Aerosol generating system and method for producing aerosol generating system

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a mechanism that can heat a base material more appropriately. [Solution] This aerosol generating system comprises a cylindrical member having an opening into which an aerosol generating article containing an aerosol source is inserted, a membranal heating part disposed on the outer side surface of the cylindrical member, and a heat diffusion layer in which a first layer having heat conductivity equal to or higher than a first threshold and a second layer having tensile strength equal to or higher than a second threshold are laminated, wherein the heat diffusion layer is disposed such that the heat diffusion layer is wound to cover the outer side of the heating part disposed on the outer side surface of the cylindrical member in the state where the first layer faces inward and the second layer faces outward.

Description

Aerosol generating system and method for manufacturing the aerosol generating system

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating system and a method for manufacturing an aerosol generating system.

[0002] Inhalation devices, such as electronic cigarettes and nebulizers, that generate substances to be inhaled by users are widely used. For example, inhalation devices generate aerosols containing flavor components using a substrate containing an aerosol source for generating aerosols and a flavor source for imparting flavor components to the generated aerosol. Users can enjoy the flavor by inhaling the flavor-imparted aerosol generated by the inhalation device. The action of a user inhaling an aerosol is hereinafter also referred to as a puff or a puffing action.

[0003] Typically, the aerosol is generated by heating the substrate. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technology in which the substrate is heated by a single film heater wound in a tubular shape so as to surround the substrate.

[0004] Patent No. 6210610

[0005] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, a film heater is wrapped around the outside of a cylindrical member that houses a substrate. However, simply wrapping the film heater around the cylindrical member can make it difficult to heat the substrate appropriately.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that can heat a substrate more appropriately.

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generation system is provided, comprising: a tubular member having an opening through which an aerosol product containing an aerosol source can be inserted; a film-like heating unit arranged on the outer surface of the tubular member; and a thermal diffusion layer formed by stacking a first layer having a thermal conductivity of a first threshold value or more and a second layer having a tensile strength of a second threshold value or more, wherein the thermal diffusion layer is wrapped around and arranged to cover the outside of the heating unit arranged on the outer surface of the tubular member, with the first layer on the inside and the second layer on the outside.

[0008] The second layer may be formed to be longer than the first layer in the circumferential direction of the tubular member, and the thermal diffusion layer may be formed by bonding the first layer and the second layer together so that the second layer covers the first layer over the entire circumferential direction of the tubular member.

[0009] The second layer may include a first portion that is formed longer than the first layer in the height direction of the tubular member, and both end portions of the first portion of the second layer that protrude from the first layer in the height direction of the tubular member may be adhered to the heating section.

[0010] The heating portion includes a film-like electrically insulating substrate and a conductive track arranged on the electrically insulating substrate, and the both end portions of the first portion of the second layer may be adhered to a marginal area of ​​the heating portion where the conductive track is not arranged, adjacent in the height direction of the tubular member to a portion of the conductive track where a heat-generating portion that generates heat when a current is applied is arranged.

[0011] The second layer may include a second portion whose length in the circumferential direction of the tubular member is longer than the outer peripheral length of the tubular member, and a protruding portion of the second portion of the second layer that protrudes from the first layer in the circumferential direction of the tubular member may be adhered to the second layer that is wrapped one circumference inward from the protruding portion.

[0012] The second portion of the second layer may be formed shorter than the first layer in the height direction of the tubular member.

[0013] The first layer may be formed to be longer than the outer circumferential length of the tubular member in the circumferential direction of the tubular member.

[0014] The heating portion may include a film-like electrically insulating substrate and a conductive track arranged on the electrically insulating substrate, and the heating portion may be arranged on the outer surface of the tubular member, covering part of the outer surface of the tubular member and leaving another part exposed.

[0015] The heating portion may be formed in a T-shape or a shape having a notch in a plan view.

[0016] The aerosol generation system may include an insulating layer having a thermal conductivity less than a third threshold and a heat shrink tube that shrinks when heated, and the heating section and the thermal diffusion layer may be wrapped around the outer surface of the tubular member and fixed to the tubular member by the heat shrink tube while being covered by the insulating layer.

[0017] The first layer may be formed from copper, graphite, or aluminum.

[0018] The second layer may be made of PI (Polyimide).

[0019] The cylindrical member may be made of SUS (stainless steel).

[0020] In addition, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing an aerosol generation system, which includes adhering a thermal diffusion layer, which is a laminate of a first layer having a thermal conductivity equal to or greater than a first threshold and a second layer having a tensile strength equal to or greater than a second threshold, to a membrane-shaped heating section with the first layer on the inside, and placing the adhered heating section and thermal diffusion layer, with the heating section on the inside, on the outer surface of a tubular member having an opening into which an aerosol product containing an aerosol source can be inserted.

[0021] As described above, the present invention provides a mechanism that allows the substrate to be heated more appropriately.

[0022] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a suction device; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a heater assembly according to the present embodiment; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a cross section of the heater assembly along arrows A-A; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a storage section according to the present embodiment; FIG. 5 is a development view showing an example of a heating section according to the present embodiment; FIG. 6 is a development view showing an example of a thermal diffusion sheet according to the present embodiment; FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a manufacturing method of the heater assembly according to the present embodiment; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a manufacturing method of the heater assembly according to the present embodiment; FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a cross section of a heater assembly according to a first supplementary note; FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a heater assembly according to a second supplementary note; FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of a state before the heating section 40 according to the second supplementary note is arranged on the outer surface of the storage section; FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of a state after the heating section 40 according to the second supplementary note is arranged on the outer surface of the storage section.

