Cartridge, aerosol-generating device, and non-combustion aspirator

Abstract

The cartridge is provided with: a tank capable of accommodating an aerosol source; a heating unit that supplies the aerosol source from the tank, heats the aerosol source, and generates an aerosol; the first fixing part is used for fixing the heating part; and a second fixing part which fixes the heating part loosely than the first fixing part at a position farther from a heat generating part of the heating part than the first fixing part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a cigarette cartridge, an aerosol generating device and a non-combustion type inhaler. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a known non-combustion inhaler for sucking aerosol and tasting aroma. As such a non-combustion inhaler, for example, there is a non-combustion inhaler comprising: a cartridge for storing an aerosol source, a main unit of an aerosol generating device for plugging and unplugging the cartridge, and a aroma source container for giving aroma to the aerosol atomized by the main unit.

[0003] As such a device, for example, there is known a cartridge for a non-combustion inhaler described in Patent Document 1. The cartridge includes a heating unit for heating a liquid aerosol source, an atomizing container for supporting the heating unit, and a gasket for sandwiching the heating unit between the atomizing container and the heating unit.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2021 / 171534 Summary of the invention

[0007] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a cigarette cartridge that can stably generate aerosol.

[0009] Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, a cigarette cartridge in one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a tank, which is capable of accommodating an aerosol source; a heating part, which supplies the aerosol source from the tank and heats the aerosol source to generate an aerosol; a first fixing part, which fixes the heating part; and a second fixing part, which fixes the heating part looser than the first fixing part at a position farther away from the heat generating part of the heating part than the first fixing part.

[0011] According to this embodiment, since the heating part is stably fixed by two fixing parts, and is firmly fixed at a position close to the heating part of the heating part, and is loosely fixed at a position far from the heating part of the heating part, the entire heating part is easily wetted by the aerosol source, and the depletion of the aerosol source in the heating part and the generation of overheating caused by it can be suppressed. Therefore, aerosol can be stably generated.

[0012] In the above-mentioned cigarette cartridge, the heating part may be more compressed at the first fixing part than at the second fixing part.

[0013] According to this aspect, since the heating portion is more compressed at the first fixing portion than at the second fixing portion, the aerosol source easily moves to the heat generating portion of the heating portion due to the capillary force of the heating portion.

[0014] In the above-mentioned cigarette cartridge, an aerosol source holding portion may be formed, and the aerosol source holding portion has a connecting portion at a position farther away from the heat generating part of the heating portion than the first fixing portion, and can accommodate the aerosol source from the connecting portion, and the second fixing portion fixes the heating portion at least at a position facing the connecting portion of the aerosol source holding portion.

[0015] According to this method, when the aerosol source is excessively supplied to the heating part, the remaining part of the aerosol source drips from the second fixing part where the heating part is loosely fixed, and the aerosol source can be recovered to the aerosol source holding part having a connecting part at a position away from the heat generating part of the heating part.

[0016] In the above-mentioned cigarette cartridge, the second fixing portion may include a pair of clamping pieces for clamping the heating portion, and the pair of clamping pieces may include a tapered portion whose interval between clamping the heating portion becomes wider as it goes toward the communicating portion of the aerosol source holding portion.

[0017] According to this aspect, since the compression of the heating portion gradually becomes looser toward the communicating portion of the aerosol source holding portion, it is easy to guide the excess aerosol source from the heating portion to the aerosol source holding portion.

[0018] In the above-mentioned cigarette cartridge, the pair of clamping pieces may include flat surfaces that clamp the heating portion at a constant interval, and the tapered portion may be connected to the flat surfaces on the communication portion side of the aerosol source holding portion.

[0019] According to this aspect, the heating unit is stably fixed by the flat portion and loosely fixed by the tapered portion, so that the excess aerosol source can be easily guided from the heating unit to the aerosol source holding unit.

[0020] In the above-mentioned cigarette cartridge, a support portion for supporting the heating portion may be provided at a position farther from the heat generating portion of the heating portion than the aerosol source holding portion, and a space may be formed on the side opposite to the supporting surface of the support portion across the heating portion.

[0021] According to this method, by forming a space on the side opposite to the supporting surface of the supporting part separating the heating part, the volume of the tank can be expanded and bubbles can be made difficult to be retained, thereby suppressing the depletion of the aerosol source of the heating part caused by the retention of bubbles and the resulting overheating.

[0022] In the above-mentioned cigarette cartridge, the second fixing portion may extend from a position facing the communication portion of the aerosol source holding portion to a position facing the support surface of the support portion.

[0023] According to this aspect, since the heating unit can be fixed by the second fixing portion at a position facing the support surface, the heating unit can be stably fixed.

[0024] An aerosol generating device according to one aspect of the present invention includes the above-described cartridge and a power supply unit that supplies power to the heating unit of the cartridge to generate the aerosol.

[0025] According to this aspect, since the above-mentioned cartridge is provided, the heating portion can be stably fixed, and the depletion of the aerosol source of the heat generating portion and the occurrence of overheating caused by the depletion can be suppressed.

[0026] A non-combustion inhaler according to one aspect of the present invention includes the above-described aerosol generating device and a flavor source container attached to a mouthpiece of the aerosol generating device.

[0027] According to this aspect, flavor can be added to the aerosol.

[0028] Effects of the Invention

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, aerosol can be stably generated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an aspirator according to one embodiment.

[0031] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the aspirator according to one embodiment as viewed from the bottom side.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the internal structure of an aspirator according to one embodiment.

[0033] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a cigarette cartridge according to an embodiment as viewed from the bottom side.

[0034] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a cigarette cartridge according to an embodiment as viewed from the top side.

[0035] Figure 6 This is an exploded perspective view of the cigarette cartridge according to one embodiment as viewed from the bottom side.

[0036] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 VII-VII cross-sectional view shown.

[0037] Figure 8 yes Figure 4VIII-VIII cross-sectional view shown.

[0038] Fig. 9 This is a perspective view of a tank according to an embodiment as viewed from the bottom side.

[0039] Fig.10 It is a bottom view of a bracket according to one embodiment.

[0040] Fig.11 This is a perspective view of a heating unit and a bracket according to one embodiment.

[0041] Fig.12 This is a perspective view of a bracket according to one embodiment.

[0042] Fig.13 It is a top view of a bracket according to one embodiment.

[0043] Fig.14 yes Fig.13 The XIV-XIV cross-sectional view is shown.

[0044] Fig.15 This is a perspective view of a gasket and a bracket according to one embodiment.

[0045] Fig.16 It is a top view of a gasket and a bracket according to one embodiment.

[0046] Fig.17 It is a side view of a gasket and a bracket according to one embodiment.

[0047] Fig.18 This is a perspective view of a gasket according to an embodiment as viewed from the bottom surface side.

[0048] Fig.19 It is a bottom view of a gasket according to one embodiment.

[0049] Fig. 20 This is a cross-sectional view along the XZ plane of the first fixing portion according to one embodiment.

[0050] Fig.21 This is a cross-sectional view along the XZ plane of the second fixing portion according to one embodiment.

[0051] Fig. 22 This is a perspective cross-sectional view of the periphery of a flow path tube portion according to one embodiment as viewed from the bottom surface side.

[0052] Fig.23 It is a front view of a cigarette cartridge according to one embodiment.

[0053] Fig.24 It is a rear view of a cigarette cartridge according to one embodiment.

[0054] Fig.25 It is a left view of a cigarette cartridge according to one embodiment.

[0055] Fig.26 It is a right side view of a cigarette cartridge according to one embodiment.

[0056] Fig. 27 It is a top view of a cigarette cartridge according to one embodiment.

[0057] Fig.28 It is a bottom view of a cigarette cartridge according to one embodiment.

[0058] Fig.29 This is a reference stereogram of a cigarette cartridge according to one embodiment.

[0059] Fig.30 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge of the first variant.

[0060] Fig.31 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge of the second variant.

[0061] Fig.32 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge of the third variant.

[0062] Fig.33 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge of the fourth variant.

[0063] Fig.34 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge of the fifth variant.

[0064] Fig.35 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge of the sixth variant.

[0065] Fig.36 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge of the seventh variant.

[0066] Fig.37 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge of the eighth variation.

[0067] Fig.38 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge of the ninth variant.

[0068] Fig.39 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge of the tenth variation.

[0069] Fig.40 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge of the eleventh variation.

[0070] Fig.41 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge of the twelfth variant.

[0071] Fig.42 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge of the thirteenth variation.

[0072] Fig.43 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge of the fourteenth variation.

[0073] Fig.44It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge of the fifteenth variation.

[0074] Fig.45 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge of the sixteenth variation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] Hereinafter, a non-combustion type suction device (hereinafter simply referred to as suction device) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0076] [Attractor]

[0077] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the aspirator 1 according to one embodiment. Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the aspirator 1 according to one embodiment as viewed from the bottom surface side. Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the internal structure of the aspirator 1 according to one embodiment.

[0078] The inhaler 1 is a so-called non-combustion type inhaler, and obtains a flavor by inhaling aerosol atomized by heating through a flavor source.

[0079] like Figure 2 As shown, the inhaler 1 includes a main unit 2, a cigarette cartridge 3 (also called an atomizing unit), a flavor source container 4, and a mouthpiece 5. The cigarette cartridge 3 can be inserted and removed and stored in the cigarette cartridge storage portion 10 of the main unit 2. The flavor source container 4 can be detachably mounted on the heating module 11 of the main unit 2. The mouthpiece 5 can be detachably mounted on the flavor source container 4.

[0080] The main unit 2 includes a frame portion 12. The frame portion 12 is formed as a whole in a flat box shape with rounded corners. The frame portion 12 has a pair of main surface portions 12A and a peripheral wall portion 12B. Here, "a pair" of main surface portions 12A means that one main surface portion (first main surface portion 12A1) and another main surface portion (second main surface portion 12A2) are arranged opposite to each other, and is not limited to the meaning that the first main surface portion 12A1 and the second main surface portion 12A2 have the same shape even in the details. It should be noted that "a pair" also appears in the description of other parts, but as mentioned above, it is not limited to the meaning that the shapes of the details are the same.

[0081] The pair of main surface parts 12A refers to the part that forms a set of faces (the faces with the largest area in this embodiment) facing each other in the hexahedron when the frame part 12 is assumed to be a hexahedron surrounded by 6 quadrilaterals. In addition, the peripheral wall part 12B refers to the part that forms the remaining four faces of the hexahedron except the pair of main surface parts 12A. The peripheral wall part 12B is also called the part that connects the peripheries of the pair of main surface parts 12A arranged facing each other.

[0082] It should be noted that in the following description, in the pair of main surfaces 12A (the first main surface 12A1 and the second main surface 12A2), the side where the first main surface 12A1 is arranged is referred to as the front side, and the side where the second main surface 12A2 is arranged is referred to as the rear side. In addition, when viewed from above, the side where the heating module 11 is arranged is referred to as the left side, and the side where the input device 15 is arranged (see FIG. Figure 1 ) is referred to as the right side. In addition, the side from which the heating module 11 protrudes is referred to as the upper side, and the opposite side is referred to as the lower side.

[0083] In addition, in the drawings, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is sometimes set, and the positional relationship of each component is described with reference to the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system. The X-axis direction is the front-to-back direction of the attractor 1 (also called the thickness direction), the Y-axis direction is the left-to-right direction of the attractor 1 (also called the width direction), and the Z-axis direction is the up-down direction of the attractor 1 (also called the height direction).

[0084] In addition, the positional relationship of each component is sometimes described with reference to the main axis O of the cartridge 3 and the cartridge storage portion 10. The main axis O is the central axis of the cylindrical cartridge 3 and the cartridge storage portion 10. The direction in which the main axis O extends is sometimes referred to as the axial direction (the above-mentioned Z-axis direction), the direction orthogonal to the main axis O is referred to as the radial direction, and the direction around the main axis O is referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0085] like Figure 1 As shown, the frame portion 12 includes an outer shell 13, a display cover 14, and an inner shell 20. The outer shell 13 is formed by combining a first shell 13A and a second shell 13B. The first shell 13A has a first main surface 12A1 and a first peripheral wall portion 12B1 provided at the periphery of the first main surface 12A1. In addition, the second shell 13B has a second main surface 12A2 and a second peripheral wall portion 12B2 provided at the periphery of the second main surface 12A2.

