Aerosol generation system

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a mechanism capable of further improving the maintainability of an inhalation device. [Solution] This aerosol generation system comprises: an accommodation part that is capable of accommodating a base material including an aerosol source; and a heating part that is provided in the internal space of the accommodation part so as to protrude from the bottom of the accommodation part, and that is inserted inside the base material accommodated in the accommodation part. The surface of the heating part has applied thereon a first coating that is resistant to heat of 400°C or more and that has an oil contact angle of 25° or more. The inner surface of the accommodation part has applied thereon a second coating that is resistant to heat of 200°C or more and that has at least one characteristic of having an arithmetic average roughness of 2 μm or less or a water contact angle of 93° or more.

Description

Aerosol Generation System

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating system.

[0002] Inhalation devices that generate substances to be inhaled by users are widely used. For example, inhalation devices generate aerosols imparted with 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 aerosols imparted with flavor components generated by the inhalation device. The action of a user inhaling the aerosol is hereinafter also referred to as a puff or puffing action. An example of a device classified as an inhalation device is a heated tobacco product, which is used instead of a so-called cigarette. Note that a heated tobacco product is a type of inhalation device that generates an aerosol by heating a solid containing an aerosol source.

[0003] One of the developmental goals for suction devices is to improve maintainability. For example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a suction device in which the inner wall of the cavity that houses the stick is made of a hydrophobic or superhydrophobic surface, making it easier to clean dirt from the inside of the cavity.

[0004] Special table 2019-528709 publication

[0005] However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 has only recently been developed, and there is still room for improvement in various respects.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanism that can further improve the maintenance of a suction device.

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generation system comprising: a storage section capable of storing a substrate containing an aerosol source; and a heating section that is provided in the internal space of the storage section so as to protrude from the bottom of the storage section and is inserted into the interior of the substrate stored in the storage section, wherein the surface of the heating section is coated with a first coating that has a heat resistance of 400°C or more and an oil contact angle of 25° or more, and the inner surface of the storage section is coated with a second coating that has a heat resistance of 200°C or more and has at least one of the following properties: an arithmetic mean roughness of 2 μm or less and a water contact angle of 93° or more.

[0008] Different materials may be used for the first coating and the second coating.

[0009] The second coating may have an oil contact angle of 25° or greater.

[0010] The stick-type substrate includes at least a substrate portion containing an aerosol source, and the amounts of components per total weight of the substrate portion may be 5% to 20% oil, 5% to 20% water, and 5% to 30% glycerin.

[0011] The surface area of ​​the heating portion may be 75 mm 2 or more and 220 mm 2 or less.

[0012] The heating unit may be configured to be detachable from the housing unit.

[0013] The aerosol generation system may further include a terminal at the bottom of the storage unit that electrically connects the heating unit to a power supply unit that supplies current to the heating unit, and the terminal may be waterproofed.

[0014] The second coating may have a thickness of 0.5 μm or more.

[0015] The aerosol generating system may further comprise the substrate.

[0016] As described above, according to the present disclosure, a mechanism capable of further improving the maintenance of a suction device is provided.

[0017] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a suction device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the physical configuration of a storage unit and a heating unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the oil contact angle on the plate surface and the remaining rate of burnt stains after cleaning with a rag in the experimental results shown in Table 3. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the water contact angle on the plate surface and the remaining rate of tar stains after cleaning with a water flow in the experimental results shown in Table 3. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the surface roughness (arithmetic mean roughness Ra) of the plate surface and the remaining rate of tar stains after cleaning with a rag in the experimental results shown in Table 3. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the oil contact angle on the plate surface and the remaining rate of tar stains after cleaning with a rag in the experimental results shown in Table 4. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the coating film thickness and the remaining rate of tar stains after cleaning with a rag in the experimental results shown in Table 4. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a detachable mechanism for a heating unit according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a detachable mechanism for a heating unit according to the present embodiment.

[0018] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below 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 description will be omitted.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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 storage unit 114, a communication unit 115, a control unit 116, a heating unit 121, and a storage unit 140.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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).

[0026] 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.

[0027] The storage unit 140 has an internal space 141 and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 while accommodating a portion of the stick-shaped substrate 150 in the internal space 141. The storage unit 140 has an opening 142 that connects the internal space 141 to the outside and accommodates the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 through the opening 142. For example, the storage unit 140 is a cylindrical body with the opening 142 and a bottom 143 as its bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 141. An air flow path that supplies air to the internal space 141 is connected to the storage unit 140. An air inlet, which is an air inlet to the air flow path, is arranged, 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 141, is arranged, for example, on the bottom 143.

