Main unit of aerosol generating device, aerosol generating device, and non-combustion type inhaler

Abstract

This body unit for an aerosol generation device comprises a casing part having a cartridge accommodation space provided in the interior. The casing part has a pair of main surface parts, a peripheral wall part that connects the pair of main surface parts and is provided with a plurality of corner parts, a first air inlet that draws air into the cartridge accommodation space from between the pair of main surface parts or from between adjacent corner parts of the peripheral wall part, and a second air inlet that draws air into the cartridge accommodation space from the corner parts of the peripheral wall part.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a main unit of an aerosol generating device, an aerosol generating device, and a non-combustion inhaler. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, non-combustion inhalers that inhale an aerosol and taste a flavor have been known. For example, one such non-combustion inhaler includes a cartridge that contains an aerosol source, a main unit of an aerosol generating device that contains the cartridge in an insertable and removable manner, and a flavor source container that imparts a flavor to the aerosol atomized by the main unit.

[0003] A known example of this non-combustion inhaler is the electronic smoking article described in Patent Document 1. This electronic smoking article is provided with a plurality of air inlets that take in air (outside air) on the circumferential surface of a cylindrical outer housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2015 / 013327 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, since multiple air inlets are provided, even if some of them are blocked by the user's fingers, etc., suction puffing is possible. However, when the circumferential surface of the outer housing is gripped by the palm of the user's hand, all of the air inlets may be blocked. In that case, the air flow resistance inside the outer housing increases, making suction puffing difficult.

[0006] The present invention aims to reduce clogging of the air inlet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a main unit of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a housing portion having a cartridge accommodating space therein, and the housing portion has a pair of main surface portions, a peripheral wall portion connecting the pair of main surface portions and having a plurality of corners, a first air inlet that takes in air into the cartridge accommodating space from the pair of main surface portions or between adjacent corners of the peripheral wall portion, and a second air inlet that takes in air into the cartridge accommodating space from the corners of the peripheral wall portion. According to this embodiment, since the first air inlet and the second air inlet are located at completely different positions, it becomes difficult to block both the first air inlet and the second air inlet.

[0008] In the main body unit of the above-mentioned aerosol generating device, the housing portion includes an inner case and an outer case that covers the inner case and has an exposed portion that exposes a part of the inner case at the corner, and the second air inlet may be formed in the gap between the inner case and the outer case at the exposed portion. According to this aspect, the second air inlet is formed in the gap between the inner case and the outer case exposed at the corner of the housing, and has a completely different shape from the first air inlet formed other than at the corner of the housing, making it difficult to block both the first air inlet and the second air inlet.

[0009] In the main body unit of the above-mentioned aerosol generating device, the edge of the exposed portion may be curved. According to this aspect, since the edge of the exposed portion is curved rather than straight, the second air inlet is less likely to be completely blocked even if the user touches it with his or her finger.

[0010] In the main body unit of the above-mentioned aerosol generation device, the housing portion may have a protrusion portion around the second air inlet. According to this aspect, even if a user's finger touches the periphery of the second air inlet, the protruding portion around the exposed portion acts as a step, forming a gap between the user's finger and the second air inlet, making it difficult for the second air inlet to become blocked.

[0011] In the main body unit of the above-mentioned aerosol generation device, the housing portion may have a protrusion portion around the second air inlet, and the protrusion portion may be formed by the outer case. According to this aspect, since the protrusion around the exposed portion is formed integrally with the outer case, the protrusion can be easily formed.

[0012] In the main body unit of the above-mentioned aerosol generating device, the housing portion has a communication hole communicating with the cartridge accommodating space, a first air flow path connecting the first air inlet and the communication hole, and a second air flow path connecting the second air inlet and the communication hole, and the first air flow path may have a smaller air resistance than the second air flow path. According to this aspect, since more air flows through the first air flow path than through the second air flow path, the first air inlet can be used as a main air inlet and the second air inlet can be used as a sub air inlet.

[0013] In the main body unit of the above-mentioned aerosol generation device, the first air flow path may have a flow path length to the communication hole shorter than that of the second air flow path. According to this aspect, the first air flow path has a smaller airflow resistance than the second air flow path, making it easier to draw air from the first air inlet which serves as the main air flow path.

[0014] In the main body unit of the above-mentioned aerosol generation device, the communication hole may have a flow path cross-sectional area smaller than both of the first air inlet and the second air inlet. According to this aspect, even if either the first air inlet or the second air inlet is blocked, the flow path cross-sectional area is ultimately narrowed at the communicating hole, so that the flow rate and flow velocity of the air sucked into the cartridge accommodating space can be kept almost constant.

[0015] In the main body unit of the above-mentioned aerosol generating device, the housing portion may include an opening formed between adjacent corner portions of the peripheral wall portion and a cover member provided on the opening, and the first air inlet may be formed in the gap between the cover member and the opening. According to this aspect, since the first air inlet is formed in the gap between the opening of the housing part and the cover member provided at the opening, the first air inlet is less likely to be blocked by a finger.

[0016] An aerosol generating device according to one aspect of the present invention includes the main unit described above, and a cartridge that houses an aerosol source and is inserted into the cartridge housing space of the main unit. According to this aspect, since the above-mentioned main unit is incorporated, complete blockage of the air inlet by the user can be suppressed.

[0017] A non-combustion inhaler according to one aspect of the present invention includes the aerosol generating device described above and a flavor source container attached to the aerosol generating device. According to this embodiment, a flavor can be added to the aerosol. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, clogging of the air inlet can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a left perspective view of the inhaler according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a right perspective view of the aspirator according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the inhaler according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the aspirator according to one embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the aspirator according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the aspirator according to the embodiment, seen from the bottom side. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a mouthpiece according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 5. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a main unit according to one embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an inner assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a heating module according to one embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge accommodating lid according to the embodiment; [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a cartridge accommodating lid according to one embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view of a cartridge accommodating lid according to one embodiment. [Figure 16] 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the cartridge housing lid according to the embodiment is unlocked. FIG. [Figure 17] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the cartridge housing lid is opened by a second biasing member according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the inhaler according to one embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the inhaler according to the embodiment with the outer case removed. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cover member according to one embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the cover member according to one embodiment. [Figure 22] XXII-XXII sectional view shown in FIG. 3. [Diagram 23] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of an area A shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A non-combustion type aspirator (hereinafter simply referred to as an aspirator) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0021] [Suction device] FIG. 1 is a left perspective view of an aspirator 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a right perspective view of an aspirator 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view of an aspirator 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of an aspirator 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of an aspirator 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an aspirator 1 according to an embodiment as viewed from the bottom side. The inhaler 1 is a so-called non-combustion type inhaler, which obtains flavor by inhaling an aerosol atomized by heating through a flavor source.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 6, the inhaler 1 includes a main unit 2, a cartridge 3 (also called an atomization unit), a flavor source container 4, and a mouthpiece 5. The cartridge 3 is removably housed in a cartridge housing portion 10 of the main unit 2. The flavor source container 4 is detachably attached to a heating module 11 of the main unit 2. The mouthpiece 5 is detachably attached to the flavor source container 4.

[0023] The main unit 2 includes a housing 12. The housing 12 is formed into a generally rounded, flat box shape. The housing 12 has a pair of main surface portions 12A and a peripheral wall portion 12B. Here, the "pair" of main surface portions 12A means that one main surface portion (first main surface portion 12A1) and the other main surface portion (second main surface portion 12A2) are arranged opposite each other, and is not limited to the meaning that the first main surface portion 12A1 and the second main surface portion 12A2 are identical in shape even in the details.

[0024] The pair of main surface portions 12A refer to portions that form a pair of opposing faces of the hexahedron (the faces with the largest area in this embodiment) when the housing portion 12 is hypothesized as a hexahedron surrounded by six rectangles. The peripheral wall portion 12B refers to portions that form the remaining four faces of the hexahedron excluding the pair of main surface portions 12A. The peripheral wall portion 12B is also referred to as a portion that connects the peripheries of the pair of main surface portions 12A that are arranged opposite each other.

[0025] 1, the housing 12 includes an outer case 13, a display cover 14, and an inner case 20. The outer case 13 is formed by combining a first case 13A and a second case 13B. The first case 13A has a first main surface 12A1 and a first peripheral wall 12B1 provided on the periphery of the first main surface 12A1. The second case 13B has a second main surface 12A2 and a second peripheral wall 12B2 provided on the periphery of the second main surface 12A2.

[0026] The first peripheral wall portion 12B1 of the first case 13A, the second peripheral wall portion 12B2 of the second case 13B, the display cover 14, and the inner case 20 form the peripheral wall portion 12B. The peripheral wall portion 12B has a mating surface between the first peripheral wall portion 12B1 of the first case 13A and the second peripheral wall portion 12B2 of the second case 13B.

[0027] The peripheral wall portion 12B has four corner portions 12C (corner portions) formed thereon, as shown in Fig. 3. The four corner portions 12C include a first corner portion 12C1 where the heating module 11 is disposed, a second corner portion 12C2 where the opening portion of the cartridge storage portion 10 (see Fig. 6) is disposed, a third corner portion 12C3 where the charging terminal 21 (see Fig. 5) is disposed, and a fourth corner portion 12C4 where the input device 15 (see Fig. 2) is disposed.

[0028] 2, the display cover 14 is provided from the heating module 11 arranged at the first corner 12C1 to the fourth corner 12C4. The display cover 14 is formed with a through hole 14a in which an input device 15 (push button) is arranged. The outer surface of the display cover 14 is lower than the outer surface of the outer case 13. In other words, the input device 15 is arranged in a recess.

[0029] The input device 15 may be disposed at a position below the outer surface of the outer case 13. In other words, it is sufficient that at least a part of the input device 15 is disposed at a position below the outer surface of the outer case 13. It is preferable that the entire input device 15 is disposed at a position below the outer surface of the outer case 13. In other words, it is preferable that the contact detection portion (button surface) of the input device 15 is disposed at a position that does not reach the outer surface of the outer case 13.

[0030] 1, a window 16 is provided between a first corner 12C1 and a second corner 12C2 of the peripheral wall 12B. The remaining amount of liquid in the aerosol source of the cartridge 3 housed inside the cartridge housing 10 can be confirmed through the window 16. The window 16 is formed by an opening 13a provided in the outer case 13 and a cover member 17 that covers the opening 13a. A first air inlet 18A (described later) that takes in air (outside air) into the housing 12 is provided in the gap between the opening 13a and the cover member 17.