[0086] The first peripheral wall 12B1 of the first housing 13A, the second peripheral wall 12B2 of the second housing 13B, the display cover 14, and the inner housing 20 form the peripheral wall 12B. The peripheral wall 12B has a joint surface between the first peripheral wall 12B1 of the first housing 13A and the second peripheral wall 12B2 of the second housing 13B.

[0087] Four corners 12C (corners) are formed in the peripheral wall 12B. The four corners 12C include a first corner 12C1 where the heating module 11 is disposed, an opening 12C2 where the cartridge storage unit 10 is disposed (see FIG. Figure 2 ) is provided with a charging terminal 21 (see Figure 2 ) and the third corner 12C3, and the input device 15 (refer to Figure 1 )'s fourth corner 12C4.

[0088] like Figure 1 As shown, the display cover 14 is provided from the heating module 11 arranged at the first corner 12C1 to the fourth corner 12C4. A through hole for arranging the input device 15 (button) is formed in the display cover 14. The outer surface of the display cover 14 is lower than the outer surface of the outer shell 13. That is, the input device 15 is arranged in the recessed portion.

[0089] The input device 15 may also be arranged at a position below the outer surface of the outer shell 13. That is, at least a portion of the input device 15 may be arranged at a position below the outer surface of the outer shell 13. Preferably, the entire input device 15 may be arranged at a position below the outer surface of the outer shell 13. In other words, the contact detection portion (button surface) of the input device 15 may be arranged at a position that does not reach the outer surface of the outer shell 13.

[0090] like Figure 2 As shown, the second corner 12C2 is provided with an opening of the cartridge storage part 10. The opening of the cartridge storage part 10 can be opened and closed by a cartridge storage cover 50 provided at the bottom of the frame part 12 (inner housing 20). It should be noted that the charging terminal 21 is provided at the third corner 12C3.

[0091] like Figure 1 As shown, a window portion 16 is provided between the first corner portion 12C1 and the second corner portion 12C2 of the peripheral wall portion 12B. The liquid remaining amount of the aerosol source of the cartridge 3 stored in the cartridge storage portion 10 can be confirmed from the window portion 16. The window portion 16 is formed by an opening portion 13a provided in the outer shell 13 and a cover member 17 covering the opening portion 13a. In the gap between the opening portion 13a and the cover member 17, a first air inlet 18A for taking air (external air) into the interior of the frame portion 12 is provided.

[0092] The first air inlet 18A takes air into the interior of the cartridge storage portion 10 from the window portion 16 between the adjacent corners 12C (the first corner 12C1 and the second corner 12C2 in this embodiment) of the peripheral wall portion 12B. The first air inlet 18A is an inlet of the first air flow path 70 that takes in external air through the user's suction. The first air inlet 18A is formed in a ring shape along the opening edge of the opening portion 13a of the outer shell 13.

[0093] The size of the first air inlet 18A may be such that it is not completely blocked by the user's fingers. For example, the size of the first air inlet 18A in the main axis direction (Z axis direction) may be greater than the first interdigital width of an average adult's thumb (e.g., greater than 2.0 cm). In addition, the spacing in the X axis direction between the two slits extending parallel to the main axis direction of the first air inlet 18A may also be greater than the first interdigital width of an average adult's thumb.

[0094] It should be noted that the first air inlet 18A may be only one or two slits extending parallel to the main axis direction as long as it is large enough not to be blocked by the user's fingers. That is, the first air inlet 18A may be formed in a slit shape along the opening edge of the opening portion 13a of the outer shell 13.

[0095] A communication hole 17a is formed in the cover member 17. The communication hole 17a allows the first air inlet 18A to communicate with the internal fluid of the cartridge storage portion 10. The communication hole 17a is arranged at a portion where the cover member 17 overlaps with the outer shell 13. That is, the communication hole 17a is arranged on the inner side of the outer shell 13 and is covered by the outer shell 13. Therefore, the communication hole 17a cannot be seen from the outside of the outer shell 13. In addition, the communication hole 17a cannot be directly blocked with fingers unless the outer shell 13 is removed.

[0096] The outer housing 13 has an exposed portion 13b at the second corner 12C2 to expose a portion of the inner housing 20. A second air inlet 18B for taking air (outside air) into the frame 12 is provided in the gap between the inner housing 20 and the outer housing 13 at the exposed portion 13b.

[0097] The second air inlet 18B takes air into the interior of the cartridge storage portion 10 from the second corner 12C2 of the peripheral wall portion 12B. The second air inlet 18B is formed in the gap between the inner shell 20 and the outer shell 13 at the exposed portion 13b. The second air inlet 18B opens toward the -Z side. That is, the position of the second air inlet 18B is different from that of the first air inlet 18A, and the direction of the opening is 90° different from the first air inlet 18A toward the -Y side.

[0098] The frame portion 12 has a protrusion 90 around the second air inlet 18B. The protrusion 90 is formed by the outer shell 13. The protrusion 90 is formed by the steps of the inner shell 20 and the outer shell 13. That is, even if the user's finger touches the periphery of the second air inlet 18B, since the protrusion 90 (outer shell 13) around the exposed portion 13b becomes a step, a gap is formed between it and the user's finger, and therefore, the second air inlet 18B is difficult to be blocked. It should be noted that the protrusion 90 is not limited to the outer shell 13, and can also be formed by protruding a part of the inner shell 20.

[0099] The frame portion 12 has a first air flow path 70 that connects the first air inlet 18A with the communication hole 17a and a second air flow path 80 that connects the second air inlet 18B with the communication hole 17a. The first air flow path 70 is a gap between the outer shell 13 and the cover member 17, and is formed in a ring shape along the opening edge of the opening portion 13a. The second air flow path 80 is a gap between the outer shell 13 and the inner shell 20, extending from the exposed portion 13b of the second corner portion 12C2 to the +Z side, and reaches the communication hole 17a via a portion of the first air flow path 70.

[0100] The flow path length from the first air flow path 70 to the communicating hole 17a is shorter than the flow path length from the second air flow path 80 to the communicating hole 17a. That is, the ventilation resistance of the first air flow path 70 is smaller than the ventilation resistance of the second air flow path 80. Therefore, more air flows through the first air flow path 70 than through the second air flow path 80. Therefore, in normal use, the first air inlet 18A becomes the main air inlet, and the second air inlet 18B becomes the auxiliary air inlet when the first air inlet 18A is blocked.

[0101] The flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the communicating hole 17a is smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​any one of the first air inlet 18A and the second air inlet 18B. Therefore, even if any one of the first air inlet 18A and the second air inlet 18B is blocked, the flow path cross-sectional area in the communicating hole 17a is eventually shrunk, so the flow rate and flow velocity of the air sucked into the cartridge storage space 10A can be kept substantially constant. That is, the communicating hole 17a functions as an air resistance speed limiter.

[0102] <Fragrance source container>

[0103] Figure 2 The flavor source container 4 (also called tobacco capsule) shown contains the flavor source and adds flavor to the aerosol atomized by the cigarette cartridge 3. As the raw material sheet constituting the flavor source, shredded tobacco or a granular molded body formed from the tobacco raw material can be used. In addition, the flavor source can also be composed of plants other than tobacco (for example, mint, Chinese medicine, medicinal herbs, etc.). In addition, flavors such as menthol can also be added to the flavor source. In addition, the flavor source can also be a flavor source in which a flavor is carried on a carrier derived from a plant (cellulose, etc.) or other carrier (including an inorganic carrier).

[0104] The flavor source container 4 includes a flavor source storage chamber for storing a flavor source and a filter or fine pores for allowing aerosol to pass through the flavor source storage chamber. The flavor source container 4 is mounted on the mouthpiece 11a of the heating module 11 provided on the main unit 2. The upper portion of the flavor source container 4 protrudes from the heating module 11, and the mouthpiece 5 is mounted on the protruding portion.

[0105] <Cigarette holder>

[0106] The mouthpiece 5 is a cylindrical member for the user to hold in the mouth. In the mouthpiece 5, for example, the portion for the user to hold in the mouth is a soft resin molded body formed of a resin material such as silicone resin, and the mounting portion mounted on the upper part of the flavor source container 4 is a hard resin molded body formed of a resin material such as polypropylene resin. It should be noted that the mounting of the mouthpiece 5 on the flavor source container 4 is arbitrary, and there is also a case where the mouthpiece 5 is directly held in the upper part of the flavor source container 4 for use.

[0107] <Main unit>

[0108] like Figure 3 As shown, the main unit 2 includes a heating module 11, an input device 15, a charging terminal 21, a power supply unit 22, a main substrate 23, a display device 24, a light source 25, a light source 25, a sensor 26 and a cartridge storage cover 50.

[0109] The frame 12 of the main unit 2 is a hard resin molded body formed of a resin material such as polycarbonate resin or ABS resin. A cartridge storage section 10 for storing the cartridge 3 is provided inside the frame 12. The cartridge storage section 10 forms a cylindrical space extending in the Z-axis direction.

[0110] A cartridge contact portion 27 is disposed at the opening portion on the axial upper side (+Z side) of the cartridge storage portion 10. The cartridge contact portion 27 is an elastic body formed of a resin material such as silicone resin. A connecting hole 27a is formed on the cartridge contact portion 27 to connect the upper part of the cartridge 3 with the bottom of the flavor source container 4.

[0111] The heating module 11 includes a heater 11b for heating the flavor source container 4. The heater 11b includes, for example, a tube into which the flavor source container 4 is inserted and a thin film heater wound cylindrically around the outer circumference of the tube. The heater 11b is electrically connected to the main substrate 23.

[0112] The input device 15 is, for example, a button. The input device 15 is electrically connected to the main substrate 23. It should be noted that the input device may also be a touch panel. That is, the input device 15 only needs to be a contact detection unit.

[0113] The power supply unit 22 is arranged on the +Y side of the cartridge storage unit 10. The power supply unit 22 is electrically connected to the main substrate 23. The power supply unit 22 is, for example, a storage battery (secondary battery), which can be charged via a charging terminal 21 provided on the main substrate 23. It should be noted that the power supply unit 22 is not limited to a secondary battery that can be charged and discharged, and can also be a supercapacitor or the like. In addition, the power supply unit 22 can also be a primary battery. It should be noted that when the power supply unit 22 is a primary battery, the charging terminal 21 is not required.

[0114] The main substrate 23 is arranged on the +Y side of the power supply unit 22. The main substrate 23 has a plate shape extending along the XZ plane. The charging terminal 21 is mounted on the lower end of the main substrate 23. The main substrate 23 is connected to various electronic components directly or indirectly via wiring or a flexible printed circuit board (not shown).

[0115] Here, the "main substrate" refers to the largest substrate among the substrates housed inside the frame portion 12. The main substrate 23 is larger than the switch substrate of the input device 15, the display substrate of the display device 24, and the like. It should be noted that, when only one substrate is housed inside the frame portion 12, the substrate is the "main substrate". In addition, when two substrates of the same size are housed inside the frame portion 12, the substrate on which the computing unit of the electronic control such as the CPU and microcomputer is provided is the "main substrate".

[0116] The display device 24 is disposed on the lower side (-Z side) of the display cover 14. The display cover 14 is light-transmissive, and the display surface of the display device 24 can be confirmed. The display device 24 is, for example, an organic EL display or a liquid crystal display. The display device 24 is electrically connected to the main substrate 23.

[0117] The light source 25 is disposed opposite to the cover member 17 in the Y-axis direction across the cartridge storage portion 10. The light source 25 is, for example, an LED lamp. The cover member 17 is light-transmissive and can confirm the liquid level of the aerosol source in the cartridge 3 illuminated by the light source 25. The light source 25 is electrically connected to the main substrate 23.

