Smoking device

Abstract

To provide a smoking device that can suppress uneven heating of an aerosol formation substrate.SOLUTION: A smoking device (1) for heating an aerosol formation substrate (60) includes: an intake port (11) for taking air into the smoking device; a storage space (SP3) provided downstream of a flow of air taken from the intake port and storing the aerosol formation substrate therein; a heat source space (SP4) provided upstream of the flow of air; and a first heat generation element (first heating source) (20b) provided in the heat source space and heating internal air of the heat source space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a smoking device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, tobacco products that heat a tobacco cartridge containing tobacco components without using a flame and inhale the vaporized tobacco components are widely known. Also, due to the diversification of preferences, cartridge products for enjoying the aroma and taste of plants that do not contain tobacco components without using a flame, like tobacco, have begun to be known.

[0003] Such cartridge products are used by being inserted into a heating-type smoking device. The smoking device is provided with, for example, a blade-shaped heating element that heats the aerosol-forming substrate filled in the cartridge product (see Patent Document 1). When the cartridge product is inserted from the insertion port of the smoking device, the heating element is inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate of the cartridge product. When the user turns on the switch of the smoking device in this state, the heating element generates heat and the aerosol-forming substrate is heated to generate an aerosol.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the electrically heated aerosol generator (smoking device) described in Patent Document 1, the heater of the heating element is provided at a specific position on the surface of a heater mount made of a ceramic material or the like. Therefore, uneven heating occurs between the portion of the aerosol-forming substrate within the range of contact with this heater and the portion of the aerosol-forming substrate outside the range of contact with this heater.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a smoking device capable of suppressing uneven heating of an aerosol-forming substrate.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is a smoking device for heating an aerosol-forming substrate, comprising an intake port for taking in air inside the smoking device, a storage space provided on the downstream side of the flow of the air taken in from the intake port and for storing the aerosol-forming substrate, a heat source space provided on the upstream side of the flow of the air taken in from the intake port, and a first heat source provided in the heat source space for heating the air in the heat source space.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, uneven heating of the aerosol-forming substrate can be suppressed. Note that problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the description of the following embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

Figure 22

Figure 23

Figure 24

Figure 25

Figure 26

Figure 27

Figure 28

Figure 29

Figure 30

Figure 31

Figure 32

Figure 33

Figure 34

Figure 35

Figure 36

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a smoking device 1 according to the first embodiment. Further, FIG. 2(a) is a front view of the smoking device 1, (b) is a top view of the smoking device 1, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIc-IIc of (b).

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(a) to (c), the smoking device 1 includes a main body 10 formed in a rod shape and a first heating element 20 built into the main body 10. The first heating element 20 heats the air inside the smoking device 1 to a high temperature (for example, 200 degrees). This heated air is transferred to the aerosol-forming substrate of a smoking cartridge (hereinafter referred to as "cartridge") 100. The cartridge 100 is composed of an aerosol-forming substrate 60 capable of generating an aerosol, a support member 70 that supports the aerosol-forming substrate 60, a mouthpiece 80 for sucking the aerosol that has passed through the flow path of the support member 70, and an outer packaging member 90 that wraps these, as shown in FIG. 9 described later. In FIG. 2(c), reference numeral 15 is a sensor, reference numeral 16 is a controller, and reference numeral 17 is a battery.

[0013] The main body 10 is made of, for example, a metal member. Of course, the material of the main body 10 is not limited to metal, and a resin material with high heat resistance or the like may be used.

[0014] The main body 10 has an intake port 11 for taking air from the outside space into the inside of the smoking device 1, an insertion port 12 into which the cartridge 100 is inserted, and a notification unit 13 for notifying predetermined information.

[0015] The intake port 11 is a small through-hole formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 10. The intake port 11 communicates the external space with the internal space of the smoking device 1. As the shape of the intake port 11, various shapes such as a rectangular shape or a circular shape can be adopted. Note that a plurality of intake ports 11 may be provided on the main body 10. For example, in the case of a configuration in which two intake ports 11 are provided, it is preferable to arrange the two intake ports 11 so as to face each other in the radial direction of the main body 10.

[0016] The insertion port 12 is formed in a circular shape at one end (the upper end in FIG. 2) in the longitudinal direction of the main body 10. The inner diameter (aperture) of the insertion port 12 is large enough to allow the insertion of the cartridge 100. Note that a charging terminal (not shown) is provided at the other end (the lower end in the figure) in the longitudinal direction of the main body 10.

[0017] The notification unit 13 is composed of, for example, an LED (light emitting diode) lamp, and notifies the smoker, based on its lighting mode, of, for example, the fact that the first heating element 20b (described later) of the first heating unit 20 is generating heat. Of course, other display means such as a liquid crystal can be used instead of the LED lamp.

[0018] The first heating unit 20 includes a partition wall 20a formed in a cylindrical shape, and a first heating element 20b disposed inside the partition wall 20a. The first heating element 20b is electrically connected to a controller (see FIG. 2(c)) 16 that performs various controls, and generates heat when energized. Details of the first heating unit 20 will be described later.

[0019] Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the internal structure of the smoking device 1 will be described. FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views showing the internal structure of the smoking device 1.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the interior of the smoking device 1 is partitioned into a first internal space SP1 and a second internal space SP2 in the longitudinal direction of the main body 10 (the left - right direction in FIG. 3) by a block - shaped support base 14. The first internal space SP1 is a space formed from the support base 14 to one end of the main body 10 (the right end in FIG. 3). The second internal space SP2 is a space formed from the support base 14 to the other end of the main body 10 (the left end in FIG. 3).

[0021] The first internal space SP1 includes a storage space SP3 for storing the aerosol - forming substrate 60 of the cartridge 100, and a heat - source space SP4 where the above - mentioned first heating element 20 is arranged to pre - heat the air taken in from the intake port 11 of the main body 10.

[0022] The storage space SP3 occupies a predetermined range from the insertion port 12 of the main body 10 toward the support base 14. The length of the storage space SP3 in the longitudinal direction is larger than the length of the aerosol - forming substrate 60 of the cartridge 100 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the storage space SP3 can store at least the entire aerosol - forming substrate 60 of the cartridge 100. Looking at the overall flow of air in the main body 10, with the smoker's inhalation, hot air flows from the heat - source space SP4 into the storage space SP3. Therefore, in this smoking device 1, the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 3 is defined as the direction of air flow.

[0023] The heat - source space SP4 is provided on the upstream side where air flows more than the storage space SP3. The heat - source space SP4 is partitioned into a pre - heating space SP5 and a heating space SP6 in the radial direction of the smoking device 1 by the partition wall 20a of the first heating element 20 (see FIG. 4). The pre - heating space SP5 is the space outside the partition wall 20a in the heat - source space SP4. The heating space SP6 is the space inside the partition wall 20a in the heat - source space SP4. Since the partition wall 20a is formed in a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 4, the pre - heating space SP5 and the heating space SP6 are also partitioned in the longitudinal direction of the smoking device 1.

