Power supply unit for aerosol generating device, aerosol generating device

Abstract

To provide an aerosol generation device capable of achieving both improvement of operability and prevention of wear of components without using a positioning mechanism.SOLUTION: A power source unit 10 of an aerosol generation device 1 comprises a cartridge accommodation part CS having a bottomed cylindrical shape that accommodates a columnar first cartridge 20 in a state of allowing 360-degree rotation in the circumferential direction, the first cartridge retaining an aerosol source 22. A bottom wall section 13ab of the cartridge accommodation part CS is provided with a ring-shaped member 131 to generate frictional force between the first cartridge 20 and itself to suppress rotation of the first cartridge 20 in the circumferential direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply unit for an aerosol generation device and an aerosol generation device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 describes an aerosol generating device having a cartridge that contains an aerosol source, a bottomed cylindrical cartridge storage section that contains the cartridge, a suction port section that screws into the cartridge storage section and has a suction port formed therein for sucking in the aerosol atomized by the aerosol source, and a positioning mechanism that positions the cartridge relative to the cartridge storage section in conjunction with the screwing of the suction port section into the cartridge storage section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6552028 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to improve operability when mounting a cartridge that contains an aerosol source in a cartridge housing, it is expected that the positioning mechanism as exemplified in Patent Document 1 will be eliminated. However, if the positioning mechanism is eliminated, the cartridge will be able to rotate freely in the cartridge housing. Therefore, measures will be required to prevent wear on the cartridge housing and the cartridge caused by the rotation of the cartridge.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device that can achieve both improved operability and prevention of wear on components without using a positioning mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The power supply unit of an aerosol generating device of one embodiment of the present invention includes a bottomed cylindrical storage section that stores a columnar cartridge for storing an aerosol source in a state in which the cartridge can be rotated 360 degrees in the circumferential direction, and a rotation suppression section is provided at the bottom of the storage section that generates a frictional force between the cartridge and the storage section, thereby suppressing rotation of the cartridge in the circumferential direction. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an aerosol generating device that can achieve both improved operability and prevention of wear on components without using a positioning mechanism. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol inhalator according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view of a first cartridge in the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the first cartridge is rotated clockwise from the state in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the first cartridge is rotated clockwise from the state in FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 8] 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the first cartridge is rotated clockwise from the state in FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a circuit mounted on a circuit board of the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 2. [Figure 10] 4 is a schematic diagram showing a first modified example of the cartridge receiving portion of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 11] 4 is a schematic diagram showing a second modified example of the cartridge receiving portion of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 12]4 is a schematic diagram showing a third modified example of the cartridge receiving portion of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 13] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a fourth modified example of the cartridge receiving portion of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 13 . [Figure 15] 14 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the bottom of the cartridge receiving section of FIG. 13. FIG. [Figure 16] 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the cross section taken along the arrow CC in FIG. 14. [Figure 17] 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another modified example of the cross section taken along the CC arrow in FIG. 14. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The power supply unit of the aerosol generation device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. First, an aerosol inhaler, which is one example of the aerosol generation device including the power supply unit of this embodiment, will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3.

[0010] (Aerosol inhaler) The aerosol inhalator 1 is a device for generating an aerosol to which flavor has been added without combustion and inhaling the generated aerosol, and is preferably a size that fits in the hand and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The aerosol inhalator 1 may be oval or elliptical. In the following description, the three orthogonal directions of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped aerosol inhalator are referred to as the up-down direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction in the order of length. In the following description, for convenience, the front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower directions are defined as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, and the front is indicated as Fr, the rear as Rr, the left as L, the right as R, the upper as U, and the lower as D.

[0011] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the aerosol inhaler 1 includes a power supply unit 10, a first cartridge 20, and a second cartridge 30. The first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 are detachable from the power supply unit 10. In other words, the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 are replaceable. As shown in Fig. 4, the first cartridge 20 has a cylindrical outer shape. The outer shape of the first cartridge 20 does not have to be a perfect cylindrical shape. For example, it may be a polygonal shape of a regular polygon such as a regular hexagon, or a columnar shape with rounded corners.

[0012] (Power supply unit) 1 and 2, the power supply unit 10 accommodates a power supply 12, an internal holder 13, a circuit board 60, various sensors such as an intake sensor 15, and the like, inside a substantially rectangular parallelepiped power supply unit case 11 (hereinafter also referred to as the case interior). The power supply 12, the circuit board 60 (including an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) 50, described below, a current switching circuit 51, a resistance measurement circuit 52, a resistance measurement circuit 53, a resistance measurement circuit 54, projecting electrodes 411, 412, 413, a charging terminal 43, and the like), and the like, are accommodated together in the power supply unit case 11, making it easier for the user to carry the power supply unit 10 and improving user convenience.

[0013] The power supply unit case 11 is composed of a first case 11A and a second case 11B that are detachable in the left-right direction (thickness direction). The first case 11A and the second case 11B are assembled in the left-right direction (thickness direction) to form the front, rear, left, right, and bottom surfaces of the power supply unit 10. The top surface of the power supply unit 10 is formed by the display 16.

[0014] A mouthpiece 17 is provided on the upper surface of the power supply unit 10 in front of the display 16. As shown in FIG.

[0015] Between the top and rear surfaces of the power supply unit 10, there is provided an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the rear. An operation unit 18 that can be operated by the user is provided on the inclined surface. The operation unit 18 is composed of a button-type switch, a touch panel, etc. The operation unit 18 is used to start / shut off the MCU 50 and various sensors, etc., reflecting the user's intention to use the device.

[0016] A charging terminal 43 is provided on the underside of the power supply unit 10 and can be electrically connected to an external power supply (not shown) capable of charging the power supply 12. The charging terminal 43 is, for example, a receptacle into which a mating plug (not shown) can be inserted. As the charging terminal 43, a receptacle into which various USB terminals (plugs) can be inserted can be used. As an example, in this embodiment, the charging terminal 43 is a USB Type-C shaped receptacle. This makes it easy to charge the power supply unit 10 (i.e., the aerosol inhaler 1) at various locations (places), and ensures (secures) opportunities to charge the power supply unit 10.

[0017] Furthermore, the charging terminal 43 may be configured to include, for example, a power receiving coil and to be capable of contactlessly receiving power transmitted from an external power source. In this case, the method of power transmission (Wireless Power Transfer) may be an electromagnetic induction type, a magnetic resonance type, or a combination of the electromagnetic induction type and the magnetic resonance type. As another example, the charging terminal 43 may be connectable to various USB terminals and may include the above-mentioned power receiving coil.