[0118] The sensor 26 is arranged on the +Y side of the cartridge storage part 10. The sensor 26 is a so-called suction sensor that detects the user's suction. As the sensor 26, for example, a pressure sensor that detects pressure, an airflow sensor that detects the flow of air, a temperature sensor that detects temperature, etc. can be exemplified. The side of the sensor 26 facing the cartridge storage part 10 of this embodiment becomes a detection part. The detection part detects the movement of the diaphragm that is deformed according to the pressure change as a change in electrostatic capacitance.

[0119] The cartridge storage cover 50 opens and closes the cartridge storage part 10 provided at the bottom of the frame part 12. The cartridge storage cover 50 is mounted on the frame part 12 in a pivotal manner (hinge manner). A plurality of protruding electrodes 51 are provided on the cartridge storage cover 50. When the cartridge storage cover 50 is closed, the protruding electrodes 51 are inserted into the interior of the cartridge storage part 10. The plurality of protruding electrodes 51 are electrically connected to the main substrate 23.

[0120] The front end of the protruding electrode 51 is urged toward the +Z side by the spring member contained in the protruding electrode 51, and is freely displaceable in the Z-axis direction. That is, the front end of the protruding electrode 51 extends toward the cigarette cartridge 3, and is displaced toward the -Z side when the cigarette cartridge 3 is inserted. In this state, the front end of the protruding electrode 51 is also urged toward the +Z side, and therefore, can reliably contact the cigarette cartridge 3.

[0121] Three protruding electrodes 51 are provided in a manner that does not require alignment with the two electrodes 6A and 6B of the cigarette cartridge 3 (one disposed on the inner side is not shown). Figure 2 As shown, the two electrodes 6A and 6B of the cartridge 3 are respectively formed in a semicircular area that divides the bottom surface of the cartridge 3 into two. In contrast, the protruding electrodes 51 are arranged at positions corresponding to the three vertices of the regular triangle at intervals of 120°. As a result, at least two of the three protruding electrodes 51 are in contact with the two electrodes 6A and 6B. Therefore, the cartridge 3 can be reliably energized.

[0122] <Cigarette Cartridge>

[0123] The cartridge 3 stores a liquid aerosol source and atomizes the liquid aerosol source. The cartridge 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is accommodated in the frame 12 from the cartridge accommodation portion 10 provided at the bottom of the frame 12 .

[0124] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the cigarette cartridge 3 according to one embodiment as viewed from the bottom side. Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the cigarette cartridge 3 according to one embodiment as viewed from the top surface side. Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of the cigarette cartridge 3 according to one embodiment as viewed from the bottom side. Figure 7 yes Figure 4 VII-VII cross-sectional view shown. Figure 8 yes Figure 4 VIII-VIII cross-sectional view shown.

[0125] like Figure 6 As shown, the cigarette cartridge 3 includes a can 100 , a gasket 200 , a heating unit 300 , and a bracket 400 .

[0126] The tank 100 stores an aerosol source. The tank 100 is a hard resin molded body formed of a resin material such as a polycarbonate resin. The tank 100 is light-transmitting and can confirm the remaining amount of liquid in the aerosol source. Here, "light-transmitting" refers to the properties of a substance through which light passes, which have extremely high transmittance and can see through the substance to the opposite side, "transparent", and the property of light transmission like "transparent", but because the transmitted light is diffused or the transmittance is low, it is different from "transparent" and includes a state in which the shape of the opposite side cannot be clearly identified through its material. That is, even frosted glass or milky white plastic has light transmittance. It should be noted that the gasket 200, the heating part 300 and the bracket 400 are not light-transmitting, but part or all of them may also be light-transmitting.

[0127] The tank 100 is formed into a cylindrical shape with a top. Figure 7 As shown, the tank 100 includes a peripheral wall portion 110, a top wall portion 120, a flow tube portion 130 and a rib 140. The peripheral wall portion 110 is formed into a cylindrical shape with the main axis O as the central axis. The upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion 110 is connected to the peripheral portion of the top wall portion 120. It should be noted that the peripheral wall portion 110, the top wall portion 120, the flow tube portion 130 and the rib 140 are formed as one component by integral molding, but some or all of them may also be different components. For example, the flow tube portion 130 is integrally formed with the tank 100, but it may also be a component different from the tank 100. In addition, the flow tube portion 130 may also be integrally formed with the gasket 200 or the bracket 400.

[0128] The top wall 120 is formed in a disk shape with the main axis O as the central axis, and closes the upper end of the peripheral wall 110. A first opening 131 of the flow path tube 130 is opened in the center of the top wall 120. Figure 5 As shown, a plurality of bottomed cylindrical recessed portions 121 are formed on the upper surface of the top wall portion 120 around the first opening portion 131. The recessed portions 121 are portions corresponding to resin injection holes during injection molding of the can 100.

[0129] like Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the flow tube 130 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the main axis O as the central axis, and is vertically arranged from the lower surface of the top wall 120 toward the lower side (-Z side). As described above, a first opening 131 is formed at the upper end of the flow tube 130. In addition, a second opening 132 is formed at the lower end of the flow tube 130. The second opening 132 is arranged directly above the heating unit 300 and opens toward the heating unit 300.

[0130] The flow tube 130 guides the aerosol generated by the heating unit 300 to the outside. The aerosol generated by the heating unit 300 is introduced into the flow tube 130 from the second opening 132, and is guided to the outside of the cigarette cartridge 3 from the first opening 131 through the flow tube 130. It should be noted that the aerosol coming out of the first opening 131 passes through the Figure 3 The connecting hole 27a of the cigarette cartridge abutment portion 27 is then delivered to the user's mouth through the flavor source container 4. That is, the "outside" of the cigarette cartridge 3 mentioned here refers to the outside of the outlet side of the flow of the aerosol when the user inhales (inhales), rather than the outside of the inlet side for taking in external air (air).

[0131] Fig. 9 This is a perspective view of a tank 100 according to an embodiment as viewed from the bottom surface side.

[0132] like Fig. 9 As shown in the figure, the ribs 140 extend radially from the flow tube portion 130 to connect the outer peripheral surface of the flow tube portion 130 and the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 110. In addition, the upper end of the rib 140 is connected to the lower surface of the top wall portion 120. That is, the rib 140 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the flow tube portion 130, the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 110, and the lower surface of the top wall portion 120. The ribs 140 of this embodiment are formed at three equal intervals along the circumferential direction around the flow tube portion 130.

[0133] A notch 141 is formed on the side of the peripheral wall 110 (radially outer side) of the rib 140. The notch 141 increases the annular space ( Figure 7 The volume of the liquid storage chamber 101 shown in FIG. 1 is formed on the flow path tube portion 130 side of the rib 140, and a convex portion 142 is formed to protrude downward (-Z side) relative to the cutout portion 141. Figure 7 As shown, the lower end of the protrusion 142 abuts against the top surface 211 of the gasket 200. Thus, the gasket 200 is positioned relative to the can 100 in the Z-axis direction.

[0134] like Figure 7 As shown, the peripheral wall portion 110 of the tank 100 extends downward (-Z side) compared to the lower end of the flow path tube portion 130. Two engaging holes 111 are formed near the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 110. The two engaging holes 111 are used to fix the bracket 400 to the tank 100. The two engaging holes 111 are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the peripheral wall portion 110 with the main axis O interposed therebetween.

[0135] The gasket 200 is a cylindrical member that covers the bottom side of the annular space (liquid storage chamber 101) formed between the peripheral wall portion 110 of the tank 100 and the flow path tube portion 130. The gasket 200 is formed of a member having elasticity, such as a resin material such as a silicone resin. By fitting the gasket 200 inside the tank 100, the liquid storage chamber 101 is formed inside the tank 100. An aerosol source of liquid is stored in the liquid storage chamber 101.

[0136] An insertion hole 201 is formed on the gasket 200, which passes through the center of the top surface 211 in the axial direction and into which the flow path tube 130 is inserted. A plurality of annular protrusions 202 are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 201 to seal the gap between the insertion hole 201 and the flow path tube 130. A heating chamber 200A connected to the lower end of the insertion hole 201 is formed on the inner side of the lower portion of the gasket 200. By inserting the flow path tube 130 into the insertion hole 201, the flow path tube 130 is connected to the heating chamber 200A. It should be noted that the lower end (the second opening 132) of the flow path tube 130 protrudes downward (inside the heating chamber 200A) compared to the insertion hole 201.

[0137] The gasket 200 includes a first cylindrical portion 210, a second cylindrical portion 220 and a third cylindrical portion 230. The first cylindrical portion 210, the second cylindrical portion 220 and the third cylindrical portion 230 are connected and arranged in this order from top to bottom. The first cylindrical portion 210 forms the top surface 211 of the gasket 200. The portion of the first cylindrical portion 210 that abuts against the convex portion 142 of the rib 140 has an outer diameter that can abut against the convex portion 142 in the entire radial direction. The second cylindrical portion 220 is connected to the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 210. The second cylindrical portion 220 has a roughly truncated cone-shaped peripheral surface whose outer diameter increases as it goes downward.

[0138] The third cylinder 230 is connected to the lower end of the second cylinder 220. The third cylinder 230 has a peripheral surface with an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the peripheral wall 110 of the tank. A sealing cylinder 231 is formed at the lower end of the third cylinder 230. A plurality of annular sealing protrusions 232 protruding radially outward are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the sealing cylinder 231. The sealing protrusions 232 abut against the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 110 of the tank to seal the gap between the tank 100 and the gasket 200.

[0139] In order to increase the volume of the liquid storage chamber 101, a plurality of planar portions are formed on the gasket 200. Specifically, Figure 8 and the following Fig.15 As shown, the first plane portion 203, the second plane portion 204 and the third plane portion 205 are formed on the outer circumference of the gasket 200. The first plane portion 203 is a plane parallel to the XZ plane and extends from the upper end of the first tube portion 210 to the vicinity of the lower end of the second tube portion 220.

[0140] The second planar portion 204 is connected to the lower end of the first planar portion 203. The second planar portion 204 is a plane inclined relative to the XZ plane, and is formed near the lower end of the second cylinder 220. It should be noted that the second planar portion 204 is inclined in a manner that the lower end is farther away from the main axis O than the upper end. The third planar portion 205 is connected to the lower end of the second planar portion 204. The third planar portion 205 is a plane parallel to the XZ plane, and extends from near the lower end of the second cylinder 220 to the third cylinder 230.

[0141] like Fig.15 As shown, a through hole 235 penetrating the third cylinder 230 along the Y-axis direction is formed on the lower side of the third plane portion 205. The through hole 235 forms a space for inserting the heating unit 300 into the heating chamber 200A inside the gasket 200. It should be noted that the first plane portion 203, the second plane portion 204, the third plane portion 205 and the through hole 235 are formed in the gasket 200 symmetrically in the Y-axis direction in a pair.

[0142] like Figure 6 As shown, the heating unit 300 includes a core 310 and a heating wire 320. The core 310 is a porous and liquid-absorbent, roughly cylindrical component. The core 310 is, for example, a bundle of fibers such as glass fibers, and has a capillary structure. It should be noted that as long as the core 310 has a capillary structure, it can also be an elastic sponge, a mesh or rope-like body of woven fibers, a porous sintered body, etc.

[0143] like Figure 8 As shown, the core 310 extends in the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the main axis O. One end 311 and the other end 312 of the core 310 in the Y-axis direction are respectively connected through the through hole 235 (see Fig.15 ) is inserted into the liquid storage chamber 101. As a result, the aerosol source in the liquid storage chamber 101 is sucked up to the core 310 from one end 311 and the other end 312 of the core 310.

[0144] It should be noted that the one end 311 and the other end 312 of the core 310 are thicker than other parts and have a larger surface area because they are not constrained by the heating wire 320, the first fixing part 501 and the second fixing part 502 described later. That is, the core 310 is elastically compressed by the heating wire 320, the first fixing part 501 and the second fixing part 502, and the deformation is restored in other parts.

[0145] The heating wire 320 heats the aerosol source sucked up by the core 310 to generate aerosol. The heating wire 320 is, for example, a nickel-chromium alloy wire, and has a heating portion 321 wound around the core 310 in a spiral shape. Figure 7As shown, one end 322A and the other end 322B of the heating wire 320 extend from both ends of the heat generating portion 321 toward the bracket 400 along the axial direction.

