Non-burning flavor inhaler

Abstract

A non-combustion flavor inhaler (30) comprises: an accommodation part (310) that accommodates a flavor stick (100) such that the flavor stick can be inserted into and ejected from the accommodation part, the flavor stick having a first rod part including a flavor source and a second rod part other than the first rod part; a first sensor (33) that performs detection at least at the position at which the first rod part is located when the flavor stick is accommodated in the accommodation part in a prescribed state where the first rod part of the flavor stick is located on the front end side and the second rod part thereof is located on the rear end side of the first rod part; a second sensor (34) that performs detection at least at a position at which the second rod part is located when the flavor stick is accommodated in the accommodation part in the prescribed state; and a control part (37) that determines whether the flavor stick is inserted in the prescribed state on the basis of at least one of a value detected by the first sensor and a value detected by the second sensor. Provided thereby is a device accurately detecting insertion of the flavor stick in a state different from the prescribed state.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a non-combustion type flavor inhaler. [Background technology]

[0002] Non-combustion flavor inhalation systems have been proposed as an alternative to conventional combustion cigarettes, which are smoked by burning tobacco leaves. For example, a non-combustion heated tobacco product is known that includes an electrically heated device having a heater assembly, a battery unit that serves as a power source for the heater assembly, a control unit that controls the heating elements of the heater assembly, and a tobacco stick that is used with the electrically heated device.

[0003] In order to improve user convenience, various functions have been considered for this non-combustion flavor inhaler. For example, in an inhaler in which a user inserts a tobacco stick into a non-combustion flavor inhaler and the tobacco stick is heated, a mechanism is known that detects the insertion of the tobacco stick by a change in capacitance (Patent Document 1). Also known is a mechanism that provides a marker on the stick and detects the insertion and type of tobacco stick by measuring the capacitance associated with this marker (Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2017-510270 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2019 / 185748 [Patent Document 3] Special Publication No. 2021-523683 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a non-combustion flavor inhaler, detecting information about a flavor stick (e.g., a tobacco stick) and controlling functions such as heating requires accurate detection of the flavor stick. However, because a flavor stick is composed of multiple segments, such as a flavor rod portion (e.g., a tobacco rod portion) containing a flavor source and a mouthpiece portion, accurate detection can be difficult depending on the placement of the capacitance sensor. In particular, when a flavor stick is designed to be inserted into a non-combustion flavor inhaler by a specified end (hereinafter also referred to as the leading end), if the end opposite the leading end (the rear end) is mistakenly inserted into the non-combustion flavor inhaler, the flavor source is not heated and the flavor components are not sufficiently volatilized, resulting in a poor smoking experience. Alternatively, the filter at the rear end may be heated, producing an unpleasant odor and resulting in a poor smoking experience. For this reason, it is desirable to be able to detect an incorrect insertion state. However, in this state, each segment is positioned differently from the specified position, making it difficult to accurately detect information about the flavor stick.

[0006] The object of the present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and is to provide a technology that can accurately detect whether a flavor stick has been inserted in a state different from the specified state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (Aspect 1) In order to achieve the above object, a non-combustion type flavor inhaler according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises: A non-combustion type flavor inhaler, a storage section for insertably and removably storing a flavor stick having a first rod section including a flavor source and a second rod section other than the first rod section; a first sensor that performs detection at least at a location where the first rod portion is disposed when the flavor stick is accommodated in the accommodation portion in a specified state with the first rod portion of the flavor stick at the leading end side and the second rod portion at the rear end side relative to the first rod portion; a second sensor that detects at least the location where the second rod portion is disposed when the flavor stick is accommodated in the accommodation portion in a specified state; a control unit that determines whether the flavor stick is inserted in a specified state based on at least one of the detection values ​​of the first sensor and the second sensor; Equipped with.

[0008] (Aspect 2) In the above-mentioned first aspect, a notification mechanism may be provided that notifies the user of the determination result by the control unit.

[0009] (Aspect 3) In the above-mentioned aspect 1 or 2, the control unit a storage unit that stores first range information indicating a range of detection values ​​obtained when the first rod portion is detected by the first sensor or the second sensor, It may be determined that the flavor stick is not inserted in a specified state if at least one of the following conditions is met: the detection value by the first sensor is outside the range indicated by the first range information, and the detection value by the second sensor is within the range indicated by the first range information.

[0010] (Aspect 4) In the above-mentioned aspect 1 or 2, the control unit a storage unit that stores first range information indicating a range of detection values ​​obtained when the first rod portion is detected by the first sensor or the second sensor, and second range information indicating a range of detection values ​​obtained when the second rod portion is detected by the first sensor or the second sensor, the range being different from the first range information; If the detection value by the first sensor is within the range indicated by the second range information and the detection value by the second sensor is within the range indicated by the first range information, it may be determined that the flavor stick is not inserted in a specified state.

[0011] (Aspect 5) In any one of the above-mentioned aspects 1 to 4, the first sensor and the second sensor may be capacitance sensors.

[0012] (Aspect 6) In the above-mentioned aspect 1 or 2, the first sensor and the second sensor are capacitance sensors, The control unit If the second detection value detected by the second sensor is greater than the first detection value detected by the first sensor, it may be determined that the flavor stick is not inserted in a specified state.

[0013] (Aspect 7) In the above-mentioned aspect 5 or 6, the first sensor has a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from each other, and detects a capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode; The first electrode and the second electrode may be arranged on either side of a space in which the first rod portion is accommodated so that, when the flavor stick is accommodated in the accommodation portion, at least a portion of the first rod portion is inserted between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0014] (Aspect 8) In the seventh aspect, the second sensor has a third electrode and a fourth electrode spaced apart from each other, and detects a capacitance between the third electrode and the fourth electrode; The third electrode and the fourth electrode are connected to each other when the flavor stick is housed in the housing. When the second rod portion (suction port portion) is 3 The electrode and the 4 The second rod portion may be disposed across a space in which the second rod portion is housed so as to be inserted between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0015] The means for solving the problems in the present invention can be adopted in combination as much as possible. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, a technology can be provided that accurately detects whether a flavor stick has been inserted in an unspecified state. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a non-combustion type flavor inhalation system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tobacco stick according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the internal structure of a tobacco stick according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the internal structure of the non-combustion type flavor inhaler 30 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which flat electrodes are arranged. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which curved electrodes are arranged. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a first sensor and a second sensor formed on a flexible substrate. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which first to fourth electrodes are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the circumferential wall. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which the first to fourth electrodes are embedded in the peripheral wall. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the control unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a graph showing the capacitance values ​​detected according to the position of the capacitance sensor in the normal state and the reverse insertion state. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the tobacco stick and the electrodes when the measurement in FIG. 11 was performed. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a control method executed by the control unit. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a non-combustion type flavor inhalation system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating the internal structure of a non-combustion type flavor inhaler. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a non-combustion type flavor inhaler according to the third embodiment. [Figure 17]FIG. 17 is a side view of a flavor stick used in the third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a non-combustion type flavor inhaler according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the configuration of a flavor stick used in the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Here, embodiments of a flavor stick and a non-combustion type flavor inhalation system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, etc. of the components described in the present embodiment are merely examples. For example, in the present embodiment, a flavor stick (hereinafter also referred to as a "tobacco stick") containing a tobacco filler as a flavor source will be described as an example of a flavor stick, but the flavor stick may not contain a tobacco filler and may contain other flavor components.

[0019] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a non-combustion flavor inhalation system 200 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tobacco stick 100 according to an embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the internal structure of the tobacco stick 100 according to an embodiment. In FIGS. 1 to 3, the left-right direction of the tobacco stick 100 or the non-combustion flavor inhaler 30 into which the tobacco stick 100 is inserted is indicated as the X direction, the up-down direction as the Y direction, and the depth direction as the Z direction. This also applies to the subsequent figures. These directions are merely examples for the sake of convenience of explanation, and do not limit the elements of the non-combustion flavor inhalation system 200. For example, the elements of the non-combustion flavor inhalation system 200 are not limited to being arranged in the directions shown in the figures.

