source to the first load so that the temperature of the first load becomes equal to or higher than the boiling point of the menthol when the aerosol is supplied.

According to (8), when the aerosol is supplied, the temperature of the first load becomes equal to or higher than the boiling point of the menthol, so that the aerosol source held in the holding portion can be reliably vaporized and / or atomized. As a result, the menthol contained in the aerosol source held in the holding portion can be reliably vaporized and / or atomized in response to the aerosol production request, so that an appropriate amount of menthol can be more reliably produced.

(9) The aerosol generator according to (6).
The controller receives the aerosol from the power source so that the temperature of the second load, the temperature of the storage chamber, or the temperature of the flavor source is higher than the melting point of the menthol and 90 [° C.] or less. An aerosol generator that controls the discharge to the second load.

According to (9), when the aerosol is supplied, the temperature of the second load, the temperature of the storage chamber, or the temperature of the flavor source is higher than the melting point of the menthol and 90 [° C.] or less, so that the menthol derived from the aerosol source It is possible to set the temperature at which the menthol desorbed from the flavor source and vaporized and / or atomized is likely to be aerosolized while suppressing the adsorption of the menthol to the flavor source. As a result, a more appropriate amount of menthol can be stably supplied to the user in the state of aerosol.

(10) The aerosol generator according to (5).
The second load has an annular shape and has an annular shape.
An aerosol generator in which at least a part of the storage chamber is housed in a hollow portion of the ring-shaped second load.

According to (10), the second load has a ring shape, and at least a part of the storage chamber is housed in the hollow portion of the ring-shaped second load, so that the second load generates heat. When heating the storage chamber, the flavor source can be uniformly heated. As a result, an appropriate amount of flavor component can be added to the aerosol from the flavor source and supplied to the user's mouth. Further, it is possible to prevent the menthol contained in a part of the flavor sources that has been locally heated and locally heated to be rapidly desorbed and vaporized and / or atomized. As a result, it is possible to suppress the sudden supply of menthol contained in a part of the flavor source that has become locally hot to the user's mouth, and the menthol can be stably supplied to the user.

(11) The aerosol generator according to (5).
The aerosol source vaporized and / or atomized by the first load is aerosolized in the heating chamber and the aerosol flow path to generate an aerosol (aerosol 72).
The containment room
An inlet portion (inlet portion 54) for introducing the aerosol into the accommodation chamber from the aerosol flow path, and
It has an outlet (outlet 55) for discharging the aerosol introduced into the containment chamber to the outside of the containment chamber.
In the flow direction of the aerosol in the containment chamber, where the aerosol flows from the inlet to the outlet.
The storage chamber is located between the first space (first space 531) where the flavor source exists, the first space and the outlet portion, and is adjacent to the outlet portion, and the flavor source does not exist. An aerosol generator having a second space (second space 532).

According to (11), the menthol desorbed from the flavor source in the first space flows from the first space to the second space while being aerosolized together with the aerosol containing the menthol derived from the aerosolized aerosol source. Then, the menthol derived from the flavor source is promoted to become an aerosol in the process of flowing through the second space where the flavor source does not exist. As a result, a more appropriate amount of menthol derived from the aerosolized flavor source can be produced.

(12) The aerosol generator according to (5).
The aerosol source vaporized and / or atomized by the first load is aerosolized in the heating chamber and the aerosol flow path to generate an aerosol (aerosol 72).
The containment room
An inlet portion (inlet portion 54) for introducing the aerosol into the accommodation chamber from the aerosol flow path, and
It has an outlet (outlet 55) for discharging the aerosol introduced into the containment chamber to the outside of the containment chamber.
In the flow direction of the aerosol in the containment chamber, where the aerosol flows from the inlet to the outlet.
The accommodation chamber is located between the heating region (heating region 53A) where the second load is arranged and the heating region and the outlet portion and is adjacent to the outlet portion, and the second load is not arranged. An aerosol generator comprising a non-heated region (non-heated region 53B).

