JP7281555B2 - Atomization unit and non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an atomizing unit and a non-combustion heating flavor inhaler.

Conventionally, flavor inhalers for inhaling flavor without burning materials are known. Examples of such flavor inhalers include supplying an aerosol generated by atomizing a flavor-containing liquid (aerosol source) to the user's mouth, or supplying an aerosol generated by atomizing a flavor-free liquid to the user's mouth. , the aerosol is delivered to the user's mouth after being passed through a flavor source (eg, a tobacco source).

Such flavor inhalers typically include an atomizing unit, a power supply, a reservoir, an aerosol channel, a mouthpiece, and the like. The atomization unit includes heating elements and the like that atomize the aerosol source. The power supply is configured to power the atomization unit. A tank stores an aerosol source. The aerosol flow path is the flow path through which the aerosol produced by the atomization unit atomizes the aerosol source. The aerosol that has passed through the aerosol flow path reaches the inside of the user's mouth via the mouthpiece.

EP 3158883

When the flavor inhaler described above is used, the aerosol generated from the atomizing unit may aggregate on the walls defining the aerosol flow path to form droplets. If the flavor inhaler continues to be used, aggregated liquid droplets may accumulate in a columnar shape in the aerosol flow path. The columnar liquid droplets may move toward the mouthpiece as the user inhales the flavor inhaler, reach the user's mouth, and cause discomfort to the user.

US Pat. No. 5,300,001 discloses an electronic cigarette for inhaling aerosols. In the electronic cigarette disclosed in Patent Literature 1, a porous body is placed in the aerosol flow path to absorb the condensed liquid in the aerosol flow path.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional problems. The purpose is to suppress droplets formed by aggregation of the aerosol in the aerosol channel from reaching the inside of the user's mouth.

According to one aspect of the invention, an atomization unit is provided. The atomization unit has an atomization part configured to atomize an aerosol source, a tank holding the aerosol source, and a liquid holding part provided at the tip of the tank. The tank has a channel wall defining at least a portion of an aerosol channel through which the aerosol produced by atomizing the aerosol source extends in a first direction. The atomization unit further has a liquid evacuation section provided in the aerosol flow path. The liquid holding portion communicates with the liquid evacuation portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a non-combustion heated flavor inhaler is provided. This non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler has the atomization unit and a power source for supplying power to the atomization section.

1 is an overall perspective view of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to this embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 1; Figure 3 is a schematic side sectional view of the tank shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a top view of the inner wall of the tank shown in Figure 3; 4B is a side cross-sectional view of the inner wall of the tank taken along line BB of FIG. 4A; FIG. FIG. 10 is a top view of an inner wall portion of a tank according to another embodiment; FIG. 10 is a top view of an inner wall portion of a tank according to another embodiment; FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of an inner wall portion of a tank according to another embodiment; FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of an inner wall portion of a tank according to another embodiment; FIG. 5 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a tank according to another embodiment; FIG. 5 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a tank according to another embodiment; 4 is a top view of the inner wall portion of the tank used in Experimental Example 1. FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an inner wall portion having an outer surface shape that does not correspond to the shapes of the second aerosol flow path and the liquid evacuation portion; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an inner wall portion having an outer surface shape that does not correspond to the shapes of the second aerosol flow path and the liquid evacuation portion; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an inner wall portion having an outer surface shape corresponding to the shapes of a second aerosol flow path and a liquid evacuation portion; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an inner wall portion having an outer surface shape corresponding to the shapes of a second aerosol flow path and a liquid evacuation portion; 7 is a graph showing evaluation results of Experimental Example 2. FIG. Fig. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a tank of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to another embodiment; It is a perspective view of a cover member. It is a top view of a cover member. FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10C-10C shown in FIG. 10B; FIG. 11 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a tank provided with a lid member according to another embodiment; Fig. 10 is a schematic top view of a tank of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to still another embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1 , the non-combustion heating flavor inhaler 100 has a reusable power supply section 90 and a cartridge 10 attachable to the power supply section 90 . The power supply section 90 has a power supply 92 therein, and the power supply 92 is configured to supply power to the cartridge 10 attached to the power supply section 90 . The cartridge 10 has a vent 12 at its tip. The user can inhale the aerosol generated by the non-combustion heating flavor inhaler 100 through the vent 12 .

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge 10 shown in FIG. In this specification, the side facing the power supply unit 90 when the cartridge 10 is attached to the power supply unit 90 is sometimes referred to as the "rear end of the cartridge 10". Also, the side opposite to the rear end of the cartridge 10 may be referred to as the "front end of the cartridge 10". Also, the direction connecting the rear end and the front end of the cartridge 10 is sometimes called the "first direction", and the direction orthogonal to the first direction is sometimes called the "second direction".

The cartridge 10 has a tank 30 , an atomizing section 14 , an atomizing section fixing member 16 , a mouthpiece 18 and a cap 20 . Tank 30 holds therein an aerosol source including water, glycerin, propylene glycol, and the like. The tank 30 also has an atomization chamber 33 at a position near the rear end in the first direction. Atomization section 14 is configured to atomize the aerosol source supplied from tank 30 . In this embodiment, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 3, the atomization part 14 is formed of a coil in which a resistance heating element is wound around the outer periphery of a cylindrical wick made of glass fiber or the like. The atomizing section 14 is provided with electrical contacts as described below in connection with FIG. When the cartridge 10 is attached to the power supply section 90 , the electrode terminal of the power supply section 90 and the electrical contact of the atomization section 14 are electrically connected, and power can be supplied from the power supply section 90 to the atomization section 14 .