[0028] 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 140, at least a portion of the substrate portion 151 is housed in the internal space 141, and at least a portion of the mouthpiece portion 152 protrudes from the opening 142. When a user holds the mouthpiece portion 152 protruding from the opening 142 in their mouth and inhales, air flows into the internal space 141 via an air flow path (not shown) and reaches the user's mouth along with the aerosol generated from the substrate portion 151.

[0029] A more detailed description will be given of an example of the configuration of the substrate portion 151. The substrate portion 151 may include a notched portion and a cooling portion, which are not shown.

[0030] The shredded portion includes an aerosol source. The aerosol source may be tobacco shreds, which are made by shredding tobacco leaves or the like. Alternatively, the aerosol source may be a tobacco molding formed using tobacco leaves that have been pulverized or otherwise granulated. The cooling portion may be a hollow cylindrical body made of paper, resin, or the like. For example, the shredded portion is disposed upstream and the cooling portion is disposed downstream. The cooling portion cools the aerosol generated in the shredded portion as the aerosol passes through the cooling portion to the mouthpiece portion 152.

[0031] The tobacco molded product may be in the form of particles, sheets, tablets, cylinders, or the like. The tobacco molded product may be produced by grinding dried tobacco leaves to an average particle size of 20 μm to 1000 μm to produce tobacco pulverized material, which is then homogenized and processed into a sheet (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "homogenized sheet"). The method for producing the homogenized sheet is not particularly limited. For example, the homogenized sheet may be produced using a papermaking process, or by mixing ground tobacco with a solvent such as water and a binder, homogenizing the mixture, and then thinly casting the homogenized material onto a metal plate or metal plate belt. Details of the types of homogenized sheets are disclosed in "Encyclopedia of Tobacco," Tobacco Research Center, March 31, 2009. Alternatively, the tobacco molded product may be produced by wrapping tobacco pulverized material with paper or the like.

[0032] The type of tobacco used as the tobacco leaves for producing the shredded portion is not particularly limited. Examples include flue-cured, burley, oriental, native, other Nicotiana tabacum, Nicotiana rustica, or mixtures thereof. Mixtures can be used by appropriately blending varieties to achieve the desired flavor. Details of tobacco varieties are disclosed in "Encyclopedia of Tobacco," Tobacco Research Center, March 31, 2009.

[0033] The heating unit 121 generates aerosol by heating the aerosol source and atomizing the aerosol source. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the heating unit 121 is configured in a blade shape and is arranged to protrude from the bottom 143 of the storage unit 140 into the internal space 141. In this case, the blade-shaped heating unit 121 is inserted into the substrate unit 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 and heats the substrate unit 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 from the inside. The heating unit 121 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. Then, 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.

[0034] An example configuration of the inhalation device 100 has been described above. The inhalation device 100 is an example of an aerosol generation device that generates an aerosol. The inhalation device 100 may be regarded as an aerosol generation system, which is a collection of various components that generate an aerosol. Furthermore, a combination of the inhalation device 100 and the stick-shaped substrate 150 may be regarded as an aerosol generation system.

[0035] <2. Technical Features> (1) Overview FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the physical configuration of the storage unit 140 and heating unit 121 according to this embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 140 is configured as a cylinder. The bottom 143 and sidewall 144 of the storage unit 140 define a cylindrical internal space 141. The storage unit 140 can accommodate a stick-shaped substrate 150 containing an aerosol source. The stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the internal space 141 through the opening 142 and, while being guided by the inner surface 144a of the sidewall 144, continues to be inserted until the tip of the stick-shaped substrate 150 contacts the inner surface 143a of the bottom 143. After use, the stick-shaped substrate 150 is guided by the inner surface 144a of the sidewall 144 and is removed from the opening 142 to the outside. Hereinafter, the insertion / removal direction of the stick-shaped substrate 150 will also be referred to as the up-and-down direction. In particular, the direction in which the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted is referred to as "down" and the direction in which the stick-shaped substrate 150 is removed is referred to as "up."