[0020] The non-combustion type flavor inhalation system 200 includes a tobacco stick 100 and a non-combustion type flavor inhaler 30 that heats the tobacco rod portion (flavor rod portion) 110 of the tobacco stick 100. The tobacco stick 100 is accommodated in the accommodation cavity 313 of the accommodation portion 310 through an insertion port 3A of the non-combustion type flavor inhaler 30 so as to be freely insertable into and removable from the accommodation cavity 313.

[0021] When the non-combustion flavor inhaler 30 is used by a user, the tobacco stick 100 is inserted into the storage cavity 313, and in this state, the heater 32 provided in the storage section 310 is made to generate heat, which heats the tobacco filler in the tobacco stick 100, thereby generating an aerosol containing tobacco components, which the user can inhale.

[0022] [Tobacco sticks] The tobacco stick 100 according to this embodiment has a substantially cylindrical rod shape. In the example shown in Figures 2 and 3, the tobacco stick 100 includes a tobacco rod portion 110, a mouthpiece portion (suction mouth portion) 120, and tipping paper 130 that connects these together. The mouthpiece portion 120 is connected coaxially to the tobacco rod portion 110 by being wrapped around the tobacco rod portion 110 by the tipping paper 130.

[0023] Reference numeral 101 denotes the mouth end of the tobacco stick 100 (mouthpiece portion 120). Reference numeral 102 denotes the tip of the tobacco stick 100 opposite the mouth end 101. The tobacco rod portion 110 is disposed on the tip 102 side of the tobacco stick 100. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tobacco stick 100 has a substantially constant diameter over the entire length from the mouth end (rear end) 101 along the longitudinal direction (hereinafter also referred to as the axial direction or Z direction) along the tip 102.

[0024] [Tip paper] The material of the tipping paper 130 is not particularly limited, and can be paper made from general plant fiber (pulp), a sheet made from polymer-based chemical fiber (polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, etc.), a polymer-based sheet, metal foil, or a composite material combining these. For example, the tipping paper 130 can be made from a composite material in which a polymer-based sheet is bonded to a paper base material. Note that the tipping paper 130 referred to here refers to a sheet-like material that connects multiple segments of the tobacco stick 100, for example, connecting the tobacco rod portion 110 and the mouthpiece portion 120.

[0025] <Tobacco rod part> The tobacco rod portion 110 is one form of a flavor rod portion that includes a tobacco filler 111 as a flavor source. The configuration of the tobacco rod portion 110 is not particularly limited and can be a general form. For example, a tobacco rod portion 110 in which the tobacco filler 111 is wrapped in cigarette paper 112 can be used.

[0026] [Tobacco filler] In this embodiment, the tobacco filler 111 is configured to include tobacco shreds. The material of the tobacco shreds contained in the tobacco filler 111 is not particularly limited, and known materials such as lamina or ribs can be used. Alternatively, the tobacco shreds may be produced by crushing dried tobacco leaves to an average particle size of 20 μm or more and 200 μm or less to produce tobacco shreds, which are then homogenized and processed into a sheet (hereinafter simply referred to as a homogenized sheet). Furthermore, the tobacco filler 111 may be a so-called strand type, in which a homogenized sheet having a length approximately the same as the longitudinal direction of the tobacco rod is shredded approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tobacco rod and filled into the tobacco rod. The width of the tobacco shreds is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less when filling the tobacco rod portion 110. The content of dried tobacco leaves contained in the tobacco rod portion 110 is not particularly limited, but may be 200 mg or more and 800 mg or less per rod portion, and preferably 250 mg or more and 600 mg or less per rod portion. This range is particularly suitable for a tobacco rod portion 110 having a circumference of 22 mm and a length of 20 mm.

[0027] Various types of tobacco can be used for the production of shredded tobacco and homogenized sheets. Examples include flue-cured tobacco, burley, oriental tobacco, native tobacco, other Nicotiana tabacum varieties, Nicotiana rustica varieties, and mixtures thereof. Mixtures can be created by blending the aforementioned varieties appropriately to achieve the desired flavor. Details of the tobacco varieties are disclosed in the "Encyclopedia of Tobacco," published by the Tobacco Research Center on March 31, 2009. There are several conventional methods for producing homogenized sheets, i.e., grinding tobacco leaves and processing them into homogenized sheets. The first method is to produce a paper-making sheet using a papermaking process. The second method involves mixing a suitable solvent, such as water, with ground tobacco leaves to homogenize them, then casting a thin layer of the homogenized material onto a metal plate or metal belt and drying it to produce a cast sheet. The third method involves mixing a suitable solvent, such as water, with ground tobacco leaves to homogenize them, and extruding the mixture into a sheet to produce a rolled sheet. The types of the homogenizing sheets are disclosed in detail in "Encyclopedia of Tobacco, Tobacco Research Center, March 31, 2009."

[0028] The moisture content of the tobacco filler 111 can be 10% by weight or more and 15% by weight or less, and preferably 11% by weight or more and 13% by weight or less, based on the total amount of the tobacco filler 111. Such a moisture content suppresses the occurrence of stains on the surface of the tobacco rod portion 110 and improves the suitability for wrapping during the production of the tobacco rod portion 110. There are no particular restrictions on the size or preparation method of the tobacco shreds contained in the tobacco filler 111. For example, dried tobacco leaves shredded to a width of 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less may be used. Furthermore, when using a ground homogenized sheet, dried tobacco leaves may be ground to an average particle size of approximately 20 μm to 200 μm, homogenized, and then processed into a sheet, which may then be shredded to a width of 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less.

[0029] The tobacco filler 111 may contain an aerosol base material that generates aerosol smoke. The type of aerosol base material is not particularly limited, and extracts from various natural products and / or their constituent components can be selected depending on the application. Examples of aerosol base materials include glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and mixtures thereof. The content of the aerosol base material in the tobacco filler 111 is not particularly limited, and from the viewpoints of generating sufficient aerosol and imparting a good flavor, it is usually 5% by weight or more, preferably 10% by weight or more, and usually 50% by weight or less, preferably 15% by weight or more and 25% by weight or less, based on the total weight of the tobacco filler.

[0030] The tobacco filler 111 may contain a flavoring such as menthol. The content of the flavoring in the tobacco filler 111 is not particularly limited, and from the viewpoint of imparting a good flavor, it is usually 10,000 ppm or more, preferably 20,000 ppm or more, more preferably 25,000 ppm or more, and usually 70,000 ppm or less, preferably 50,000 ppm or less, more preferably 40,000 ppm or less, and even more preferably 33,000 ppm or less. The tobacco filler 111 has a higher dielectric constant than air or a filter described later. Here, the dielectric constant is, for example, air:1, cellulose / acetate:2, The relative dielectric constant of the tobacco filler 111 is set to at least two times, preferably at least three times, that of air or a filter (described later). This allows for good detection by a capacitance sensor (described later).

[0031] [Scrolling paper] The cigarette paper 112 is a sheet material for wrapping the tobacco filler 111, and its composition is not particularly limited, and a general one can be used. For example, the base paper used for the cigarette paper 112 can be cellulose fiber paper, and more specifically, hemp, wood, or a mixture thereof can be used.

[0032] In addition to the above, the cigarette paper 112 may contain fillers such as calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, kaolin, etc. Furthermore, various auxiliary agents other than base paper and fillers may be added to the cigarette paper 112. For example, in order to improve water resistance, water resistance improvers such as wet strength agents (WS agents) and sizing agents may be added. Furthermore, the cigarette paper 112 may be appropriately coated.

[0033] The axial length of the tobacco rod portion 110 can be changed appropriately according to the size of the product, but is, for example, 5 mm or more, preferably 10 mm or more, more preferably 12 mm or more, and even more preferably 18 mm or more, and is usually 70 mm or less, preferably 50 mm or less, more preferably 30 mm or less, and even more preferably 25 mm or less.

[0034] <Mouthpiece section> The configuration of the tobacco stick 100 is not particularly limited and can be any common configuration. In the configuration shown in Fig. 1 , the mouthpiece portion 120 includes two segments (divisions), namely, a cooling segment 121 and a filter segment 122. The cooling segment 121 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the tobacco rod portion 110 and the filter segment 122 while abutting against them. In other configurations, gaps may be formed between the tobacco rod portion 110 and the cooling segment 121, and between the tobacco rod portion 110 and the filter segment 122. Furthermore, the mouthpiece portion 120 may be formed from a single segment. The mouthpiece portion 120 in this embodiment is an example of a second rod portion.