In order to supply an aerosol source to the resistance heating element, the atomization part 14 uses a cylindrical wick made of glass fiber or the like, a wick made of organic fiber (cellulose or the like), or a plate-like or cylindrical ceramic or the like. can be employed as the wick. As the resistance heating element, for example, a metal such as nichrome or stainless steel or a nonmetal such as carbon can be used. When the wick is tubular, the heating resistor may be wound in a coil shape, or may be arranged along the tubular wick. When the wick is flat, the resistance heating elements may be arranged linearly or meanderingly on the plane of the wick. The atomization unit 14 may be configured to atomize the aerosol source by ultrasonic waves or induction heating instead of the resistance heating element. The cartridge 10 may have multiple atomization units 14 . The atomization chamber 33 is not limited to a position near the rear end of the tank 30 in the first direction, and may exist at any position within the tank 30 or outside the tank 30 . Alternatively, the atomization chamber 33 may be defined by a member removable from the tank 30 .

The cap 20 is attached to the rear end of the tank 30 in the first direction to protect the atomization chamber 33 of the tank 30 and is removed when the cartridge 10 is used. The atomizing section fixing member 16 is fixed in the atomizing chamber 33 of the tank 30 while holding the atomizing section 14 . As a result, part of the wick of the atomizing section 14 comes into contact with the aerosol source held in the tank 30, and the aerosol source is supplied to the wick. The mouthpiece 18 is attached to the tip of the tank 30 in the first direction. Mouthpiece 18 also includes vent 12 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side sectional view of the tank 30 shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the atomizing section fixing member 16 shown in FIG. 2 is omitted. As illustrated, the tank 30 has an upper wall portion 30a at the front end in the first direction, a bottom wall portion 30b at the rear end in the first direction, and an outer wall portion 30c forming the outer peripheral surface thereof. The tank 30 also includes an inner wall portion 34 (corresponding to an example of a wall portion) that defines at least part of the aerosol flow path 32 . That is, the tank 30 defines the aerosol flow path 32 extending in the first direction between the rear end and the front end of the tank 30 by the inner wall portion 34 at a substantially central portion inside the tank 30 . In this specification, the outer wall portion 30c and the inner wall portion 34 of the tank 30 are walls forming the side surfaces of the tank 30, and are also called side walls. Further, in this specification, the side wall of the tank 30 means a wall having a function of holding the aerosol source inside the tank 30 together with the upper wall portion 30a and the bottom wall portion 30b of the tank 30, and the upper wall portion 30a of the tank 30 Alternatively, it may or may not be formed integrally with the bottom wall portion 30b. In addition, in this embodiment, the inner wall portion 34 defining the aerosol flow path 32 constitutes a part of the side wall of the tank 30 . Not limited to this, at least a part of the aerosol flow path 32 may be defined by a wall portion configured by a member different from the sidewall of the tank 30 .

As shown, the atomizing section 14 is secured within the atomizing chamber 33 of the tank 30 . Specifically, the atomization part 14 includes a cylindrical wick 14a and a coil 14b wound around the wick 14a, and is arranged in the atomization chamber 33 so that the wick 14a extends in the second direction. Wick 14 a absorbs and retains the aerosol source held in tank 30 . The atomizing section 14 further comprises an electrical contact 14c for supplying power to the coil 14b. When the cartridge 10 is attached to the power supply section 90 shown in FIG. 1, the contact of the power supply section 90 and the electrical contact 14c shown in FIG.

When electric power is supplied to the coil 14b, the coil 14b generates heat and atomizes the aerosol source held by the wick 14a to generate aerosol. The aerosol generated in the atomization chamber 33 reaches the inside of the user's mouth through the aerosol flow path 32 and the vent 12 of the mouthpiece 18 as the user inhales. Therefore, tank 30 and atomization section 14 function as an atomization unit that atomizes the aerosol source.

As described above, when the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 100 is used, the aerosol generated from the atomizing section 14 aggregates on the wall surface of the inner wall section 34 defining the aerosol flow path 32, forming droplets. Sometimes. If the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 100 continues to be used, aggregated liquid droplets may accumulate in the aerosol flow path 32 in a columnar shape. The columnar liquid droplets move toward the mouthpiece 18 as the user inhales with the non-combustion heating flavor inhaler 100, reach the user's mouth, and may cause discomfort to the user.

Therefore, the non-combustion-heating flavor inhaler 100 according to the present embodiment has a liquid evacuation portion for evacuating droplets condensed on the inner wall portion 34 from the aerosol flow path 32 . 4A is a top view of the inner wall portion 34 of the tank 30 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4B is a side cross-sectional view of the inner wall portion 34 of the tank 30 taken along line BB in FIG. 4A. 4A and 4B, only the inner wall portion 34 of the tank 30 is selectively shown.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the aerosol channel 32 defined by the inner wall portion 34 includes a first aerosol channel 32a and a second aerosol channel 32a communicating with the downstream side (that is, the tip) of the first aerosol channel 32a. and a flow path 32b. In other words, the inner wall portion 34 includes a first aerosol channel wall portion 34a that defines at least a portion of the first aerosol channel 32a and a second aerosol channel wall portion that defines at least a portion of the second aerosol channel 32b. and a portion 34b. In the present embodiment, the first aerosol channel wall portion 34a and the second aerosol channel wall portion 34b constitute part of the sidewall of the tank 30, respectively. Not limited to this, only the second aerosol channel wall portion 34b constitutes at least a part of the side wall of the tank 30, and the first aerosol channel wall portion 34a is constituted by a wall member different from the side wall of the tank 30. , may be located outside the tank 30 .