[0024] The preheating space SP5 communicates with the intake port 11 of the main body 10. The intake port 11 is formed at a position slightly upstream of the boundary position (the dotted line in FIG. 3) between the storage space SP3 and the heat source space SP4 on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 10. A sensor 15 for detecting that air has been taken in from the intake port 11 is provided in the preheating space SP5. The sensor 15 is, for example, a pressure sensor and is electrically connected to a controller 16.

[0025] The heating space SP6 communicates with the preheating space through a communication port 20c formed in the partition wall 20a. A first heating element 20b of the first heater 20 is disposed in the heating space SP6. The air in the heating space SP6 is heated to a high temperature (for example, 200 degrees) by the first heating element 20b that generates heat when energized.

[0026] On the other hand, in the second internal space SP2, a controller (control unit) 16 for controlling the energization of the first heating element 20b of the first heater 20 and a battery 17 for supplying power to the controller 16 and the like are provided. The controller 16 is specifically a control board.

[0027] The controller 16 is for controlling the on or off of the first heating element 20b of the first heater 20 and is composed of hardware including a CPU, ROM, RAM, and input / output interfaces (not shown), and software stored in the ROM and executed by the CPU. Various control processes performed by the controller 16 are realized by the CPU loading various programs stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing them.

[0028] Based on detecting that the sensor 15 has detected that air has been taken in from the intake port 11, the controller 16 controls to turn on the first heating element 20b of the first heating body 20, and also controls to turn on the notification unit 13 (LED lamp). Thereby, it is possible to notify the smoker that the first heating element 20b is generating heat. On the other hand, based on detecting that the sensor 15 no longer detects that air has been taken in from the intake port 11, the controller 16 controls to turn off the first heating element 20b of the first heating body 20, and also controls to turn off the notification unit 13. Thereby, it is possible to notify the smoker that the first heating element 20b is not generating heat.

[0029] The battery 17 is composed of, for example, a lithium-based battery (such as a lithium polymer battery), and can be charged via a charging terminal provided at the lower end of the main body 10.

[0030] Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the details of the first heating body 20 will be described. FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the first heating body 20. Also, the left view shown in FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-section of the first heating body 20 viewed from the cartridge 100 side of the cross-section of the smoking device 1 shown in FIG. 4 cut along the line VI-VI, and the right view shown in FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-section of the cartridge 100 viewed from the first heating body 20 side of the same cross-section. In FIG. 6, L1 is a straight line passing through the top of the first heating body 20 and the cartridge 100, L2 is a straight line passing through their bottoms, L3 is a straight line passing through the top of the opening of the first heating body 20, L4 is a straight line passing through the bottom of the opening, L5 is a straight line passing through the top of the aerosol-forming substrate 60 of the cartridge 100, and L6 is a straight line passing through the bottom of the aerosol-forming substrate 60.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 5, the first heating body 20 is configured by disposing the first heating element 20b inside the partition wall 20a. The partition wall 20a is made of a heat-transmittable member containing an inorganic compound (such as alumina or silicon carbide) as a main component. The partition wall 20a transfers the heat of the air heated by the first heating element 20b in the heating space SP6 to the air in the preheating space SP5. Note that the partition wall 20a may also be configured of a metal material or a resin material having heat resistance.

[0032] The partition wall 20a has a tapered shape that tapers from the downstream side to the upstream side of the air flow in the heat source space SP4. The partition wall 20a is provided entirely in the heat source space SP4 along the longitudinal direction of the main body 10 (see FIG. 4). The longitudinal length of the partition wall 20a is longer than the longitudinal length of the aerosol forming substrate 60 of the cartridge 100. Also, the upstream end of the partition wall 20a is joined to the support base 14 and firmly supported. On the other hand, the downstream end of the partition wall 20a abuts against the inner wall of the main body 10 to partition the preheating space SP5 and the storage space SP3 (see the same figure).

[0033] Moreover, the end of the partition wall 20a on the downstream side (the side facing the storage space SP3) has a circular opening 20d. The opening 20d is set to a size larger than the outer diameter of the aerosol forming substrate 60 of the cartridge 100. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the inner diameter (aperture diameter) of the opening 20d corresponds to the distance D1 between the straight line L3 and the straight line L4, and is larger than the distance D2 between the straight line L5 and the straight line L6 corresponding to the outer diameter of the aerosol forming substrate 60. Of course, the distances D1 and D2 may be set to be equal.

[0034] Furthermore, the partition wall 20a has a communication port 20c on its outer peripheral surface. The communication port 20c is formed near the upstream end of the partition wall 20a (see FIG. 4). As the shape of the communication port 20c, various shapes such as a rectangular shape or a circular shape can be adopted. Note that a plurality of communication ports 20c may be provided on the partition wall 20a. For example, in the case of a configuration in which two communication ports 20c are provided, it is preferable to arrange the two communication ports 20c to face each other in the radial direction of the partition wall 20a. Also, the position of the communication port 20c is not limited to the position described above, and may be on the upstream side of the partition wall 20a. Even in this case, the air taken into the heating space SP6 through the communication port 20c can be heated at a high temperature.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first heating element 20b is formed by winding a heating wire in a spiral shape at a predetermined pitch, and heats the air in the heating space SP6 to a high temperature (for example, 200 degrees) by generating heat when energized. The outer shape of the first heating element 20b is in a shape along the inner peripheral surface of the partition wall 20a, and the outer diameter of the first heating element 20b increases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the air flow in the heat source space SP4. Further, as shown on the left side of FIG. 6, the first heating element 20b is formed such that the spirally wound portions do not overlap in a front view. The air in the heating space SP6 can come into contact with the entire first heating element 20b before flowing into the storage space SP3.

[0036] Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the air flow in the heat source space SP4 of the main body 10 will be described. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing the air flow in the preheating space SP5 when inhalation by a smoker is started. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing the air flow in the heating space SP6 when inhalation by a smoker is started.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 7, when a smoker starts inhalation, first, air is taken into the preheating space SP5 from the intake port 11 of the main body 10. Then, the taken-in air is transferred to the communication port 20c of the partition wall 20a while swirling around the partition wall 20a of the first heater 20 in the preheating space SP5 from the downstream end to the upstream end of the partition wall 20a. At this time, the air in the preheating space SP5 is transferred through the partition wall 20a. The heat generated from the first heating element 20b is transmitted. On the other hand, when the smoker finishes inhalation, the air that has been heat-transferred from the partition wall 20a stays in the preheating space SP5. This staying air is preheated by the partition wall 20a until the smoker resumes inhalation.

[0038] Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the air transferred to the communication port 20c of the partition wall 20a passes through the communication port 20c and is taken into the heating space SP6 from the preheating space SP5. Then, the taken-in air passes through the opening 20d while swirling along the spiral first heating element 20b in the heating space SP6 from the upstream end to the downstream end of the partition wall 20a. As a result, high-temperature air is transferred to the storage space SP3 and uniformly passes between the aerosol-forming substrates 60.

[0039] Next, a method of using the smoking device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the cartridge 100 is attached to the smoking device 1.