[0023] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0024] 1. Configuration Example of Inhalation Device The inhalation device is a device that generates a substance to be inhaled by a user. In the following description, the substance generated by the inhalation device is described as an aerosol. Alternatively, the substance generated by the inhalation device may be a gas.

[0025] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a suction device. As shown in Fig. 1, a suction device 100 according to this example configuration includes a power supply unit 111, a sensor unit 112, a notification unit 113, a memory unit 114, a communication unit 115, a control unit 116, a storage unit 20, a heating unit 40, and a heat insulating unit 70.

[0026] The power supply unit 111 stores electric power and supplies electric power to each component of the suction device 100 under the control of the control unit 116. The power supply unit 111 may be configured by, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

[0027] The sensor unit 112 acquires various types of information related to the suction device 100. As one example, the sensor unit 112 is configured with a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow rate sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like, and acquires values ​​associated with suction by the user. As another example, the sensor unit 112 is configured with an input device such as a button or a switch that accepts information input from the user.

[0028] The notification unit 113 notifies the user of information. The notification unit 113 is configured by, for example, a light emitting device that emits light, a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, or a vibration device that vibrates.

[0029] The storage unit 114 stores various types of information for the operation of the suction device 100. The storage unit 114 is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, for example.

[0030] The communication unit 115 is a communication interface capable of performing communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark)), NFC (Near Field Communication), or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area).

[0031] The control unit 116 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation of the suction device 100 in accordance with various programs. The control unit 116 is realized by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor.

[0032] The storage unit 20 has an internal space 30 and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 while accommodating a portion of the stick-shaped substrate 150 in the internal space 30. The storage unit 20 is configured to allow the stick-shaped substrate 150 to be inserted through an opening 22. In particular, the storage unit 20 has an opening 22 that connects the internal space 30 to the outside, and accommodates the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted through the opening 22 into the internal space 30. For example, the storage unit 20 is a cylindrical member with the opening 22 and a bottom wall 26 at both ends, and defines a columnar internal space 30. An air flow path that supplies air to the internal space 30 is connected to the storage unit 20. An air inlet, which is an air inlet to the air flow path, is located, for example, on a side surface of the suction device 100. An air outlet, which is an air outlet from the air flow path to the internal space 30, is located, for example, on the bottom wall 26.

[0033] The stick-shaped substrate 150 includes a substrate portion 151 and a mouthpiece portion 152. The substrate portion 151 includes an aerosol source. The aerosol source includes a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. When the inhalation device 100 is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may include a medicament. The aerosol source may be, for example, a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water, containing a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component, or a solid containing a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. When the stick-shaped substrate 150 is held in the storage portion 20, at least a portion of the substrate portion 151 is housed in the internal space 30, and at least a portion of the mouthpiece portion 152 protrudes from the opening 22. When a user holds the mouthpiece portion 152 protruding from the opening 22 and inhales, air flows into the internal space 30 via an air flow path (not shown) and reaches the user's mouth along with the aerosol generated from the substrate portion 151.

[0034] The heating unit 40 generates aerosol by heating the aerosol source and atomizing the aerosol source. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the heating unit 40 is configured in a film shape and is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the storage unit 20. When the heating unit 40 generates heat, the substrate unit 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated from the outer periphery, generating aerosol. The heating unit 40 generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111. As an example, power may be supplied when the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has started inhaling and / or that predetermined information has been input. Power supply may be stopped when the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has stopped inhaling and / or that predetermined information has been input.

[0035] The heat insulating section 70 prevents heat transfer from the heating section 40 to other components. For example, the heat insulating section 70 is made of a vacuum heat insulating material, an aerogel heat insulating material, or the like.

[0036] The inhalation device 100 and the stick-type substrate 150 work together to generate an aerosol that is inhaled by a user. Therefore, the combination of the inhalation device 100 and the stick-type substrate 150 may be considered an aerosol generating system. The stick-type substrate 150 is an example of an aerosol producing product that contains an aerosol source and generates an aerosol.

[0037] 2. Detailed Configuration of the Heater Assembly The physical configuration of the suction device 100 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a heater assembly 10 according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a view schematically illustrating an example of a cross section of the heater assembly 10 taken along the arrows A-A. FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a storage unit 20 according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a developed view of an example of a heating unit 40 according to this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a developed view of an example of a thermal diffusion sheet 60 according to this embodiment. The dimensions shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are in millimeters (mm). The outer periphery of the storage unit 20 is 23.3 mm.

[0038] In these figures, the height direction of the storage unit 20 (in other words, the direction in which the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted and removed) is also referred to as the up-down direction. The direction toward the opening 22 of the storage unit 20 is the up direction, and the direction toward the bottom wall 26 is the down direction. The circumferential direction of the storage unit 20 is also referred to as the left-right direction. The clockwise direction when looking toward the bottom wall 26 from the opening 22 side is the left direction, and the counterclockwise direction is the right direction.