As shown in FIG. 4A, in this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape in the second direction of the first aerosol channel 32a and the second aerosol channel 32b is circular. Further, in the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the first aerosol flow channel 32a in the second direction is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the second aerosol flow channel 32b in the second direction. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the first aerosol channel 32a and the second aerosol channel 32b have a constant cross-sectional shape and cross-sectional area in the first direction. That is, the first aerosol channel 32a and the second aerosol channel 32b do not change in cross-sectional shape and cross-sectional area along the length direction.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the inner wall portion 34 includes a flat portion 40 parallel to the second direction at the boundary between the first aerosol flow channel 32a and the second aerosol flow channel 32b, and a pair of flat portions extending from the flat portion 40 to the tip. It has a slit 42 . The flat portion 40 and the slit 42 are located outside the second aerosol flow path 32b in the second direction. As shown in FIG. 4A, in this embodiment, the inner wall portion 34 includes a pair of slits 42 so as to sandwich the second aerosol flow path 32b. Not limited to this, the inner wall portion 34 can also be provided with one or three or more slits 42 . As shown in FIG. 4A, the inner wall portion 34 has a corner portion 42a forming a slit 42 when viewed from the first direction. As shown in FIG. 4A, the tip of the slit 42 is open.

In this specification, as shown in FIG. 4A, the width W is the length including the diameter φ of the second aerosol flow channel 32b and the depth of the pair of slits 42, and the height H of the slits 42 is , the length of the slit 42 in the thickness direction.

The cross-sectional shape of the slit 42 in the second direction is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 4A. 4C and 4D are top views of the inner wall portion 34 of the tank 30 according to another embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 4C, the cross-sectional shape of the corner portion 42a of the slit 42 in the second direction is rounded. That is, the corner portion 42a includes not only the 90-degree corner portion 42a but also the rounded corner portion 42a. Moreover, in the example shown in FIG. 4D, the cross-sectional shape of the slit 42 in the second direction is formed in a semicircular shape. The slit 42 may have any cross-sectional shape including, for example, a polygon such as a triangle, without being limited to the cross-sectional shapes shown in FIGS. 4A, 4C, and 4D.

When the non-combustion-heating flavor inhaler 100 is used, the aerosol generated from the atomizing section 14 flows through the first aerosol flow path 32a and the second aerosol flow path defined by the inner wall portion 34 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. 32b. At this time, the aerosol may aggregate on the wall surface of the first aerosol flow path wall portion 34a or the second aerosol flow path wall portion 34b to form droplets.

If the droplets continue to aggregate on the wall surfaces of the first aerosol flow channel wall portion 34a and/or the second aerosol flow channel wall portion 34b, the droplets accumulate so as to block the first aerosol flow channel 32a. Droplets can be formed in a columnar shape in one aerosol channel 32a. As the user inhales with the non-combustion heating flavor inhaler 100, the columnar liquid droplets move toward the mouthpiece 18, that is, toward the second aerosol flow path 32b. Here, when the columnar droplets reach the second aerosol flow path 32b, one of the droplets enters the space defined by the plane portion 40 formed at the boundary between the first aerosol flow path 32a and the second aerosol flow path 32b. part evacuates. Since it is difficult for air to flow in the space near the flat portion 40, the flow velocity of the air passing through the flat portion 40 is smaller than the flow velocity of the second aerosol flow path 32b. Therefore, the liquid droplets that have retreated to the space defined by the flat portion 40 are less likely to move toward the mouthpiece 18, so that it is possible to prevent the liquid droplets from reaching the user's mouth. In other words, the space defined by the plane portion 40 functions as part of the liquid withdrawal portion in which the condensed liquid droplets are withdrawn from the second aerosol flow path 32b.

In addition, the columnar liquid droplets that have reached the second aerosol flow path 32b also retreat inside the slits 42 extending from the flat portion 40 . As a result, the droplet no longer has a columnar shape and is positioned inside the slit 42 , that is, in the space defined by the slit 42 . Since the slit 42 has the corners 42a as described above, the droplets are held at the corners 42a of the slit 42 by capillary action. Since the slit 42 is located outside the first aerosol channel 32a and the second aerosol channel 32b in the second direction, the flow velocity of the air passing through the slit 42 is higher than the flow velocity of the second aerosol channel 32b. small. Therefore, the droplets that have retreated to the space defined by the slit 42 are less likely to move toward the mouthpiece 18, so that the droplets can be prevented from reaching the user's mouth. In other words, the space defined by the slit 42 functions as a liquid evacuation section in which the condensed droplets escape from the second aerosol flow path 32b.

In order to prevent droplets from accumulating in the aerosol channel 32 in a columnar shape, it is conceivable to increase the width or diameter of the aerosol channel 32 over the entire length of the aerosol channel 32 . On the other hand, the aerosol flow path 32 may be provided so as to extend laterally or inside the tank 30 as in the present embodiment. In this case, if the width or diameter of the aerosol channel 32 is increased over its entire length, the space of the tank 30 is correspondingly reduced, so the volume of the tank 30 that stores the aerosol source is reduced. On the other hand, the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 100 according to the present embodiment is provided in the second aerosol channel 32b, and the second aerosol is A liquid evacuation portion extending downstream of the channel 32b is provided. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 100 has a space defined by the flat portion 40 and a space defined by the slit 42, particularly a space defined by the corner portion 42a. Prepare as a department. In particular, the spaces defined by the corners 42a are excellent in liquid holding capacity due to the action of capillary force. can be suppressed. Therefore, compared with the case where the width or diameter of the aerosol flow path 32 is increased over the entire first direction of the inner wall portion 34, the volume of the tank 30 is suppressed from being reduced, and droplets are suppressed from reaching the user's mouth. can do. In addition, in the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent droplets from reaching the user's mouth without providing a separate member for the tank 30 . As a result, it is possible to suppress the increase in member cost and the effect of providing additional members.