[0146] One end 322A and the other end 322B of the heating wire 320 are electrically connected to two electrodes 6A and 6B respectively embedded in the bracket 400. When the heating wire 320 is energized via the two electrodes 6A and 6B, the core 310 is heated. When the core 310 is heated, the aerosol source absorbed by the core 310 is atomized.

[0147] The bracket 400 is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape. The bracket 400 is a hard resin molded body formed of a resin material such as a polycarbonate resin. The bracket 400 includes a base portion 410 forming the bottom of the cigarette cartridge 3, and an outer cylinder portion 420 and an inner cylinder portion 430 vertically arranged on the base portion 410. The base portion 410 is formed into a disk shape with the main axis O as the central axis. The outer cylinder portion 420 and the inner cylinder portion 430 are formed into a cylindrical shape with the main axis O as the central axis.

[0148] Fig.10 It is a bottom view of the bracket 400 according to one embodiment. Fig.11 It is a perspective view of the heating unit 300 and the bracket 400 according to one embodiment. Fig.12 It is a perspective view of a bracket 400 according to one embodiment. Fig.13 It is a top view of the bracket 400 according to one embodiment. Fig.14 yes Fig.13 The XIV-XIV cross-sectional view is shown.

[0149] like Fig.10 As shown, two fitting holes 411 into which the two electrodes 6A and 6B are fitted are formed on the lower surface 410 a of the base portion 410 .

[0150] The two electrodes 6A and 6B have shapes including two straight lines extending parallel to the Y-axis direction and two arcs connecting the two ends of the two straight lines when viewed from above. The two fitting holes 411 have long hole shapes corresponding to the shapes of the two electrodes 6A and 6B. Figure 7 As shown, the two electrodes 6A and 6B are formed into blocks having a predetermined height in the Z-axis direction. Thus, the contact area between the two electrodes 6A and 6B and the two fitting holes 411 is increased, and the sealing performance between the two electrodes 6A and 6B and the two fitting holes 411 is improved.

[0151] like Fig.10As shown, the two electrodes 6A and 6B are arranged as a pair in the X-axis direction across the main axis O. In addition, a pair of top cylindrical recessed portions 412 are formed in the Y-axis direction across the main axis O on the lower surface 410a of the base portion 410. The recessed portions 412 are portions corresponding to the resin injection holes during the injection molding of the bracket 400. In addition, three engaging recessed portions 413 are formed along the outer peripheral edge of the base portion 410 on the lower surface 410a of the base portion 410. The three engaging recessed portions 413 are arranged at approximately equal intervals (at intervals of 120° along the circumferential direction) in the circumferential direction.

[0152] The engaging recess 413 is open on the lower surface 410a of the base 410 and the outer peripheral surface 410b of the base 410. The engaging recess 413 is formed into a tapered shape in which the circumferential width of the engaging recess 413 gradually widens toward the lower surface 410a of the base 410. In the three engaging recesses 413 formed in this way, for example, the longitudinal engaging protrusion of the aerosol generating device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-65538 is inserted. That is, the smoke cartridge 3 of this embodiment is interchangeable with the smoke cartridges of other aerosol generating devices.

[0153] A longitudinal groove 415 extending in the Z-axis direction is formed in one of the three engaging recesses 413. The longitudinal groove 415 opens at the lower surface 410a of the base portion 410 and is formed deeper in the radial direction than the engaging recess 413. The upper end of the longitudinal groove 415 is connected to the bottom surface of the transverse groove 414 extending radially inward from the outer peripheral surface 410b of the base portion 410. Figure 7 As shown, a pair of transverse grooves 414 are formed in the X-axis direction so as to communicate with the lower surface sides of both ends of an air passage 416 that penetrates the base portion 410 in the X-axis direction.

[0154] like Figure 7 As shown, the outer cylinder 420, the inner cylinder 430 and the portion of the base 410 above the transverse groove 414 are inserted into the inner side of the peripheral wall 110 of the tank 100. On the base 410, two engaging pieces 401 engaging with two engaging holes 111 of the peripheral wall 110 of the tank 100 are provided protruding radially outward.

[0155] The sealing cylinder 231 of the gasket 200 is externally fitted on the outer cylinder 420. The outer cylinder 420 supports the radial inner side of the sealing cylinder 231, and suppresses the sealing protrusion 232 of the sealing cylinder 231 from leaving the peripheral wall 110 of the tank 100. That is, the outer cylinder 420 improves the close contact of the sealing protrusion 232 to the peripheral wall 110 of the tank 100.

[0156] It should be noted that if Figure 6As shown, a positioning recess 112 is formed at the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 110 of the tank 100 to position the bracket 400 in the circumferential direction. The positioning recess 112 is a cutout portion that is recessed toward the +Z side, and a pair of the positioning recesses 112 are arranged facing each other across the main axis O. In contrast, a positioning convex portion 402 is formed on the bracket 400 to be inserted into the positioning recess 112 in the axial direction. The positioning convex portion 402 has a shape, size, number, and arrangement corresponding to the positioning recess 112.

[0157] like Fig.11 As shown, the positioning protrusion 402 is formed on a step portion 410c that is recessed radially inward compared to the outer peripheral surface 410b of the base portion 410. The lower end of the peripheral wall portion 110 of the tank 100 abuts against the step portion 410c in the axial direction. The lower end of the peripheral wall portion 110 of the tank 100 abuts against the step portion 410c, the positioning protrusion 402 is inserted into the positioning recess 112, and the engaging piece 401 is engaged with the engaging hole 111, thereby, the bracket 400 is assembled relative to the tank 100 in a state of being positioned in the axial, radial and circumferential directions. A gasket 200 and a heating portion 300 are assembled between the tank 100 and the bracket 400.

[0158] like Figure 7 As shown, the inner cylinder portion 430 is embedded in the heating chamber 200A of the gasket 200. As a result, the space inside the inner cylinder portion 430 is connected to the heating chamber 200A. It should be noted that an aerosol source holding portion 440 described later is formed between the inner cylinder portion 430 and the outer cylinder portion 420. The aerosol source holding portion 440 is an annular space surrounding the heating chamber 200A when viewed from above, and the upper portion is closed by the gasket 200. It should be noted that the aerosol source holding portion 440 is partially connected to the heating chamber 200A via the exhaust groove 431. The exhaust groove 431 extends from the upper end surface of the inner cylinder portion 430 to the middle portion of the height direction of the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder portion 430.

[0159] The lower side of the bracket 400 is exposed from the tank 100. The lower side of the bracket 400 has an outer diameter substantially the same as that of the peripheral wall portion 110 of the tank 100. In addition, two transverse grooves 414 recessed radially inward are formed on the lower side of the bracket 400. The two transverse grooves 414 are arranged opposite to each other with the main axis O interposed therebetween. The two transverse grooves 414 are connected to the bottom surfaces of the two end portions of an air passage 416 arranged radially inwardly of the peripheral wall portion 110 of the tank 100. On the top surface of the middle portion of the air passage 416 in the long side direction (X-axis direction), a plurality of connecting holes 417 connected to the inner side (heating chamber 200A) of the inner cylinder portion 430 are formed along the Z-axis direction.

[0160] That is, when the user inhales (sucks), the heating chamber 200A becomes negative pressure through the flow path tube 130, and the outside air is introduced into the air passage 416 from the longitudinal groove 415 and the transverse groove 414, and / or the transverse groove 414. The air introduced into the air passage 416 is introduced into the heating chamber 200A from the connecting hole 417 in the middle of the passage, and together with the aerosol generated in the heating chamber 200A, it passes through the flow path tube 130 and the air passage 416. Figure 3 The connecting hole 27a of the cartridge contact portion 27 is further delivered to the user's mouth through the flavor source container 4. It should be noted that the vertical groove 415 allows external air to be taken in from the bottom side of the cartridge 3, but as long as at least the horizontal groove 414 is provided, inhalation can be performed.

[0161] like Fig.11 As shown, the bracket 400 includes an inner cylinder portion 430 supporting the heating unit 300 and an outer cylinder portion 420 supporting the heating unit 300 outside the inner cylinder portion 430. Fig.13 As shown, the inner cylinder portion 430 is formed in a rectangular cylinder shape in a plan view, and the outer cylinder portion 420 is formed in a circular cylinder shape in a plan view.

[0162] On the inner side of the inner cylinder portion 430, there is formed Figure 7 The air passage 416 shown in the figure is connected to a plurality of connecting holes 417 and a pair of through holes 418 for guiding one end 322A and the other end 322B of the heating wire 320 to the two fitting holes 411. The connecting holes 417 are formed in two rows along the X-axis direction extending along the air passage 416. A pair of through holes 418 is formed inside two corners located on the diagonal line among the four corners inside the inner cylinder 430.

[0163] like Fig.12 As shown, at the upper end of the inner cylinder 430, a pair of supporting surfaces 432 for supporting the heating part 300 are formed across the main axis O in the Y-axis direction. The supporting surface 432 is formed into a semicircular arc shape convex toward the lower side in side view. The upper end of the inner cylinder 430 is relatively raised toward the upper side relative to the lowest point of the supporting surface 432 on both sides of the supporting surface 432. A groove 433 extending linearly along the Y-axis direction is formed at the lowest point of the supporting surface 432. For example, a part of the core 310 enters the groove 433 to limit the displacement of the heating part 300 around the Y-axis. It should be noted that, on the upper end surface of the wall portion of the inner cylinder 430 facing each other in the X-axis direction and its outer peripheral surface, the above-mentioned exhaust groove 431 is formed in a pair in a point-symmetrical positional relationship across the main axis O.

[0164] In addition, a pair of support surfaces 421 for supporting the heating unit 300 are formed at the upper end of the outer cylinder 420 in the Y-axis direction across the main axis O. The support surface 421 is formed into a semicircular arc shape convex toward the lower side in side view. The upper end of the outer cylinder 420 is bulged upward relative to the support surface 421 on both sides of the support surface 421. Fig.13 As shown, the width of the support surface 421 of the outer cylinder portion 420 in the X-axis direction is wider than the width of the support surface 432 of the inner cylinder portion 430 in the X-axis direction. That is, the radius of curvature of the support surface 421 of the outer cylinder portion 420 is larger (the curvature is smaller) than the radius of curvature of the support surface 432 of the inner cylinder portion 430. In addition, the support area of ​​the support surface 421 of the outer cylinder portion 420 is larger than the support area of ​​the support surface 432 of the inner cylinder portion 430. That is, the support surface 421 of the outer cylinder portion 420 supports the heating portion 300 (core 310) more loosely than the support surface 432 of the inner cylinder portion 430.

[0165] An aerosol source holding portion 440 (sub-storage tank) capable of storing an aerosol source is formed between the inner cylinder portion 430 and the outer cylinder portion 420. Fig.13 As shown, the aerosol source holding part 440 forms an annular space when viewed from above, and has a connecting part 441 (opening) on ​​the upper side. At the bottom of the aerosol source holding part 440, a first bottom surface 442, a second bottom surface 443 deeper than the first bottom surface 442, and a third bottom surface 444 shallower than the first bottom surface 442 are formed.

[0166] The first bottom surface 442 is a surface that serves as a reference for the bottom surface of the aerosol source holding portion 440. A pair of second bottom surfaces 443 are provided at the bottom of the aerosol source holding portion 440 across the main axis O in the Y-axis direction. In a plan view, the second bottom surface 443 is disposed between the support surface 421 of the outer cylinder portion 420 and the support surface 432 of the inner cylinder portion 430. Fig.14 As shown, the second bottom surface 443 is the bottom surface of a concave portion of an inverted frustum whose inner diameter decreases as it moves downward from the first bottom surface 442. Fig.13 As shown, in a plan view, the center of the second bottom surface 443 is arranged to be closer to the support surface 421 of the outer tube portion 420 than the support surface 432 of the inner tube portion 430, and the second bottom surface 443 extends to the lower end of the aerosol source guide portion 450 described later.

