RU2776841C2 - Inhaler - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medical equipment.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to inhalers. A controller for the control of a spraying unit is disclosed, wherein the spraying unit contains piezoelectric element substrate containing an interdigital transducer (IDT) containing pairs of interconnected interdigital metal electrodes, and a liquid supplier made with the possibility of supply of liquid to be sprayed to piezoelectric element substrate. In this case, piezoelectric element substrate is made with the possibility of spraying of liquid from piezoelectric element substrate by means of using a surface acoustic wave formed by means of application of high-frequency voltage to pairs of interconnected interdigital metal electrodes. The controller is made with the possibility of periodic change in amplitude and/or frequency of high-frequency voltage applied to pairs of interconnected interdigital metal electrodes in such a way that spraying formation of particles with particle sizes, which are more than a predetermined size, is suppressed. A non-volatile machine-readable carrier storing a program providing a processor with the possibility of functioning as the above-mentioned controller, and controllers (options) allowing the suppression of spraying formation of particles with particle sizes, which are more than the predetermined size, are also disclosed.

EFFECT: group of inventions provides for the effective use of liquid and implementation of stable aerosol spraying.

20 cl, 83 dwg

Description

The technical field to which the invention belongs

[0001] The present invention relates to an inhaler.

State of the art

[0002] Conventionally, a spray unit configured to spray a liquid by using a piezoelectric element substrate having an IDT (interdigital transducer) made from a pair of interconnected comb electrodes capable of generating a SAW (surface acoustic wave) has been known (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Additionally, a technology has been proposed in which such a spray unit is used for an aroma inhaler (for example, Patent Document 3).

List of bibliographic references

Patent Documents

[0003] PTL 1. Patent Application Publication (Japan) No. 2012-24646

PTL 2. Japanese Patent Application Publication (PCT Application Translation) No. 2016-513992

PTL3. Patent (USA) No. 2017/0280771

The essence of the invention

The present invention is directed to improving such atomizing units by enabling the efficient use of a liquid and realizing a stable nebulization of an aerosol. In particular, this is achieved by suppressing the scattering of the bulk droplet, in particular by suppressing the formation, by sputtering, of particles whose size exceeds a predetermined size.

[0004] The first feature is an inhaler, and the essence of this is that the inhaler contains a first liquid storage unit; a second liquid storage unit; a spraying unit that includes a piezoelectric element substrate having an IDT constructed by using a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes, and configured to spray liquid by a surface acoustic wave generated by applying a high frequency voltage to a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes; and a mouthpiece for directing the aerosol which is formed by spraying the liquid in the spray unit; wherein the spray unit is configured to spray the first liquid supplied from the first liquid storage unit and the second liquid supplied from the second liquid storage unit, respectively.

[0005] The second feature contains the first feature, the essence of which is that the first fluid and the second fluid are different from each other.

[0006] The third feature contains the first feature or the second feature, the essence of which is that the first liquid contains at least nicotine.

[0007] The fourth feature contains a third feature, the essence of which is that the first liquid additionally contains at least one of an acid, a flavor component, and a somatosensory component.

[0008] The fifth feature contains one of the first to fourth features, the essence of which is that the second liquid contains an aromatic component.

[0009] The sixth feature contains the fifth feature, the essence of which is that the aromatic component contains at least one of menthol, limonene, citral, linalool, vanillin, carvone and their glycosides.

[0010] The seventh feature contains a fifth feature or a sixth feature, the essence of which is that the second liquid further contains at least one of a flavor component, a somatosensory component, an emulsifier, glycerin, propylene glycol, and ethanol.

[0011] The eighth feature contains one of the first to seventh features, the essence of which is that the mouthpiece contains the first flow path through which the first aerosol formed by spraying the first liquid mainly passes, and the second flow path through which the a second aerosol formed by spraying the second liquid.

[0012] The ninth feature contains the eighth feature, and it depends on the third feature or the fourth feature, the essence of which is that the first flow path is defined by a tubular channel that contains at least a part that is curved.

The tenth feature contains the eighth feature, and it depends on one of the fifth to seventh features, the essence of which is that the second flow path is defined by means of an approximately straight tubular channel.

[0013] The eleventh feature contains the eighth feature, and it depends on the third feature or the fourth feature, the essence of which is that the first flow path contains an air flow acceleration element, which is designed to reduce the first flow path.

The twelfth feature contains the first feature, the essence of which is that the first flow path contains a catching element, which is placed in such a way that the aerosol passing through the air flow acceleration element collides with the catching element.

[0014] The thirteenth feature contains one of the first to seventh features, the essence of which is that the mouthpiece contains a flow path in which the aerosol, which is formed by spraying the first liquid, swirls while the aerosol passes through the flow path.

[0015] The fourteenth feature contains one of the first to thirteenth features, the essence of which is that the substrate of the piezoelectric element contains a front surface on which a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes is placed; a rear surface positioned opposite the front surface; and a pair of edges opposite each other; and the inhaler further comprises a first liquid dispenser configured to deliver a first liquid to one of the edges of the piezoelectric element substrate and a second liquid dispenser configured to deliver a second liquid to the other of the edges of the piezoelectric element substrate.

[0016] The fifteenth feature contains the fourteenth feature, the essence of which is that the inhaler contains a cover that covers the front surface of the substrate of the piezoelectric element; wherein the lid comprises a part of the first opening, which is positioned immediately above one edge and through which the first aerosol passes, which is formed by spraying the first liquid, and a part of the second opening, which is positioned immediately above the other edge and through which the second aerosol passes, which is formed by spraying second liquid.

[0017] The sixteenth feature contains the fifteenth feature, the essence of which is that the lid contains an opening that is different from part of the first opening and part of the second opening; wherein the air that flows into the inside of the cover from the opening passes over the IDT and flows to the outside of the cover from the first opening part and the second opening part.

[0018] The seventeenth feature contains the fifteenth feature or the sixteenth feature, the essence of which is that the substrate of the piezoelectric element contains a host area in which a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes is positioned, and the cover is placed in such a way that it closes at least , the portion immediately above the accommodating portion and must not contact the front surface of the substrate of the piezoelectric element.

[0019] The eighteenth feature contains one of the fifteenth to seventeenth features, the essence of which is that the first flow path communicates with a part of the first hole, and the second flow path communicates with a part of the second hole.

[0020] The nineteenth feature contains one of the first to eighteenth features, the essence of which is that the inhaler contains a catching element designed to trap at least part of one of the first aerosol formed by spraying the first liquid, and the second an aerosol formed by spraying the second liquid.

[0021] The twentieth feature is an inhaler, and the essence of this is that the inhaler contains: a piezoelectric element substrate having an IDT constructed by using a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes; a liquid feeder for supplying a liquid to be sprayed to a front surface of the piezoelectric element substrate on which a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes is positioned; a sensor that includes at least a pair of detection parts that are opposite each other, for detecting liquid supplied to the front surface of the substrate of the piezoelectric element; and a controller for controlling, based on the detection result by the sensor, the liquid supply such that the liquid supply supplies a certain amount of liquid to the front surface of the piezoelectric element substrate.

[0022] The twenty-first feature contains the twentieth feature, the essence of which is that the detection portions are positioned spaced from the front surface of the substrate of the piezoelectric element.

[0023] The twenty-second feature contains the twentieth feature or the twenty-first feature, the essence of which is that the substrate of the piezoelectric element contains an edge to which liquid is supplied from the liquid feeder; each of the detection parts contains a convex part that protrudes to the opposite detection part; and the distance between the edge and the convex part is 0.10 mm to 0.20 mm.

[0024] The twenty-third feature contains the twenty-second feature, the essence of which is that the inhaler further comprises a guide wall positioned on the edge side of the substrate of the piezoelectric element; and the distance between the edge and the end surface, on the edge side, of the guide wall is equal to or greater than 0.25 mm.

[0025] The twenty-fourth feature contains a twenty-second feature or a twenty-third feature, the essence of which is that the distance between the convex parts of the detection parts that are opposite each other corresponds to the overlap length of a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes.

[0026] The twenty-fifth feature contains one of the twentieth to twenty-fourth features, the essence of which is that the substrate of the piezoelectric element contains edges that are opposite each other along a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes, and the sensor is placed on each of the edges, which are opposite each other.

[0027] The twenty-sixth feature contains one of the twentieth to twenty-fifth features, the essence of which is that the sensor contains one of an electrical conductivity sensor, a sensor with an emitter and a receiver, and a capacitive sensor.

[0028] The twenty-seventh feature is a controller for controlling the spray unit, the essence of which is that the spray unit includes a piezoelectric element substrate containing an IDT containing a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes, and a liquid feeder configured to supply liquid, which is to be sprayed, to the substrate of the piezoelectric element; wherein the substrate of the piezoelectric element is configured to spray liquid by using a surface acoustic wave generated by applying a high frequency voltage to a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes; and the controller is configured to periodically vary the amplitude and/or frequency of the high frequency voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes.

[0029] The twenty-eighth feature contains the twenty-seventh feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to modulate a high frequency voltage applied to a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes based on a sine wave, square wave, triangular wave, or sawtooth wave; and the modulation is amplitude modulation and/or frequency modulation.

[0030] The twenty-ninth feature contains the twenty-seventh feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to modify the amplitude of the high-frequency voltage applied to a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes, so that it has the form of a sine wave, a square wave, a triangular wave or sawtooth wave.

[0031] The thirtieth contains the twenty-ninth feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to modify the amplitude of the high frequency voltage applied to a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes by providing, alternately, the period during which the high frequency voltage is applied, and period during which high frequency voltage is not applied.

[0032] The thirty-first feature contains one of the twenty-eighth to thirtieth features, the essence of which is that the duty cycle of the square wave pulses is set in such a way that damage to the substrate of the piezoelectric element due to high temperature is not allowed, and / or in such a way that the formation, by sputtering, of particles having particle sizes that are larger than a predetermined size is suppressed when a high frequency voltage is applied to a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes.

[0033] The thirty-second feature contains a twenty-eighth feature or a twenty-ninth feature, the essence of which is that in one period of a triangular wave, the ratio between the amplitude and the length of the period during which the change occurs in the first direction, which is parallel to the amplitude , and the relationship between the amplitude and the length of the period during which the change occurs in the second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, are set so that damage to the substrate of the piezoelectric element due to high temperature is not allowed, and/or so that the formation, by sputtering , particles having particle sizes that are larger than a predetermined size are suppressed when a high frequency voltage is applied to a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes.

[0034] The thirty-third feature contains the twenty-eighth feature or the twenty-ninth feature, the essence of which is that the ratio between the length of one period and the amplitude of the sawtooth wave is set in such a way that damage to the substrate of the piezoelectric element due to high temperature is not allowed, and/ or in such a way that the formation, by sputtering, of particles having particle sizes that are larger than a predetermined size is suppressed when a high frequency voltage is applied to a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes.

[0035] The thirty-fourth feature contains one of the twenty-seventh to thirty-third features, the essence of which is that the periodic change frequency is equal to or greater than 50 Hz and equal to or less than 500 Hz.

[0036] The thirty-fifth feature is a controller for controlling the spraying unit, the essence of which is that the spraying unit contains a piezoelectric element substrate containing an IDT containing a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes, and a liquid feeder configured to supply liquid, which is to be sprayed, to the substrate of the piezoelectric element; wherein the substrate of the piezoelectric element is configured to spray liquid by using a surface acoustic wave generated by applying a high frequency voltage to a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes; and the controller executes control to start supplying the liquid to be sprayed to the piezoelectric element substrate after a predetermined time has elapsed from when the high frequency voltage is started to be applied to the pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes.

[0037] The thirty-sixth feature contains the thirty-fifth feature, the essence of which is that the predetermined duration is set such that the formation, by spraying, of particles having particle sizes larger than the predetermined size is suppressed.

[0038] The thirty-seventh feature contains the thirty-fifth feature or the thirty-sixth feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to set a speed in order to supply the liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element, equal to a predetermined value , immediately after the feed begins.

[0039] The thirty-eighth feature contains the thirty-fifth feature or the thirty-sixth feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to set the speed in order to supply the liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element, equal to zero immediately after before the feed starts, and gradually increase the feed rate to a predetermined value.

[0040] The thirty-ninth feature contains the thirty-eighth feature, the essence of which is that the duration during which the feed rate is increased from zero to a predetermined value is set in such a way that the formation, by spraying, of particles having particle sizes , which are larger than the predefined size, are suppressed.

[0041] The fortieth feature is a controller for controlling the spray unit, the essence of which is that the spray unit contains a piezoelectric element substrate containing an IDT containing a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes, a liquid feeder configured to supply a liquid that should sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element, and a sensor for determining the amount of liquid to be sprayed that exists on the substrate of the piezoelectric element; wherein the substrate of the piezoelectric element is configured to atomize liquid by using a surface acoustic wave generated by applying a high frequency voltage to a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes; and the controller is configured to control the supply of liquid to be sprayed to the piezoelectric element substrate based on the amount of liquid existing on the piezoelectric element substrate.

[0042] The forty-first feature contains the fortieth feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to start, at the same time, applying a high-frequency voltage to a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes and supplying a liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element.

[0043] The forty-second feature contains the fortieth feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to start supplying the liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element, after the start of applying a high-frequency voltage to a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes.

[0044] The forty-third feature contains one of the forty-forty-second features, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to control the supply of liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element in such a way that the amount that is in the first a predetermined range of amounts of liquid to be sprayed exists on the substrate of the piezoelectric element before the application of a high frequency voltage to a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes begins.

[0045] The forty-fourth feature contains the forty-third feature, the essence of which is that the first predetermined range of amounts is set in such a way that the formation, by spraying, of particles having particle sizes that are larger than the predetermined size is suppressed.

[0046] The forty-fifth feature contains one of the forty-forty-fourth features, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to control the supply of the liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element in such a way that the rate of supply of the liquid to be sprayed sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element is set to a predetermined value or a predetermined change, after the application of a high frequency voltage to a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes is started.

[0047] The forty-sixth feature contains one of the forty-forty-fifth features, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to stop the supply of the liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element, if the amount of liquid to be sprayed , existing on the substrate of the piezoelectric element, is equal to or higher than the upper limit in the second predetermined range of amounts, when the liquid to be sprayed is supplied to the substrate of the piezoelectric element; and the upper limit and lower limit of the second predetermined amount range are equal to or higher than the upper limit and lower limit of the first predetermined amount range, respectively.

[0048] The forty-seventh feature contains the forty-sixth feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to restart the supply of the liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element, if the amount of liquid to be sprayed existing on the piezoelectric element substrate is less than the lower limit of the second predetermined amount range when the supply of liquid to be sprayed to the piezoelectric element substrate is stopped.

[0049] The forty-eighth feature contains the forty-sixth feature or the forty-seventh feature, the essence of which is that the second predetermined range of amounts is set in such a way that the formation, by spraying, of particles having particle sizes that are larger than the predetermined size , is suppressed.

[0050] The forty-ninth feature contains a program, the essence of which is that the program instructs the processor to function as at least part of the controller set forth in one of the twenty-seventh to forty-eighth features.

[0051] The fiftieth feature is an inhaler, and the essence of this is that the inhaler contains a spray unit that contains a piezoelectric element substrate having a first IDT, consisting of a pair of interconnected comb electrodes, and is configured to spray liquid by means of a surface acoustic wave, formed by applying a high frequency voltage to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes, and a controller configured to monitor a resonant frequency of the pair of interconnected comb electrodes and apply a voltage to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes at a frequency determined based on the monitored resonant frequency.

[0052] The fifty-first feature contains the fiftieth feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured, while tracking the resonant frequency, to apply a voltage to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes at a frequency selected from several different frequencies, and determine, as resonant frequency, the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes when the power reflected from the pair of interconnected comb electrodes is the lowest.

[0053] The fifty-second feature contains the fifty-first feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to determine the first power reflected from a pair of interconnected comb electrodes, when a voltage is applied to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes at a first frequency, to determine the second power reflected from a pair of interconnected comb electrodes when a voltage is applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes at a second frequency separated from the first frequency by a first value, and apply voltage to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes at a third frequency separated from the second frequency by a second value which is less the first value when the second power is lower than the first power.

[0054] The fifty-third feature contains the fifty-first feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to monitor the reflected power from a pair of interconnected comb electrodes while discretely increasing or decreasing the frequency of the voltage applied to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes, to complete the scan, when the trend of the value indicating the reflected power shifts from a downtrend to an uptrend, and determine, as a resonant frequency, the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes when the reflected power becomes the smallest.

[0055] The fifty-fourth feature contains the fifty-first feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to monitor the reflected power from a pair of interconnected comb electrodes with a discrete increase in the frequency of the voltage applied to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes, to reduce the voltage frequency variation range applied to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes and incrementally decrease the frequency when the trend of the value indicative of the reflected power shifts from a downtrend to an uptrend.

[0056] The fifty-fifth feature contains the fifty-first feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to track the reflected power from a pair of interconnected comb electrodes while discretely reducing the frequency of the voltage applied to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes, to reduce the voltage frequency variation range applied to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes, and incrementally increase the frequency when the trend of the value indicative of the reflected power shifts from a downtrend to an uptrend.

[0057] The fifty-sixth feature contains the fifty-first feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to determine the resonant frequency monitored before the liquid is sprayed by the spraying unit, the resonant frequency estimated from the temperature of the substrate of the piezoelectric element, or the frequency closest to the resonant frequency during the previous inhalation, as the frequency to be chosen first from several different frequencies.

[0058] The fifty-seventh feature contains the fiftieth feature, the essence of which is that the inhaler further comprises a second IDT located on the substrate of the piezoelectric element and configured to generate a voltage in response to a surface acoustic wave, and the controller is configured to, when tracking the resonant frequency, apply a voltage to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes at a frequency selected from several different frequencies, and determine, as the resonant frequency, the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes when the voltage occurring in the second IDT is the highest.

[0059] The fifty-eighth feature contains the fifty-seventh feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to determine the first voltage that occurs in the second IDT, when a voltage is applied to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes at a first frequency, to determine the second voltage that occurs in the second IDT, while applying a voltage to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes at a second frequency separated from the first frequency by a first value, and applying voltage to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes at a third frequency separated from the second frequency by a second value that is less than the first value when the second voltage is higher than the first voltage.

[0060] The fifty-ninth feature contains the fifty-seventh feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to monitor the voltage that occurs in the second IDT by discretely increasing or decreasing the frequency of the voltage applied to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes, to complete the scan when the trend of the voltage value occurring at the second IDT is shifted from an upward trend to a downward trend, and determine, as a resonant frequency, the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes when the voltage becomes the largest.

[0061] The sixtieth feature contains the fifty-seventh feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to monitor the voltage that occurs in the second IDT by discretely increasing the frequency of the voltage applied to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes, to reduce the range of variation in the frequency of the voltage applied to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes, and incrementally decrease the frequency when the trend of the voltage value occurring in the second IDT shifts from an uptrend to a downtrend.

[0062] The sixty-first feature contains the fifty-seventh feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to track the voltage that occurs in the second IDT by discretely reducing the frequency of the voltage applied to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes, to reduce the range of voltage frequency variation, applied to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes, and incrementally increase the frequency when the trend of the voltage value occurring in the second IDT shifts from an uptrend to a downtrend.

[0063] The sixty-second feature contains the fifty-seventh feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to determine the resonant frequency monitored before the liquid is sprayed by the spray unit, the resonant frequency estimated from the temperature of the substrate of the piezoelectric element, or the frequency closest to the resonant frequency during the previous inhalation, as the frequency to be chosen first from several different frequencies.

[0064] The sixty-third feature contains any of the fiftieth to sixty-second features, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to monitor the resonant frequency before or after the end of spraying the liquid through the spray unit.

[0065] The sixty-fourth feature comprises any one of the fifty-sixth to sixty-second features, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to monitor the resonant frequency upon detecting a request to spray liquid.

[0066] The sixty-fifth feature comprises any one of the fifty-sixty-second features, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to apply a voltage to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes at a frequency determined based on the monitored resonant frequency during liquid spraying by means of a spraying block.

[0067] The sixty-sixth feature contains the sixty-third feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to determine the frequency range including the monitored resonant frequency and control the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes, thus, that it varies within a certain range of frequencies during the atomization of liquid by the atomization unit.

[0068] The sixty-seventh feature contains the sixty-sixth feature, the essence of which is that the inhaler further comprises a memory unit for maintaining a correspondence between the resonant frequency and the frequency range, and the controller is configured to determine the frequency range based on the monitored resonant frequency and the correspondence .

[0069] The sixty-eighth feature contains any of the fifty-sixth to sixty-second features, the essence of which is that the resonant frequency is monitored during liquid spraying by the spray unit.

[0070] The sixty-ninth feature contains the sixth-eighth feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to control the frequency of the voltage applied to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes, so that it varies within a predetermined range, and to regulate in advance a defined range such that it includes the monitored resonant frequency while the liquid is being atomized by the atomizing unit.

[0071] The seventieth feature contains the sixty-eighth feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to control the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes, and determine the monitored resonant frequency as the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes during the next inhalation, during the spraying of the liquid through the spraying unit.

[0072] The seventy-first sign contains any of the fiftieth to sixty-second signs, the essence of which is that the inhaler additionally contains a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the substrate of the piezoelectric element, while the controller is configured to receive the temperature determined by the temperature sensor, and determining the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes based on the detected temperature at the time of atomizing the liquid by the atomizing unit.

[0073] The seventy-second feature comprises the seventy-first feature, the essence of which is that the controller is configured to predict the variation of the resonant frequency during the spraying of liquid by the spraying unit based on a certain temperature and determine the frequency of the voltage applied to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes , based on the predicted resonant frequency variation.

[0074] The seventy-third feature contains the seventy-second feature, the essence of which is that the inhaler further comprises a memory unit for maintaining a correspondence between the temperature and the resonant frequency of a pair of interconnected comb electrodes, while the controller is configured to predict the variation of the resonant frequency based on certain temperature and compliance.

Brief description of the drawings

[0075] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an aroma inhaler 1 according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a spray unit 100 according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a top view of the SAW unit 30 as viewed from the front surface of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 .

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a cross section of the SAW module 30.

Fig. 5 is a diagram for describing an aerosol generation mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a diagram for describing the through slit 34 according to the first modification.

Fig. 7 is a diagram for describing a partition wall 37 according to the second modification.

Fig. 8 is a diagram for describing a partition wall 37 according to the second modification.

Fig. 9 is a diagram for describing the hydrophilic layer 38 according to the third modification.

Fig. 10 shows photographs of the result of the first experiment.

Fig. 11 is a table showing the result of the second experiment.

Fig. 12 is a graph showing the result of the third experiment.

Fig. 13 is a diagram for describing the fifth modification.

Fig. 14 is a diagram for describing the sixth modification.

Fig. 15 is a diagram for describing the sixth modification.

Fig. 16 is a diagram for describing the seventh modification.

Fig. 17 is a diagram for describing the seventh modification.

Fig. 18 is a diagram for describing the eighth modification.

Fig. 19 is a diagram for describing the eighth modification.

Fig. 20 is a diagram for describing the eighth modification.

Fig. 21 is a diagram for describing the ninth modification.

Fig. 22 is a diagram for describing the ninth modification.

Fig. 23 is a diagram for describing the ninth modification.

Fig. 24 is a diagram for describing the ninth modification.

Fig. 25 is a diagram for describing the ninth modification.

Fig. 26 is a diagram for describing the tenth modification.

Fig. 27 is a diagram for describing the eleventh modification.

Fig. 28 is a diagram for describing the twelfth modification.

Fig. 29 is a diagram for describing the thirteenth modification.