[0039] The heater assembly 10 is one of the components that make up the suction device 100. The heater assembly 10 is a component that is particularly involved in heating the stick-shaped substrate 150. As shown in Fig. 2, the heater assembly 10 includes a housing portion 20, a heating portion 40, and a thermal diffusion sheet 60. In particular, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the heater assembly 10 is configured by wrapping the heating portion 40 and the thermal diffusion sheet 60 around the outer surface of the housing portion 20.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 4, the storage unit 20 is a cylindrical member with a bottom, including an opening 22, a side wall 24, and a bottom wall 26 that closes the end opposite the opening 22. A hole (not shown) is provided in the bottom wall 26, and a cylindrical air flow path 28 is connected to the hole. The stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage unit 20 through the opening 22 and is stored in an internal space 30 surrounded by the side wall 24 and the bottom wall 26. The storage unit 20 is made of a material with a predetermined heat conductivity, such as SUS (Steel Use Stainless Steel). This allows the stick-shaped substrate 150 to be heated efficiently.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 4, the side wall 24 of the storage unit 20 includes two flat portions 24a formed in a flat shape and two curved portions 24b formed in a curved shape. As shown in Fig. 3, the shape of the storage unit 20 in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction may be approximately elliptical. Specifically, in the plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, the two flat portions 24a may each form a straight line, and the two curved portions 24b may each form a semicircular arc. The distance between the inner surfaces of the two flat portions 24a is preferably smaller than the width of the stick-shaped substrate 150. In this case, the storage unit 20 can hold the stick-shaped substrate 150 while pressing it with the two flat portions 24a.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5 , the heating unit 40 includes a conductive track 41 and an electrically insulating substrate 42. The conductive track 41 is a circuit made of a conductive material. The electrically insulating substrate 42 is a film-like substrate made of an insulating material. An example of the insulating material is polyimide (PI). The heating unit 40 can be configured by placing the conductive track 41 on the film-like electrically insulating substrate 42. For example, the heating unit 40 can be a film heater configured by sandwiching the conductive track 41 between two electrically insulating substrates 42 made of PI films. Other insulating materials include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and fluororesin.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5 , the conductive track 41 includes a heat-generating portion 41a and a non-heat-generating portion 41b. The heat-generating portion 41a is a portion of the conductive track 41 that generates heat when a current is applied. The non-heat-generating portion 41b is a portion of the conductive track 41 that does not generate heat or generates very little heat when a current is applied. That is, the electrical resistance of the heat-generating portion 41a is higher than the electrical resistance of the non-heat-generating portion 41b. For example, the heat-generating portion 41a may be narrow, and the non-heat-generating portion 41b may be wide. This allows the aforementioned relationship in electrical resistance to be achieved. The heat-generating portion 41a may be made of, for example, stainless steel (SUS). On the other hand, the non-heat-generating portion 41b may be made of a material containing at least one of copper and nickel. Specifically, the non-heat-generating portion 41b may be made by plating SUS with copper and nickel. In this case, for example, the thickness of the SUS may be 30 μm, the thickness of the nickel may be 30 μm, and the thickness of the copper may be 5 μm. With such a configuration, the above-mentioned relationship in magnitude of electrical resistance can be achieved, and the heat resistance of the heat-generating portion 41 a can be increased. Of course, the material constituting the conductive track 41 is not limited to the above example, and other materials such as aluminum may be used.

[0044] The heating unit 40 is disposed in the storage unit 20 while covering a portion of the outer surface of the storage unit 20 and leaving the other portion exposed. In particular, as shown in FIG. 5 , the heating unit 40 may be formed in a shape having cutouts 49a and 49b in a plan view. In this case, the heating unit 40 covers the outer surface of the storage unit 20 except for the cutouts 49a and 49b. On the other hand, the outer surface of the storage unit 20 is exposed at the cutouts 49a and 49b. With this configuration, if the outer surface of the storage unit 20 is uneven, the heating unit 40 can be in close contact with the outer surface of the storage unit 20 while avoiding the unevenness of the outer surface of the storage unit 20 by using the cutouts 49a and 49b. Without the cutouts 49a and 49b, the heating unit 40 would float in the uneven portions of the outer surface of the storage unit 20, and the temperature of the floating portions would rise rapidly, potentially damaging the heating unit 40. In this regard, with this configuration, the heating unit 40 is in close contact with the outer surface of the housing unit 20, so that damage to the heating unit 40 can be prevented.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5 , the electrically insulating substrate 42 has cutouts 49a and 49b. The conductive track 41 is disposed on the electrically insulating substrate 42, avoiding the cutouts 49a and 49b. Specifically, the conductive track 41 is disposed on the electrically insulating substrate 42 so as to run from the lower end, around the cutouts 49a and 49b, around the electrically insulating substrate 42, and then return to the lower end. The conductive track 41 is exposed from the electrically insulating substrate 42 at the lower end of the heating unit 40 and is electrically connected to the power supply unit 111. In the example shown in FIG. 5 , the conductive track 41 is formed in an M-shape with three folds in the heat-generating portion 41a. As shown in FIG. 3 , heat-generating portions 41a-1 to 41a-4 corresponding to four vertical bars disposed before and after the three folds constituting the M shape may be disposed at equal intervals on the outer surface of the accommodating portion 20. Of course, the number of folds of the conductive track 41 is not limited to three and may be any number equal to or greater than one.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 6 , the thermal diffusion sheet 60 is formed by laminating a graphite sheet 62 and a PI tape 64. The thermal diffusion sheet 60 is an example of a thermal diffusion layer formed in a film shape. The thermal diffusion sheet 60 has the function of diffusing heat. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the thermal diffusion sheet 60 is arranged by wrapping it around the heating unit 40, which is arranged by wrapping it around the outer surface of the accommodation unit 20. With this configuration, the heat from the heating unit 40 can be diffused throughout the entire accommodation unit 20. As a result, the stick-shaped substrate 150 accommodated in the accommodation unit 20 can be efficiently heated.