[0167] A pair of third bottom surfaces 444 are provided at the bottom of the aerosol source holding portion 440 across the main axis O in the X-axis direction. The third bottom surface 444 is provided along the X-axis direction in which the air passage 416 extends. That is, in order to ensure the volume of the air passage 416 and the thickness of the top of the air passage 416, the third bottom surface 444 is formed at a portion that is relatively raised upward from the first bottom surface 442. It should be noted that the exhaust groove 431 is formed in a manner to be located above the third bottom surface 444.

[0168] An aerosol source guide 450 is formed on the inner wall surface of the outer cylinder 420. Figure 8 As shown, the aerosol source guide 450 of this embodiment is a groove portion that guides the aerosol source supplied to the heating portion 300 to the aerosol source holding portion 440. It should be noted that the aerosol source guide 450 may be a guide portion other than a groove portion as long as it can guide the aerosol source supplied to the heating portion 300 to the aerosol source holding portion 440.

[0169] The aerosol source guide 450 may be, for example, a structure in which a capillary structure similar to the core 310 is applied at a position corresponding to the groove, a surface treatment with low hydrophobicity (high lyophilicity) to the aerosol source is applied, or a structure in which all or part of the groove, the capillary structure, and the surface treatment are combined. In addition, "guiding" means introducing the aerosol source into the aerosol source holding part 440 at least in a state in which the aerosol source does not naturally drip from the heating part 300 (core 310).

[0170] like Fig.14 As shown, the aerosol source guide 450 extends from the connecting portion 441 (opening) of the aerosol source holding portion 440 toward the bottom of the aerosol source holding portion 440. Specifically, the aerosol source guide 450 extends from the lowest point of the support surface 421 of the outer cylinder 420 along the inner wall surface of the outer cylinder 420 in the Z-axis direction to the second bottom surface 443 of the aerosol source holding portion 440. It should be noted that the aerosol source guide 450 of the present embodiment is formed on the inner wall surface of the outer cylinder 420, but can also be formed on the outer wall surface of the inner cylinder 430. In addition, the aerosol source guide 450 can also be formed on both the inner wall surface of the outer cylinder 420 and the inner wall surface of the inner cylinder 430.

[0171] like Fig.13 as well as Fig.14 As shown, for the cross-sectional area (cross-sectional area of ​​the XY plane) of the aerosol source guide portion 450 (groove portion), the bottom side of the aerosol source holding portion 440 is smaller than the connecting portion 441 (opening portion) side of the aerosol source holding portion 440. Specifically, the width of the aerosol source guide portion 450 in the X-axis direction gradually narrows as it approaches the lower side, and the depth of the aerosol source guide portion 450 in the Y-axis direction gradually becomes shallower as it approaches the lower side. In addition, the top view shape of the aerosol source guide portion 450 changes from a rectangle to a smaller rectangle as it approaches the lower side. It should be noted that the top view shape of the aerosol source guide portion 450 is not limited to a rectangle, for example, it may also change from a trapezoid to a rectangle, or from a trapezoid to a trapezoid as it approaches the lower side.

[0172] The upper end opening of the aerosol source guide 450 is formed on the support surface 421 of the outer tube 420. That is, the aerosol source guide 450 abuts against the core 310 of the heating unit 300 supported on the support surface 421. The core 310 has a capillary force for holding the aerosol source, and the aerosol source guide 450 has a capillary force smaller than the capillary force of the core 310. Here, the "capillary force" can be defined by, for example, the rising height of the liquid surface h=2Tcosθ / ρgr, where T is the surface tension, θ is the contact angle, ρ is the density of the liquid, g is the gravitational acceleration, and r is the inner diameter (radius) of the tube. If compared with r, the gap between the fibers of the core 310 (tube) is significantly smaller than the groove portion (tube) of the aerosol source guide 450.

[0173] Since the height h of the liquid surface rise is inversely proportional to the size of r, the core 310 has a capillary force that is significantly greater than the capillary force of the aerosol source guide 450. It should be noted that the capillary force of the aerosol source guide 450 only needs to guide the remaining part of the aerosol source exceeding the holding amount of the core 310 to the aerosol source holding part 440. In addition, the aerosol source guide 450 only needs to suck up the aerosol source stored in the aerosol source holding part 440 and return it to the core 310 when the holding amount of the aerosol source of the core 310 is insufficient. For example, the aerosol source guide 450 only needs to have a capillary force such that the height h of the liquid surface rises to the height from the second bottom surface 443 of the aerosol source holding part 440 to the lowest point of the support surface 421 of the outer cylinder 420.

[0174] Next, the fixing structure of the heating unit 300 will be described.

[0175] Fig.15 It is a perspective view of the gasket 200 and the bracket 400 according to one embodiment. Fig.16 It is a top view of the gasket 200 and the bracket 400 according to one embodiment. Fig.17 It is a side view of the gasket 200 and the bracket 400 according to one embodiment. Fig.18 This is a perspective view of a gasket 200 according to an embodiment as viewed from the bottom surface side. Fig.19 It is a bottom view of the gasket 200 according to one embodiment. Fig. 20 It is a cross-sectional view along the XZ plane of the first fixing portion 501 according to one embodiment. Fig.21 It is a cross-sectional view along the XZ plane of the second fixing portion 502 according to one embodiment.

[0176] like Figure 8As shown, the heating unit 300 is fixed by a first fixing unit 501 and a second fixing unit 502. The first fixing unit 501 fixes the core 310 portions on both sides of the heat generating portion 321 of the heating unit 300. The second fixing unit 502 fixes the core 310 portion at a position farther from the heat generating portion 321 of the heating unit 300 than the first fixing unit 501. The first fixing unit 501 includes the inner cylinder portion 430 of the bracket 400 and the lower surface portion 206 of the gasket 200. In addition, the second fixing unit 502 includes a pair of clamping pieces 260 (see Fig.18 ).

[0177] like Fig.18 as well as Fig.19 As shown, the lower surface portion 206 of the gasket 200 is disposed on the inner side of the third cylinder portion 230, and a pair of the lower surface portions 206 are disposed on both sides of the heating chamber 200A in the Y-axis direction. The lower surface portion 206 is a planar portion extending along the XY plane. Fig.15 as well as Fig.17 As shown, the outer edge of the lower surface portion 206 in the Y-axis direction is connected to the lower end of the third plane portion 205. Fig.19 As shown, a pair of clamping pieces 260 are arranged on both sides of the lower surface portion 206 in the X-axis direction. A portion of the lower surface portion 206 extends radially inward of the pair of clamping pieces 260. On the other hand, a portion of the pair of clamping pieces 260 extends radially outward of the lower surface portion 206.

[0178] like Fig.16 As shown, when the gasket 200 is viewed from above, a portion of the pair of clamping pieces 260 extends to a position further outward than the third planar portion 205. The through hole 235 of the gasket 200 is open in the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction due to the relationship with the multiple planar portions (the first planar portion 203, the second planar portion 204, and the third planar portion 205). When viewed from above in the Z-axis direction, the connecting portion 441 of the aerosol source holding portion 440, the pair of clamping pieces 260, and the supporting surface 421 of the outer tube portion 420 of the bracket 400 are exposed from the through hole 235. Directly above the supporting surface 421 of the outer tube portion 420, the lower surface portion 206 of the gasket 200 does not exist. Figure 8 As shown, a space S communicating with the liquid storage chamber 101 is formed.

[0179] like Figure 8 as well as Fig. 20 As shown, the lower surface portion 206 of the gasket 200 is at least arranged at a position facing the support surface 432 of the inner cylinder portion 430 in the Z-axis direction. The substantially semicircular space surrounded by the lower surface portion 206, the support surface 432 and the groove 433 is smaller than the normal (before compression) outer shape of the core 310 (in the Fig. 20 That is, the core 310 is fixed at the first fixing portion 501 in a compressed state over the entire circumference.

[0180] like Fig.21 As shown, the pair of clamping pieces 260 of the gasket 200 are at least arranged at a position facing the connecting portion 441 (opening portion) of the aerosol source holding portion 440 in the Z-axis direction. The pair of clamping pieces 260 include a tapered portion 261 and a flat portion 262. The tapered portion 261 widens the interval of the clamping core 310 in the X-axis direction as it approaches the connecting portion 441 of the aerosol source holding portion 440. The interval of the clamping core 310 in the X-axis direction of the flat portion 262 is constant. The tapered portion 261 is connected to the connecting portion 441 side of the aerosol source holding portion 440 on the flat portion 262.

[0181] It should be noted that in Fig.17 In the side view shown in FIG. 1 , the plane portion 262 can be seen from the through hole 235 formed in the gasket 200, and is arranged above the support surface 421 of the outer cylinder portion 420. In addition, the tapered portion 261 extends from the lower end of the plane portion 262 to a position below the support surface 421 of the outer cylinder portion 420. It should be noted that most of the pair of clamping pieces 260 are arranged on the inner side of the outer cylinder portion 420 in a top view, but as shown in FIG. Fig.15 as well as Fig.16 As shown, the pair of clamping pieces 260 are elastically deformed by contacting with the inner wall surface of the outer cylinder 420, and a part of them rests on the support surface 421. That is, the pair of clamping pieces 260 extend along the Y-axis direction from a position facing the connecting portion 441 (opening) of the aerosol source holding portion 440 to a position facing the support surface 421 of the outer cylinder 420.

[0182] like Fig.21 As shown, the core 310 is clamped in the Y-axis direction by a pair of clamping pieces 260 at the second fixing portion 502. The core 310 is tightly clamped by the flat portion 262 and loosely clamped by the tapered portion 261. The core 310 at the second fixing portion 502 is in a shape (in the Y-axis direction) that is smaller than the normal shape (before compression) of the core 310. Fig.21 The compressed state in the X-axis direction is fixed.

[0183] The core 310 is disposed at the first fixing portion 501 ( Fig. 22 ) than the second fixing portion 502 (reference Fig.21 ) is more compressed. That is, compared with the second fixing portion 502 (refer to Fig.21 ), the first fixing portion 501( Fig. 22 ) has a higher compression rate for the core 310. It should be noted that the "compression rate" mentioned here can be defined, for example, by the ratio of the cross-sectional area after compression to the cross-sectional area of ​​the normal outer shape of the core 310.

[0184] Since the compression rate of the core 310 is high at the first fixing portion 501, the parameter r of the capillary force becomes smaller and the capillary force becomes larger. In addition, since the compression rate of the core 310 is low at the second fixing portion 502, the parameter r of the capillary force becomes larger and the capillary force becomes smaller. That is, in the core 310, the capillary force of the first fixing portion 501 is larger than that of the second fixing portion 502, and the aerosol source can easily move from the second fixing portion 502 to the first fixing portion 501. In addition, since the capillary force of the core 310 is reduced at the second fixing portion 502, it is easy to introduce the remaining part of the aerosol source into the aerosol source holding portion 440 directly below the second fixing portion 502.

[0185] Next, the peripheral structure of the flow path tube portion 130 will be described.

[0186] Fig. 22 This is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the flow path tube 130 and its surroundings according to one embodiment as viewed from the bottom side. Fig. 22 In the figure, for the convenience of explanation, the cigarette cartridge 3 is turned upside down.

[0187] like Fig. 22 As shown, an aerosol source capturing portion 240 for capturing an aerosol source is provided on the inner side of the gasket 200, near the second opening portion 132 on the heating portion 300 side of the flow tube portion 130. The aerosol source capturing portion 240 has a groove portion formed in an annular shape around the opening portion (second opening portion 132) on the heating portion 300 side of the flow tube portion 130. It should be noted that the "annular shape" mentioned here may be a ring shape that is continuously connected around the flow tube portion 130, or may be a ring shape that is intermittently connected (for example, a dotted line shape, two circular arcs, etc.). The aerosol source capturing portion 240 of this embodiment is formed as a continuously connected ring shape around the flow tube portion 130.