[0036] 2, the heating part 121 is provided in the internal space 141 of the storage part 140 so as to protrude from the bottom part 143 of the storage part 140. The heating part 121 is then inserted into the stick-shaped substrate 150 (particularly the substrate part 151) housed in the storage part 140. With this configuration, the heating part 121 heats the stick-shaped substrate 150 from the inside, making it possible to efficiently generate an aerosol.

[0037] Here, different types of dirt adhere to the surface of the heating unit 121 and the inner surface of the storage unit 140 (i.e., the inner surface 143a of the bottom 143 and the inner surface 144a of the side wall 144) when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated. Table 1 shows the differences in the types of dirt that adhere to the surface of the heating unit 121 and the inner surface of the storage unit 140, as well as a list of factors that are thought to be the causes of these differences.

[0038]

[0039] As shown in Table 1, burnt stains mainly adhere to the surface of the heating part 121. Burnt stains are stains that occur when the contents of the stick-shaped substrate 150 burn at the contact point with the heating part 121. The surface of the heating part 121 can reach a maximum temperature of 400°C when the heating part 121 heats the stick-shaped substrate 150. The surface of the heating part 121 is mainly made of ceramic such as aluminum oxide or metal such as SUS (Steel Use Stainless Steel). The heating part 121 is inserted inside the stick-shaped substrate 150 and comes into contact with the contents of the stick-shaped substrate 150 (i.e., the aerosol source). Due to these factors, burnt stains mainly adhere to the surface of the heating part 121.

[0040] On the other hand, as shown in Table 1, tar stains mainly adhere to the inner surface of the storage unit 140. Tar stains are stains that occur when a liquid containing tar flows out of the stick-shaped substrate 150. The inner surface of the storage unit 140 can reach a maximum temperature of 200°C when the heating unit 121 heats the stick-shaped substrate 150. Furthermore, the inner surface of the storage unit 140 is mainly made of a resin such as PEEK (polyether-ether-ketone) or a metal such as SUS. The inner surface of the storage unit 140 comes into contact with the outer surface of the stick-shaped substrate 150. Due to these factors, tar stains mainly adhere to the inner surface of the storage unit 140.

[0041] Therefore, it is desirable to apply a coating to the surface of the heating unit 121 and the inner surface of the storage unit 140 to facilitate the removal of these contaminants. The coating applied to the surface of the heating unit 121 will hereinafter also be referred to as a first coating. On the other hand, the coating applied to the inner surface of the storage unit 140 will hereinafter also be referred to as a second coating. The heat resistance of the first coating is desirably 400°C or higher, because the heating unit 121 can reach a maximum of 400°C. Similarly, the heat resistance of the second coating is desirably 200°C or higher, because the inner surface of the storage unit 140 can reach a maximum of 200°C.

[0042] Examples of cleaning methods for removing these stains include cleaning with a rag and cleaning with a water jet.

[0043] Cleaning with a rag refers to wiping off dirt with the rag. Paper or cloth can be used as the rag. For example, cleaning with the rag is performed by inserting a cleaning item such as a cotton swab into the storage unit 140 and rubbing it against the inner surface of the storage unit 140 or the surface of the heating unit 121.

[0044] Cleaning using a water flow refers to washing away dirt with water. For example, cleaning using a water flow can be performed by pouring water into the container 140 and shaking the suction device 100.

[0045] Cleaning with a waste cloth and cleaning with a water jet may be performed consecutively. In this case, it is preferable to perform cleaning with a water jet first, and then cleaning with a waste cloth. This is because the waste cloth can remove the cleaning water remaining inside the storage section 140 together with dirt.

[0046] Of course, cleaning with a rag and cleaning with a water jet may be performed simultaneously. For example, cleaning with a rag and cleaning with a water jet can be performed simultaneously by rubbing a rag moistened with water against the inner surface of the storage section 140 or the surface of the heating section 121.

[0047] The surface of the heating unit 121 and the inner surface of the storage unit 140 are preferably coated with a coating having properties suited to the type of dirt that adheres to them. Furthermore, the surface of the heating unit 121 and the inner surface of the storage unit 140 are preferably cleaned using a method suited to the type of dirt that adheres to them and the properties of the applied coating. Table 2 below shows the relationship between the coating properties, type of dirt, cleaning method, and cleaning effect. The relationships shown in Table 2 were derived from the experimental results shown in Table 3 below.