[0040] The smoker inserts the cartridge 100 into the insertion port 12 of the smoking device 1 along the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, thereby storing the aerosol-forming substrate 60 in the storage space SP3 of the main body 10 as shown in FIG. 9. At this time, the aerosol-forming substrate 60 can be easily positioned by bringing the downstream end of the partition wall 20a of the first heater 20 into contact with the aerosol-forming substrate 60. Then, the smoker adds the mouthpiece 80 and inhales. As a result, the aerosol-forming substrate 60 is heated by transferring high-temperature air to the aerosol-forming substrate 60, and an aerosol is generated from the aerosol-forming substrate 60. Then, the smoker sucks the aerosol from the mouthpiece.

[0041] According to the smoking device 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above, the following effects can be achieved.

[0042] The air heated to a high temperature by the first heating element (first heat source) in the heat source space SP4 can uniformly pass between the aerosol-forming substrates 60 stored in the storage space SP3. Therefore, uneven heating of the aerosol-forming substrate 60 can be suppressed, and the flavor of the aerosol-forming substrate 60 can be fully enjoyed.

[0043] Further, the heat source space SP4 is partitioned by the partition wall 20a into a preheating space SP5 communicating with the intake port 11 and a heating space SP6 communicating with the preheating space SP5 via the communication port 20c. The air in the heating space SP6 is heated by the first heating element 20b. Therefore, the air in the heating space SP6 within the main body 10 can be intensively heated, and high-temperature air can be instantaneously generated.

[0044] Also, since the partition wall 20a is made of a heat-transferable member, the heat possessed by the air in the heating space SP6 can be transferred to the air in the preheating space SP5.

[0045] Furthermore, since the partition wall 20a partitions the heat source space SP4 into the preheating space SP5 and the heating space SP6 in the radial direction of the smoking device 1, the preheating space SP5 and the heating space SP6 can be formed without bias around the central axis of the smoking device 1. Therefore, no temperature unevenness occurs in the air transferred to the aerosol-forming substrate 60 stored in the storage space SP3. Also, since such air is transferred to the aerosol-forming substrate 60, the aerosol-forming substrate 60 can be uniformly heated, and a sufficient smoking time can be ensured compared to conventional smoking devices in which heating unevenness occurs. In addition, since the partition wall 20a is provided entirely in the heat source space SP4 along the longitudinal direction of the smoking device 1, the air in the heat source space SP4 can also be sufficiently heated.

[0046] Also, since the air in the preheating space SP5 can be preheated before the smoker inhales (puffs), the temperature of the air in the preheating space SP5 can be made higher than the temperature of the air in the external space (outside air temperature). Therefore, the energy required for the first heating element 20b to heat the air in the heating space SP6 can be reduced.

[0047] Also, since the partition wall 20a is formed of a tapered cylindrical body whose diameter decreases from the downstream side to the upstream side of the air flow in the heat source space SP4, a sufficient preheating space SP5 can be secured. Also, after heating the air in the heating space SP6 over a wide range at the downstream end, the air can be immediately transferred to the aerosol-forming substrate 60, so that the aerosol-forming substrate 60 can be effectively heated.

[0048] Further, since the downstream end of the partition wall 20a has an opening 20d sized to be equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate 60, hot air can be transferred to the entire surface of the aerosol-forming substrate 60 facing the opening 20d, and the aerosol-forming substrate 60 can be sufficiently heated.

[0049] Furthermore, since the communication port 20c of the partition wall 20a is formed at the upstream end of the partition wall 20a, the time during which the air taken in from the intake port 11 stays in the preheating space SP5 until it reaches the communication port 20c can be increased. Therefore, the air in the preheating space SP5 is sufficiently heat-transferred by the partition wall 20a.

[0050] Also, since the longitudinal length of the partition wall 20a is longer than the longitudinal length of the aerosol-forming substrate 60, a heat source space SP4 necessary for sufficiently heating the aerosol-forming substrate 60 can be secured.

[0051] In addition, the air taken into the partition wall 20a through the communication port 20c convects while swirling from the upstream side with a reduced diameter to the downstream side with an enlarged diameter of the partition wall 20a, so that it can sufficiently contact the first heating element 20b wound in a spiral shape and can sufficiently secure this contact time. Therefore, the air taken into the partition wall 20a can be efficiently heated.

[0052] In this way, since the smoking device 1 allows hot air to uniformly pass through the aerosol-forming substrate 60, the smoker can enjoy smoking while fully bringing out the characteristics of the aerosol-forming substrate 60.

[0053] Next, various modified examples of the smoking device 1 will be described.

[0054] (Modified Example 1-1) FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a smoking device 1-1 according to Modified Example 1-1. The smoking device 1-1 differs from the first embodiment in the position of the intake port 11 and the size of the first heater 20.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 10, the intake port 11 is provided on one end side (right end side in FIG. 10) where the insertion port 12 of the main body 10 is provided.

[0056] The diameter of the first heating element 20 is smaller than that in the first embodiment. Specifically, the outer diameter of the partition wall 20a of the first heating element 20 is set to a size that does not contact the inner peripheral surface of the main body 10, and the outer diameter of the end portion on the downstream side (the side facing the storage space SP3) of the partition wall 20a of the first heating element 20 (corresponding to the distance between the straight lines L1 and L2 shown in FIG. 6) is smaller than the inner diameter of the main body 10.

[0057] In the smoking device 1-1 configured as described above, the storage space SP3 is the space occupied by the cartridge stored in the main body 10 (the space indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 10). When the cartridge is inserted from the insertion port 12 of the main body 10, an annular space SP7 (the space indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 10) is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the cartridge and the inner peripheral surface of the main body 10. The annular space SP7 communicates with the external space through the intake port 11 and also communicates with the preheating space SP5 on the upstream side where the first heating element 20 is disposed. That is, the air taken in from the intake port 11 flows through the annular space SP7 and is transferred to the preheating space SP5. Then, the air in the annular space SP7 and the air in the preheating space SP5 are preheated by heat being transferred through the partition wall 20a. Therefore, in this smoking device 1-1, the annular space SP7 and the preheating space SP5 correspond to the "preheating space" of the present invention.

[0058] According to the smoking device 1-1 configured as described above, since the amount of air that can be preheated by the annular space SP7 and the preheating space SP5 can be increased, even when the smoker resumes smoking after once finishing smoking, a sufficient amount of high-temperature air can be transferred to the aerosol-forming substrate 60.

[0059] Further, even if the smoke generated by heating the aerosol-forming substrate leaks into the annular space SP7 from the outer peripheral portion of the tip of the cartridge while the smoker is smoking, it can be transferred to the preheating space SP5 on the flow of the air taken in from the intake port 11. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the smoke from leaking outside the smoking device 1-1.

[0060] In addition, since the position of the intake port 11 is on one end side of the main body portion 10, the distance until the air taken in from the intake port 11 reaches the communication port 20c of the partition wall 20a can be increased to sufficiently preheat the air. When the annular space SP7 and the preheating space SP5 are formed inside the main body portion 10 as described above, the position of the intake port 11 may be within a range from one end of the main body portion 10 or the vicinity thereof to a position facing the upstream end of the partition wall 20a in the main body portion 10. Even if the intake port 11 is provided within such a range, the air inside the annular space SP7 and the preheating space SP5 can be preheated.

[0061] (Modification Example 1-2) FIG. 11 is a top view of the smoking device according to Modification Example 1-2 as viewed from the insertion port 12 side. The smoking device according to Modification Example 1-2 differs from the first embodiment in the number of the first heating elements 20.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 11, a plurality (three in this example) of first heating elements 20 are disposed in the heat source space SP4 of the main body portion 10. The three first heating elements 20 have the same configuration as the first heating element 20 of the first embodiment except that they are smaller in size than the first heating element 20 of the first embodiment. The three first heating elements 20 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the main body portion 10 within the heat source space SP4.

[0063] According to the smoking device configured as described above, the aerosol-forming substrate 60 can be locally heated by the air heated by each first heating element 20. In addition, since the three first heating elements 20 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the main body portion 10, the aerosol-forming substrate 60 can be evenly heated as a whole of these three first heating elements 20. Note that the number of the first heating elements 20 is not limited to three, and may be two or more.

[0064] (Modification Example 1-3) FIG. 12(a) is a plan view showing a first heating element 20 included in the smoking device according to Modification Example 1-3, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIIc-XIIc of (a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIIc-XIIc of (a). The smoking device according to Modification Example 1-3 is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the partition wall 20a of the first heating element 20 functions as a heating element.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 12(a), the partition wall 20a of the first heating element 20 is a member made of a conductive material and is electrically connected to a controller (control unit) 16 built in the second internal space SP2 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The partition wall 20a generates heat when energized and heats the air in the heating space SP6. In the smoking device according to Modification Example 1-3, since the partition wall 20a itself functions as a heating element, unlike the first embodiment, the first heating element 20b is not provided.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 12(a) and (b), the first heating element 20 has a plurality of heat dissipation fins 20h having a rectangular cross-section that protrude linearly from the inner peripheral surface of the partition wall 20a toward the central axis C of the partition wall 20a. Each heat dissipation fin 20h is made of a member having high thermal conductivity such as aluminum or copper, and one end surface thereof is joined to the inner peripheral surface of the partition wall 20a.

[0067] The plurality of heat dissipation fins 20h are arranged at a predetermined interval along the longitudinal direction of the partition wall 20a (see FIG. 12(a)) and are arranged along the circumferential direction of the partition wall 20a so as to surround the central axis C (see FIG. 12(b)). The other end surfaces of each heat dissipation fin 20h except the end surface joined to the inner peripheral surface of the partition wall 20a are in contact with the air in the heating space SP6, and a sufficient contact area between each heat dissipation fin 20h and the air in the heating space SP6 is ensured. Then, when the heat generated from the partition wall 20a is transmitted to each heat dissipation fin 20h, the transmitted heat is radiated toward the air in the heating space SP6. Note that the shape of the heat dissipation fin 20h is not limited to a rectangular cross-section, and for example, a spiral shape or the like may be adopted in order to improve the contact area with the air in the heating space SP6.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 12(a) and (c), the communication port 20c penetrates through the partition wall 20a while being inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the radial direction of the partition wall 20a. Thereby, the air taken into the heating space SP6 through the communication port 20c easily flows along the longitudinal direction of the partition wall 20a in a swirling manner (see FIG. 12(c)).

[0069] According to the smoking device configured as described above, since the first heating element 20b is not required, the number of components of the first heater 20 can be reduced.

[0070] In addition, since the heat generated from the partition wall 20a can be transferred to the air in the heating space SP6 through the plurality of heat radiation fins 20h, the air in the heating space SP6 can be sufficiently heated. Moreover, each heat radiation fin 20h is formed in a rectangular cross-sectional shape and can extremely effectively heat the air by sufficiently contacting the air in the heating space SP6.

[0071] Furthermore, since the communication port 20c is a through port inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the radial direction of the partition wall 20a, the air taken into the heating space SP6 through the communication port 20c easily flows along the longitudinal direction of the partition wall 20a in a swirling manner. Therefore, the air taken into the heating space SP6 can be sufficiently brought into contact with both the inner peripheral surface of the partition wall 20a and the heat radiation fins 20h, so that the air in the heating space SP6 can be effectively heated.

[0072] Note that in the above Modifications 1-3, the configuration was such that a plurality of heat radiation fins 20h were joined to the partition wall 20a. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. If the air in the partition wall 20a can be heated to a high temperature, a plurality of heat radiation fins 20h may not be provided.

[0073] Also, in the above Modifications 1-3, the configuration was such that the partition wall 20a itself functioned as a heating element. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a configuration in which a planar heating element is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the partition wall 20a having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment may be used. In this case, the planar heating element may be formed, for example, by printing or plating so that a metallic member is formed.

[0074] (Other Modification Examples) In the above first embodiment, the partition wall 20a was configured as a tapered cylindrical body, but modification examples as shown below may be adopted. FIGS. 13(a) to (c) are cross-sectional views showing the partition wall 20a according to the modification example.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 13(a), the partition wall 20a may have a plurality of convex portions 20e on its outer peripheral surface. Also, as shown in FIG. 13(b), the partition wall 20a may have a plurality of concave portions 20f on its outer peripheral surface. By adopting such a configuration, the contact area between the air in the preheating space SP5 and the outer peripheral surface of the partition wall 20a can be increased, so that effective heat transfer can be performed on the air in the preheating space SP5 through the partition wall 20a.

[0076] Also, as shown in FIG. 13(c), a heat reflection member 20g may be provided on a part of the inner peripheral surface of the partition wall 20a. The heat reflection member 20g is composed of, for example, a plurality of heat reflection sheets and is attached at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the inner peripheral surface of the partition wall 20a. Note that, instead of the heat reflection sheet, for example, plating or the like may be applied. By adopting such a configuration, the air in the heating space SP6 can be effectively heated by the first heating element 20b of the first heating body 20.

[0077] Also, in the above first embodiment, the first heating element 20b was configured as a heating wire wound in a spiral shape, but modification examples as shown below may be adopted. FIGS. 14(a) to (c) are cross-sectional views showing the first heating element 20b according to the modification example.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 14(a), the first heating element 20b may be configured as a needle-shaped member. Also, as shown in FIG. 14(b), the first heating element 20b may be configured as a cylindrical member. Further, as shown in FIG. 14(c), the first heating element 20b may be configured as a screw-shaped member. Even by adopting such a configuration, the air in the heating space SP6 can be heated to a high temperature by the first heating element 20b.

[0079] (Second Embodiment) Next, the smoking device 2 according to the second embodiment will be described. The smoking device 2 has basically the same configuration as the smoking device 1 according to the first embodiment, but is different from the first embodiment in that it includes a second heating element 30 that directly heats the aerosol-forming substrate 60. Therefore, in the following description, the description will focus on this difference, and the description overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0080] FIG. 15(a) is a front view of the smoking device 2, (b) is a top view of (a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVc-XVc of (b). Further, FIG. 16(a) is a front view showing the second heating element 30, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIc-XVIc of (a).

[0081] As shown in FIGS. 15(a) to (c), the smoking device 2 includes a second heating element 30 in the storage space SP3 of the main body 10. The second heating element 30 is formed in a blade shape, for example. As shown in FIGS. 16(a) and (b), the second heating element 30 includes a heat transfer member 30a and a sheet-shaped second heating element (second heat source) 30b. The second heating element 30b is built in the heat transfer member 30a. In the second embodiment, the second heating element 30b generates heat at, for example, 200 degrees, and the first heating element 20b of the first heating element 20 generates heat at, for example, 100 degrees. Thus, the smoking device 2 transfers the high-temperature air heated by the first heating element 20 to the aerosol-forming substrate 60, and directly heats the aerosol-forming substrate 60 by the second heating element 30.

[0082] FIG. 17(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the first heating element 20 and the second heating element 30, and (b) is a top view of (a).

[0083] As shown in FIG. 17, the second heating element 30 is disposed on the downstream side of the first heating element 20 inside the smoking device 2. A disk-shaped first lid member 40 and a rectangular parallelepiped pedestal portion 41 are interposed between the first heating element 20 and the second heating element 30. The pedestal portion 41 is disposed on the central portion of the first lid member 40.

[0084] The first lid member 40 covers the opening 20d of the first heater 20. The first lid member 40 has a plurality (eight in this example) of first holes 40a along the circumferential direction in the vicinity of its outer peripheral edge. That is, each first hole 40a is formed away from the central portion of the first lid member 40. The eight first holes 40a communicate the heating space SP6 and the storage space SP3.

[0085] The pedestal portion 41 forms a gap D between the first lid member 40 and the second heater 30 in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 10 (the vertical direction in FIG. 17(a)). The upper surface of the pedestal portion 41 abuts on the aerosol-forming substrate 60 stored in the storage space SP3. Therefore, even when the aerosol-forming substrate 60 is stored in the storage space SP3, the gap D remains maintained between the first lid member 40 and the aerosol-forming substrate 60.

[0086] Next, with reference to FIG. 18, the electrical configuration of the smoking device 2 will be described. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the smoking device 2. As shown in FIG. 18, the controller 16 controls to turn on the first heating element 20b of the first heater 20 and the second heating element 30b of the second heater 30 based on detecting that air has been taken in from the intake port 11 by the sensor 15. In this case, the controller 16 controls to start the heating of the first heating element 20b and the heating of the second heating element 30b at different timings. Specifically, the controller 16 makes the start timing of the heating of the first heating element 20b earlier than the start timing of the heating of the second heating element 30b.

[0087] When the cartridge 100 is attached to the smoking device 2 having such a configuration, the state shown in FIG. 19 is obtained. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the state where the cartridge 100 is attached to the smoking device 2.

[0088] As shown in Fig. 19, when a smoker starts to inhale, similar to the first embodiment, the second heating element 30b of the first heating body 20 generates heat, and the air in the heated space SP6 heated to a high temperature is transferred to the aerosol-forming substrate 60 through the eight first holes 40a of the first lid member 40. At this time, the transferred air diffuses in the gap D between the first lid member 40 and the aerosol-forming substrate 60 after passing through the eight first holes 40a of the first lid member 40 and is transferred to the outer peripheral portion of the aerosol-forming substrate 60. Further, the aerosol-forming substrate 60 is heated around its central portion by the second heating element 30b of the second heating body 30 generating heat. In this way, the aerosol-forming substrate 60 generates an aerosol by the high-temperature (for example, 100 degrees) air heated by the first heating body 20 and the direct heating at a high temperature (for example, 200 degrees) by the second heating body 30.

[0089] According to the smoking device 2 configured as described above, when air is taken in from the intake port 11 of the main body portion 10, the central portion of the aerosol-forming substrate 60 can be directly heated at a high temperature (for example, 200 degrees) by the second heating body 30. At the same time, the air in the heating space SP6 is heated to a high temperature (for example, 100 degrees) by the first heating element 20b and transferred to the outer peripheral portion of the aerosol-forming substrate 60. Therefore, the central portion and the outer peripheral portion of the aerosol-forming substrate 60 can be sufficiently heated, and the flavor of the aerosol-forming substrate 60 can be further brought out.

[0090] In addition, since a gap D is formed between the aerosol-forming substrate 60 stored in the storage space SP3 and the first lid member 40, the high-temperature air passing through the first holes 40a of the first lid member 40 can be diffused in this gap D and passed more evenly through the aerosol-forming substrate 60.

[0091] Further, since the high-temperature air is diffused in the above-described gap D, the temperature difference between the portion of the aerosol-forming substrate 60 that is not in direct contact with the second heating body 30 and the portion to which the diffused high-temperature air is transferred can be moderated.

[0092] Furthermore, when air is taken in from the intake port 11 of the main body 10, the start timing of the heat generation of the first heating element 20b is made earlier than the start timing of the heat generation of the second heating element 30b. Therefore, at the start of smoking, the outer peripheral portion of the aerosol-forming substrate 60 is heated at a high temperature (e.g., 100 degrees), allowing the smoker to enjoy the mild flavor of the aerosol-forming substrate 60.

[0093] In this way, since the smoking device 2 has the individually controllable first heating body 20 and second heating body 30, first, the air in the heating space SP6 heated at a low temperature (e.g., 100 degrees) by the first heating element 20b of the first heating body 20 is transferred to the aerosol-forming substrate 60, and then the aerosol-forming substrate 60 can be directly heated at a high temperature (e.g., 200 degrees) by the second heating body 30. Therefore, the smoker can first enjoy the aroma of the aerosol and then enjoy the taste of the aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate 60, so that the aroma and taste of the cartridge 100 can be enjoyed separately.

[0094] Also, it is possible to cause the first heating element 20b of the first heating body 20 to generate heat at a high temperature (e.g., 200 degrees). When the first heating element 20b generates heat at a high temperature in this way, the air in the heating space SP6 heated at a high temperature can be transferred to the aerosol-forming substrate 60. Therefore, the entire aerosol-forming substrate 60 can be smoked to enjoy the flavor of the aerosol. At the same time, since the aerosol-forming substrate 60 can be directly heated at a high temperature by the second heating body 30, the flavor of the aerosol can be further enhanced.

[0095] Next, a modified example of the smoking device 2 will be described.

[0096] (Modified Example 2-1) FIG. 20 is a front view showing a smoking device 2-1 according to Modified Example 2-1. The smoking device 2-1 differs from the second embodiment in that it has a first switch 18 for causing the first heating element 20b of the first heating body 20 to generate heat and a second switch 19 for causing the second heating element 30b of the second heating body 30 to generate heat.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 20, the main body 10 has a first switch 18 and a second switch 19 on its outer peripheral surface. The first switch 18 and the second switch 19 are, for example, push-button switches and are electrically connected to the controller 16.

[0098] FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the smoking device 2-1. As shown in FIG. 21, based on the fact that the first switch 18 is continuously pressed for a predetermined time (for example, about 2 seconds) (long pressed), the controller 16 controls to turn on the first heating element 20b and controls to turn on the notification unit 13. Further, based on the fact that the second switch 19 is continuously pressed for a predetermined time (for example, about 2 seconds), the controller 16 controls to turn on the second heating element 30b and controls to turn on the notification unit 13. In addition, when a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes) has elapsed since the first switch 18 was long pressed, the controller 16 controls to turn off the first heating element 20b and controls to turn off the notification unit 13. The same applies to the second switch 19.