[0018] The internal holder 13 includes a rear wall 13r extending along the rear surface of the power supply unit 10, a central wall 13c provided in the center of the front-rear direction inside the case and extending parallel to the rear wall 13r, an upper wall 13u extending along the display 16 and connecting the rear wall 13r and the central wall 13c, a partition wall 13d perpendicular to the rear wall 13r, the central wall 13c, and the upper wall 13u and dividing the space defined by the rear wall 13r, the central wall 13c, and the upper wall 13u into a left space and a right space, and a cartridge holding portion 13a connected to the central wall 13c and located in front of the central wall 13c and above the bottom surface of the power supply unit 10. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the cartridge holding portion 13a is a bottomed cylindrical member having an opening at the upper end and an axial direction extending in the up-down direction.

[0019] The power source 12 is disposed in the left space of the internal holder 13. The power source 12 is a rechargeable secondary battery, an electric double layer capacitor, or the like, and is preferably a lithium ion secondary battery. The electrolyte of the power source 12 may be one of a gel electrolyte, an electrolytic solution, a solid electrolyte, and an ionic liquid, or a combination of these.

[0020] An L-shaped circuit board 60 is disposed in a space formed by the right space of the internal holder 13 and a lower space formed between the cartridge holding portion 13a and the lower surface of the power supply unit 10. The circuit board 60 is configured by stacking multiple layers (four layers in this embodiment) of boards, and electronic components such as the MCU 50 are mounted on the circuit board 60.

[0021] The MCU 50 is connected to various sensor devices such as an inhalation sensor 15 that detects a puff (inhalation) operation, an operation unit 18, a notification unit 45, and the like. The MCU 50 is a control device (controller) that performs various controls of the aerosol inhaler 1, including discharge control to a load 21 (see FIG. 3) described below for heating the load 21 (to generate an aerosol). Specifically, the MCU 50 is mainly composed of a processor, and further includes a storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) required for the operation of the processor and a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores various information. The processor in this specification is, for example, an electric circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 3, the lower end of a cylindrical cartridge holder 14 that holds the first cartridge 20 is disposed on the inner periphery of the cartridge holding portion 13a. A bottomed, cylindrical cartridge storage portion CS that stores the first cartridge 20 is configured by a bottom wall portion 13ab of the cartridge holding portion 13a and the cartridge holder 14. The bottom wall portion 13ab configures the bottom of the cartridge storage portion CS. The upper surface of the bottom wall portion 13ab configures a bottom surface 13as of the cartridge storage portion CS.

[0023] The inner periphery of the cartridge holder 14 has a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the first cartridge 20. Between the inner periphery of the cartridge holder 14 and the outer periphery of the first cartridge 20, a minute gap is formed that allows the first cartridge 20 to rotate slightly in the circumferential direction due to impact, vibration, etc. applied to the power supply unit 10.

[0024] The cartridge storage section CS and the first cartridge 20 are not provided with a mechanism for positioning the first cartridge 20 in the circumferential direction (the direction around the center line of the first cartridge 20) in the cartridge storage section CS. In other words, when the first cartridge 20 is stored in the cartridge storage section CS, if a force is applied to the first cartridge 20 to rotate it in the circumferential direction, the first cartridge 20 can be rotated 360 degrees.

[0025] The bottom wall portion 13ab of the cartridge holding portion 13a is provided with through holes 13b for receiving the respective protruding electrodes 411, 412, and 413 (see FIGS. 3 and 5) provided so as to protrude from the circuit board 60 toward the first cartridge 20. The protruding electrodes 411, 412, and 413 form a second electrode portion. The protruding electrodes 411, 412, and 413 are each configured so as to be electrically connectable to the power source 12, and are formed, for example, of a pin or the like having a built-in spring. The through holes 13b provided corresponding to the respective protruding electrodes 411, 412, and 413 are larger than the respective protruding electrodes, and are configured so that air flows into the inside of the first cartridge 20 through gaps formed between the through holes 13b and the respective protruding electrodes.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, an inhalation sensor 15 for detecting a puffing operation is provided on the outer peripheral surface 14a of the cartridge holder 14 at a position facing the circuit board 60. The inhalation sensor 15 may be composed of a condenser microphone, a pressure sensor, or the like. The cartridge holder 14 is provided with a vertically long hole portion 14b through which the remaining amount of the aerosol source 22 stored inside the first cartridge 20 can be visually confirmed. As shown in FIG. 1, a translucent remaining amount confirmation window 11w is formed in the power supply unit case 11. The remaining amount confirmation window 11w is configured so that the remaining amount of the aerosol source 22 stored inside the first cartridge 20 can be visually confirmed through the hole portion 14b of the first cartridge 20. The remaining amount confirmation window 11w is provided with an air intake port 11i for taking in outside air into the case.

[0027] 3, the mouthpiece 17 is removably fixed to the upper end of the cartridge holder 14. The second cartridge 30 is removably fixed to the mouthpiece 17. The mouthpiece 17 includes a cartridge accommodating portion 17b that accommodates a portion of the second cartridge 30, and a communication passage 17c that communicates between the first cartridge 20 and the cartridge accommodating portion 17b.

[0028] (1st cartridge) As shown in Figure 3, the first cartridge 20 is provided with a reservoir 23 for storing an aerosol source 22, an electrical load 21 for atomizing the aerosol source 22, a wick 24 for drawing the aerosol source from the reservoir 23 to the load 21, and an aerosol flow path 25 through which the aerosol generated by atomizing the aerosol source 22 flows toward the second cartridge 30, inside a cylindrical cartridge case 27.

[0029] Reservoir 23 is partitioned and formed so as to surround the periphery of aerosol flow path 25, and stores aerosol source 22. Reservoir 23 may contain a porous body such as a resin web or cotton, and the porous body may be impregnated with aerosol source 22. Reservoir 23 may not contain a porous body on the resin web or cotton, and may store only aerosol source 22. Aerosol source 22 contains a liquid such as glycerin, propylene glycol, or water.

[0030] The wick 24 is a liquid retention member that draws the aerosol source 22 from the reservoir 23 into the load 21 by using capillary action. The wick 24 is made of, for example, glass fiber or porous ceramic.

[0031] The load 21 is a heat generating element (i.e., a heater) that heats the aerosol source 22 without combustion, and is configured, for example, by an electric heating wire (coil) wound at a predetermined pitch. The load 21 atomizes the aerosol source 22 by heating the aerosol source 22. A heating resistor, a ceramic heater, an induction heating heater, or the like can be used as the load 21. The load 21 may be configured by an element that can atomize the aerosol source 22 without heating, such as an ultrasonic element.

[0032] The aerosol flow path 25 is provided downstream of the load 21 and on the center line of the first cartridge 20 .