Fig. 30 is a diagram for describing the fourteenth modification.

Fig. 31 is a diagram for describing the fourteenth modification.

Fig. 32 is a diagram for describing the fourteenth modification.

Fig. 33 is a diagram for describing the fourteenth modification.

Fig. 34 is a diagram for describing the fifteenth modification.

Fig. 35 is a diagram for describing the sixteenth modification.

Fig. 36 is a diagram for describing the sixteenth modification.

Fig. 37 is a diagram for describing the seventeenth modification.

Fig. 38 is a diagram for describing the eighteenth modification.

Fig. 39 is a diagram for describing the nineteenth modification.

Fig. 40 is a diagram for describing the nineteenth modification.

Fig. 41 is a diagram for describing the nineteenth modification.

Fig. 42 is a diagram for describing the twentieth modification.

Fig. 43 is a diagram for describing the twentieth modification.

Fig. 44 is a diagram for describing the twentieth modification.

Fig. 45 is a diagram for describing the twenty-second modification.

Fig. 46 is a diagram for describing the twenty-third modification.

Fig. 47 is a diagram for describing the twenty-third modification.

Fig. 48 is a diagram for describing the result of an experiment.

Fig. 49 is a perspective view showing an example of the exterior of the unit, which is the unit from which the sensor, controller, and power source of the aroma inhaler 1 shown in FIG. one.

Fig. 50 is a longitudinal section of the block shown in FIG. 49.

Fig. 51 is an exploded perspective view of the block shown in FIG. 49.

Fig. 52 is an exploded perspective view of a spray unit from which the first cover and the second cover have been removed.

Fig. 53 is a cross-sectional view of the spray block.

Fig. 54 is a cross-sectional side view of the mouthpiece.

Fig. 55 is a side cross-sectional view showing another example of a mouthpiece.

Fig. 56 is a perspective view showing a further example of a mouthpiece.

Fig. 57 is a schematic drawing of a mouthpiece showing cross sections of a separating portion and an air outlet shown in FIG. 56.

Fig. 58 is a side cross-sectional view showing yet another additional example of a mouthpiece.

Fig. 59 is a schematic side view showing air flow through the mouthpiece shown in FIG. 58.

Fig. 60 is a side cross-sectional view showing yet another additional example of a mouthpiece.

Fig. 61 is a schematic side view showing air flow through the mouthpiece shown in FIG. 60.

Fig. 62 is a graph showing the measurement result of the diameter distribution relative to the aerosol in Experiment 1.

Fig. 63 is a graph showing throat discomfort.

Fig. 64 is an enlarged view of a part removed from the spray unit shown in FIG. 52.

Fig. 65 is a graph showing the relationship between the C2 spaces shown in FIG. 64, and sprayed values.

Fig. 66 is a graph showing the relationship between the L1 spaces shown in FIG. 64, and sprayed values.

Fig. 67 is a drawing for explaining the twenty-sixth modification A.

Fig. 68 is a drawing for explaining the twenty-sixth modification A.

Fig. 69 is a drawing for explaining the twenty-sixth modification D.

Fig. 70 is a drawing for explaining the twenty-sixth modification D.

Fig. 71 is a drawing for explaining the twenty-sixth modification D.

Fig. 72 is a drawing for explaining the twenty-sixth modification D.

Fig. 73 is a drawing for explaining the twenty-sixth modification E.

Fig. 74 is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of the inhaler according to the twenty-seventh modification.

Fig. 75 illustrates an example of an inhaler control circuit.

Fig. 76 is a flowchart illustrating a specific example of the process performed at block 4004 in FIG. 74.

Fig. 77 shows graphs for explaining an example of the method for determining the resonant frequency during the process illustrated in FIG. 76.

Fig. 78A illustrates a configuration example of the inhaler according to the twenty-seventh modification for determining the resonant frequency by a method different from the method explained in FIG. 77.

Fig. 78B illustrates an arrangement example of the first and second IDTs.

Fig. 78C illustrates an arrangement example of the first and second IDTs.

Fig. 78D illustrates an arrangement example of the first and second IDTs.

Fig. 79 is a flowchart illustrating a specific example of the process performed at block 4004 in FIG. 74.

Fig. 80A is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of the inhaler according to the twenty-seventh modification.

Fig. 80B is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of the inhaler according to the twenty-seventh modification.

Fig. 80C is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of the inhaler according to the twenty-seventh modification.

Fig. 81A is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of the inhaler according to the twenty-seventh modification.

Fig. 81B is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of the inhaler according to the twenty-seventh modification.

Fig. 81C is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of the inhaler according to the twenty-seventh modification.

Fig. 82 is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of the inhaler according to the twenty-seventh modification.

Fig. 83 is a flowchart illustrating a specific example of the process performed at block 4814.

Detailed description of embodiments

[0076] The following explains embodiments of the present invention. In the following description of the drawings, identical or similar parts are identified by identical or similar reference numbers. It should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and dimensional ratios, etc. may differ from actual ratios.

[0077] Therefore, specific dimensions, etc. must be determined by referring to the description below. Of course, the drawings may include portions of various sizes and ratios.

[0078] Disclosure of the Invention

As described in the technical field section, a technology is proposed in which an atomizing unit using a piezoelectric element substrate is used for an aroma inhaler. As a result of extensive research, the inventors have found that various means must be devised when using a piezoelectric element substrate in a spray unit to be used for an aroma inhaler.

[0079] The spray unit according to the general presentation of the disclosure comprises: a piezoelectric element substrate having an interdigital transducer made from a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes; and a liquid feeder configured to supply the liquid to be aerosolized to the substrate of the piezoelectric element. The substrate of the piezoelectric element is configured to atomize liquid by using a surface acoustic wave generated by applying a voltage to a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes at a high frequency (resonant frequency). The substrate of the piezoelectric element has a certain number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes, the certain number being determined based on the desired aerosol sprayed by using a surface acoustic wave.

[0080] According to the General presentation of the disclosure of the essence, the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes is determined based on the desired aerosol. Therefore, as a spray unit having a limited power that can be supplied to a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes, a corresponding spray unit can be provided by improving the liquid spray efficiency.

[0081] Embodiment

Aroma inhaler

The aromatic inhaler according to the embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an aroma inhaler 1 according to an embodiment.

[0082] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the aroma inhaler 1 has a spray unit 100, a liquid storage unit 200, a sensor 300, a controller 400, and a power source 500. The aroma inhaler 1 has a casing 1X configured to accommodate a spray unit 100, a liquid storage unit 200, a sensor 300, a controller 400, and a power source 500. The housing 1X may have a rectangular box shape as illustrated in FIG. 1, or may be cylindrical. The aroma inhaler 1 has a chamber 1C connected from an inlet 1A to an outlet 1B. The outlet 1B may include a mouthpiece 1D. Mouthpiece 1D may be a continuous body with 1X shroud, or may be a separate body from 1X shroud. Mouthpiece 1D may have a filter.

[0083] The atomizing unit 100 sprays the liquid to be aerosolized supplied from the liquid storage unit 200. The atomizing unit 100 uses surface acoustic wave (SAW) to atomize the liquid. The spray unit 100 may be a cartridge configured to be removable. Detailed information regarding the spray unit 100 is provided below.

[0084] The liquid storage unit 200 stores liquid. The fluid storage unit 200 may be a cartridge configured to be removable. The liquid storage unit 200 may be integrally formed with the spray unit 100. The liquid may include solvents such as water, glycerin, propylene glycol, and ethanol. The liquid may include dissolved components (aromatic components) contributing at least any of flavor and taste. The aromatic component may include a volatile component and a non-volatile component. It may be sufficient that the volatile component is a component commonly used as a flavor. The volatile component may be a vegetable component or a synthetic component. Examples of the volatile component include menthol, limonene, linalool, vanillin, tobacco extract, and the like. The non-volatile component may be a mouthfeel contributing component. Examples of the non-volatile component include sugars such as glucose, fructose, sucrose and lactose; bitter substance such as tannin, catechin and naringin, acids such as malic acid and citric acid, and salts. The liquid may be in an emulsified state with an emulsifier, or may be in a suspended state with a dispersant. The liquid may include an ionic substance and a water-soluble flavor that is insoluble in glycerin and propylene glycol and soluble in water.

[0085] If the liquid storage unit 200 is a cartridge, and the SAW module described below has two or more through slots, liquid may be supplied to two or more through slots from one cartridge, or liquid may be supplied to two or more through slots separately from two or more cartridges. If two or more cartridges are provided, each cartridge can store a different kind of liquid. For example, the first cartridge may store a volatile component and the second cartridge may store a non-volatile component.

[0086] If the liquid storage unit 200 is a cartridge, the cartridge may include the above-described mouthpiece 1D as a continuous body. According to such a configuration, the mouthpiece 1D is also replaced when the cartridge is replaced, and thus the mouthpiece 1D is hygienically maintained.

[0087] If the fluid storage unit 200 is a cartridge, the cartridge may be of a disposable type or may be of a refillable type. The refillable type is one in which the user refills the cartridge with a preferred liquid.

[0088] The sensor 300 detects the puff action of the user. For example, sensor 300 detects gas flow passing through chamber 1C. For example, sensor 300 is a flow sensor. The flow sensor includes an orifice located inside chamber 1C. The flow sensor monitors the pressure difference between the inlet portion of the orifice port and the outlet portion of the orifice port, and detects airflow through the monitored pressure difference.

[0089] The controller 400 is configured of a processor, a storage device, and the like. and manages each configuration provided in the aroma inhaler 1. The controller 400 may be an article capable of being removable. For example, the controller 400 indicates the start of the puff action through the detection result of the sensor 300. The controller 400 may start the spray action of the spray unit 100 in response to the start of the puff action. The controller 400 may indicate the termination of the puff action by means of a detection result of the sensor 300. The controller 400 may terminate the spray action of the spray unit 100 in response to the termination of the puff action. If a certain period elapses from the start of the puff action, the controller 400 may terminate the spray action of the spray unit 100.

[0090] In an embodiment, controller 400 may include a voltage and frequency control circuit configured to control the SAW module described below. The voltage and frequency control circuit controls, as a spraying action of the spray unit 100, the frequency and absolute value of power (for example, AC voltage) supplied to the SAW unit 30. However, as described below, the voltage and frequency control circuit may be provided in circuit board 20 actuation.

[0091] The power source 500 supplies power to drive the aroma inhaler 1. The power source 500 may be a primary battery such as a manganese battery, an alkaline battery, an oxide battery, a nickel battery, a nickel manganese battery, and a lithium battery, or it may be a rechargeable battery such as a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, and a lithium battery. The power source 500 may be a product capable of being removable.

[0092] Atomizing block

The spray unit according to the embodiment will be described below. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a spray unit 100 according to an embodiment.

[0093] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the atomizing unit 100 has a housing 10, an actuating circuit board 20, a SAW module 30, a limit plate 40, and a top cover 50.

The case 10 houses the actuation circuit board 20, the SAW module 30, and the restrictor plate 40. The case 10 may house a case body configured to receive a liquid to be aerosolized, or may house a fluid feeder (e.g., a syringe pump) configured to the ability to supply liquid to the SAW module 30.

[0094] The drive circuit board 20 has a drive circuit configured to drive the SAW module 30. The drive circuit board 20 can be considered to include a part of the controller 400 described above (for example, a voltage and frequency control circuit) . Alternatively, the drive circuit board 20 may be considered part of the controller 400. For example, the drive circuit uses the power supplied from the power source 500 to drive the SAW module 30. The drive circuit controls the frequency and absolute amount of power (for example , AC voltage) supplied to the SAW module 30. The drive circuit may control the amount of liquid supplied to the SAW module 30.

[0095] As described below, SAW module 30 has a piezoelectric element substrate having an interdigital transducer made from at least one pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes. The details of the SAW module 30 are described below (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4).

[0096] The limit plate 40 is a plate member located on the actuation circuit board 20 and the SAW module 30. The actuating circuit board 20 and the SAW module 30 are placed between the case 10 and the limit plate 40. The limit plate 40 has an opening 41 revealing at least the substrate of the piezoelectric element. For example, the restriction plate 40 is configured with stainless steel.

[0097] The top cover 50 is placed on the restriction plate 40. The top cover 50 has an inlet 51 and an outlet 52, and has an air flow path extending from the inlet 51 to the outlet 52. The aerosol is discharged from the SAW module 30 to the outlet 52 through the air flow from the inlet 51 to the outlet 52. The top cover 50 may have an O-ring 53 configured to improve the airtightness of the air flow path. For example, the top cover 50 is configured with resins having heat resistance such as polycarbonates, and the sealing ring 53 may be configured with resins having resilience such as silicon. The position of the outlet 52 may be any position, and the outlet 52 may be provided immediately above the opening 41 of the restrictor plate 40. According to such a configuration, the formed aerosol can be efficiently driven to the direction immediately above the SAW module 30, and the flow path for the aerosol can be shortened. The outlet 52 may have a filter.

[0098] SAW module

The SAW module according to the embodiment will be described below. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a top view of the SAW unit 30 as viewed from the front surface of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a cross section of the SAW module 30.

[0099] As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the SAW module 30 has a piezoelectric element substrate 31, an electrode (a main body portion 32 and an interlocking transducer made of pairs of interlocking comb metal electrodes 33), a through slot 34, and a heat dissipation structure 35. The piezoelectric element substrate 31 is configured to spray liquid by using a SAW formed by applying voltage to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 at a high frequency (resonant frequency).

[0100] The piezoelectric element substrate 31 includes a front surface 31F on which the main body portion 32 and pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 are placed, and a rear surface 31B provided on the opposite side from the front surface 31F. The piezoelectric element substrate 31 includes a piezoelectric body configured to expand and contract as a result of applying a voltage thereto. The portion of the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element in which the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 are placed may be referred to as the host portion 30A. It may be sufficient that the piezoelectric body configures at least the front surface 31F. As the piezoelectric body, a known piezoelectric body configured with ceramics such as quartz, barium titanate, and lithium niobate can be used.

[0101] Plot 32 of the main body is electrically connected to the power source 500. The main body portion 32 includes a first main body portion 32A integrally formed with the first electrode 33A, which is one of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33, and a second main body portion 32B integrally formed with the second electrode 33B, which is the other of the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33. The first main body portion 32A and the second main body portion 32B are disposed, with the host portion 30A disposed midway therebetween, in the orthogonal direction B to the stroke direction A of the SAW. The power output from the battery is supplied to the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 through the main body section 32 .

Pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 include a first electrode 33A and a second electrode 33B. The first electrode 33A and the second electrode 33B are alternately placed in the stroke direction A of the SAW. The first electrode 33A has a shape extending along the orthogonal direction B from the first portion of the main body 32A. The second electrode 33B has a shape extending along the orthogonal direction B from the second main body portion 32B. For example, pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 are configured with gold-plated metal and the like.

[0102] The through slot 34 is a slot passing through the piezoelectric element substrate 31 from the rear surface 31B to the front surface 31F. The through slot 34 forms a flow path leading fluid from the rear surface 31B to the front surface 31F. The slit 34 has, as seen from the top side of the front surface 31F, a maximum width W _MAX in the stroke direction A of the SAW and a maximum length L _MAX in the orthogonal direction B. The maximum length L _MAX is greater than the maximum width W _MAX . In other words, the through slot 34 has a shape that is longer in the orthogonal direction B (eg, an elliptical shape or a rectangular shape). If the through slot 34 has an elliptical shape or a rectangular shape, it may be sufficient that the longitudinal axis of the through slot 34 extends along the orthogonal direction B. "Drag along the orthogonal direction B" may mean a slope in which the longitudinal axis of the through slot 34 is equal to or less than 45 ° with respect to the orthogonal direction B. Preferably, the maximum length L _MAX exceeds the length of the placement portion 30A in the orthogonal direction B (eg, the overlapping portion of the first electrode 33A and the second electrode 33B). As illustrated in FIG. 3, preferably if the through slot 34 includes at least two through slots that are placed in the middle of a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33. According to such a configuration, this increases the interaction of SAW and liquid and increases the volume of liquid sprayed for identical power.

[0103] The heat sink structure 35 is a structure capable of conducting and removing heat generated by reflecting the surface acoustic wave at the edge of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The heat-removing structure 35 includes at least any of a heat-conducting layer and a Peltier element, wherein the heat-conducting layer is configured by a material having a thermal conductivity higher than that of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The heat sink structure 35 has a through slot 35A continuous with respect to the through slot 34. The through slot 35A is a slot through which fluid is led to the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the heat sink structure 35 is a heat conductive layer provided on the rear surface 31B of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the heat sink structure 35 may only need to contact the piezoelectric element substrate 31, and may be placed on the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The heat sink structure 35 may be a Peltier element. The heat sink structure 35 may include both a heat transfer layer and a Peltier element. For example, metals such as aluminum, copper, and iron can be used as the heat transfer layer, and carbon, aluminum nitride, and ceramics can also be used. For example, the Peltier element can be adhered to the piezoelectric element substrate 31 by means of an adhesive (grease, epoxy, metal paste). Preferably, the thermal conductivity of the adhesive is greater than 0.1 W/m/K. Additionally, it is preferable if the thermal conductivity of the adhesive exceeds 0.5 W/m/K. Thinner adhesive should be preferred and thinner adhesive may be available through screen printing.

[0104] As illustrated in FIG. 4, a liquid supply 60 is provided on the rear surface 31B side of the piezoelectric element substrate 31, the liquid supply 60 is configured to supply liquid to the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The liquid feeder 60 supplies liquid to the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 through the through slot 34 and the through slot 35A.

[0105] For example, the fluid feeder 60 is a syringe pump. In such a case, the through slot 34 and the through slot 35A configure the fluid flow path. The syringe pump may be manually operated or electrically operated.

[0106] In FIG. 3, the case in which the liquid feeder 60 is a syringe pump is roughly illustrated; however, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the liquid feeder 60 may be an element configured to supply liquid through a capillary phenomenon. In such a case, the liquid feeder 60 includes a capillary member through which liquid is sucked, and the through slot 34 and the through slot 35A configure the slot through which the capillary member passes. The first end of the capillary element at least reaches the liquid storage unit 200, and the second end of the capillary element reaches the SAW module 30. In the cross section of the through slot 34 and the through slot 35A, the capillary element is located on at least a part of the cross section. The capillary element may be configured with at least any of naturally occurring fiber material, vegetable fiber material, and synthetic fiber material. For example, the naturally occurring fiber material may be at least any of dried plant, dried plant cut, tobacco leaf cut, dried fruit, dried fruit cut, dried vegetable, and dried vegetable cut. For example, the plant fiber material may be at least any of absorbent cotton and flax fiber. The capillary element may be a cut dried plant shaped into a leaf, such as cut filter paper and cut tobacco leaf.

[0107] Additionally, the fluid feeder 60 may be a combination of a syringe pump and a capillary element. If the remaining volume of liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 200 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, liquid may be supplied by the capillary member, and if the remaining volume of liquid is less than the threshold value, liquid may be supplied by the syringe pump. The controller 400 may determine, based on a predefined reference, whether either a syringe pump or a capillary element should be used.

[0108] If the liquid storage unit 200 is a cartridge, the liquid supply 60 may automatically supply liquid to the SAW module 30 in response to attaching the cartridge. If a power source switch configured to drive the aroma inhaler 1 is provided, the liquid supply 60 can automatically supply liquid to the SAW module 30 in response to turning on the power source.

[0109] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the SAW module 30 may include a cover layer 36. The cover layer 36 may completely cover the piezoelectric element substrate 31 or may partially cover the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The cover layer 36 may be provided on the inner surface of the through slit 34. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent liquid from coming into contact with the piezoelectric element substrate 31. Further, by proper deposition of the coating material, the coating layer 36 can be provided on the inner surface of the through slot 35A, in addition to the inner surface of the through slot 34. According to such a configuration, it is possible to further prevent liquid from coming into contact with the piezoelectric element substrate 31.

[0110] It may be sufficient that the cover layer 36 is configured with a material that suppresses denaturation of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 caused by sticking or the like. liquids. For example, cover layer 36 may be configured with polymeric materials such as polypropylene and polyethylene. The cover layer 36 may be configured with a material such as metal, carbon, Teflon (trademark), glass, parylene, silicon dioxide, and titanium dioxide, or a ceramic material such as silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, and alumina.

[0111] Under this premise, the piezoelectric element substrate 31 has a certain number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33, the certain number being determined based on the desired aerosol sprayed by using the SAW. Specifically, the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 is determined based on the atomization efficiency of the aerosol atomized by using the SAW. The spacing of the electrodes adjacent to each other included in the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 and the width of the electrodes in the running direction are determined according to the frequency set based on the desired particle size of the aerosol sprayed by using the SAW.

[0112] Here, the desired aerosol is an aerosol including an aerosol having a desired particle size as a peak number concentration. The atomization efficiency is the degree of the numerical concentration of the aerosol in case the power supplied to the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 is constant. The number concentration is the number of aerosol particles included per unit volume. For example, the number concentration of submicron droplets is equal to or greater than 108/cm ³ .

[0113] In an embodiment, the power supplied to the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 is provided by a battery included in the aroma inhaler having the nebulizing unit 100. In such an environment, it is preferable if the power supplied to the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33, equal to or greater than 3 watts. When the power is equal to or greater than 3W, the liquid atomization properly occurs. On the other hand, it is preferable if the power supplied to the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 is equal to or less than 10 watts. When the power is equal to or less than 10 W, the power supplied to the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 can be properly controlled while suppressing overheating and the like. a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33, a piezoelectric element substrate, and a liquid, subject to limitations such as the power that can be supplied and the capacity of the battery.

[0114] Generally, reducing the amount of power supplied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 should suppress overheating of the SAW module 30; however, it also causes a reduction in the aerosol value. With this premise, the amount of power supplied to the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 can be controlled by PWM (pulse width modulation) in consideration of suppressing overheating of the SAW unit 30. According to such a configuration, overheating of the SAW unit 30 can be suppressed by PWM in reducing the amount of aerosol generated by the SAW.

[0115] In accordance with such force limitations, it is preferable if the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 is equal to or greater than 10. According to such a configuration, it is possible to atomize liquid at a high atomization efficiency. On the other hand, it is preferable if the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 is 80 or less. resonant frequency under various operating conditions (temperature, pressure, humidity, etc.).

[0116] The spacing of the electrodes adjacent to each other and the width of the electrodes in the running direction are inevitably determined in accordance with the frequency of the power supplied to the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33. The higher the frequency, the narrower the spacing of the electrodes adjacent to each other, and the smaller is the particle size of the aerosol. With such a relationship, the desired particle size having a peak number concentration, for example, may be between 0.2 µm and 1.0 µm. In such a case, it is preferable if the frequency is equal to or greater than 20 MHz. According to such a configuration, it is possible to maintain the particle size having the peak number concentration within the desired particle size range. On the other hand, it is preferable if the frequency is equal to or less than 200 MHz. Such a configuration may ensure that the spacing of the electrodes does not become too narrow, so that the electrode is less likely to be short-circuited at powers in excess of the required minimum power (eg, 3W).

[0117] As described above, it should be noted that as a result of extensive research, the inventors have obtained such new findings that in a state in which power that can be supplied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 is limited, the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes electrodes 33 is determined based on the efficiency of spraying the aerosol. It should also be noted that the inventors have received such new findings that the interval (ie frequencies) of the electrodes are determined in accordance with the frequency set based on the desired particle size of the aerosol. Additionally, it should be noted that the inventors have obtained, on the basis of such findings that sputtering efficiency can vary depending on the range (i.e. frequencies or required particle sizes) of the electrodes, such new findings that the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 is determined based on the desired aerosol. The desired aerosol is an aerosol in which an aerosol having the desired particle size is included in the desired distribution.