[0048]

[0049] As shown in Table 2, when the surface roughness of the coating is low, the cleaning effect is high when cleaning tar stains with a rag. Also, when the water repellency of the coating is high, the cleaning effect is high when cleaning tar stains with a water jet. Also, when the oil repellency of the coating is high, the cleaning effect is high when cleaning tar stains or burnt stains with a rag.

[0050] Referring to Table 2, it is desirable that the first coating applied to the surface of the heating unit 121, to which burnt stains mainly adhere, has high oil repellency. It is also desirable that the surface of the heating unit 121 be cleaned with a rag. This makes it possible to effectively clean the burnt stains adhering to the surface of the heating unit 121.

[0051] Furthermore, referring to Table 2, it is desirable that the second coating applied to the inner surface of the storage section 140, where tar stains mainly adhere, has a low surface roughness. The inner surface of the storage section 140 is preferably cleaned using a rag. This allows the tar stains adhering to the inner surface of the storage section 140 to be effectively cleaned.

[0052] Furthermore, referring to Table 2, it is preferable that the second coating applied to the inner surface of the storage unit 140, where tar stains mainly adhere, has high water repellency. The inner surface of the storage unit 140 is preferably cleaned using a water flow. This allows the tar stains adhering to the inner surface of the storage unit 140 to be effectively cleaned.

[0053] Furthermore, referring to Table 2, it is desirable that the second coating applied to the inner surface of the storage unit 140, where tar stains mainly adhere, has high oil repellency. It is also desirable that the inner surface of the storage unit 140 be cleaned using a rag. This makes it possible to effectively clean the tar stains adhering to the inner surface of the storage unit 140.

[0054] The second coating applied to the inner surface of the storage unit 140, to which tar stains mainly adhere, only needs to have at least one of low surface roughness, high water repellency, and high oil repellency. The second coating may have any combination of properties. As an example, the second coating applied to the inner surface of the storage unit 140 may have at least one of low surface roughness and high water repellency. Furthermore, the second coating applied to the inner surface of the storage unit 140 may have high oil repellency. The inner surface of the storage unit 140 may be cleaned using a cleaning method that corresponds to the properties of the second coating.

[0055] In this way, by applying an appropriate coating to the surface of the heating part 121 and the inner surface of the storage part 140, it is possible to improve the cleaning effect of dirt and improve the maintainability of the suction device 100.

[0056] (2) Desirable Coating Properties Based on the Results of the First Experiment The applicant conducted an experiment to investigate the relationship between the combination of the plate material, the presence or absence of a coating on the plate surface, the properties of the plate surface (or the coating surface if a coating is applied), the cleaning method, and the type of dirt, and the rate at which dirt remains after cleaning. Specific values ​​of the coating properties that the first coating and the second coating should have, such as surface roughness, water repellency, and oil repellency, will be explained with reference to Table 3 showing the results of this experiment.

[0057]

[0058] As shown in Table 3, the applicant used plates made of PEEK, SUS, ceramic, borosilicate glass, or soda glass with or without a coating on their surfaces in the experiments. The surface characteristics in Table 3 indicate the surface characteristics of the coating when a coating was applied, and the surface characteristics of the plate itself when no coating was applied. The applicant then attached tar stains or burnt stains to the surface of the plate, cleaned it with a rag or a water jet, and measured the residual rate of the stain on the plate surface. The residual rate of the stain is the ratio indicating the amount of stain after cleaning, assuming the amount of stain before cleaning to be 100%. Note that the lower the residual rate of the stain, the higher the cleaning effect.

[0059] The relationship between the surface characteristics, which are thought to be factors that reduce the stain residual rate, and the stain residual rate in the experimental results shown in Table 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0060] Figure 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the oil contact angle on the plate surface and the remaining rate of burnt stains after cleaning with a cloth in the experimental results shown in Table 3. The horizontal axis of the graph shown in Figure 3 is the oil contact angle, and the vertical axis is the remaining rate of burnt stains after cleaning with a cloth. In Figure 3, a plot showing the data of the experimental results shown in Table 3 is displayed, and positive and negative error ranges are displayed above and below the plot. An approximate curve y is displayed with a dashed line, and the formula of the approximate curve y and the square value R of the correlation coefficient R, which indicates the degree of fit to the data, are also displayed. ２ The goodness of fit R of the approximation curve y shown in FIG. ２Since the approximation curve y shown in Figure 3 is 0.732, it can be said that the approximation curve y shown in Figure 3 fits the data. As shown in Figure 3, the larger the oil contact angle, i.e., the higher the oil repellency, the lower the rate of burnt stains remaining after cleaning with a rag. In particular, when the oil contact angle is 30° or more, or at least 25° or more, it is possible to reduce the rate of burnt stains remaining after cleaning with a rag to a significantly low value of 7% or less.