[0033] As shown in Fig. 4, a first electrode portion including a plate electrode 261 and a plate electrode 262 electrically connected to the load 21 is provided at the lower end 26 of the cartridge case 27 of the first cartridge 20. The plate electrodes 261 and 262 are exposed at a surface 26s of the lower end 26. One terminal of the load 21 built into the first cartridge 20 is connected to the plate electrode 261, and the other terminal of the load 21 is connected to the plate electrode 262. The load 21 atomizes the aerosol source 22 by receiving power from the power source 12 via a total of two electrodes, namely, one electrode abutting and electrically connected to the plate electrode 261 and one electrode abutting and electrically connected to the plate electrode 262, among the protruding electrodes 411, 412, and 413 on the power source unit 10 side.

[0034] 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cartridge storage section CS as viewed from the arrow BB in FIG. 3. In FIG. 5, the surface 26s (the end surface of the bottom wall section 13ab side of the first cartridge 20) of the lower end section 26 of the first cartridge 20 that abuts against the bottom surface 13as of the cartridge storage section CS is indicated by a broken line. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the center CP1 (position of the center line) of the first cartridge 20 coincides with the center CP2 (position of the center line) of the cartridge storage section CS. The gap between the inner peripheral surface of the cartridge storage section CS and the outer peripheral surface of the first cartridge 20 is very small, and when the first cartridge 20 is stored in the cartridge storage section CS, the center CP1 and center CP2 are configured to almost coincide with each other as shown in FIG. 5.

[0035] First, the configuration of the first electrode unit provided at the lower end 26 of the first cartridge 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The plate electrode 261 included in the first electrode unit has a substantially semicircular shape with both ends of an arc connected by a straight line, and has a notch 261a at the center of the arc. The plate electrode 262 included in the first electrode unit has a substantially semicircular shape with both ends of an arc connected by a straight line, and has a notch 262a at the center of the arc. The plate electrodes 261 and 262 are arranged opposite to each other across the center CP1 of the first cartridge 20 so that the center CP1 overlaps on the straight line connecting the notch 261a and the notch 262a. The plate electrodes 261 and 262 have the same shape, and are arranged so that when one of the plate electrodes 261 and 262 is rotated 180 degrees around the center CP1, it overlaps with the other of the plate electrodes 261 and 262. In other words, the plate electrodes 261 and 262 are in a point-symmetric relationship with respect to the center CP1.

[0036] The configuration of the second electrode portion provided on the bottom wall portion 13ab of the cartridge storage portion CS will be described. FIG. 5 shows a virtual circle CR1 centered on the center CP2 of the cartridge storage portion CS. The diameter of the virtual circle CR1 is larger than the distance D1 between the plate electrodes 261 and 262. The diameter of the virtual circle CR1 is smaller than the distance D2 between the notches 261a and 262a. Note that the notches 261a and 262a are not essential in the plate electrodes 261 and 262 and can be omitted. In this case, the diameter of the virtual circle CR1 only needs to be larger than the distance D1 and smaller than the length of a line segment connecting the center CP1 and a point on the arc of the plate electrode 261.

[0037] The protruding electrodes 411, 412, and 413 included in the second electrode portion are arranged on this imaginary circle CR1 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the imaginary circle CR1. That is, the angle between the line segment connecting the protruding electrode 411 and the center CP2 and the line segment connecting the protruding electrode 412 and the center CP2 is 120 degrees, the angle between the line segment connecting the protruding electrode 412 and the center CP2 and the line segment connecting the protruding electrode 413 and the center CP2 is 120 degrees, and the angle between the line segment connecting the protruding electrode 413 and the center CP2 and the line segment connecting the protruding electrode 411 and the center CP2 is 120 degrees. Note that the protruding electrodes 411, 412, and 413 included in the second electrode portion do not have to be arranged on the imaginary circle CR1 at equal intervals. When the first cartridge 20 is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating section CS, the protruding electrodes 411, 412, and 413 should be arranged so that at least one protruding electrode abuts against the plate electrode 261 and at least one protruding electrode abuts against the plate electrode 262, regardless of the possible rotational position of the first cartridge 20.

[0038] As described above, the first cartridge 20 is rotatable in the cartridge storage unit CS. In other words, there is no restriction on the insertion posture of the first cartridge 20 into the cartridge storage unit CS (the circumferential rotational position of the first cartridge 20). Therefore, depending on how the first cartridge 20 is inserted into the cartridge storage unit CS, as shown in Figures 6 to 8, the first cartridge 20 may be stored in a state rotated more clockwise than the state shown in Figure 5.

[0039] In this embodiment, for the first electrode portion (plate electrodes 261 and 262) provided in the first cartridge 20, the cartridge storage portion CS is provided with three protruding electrodes (protruding electrodes 411, 412, and 413), which is more than the total number (=2) of plate electrodes included in the first electrode portion. The protruding electrodes 411, 412, and 413 are arranged at equal intervals on an imaginary circle CR1. For this reason, when the first cartridge 20 rotates 360 degrees about the center CP1, one or two of the protruding electrodes 411, 412, and 413 always come into contact with each of the plate electrodes 261 and 262. That is, in a state where one protruding electrode overlaps with the gap between plate electrodes 261 and 262, one of the remaining two protruding electrodes abuts on plate electrode 261, and the other of the remaining two protruding electrodes abuts on plate electrode 262, as shown in Figures 5 to 7, allowing current to flow to load 21. As shown in Figure 8, in a state where the protruding electrodes do not overlap this gap, two protruding electrodes abut on one of plate electrodes 261 and 262, and one protruding electrode abuts on the other of plate electrodes 261 and 262, allowing current to flow to load 21. In this way, the second electrode portion provided in the cartridge storage portion CS is positioned so that at least one electrode of the second electrode portion contacts each electrode of the first electrode portion regardless of the rotational position of the first cartridge 20 in the cartridge storage portion CS.

[0040] (2nd cartridge) The second cartridge 30 stores a flavor source 31. The second cartridge 30 is removably housed in a cartridge housing portion 17b provided in the mouthpiece 17.

[0041] The second cartridge 30 imparts flavor to the aerosol by passing the aerosol generated by atomizing the aerosol source 22 by the load 21 through the flavor source 31. The raw material pieces constituting the flavor source 31 may be cut tobacco or a molded product obtained by molding a tobacco raw material into a granular shape. The flavor source 31 may be made of a plant other than tobacco (e.g., mint, Chinese medicine, herbs, etc.). The flavor source 31 may be imparted with a flavoring such as menthol.

[0042] The aerosol inhaler 1 can generate a flavored aerosol by the aerosol source 22, the flavor source 31, and the load 21. In other words, the aerosol source 22 and the flavor source 31 constitute an aerosol generation source that generates a flavored aerosol.

[0043] The configuration of the aerosol generation source used in the aerosol inhaler 1 may be a configuration in which the aerosol source 22 and the flavor source 31 are separate entities, or a configuration in which the flavor source 31 is omitted and a substance that can be contained in the flavor source 31 is added to the aerosol source 22, or a configuration in which a medicine or the like is added to the aerosol source 22 instead of the flavor source 31, etc.