[0035] [Cooling segment] The configuration of the cooling segment 121 is not particularly limited as long as it has the function of cooling the mainstream tobacco smoke, and an example is a cylindrical piece of cardboard. In this case, the inside of the cylinder is hollow, and the vapor containing the aerosol-generating base material and tobacco flavor components comes into contact with the air in the hollow and is cooled.

[0036] One embodiment of the cooling segment 121 may be a paper tube made by processing a single sheet of paper or multiple sheets of paper pasted together into a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, it is preferable that the paper tube has holes around it for introducing external air, so that room temperature external air can come into contact with high-temperature steam to increase the cooling effect. The cooling segment 121 is provided with ventilation holes 103, which are openings for introducing air from the outside. The number of ventilation holes 103 in the cooling segment 121 is not particularly limited.

[0037] [Filter Segment] The configuration of the filter segment 122 is not particularly limited as long as it functions as a general filter. For example, it may be cellulose acetate tow processed into a cylindrical shape. The single-filament fineness and total fineness of the cellulose acetate tow are not particularly limited. However, when the filter segment 122 has a circumference of 22 mm, the single-filament fineness is preferably 5 to 20 g / 9000 m and the total fineness is preferably 12,000 to 30,000 g / 9000 m. The cross-sectional shape of the cellulose acetate tow fibers may be either a Y-shaped cross-section or an R-shaped cross-section. When the filter segment 122 is formed by packing cellulose acetate tow, 5 to 10 wt. % of triacetin may be added to the cellulose acetate tow to improve filter hardness. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the filter segment 122 is composed of a single segment, but the filter segment 122 may also be composed of multiple segments.

[0038] Typical functions of the filter in the filter segment 122 include, for example, adjusting the amount of air mixed in when inhaling aerosols, reducing flavor, and reducing nicotine and tar, but it is not necessary for the filter to have all of these functions. Furthermore, in electrically heated tobacco products, which tend to produce fewer components and have a lower tobacco filler filling rate than cigarette products, another important function is to prevent the tobacco filler from falling out while suppressing the filtering function.

[0039] The rod-shaped tobacco stick 100 preferably has a columnar shape that satisfies the requirement of an aspect ratio of 1 or greater, as defined below. Aspect ratio = h / w

[0040] where w is the width of the tip 102 of the tobacco stick 100, h is the length in the axial direction, and it is preferable that h≧w. The cross-sectional shape of the tobacco stick 100 is not particularly limited, and may be polygonal, rounded polygonal, circular, elliptical, or the like. The width w of the tobacco stick 100 is the diameter when the cross-sectional shape of the tobacco stick 100 is circular, the major axis when the cross-sectional shape is elliptical, and the diameter of the circumscribed circle or the major axis of the circumscribed ellipse when the cross-sectional shape is polygonal or rounded polygonal. The axial length h of the tobacco stick 100 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, typically 40 mm or more, preferably 45 mm or more, and more preferably 50 mm or more. It is also typically 100 mm or less, preferably 90 mm or less, and more preferably 80 mm or less. The width w of the tip 102 of the tobacco stick 100 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, typically 5 mm or more, and preferably 5.5 mm or more. It is also typically 10 mm or less, preferably 9 mm or less, and more preferably 8 mm or less. The ratio of the lengths of the cooling segment 121 and the filter segment 122 to the length of the tobacco stick 100 (cooling segment:filter segment) is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of the amount of flavor delivered and an appropriate aerosol temperature, it is usually 0.60-1.40:0.60-1.40, preferably 0.80-1.20:0.80-1.20, more preferably 0.85-1.15:0.85-1.15, even more preferably 0.90-1.10:0.90-1.10, and particularly preferably 0.95-1.05:0.95-1.05. By setting the length ratio of the cooling segment 121 and the filter segment 122 within the above range, a balance is achieved between the cooling effect, the effect of suppressing losses due to adhesion of the generated steam and aerosol to the inner wall of the cooling segment 121, and the filter's air volume and flavor adjustment function, thereby achieving a good flavor and flavor intensity.

[0041] <Non-burning flavor inhaler> 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating the internal structure of the non-combustion-type flavor inhaler 30 according to the first embodiment. The non-combustion-type flavor inhaler 30 has a housing 31, which is a case for accommodating various components. The housing 31 accommodates a heater 32, a first sensor 33, a second sensor 34, a temperature sensor 35, a suction sensor 36, a control unit 37, a power source 38, etc.

[0042] [Containment section] The housing 31 has an accommodating portion 310 that accommodates the tobacco stick 100 in an insertable and removable manner from the front end to the rear end. The accommodating portion 310 extends in the insertion / removal direction of the tobacco stick 100 and includes a cylindrical peripheral wall 312 that defines the outer periphery of a space into which the tobacco stick 100 is inserted, and a disk-shaped rear wall 311 that closes the rear end of the peripheral wall 312 so as to define the rear end of the space. The peripheral wall 312 and rear wall 311 of the accommodating portion 310 may be formed integrally with the housing 31, or may be formed separately from the housing 31 and then assembled to the housing 31.

[0043] The open end of the peripheral wall 312 of the storage portion 310 is open toward the outside of the housing 31, and serves as an insertion opening 3A for inserting the tobacco stick 100. The internal space of the peripheral wall 312 serves as a cylindrical storage cavity 313 into which the tip portion of the tobacco stick 100 can be inserted and removed via the insertion opening 3A. In FIG. 4 , the symbol CL indicates the central axis of the storage cavity 313 in the insertion and removal direction of the tobacco stick 100. Hereinafter, the direction along this central axis CL will also be referred to as the axial direction. The outer diameter of the storage cavity 313, i.e., the inner diameter of the peripheral wall 312, may be equal to the outer diameter of the tobacco stick 100, or may be slightly larger or smaller than the outer diameter of the tobacco rod portion 110.

[0044] Heater 32 is provided in accommodating cavity 313. Peripheral wall 312 and rear wall 311 of accommodating portion 310 are formed of a material that can withstand the heat of heater 32 and has heat insulating and heat resistant properties so as to prevent the heat from diffusing. Examples of materials that can be used for accommodating portion 310 include alumina-silica ceramics and highly heat-resistant resins such as PEEK (polyether ether ketone), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene).

[0045] [Heater] The heater 32 generates heat upon receiving a supply of electric power from the control unit 37, and heats the tobacco sticks 100 stored in the storage unit 310. In other words, the heater 32 is one form of a heating unit that heats the tobacco sticks 100.

[0046] The heater 32 is a generally rod-shaped member extending along the axial direction of the accommodation cavity 313, and in this embodiment is conical. The heater 32 protrudes forward along the axial direction from the center of the rear wall 311 of the accommodation section 310. Reference numeral 321 denotes a base end of the heater 32, and reference numeral 322 denotes a tip end of the heater 32.

[0047] The heater 32 extends from the rear wall 311 toward the insertion opening 3A, and gradually tapers from the base end 321 toward the tip end 322. The shape of the heater 32 is not limited to this, and it may be a rod-like shape with the same diameter from the base end 321 to the tip end 322, or a flat plate-like shape (blade-like shape).

[0048] The type of heater 32 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a steel material with a heating wire (such as nichrome, iron chromium, or iron nickel, which has a high electrical resistance) stretched around it, or a ceramic heater or sheathed heater. A sheathed heater is a heater in which a heating wire is covered with a metal pipe together with a filler.