[0047] The graphite sheet 62 is a sheet-like member made of graphite. The graphite sheet 62 is an example of a first layer having a thermal conductivity equal to or greater than a first threshold. The thermal conductivity of the graphite sheet 62 is preferably at least higher than the thermal conductivity of the housing 20. An example of the first threshold is 50 W / (m·K), and more preferably 100 W / (m·K). Note that the thermal conductivity of the graphite sheet 62 in the planar direction is preferably equal to or greater than the first threshold, and the thermal conductivity of the graphite sheet 62 in the thickness direction is not particularly limited. This is because the rate of thermal conduction in the thickness direction is determined by the electrically insulating substrate 42. As an example, the graphite sheet 62 may be configured to have a thickness of 40 μm, a thermal conductivity in the planar direction of 1500 W / (m·K), and a thermal conductivity in the thickness direction of 5 W / (m·K). With this configuration, graphite sheet 62 can efficiently transmit heat from heating unit 40 to the entire area of ​​housing unit 20 .

[0048] The PI tape 64 is a tape made of PI. The PI tape 64 is formed by applying an adhesive to one surface of a film-like member made of PI. The PI tape 64 is an example of a second layer having a tensile strength equal to or greater than a second threshold value. The tensile strength of the PI tape 64 is preferably at least higher than the tensile strength of the graphite sheet 62. An example of the second threshold value is 60 MPa at room temperature, and more preferably 120 MPa. Note that this second threshold value relates to the tensile strength in the longitudinal direction when the PI tape 64 is 25 mm wide. With this configuration, the PI tape 64 can prevent tearing of the graphite sheet 62 during assembly.

[0049] 6 , the PI tape 64 includes a vertically oriented PI tape 66 and a horizontally oriented PI tape 68. The vertically oriented PI tape 66 is an example of a first portion of the PI tape 64. The horizontally oriented PI tape 68 is an example of a second portion of the PI tape 64.

[0050] The thermal diffusion sheet 60 is configured by bonding together a graphite sheet 62 as the bottom layer, a vertically elongated PI tape 66 as the middle layer, and a horizontally elongated PI tape 68 as the top layer in an overlapping state. The vertically elongated PI tape 66 and the horizontally elongated PI tape 68 are overlapped with their adhesive surfaces facing the bottom layer. In particular, the graphite sheet 62, the vertically elongated PI tape 66, and the horizontally elongated PI tape 68 are overlapped so that their right edges and vertical centers are aligned. Note that, in this specification, the layer that will be on the inside when the thermal diffusion sheet 60 is wrapped around the housing 20 is referred to as the bottom layer, and the layer that will be on the outside is referred to as the top layer.

[0051] In the example shown in Figure 6, the graphite sheet 62 is 10 mm long in the vertical direction and 28 mm long in the horizontal direction. The vertically elongated PI tape 66 is 13 mm long in the vertical direction and 4 mm long in the horizontal direction. The horizontally elongated PI tape 68 is 8 mm long in the vertical direction and 36 mm long in the horizontal direction.

[0052] The thermal diffusion sheet 60 is arranged, with the graphite sheet 62 on the inside and the PI tape 64 on the outside, wrapped around the heating unit 40, which is disposed on the outer surface of the housing unit 20, to cover the outside. That is, the heating unit 40, graphite sheet 62, and PI tape 64 are wrapped around the outer surface of the housing unit 20 in this order. This configuration allows the graphite sheet 62 to be in close contact with the heating unit 40 or the housing unit 20. As a result, the thermal diffusion effect from the heating unit 40 to the housing unit 20 via the graphite sheet 62 can be improved. Furthermore, this configuration allows the graphite sheet 62, which is in close contact with the heating unit 40 or the housing unit 20, to be protected from the outside by the PI tape 64. As a result, the PI tape 64 can improve the tear prevention effect of the graphite sheet 62.

[0053] Graphite sheet 62 is formed to be longer in the left-right direction than the outer periphery of accommodating unit 20. Specifically, the length of graphite sheet 62 in the left-right direction is 28 mm, and the outer periphery of accommodating unit 20 is 23.3 mm. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3 , graphite sheet 62 is wrapped around the outer surface of accommodating unit 20 one or more times. With this configuration, graphite sheet 62 completely covers the outer periphery of accommodating unit 20, making it possible to diffuse heat from heating unit 40 to the entire outer periphery of accommodating unit 20.

[0054] The horizontally elongated PI tape 68 is formed to be longer in the left-right direction than the outer periphery of the housing portion 20. Specifically, the length of the horizontally elongated PI tape 68 in the left-right direction is 36 mm, and the outer periphery of the housing portion 20 is 23.3 mm. With this configuration, the horizontally elongated PI tape 68 can be wrapped around the housing portion 20 one or more times, thereby more firmly fixing the graphite sheet 62.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 6 , the PI tape 64 (particularly, the horizontally elongated PI tape 68) is formed to be longer in the left-right direction than the graphite sheet 62. Specifically, the horizontally elongated PI tape 68 has a length of 36 mm, and the horizontally elongated graphite sheet 62 has a length of 28 mm. The thermal diffusion sheet 60 is formed by adhering the graphite sheet 62 and the PI tape 64 together so that the PI tape 64 (particularly, the horizontally elongated PI tape 68) covers the entire graphite sheet 62 in the left-right direction. As will be described later, the thermal diffusion sheet 60 is wrapped around the outer surface of the accommodating section 20 by rotating the accommodating section 20 while pressing the thermal diffusion sheet 60 against the accommodating section 20 with a rubber roller or the like. In this regard, with this configuration, when wrapping the thermal diffusion sheet 60 around the accommodating section 20, the rubber roller can be brought into contact only with the PI tape 64 and not with the graphite sheet 62. This reduces the force applied to graphite sheet 62, making it possible to prevent graphite sheet 62 from breaking.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 6, horizontally elongated PI tape 68 has a protruding portion 68a that protrudes from graphite sheet 62 in the left-right direction. As shown in Fig. 3, protruding portion 68a is adhered to PI tape 64 (particularly horizontally elongated PI tape 68) that is wound one circumference inward from protruding portion 68a. This configuration allows the position of graphite sheet 62 to be fixed by horizontally elongated PI tape 68. As a result, it is possible to prevent the graphite sheet 62 from being broken due to excessive force being applied to the graphite sheet 62.