[0061] Fig. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the water contact angle on the plate surface and the rate of tar staining remaining after cleaning with a water flow in the experimental results shown in Table 3. The horizontal axis of the graph shown in Fig. 4 is the water contact angle, and the vertical axis is the rate of tar staining remaining after cleaning with a water flow. In Fig. 4, a plot showing the data from the experimental results shown in Table 3 is displayed, with positive and negative error ranges displayed above and below the plot, an approximation curve y is displayed with a dashed line, and the formula for the approximation curve y and the square value R of the correlation coefficient R indicating the degree of fit to the data are also displayed. ２ The goodness of fit R of the approximation curve y shown in FIG. ２ Since the approximation curve y shown in Figure 4 is 0.8027, it can be said that the approximation curve y shown in Figure 4 fits the data. As shown in Figure 4, the larger the water contact angle, i.e., the higher the water repellency, the lower the rate of tar stains remaining after cleaning with a water jet. In particular, when the water contact angle is 100° or more, or at least 93° or more, it is possible to reduce the rate of tar stains remaining after cleaning with a water jet to a significantly low value of 25% or less.

[0062] Fig. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the surface roughness (arithmetic mean roughness Ra) of the plate surface and the rate of tar staining remaining after cleaning with a cloth in the experimental results shown in Table 3. The horizontal axis of the graph shown in Fig. 5 is the surface roughness (arithmetic mean roughness Ra), and the vertical axis is the rate of tar staining remaining after cleaning with a cloth. In Fig. 5, a plot showing the data of the experimental results shown in Table 3 is displayed, with positive and negative error ranges displayed above and below the plot, an approximation curve y is displayed with a dashed line, and the formula of the approximation curve y and the square value R of the correlation coefficient R indicating the degree of fit to the data are shown. ２ The goodness of fit R of the approximation curve y shown in FIG. ２Since the approximation curve y shown in Figure 5 is 0.8469, it can be said that the approximation curve y shown in Figure 5 fits the data. As shown in Figure 5, the lower the surface roughness, i.e., the lower the arithmetic mean roughness, the lower the rate of tar stains remaining after cleaning with a rag. In particular, when the arithmetic mean roughness is 2 μm or less, it is possible to reduce the rate of tar stains remaining after cleaning with a rag to a significantly low value of 25% or less.

[0063] Fig. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the oil contact angle on the plate surface and the rate of tar staining remaining after cleaning with a cloth in the experimental results shown in Table 3. The horizontal axis of the graph shown in Fig. 6 is the oil contact angle, and the vertical axis is the rate of tar staining remaining after cleaning with a cloth. In Fig. 6, a plot showing the data of the experimental results shown in Table 3 is displayed, with positive and negative error ranges displayed above and below the plot, an approximation curve y is displayed with a dashed line, and the formula of the approximation curve y and the square value R of the correlation coefficient R indicating the degree of fit to the data are also displayed. ２ The goodness of fit R of the approximation curve y shown in FIG. ２ Since the approximation curve y shown in Figure 6 is 0.5931, it can be said that the approximation curve y shown in Figure 6 fits the data to a certain extent. As shown in Figure 6, the larger the oil contact angle, i.e., the higher the oil repellency, the lower the rate of tar stains remaining after cleaning with a rag. In particular, when the oil contact angle is 30° or more, or at least 25° or more, it is possible to reduce the rate of tar stains remaining after cleaning with a rag to a significantly low value of 25% or less.

[0064] The desirable relationships between the surface characteristics of the plate material, the type of dirt, and the cleaning method have been described above with reference to FIGS.

[0065] As explained above with reference to Table 2, it is desirable that the first coating applied to the surface of the heating unit 121, to which burnt stains mainly adhere, has high oil repellency. Specifically, as explained with reference to Table 3 and Fig. 3, it is desirable that the oil contact angle of the first coating is 25° or more. With this configuration, it becomes possible to effectively clean burnt stains adhering to the surface of the heating unit 121 with a rag.