[0118] Additionally, as a result of extensive research, the inventors have obtained such new findings that the efficiency of aerosol spraying is high when the ratio (hereinafter in this document, "R") of the length (hereinafter in this document, "H") overlapping portion of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 to the wavelength (hereinafter, "λ0") SAW is within a predetermined range. Preferably, R (=H/λ ₀ ) is equal to or greater than 10 and equal to or less than 150. Further, it is preferable if R is less than 70, preferably equal to or less than 50. Here, λ ₀ is represented by the frequency ratio (v/f) ( hereinafter, "f") for the power supplied to the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 to the propagation velocity (hereinafter, "v") of the SAW. Meanwhile, f has a correlation with the spacing of the electrodes and the width of the electrodes in the direction of travel, and v has a correlation with the type (characteristic) of the piezoelectric element substrate on which the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 are provided. metal electrodes 33, the spacing of the electrodes and the substrate type of the piezoelectric element is determined such that a relationship of 10≤R≤150 is satisfied. According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide a spray unit 100 having a high spraying efficiency of an aerosol.

[0119] Through-slit shape

The shape of the through slit according to the embodiment will be described below. Fig. 5 is a diagram for describing an aerosol generation mechanism.

[0120] As illustrated in FIG. 5, from the fluid accessible from the through slot 34, the portion relatively close to the portion in contact with the SAW configures the thin film portion 71. From the fluid accessible from the through slot 34, the portion relatively far from the portion in contact with the SAW , configures the thick film portion 72. The particle size of the aerosol 81 sprayed from the thin film portion 71 is smaller than the particle size of the aerosol 82 sprayed from the thick film portion 72. Therefore, if the desired particle size is a relatively small particle size (e.g., 0.2-1.0 µm) to effectively increase the area of the thin film portion 71 in the plan view of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 as viewed from the front surface 31F. From this point of view, it is preferable if the through slot 34 has a shape in which the maximum length L _MAX exceeds the maximum width W _MAX .

[0121] Further, as long as the through slit has a circular shape having a diameter corresponding to the maximum length L _MAX , the area of the liquid available from the through slit becomes too large, and therefore the liquid is more likely to flow over the piezoelectric substrate 31 element when the user tilts the aroma inhaler 1 diagonally. Also from this point of view, it is preferable if the through slot 34 has a shape in which the maximum length L _MAX exceeds the maximum width W _MAX .

[0122] Operation and benefits

According to an embodiment, the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 is determined based on the required aerosol. Therefore, in the spray unit 100 in which the power that can be supplied to the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 is limited, it is possible to provide a corresponding spray unit by improving the liquid spray efficiency.

[0123] First modification

The first modification of the embodiment is described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0124] In the first modification, similar to the embodiment, the through slot 34 has a shape in which the maximum length L _MAX exceeds the maximum width W _MAX . Under this premise, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the through slot 34 is provided in such a manner as to reduce interference between the reflected wave SAW reflected by the through slot 34 and the SAW formed by pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33. In particular, it is preferable if the longitudinal axis of the through slot 34 is inclined with respect to the orthogonal direction B. The longitudinal axis of the through slot 34 may have an inclination of 30° or more and 45° or less with respect to the orthogonal direction B. It should be noted that the shape of the through slot 34 is not limited to the elliptical shape illustrated in FIG. 6 and may be a rectangular shape.

[0125] Additionally, the through slot 34 may have a shape other than an elliptical shape and a rectangular shape. Even so, the through slot 34 is provided so as to reduce interference between the reflected wave SAW reflected by the through slot 34 and the SAW formed by the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33. For example, at least a portion of the through slot 34 is defined by edge line at which the through slot 34 comes into contact with the SAW. The edge line has a slope relative to the orthogonal direction B to the direction A of the stroke SAW. Here, the edge line may have a portion parallel to the orthogonal direction B. However, it is preferable if the portion at least half or more of the edge line is sloped with respect to the orthogonal direction B. Preferably, the portion is at least half or more of the edge line has a slope of 30° or more and 45° or less with respect to the orthogonal direction B. If the through slot 34 is elliptical or rectangular, the longitudinal axis of the through slot 34 may have a slope of 30° or more 45° or less relative to orthogonal direction B.

[0126] According to such a configuration, the SAW formed by applying a voltage to the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 at a high frequency (resonant frequency) is not easily interfered with by the reflected wave of the SAW reflected in the through slit 34. Therefore, the tolerance of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 is improved. , and the aerosol spraying efficiency is also improved.

[0127] Second modification

The second modification of the embodiment is described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0128] In the second modification, the SAW module 30 has a separating wall 37 separating fluid accessible from the through slot 34 and accommodating the portion 30A. Preferably, the partition wall 37 completely covers the accommodating portion 30A. Additionally, the partition wall 37 may be configured to separate the air flow path extending from the inlet 51 to the outlet 52 and the accommodating portion 30A. According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the performance of the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 caused by the adhesion of liquid and the collision of the air introduced from the inlet 51.

[0129] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the separation wall 37 may be provided on the front surface 31F such that it comes into contact with the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 between the accommodating portion 30A and the through slot 34. The separation wall 37 may not cover the entire piezoelectric element substrate 31. Typically, the partition wall 37 may be positioned at least 0.5 mm from the edge (corresponding to a typical thin film width). According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the degradation of the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 caused by sticking and the like. liquids.

[0130] In such a case, the partition wall 37 may be provided on the front surface 31F such that it comes into contact with the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 between the accommodating portion 30A and the spray zone when the spray zone is provided on the side of the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 relative to the through slot 34.

[0131] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the partition wall 37 may be provided on the front surface 31F such that it does not come into contact with the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 between the accommodating portion 30A and the through slot 34. electrodes 33 caused by sticking and the like. liquid, while preventing the situation in which the propagation of the SAW is blocked by the partition wall 37. Additionally, the gap between the partition wall 37 and the front surface 31F provided for the propagation of the SAW may be approximately a few microns. Such a gap can sufficiently suppress the degradation of the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33.

[0132] In such a case, the separation wall 37 may be provided on the front surface 31F such that it does not come into contact with the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 between the accommodating portion 30A and the spray zone when the spray zone is provided on the side of the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 relative to the through slot 34.

[0133] Third modification

The third modification of the embodiment is described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0134] In the third modification, as illustrated in FIG. 9, a hydrophilic layer 38 continuous with respect to the through slit 34 is provided on the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 between the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 and the through slit 34. For example, the hydrophilic layer 38 is configured by a material such as Teflon (trademark) resin. , fiberglass, etc. The hydrophilic layer 38 may be formed by conventional hydrophilic processing techniques. For example, the hydrophilic processing technique may be hydrophilic polymer film formation such as acetate, DLC film formation processing, plasma processing, surface roughening processing, or a combination of the above. According to such a configuration, the liquid accessible from the through slit 34 easily moves into the hydrophilic layer 38, and a thin film of liquid is easily formed on the hydrophilic layer 38. Accordingly, an aerosol having a small particle size can be formed from the thin film formed on the hydrophilic layer 38. For example, if the desired particle size is a relatively small particle size (eg, 0.2-1.0 microns), it is preferable if the hydrophilic layer 38 is provided.

[0135] Fourth modification

The fourth modification of the embodiment is described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0136] In the fourth modification, a display device is provided that is capable of displaying the state of the aroma inhaler 1. The display device may be provided on the outer surface of the casing 1X of the aroma inhaler 1, or may be provided separately from the aroma inhaler 1. If the display device is separated from the aroma inhaler 1, the display device has a function of performing communication with the aroma inhaler 1. The display device includes a display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescent display. The display device may display the remaining amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 200 and may display a counter of puffing actions performed by the user.

[0137] The result of the experiment

First experiment

The first experiment is described below. In the first experiment, the aerosol spraying state was visually confirmed by modifying the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the result of the first experiment.

[0138] In a sample of N=20, the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 is 20, and a power of 9.5 W is applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 at a frequency of 46.09 MHz. In a sample of N=40, the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 is 40, and a power of 9.0 W is applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 at a frequency of 46.42 MHz. In a sample of N=80, the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 is 80, and a power of 8.0 W is applied to the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 at a frequency of 46.505 MHz.

[0139] As illustrated in FIG. 10, it is confirmed that the sampling aerosol value N=40 is larger than the sampling aerosol value N=20, and the sampling aerosol value N=80 is larger than the sampling aerosol value N=40. From such experimental results, it is visually confirmed that the sputtering efficiency increases as the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 increases.

[0140] It should be noted that the experiment is also performed for a sample in which the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 is 160, and it is confirmed that sputtering does not occur in such a sample at the same power. It is believed that such a result is caused because the frequency that can be used becomes too narrow due to the NBW becoming too narrow, and therefore, the corresponding atomization does not occur due to the technical difficulty of driving the device at the most efficient frequency at any time, as described in second experiment.

[0141] Second experiment

The second experiment is described below. In a second experiment, NBW was confirmed by modifying the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33. FIG. 11 is a table showing the result of the second experiment. In FIG. 11, "N" is the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33. "Frequency" is the frequency of the AC voltage applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33. "NBW" is the frequency bandwidth centered around the resonant SAW frequency, at which the absolute value of the power reflection coefficient SAW is less than the threshold value. The lower absolute value of the SAW power reflectance means that more electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy. Thus, maximum energy conversion is achieved at NBW, which is the frequency bandwidth centered around the resonant SAW frequency.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 11, it is confirmed that NBW (zero bandwidth) becomes narrower as the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 increases. As described above, for a sample of N=160, it is confirmed that the frequency that can be used becomes too narrow due to the NBW becoming too narrow, and therefore corresponding sputtering does not occur.

[0143] As explained above, from the result of the first experiment, it was confirmed that the sputtering efficiency increased as the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 increased; however, it is confirmed from the result of the second experiment that the sputtering efficiency decreases instead if the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 is too large. Thus, from the results of the first experiment and the second experiment, it is confirmed that it is desirable to determine the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 based on the spraying efficiency of the aerosol. In other words, it is confirmed that it is preferable if the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 is determined such that it satisfies the condition that NBW does not fall below a predetermined width and the aerosol amount is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

[0144] Third experiment

The third experiment is described below. The effect of frequency on particle diameter (Dv50 based on median volume) was confirmed for three samples. Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating the result of the third experiment.

[0145] "Straight IDT - 2.25mm" means a sample including pairs of interlocking linear-shaped comb metal electrodes 33 having a length of 2.25mm. "Straight IDT - 4.5mm" means a selection including pairs of interlocking comb metal electrodes 33 in a linear shape having a length of 4.5mm. "Focused IDT - 50°" means a sampling including pairs of interconnected fan-shaped comb metal electrodes 33 having a length of 2.25 mm and a central angle of 50°.

[0146] As illustrated in FIG. 12, it is confirmed that the volume average size (Dv 50) becomes smaller as the frequency increases, regardless of the design of the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33. According to this result, it is confirmed that it may be sufficient that the spacing (ie frequency) of the electrodes and the width of the electrodes are determined based on the desired aerosol particle size.

[0147] Fifth modification

The fifth modification of the embodiment is described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0148] In the fifth modification, the amplitude of the high frequency voltage applied to the pairs of interconnected comb electrodes 33 is described below.

[0149] Specifically, in the fifth modification, the controller 400 periodically changes the amplitude of the high-frequency voltage applied to the pairs of interconnected comb electrodes 33. According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress scattering of droplets from the liquid directed to the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. Accordingly, the liquid can be efficiently used and stable aerosol spraying can be realized. In detail, an aerosol is sprayed from a liquid (thin film portion) on the near side of the pairs of interconnected comb electrodes 33 when a high voltage is applied, and the liquid supply reduced by the spray is stimulated when a low voltage is applied. The formation of coarse particles can be suppressed, and the atomized amount of fine particles can be reduced by repeating such operations. It should be noted that the high voltage and low voltage are repeated around 100 Hz.

[0150] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the periodic amplitude of the high frequency voltage may form a sine waveform, form a square wave form, form a triangular waveform, and form a sawtooth waveform. In particular, it is desirable to apply a high frequency voltage such that the periodic amplitude of the high frequency voltage forms a square wave shape.

[0151] Sixth modification

The sixth modification of the embodiment is described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0152] In the sixth modification, the optimal frequency profile of the voltage applied to pairs of interconnected comb electrodes 33 is described below. less than the threshold value.

[0153] First, the following describes a characteristic in which the optimum frequency varies according to the relationship between the liquid supply rate (µL/sec) of the liquid directed to the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 and time. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 14, samples (12 samples in FIG. 14) differing in liquid delivery rate are prepared, and the relationship between the time to apply voltage to pairs of interconnected comb electrodes 33 and the optimum frequency is confirmed. It should be noted that the width of the pairs of interconnected comb electrodes 33 is constant. According to such a confirmation result, it can be seen that the optimum frequency varies over time, and it can also be seen that such dispersion differs depending on each liquid supply rate. Therefore, the controller 400 can improve the spraying efficiency of the aerosol by monitoring the optimum frequency, which varies according to the liquid supply rate and time, and supplying the liquid at the monitored optimum frequency.

[0154] Second, the following describes a characteristic in which the optimum frequency varies according to the relationship between the output power (W) of the SAW generated by applying a high frequency voltage to pairs of interconnected comb electrodes 33 and time. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 15, samples (5 samples in FIG. 15) differing in SAW output power are prepared, and the relationship between the time to apply voltage to pairs of interconnected comb electrodes 33 and the optimum frequency is confirmed. It should be noted that the width of the pairs of interconnected comb electrodes 33 is constant. According to such a confirmation result, it can be seen that the optimum frequency varies over time, and it can also be seen that such a dispersion differs depending on each output power of the SAW. Therefore, the controller 400 can improve the spraying efficiency of the aerosol by monitoring the optimum frequency, which varies according to the SAW output power and time, and delivering the liquid at the monitored optimum frequency.

[0155] Seventh modification

The seventh modification of the embodiment will be described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0156] In the seventh modification, the following describes the relationship between the liquid supply rate (μl/sec) for the liquid directed to the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 and the output power (W) of the SAW generated by applying a high-frequency voltage to pairs of interconnected comb electrodes 33.

[0157] First, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the controller 400 gradually increases the SAW output from the time tStart so that the SAW output reaches the desired level at time t2. The controller 400 sets the output power of the SAW to zero at the time tEnd. On the other hand, the controller 400 increases the liquid supply rate to the desired level at time t1. The controller 400 sets the liquid feed rate to zero at the time tEnd. The time t1 may be between the time tStart and the time t2.

[0158] Second, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the controller 400 gradually increases the SAW output from the time tStart so that the SAW output reaches the desired level at time t2. The controller 400 sets the output power of the SAW to zero at the time tEnd. On the other hand, the controller 400 gradually increases the liquid supply rate from time t1 so that the liquid supply rate reaches the desired level at time t3. The controller 400 sets the liquid feed rate to zero at the time tEnd. The time t1 may be between the time tStart and the time t2. Time t3 may be after time t2.

[0159] It should be noted that the time tStart may be the time when the start of the puff action is detected by the sensor 300, or the time when the button to perform the puff action is pressed. The time tEnd may be the time when the end of the puff action is detected by the sensor 300, or the time when the button to perform the puff action is no longer pressed.

[0160] As illustrated in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, the output power of the SAW gradually increases from the time tStart, and the liquid supply rate starts to increase at the time t1 after the time tStart, and therefore it is possible to suppress the scattering of droplets having a large diameter from the liquid directed to the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 at the initial phase during which the output power (W) of the SAW increases. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 17, scattering of droplets having a large diameter can be suppressed by gradually increasing the liquid supply rate.

[0161] Eighth modification

The eighth modification of the embodiment will be described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0162] In the eighth modification, a detector configured to detect the state of the aerosol is provided. For example, controller 400 may feedback an error, such as poor aerosol formation, based on a detector detection result. The detector may be a microphone sensor configured to detect low noise caused by the formation of aerosols.

[0163] As illustrated in FIG. 18, a detector 39 may be provided on the rear surface 31B of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The detector 39 is preferably provided on the opposite side of the liquid with a piezoelectric element substrate 31 placed between them.

[0164] As illustrated in FIG. 19, a detector 39 may be provided on the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. If the direction of travel of the SAW is the P direction, the detector 39 may be provided adjacent to the liquid in the Q direction orthogonal to the P direction. The detector 39 is preferably not in contact with the liquid.

[0165] As illustrated in FIG. 20, the detector 39 may be provided above the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31, at a position spaced from the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. In order to suppress contact between the detector 39 and the aerosol, it is preferable if a shield 39A is provided between the detector 39 and the aerosol.

[0166] Ninth modification

The ninth modification of the embodiment is described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0167] In the ninth modification, a sensor is provided that is capable of detecting liquid available from the through slot 34. For example, the controller 400 can control the liquid supply 60 (liquid supply rate, etc.) based on the detection result of the sensor. According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress oversupply of liquid to the atomizer as well as drying of the liquid in the atomizer by precise control of the pump, and the stability of spraying the aerosol is improved.

[0168] As illustrated in FIG. 21, sensor 71 may be a conductivity sensor including a pair of tip ends (eg, tip ends 71A, 71B). The pair of ends of the tips are adjacent to the through slot 34 and are electrically connected by fluid accessible from the through slot 34. The sensor 71 detects the presence of liquid based on the conduction of an electrical signal between the pair of ends of the tips.

[0169] As illustrated in FIG. 22, sensor 72 may be a conductivity sensor including two or more pairs of tip ends (eg, tip ends 72A, 72B, etc.). The two or more pairs of tip ends are adjacent to the through slot 34 and are electrically connected by fluid accessible from the through slot 34. However, the positions at which the pairs of tip ends are provided differ from each other. Based on the conduction of an electrical signal between the pair of tip ends, the uniformity of the thin film can be monitored, and the presence of liquid at the position where the pair of tip ends can be detected using sensor 72.

[0170] As illustrated in FIG. 23, sensor 73 may be a sensor including an emitter (eg, emitter 73A) configured to output a predetermined signal and a receiver (eg, receiver 73B) configured to receive a predetermined signal. The emitter 73A and the receiver 73B are placed with the through slot 34 placed therebetween, and the sensor 73 detects the presence of liquid based on the absolute transmission value of a predetermined signal. Emitter 73A and receiver 73B may be configured from a thin film solid pad.

[0171] As illustrated in FIG. 24, sensor 74 may be a SAW sensor including an emitter (eg, emitter 74A) configured to output SAW and a receiver (eg, receiver 74B) configured to receive SAW. The emitter 74A and receiver 74B are placed with a through slot 34 placed between them, and the sensor 74 detects the presence of liquid based on the absolute value of the SAW transmission. Emitter 74A and receiver 74B may be configured from thin film IDT.

[0172] As illustrated in FIG. 25(a) and 25(b), sensor 75 may be a capacitive sensor including one or more pairs of electrodes (eg, tip ends 75A, 75B, etc.). In such a case, one or more pairs of electrodes are placed along the liquid located in the spray zone. The sensor 75 detects the presence or absence of liquid based on the capacitance difference caused by the presence or absence of liquid. In such a case, the through slot 34 may be lowered.

[0173] Tenth modification

The tenth modification of the embodiment is described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0174] In the tenth modification, the following describes an example of the combination of the eighth modification and the ninth modification. As illustrated in FIG. 26, the SAW module 30 includes a detector 81, a sensor 82, and a depth sensor 83.

[0175] Similar to the detector 39 described in the eighth modification, the detector 81 detects the state of the aerosol. Similar to the conductivity sensor or SAW sensor described in the ninth modification, the sensor 82 detects liquid available from the through slot 34. The depth sensor 83 determines the depth of the liquid (surface water level for the liquid) in the through slot 34. The depth sensor 83 may be a conductivity sensor , configured to detect the presence of liquid based on the conductivity of the electrical signal.

[0176] In such a configuration, before and after spraying the aerosol, the controller 400 controls the liquid supply 60 (liquid supply rate, etc.) based on the detection result of the depth sensor 83, as illustrated at the top of FIG. 26. For example, the controller 400 controls the fluid feeder 60 such that the fluid is maintained at the desired depth. According to such a configuration, the sensitivity of spraying the aerosol is improved.

[0177] At the time of spraying the aerosol, the controller 400 returns an error such as poor aerosol formation based on the detection result of the detector 81, as illustrated at the bottom of FIG. 26. The controller 400 may notify the user of the error and may terminate the operation of the aroma inhaler 1 (eg, nebulization unit 100). Further, the controller 400 controls the liquid supply 60 (liquid supply rate, etc.) based on the detection result of the sensor 82. According to such a configuration, the spraying stability of the aerosol is improved.

[0178] In addition, the volume of liquid during spraying can be controlled using the depth sensor 83. The controller 400 controls the fluid feeder 60 (fluid feed rate, etc.) based on the detection result of the depth sensor 83 when the depth sensor 83 detects a decrease in fluid. According to such a configuration, the liquid volume can be maintained at the required level during spraying, and the spraying stability of the aerosol is improved.

[0179] Additionally, although not shown, two or more depth sensors having different detection depths may be provided as depth sensor 83. In such a case, it is not difficult to properly control the amount of liquid in a range of depth sensors having different detection depths. For example, when the first depth sensor that detects the first fluid depth detects fluid and the second sensor that detects a second depth less than the first depth does not detect fluid, it can be determined that the fluid depth is between the first depth and the second depth.

[0180] Eleventh modification

The eleventh modification of the embodiment is described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0181] In the eleventh modification, the method of guiding the liquid on the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 is described below. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 27, the supply port 34X, the hydrophilic layer 38A, the hydrophobic layer 38B, and the hydrophobic layer 38C are provided on the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31.

[0182] The supply port 34X is a point where liquid is supplied. A 34X upstream port is provided outside of the SAW path. Therefore, the supply port 34X does not need to be the above-described through slot 34, and may be the point where liquid is supplied from the front surface 31F side of the piezoelectric element substrate 31.

[0183] The hydrophilic layer 38A is continuous with respect to the supply port 34X and is patterned to move fluid into the SAW path. The hydrophobic layer 38B is provided on the proximal side to the pairs of interconnected comb electrodes 33 relative to the hydrophilic layer 38A, and is provided spaced from the hydrophilic layer 38A. The hydrophobic layer 38C is provided on the far side of the pairs of interconnected comb electrodes 33 relative to the hydrophilic layer 38A, and is provided spaced apart from the hydrophilic layer 38A. The movement of liquid from the hydrophilic layer 38A can be limited by the hydrophobic layers 38B and 38C, the contact angle SAW to the liquid can be reduced, and the efficiency of spraying the aerosol is improved.

[0184] According to such a configuration, the through slit 34 does not need to be provided, and therefore, the cover layer 36 covering the piezoelectric element substrate 31 can be easily provided.

[0185] Twelfth modification

The twelfth modification of the embodiment is described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0186] In the twelfth modification, the method for supplying liquid to the front surface 31F of the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element is described below. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 28, the hydrophilic layer 38D and the wick 90 are provided on the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31.

[0187] The hydrophilic layer 38D is provided on the SAW path. The hydrophilic layer 38D has a length L and a width W and configures the spray zone to spray the aerosol. The wick 90 is continuous with respect to the hydrophilic layer 38D and supplies liquid to the hydrophilic layer 38D. The wick 90 may have a wick core 91 that maintains the shape of the wick 90 and a retention layer 92 that retains liquid. The wick core 91 contacts the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31, preferably formed from a metal or plastic having a hardness that allows reflection of the SAW transmitted on the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The retaining layer 92 may be configured with a capillary member configured to supply liquid through a capillary phenomenon.