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6 , the horizontally elongated PI tape 68 may be formed shorter than the graphite sheet 62 in the vertical direction. Specifically, the vertical length of the horizontally elongated PI tape 68 is 8 mm, and the vertical length of the graphite sheet 62 is 10 mm. This configuration prevents the horizontally elongated PI tape 68 from protruding from the graphite sheet 62 in the vertical direction and directly adhering to the heating unit 40 or the housing unit 20. This allows the graphite sheet 62 to be fixed with some play. As a result, it is possible to prevent the graphite sheet 62 from being broken due to excessive force being applied to the graphite sheet 62.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 6 , the vertically elongated PI tape 66 is formed to be longer than the graphite sheet 62 in the vertical direction. Specifically, the vertical length of the vertically elongated PI tape 66 is 13 mm, and the vertical length of the graphite sheet 62 is 10 mm. Therefore, both end portions 66a and 66b of the vertically elongated PI tape 66 protrude from the graphite sheet 62 in the vertical direction. Specifically, both end portions 66a and 66b of the vertically elongated PI tape 66 protrude from the graphite sheet 62 by 1.5 mm in the vertical direction. The end portions 66a and 66b of the vertically elongated PI tape 66 protruding from the graphite sheet 62 in the vertical direction are bonded to the heating unit 40. This configuration makes it possible to fix the thermal diffusion sheet 60 to the heating unit 40 and prevent misalignment between the heating unit 40 and the thermal diffusion sheet 60.

[0059] 5, the heating unit 40 has marginal areas 43a and 43b adjacent in the vertical direction to the area where the heat-generating portion 41a is located, where the conductive track 41 is not located. The marginal areas 43a and 43b are areas consisting only of the electrically insulating substrate 42. The vertical end portions 66a and 66b of the vertically elongated PI tape 66 are adhered to the marginal areas 43a and 43b of the heating unit 40. By providing the marginal areas 43a and 43b for adhering the thermal diffusion sheet 60 in advance in the heating unit 40 in this way, the thermal diffusion sheet 60 can be more firmly fixed to the heating unit 40.

[0060] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5 , the area of ​​the heating unit 40 where the heat-generating portion 41a is located is 20.75 mm in the left-right direction and 10 mm in the up-down direction. The marginal areas 43a and 43b of the heating unit 40 are positioned and sized to correspond to the end portions 66a and 66b of the vertically elongated PI tape 66. Specifically, the marginal area 43a is provided above the area of ​​the heating unit 40 where the heat-generating portion 41a is located, measuring 1.5 mm in the up-down direction and 6.1 mm in the left-right direction. The marginal area 43b is provided below the area of ​​the heating unit 40 where the heat-generating portion 41a is located, measuring 1.5 mm in the up-down direction and 6.1 mm in the left-right direction. The marginal areas 43a and 43b of the heating unit 40 are spaced 10 mm apart in the up-down direction. As a result, the length from the top to the bottom of the marginal regions 43a and 43b is 13 mm, the same as the vertical length of the vertical PI tape 66, and the length from the left to right of the marginal regions 43a and 43b is 6.1 mm, longer than the horizontal length of the vertical PI tape 66. This allows the vertical end portions 66a and 66b of the vertical PI tape 66 to be completely adhered to the marginal regions 43a and 43b. Furthermore, it is possible to wrap the graphite sheet 62, also 10 mm long in the vertical direction, around the region of the heating unit 40, which is 10 mm long in the vertical direction and where the heat-generating portion 41a is located. With this configuration, the portion of the heating unit 40 where the heat-generating portion 41a is located, is completely covered with the graphite sheet 62, allowing the heat from the heating unit 40 to be efficiently diffused.

[0061] 3. Method for Manufacturing Heater Assembly An example of a method for manufacturing the heater assembly 10 will now be described with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for manufacturing the heater assembly 10 according to this embodiment. Fig. 8 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a method for manufacturing the heater assembly 10 according to this embodiment.

[0062] 7 and 8, the manufacturing method is performed by, for example, a machine tool. The machine tool may include a belt conveyor that transports various components, an arm that grips and manipulates the various components, a rotating machine that rotates the storage unit 20, and a rubber roller that presses and adheres the heating unit 40 and the thermal diffusion sheet 60 to the outer surface of the rotating storage unit 20.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 7, first, the machine tool creates the thermal diffusion sheet 60 by stacking and adhering the graphite sheet 62, the vertically elongated PI tape 66, and the horizontally elongated PI tape 68 (step S102).

[0064] Next, the machine tool adheres the thermal diffusion sheet 60 to the heating unit 40 with the graphite sheet 62 facing inward (step S104). In particular, the machine tool adheres both end portions 66a and 66b of the vertically elongated PI tape 66 to the marginal regions 43a and 43b of the heating unit 40.

[0065] Next, the machine tool wraps the bonded heating unit 40 and thermal diffusion sheet 60 around the outer surface of the housing unit 20, with the heating unit 40 facing inward (step S106). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8 , the machine tool first attaches the portions of the bonded heating unit 40 and thermal diffusion sheet 60 corresponding to the vertically elongated PI tape 66 to the flat surface 24a of the housing unit 20. Next, as shown in FIG. 8 , the machine tool rotates the housing unit 20 100° to the left and then 640° to the right. At this time, the machine tool rotates the housing unit 20 while pressing the heating unit 40 and thermal diffusion sheet 60 against the outer surface of the housing unit 20 with a rubber roller. This allows the heating unit 40 and thermal diffusion sheet 60 to be properly bonded to the outer surface of the housing unit 20.

