WO2022230127A1

WO2022230127A1 - Flavor inhaler and flavor inhaler manufacturing method

Info

Publication number: WO2022230127A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/017038
Authority: WO
Inventors: 康信井上; 弘樹中合; 学山田
Original assignee: 日本たばこ産業株式会社
Priority date: 2021-04-28
Filing date: 2021-04-28
Publication date: 2022-11-03
Also published as: JPWO2022230127A1; CN117202812A; US20240041130A1; TW202241291A; EP4331411A1

Abstract

Provided is a flavor inhaler comprising an enclosure, an atomising part that is housed in the enclosure and that generates heat, a temperature sensing part that is located near the atomising part, and a wiring part that is electrically connected to the temperature sensing part, wherein the wiring part extends from the temperature sensing part so as to be away from the atomising part.

Description

Flavor suction device and method for manufacturing flavor suction device

The present disclosure relates to a flavor inhaler and a method for manufacturing the flavor inhaler.

Conventionally, in the field of flavor inhalers, temperature sensors have been provided to monitor the temperature. For example, US Pat. No. 6,200,003 places a temperature sensor inside a flavor inhaler and away from a heating coil.

In a flavor inhaler with a built-in heat generating device, it is required to accurately measure the temperature of the housing of the device so that the user does not feel uncomfortable while using the device. In particular, it is preferable to monitor the temperature of the housing in the vicinity of the heat-generating device, which is greatly affected by heat from the heat-generating device.

Patent No. 6335251

The present disclosure provides a flavor inhaler and a method of manufacturing the same that can accurately detect the temperature of the housing in the vicinity of the heat generating device.

A first aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing, an atomizing unit that is housed in the housing and generates heat, a temperature detection unit that is arranged near the atomization unit, and is electrically connected to the temperature detection unit. and a wiring portion, wherein the wiring portion extends from the temperature detection portion so as to be spaced apart from the atomization portion.

In the first aspect, the temperature detection section is provided in the vicinity of the heat-generating atomization section, and the wiring section connected to the temperature detection section extends away from the atomization section. Therefore, according to the first aspect, it is possible to measure the temperature of the housing in the vicinity of the atomizing unit where the heat generated by the atomizing unit is likely to be transmitted, and to suppress the influence of the heat generated by the atomizing unit on the wiring unit. Good temperature measurements can be made.

A second aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler according to the first aspect, wherein the vicinity of the atomizing section is a region in which the temperature sensing section is affected by temperature fluctuations of the atomizing section. .

In the second aspect, the temperature detection section that measures the temperature of the housing is arranged in a region that is affected by temperature fluctuations of the atomization section. Therefore, according to the second aspect, it is possible to perform temperature measurement that appropriately reflects temperature fluctuations in the atomizing section.

A third aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler according to the first and second aspects, wherein the region where the wiring portion extends is a region where the temperature is lower than the temperature detected by the temperature detection portion. be.

In the third aspect, the wiring portion connected to the temperature detection portion extends toward the region where the temperature is lower than the temperature detected by the temperature detection portion arranged near the atomization portion. Therefore, according to the third aspect, it is possible to reliably suppress the influence of heat generated by the atomizing section on the wiring section.

A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor suction device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the wiring portion extends from the temperature detection portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the atomization portion. It is a vessel.

In the fourth aspect, the wiring portion extends from the temperature detecting portion substantially perpendicularly to the extending direction of the heat-generating atomizing portion. Therefore, according to the fourth aspect, the wiring section can be reliably separated from the atomizing section, and noise in temperature measurement can be reduced.

A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising an additional member accommodated in the housing, a first inner wall of the housing and the In the flavor inhaler, at least part of the wiring part is sandwiched and held by the surface of the additional member.

According to the fifth aspect, the additional member is arranged inside the housing, and the wiring portion is sandwiched and held by the surface of the additional member facing the first inner wall of the housing and the first inner wall. Therefore, according to the fifth aspect, since the wiring portion extending from the temperature detecting portion extends while being held on the surface of the additional member, the wiring portion can be more reliably separated from the atomizing portion, and the temperature Noise to the measurement can be further reduced.

According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in the fifth aspect, a first wiring support portion including an adhesive layer is provided on the surface of the additional member facing the first inner wall, and at least the wiring portion A part is a flavor sucker that is adhered and fixed to the first wiring support.

In the sixth aspect, the first wiring support portion having the adhesive layer is provided on the surface of the additional member, and the wiring portion is adhered to the first wiring support portion. Therefore, according to the sixth aspect, it is possible to fix the extending direction of a portion of the wiring portion and to reliably separate the wiring portion from the atomizing portion.

A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler according to the first to sixth aspects, wherein the temperature detection unit is arranged in contact with the first inner wall of the housing.

In the above seventh aspect, the temperature detection section that measures the temperature of the housing is arranged in contact with the first inner wall of the housing. Therefore, according to the seventh aspect, the temperature of the inner surface of the housing can be measured directly, and the temperature detection section can be held at an appropriate position.

According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, in the seventh aspect, the housing further includes a support member that supports the atomization section, and the temperature detection section is located on the first inner wall of the housing. and the support member sandwiched and held.

In the above eighth aspect, the support member for supporting the atomization section is arranged inside the housing, and the temperature detection section is sandwiched and held between the first inner wall of the housing and the support member. Therefore, according to the eighth aspect, the temperature detection section can be held in the vicinity of the atomization section, and the temperature of the housing in the vicinity of the atomization section can be stably measured.

A ninth aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor suction device according to the eighth aspect, wherein the temperature detection unit contacts the support member via a heat insulating member.

In the ninth aspect, the temperature detection section is in contact with the support member via the heat insulating member. Therefore, according to the ninth aspect, it is possible to suppress the influence of the heat generation of the atomization section from reaching the temperature detection section via the support member.

A tenth aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler according to the ninth aspect, wherein the heat insulating member has an adhesive layer, and the temperature detection unit is adhered and fixed to the heat insulating member. .

In the tenth aspect, the heat insulating member in contact with the temperature detection section has an adhesive layer. Therefore, according to the tenth aspect, the temperature detection section can be held in the vicinity of the atomization section, and the temperature of the housing in the vicinity of the atomization section can be stably measured.

An eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler according to the eighth to tenth aspects, wherein the support member is provided with a second wiring support portion that supports the extending wiring portion. .

In the eleventh aspect, the support member accommodated in the housing is provided with the second wiring support portion that supports the wiring portion extending from the temperature detection portion. Therefore, according to the eleventh aspect, the extending direction of the wiring portion can be guided in a predetermined direction, and the wiring portion can be reliably separated from the atomizing portion.

In a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the first inner wall of the housing supports the wiring portion so as to extend apart from the atomizing portion. A flavor inhaler provided with a wiring support.

In the twelfth aspect, the third wiring supporting portion supports the wiring portion extending from the temperature detecting portion on the first inner wall of the housing that contacts the temperature detecting portion so as to extend away from the atomizing portion. is provided. Therefore, according to the twelfth aspect, the extending direction of the wiring portion can be guided in a predetermined direction, and the wiring portion can be reliably separated from the atomizing portion.

A thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure provides a first housing element and a second housing element that are aligned to face each other to form a housing, and a predetermined An atomizing part that generates heat, a temperature detecting part, and a wiring part electrically connected to the temperature detecting part are arranged at positions, and the wiring is separated from the temperature detecting part so as to be separated from the atomizing part. aligning the first housing element to the second housing element such that the temperature sensing portion is positioned near the atomizing portion to form a housing; A method for manufacturing a flavor inhaler.

In the thirteenth aspect, the wiring portion extends from the temperature detection portion so as to be separated from the heat-generating atomization portion, and the first housing element is moved to the second position so that the temperature detection portion is positioned in the vicinity of the atomization portion. A housing is configured in alignment with the housing elements. Therefore, according to the thirteenth aspect, it is possible to measure the temperature of the housing in the vicinity of the atomizing unit where the heat generated by the atomizing unit is likely to be transmitted, and suppress the influence of the heat generated by the atomizing unit on the wiring unit. A flavor inhaler can be provided that can take good temperature measurements.

A fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure is the manufacture of a flavor inhaler according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the vicinity of the atomizing section is a region in which the temperature detection section is affected by temperature fluctuations of the atomizing section. The method.

In the fourteenth aspect, the temperature detection section that measures the temperature of the housing is arranged in a region that is affected by temperature fluctuations of the atomization section. Therefore, according to the fourteenth aspect, it is possible to provide a flavor inhaler capable of performing temperature measurement that appropriately reflects temperature fluctuations in the atomizing section.

A fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure is the thirteenth and fourteenth aspects, wherein an additional member is further arranged at a predetermined position with respect to the second housing element, and the first housing element is replaced with the second housing element. The method of manufacturing the flavor inhaler further includes holding the wiring portion by sandwiching it between the inner wall of the first housing element and the additional member.

In the fifteenth aspect, the additional member is arranged inside the housing, and the wiring portion is sandwiched and held between the first inner wall of the first housing element and the additional member. Therefore, according to the fifteenth aspect, since the wiring portion extending from the temperature detection portion extends while being held on the surface of the additional member, the wiring portion is more reliably spaced from the atomizing portion, and noise in temperature measurement is reduced. It is possible to provide a flavor inhaler in which the is further reduced.

1 is a schematic front view of a flavor inhaler according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a flavor inhaler; FIG. It is a schematic bottom view of a flavor inhaler. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a consumable; FIG. It is a front view of the flavor inhaler which removed the outer housing. Fig. 2 is a side view of the flavor inhaler with the outer housing removed; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inner surface of the front housing element of the inner housing; 4 is a cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler taken along line 4-4 shown in FIG. 1B; FIG. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the chamber; 5B is a cross-sectional view of the chamber taken along line 5B-5B shown in FIG. 5A; FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the chamber taken along line 6A-6A shown in FIG. 5B; FIG. Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view of the chamber taken along line 6B-6B shown in Figure 5B; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the chamber and heating section; Figure 6B is the cross-sectional view shown in Figure 6B with the consumable in the desired location within the chamber; FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the flavor sucker taken along line 9-9 shown in FIG. 1B; 1 is a schematic front view of the flavor inhaler with the front cover and front housing element removed; FIG. It is a perspective view of a thermistor. 1 is a perspective view of a chassis; FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a heat insulating member for holding the thermistor; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the thermistor is arranged on the chassis; FIG. 4B is a front view of the inner surface of the front housing element showing a thermistor disposed on the inner surface of the front housing element;

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

FIG. 1A is a schematic front view of a flavor inhaler 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1B is a schematic top view of flavor inhaler 100. FIG. 1C is a schematic bottom view of flavor inhaler 100. FIG. In the drawings described in this specification, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system may be attached for convenience of explanation. In this coordinate system, the Z axis points vertically upward, the XY plane is arranged to cut the flavor inhaler 100 horizontally, and the Y axis extends from the front to the back of the flavor inhaler 100. arranged to come out. The Z-axis can also be said to be the direction of insertion of the consumables contained in the chamber 50 of the atomizing section 30, which will be described later. Also, the Y-axis can be said to be the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the consumables and in which the front housing element 10A and the rear housing element 10B, which will be described later, face each other. Also, the X-axis direction can be said to be the longitudinal direction of the device in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction of the consumer goods. The Y-axis direction can also be said to be the lateral direction of the device in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction of the consumer goods.

The flavor inhaler 100 is configured to generate a flavor-containing aerosol, for example, by heating a stick-shaped consumable having a flavor source containing the aerosol source.