[0031] The outer case 13 has an exposed portion 13b that exposes a part of the inner case 20 at the second corner 12C2. A second air inlet 18B (described later) that takes in air (outside air) into the housing 12 is provided in the gap between the inner case 20 and the outer case 13 at the exposed portion 13b. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer case 13 also has an exposed portion 13b that exposes a part of the inner case 20 at the third corner 12C3, but the second air inlet 18B is not provided at the third corner 12C3.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 6, an opening of the cartridge accommodating section 10 is provided at the second corner 12C2. The opening of the cartridge accommodating section 10 can be opened and closed by a cartridge accommodating lid 100 (described later) provided at the bottom of the housing section 12 (inner case 20). As shown in Fig. 5, a charging terminal 21 is provided at the third corner 12C3. The inner case 20 has an opening 20a that exposes the charging terminal 21.

[0033] In the following description, of the pair of principal surfaces 12A (first principal surface 12A1, second principal surface 12A2), the side on which the first principal surface 12A1 is arranged is referred to as the front side, and the side on which the second principal surface 12A2 is arranged is referred to as the rear side. In addition, in the plan view shown in FIG. 4, the side on which the heating module 11 is arranged is referred to as the left side, and the side on which the input device 15 is arranged is referred to as the right side. The heating module 11 protrudes from the housing 12 as shown in FIG. 3. 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.

[0034] In the drawings, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is set, and the positional relationship of each member may be described with reference to this XYZ orthogonal coordinate system. The X-axis direction is the front-rear direction (also called the thickness direction) of the aspirator 1, the Y-axis direction is the left-right direction (also called the width direction) of the aspirator 1, and the Z-axis direction is the up-down direction (also called the height direction) of the aspirator 1.

[0035] That is, the first corner 12C1 (heating module 11) is disposed at the upper left of the housing 12. The second corner 12C2 (cartridge storage section 10) is disposed at the lower left of the housing 12. The third corner 12C3 (charging terminal 21) is disposed at the lower right of the housing 12. The fourth corner 12C4 is disposed at the upper right of the housing 12. In addition, the first corner 12C1 (heating module 11) and the third corner 12C3 (charging terminal 21) are disposed on a diagonal of the housing 12. The second corner 12C2 (cartridge storage section 10) and the fourth corner 12C4 (input device 15) are disposed on a diagonal of the housing 12.

[0036] Furthermore, the positional relationship of each member may be described based on the main axis O of the cartridge accommodating part 10. The main axis O is the central axis of the cylindrical cartridge accommodating part 10. The direction in which the main axis O extends is sometimes referred to as the axial direction (the Z-axis direction described above), the direction perpendicular to the main axis O is sometimes referred to as the radial direction, and the direction going around the main axis O is sometimes referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0037] <Flavour source container> The flavor source container 4 (also called a tobacco capsule) shown in FIG. 6 contains a flavor source and adds flavor to the aerosol atomized by the cartridge 3. As the raw material pieces constituting the flavor source, cut tobacco or a molded product formed by shaping tobacco raw material into particles can be used. The flavor source may also be composed of plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint, Chinese medicine, herbs, etc.). The flavor source may also be imparted with a flavoring such as menthol. Furthermore, the flavor source may be a flavoring supported by a plant-derived support (such as cellulose) or other support (including an inorganic support). The flavor source container 4 is attached to the heating module 11 of the main unit 2.

[0038] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII shown in FIG. 7, the flavor source container 4 includes a cylindrical container body 41 with a bottom, and a filter 42 that covers the opening of the container body 41. A peripheral wall 41a of the container body 41 is inserted into the inside of the capsule holder 61 of the heating module 11. An upper side of the peripheral wall 41a of the container body 41 protrudes from the capsule holder 61. A mouthpiece 5 is attached to the upper side of the peripheral wall 41a.

[0039] A flange portion 41b is provided in an annular shape on the outer surface of the peripheral wall 41a, extending radially outward. The flange portion 41b abuts against the upper end opening edge of the capsule holder 61 in the axial direction (Z-axis direction). A flavor source storage chamber 41c is formed inside the peripheral wall 41a of the container body 41. A plurality of fine holes 41e are formed in the bottom wall 41d of the container body 41, penetrating in the axial direction.

[0040] The filter 42 is formed of, for example, a nonwoven fabric. The filter 42 is disposed inside the peripheral wall 41a of the container body 41. The filter 42 closes the opening of the container body 41, and a flavor source storage chamber 41c is formed inside the flavor source container 4. The flavor source described above is stored in the flavor source storage chamber 41c.

[0041] <Mouthpiece> FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a mouthpiece 5 according to one embodiment. 8, the mouthpiece 5 includes a tubular suction mouth portion 51 that the user holds in his / her mouth, and a suction mouth base portion 52 to which the suction mouth portion 51 is attached. The suction mouth portion 51 is a soft resin molded body made of a resin material such as silicone resin. The suction mouth base portion 52 is a hard resin molded body made of a resin material such as polypropylene resin.

[0042] 7, the mouth base 52 includes an insertion tube portion 52a inserted inside the mouth portion 51, and an outer fitting tube portion 52b connected to the lower end of the insertion tube portion 52a and fitted onto the flavor source container 4. A step is formed on the outer surface between the insertion tube portion 52a and the outer fitting tube portion 52b, and an annular groove 52c recessed axially downward (-Z side) is formed on the upper surface of this step. An insertion portion 51a is formed at the lower end of the mouth portion 51 to be inserted into the annular groove 52c.

[0043] <Cartridge> 6 stores a liquid aerosol source and atomizes the liquid aerosol source. The cartridge 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is accommodated inside the housing 12 through a cartridge accommodation section 10 provided at the bottom of the housing 12.

[0044] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 9, the cartridge 3 includes a tank 31, a gasket 32, a mesh body 33, an atomizing container 34, a heating unit 35, and a heater holder 36. The tank 31 stores the aerosol source. The tank 31 is translucent, and the remaining amount of liquid in the aerosol source can be confirmed.

[0045] Here, "translucency" refers to the property of a material through which light passes, and includes "transparency," which has an extremely high transmittance and allows the viewer to see through the material to the other side, as well as a property that allows light to pass through like "transparent," but unlike "transparent," the transmitted light is diffused or has a low transmittance, so the shape of the other side cannot be clearly recognized through the material. In other words, even frosted glass and milky white plastic can be translucent.

[0046] The tank 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top. A through hole 31b is formed in the top wall 31a of the tank 31. A flow path pipe 31c (also called an inner peripheral wall) connected to the through hole 31b is vertically disposed on the top wall 31a. The flow path pipe 31c serves as a flow path for the atomized aerosol. The flow path pipe 31c is connected to an outer peripheral wall 31d of the tank 31 via a plurality of ribs 31e. The ribs 31e are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction so as to be radial when viewed from the axial direction (see FIG. 22 described later).

[0047] 9, the outer peripheral wall 31d of the tank 31 extends downward (to the -Z side) from the lower end of the flow passage pipe 31c. Two engagement holes 31f are formed near the lower end of the outer peripheral wall 31d. The two engagement holes 31f are for fixing the heater holder 36 to the tank 31. The two engagement holes 31f are arranged on both sides of the outer peripheral wall 31d facing each other with the main axis O in between. When the cartridge 3 is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating section 10, the central axis of the cartridge 3 coincides or approximately coincides with the main axis O of the cartridge accommodating section 10.

[0048] The gasket 32 ​​is an annular plate member that covers the bottom of an annular space (liquid storage chamber 31g) formed between the outer peripheral wall 31d and the flow path pipe 31c of the tank 31. The gasket 32 ​​positions the mesh body 33 and maintains the posture of the mesh body 33. The gasket 32 ​​has a plurality of openings 32a. The openings 32a are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The mesh body 33 is in contact with the liquid storage chamber 31g through the openings 32a of the gasket 32 ​​and is wetted with the liquid storage chamber 31g.

[0049] The mesh body 33 is a porous member having liquid absorption properties. The mesh body 33 is formed of, for example, a cotton-based fiber material or a glass-based fiber. The mesh body 33 is also formed in substantially the same annular shape as the gasket 32. That is, the flow passage pipe 31c can be inserted into the radial center of the mesh body 33. The mesh body 33 closes the opening 32a of the gasket 32, and a liquid storage chamber 31g is formed inside the tank 31. An aerosol source of liquid is stored in the liquid storage chamber 31g.

[0050] The atomizing container 34 is formed of an elastic member, for example, a resin material such as silicone resin. The atomizing container 34 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. The upper end opening edge of the peripheral wall 34a of the atomizing container 34 is in contact with the outer peripheral edge of the mesh body 33 in the axial direction. In other words, the mesh body 33 is sandwiched between the gasket 32 ​​and the atomizing container 34. On the outer surface of the peripheral wall 34a of the atomizing container 34, a fitting portion 34b that fits into the inner surface of the outer peripheral wall 31d of the tank 31 is formed.

[0051] An atomization chamber 34c is formed inside the peripheral wall 34a of the atomization container 34. The atomization chamber 34c is connected to the flow passage pipe 31c of the tank 31. An opening 34e is formed in the bottom wall 34d of the atomization container 34. A heating unit 35 is disposed in the atomization chamber 34c. The heating unit 35 is for atomizing the liquid aerosol source and includes a wick 35a connected to the mesh body 33 and a heating wire 35b for heating the wick 35a.

[0052] The wick 35a is a porous, liquid-absorbent, and generally cylindrical member. The wick 35a is curved and deformed into a generally U-shape. More specifically, the wick 35a has two axial extensions extending in the axial direction and a radial extension connecting the two axial extensions. The two axial extensions are arranged overlapping each other in the X-axis direction and are each connected to the mesh body 33. This allows the aerosol source absorbed by the mesh body 33 to be sucked up by the wick 35a.

[0053] The heating wire 35b is wound in a spiral shape around the radially extending portion of the wick 35a. Both ends of the heating wire 35b extend toward the heater holder 36 along the axial direction. Both ends of the heating wire 35b are electrically connected to two flat electrodes 36h provided on the lower surface of the bottom wall 36d of the heater holder 36. When the heating wire 35b is energized through the two flat electrodes 36h, the wick 35a is heated. When the wick 35a is heated, the aerosol source absorbed in the wick 35a is atomized.

[0054] The heater holder 36 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The peripheral wall 36a of the heater holder 36 is inserted outside the peripheral wall 34a of the atomizing container 34 and inside the outer peripheral wall 31d of the tank 31. The upper end opening edge of the peripheral wall 36a abuts against the fitting portion 34b of the atomizing container 34 in the axial direction. Two engagement pieces 36b that engage with two engagement holes 31f of the outer peripheral wall 31d of the tank 31 are formed at the upper end of the peripheral wall 36a. The gasket 32, the mesh body 33, and the atomizing container 34 are assembled in this order between the tank 31 and the heater holder 36 in the axial direction.