[0099] According to the smoking device 2-1 configured in this way, since the smoker can select the heating of the first heating body 20 or the second heating body 30, smoking according to the smoker's preference can be provided.

[0100] (Modification 2-2) FIG. 22 is a front view showing the smoking device 2-2 according to Modification 2-1. The smoking device 2-2 is different from the above Modification 2-1 in that it has a changeover switch 42 for switching the heating of the first heating body 20 and the second heating body 30 to a manual mode or an automatic mode.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 22, the main body 10 has a changeover switch 42 on its outer peripheral surface. The changeover switch 42 is, for example, a push-button switch and is electrically connected to the controller 16. Note that the notification unit 13 is provided so as to surround the changeover switch 42.

[0102] FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the smoking device 2-2. As shown in FIG. 23, the controller 16 includes a mode storage unit 16a that stores information regarding the manual mode or the automatic mode set by switching the changeover switch 42, and a timer 16b that measures time. The manual mode is a mode in which the heat generation of the first heating element 20 and the second heating element 30 is controlled based on the manual operation of the smoker, similar to the above-described modification example 2-1. The automatic mode is a mode in which the heat generation of the first heating element 20 and the second heating element 30 is controlled based on the detection by the sensor 15 (pressure sensor). In the automatic mode, the controller 16 controls to start the heat generation of the first heating element 20b of the first heating element 20 and the heat generation of the second heating element 30b of the second heating element 30 at different timings based on the detection by the sensor 15 of the intake of air from the intake port 11. Specifically, the controller 16 controls to start the heat generation of the first heating element 20b earlier than the heat generation of the second heating element 30b.

[0103] FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the energization control of the first heating element 20 and the second heating element 30. Hereinafter, the energization control after the smoker presses the changeover switch 42 will be described.

[0104] (Step S100) The controller 16 checks the mode stored in the mode storage unit 16a.

[0105] (Step S110) The controller 16 determines whether or not the mode confirmed in step S100 is the manual mode. If the controller 16 determines that it is the manual mode, the process proceeds to step S120. On the other hand, if the controller 16 does not determine that it is the manual mode (that is, if it determines that it is the automatic mode), the process proceeds to step S160.

[0106] (Step S120) The controller 16 determines whether the first switch 18 has been long-pressed. If the controller 16 determines that the first switch 18 has been long-pressed, the process proceeds to step S130. On the other hand, if the controller 16 does not determine that the first switch 18 has been long-pressed, the process proceeds to step S140.

[0107] (Step S130) The controller 16 controls to heat the first heating element 20b of the first heater 20.

[0108] (Step S140) The controller 16 determines whether the second switch 19 has been long-pressed. If the controller 16 determines that the second switch 19 has been long-pressed, the process proceeds to step S150. On the other hand, if the controller 16 does not determine that the second switch 19 has been long-pressed, the process ends.

[0109] (Step S150) The controller 16 controls to heat the second heating element 30b of the second heater 30 and ends the process.

[0110] (Step S160) The controller 16 activates the sensor 15 and determines whether air has been taken in from the intake port 11 of the main body 10. If the controller 16 determines that air has been taken in from the intake port 11, the process proceeds to step S170. On the other hand, if the controller 16 does not determine that air has been taken in from the intake port 11, the process ends.

[0111] (Step S170) The controller 16 controls to heat the first heating element 20b of the first heater 20 and proceeds to the process of step S180.

[0112] (Step S180) The controller 16 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the heat generation of the first heating element 20b based on the time measured by the timer 16b. When the controller 16 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S190. On the other hand, when the controller 16 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S180.

[0113] (Step S190) The controller 16 controls the second heating element 30b of the second heating body 30 to generate heat and ends the process.

[0114] According to the smoking device 2-2 configured as described above, since the smoker can smoke by selecting the manual mode or the automatic mode, the smoker's preferences can be further accommodated. Further, in the automatic mode, before the second heating element 30b of the second heating body 30 generates heat, the first heating element 20b of the first heating body 20 generates heat, so that the smoker can taste the mild flavor of the aerosol-forming substrate 60 at the start of smoking.

[0115] (Modification 2-3) FIG. 25(a) is a front view of a smoking device 2-3 according to Modification 2-3, (b) is a top view of the smoking device 2-3, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXVc-XXVc of (b). FIG. 26(a) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the first heating body 20 and the second heating body 30 in FIG. 25(b), and (b) is an enlarged side view of the main body 10. The smoking device 2-3 differs from the above-described Modification 2-1 in that it has a second lid member 43 between the first lid member 40 and the pedestal portion 41.

[0116] As shown in FIGS. 25(a) to (c) and FIGS. 26(a) and (b), the smoking device 2-3 has a disc-shaped second lid member 43 capable of adjusting the amount of air passing through the plurality of first holes 40a of the first lid member 40. The second lid member 43 is disposed on the first lid member 40 inside the main body 10, and the pedestal portion 41 is disposed on the second lid member 43. The outer diameter of the second lid member 430 is larger than the outer diameter of the first lid member 40.

[0117] The first lid member 40 and the second lid member 43 are pivotally supported at the tip (the upper end in FIG. 26(a)) of a rotating shaft 44 extending along the longitudinal direction within the heat source space SP4 of the main body 10. The second lid member 43 is rotatable along the circumferential direction of the main body 10 (see the same figure). Details of the first lid member 40 and the second lid member 43 will be described later.

[0118] The main body 10 has a pair of protruding portions 10a protruding in the outer diameter direction of the main body 10 so as to cover a part of the side surface portion of the second lid member 43. The pair of protruding portions 10a are arranged at a predetermined interval from each other in the circumferential direction of the main body 10, and a part of the side surface portion of the second lid member 43 is partially exposed. The air in the external space is taken into the inside of the smoking device 2-3 through a gap (not shown) formed between the exposed part of the side surface portion of the second lid member 43 and the pair of protruding portions 10a in addition to the intake port 11.

[0119] Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 10 covering the first lid member 40, there is provided a specific mark M0 used when a smoker adjusts the amount of air passing through a plurality of first hole portions 40a by rotating the second lid member 43. By aligning the position of this specific mark M0 and the position of a first mark M1 or the like (to be described later) provided on the side surface portion of the second lid member 43 in the left-right direction, the smoker can adjust the amount of air passing through the plurality of first hole portions 40a of the first lid member 40.

[0120] Next, with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28(a) and (b), details of the first lid member 40 and the second lid member 43 will be described. FIG. 27 is a plan view showing the first lid member 40. FIG. 28(a) is a plan view showing the second lid member 43, and (b) is a side view of (a).

[0121] As shown in FIG. 27, the first lid member 40 has, similarly to the second embodiment, a plurality (four in this example) of first hole portions 40a and a first shaft hole portion 40b for inserting the rotating shaft 44. The four first hole portions 40a are arranged at equal intervals (90-degree intervals) in the circumferential direction at positions separated from the first shaft hole portion 40b by a predetermined interval.