[0066] As explained above with reference to Table 2, the second coating applied to the inner surface of the storage unit 140, where tar stains mainly adhere, preferably has high water repellency. Specifically, as explained above with reference to Table 3 and Figure 4, the water contact angle of the second coating is preferably 93° or greater. With this configuration, tar stains adhering to the inner surface of the storage unit 140 can be effectively cleaned using a water flow.

[0067] Furthermore, as explained above with reference to Table 2, it is desirable that the second coating applied to the inner surface of the storage section 140, to which tar stains mainly adhere, has a low surface roughness. Specifically, as explained above with reference to Table 3 and Figure 5, it is desirable that the second coating have an arithmetic mean roughness of 2 μm or less. With this configuration, it becomes possible to effectively clean tar stains adhering to the inner surface of the storage section 140 with a rag.

[0068] As explained above with reference to Table 2, the second coating applied to the inner surface of the storage section 140, to which tar stains mainly adhere, preferably has high oil repellency. Specifically, as explained above with reference to Table 3 and Figure 6, the oil contact angle of the second coating is preferably 25° or more. With this configuration, tar stains adhering to the inner surface of the storage section 140 can be effectively cleaned using a rag.

[0069] Note that different materials may be used for the first coating and the second coating. For example, a coating material with an oil contact angle of 25° or more may be used for the first coating, and a coating material with a water contact angle of 93° or more may be used for the second coating. In this way, by applying different coatings to the surface of the heating unit 121 and the inner surface of the storage unit 140 depending on the type of dirt that adheres, it is possible to further improve the maintainability of the suction device 100.

[0070] Of course, the same material may be used for the first coating and the second coating. For example, a coating material having an oil contact angle of 25° or more and a water contact angle of 93° or more may be used for the first coating and the second coating. In this case, the heating unit 121 and the accommodation unit 140 can be manufactured using a simple process.

[0071] (3) Desirable Coating Characteristics Based on the Results of the Second Experiment The applicant conducted an experiment to investigate the relationship between coating thickness and the rate of stain retention after cleaning. Specifically, the applicant attached tar stains to the surfaces of ceramic plates coated with coatings of various thicknesses, cleaned them with a rag, and measured the rate of tar stain retention on the surfaces of the ceramic plates. The results of this experiment are shown in Table 4. The relationship between film thickness and the rate of tar stain retention in the experimental results shown in Table 4 is also shown in FIG. 7. Specific values ​​of the film thicknesses that the first coating and the second coating should have will be described below with reference to Table 4 and FIG. 7.

[0072]

[0073] FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between coating film thickness and the rate of tar staining remaining after cleaning with a rag, based on the experimental results shown in Table 4. The horizontal axis of the graph shown in FIG. 7 represents film thickness, and the vertical axis represents the rate of tar staining remaining. FIG. 7 displays a bar graph showing the experimental results shown in Table 4, with positive and negative error ranges displayed above and below the bar graph. As shown in FIG. 7, the thicker the coating film, the lower the rate of tar staining remaining after cleaning with a rag. In particular, when the coating film thickness is 0.5 μm or more, it is possible to reduce the rate of tar staining remaining after cleaning with a rag to a significantly low value of 5% or less.

[0074] Therefore, it is desirable that the thickness of the second coating applied to the inner surface of the storage section 140, where tar stains mainly adhere, be 0.5 μm or more. With this configuration, it becomes possible to effectively clean the tar stains adhering to the inner surface of the storage section 140 with a rag. Of course, similarly high cleaning effects can be expected even when cleaning is performed using a water jet.

[0075] Similarly, it is desirable that the thickness of the first coating applied to the surface of the heating unit 121 is also 0.5 μm or more. With this configuration, it is expected that burnt dirt adhering to the surface of the heating unit 121 can be effectively cleaned.

[0076] (4) Cleaning Involving Detachment of Heating Unit 121 The heating unit 121 may be configured to be detachable from the housing unit 140. With this configuration, the ease of maintenance of the suction device 100 can be further improved.

[0077] Specifically, the heating unit 121 may be cleaned while removed from the storage unit 140. As described above, the surface of the heating unit 121, to which burnt stains mainly adhere, is coated with a first coating having high oil repellency, and cleaning can be performed using a rag. Therefore, to clean burnt stains that have adhered to the heating unit 121 while the heating unit 121 is attached to the storage unit 140, a laborious cleaning method is employed, such as inserting a cleaning item such as a cotton swab into the storage unit 140 and rubbing the entire surface of the heating unit 121. On the other hand, to clean burnt stains that have adhered to the heating unit 121 while the heating unit 121 is removed from the storage unit 140, a simpler cleaning method can be employed, such as sandwiching the entire surface of the heating unit 121 between rags and rubbing it. In this way, removing the heating unit 121 from the storage unit 140 makes it easier to clean the heating unit 121.

[0078] Similarly, the storage unit 140 may be cleaned with the heating unit 121 removed. As described above, a second coating with high water repellency is applied to the inner surface of the storage unit 140, to which tar stains mainly adhere, and cleaning can be performed using a water flow. In this regard, by pouring water into the storage unit 140 with the heating unit 121 removed from the storage unit 140 and shaking the suction device 100, the tar stains adhering to the inner surface of the storage unit 140 can be easily cleaned while keeping the heating unit 121 dry. In this way, the maintenance of the suction device 100 can be improved by eliminating the need to dry the heating unit 121.

[0079] Any means may be used to attach and detach the heating unit 121. An example of a mechanism for attaching and detaching the heating unit 121 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0080] 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams for explaining an example of an attachment / detachment mechanism for the heating unit 121 according to this embodiment. Fig. 8 illustrates the heating unit 121 attached to the storage unit 140. Fig. 9 illustrates the heating unit 121 detached from the storage unit 140.

[0081] 8 and 9, the heating unit 121 includes a first portion 121A that is exposed to the internal space 141 when the heating unit 121 is attached to the accommodation unit 140, and a second portion 121B that is buried in the bottom portion 143 when the heating unit 121 is attached to the accommodation unit 140. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the heating unit 121 refers to the first portion 121A.

[0082] 8 and 9 , a recess 145 capable of accommodating the second portion 121B of the heating unit 121 is provided in the bottom 143 of the accommodating unit 140. The heating unit 121 is attached to the accommodating unit 140 by fitting the second portion 121B of the heating unit 121 into the recess 145 provided in the bottom 143 of the accommodating unit 140.

[0083] 8 and 9 , a terminal 146 is provided in the recess 145 so as to be exposed to the internal space 141. The terminal 146 is connected to the power supply unit 111 by a conductor 147. When the heating unit 121 is attached to the housing unit 140, the terminal 146 is connected to the heating unit 121 (more specifically, to a heating element that is provided inside the heating unit 121 and generates heat through electrical resistance), electrically connecting the heating unit 121 to the power supply unit 111. With this configuration, when the heating unit 121 is attached to the housing unit 140, it is possible to supply a current to the heating unit 121 to cause the heating unit 121 to generate heat.

[0084] It is desirable that the terminal 146 be waterproofed. As an example, the gap between the terminal 146 and the bottom 143 of the housing 140 may be sealed with a sealant such as silicone. As another example, the terminal 146 may be insert-molded into the bottom 143 of the housing 140. With this configuration, the terminal 146 and the bottom 143 of the housing 140 can be tightly attached to each other, eliminating any gap. As a result, water poured into the housing 140 to remove dirt can be prevented from leaking out from the bottom 143 of the housing 140, preventing malfunction of the suction device 100.

[0085] (5) Characteristics of the Heating Unit 121 and Stick-Shaped Substrate 150 The stick-shaped substrate includes a substrate 151 containing an aerosol source. The heating unit 121 is inserted into the substrate 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 housed in the housing 140, and heats the substrate 151 from the inside. The amounts of components per total weight of the substrate 151 are preferably 5% to 20% oil, 5% to 20% water, and 5% to 30% glycerin. With this configuration, aerosol can be suitably generated when the substrate 151 is heated by the heating unit 121.

[0086] The surface area of ​​the heating portion 121 (particularly the first portion 121A) is 75 mm ２ This configuration makes it possible to ensure a sufficient contact area between the heating part 121 and the aerosol source inside the stick-shaped substrate 150. As a result, it becomes possible to ensure heating efficiency and generate a sufficient amount of aerosol.

[0087] On the other hand, the surface area of ​​the heating portion 121 (particularly, the first portion 121A) is 220 mm ２ This configuration can prevent the contact area between the heating part 121 and the aerosol source inside the stick-shaped substrate 150 from becoming excessively large. As a result, it is possible to prevent the aerosol source from being rapidly atomized and running out during heating.