According to such a configuration, the through slit 34 does not need to be provided, and therefore, the cover layer 36 covering the piezoelectric element substrate 31 can be easily provided.

[0188] Thirteenth modification

The thirteenth modification of the embodiment is described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0189] In the thirteenth modification, the method of supplying liquid to the front surface 31F of the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element is described below. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 29, the hydrophilic layer 38E and the element 84 are provided on the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. Further, a liquid storage unit 200 and a driving unit 61 are provided on the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 .

[0190] The hydrophilic layer 38E is provided on the SAW path and configures the spray zone to spray the aerosol. Element 84 may be a sensor configured to detect the presence of a liquid or a detector configured to detect the state of an aerosol.

[0191] The liquid storage unit 200 and the driving unit 61 configure a device capable of dropping liquid near the hydrophilic layer 38E. For example, the liquid storage unit 200 may include a nozzle configured to store liquid and drop liquid. The driving unit 61 may be an element (for example, an electric motor) configured to generate a driving force for discharging liquid droplets from the nozzle.

[0192] According to such a configuration, the through slit 34 need not be provided, and therefore, the cover layer 36 covering the piezoelectric element substrate 31 can be easily provided.

[0193] Fourteenth modification

The fourteenth modification of the embodiment is described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0194] In the fourteenth modification, the method for supplying liquid to the front surface 31F of the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element is described below. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 30 and FIG. 31, SAW module 30 has a guiding member 610 configured to guide fluid. The substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element is covered with a coating layer 36.

[0195] The guide member 610 is provided on the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 in the edge portion of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The guide member 610 has a shape having a predetermined height relative to the front surface 31F of the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element. The guide element 610 may be made of a material with high thermal conductivity (eg metal or ceramic). The guide element 610 includes a flow path 611, a temporary storage unit 612, and a guide slot 613. The flow path 611 configures the fluid flow path. The temporary storage unit 612 temporarily stores the liquid supplied through the flow path 611. The guide slot 613 is inclined relative to the front surface 31F of the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element. The guide slot 613 directs the liquid flowing excessively from the temporary storage unit 612 to the front surface 31F of the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element due to the weight of the liquid and/or capillary force. Two or more guide slots may be provided as guide slot 613.

[0196] According to such a configuration, the sputtering zone can be placed at a position spaced from the edge portion of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 by the guide member 610 provided in the edge portion of the piezoelectric element substrate 31, and detachment of the coating layer 36 can be suppressed in the edge portion. Further, the through slit 34 does not need to be provided, and therefore, the cover layer 36 covering the piezoelectric element substrate 31 can be easily provided.

[0197] In the fourteenth modification, the case of liquid supply from the rear surface 31B of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 is roughly illustrated; however, the fourteenth modification is not limited to this. The liquid may be supplied from the side of the guide element 610 or may be supplied from a position above the guide element 610. If the liquid is supplied from a position above the guide element 610, the above-described flow path 611 may not be provided.

[0198] Alternatively, liquid may be supplied through the through slot 34. In such a case, the guiding member 610 is provided such that the flow path 611 communicates with the through slot 34, the spray zone may be placed at a position spaced from the edge portion of the through slot 34 , and detachment of the cover layer 36 in the edge portion can be suppressed.

[0199] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 32, SAW module 30 may have a guiding member 610A configured to direct fluid. The guide member 610A is formed from an item such as plastic or metal having a thin flow path inside and provided on the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The guide member 610A guides the liquid impregnated in the guide member 610A into the thin space between the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 and the guide member 610A. The guide member 610A guides the liquid on the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 out of the thin space.

[0200] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 33, SAW module 30 may have a guiding member 610B configured to direct fluid. The guide member 610B is formed from an item such as plastic or metal having a thin flow path inside and provided on the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The guide member 610B directs the liquid impregnated in the guide member 610B to the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 along the inclined surface 613B of the guide member 610B.

[0201] According to the configurations shown in FIG. 32 and 33 identical to the configuration shown in FIG. 30 and 32, the sputtering zone can be placed at a position spaced from the edge portion of the piezoelectric element substrate 31, and detachment of the coating layer 36 can be suppressed in the edge portion.

[0202] Fifteenth modification

The fifteenth modification of the embodiment is described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0203] In the fifteenth modification, the variation of the configuration of the substrate of the SAW module 30 will now be described. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 34, the SAW module 30 includes a piezoelectric element substrate 621, a plate 622, a buffer 623, and a spray surface layer 624. In FIG. 34, the configuration except for the configuration of the substrate (for example, a pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33) is omitted.

[0204] The piezoelectric element substrate 621 is the same as the piezoelectric element substrate 31 described above. The plate 622, for example, is a substrate different from the piezoelectric element substrate 31, and is an aluminum plate. The buffer 623 is disposed on the front surface and side surface of the piezoelectric element substrate 621, and is configured by a buffer fluid that transfers the SAW formed from the piezoelectric element substrate 621 to the spray surface layer 624 . For example, the buffer liquid is glycerol. A spray surface layer 624 is provided on a buffer 623 and a plate 622 and contains a spray zone for spraying an aerosol. For example, the spray surface layer 624 is configured with a stainless plate. In such a case, liquid may be supplied from the front surface of the spray surface layer 624 .

[0205] According to such a configuration, SAW can be transferred to the sputtering surface layer 624 which is different from the piezoelectric element substrate 621, and liquid (aromatic liquid) contact with the piezoelectric element substrate 621 may be prevented. For example, a through slot corresponding to the through slot 34 described above may be provided in the plate 622.

[0206] Sixteenth modification

The sixteenth modification of the embodiment is described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0207] In the sixteenth modification, the variation in the shape of the edge portion of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 in the case where liquid is supplied from the back surface 31B of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 is described below. The edge area is the area adjacent to the spray zone. The edge portion is subjected to a streamlining and chamfering process. According to such a configuration, detachment of the cover layer 36 in the edge portion can be suppressed by reducing the energy density in the spray zone.

Here, the edge portion beveling process may be a linear beveling process as illustrated in FIG. 35, or a circular beveling process as illustrated in FIG. 36. The edge portion may be the edge portion of the through slot 34.

[0208] Seventeenth modification

The seventeenth modification of the embodiment is described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0209] In the seventeenth modification, the variation of the spray zone is described below. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 37, the SAW module 30 includes two or more shallow slots 631 (here, slots 631A-631D) as a spray zone. Each of the slots 631 has a shape extending in a direction orthogonal to the running direction of the SAW. Fluid is supplied to each of the slots 631. The volume of fluid supplied to each of the slots 631 may be greater for the slot closer to the pairs of interconnected comb electrodes 33. Although not illustrated in FIG. 34, the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element is coated with a coating layer 36.

According to such a configuration, the SAW energy is dissipated by two or more grooves, and therefore, detachment of the coating layer 36 in the spray zone is suppressed, and the reliability of the conformal coating in the edge portion is to be improved.

[0210] Eighteenth modification

The eighteenth modification of the embodiment is described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0211] In the eighteenth modification, the method of guiding liquid on the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 will be described below. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 35, SAW module 30 has printed electrodes 641-643. Two liquid storage units 200 (liquid storage unit 200A and liquid storage unit 200B) are provided. The liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 200A may be different from the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 200B.

[0212] The printed electrodes 641-643 transport liquid by using the voltage difference between the printed electrodes adjacent to each other. For example, the printed electrode 641A transports the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 200A, and the printed electrode 641B transports the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 200B. The printed electrode 642 transports a mixture of fluids supplied from the printed electrode 641A and the printed electrode 641B. The imprinted electrode 643A and the imprinted electrode 643B convey the mixture of liquids supplied from the imprinted electrode 642. The imprinted electrode part 643A and the imprinted electrode part 643B each configure a spray zone.

[0213] The width of the printed electrode configuring the spray zone may be greater than the width of the printed electrode (e.g., printed electrode 642) not configuring the spray zone, and may be actuated in a specific manner to draw the bulk of the liquid in two or more different directions simultaneously. According to such a configuration, the width of the printing electrode not configuring the sputtering area is small, and thus the space of the printing electrode not configuring the spraying zone can be saved. The bulk of the liquid is attracted in two or more different directions at the same time, and thus the liquid in the spray zone can be smoothed out and the contact angle of the SAW with the liquid can be reduced.

[0214] Nineteenth modification

The nineteenth modification of the embodiment is described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

In the nineteenth modification, the variation of the mechanism of thermal radiation is further described. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 39-41, a cover layer 651 and an adhesive layer 652 are provided on the rear surface of the SAW module 30. The cover layer 651 may include metal. Adhesive layer 652 may include solder.

[0215] Under this premise, as illustrated in FIG. 39, the SAW module 30 adheres to the heat conduction member 653 and the circuit board 654 through the adhesive layer 652. The heat conduction member 653 includes a heat conduction member such as a metal, and has a columnar portion 653A and a lamellar portion 653B. The columnar portion 653A extends through the circuit board 654, and the plate portion 653B is placed on the rear surface of the circuit board 654. The circuit board 654 is configured of a member easily adhered to the adhesive layer 652 and includes a through slot extending through the columnar portion 653A.

[0216] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 40, the SAW module 30 adheres to the heat sink 655 through the adhesive layer 652. The heat sink 655 is configured from a heat conductive element such as a metal.

[0217] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 41, the SAW module 30 may adhere to the heat conductive member 653 and the circuit board 654 through the adhesive layer 652, and the heat sink 655 may adhere to the plate portion 653B (combination of FIG. 39 and FIG. 40).

[0218] Twentieth modification

The twentieth modification of the embodiment is described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0219] In the twentieth modification, the following describes the variation of the liquid feeder. Here, the case where the liquid feeder has a liquid storage unit is roughly illustrated.

[0220] First, as illustrated in FIG. 42, fluid feeder 60 may include a housing 661, a pump 662, and a piston 663. Housing 661 includes fluid 666 for driving piston 663 and fluid 667 for generating an aerosol. Fluid 666 and fluid 667 are segmented by piston 663. Casing 661 includes a flow path 661A for communicating casing 661 and pump 662 and a flow path 661B for communicating casing 661 and pump 662. Casing 661 includes an outlet port 661C configured to discharge liquid 667.

[0221] Here, pump 662 moves piston 663 by withdrawing fluid 666. For example, pump 662 advances piston 663 by sucking fluid 666 through flow path 661A and returning fluid 666 to housing 661 through flow path 661B. Thus, pump 662 can discharge fluid 667 from outlet port 661C. Pump 662 may be a piezo pump.

According to such a configuration, the liquid 666 used to discharge the liquid 667 is not mixed with the liquid 667, and thus the possibility that an impurity is mixed into the liquid 667 can be reduced. Additionally, the liquid 667 that generates the aerosol does not pass through the pump 662, and thus the degradation of the liquid 667 can be suppressed. Additionally, the amount of movement of the piston 663 may be indicated by the amount of liquid outflow 666, and the remaining volume of liquid 667 may be indicated by the amount of movement of the piston 663.

[0222] In FIG. 42, fluid 666 is roughly illustrated as the driving medium for piston 663; however, gas may be used instead of liquid 666.

[0223] Here, as shown in FIG. 43, fluid feeder 60 may include a pump 668 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 42. Pump 668 moves piston 663 by withdrawing fluid 666. Pump 668 retracts piston 663 by drawing fluid 666 through flow path 669A and returning fluid 666 to housing 661 through flow path 669B. Pump 668 may be a piezo pump.

[0224] Second, as illustrated in FIG. 44, the fluid supply 60 includes a case 671 and a bag 672. The case 671 houses the bag 672 and air 676 and includes an inlet 671A configured to supply air 676 to the case 671. The bag 672 houses the aerosol forming liquid 677 and includes includes an outlet port 672A configured to discharge liquid 677. The outlet port 672A may be integrally formed with the housing 671.

[0225] Here, the bag 672 is configured from a flexible member. Thus, when air 676 is supplied to the housing 671 from the inlet 671A, the bag 672 can release the liquid 677 through air pressure 676.

[0226] According to such a configuration, the air 676 used to expel the liquid 677 does not mix with the liquid 677, and thus the possibility that an impurity is mixed into the liquid 677 can be reduced.

In FIG. 44, air 676 is exemplarily illustrated as a pressurizing medium in bag 672; however, liquid may be used instead of air 676.

[0227] Twenty-first modification

The twenty-first modification of the embodiment is described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0228] Although not specifically mentioned in the embodiment, the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element can be cut by laser cutting. According to such a configuration, since the edge portion of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 becomes smooth, the wear resistance of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 and the adhesion of the cover layer 36 are improved.

[0229] Twenty-second modification

The twenty-second modification of the embodiment is described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0230] In the twenty-second modification, as illustrated in FIG. 45, the spray unit 100 includes a top cover 710, a guide wall 711, and a sensor 712. The spray unit 100 includes a piezoelectric element substrate 31 and pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 as described in the embodiment.

[0231] The top cover 710 is provided such that it covers the transverse and top side of the aerosol sprayed by the SAW. An opening 710A is provided at the top end of the top cap 710 to let out the aerosol.

[0232] The guide wall 711 is provided such that it contacts the inner wall of the top cap 710 without providing space with the inner wall of the top cap 710. The guide wall 711 is positioned at a large distance from the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element, a through slot 34 is provided between the substrate 31 piezoelectric element and guide wall 711. FIG. 45, guide walls 711A and 711B are provided as guide wall 711.

[0233] The first liquid is provided to a through slot 34A provided between the piezoelectric element substrate 31 and the guide wall 711A from a liquid supply (eg, a syringe pump). Similarly, the second liquid is provided to the through slot 34B provided between the piezoelectric element substrate 31 and the guide wall 711B from a liquid supply (eg, a syringe pump). The first liquid and the second liquid may be the same kind of liquid or a different kind of liquid.

[0234] The sensor 72 detects liquid available from the through slot 34, identical to the ninth modification, and the like. The liquid supply 60 (liquid supply rate) may be controlled based on the detection result of the sensor 72. FIG. 45, the sensor 72A detects the first liquid accessible from the through slot 34A and the sensor 72B detects the second liquid accessible from the through slot 34B as the sensor 72.

[0235] Although not shown in FIG. 45, a sealing member such as a sealing ring or a package may be provided to suppress leakage of the first liquid and the second liquid.

[0236] Twenty-third modification

The twenty-third modification of the embodiment is described below. The difference from the embodiment is mainly described below.

[0237] In the twenty-third modification, as illustrated in FIG. 46, the spray unit 100 includes an impactor 721 and a partition wall 722 in addition to the configuration of FIG. 45.

[0238] The impactor 721 is positioned to cover the spray zone of the first liquid. The impactor 721 has a function to capture large particles (eg, about 10 microns) included in the aerosol formed from the first liquid by inertial impact. Fine particles are directed into the opening 710A (which is the user's mouth) from the void between the impactor 721 and the piezoelectric element substrate 31 without being caught by the impactor 721.

[0239] Large particles captured by the impactor 721 may be returned to the spray zone. Large particles returned to the spray zone can be re-sprayed. Alternatively, large particles captured by the impactor 721 may be collected by a collection element, such as a porous absorber or reservoir, without being reused for spraying.

[0240] In FIG. 46, although no impactor is provided that covers the spray zone of the second liquid, an impactor that covers the spray zone of the second liquid may be provided. The first liquid and the second liquid may be the same kind of liquid or a different kind of liquid. An aerosol including particles of the desired size may or may not be supplied by providing an impactor.

[0241] Although FIG. 46 shows an example in which the first liquid and the second liquid are sprayed independently, the first liquid and the second liquid can be sprayed after mixing. The impactor 721 can be positioned to cover the spray area of the mixed liquid or be positioned in the mouthpiece.

[0242] A dividing wall 722 is provided between the first liquid spray zone and the second liquid spray zone. The partition wall 722 suppresses mixing of the aerosol formed from the first liquid and the aerosol formed from the second liquid until the aerosol is discharged from the opening 710A. According to such a configuration, mixing of the aerosol formed from different kinds of liquids can be suppressed when the first liquid and the second liquid have different kinds. In particular, it is desirable to suppress the mixing of an aerosol formed from various kinds of liquids when large particles formed from the respective liquids are repeatedly used.

[0243] Additionally, partition wall 722 can trap extra large particles (e.g., about 100 microns), large coarse particles captured by impactor 721. In addition, partition wall 722 can trap extra large particles of about 100 microns when impactor 712 is not provided. .

[0244] Extra-large particles captured by the dividing wall 722 can be returned to the spray zone. Extra-large particles returned to the spray zone can be re-sprayed. Alternatively, ultra-large particles captured by the partition wall 722 may be collected by a collection element, such as a porous absorber or reservoir, without being reused for spraying.

[0245] Although the impactor 721 is provided in FIG. 46, a filter 725 may be provided instead of an impactor 721 as shown in FIG. 47. The filter 725 may be a fibrous bed filter or a granular packing material bed provided at an arbitrary position in the top cap 710. The coarse particle collection efficiency can be designed appropriately by varying the fiber diameter, grain size, filling ratio, and filling length of the filter 721.

[0246] The top cover 710 may include an inlet 726. An air or aerosol flow path from the inlet 726 to the opening 710A is formed in the top cover 710. According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress aerosol retention in the top cover 710 and optimize the amount of aerosol delivered into the mouth. Top cover 710 in FIG. 45 and 46 may include an inlet 726.

[0247] The result of the experiment

The result of the experiment is described below. In the experiment, distilled water is used as the liquid, and 50 MHz is used as the voltage frequency applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes. In the experiment, the diameter distribution of the particles included in the aerosol. Fig. 48 shows the result of the experiment.

[0248] FIG. 48 shows the diameter distributions observed based on the number of particles and particle volume. Regarding the number of particles, it should be noted that the diameter distribution has one peak. However, with respect to particle volume, it should be noted that the diameter distribution has two peaks (at about 0.6 microns and about 8 microns).

[0249] In such a case, it is possible to adjust the diameter distribution based on particle volume so as to have a single peak (about 0.6 microns) by selectively capturing particles of 8 microns by using the impactor 721 or filter 725 described in the twenty-third modifications (see Fig. 46 or 47).

[0250] Twenty-fourth modification

Fig. 49 is a perspective view showing an example of the exterior of the unit except for the sensor 300, the controller 400, and the power source 500 of the aroma inhaler 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 50 is a longitudinal section of the block shown in FIG. 49. FIG. 51 is an exploded perspective view of the block shown in FIG. 49. As shown in FIG. 49-51, the block 1000 includes a mouthpiece 1001D, a spray block 1100, a first liquid storage block 1200A, and a second liquid storage block 1200B. It should be noted that in the following description, "aromatic inhaler" may simply be referred to as "inhaler". In addition to aromatic components, any components that can be inhaled can be inhaled through the use of an "inhaler".

[0251] The first liquid storage unit 1200A and the second liquid storage unit 1200B are housed in a housing 1202, which is a component of the 1X housing shown in FIG. 1. In the present modified example, the first liquid storage unit 1200A includes a cylinder 1204A and a piston 1206A, and the first liquid is stored in a space defined by the cylinder 1204A and the piston 1206A. Similarly, the second fluid storage unit 1200B includes a cylinder 1204B and a piston 1206B, and the second fluid is stored in a space defined by the cylinder 1204B and the piston 1206B. The first liquid storage unit 1200A and the second liquid storage unit 1200B may be integrally designed as a cartridge to be set to be attached/removable at the same time.

[0252] In the present modified example, the first liquid and the second liquid may be the same liquid. Alternatively, the first liquid and the second liquid may be different from each other. The first liquid may contain at least nicotine. In addition, the first liquid, for example, may contain an acid such as malic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, and the like, to form a salt with nicotine. Additionally, the first liquid may contain at least one of erythritol, a salt, inosinic acid, glutamic acid, succinic acid, their sodium salts, their potassium salts, isohumulone, cucurbitacin, curcumin, falcarindiol, naringin, quassin, quinine, riboflavin, thiamine and catechin, as a flavor component. In addition, the first liquid may contain at least one of capsaicin, piperine, eugenol, allicin, allyl isothiocyanate, gingerol, cinnamaldehyde and their glycosides, as a component (somatosensory component) for presenting appropriate somatic expression in the user who inhales the component .

[0253] The second liquid may contain an aromatic component that includes at least one of menthol, limonene, citral, linalool, vanillin, carvone, and their glycosides. The second liquid may contain an emulsifier and may be in an emulsified state. Regarding the emulsifier, it may be possible to use emulsifiers such as glycerol fatty acid ester, sorbitan fatty acid ester, propylene glycol fatty acid ester, sucrose fatty acid ester, lecithin, saponin, sodium caseinate, oxyethylene fatty acid alcohol. acids, sodium oleate, morpholine fatty acid salt, polyoxyethylene higher fatty acid alcohol, calcium stearyllactate, ammonium phosphate monoglyceride, etc. The second liquid may contain a solvent such as glycerol, propylene glycol, ethanol, and the like. In case the hydrophobic aromatic component is to be used in the second liquid, it can be set to be in the form of a solution by dissolving the aromatic component in a solvent. Additionally, the second liquid may contain at least one of erythritol, a salt, inosinic acid, glutamic acid, succinic acid, their sodium salts, their potassium salts, isohumulone, cucurbitacin, curcumin, falcarindiol, naringin, quassin, quinine, riboflavin, thiamine and catechin, as a flavor component. In addition, the second liquid may contain at least one of capsaicin, piperine, eugenol, allicin, allyl isothiocyanate, gingerol, cinnamaldehyde and their glycosides, as a component (somatosensory component) for presenting appropriate somatic expression in a user who inhales the component . At least one of the first liquid and the second liquid may be identical to the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 200, which is explained with respect to FIG. one.

[0254] As shown in FIG. 50, housing 1202 houses an electric motor 1208A and a gearbox 1210A. Electrical power is supplied from the power source 500 shown in FIG. 1, into the electric motor 1 208A. The gearbox 1210A can convert a driving force in the direction of rotation of the electric motor 1208A into a driving force in the axis direction of the piston 1206A. In addition, the gearbox 1210A can change the speed of the electric motor 1208A. Similarly, housing 1202 houses motor 1208B and gearbox 1210B, and piston 1206B is driven by motor 1208B and gearbox 1210B. Electrical power is supplied from the power source 500 shown in FIG. 1, into the 1208B electric motor. Thus, in the present modified example, the liquid feeder for supplying liquid from the first liquid storage unit 1200A and the second liquid storage unit 1200B is constructed by using, as its components, electric motors 1208A and 1208B and gearboxes 1210A and 1210B. It should be noted that it may be possible to drive both pistons 1206A and 1206B by using one electric motor and one gearbox.

[0255] As shown in FIG. 50, the atomizing unit 1100 is placed at a position above the first liquid storage unit 1200A and the second liquid storage unit 1200B, and is attached to the top of the case 1202 by a fastener 1002 such as a screw, etc. In addition, the mouthpiece 1001D is attached to the top of the atomization unit 1100 by a fastener 1004 such as a screw, etc.

[0256] As shown in FIG. 51, the atomizing unit 1100 is closed by the first cover 1106 and the second cover 1107. The first cover 1106 includes, on the upper surface, a first opening part 1102 and a second opening part 1104. Part 1102 of the first hole is designed in such a way that the first aerosol, which is formed by spraying the first liquid, passes through it, as explained below. Part 1104 of the second hole is designed in such a way that the second aerosol, which is formed by spraying the second liquid, passes through it, as explained below.