[0049] When the tobacco stick 100 is inserted into the accommodating cavity 313, the heater 32 is fitted into the tobacco rod portion 110 from the tip 102 of the tobacco stick 100. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the tobacco stick 100 is inserted into the accommodating cavity 313. In this state, the heater 32 receives a supply of electric power from the control unit 37, as described below, and heats the tobacco rod portion 110 to a predetermined temperature. Here, the space in the accommodating cavity 313 that is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heat of the heater 32 is defined as a heated region A1, and the space adjacent to the insertion opening side of the heated region A1 in the axial direction (insertion / removal direction) is defined as a non-heated region A2. The non-heated region A2 is formed on the insertion opening side of the accommodating cavity 313, and the heated region A1 is formed on the back side of the accommodating cavity 313. Here, the heater 32 extends along the central axis CL in the heated region A1, and heats the heated region A1 from the inside. Note that heater 32 does not only heat the area in contact with heater 32, but also heats areas distant from heater 32 by radiation and heat transfer. For example, heater 32 heats the area from the front end of heater 32A to position 317 toward the insertion opening in the axial direction at a predetermined temperature. Therefore, heated area A1 is the area from position 317 to rear wall 311 in the axial direction of housing section 310. That is, position 317 is the boundary between heated area A1 and non-heated area A2, and non-heated area A2 is the area from this boundary 317 to the front end of housing cavity 313 in the axial direction. Note that boundary 317 may be determined as the boundary between an area that reaches a predetermined temperature and an area that is below the predetermined temperature when actually heated by heater 32, or may be determined as the estimated boundary by estimating the boundary between an area that reaches a predetermined temperature and an area that is below the predetermined temperature when heater 32 is operated under predetermined conditions. In this embodiment, the boundary position on the central axis CL between the region where the temperature is a predetermined temperature and the region where the temperature is below the predetermined temperature is estimated, and a plane that passes through this boundary position and is perpendicular to the central axis CL is defined as boundary 317, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 4. When the tobacco stick 100 is inserted into the containing cavity 313, the tobacco rod portion 110 is located in the heated region A1, and at least a part of the mouthpiece portion (suction mouth portion) 120 is located in the non-heated region A2.When the tobacco stick 100 is in a predetermined state, for example, inserted into the storage cavity 313 until the tip 102 of the tobacco stick 100 hits the rear wall 311 of the storage section 310, the portion of the storage cavity 313 where the tobacco rod portion 110 is located may be defined as the heated region A1, and the portion where the mouthpiece portion 120 is located may be defined as the non-heated region A2.

[0050] [Sensor] The first sensor (first sensor) 33 and the second sensor (second sensor) 34 are sensors that detect the insertion state of the tobacco stick 100. In this embodiment, the first sensor 33 and the second sensor 34 are capacitance sensors, but are not limited to this.

[0051] The first sensor 33 detects the capacitance of at least the location where the tobacco rod portion 110 is disposed when the tobacco stick 100 is contained in the containing portion 310. The first sensor 33 has a first electrode (first electrode) 301 and a second electrode (second electrode) 302, and detects the capacitance between the first electrode 301 and the second electrode 302. The first electrode 301 and the second electrode 302 are disposed at positions facing each other across the heating region A1 in a direction (radial direction) perpendicular to the axial direction of the containing cavity 313. In other words, the first electrode 301 and the second electrode 302 are disposed so that at least a portion of the tobacco rod portion 110 is inserted between the first electrode 301 and the second electrode 302 when the tobacco stick 100 is contained in the containing cavity 313. At this time, the capacitance generated between the electrodes 301 and 302 via the tobacco rod portion 110 varies depending on, for example, whether the tobacco rod portion 110 is inserted, the insertion position of the tobacco rod portion 110, the moisture content of the tobacco filler in the tobacco rod portion 110, the aerosol base material, etc. Therefore, the first sensor 33 can detect information indicating the state of the tobacco rod portion 110 by detecting this capacitance.

[0052] The second sensor 34 is a capacitance sensor that detects the capacitance of at least the location where the mouthpiece portion 120 is placed when the tobacco stick 100 is placed in the accommodating portion 310. The second sensor 34 has a third electrode (third electrode) 303 and a fourth electrode (fourth electrode) 304, and detects the capacitance between the third electrode 303 and the fourth electrode 304. The third electrode 303 and the fourth electrode 304 are arranged at positions facing each other across the non-heated region A2 in a direction (radial direction) perpendicular to the axial direction of the accommodating cavity 313. In other words, the third electrode 303 and the fourth electrode 304 are arranged so that at least a part of the mouthpiece portion 120 is inserted between the third electrode 303 and the fourth electrode 304 when the tobacco stick 100 is placed in the accommodating cavity 313. At this time, the capacitance generated between the electrodes 303 and 304 via the mouthpiece 120 varies depending on, for example, whether the mouthpiece 120 is inserted, the insertion position of the mouthpiece 120, and the amount of adhering substances such as moisture, flavor components, and aerosol components that adhere to the mouthpiece 120 during puffing. Therefore, the second sensor 34 can detect this capacitance to detect information indicating the state of the mouthpiece 120. Specific changes in capacitance detected by the first sensor 33 and the second sensor 34 will be described later.

[0053] The electrodes 301 to 304 are provided along at least the depth direction of the accommodating cavity (Z-axis direction) of an outer peripheral surface 360 ​​of the circumferential wall 312 of the accommodating portion 310. Here, the outer peripheral surface 360 ​​of the circumferential wall 312 is the surface on the opposite side of the circumferential wall 312 in the radial direction from the surface (inner peripheral surface) 361 on the accommodating cavity 313 side across the circumferential wall 312, and is the surface located on the side of the internal space in the housing 31 that accommodates the first sensor 33, the second sensor 34, the control unit 37, etc.

[0054] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of flat electrodes 301 to 304. As shown in Fig. 5, the first sensor 33 has a flat first electrode 301 and a flat second electrode 302 provided at positions on an outer peripheral surface 360 ​​that face each other across a peripheral wall 312 in the radial direction. The first electrode 301 and the second electrode 302 are held in contact with the outer peripheral surface 360 ​​so as to be parallel to each other. The first electrode 301 and the second electrode 302 are electrically connected to a control unit 37 via wiring 307, and the detection result of the capacitance is acquired by the control unit.

[0055] Similarly, the second sensor 34 has a flat third electrode 303 and a flat fourth electrode 304 provided at positions on the outer circumferential surface 360 ​​that face each other across the peripheral wall 312 in the radial direction. The third electrode 303 and the fourth electrode 304 are held in contact with the outer circumferential surface 360 ​​so as to be parallel to each other. The third electrode 303 and the fourth electrode 304 are electrically connected to the control unit 37 via wiring 308, and the detection result of the capacitance is acquired by the control unit.

[0056] The shape of the electrodes 301-304 is not particularly limited, and may be a shape other than a flat plate. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which curved electrodes 301-304 are arranged. In the example of Fig. 6, the electrodes 301-304 are curved along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface 360 ​​of the peripheral wall 312. The remaining configuration is the same as the example of Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 6, by using curved electrodes 301-304, it is easier to reduce the radial size compared to the example of Fig. 5. Furthermore, by using curved electrodes 301-304, the electrodes 301-304 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the storage cavity 313, and are positioned close to the tobacco stick 100 over the entire circumferential direction, so the influence of noise is suppressed and the capacitance can be detected with high accuracy.

[0057] 7 is a diagram showing an example of a first sensor 33 and a second sensor 34 formed on a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate 330 includes a first strip-shaped portion 331 formed longitudinally in one direction, a third strip-shaped portion 333 formed longitudinally from the longitudinal center of the first strip-shaped portion 331 in a direction perpendicular to the first strip-shaped portion 331, and a second strip-shaped portion 332 arranged parallel to the first strip-shaped portion 331 with a distance L1 between them in the longitudinal direction of the third strip-shaped portion 333.

[0058] The first strip-shaped portion 331 has a third electrode 303 of the second sensor 34 provided on one side in the longitudinal direction with a predetermined interval in the center, and a fourth electrode 304 on the other side. Similarly, the second strip-shaped portion 332 has a first electrode 301 of the first sensor 33 provided on one side in the longitudinal direction with a predetermined interval in the center, and a second electrode 302 on the other side. Furthermore, the third strip-shaped portion 333 has wiring 307 and 308 connected to the electrodes 301 to 304 that extend along the longitudinal direction of the third strip-shaped portion 333 to an end portion 334 connected to the control unit 37.

[0059] The length L2 in the longitudinal direction of the first band-shaped portion 331 and the second band-shaped portion 332 is formed to be approximately the same as or slightly shorter than the circumferential length of the outer peripheral surface 360 ​​of the peripheral wall 312. By arranging the first band-shaped portion 331 and the second band-shaped portion 332 of the flexible substrate 330 along the outer peripheral surface 360 ​​of the housing portion 310, the electrodes 301 to 304 can be curved as shown in Fig. 6. The distance L1 between the first band-shaped portion 331 and the second band-shaped portion 332 is determined so that when the first sensor 33 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the heated region A1, the second sensor 34 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the non-heated region A2.

[0060] 5 and 6, the electrodes 301 to 304 are provided on the outer peripheral surface 360 ​​of the peripheral wall 312, but this is not limiting, and the electrodes 301 to 304 may be provided on the inner peripheral surface 361 of the peripheral wall 312 as shown in Fig. 8. Furthermore, the electrodes 301 to 304 may be embedded in the peripheral wall 312 as shown in Fig. 9.

[0061] 1, a temperature sensor 35 is provided near the outer periphery of the heating region A1 in the storage unit 310. The temperature sensor 35 is connected to the control unit 37, detects the temperature of the heating region A1, and inputs the detection result to the control unit 37. The storage unit 310 is also provided with a suction sensor 36. The suction sensor 36 is a sensor for detecting the puffing status, such as whether or not a puff has been performed, and is, for example, a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure inside the storage cavity 313. The suction sensor 36 is connected to the control unit 37, and inputs the detection result to the control unit 37. Note that if the control unit 37 does not use temperature information for control, the temperature sensor 35 may be omitted. Similarly, if suction information is not used for control, the suction sensor 36 may be omitted.

[0062] [Control Unit] 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 37. The control unit 37 controls the operating state of the non-combustion type flavor inhaler 30, such as controlling the heating by the heater 32. The control unit 37 is implemented by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or an FPGA The device includes a processor 71 such as a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a memory 72 such as a Random Access Memory (RAM) or a Read Only Memory (ROM), and an input / output unit 73. The control unit 37 of this embodiment is a computer.

[0063] The memory 72 may include a memory that functions as a main memory unit 721 and a memory that functions as an auxiliary memory unit 722. The memory 72 may be formed integrally (on one chip) with the processor 71. The memory 72 may be, for example, a volatile memory such as a RAM, a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an SSD, or a removable Examples of storage media include hard disk media.

[0064] The memory 72 can store an operating system (OS), various programs (firmware), various data tables, various databases, setting data, user data, etc., for executing the operation of the non-combustion type flavor inhaler 30.

[0065] The input / output unit 73 is a means for inputting information such as power on / off by the user (smoker) to the processor 71 or outputting information to the user. The input / output unit 73 is, for example, an interface for operating the first sensor 33, the second sensor 34, the temperature sensor 35, and the suction sensor 36 at predetermined timing and acquiring the detected values ​​of the sensors 33 to 36. The input / output unit 73 of this embodiment may also include input means such as operation buttons and a touch panel, and output means (notification mechanisms) such as a display unit, a vibrator, and a speaker. The input / output unit 73 may also include a communication unit for communicating with an external device via a communication line. For example, the communication unit may be connected to another computer via a communication cable, receive programs and data for controlling the non-combustion type flavor inhaler 30, and store them in the memory 72, thereby enabling firmware update. cormorant The display unit is a means for displaying information, and may be, for example, an indicator such as an LED, a liquid crystal display, or an organic EL display.

[0066] The drive circuit 74 supplies power from the power supply 38 to the heater 32 in accordance with instructions from the processor 71, thereby operating the heater 32. The drive circuit 74 is, for example, a converter that adjusts the amount of current flowing to the heater 32.

[0067] The control unit 37 functions as predetermined functional units, such as a determination unit 711, a heating control unit 712, and an output control unit 713, when the processor 71 reads out a program stored in the memory 72 into a work area of ​​the main storage unit and executes the program. Note that these functional units are not limited to those realized based on a program (software), and some or all of them may be configured by hardware circuits such as a processor, an integrated circuit, and a logic circuit.

[0068] The determination unit 711 determines information such as the user's operation, the state of the tobacco stick 100, and the heating status by the heater 32, based on the detection results of the sensors 33 to 36 and input information from the input means. For example, the determination unit 711 determines whether the tobacco stick 100 has been inserted in a specified state based on at least one of the first detection value by the first sensor 33 and the second detection value by the second sensor 34. The conditions for determining whether the tobacco stick 100 has been inserted in a specified state will be described later. The determination unit 711 may also determine the presence or absence of the tobacco stick 100, the insertion position of the tobacco stick 100, whether the tobacco stick 100 has been heated, the moisture content of the tobacco stick 100, the amount of aerosol source in the tobacco stick 100, the amount of flavor source in the tobacco stick 100, the type of flavor stick, etc.

[0069] The heating control unit 712 controls the drive circuit 74 based on the determination result of the determination unit 711, thereby controlling the power supplied from the power source 38 to the heater 32 via the drive circuit 74. For example, when it is determined that the tobacco stick 100 has been inserted into the storage cavity 313, the heating control unit 712 starts heating and controls the heater 32 to a predetermined temperature.

[0070] The output control unit 713 outputs a notification, a warning, or the like to the user based on the determination result of the determination unit 711. For example, if the tobacco stick 100 is inserted in the wrong position relative to the specified state, the output control unit 713 notifies the user by outputting a voice message such as "The tobacco stick is inserted backwards" from a speaker. In addition, as an output to the user, the output control unit 713 may display on a display unit, output a warning sound, vibrate using a vibrator, or the like.

[0071] [Tobacco stick detection using a capacitance sensor] FIG. 11 is a graph showing the capacitance values ​​detected according to the position of the capacitance sensor in the normal state and the reverse insertion state, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the tobacco stick 100 and the electrodes 305 and 306 when the measurement in FIG. 11 was performed.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 12 , the tobacco stick 100 accommodated in the accommodating portion 310 is inserted until its insertion end abuts against the rear wall 311 of the accommodating portion 310. In this embodiment, the state in which the tobacco stick 100 is inserted into the accommodating portion 310 with the tobacco rod portion 110 at the tip end and the mouthpiece portion 120 at the rear end relative to the tobacco rod portion 110 is defined as the standard state. In this case, the tobacco stick 100 is inserted until the tip 102 of the tobacco stick 100 abuts against the rear wall 311. Furthermore, because the tobacco stick 100 is rod-shaped with a substantially uniform diameter from the tip to the rear end, the tobacco stick 100 can also be inserted into the accommodating portion 310 in the opposite direction to the standard state, i.e., with the mouthpiece portion 120 at the tip end relative to the tobacco rod portion 110. This state is also referred to as a reverse insertion state, and in this case, the tobacco stick 100 is inserted until the mouthpiece end (rear end) 101 of the tobacco stick 100 abuts against the rear wall 311. The electrodes 305 and 306 sandwich the tobacco stick 100 in the radial direction, and measurements are performed while changing the distance LS from the insertion side ends 101, 102 of the tobacco stick 100 to the center of the electrodes along the insertion / removal direction of the tobacco stick 100.

[0073] In Fig. 11, the vertical axis indicates the capacitance value detected by the capacitance sensor, and the horizontal axis indicates the position of the capacitance sensor. Note that the position of the capacitance sensor in Fig. 11 is indicated by the distance LS from the end of the tobacco stick 100 inserted into the storage section 310 to the center of the electrodes 305 and 306 of the capacitance sensor. Furthermore, the solid line S1 indicates the results of capacitance measurement when the positions of the electrodes 305 and 306 are changed for a tobacco stick 100 inserted in the standard state, and the dashed line S2 indicates the results of similar measurement when inserted in reverse.

[0074] When the tobacco stick 100 is inserted in the normal state, as indicated by the solid line S1, the detected capacitance is high in the portion close to the insertion end (tip) of the tobacco stick 100, and low in the portion far from the insertion end. On the other hand, when the tobacco stick 100 is inserted in the reversed state, as indicated by the dashed line S2, the detected capacitance is low in the portion close to the insertion end (smoke end) of the tobacco stick 100, and high in the portion far from the insertion end. In other words, the detected capacitance is high in the portion where the tobacco rod portion 110 is present, and low in the portion where the mouthpiece portion 120 is present. This is thought to be because the relative permittivity of the tobacco rod portion 110 is higher than that of the mouthpiece portion 120. For example, when the tobacco rod portion 110 is present between the electrodes 305 and 306, the degree of polarization due to electrostatic induction increases, resulting in an increase in capacitance.