According to (12), the menthol that has been heated in the heated region and desorbed from the flavor source flows from the heated region to the non-heated region while being aerosolized together with the aerosol containing the aerosol derived from the aerosolized aerosol source. Then, the temperature of the menthol derived from the flavor source decreases in the process of flowing through the unheated region, and aerosolization is promoted. As a result, a more appropriate amount of menthol derived from the aerosolized flavor source can be produced.

(13) A storage chamber (storage chamber 42) for storing the aerosol source (aerosol source 71) and
A heating chamber (heating chamber 43) for heating the aerosol source and
A storage unit (capsule 50) having a storage room (storage room 53) in which a flavor source (flavor source 52) is housed is provided.
In the heating chamber
At least a part of the holding portion (wick 44) that transports the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber to the heating chamber and holds it in the heating chamber, and
An aerosol generator (aerosol aspirator 1) containing at least a part of a first load (first load 45) that heats and vaporizes and / or atomizes the aerosol source held in the holding portion. ) And
Both the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol (menthol 80).
An aerosol generator in which the heating chamber and the accommodation chamber are physically separated and / or insulated from each other and communicate with each other.

According to (13), since both the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol, the menthol derived from the aerosol source is less likely to be adsorbed by the flavor source. This allows the user to be supplied with an appropriate amount of menthol. Further, since the heating chamber and the accommodating chamber are physically separated from each other and / or are insulated from each other and communicate with each other, the accommodating chamber is less susceptible to the influence of heat due to the first load. As a result, the menthol adsorbed on the flavor source is suppressed from being rapidly detached, so that the menthol can be stably supplied to the user. In this way, an appropriate amount of menthol can be stably supplied to the user.

1 Aerosol aspirator (aerosol generator)
34 Second load 42 Storage chamber 43 Heating chamber 44 Wick (holding part)
45 1st load 46 1st aerosol flow path (aerosol flow path)
461 First end 50 capsules (accommodation)
52 Flavor source 53 Containment chamber 53A Heating area 53B Non-heating area 531 First space 532 Second space 54 Entrance 55 Exit 57 Second aerosol flow path (aerosol flow path)
572 Second end 61 Power supply 71 Aerosol source 72 Aerosol 80 Menthol 90 Aerosol flow path 63 MCU (controller)
X first direction

Claims (10)

A storage chamber for storing aerosol sources and
A heating chamber for heating the aerosol source and
A containment unit having a containment chamber for accommodating a flavor source,
In the heating chamber
The aerosol source stored in the storage chamber is transported to the heating chamber and held in the heating chamber with at least a part of the holding portion.
An aerosol generator that contains at least a portion of a first load that heats and vaporizes and / or atomizes the aerosol source held in the retainer.
Both the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol.
An aerosol flow path is provided that connects the heating chamber and the containment chamber and transports the aerosol source vaporized and / or atomized by the first load in the heating chamber to the containment chamber .
A second load that heats the flavor source and
Power supply and
A controller for controlling the discharge from the power source to the first load and the discharge from the power source to the second load is further provided.
The controller
At the time of aerosol supply, the aerosol source held in the holding portion is heated by the first load, and the vaporized and / or atomized aerosol source is aerosolized and supplied to the storage chamber.
It said second load temperature, the temperature of the storage chamber, or the temperature of the flavor source is such that the temperature below the temperature of the first load, that controls the discharge to the second load from the power source, Aerosol generator. The aerosol generator according to claim 1.
The aerosol flow path has a shape extending in the first direction.
An aerosol generator in which the storage chamber is arranged between the heating chamber and the storage chamber in the first direction. The aerosol generator according to claim 2.
An aerosol generator in which the aerosol flow path and the storage chamber are arranged so that at least a part thereof overlaps with each other in the first direction. The aerosol generator according to claim 3.
The aerosol flow path has a larger cross-sectional area at the second end connected to the accommodating chamber than the cross-sectional area at the first end connected to the heating chamber, and the first end to the first. An aerosol generator formed so that the cross-sectional area increases toward the two ends. The aerosol generator according to claim 1.
The controller is used to supply the aerosol so that the temperature of the second load, the temperature of the storage chamber, or the temperature of the flavor source is higher than the melting point of menthol and lower than the boiling point of menthol. An aerosol generator that controls the discharge from the second load. The aerosol generator according to claim 5.
The controller is an aerosol generator that controls the discharge from the power source to the first load so that the temperature of the first load becomes equal to or higher than the boiling point of the menthol when the aerosol is supplied. The aerosol generator according to claim 1.
The controller receives the aerosol from the power source so that the temperature of the second load, the temperature of the storage chamber, or the temperature of the flavor source is higher than the melting point of the menthol and 90 [° C.] or less. An aerosol generator that controls the discharge to the second load. A storage chamber for storing aerosol sources and
A heating chamber for heating the aerosol source and
A containment unit having a containment chamber for accommodating a flavor source,
In the heating chamber
The aerosol source stored in the storage chamber is transported to the heating chamber and held in the heating chamber with at least a part of the holding portion.
An aerosol generator that contains at least a portion of a first load that heats and vaporizes and / or atomizes the aerosol source held in the retainer.
Both the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol.
An aerosol flow path is provided that connects the heating chamber and the containment chamber and transports the aerosol source vaporized and / or atomized by the first load in the heating chamber to the containment chamber .
Further provided with a second load to heat the flavor source,
The aerosol source vaporized and / or atomized by the first load is aerosolized in the heating chamber and the aerosol flow path to generate an aerosol.
The containment room
An inlet for introducing the aerosol into the containment chamber from the aerosol flow path, and
It has an outlet portion for discharging the aerosol introduced into the containment chamber to the outside of the containment chamber.
In the flow direction of the aerosol in the containment chamber, where the aerosol flows from the inlet to the outlet.
The storage chamber includes a first space in which the flavor source exists, and a second space located between the first space and the outlet portion and adjacent to the outlet portion, and in which the flavor source does not exist. Yusuke that, aerosol generating device. A storage chamber for storing aerosol sources and
A heating chamber for heating the aerosol source and
A containment unit having a containment chamber for accommodating a flavor source,
In the heating chamber
The aerosol source stored in the storage chamber is transported to the heating chamber and held in the heating chamber with at least a part of the holding portion.
An aerosol generator that contains at least a portion of a first load that heats and vaporizes and / or atomizes the aerosol source held in the retainer.
Both the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol.
An aerosol flow path is provided that connects the heating chamber and the containment chamber and transports the aerosol source vaporized and / or atomized by the first load in the heating chamber to the containment chamber .
Further provided with a second load to heat the flavor source,
The aerosol source vaporized and / or atomized by the first load is aerosolized in the heating chamber and the aerosol flow path to generate an aerosol.
The containment room
An inlet for introducing the aerosol into the containment chamber from the aerosol flow path, and
It has an outlet portion for discharging the aerosol introduced into the containment chamber to the outside of the containment chamber.
In the flow direction of the aerosol in the containment chamber, where the aerosol flows from the inlet to the outlet.
The accommodating chamber includes a heating region in which the second load is arranged, a non-heating region in which the second load is not arranged, located between the heating region and the outlet portion and adjacent to the outlet portion. that having a, aerosol generating device. A storage chamber for storing aerosol sources and
A heating chamber for heating the aerosol source and
A containment unit having a containment chamber for accommodating a flavor source,
In the heating chamber
The aerosol source stored in the storage chamber is transported to the heating chamber and held in the heating chamber with at least a part of the holding portion.
An aerosol generator that contains at least a portion of a first load that heats and vaporizes and / or atomizes the aerosol source held in the retainer.
Both the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol.
The heating chamber and the storage chamber are arranged physically apart from and / or are thermally insulated from each other, in communication with each other,
A second load that heats the flavor source and
Power supply and
A controller for controlling the discharge from the power source to the first load and the discharge from the power source to the second load is further provided.
The controller
At the time of aerosol supply, the aerosol source held in the holding portion is heated by the first load, and the vaporized and / or atomized aerosol source is aerosolized and supplied to the storage chamber.
An aerosol that controls the discharge from the power source to the second load so that the temperature of the second load, the temperature of the storage chamber, or the temperature of the flavor source is lower than the temperature of the first load. Generator.

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