[0188] The aerosol source capturing unit 240 has an annular space surrounded by the top surface of the heating chamber 200A, the four side surfaces of the heating chamber 200A, and the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the flow path tube 130 protruding into the heating chamber 200A. Fig.19 As shown, the aerosol source capturing portion 240 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. Specifically, the shape of the aerosol source capturing portion 240 has a pair of long sides 241 extending parallel to the X-axis direction and a pair of short sides 242 extending parallel to the Y-axis direction. The width W1 from the long side 241 to the insertion hole 201 is narrower than the width W2 from the short side 242 to the insertion hole 201. That is, the width of the aerosol source capturing portion 240 (groove portion) is locally narrowed at the long side 241. It should be noted that the width of the aerosol source capturing portion 240 (groove portion) can be compared with the opening width instead of the bottom width.

[0189] The aerosol sources captured by the aerosol source capturing unit 240 include, for example, aerosol sources formed by condensation and liquefaction of the aerosol generated by the heating unit 300 in the heating chamber 200A, aerosol sources flowing out from the heating unit 300 without being vaporized or evaporated, and aerosol sources flowing out from parts other than the heating unit 300 (such as the tank 100 or the aerosol source holding unit 440).

[0190] like Fig. 22 As shown, an aerosol source return portion 250 extending from the aerosol source capturing portion 240 to the heating portion 300 along the Z-axis direction is provided inside the gasket 200. Fig.19 As shown, the aerosol source reflux part 250 is formed with a pair of parts at the smallest width (long side part 241) to the insertion hole 201. It should be noted that the bottom view shape of the aerosol source reflux part 250 is not limited to a rectangle, and may be a trapezoidal shape or other shape that is easy to be molded with resin. Figure 8 As shown, the aerosol source reflow parts 250 extend in pairs from the top surface of the heating chamber 200A to the core 310 parts on both sides of the heat generating part 321 of the core 310 wound with the heating wire 320.

[0191] The aerosol source reflux portion 250 is a groove portion that allows the aerosol source captured by the aerosol source capturing portion 240 to reflux to the core 310 portion of the heating portion 300. It should be noted that the aerosol source reflux portion 250 only needs to allow the aerosol source captured by the aerosol source capturing portion 240 to reflux to the core 310 portion of the heating portion 300, and may also be a reflux portion other than the groove portion. The aerosol source reflux portion 250 may, for example, be a structure in which a capillary structure similar to the core 310 is implemented at a position corresponding to the groove portion, a structure in which a surface treatment with low hydrophobicity (high lyophilicity) for the aerosol source is applied, or a structure in which all or part of the groove portion, the capillary structure, and the surface treatment are combined. The aerosol source reflux portion 250 of this embodiment is integrally formed with the gasket 200, but may also be formed in a component different from the gasket 200.

[0192] In addition, similarly, the aerosol source capturing part 240 of the present embodiment is integrally formed with the gasket 200, but may be formed in a component different from the gasket 200. That is, the aerosol source capturing part 240 only needs to be able to capture the aerosol source near the second opening 132 of the flow path tube 130, and may be a capturing part other than the groove. For example, the aerosol source capturing part 240 may be a structure in which a capillary structure similar to the core 310 is applied at a position corresponding to the groove, a surface treatment with low hydrophobicity (high lyophilicity) to the aerosol source is applied, or a structure in which all or part of the groove, the capillary structure, and the surface treatment are combined.

[0193] The aerosol source capturing unit 240 is Fig.19At least the portion of width W1 shown in FIG. 1 has a capillary force that can hold the aerosol source. In addition, the aerosol source return portion 250 has a capillary force greater than the capillary force of the aerosol source capture portion 240. Fig. 22 As shown, even if the cigarette cartridge 3 is turned upside down, the aerosol source captured by the aerosol source capturing unit 240 can flow back to the core 310 of the heating unit 300. For example, the aerosol source return unit 250 only needs to have a capillary force such that the height h of the liquid level rises from the top surface of the heating chamber 200A to the outer peripheral surface of the core 310.

[0194] <How to use the suction device>

[0195] When using the suction device 1 of the above structure, first, Figure 2 As shown, the cigarette cartridge storage cover 50 provided at the bottom of the frame portion 12 of the main unit 2 is opened. Then, the cigarette cartridge 3 is inserted into the cigarette cartridge storage portion 10. After the cigarette cartridge 3 is inserted into the cigarette cartridge storage portion 10, the cigarette cartridge storage cover 50 is closed. In addition, the flavor source container 4 is mounted on the mouthpiece 11a of the heating module 11 of the main unit 2, and the mouthpiece 5 is mounted on the flavor source container 4 protruding from the heating module 11.

[0196] When suctioning the suction device 1, the user presses Figure 1 as well as Figure 3 The input device 15 shown. At this time, for example, it can also be programmed to start the main unit 2 by pressing the input device 15 multiple times. When the main unit 2 is started, for example, the heating module 11 heats the fragrance source container 4 to make the fragrance significant.

[0197] Next, the user sucks while holding the mouthpiece 5. Then, the air inside the cartridge storage portion 10 is sucked into the cartridge 3. Figure 3 The sensor 26 shown detects the puff. When the sensor 26 detects the puff, the heating wire 320 of the cigarette cartridge 3 is energized, and the heating wire 320 generates heat. When the heating wire 320 generates heat, the aerosol source of the liquid impregnated in the core 310 is heated and atomized.

[0198] Air (external air) flows into the interior of the cartridge storage portion 10 from the communication hole 17a formed in the cover member 17. Figure 7 As shown, the air flowing into the cartridge storage part 10 is introduced into the air passage 416 from the longitudinal groove 415 and the transverse groove 414 of the cartridge 3, and / or the transverse groove 414. The air introduced into the air passage 416 is introduced into the heating chamber 200A from the connecting hole 417, and together with the aerosol generated in the heating chamber 200A, passes through the flow path tube 130 and Figure 3The connecting hole 27a of the cigarette cartridge abutting portion 27 is further delivered to the user's mouth through the flavor source container 4 and the mouthpiece 5. Thus, the user can taste the flavor.

[0199] It should be noted that the aerosol after atomization fills the heating chamber 200A, and sometimes partially condenses in the heating chamber 200A and returns to the aerosol source. When the cigarette cartridge 3 is facing downward, the aerosol source is intended to flow out of the flow path tube 130 to the outside of the cigarette cartridge 3. However, in this embodiment, if Fig. 22 As shown, when the cigarette cartridge 3 is facing downward, since the aerosol source capturing unit 240 captures the aerosol source near the second opening 132 on the heating unit 300 side of the flow tube 130, it is possible to suppress the aerosol source from flowing out of the flow tube 130. In addition, since the aerosol source reflux unit 250 refluxes the aerosol source accumulated in the aerosol source capturing unit 240 to the heating unit 300, it is possible to suppress the aerosol source from overflowing from the aerosol source capturing unit 240.

[0200] In addition, if Figure 8 As shown, the aerosol source is supplied from the tank 100 to the heating section 300, but when the aerosol source exceeding the holding amount is supplied to the core 310, the aerosol source is about to drip from the heating portion 321 inside the inner cylinder 430 (heating chamber 200A). However, in this embodiment, since the remaining portion of the aerosol source supplied from the tank 100 to the heating section 300 is guided to the aerosol source holding section 440 by the aerosol source guide 450 between the inner cylinder 430 and the outer cylinder 420 supporting the heating section 300, it is possible to suppress the aerosol source from dripping to the inside of the inner cylinder 430.

[0201] On the other hand, if the aerosol source supplied from the tank 100 to the heating unit 300 is insufficient, the core 310 is easily overheated at the heating portion 321. Figure 8 As shown, the heating portion 300 is stably fixed by the first fixing portion 501 and the second fixing portion 502, and is firmly fixed at a position close to the heating portion 321 of the heating portion 300, and is loosely fixed at a position away from the heating portion 321 of the heating portion 300. Therefore, the aerosol source is fully absorbed at one end 311 and the other end 312 of the core 310, and the aerosol source moves toward the heating portion 321, making it easy for the core 310 to be wetted by the aerosol source as a whole, thereby suppressing the depletion of the aerosol source in the heating portion 321 and the resulting overheating.

[0202] That is, in this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0203] [Effects]

[0204] The cigarette cartridge 3 of the above-mentioned embodiment includes: a tank 100 capable of accommodating an aerosol source; a heating portion 300 that supplies the aerosol source from the tank 100 and heats the aerosol source to generate an aerosol; a flow tube portion 130 that guides the aerosol generated by the heating portion 300 to the outside; an aerosol source capturing portion 240 that captures the aerosol source near the second opening portion 132 (opening portion) on the heating portion 300 side of the flow tube portion 130; and an aerosol source reflux portion 250 extending from the aerosol source capturing portion 240 to the heating portion 300.

[0205] According to this structure, when the cigarette cartridge 3 is facing downward, the aerosol source capturing unit 240 captures the aerosol source near the second opening 132 on the heating unit 300 side of the flow tube 130, thereby preventing the aerosol source from flowing out of the flow tube 130. In addition, since the aerosol source reflux unit 250 refluxes the aerosol source accumulated in the aerosol source capturing unit 240 to the heating unit 300, the aerosol source can be prevented from overflowing from the aerosol source capturing unit 240.

[0206] In addition, in the present embodiment, the aerosol source capturing unit 240 includes a groove portion formed in an annular shape around the second opening portion 132 of the flow tube portion 130 on the heating unit 300 side.

[0207] According to this configuration, the groove captures the aerosol source around the entire circumference of the second opening 132 of the flow tube 130 on the heating unit 300 side, thereby preventing the aerosol source from flowing out of the flow tube 130 to the outside.

[0208] In addition, in this embodiment, the aerosol source capturing portion 240 (groove portion) has a short side portion 242 (first portion) and a long side portion 241 (second portion) having a width narrower than the first portion, and the aerosol source reflux portion 250 is connected to the long side portion 241 (second portion).

[0209] According to this structure, since the aerosol source captured by the aerosol source capturing unit 240 flows back to the heating unit 300 from the narrow long side 241 (second portion) of the groove portion, the aerosol source is unlikely to remain at the corners of the aerosol source capturing unit 240.

[0210] It should be noted that the aerosol source reflux portion 250 only needs to be able to allow the aerosol source to reflux from the narrowed width portion of the aerosol source capturing portion 240. For example, when the aerosol source capturing portion 240 is square when viewed from above and the flow path tube portion 130 is elliptical when viewed from above, the aerosol source reflux portion 250 only needs to be connected to the narrow width portion of the aerosol source capturing portion 240 in the long axis direction of the ellipse.

[0211] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the aerosol source capturing unit 240 has a capillary force for retaining the aerosol source.

[0212] According to this structure, the aerosol source capturing section 240 holds the aerosol source by capillary force, and therefore, the aerosol source is unlikely to flow out from the aerosol source capturing section 240 to the flow path tube section 130 .

[0213] In addition, in the present embodiment, the aerosol source reflow portion 250 has a capillary force greater than that of the aerosol source capturing portion 240 .

[0214] According to this structure, since the aerosol source moves from the aerosol source capturing unit 240 to the aerosol source reflux unit 250 due to the difference in capillary force, the aerosol source can be refluxed from the aerosol source capturing unit 240 to the heating unit 300 regardless of the direction of the cartridge 3.

[0215] In addition, in the present embodiment, the gasket 200 that contacts the heating unit 300 is provided, and the aerosol source capturing unit 240 is formed on the gasket 200 .

[0216] According to this structure, by forming the aerosol source capturing portion 240 in the gasket 200 , the number of components can be reduced, and the cartridge 3 can be easily assembled.

[0217] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the gasket 200 is formed with the aerosol source return portion 250 .

[0218] According to this structure, by forming the aerosol source return portion 250 in the gasket 200, the number of components can be reduced, and the cartridge 3 can be easily assembled.

[0219] In addition, in the present embodiment, the aerosol source reflow portion 250 may be formed in a member different from the gasket 200 .

[0220] According to this structure, by forming the aerosol source reflux portion 250 in a member different from the gasket 200 , the shape of the aerosol source reflux portion 250 can be designed separately from the gasket 200 .

[0221] In addition, in this embodiment, the heating unit 300 has a core 310 for holding an aerosol source and a heating wire 320 wound around the core 310, and the aerosol source reflux unit 250 is provided with a pair extending from the aerosol source capture unit 240 to both sides of the heating portion 321 of the core 310 wound with the heating wire 320.