[0122] As shown in FIGS. 28(a) and (b), the second lid member 43 has a plurality (four in this example) of second hole portions 43a and a second shaft hole portion 43b for inserting the rotation shaft 44. The four second hole portions 43a are arranged at equal intervals (90-degree intervals) along the circumferential direction at positions separated from the second shaft hole portion 43b by a predetermined distance. The inner diameter of each second hole portion 43a is larger than the inner diameter of the first hole portion 40a of the first lid member 40. At a predetermined position on the side surface portion of the second lid member 43, a plurality (three in this example) of first marks M1, second marks M2, and third marks M3 are provided.

[0123] The first mark M1 is provided on the extension line of the straight line L passing through the centers of two second hole portions 43a separated by 180 degrees along the circumferential direction on the side surface of the second lid member 43 (see FIG. 28(a)). The third mark M3 is provided at a position 45 degrees clockwise from the first mark M1 along the circumferential direction on the side surface portion of the second lid member 43. The second mark M2 is provided at a position intermediate between the first mark M1 and the third mark M3 along the circumferential direction on the side surface portion of the second lid member 43. The smoker rotates the second lid member 43 so that the position of the specific mark M0 provided on the side surface portion of the main body portion 10 coincides with the position of any one of the first mark M1, the second mark M2, and the third mark M3 in the left-right direction.

[0124] Next, with reference to FIGS. 29(a), (b) to 31(a), (b), the method of adjusting the amount of air passing through the four first hole portions 40a by the second lid member 43 will be described. FIG. 29(a) is a side view of the main body portion 10 showing a state where the first mark M1 of the second lid member 43 and the specific mark M0 of the main body portion 10 are aligned in the left-right direction, and (b) is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the first hole portion 40a of the first lid member 40 and the second hole portion 43a of the second lid member 43 in the state of (a). Further, FIG. 30(a) is a side view of the main body portion 10 showing a state where the second mark M2 and the specific mark M0 are aligned in the left-right direction, and (b) is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the first hole portion 40a and the second hole portion 43a in the state of (a). Furthermore, FIG. 31(a) is a side view of the main body portion 10 showing a state where the third mark M3 and the specific mark M0 are aligned in the left-right direction, and (b) is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the first hole portion 40a and the second hole portion 43a in the state of (a).

[0125] As shown in FIGS. 29(a) and (b), when the smoker rotates the second lid member 43 so that the first mark M1 of the second lid member 43 is positioned above the specific mark M0 of the main body portion 10, the entire first hole portion 40a of the first lid member 40 is included in the second hole portion 43a of the second lid member 43. At this time, the amount of air passing through the four first hole portions 40a of the first lid member 40 becomes maximum. Therefore, the air heated to a high temperature in the heating space SP6 can be sufficiently transferred to the aerosol-forming substrate 60, and by increasing the generation amount of the aerosol, the flavor of the aerosol can be sufficiently brought out.

[0126] As shown in FIGS. 30(a) and (b), when the smoker rotates the second lid member 43 so that the second mark M2 of the second lid member 43 is positioned above the specific mark M0 of the main body portion 10, a part of the first hole portion 40a is included in the second hole portion 43a. At this time, the amount of air passing through the four first hole portions 40a of the first lid member 40 becomes smaller than that in FIGS. 29(a) and (b). Therefore, a small amount of air heated to a high temperature in the heating space SP6 can be transferred to the aerosol-forming substrate 60, and by reducing the generation amount of the aerosol, a mild flavor of the aerosol can be brought out, and smoking can be enjoyed for a longer time compared to the case of FIGS. 29(a) and (b).

[0127] As shown in FIGS. 31(a) and (b), when the smoker rotates the second lid member 43 so that the third mark M3 of the second lid member 43 is positioned above the specific mark M0 of the main body 10, the entire first hole 40a is not included in the second hole 43a. At this time, the amount of air passing through the four first holes 40a of the first lid member 40 becomes zero (minimum). Therefore, smoking in a method of directly heating the aerosol-forming substrate 60 only by the second heater 30 can be enjoyed.

[0128] According to the smoking device 2-3 configured as described above, by rotating the second lid member 43, the smoker can adjust the amount of air passing through the four first holes 40a of the first lid member 40, that is, the amount of high-temperature air transferred to the aerosol-forming substrate 60. Therefore, the amount of components of the aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate 60 can also be adjusted, and the smoker's preferences can be further accommodated.

[0129] In the above-described modification 2-3, the shape of the second hole 43a of the second lid member 43 was circular, but for example, a configuration as shown in FIG. 32 may be adopted. FIG. 32 is a plan view showing another example of the second lid member 43. As shown in FIG. 32, the second lid member 43 has a rectangular second hole 43a. Such a shape may be used as long as the entire first hole 40a is included in the second hole 43a when the smoker rotates the second lid member 43 so that the first mark M1 of the second lid member 43 is positioned above the specific mark M0 of the main body 10.

[0130] (Third Embodiment) Next, the smoking device 3 according to the third embodiment will be described. The smoking device 3 has basically the same configuration as the smoking device 2 according to the second embodiment, but is different from the second embodiment in that an electromagnetic induction heating (IH) method is adopted as the heating method of the aerosol-forming substrate 60 by the second heater 30. Therefore, in the following description, the description will focus on this difference, and the description overlapping with the second embodiment will be omitted.

[0131] FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view showing the smoking device 3. As shown in FIG. 33, inside the partition wall 20a of the first heating element 20, a substantially cylindrical coil 20b wound sufficiently densely is disposed. One end and the other end of the coil 20b are electrically connected to the controller 16, and the coil 20b can be energized.

[0132] Inside the coil 20b, a shaft 44 is provided. The shaft 44 is a magnetic body such as metal, and generates heat when receiving the magnetic field generated when the coil 20b is energized. The shaft 44 passes through the pedestal portion 41 and is joined to the second heating element 30. When the shaft 44 generates heat, the heat is transmitted to the second heating element 30. Note that the shaft 44, the pedestal portion 41, and the second heating element 30 may be integrally formed.

[0133] The second heating element 30 has the same shape as that in the second embodiment, and is made of a metal material such as iron, for example. Since the smoking device 3 employs an electromagnetic induction heating method, the main body portion 10, the support base 14, the first lid member 40, the second lid member 43, and the pedestal portion 41 are all made of a synthetic resin material.

[0134] The controller 16 has an inverter circuit 16c that converts a direct current from the battery 17 into an alternating current. Further, the controller 16 controls to flow an alternating current through the coil 20b based on the detection by the sensor 15 that air is taken in from the intake port 11. Furthermore, the controller 16 controls to change the maximum value of the alternating current flowing through the coil 20b based on, for example, the operation of a predetermined button (not shown) provided on the main body portion 10.

[0135] When air is taken in from the intake port 11 based on the inhalation of a smoker, the sensor 15 detects the intake of air, causing an alternating current to flow through the coil 20b. As a result, as shown in FIG. 33, an alternating magnetic field H is generated so as to penetrate the shaft 44 and the second heating element 30. When the alternating magnetic field H is generated in this way, eddy currents (for example, the annular dotted line in the second heating element 30 shown in FIG. 33) are induced in the shaft 44 and the second heating element 30. Then, due to these eddy currents, the shaft 44 and the second heating element 30 generate Joule heat and heat up to a high temperature. Here, the heat generated in the shaft 44 is transferred to the second heating element 30. In this way, the second heating element 30 can directly heat the aerosol-forming substrate 60 (see FIG. 19) inserted therein to a high temperature by both its own heat generation and heat transfer from the shaft 44.