Although the plane portion 40 is parallel to the second direction in the present embodiment, it is not limited thereto. 4E and 4F are side cross-sectional views of inner wall 34 of tank 30 according to another embodiment. In the examples shown in FIGS. 4E and 4F, the flat portion 40 is provided to be inclined with respect to the second direction. Specifically, while the plane portion 40 shown in FIG. 4B extends perpendicular to the first aerosol channel wall portion 34a, in the example shown in FIG. It extends so as to incline at an obtuse angle with respect to the portion 34a. In other words, in the example shown in FIG. 4E, the plane portion 40 extends from the first aerosol flow channel wall portion 34a toward the mouthpiece 18 side. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 4F, the plane portion 40 extends so as to be inclined at an acute angle with respect to the first aerosol flow channel wall portion 34a. In other words, in the example shown in FIG. 4F , the flat portion 40 extends from the first aerosol flow channel wall portion 34a toward the side opposite to the mouthpiece 18 . In the example shown in FIG. 4F, the flat portion 40 and the slit 42 define a concave space S1. This recessed space S1 constitutes a part of the liquid evacuation portion, and has excellent liquid holding capacity due to the action of capillary force. Therefore, the concave space S1 can prevent the liquid that has reached the space S1 from forming columnar droplets again in the first aerosol flow path 32a.

In this embodiment, the aerosol flow path 32 is configured to extend in the center of the tank 30 . Alternatively, the aerosol channel 32 may be provided on the side of the tank 30 , and the outer wall 30 c of the tank 30 may function as a wall defining at least part of the aerosol channel 32 . 5A and 5B are schematic side sectional views showing a tank 30 according to another embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 5A , the tank 30 and the atomizing section 14 are accommodated in the housing 60 and the aerosol flow path 32 is formed on one side of the tank 30 . In the example shown in FIG. 5B , the tank 30 and the atomizing section 14 are accommodated in the housing 60 , and the aerosol flow paths 32 are formed on both sides of the tank 30 . Arrows A 1 and A 2 in FIGS. 5A and 5B indicate the flow of air or aerosol passing through housing 60 .

<Experimental example 1>
An experiment was conducted to evaluate the amount of droplets reaching (the amount of droplets reaching the user's mouth) according to the shape of the liquid retraction section. 6 is a top view of the inner wall portion 34 of the tank 30 used in Experimental Example 1. FIG. In this experiment, when a predetermined amount of liquid was injected into the first aerosol channel 32a defined by the inner wall portion 34 according to Examples 1 to 9 shown in FIG. The amount of liquid scattered from the second aerosol channel 32b to the tip of the inner wall portion 34 was measured.

In the inner wall portion 34 according to Examples 1 to 9, the length in the first direction of the first aerosol channel 32a is 10 mm, and the length in the first direction of the second aerosol channel 32b and the slit 42 is 20 mm. bottom. Also, the diameter φ of the first aerosol channel 32a and the second aerosol channel 32b was set to 2 mm. When the width W of the slit 42 and the second aerosol flow channel wall portion 34b and the height H of the slit 42 are defined as shown in FIG. 4A, the width W and height H of Examples 1 to 9 are as follows. is.
Example 1 Width W = 6 mm, height H = 2 mm
Example 2 Width W = 6 mm, height H = 1 mm
Example 3 Width W=6 mm, Height H=0.6 mm
Example 4 Width W = 4 mm, Height H = 2 mm
Example 5 Width W = 4 mm, Height H = 1 mm
Example 6 Width W = 4 mm, Height H = 0.6 mm
Example 7 Width W=3 mm, Height H=2 mm
Example 8 Width W = 3 mm, Height H = 1 mm
Example 9 Width W = 3 mm, Height H = 0.6 mm

That is, the cross-sectional shape in the second direction of the second aerosol channel 32b and the liquid evacuation portion (slit 42) in Examples 1, 4, and 7 is generally rectangular. Further, in Examples 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 9, the height H of the slit 42 is smaller than the diameter φ in the second direction of the second aerosol flow path 32b.

Comparative Example 1 is a tank 30 having an inner wall portion 34 without a liquid evacuation portion. That is, the inner wall portion 34 of Comparative Example 1 has the same shape as those of Examples 1 to 9 except that the slit 42 and the flat portion 40 are not provided.

The suction conditions are as follows.
Suction capacity 2400cc/min
Suction time 3 seconds Number of puffs 1 N number (sample size) 3
Orientation of the tank 30 (angle in the first direction) Oblique 45° with respect to the vertical
Liquid composition Glycerin: propylene glycol: water = 45:45:10
Liquid injection volume: 40 μl

Table 1 shows the results of experiments conducted under the above conditions.

In Table 1, the liquid withdrawal area is the cross-sectional area of the slit 42 in the second direction, and does not include the cross-sectional area of the second aerosol flow path 32b. Further, in Table 1, (area of liquid evacuation portion+cross-sectional area of second aerosol channel in second direction)/cross-sectional area of first aerosol channel in second direction is given by It shows the ratio of the cross-sectional area in the second direction to the cross-sectional area in the second direction of the first aerosol channel 32a. As shown in Table 1, in all of Examples 1 to 9, the droplet arrival amount is smaller than the droplet arrival amount in Comparative Example 1, which does not have a liquid retracting portion. In other words, by providing the liquid retreating portion in the inner wall portion 34, the amount of droplets reaching can be reduced. Therefore, according to this experiment, when the ratio is more than 1 and 4.0 or less, it can be seen that the droplet arrival amount can be reduced.

Further, in Example 1, the droplet arrival amount was 0.9, which is significantly smaller than that in Comparative Example 1, but the area of the liquid evacuation portion, that is, the cross-sectional area of the slit 42 in the second direction was 8.9. It is 86 mm ² , and compared with Examples 2 to 9, the area of the liquid evacuation portion is large. If the area of this liquid evacuation portion is large, the capacity of the tank 30 may be affected. Therefore, according to this experiment, it can be seen that the above ratio is preferably about 3 or less.