[0088] 3. Supplementary Information Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can conceive of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0089] The substrate portion 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 may be constructed by wrapping a substance containing an aerosol source, such as tobacco pieces, in a sheet-like member, such as cigarette paper. As a result, the material constituting the contact portion of the stick-shaped substrate 150 may be different between the inner surface 143a of the bottom 143 and the inner surface 144a of the side wall 144, among the inner surfaces of the storage portion 140. That is, the tobacco pieces may come into contact with the inner surface 143a of the bottom 143, while the cigarette paper may come into contact with the inner surface 144a of the side wall 144. Therefore, the inner surface 143a of the bottom 143 and the inner surface 144a of the side wall 144 may be coated with coatings with different properties.

[0090] As described above, the heating unit 121 may be a resistance heating type heating unit 121 that generates heat through electrical resistance. Alternatively, the heating unit 121 may be an induction heating type heating unit 121 that generates heat through electromagnetic induction. In this case, the suction device 100 may further include a susceptor as the heating unit 121 and an induction coil that inductively heats the susceptor. On the other hand, the terminal 146 may be omitted.

[0091] The following configurations also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. (1) An aerosol generating system comprising: a storage unit capable of storing a substrate containing an aerosol source; and a heating unit provided in the internal space of the storage unit so as to protrude from the bottom of the storage unit and inserted into the substrate stored in the storage unit, wherein a first coating having a heat resistance of 400°C or more and an oil contact angle of 25° or more is applied to the surface of the heating unit, and a second coating having a heat resistance of 200°C or more and at least one of the following characteristics: an arithmetic mean roughness of 2 μm or less and a water contact angle of 93° or more is applied to the inner surface of the storage unit. (2) The aerosol generating system according to (1), wherein different materials are used for the first coating and the second coating. (3) The aerosol generating system according to (1) or (2), wherein the oil contact angle of the second coating is 25° or more. (4) The aerosol generating system according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the stick-shaped substrate includes at least a substrate portion containing an aerosol source, and the amounts of components per total weight of the substrate portion are 5% to 20% oil, 5% to 20% water, and 5% to 30% glycerin. (5) The surface area of ​​the heating portion is 75 mm ２ 220mm or more ２ The aerosol generation system according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein: (6) the heating unit is configured to be detachable from the storage unit; (7) the aerosol generation system according to (6), wherein the aerosol generation system further includes a terminal at the bottom of the storage unit that electrically connects the heating unit to a power supply unit that supplies current to the heating unit, and the terminal is waterproofed; (8) the aerosol generation system according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the second coating has a film thickness of 0.5 μm or more; (9) the aerosol generation system according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the aerosol generation system further includes the base material.

[0092] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Suction device 111 Power supply unit 112 Sensor unit 113 Notification unit 114 Memory unit 115 Communication unit 116 Control unit 121 Heating unit (121A: first unit, 121B: second unit) 140 Storage unit 141 Internal space 142 Opening 143 Bottom unit (143a: inner surface) 144 Side wall (144a: inner surface) 145 Recess 146 Terminal 147 Conductive wire 150 Stick-shaped substrate 151 Substrate unit 152 Suction nozzle unit

Claims

1. An aerosol generating system comprising: a storage section capable of storing a substrate containing an aerosol source; and a heating section provided in the internal space of the storage section so as to protrude from the bottom of the storage section and inserted into the substrate stored in the storage section; a first coating having a heat resistance of 400°C or more and an oil contact angle of 25° or more is applied to the surface of the heating section; and a second coating having a heat resistance of 200°C or more and at least one of the following characteristics is applied to the inner surface of the storage section: an arithmetic mean roughness of 2 μm or less and a water contact angle of 93° or more.

2. The aerosol generating system of claim 1, wherein different materials are used for the first coating and the second coating.

3. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second coating has an oil contact angle of 25° or more.

4. The aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the stick-type substrate at least includes a substrate portion containing an aerosol source, and the amounts of components per total weight of the substrate portion are 5% to 20% oil, 5% to 20% water, and 5% to 30% glycerin.

5. The surface area of ​​the heating part is 75 mm ２ 220mm or more ２ 5. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1 , wherein:

6. An aerosol generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the heating unit is configured to be detachable from the container unit.

7. The aerosol generation system according to claim 6, further comprising a terminal at the bottom of the storage section that electrically connects the heating section to a power supply section that supplies current to the heating section, the terminal being waterproofed.

8. The aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the thickness of the second coating is 0.5 μm or more.

9. The aerosol generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising the substrate.

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