[0136] According to the smoking device 3 configured in this way, hot air can be transferred to the outer peripheral portion of the aerosol-forming substrate 60, and the central portion of the aerosol-forming substrate 60 can be heated to a high temperature by the second heating element 30. Therefore, uneven heating of the aerosol-forming substrate 60 can be further suppressed. In particular, since the smoking device 3 employs an electromagnetic induction heating method, the central portion of the aerosol-forming substrate 60 where it is difficult to transfer hot air can be surely heated to a high temperature.

[0137] Also, by varying the maximum value of the alternating current flowing through the coil 20b in various ways, variations can be provided in the heating of the aerosol-forming substrate by the second heating element 30. In particular, since the smoking device 3 employs an electromagnetic induction heating method, the rise in the heating temperature of the second heating element 30 can be accelerated, and moreover, the switching between low temperature and high temperature can be performed quickly, so that the heating of the aerosol-forming substrate can be precisely controlled. Therefore, a smoker can enjoy smoking with various variations using a single cartridge.

[0138] Also, by simply passing an alternating current through the coil 20b of the first heating element 20, the heating of the air in the heating space SP6 and the direct heating of the aerosol-forming substrate 60 can be performed simultaneously, thus facilitating the heating control in the smoking device 3.

[0139] (Fourth Embodiment) Next, the smoking device 4 according to the fourth embodiment will be described. The smoking device 3 has basically the same configuration as the smoking device 1 according to the first embodiment, but is different from the first embodiment in that it has a third heating element 50 that heats the periphery of the aerosol-forming substrate 60 stored in the storage space SP3 instead of the second heating element 30 described above. Therefore, in the following description, the description will focus on this difference, and the description overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0140] FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view showing the smoking device 3. FIG. 35 is an enlarged side view showing the third heating element 50.

[0141] As shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, the smoking device 3 includes a third heating element 50 in the storage space SP3 of the main body 10. The third heating element 50 includes a cylindrical body 50a made of a heat transfer member and a third heating element (second heat source) 50b built in the cylindrical body 50a.

[0142] The cylindrical body 50a transfers the heat generated from the third heating element 50b to the aerosol-forming substrate 60. The inner diameter of the cylindrical body 50a is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate 60. Further, the outer diameter of the cylindrical body 50a is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the main body 10 that forms the storage space SP3. The length of the cylindrical body 50a in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length of the aerosol-forming substrate 60 in the longitudinal direction.

[0143] The third heating element 50b is composed of a heating wire wound along the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body 50a. One end (the lower end in FIG. 35) of the third heating element 50b is continuous and integrated with the first heating element 20b of the first heating element 20. The length of the third heating element 50b in the longitudinal direction is approximately equal to the length of the aerosol-forming substrate 60 in the longitudinal direction.

[0144] When the cartridge 100 is attached to the smoking device 3 having such a configuration, the state shown in FIG. 36 is obtained. FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the cartridge 100 is attached to the smoking device 3.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 36, when a smoker starts to inhale, the cylindrical body 50a of the third heating element 50 transfers the heat generated by the third heating element 50b to the aerosol-forming substrate 60, thereby heating the outer peripheral portion of the aerosol-forming substrate. At the same time, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the first heating element 20b of the first heating element 20 generates heat, and the air in the heated space SP6 heated at a high temperature is transferred to the aerosol-forming substrate 60. In this way, the aerosol-forming substrate 60 is heated by the high-temperature air heated by the first heating element 20 and by heat transfer from the third heating element 50 to generate an aerosol.

[0146] According to the smoking device 3 according to the fourth embodiment configured as described above, the high-temperature air heated by the first heating element 20b can be passed along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming substrate 60, and the outer peripheral portion of the aerosol-forming substrate 60 can be heated from the outer peripheral portion toward the central portion by the second heating element 30b. Therefore, the aerosol-forming substrate 60 can be heated more uniformly.

[0147] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various modifications, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. All technical matters included in the technical idea described in the claims are the subject of the present invention. The above-described embodiments and various modifications are illustrative examples, but those skilled in the art can realize various alternative examples, correction examples, modification examples, or improvement examples from the content disclosed in this specification, and these are included in the technical scope described in the appended claims.

[0148] In the first embodiment, the second heating element 30 has a configuration in which the second heating element 30b is built in the heat transfer member 30a, but for example, a configuration in which a resistor having a predetermined pattern is formed on an insulating substrate may be adopted.

[0149] In the above-described Modification 2-2, the start timing of heat generation of the first heating element 20b was made earlier than the start timing of heat generation of the second heating element 30b. However, the timings of both may be reversed. By doing so, when smoking starts, the central portion of the aerosol-forming substrate 60 is heated to a high temperature (e.g., 200 degrees) by the second heating body 30, so that the flavor of the aerosol-forming substrate 60 can be sufficiently extracted.

[0150] In the above-described Fourth Embodiment, the third heating element 50b was continuous and integrated with the first heating element 20b. However, it may be provided separately from the first heating element 20b. In this case, the third heating element 50b is electrically connected to the controller 16 via a predetermined wiring, and the first heating element 20b and the third heating element 50b are separately controlled for heat generation by the controller 16.

[0151] Also, the cartridge 100 described above had a configuration including the support member 70, but the support member 70 is not essential.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0152] 1, 2, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 3 Smoking device 11 Intake port 15 Sensor 16 Controller (control unit) 18 First switch 19 Second switch 20a Partition wall 20b First heating element (first heat source) 20c Communication port 20d Opening 30 Second heating element (second heat source) 50 Third heating element (second heat source) 60 Aerosol-forming substrate SP3 Storage space SP4 Heat source space SP5 Preheating space SP6 Heating space SP7 Annular space (preheating space)

Claims

1. A smoking device for heating an aerosol-forming substrate, comprising: an intake for taking in air inside the smoking device; a storage space provided downstream of the flow of the air taken in from the intake for storing the aerosol-forming substrate; a heat source space provided upstream of the flow of the air taken in from the intake; a first heat source provided in the heat source space for heating the air in the heat source space; the heat source space is partitioned into a preheating space and a heating space via a partition wall; the preheating space communicates with the intake; the heating space communicates with the preheating space via a communication port provided in the partition wall; the first heat source is configured to heat the air in the heating space.

2. The smoking device according to claim 1, wherein the smoking device is formed in a rod shape; wherein the partition wall partitions the heat source space into the preheating space and the heating space in the radial direction of the smoking device, and is provided entirely within the heat source space along the longitudinal direction of the smoking device.

3. The smoking device according to claim 2, wherein the partition wall is formed of a tapered cylindrical body whose diameter decreases from one end on the side facing the storage space toward the other end on the opposite side.

4. The smoking device according to claim 3, wherein the one end of the partition wall has an opening set to a size equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate.

5. The smoking device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the communication port is formed on the other end side of the partition wall.

6. The smoking device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a second heat source provided in the storage space for directly heating the aerosol-forming substrate stored in the storage space.

Images