Referring to the droplet arrival amounts of Examples 1 to 9, Examples 1-5 and 7 were able to reduce the droplet arrival amount significantly compared to the other examples. Therefore, according to this experiment, it is found that it is particularly preferable that the ratio is 1.5 or more.

The outer surface shape of the inner wall portion 34 shown in FIG. 6 is all made to have the same diameter for the sake of the experiment. However, the outer surface shape of the inner wall portion 34 can be designed to have a shape corresponding to the shapes of the second aerosol flow path 32b and the liquid evacuation portion. 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams showing the inner wall portion 34 having an outer surface shape that does not correspond to the shape of the second aerosol channel 32b and the liquid evacuation portion. 7C and 7D are schematic diagrams showing the inner wall portion 34 having an outer surface shape corresponding to the shapes of the second aerosol flow path 32b and the liquid evacuation portion. In the example shown in FIG. 7A, the outer surface shape of the inner wall portion 34 is similar to the cross-sectional shape of the second aerosol flow path 32b (that is, circular). The thickness of the inner wall portion 34 shown in FIG. 7A is relatively thin in the vicinity of the liquid evacuation portion (slit 42). Therefore, if the outer surface shape of the inner wall portion 34 is designed so that the inner wall portion 34 has sufficient strength at the thinnest portion, the thickness of the inner wall portion 34 becomes excessively thick. In the example of FIG. 7A, the inner wall portion 34 of the portion defining the second aerosol flow path 32b (upper and lower portions in the drawing) is excessively thick.

In the example shown in FIG. 7B, the outer surface shape of the inner wall portion 34 is rectangular. In FIG. 7B, the outer surface shape of the inner wall portion 34 shown in FIG. 7A is indicated by broken lines for reference. The thickness of the inner wall portion 34 shown in FIG. 7B is relatively thin in the vicinity of the liquid evacuation portion (slit 42), like the inner wall portion 34 shown in FIG. 7A. Therefore, if the outer surface shape of the inner wall portion 34 is designed so that the inner wall portion 34 has sufficient strength at the thinnest portion, the thickness of the inner wall portion 34 becomes excessively thick. In the example of FIG. 7B, the inner wall portion 34 of the portion defining the second aerosol flow path 32b (upper and lower portions in the drawing) is excessively thick.

On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 7C, the outer surface shape of the inner wall portion 34 is elliptical. In FIG. 7C, the outer surface shape of the inner wall portion 34 shown in FIG. 7A is indicated by broken lines for reference. The inner wall portion 34 shown in FIG. 7C is designed so that the thickness near the liquid evacuation portion (slit 42) is close to the thickness of the portion defining the second aerosol flow path 32b (upper and lower portions in the figure). Therefore, the area occupied by the outer surface shape of the inner wall portion 34 shown in FIG. 7C (the area of the ellipse in FIG. 7C) is the area occupied by the outer surface shape of the inner wall portion 34 shown in FIG. 7A (the area of the dashed circle in FIG. 7C). become smaller in comparison. That is, the tank 30 having the inner wall portion 34 shown in FIG. 7C can have a larger capacity than the tank 30 having the inner wall portion 34 shown in FIG. 7A.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 7D, the outer surface shape of the inner wall portion 34 is a similar shape to the second aerosol flow path 32b and the liquid evacuation portion (slit 42). In FIG. 7D, the outer surface shape of the inner wall portion 34 shown in FIG. 7A is indicated by broken lines for reference. Also in FIG. 7D, the area occupied by the outer surface shape of the inner wall portion 34 is smaller than the area occupied by the outer surface shape of the inner wall portion 34 shown in FIG. 7A (the area of the dashed circle in FIG. 7C). That is, the tank 30 having the inner wall portion 34 shown in FIG. 7D can have a larger capacity than the tank 30 having the inner wall portion 34 shown in FIG. 7A. Therefore, the shape corresponding to the shape of the second aerosol flow channel 32b and the liquid evacuation portion means, as shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, an outer surface shape similar to the cross-sectional shape of the second aerosol flow channel 32b shown in FIG. It is a shape with a smaller cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of .

<Experimental example 2>
An experiment was conducted to evaluate the arrival amount of droplets according to the length of the liquid retraction section. In this experiment, the inner wall portion 34 (Examples 10 and 11) in which the width W of the slit 42 was 3.0 mm and the height H was 1.5 mm, and the width W of the slit 42 was 4.5 mm and the height H was 0.75 mm (Examples 12 and 13). The lengths of the slits 42 are 0 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, and 20 mm for the inner wall portions 34 of Examples 10 and 11, and the lengths of the slits 42 are set for the inner wall portions 34 of Examples 12 and 13. The experiment was conducted under the following suction conditions with the depth of 10 mm, 15 mm, and 20 mm. In this experiment, when a predetermined amount of liquid was injected into the first aerosol flow path 32a defined by the inner wall portion 34 according to Examples 10 to 13 so as to form a columnar shape and was sucked under predetermined conditions, the second aerosol flow was obtained. The amount of liquid splashed from the passage 32b to the tip of the inner wall portion 34 was measured. In Examples 10 to 13, the length in the first direction of the first aerosol channel 32a and the second aerosol channel 32b was set to 30 mm.