[0044] In the aerosol inhaler 1 configured as above, when the user inhales, the inhalation sensor 15 detects the puffing operation and inputs an aerosol generation request to the MCU 50. The MCU 50, which has received the aerosol generation request, controls the discharge from the power supply 12 to the load 21 to generate the aerosol. When the user inhales, as shown by the arrow A in FIG. 3, air flowing in from the air intake port 11i provided in the power supply unit case 11 flows into the cartridge storage section CS through the gaps formed between the through-hole 13b and the protruding electrodes 411, 412, and 413. This air flows into the first cartridge 20 through the microholes (not shown) formed in the lower end 26 of the first cartridge 20 and passes near the load 21. The load 21 atomizes the aerosol source 22 drawn from the reservoir 23 by the wick 24. The atomized aerosol generated flows through the aerosol flow path 25 together with the air flowing in from the microholes, and is supplied to the second cartridge 30 through the communication path 17c. The aerosol supplied to the second cartridge 30 is flavored by passing through a flavor source 31 and is then supplied to a mouthpiece 32 .

[0045] The aerosol inhaler 1 is provided with a notification unit 45 that notifies various information (see FIG. 2). The notification unit 45 may be composed of a light-emitting element, a vibration element, or a sound output element. The notification unit 45 may be a combination of two or more elements selected from the light-emitting element, the vibration element, and the sound output element. The notification unit 45 may be provided in any of the power supply unit 10, the first cartridge 20, and the second cartridge 30, but is preferably provided in the power supply unit 10, which is not a consumable item.

[0046] In this embodiment, an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) panel 46 and a vibrator 47 are provided as the notification unit 45. When the OLED of the OLED panel 46 emits light, various information related to the aerosol inhalator 1 is notified to the user via the display 16. Furthermore, when the vibrator 47 vibrates, various information related to the aerosol inhalator 1 is notified to the user via the power supply unit case 11. The notification unit 45 may be provided with only one of the OLED panel 46 and the vibrator 47, or may be provided with other light-emitting elements, etc. Furthermore, the information notified by the OLED panel 46 and the information notified by the vibrator 47 may be different or the same.

[0047] (Configuration of the electric circuit formed on the circuit board) 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an electric circuit formed on a circuit board 60. On the circuit board 60, a resistance measuring circuit 52, a resistance measuring circuit 53, a resistance measuring circuit 54, a current switching circuit 51, and an MCU 50 are provided.

[0048] The resistance measuring circuit 52 is connected to the salient electrodes 411 and 412, and transmits information corresponding to the electrical resistance value R1 between the salient electrodes 411 and 412 to the MCU 50. For example, the resistance measuring circuit 52 passes a minute current through the salient electrodes 411 and 412, measures the voltage between the salient electrodes 411 and 412 in this state, and transmits this voltage to the MCU 50 as information corresponding to the electrical resistance value R1. The MCU 50 acquires the electrical resistance value R1 based on this voltage.

[0049] The resistance measuring circuit 53 is connected to the salient electrodes 411 and 413, and transmits information corresponding to the electrical resistance value R2 between the salient electrodes 411 and 413 to the MCU 50. For example, the resistance measuring circuit 53 passes a minute current through the salient electrodes 411 and 413, measures the voltage between the salient electrodes 411 and 413 in this state, and transmits this voltage to the MCU 50 as information corresponding to the electrical resistance value R2. The MCU 50 acquires the electrical resistance value R2 based on this voltage.

[0050] The resistance measurement circuit 54 is connected to the salient electrodes 412 and 413, and transmits information corresponding to the electrical resistance value R3 between the salient electrodes 412 and 413 to the MCU 50. The resistance measurement circuit 54, for example, passes a minute current through the salient electrodes 412 and 413, measures the voltage between the salient electrodes 412 and 413 in this state, and transmits this voltage to the MCU 50 as information corresponding to the electrical resistance value R3. The MCU 50 obtains the electrical resistance value R3 based on this voltage. In this way, the MCU 50 functions as a resistance measurement unit that obtains the electrical resistance values ​​R1, R2, and R3 based on information from the resistance measurement circuits 52, 53, and .

[0051] In the state of Fig. 5, the electrical resistance values ​​R1 and R2 are unmeasurable, and the electrical resistance value R3 is close to the electrical resistance value of the load 21. In the state of Fig. 6, the electrical resistance values ​​R2 and R3 are unmeasurable, and the electrical resistance value R1 is close to the electrical resistance value of the load 21. In the state of Fig. 7, the electrical resistance values ​​R1 and R3 are unmeasurable, and the electrical resistance value R2 is close to the electrical resistance value of the load 21. In the state of Fig. 8, the electrical resistance value R3 is a small value, and the electrical resistance values ​​R1 and R2 are each close to the electrical resistance value of the load 21.

[0052] The current switching circuit 51 includes a switch and the like, and switches between a state in which the power supplied from the power source 12 is supplied to the electrode pair of the protruding electrodes 411 and 412, a state in which the power is supplied to the electrode pair of the protruding electrodes 412 and 413, and a state in which the power is supplied to the electrode pair of the protruding electrodes 411 and 413.

[0053] Based on the electrical resistance values ​​R1, R2, and R3, the MCU 50 determines the electrode pair to which power (including at least power for atomizing the aerosol source 22) from the power source 12 should be supplied, and controls the power switching circuit 51 so that power is supplied to the determined electrode pair.

[0054] Specifically, the MCU 50 selects an electrode pair whose inter-electrode electrical resistance value is equal to or greater than a threshold value based on the electrical resistance values ​​R1, R2, and R3. In the state of FIG. 5, the electrode pair of the salient electrodes 412 and 413 is selected. In the state of FIG. 6, the electrode pair of the salient electrodes 411 and 412 is selected. In the state of FIG. 7, the electrode pair of the salient electrodes 411 and 413 is selected. In the state of FIG. 8, either the electrode pair of the salient electrodes 411 and 412 or the electrode pair of the salient electrodes 411 and 413 is selected. When there are a plurality of electrode pairs whose inter-electrode electrical resistance value is equal to or greater than a threshold value, it is sufficient to determine in advance which electrode pair is to be preferentially selected. Alternatively, information on the current conduction record for each salient electrode may be accumulated, and an electrode pair including a salient electrode with the fewest number of times of current conduction may be selected. Alternatively, another threshold value higher than the above threshold value may be set, and an electrode pair whose electrical resistance value is less than this another threshold value may be selected from among a plurality of electrode pairs whose electrical resistance value is equal to or greater than the threshold value. Alternatively, a target value for the electrical resistance may be set, and an electrode pair in which the electrical resistance between the electrodes is closest to this target value may be selected.