[0222] According to this structure, since the aerosol source flows back from the aerosol source capturing unit 240 to the heating unit 300 from two locations instead of one location, the amount of the aerosol source flowing back to the heating unit 300 increases, and it is possible to suppress the aerosol source from overflowing from the aerosol source capturing unit 240. In addition, since the aerosol source flows back to the two sides of the portion of the core 310 wound with the heating wire 320, the heat generating portion 321 is easily and uniformly wetted, and the aerosol source can be efficiently generated.

[0223] In addition, the aerosol generating device of the present embodiment includes: the above-described cartridge 3 ; and a power supply unit 22 for supplying power to the heating unit 300 of the cartridge 3 to cause the cartridge 3 to generate aerosol.

[0224] According to this structure, since the above-mentioned cartridge 3 is provided, it is possible to suppress the outflow of the aerosol source.

[0225] The inhaler 1 of the present embodiment includes the above-described aerosol generating device and a flavor source container 4 attached to the mouthpiece 11 a of the aerosol generating device.

[0226] According to this structure, it is possible to add flavor to the aerosol.

[0227] It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the cartridge 3 is provided with a heating unit 300, but the heating unit 300 may also be detachable from the cartridge 3, the heating unit 300 may also be provided on the main unit 2 side of the aerosol generating device, and the heating unit 300 may also be detachable from the main unit 2. That is, the cartridge 3 may also have the following structure.

[0228] The cigarette cartridge 3 is a cigarette cartridge 3 for an aerosol generating device having a heating part 300, wherein the cigarette cartridge 3 comprises: a tank 100 capable of accommodating an aerosol source; a flow tube part 130 for guiding the aerosol generated by the heating part 300 to the outside; an aerosol source capturing part 240 for capturing the aerosol source near the second opening part 132 on the heating part 300 side of the flow tube part 130; and an aerosol source reflux part 250 extending from the aerosol source capturing part 240 to the heating part 300.

[0229] According to this structure, when the cigarette cartridge 3 is facing downward, the aerosol source capturing unit 240 captures the aerosol source near the second opening 132 on the heating unit 300 side of the flow tube 130, thereby preventing the aerosol source from flowing out of the flow tube 130. In addition, since the aerosol source reflux unit 250 refluxes the aerosol source accumulated in the aerosol source capturing unit 240 to the heating unit 300, the aerosol source can be prevented from overflowing from the aerosol source capturing unit 240.

[0230] In addition, in this embodiment, the following effects can also be obtained.

[0231] The cigarette cartridge 3 of the above-mentioned present embodiment comprises: a tank 100 capable of accommodating an aerosol source; a heating portion 300 that supplies the aerosol source from the tank 100 and heats the aerosol source to generate an aerosol; an inner cylinder portion 430 that supports the heating portion 300; an outer cylinder portion 420 that supports the heating portion 300 on the outer side of the inner cylinder portion 430; an aerosol source holding portion 440 formed between the inner cylinder portion 430 and the outer cylinder portion 420 and capable of accommodating an aerosol source; and an aerosol source guiding portion 450 that guides the aerosol source supplied to the heating portion 300 to the aerosol source holding portion 440.

[0232] According to this structure, the remaining portion of the aerosol source supplied from the tank 100 to the heating section 300 is guided to the aerosol source holding section 440 by the aerosol source guide section 450 between the inner cylinder section 430 and the outer cylinder section 420 that support the heating section 300, thereby preventing the aerosol source from dripping to the inner side of the inner cylinder section 430.

[0233] In addition, in the present embodiment, the aerosol source guide 450 is provided in at least one of the inner cylinder 430 and the outer cylinder 420 .

[0234] According to this structure, since the inner cylinder portion 430 and the outer cylinder portion 420 support the heating portion 300, by providing the aerosol source guide portion 450 in at least one of the inner cylinder portion 430 and the outer cylinder portion 420, it is easy to guide the remaining part of the aerosol source from the heating portion 300 to the aerosol source holding portion 440.

[0235] In addition, in the present embodiment, the aerosol source guide 450 is provided along the inner wall surface of the outer cylinder 420 .

[0236] According to this configuration, by providing the aerosol source holding portion 440 along the inner wall surface of the outer cylinder portion 420 that is away from the inner cylinder portion 430 , it is possible to suppress the aerosol source from dripping into the inner side of the inner cylinder portion 430 .

[0237] In addition, in the present embodiment, the aerosol source guide portion 450 includes a groove portion extending from the communication portion 441 (opening portion) of the aerosol source holding portion 440 toward the bottom portion of the aerosol source holding portion 440 .

[0238] According to this configuration, since the groove guides the aerosol source from the communicating portion 441 (opening) of the aerosol source holding portion 440 toward the bottom, the aerosol source is easily accumulated in the aerosol source holding portion 440 .

[0239] In the present embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the aerosol source guide portion 450 (groove portion) is smaller on the bottom side than on the communication portion 441 (opening portion) side of the aerosol source holding portion 440 .

[0240] According to this structure, the capillary force of the aerosol source guide portion 450 (groove portion) gradually increases from the connecting portion 441 (opening portion) of the aerosol source holding portion 440 toward the bottom, so it is easier to guide the aerosol source toward the bottom of the aerosol source holding portion 440.

[0241] In the present embodiment, the bottom of the aerosol source holding portion 440 includes a first bottom surface 442 and a second bottom surface 443 deeper than the first bottom surface 442 , and the aerosol source guide portion 450 (groove portion) extends toward the second bottom surface 443 .

[0242] According to this structure, it is easy to guide the aerosol source to a deeper position of the bottom of the aerosol source holding part 440.

[0243] In addition, in the present embodiment, the aerosol source guide 450 is in contact with the heating unit 300 .

[0244] According to this configuration, by making the aerosol source guide portion 450 abut against the heating portion 300 , it is easy to guide the remaining portion of the aerosol source from the heating portion 300 to the aerosol source holding portion 440 .

[0245] In addition, in the present embodiment, the heating unit 300 has a capillary force for holding the aerosol source, and the aerosol source guide unit 450 has a capillary force smaller than the capillary force of the heating unit 300 .

[0246] According to this structure, when the excess of the aerosol source is generated in the heating unit 300, the aerosol source can be guided from the heating unit 300 to the aerosol source holding unit 440 by the capillary force of the aerosol source guide 450. In addition, when the aerosol source is insufficient in the heating unit 300, the aerosol source can be sucked up from the aerosol source holding unit 440 to the heating unit 300 by the capillary force of the aerosol source guide 450.

[0247] The aerosol generating device of the present embodiment includes the above-described cartridge 3 and a power supply unit 22 for supplying power to the heating unit 300 of the cartridge 3 to generate aerosol.

[0248] According to this structure, since the above-mentioned cartridge 3 is provided, it is possible to suppress the aerosol source from dripping from the heating unit 300.

[0249] The inhaler 1 of the present embodiment includes the above-described aerosol generating device and a flavor source container 4 attached to the mouthpiece 11 a of the aerosol generating device.

[0250] According to this structure, it is possible to add flavor to the aerosol.

[0251] In addition, in this embodiment, the following effects can also be obtained.

[0252] The cigarette cartridge 3 of the present embodiment comprises: a tank 100 capable of accommodating an aerosol source; a heating portion 300 that supplies the aerosol source from the tank 100 and heats the aerosol source to generate an aerosol; a first fixing portion 501 that fixes the heating portion 300; and a second fixing portion 502 that fixes the heating portion 300 more loosely than the first fixing portion 501 and is located at a position farther away from the heat generating portion 321 of the heating portion 300 than the first fixing portion 501.

[0253] According to this structure, since the heating part 300 is stably fixed by two fixing parts, and is firmly fixed at a position close to the heating part 321 of the heating part 300, and is loosely fixed at a position away from the heating part 321 of the heating part 300, it is easy to wet the entire heating part 300 with the aerosol source, and the depletion of the aerosol source of the heating part 321 and the resulting overheating can be suppressed.

[0254] In addition, in the present embodiment, the heating unit 300 is more compressed at the first fixing portion 501 than at the second fixing portion 502 .

[0255] According to this structure, the heating unit 300 is more compressed at the first fixing portion 501 than at the second fixing portion 502 , and therefore the aerosol source easily moves toward the heat generating portion 321 of the heating unit 300 by the capillary force of the heating unit 300 .

[0256] In addition, in the present embodiment, an aerosol source holding portion 440 is formed, and the aerosol source holding portion 440 has a connecting portion 441 at a position farther away from the heat generating portion 321 of the heating portion 300 than the first fixing portion 501, and is capable of receiving the aerosol source from the connecting portion 441, and the second fixing portion 502 fixes the heating portion 300 at least at a position facing the connecting portion 441 of the aerosol source holding portion 440.

[0257] According to this structure, when the aerosol source is excessively supplied to the heating section 300, the remaining portion of the aerosol source drips from the second fixing portion 502 which is loosely fixed to the heating section 300, and the aerosol source can be recovered to the aerosol source holding portion 440 having a connecting portion 441 at a position away from the heat generating portion 321 of the heating section 300.

[0258] In the present embodiment, the second fixing portion 502 includes a pair of clamping pieces 260 that clamp the heating portion 300 , and the pair of clamping pieces 260 includes a tapered portion 261 whose interval between the clamping pieces 260 and the heating portion 300 widens toward the communicating portion 441 of the aerosol source holding portion 440 .

[0259] According to this structure, since the compression of the heating unit 300 gradually becomes looser toward the communicating portion 441 of the aerosol source holding unit 440 , it is easy to guide the excess aerosol source from the heating unit 300 to the aerosol source holding unit 440 .

[0260] In the present embodiment, the pair of clamping pieces 260 includes the planar portions 262 with a constant interval therebetween for clamping the heating unit 300 , and the tapered portion 261 is connected to the planar portions 262 on the communicating portion 441 side of the aerosol source holding unit 440 .

[0261] According to this structure, the heating unit 300 is stably fixed by the flat portion 262 and loosely fixed by the tapered portion 261 , so that the excess aerosol source can be easily guided from the heating unit 300 to the aerosol source holding unit 440 .

[0262] In addition, in the present embodiment, an outer cylinder portion 420 (support portion) for supporting the heating portion 300 is provided at a position farther from the heat generating portion 321 of the heating portion 300 than the aerosol source holding portion 440, and a space S is formed on the side opposite to the support surface 421 of the outer cylinder portion 420 (support portion) across the heating portion 300 (see Figure 8 ).

[0263] According to this structure, by forming a space S on the side opposite to the support surface 421 of the outer tube part 420 (support part) separated by the heating part 300, the volume of the tank 100 can be expanded and bubbles can be made difficult to be retained at the lower end of the liquid storage chamber 101, thereby suppressing the depletion of the aerosol source of the heating part 300 caused by the retention of bubbles and the resulting overheating.

[0264] In the present embodiment, the second fixing portion 502 extends from a position facing the communicating portion 441 of the aerosol source holding portion 440 to a position facing the supporting surface 421 of the outer cylinder portion 420 (support portion).

[0265] According to this configuration, since the heating unit 300 can be fixed by the second fixing portion 502 at a position facing the support surface 421 , the heating unit 300 can be stably fixed.

[0266] The aerosol generating device of the present embodiment includes the above-described cartridge 3 and a power supply unit 22 for supplying power to the heating unit 300 of the cartridge 3 to generate aerosol.

[0267] According to this structure, since the cartridge 3 is provided, the heating unit 300 can be stably fixed, and the depletion of the aerosol source of the heat generating portion 321 and the occurrence of overheating caused by the depletion can be suppressed.

[0268] The inhaler 1 of the present embodiment includes the above-described aerosol generating device and a flavor source container 4 attached to the mouthpiece 11 a of the aerosol generating device.

[0269] According to this structure, it is possible to add flavor to the aerosol.

[0270] <Appearance of the cartridge>

[0271] The appearance of the cigarette cartridge 3 is disclosed below.