[0066] <4. Supplementary Information> Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0067] (1) First Supplementary Note In the above embodiment, the heater assembly 10 has been described with the heat insulating section 70 omitted from its configuration. However, the heater assembly 10 may include the heat insulating section 70. A heater assembly 10 including the heat insulating section 70 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a cross section of the heater assembly 10 according to the first supplementary note.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 9, the heater assembly 10 may include a heat insulating section 70 and a heat shrink tube 80 in addition to the accommodation section 20, the heating section 40, and the thermal diffusion sheet 60. The heater assembly 10 shown in Fig. 9 is configured by wrapping the heating section 40 and the thermal diffusion sheet 60 around the outer surface of the accommodation section 20, and then wrapping the heat insulating section 70 and the heat shrink tube 80 around the outside of these.

[0069] The heat insulating section 70 is formed by laminating a heat insulating sheet 71 and a PI tape 72. The heat insulating sheet 71 is an example of a heat insulating layer having a thermal conductivity less than a third threshold. The heat insulating sheet 71 preferably has a thermal conductivity at least lower than that of the PI tape 64. An example of the third threshold is 1 W / mK, and more preferably 0.5 W / mK. For example, the heat insulating sheet 71 may be formed from a glass material, a vacuum insulation material, or an aerogel insulation material. As an example, the heat insulating sheet 71 may be an aerogel sheet formed from an aerogel insulation material and having a thermal conductivity of 0.02 W / mK. The PI tape 72 is a tape formed from PI. The PI tape 72 is formed by applying an adhesive to one side of a film-like member formed from PI.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 9 , the heat insulating section 70 is wound further outward from the heating section 40 and thermal diffusion sheet 60, which are wound around the outer surface of the housing section 20. Specifically, the heat insulating section 70 is wound with the heat insulating sheet 71 on the inside and the PI tape 72 on the outside, with the adhesive surface of the PI tape 72 facing inward. The PI tape 72 is formed longer in the left-right direction than the heat insulating sheet 71. Furthermore, a protruding portion 72a of the PI tape 72, which protrudes from the heat insulating sheet 71 in the left-right direction, is adhered to the PI tape 72 wound one periphery inward from the protruding portion 72a. This allows the PI tape 72 to secure the heat insulating sheet 71. With this configuration, the heat insulating section 70 can completely cover the outer periphery of the thermal diffusion sheet 60. As a result, it is possible to prevent heat from the heating section 40, diffused by the thermal diffusion sheet 60, from diffusing outside the heat insulating section 70.

[0071] The heat-shrinkable tube 80 is a tubular member that shrinks when heat is applied. The heating unit 40 and the thermal diffusion sheet 60 are wrapped around the outer surface of the housing unit 20, and are fixed to the housing unit 20 by the heat-shrinkable tube 80 while covered with the heat-insulating unit 70. For example, the heat-shrinkable tube 80 is made of a resin material. By heating the heat-shrinkable tube 80 while the heating unit 40, the thermal diffusion sheet 60, the heat-insulating unit 70, and the heat-shrinkable tube 80 are wrapped around the housing unit 20 in this order, these components can be easily fixed in place.

[0072] (2) Second Supplementary Note As described in the above embodiment, the heating unit 40 is disposed on the outer surface of the storage unit 20, covering part of the outer surface of the storage unit 20 and leaving the other part exposed. However, the shape of the heating unit 40 to achieve this configuration does not have the notches 49a and 49b in plan view. As another example, the heating unit 40 may be formed in a T-shape in plan view. Below, an example in which the heating unit 40 is formed in a T-shape will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12.

[0073] Fig. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of the heater assembly 10 according to the second supplementary note. Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the state before the heating unit 40 according to the second supplementary note is disposed on the outer surface of the accommodating unit 20. Fig. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the state after the heating unit 40 according to the second supplementary note is disposed on the outer surface of the accommodating unit 20.

[0074] 10 , the heater assembly 10 includes a housing portion 20, a heating portion 40, and a thermal diffusion sheet 60. In particular, the heater assembly 10 is configured by arranging the heating portion 40 and the thermal diffusion sheet 60 on the outer surface of the housing portion 20.

[0075] The configuration of the storage section 20 is as described in the above embodiment. However, as shown in Figures 10 to 12, the flat surface 24a of the storage section 20 may be formed only on a lower portion of the side wall 24, and the side wall 24 above the flat surface 24a may be curved.

[0076] As shown in Fig. 11 , the heating unit 40 has a T-shape in plan view before being folded. Then, as shown in Fig. 12 , the horizontal bar portion 44 of the T of the heating unit 40 is folded so as to follow the outer surface of the storage unit 20, and is disposed along the outer surface of the storage unit 20. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 12 , the vertical bar portion 45 of the T of the heating unit 40 is folded in the opposite direction to the horizontal bar portion 44 of the T, and is separated from the outer surface of the storage unit 20.

[0077] 11 , a hole 46 is provided in the heating section 40. More specifically, the hole 46 is provided in the center of the T-shape before bending. The conductive track 41 is arranged so as to run from the end of the vertical bar portion 45 of the T-shape of the heating section 40, around the hole 46, around the horizontal bar portion 44 of the T-shape, and return to the end of the vertical bar portion 45 of the T-shape again.