[0257] Next, the spray unit 1100 shown in FIG. 49-51. Fig. 52 is an exploded perspective view of the spray unit 1100 from which the first cover 1106 and the second cover 1107 are removed. FIG. 53 is a cross-sectional view of the spray block 1100. FIG. 53, for convenience of explanation, a first liquid storage unit 1200A and a second liquid storage unit 1200B are shown. As shown in FIG. 52, the atomizing unit 1100 includes a base member 1108, a PCB board 1109, a piezoelectric element substrate 1031 comprising a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes 1033, a pair of guide walls 1711A and 1711B, and a top cover 1710. An adhesive sheet 1110 is positioned between the base member 1108 and the PCB- board 1109 such that the position of the PCB board 1109 relative to the base member 1108 is fixed, and leakage of the first liquid and the second liquid is suppressed.

[0258] As shown in FIG. 53, the piezoelectric element substrate 1031 is positioned on the top surface of the PCB board 1109. The heat sink structure 1035, similar to the heat sink structure 35 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is positioned on the rear surface of the piezoelectric element substrate 1031. It should be noted that it is possible to adapt the heat sink structure shown in FIG. 39-41 instead of the heat sink structure 1035.

[0259] Additionally, the substrate 1031 of the piezoelectric element includes a pair of edges 1031A and 1031B, which are opposite each other. The guide wall 1711A is positioned on the side of the edge 1031A, and the guide wall 1711B is positioned on the side of the edge 1031B. The guide walls 1711A and 1711B comprise through slots 1713A and 1713B that extend between the top surface and the bottom surface, respectively. Additionally, the guide walls 1711A and 1711B comprise concave portions 1714A and 1714B communicating with through slots 1713A and 1713B, respectively. As shown in FIG. 53, the first liquid storage unit 1200A and the second liquid storage unit 1200B are connected to the lower surfaces of the guide walls 1711A and 1711B, respectively. Liquids (first liquid and second liquid) supplied by syringe pumps from the first liquid storage unit 1200A and the second liquid storage unit 1200B pass through the through slots 1713A and 1713B from the lower side to the upper side and enter the concave portions 1714A and 1714B, respectively. Fluids that enter the concave portions 1714A and 1714B enter the edges 1031A and 1031B and are energized into a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes 1033. In this way, syringe pumps are designed to deliver the first liquid and the second liquid to the edges 1031A and 1031B of the substrate 1031 piezoelectric element, respectively.

[0260] Additionally, the spray unit 1100 includes a sealing member 1111. The sealing member 1111 is generally approximately annular in shape and contacts the top surfaces of the guide walls 1711A and 1711B and the top surface of the piezoelectric element substrate 1031. As a result, the liquids that enter the concave portions 1714A and 1714B are controlled so that the liquids do not flow beyond the guide walls 1711A and 1711B and the piezoelectric element substrate 1031.

[0261] The spray unit 1100 includes a pair of electrical contacts 1032A and 1032B that electrically connect contacts formed on the PCB board 1109 to a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes 1033. Additionally, the spray unit 1100 includes sensors 1070 for detecting liquid. In the example shown in FIG. 52, sensor 1070 is a conductivity sensor. The function of sensor 1070 is the same as sensor 71 shown in FIG. 21. In addition, the liquid detection sensor is not limited to the above, and the transmitter and receiver sensor or the capacitive sensor shown in FIG. 22-25.

[0262] As shown in FIG. 52 and FIG. 53, the top cover 1710 includes, at its central portion, an opening portion 1710a through which the aerosol passes, and is configured to cover the guide walls 1711A and 1711B, the PCB board 1109, and the piezoelectric element substrate 1031 from above. In addition, the sealing ring 1113 is placed between the periphery in the side portion of the top cover 1710 and the first cover 1106.

[0263] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 53, the opening portion 1710a of the top cover 1710 is positioned above the pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes 1033 and the pair of edges 1031A and 1031B of the piezoelectric element substrate 1031. Thus, the first liquid mist and the second liquid mist, which are formed by the pair of edges 1031A and 1031B, can flow beyond the top cover 1710. Further, as shown in the drawing, the first cover 1106 is configured to cover the front surface side of the substrate 1031 piezoelectric element. The first opening portion 1102 and the second opening portion 1104 of the first cover 1106 are positioned immediately above the edges 1031A and 1031B of the piezoelectric element substrate 1031, respectively. Thus, the first liquid mist and the second liquid mist, which are formed by the edges 1031A and 1031B, respectively, can pass through the first opening portion 1102 and the second opening portion 1104, respectively. Accordingly, the first opening portion 1102 of the first cover 1106 may emit aerosol from mainly the first liquid, and the second opening portion 1104 may emit aerosol from mainly the second liquid.

[0264] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 53, the first cover 1106 is positioned such that it covers the part immediately above the accommodating portion in which the pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes 1033 is positioned and does not need to come into contact with the pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes 1033. Thus, the aerosol generated by the edges 1031A and 1031B must be forcibly contacted with the pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes 1033 so that degradation of the pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes 1033 can be suppressed and propagation of SAW by the pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes 1033 cannot be prevented. The gap between the first cover 1106 and the substrate 1031 of the piezoelectric element, for example, may be approximately a few microns. If the gap is the gap explained above, deterioration in performance of the pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 can be sufficiently suppressed.

[0265] Next, the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 49-51. Fig. 54 is a cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece 1001D. The mouthpiece 1001D includes a first tube channel 1016 that includes at least a portion that is curved, a second tube channel 1018 that is approximately straight, and a third tube channel 1020. Based on FIG. 50, it should be understood that the first tubular passage 1016 communicates with the first opening portion 1102 of the first cover 1106, and the second tubular passage 1018 communicates with the second opening portion 1104. Thus, the first tubular passage 1016 defines the first flow path 1016a through which the first aerosol mainly passes, which is formed by spraying the first liquid. In addition, the second tube channel 1018 defines the second flow path 1018a through which the second aerosol, which is formed by spraying the second liquid, mainly passes. In addition, with respect to the third flow path 1020a, which is defined by the third tubular channel 1020, the first aerosol and the second aerosol flow into and through each other. The first air inlet 1016b is formed on the side surface of the first tubular passage 1016, and the second air inlet 1018b is formed on the side surface of the second tubular passage 1018. As a result of the inhalation action by the user, air flows into the first flow path 1016a and the second flow path 1018a from the first air inlet 1016b and a second air inlet.

[0266] Regarding the case in which the first liquid includes nicotine and water, and in which the first liquid is sprayed by the SAW formed by the pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes 1033, it is known that peaks in the diameter distribution of the particles included in the aerosol appear at a point of about 10 microns (hereinafter, large particles) and at a point in submicron (hereinafter, submicron particles), as shown by the experimental result shown in FIG. 48. According to the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 54, the aerosol including large particles in the aerosol passing through the first flow path 1016a collides with the wall surface of the first tubular passage 1016 and is captured thereby. Thus, the aerosol including large particles is excluded from the aerosol passing through the first flow path 1016a, so that the aerosol including particles having the desired particle sizes can be supplied to the user's mouth. In order to contain the colliding particles in the aerosol, it is preferable if the wall surface of the first tubular channel 1016 contains a porous material, such as a fibrous packing material layer, a granular packing material layer, a sponge, a sintered body, etc., or the wall surface is directly formed by using a porous material. material.

[0267] In addition, with respect to the case in which the second liquid includes aromatic components, and in which the second liquid is sprayed by the SAW formed by the pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes 1033, it is known that the peak in the diameter distribution of the particles included in the aerosol , appears at a point about 10 microns. According to the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 54, each of the second conduit 1018 defining the second flow path 1018a and the third conduit 1020 defining the third flow path 1020a is formed to be approximately straight. Thus, even if the particles of the aerosol formed from the second liquid are large particles, trapping of the aerosol by each of the wall surfaces of the second conduit 1018 and the third conduit 1020 can be suppressed.

[0268] FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional side view showing another example of a mouthpiece 1001D. The mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 55 is different compared to the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 54 in such an aspect that it includes an air inlet 1022 in communication with the first flow path 1016a. In the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 55, the first tubular passage 1016 also includes at least a portion that is curved, and the second tubular passage 1018 is also formed to have an approximately straight shape. Thus, the aerosol including large particles in the aerosol passing through the first flow path 1016a collides with the wall surface of the first tubular passage 1016 and is captured thereby. In addition, even if the particles of the aerosol formed from the second liquid are large particles, trapping of the aerosol by each of the wall surfaces of the second conduit 1018 and the third conduit 1020 can be suppressed. In order to contain the colliding particles in the aerosol, it is preferable if the wall surface of the first tubular channel 1016 contains a porous material, such as a fibrous packing material layer, a granular packing material layer, a sponge, a sintered body, etc., or the wall surface is directly formed by using a porous material. material.

[0269] FIG. 56 is a perspective view showing a further example of a 1001D mouthpiece. As shown in FIG. 56, the mouthpiece 1001D includes a base portion 1024 that is connected to the spray unit 1100 shown in FIG. 51, etc., an air flow path portion 1026 extending upward from the base portion 1024, a separation portion 1028 connected to the air flow path portion 1026, and an air outlet 1030. In the air flow path portion 1026, the air inlet 1024A is formed to supply air in the air flow path, which is not shown in the drawing, part 1026 of the air flow path.

[0270] The mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 56 comprises a flow path in which the aerosol flowing into the mouthpiece 1001D as a result of the inhalation action performed by the user is swirled while the aerosol passes through the flow path and is directed to the air outlet 1030. Specifically, the air flowing in from the air inlet 1024A during the inhalation action performed by the user, takes the aerosol generated in the spray unit 1100 and enters the separation part 1028 through an air flow path that is not shown in the drawing, in the air flow path part 1026. It should be noted that the first aerosol that is formed in the spray unit 1100 from the first liquid may pass through an air flow path that is not shown in the drawing, in the air flow path portion 1026. In the separating portion 1028, the aerosol including large particles is captured by swirling the aerosol, and the aerosol including submicron particles flows out of the air outlet 1030.

[0271] Additionally, the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 56 includes a second tubular passage 1018 through which a second aerosol can pass, which is formed in the spray unit 1100 from the second liquid. In the present modified example, the second tubular channel 1018 extends, in an orthogonal direction, from the base portion 1024. The second tube 1018 maintains fluid exchange with the air outlet 1030, and the aerosol including submicron particles in the first aerosol flows into the second tube 1018 from the air outlet 1030. The third tube 1020 is a tube extending from the second tube. channel 1018, and the aerosol including submicron particles in the first aerosol and the second aerosol passes through the third tubular channel 1020.

[0272] FIG. 57 is a schematic drawing of a mouthpiece 1001D showing cross sections of the spacer portion 1028 and the air outlet 1030 shown in FIG. 56. The separating part 1028 includes a conical part 1032 that communicates with the air flow path 1026A of the air flow path part 1026, a capturing part 1034 that communicates with the tip part (smaller diameter side) of the conical part 1032, and an outflow part 1036 that communicates with the rear the end portion (larger diameter side) of the conical portion 1032. The aerosol flowing into the separation portion 1028 from the air flow path 1026A is swirled in the conical portion 1032. At this time, the aerosol including large particles is separated from the air flow, captured by the walls of the conical portion 1032, and the collected liquid is eventually released in drops into the collecting portion 1034 and retained therein. On the other hand, the aerosol including submicron particles does not stick to the wall surface of the conical portion 1032 even if the aerosol is forcibly swirled and flows into the second tubular passage 1018 from the air outlet 1030 along with the air flow.

[0273] The mouthpiece 1001D shown in each of FIGS. 54-56 may comprise at least one of the impactor 721 discussed with respect to FIG. 46 and the filter 725 explained with respect to FIG. 47 (each corresponding to an example of a catching element) appropriately. Larger particles can then be captured in a more appropriate manner. Preferably, the impactor 721 is formed by using a porous material, such as a fibrous packing material layer, a granular packing material layer, a sponge, a sintered body, etc., to contain colliding aerosol particles.

[0274] FIG. 58 is a side cross-sectional view showing yet another additional example of a 1001D mouthpiece. Fig. 59 is a schematic side view showing air flow through the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 58. In FIG. 59, the flow of air flowing in from the first air inlet 1016b and the second air inlet 1018b is shown by using an arrow. Similar to the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 54, the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 58 and FIG. 59 includes a first tubular passage 1016 that includes at least a portion that is curved, a second tubular passage 1018 that is approximately straight, and a third tubular passage 1020. The first tubular passage 1016 communicates with the first opening portion 1102 of the first cover 1106 shown in FIG. 51 and the second tubular passage 1018 communicates with the second opening portion 1104. Thus, the first tubular passage 1016 defines the first flow path 1016a through which the first aerosol mainly passes, which is formed by spraying the first liquid. In addition, the second tube channel 1018 defines the second flow path 1018a through which the second aerosol, which is formed by spraying the second liquid, mainly passes. In addition, with respect to the third flow path 1020a, which is defined by the third tubular channel 1020, the first aerosol and the second aerosol flow into and through each other.

[0275] Additionally, the first flow path 1016a in the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 58 and FIG. 59 includes an airflow accelerating element 1037 and a catching element 1038 positioned on the further side relative to the airflow accelerating element 1037. The air flow accelerating element 1037 may decrease the flow path of the first flow path 1016a such that the flow rate of the first aerosol flowing towards the catching element 1038 may increase. The catching element 1038 is placed at a position where the first aerosol passing through the airflow accelerating element 1037 collides, and is capable of having a gap in terms of the cross section of the first flow path 1016a. In the example shown in the drawing, the air flow accelerating member 1037 is formed by using a porous fibrous layer filter having a through hole in the center (Hall center filter) and the like, and the catching member 1038 is formed by using a hard porous fibrous filter. layer (super fine filter), etc.

[0276] The second flow path 1018a includes an airflow acceleration element 1039 that has an opening in its central portion. For example, the element 1039 accelerating the air flow extends the entire length of the second flow path 1018a and has an inner diameter greater than the inner diameter of the element 1037 accelerating the air flow.

[0277] As shown by using the arrow in FIG. 59, air flowing in from the first air inlet 1016b (not shown in FIG. 58) picks up the first aerosol from the first port portion 1102 shown in FIG. 51 and flows into the first flow path 1016a. The air flowing in from the second air inlet 1018b picks up the second aerosol from the second hole portion 1104 shown in FIG. 51 and flows into the second flow path 1018a.

[0278] A portion of the aerosol including large particles in the first aerosol flowing into the first flow path 1016a is captured by the inner surface of the airflow accelerating element 1037 when the aerosol passes through the airflow accelerating element 1037, which is formed by using a filter. In addition, the flow rate of the first aerosol passing through the airflow acceleration member 1037 is increased by the airflow acceleration member 1037, and the first aerosol collides with the catching member 1038. As a result, the aerosol including large particles in the first aerosol is captured by the catching element 1038, and on the other hand, the aerosol including submicron particles is not captured by the catching element 1038, so that it passes through the gap between the catching element 1038 and the wall surface of the first tubular channel 1016 and enters the third flow path 1020a. By increasing the flow rate of the first aerosol through the use of the airflow accelerating element 1037, the inertial collection efficiency of the aerosol, which includes large particles, in the catching element 1038 can be improved.

[0279] As shown in the drawing, since the second tube channel 1018 is formed to be approximately straight, capturing the second aerosol, which includes large particles, and flows into the second flow path 1018a on the wall surface of the second tube channel 1018 (on the inner wall of the element 1039) is suppressed so that the second aerosol can enter the third tubular passage 1020. It should be noted that the airflow acceleration member 1037, the catching member 1038, and the airflow acceleration member 1039 may be formed by using a porous material such as fibrous packing material layer, granular packing material layer, sponge, sintered body, etc.

[0280] FIG. 60 is a side cross-sectional view showing yet another additional example of a 1101D mouthpiece. Fig. 61 is a schematic side view showing air flow through the mouthpiece shown in FIG. 60. The mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 60 and FIG. 61 is different compared to the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 58 and FIG. 59 in such an aspect that the air inlet for supplying air to the mouthpiece 1001D of the first one is different from the air inlet of the second one. In particular, the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 60 and FIG. 61 includes an air inlet 1025 positioned between the first tubular passage 1016 and the second tubular passage 1018 instead of the first air inlet 1016b and the second air inlet 1018b.

[0281] The air inlet 1025 extends through the mouthpiece 1001D from the surface on the front side to the surface on the back side of the mouthpiece 1001D when viewing the sheet showing FIG. 61 from the front. In addition, as shown in FIG. 61, the air inlet 1025 communicates with the first flow path 1016a of the first tubular passage 1016 and the second flow path 1018a of the second flow path 1018. A portion of the air flowing in from the air inlet 1025 takes the first aerosol from the first opening portion 1102 shown in FIG. 51 and flows into the first flow path 1016a. In addition, the remainder of the air flowing in from the air inlet 1025 picks up the second aerosol from the second hole portion 1104 shown in FIG. 51 and flows into the second flow path 1018a. Additionally, in the case of the present example, an opening that is different from the first opening portion 1102 and the second opening portion 1104 may be formed on the first cover 1106 shown in FIG. 51 and FIG. 53, and the air entrained from the air inlet 1025 can be forced to flow into the inside of the first cover 1106, be forced to pass over the surface of the IDT (pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes 1033), and thereafter be forced to flow through the first hole portion 1102 and the second hole portion 1104. By allowing air to flow as explained above, adhesion of the aerosol that is formed by the edge 1031A and the edge 1031B to the IDT can be more reliably prevented. It should be noted that the airflow explained above is not limited to the airflow in the case of the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 61 and it can fit other 1001D mouthpieces.

[0282] Mouthpieces 1001D shown in FIG. 54-61 are illustrated as mouthpieces having third tubular channels 1020; however, their constructions are not limited to those explained above. Thus, each of the mouthpieces 1001D shown in FIG. 54-61 may be designed so that it does not include the third tube channel 1020, and the first aerosol passing through the first tube channel 1016 and the second aerosol passing through the second tube channel 1018 enter the user's mouth independently of each other. Further, with respect to the twenty-fourth modification, although it is explained that the second liquid is sprayed by using the energy of the surface acoustic wave in the IDT, the structure is not limited to the above, and the second liquid can be sprayed by using another appropriate method, such as a method using an existing mesh nebulizer, etc. .P. Additionally, the first lid 1106 and the second lid 1107 shown in FIG. 51-53 may be formed by using a metal to suppress EMC radiation.

[0283] Experiment 1

An experiment was conducted to measure the diameter distribution relative to the aerosol passing through the first flow path 1016a and the third flow path 1020a in the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 58 and FIG. 59. In the experiment, the aerosol flow rate is set to 55 ml/3s, and a solution comprising 96% by weight of water, 2% by weight of malic acid and 2% by weight of nicotine is adjusted as the source of the aerosols. Spraytech offered by Malvern Corporation is used as the measuring device. Further, an experiment was conducted in which the airflow acceleration member 1037 and the catching member 1038 were not used, an experiment in which the airflow acceleration member 1037 having an inner diameter of 2.0 mm was used, and an experiment in which the airflow acceleration member 1037 , which has an internal diameter of 3.2 mm, is used in the 1001 mouthpiece.

[0284] FIG. 62 is a graph showing the measurement result of the diameter distribution relative to the aerosol in Experiment 1. Note that the vertical axis in FIG. 62 shows the weight distribution, ie. the result of a transformation from a volume distribution when the integrated value of the volume distribution of all aerosol particle diameters is assumed to correspond to the weight of the aerosol inhaled by a single inhalation action. It should be noted that the weight of the aerosol inhaled by one inhalation action is estimated by capturing, by means of a filter, the aerosol outputted when the inhalation action is performed such that a value of 55 ml is inhaled over a period of 3 seconds at a constant inhalation rate, and calculating the difference between the weight before the action of inhalation and the weight after the action of inhalation. As shown in FIG. 62, if the airflow acceleration element 1037 and the catcher element 1038 are not used in the mouthpiece 1001D, the diameter distribution peak appears at about 10 microns. On the other hand, in each of the case in which the catching member 1038 and the airflow accelerating member 1037 having an inner diameter of 2.0 mm are used and the case in which the catching member 1038 and the airflow accelerating member 1037 having an inner diameter at 3.2 mm, the distribution of particle diameters of approximately 10 microns disappears. More specifically, in the case where the catching element 1038 and the airflow accelerating element 1037 having an inner diameter of 2.0 mm are used, almost all of the diameter distribution of 2 microns or more disappears; and in case the catching element 1038 and the airflow accelerating element 1037 having an inner diameter of 3.2 mm are used, almost all of the diameter distribution of 5 microns or more disappears. On the other hand, the diameter distribution of submicron particles in each case is not significantly different from the diameter distribution for other cases. Based on the above experimental result, it can be understood that an aerosol including large particles is captured, and submicron particles are allowed to enter the third flow path 1020a in case the capture member 1038 and the airflow acceleration member 1037 are used.

[0285] Experiment 2

An experiment was conducted to verify degrees of throat discomfort when an aerosol passing through the first flow path 1016a and the third flow path 2010a in the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 58 and FIG. 59. In the experiment, a solution comprising 96% by weight of water, 2% by weight of malic acid and 2% by weight of nicotine is adapted as a source of aerosols; and the degree of discomfort in the throat with respect to each user on the panel including five people when the user performs the inhalation action by using the mouthpiece 1001D is verified. In addition, similar to the case of Experiment 1, an experiment was conducted in which the airflow acceleration member 1037 and the catching member 1038 were not used, an experiment in which the airflow acceleration member 1037 having an inner diameter of 2.0 mm was used, and an experiment, in in which an airflow acceleration element 1037 having an inner diameter of 3.2 mm is used in the mouthpiece 1001.

[0286] FIG. 63 shows a graph and score sheet showing degrees of throat discomfort. With regard to throat discomfort, the strength of throat discomfort felt by each user on the panel when the user inhales the aerosol is judged by using the evaluation sheet shown in FIG. 63. Specifically, throat discomfort in the event that each of the five people on the panel inhales the aerosol by using the mouthpiece 1101D, which uses neither the airflow acceleration element 1037 nor the catching element 1038, is evaluated, and the throat discomfort relative to each of the others examples are also appreciated. For example, in addition to the positions on the score sheet on which the numbers are written, each user on the panel can enter the record label at any position, such as between the numbers 2 and 3. When analyzing the result, the positions of the recorded labels are measured by using a ruler and converted to numeric values. Each line of errors in the graph in Fig. 63 shows the confidence interval with respect to the mean when the confidence level is 95%.

[0287] It should be noted that in the experiment, a solution including 2 wt. % nicotine, 2 wt. The parts shown in Fig. 60 and 61 used in the 1101D mouthpiece. The volume of solution to be delivered during nebulization is set to 5 mg/second and each subject inhales the nebulized aerosol for an arbitrary duration and evaluates the degree of discomfort felt over time.

[0288] As shown by the graph in FIG. 63, in each of the case in which the air flow acceleration member 1037 having an inner diameter of 2.0 mm is used and the case in which the air flow acceleration member 1037 having an inner diameter of 3.2 mm is used, the degree of discomfort in the throat significantly reduced, compared with the case in which the element 1037 acceleration of the air flow and the catching element 1038 are not used in the mouthpiece 1101D; therefore, it can be said that the above two cases are preferable from the point of view of the taste sensation of inhaling the fragrance.

[0289] Regarding the case of FIG. 63, it should be noted that, in the case where the airflow acceleration element 1037 and the capture element 1038 are used, the amount of nicotine inhaled per unit time is reduced, compared with the case in which the airflow acceleration element 1037 and the capture element 1038 are not used. To evaluate the effect due to the above question, the concentration of nicotine in the solution that is used is adjusted so that the amount of nicotine inhaled per unit time is set to be identical, and the evaluation is performed; however, as a result, the trend shown in FIG. 63, not changed (not shown in the drawing). Thus, the particle size mainly contributes mainly to the degree of discomfort in the throat, and the degree of discomfort in the throat can be reduced by reducing large particles.