[0272] Fig.23 It is a front view of the cigarette cartridge 3 according to one embodiment. Fig.24 It is a rear view of the cigarette cartridge 3 according to one embodiment. Fig.25 It is a left view of the cigarette cartridge 3 according to one embodiment. Fig.26 It is a right side view of the cigarette cartridge 3 according to one embodiment. Fig. 27 It is a top view of the cigarette cartridge 3 according to one embodiment. Fig.28 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge 3 according to one embodiment. Fig.29 This is a reference stereogram of a cigarette cartridge 3 according to one embodiment.

[0273] like Figure 23 to Figure 29 As shown, the cartridge 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The appearance of the cartridge 3 is that the bottom side is composed of a non-light-transmitting bracket 400, and most of the other parts are composed of a light-transmitting can 100.

[0274] It should be noted that Fig.29 The two electrode parts on the bottom surface of the cigarette cartridge 3 shown may also have the following appearance. It should be noted that the size of the two electrode parts is not limited to the ratio of the following figure, for example, it may be larger or smaller than the ratio of the following figure. In addition, the size of the two electrode parts may be equal to each other or different.

[0275] Fig.30 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge 3 of the first modified example. Fig.30 The two electrode portions of the cigarette cartridge 3 shown are formed into a substantially semicircular hexagon.

[0276] Fig.31 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge 3 of the second modified example. Fig.31 The two electrode parts of the cigarette cartridge 3 shown will Fig.30 The corners of the electrode portion shown are rounded. Fig.31 The circular shape shown may not be formed by rounding all corners of the electrode portion, but may be formed by rounding only some corners.

[0277] Fig.32 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge 3 of the third modified example. Fig.32 The two electrode portions of the illustrated cartridge 3 are formed in a belt shape that is bent in a concave manner toward the center of the support 400 .

[0278] Fig.33 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge 3 of the fourth modified example. Fig.33 The two electrode parts of the cigarette cartridge 3 shown will Fig.32The corners of the electrode portion shown are rounded. Fig.33 The circular shape shown may not be formed by rounding all corners of the electrode portion, but may be formed by rounding only some corners.

[0279] Fig.34 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge 3 of the fifth variation. Fig.34 The two electrode portions of the illustrated cartridge 3 are formed in a belt shape that is bent in a manner of bulging toward a side opposite to the center of the support 400 .

[0280] Fig.35 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge 3 of the sixth variation. Fig.35 The two electrode parts of the cigarette cartridge 3 shown will Fig.34 The corners of the electrode portion shown are rounded. Fig.35 The circular shape shown may not be formed by rounding all corners of the electrode portion, but may be formed by rounding only some corners.

[0281] Fig.36 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge 3 of the seventh variation. Fig.36 The two electrode portions of the illustrated cigarette cartridge 3 are formed into a trapezoidal shape with the upper bottom portion (the shorter portion of the two parallel sides) facing the center of the bracket 400 .

[0282] Fig.37 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge 3 of the eighth variation. Fig.37 The two electrode parts of the cigarette cartridge 3 shown will Fig.36 The corners of the electrode portion shown are rounded. Fig.37 The circular shape shown may not be formed by rounding all corners of the electrode portion, but may be formed by rounding only some corners.

[0283] Fig.38 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge 3 of the ninth variation. Fig.38 The two electrode portions of the illustrated cigarette cartridge 3 are formed into a trapezoidal shape with the lower bottom portion (the longer portion of the two parallel sides) facing the center of the bracket 400 .

[0284] Fig.39 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge 3 of the tenth variation. Fig.39 The two electrode parts of the cigarette cartridge 3 shown will Fig.38 The corners of the electrode portion shown are rounded. Fig.39 The circular shape shown may not be formed by rounding all corners of the electrode portion, but may be formed by rounding only some corners.

[0285] Fig.40It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge 3 of the eleventh variation. Fig.40 The two electrode portions of the illustrated cartridge 3 are formed in a pentagonal shape having two right-angled inner angles on the side opposite to the center of the bracket 400 and with the vertex angle facing the center of the bracket 400 .

[0286] Fig.41 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge 3 of the twelfth variation. Fig.41 The two electrode parts of the cigarette cartridge 3 shown will Fig.40 The corners of the electrode portion shown are rounded. Fig.41 The circular shape shown may not be formed by rounding all corners of the electrode portion, but may be formed by rounding only some corners.

[0287] Fig.42 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge 3 of the thirteenth variation. Fig.42 The two electrode portions of the illustrated cartridge 3 are formed into a pentagonal shape having two right-angled inner angles on the central side of the support 400 and with the vertex facing the side opposite to the center of the support 400 .

[0288] Fig.43 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge 3 of the fourteenth variation. Fig.43 The two electrode parts of the cigarette cartridge 3 shown will Fig.42 The corners of the electrode portion shown are rounded. Fig.43 The circular shape shown may not be formed by rounding all corners of the electrode portion, but may be formed by rounding only some corners.

[0289] Fig.44 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge 3 of the fifteenth variation. Fig.44 The two electrode portions of the cigarette cartridge 3 are shown to be formed into a hexagon with one of the two parallel sides facing the center of the bracket 400 .

[0290] Fig.45 It is a bottom view of the cigarette cartridge 3 of the sixteenth variation. Fig.45 The two electrode parts of the cigarette cartridge 3 shown will Fig.44 The corners of the electrode portion shown are rounded. Fig.45 The circular shape shown may not be formed by rounding all corners of the electrode portion, but may be formed by rounding only some corners.

[0291] <Other Modifications>

[0292] The preferred embodiments and variations of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and variations. Additions, omissions, substitutions and other changes to the structure can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. The present invention is not limited by the above description, but only by the attached claims.

[0293] For example, in the above embodiment, as an example of an aerosol generating device that generates aerosol without combustion, the flavor source container 4 is configured as a detachable inhaler 1, but it is not limited to this structure. As another example of an aerosol generating device, it may be a structure that does not have a flavor source container 4 like an electronic cigarette (for example, a structure in which a mouthpiece is directly mounted on the mouthpiece). In this case, the aerosol source containing the flavor may also be stored in the cartridge 3, and the aerosol containing the flavor may be generated by the aerosol generating device.

[0294] That is, in the above embodiment, a device having a main unit 2 and a cartridge 3 but not having a flavor source container 4 may also be referred to as an aerosol generating device. In addition, a device having only a main unit 2 but not having a flavor source container 4 and a cartridge 3 may also be referred to as a main unit of an aerosol generating device.

[0295] It should be noted that the aerosol source is not limited to liquids, and may include solids or gels in liquids as long as the capillary phenomenon can be utilized.

[0296] In the above embodiment, the structure in which the cartridge 3 is formed into a cylindrical shape is described, but it is not limited to this structure. The cartridge 3 can be any structure as long as it can hold the aerosol source. That is, the cartridge 3 is not limited to a cylinder, and can also be a three-dimensional shape such as a cube, a triangular pyramid, a pyramid, a prism, an octahedron, a cone, a sphere, a torus, etc.

[0297] In the above embodiment, the main body unit 2 is activated by pressing the input device 15 . However, the main body unit 2 may be activated only by suction detection by the sensor 26 without the input device 15 .

[0298] Furthermore, components in the above-described embodiments may be appropriately replaced with known components without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the above-described modifications may be appropriately combined.

[0299] Industrial Applicability

[0300] The invention relates to a cigarette cartridge, an aerosol generating device and a non-combustion type inhaler, which can stably generate aerosol.

[0301] Description of Reference Numerals

[0302] 1 suction device, 2 main unit, 3 cigarette cartridge, 4 flavor source container, 5 mouthpiece, 6A electrode, 6B electrode, 10 cigarette cartridge storage part, 10A cigarette cartridge storage space, 11 heating module, 11a suction mouth, 11b heater part, 12 frame part, 12A main part, 12A1 first main part, 12A2 second main part, 12B peripheral wall, 12B1 first peripheral wall, 12B2 second peripheral wall, 12C corner, 12C1 first corner, 12C2 second corner, 12C3 third corner, 12C4 fourth corner, 13 outer shell, 13a opening, 13A first shell, 13b exposed part, 13B second shell, 14 display cover, 15 input device, 16 window portion, 17 cover member, 17a connecting hole, 18A first air inlet, 18B second air inlet, 20 inner shell, 21 charging terminal, 22 power supply unit, 23 main substrate, 24 display device, 25 light source, 26 sensor, 27 cartridge abutment portion, 27a connecting hole, 50 cartridge storage cover, 51 protruding electrode, 70 first air flow path, 80 second air flow path, 90 protrusion, 100 tank, 101 liquid storage chamber, 110 peripheral wall portion, 111 engaging hole, 112 recess, 120 top wall portion, 130 flow path tube portion, 131 first opening portion, 132 second opening portion, 140 rib, 141 cutout portion, 142 convex portion, 200 pad ring, 200A heating chamber, 201 insertion hole, 202 annular protrusion, 203 first plane portion, 204 second plane portion, 205 third plane portion, 206 lower surface portion, 210 first cylinder portion, 211 top surface, 220 second cylinder portion, 230 third cylinder portion, 231 sealing cylinder portion, 232 sealing protrusion, 235 through hole, 240 aerosol source capturing portion, 241 long side portion, 242 short side portion, 250 aerosol source return portion, 260 clamping piece, 261 tapered portion, 262 plane portion, 300 heating portion, 310 core, 311 one end portion, 312 the other end portion, 320 heating wire, 321 heating portion, 322A one end portion, 322B another One end portion, 400 bracket, 401 snap-fitting piece, 402 convex portion, 410 base portion, 410a lower surface, 410b outer peripheral surface, 410c step portion, 411 fitting hole, 413 fitting recess, 414 transverse groove, 415 longitudinal groove, 416 air passage, 417 connecting hole, 418 through hole, 420 outer cylinder portion, 421 supporting surface, 430 inner cylinder portion, 431 groove, 432 supporting surface, 433 groove, 440 aerosol source holding portion, 441 connecting portion, 442 first bottom surface, 443 second bottom surface, 444 third bottom surface, 450 aerosol source guiding portion, 501 first fixing portion, 502 second fixing portion, S space, W1 width, W2 width.

Claims

1. A cigarette cartridge, in, The cigarette cartridge has: a canister capable of receiving an aerosol source; a heating unit that supplies the aerosol source from the tank and heats the aerosol source to generate aerosol; a first fixing portion, wherein the first fixing portion fixes the heating portion; A second fixing portion that fixes the heating portion more loosely than the first fixing portion at a position farther from a heat generating portion of the heating portion than the first fixing portion.

2. The cigarette cartridge according to claim 1, in, The heating portion is more compressed at the first fixing portion than at the second fixing portion.

3. The cigarette cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, in, An aerosol source holding portion is formed, the aerosol source holding portion has a connecting portion at a position farther from the heat generating portion of the heating portion than the first fixing portion, and the aerosol source can be received from the connecting portion, The second fixing portion fixes the heating portion at least at a position facing the communication portion of the aerosol source holding portion.

4. The cigarette cartridge according to claim 3, in, The second fixing portion includes a pair of clamping pieces for clamping the heating portion. The pair of clamping pieces includes a tapered portion in which a distance between the clamping pieces and the heating portion becomes wider toward the communicating portion of the aerosol source holding portion.

5. The cigarette cartridge according to claim 4, in, The pair of clamping pieces include flat surfaces that clamp the heating portion at a constant interval. The tapered portion is provided in connection with the communicating portion side of the aerosol source holding portion of the planar portion.

6. The cigarette cartridge according to any one of claims 3 to 5, in, A support portion for supporting the heating portion is provided at a position farther from the heat generating portion of the heating portion than the aerosol source holding portion. A space is formed on the opposite side of the support surface of the support portion across the heating portion.

7. The cigarette cartridge according to claim 6, in, The second fixing portion extends from a position facing the communication portion of the aerosol source holding portion to a position facing the support surface of the support portion.

8. An aerosol generating device, in, The aerosol generating device comprises: The cigarette cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7; A power supply unit supplies power to the heating unit of the cigarette cartridge to generate the aerosol.

9. A non-combustion suction device, in, The non-combustion suction device comprises: The aerosol generating device according to claim 8; A flavor source container is mounted on the mouthpiece of the aerosol generating device.

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