As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the flavor inhaler 100 has an outer housing 101 composed of a front cover 101A and a rear cover 101B, a slide cover 102, and a switch section 103. Outer housing 101 forms the outermost housing of flavor inhaler 100 and is sized to fit in the user's hand. When the user uses the flavor inhaler 100, the user can hold the flavor inhaler 100 in his or her hand and inhale the aerosol. Regarding the outer housing 101, the front cover 101A can be made of resin such as polycarbonate, and the rear cover 101B can be made of metal such as aluminum. However, the material of the outer housing 101 is not limited to these. or a polymer alloy containing a plurality of types of polymers, or a metal such as aluminum, which can be arbitrarily selected.

The outer housing 101 has a first through hole (not shown) for receiving consumables, and the slide cover 102 is slidably attached to the outer housing 101 so as to close the first through hole. Specifically, the slide cover 102 is positioned between the closed position (the position shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B) that closes the first through hole of the outer housing and the open position that opens the first through hole. are movable along the outer surface of the outer housing 101 . For example, the user can manually operate the slide cover 102 to move the slide cover 102 between the closed position and the open position. This allows or restricts access of consumables to the interior of the sliding cover 102, flavor inhaler 100. FIG.

1B and 1C illustrate that the rear cover 101B of the flavor inhaler 100 is thicker than the front cover 101A, but the configuration of the outer housing 101 is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure the front cover 101A and the rear cover 101B to have approximately the same thickness.

The switch section 103 is used to switch the operation of the flavor inhaler 100 between on and off. For example, as will be described later, the user operates the switch unit 103 with the consumable material inserted into the flavor inhaler 100 to supply power from the power supply 21 to the heating unit 40, thereby preventing the consumable material from burning. Can be heated. The switch portion 103 may be a switch provided outside the outer housing 101 or a switch positioned inside the outer housing 101 . When the switch is located inside the outer housing 101 , the switch is indirectly pressed by pressing the switch portion 103 on the surface of the outer housing 101 . In the present disclosure, an example in which the switches of the switch section 103 are located inside the outer housing 101 will be described.

The flavor inhaler 100 may further have a terminal (not shown). A terminal may be an interface that connects the flavor inhaler 100 to, for example, an external power source. When the power source of the flavor inhaler 100 is a rechargeable battery, by connecting an external power source to the terminals, current can flow from the external power source to the power source to charge the power source. The flavor inhaler 100 may also be configured to transmit data related to the operation of the flavor inhaler 100 to an external device by connecting a data transmission cable to the terminals.

Next, the consumables used in the flavor inhaler 100 will be explained. FIG. 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of consumable 110 . In the present disclosure, the flavor inhaler 100 and the consumable 110 may constitute a smoking system. In the example shown in FIG. 2 , consumable article 110 includes smokable article 111 , tubular member 114 , hollow filter portion 116 and filter portion 115 . A smokable article 111 is wrapped by a first wrapping paper 112 . The tubular member 114 , the hollow filter portion 116 and the filter portion 115 are wrapped with a second wrapping paper 113 different from the first wrapping paper 112 . The second wrapping paper 113 also wraps a portion of the first wrapping paper 112 that wraps the smokable article 111 . Thereby, the tubular member 114, the hollow filter portion 116, the filter portion 115 and the smokable article 111 are connected. However, second wrapping paper 113 may be omitted, and first wrapping paper 112 may be used to connect tubular member 114, hollow filter portion 116, and filter portion 115 to smokable article 111. FIG. A lip release agent 117 is applied to the outer surface of the second wrapping paper 113 in the vicinity of the filter portion 115 side end to prevent the user's lips from sticking to the second wrapping paper 113 . A portion of the consumable product 110 to which the lip release agent 117 is applied functions as a mouthpiece for the consumable product 110 .

The smokable material 111 may include a flavor source, such as tobacco, and an aerosol source. Also, the first wrapping paper 112 around which the smokable article 111 is wrapped may be a breathable sheet member. Tubular member 114 may be a paper tube or hollow filter. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the consumable item 110 includes a smokable article 111, a tubular member 114, a hollow filter portion 116, and a filter portion 115, but the configuration of the consumable item 110 is not limited to this. For example, hollow filter portion 116 may be omitted, and cylindrical member 114 and filter portion 115 may be arranged adjacent to each other.

3A is a front view of the flavor inhaler 100 with the outer housing 101 removed. FIG. 3B is a side view of flavor inhaler 100 with outer housing 101 removed. 3C is a front view of the inner surface of the front housing element 10A that forms the front surface of the inner housing 10. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3A, when the outer housing 101 is removed, the inner housing 10 is exposed. The inner housing 10 accommodates an atomizing section 30, a power supply section 20, etc., which will be described later, and is made of, for example, resin, particularly polycarbonate (PC), ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) resin, PEEK (polyetheretherketone). ) or a polymer alloy containing a plurality of types of polymers, or a metal such as aluminum. From the viewpoint of heat resistance and strength, the inner housing 10 is preferably made of PEEK. However, the material of the inner housing 10 is not limited to this. The inner housing 10 is an example of the housing of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a side view of the flavor inhaler 100 from which the outer housing 101 shown in FIG. 3A is removed, viewed from the positive direction of the X axis. As shown in FIG. 3B, the inner housing 10 includes a front housing element 10A arranged on the front side (Y-axis negative direction side) of the flavor inhaler 100 and an inner surface side (Y-axis positive direction side) of the flavor inhaler 100. ) and a rear housing element 10B arranged in the . The front housing element 10A of the inner housing 10 is an example of the first housing element of the present disclosure, and the rear housing element 10B of the inner housing 10 is an example of the second housing element of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3C is a front view of the inner surface of the front housing element 10A, illustrating the front housing element 10A alone. Although FIGS. 3B and 3C illustrate the inner housing 10 so that the front housing element 10A is thinner than the rear housing element 10B, the construction of the inner housing 10 is not limited to this. do not have. It is also possible to configure the front housing element 10A and the rear housing element 10B to have approximately the same thickness.

Next, the internal structure of the flavor inhaler 100 will be described. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of flavor inhaler 100 taken along line 4-4 shown in FIG. 1B.

As shown in FIG. 4, the inner space of the inner housing 10 of the flavor inhaler 100 is provided with a power source section 20 and an atomizing section 30 . Further, a circuit portion (not shown) is provided in the internal space of the inner housing 10 .

The circuit section includes, for example, a microprocessor or the like, and can control power supply from the power supply section 20 to the atomization section 30 . Thereby, the circuit section can control the heating of the consumable material 110 by the atomization section 30 .

The power supply unit 20 has a power supply 21 electrically connected to a circuit unit (not shown). Power source 21 may be, for example, a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. The power supply 21 is electrically connected to the atomization section 30 via the circuit section. Thereby, the power source 21 can supply power to the atomization section 30 so as to appropriately heat the consumable material 110 . The power supply unit 20 is an example of additional members of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 4, the atomizing section 30 includes a chamber 50 extending in the longitudinal direction of the consumable material 110, a heating section 40 surrounding a portion of the chamber 50, a heat insulating section 32, and a substantially cylindrical insertion guide member 34. and have Chamber 50 is configured to contain consumables 110 . The heating unit 40 is configured to contact the outer peripheral surface of the chamber 50 and heat the consumable material 110 accommodated in the chamber 50 . Details of the chamber 50 and the heating unit 40 will be described later.

The heat insulation section 32 is arranged so as to surround the chamber 50 and the heating section 40 . The heat insulating portion 32 may include, for example, an airgel sheet. The insertion guide member 34 is made of a resin material such as PEEK, PC, or ABS, and is provided between the slide cover 102 in the closed position and the chamber 50 . The insertion guide member 34 communicates with the exterior of the flavor inhaler 100 when the slide cover 102 is in the open position, and inserting the consumable 110 into the insertion guide member 34 facilitates the insertion of the consumable 110 into the chamber 50 . to guide

The flavor inhaler 100 further has a first support section 35 and a second support section 38 that support both ends of the chamber 50 and the heat insulation section 32 . The first support portion 35 is arranged to support the end portions of the chamber 50 and the heat insulating portion 32 on the slide cover 102 side (Z-axis positive direction side). Furthermore, an O-ring 37 that supports the insertion guide member 34 is installed on the first support portion 35 . The second support portion 38 is arranged to directly or indirectly support the ends of the chamber 50 and the heat insulating portion 32 on the Z-axis negative direction side. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, a bottom member 36 may be provided at the bottom of the chamber 50 . Bottom member 36 may act as a stop to position consumable 110 inserted into chamber 50 . The bottom member 36 may define a space in which air can be supplied to the surface against which the consumable 110 abuts. The bottom member 36 has an uneven surface on which the consumable material 110 abuts, and may be made of, for example, a resin material such as PEEK, metal, glass, ceramic, or the like, but is not limited thereto. Also, the first support portion 35 and the second support portion 38 can be formed of, for example, an elastomer such as silicone rubber. Also, when joining the bottom member 36 to the bottom of the chamber 50, an adhesive that can be composed of a resin material such as an epoxy resin or an inorganic material can be used.

Next, the details of the chamber 50 and the heating section 40 will be described. 5A is a perspective view of chamber 50. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of chamber 50 taken along line 5B-5B shown in FIG. 5A. 6A is a cross-sectional view of chamber 50 taken along line 6A-6A shown in FIG. 5B. 6B is a cross-sectional view of chamber 50 taken along line 6B-6B shown in FIG. 5B. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the chamber 50 and the heating section 40. FIG. 8 is the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 6B with the consumable 110 in the desired position within the chamber 50. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the chamber 50 can be a tubular member that includes an opening 52 into which the consumable 110 is inserted, and a tubular sidewall 60 that houses the consumable 110 . A flange portion 52A is formed around the opening 52 of the chamber 50 . The chamber 50 is preferably made of a material having heat resistance and a small coefficient of thermal expansion. For example, the chamber 50 can be made of metal such as stainless steel, resin such as PEEK, glass, or ceramic. This allows effective heating from the chamber 50 to the consumable 110 .

As shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B, the side wall portion 60 includes a contact portion 62 and a separation portion 66. When the consumable 110 is placed in the desired position within the chamber 50 , the contact portion 62 contacts or presses against a portion of the consumable 110 and the spacing portion 66 separates from the consumable 110 . As used herein, the term "desired position within the chamber 50" refers to a position where the consumable 110 is properly heated or a position of the consumable 110 when smoked by the user. The contact portion 62 has an inner surface 62a and an outer surface 62b. The spacing portion 66 has an inner surface 66a and an outer surface 66b. As shown in FIG. 7 , the heating portion 40 is arranged on the outer surface 62 b of the contact portion 62 . It is preferable that the heating part 40 is arranged on the outer surface 62b of the contact part 62 without a gap. Note that the heating unit 40 may include an adhesive layer. In that case, it is preferable that the heating part 40 including the adhesive layer is arranged on the outer surface 62b of the contact part 62 without any gap.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 6B, the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 is flat. Since the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 is flat, when the strip-shaped electrode 48 is connected to the heating portion 40 disposed on the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 as shown in FIG. Bending can be suppressed. As shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B, the inner surface 62a of the contact portion 62 is flat. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B, the thickness of the contact portion 62 is uniform.

As shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6B, the chamber 50 has two contact portions 62 in the circumferential direction of the chamber 50, and the two contact portions 62 face each other in parallel. At least a portion of the distance between the inner surfaces 62 a of the two contact portions 62 is preferably smaller than the width of the portion of the consumable 110 inserted into the chamber 50 placed between the contact portions 62 .

As shown in FIG. 6B, the inner surface 66a of the spacing portion 66 can have a generally arcuate cross section in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) of the chamber 50. As shown in FIG. Further, the spacing portion 66 is arranged so as to be adjacent to the contact portion 62 in the circumferential direction.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the chamber 50 may have a hole 56a in its bottom 56 through which the bottom member 36 shown in FIG. A bottom member 36 provided on the bottom portion 56 supports a portion of the consumable 110 inserted into the chamber 50 so as to expose at least a portion of the end face of the consumable 110 . Also, the bottom portion 56 can support a portion of the consumable material 110 so that the exposed end surface of the consumable material 110 communicates with a second gap 67B (see FIG. 8), which will be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the chamber 50 preferably has a cylindrical non-holding portion 54 between the opening 52 and the side wall portion 60. As shown in FIGS. A gap may be formed between the non-retaining portion 54 and the consumable 110 when the consumable 110 is positioned at the desired position in the chamber 50 . 5A and 5B, the chamber 50 preferably has a first guide portion 58 having a tapered surface 58a connecting the inner surface of the non-holding portion 54 and the inner surface 62a of the contact portion 62. As shown in FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the heating section 40 has a heating element 42 . Heating element 42 may be, for example, a heating track. Heating element 42 is preferably arranged to heat contact portion 62 without contacting spaced portion 66 of chamber 50 . In other words, the heating element 42 is preferably arranged only on the outer surface of the contact portion 62 . The heating element 42 may have a different heating capacity between the portion that heats the spaced portion 66 of the chamber 50 and the portion that heats the contact portion 62 . Specifically, heating element 42 may be configured to heat contact portion 62 to a higher temperature than spacing portion 66 . For example, the density of the heating tracks of the heating elements 42 in the contact portion 62 and the spaced portion 66 can be adjusted. The heating element 42 may also be wrapped around the circumference of the chamber 50 with approximately the same heating capacity all around the circumference of the chamber 50 . As shown in FIG. 7, in addition to the heating element 42, the heating section 40 preferably has an electrical insulating member 44 covering at least one surface of the heating element 42. As shown in FIG. An electrically insulating member 44 is positioned over both sides of the heating element 42 .

As shown in FIG. 8, once the consumable 110 is placed in the desired position within the chamber 50 , the consumable 110 can be pressed into contact with the contact portion 62 of the chamber 50 . On the other hand, a second gap 67B is formed between the consumable material 110 and the spacing portion 66. As shown in FIG. The second void 67B may communicate with the opening 52 of the chamber 50 and the end face of the consumable 110 positioned within the chamber 50 . This allows the air that has flowed in from the opening 52 of the chamber 50 to flow into the consumable material 110 through the second gap 67B. In other words, an air flow path (second gap 67B) is formed between consumable material 110 and spacing portion 66 .

Next, the arrangement position and arrangement mode of the atomizing section 30 within the inner housing 10 will be described. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of flavor inhaler 100 taken along line 9-9 shown in FIG. 1B, showing consumable 110 inserted into insertion guide member 34 and chamber 50. FIG.

The insertion guide member 34 has a second through hole 34A and a first engaging claw 34B formed on the outer circumference. The insertion guide member 34 is inserted from the outside of the outer housing 101 through a first through hole for receiving consumables provided in the outer housing 101, and the first engaging claw 34B engages the inner housing 10 (not shown). By engaging with the joint portion, the periphery of the second through-hole 34A is exposed to the outside of the flavor inhaler and is not removed from the flavor inhaler 100. - 特許庁The second through hole 34A of the insertion guide member 34 is sized to form a first gap 67A with the outer periphery of the consumable material 110 when the consumable material 110 is inserted into the second through hole 34A. formed.

The first support portion 35 has a third through hole 35A, an annular first rib 35B, and a circumferential portion 35C. The third through-hole 35A of the first support portion 35 is formed in a size that prevents the flange portion 52A (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) formed at the tip of the chamber 50 from passing through. The flange portion 52A is held by the first support portion 35 when it is passed through the third through hole from the side. The chamber 50 is positioned with respect to the insertion guide member 34 by bringing the tip of the insertion guide member 34 into contact with the flange portion 52A of the chamber 50 . The first rib is pressed into the recess of the O-ring 37 to retain the O-ring 37 . The circumferential portion of the first support portion 35 holds the inner diameter side of the tubular heat insulating portion 32 .

As mentioned above, the chamber 50 has a hole 56a in its bottom 56 through which the bottom member 36 shown in FIG. 4 is positioned inside the chamber 50 (see FIG. 5B). A bottom member 36 provided on the bottom portion 56 supports a portion of the consumable 110 inserted into the chamber 50 so as to expose at least a portion of the end surface of the consumable 110 . In addition, the bottom 56 of the chamber 50 forms a third gap 67C between the exposed tip surface of the consumable material 110 and the bottom member 36, and the third gap 67C is the second gap 67B described later (see FIG. 8). ) to support a portion of the consumable 110 in communication. In addition, in FIG. 9, the bottom member 36 is shown with the uneven shape different from that in FIG. 4 for convenience of explanation.

The spacer 39A is formed in a ring shape, and the bottom member 36 is inserted into a hole provided in the center. 2 and the support portion 38 so as not to move. The outer shape of the spacer 39A faces the inner surface of the heat insulating portion 32 and positions the heat insulating portion 32. As shown in FIG.

The second support portion 38 has a projection 39B (not shown) that fits into a hole provided in the inner housing 10, and the projection 39B fits into the hole to position the second support portion 38 with respect to the inner housing 10. In addition, the periphery of the protrusion 39B is compressed and abutted against the inner housing 10. As shown in FIG. That is, the second support portion 38 is compressed and disposed, and this reaction force urges the insertion guide member 34 via the spacer 39A and the bottom member 36 . Therefore, the Z-axis positive direction end of the insertion guide member 34 and the flange portion 52A of the chamber 50 are configured to be in close contact with each other. As a result of the above configuration, the first gap 67A, the second gap 67B, and the third gap 67C form connecting spaces.

As described above, since the air flow path (second gap 67B) is formed between the spaced portion 66 and the consumable material 110, the air passing through the air flow path absorbs the heat of the spaced portion 66, causing the separation. Section 66 can be cooled.

As described above, the heating element 42 of the heating portion 40 is arranged to heat the contact portion 62 without contacting the spaced portion 66 of the side wall portion 60 of the chamber 50 . That is, since the separation portion 66 is not directly heated by the heating portion 40, heating of the separation portion 66 by the heating portion 40 can be suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 9, the outer housing 101 accommodates the inner housing 10 therein. The inner surface of the front cover 101A of the outer housing 101 (the surface on the positive side of the Y-axis) faces the outer surface of the front housing element 10A of the inner housing 10 (the surface on the negative side of the Y-axis). Since the front housing element 10A of the inner housing 10 is covered with the front cover 101A of the outer housing 101, the heat from the atomizing section 30 transmitted to the front housing element 10A of the inner housing 10 is transferred to the flavor inhaler 100. It is possible to suppress transmission to the outside. As a result, when the user grips the flavor inhaler 100, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable.

Details of temperature detection on the inner surface (the surface on the positive side of the Y-axis) of the front housing element 10A of the inner housing 10 will be described below. When the atomization part 30 operates inside the flavor inhaler 100 , the operation of the heating part 40 causes the atomization part 30 to generate heat, and the heat is transferred to a portion close to the atomization part 30 within the inner housing 10 . In the flavor inhaler 100 of the present disclosure, the thermistor 72 is arranged so as to contact the inner surface of the front housing element 10A in the vicinity of the atomization section 30, and the heat transferred from the atomization section 30 to the front housing element 10A to monitor. The inner surface of the front housing element 10A is an example of the first inner wall of the housing of the present disclosure and the inner wall of the first housing element.

FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of the flavor inhaler 100 with the front cover 101A and the front housing element 10A removed. 11 is a perspective view of the thermistor 72. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the chassis 80. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a heat insulating member 90 for holding the thermistor 72. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a state in which the thermistor 72 is arranged on the chassis 80. FIG. FIG. 15 is a front view of the inner surface of the front housing element 10A showing the thermistor 72 arranged on the inner surface of the front housing element 10A.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the front cover 101A and the front housing element 10A are removed from the flavor inhaler 100, the internal configuration of the flavor inhaler 100 described in detail above is exposed. Specifically, the atomizing section 30, the power supply section 20, and the chassis 80 housed in the rear cover 101B and the rear housing element 10B are exposed. The chassis 80 is a member that separates the atomization section 30 and the power supply section 20 inside the flavor inhaler 100 and holds them respectively. Further, a thermistor 72 is attached to the chassis 80 via a heat insulating member 90 . As described with reference to FIG. 4, the chamber 50 of the atomizing section 30 and the heating section 40 are surrounded by the heat insulating section 32 . Chassis 80 is an example of a support member of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 11, the thermistor 72 includes a detection section 72A and a wiring section 72B that connects the detection section 72A to the circuit section (not shown) described above. The detector 72A is a temperature sensor. The wiring portion 72B of the thermistor 72 has two conductors covered with an insulating coating. Further, the detection portion 72A of the thermistor 72 is formed of an element whose electric resistance changes according to changes in temperature and glass covering this element. The thermistor 72 is configured by connecting one ends of the two conductors of the wiring portion 72B to the detection portion 72A. The other ends (not shown) of the two conductors of the wiring portion 72B are connected to a circuit portion (not shown). A constant weak current is supplied to the thermistor 72 from the power supply 21 of the power supply section 20 via the circuit section. When the temperature of the portion of the detecting portion 72A of the thermistor 72 in contact with the element changes, the electrical resistance of the element changes and the voltage of the thermistor 72 changes. Since the magnitude of the current supplied to the thermistor 72 is constant, Ohm's law allows the value of the electrical resistance of the element to be calculated from the measured voltage. On the other hand, the relationship between the temperature and the electrical resistance value of the element of the detection section 72A of the thermistor 72 is known. Therefore, by measuring the value of the voltage of the thermistor 72, the temperature of the element of the detection section 72A can be calculated. The detector 72A of the thermistor 72 is an example of the temperature detector of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 10, the detection section 72A of the thermistor 72 is mounted on the front surface of the chassis 80 in the vicinity of the atomization section 30 via a heat insulating member 90. As shown in FIG. A wiring portion 72B of the thermistor 72 extends substantially parallel to the positive direction of the X-axis from the detection portion 72A. Since the atomizing portion 30 extends along the Z-axis direction, the wiring portion 72B of the thermistor 72 is spaced apart from the atomizing portion 30 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the atomizing portion 30. , ie, away from the atomization section 30, from the detection section 72A. The region where the wiring portion 72B extends is spaced from the atomizing portion 30, so the temperature is lower than the temperature near the atomizing portion 30 detected by the detecting portion 72A of the thermistor 72. FIG. A wiring portion 72B extending from the detection portion 72A is bent at a bending portion 72C and extends vertically downward. Since the detection section 72A does not directly contact the chassis 80 and the heat insulating member 90 is interposed therebetween, the influence of the heat generation of the atomization section 30 is suppressed from reaching the detection section 72A through the chassis 80. be. Note that the “near” the atomization unit 30 in the present disclosure refers to a region close to the atomization unit 30 where the detection unit 72A of the thermistor 72 is affected by temperature fluctuations of the atomization unit 30 . For example, the neighborhood in the present embodiment may be a region where an air layer of 2 mm or more is not formed in order to suppress convection between the atomizing section 30 and the detecting section 72A, or a region between the atomizing section 30 and the detecting section 72A. In the case where a resin member or the like is interposed, it is preferable to set the distance between the atomizing section 30 and the detecting section 72A to 10 mm or less so that the temperature fluctuation can be detected. However, the conditions are not necessarily limited to those described above, and the detection unit 72A may be arranged in an area near the atomization unit 30 where the housing temperature can be measured in conjunction with temperature fluctuations of the atomization unit 30. Arbitrary and suitable arrangement is possible according to the design.

The two conductors included in the wiring portion 72B of the thermistor 72 are made of a material having high rigidity, at least in the vicinity of the detection portion 72A. Therefore, the wiring portion 72B, which is set to have a predetermined shape, can keep its initial shape despite the action of external forces such as the gravitational force of the earth. Specifically, the wiring portion 72B having the shape shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is pulled vertically downward (negative direction of the Z-axis) and does not deform linearly, but maintains its initial shape.

As shown in FIG. 10, a wiring support section 24 is provided on the front surface of the power supply section 20 (surface on the Y-axis negative direction side). An adhesive layer is provided on the wiring support portion 24 . The wiring portion 72B passes directly above the front surface of the power supply portion 20 between the bent portion 72C and a guide portion 84 of the chassis 80, which will be described later. A predetermined portion of the wiring portion 72B is adhered and fixed to the wiring support portion 24 . A portion of the wiring portion 72B is fixed to the wiring support portion 24 and extends, so that the wiring portion 72B is reliably separated from the atomizing portion 30. As shown in FIG. The wiring support portion 24 is an example of the first wiring support portion of the present disclosure.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, the chassis 80 includes a first holding portion 80A holding the atomizing portion 30 and a second holding portion 80B holding members below the atomizing portion 30 (negative Z-axis direction). and has. The chassis 80 also includes a third holding portion 80C that holds the power supply portion 20 on the back side of the first holding portion 80A and the second holding portion 80B. A mounting portion 82 to which the heat insulating member 90 is mounted is provided on the front surface of the chassis 80 . Further, the chassis 80 is provided with a guide portion 84 that guides the wiring portion 72B of the thermistor 72 . The guide portion 84 is an example of the second wiring support portion of the present disclosure.

13 shows a heat insulating member 90 inserted between the mounting portion 82 of the chassis 80 and the detection portion 72A of the thermistor 72. FIG. The heat insulating member 90 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a first surface 90A that contacts the detection portion 72A of the thermistor 72 and a second surface 90B that faces the first surface 90A and is attached to the mounting portion 82 of the chassis 80. and An adhesive layer is provided on each of the first surface 90A and the second surface 90B of the heat insulating member 90 . By bonding the second surface 90B of the heat insulating member 90 to the mounting portion 82 of the chassis 80 and bonding the detecting portion 72A of the thermistor 72 to the first surface 90A of the heat insulating member 90, the detecting portion of the thermistor 72 is mounted inside the inner housing 10. 72A can be easily placed where desired. Although the material of the heat insulating member 90 is not particularly limited, it is preferably an elastic member. By inserting an elastic heat insulating member 90 between the mounting portion 82 of the chassis 80 and the detection portion 72A of the thermistor 72, the detection portion 72A can be stably held without being damaged.

FIG. 14 shows the configuration of the main part of the chassis 80 to which the thermistor 72 is attached. The wiring portion 72B of the thermistor 72 extends from the detection portion 72A of the thermistor 72 attached to the attachment portion 82 of the chassis 80 via the heat insulating member 90 to the first holding portion 80A of the chassis 80 to which the atomizing portion 30 is attached. It extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction. A wiring portion 72B extending from the detection portion 72A is bent downward at a bent portion 72C and extends so as to pass through the guide portion 84 of the chassis 80 . The guide portion 84 functions to support the extending wiring portion 72B.

The flavor inhaler 100 of the present disclosure is configured by sealing the configuration shown in FIG. 10 with a front housing element 10A and attaching a front cover 101A. In this case, the detection portion 72A of the thermistor 72 shown in FIGS. 10 and 14 abuts on a predetermined portion of the inner surface of the front housing element 10A. Further, the detecting portion 72A is sandwiched and held between the mounting portion 82 of the chassis 80 to which the heat insulating member 90 is adhered and the inner surface of the front housing element 10A. With this configuration, the detection portion 72A of the thermistor 72 is stably held at a predetermined position on the inner surface of the front housing element 10A. Further, the wiring portion 72B of the thermistor 72 is sandwiched and held between the surface of the power supply portion 20 including the wiring support portion 24 and a predetermined portion of the inner surface of the front housing element 10A. With this configuration, the wiring portion 72</b>B of the thermistor 72 is stably held at a position spaced apart from the atomizing portion 30 .

FIG. 15 is a diagram omitting members other than the thermistor 72 and the heat insulating member 90 that are in contact with the inner surface of the front housing element 10A for the flavor inhaler 100 configured as described above. In FIG. 15, the detection portion 72A of the thermistor 72 is hidden under the heat insulating member 90. As shown in FIG. 15 also shows the second surface 90B of the heat insulating member 90. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, it is also possible to provide projections 12, 14 on the inner surface of the front housing element 10A. The protrusions 12 and 14 function to guide the wiring portion 72B of the thermistor 72 and assist in holding it in a desired shape. In particular, the projection 14 is inscribed in the bent portion 72C of the wiring portion 72B. Specifically, the projections 12 and 14 support the wiring portion 72B so as to extend apart from the atomizing portion 30. As shown in FIG. The protrusions 12 and 14 are examples of the third wiring support part of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 10, the detecting portion 72A of the thermistor 72 is arranged in the vicinity of the atomizing portion 30 and is in contact with the inner surface of the front housing element 10A. The temperature of the inner housing 10 can be measured at large points. Further, as shown in FIG. 10 , the wiring portion 72B of the thermistor 72 is arranged inside the inner housing 10 so as to be separated from the atomizing portion 30 . Specifically, the wiring portion 72B extends from the detection portion 72A in the positive direction of the X-axis, bends at the bending portion 72C, and passes through the front surface of the power supply portion 20 separated from the atomization portion 30 by the chassis 80, and extends along the Z-axis. Extends in the negative direction. When the wiring portion 72B is in contact with or close to the atomizing portion 30, the wiring portion 72B is affected by the heat generation of the atomizing portion 30, and there is a possibility that the temperature measurement accuracy of the detecting portion 72A is lowered. In the flavor inhaler 100 of the present disclosure, the wiring part 72B is arranged so as to be separated from the atomization part 30, so that noise to the wiring part 72B is suppressed, and accurate temperature measurement by the detection part 72A can be performed. .

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, the specification and the drawings. is possible. Any shape or material that is not directly described in the specification and drawings is within the scope of the technical concept of the present disclosure as long as it achieves the effects of the present disclosure. For example, the flavor inhaler 100 of the present disclosure has a so-called counter-flow air flow path in which air entering from the opening 52 of the chamber 50 is supplied to the end surface of the consumable 110, but the chamber 50 is not limited to this. It may have a so-called bottom flow type air flow path in which air is supplied into the chamber 50 from the bottom 56 of the chamber. Moreover, the heating element 42 is not limited to a resistance heating type, and may be an induction heating type. In that case, the heating element 42 can heat the chamber 50 by induction heating. Also, if the consumable 110 has a susceptor, the heating element 42 can heat the susceptor of the consumable 110 by induction heating.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Inner housing 10A... Front housing|casing element 10B... Rear housing|casing element 10a... 1st wall 10b... 2nd wall 10c... Side wall 12... Protrusion 14... Protrusion 20... Power supply part 21... Power supply 24... Wiring support part 30... Fog Reinforcing portion 32 Heat insulating portion 34 Insertion guide member 34A Second through hole 34B First engaging claw 35 First support portion 35A Third through hole

35B First rib

35C Circumferential portion 36 Bottom member 37 O-ring 37A Main body 37B Extension 38 Second support 39A Spacer 39B Protrusion 40 Heating part 42 Heating element 44 Electrical insulation member 48 Electrode 50 Chamber 52 Opening 52A... Flange part 54... Non-holding part 56... Bottom part 56a... Hole 58... First guide part 58a... Tapered surface 60... Side wall part 62... Contact part 62a... Inner surface 62b... Outer surface 66... Spacing part 66a... Inner surface 66b... Outer surface 67A 1st space 67B 2nd space 67C 3rd space 72 Thermistor

72A Detecting part

72B Wiring part

72C Bending part 80 Chassis 80A First holding part 80B Second holding part 80C Third space 3 holding part 82... Mounting part 84... Guide part 90... Heat insulating member 90A... First surface 90B... Second surface 100... Flavor sucker 101... Outer housing 101A... Front cover 101B... Rear cover 102... Slide cover 103... Switch part 110 Consumable material 111 Smokable article 112 First wrapping paper 113 Second wrapping paper 114 Cylindrical member 115 Filter section 116 Hollow filter section 117 Lip release agent

Claims

a housing;
an atomizing part that is housed in a housing and generates heat;
a temperature detection unit disposed near the atomization unit;
a wiring section electrically connected to the temperature detection section;
with
The wiring portion extends from the temperature detection portion so as to be spaced apart from the atomization portion.
flavor aspirator.
The flavor inhaler according to claim 1,
The vicinity of the atomization unit is a region where the temperature detection unit is affected by temperature fluctuations of the atomization unit.
flavor aspirator.
The flavor inhaler according to claim 1 or 2,
The region where the wiring portion extends is a region where the temperature is lower than the temperature detected by the temperature detection portion,
flavor aspirator.
The flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The wiring portion extends from the temperature detection portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the atomization portion.
flavor aspirator.
The flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
further comprising an additional member housed in the housing,
At least part of the wiring portion is sandwiched and held by a first inner wall of the housing and a surface of the additional member facing the first inner wall,
flavor aspirator.
The flavor inhaler according to claim 5,
a first wiring support portion including an adhesive layer is provided on the surface of the additional member facing the first inner wall;
At least part of the wiring portion is fixed by bonding to the first wiring support portion,
flavor aspirator.
The flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The temperature detection unit is arranged in contact with a first inner wall of the housing,
flavor aspirator.
The flavor inhaler according to claim 7,
further comprising a support member accommodated in the housing and supporting the atomization unit;
The temperature detection unit is sandwiched and held between the first inner wall of the housing and the support member,
flavor aspirator.
The flavor inhaler according to claim 8,
The temperature detection unit contacts the support member via a heat insulating member.
flavor aspirator.
The flavor inhaler according to claim 9,
The heat insulating member has an adhesive layer,
The temperature detection unit is adhered and fixed to the heat insulating member,
flavor aspirator.
The flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 8 to 10,
The support member is provided with a second wiring support portion that supports the extending wiring portion,
flavor aspirator.
The flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The first inner wall of the housing is provided with a third wiring support portion that supports the wiring portion so as to extend apart from the atomizing portion.
flavor aspirator.
providing a first housing element and a second housing element that are aligned to face each other to form a housing;
disposing an atomizing portion that generates heat, a temperature detecting portion, and a wiring portion electrically connected to the temperature detecting portion at a predetermined position with respect to the second housing element;
extending the wiring portion from the temperature detection portion so as to be spaced apart from the atomization portion;
The housing is configured by aligning the first housing element with the second housing element such that the temperature detection unit is positioned near the atomization unit.
including
A method for manufacturing a flavor inhaler.
A method for manufacturing the flavor inhaler according to claim 13,
The vicinity of the atomization unit is a region where the temperature detection unit is affected by temperature fluctuations of the atomization unit.
A method for manufacturing a flavor inhaler.
A method for manufacturing the flavor inhaler according to claim 13 or 14,
further disposing an additional member at a predetermined position with respect to the second housing element;
By aligning the first housing element with the second housing element, the wiring portion is sandwiched and held by the inner wall of the first housing element and the additional member.
further comprising
A method for manufacturing a flavor inhaler.