The suction conditions are as follows.
Suction capacity 2400cc/min
Suction time 3 seconds Number of puffs 1 time (Examples 11 and 13), 5 times (Examples 10 and 12)
Aspiration interval 20 seconds N number (sample size) 3
Orientation of the tank 30 (angle in the first direction) Oblique 45° with respect to the vertical
Liquid composition Glycerin: propylene glycol: water = 45:45:10
Liquid injection volume: 20 μl

8 is a graph showing evaluation results of Experimental Example 2. FIG. In FIG. 8, the plots for the liquid retraction portion of 0 mm in Examples 10 and 11 show the evaluation results of the inner wall portion 34 having no liquid retraction portion. The liquid drop arrival amount in Example 10 when the liquid retraction length is 0 mm was about 19.2 mg, and the liquid drop arrival amount in Example 11 when the liquid retraction length was 0 mm was about 13.3 mg. . On the other hand, in Examples 10 and 11 in which the liquid retraction length is 5 mm, the amount of droplets reached can be reduced more than in Examples 10 and 11 in which the liquid retraction length is 0 mm. Specifically, the droplet arrival amount in Example 10 when the liquid retraction length is 5 mm is about 14.3 mg, and the droplet arrival amount in Example 11 when the liquid retraction length is 5 mm is about 6 mg. .4 mg. Therefore, it can be seen from this experiment that the presence of the liquid retracting portion can reduce the amount of droplets reaching.

The droplet arrival amounts of Examples 1 to 4, in which the liquid withdrawal length is 10 mm, were approximately 2.7 mg, approximately 1.3 mg, approximately 3.3 mg, and approximately 3.6 mg, respectively. Therefore, when the liquid retraction length is 10 mm, the amount of liquid droplets reached can be significantly reduced compared to when the liquid retraction length is 5 mm. In addition, the droplet arrival amounts of Examples 1 to 4, in which the liquid retraction length is 15 mm, are approximately 1.2 mg, approximately 0.7 mg, approximately 2.8 mg, and approximately 0.6 mg, respectively. The droplet reachable amounts of 20 mm Examples 1 to 4 were about 1.1 mg, about 0.7 mg, about 0.4 mg, and about 0.5 mg, respectively. Therefore, by setting the liquid retraction length to 10 mm or more, it is possible to further reduce the droplet arrival amount.

Based on the above experimental results, the length of the liquid withdrawal portion is preferably 10 mm or more and 20 mm or less from the viewpoint of reducing the amount of droplets that reach the liquid. In other words, the ratio of the length of the liquid evacuation portion (slit 42) in the first direction to the length (30 mm) of the first aerosol channel 32a and the second aerosol channel 32b is ⅓ or more and ⅔ or less. is preferred.

Next, a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 100 according to another embodiment will be described. A non-combustion heating flavor inhaler 100 according to another embodiment has a liquid holding part that communicates with the liquid that has retreated to the liquid evacuation part, unlike the non-combustion heating flavor inhaler 100 described in FIGS. , is provided at the tip of the tank 30 . FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the tank 30 of the non-combustion heating flavor inhaler 100 according to another embodiment. The tank 30 shown in FIG. 9 may have the same structure as the tank 30 shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the tank 30 is provided with a lid member 50 that covers the upper wall portion 30a at the tip thereof.

10A is a perspective view of the lid member 50. FIG. 10B is a plan view of the lid member 50. FIG. FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10C-10C shown in FIG. 10B. As illustrated, the cover member 50 includes a substantially rectangular plate-like top plate portion 52 corresponding to the shape of the tank 30 and substantially cylindrical side plate portions 54 extending from the top plate portion 52 . An opening 56 that communicates with the aerosol flow path 32 of the tank 30 and allows the aerosol from the aerosol flow path 32 to pass is provided in a substantially central portion of the top plate portion 52 . The opening 56 is formed in the lid member 50 such that the center of the opening 56 substantially coincides with the center of the aerosol flow path 32 of the tank 30 in the second direction when the lid member 50 is attached to the tank 30. . In addition, one or more protrusions 58 extending in the second direction are provided on the surface of the top plate portion 52 facing the upper wall portion 30a of the tank 30 . As a result, an uneven portion is formed on the surface of the top plate portion 52 that faces the upper wall portion 30a of the tank 30 . When the lid member 50 is attached to the tank 30 , the uneven portion communicates with the liquid evacuation portion of the tank 30 .

As shown in FIG. 10B, the protrusion 58 is preferably configured such that the gap between the protrusions 58 becomes smaller as the distance from the aerosol flow path 32 (or the opening 56) in the second direction increases. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 10C, it is preferable that the protrusion 58 is configured such that the gap between the protrusions 58 increases as the distance from the top plate 52 increases in the first direction. In other words, when the cover member 50 is attached to the tank 30, the protrusion 58 is arranged such that the gap between the protrusions 58 becomes smaller as the distance from the upper wall portion 30a (tip) of the tank 30 in the first direction increases. is preferably configured to In addition, the size of the gap in the second direction of the ridge portion 58 is arbitrary, and may be constant, for example.

As described above, the aerosol aggregates on the wall surface of the inner wall portion 34 that defines the aerosol flow path 32, and droplets can be formed in a columnar shape. As the user inhales with the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 100 , the columnar liquid droplets move toward the mouthpiece 18 and retreat to the liquid evacuation portion, that is, the flat portion 40 or the slit 42 . If the use of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 100 is continued further, there is a possibility that the droplets that have retreated to the liquid evacuation portion will reach the tip of the liquid evacuation portion, or that the liquid evacuation portion will be filled with droplets. be. In this case, there is a possibility that the liquid droplets may reach the inside of the user's mouth from the liquid evacuation section.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the lid member 50 is provided with an uneven portion (corresponding to an example of a liquid holding portion) that communicates with the liquid evacuation portion. The droplets that have reached the tip of the liquid retracting portion are held by the concave and convex portions of the lid member 50 by capillary action. Further, droplets that have reached the tip of the liquid evacuation portion can be retained in the gap between the top plate portion 52 of the lid member 50 and the upper wall portion 30a of the tank 30 by capillary action. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the liquid that has been saved in the liquid saving section from reaching the inside of the user's mouth. In addition, in the present embodiment, the gap between the protrusions 58 becomes smaller as the distance from the aerosol flow path 32 in the second direction increases, so that the liquid moves away from the aerosol flow path 32 in the second direction due to capillary action. It can promote moving in a direction. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the gap between the ridges 58 becomes smaller as the distance from the upper wall portion 30a of the tank 30 in the first direction decreases. Moving away can be encouraged.