[0055] The lower side of the peripheral wall 36a of the heater holder 36 is exposed from the tank 31. The lower side of this peripheral wall 36a has approximately the same outer diameter as the outer circumferential wall 31d of the tank 31. In addition, two air intake holes 36c penetrating in the radial direction are formed in the lower side of this peripheral wall 36a. The two air intake holes 36c are disposed opposite each other on both sides of the peripheral wall 36a with the main axis O in between.

[0056] The two intake holes 36c communicate between the outside of the cartridge 3 (the cartridge housing space 10A of the cartridge housing part 10) and the atomization chamber 34c. An intake hole 36e penetrating in the axial direction is also formed in the bottom wall 36d of the heater holder 36, but it is not essential. The intake hole 36e also communicates between the outside of the cartridge 3 (the cartridge housing space 10A of the cartridge housing part 10) and the atomization chamber 34c.

[0057] A plate-shaped partition wall 36f is provided in the axial direction on the bottom wall 36d of the heater holder 36. The partition wall 36f extends in the radial direction, and both ends of the partition wall 36f are connected to the inner surface of the peripheral wall 36a. The bottom wall 36d is provided with two slits penetrating in the axial direction. The two slits are arranged on either side of the partition wall 36f, and the folded portions of the two flat electrodes 36h are inserted into the two slits. The partition wall 36f prevents short-circuiting of the two flat electrodes 36h and both ends of the heating wire 35b connected to the two flat electrodes 36h.

[0058] <Main unit> FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the main unit 2 according to one embodiment. 10, the main unit 2 includes an inner assembly 20A in which various components are assembled into an inner case 20. The inner assembly 20A, together with a plate-shaped cushioning material 19, is sandwiched between the first case 13A and the second case 13B of the outer case 13, and covers the front and back sides thereof.

[0059] Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of an inner assembly 20A according to one embodiment. Note that Fig. 11 shows a state in which the heating module 11 and the cartridge storage lid 100 are removed from the inner assembly 20A. As shown in FIG. 10, the inner assembly 20A includes an inner case body 22, a power source 23, a main board 24, a display device 25, a sensor 26, a light source 27, a vibrator 28, and a flexible printed circuit board 29.

[0060] The inner case body 22 is a hard resin molded body made of a resin material such as polycarbonate resin or ABS resin. The inner case body 22 includes a cartridge storage section 10 that stores the cartridge 3, and a power supply storage section 22A that stores the power supply 23. The cartridge storage section 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the Z-axis direction. The power supply storage section 22A is connected to the +Y side of the cartridge storage section 10 and is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape extending in the Z-axis direction.

[0061] The cartridge abutment portion 22b is fitted into the opening on the axial upper side (+Z side) of the cartridge accommodating portion 10. The cartridge abutment portion 22b is an elastic body made of a resin material such as silicone resin. As shown in FIG. 7, the cartridge abutment portion 22b includes a first ring portion 22b1, a cylindrical portion 22b2, and a second ring portion 22b3. An annular protrusion 10B protruding radially inward is formed on the inner wall surface on the axial upper side (+Z side) of the cartridge accommodating portion 10.

[0062] The first ring portion 22b1 is disposed axially above (on the +Z side of) the annular protrusion 10B. The first ring portion 22b1 has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the annular protrusion 10B, and extends to the inner wall surface of the cartridge storage portion 10. The first ring portion 22b1 abuts against the bottom wall 41d of the flavor source container 4 inside the capsule holder 61. The surface of the first ring portion 22b1 facing the bottom wall 41d of the flavor source container 4 may be a flat surface, or may have a groove formed therein in accordance with the shape of the legs of the bottom wall 41d.

[0063] The first ring portion 22b1 serves as a slip-proof member for the flavor source container 4 and as a seal chamber for the micro-holes 41e of the flavor source container 4. The first ring portion 22b1 does not have to abut against the bottom wall 41d of the flavor source container 4. In that case, a seal portion that prevents the introduction of outside air can be formed at the contact portion of the flange portion 41b between the flavor source container 4 and the capsule holder 61. The cylindrical portion 22b2 is disposed radially inside the annular protrusion 10B. The cylindrical portion 22b2 connects the inner diameter side of the first ring portion 22b1 and the inner diameter side of the second ring portion 22b3 in the axial direction.

[0064] The second ring portion 22b3 is disposed axially below (on the -Z side) the annular protrusion 10B. The second ring portion 22b3 has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the annular protrusion 10B, contacts the lower surface of the annular protrusion 10B, and is formed in an inverted truncated cone shape that decreases in diameter axially downward. A seal ring 22b4 is formed at the lower end of the second ring portion 22b3. The seal ring 22b4 prevents the second ring portion 22b3 from contacting the cartridge 3 in a flat manner, and the contact pressure with the cartridge 3 increases.

[0065] A communication hole 22b5 is formed at the center of the first ring portion 22b1, the cylindrical portion 22b2, and the second ring portion 22b3. The communication hole 22b5 communicates the through hole 21b of the tank 31 of the cartridge 3 and the micro hole 41e of the flavor source container 4. The seal ring 22b4 of the second ring portion 22b3 is formed in a double annular shape. This seal ring 22b4 abuts against the top wall 31a of the tank 31 around the through hole 31b of the cartridge 3, thereby forming a highly airtight double seal.

[0066] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a heating module 11 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the heating module 11 includes a heater section 60, a capsule holder 61 that houses the heater section 60, and a design ring 62 that is fitted onto the capsule holder 61.

[0067] The heater section 60 includes a film heater 60a, a pipe member 60b, and a shrink tube 60c. The film heater 60a is a heating element, such as a heating wire, sandwiched between heat-resistant films. The film heater 60a is wound cylindrically around the outer circumferential surface of the pipe member 60b.

[0068] The flavor source container 4 attached to the capsule holder 61 is inserted inside the pipe member 60b. The pipe member 60b is formed of, for example, a metal material with excellent thermal conductivity, such as stainless steel. The shrink tube 60c is attached to the radial outside of the film heater 60a and brings the film heater 60a into close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the pipe member 60b by elastic contraction, thermal contraction, or the like.

[0069] The capsule holder 61 is a hard resin molded body made of a resin material such as polycarbonate resin or ABS resin. The capsule holder 61 has a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction, and its axial upper side is tapered in a truncated cone shape. A snap fit 61a is provided at the axial lower end of the capsule holder 61. The snap fit 61a fits into a protrusion 10a formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cartridge storage section 10 shown in FIG.

[0070] 12, the design ring 62 fits onto the outer peripheral surface of the capsule holder 61. A step portion 61b into which the design ring 62 fits is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the capsule holder 61. The design ring 62 has a different color and luster from the capsule holder 61, improving the design of the main unit 2. The design ring 62 is formed from, for example, anodized aluminum material.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 11, a stopper ring 22c is fitted onto the lower end portion 10b of the cartridge accommodating portion 10. The stopper ring 22c is made of, for example, anodized aluminum material, similar to the design ring 62. A first opening 10c is formed on the peripheral surface on the left side (-Y side) of the cartridge accommodating portion 10. The first opening 10c is formed in the shape of an elongated hole extending in the axial direction.

[0072] A cover member 17 is adhered to the peripheral surface on the left side (-Y side) of the cartridge housing portion 10 via an adhesive sheet 17b. The cover member 17 is translucent and closes the first opening 10c. This allows the remaining amount of liquid in the aerosol source of the cartridge 3 housed in the cartridge housing portion 10 to be confirmed through the cover member 17 and the first opening 10c.

[0073] Two communication holes 17a are formed in the cover member 17. Two communication holes 10d communicating with the two communication holes 17a are also formed in the cartridge accommodating section 10. The communication holes 17a and 10d spatially communicate the first air inlet 18A and the second air inlet 18B shown in FIG. 1 with the cartridge accommodating space 10A inside the cartridge accommodating section 10.

[0074] The power supply housing 22A is open on the front side (+X side), and houses the power supply 23 through the opening. The power supply 23 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the Z-axis direction. The power supply 23 is electrically connected to the main board 24 via wiring. The power supply 23 is, for example, a storage battery (secondary battery), and can be charged via a charging terminal 21 provided on the main board 24. The power supply 23 is not limited to a chargeable and dischargeable secondary battery, and may be a supercapacitor or the like. The power supply 23 may also be a primary battery. If the power supply 23 is a primary battery, the charging terminal 21 is not necessary.

[0075] The inner case body 22 includes a top plate 22B, a side plate 22C, and a bottom plate 22D that surround the power supply storage section 22A. The cartridge storage section 10 is disposed at a position opposite to the side plate 22C in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), and the power supply 23 is surrounded on all four sides by the top plate 22B, the side plate 22C, the bottom plate 22D, and the cartridge storage section 10.

[0076] The top plate 22B faces the upper end of the power source 23 with a gap in the Z-axis direction. A disk-shaped cushion material 23a is inserted into the gap between the top plate 22B and the power source 23. The bottom plate 22D faces the lower end of the power source 23 with a gap in the Z-axis direction. A disk-shaped cushion material 23a is inserted into the gap between the bottom plate 22D and the power source 23.

[0077] The top plate 22B holds a display device 25 and an input device 15. The display device 25 is, for example, an organic EL display or a liquid crystal display. The display device 25 is electrically connected to the main board 24 via a flexible printed circuit board 25a. The display device 25 is disposed on the lower side (-Z side) of the display cover 14. The display cover 14 is snap-fitted to both left and right ends of the top plate 22B. The display cover 14 is translucent, and the display surface of the display device 25 can be confirmed.

[0078] The input device 15 is, for example, a push button. The input device 15 has a switch button 15a, a switch holder 15b, and a switch board 15c. The switch board 15c is provided on a second end 29b of the flexible printed circuit board 29. The switch button 15a is disposed on the switch board 15c. The switch button 15a is attached to the display cover 14 side via the switch holder 15b. The input device may be a touch panel. In other words, the input device 15 may be any type of contact detection unit.

[0079] A second opening 10e is formed on the peripheral surface of the right side (+Y side) of the cartridge accommodating section 10. The second opening 10e is formed in the shape of an elongated hole extending in the axial direction. A sensor holder 26a is attached to the peripheral surface of the right side (-Y side) of the cartridge accommodating section 10 via an adhesive sheet 26c. The sensor holder 26a holds a sensor 26. The sensor 26 is a so-called puff sensor that detects the inhalation of a user. Examples of the sensor 26 include a pressure sensor that detects pressure, an airflow sensor that detects airflow, and a temperature sensor that detects temperature. In the sensor 26 of this embodiment, the side facing the cartridge accommodating section 10 is a detection section. The detection section detects, for example, the behavior of a diaphragm that deforms in response to pressure fluctuation as a change in capacitance.

[0080] A base portion 26b is formed on the sensor holder 26a. The light source 27 is placed on the base portion 26b. The light source 27 is, for example, an LED light. The sensor holder 26a has light transmissivity and also serves as a light guide member that guides the light of the light source 27 into the inside of the cartridge storage portion 10. The sensor holder 26a is formed, for example, from polycarbonate resin. The polycarbonate resin imparts appropriate hardness to the sensor holder 26a that holds the sensor 26, and good light transmissivity to also serve as a light guide member. The light transmissivity of the sensor holder 26a is preferably lower than that of transparency, so that the transmitted light is diffused.

[0081] The light source 27 is electrically connected to the sub-substrate 27a. The vibrator 28 is electrically connected to the sub-substrate 27a via a wiring. The vibrator 28 abuts against the second case 13B side (see FIG. 22 described later). The vibrator 28 operates at a predetermined timing (for example, when the input device 15 is pressed) to vibrate the outer case 13. The sub-substrate 27a is electrically connected to the main substrate 24 via a third end 29c of the flexible printed circuit board 29.

[0082] The main board 24 is held by the side plate 22C. The main board 24 has a plate shape extending along the XZ plane. A charging terminal 21 is mounted on the lower end of the main board 24. The main board 24 is connected to the various electronic components described above directly or indirectly via a flexible printed circuit board 29.

[0083] Here, the "main board" refers to the largest board among the boards housed inside the housing 12. The main board 24 is larger than the above-mentioned sub-board 27a and the switch board 15c of the input device 15. If only one board is housed inside the housing 12, that board is the "main board". If two boards of the same size are housed inside the housing 12, the board on which an electronic control calculation unit such as a CPU or a microcomputer is provided is the "main board".

[0084] The flexible printed circuit board 29 has a first end 29a electrically connected to the main board 24, a second end 29b electrically connected to the switch board 15c, a third end 29c electrically connected to the sub-board 27a, and a fourth end 29d provided with a contact pad 29e. The contact pad 29e (fourth end 29d) is held by a bottom plate 22D. A cap member 22d that covers the charging terminal 21 is attached to the bottom plate 22D. A bearing portion 22D1 for mounting the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is also formed on the bottom plate 22D.

[0085] <Cartridge storage lid> 6 opens and closes the cartridge accommodating section 10 provided at the bottom of the housing section 12. The cartridge accommodating section 100 is attached to the housing section 12 (inner case 20) in a pivotal manner (hinged manner).

[0086] Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge accommodating lid 100 according to one embodiment. Fig. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge accommodating lid 100 according to one embodiment. Fig. 15 is a plan cross-sectional view of the cartridge accommodating lid 100 according to one embodiment. Fig. 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the cartridge accommodating lid 100 according to one embodiment when it is unlocked. As shown in FIG. 13, the cartridge accommodating lid 100 includes a protruding electrode 101, an electrode holder 110, a sealing portion 120, a metal holder 130, an electrode substrate 140, a sliding cover 150, a locking piece 160, a first biasing member 170, a lid base 180, a pivot shaft 190, and a second biasing member 200.

[0087] As shown in Fig. 14, the protruding electrode 101 is inserted into the cartridge housing space 10A inside the cartridge housing part 10 with the cartridge housing lid 100 closed. The tip portion of the protruding electrode 101 is biased toward the +Z side by a spring member housed inside the protruding electrode 101, and is freely displaceable in the Z-axis direction. In other words, the tip portion of the protruding electrode 101 extends toward the cartridge 3, and is displaced toward the -Z side when the cartridge 3 is inserted. Even in this state, the tip portion of the protruding electrode 101 is biased toward the +Z side, so that contact with the cartridge 3 can be ensured.

[0088] In this embodiment, three projecting electrodes 101 are provided so that alignment with the two flat electrodes 36h of the cartridge 3 is not required. As shown in FIG. 6, the two flat electrodes 36h of the cartridge 3 are each formed in a semicircular shape of 180°. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 13, the projecting electrodes 101 are arranged at positions corresponding to the three vertices of an equilateral triangle at intervals of 120°. As a result, at least two of the three projecting electrodes 101 contact the two flat electrodes 36h. Therefore, the heating section 35 of the cartridge 3 can be reliably heated by current flow from the projecting electrodes 101.

[0089] The electrode holder 110 is a hard resin molded body made of a resin material such as polyamide resin. As shown in Fig. 13, the electrode holder 110 includes a disk-shaped top plate portion 111 and three protruding portions 112 protruding downward from the lower surface of the top plate portion 111. The top plate portion 111 is formed with three through holes 113 into which the protruding electrodes 101 are inserted. The three through holes 113 are formed at positions corresponding to the three protruding portions 112.

[0090] The seal portion 120 is a soft resin molded body formed from a resin material such as silicone resin. The seal portion 120 includes a plate-shaped base portion 121 and a cylindrical portion 122 protruding upward from the upper surface of the base portion 121. The left side (-Y side) of the base portion 121 is formed in a semicircular shape in plan view, and the right side (+Y side) is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view.

[0091] The cylindrical portion 122 is disposed on the left side (-Y side) of the base portion 121. The electrode holder 110 is inserted into the inside of the cylindrical portion 122. Three through holes 123 into which the three protrusions 112 of the electrode holder 110 are inserted are formed inside the cylindrical portion 122. The upper end of the cylindrical portion 122 is disposed above the top plate portion 111 of the inserted electrode holder 110, and supports the bottom of the cartridge 3 when the tip portion of the protruding electrode 101 moves downward.

[0092] An annular protrusion 124 that protrudes upward is formed around the cylindrical portion 122 on the upper surface of the base portion 121. That is, the annular protrusion 124 protrudes toward the side that closes the opening of the cartridge accommodating portion 10 (in the counterclockwise tangential direction in this embodiment) in the rotation direction of the cartridge accommodating lid 100 (the circumferential direction around the X-axis). As shown in Fig. 14, the annular protrusion 124 contacts the lower end opening edge of the cartridge accommodating portion 10 from below and elastically deforms. This causes the opening of the cartridge accommodating portion 10 to be airtightly sealed all around.

[0093] Returning to Fig. 13, the metal holder 130 is made of a high-strength metal material, such as stainless steel. The metal holder 130 is formed, for example, by pressing a metal plate. Three through holes 131 are formed in the metal holder 130, which communicate with the three through holes 123 in the seal portion 120. The three protrusions 112 of the electrode holder 110 are inserted into the three through holes 131 in the metal holder 130.

[0094] A rectangular opening 132 is formed on the right side (+Y side) of the three through holes 131 of the metal holder 130. A pair of slide rails 133 is also formed on the metal holder 130. The pair of slide rails 133 is formed by bending both sides of the metal holder 130 in the X-axis direction into a crank shape. An insertion portion 134 is also formed on the metal holder 130 further to the right (+Y side) of the openings 132. The insertion portion 134 is inserted into an insertion groove 185 formed in the lid base 180 in the Y-axis direction.

[0095] The electrode substrate 140 is a rigid substrate in which conductor wiring such as copper is provided on an insulator such as polychlorinated biphenyl. The electrode substrate 140 is attached to the lower surface of the metal holder 130 by fitting or bonding. The electrode substrate 140 has three through holes 141 formed therein, which communicate with the three through holes 131 of the metal holder 130. Three projecting electrodes 101 projecting from the lower ends of the three through holes 123 of the seal portion 120 are inserted into the three through holes 141 of the electrode substrate 140.

[0096] Three spring contacts 142 are provided on the right side (+Y side) of the three through holes 141 of the electrode substrate 140. The three spring contacts 142 are arranged at positions corresponding to the openings 132 of the metal holder 130. The three spring contacts 142 are electrically connected to the three protruding electrodes 101 via conductor wiring (not shown). As shown in FIG. 14, the three spring contacts 142 come into contact with the contact pads 29e when the cartridge housing lid 100 is closed. In other words, the three protruding electrodes 101 are electrically connected to the main substrate 24 via the contact pads 29e when the cartridge housing lid 100 is closed, and are controlled to be energized.

[0097] 13, the slide cover 150 is a hard resin molded body made of a resin material such as polycarbonate resin or ABS resin. The slide cover 150 includes a cover bottom wall 151 that forms the lower surface (cover surface) of the cartridge accommodating lid 100, and a cover peripheral wall 152 that protrudes upward from the peripheral edge of the cover bottom wall 151. The left side (-Y side) of the cover bottom wall 151 is formed in a semicircular shape in plan view, and the right side (+Y side) is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view.

[0098] The left side (-Y side) of the cover peripheral wall 152 is formed in a semicircular arc shape in a plan view. The right side (+Y side) of the cover peripheral wall 152 extends parallel in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) from both ends of the semicircular arc portion. An upper end 152a of the semicircular arc portion of the cover peripheral wall 152 abuts against the lower surface of the metal holder 130 so as to be slidable in the Y-axis direction. In addition, a through hole 156 is formed in the semicircular arc portion of the cover peripheral wall 152, through which the claw portion 161 of the lock piece 160 is inserted in the Y-axis direction.

[0099] A pair of seat portions 153, cover slide grooves 154, and lock release grooves 155 are provided on the inside of the parallel portion of the cover peripheral wall 152, one for each of the front and rear. The pair of seat portions 153 abut against the electrode substrate 140 arranged on the inside of the cover peripheral wall 152 so as to be slidable in the Y-axis direction. A pair of slide rails 133 of the metal holder 130 engage with the pair of cover slide grooves 154 so as to be slidable in the Y-axis direction. A pair of engaged portions 162 of the locking pieces 160 engage with the pair of lock release grooves 155 so as to be slidable in the Y-axis direction.

[0100] 15, the pair of unlocking grooves 155 include a locking portion 155a and a guide portion 155b. The locking portion 155a is a wall portion that is disposed on the side (-Y side) against which the lock piece 160 is pressed by the biasing force of the first biasing member 170 in the Y-axis direction, and that locks the lock piece 160. The guide portion 155b is a groove portion that is away from the locking portion 155a and that allows the lock piece 160 to move to the side (+Y side) opposite to the side against which the lock piece 160 is pressed.

[0101] Here, "the side against which the lock piece 160 is pressed" can be rephrased as the front side in the biasing direction (-Y side) when the first biasing member 170 is a coil spring. Also, "the side opposite to the side against which the lock piece 160 is pressed" can be rephrased as the rear side in the biasing direction (+Y side) when the first biasing member 170 is a coil spring. Note that, if the first biasing member 170 is a torsion spring and the lock piece 160 is rotationally biased, the front side in the rotational direction of the lock piece 160 (also referred to as the downstream side in the rotational direction) is the "side against which the lock piece 160 is pressed," and the rear side in the rotational direction of the lock piece 160 (also referred to as the upstream side in the rotational direction) is the "side opposite to the side against which the lock piece 160 is pressed."

[0102] The locking portion 155a forms the left end (-Y side) of the unlocking groove 155. The locking portion 155a forms an XZ plane facing the locked portion 162 of the lock piece 160 in the Y-axis direction, and is in surface contact with the locked portion 162. The guide portion 155b extends from the locking portion 155a to the right (+Y side). The right end (+Y side) of the guide portion 155b is open. The slide rail 133 of the metal holder 130 is disposed on the opposite side (+Y side) to the side against which the lock piece 160 is pressed. The slide rail 133 faces the locked portion 162 of the lock piece 160 with a gap in the Y-axis direction. In other words, the slide rail 133 prevents the locked portion 162 from coming off the guide portion 155b.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 14, the cover surface (lower surface of the cover bottom wall 151) facing the opposite side (-Z side) of the lock piece 160 of the slide cover 150 has irregularities 150a extending in a direction intersecting the biasing direction (Y-axis direction) of the first biasing member 170. As shown in FIG. 5, the irregularities 150a of this embodiment extend in the X-axis direction perpendicular to the biasing direction (Y-axis direction), and the concave and convex portions are alternately formed in the biasing direction. This allows the user to hook the finger or the like on the irregularities 150a and slide the slide cover 150 in the Y-axis direction. Note that the irregularities 150a are not limited to linear grooves (or protrusions) extending in the X-axis direction, but may be V-shaped grooves (or protrusions) when viewed from the bottom.

[0104] 13, a pair of protrusions 157 protrude upward from the upper end of the parallel portion of the cover peripheral wall 152. The pair of protrusions 157 are disposed on the opposite side (+Y side) to the side against which the lock piece 160 is pressed, relative to a pair of front and rear edge portions 135 provided on the semicircular portion on the left side (-Y side) of the metal holder 130. The pair of edge portions 135 face the pair of protrusions 157 in the Y-axis direction. In other words, the pair of edge portions 135 function to prevent the slide cover 150, which is biased by the first biasing member 170, from coming off.

[0105] The lock piece 160 is a hard resin molded body made of a resin material such as polyacetal resin. The lock piece 160 includes a claw portion 161, a pair of locked portions 162, and a spring mounting portion 163. The claw portion 161 is formed on the front side (-Y side) of the lock piece 160 in the biasing direction. As shown in FIG. 15, the claw portion 161 protrudes from the through hole 156 of the cover peripheral wall 152 to the front side (-Y side) in the biasing direction when the locked portion 162 contacts the locking portion 155a of the slide cover 150. In this state, the claw portion 161 is locked to the stopper ring 22c. As a result, the cartridge storage lid 100 is locked in the closed state.

[0106] As shown in Fig. 14, the stopper ring 22c includes a collision wall 22c1, a surrounding wall 22c2, and a locked piece 22c3. The collision wall 22c1 is a portion into which the claw portion 161 in the locked state is inserted, and the thickness of the stopper ring 22c is partially thin. This makes the collision wall 22c1 more susceptible to vibration, and when the locking piece 160 collides with the collision wall 22c1 when the cartridge housing lid 100 is closed, a metallic sound such as a click is generated from the collision wall 22c1, allowing the user to recognize that the lock has been applied.

[0107] The surrounding wall 22c2 surrounds the cover peripheral wall 152 of the slide cover 150 when the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is closed. The surrounding wall 22c2 extends to a position below the lower surface (cover surface) of the cover bottom wall 151. The surrounding wall 22c2 only needs to extend to at least the same position as the lower surface of the cover bottom wall 151. Preferably, the surrounding wall 22c2 only needs to extend to a position below the lower surface of the cover bottom wall 151. When the surrounding wall 22c2 extends below the lower surface of the cover bottom wall 151 as in this embodiment, the cover surface of the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is positioned at a position that does not reach the lower end of the surrounding wall 22c2, so that the cartridge accommodating lid 100 can be completely surrounded.

[0108] The locked piece 22c3 is provided on the inner wall surface of the stopper ring 22c to protrude from the lower side of the collision wall 22c1 to the right side (+Y side). The locked piece 22c3 has a flat upper surface and an inclined lower surface. When the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is closed, the locked piece 22c3 can move the locking piece 160 to the right side (+Y side) against the bias of the first biasing member 170 by the inclined lower surface. In addition, after the locking piece 160 passes the locked piece 22c3, the claw portion 161 protruding to the -Y side by the bias of the first biasing member 170 can be locked by the flat upper surface of the locked piece 22c3.

[0109] Returning to FIG. 13, the pair of locked portions 162 are provided on both sides of the lock piece 160 in the X-axis direction. The pair of locked portions 162 are formed in a rectangular plate shape in a plan view. The spring attachment portion 163 is provided on the rear side (+Y side) of the lock piece 160 in the biasing direction. One end of the first biasing member 170 is fixed to the spring attachment portion 163. The upper surface side of the lock piece 160 configured as described above is provided with a long hole 164 that extends in the Y-axis direction (biasing direction) and avoids interference with the protruding electrode 101. Three long holes 164 are formed corresponding to the three protruding electrodes 101. The length of the long hole 164 in the Y-axis direction corresponds to the movement stroke of the lock piece 160 in the Y-axis direction.

[0110] The first biasing member 170 is formed of a spring member such as a coil spring. The first biasing member 170 is not limited to a spring member as long as it can bias the lock piece 160 to the -Y side, and may be an elastic body such as rubber. The other end of the first biasing member 170 on the +Y side is attached to a spring attachment portion 183 provided on a rotating end portion 180A of the lid base 180 as shown in FIG. 14. The rotating end portion 180A of the lid base 180 can also be said to be a swinging end of the lid base 180 that swings around the rotating shaft 190.

[0111] The lid base 180 is a hard resin molded body formed from a resin material such as polycarbonate resin or ABS resin. As shown in Fig. 13, the lid base 180 includes an insertion hole 181, a housing groove 182, and as shown in Fig. 14, a spring attachment portion 183, a slide groove 184, and an insertion groove 185. As shown in Fig. 13, the insertion hole 181 penetrates the lid base 180 in the X-axis direction. A rotating shaft 190 is inserted into the insertion hole 181. The rotating shaft 190 is formed from, for example, a metal material having high strength, such as stainless steel.

[0112] The accommodating groove 182 is disposed on an extension line of the insertion hole 181. As shown in Fig. 15, a second biasing member 200 is accommodated in the accommodating groove 182. The second biasing member 200 is formed of a spring member such as a torsion spring. Note that the second biasing member 200 is not limited to a spring member, and may be an elastic body such as rubber, as long as it biases the cartridge accommodating lid 100 in the rotation direction of the cartridge accommodating lid 100 in the opening direction (counterclockwise around the rotation shaft 190 in this embodiment).

[0113] Figure 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the cartridge accommodating lid 100 according to one embodiment is opened by the second biasing member 200. Note that in Figure 17, the main body unit 2 is shown upside down, assuming that the cartridge 3 is being inserted. When the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is released from the locking piece 160, it is biased by the second biasing member 200 to open at an acute angle θ1 as shown in Fig. 17. The acute angle θ1 is set to about 85° with respect to the bottom surface of the main unit 2 (casing 12), for example. Note that the acute angle θ1 is not limited to 85° as long as the cartridge 3 can be inserted into the cartridge accommodating section 10 without interfering with the cartridge accommodating lid 100.

[0114] The main body unit 2 includes a physical stopper 22d1 that allows the cartridge accommodating lid 100 to open at an acute angle θ1 or more. The physical stopper 22d1 in this embodiment is formed by a cap member 22d attached to the inner case body 22. The cartridge accommodating lid 100 can open up to an angle θ2 at which the slide groove 184 of the lid base 180 contacts the physical stopper 22d1. The angle θ2 is set to an obtuse angle of about 95° with respect to the bottom surface of the main body unit 2 (housing part 12), for example. Note that the angle θ2 may be an acute angle rather than an obtuse angle as long as it is greater than the acute angle θ1, or may be a right angle of 90°.

[0115] 14, the slide groove 184 is formed on the underside of the lid base 180. The slide groove 184 is a portion along which the cover bottom wall 151 of the slide cover 150 slides, and is recessed upward by the thickness of the cover bottom wall 151. The insertion portion 134 of the metal holder 130 is inserted into the insertion groove 185, as described above.

[0116] <Air inlet> Fig. 18 is a left side view of the inhalator 1 according to one embodiment. Fig. 19 is a left side view of the inhalator 1 according to one embodiment with the outer case 13 removed. In Fig. 19, the first air flow path 70 and the second air flow path 80 are expressed with a dot pattern to improve visibility. As shown in FIG. 18, a peripheral wall portion 12B of the housing portion 12 is formed with a first air inlet 18A and a second air inlet 18B.

[0117] The first air inlet 18A takes in air into the cartridge accommodating space 10A from a window 16 between adjacent corners 12C (in this embodiment, a first corner 12C1 and a second corner 12C2) of the peripheral wall 12B. The housing 12 includes an opening 13a formed between the adjacent corners 12C of the peripheral wall 12B and a cover member 17 provided on the opening 13a, and the first air inlet 18A is formed in the gap between the cover member 17 and the opening 13a.

[0118] Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the cover member 17 according to one embodiment. Fig. 21 is a rear view of the cover member 17 according to one embodiment. Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII shown in Fig. 3. As shown in FIG. 20, the cover member 17 includes a first outer projection 17A, a plate portion 17B, an inner projection 17C (see FIG. 21), and a second outer projection 17D.

[0119] The first outer protrusion 17A is formed on a surface facing the outside (-Y side) of the plate portion 17B. The first outer protrusion 17A is inserted into the opening 13a of the outer case 13, as shown in Fig. 22. The cover member 17 is translucent, and the remaining amount of liquid in the aerosol source of the cartridge 3 housed in the cartridge housing portion 10 can be confirmed through the first outer protrusion 17A.

[0120] The first outer protrusion 17A is formed in the shape of an elongated hole extending in the main axis direction (Z-axis direction) like the opening 13a of the outer case 13. The first outer protrusion 17A is slightly smaller than the opening 13a. A first air inlet 18A is formed in the gap between the first outer protrusion 17A and the opening 13a. A part of the first outer protrusion 17A may be in contact with the inner wall surface of the opening 13a. The first air inlet 18A is an inlet of a first air flow path 70 that takes in outside air into the inside of the housing unit 12 by inhalation by the user.

[0121] The first air inlet 18A is formed in a ring shape along the opening edge of the opening 13a of the outer case 13 (also referred to as the periphery of the first outer protrusion 17A). The size of the first air inlet 18A is preferably such that it is not completely blocked by the user's finger. For example, the dimension of the first air inlet 18A in the main axis direction (Z axis direction) is preferably equal to or larger than the average first finger joint width of the thumb of an average adult (e.g., 2.0 cm or more). In addition, the distance in the X axis direction between two slits extending parallel to the main axis direction of the first air inlet 18A may be equal to or larger than the average first finger joint width of the thumb of an average adult.

[0122] The first air inlet 18A may have 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. In other words, the first air inlet 18A may be formed in a slit shape along the opening edge of the opening 13a of the outer case 13.

[0123] The plate portion 17B is disposed so as to overlap the inside of the outer case 13. The plate portion 17B is interposed between the outer case 13 and the cartridge accommodating portion 10. The cartridge accommodating portion 10 side (+Y side) of the plate portion 17B is curved along the circumferential surface of the cartridge accommodating portion 10. In addition, the outer case 13 side (-Y side) of the plate portion 17B is curved along the inner wall surface of the circumferential wall portion 12B.

[0124] As shown in Fig. 20, the plate portion 17B is formed with a communication hole 17a communicating with the cartridge accommodating space 10A. The plate portion 17B is also formed with a first air flow path 70 and a case fitting hole 17b1. Two communication holes 17a are formed on either side of the first outer protrusion 17A in the X-axis direction. Two sets of case fitting holes 17b1 are formed on the plate portion 17B, two on each side of the communication hole 17a, on either side of the first outer protrusion 17A in the X-axis direction. The outer case 13 is fitted into the four case fitting holes 17b1 by claws.

[0125] 22, communication hole 17a is disposed at a location where cover member 17 and outer case 13 overlap. In other words, communication hole 17a is disposed inside outer case 13 and is covered by outer case 13. Therefore, communication hole 17a cannot be seen from outside outer case 13. Furthermore, communication hole 17a cannot be directly blocked with a finger unless outer case 13 is removed.

[0126] The communication hole 17a fluidly connects the first air inlet 18A to the interior of the cartridge accommodating portion 10. The communication hole 17a connects to a communication hole 10d formed in the cartridge accommodating portion 10, and connects the first air inlet 18A to the interior of the cartridge accommodating portion 10 over a short distance. If the communication hole 10d is not formed, air taken into the interior of the housing portion 12 from the communication hole 17a passes through all gaps in the cartridge accommodating portion 10 and flows into the interior of the cartridge accommodating portion 10.

[0127] The first air flow path 70 forms a space (flow path) connecting the first air inlet 18A and the communication hole 17a. As shown in FIG. 20, the first air flow path 70 has a flat portion 71 and two recesses 72. The flat portion 71 is formed around the first outer protrusion 17A on the plate portion 17B. The flat portion 71 is a part of the curved surface of the plate portion 17B on the outer case 13 side (-Y side) that is flattened, and is recessed toward the +Y side from the surface of the first outer protrusion 17A. The second outer protrusions 17D are arranged in a pair above and below the first outer protrusion 17A, sandwiching the flat portion 71 therebetween. The pair of second outer protrusions 17D support the mating surface of the outer case 13 from the inside.

[0128] The two recesses 72 are formed on the +X side edge and the -X side edge of the flat surface portion 71. The recesses 72 have a bottom surface that is lower on the +Y side than the flat surface portion 71. In other words, the recesses 72 are recessed on the -Y side than the flat surface portion 71. A communication hole 17a is formed in the bottom surface of the recesses 72. The bottom surface of the recesses 72 is formed to be wider than the opening area of ​​the communication hole 17a.

[0129] As shown in Fig. 21, the inner protrusion 17C is formed on the inner surface of the plate portion 17B on the cartridge accommodating portion 10 side (+Y side). As shown in Fig. 22, the inner protrusion 17C is inserted into a first opening 10c formed in the peripheral surface of the cartridge accommodating portion 10. The inner protrusion 17C is formed in the shape of an elongated hole extending in the main axis direction (Z-axis direction) like the first opening 10c of the cartridge accommodating portion 10.

[0130] 18, the second air inlet 18B takes in air into the cartridge accommodating space 10A from a second corner 12C2 of the peripheral wall portion 12B. The housing portion 12 includes an inner case 20 and an outer case 13 that covers the inner case 20 and has an exposed portion 13b that exposes a part of the inner case 20 at the corner 12C. The second air inlet 18B is formed in the gap between the inner case 20 and the outer case 13 at the exposed portion 13b.

[0131] FIG. 23 is an enlarged view of area A shown in FIG. 23, the second air inlet 18B is formed in an arc shape in the gap between the inner case 20 and the outer case 13. The second air inlet 18B opens facing the -Z side. In other words, the second air inlet 18B is located in a different position from the first air inlet 18A, and the opening direction of the second air inlet 18B is different by 90° from the first air inlet 18A facing the -Y side.

[0132] Returning to FIG. 18, the edge of the exposed portion 13b of the outer case 13 is curved in a convex shape toward the +Z side. The housing 12 has a protrusion 90 around the second air inlet 18B. The protrusion 90 is formed by the outer case 13. That is, the protrusion 90 is formed by a step between the inner case 20 and the outer case 13. That is, even if the user's finger touches the periphery of the second air inlet 18B, the protrusion 90 (outer case 13) around the exposed portion 13b becomes a step and forms a gap between the user's finger, so that the second air inlet 18B is less likely to be blocked. Note that the protrusion 90 is not limited to the outer case 13, and may be formed by protruding a part of the inner case 20.

[0133] The housing 12 has a first air flow path 70 that communicates the first air inlet 18A with the communication hole 17a, and a second air flow path 80 that communicates the second air inlet 18B with the communication hole 17a. The second air flow path 80 extends from the exposed portion 13b of the second corner portion 12C2 to the +Z side, and reaches the communication hole 17a via a part of the first air flow path 70. The second air flow path 80 is bent in a U-shape (approximately C-shape) until it joins with the first air flow path 70. As shown in FIG. 19, the bent portion of the second air flow path 80 is formed to bypass a pair of inner case side projections 81 provided on the outer surface of the inner case 20 and an outer case side projection 82 (see FIG. 10) that fits into the pair of inner case side projections 81.

[0134] 18, the first air flow path 70 has a shorter flow path length to the communication hole 17a than the second air flow path 80. In other words, the first air flow path 70 has a smaller airflow resistance than 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. For this reason, in normal use, the first air inlet 18A serves as the main air inlet, and the second air inlet 18B serves as a secondary air inlet when the first air inlet 18A is blocked.

[0135] The communication hole 17a has a smaller flow passage cross-sectional area than either the first air inlet 18A or the second air inlet 18B. Therefore, even if either the first air inlet 18A or the second air inlet 18B is blocked, the flow passage cross-sectional area is finally narrowed at the communication hole 17a, so the flow rate and flow velocity of the air sucked into the cartridge accommodating space 10A can be kept almost constant. In other words, the communication hole 17a functions as an air resistance rate-controlling part.

[0136] In this embodiment, two communication holes 17a are provided, but the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​one of the two communication holes 17a is compared here. That is, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​one of the communication holes 17a may be smaller than the opening area (see FIG. 18) of the first air inlet 18A in the gap between the opening 13a of the outer case 13 and the first outer protrusion 17A of the cover member 17. Also, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​one of the communication holes 17a may be smaller than the opening area (see FIG. 23) of the second air inlet 18B in the gap between the outer case 13 and the inner case 20 at the exposed portion 13b of the second corner portion 12C2. More preferably, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​one of the communication holes 17a may be smaller than the minimum flow path cross-sectional areas of the first air flow path 70 and the second air flow path 80.

[0137] <How to assemble the aspirator> As shown in Fig. 6, when assembling the inhaler 1, first, the cartridge housing lid 100 provided on the bottom of the housing part 12 of the main unit 2 is opened. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 16, a finger is hooked on the unevenness 150a provided on the cover surface of the slide cover 150, and the slide cover 150 is moved to the +Y side.

[0138] As shown in Fig. 15, the slide cover 150 is locked to the locked portion 162 of the lock piece 160. Therefore, when the slide cover 150 is moved to the +Y side, the lock piece 160 can be moved to the +Y side, and as shown in Fig. 16, the locked state of the lock piece 160 with respect to the stopper ring 22c can be released.

[0139] Here, the lock piece 160 is provided with an elongated hole 164 that extends in the biasing direction (Y-axis direction) and avoids interference with the protruding electrode 101. As a result, even if the slide cover 150 is slid when the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is opened, the elongated hole 164 prevents the lock piece 160 from interfering with the protruding electrode 101.

[0140] When the locked state is released, the cartridge accommodating lid 100 opens due to the bias of the second biasing member 200. Once the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is opened, the cartridge 3 is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating section 10. Once the cartridge 3 is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating section 10, the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is closed against the bias of the second biasing member 200.

[0141] When closing the cartridge accommodating lid 100, first, the claw portion 161 of the locking piece 160 comes into contact with the lower inclined surface of the locked piece 22c3, and the locking piece 160 moves to the +Y side against the bias of the first biasing member 170. This allows the locking piece 160 to climb over the locked piece 22c3.

[0142] Here, the slide cover 150 is provided with a guide portion 155b that allows the lock piece 160 to move to the +Y side. Therefore, only the lock piece 160 moves inside the slide cover 150, and when the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is closed, the cover surface (slide cover 150) that the user is touching can be prevented from moving.

[0143] After passing through the locked piece 22c3, the lock piece 160 collides with the collision wall 22c1 of the stopper ring 22c due to the biasing force of the first biasing member 170. The collision sound at this time allows the user to recognize that the lock has been applied. When the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is locked, the cover peripheral wall 152 of the slide cover 150 is completely covered by the surrounding wall 22c2 of the stopper ring 22c.

[0144] This completes the insertion of the cartridge 3. The flavor source container 4 and the mouthpiece 5 may be attached to the heating module 11 of the main unit 2 before the insertion of the cartridge 3. In other cases, the flavor source container 4 and the mouthpiece 5 are attached to the heating module 11 after the insertion of the cartridge 3, thereby completing the assembly of the inhaler 1.

[0145] <How to use the suction device> When using the inhaler 1 described above, the user first presses the input device 15 shown in Fig. 2. At this time, for example, the main unit 2 may be programmed to start up by pressing the input device 15 multiple times. When the main unit 2 starts up, for example, the heating module 11 heats the flavor source container 4 to accentuate the flavor.

[0146] Next, the user inhales while holding the mouthpiece 5 in the mouth. This causes air to flow inside the cartridge housing 10, and the sensor 26 shown in FIG. 22 detects a puff. When the sensor 26 detects a puff, electricity is applied to the heating wire 35b of the cartridge 3 shown in FIG. 9, causing the heating wire 35b to heat up. When the heating wire 35b heats up, the liquid aerosol source impregnated in the wick 35a is heated and atomized. The atomized aerosol is sucked up together with the air (outside air) taken in by inhalation.

[0147] As shown in Fig. 22, air (outside air) is normally taken in mainly from the first air inlet 18A in the gap between the outer case 13 and the cover member 17. The air taken in from the first air inlet 18A flows into the inside of the cartridge accommodating section 10 via the flat portion 71, the recessed portion 72, the communication hole 17a, and the communication hole 10d of the first air flow path 70. The air that has flowed into the inside of the cartridge accommodating section 10 flows into the atomization chamber 34c via the intake hole 36c and the opening 34e of the cartridge 3, as shown in Fig. 9.

[0148] The atomized aerosol fills the atomization chamber 34c, and is sucked upward together with the air that has flowed into the atomization chamber 34c through the flow passage pipe 31c, the through hole 31b, and the communication hole 22b5 of the cartridge abutment part 22b. Then, the mixture of the atomized aerosol and air enters the mouth of the user through the flavor source container 4 and the mouthpiece 5. This allows the user to taste the flavor.

[0149] [Effects] The cartridge storage lid 100 described above comprises a lid base 180 provided with a pivot shaft 190 and pivoting about the pivot shaft 190, a locking piece 160 connected to a pivot end 180A of the lid base 180 via a first biasing member 170, and a slide cover 150 which covers the locking piece 160 and is attached to the lid base 180 so as to be slidable in the biasing direction in which the locking piece 160 is biased, and the slide cover 150 is arranged on the side where the locking piece 160 is pressed by the bias of the first biasing member 170 and has a locking portion 155a which locks the locking piece 160, and a guide portion 155b which is spaced apart from the locking portion 155a and allows the locking piece 160 to move to the side opposite the side where the locking piece 160 is pressed. According to this configuration, when the cartridge storage lid 100 is closed, the lock piece 160 covered by the slide cover 150 moves inside the slide cover 150, so that the cover surface of the slide cover 150 that the user is touching does not move.

[0150] In this embodiment, the cover surface of the slide cover 150 facing away from the lock piece 160 is formed with projections and recesses 150a extending in a direction intersecting the biasing direction. According to this configuration, when opening the cartridge housing lid 100, the user can slide the slide cover 150 by hooking a finger or the like on the unevenness 150a on the cover surface.

[0151] In addition, in this embodiment, a protruding electrode 101 (electrode) is arranged on the opposite side of the locking piece 160 from the slide cover 150, and a long hole 164 is provided in the locking piece 160, extending in the biasing direction and preventing interference with the protruding electrode 101. According to this configuration, even if the slide cover 150 is slid when opening the cartridge storage lid 100, the lock piece 160 does not interfere with the protruding electrode 101 due to the long hole 164, so that the electrical contact between the protruding electrode 101 and the cartridge 3 does not move, thereby suppressing friction and wear of the electrical contact.

[0152] The main unit 2 of the aerosol generation device of this embodiment includes a cartridge storage section 10 that stores the cartridge 3, and a cartridge storage lid 100 that opens and closes the opening of the cartridge storage section 10. According to this configuration, since the above-mentioned cartridge accommodating lid 100 is incorporated, the cartridge accommodating lid 100 can be easily closed, and the airtightness of the cartridge accommodating section 10 can be easily ensured.

[0153] In this embodiment, the cartridge accommodating section 10 is provided with a surrounding wall 22c2 that surrounds the cover peripheral wall 152 (peripheral edge portion) of the cartridge accommodating lid 100 when the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is in a closed state. According to this configuration, when the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is closed, the cover peripheral wall 152 of the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is completely covered by the surrounding wall 22c2 of the main body unit 2. Therefore, even if the main body unit 2 is dropped, damage or displacement of the cartridge accommodating lid 100 can be suppressed, and the airtightness of the cartridge accommodating section 10 can be easily ensured.

[0154] In this embodiment, the cartridge accommodating part 10 is provided with a locked piece 22c3 having an inclined surface that moves the lock piece 160 against the bias of the first biasing member 170 when the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is closed. According to this configuration, even if the slide cover 150 is not slid when the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is closed, the locking piece 160 can be moved by the inclined surface of the locked piece 22c3.

[0155] In this embodiment, the cartridge accommodating portion 10 includes a collision wall 22c1 against which the tip of the locking piece 160 collides due to the bias of the first biasing member 170 after the locking piece 160 passes the locked piece 22c3. According to this configuration, when the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is closed, the locking piece 160 collides with the collision wall 22c1, generating a sound, so that the user can recognize that the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is locked.

[0156] In this embodiment, the collision wall 22c1 is made of metal. According to this configuration, the impact sound of the lock piece 160 has a metallic acoustic effect, so that the user can more easily recognize that the lock has been applied.

[0157] In this embodiment, a second biasing member 200 is provided that biases the cartridge accommodating lid 100 in the rotation direction of the cartridge accommodating lid 100 in the direction of opening the cartridge accommodating lid 100. As shown in FIG. According to this configuration, if the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is not sufficiently locked, the cartridge accommodating lid 100 opens due to the bias of the second biasing member 200, making it easier for the user to recognize that he or she has forgotten to close the cartridge accommodating lid 100.

[0158] In this embodiment, when the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is released from the locked state by the locking piece 160, the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is biased by the second biasing member 200 to open at an acute angle θ1 relative to the cartridge accommodating portion 10. As shown in FIG. According to this configuration, even if the main unit 2 is dropped with the cartridge accommodating lid 100 open, the probability that a load will be applied in the direction of closing the cartridge accommodating lid 100 increases, thereby suppressing damage to the cartridge accommodating lid 100.

[0159] In this embodiment, a physical stopper 22d1 is provided that allows the cartridge accommodating lid 100 to open at an acute angle θ1 or more. According to this configuration, when the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is opened further from the acute angle θ1 by the second biasing member 200, the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is allowed to open until it abuts against the physical stopper 22d1, and this tolerance further reduces the probability of damage to the cartridge accommodating lid 100.

[0160] In addition, in this embodiment, the cartridge accommodating lid 100 has a sealing portion 120 that seals the opening of the cartridge accommodating section 10, and the sealing portion 120 has an annular protrusion 124 that protrudes toward the side that closes the opening of the cartridge accommodating section 10 in the rotational direction of the cartridge accommodating lid 100. According to this configuration, the direction in which the cartridge accommodating lid 100 is closed coincides with the direction in which the annular projection 124 of the seal portion 120 projects, so that it becomes easier to ensure airtightness of the cartridge accommodating portion 10.

[0161] The aerosol generating device of this embodiment includes a main unit 2 and a cartridge 3 that contains an aerosol source and is inserted into a cartridge containing portion 10 of the main unit 2. According to this configuration, since the main body unit 2 incorporating the above-mentioned cartridge housing lid 100 is provided, the cartridge housing lid 100 can be easily closed, and the airtightness of the cartridge housing portion 10 can be easily ensured.

[0162] The non-combustion inhaler of this embodiment includes the aerosol generating device and a flavor source container 4 attached to the aerosol generating device. This configuration allows flavors to be added to the aerosol.

[0163] In addition, the present embodiment also provides the following advantageous effects.

[0164] The main unit 2 of the aerosol generating device of the present embodiment described above has a housing portion 12 having a cartridge accommodating space 10A therein, and the housing portion 12 has a pair of main surface portions 12A and a peripheral wall portion 12B that connects the pair of main surface portions 12A and has a plurality of corner portions 12C, a first air inlet 18A that takes in air into the cartridge accommodating space 10A from between the pair of main surface portions 12A or adjacent corner portions 12C of the peripheral wall portion 12B, and a second air inlet 18B that takes in air into the cartridge accommodating space 10A from the corner portion 12C of the peripheral wall portion 12B. According to this configuration, since the first air inlet 18A and the second air inlet 18B are located at completely different positions, it becomes difficult to block both the first air inlet 18A and the second air inlet 18B. The first air inlet 18A may be provided not only between adjacent corners 12C of the peripheral wall portion 12B but also on the pair of main surface portions 12A. That is, a through hole for forming the first air inlet 18A may be provided on one of the pair of main surface portions 12A. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent both the first air inlet 18A and the second air inlet 18B from being blocked.

[0165] In addition, in this embodiment, the housing portion 12 comprises an inner case 20 and an outer case 13 that covers the inner case 20 and has an exposed portion 13b that exposes a portion of the inner case 20 at the corner portion 12C, and the second air inlet 18B is formed in the gap between the inner case 20 and the outer case 13 at the exposed portion 13b. According to this configuration, the second air inlet 18B is formed in the gap between the inner case 20 exposed at the corner 12C of the housing part 12 and the outer case 13, and since it has a completely different shape from the first air inlet 18A formed other than the corner 12C of the housing part 12, it becomes difficult to block both the first air inlet 18A and the second air inlet 18B.

[0166] In this embodiment, the edge of the exposed portion 13b is curved. According to this configuration, since the edge of the exposed portion 13b is curved rather than straight, the second air inlet 18B is less likely to be completely blocked even if the user touches it with his or her finger.

[0167] In this embodiment, the housing 12 has a protrusion 90 around the second air inlet 18B. With this configuration, even if a user's finger touches the periphery of the second air inlet 18B, the protruding portion around the exposed portion 13b acts as a step, creating a gap between the user's finger and the second air inlet 18B, making it difficult for the second air inlet 18B to become blocked.

[0168] In this embodiment, the housing 12 has a protrusion 90 around the second air inlet 18B, and the protrusion 90 is formed by the outer case 13. According to this configuration, the protrusion 90 around the exposed portion 13b is formed integrally with the outer case 13, so that the protrusion 90 can be easily formed.

[0169] In addition, in this embodiment, the housing portion 12 has a communication hole 17a that communicates with the cartridge accommodating space 10A, a first air flow path 70 that connects the first air inlet 18A and the communication hole 17a, and a second air flow path 80 that connects the second air inlet 18B and the communication hole 17a, and the first air flow path 70 has a smaller air resistance than the second air flow path 80. With this configuration, more air flows through the first air flow path 70 than through the second air flow path 80, so the first air inlet 18A can be used as the main air inlet and the second air inlet 18B can be used as the sub-air inlet.

[0170] In this embodiment, the first air flow path 70 has a shorter flow path length to the communication hole 17a than the second air flow path 80. With this configuration, the first air flow path 70 has a smaller airflow resistance than the second air flow path 80, making it easier to draw air from the main first air inlet 18A.

[0171] In this embodiment, the communication hole 17a has a flow passage cross-sectional area smaller than both the first air inlet 18A and the second air inlet 18B. According to this configuration, even if either the first air inlet 18A or the second air inlet 18B is blocked, the flow path cross-sectional area is ultimately narrowed at the communicating hole 17a, so that the flow rate and flow velocity of the air sucked into the cartridge accommodating space 10A can be kept almost constant.

[0172] In addition, in this embodiment, the housing portion 12 has an opening 13a formed between adjacent corner portions 12C of the peripheral wall portion 12B, and a cover member 17 provided on the opening 13a, and a first air inlet 18A is formed in the gap between the cover member 17 and the opening 13a. According to this configuration, since the first air inlet 18A is formed in the gap between the opening 13a of the housing part 12 and the cover member 17 provided at the opening 13a, the first air inlet 18A is less likely to be blocked by a finger.

[0173] The aerosol generating device of this embodiment includes a main unit 2 and a cartridge 3 that houses an aerosol source and is inserted into a cartridge housing space 10A of the main unit 2. According to this configuration, since the above-mentioned main unit 2 is incorporated, complete blockage of the air inlet by the user can be suppressed.

[0174] The non-combustion inhaler of this embodiment includes the aerosol generating device and a flavor source container 4 attached to the aerosol generating device. This configuration allows flavors to be added to the aerosol.

[0175] <Modification> Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Addition, omission, substitution, and other modifications of the configuration are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention is not limited by the above description, but is limited only by the scope of the attached claims.

[0176] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the inhaler 1 having the flavor source container 4 detachably attached thereto has been described as an example of an aerosol generating device that generates aerosol without combustion, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Another example of the aerosol generating device may be a configuration that does not have the flavor source container 4 (a configuration with only a mouthpiece that does not contain a flavor source) like an electronic cigarette. In this case, an aerosol source containing a flavor is contained in the cartridge 3, and an aerosol containing a flavor is generated by the aerosol generating device. That is, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an aerosol generating device may be one that does not include the flavor source container 4, but includes the main unit 2 and the cartridge 3. Also, an aerosol generating device may be one that does not include the flavor source container 4 and the cartridge 3, but includes only the main unit 2. The aerosol source is not limited to a liquid, but may be a solid.

[0177] In the above embodiment, the cartridge accommodating section 10 is configured in a cylindrical shape surrounding the cartridge 3, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The cartridge accommodating section 10 may have any configuration as long as it is capable of holding the cartridge 3. In other words, the cartridge accommodating section 10 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be a triangular tube, a square tube, or another polygonal tube, or a shape other than a polygonal tube.

[0178] In the above embodiment, the case 12 is generally formed in a rounded, flat box shape, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The shape of the case 12 may be a rectangular parallelepiped, another polyhedron, or a solid shape other than a polyhedron.

[0179] In the above-described embodiment, a configuration was described in which the main unit 2 is started up by pressing the input device 15, but a configuration in which the main unit 2 is started up only by detecting a puff by the sensor 26 without having the input device 15 is also possible.

[0180] In addition, within the scope of the invention, the components in the above-described embodiments may be replaced with well-known components, and the above-described modified examples may be combined as appropriate. [Industrial Applicability]

[0181] The present invention relates to a main unit of an aerosol generating device, an aerosol generating device, and a non-combustion inhaler, which can suppress clogging of an air inlet. [Explanation of symbols]

[0182] 1...inhaler, 2...main unit, 3...cartridge, 4...flavor source container, 5...mouthpiece, 10...cartridge storage section, 10a...projection, 10A...cartridge storage space, 10b...lower end, 10B...annular projection, 10c...first opening, 10d...communication hole, 10e...second opening, 11...heating module, 12...casing, 12A...main surface, 12A1...first main surface, 12A2...second main surface, 12B...circumferential wall, 12B1...first peripheral wall, 12B2...second peripheral wall, 12C...corner, 12C1...first corner, 12C2...second corner, 12C3...third corner, 12C4...fourth corner part, 13...outer case, 13a...opening, 13A...first case, 13b...exposed part, 13B...second case, 14...display cover, 14a...through hole, 15...input device, 15a...switch button, 15b...switch holder, 15c...switch board, 16...window part, 17...cover member, 17a...communication hole, 17A...first outer protrusion, 17b...adhesive sheet, 17B...plate part, 17b1...case fitting hole, 17C...inner protrusion, 17D...second outer protrusion, 18A...first air inlet, 18B...second air inlet, 19...cushion material, 20...inner case, 20a...opening, 20A...inner assembly, 21...charging terminal, 21b...through hole, 22...inner case body, 22A...power supply housing, 22b...cartridge abutment, 22B...top plate, 22b1...first ring portion, 22b2...cylindrical portion, 22b3...second ring portion, 22b4...seal ring, 22b5...communication hole, 22c...stopper ring, 22C...side plate, 22c1...collision wall, 22c2...encircling wall, 22c3...locked piece, 22d...cap member, 22D...bottom plate, 22d1...physical stopper, 22D1...bearing portion, 23...power supply, 23 a...cushioning material, 24...main board, 25...display device, 25a...flexible printed circuit board, 26...sensor, 26a...sensor holder, 26b...pedestal portion, 26c...adhesive sheet, 27...light source, 27a...sub-board, 28...vibrator, 29...flexible printed circuit board, 29a...first end, 29b...second end, 29c...third end, 29d...fourth end, 29e...contact pad, 31...tank, 31a...top wall, 31b...through hole, 31c...flow path pipe, 31d...outer peripheral wall, 31e...rib, 31f...engagement hole, 31g...liquid storage chamber, 32...gasket, 32a...opening,33...mesh body, 34...atomization container, 34a...peripheral wall, 34b...fitting portion, 34c...atomization chamber, 34d...bottom wall, 34e...opening, 35...heating portion, 35a...wick, 35b...heating wire, 36...heater holder, 36a...peripheral wall, 36b...engagement piece, 36c...air intake hole, 36d...bottom wall, 36e...air intake hole, 36f...isolation wall, 36h...flat electrode, 41...container body, 41a...peripheral wall, 41b...flange portion, 41c...flavor source storage chamber, 41d...bottom wall, 41e...micropores, 42...filter, 51...mouthpiece portion, 51a...differential recessed portion, 52...suction port base, 52a...insertion tube portion, 52b...outer fitting tube portion, 52c...annular groove, 60...heater portion, 60a...film heater, 60b...pipe member, 60c...shrink tube, 61...capsule holder, 61a...snap fit, 61b...step portion, 62...design ring, 70...first air flow path, 71...flat portion, 72...recess, 80...second air flow path, 81...inner case side protrusion, 82...outer case side protrusion, 90...protruding portion, 100...cartridge storage lid, 101...projecting electrode, 110... Electrode holder, 111...top plate portion, 112...protruding portion, 113...through hole, 120...seal portion, 121...base portion, 122...cylindrical portion, 123...through hole, 124...annular protrusion, 130...metal holder, 131...through hole, 132...opening, 133...slide rail, 134...insertion portion, 135...edge portion, 137...protrusion, 140...electrode substrate, 141...through hole, 142...spring contact, 150...slide cover, 150a...irregularities, 151...cover bottom wall, 152...cover peripheral wall, 152a...upper end portion, 153... Base portion, 154...cover slide groove, 155...lock release groove, 155a...engagement portion, 155b...guide portion, 156...through hole, 157...projection portion, 160...lock piece, 161...claw portion, 162...engaged portion, 163...spring mounting portion, 164...long hole, 170...first biasing member, 180...cover base portion, 180A...rotating end portion, 181...insertion hole, 182...accommodating groove, 183...spring mounting portion, 184...slide groove, 185...insertion groove, 190...rotating shaft, 200...second biasing member, A...area, O...main shaft, θ1...acute angle, θ2...angle,

Claims

1. A housing part having a cartridge storage space therein, The housing part is A pair of main surfaces; a peripheral wall portion connecting the pair of main surface portions and having a plurality of corner portions; a first air inlet that takes in air into the cartridge accommodating space from between the pair of main surface portions or the adjacent corner portions of the peripheral wall portion; A main body unit of an aerosol generating device having a second air inlet that takes in air from the corner portion of the peripheral wall portion into the cartridge accommodating space.

2. The housing part is An inner case, an outer case that covers the inner case and has an exposure portion that exposes a part of the inner case at the corner portion, The main body unit of the aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the second air inlet is formed in a gap between the inner case and the outer case in the exposed portion.

3. The main unit of the aerosol generating device according to claim 2 , wherein the edge of the exposed portion is curved.

4. The main body unit of the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the housing portion has a protrusion portion around the second air inlet.

5. The housing portion has a protrusion portion around the second air inlet, The main body unit of the aerosol generating device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the protrusion is formed by the outer case.

6. The housing part is a communication hole communicating with the cartridge accommodating space; a first air flow passage that communicates between the first air inlet and the communication hole; a second air flow path that communicates the second air inlet and the communication hole, The main body unit of the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first air flow path has a smaller air flow resistance than the second air flow path.

7. The main unit of the aerosol generating device according to claim 6 , wherein the first air flow path has a shorter flow path length to the communication hole than the second air flow path.

8. The main body unit of the aerosol generation device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the communication hole has a flow path cross-sectional area smaller than both of the first air inlet and the second air inlet.

9. The housing part is an opening formed between adjacent corners of the peripheral wall; A cover member provided on the opening, The main body unit of the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first air inlet is formed in a gap between the cover member and the opening.

10. A main unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, An aerosol generating device comprising: a cartridge that accommodates an aerosol source and is inserted into the cartridge accommodating space of the main unit.

11. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10; A non-combustion inhaler comprising: a flavor source container attached to the aerosol generating device.

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