[0290] As explained above, according to Experiment 1, an aerosol including large particles is captured, and submicron particles are allowed to enter the third flow path 1020a if the air flow accelerating element 1037 and the catching element 1038 are used. Accordingly, in Experiment 2, it can be understood that, in the case that the air flow acceleration member 1037 and the catching member 1038 are used, an aerosol including large particles is captured, and submicron particles are allowed to enter the third flow path 1020a, whereby into the user's mouth. In addition, in Experiment 2, in the case that the airflow accelerating member 1037 and the catching member 1038 are used, the discomfort in the throat can be greatly reduced and the desired flavor inhalation taste can be obtained. Thus, it can be pointed out that by using the flow acceleration member 1037 and the catching member 1038 in the mouthpiece 1001D, an aerosol including large particles is captured, and as a result, throat discomfort is greatly reduced.

[0291] In general, it is known that the particle size emitted from a cigarette when it is burned is approximately 0.2 microns. On the other hand, as explained above, the aerosol generated by the spray unit 1100 associated with the twenty-fourth modification includes large particles having a size of about 10 microns in addition to submicron particles. Thus, by adapting the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 58, in block 1000 associated with the twenty-fourth modification, sub-micron particles are allowed to enter the user's mouth, while large particles are significantly reduced. As a result, a flavor inhalation taste similar to that obtained from a burnt cigarette can be obtained. It should be noted that since the mouthpieces 1001D shown in FIG. 54-57 can also deliver sub-micron particles to the user's mouth while reducing large particles, the mouthpieces can provide a flavor inhalation taste similar to the flavor inhalation taste provided by the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 58.

[0292] Twenty-fifth modification

With regard to the twenty-fifth modification, the following will explain a sensor 1070 for detecting liquid supplied to the edges 1031A and 1031B in the piezoelectric element substrate 1031 shown in FIG. 52. For example, based on the detection result by the sensor 1070, the controller 400 shown in FIG. 1 may drive motors 1208A and 1208B, which are fluid feeders shown in FIG. 50 and control the liquid supply rates and liquid supply quantities that are supplied from the first liquid storage unit 1200A and the second liquid storage unit 1200B to the edges 1031A and 1031B, respectively. A sufficient spray amount cannot be obtained if the amounts of liquids supplied to the edges 1031A and 1031B are small; and particle diameters in the atomized aerosol become large if the amounts of liquids supplied to the edges 1031A and 1031B are large. Specifically, at this time, an aerosol is formed that includes ultra-large particles each larger than a coarse particle and having a diameter of about 100 microns, and particles each having a diameter greater than the diameter of the ultra-large particle. Thus, by controlling the operation of the liquid feeders by the controller 400 based on the detection result by the sensor 1070, certain amounts of liquids can be supplied to the edges 1031A and 1031B in the piezoelectric element substrate 1031. As a result, a sufficient atomization amount can be realized, and generation of an aerosol having a particle diameter larger than the particle diameter of a large particle can be prevented.

[0293] FIG. 64 is an enlarged view of a portion removed from the spray unit 1100 shown in FIG. 52. In particular, FIG. 64 illustrates a PCB board 1109, a piezoelectric element substrate 1031 comprising a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes 1033, a guide wall 1711A, a sealing member 1111, and a sensor 1070 in the spray assembly 1100 shown in FIG. 52.

[0294] FIG. 64, the sensor 1070 includes a pair of sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B (detection portion) that are opposite each other. Sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B, for example, are constructed using a metal such as gold-plated copper. In addition, the sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B are connected to the PCB board 1109 and electrically connected to the contacts formed on the PCB board 1109. In this regard, the sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B are positioned above the piezoelectric element substrate 1031 with the sealing element 1111 positioned between the electrodes. 1070A and 1070B of the sensor and the substrate 1031 of the piezoelectric element. For example, the sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B are positioned such that they are separated by 0.1 mm (±0.05 mm) from the surface of the piezoelectric element substrate 1031. In the case that the sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B are positioned on the surface of the piezoelectric element substrate 1031, there are risks that the sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B may peel off and the relative positions of the sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B may shift due to the vibration caused by the SAW that propagates through the substrate. 1031 piezoelectric element. Thus, by separating the sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B from the surface of the piezoelectric element substrate 1031, peeling of the sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B and shifting of the relative positions of the sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B can be prevented, and an accurate detection result can be obtained.

[0295] The sensor electrode 1070A includes a base portion 1071A that is rectangular in shape and has one end side electrically connected to a contact formed on the PCB board 1109, and a convex portion 1072A that protrudes to the sensor electrode 1070B from the other end side of the portion 1071A grounds. On the other hand, the sensor electrode 1070B includes a base portion 1071B that is rectangular in shape and has one end side electrically connected to a contact formed on the PCB board 1109, and a convex portion 1072B that protrudes to the sensor electrode 1070A from the other end side of the portion. 1071B bases. It should be noted that each of the base portions 1071A and 1071B may have a shape other than a rectangular shape. The convex portions 1072A and 1072B are positioned adjacent to the liquid supplied edge 1031A and are electrically connected by the liquid supplied from the edge 1031A. The sensor 1070 outputs, as a detection result, the electrical signal conductivity corresponding to the amount of liquid between the convex portion 1072A and the convex portion 1072B. The conductivity of the electrical signal output from the sensor 1070 becomes large as the amount of liquid supplied to the edge 1031A becomes large. Thus, it is possible to determine, based on the absolute value of the electrical signal conductance, a state in which an appropriate amount of liquid is supplied to the edge 1031A, a state in which an excess amount of liquid is supplied to the edge 1031A, and a state in which the amount of liquid supplied to the edge 1031A , is insufficient.

[0296] In case the controller 400 determines, based on the conductivity of the electrical signal output from the sensor 1070, that an excess amount of liquid has been supplied to the edge 1031A, it drives the electric motor 1208A to reduce the liquid supply rate and/or the liquid supply amount for the liquid supplied from the first liquid storage unit 1200A to the edge 1031A. Further, if the controller 400 determines, based on the conductivity of the electrical signal output from the sensor 1070, that the amount of liquid supplied to the edge 1031A is insufficient, it drives the electric motor 1208A to increase the liquid supply rate and/or the amount liquid supply for the liquid supplied from the first liquid storage unit 1200A to the edge 1031A. As a result, a certain appropriate amount of liquid can be supplied to the edge 1031A, so that a sufficient spray amount can be realized, and the formation of an aerosol having particle diameters larger than those of large particles can be prevented. It should be noted that although the edge side 1031A is removed and shown in FIG. 64, the edge side 1031B also has a structure similar to that of the edge side 1031A, and the controller 400 drives, based on the detection result from the sensor 1070, the electric motor 1208B in a similar manner to the edge side 1031A.

[0297] Next, the positional relationship between the piezoelectric element substrate 1031 and the sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B and the positional relationship between the piezoelectric element substrate 1031 and the guide wall 1711A will be explained with reference to the experimental result. As shown in FIG. 64, herein it is specified that the space between the upper end of the convex portion 1072A and the upper end of the convex portion 1072B is C1; the space between the edge 1031A and the side, on the side of the edge 1031A, of each of the convex portion 1072A and the convex portion 1072B is C2; and the space between the edge 1031A and the end surface, on the side of the edge 1031A, of the guide wall 1711A is L1.

[0298] First, the spray quantities of the aerosol formed in the spray unit 1100 are measured, in a state in which the space C1 is set to 4 mm, the space L1 is set to 0.4 mm, and the space C2 varies. It should be noted that the space C1 may be set according to the output width of the SAW, i. e. the width over which the aerosol is formed, so that it corresponds to the overlap length of the pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes 1033. When measured, an electric power of 10 W is supplied to the pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes 1033, and the atomized quantities when the test liquid is sprayed are measured, in the state in which the top cover 1710 is taken out. Fig. 65 is a graph showing the relationship between the C2 space and the sprayed amount. In FIG. 65, the horizontal axis represents the C2 space (mm), and the vertical axis represents the nebulized TPM/puff per puff (mg). It should be noted that in case the space C2 has a negative value, this means that the convex portion 1072A and the convex portion 1072B are positioned, along the edge 1031A, on the guide wall 1711A. From FIG. 65, it can be understood that the spray amount becomes the maximum at the point where the space C2 is approximately 0.15 mm. Thus, it is desirable if the space C2 is set to 0.15 mm (±0.05 mm).

[0299] Then, the atomization amounts of the aerosol formed in the atomization unit 1100 are measured, in a state in which the space C1 is set to 4 mm, the space C2 is set to 0.15 mm, and the space L1 is varied. In the measurement, an electric power of 10 W is supplied to the pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes 1033, and the atomized quantities when the test liquid is atomized are measured in the state in which the top cover 1710 is taken out. Fig. 66 is a graph showing the relationship between the L1 space and the sprayed amount. In FIG. 66, the horizontal axis represents the L1 space (mm), and the vertical axis represents the nebulized TPM/puff value (mg). From FIG. 66, it can be understood that the sprayed amount becomes the maximum in the region in which the space L1 is equal to or greater than 0.25 mm. Thus, it is desirable if the space L1 is set to be equal to or greater than 0.25 mm.

[0300] It should be noted that although the case where the sensor 1070 is a conductivity sensor has been explained with respect to the present modified example, the sensor is not limited to the above, and the transmitter and receiver sensor or capacitive sensor shown in FIG. 22-25 can be adapted as a sensor for detecting liquid.

[0301] Twenty-sixth Modification A

Hereinafter, a modified example 26A of the embodiment will be explained. In the following, this document mainly explains the differences between the embodiments.

[0302] Regarding Modified Example 26A, the following explains the amplitude of a voltage having a high frequency (it is also referred to as "high frequency voltage" in the following explanation of Modified Example 26A) applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33.

[0303] In particular, in the modified example 26A, the controller 400 periodically changes the amplitude of the high frequency voltage applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33. In the case that the amplitude of the high frequency voltage is set constant and applied, the power consumption becomes large, and consequently, the substrate 31 the piezoelectric element may overheat; thus, if the configuration for periodically changing the amplitude is adapted, the power consumption can be reduced, and damage to the piezoelectric element substrate 31 due to high temperature can be prevented. Further, according to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress scattering by receiving a SAW drop as a bulk drop from a liquid that is guided to the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. Fig. 67 is an exemplary image in which drop 3210 is photographed scattered as a bulk drop. It should be noted that 3220 indicates fine particles, and 3230 indicates a drop adhering to the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 after it is scattered. By suppressing the scattering of the bulk droplet, the liquid can be used efficiently, and stable spraying of the aerosol can be realized. In detail, when a high voltage is applied, the aerosol is atomized by using liquid on the side close to the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 (thin film portion); and when a low voltage is applied, the supply of liquid to the thin film portion, which is reduced by sputtering, is accelerated. As a result of the above phenomena being repeated intermittently, the formation of particles having sizes larger than a predetermined size can be suppressed, and the spraying amount of fine particles can be increased (also see Fig. 5 and explanations related thereto). It should be noted that it is desirable to repeat the application of high voltage and low voltage, i. e. it is desirable to repeat the increase and decrease in the amplitude of the high frequency voltage at a frequency of approximately between 50-500 Hz, more preferably at a frequency of approximately 100 Hz.

[0304] Periodic variation of the amplitude of the high frequency voltage can be realized by setting the high frequency voltage applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 as a wave to be modulated, and performing amplitude modulation based on a modulating signal having a predetermined waveform. The controller 400 may include a baseband circuit, a modulation circuit, and so on.

[0305] Alternatively, it is possible to implement periodic variation of the amplitude of the high frequency voltage by using the controller 400 such that the amplitude of the high frequency voltage applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 is set as a wave having a predetermined waveform. In such a case, it is not necessary to include a baseband signal generating circuit, a modulation circuit, or the like. to controller 400.

[0306] For example, as shown in FIG. 68, the periodic amplitude of the high frequency voltage and the above modulating signal that causes such a periodic amplitude may form a sine waveform, may form a square waveform, may form a triangular waveform, or may form a sawtooth waveform. In particular, it is preferable if the high frequency voltage is applied in such a way that the periodic amplitude of the high frequency voltage forms a square wave shape. The controller 400 may vary the amplitude of the high frequency voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 such that the change in amplitude over time conforms to a square wave shape, by alternatively providing a period during which the high frequency voltage is applied and a period during which high-frequency voltage is not applied.

[0307] In the case where a sine wave is used, the period of the sine wave can be set, by performing a numerical calculation or performing an experiment, such that damage to the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element due to overheating at the time when a high frequency voltage is applied to a pair of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 , is prevented. In addition, or alternatively, the period of the sine wave may be set, by performing a numerical calculation or performing an experiment, such that the formation of particles larger than a predetermined size upon spraying is suppressed.

[0308] In the case where a square wave is used, the duty cycle of the square wave pulses can be set, by performing a numerical calculation or performing an experiment, such that damage to the piezoelectric element substrate 31 due to high temperature is prevented and/or the formation, by sputtering, of particles having particle sizes that are larger than a predetermined size are suppressed when a high frequency voltage is applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33.

[0309] In the case where a triangular wave is used, the slope during the increase state and the slope during the decrease state in the triangular wave can be set, by performing a numerical calculation or performing an experiment, such that damage to the piezoelectric element substrate 31 due to high temperature is prevented, and /or the formation, by sputtering, of particles having particle sizes that are larger than a predetermined size is suppressed when a high frequency voltage is applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33.

[0310] It should be noted that, to summarize, "slope during the increase state" can be indicated by the relationship between the amplitude and the length of the period (corresponding to pSin+ in Fig. 68) during which the change occurs in the first direction, which is parallel to the amplitude (for example, D1 in Fig. 68), for one period of the triangular wave. In addition, more generally, the "slope during the decreasing state" can be indicated by the ratio between the amplitude and the period length (which corresponds to pSin- in Fig. 68) during which a change occurs in the second direction opposite to the first direction in one period of the triangular waves.

[0311] In the case where a sawtooth wave is used, the slope of the sawtooth wave may be set, by performing a numerical calculation or performing an experiment, such that damage to the piezoelectric element substrate 31 due to high temperature is prevented, and/or formation, by sputtering, of particles having dimensions particles that are larger than a predetermined size are suppressed when a high frequency voltage is applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33.

[0312] It should be noted that, more generally, the "slope" of a sawtooth wave may be indicated by the ratio between the length of one period of the sawtooth wave and its amplitude.

[0313] It should be noted that although the "droplet" dispersed as a bulk droplet, which is explained above, includes an ultra-large particle having a particle diameter of about 100 microns, which is larger than the coarse particle diameter, and a particle having a particle diameter greater than ultra-large particle diameter, "droplet" is not limited to the drops explained above. Accordingly, the "predetermined size" relative to the above-described "particle larger than the predetermined size", for example, may be 100 microns.

[0314] At least a portion of the controller 400 according to the modified example 26A may be implemented by a processor. For example, controller 400 may include a processor and a memory that stores a program, and the program may be a program instructing the processor to function as at least part of controller 400 according to modified example 26A.

[0315] Twenty-sixth Modification B

Hereinafter, a modified example 26B of the embodiment will be explained. Modified Example 26B is a modified version of Modified Example 26A; and hereinafter, the differences from Modified Example 26A are mainly explained.

[0316] In the modified example 26A, the amplitude of the high frequency voltage applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 periodically changes; on the other hand, in the modified example 26B, the frequency of the high frequency voltage applied to the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 periodically changes. According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress scattering by receiving a SAW drop as a bulk drop from a liquid that is guided to the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. Due to the above configuration, liquid can be used efficiently and stable aerosol spraying can be realized. In detail, when a high frequency voltage having a frequency relatively close to the resonant frequency is applied, the aerosol is sprayed by using liquid on the side close to the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 (in the thin film portion); and when a high-frequency voltage having a frequency relatively far from the resonant frequency is applied, the supply of liquid to the thin-film portion, which is reduced by sputtering, is accelerated. As a result of the above phenomena being repeated intermittently, the formation of particles having sizes larger than a predetermined size can be suppressed, and the spraying amount of fine particles can be increased (also see Fig. 5 and explanations related thereto). It should be noted that it is desirable to repeat the change in frequency of the high frequency voltage at a frequency between approximately 50-500 Hz, more preferably at a frequency of approximately 100 Hz.

[0317] Periodic variation of the frequency of the high frequency voltage can be realized by setting the high frequency voltage applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 as a wave to be modulated, and performing frequency modulation based on a modulating signal having a predetermined waveform. The controller 400 may include a baseband circuit, a modulation circuit, and so on. The modulating signal may form a sine waveform, may form a square waveform, may form a triangular waveform, or may form a sawtooth waveform.

[0318] In the case where a sine wave is used, the period of the sine wave can be set, by performing a numerical calculation or performing an experiment, such that the formation, by spraying, of particles having a size larger than the above predetermined size is suppressed.

[0319] In the case where a square wave is used, the duty cycle of the square wave can be set, by performing a numerical calculation or performing an experiment, such that the formation, by sputtering, of particles having sizes larger than the above predetermined size is suppressed.

[0320] In the case where a triangular wave is used, the slope during the increase state and the slope during the decrease state in the triangular wave may be set, by performing a numerical calculation or performing an experiment, such that the formation, by spraying, of particles having sizes larger than the above predetermined size is suppressed.

[0321] In the case where a sawtooth wave is used, the slope of the sawtooth wave can be set, by performing a numerical calculation or performing an experiment, such that the formation, by spraying, of particles having sizes larger than the above predetermined size is suppressed.

[0322] At least a portion of the controller 400 according to Modified Example 26B may be implemented by a processor. For example, controller 400 may include a processor and a memory that stores a program, and the program may be a program instructing the processor to function as at least part of controller 400 according to modified example 26B.

[0323] Twenty-sixth Modification C

Modified Example 26C is a combination of Modified Example 26A and Modified Example 26B. Thus, in the modified example 26C, the amplitude and frequency of the high frequency voltage applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 periodically change. The period for changing the amplitude and the period for changing the frequency may be the same or different.

[0324] At least a portion of the controller 400 according to Modified Example 26C may be implemented by a processor. For example, controller 400 may include a processor and a memory that stores a program, and the program may be a program instructing the processor to function as at least part of controller 400 according to modified example 26C.

[0325] Twenty-sixth Modification D

Hereinafter, a modified example 26D of the embodiment will be explained. In the following, this document mainly explains the differences between the embodiments.

[0326] Regarding the modified example 26D, the following explains the relationship between the liquid supply rate (μl/sec) for the liquid directed to the front surface 31F of the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element, and the output power (W) of the SAW generated by applying a high-frequency voltage to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33.

[0327] First, as shown in FIG. 69, the controller 400 causes the SAW output to gradually increase from the time tStart so that the SAW output reaches the desired level at time t2. The controller 400 instructs the output power of the SAW to be zero at the time tEnd. On the other hand, the controller 400 instructs the liquid supply rate to increase to the desired level at time t1. The controller 400 instructs the fluid feed rate to be zero at the time tEnd. The time t1 may be the time between the time tStart and the time t2.

[0328] Second, as shown in FIG. 70, the controller 400 causes the SAW output to gradually increase from the time tStart so that the SAW output reaches the desired level at time t2. The controller 400 instructs the output power of the SAW to be zero at the time tEnd. On the other hand, the controller 400 instructs the liquid supply rate to gradually increase from time t1 so that the liquid supply rate reaches the required level at time t3. The controller 400 instructs the fluid feed rate to be zero at the time tEnd. The time t1 may be the time between the time tStart and the time t2. Time t3 may be a time after time t2.

[0329] It should be noted that the time tStart may be the time when the start of the puff action is detected by the sensor 300, or the time when the button to perform the puff action is pressed. The time tEnd may be the time when the end of the puff action is detected by the sensor 300, or the time when the button to perform the puff action that is pressed is released.

[0330] As shown in FIG. 69 and FIG. 70, the output power of the SAW gradually increases from the time tStart, and the liquid supply rate increase starts at the time t1, which is after the time tStart; thus, at the initial stage, in order to increase the output power (W) of the SAW, it is possible to suppress scattering by receiving the SAW of a droplet having a large diameter, i. e. a bulk droplet of liquid that is directed to the front surface 31F of the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 70, by gradually increasing the liquid supply rate, the dispersal of a droplet having a large diameter, i. e. volumetric drop, can be suppressed.

[0331] It should be noted that the modified example 26D solves such a problem that the power consumption becomes large in the case that the amplitude of the high frequency voltage is set constant. Thus, in the modified example 26D, the output power of the SAW is zero at the time tStart, and it gradually increases to the required level. This can be realized by varying the amplitude of the high frequency voltage applied to the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 to an amplitude that produces the desired output power of the SAW. Thus, according to the modified example 26D, the power consumption becomes smaller compared to the case in which a high frequency voltage having a constant amplitude is applied so that the SAW output power having a predetermined level is obtained from the time point at time tStart.

Fig. 71 is an exemplary flowchart 3000A for implementing the above process. The respective steps included in the flowchart may be steps performed by the controller 400.

[0332] It should be noted that flowchart 3000A corresponds to a single suction (puff) action, and a similar process may be performed with respect to each suction action. Accordingly, after completion of the process shown by the flowchart 3000A, the process can be repeated immediately; thus, in the flowchart 3000A, immediately after the process reaches the "End", the process may move to the "Start". In such a case, the process shown by the flowchart 3000A forms a cycle; and the cycle starts from "Start" when a predetermined signal (for example, a signal representing a power supply on state) is received by the controller 400, and ends when another predetermined signal (for example, a signal representing a power supply off state) is received by the controller 400.

[0333] 3010A indicates a step for determining whether or not the start of a puff action is detected. If the start of the puff action is detected, the process proceeds to step 3020A, and if not, step 3010A is repeated. It should be noted that the above-described time tStart may be the point in time when the start of the puff action is detected in the step.

[0334] 3020A indicates a step for initializing the parameters A and v, which represent the amplitude of the high frequency voltage applied to the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 and the fluid supply rate to the SAW module, more specifically to the piezoelectric element substrate 31, so that they have values equal to zero, respectively.

[0335] 3030A indicates a step for generating signals for applying a high-frequency voltage having an amplitude of absolute value A to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 and supplying liquid at a liquid supply rate of absolute value v to the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The above signals may be signals to be sent to the spray unit 100.

[0336] 3040A indicates a step for determining whether or not the time t that has elapsed since the start of the puff action is detected at step 3010A is equal to or greater than the first predetermined time, in other words, whether or not the first predetermined time has elapsed since the moment when the start of the tightening action is detected. If it is determined that the first predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to block 3050A, and if not, the process proceeds to block 3060A. The first predetermined time corresponds to the time t1 described above minus the time tStart.

[0337] 3050A indicates a step for setting the parameter v to a predetermined value. The predetermined value is a value corresponding to a desired level of fluid delivery rate.

[0338] 3060A indicates a step for determining whether the elapsed time t is equal to or less than or not the second predetermined time, in other words, whether the second predetermined time has not elapsed or elapsed since the start of the puff action is detected. If it is determined that the second predetermined time has not yet elapsed, the process proceeds to block 3070A, and if this is not determined, the process proceeds to block 3080A. The second predetermined time corresponds to the time t2 described above minus the time tStart.