In addition, in the present embodiment, a plurality of ridges 58 are provided to form unevenness, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the concave-convex portion can hold the liquid by capillary action, the shape is arbitrary, and for example, a plurality of convex portions, a plurality of concave portions, etc. can be employed. Furthermore, instead of or in addition to the uneven portion, a liquid holding member (liquid holding portion corresponding to an example) can also be provided. Porous members or fibers may include, for example, cellulosic nonwoven fabrics, glass fiber nonwoven fabrics, paper, sponges, ceramics, glass porous bodies, and the like. Further, the lid member 50 may be detachable from the tank 30 by the user, or may be fixed to the tank 30 so as not to be removed.

Further, the uneven portion of the present embodiment is located radially outside the aerosol flow path 32 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the aerosol passing through the aerosol flow path 32 from reaching the irregularities, and as a result, it is possible to suppress the aerosol from condensing on the irregularities. Even when a liquid holding member made of a porous member, fiber, or the like is arranged between the top plate portion 52 of the lid member 50 and the upper wall portion 30a of the tank 30, the liquid holding member Outwardly spaced positions are preferred.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of ridges 58 are provided to form unevenness, but the lid member 50 may not have the ridges 58 as long as the liquid can be retained by capillary action. FIG. 11 is a schematic side sectional view of a tank 30 provided with a lid member 50 according to another embodiment. Although the lid member 50 shown in FIG. 11 does not have the protrusion 58, the liquid droplets that have reached the tip of the liquid evacuation portion are trapped in the gap ( (corresponding to an example of a liquid holding portion) by capillary action. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the distance between the tank 30 side surface of the top plate portion 52 of the lid member 50 and the upper wall portion 30a of the tank 30 becomes smaller as the distance from the aerosol flow path 32 increases in the second direction. , a lid member 50 is formed. As a result, droplets that have reached the tip of the liquid evacuation portion are first held in a relatively large gap between the top plate portion 52 of the lid member 50 and the upper wall portion 30 a of the tank 30 . Also, the illustrated embodiment may facilitate capillary movement of droplets held in a relatively large gap in a second direction away from opening 56 .

The distance between the tank 30 side surface of the top plate portion 52 of the lid member 50 and the upper wall portion 30a of the tank 30 may be constant. Also, the lid member 50 shown in FIG. 11 may be provided with the protrusions 58 shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C.

FIG. 12 is a schematic top view of the tank 30 of the non-combustion heating flavor inhaler 100 according to still another embodiment. As illustrated, one or more ridges 36 are formed on the tip surface of the tank 30 . As a result, an uneven portion (corresponding to an example of a liquid holding portion) is formed on the end face of the upper wall portion 30a of the tank 30 on the tip side. This uneven portion communicates with the liquid evacuation portion of the tank 30 .

As shown in FIG. 12 , it is preferable that the protrusion 36 is configured such that the gap between the protrusions 36 becomes smaller as the distance from the aerosol flow path 32 increases in the second direction. Further, similarly to the protrusion 58 shown in FIG. 10C, the protrusion 36 is preferably configured such that the gap between the protrusions 36 becomes smaller as the distance from the upper wall portion 30a increases in the first direction. . Note that the size of the gap between the protrusions 36 is arbitrary, and may be constant, for example.

Since the tank 30 has an uneven portion that communicates with the liquid evacuation portion, droplets that have reached the tip of the liquid evacuation portion are held by the uneven portion of the tank 30 by capillary action. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the liquid that has been saved in the liquid saving section from reaching the inside of the user's mouth. In addition, in the present embodiment, the gap between the protrusions 36 becomes smaller as the distance from the aerosol flow path 32 increases in the second direction, so the liquid moves away from the aerosol flow path 32 in the second direction due to capillary action. It can promote moving in a direction. Furthermore, in the case where the gap between the protrusions 36 becomes smaller as the distance from the top wall portion 30a of the tank 30 in the first direction increases, the liquid flows in the first direction due to capillary action. Moving away from the top wall 30a of the tank 30 can be encouraged.

In addition, in the present embodiment, a plurality of ridges 58 are provided to form unevenness, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the concave-convex portion can hold the liquid by capillary action, the shape is arbitrary, and for example, a plurality of convex portions, a plurality of concave portions, etc. can be employed. Further, instead of or in addition to the uneven portion, the upper wall portion 30a of the tank 30 may be provided with a liquid retaining member (corresponding to an example of the liquid retaining portion) made of a porous member, fiber, or the like. The porous member or fiber may include, for example, cellulosic nonwoven fabric, glass fiber nonwoven fabric, paper, sponge, ceramic, glass porous body, and the like. Also, the lid member 50 shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C or 11 may be attached to the tip of the tank 30 shown in FIG.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, specification and drawings. is possible. Any shape or material that is not directly described in the specification and drawings is within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention as long as it produces the action and effect of the present invention.

Some of the forms disclosed in this specification are described below.

According to a first aspect, an atomization unit is provided. The atomization unit has an atomization part configured to atomize an aerosol source, a tank holding the aerosol source, and a liquid holding part provided at the tip of the tank. The tank has a channel wall defining at least a portion of an aerosol channel through which the aerosol produced by atomizing the aerosol source extends in a first direction. The atomization unit further has a liquid evacuation section provided in the aerosol flow path. The liquid holding portion communicates with the liquid evacuation portion.