[0055] (Effects of the embodiment) In the aerosol inhalator 1, the cartridge storage unit CS does not have a positioning mechanism for positioning the circumferential position of the first cartridge 20. Therefore, the first cartridge 20 can be inserted into the cartridge storage unit CS without being aware of the rotational posture of the first cartridge 20. This improves the ease of mounting the first cartridge 20 to the power supply unit 10.

[0056] Furthermore, in the aerosol inhalator 1, a second electrode section including a greater number of electrodes than the first electrode section is provided in the power supply unit 10. Therefore, regardless of the rotational posture of the first cartridge 20, electrical connection between the first cartridge 20 and the power supply unit 10 can be established, and aerosol generation can be performed in the same manner as in the conventional case.

[0057] In addition, in the aerosol inhaler 1, the electrode pair to be energized for aerosol generation is selected based on the electrical resistance value between the protruding electrodes of the second electrode unit. For example, even in any of the states of Figs. 5 to 7, the protruding electrodes in contact with each of the plate electrodes 261 and 262 can be selected and energized to generate aerosol. In addition, in the state of Fig. 8, the electrode pair of the protruding electrodes 412 and 413 in contact with the plate electrode 262 is short-circuited, but no current is applied to this electrode pair. In this way, it is possible to prevent the large power required for aerosol generation from being supplied to the short-circuited electrode pair, thereby improving safety. As described above, even if the number of electrodes included in the second electrode unit is three, appropriate two of them are selected and energized. Therefore, even without a positioning mechanism, aerosol generation can be performed safely in the same manner as in the conventional method.

[0058] The timing for the MCU 50 to acquire the electrical resistance values ​​R1, R2, and R3 is preferably from the time when the aerosol inhalator 1 is turned on by operating the operation unit 18 until the first aerosol generation request is received (in other words, during the period when the aerosol source 22 is not atomizing). In this way, the electrical resistance values ​​R1, R2, and R3 can be measured before a large amount of power for aerosol generation is supplied to the first cartridge 20, and the electrode pair to be energized in the second electrode unit can be determined. This allows the aerosol to be generated safely.

[0059] (First Modification of Cartridge Storage Section) Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing a first modified example of the cartridge accommodating section CS, and is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 5. The configuration of Figure 10 is the same as the configuration of Figure 5, except that the position of the protruding electrode 412 provided on the bottom wall portion 13ab of the cartridge accommodating section CS is different.

[0060] 10 shows an imaginary circle CR2 centered on the center CP2 of the cartridge receiving portion CS. The imaginary circle CR2 has a smaller diameter than the imaginary circle CR1 and is located inside the imaginary circle CR2. The diameter of the imaginary circle CR2 is greater than the above-mentioned distance D1. The protruding electrode 412 is disposed on this imaginary circle CR2.

[0061] In the configuration of Figure 10, the angle between the line segment connecting the projecting electrode 411 and the center CP2 and the line segment connecting the projecting electrode 412 and the center CP2 is 120 degrees, the angle between the line segment connecting the projecting electrode 412 and the center CP2 and the line segment connecting the projecting electrode 413 and the center CP2 is 120 degrees, and the angle between the line segment connecting the projecting electrode 413 and the center CP2 and the line segment connecting the projecting electrode 411 and the center CP2 is 120 degrees.

[0062] Even with the configuration as shown in Fig. 10, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the configuration of Fig. 5. Furthermore, the configuration of Fig. 10 can also be used with first cartridges 20 of different types having different structures of the first electrode portion.

[0063] For example, consider the case where a different type of first cartridge 20 having as a first electrode portion a first annular electrode that overlaps with the periphery of a virtual circle CR1 and a second annular electrode that overlaps with the periphery of a virtual circle CR2 can be accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion CS and used.

[0064] According to the configuration of FIG. 10, regardless of the state of the rotational posture of the first cartridge 20 of the different type, the first annular electrode can always be brought into contact with the protruding electrodes 411 and 413, and the second annular electrode can always be brought into contact with the protruding electrode 412. In a state in which the first annular electrode is brought into contact with the protruding electrodes 411 and 413, and the second annular electrode is brought into contact with the protruding electrodes 412 and 413, the electrical resistance value between the protruding electrodes 411 and 412 and the electrical resistance value between the protruding electrodes 412 and 413 are each equal to or greater than a threshold value, and the electrical resistance value between the protruding electrodes 411 and 413 is less than a threshold value. Therefore, the MCU 50 controls the supply of electrodes from the power source 12 to the electrode pair of the protruding electrodes 412 and 411, or the electrode pair of the protruding electrodes 412 and 413, thereby passing electricity through the first cartridge 20 of the different type to generate an aerosol. Thus, according to the configuration of FIG. 10, an aerosol inhaler 1 that can be used with various types of first cartridges 20 can be realized, and the commercial value can be increased.

[0065] In the configuration of FIG. 10, by arranging the projecting electrodes 411 and 413 point-symmetrically with respect to the center CP2, it becomes possible to distinguish whether the first cartridge 20 of the type shown in FIG. 4 or the first cartridge 20 of the different type is attached. Specifically, the MCU 50 first acquires a first electric resistance value between the projecting electrodes 411 and 413, and recognizes that the first cartridge 20 of the type shown in FIG. 4 is attached if the first electric resistance value is equal to or greater than a threshold value. If the first electric resistance value is less than the threshold value, the MCU 50 acquires a second electric resistance value between the projecting electrodes 411 and 412 or a second electric resistance value between the projecting electrodes 413 and 412, and recognizes that the first cartridge 20 of the different type is attached if the second electric resistance value is equal to or greater than a threshold value. If the second electric resistance value is less than the threshold value, the MCU 50 determines that a connection error has occurred and notifies the user. The MCU 50 may notify the user of the recognized cartridge type. The MCU 50 may also change the discharge control to the first cartridge 20 according to the cartridge type. In this way, by allowing different types of cartridges to be used and performing optimal control according to the cartridge type, the commercial value of the aerosol inhalator 1 can be increased.

[0066] (Second Modification of Cartridge Storage Section) Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a second modified example of the cartridge holding section CS, and is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 5. The configuration in Fig. 11 is the same as the configuration in Fig. 5, except that the positions of the protruding electrodes 411, 412, 413 provided on the bottom wall portion 13ab of the cartridge holding section CS are different, and that a protruding electrode 414 is additionally provided on this bottom wall portion 13ab. The imaginary circle CR2 shown in Fig. 11 is the same as the imaginary circle CR2 shown in Fig. 10.

[0067] 11, the projecting electrodes 411 and 413 are arranged at equal intervals on an imaginary circle CR1, and the projecting electrodes 412 and 414 are arranged at equal intervals on an imaginary circle CR2. In the configuration of Fig. 11, the angle formed by the two line segments connecting each of the projecting electrodes 411, 412 to the center CP2, the angle formed by the two line segments connecting each of the projecting electrodes 412, 413 to the center CP2, the angle formed by the two line segments connecting each of the projecting electrodes 413, 414 to the center CP2, and the angle formed by the two line segments connecting each of the projecting electrodes 414, 411 to the center CP2 are all 90 degrees.

[0068] 11 is employed, the MCU 50 acquires the electric resistance value between the electrodes of the electrode pair of the protruding electrodes 411 and 412, the electric resistance value between the electrodes of the electrode pair of the protruding electrodes 411 and 413, the electric resistance value between the electrodes of the electrode pair of the protruding electrodes 411 and 414, the electric resistance value between the electrodes of the electrode pair of the protruding electrodes 412 and 413, the electric resistance value between the electrodes of the electrode pair of the protruding electrodes 412 and 414, and the electric resistance value between the electrodes of the electrode pair of the protruding electrodes 413 and 414. Then, the MCU 50 selects one electrode pair whose acquired electric resistance value is equal to or greater than a threshold value, and controls the supply of power from the power source 12 to that electrode pair.

[0069] Even with the configuration as shown in FIG. 11, the same effect as the configurations of FIG. 5 and FIG. 10 can be obtained. In addition, in the configuration of FIG. 11, the number of projecting electrodes included in the second electrode portion is greater than that in the configurations of FIG. 5 and FIG. 10. Therefore, it is possible to have a high probability of having a plurality of electrode pairs whose electrical resistance value is equal to or greater than the threshold value. Therefore, for example, it is easy to select electrode pairs so that each projecting electrode is used for even current flow, and the durability of the second electrode portion can be improved. In addition, according to the configuration of FIG. 11, the projecting electrodes 411 and 413 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center CP2, and the projecting electrodes 412 and 414 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center CP2, so that the first cartridge 20 of the type shown in FIG. 4 can be distinguished from the first cartridge 20 of the other type, and the commercial value can be improved.

[0070] In the configuration of FIG. 11, the projecting electrodes 411, 412, 413, and 414 may be disposed at equal intervals on either the imaginary circle CR1 or the imaginary circle CR2.

[0071] (Third Modification of Cartridge Storage Section) Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a third modified example of the cartridge receiving section CS, and is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 5. The configuration in Fig. 12 is the same as the configuration in Fig. 11, except that the positions of the protruding electrodes 411, 414 are changed.

[0072] 12, the protruding electrode 411 is disposed on an imaginary circle CR2, and the protruding electrode 414 is disposed on an imaginary circle CR1. In the configuration of Fig. 12, the angle formed by the two line segments connecting each of the protruding electrodes 411, 412 and the center CP2, the angle formed by the two line segments connecting each of the protruding electrodes 412, 413 and the center CP2, the angle formed by the two line segments connecting each of the protruding electrodes 413, 414 and the center CP2, and the angle formed by the two line segments connecting each of the protruding electrodes 414, 411 and the center CP2 are all 90 degrees.

[0073] Even with the configuration in FIG. 12, the same effects as those of the configuration in FIG. 11 can be obtained.

[0074] In the configuration of FIG. 10 described above, the position of the protruding electrode 412 may be changed to the center CP2. In addition, in the configurations of FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the position of the protruding electrode 412 or the protruding electrode 414 may be changed to the center CP2. Assuming that the first cartridge 20 is a second different type having a first electrode part in which a circular electrode is arranged at the center CP1 and an annular electrode is arranged on a virtual circle CR1. According to the configuration of FIG. 10 in which the position of the protruding electrode 412 is changed to the center CP2, or the configuration of FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 in which the position of the protruding electrode 412 or the protruding electrode 414 is changed to the center CP2, it is possible to correspond to both the first cartridge 20 of the type shown in FIG. 4 and the first cartridge 20 of the second different type by selecting the electrode pair to be energized based on the electrical resistance value between the electrode pair. In addition, it is possible to identify the type based on the electrical resistance value between the electrode pair.

[0075] (Fourth Modification of Cartridge Storage Section) Figure 13 is a diagram showing a fourth modified example of the cartridge storage section CS, and is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 3. The configuration of Figure 13 is the same as the configuration of Figure 3, except that an annular member 131 is provided on the bottom wall portion 13ab.

[0076] Fig. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the bottom wall portion 13ab of the cartridge accommodating portion CS in Fig. 13.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 15, the bottom surface 13as of the cartridge storage section CS is formed with an annular recess 130 having a shape that follows the outer periphery of the bottom wall section 13ab. The annular recess 130 is formed to surround an area in which the through holes 13b through which the protruding electrodes 411, 412, and 413 are respectively formed. The annular member 131 is disposed in the annular recess 130 in a non-fixed state. The non-fixed state refers to a state different from a state in which the annular recess 130 and the annular member 131 are firmly fixed by adhesion, press-fitting, or the like, and refers to a state in which the annular member 131 can be removed from the annular recess 130. The annular member 131 is fitted into the annular recess 130 in a state in which it can rotate in the annular recess 130 when a strong force is applied in the circumferential direction.

[0078] The annular member 131 is a flexible member made of a soft material such as urethane, silicon, resin, or rubber. The annular member 131 is made of a material having a rigidity sufficiently lower than that of the lower end portion 26 of the first cartridge 20. The static friction coefficient between the surface 26s of the lower end portion 26 of the first cartridge 20 and the annular member 131 is set to a value large enough to prevent the first cartridge 20 from rotating inside the cartridge storage portion CS.

[0079] 14, the annular member 131 has an inner diameter smaller than the diameter of the first cartridge 20 and is configured to be in contact with the surface 26s of the first cartridge 20 along its circumferential direction. In addition, it is preferable that the vertical height of the annular member 131 is greater than the vertical depth of the annular recess 130. It is more preferable that the upper surface of the annular member 131 is located between the tips of the protruding electrodes 411, 412, 413 and the bottom surface 13as of the cartridge storage section CS.

[0080] 14 and 15, the annular member 131 is embedded in the bottom wall 13ab in a state where it is exposed inside the cartridge storage unit CS. Therefore, even if a force that rotates the first cartridge 20 in the circumferential direction is applied to the first cartridge 20 while the first cartridge 20 is stored in the cartridge storage unit CS, the rotation of the first cartridge 20 due to the force is suppressed by the frictional force between the annular member 131 and the first cartridge 20. By suppressing the rotation of the first cartridge 20 in this manner, it is possible to prevent wear of the first cartridge 20 and the cartridge storage unit CS due to friction.

[0081] Furthermore, by restricting the rotation of the first cartridge 20, it is possible to prevent a short circuit and improve safety. For example, in the state shown in Fig. 8, electricity is passed through the first cartridge 20 by using, for example, the protruding electrodes 411 and 412. If the first cartridge 20 rotates during this passage of electricity and the protruding electrode 412 comes into contact with the plate electrode 261, a short circuit will occur. By restricting the rotation of the first cartridge 20, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of such a short circuit.

[0082] 14 and 15, the annular member 131 is disposed in a non-adhered state on the bottom wall 13ab of the cartridge storage unit CS. Therefore, a gap is formed between the annular member 131 and the bottom wall 13ab of the cartridge storage unit CS. The aerosol source 22 leaking from the first cartridge 20 can be collected by the capillary force of this gap. As a result, the aerosol source 22 can be prevented from entering the area where the protruding electrode and the plate electrode are disposed, and durability and safety can be improved.

[0083] 14 and 15, the annular member 131 has a function of suppressing rotation of the first cartridge 20. However, any configuration may be used as long as it can generate frictional force between the bottom wall portion 13ab and the first cartridge 20. For example, instead of the annular member 131, a configuration in which a plurality of arc-shaped flexible members are disposed in the annular recess 130 may be used.

[0084] (Preferable aspect of the cartridge storage section of the fourth modified example) Below, we will explain preferred aspects of the cartridge receiving section CS shown in Figures 14 and 15. The preferred aspects shown below can be combined as appropriate.

[0085] It is preferable that a part or the whole of the surface (upper surface 131sa (see FIG. 15)) of the annular member 131 facing the first cartridge 20 is an uneven surface. By configuring it in this way, the static friction coefficient between the annular member 131 and the first cartridge 20 can be increased, and the rotation suppression effect of the first cartridge 20 can be strengthened.

[0086] It is preferable that a part or the whole of the surface (lower surface 131sb (see FIG. 15)) of the annular member 131 on the bottom wall portion 13ab side is an uneven surface. With such a configuration, it is possible to increase the static friction coefficient between the annular member 131 and the bottom surface 130b of the annular recess 130, and it is possible to prevent the annular member 131 from rotating. In addition, the unevenness of the lower surface 131sb of the annular member 131 increases the capillary force, and the collection effect of the aerosol source 22 can be strengthened.

[0087] It is preferable that a part or the whole of the bottom surface 130b of the annular recess 130 is an uneven surface. With such a configuration, it is possible to increase the static friction coefficient between the annular member 131 and the bottom surface 130b, and to prevent the annular member 131 from rotating. In addition, the unevenness of the bottom surface 130b increases the capillary force, and the collection effect of the aerosol source 22 can be enhanced.

[0088] Figure 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the cross section taken along the CC arrow in Figure 14. This modified example differs from the cartridge storage section CS in Figures 14 and 15 in that at least one recess 131b is formed in the lower surface 131sb of the annular member 131, and that protrusions 130c that engage with each recess 131b of the annular member 131 are formed in the bottom surface 130b of the annular recess 130. The recess 131b and the protrusion 130c that engages therewith are each, for example, cylindrical or rectangular parallelepiped in shape.

[0089] According to the configuration in FIG. 16, the annular member 131 and the bottom wall portion 13ab of the cartridge storage portion CS are engaged with each other by the recessed portion 131b and the protruding portion 130c. This makes it possible to prevent the annular member 131 from rotating. The same effect can be obtained by forming a protruding portion on the lower surface 131sb of the annular member 131 and forming a recess that engages with this protruding portion on the bottom surface 130b of the annular recess 130. To increase the engagement force, it is preferable that multiple pairs of recessed portion 131b and protruding portion 130c are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction.

[0090] Fig. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another modified example of the cross section taken along the CC arrow in Fig. 14. This modified example differs from the cartridge storage section CS in Figs. 14 and 15 in that at least one recess 131a is formed on the outer peripheral side surface 131sc of the annular member 131, and that protrusions 130a that engage with each recess 131a of the annular member 131 are formed on a wall surface 130s facing the outer peripheral side surface 131sc in the annular recess 130. The recess 131a and the protrusion 130a that engages therewith are each, for example, cylindrical, rectangular, annular, or the like.

[0091] 17, the annular member 131 and the wall surface 130s of the cartridge storage section CS are engaged with each other by the recessed portion 131a and the protruding portion 130a. This makes it possible to restrict the annular member 131 from moving up and down. This makes it possible to prevent the annular member 131 from being lifted up by the aerosol source 22 captured between the annular member 131 and the bottom surface 130b of the annular recess 130.

[0092] The same effect can be obtained by forming a convex portion on the outer peripheral side surface 131sc of the annular member 131 and forming a concave portion that engages with the convex portion on the wall surface 130s of the annular concave portion 130. In order to effectively prevent the annular member 131 from floating up, it is preferable that the concave portion 131a and the convex portion 130a each have an annular shape along the circumferential direction.

[0093] Moreover, a convex portion or a concave portion may be formed on the inner peripheral side surface 131sd of the annular member 131, and a concave portion or a convex portion that engages with the convex portion or the concave portion may be provided on the wall surface of the annular recess 130 that faces the inner peripheral side surface 131sd. This configuration also makes it possible to prevent the annular member 131 from floating up.

[0094] In the aerosol inhalator 1 of the embodiment and its modified example described above, two electrodes (plate electrodes 261, 262) are provided in the first cartridge 20. However, the number of electrodes provided in the first cartridge 20 is not limited to two.

[0095] For example, a heater for heating the flavor source 31 may be added to the first cartridge 20, and two electrodes for energizing the heater and two electrodes for energizing the load 21 may be provided in the first cartridge 20, totaling four electrodes. Alternatively, two heaters for heating the aerosol source 22 may be provided in the first cartridge 20, and a total of four electrodes for energizing each of the two heaters may be provided in the first cartridge 20.

[0096] In these configurations, the number of protruding electrodes provided in the cartridge storage section CS may be set to 5 or more, which is more than 4. In this way, regardless of the rotational position of the first cartridge 20, the electrodes included in the first electrode section can be brought into contact with the electrodes included in the second electrode section, and electricity can be individually applied to the two heaters of the first cartridge 20.

[0097] In the aerosol inhalator 1, it is preferable that at least a part of the area that may come into contact with the annular member 131 on the surface 26s of the lower end portion 26 of the first cartridge 20 is made uneven. In this way, the rotation suppression effect of the annular member 131 and the capillary force can be increased.

[0098] In the above description, the upper end opening of the cartridge storage section CS is closed by the second cartridge 30. However, for example, it is also possible to configure the second cartridge 30 to be attached from the upper end surface side and the first cartridge 20 to be attached from the lower end surface side to the power supply unit case 11 of the aerosol inhaler 1 in FIG. 1. In this case, after the first cartridge 20 is inserted into the cartridge holder 14, for example, a lid portion provided on the lower end surface of the power supply unit case 11 is closed to close the lower end opening of the cartridge holder 14. In this configuration, for example, a second electrode portion may be provided on the lid portion so that the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion are electrically connected when the lid portion is closed. In this configuration, the cartridge holder 14 and the lid portion form a storage section that stores the first cartridge 20.