[0339] 3070A indicates a step for summing the predetermined value ΔA with the parameter A. The predetermined value ΔA corresponds to a value that is calculated by multiplying the value by the value, the first value being obtained by dividing the value corresponding to the desired high frequency voltage amplitude level by the value, obtained by subtracting the above-described time tStart from the time t2, and the second value is a value obtained by subtracting the time when step 3070A is performed last time from the time when step 3070A is performed this time. In the event that the interval between execution of steps 3070A is constant, ΔA may be considered constant. It should be noted that ΔA may be zero when step 3070A is performed for the first time.

[0340] 3080A indicates a step for determining whether or not the end of the puff action is detected. If the end of the puff action is detected, the process proceeds to block 3090A, and if not, the process returns to block 3030A.

[0341] 3090A indicates a step for generating signals for terminating the application of high frequency voltage to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 and terminating liquid supply to the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The above signals may be signals to be sent to the atomizing unit 100. In addition, the above-described time tEnd may be a point in time when this step is performed.

[0342] FIG. 72 is another exemplary flowchart 3000B for implementing the above process. The corresponding steps included in the flowchart 3000B may be steps performed by the controller 400. It should be noted that, similar to the case of the flowchart 3000A, the flowchart 3000B corresponds to a single suction action ( puffs), and a similar process can be performed for each suction action.

[0343] 3010B, 3020B, 3030B, 3060B, 3070B, 3080B, and 3090B denote steps similar to steps 3010A, 3020A, 3030A, 3060A, 3070A, 3080A, and 3090A included in flowchart 3000A.

[0344] 3040B indicates a step that is similar to step 3040A included in the flowchart 3000A in such an aspect that a determination as to whether or not the first predetermined time has elapsed is performed; however, there is a point of divergence that the process proceeds to step 3045B if it is determined that the first predetermined time has elapsed, with a step similar to step 3045B not being included in the flowchart 3000A.

[0345] 3045B indicates a step for determining whether the elapsed time t is equal to or less than or not the third predetermined time, in other words, whether the third predetermined time has not yet elapsed or elapsed since the start of the puff action is detected. If it is determined that the third predetermined time has not yet elapsed, the process proceeds to block 3050B, and if it is not determined, the process proceeds to block 3060B. The third predetermined time corresponds to the time t3 described above minus the time tStart.

[0346] 3050B indicates a step for summing a predetermined value Δv with a parameter v. The predetermined value Δv corresponds to a value which is calculated by multiplying the value by the value, wherein the first value is obtained by dividing the value corresponding to the required liquid flow rate level by the value obtained by subtracting the above-described time t1 from the time t3, and the second value is the value obtained by subtracting the time when step 3050B is performed last time from the time when step 3050B is performed this time. In case the interval between execution of steps 3050B is constant, Δv can be considered constant. It should be noted that Δv may be zero when step 3050B is performed for the first time.

[0347] Each of the lengths of the first predetermined time, the second predetermined time, and the third predetermined time in the above flowchart can be set, by performing a numerical calculation or performing an experiment, such that the formation of particles having sizes larger than a predetermined size, when sprayed, is suppressed.

[0348] It should be noted that although the "large-diameter droplet" that is dispersed as a bulk droplet and explained above includes an ultra-large particle having a particle diameter of about 100 microns, which is larger than the large particle diameter, and a particle having particle diameter larger than the ultra-large particle diameter, "drop" is not limited to the drop explained above. Accordingly, the "predetermined size" relative to the above-described "particle larger than the predetermined size", for example, may be 100 microns.

[0349] It should be noted that at least a portion of the controller 400 according to the modified example 26D may be implemented by a processor. For example, controller 400 may include a processor and a memory that stores a program, and the program may be a program instructing the processor to function as at least part of controller 400 according to modified example 26D.

[0350] Twenty-sixth modification E

Hereinafter, a modified example 26E of the embodiment will be explained. In the following, this document mainly explains the differences between the embodiments.

[0351] In the modified example 26E, the amount of liquid to be sprayed and exists on the piezoelectric element substrate 31 is obtained by using a sensor, such as the above-described sensor 1070, to determine the amount of liquid to be sprayed and exists on the piezoelectric element substrate 31; and based on the amount, the supply of liquid to be sprayed to the piezoelectric element substrate 31 is controlled; and, by the above control, scattering by receiving a SAW drop as a bulk drop having a large diameter from a liquid that is directed to the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 is suppressed.

[0352] FIG. 73 is an exemplary flowchart 3100 for implementing the process associated with Modified Example 26E. The respective steps included in the flowchart may be the steps performed by the controller 400. It should be noted that, similar to the case of the flowchart 3000A, the flowchart 3100 corresponds to a single suction (puff) action. ), and a similar process can be performed for each suction action.

[0353] 3110 indicates a step for generating a signal for supplying a liquid to be sprayed to the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element. The above signal may be a signal to be sent to the spray unit 100.

[0354] 3120 indicates a step for determining whether or not the amount of liquid to be sprayed and exists on the piezoelectric element substrate 31 (more specifically, on the front surface of the piezoelectric element substrate 31; this is also applicable hereinafter) is in the first predetermined range . If the amount of liquid to be sprayed is within the first predetermined range, the process proceeds to step 3130, and if not, the process returns to step 3110.

[0355] According to steps 3110 and 3120, the amount of liquid to be sprayed and is in the first predetermined amount range must be supplied to the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element. It should be noted that the first predetermined range of amounts may be set, by performing a numerical calculation or performing an experiment, such that the formation of particles having sizes larger than the predetermined size is suppressed when the application of high frequency voltage to the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 is started through step 3160, which is explained below.

[0356] 3130 indicates a step for determining whether or not the start of a puff action is detected. If the start of the puff action is detected, the process proceeds to step 3140, and if not, the process repeats step 3130.

[0357] 3140 indicates a step for initializing a redundancy flag that is used in a subsequent step, i. in the step to ensure the state where the flag is not set. The redundancy flag may be implemented by using a storage device included in the controller 400.

[0358] 3141 indicates a step for determining whether or not a redundancy flag is set. If the redundancy flag is set, the process proceeds to block 3142, and if not, the process proceeds to block 3144.

[0359] 3142 indicates a step for determining whether or not the amount of liquid to be sprayed and exists on the piezoelectric element substrate 31 is less than the lower limit of the second predetermined range. If the amount of liquid to be sprayed is less than the lower limit of the second predetermined range, the process proceeds to step 3143, and if not, the process proceeds to step 3160.

[0360] 3143 indicates a step for initializing the redundancy flag. Step 3143 is a step similar to step 3140.

[0361] 3144 indicates a step for determining whether the amount of liquid to be sprayed and exists on the piezoelectric element substrate 31 is equal to or greater than or not equal to the upper limit of the second predetermined range. If the amount of liquid to be sprayed is equal to or greater than the upper limit of the second predetermined range, the process proceeds to step 3145, and if not, the process proceeds to step 3150.

[0362] 3145 indicates a step for setting a redundancy flag.

[0363] 3150 indicates a step for generating a signal for supplying liquid, at a liquid supply rate having the absolute value of the parameter v(t), to the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The above signal may be a signal to be sent to the spray unit 100.

[0364] The parameter v(t) may exhibit a predetermined change that is a function of the time t elapsed since the start of puff action detection at 3130. After at least a certain time has elapsed since the start of the action puff detected, the value of v(t) or the average value of v(t) over a predetermined time should exceed the liquid consumption rate that exists on the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element, by spraying through step 3160, which is explained below. However, the predetermined change may be a change that is zero for some time from when the start of the puff action is detected and becomes greater than zero thereafter. In addition, the parameter v(t) may take on a predetermined constant value over time.

[0365] According to steps 3140 to 3150, in the event that the amount of liquid to be sprayed and exists on the piezoelectric element substrate 31 becomes equal to or greater than the upper limit of the second predetermined range, step 3150 is not performed, and supply of the liquid to be sprayed, to the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element, stops. Further, according to steps 3140 to 3150, after the supply of liquid to be sprayed to the piezoelectric element substrate 31 is stopped, if the amount of liquid to be sprayed and exists on the piezoelectric element substrate 31 becomes less than the lower limit of the second predetermined range, step 3150 is executed and the feed is restarted. Thus, according to steps 3140-3150, the amount of liquid to be sprayed and exists on the piezoelectric element substrate 31 may be within the second predetermined range.

[0366] It should be noted that the second predetermined range of amounts may be set, by performing a numerical calculation or performing an experiment, such that the formation of particles having sizes larger than a predetermined size when a high frequency voltage is applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 by step 3160, which is explained below. In this regard, the upper limit and lower limit of the second predetermined amount range may be equal to or higher than the upper limit and lower limit of the first predetermined amount range, respectively. Thus, the second predetermined amount range may be equal to the first predetermined amount range.

[0367] 3160 indicates a signal generating step for applying, to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33, a high frequency voltage having an amplitude having an absolute value corresponding to the parameter A(t) and a frequency corresponding to the parameter f(t). The above signal may be a signal to be sent to the spray unit 100.

[0368] Parameters A(t) and f(t) may exhibit a predetermined change that is a function of time t elapsed since the start of puff action is detected at 3130. In addition, parameters A(t) and/or f( t) can take on a predetermined constant value/values over time.

[0369] 3170 indicates a step for determining whether or not the end of the puff action is detected. If the end of the puff action is detected, the process proceeds to block 3180, and if not, the process returns to block 3141.

[0370] 3180 indicates a step for generating signals for terminating the application of high frequency voltage to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 and terminating liquid supply to the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The above signals may be signals to be sent to the spray unit 100.

[0371] It should be noted that although the "droplet having a large diameter" which is dispersed as a bulk droplet and explained above includes an ultra-large particle having a particle diameter of about 100 microns, which is larger than the diameter of the large particle, and a particle having particle diameter larger than the ultra-large particle diameter, "drop" is not limited to the drop explained above. Accordingly, the "predetermined size" relative to the above-described "particle larger than the predetermined size", for example, may be 100 microns.

[0372] It should be noted that at least a portion of the controller 400 according to the modified example 26E may be implemented by a processor. For example, controller 400 may include a processor and a memory that stores a program, and the program may be a program instructing the processor to function as at least part of controller 400 according to modified example 26E.

[0373] Twenty-seventh modification

The inhaler 1 of the present invention may be configured to apply a consistent appropriate frequency to a pair of interconnected interdigitated comb electrodes (IDT) 33 .

[0374] FIG. 74 is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of the inhaler 1 according to the present modification. The following explains the method, provided that all the steps illustrated in FIG. 74 are performed by the controller 400 of the inhaler 1. However, it should be noted that at least some of the steps may be performed by one or more other components of the inhaler 1. Additionally, it should be apparent that when the present modification is performed by the processor, such as the controller 400 and the like, the present modification may be implemented as a program for instructing the processor to carry out the method, or as a computer-readable storage medium on which the program is stored. The same applies to the flowcharts shown in FIG. 76, 79, 80A, 80B, 80C, 81A, 81B, 81C, 82 and 83.

[0375] In step 4002, the controller 400 determines whether or not a request is detected to spray liquid to be stored in the liquid storage unit 200. The inhaler 1 may include a power source switch and a liquid spray actuation switch. The power source switch and the drive switch may be separate switches. Alternatively, one switch may have the functions of both a power source switch and an actuating switch. Further, when the power source switch and the drive switch are separate switches, the power source switch may be a DIP switch. The power source switch may be designed such that when the power source switch is turned on, a predetermined volume of liquid is supplied to enable inhalation. The actuating switch may be in the form of a button so that when the user presses the actuating switch, power is supplied. In one example, controller 400 may be configured to determine that a request to spray liquid is detected when an actuation switch is pressed. In another example, controller 400 may be configured to determine that a request to spray liquid is detected when inhalation by the user is detected. For example, the inhaler 1 may include a pressure sensor, and the controller 400 may be configured to detect inhalation by the user based on pressure variation detected by the pressure sensor, and so on.

[0376] When a request to spray liquid is not detected ("N" in step 4002), the process returns to the step preceding step 4002. In contrast, when a request to spray liquid is detected ("Y" in step 4002), the process proceeds to step 4004.

[0377] In step 4004, the controller 400 monitors the resonant frequency of the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33. The specific configuration for performing step 4004 is described below.

[0378] FIG. 75 illustrates an example of a control circuit 4100 of the inhaler 1. The control circuit 4100 is configured to control the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 and monitor the resonant frequency of the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33. In this example, the control circuit 4100 includes a MEMS oscillator 4102, a DC/DC converter 4103, a power amplifier 4104, a bidirectional coupler 4106, a power level detector 4108A, and a power level detector 4108B in addition to the controller 400. The controller 400 communicates with the MEMS oscillator 4102 to thereby control the oscillation frequency of the MEMS oscillator 4102. The MEMS oscillator 4102 outputs the indicated oscillation frequency. The DC/DC converter 4103 supplies the power amplifier 4104 with a voltage indicated by the controller 400. The power amplifier 4101 is connected to the power source 500 and amplifies the voltage supplied from the power source 500 with the voltage supplied from the DC/DC converter. The power amplifier 4101 may be configured to modulate the voltage with an oscillation frequency received from the MEMS oscillator 4102. The controller 400 may amplitude modulate the output voltage from the power amplifier 4101 by varying the supply voltage from the DC/DC converter 4103. In one example, the modulation frequency for amplitude modulation may be 100 Hz.

[0379] The bi-directional coupler 4106 receives the output power from the power amplifier 4104, supplies a portion of the received output power to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 of the IDT, and outputs the other portion of the received output power to the power level detector 4108A. In other words, the power level detector 4108A detects the power (or voltage) supplied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 in the forward direction. A/D conversion is performed on the power value detected by the power level detector 4108A, and the converted value is provided to the controller 400. The bidirectional coupler 4106 receives the power (or voltage) reflected from the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 and supplies at least a portion of received power to the 4108B power level detector. In other words, the power level detector 4108B detects the reverse power reflected from the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33. A/D conversion is performed on the power value detected by the power level detector 4108B, and the converted value is supplied to the controller 400.

[0380] FIG. 76 is a flowchart illustrating a specific example of the process performed at block 4004 in FIG. 74. At 4202, controller 400 applies a voltage to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 at a frequency selected from several different frequencies. Thereafter, in step 4204, the controller 400 determines, as the resonant frequency, the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 when the power reflected from the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 is the smallest.

[0381] FIG. 77 illustrates a specific example of the method for determining the resonant frequency in the process illustrated in FIG. 76. FIG. 77(a). The controller 400 determines several different frequencies (f1-f9) used to determine the resonant frequency. The controller 400 first selects a frequency f1 from a plurality of different frequencies and controls the MEMS oscillator 4102 so as to output an oscillation frequency f1 signal. Based on the signal received from the MEMS oscillator 4102, the power amplifier 4104 outputs a voltage that oscillates at a frequency f1. Thus, an output voltage is applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 of the IDT through the bidirectional coupler 4106. If the frequency f1 and the resonant frequency of the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 do not completely match, a portion of the power supplied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 is reflected so that it is input to the power level detector 4108B via the bidirectional coupler 4106. In this way, the controller 400 obtains the value of the reflected power. Fig. 77(a) is a graph showing the relationship between reflected power and frequencies f1-f9. When the frequency is f6, the power reflected from the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 is the smallest. Thus, the controller 400 determines f6 as the resonant frequency.

[0382] Parameters to be set in advance regarding the method described in FIG. 77 may be the number of dots (frequencies) to be scanned, the frequency range to be scanned, the spacing between adjacent frequencies, and so on. In FIG. 77(a), frequencies are scanned at nine points f1-f9. Since the intervals between the respective adjacent frequencies are relatively large, a gap may occur between the resonant frequency f6 determined by scanning and the true resonant frequency. On the other hand, if there are additional frequencies to be scanned in the same frequency range, the intervals between the respective adjacent frequencies naturally become smaller, which allows a more accurate determination of the resonant frequency. As described above, the controller 400 has the ability to flexibly provide a variety of accuracies required to determine the resonant frequency by changing the configurable parameters.

[0383] In one example, the controller 400 may be configured to determine the first power reflected from the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 when a voltage is applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 at a first frequency (eg, f1). The controller 400 may be configured to determine the second power reflected from the pair of comb electrodes 33 when a voltage is then applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 at a second frequency (eg, f2) separated from the first frequency by a first value. When the second power is lower than the first power, the controller 400 may then apply a voltage to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 at a third frequency (eg, f3) separated from the second frequency by a second value that is less than the first value, in which case the frequency interval between f2 and f3 may be set to be less than the frequency interval between f1 and f2. According to this example, when the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 is significantly separated from the resonant frequency, the frequency scanning operation is carried out at wide intervals between the respective adjacent frequencies, while as the frequency of the voltage to be applied approaches to the resonant frequency, the frequency scanning operation is carried out with narrow intervals between the respective adjacent frequencies. Thus, less detailed scanning is performed in which frequency intervals are large, and detailed scanning does not have to be performed over the entire frequency range, which advantageously reduces the time required to track the resonant frequency.

[0384] In one example, controller 400 may be configured to monitor reflected power from a pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 as the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 is incrementally increased or decreased. Controller 400 may be configured to complete a scan when the trend of the value indicating the reflected power is shifted from a downward trend to an upward trend, and determine, as a resonant frequency, the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 when the reflected power becomes the smallest. According to this example, the frequency range to be scanned can be reduced, which advantageously reduces the time required to track the resonant frequency.

[0385] In one example, controller 400 may be configured to monitor the reflected power from a pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 while incrementally increasing the frequency of voltage applied to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33. Controller 400 may be configured to decrease the voltage frequency variation range, applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33, and stepwise decrease the frequency when the trend of the value indicative of the reflected power shifts from a downtrend to an uptrend. According to this example, less detailed scanning is performed in which frequency intervals are large, and detailed scanning does not have to be performed over the entire frequency range, which advantageously reduces the time required to track the resonant frequency.

[0386] In one example, controller 400 may be configured to monitor the reflected power from a pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 while discretely reducing the frequency of voltage applied to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33. Controller 400 may be configured to decrease the voltage frequency variation range, applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33, and incrementally increase the frequency when the trend of the value indicative of the reflected power shifts from a downtrend to an uptrend. According to this example, less detailed scanning is performed in which frequency intervals are large, and detailed scanning does not have to be performed over the entire frequency range, which advantageously reduces the time required to track the resonant frequency.

[0387] In one example, the controller 400 may be configured to determine the resonant frequency monitored before the liquid is sprayed by the atomization unit 100, the resonant frequency estimated from the temperature of the piezoelectric element substrate 31, or the frequency closest to the resonant frequency during a previous inhalation , as the frequency to be selected first from several different frequencies.

[0388] FIG. 78A illustrates an example of the configuration of the inhaler 1 according to the present modification for determining the resonant frequency by a method different from the method explained with reference to FIG. 77. In addition to the IDT (hereinafter referred to as the "first IDT") comprising the main body portion 32 and a pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33, a second IDT comprising the main body portion 4432 and a pair of interconnected comb electrodes 4433 is placed on the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The second IDT may have a configuration similar to that of the first IDT. The second IDT is provided at the position where the SAW (surface acoustic wave) outputted from the first IDT passes. As illustrated in FIG. 78A, the second IDT is placed such that the intersection of the second IDT and the intersection of the first IDT at least partially overlap each other along the propagation direction of the SAW. The second IDT may be less than the first IDT or up to the first IDT. When the second IDT is smaller than the first IDT, the second IDT may be placed on only one side of the first IDT, as illustrated in FIG. 78A or at least one second IDT may be placed on each side of the first IDT. Since the SAW is partially converted to voltage or heat by the second IDT, the SAW is reduced as it is output from the first IDT and passes through the second IDT. Thus, when the second IDT is up to the first IDT, it should only be placed on one side of the first IDT for efficiency purposes.

[0389] If the second IDT is provided at the position where the SAW (surface acoustic wave) passes, as described in the above example, such a configuration presents a problem in that the electrodes of the second IDT may come off due to vibration of the surface acoustic wave. For the purpose of solving the problem, the first IDT and the second IDT in the present modification may first be placed on the piezoelectric element substrate 31, and thereafter, a coating layer may be provided on the piezoelectric element substrate 31, which can prevent vibration-induced detachment of the IDT electrodes.

[0390] FIG. 78B illustrates an example of placing the first and second IDTs. The first IDT (supplied IDT) for supplying an alternating voltage and the second IDT (detecting IDT) for detecting the frequency of the applied voltage are placed on the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element. The AC voltage supply circuit 4442 is connected to the first IDT. The voltage detection circuit 4444 is connected to the second IDT. When voltage is supplied by the first IDT AC supply circuit 4442, SAW is generated on both sides of the first IDT. As explained in connection with FIG. 78A, the second IDT may allow for various sizes. In the example illustrated in FIG. 78B, the second IDT and the first IDT are of the same size. In FIG. 78B, the SAW on one side of the first IDT, which extends to the right of the first IDT, is used to atomize liquid, while the SAW on the other side of the first IDT, which extends to the left of the first IDT, is used by the second IDT to detect voltage. .

[0391] FIG. 78C illustrates an arrangement example of the first and second IDTs. In the example illustrated in FIG. 78C, the second IDT is smaller than the first IDT. The second IDT uses a portion of the SAW that extends to the left of the first IDT in order to draw power (voltage). In this example, the SAW formed on both sides of the first IDT can be used to spray liquid.

[0392] FIG. 78D illustrates an arrangement example of the first and second IDTs. In this example, the first and second IDTs are placed to share a common voltage reference. Since the number of the pair of interconnected comb electrodes of the second IDT is less than the number of the pair of interconnected comb electrodes of the first IDT in this example, the decrease in SAW is prevented and power (voltage) can be taken.

[0393] A device that generates a SAW, such as the first IDT illustrated in FIG. 78A-78D tends to generate heat when a high level of power is applied to the device. Because such a device, as described above, typically has a narrow range of frequencies at which impedance matching is achieved, the frequency at which impedance matching is achieved sometimes changes with temperature variations. Given that low power consumption is required when such a device is used in portable equipment, it is desirable to be able to determine the matching frequency with low power consumption. Therefore, by monitoring the resonant frequency of the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 of the first IDT, an electrical power lower than that required for liquid atomization can be supplied to the first IDT, and after determining the frequency of the voltage to be applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33, a higher the electrical power required for spraying may be supplied to the first IDT. Because of this, the power consumption when following the resonant frequency can be reduced.

[0394] FIG. 79 is a flowchart illustrating a specific example of the process performed at block 4004 in FIG. 74. The process illustrated in FIG. 79 may be realized by applying the configurations shown in FIG. 78A-78D to inhaler 1. In step 4502, controller 400 applies voltage to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 at a frequency selected from several different frequencies (eg, f1-f9). Thereafter, in step 4504, the controller 400 determines, as the resonant frequency, the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 when the voltage generated in the second IDT is the highest.

[0395] In one example, the controller 400 may determine the first voltage occurring in the second IDT when a voltage is applied to the interlocking comb electrodes 33 at a first frequency (eg, f1). Next, the controller 400 may determine a second voltage occurring in the second IDT when a voltage is applied to the interlocking comb electrodes 33 at a second frequency (eg, f2) separated from the first frequency by a first value. When the second voltage is higher than the first voltage, the controller 400 may apply a voltage to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 at a third frequency (eg, f3) separated from the second frequency by a second value less than the first value.

[0396] In one example, the controller 400 may monitor the voltage that occurs in the second IDT by discretely increasing or decreasing the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33. The controller 400 may be configured to end the scan when the trend of the voltage value occurring at the second IDT, shifts from an uptrend to a downtrend, and determine, as a resonant frequency, the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 when the voltage becomes the largest.