[0078] 12, the heating unit 40 is disposed around the accommodating unit 20 with the air flow path 28 provided in the bottom wall 26 of the accommodating unit 20 passing through the hole 46 of the heating unit 40. In particular, the hole 46 of the heating unit 40 is circumscribed by the air flow path 28. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the heating unit 40 from shifting in position.

[0079] 12, the heating unit 40 is bent at the horizontal bar 44 of the T and is arranged along the bottom wall 26 and flat surface 24a of the storage unit 20. The two flat surface 24a are provided in positions facing each other, and the horizontal bar 44 of the T of the heating unit 40 is arranged along each of the two opposing flat surface 24a. With this configuration, the heating unit 40 is fixed so as to sandwich the storage unit 20 from the outside of the opposing flat surface 24a. This makes it possible to prevent the heating unit 40 from shifting position.

[0080] The configuration of the thermal diffusion sheet 60 is as described in the above embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10 , the thermal diffusion sheet 60 is wrapped around the housing 20 in which the heating unit 40 is disposed, with the graphite sheet 62 facing inward. In particular, the thermal diffusion sheet 60 is wrapped around the outer surface of the housing 20 so as to cover the horizontal bar portion 44 of the T-shape of the heating unit 40 disposed on the flat portion 24a of the housing 20. In the example shown in FIG. 10 , a vertically elongated PI tape 66 is adhered to the curved portion 24b of the housing 20. This arrangement is merely an example, and the vertically elongated PI tape 66 may also be adhered to the heating unit 40 disposed on the flat portion 24a of the housing 20.

[0081] (3) Others In the above embodiment, the graphite sheet 62 made of graphite is given as an example of the first layer constituting the thermal diffusion sheet 60. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. The first layer constituting the thermal diffusion sheet 60 may be made of one or more materials selected from a group of materials including copper, graphite, aluminum, etc.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the PI tape 64 made of PI is given as an example of the second layer constituting the thermal diffusion sheet 60, but the present invention is not limited to this example. The second layer constituting the thermal diffusion sheet 60 may be made of one or more materials selected from a group of materials including PI, silica, polyester, glass cloth, etc.

[0083] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the thermal diffusion sheet 60 is configured by bonding together the graphite sheet 62 as the bottom layer, the vertically elongated PI tape 66 as the middle layer, and the horizontally elongated PI tape 68 as the top layer in an overlapping state, but the present invention is not limited to this example. The order in which the vertically elongated PI tape 66 and the horizontally elongated PI tape 68 are bonded may be reversed.

[0084] The series of processes performed by each device described herein may be implemented using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The software programs may be stored in advance, for example, on a recording medium (more specifically, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) internal or external to each device. Each program is then loaded into RAM and executed by a processing circuit such as a CPU when executed by a computer controlling each device described herein. The recording medium may be, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a flash memory. The computer program may also be distributed, for example, via a network, without using a recording medium. The computer may be, for example, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a general-purpose processor that executes functions by loading a software program, or a computer on a server used in cloud computing. The series of processes performed by each device described herein may also be distributed among multiple computers.

[0085] Furthermore, the processes described herein using flowcharts and sequence diagrams do not necessarily have to be performed in the order shown. Some process steps may be performed in parallel. Furthermore, additional process steps may be employed, and some process steps may be omitted.

[0086] The following configurations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention: (1) An aerosol generation system comprising: a cylindrical member having an opening through which an aerosol product containing an aerosol source can be inserted; a film-like heating unit disposed on the outer surface of the cylindrical member; and a thermal diffusion layer formed by laminating a first layer having a thermal conductivity equal to or greater than a first threshold value and a second layer having a tensile strength equal to or greater than a second threshold value, wherein the thermal diffusion layer is disposed by wrapping the first layer on the inner side and the second layer on the outer side so as to cover the outside of the heating unit disposed on the outer surface of the cylindrical member. (2) The aerosol generation system described in (1), wherein the second layer is formed to be longer than the first layer in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical member, and the thermal diffusion layer is formed by adhering the first layer and the second layer together so that the second layer covers the first layer over the entire circumferential direction of the cylindrical member. (3) The aerosol generation system according to (1) or (2), wherein the second layer includes a first portion that is formed longer than the first layer in the height direction of the cylindrical member, and both end portions of the first portion of the second layer that protrude from the first layer in the height direction of the cylindrical member are adhered to the heating unit. (4) The aerosol generation system according to (3), wherein the heating unit includes a film-like electrically insulating substrate and a conductive track arranged on the electrically insulating substrate, and both end portions of the first portion of the second layer are adhered to marginal areas of the heating unit where the conductive track is not arranged, and which are adjacent in the height direction of the cylindrical member to a portion of the conductive track where a heat-generating portion that generates heat when a current is applied is arranged. (5) The aerosol generation system according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the second layer includes a second portion whose length in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical member is longer than the outer circumferential length of the cylindrical member, and a protruding portion of the second portion of the second layer that protrudes from the first layer in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical member is adhered to the second layer that is wrapped one circumference inward from the protruding portion. (6) The aerosol generation system according to (5), wherein the second portion of the second layer is formed shorter than the first layer in the height direction of the cylindrical member.(7) The aerosol generation system according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the first layer is formed to be longer in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical member than the outer circumferential length of the cylindrical member. (8) The aerosol generation system according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the heating unit includes: a film-like electrically insulating substrate; and a conductive track arranged on the electrically insulating substrate, and the heating unit is arranged on the outer surface of the cylindrical member while covering a portion of the outer surface of the cylindrical member and leaving another portion exposed. (9) The aerosol generation system according to (8), wherein the heating unit is formed in a T-shape or a shape having a notch in a planar view. (10) The aerosol generation system according to any one of (1) to (9), comprising: a heat insulating layer having a thermal conductivity less than a third threshold; and a heat shrink tube that shrinks when heated, wherein the heating unit and the thermal diffusion layer are wrapped around the outer surface of the cylindrical member and fixed to the cylindrical member by the heat shrink tube while being covered by the heat insulating layer. (11) The aerosol generation system according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the first layer is made of copper, graphite, or aluminum. (12) The aerosol generation system according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the second layer is made of PI (Polyimide). (13) The aerosol generation system according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the cylindrical member is made of SUS (stainless steel). (14) A method for manufacturing an aerosol generating system, comprising: adhering a thermal diffusion layer, which is a laminate of a first layer having a thermal conductivity equal to or greater than a first threshold and a second layer having a tensile strength equal to or greater than a second threshold, to a film-like heating part with the first layer on the inside; and arranging the adhered heating part and the thermal diffusion layer, with the heating part on the inside, on the outer surface of a tubular member having an opening into which an aerosol product containing an aerosol source can be inserted.