[0075] Therefore, in this embodiment, sensors are arranged at multiple positions in the insertion / removal direction of the tobacco stick 100, so that different detection results are obtained when the tobacco stick 100 is inserted in a normal state and when it is inserted in a reversed state. For example, when the tobacco stick 100 is accommodated in the accommodation section 310 in a normal state, the first sensor 33 is arranged at a position P1 where the tobacco rod portion 110 is arranged, and the second sensor 34 is arranged at a position P2 where the mouthpiece portion 120 is arranged.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 11, the first sensor 33 arranged in this manner detects capacitance in a range H1 between predetermined values ​​V1 and V2 when the tobacco stick 100 is inserted in a normal state, and detects capacitance in a range H2 between predetermined values ​​V3 and V4 when the tobacco stick 100 is inserted in a reversed state.

[0077] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, when the tobacco stick 100 is inserted in a standard state, the second sensor 34 detects capacitance in a range H2 from predetermined values ​​V3 to V4, and when the tobacco stick 100 is inserted in a reversed state, the second sensor 34 detects capacitance in a range H1 from predetermined values ​​V1 to V2.

[0078] Note that range H2 is a different range from range H1; in the example of FIG. 11 , range H2 does not overlap with range H1 and is lower than range H1. In this embodiment, the first sensor 33 and the second sensor 34 have substantially the same configuration and are configured to obtain the same measurement value when the same measurement target is used. That is, both the first sensor 33 and the second sensor 34 detect the capacitance of the tobacco rod portion 110 in range H1 and the capacitance of the mouthpiece portion 120 in range H2. However, this is not limited to this. The first sensor 33 and the second sensor 34 may have different electrode sizes or installation configurations, and may obtain different values ​​for the same measurement target. That is, the range detected for the tobacco rod portion 110 and the range detected for the mouthpiece portion 120 may be set to be different for the first sensor 33 and the second sensor 34. The control unit 37 stores information indicating this range H1 (first range information) and information indicating range H2 (second range information) in the memory 72 in order to determine the insertion state of the tobacco stick 100.

[0079] [Control method] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a control method executed by the control unit 37. The control unit 37 starts the process of Fig. 13 when the power of the non-combustion type flavor inhaler 30 is turned on.

[0080] In step S10, the control unit 37 acquires the detection values ​​from the first sensor 33 and the second sensor 34. The control unit 37 also stores the acquired detection values ​​in the memory 72.

[0081] In step S20, the control unit 37 determines whether or not the tobacco stick 100 has been inserted in a specified state, based on the detection values ​​detected in step S10. For example, if the second detection value detected by the second sensor 34 is smaller than the first detection value detected by the first sensor 33, it determines that the tobacco stick 100 has been inserted in a specified state (positive determination). On the other hand, if the second detection value detected by the second sensor 34 is larger than the first detection value detected by the first sensor 33, it determines that the tobacco stick 100 has not been inserted in a specified state, i.e., has been inserted in a reversed state (negative determination).

[0082] However, the determination conditions are not limited to these. For example, the control unit 37 may determine that the tobacco stick 100 is not inserted in the specified state when at least one of the following conditions is met: the detection value by the first sensor 33 is outside the range indicated by the first range information, and the detection value by the second sensor 34 is within the range indicated by the first range information. In this case, the control unit 37 determines that the tobacco stick 100 is inserted in the specified state when at least one of the following conditions is met: the detection value by the first sensor 33 is within the range indicated by the first range information, and the detection value by the second sensor 34 is outside the range indicated by the first range information.

[0083] Furthermore, the control unit 37 may determine that the tobacco stick 100 is not inserted in a specified state when the detection value by the first sensor 33 is within the range indicated by the second range information and the detection value by the second sensor 34 is within the range indicated by the first range information. In this case, the control unit 37 determines that the tobacco stick 100 is inserted in a specified state when the detection value by the first sensor 33 is within the range indicated by the first range information and the detection value by the second sensor 34 is within the range indicated by the second range information.

[0084] If the determination in step S20 is negative, the control unit 37 proceeds to step S30 and activates the notification mechanism to notify the user. For example, the control unit 37 notifies the user by outputting a message such as "The tobacco stick has been inserted backwards. Please check the insertion direction and reinsert it" from the speaker, displaying this message on the display unit, outputting a warning sound from the speaker, turning on a warning indicator (warning light), vibrating the vibrator in a specific pattern, etc. In addition, as an output to the user, the output control unit 713 notifies the user by displaying on the display unit, outputting a warning sound, vibrating the vibrator, etc.

[0085] After issuing the notification in step S30, the control unit 37 returns to step S10. Note that when issuing a notification again after issuing a notification in step S30, the notification may be issued after a predetermined time has elapsed. Furthermore, if a positive determination is not made in step S20 even after issuing a predetermined number of notifications, the processing of FIG. 13 may be terminated.

[0086] On the other hand, if the determination in step S20 is affirmative, the control unit 37 proceeds to step S40 and notifies the user that the tobacco stick 100 has been inserted in the specified state, for example by turning on an indicator. Note that in the example of Fig. 13, a notification is given when the tobacco stick 100 is inserted in the specified state and when it is inserted in the reversed state, but a configuration may be adopted in which no display or sound is output when the tobacco stick 100 is inserted in the reversed state, and only when it is inserted in the specified state, an output such as turning on an indicator is output to notify the user of the reversed insertion state. In other words, a configuration may be adopted in which no output is output when the tobacco stick 100 is inserted in the reversed state, thereby notifying the user that it has not been inserted in the specified state.

[0087] In step S50, the control unit 37 performs heating control based on a predetermined heating profile. For example, the control unit 37 controls the power supplied to the heater 32 so that the temperature of the area heated by the heater 32 (heating area) becomes the heating temperature defined in the heating profile.

[0088] In step S60, the control unit 37 obtains the detection values ​​from the first and second sensors 33 and , the temperature sensor 35, and the suction sensor .

[0089] In step S70, the control unit 37 determines whether or not to terminate heating based on the detection result acquired in step S60. That is, the control unit 37 makes a positive determination based on the detection result acquired in step S60 when a predetermined termination condition is met, such as when the moisture content of the tobacco rod portion falls below a predetermined value or when the number of puffs reaches a predetermined value.

[0090] If the determination in step S70 is affirmative, the control unit 37 proceeds to step S80, turns off the power to the non-combustion type flavor inhaler 30, and ends the processing of FIG.

[0091] [Effects of the embodiment] According to this embodiment, the first sensor 33 and the second sensor 34 detect the capacitances of at least the tobacco rod portion 110 and the mouthpiece portion 120, and detect the state of the tobacco stick 100 based on these detected values, thereby making it possible to accurately acquire information about the tobacco stick 100. Therefore, the non-combustion flavor inhaler 30 of this embodiment can provide a technology that accurately detects whether the tobacco stick 100 has been inserted in a state different from the specified state.

[0092] Furthermore, in the non-combustion type flavor inhaler 30 of this embodiment, if it is determined that the tobacco stick 100 is not inserted in the specified state, the user is notified of this, thereby making the user aware of the incorrect insertion state and improving usability.

[0093] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment described above, an example was shown in which the electrodes of the first sensor 33 were arranged along the peripheral wall of the storage section 310, but in the second embodiment, the electrodes of the first sensor 33A are arranged on the bottom of the storage section 310, which is different from the first embodiment described above. Note that the other configurations are the same, so the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations will be omitted.

[0094] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a non-combustion type flavor inhalation system according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a schematic internal structure of a non-combustion type flavor inhaler 30A.

[0095] The first sensor 33A is a capacitance sensor that detects the capacitance of the tip of the tobacco stick 100 when the tobacco stick 100 is stored in the storage portion 310. The tobacco rod portion 110 may be disposed at the tip of the tobacco stick 100, or may be disposed at the tobacco rod portion 110. Stick 100The tip does not have to be the tip of the tobacco rod portion 110. For example, there may be a filter segment at the tip. That is, in this embodiment, the first rod portion includes a segment (for example, a filter segment) other than the tobacco rod portion 110. If there is a filter segment at the tip, the first sensor 33A detects the capacitance of the filter segment.

[0096] The first sensor 33A has a first electrode 301A and a second electrode 302A, and detects the capacitance between these first electrode 301A and second electrode 302A. The first electrode 301A and the second electrode 302A are arranged along the bottom surface 319 of the storage portion 310, with which the tip 102 of the tobacco stick 100 comes into contact when the tobacco stick 100 is inserted into the storage portion 310 in a specified state. In other words, the first electrode 301A and the second electrode 302A are arranged on the same plane parallel to the bottom surface 319 of the storage portion 310, with their detection surfaces facing toward the storage cavity 313. At this time, the capacitance generated between the electrodes 301A and 302A via the tobacco rod portion 110 varies depending on, for example, whether the tobacco rod portion 110 is inserted, the insertion position of the tobacco rod portion 110, the moisture content of the tobacco filler in the tobacco rod portion 110, the aerosol base material, etc. Therefore, by detecting this capacitance, the first sensor 33A can detect information indicating the state of the tobacco rod portion 110. The first electrode 301A and the second electrode 302A are electrically connected to the control unit 37 via wiring 307, and the detection result of the capacitance is acquired by the control unit 37.

[0097] 15, first sensor 33A has a flat plate-shaped first electrode 301A and a flat plate-shaped second electrode 302A provided on the surface opposite to bottom surface 319 of rear wall 311 of housing portion 310, i.e., on inner surface 318 of the housing in which control unit 37 and the like are housed. Furthermore, first electrode 301A and second electrode 302A are arranged on the same plane 318 such that the minimum distance LA between first electrode 301A and second electrode 302A is 7 mm or less, preferably 4 mm or less. Note that first electrode 301A and second electrode 302A may be arranged closely separated by an insulating film or the like to prevent electrical conduction.

[0098] Each of the electrodes 301A and 302A may have any shape as long as it fits the tip end surface 104 of the tobacco stick 100, and for example, its outer shape is not particularly limited and may be rectangular, a polygon other than a rectangle, an ellipse, etc. For example, each of the electrodes 301A and 302A may be formed in a semicircular shape, and when both electrodes 301A and 302A are arranged side by side on the same plane 318, the outer shape of both electrodes 301A and 302A may be formed to be substantially the same circle as the tip end surface of the tobacco stick 100.

[0099] Furthermore, the electrodes 301A and 302A are provided on a surface 318 opposite the bottom surface 319 of the rear wall 311 of the storage section 310, and are adjacent to the tip surface 104 of the tobacco stick 100 via the rear wall 311 when stored in the housing. As a result, the electrodes 301A and 302A are positioned close to the tobacco stick 100 without competing with elements arranged around the storage section 310, allowing for accurate capacitance detection, and protecting the electrodes 301A and 302A from impacts and dirt caused by inserting and removing the tobacco stick 100.

[0100] The configuration for determining the insertion state of the tobacco stick 100 based on the detection results of the first sensor 33A and the second sensor 34 is the same as that of the first embodiment. Note that when the first sensor 33A is provided on the bottom surface 319 of the storage section 310, the configuration differs from that of the second sensor 34, and therefore the capacitance ranges H1, H The first range information and the second range information may be set to indicate 2. According to this embodiment, the first sensor 33A and the second sensor 34 detect the capacitances at the tip 102 of the tobacco stick 100 and the mouthpiece portion 120, and these detected values The state of the tobacco stick 100 is detected based on this. Therefore, the non-combustion type flavor inhaler 30A of this embodiment can provide a technology that accurately detects whether the tobacco stick 100 has been inserted in a state different from the normal state.

[0101] <Third embodiment> In the first embodiment described above, an example was shown in which the first sensor 33 and the second sensor 34 were capacitance sensors, but in the third embodiment, the first sensor 33B and the second sensor 34B are photoelectric sensors, which is different from the first embodiment. Note that the other configurations are the same, so the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0102] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a non-burning flavor inhaler 30B according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 17 is a side view of a flavor stick used in the third embodiment.

[0103] 17, the tobacco stick (flavor stick) 100B used in this embodiment has markers 61, 62 provided along its outer circumferential surface. The first marker 61 is provided on the front end side of the tobacco stick 100B where the first rod portion (tobacco rod portion 110) is disposed, and the second marker 62 is provided on the rear end side where the second rod portion (mouthpiece portion 120) is disposed. The markers 61, 62 in this embodiment are provided on the outer periphery of the cigarette paper 112 by printing.

[0104] The first sensor 33B is provided at a position where the first marker 61 is placed when the tobacco stick 100B is inserted into the storage section 310 in a normal state, and where the second marker 62 is placed when the tobacco stick 100B is inserted in a reversed state.

[0105] The second sensor 34B is provided at a position where the second marker 62 is located when the tobacco stick 100B is inserted into the storage section 310 in a normal state, and where the first marker 61 is located when the tobacco stick 100B is inserted in a reversed state.

[0106] The first sensor 33B and the second sensor 34B irradiate the outer peripheral surface of the tobacco stick 100B with detection light, measure the light reflected by the markers 61, 62, and convert it into an electrical signal indicating values ​​such as the color and density (reflectance) of the markers 61, 62 as the detection result.

[0107] The markers 61, 62 are formed at any desired density by, for example, changing the shape or density of the halftone dots. The markers 61, 62 may also be identified by color, a difference from a predetermined color (color difference), a barcode, or the like. The color or density of the wrapping paper 112 itself may be detected as the second marker 62, in which case the addition of the marker 62 can be omitted.

[0108] The first range information indicating the range of detection values ​​obtained when the first marker 61 is detected by the first sensor 33B and the second sensor 34B, and the second range information indicating the range of detection values ​​obtained when the second marker 62 is detected by the first sensor 33B and the second sensor 34B, are determined in advance by experiments or the like and stored in the memory 72. The configuration for determining the insertion state of the tobacco stick 100B based on the detection results of the first sensor 33B and the second sensor 34B, and the first range information and second range information is the same as in the first embodiment described above.

[0109] According to this embodiment, even when sensors other than capacitance sensors are used as the first sensor 33B and the second sensor 34B, the markers 61, 62 can be detected, and the state of the tobacco stick 100 can be detected based on these detection values. Therefore, the non-combustion flavor inhaler 30B of this embodiment can provide a technology for accurately detecting that the tobacco stick 100B has been inserted in a state different from the specified state.

[0110] <Fourth embodiment> The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it is provided with a heating unit of the electromagnetic induction heating type, a configuration for heating the susceptor in the tobacco stick 100C, and a configuration in which a sensor for detecting the susceptor is provided. Note that the other configurations are the same, and therefore the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations will be omitted.

[0111] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a non-combustion flavor inhaler 30C according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the configuration of a flavor stick used in the fourth embodiment. The heating unit 32C of this embodiment is equipped with a coil (induction coil) 325 for electromagnetic induction heating. The tobacco stick 100C is equipped with a heating element (susceptor) 326, which generates heat by electromagnetic induction of the coil 325, inside the tobacco rod portion 110. The heating element 326 is a generally plate-shaped member formed longitudinally along the axial direction of the tobacco rod portion 110. The shape of the heating element 326 is not particularly limited. The heating element 326 generates heat by electromagnetic induction, thereby heating the surrounding tobacco filler 111.

[0112] The power supply (battery unit) 38 is a power supply that supplies power for heating to the coil 325 via the control unit 37, and in this embodiment, supplies DC current to the control unit 37. In this embodiment, the drive circuit 74 (FIG. 10) of the control unit 37 includes a DC / AC inverter for supplying high-frequency AC current to the coil 325. When the operation switch is operated, the control unit 37 Alternatively, when it is determined that a tobacco stick 100 has been inserted into the storage cavity 313, it is determined that a command to start the heating operation has been issued, and an AC current of a predetermined frequency is supplied to the coil 325.

[0113] When supplied with AC current, the coil 325 generates a fluctuating electromagnetic field (alternating magnetic field) of the predetermined frequency. The frequency of the electromagnetic field is, for example, 1 kHz or more and 30 MHz or less, preferably 50 kHz or more and 500 kHz or less, and more preferably 100 kHz or more and 250 kHz or less. In this embodiment, the inductance L of the coil is 1 μH, and the frequency of the fluctuating electromagnetic field is 200 kHz.

[0114] This fluctuating electromagnetic field generates an eddy current in the heating element 326 disposed within the hollow portion of the coil 325, that is, within the fluctuating electromagnetic field, and this eddy current loss causes the heating element 326 to generate heat.