A second aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, a lid member is provided at the tip of the tank, and the liquid holding portion is provided between the tip of the tank and the lid member.

A third embodiment is the second embodiment, wherein the liquid holding section is a first liquid holding section formed on a surface of the lid member facing the tip of the tank, communicating with the liquid evacuation section and capable of holding the aerosol source. The gist is to include an uneven portion.

A fourth aspect is characterized in that, in the second aspect or the third aspect, the lid member has an opening that communicates with the aerosol flow path and allows aerosol to pass therethrough.

The gist of a fifth embodiment is that in the third embodiment or the fourth embodiment, the first uneven portion includes a first ridge portion extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

A sixth aspect is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, the gap formed by the first ridge portion becomes smaller as the distance from the aerosol flow path increases in the second direction.

A seventh embodiment is the fifth embodiment or the sixth embodiment, wherein the gap formed by the first ridge portion increases with increasing distance from the surface of the lid member facing the tip of the tank in the first direction. is the gist.

In an eighth embodiment, in the second to seventh embodiments, the distance between the surface of the lid member facing the tip of the tank and the tip of the tank is in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The gist is that it becomes smaller as it gets farther from the road.

A ninth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the liquid retaining portion includes a second concave-convex portion formed on the tip surface of the tank.

A tenth aspect is characterized in that, in the ninth aspect, the second uneven portion includes a second ridge portion extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

The gist of the eleventh mode is that in the tenth mode, the gap formed by the second ridge portion becomes smaller as the distance from the aerosol flow path increases in the second direction.

A gist of a twelfth embodiment is that, in the tenth embodiment or the eleventh embodiment, the gap formed by the second ridge portion becomes smaller as the distance from the tip of the tank increases in the first direction.

A thirteenth form is any one of the first to twelfth forms, wherein the aerosol channel comprises a first aerosol channel and a second aerosol channel communicating with a downstream side of the first aerosol channel. and the liquid evacuation section is provided in the second aerosol flow path and extends downstream of the second aerosol flow path from a boundary between the first aerosol flow path and the second aerosol flow path. The gist is to be configured.

According to a fourteenth form, there is provided a non-combustion heating flavor inhaler. A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler has an atomizing unit according to any one of the first to thirteenth forms, and a power source for supplying power to the atomizing section.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Cartridge 14... Atomization part 30... Tank 30a... Top wall part 30b... Bottom wall part 30c... Outer wall part 32... Aerosol flow path 32a... First aerosol flow path 32b... Second aerosol flow path 34... Inner wall part 34a... First aerosol flow channel wall portion 34b Second aerosol flow channel wall portion 36 Ridge portion 40 Flat portion 42 Slit 42a Corner portion 50 Lid member 56 Opening 58 Ridge portion 92 Power source 100 Non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler

Claims (15)

an atomization unit,
an atomization section configured to atomize an aerosol source;
a tank holding the aerosol source;
and a liquid holding portion provided at the tip of the tank,
the tank has a channel wall defining at least part of an aerosol channel through which the aerosol generated by atomizing the aerosol source passes and which extends in a first direction;
The atomization unit further has a liquid evacuation section provided in the aerosol flow path,
The atomization unit, wherein the liquid retaining section communicates with the liquid retracting section. An atomization unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein
The tank has at least an upper wall,
The atomization unit, wherein the liquid holding portion is provided on a tip surface of the upper wall portion of the tank. The atomization unit according to claim 1 or 2 ,
Having a lid member arranged at the tip of the tank,
The atomization unit, wherein the liquid holding portion is provided between the tip of the tank and the lid member. An atomization unit according to claim 3 , wherein
The atomization unit, wherein the liquid holding section includes a first concave-convex section formed on a surface of the lid member facing the tip of the tank, communicating with the liquid evacuation section and capable of holding the aerosol source. In the atomization unit according to claim 3 or 4 ,
The atomization unit, wherein the lid member communicates with the aerosol flow path and has an opening through which the aerosol can pass. In the atomization unit according to claim 4 or claim 5 citing claim 4 ,
The atomization unit, wherein the first uneven portion includes a first ridge extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. An atomization unit according to claim 6 , wherein
The atomization unit, wherein a gap formed by the first protrusion becomes smaller in the second direction as the distance from the aerosol flow path increases. In the atomization unit according to claim 6 or 7 ,
The atomization unit, wherein a gap formed by the first ridge portion increases with increasing distance from a surface of the lid member facing the tip of the tank in the first direction. In the atomization unit according to any one of claims 3 to 8 ,
The atomization unit, wherein a distance between the surface of the lid member facing the tip of the tank and the tip of the tank decreases as the distance from the aerosol flow path increases in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In the atomization unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
The atomization unit, wherein the liquid holding portion includes a second concave-convex portion formed on the tip surface of the tank. An atomization unit according to claim 10 , wherein
The atomization unit, wherein the second uneven portion includes a second ridge extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. An atomization unit according to claim 11 , wherein
The atomization unit, wherein a gap formed by the second ridge portion becomes smaller as the distance from the aerosol flow path increases in the second direction. An atomization unit according to claim 11 or 12 ,
The atomization unit, wherein a gap formed by the second protrusion becomes smaller in the first direction as the distance from the tip of the tank increases. An atomization unit according to any one of claims 1 to 13 ,
The aerosol channel has a first aerosol channel and a second aerosol channel communicating with the downstream side of the first aerosol channel,
The liquid evacuation section is provided in the second aerosol flow path and configured to extend downstream of the second aerosol flow path from a boundary between the first aerosol flow path and the second aerosol flow path. , atomization unit. an atomization unit according to any one of claims 1 to 14 ;
and a power supply for supplying power to the atomizing part.

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