[0397] In one example, the controller 400 may be configured to monitor the voltage occurring in the second IDT by incrementally increasing the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33. The controller 400 may be configured to decrease the frequency variation range of the voltage applied to pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33, and incrementally decrease the frequency when the trend of the voltage value occurring in the second IDT shifts from an uptrend to a downtrend.

[0398] In one example, the controller 400 may be configured to monitor the voltage occurring in the second IDT by discretely decreasing the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33. The controller 400 may be configured to decrease the frequency variation range of the voltage applied to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 when the trend of the voltage value occurring in the second IDT shifts from an upward trend to a downward trend.

[0399] In one example, the controller 400 may be configured to determine the resonant frequency monitored before the liquid is sprayed by the atomization unit 100, the resonant frequency estimated from the temperature of the piezoelectric element substrate 31, or the frequency closest to the resonant frequency during a previous inhalation , as the frequency to be selected first from several different frequencies.

[0400] Returning to FIG. 74, in step 4004, the resonant frequency of the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 is monitored, and the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 is determined based on the monitored resonant frequency by using the configuration and process described in FIG. 75-79. Thereafter, at step 4006, the controller 400 applies a voltage to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 at a certain frequency.

[0401] Manufacturing variations in terms of electrode spacing and the like. may occur in IDT for inhaler. Additionally, the resonant frequency of a pair of interconnected IDT comb electrodes varies depending on the use temperature of the inhaler, etc. Accordingly, a conventional inhaler cannot achieve a sufficient volume of nebulized liquid under various circumstances. According to the present modification, the resonant frequency of the pair of interconnected comb electrodes can be monitored, and the frequency of the voltage to be applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes can be dynamically controlled. Thus, the inhaler according to the present modification can apply a voltage at a frequency suitable for a pair of interconnected comb electrodes, and provide a sufficient amount of nebulized liquid under various circumstances, even if the resonant frequency of the pair of interconnected comb electrodes varies due to variations in manufacturing, temperature of use, etc. .

[0402] FIG. 80A is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of the inhaler 1 according to the present modification. In step 4604A, the controller 400 performs a control operation such that the inhaler 1 enters the standby mode (a state in which the liquid is supplied to an appropriate level for atomization such that when a voltage is applied, the liquid can be atomized at any time). The controller 400 may be configured to monitor the surface level of the liquid to determine whether or not the liquid is supplied to the proper level for spraying. The controller 400 may be configured to monitor the surface level of the liquid while monitoring the resonant frequency of a pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33. Alternatively, the controller 400 may be configured to monitor the resonant frequency of a pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 after it is determined that the liquid has been supplied to the proper spray level.

[0403] The process proceeds to step 4607A, where the controller 400 determines whether or not a request to spray liquid is detected (whether or not the switch to actuate the inhaler 1 is pressed, whether or not inhalation by the user is detected, etc.). d.). If it is determined that the request to spray liquid is not detected ("N" in step 4607A), the process returns to the process preceding step 4607A.

[0404] If it is determined that a request to spray liquid is detected ("Y" in step 4607A), the process proceeds to step 4608A, and the controller 400 starts spraying liquid through the spray unit 100. In other words, the controller 400 is configured to the ability to monitor the resonant frequency (step 4604A) before starting to spray the liquid through the spray unit 100 (step 4608A).

[0405] The process proceeds to step 4610A, and the controller 400 applies a voltage to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 at a frequency determined based on the resonant frequency monitored in step 4604A, while the atomizing unit 100 atomizes the liquid.

[0406] FIG. 80B is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of the inhaler 1 according to the present modification. Since the process in steps 4601B, 4602B and 4604B is similar to the process in steps 4604A, 4607A and 4608A, explanation for steps 4601B, 4602B and 4604B is omitted here.

[0407] In step 4606B, the controller 400 applies a voltage to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 at a resonant frequency monitored in the sleep mode during the first inhalation and at a frequency based on the resonant frequency determined for the immediately previous inhalation during inhalation from the second time and Further.

[0408] In step 4608B, the controller 400 monitors the resonant frequency of the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 upon completion of liquid spraying by the atomizing unit 100. The monitored resonant frequency may be stored in a storage unit. During the next inhalation, the resonant frequency is used to determine the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 during liquid atomization.

[0409] In other words, the controller 400 is configured to monitor the resonant frequency after the spraying of the liquid by the spraying unit 100 is completed in the process 4600B shown in FIG. 80B.

[0410] FIG. 80C is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of the inhaler 1 according to the present modification. Since the process in step 4604C is similar to the process in step 4604A, explanation for step 4604C is omitted here.

[0411] In step 4606C, the controller 400 determines a frequency band including the monitored resonant frequency. In one example, when the monitored resonant frequency is 25 MHz, controller 400 may determine 24.9-25.1 MHz as the frequency range. In this example, the frequency range may be determined such that the resonant frequency of the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 falls within the frequency range even if the temperature of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 changes as a result of use of the inhaler 1. The inhaler 1 may include a memory unit for maintaining correspondence between the resonant frequency and frequency range applied to the resonant frequency. The controller 400 may be configured to determine the frequency range based on the monitored resonant frequency and the match stored in the storage unit.

[0412] The process proceeds to step 4607C, where the controller 400 determines whether or not a request to spray liquid is detected (whether or not the inhaler 1 actuation switch is pressed, whether or not inhalation by the user is detected, etc.). d.). If it is determined that a request to spray liquid is not detected ("N" in step 4607C), the process returns to the step prior to step 4607C.

[0413] If it is determined that a request to spray liquid is detected ("Y" in step 4607C), the process proceeds to step 4608C, and the controller 400 starts spraying the liquid through the spray unit 100. In other words, the controller 400 is configured to the ability to monitor the resonant frequency (step 4604C) before starting to atomize the liquid through the spray unit 100 (step 4608C) in the process 4600C shown in FIG. 80C.

[0414] The process proceeds to step 4610C, and the controller 400 controls the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 (for example, by controlling the oscillation frequency of the MEMS oscillator 4102) during the atomization of liquid by the atomization unit 100 so that it enters within the frequency range determined in step 4606C. The controller 400 may be configured to control the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 during liquid atomization by the atomization unit 100 such that it varies within a frequency range. For example, controller 400 may be configured to control the frequency of the voltage to be applied such that it varies periodically within a frequency range. If the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 is allowed to vary within a predetermined frequency range (for example, 24.9-25.1 MHz) during liquid spraying, electrical power can be supplied at the resonant frequency for a certain period of time, without having to track the resonant frequency each time an inhalation occurs.

[0415] According to the present modification, the resonant frequency of the pair of interconnected comb electrodes is monitored to dynamically control the frequency of the voltage to be applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes. Thus, the inhaler according to the present modification can apply a voltage at a frequency suitable for a pair of interconnected comb electrodes, and provide a sufficient amount of nebulized liquid under various circumstances, even if the resonant frequency of the pair of interconnected comb electrodes differs from the calculated value due to variations in manufacturing, etc. .

[0416] According to the present modification, the resonant frequency is determined only once before the liquid is sprayed, which simplifies the process performed by the controller. The controller monitors the resonant frequency during the execution of the process to enter the standby mode, determines the frequency to spray based on such a received resonant frequency before spraying, and applies the determined frequency to spray. In other words, the controller 400 does not track the resonant frequency each time an inhalation occurs, which allows the controller 400 to use the time the user inhales to spray the liquid. Thus, the present modification makes it possible to provide a sufficient volume of liquid to be sprayed, as compared to the case where the resonant frequency is monitored every time the user inhales.

[0417] FIG. 81A is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of the inhaler 1 according to the present modification. Since the process in step 4704A is similar to the process in step 4604A, explanation for step 4704 is omitted here.

[0418] In step 4706A, the controller 400 determines, based on the values monitored in step 4704A, the initial resonant frequency value for the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 to be used during the first inhalation.

[0419] The process proceeds to step 4707A, where the controller 400 determines whether or not a request to spray liquid is detected (whether the inhaler 1 actuation switch is pressed or not, whether inhalation by the user is detected or not, etc.). d.). If it is determined that the request to spray liquid is not detected ("N" in step 4707A), the process returns to the step preceding step 4707A.

[0420] On the contrary, if it is determined that a request to spray liquid is detected ("Y" in step 4707A), the process proceeds to step 4708A, and the controller 400 sets the initial value of the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 During the first breath, the initial value is the value determined in step 4706A. During inhalation from the second time onwards, the initial value set in step 4708A may be the resonant frequency monitored during the previous inhalation. In step 4709A, the controller 400 starts spraying the liquid by the spray unit 100. Thereafter, in step 4710A, the controller 400 applies a voltage to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 at a frequency (at a fixed value) determined based on the initial value.

[0421] In step 4712A, the controller 400 monitors the resonant frequency of the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 while the liquid is being atomized by the atomization unit 100.

[0422] In step 4714A, the controller 400 applies a voltage to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 at a frequency determined based on the monitored resonant frequency, which provides precise frequency controls for the current or next inhalation. From this time onward, the process of steps 4710A-4714A may be repeated while the liquid is being sprayed.

[0423] FIG. 81B is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of the inhaler according to the present modification. Since the process in steps 4704B-4709B is similar to the process in steps 4704A-4709A, explanation for the process in steps 4704B-4709B is omitted here.

[0424] In step 4710B, the controller 400 is configured to control the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 so that it varies within a predetermined frequency range including a frequency determined based on an initial value. For example, controller 400 may be configured to vary the frequency of the voltage applied to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 within a narrow frequency range including a start value (eg, start value +/-0.1 MHz).

[0425] In step 4712B, the controller 400 monitors the resonant frequency of the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 while the liquid is being atomized by the atomization unit 100. In the example shown in FIG. 81B, the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 is controlled to vary within a predetermined frequency range, in step 4710B. In this way, the resonant frequency can be monitored at the same time as the liquid is atomized. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 81A, liquid spraying must stop during the resonant frequency tracking process. Thus, compared to the example illustrated in FIG. 81A, the example shown in FIG. 81B contains the above additional feature.

[0426] In step 4714B, controller 400 adjusts the predetermined frequency range used in step 4710B such that it includes the resonant frequency monitored in step 4712B, which provides fine adjustments in frequency for the current breath. From this time onward, the process of steps 4710B-4714B may be repeated while the liquid is being sprayed.

[0427] FIG. 81C is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of the inhaler 1 according to the present modification. Since the process in steps 4704C-4712C is similar to the process in steps 4704B-4712B, explanation for the process in steps 4704C-4712C is omitted here.

[0428] In step 4714C, the controller 400 determines the resonant frequency monitored in step 4712C as the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 during the next inhalation. Such a determined frequency may be stored in a storage unit. When the inhalation action next occurs, the controller 400 applies a voltage to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 at the frequency determined in step 4714C.

[0429] According to the present modification, the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes can be properly set at the time when the user uses the inhaler and the liquid is sprayed. Thus, the present modification can provide fine-grained control suitable for the state of the inhaler, which changes depending on the current time, to thereby optimize the liquid spray volume.

[0430] FIG. 82 is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of the inhaler 1 according to the present modification. Since the process in steps 4804-4810 is similar to the process in steps 4704A-4710A, explanation for the process in steps 4804-4810 is omitted here.

[0431] The inhaler 1 may include a temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element, which contributes to the phase and amplification of the SAW. The temperature sensor may be configured to detect the temperature of a respective component of the inhaler 1 other than the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element. A temperature sensor may be provided at any suitable position in the inhaler 1. Alternatively, the temperature may be measured by instructing thermocouples, thermistors, or the like. contact with components, in which case the surface temperature of the substrate surrounded by a pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 can be measured to prevent short circuits. Alternatively, a non-contact temperature measurement system such as a radiation thermometer using infrared radiation may be used, in which case the temperature of a pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 may be measured.

[0432] At step 4812, the controller 400 obtains the temperature detected by the temperature sensor at the time the liquid is atomized by the spray unit 100. The process proceeds to step 4814, where the controller 400 determines the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33, based on temperature determined in step 4812.

[0433] FIG. 83 is a flowchart illustrating a specific example of the process performed at step 4814. At step 4902, the controller 400 predicts the variation of the resonant frequency during liquid atomization by the spray unit 100, based on the temperature determined at step 4812. Since the propagation velocity of the SAW increases as the temperature rises, the resonant frequency tends to increase. Thus, the controller 400 can predict the resonant frequency variation by using such a trend. Alternatively, the inhaler 1 may include a memory unit, and the memory unit may store information regarding the correspondence between the temperature of the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element (or other appropriate component) and the resonant frequency. The controller 400 may be configured to predict the variation of the resonant frequency of a pair of interlocking comb electrode 33 (or other appropriate component) based on the measured temperature of the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element (or other appropriate component) and the above information.

[0434] The process proceeds to step 4904, and the controller 400 determines the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 based on the resonant frequency variation predicted in step 4902.

[0435] Referring again to FIG. 82, at step 4816, the controller 400 applies a voltage to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 at the frequency determined at step 4814.

[0436] According to the present modification, the resonant frequency of a pair of interconnected comb electrodes can be monitored to dynamically control the frequency of a voltage that is applied to a pair of interconnected comb electrodes. Additionally, variation in the resonant frequency of a pair of interconnected comb electrodes during liquid spraying can also be predicted by using the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. Thus, the present modification can apply a voltage at a frequency suitable for a pair of interconnected comb electrodes and provide a sufficient amount of atomized liquid under various circumstances even if the resonant frequency of the pair of interconnected comb electrodes varies due to variations in manufacturing, temperature of use, etc. Additionally, the present modification can provide fine-grained control suitable for the state of the inhaler, which changes depending on the current time, to thereby optimize the liquid spray volume.

[0437] In another example, the controller 400 may be configured to determine the temperature before the liquid is sprayed by the spray unit 100, and determine the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interconnected comb electrodes 33 based on that determined temperature. According to the above configuration, the temperature is detected only once before the start of liquid spraying, which enables precise control of the resonant frequency through a relatively simple process.

[0438] Other embodiments

The present invention has been described in terms of the embodiment set forth above; however, the invention is not to be understood as being limited to the statements and drawings forming part of this disclosure. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating procedures should become apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0439] In the embodiment, the liquid supply 60 is provided on the rear surface 31B side of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the liquid supply 60 may be provided on the front surface 31F side of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. In such a case, the liquid feeder 60 may drop liquid onto the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. Additionally, the substrate 31 of the piezoelectric element may not have a through slot 34.

[0440] In an embodiment, pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 are linear in shape. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 may be fan-shaped.

[0441] In an embodiment, the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 is determined based on the atomization efficiency of the aerosol atomized by using the SAW. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 may be determined based on the absolute amount of power that may be supplied to the pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33. The number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 may be determined based on the type of solute or solvent configuring the liquid. The number of pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes 33 may be determined based on the supply method and supply rate of the liquid supplied to the SAW module.

[0442] In an embodiment, the aroma inhaler 1 has an inlet 1A. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. The aroma inhaler 1 may not have an inlet 1A. In such a case, the user inhales the aerosol flowing from the mouthpiece 1D together with outside air without holding the mouthpiece 1D with the mouth.

[0443] Although not specifically mentioned in the embodiment, the amount of aerosol inhaled by the user can be set by the user. The aroma inhaler 1 can adjust, based on the aerosol amount set by the user, the voltage applied to the SAW module 30 and can adjust the amount of liquid supplied to the SAW module 30 from the liquid feeder 60 .

[0444] In the embodiment, the case where the aroma inhaler 1 has one SAW module 30 is roughly illustrated. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. The aroma inhaler 1 may have two or more SAW modules 30.

[0445] Although not specifically mentioned in the embodiment, the aroma inhaler 1 may have a power source switch. The aroma inhaler 1 can operate in a driving mode in response to turning on the power source. The driving mode is a mode in which power is supplied to each configuration provided in the aroma inhaler 1, and, for example, is a mode in which the spraying action of the atomizing unit 100 can be started. The aroma inhaler 1 can be operated in a standby mode in a state in which the power source switch is turned off. The standby mode is a standby power operation mode that can detect whether or not the power source switch is turned on.

[0446] Although not specifically mentioned in the embodiment, the aroma inhaler 1 may have a temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature (e.g., ambient air temperature) of the aroma inhaler 1. If the temperature of the aroma inhaler 1 falls below a lower limit temperature, the aroma inhaler 1 may have the function of not performing the liquid spray action. If the temperature of the aroma inhaler 1 exceeds the higher limit temperature, the aroma inhaler 1 may have a function of not performing a liquid spray action.

[0447] Although not specifically mentioned in the embodiment, the aroma inhaler 1 may have a remaining volume sensor configured to detect the remaining liquid volume. A remaining volume sensor may be provided in the through slot 34 and may detect a surface liquid level of the liquid in the through slot 34. The surface water level of the liquid may be controlled by a detection result of the remaining volume sensor. If at least one of the nebulization unit 100 and the liquid storage unit 200 is a cartridge, the aroma inhaler 1 may have a detection sensor configured to detect the presence or absence of the cartridge. If there is no cartridge, the aroma inhaler 1 may have a function of not performing a liquid spray action.

[0448] In the embodiment, the aroma inhaler 1 has a sensor 300. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. The aroma inhaler 1 may have, instead of the sensor 300, an actuation switch used to actuate the nebulization unit 100. The aroma inhaler 1 may initiate the nebulization action of the nebulization unit 100 in response to the actuation switch being turned on. The aroma inhaler 1 may stop the spraying action of the spray unit 100 in response to turning off the actuation switch. If a certain period elapses from the actuation switch being turned on, the aroma inhaler 1 may stop the spraying action of the spray unit 100.

[0449] Although not specifically mentioned in the embodiment, the switch provided on the aroma inhaler 1 may be a switch other than the above-described power source switch and drive switch. For example, the switch may be a switch configured to switch two or more operating modes of the aroma inhaler 1. The switch provided on the aroma inhaler 1 may be a mechanical switch or a touch panel.

[0450] Although not specifically mentioned in the embodiment, the aroma inhaler 1 may have a function of returning, to the liquid storage unit 200, unused liquid in the liquid supply tube from the liquid storage unit 200 to the atomizing unit 100. The aroma inhaler 1 may be designed to prevent leakage of unused liquid through the mouthpiece 1D, such as a liquid reservoir structure configured to store and reuse unused liquid.

Industrial Applicability

[0451] According to an embodiment, a spray unit can be provided that can improve the spraying efficiency of a liquid.

Claims (39)

1. Controller for controlling the spraying unit, moreover: - spray block contains a piezoelectric element substrate comprising an interdigital transducer (IDT) comprising pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes, and a liquid feeder configured to supply a liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element, wherein the piezoelectric element substrate is configured to spray liquid from the piezoelectric element substrate by using a surface acoustic wave generated by applying a high frequency voltage to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes; and - the controller is configured to periodically change the amplitude and/or frequency of the high frequency voltage applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes in such a way that the formation, by spraying, of particles having particle sizes that are larger than a predetermined size is suppressed. 2. The controller according to claim. 1, while the controller is configured to modulate the high frequency voltage applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes, based on a sine wave, square wave, triangular wave or sawtooth wave; wherein the modulation is amplitude modulation and/or frequency modulation. 3. The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to modify the amplitude of the high frequency voltage applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes such that it is in the form of a sine wave, square wave, triangular wave, or sawtooth wave. 4. The controller of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to modify the amplitude of the high frequency voltage applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes by alternately providing a period during which the high frequency voltage is applied and a period during which the high frequency voltage is not applied. 5. The controller according to claim 2, wherein the duty cycle of the square wave pulses is set so that damage to the substrate of the piezoelectric element due to high temperature is not allowed, and so that the formation, by sputtering, of particles having particle sizes that are larger than a predetermined size , is suppressed when a high frequency voltage is applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes. 6. The controller according to claim 2, wherein in one period of the triangular wave, the ratio between the amplitude and the length of the period during which the change occurs in the first direction, which is parallel to the amplitude, and the ratio between the amplitude and the length of the period during which the change occurs in the second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, are set such that damage to the substrate of the piezoelectric element due to high temperature is prevented, and such that the formation, by sputtering, of particles having particle sizes that are larger than a predetermined size is suppressed when the high frequency voltage is applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes. 7. The controller according to claim 2, wherein the ratio between the length of one period and the amplitude of the sawtooth wave is set such that damage to the substrate of the piezoelectric element due to high temperature is not allowed, and such that the formation, by sputtering, of particles having particle sizes, which are larger than a predetermined size is suppressed when a high frequency voltage is applied to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes. 8. The controller according to claim. 1, in which the frequency of periodic change is equal to or higher than 50 Hz and equal to or lower than 500 Hz. 9. Controller for controlling the spraying unit, moreover: - spray block contains a piezoelectric element substrate comprising an interdigital transducer (IDT) comprising pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes, and a liquid feeder configured to supply a liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element, wherein the piezoelectric element substrate is configured to spray liquid from the piezoelectric element substrate by using a surface acoustic wave generated by applying a high frequency voltage to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes; and - the controller is configured to start supplying the liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of applying a high-frequency voltage to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes, wherein the length of the predetermined time is set such that the generation, by spraying, of particles having particle sizes larger than the predetermined size is suppressed. 10. The controller according to claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to set the rate of supply of the liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element, equal to a predetermined value, immediately after the start of supply. 11. The controller according to claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to set the rate of supply of the liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element to zero immediately after the start of the supply, and gradually increase the supply rate to a predetermined value. 12. The controller according to claim 11, wherein the length of time during which the feed rate is increased from zero to a predetermined value is set such that the generation, by spraying, of particles having particle sizes that are larger than the predetermined size is suppressed. 13. Controller for controlling the spraying unit, moreover: - spray block contains a piezoelectric element substrate comprising an interdigital transducer (IDT) comprising pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes, a liquid feeder configured to supply the liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element, and a sensor for determining the amount of liquid to be sprayed that exists on the substrate of the piezoelectric element, wherein the piezoelectric element substrate is configured to spray liquid from the piezoelectric element substrate by using a surface acoustic wave generated by applying a high frequency voltage to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes; and the controller is configured to control the supply of liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element based on the amount of liquid existing on the substrate of the piezoelectric element, wherein the controller is configured to control the supply of the liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element in such a way that an amount that is in the first predetermined range of the amounts of the liquid to be sprayed exists on the substrate of the piezoelectric element before the application of the high frequency voltage to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes, wherein the first predetermined range of amounts is set in such a manner that the generation, by spraying, of particles having particle sizes larger than the predetermined size is suppressed. 14. The controller of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to start, at the same time, applying a high frequency voltage to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes and supplying the liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element. 15. The controller of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to begin supplying the liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element after the application of high frequency voltage to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes has begun. 16. The controller according to claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to control the supply of liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element such that the rate of supply of the liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element is set to have a predetermined value or a predetermined change, after the application of high frequency voltage to pairs of interconnected comb metal electrodes begins. 17. The controller according to claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to stop supplying the liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element if the amount of liquid to be sprayed existing on the substrate of the piezoelectric element is equal to or higher than the upper limit in the second a predetermined range of amounts, while supplying the liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element; and the upper limit and lower limit of the second predetermined amount range are equal to or higher than the upper limit and lower limit of the first predetermined amount range, respectively. 18. The controller of claim 17, wherein the controller is configured to restart supplying the liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element if the amount of liquid to be sprayed existing on the substrate of the piezoelectric element is less than the lower limit of the second predetermined a range of amounts when the supply of the liquid to be sprayed to the substrate of the piezoelectric element is stopped. 19. The controller according to claim 17, wherein the second predetermined amount range is set such that the generation, by spraying, of particles having particle sizes larger than the predetermined size is suppressed. 20. A non-volatile computer-readable medium that stores a program that enables the processor to function as a controller according to claim 1.

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