[0115] The coil 325 also functions as a first sensor that detects the heating element 326. For example, when the tobacco stick 100 is inserted and the heating element 326, which is a metal, is positioned inside the coil 325, a change occurs in the magnetic field inside the coil 325. magnetic Detect changes in the field.

[0116] Furthermore, a second sensor 34C is provided at a position where the mouthpiece portion 120 is disposed when the tobacco stick 100 is housed in the housing portion 310. The second sensor 34C is a metal sensor that detects the heating element 326, which is metal.

[0117] The first range information indicating the range of detection values ​​obtained when the heating element 326 is detected by the first sensor (coil 325) and the second sensor 34C, and the second range information indicating the range of detection values ​​obtained when the mouthpiece portion 120 is detected by the first sensor (coil 325) and the second sensor 34C, are determined in advance by experiments or the like and stored in the memory 72. The configuration for determining the insertion state of the tobacco stick 100C based on the detection results of the first sensor (coil 325) and the second sensor 34C, and the first range information and second range information is the same as in the first embodiment described above.

[0118] According to this embodiment, the heating element 326 is detected by the first sensor (coil 325) and the second sensor 34C, and the temperature of the tobacco stick 100 is calculated based on these detection values. C Therefore, the non-combustion type flavor inhaler 30C of this embodiment can provide a technique for accurately detecting whether the tobacco stick 100C has been inserted in a state different from the normal state.

[0119] <Other aspects> The configurations in the above-described embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting, and additions, omissions, substitutions, combinations, and other modifications of the configurations are possible as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0120] (Aspect 1) A non-combustion type flavor inhaler, a storage section for insertably and removably storing a flavor stick having a first rod section including a flavor source and a second rod section other than the first rod section; a first sensor that performs detection at least at a location where the first rod portion is disposed when the flavor stick is accommodated in the accommodation portion in a specified state with the first rod portion of the flavor stick at the leading end side and the second rod portion at the rear end side relative to the first rod portion; a second sensor that detects at least the location where the second rod portion is disposed when the flavor stick is accommodated in the accommodation portion in a specified state; a control unit that determines whether the flavor stick is inserted in a specified state based on at least one of the detection values ​​of the first sensor and the second sensor; A non-burning flavor inhaler comprising:

[0121] (Aspect 2) The non-combustion type flavor inhaler according to aspect 1, further comprising a notification mechanism that notifies a user of the determination result by the control unit.

[0122] (Aspect 3) The control unit a storage unit that stores first range information indicating a range of detection values ​​obtained when the first rod portion is detected by the first sensor or the second sensor, A non-combustion type flavor inhaler according to aspect 1 or 2, which determines that the flavor stick is not inserted in a specified state when at least one of the following conditions is met: the detection value by the first sensor is outside the range indicated by the first range information, and the detection value by the second sensor is within the range indicated by the first range information.

[0123] (Aspect 4) The control unit a storage unit that stores first range information indicating a range of detection values ​​obtained when the first rod portion is detected by the first sensor or the second sensor, and second range information indicating a range of detection values ​​obtained when the second rod portion is detected by the first sensor or the second sensor, the range being different from the first range information; A non-combustion type flavor inhaler according to aspect 1 or 2, which determines that the flavor stick is not inserted in a specified state when the detection value of the first sensor is within the range indicated by the second range information and the detection value of the second sensor is within the range indicated by the first range information.

[0124] (Aspect 5) 5. The non-combustion type flavor inhaler according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are capacitance sensors.

[0125] (Aspect 6) the first sensor and the second sensor are capacitance sensors, The control unit A non-combustion type flavor inhaler according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein if the second detection value detected by the second sensor is greater than the first detection value detected by the first sensor, it is determined that the flavor stick is not inserted in a specified state.

[0126] (Aspect 7) the first sensor has a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from each other, and detects a capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode; A non-combustion type flavor inhaler according to aspect 5 or 6, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged on either side of the space in which the first rod portion is accommodated so that at least a portion of the first rod portion is inserted between the first electrode and the second electrode when the flavor stick is accommodated in the accommodation portion.

[0127] (Aspect 8) the second sensor has a third electrode and a fourth electrode spaced apart from each other, and detects a capacitance between the third electrode and the fourth electrode; The third electrode and the fourth electrode are configured such that, when the flavor stick is accommodated in the accommodation portion, at least a part of the mouthpiece is 3 The electrode and the 4 8. The non-combustion type flavor inhaler according to claim 7, wherein the inhaler is disposed between the electrode and the nozzle part, with a space for accommodating the mouthpiece sandwiched therebetween. [Explanation of symbols]

[0128] 100: Tobacco sticks 101: Mouthpiece end 102: Tip 103: Ventilation hole 110: Tobacco rod part 111: Filling 112: Rolling Paper 120: Mouthpiece 121: Cooling segment 122: Filter segment 130: Tipping Paper 200: Non-combustion flavor suction system 30,30A,30B,30C: Non-combustible flavor inhaler 301: 1st electrode 302: 2nd electrode 303: Third electrode 304: 4th electrode 305,306: Electrode 307,308: Wiring 31: Housing 310: Storage unit 311: Back wall 312: Peripheral wall 313: Containment cavity 32,32A: Heater 321: Proximal end 322: Tip 325: Gap 325: Coil 326: Heating element 32C: Heating section 33: First sensor 330: Flexible PCB 334: End 34: Second sensor 35: Temperature sensor 36: Suction sensor 37: Control section 38: Power supply (battery unit) 3A: Insertion port 71: Processor 711: Judgment section 712: Heating control unit 713: Output control section 72: Memory 73: Input / output section 74: Drive circuit

Claims

1. A non-combustion type flavor inhaler, a storage section for insertably and removably storing a flavor stick having a first rod section including a flavor source and a second rod section other than the first rod section; a first sensor that detects at least the location where the first rod portion is disposed when the flavor stick is accommodated in the accommodation portion in a specified state with the first rod portion of the flavor stick at the leading end side and the second rod portion at the rear end side relative to the first rod portion; a second sensor that detects at least the location where the second rod portion is disposed when the flavor stick is accommodated in the accommodation portion in a specified state; a control unit that determines whether the flavor stick has been inserted in a specified state or in a reversed state opposite to the specified state, based on the detection values ​​of the first sensor and the second sensor; A non-burning flavor inhaler comprising:

2. The non-combustion type flavor inhaler according to claim 1 , further comprising a notification mechanism for notifying a user of the result of the determination made by the control unit.

3. The control unit a storage unit that stores first range information indicating a range of detection values ​​obtained when the first rod portion is detected by the first sensor or the second sensor, 3. The non-combustion type flavor inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the flavor stick is determined to have been inserted in a reversed state when at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: the detected value by the first sensor is outside the range indicated by the first range information; and the detected value by the second sensor is within the range indicated by the first range information.

4. The control unit a storage unit that stores first range information indicating a range of detection values ​​obtained when the first rod portion is detected by the first sensor or the second sensor, and second range information indicating a range of detection values ​​obtained when the second rod portion is detected by the first sensor or the second sensor, the range being different from the first range information; the detected value by the first sensor is within the range indicated by the second range information, and 3. The non-combustion type flavor inhaler according to claim 1, wherein when a detection value by the second sensor is within the range indicated by the first range information, it is determined that the flavor stick has been inserted in a reversed state.

5. 3. The non-burning type flavor inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are capacitance sensors.

6. the first sensor and the second sensor are capacitance sensors, 3. The non-combustion type flavor inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines that the flavor stick has been inserted in a reversed state when a second detection value detected by the second sensor is greater than a first detection value detected by the first sensor.

7. the first sensor has a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from each other, and detects a capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode; 6. The non-combustion type flavor inhaler according to claim 5, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged on either side of a space in which the first rod portion is accommodated so that at least a portion of the first rod portion is inserted between the first electrode and the second electrode when the flavor stick is accommodated in the accommodation portion in the specified state.

8. the second sensor has a third electrode and a fourth electrode spaced apart from each other, and detects a capacitance between the third electrode and the fourth electrode; 8. The non-combustion type flavor inhaler according to claim 7, wherein the third electrode and the fourth electrode are arranged on either side of a space in which the second rod portion is accommodated so that at least a portion of the second rod portion is inserted between the third electrode and the fourth electrode when the flavor stick is accommodated in the accommodation portion in the specified state.

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