[0099] This specification describes at least the following items. Note that, in parentheses, components corresponding to those in the above-mentioned embodiment are shown, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0100] (1) The aerosol source (aerosol source 22) is stored in a columnar cartridge (first cartridge 20) in a state in which the cartridge can rotate 360 ​​degrees in a circumferential direction. A rotation suppressing portion (annular member 131) is provided on the bottom (bottom wall portion 13ab) of the storage portion to generate a frictional force between the storage portion and the cartridge and suppress rotation of the cartridge in the circumferential direction. A power supply unit (power supply unit 10) of an aerosol generating device (aerosol inhaler 1).

[0101] According to (1), the rotation suppressing portion can prevent the cartridge from rotating slightly inside the housing due to shocks, vibrations, etc. applied to the power supply unit. By suppressing the rotation of the cartridge, wear on the cartridge and the housing can be prevented. In addition, when an electrical connection is made between the cartridge and the bottom of the housing, a short circuit caused by the rotation of the cartridge can be prevented.

[0102] (2) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to (1), The rotation suppressing portion is constituted by an annular member (annular member 131) along the outer periphery of the bottom portion. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0103] According to (2), since the rotation suppressing portion is formed of an annular member, it is possible to increase the frictional force generated between the rotation suppressing portion and the cartridge when the cartridge rotates, thereby enhancing the effect of suppressing the rotation of the cartridge.

[0104] (3) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to (2), The annular member is made of a flexible material. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0105] According to (3), the function of the rotation suppressing portion can be easily realized, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0106] (4) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to (3), At least a part of the surface (upper surface 131sa) of the annular member on the cartridge side is an uneven surface. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0107] According to (4), the uneven surface of the annular member can increase the frictional force against the cartridge, thereby enhancing the effect of suppressing the rotation of the cartridge.

[0108] (5) A power supply unit of the aerosol generating device according to any one of (2) to (4), The annular member is disposed in a non-adherent state on the bottom of the housing portion. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0109] According to (5), a gap is formed between the annular member and the bottom of the container, so that the aerosol source leaking from the cartridge can be collected by the capillary force of this gap.

[0110] (6) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to (5), At least a part of the surface (lower surface 131sb) of the bottom side of the housing portion of the annular member is an uneven surface. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0111] According to (6), the uneven surface on the bottom side of the annular member can suppress the rotation of the annular member itself. In addition, this uneven surface enhances the effect of collecting the aerosol source by capillary force.

[0112] (7) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to (5) or (6), A first engagement recess (recess 131b) is formed on the bottom surface of the annular member, A convex portion (convex portion 130c) that engages with the first engagement recess of the annular member is formed in an area of ​​the bottom of the housing portion that faces the annular member. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0113] According to (7), the annular member and the bottom of the accommodation portion are engaged with each other by the first engaging recess and protrusion, so that the annular member itself can be prevented from rotating.

[0114] (8) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to (5) or (6), A first engagement protrusion is formed on the bottom surface of the annular member, A recess that engages with the first engagement protrusion of the annular member is formed in an area of ​​the bottom of the accommodation portion that faces the annular member. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0115] According to (8), since the annular member and the bottom of the accommodation portion are engaged with each other by the first engaging protrusion and recess, it is possible to prevent the annular member itself from rotating.

[0116] (9) A power supply unit of the aerosol generating device according to any one of (5) to (8), A second engagement recess (recess 131a) is provided on the peripheral side surface (the outer peripheral side surface 131sc or the inner peripheral side surface) of the annular member, The accommodation portion is provided with a protrusion (protrusion 130a) that engages with the second engagement recess. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0117] According to (9), the axial movement of the annular member can be restricted by the engagement force between the second engagement recess and the projection of the storage part, and therefore, the annular member can be prevented from being lifted up by the aerosol source captured between the annular member and the storage part by this engagement force. (10) A power supply unit of the aerosol generating device according to any one of (5) to (8), A second engagement protrusion is provided on the peripheral side surface (the outer peripheral side surface 131sc or the inner peripheral side surface) of the annular member, The housing portion is provided with a recess that engages with the second engagement protrusion. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0118] According to (10), the axial movement of the annular member can be restricted by the engagement force between the second engagement protrusion and the recess of the storage part, and therefore, the annular member can be prevented from being lifted up by the aerosol source trapped between the annular member and the storage part by this engagement force.

[0119] (11) A power supply unit of the aerosol generating device according to any one of (1) to (10); The cartridge, The end surface (lower end surface 26) of the bottom side of the storage portion of the cartridge is formed with projections and recesses. Aerosol generating device.

[0120] According to (11), a frictional force can be generated between the cartridge and the storage part by the unevenness of the cartridge. This frictional force and the frictional force by the rotation suppressing part can firmly prevent the cartridge from rotating in the storage part. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 1 Aerosol Aspirator 20 First Cartridge 22 Aerosol Sources CS cartridge storage area 131 Annular member

Claims

1. a cylindrical storage section with a bottom that stores a columnar cartridge that stores an aerosol source in a state in which the columnar cartridge can rotate 360 ​​degrees in a circumferential direction of the cartridge; a rotation suppressing portion that generates a frictional force between the cartridge and the bottom of the housing portion and suppresses rotation of the cartridge in the circumferential direction; Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

2. A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to claim 1, The rotation suppressing portion is constituted by an annular member along the outer periphery of the bottom portion. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

3. A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to claim 2, The annular member is made of a flexible material. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

4. A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to claim 3, At least a part of the surface of the annular member facing the cartridge is an uneven surface. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

5. A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The annular member is disposed in a non-adherent state on the bottom of the housing portion. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

6. A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to claim 5, At least a portion of the bottom surface of the annular member is an uneven surface. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

7. A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to claim 5 or 6, A first engagement recess is formed on the bottom surface of the annular member, A convex portion that engages with the first engagement concave portion of the annular member is formed in an area of ​​the bottom of the accommodation portion that faces the annular member. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

8. A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to claim 5 or 6, A first engagement protrusion is formed on the bottom surface of the annular member, A recess that engages with the first engagement protrusion of the annular member is formed in an area of ​​the bottom of the accommodation portion that faces the annular member. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

9. A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, A second engagement recess is provided on the peripheral surface of the annular member, The housing portion is provided with a protrusion that engages with the second engagement recess. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

10. A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, A second engagement protrusion is provided on the peripheral surface of the annular member, The housing portion is provided with a recess that engages with the second engagement protrusion. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

11. A power supply unit of the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 10; The cartridge, The end surface of the bottom side of the housing portion of the cartridge is formed with projections and recesses. Aerosol generating device.

Images