[0087] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Suction device 111 Power supply unit 112 Sensor unit 113 Notification unit 114 Memory unit 115 Communication unit 116 Control unit 150 Stick-shaped substrate 151 Substrate unit 152 Suction nozzle unit 10 Heater assembly 20 Storage unit 22 Opening 24 Side wall (24a: flat portion, 24b: curved portion) 26 Bottom wall 28 Air flow path 30 Internal space 40 Heating unit 41 Conductive track (41a: heat-generating portion, 41b: non-heat-generating portion) 42 Electrically insulating substrate 43a, 43b Margin area 60 Heat diffusion sheet 62 Graphite sheet 64 PI tape 66 Vertically elongated PI tape (66a, 66b: both end portions) 68 Horizontally elongated PI tape (68a: protruding portion) 70 Heat insulation unit 71 Heat insulating sheet 71 Heat insulating sheet 72 PI tape (72a: protruding portion) 80 Heat shrinkable tube

Claims

1. a tubular member having an opening through which an aerosol producing article containing an aerosol source can be inserted; A film-shaped heating portion disposed on an outer surface of the cylindrical member; a thermal diffusion layer including a first layer having a thermal conductivity equal to or greater than a first threshold and a second layer having a tensile strength equal to or greater than a second threshold; Equipped with the thermal diffusion layer is arranged so as to be wound around the heating portion arranged on the outer surface of the cylindrical member, with the first layer on the inner side and the second layer on the outer side. Aerosol generation systems.

2. The second layer is formed longer than the first layer in a circumferential direction of the tubular member, the thermal diffusion layer is formed by bonding the first layer and the second layer together such that the second layer covers the first layer over the entire circumferential direction of the cylindrical member; 10. The aerosol generating system of claim 1.

3. the second layer includes a first portion that is formed longer than the first layer in a height direction of the tubular member, In the first portion of the second layer, both end portions protruding from the first layer in a height direction of the tubular member are bonded to the heating portion.

10. The aerosol generating system of claim 1.

4. The heating unit includes: A film-like electrically insulating substrate; a conductive track disposed on said electrically insulating substrate; Including, the end portions of the first portion of the second layer are bonded to marginal regions of the heating portion, adjacent in a height direction of the tubular member to a portion of the conductive track where a heat generating portion that generates heat when a current is applied is disposed, and where the conductive track is not disposed.

4. The aerosol generating system of claim 3.

5. the second layer includes a second portion having a length in a circumferential direction of the tubular member that is longer than an outer circumferential length of the tubular member, a protruding portion of the second portion of the second layer protruding from the first layer in the circumferential direction of the tubular member is bonded to the second layer wound one circumference inward from the protruding portion; 5. An aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The second portion of the second layer is formed shorter than the first layer in a height direction of the tubular member.

6. The aerosol generating system of claim 5.

7. The first layer is formed to be longer than the outer circumferential length of the tubular member in the circumferential direction of the tubular member.

10. The aerosol generating system of claim 1.

8. The heating unit includes: A film-like electrically insulating substrate; a conductive track disposed on said electrically insulating substrate; Including, The heating unit is disposed on the outer surface of the cylindrical member in a state where a part of the outer surface of the cylindrical member is covered and another part is exposed.

10. The aerosol generating system of claim 1.

9. The heating portion is formed in a T-shape or a shape having a notch in a plan view.

9. The aerosol generating system of claim 8.

10. The aerosol generating system comprises: a thermal insulation layer having a thermal conductivity less than a third threshold; a heat shrink tube that shrinks when heated; Equipped with the heating unit and the thermal diffusion layer are wrapped around the outer surface of the tubular member and fixed to the tubular member by a heat shrink tube while being covered with the insulating layer; 10. The aerosol generating system of claim 1.

11. The first layer is formed of copper, graphite, or aluminum.

10. The aerosol generating system of claim 1.

12. The second layer is formed of PI (Polyimide).

10. The aerosol generating system of claim 1.

13. The cylindrical member is made of SUS (steel use stainless steel).

10. The aerosol generating system of claim 1.

14. a thermal diffusion layer including a first layer having a thermal conductivity equal to or greater than a first threshold and a second layer having a tensile strength equal to or greater than a second threshold, the thermal diffusion layer being laminated to a film-shaped heating unit with the first layer facing inward; disposing the heating portion and the thermal diffusion layer bonded together on an outer surface of a cylindrical member having an opening into which an aerosol product containing an aerosol source can be inserted, with the heating portion on the inner side; A method for producing an aerosol generating system, comprising: