Aerosol generation device

Abstract

This aerosol generation device comprises: an accommodation part for accommodating at least a portion of an aerosol generation article including an aerosol source; an electromagnetic wave emission part for emitting an electromagnetic wave into the accommodation part; an object sensing part for sensing an object present in the accommodation part; and a control part for controlling the heating of at least the portion of the aerosol generation article accommodated in the accommodation part, by controlling the emission of the electromagnetic wave from the electromagnetic wave emission part. The control part performs control so as not to cause the electromagnetic wave to be emitted from the electromagnetic wave emission part when a sensing result of the object sensed by the object sensing part satisfies a restriction condition.

Description

Aerosol Generator

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device.

[0002] In recent years, in aerosol generating devices such as heated tobacco, a heating method has been attracting attention in which microwaves are applied to an aerosol generating article (such as a capsule or stick) containing an aerosol source to heat the aerosol generating article (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] International Publication No. 2021 / 013477

[0004] In an aerosol generating device that employs a heating method using electromagnetic waves (microwaves), the aerosol-generating article is heated by emitting electromagnetic waves into a storage unit that the aerosol-generating article is stored in. However, when a metal-containing substance (foreign matter) is present in the storage unit or when the aerosol-generating article is not stored in the storage unit, it is necessary to avoid emitting electromagnetic waves into the storage unit.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device that can appropriately control the heating of an aerosol-generating article using electromagnetic waves.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a storage section that stores at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article including an aerosol source, an electromagnetic wave emitting section that emits electromagnetic waves into the storage section, an object detection section that detects an object present in the storage section, and a control section that controls the heating of at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article stored in the storage section by controlling the emission of electromagnetic waves from the electromagnetic wave emitting section, and is characterized in that the control section controls the electromagnetic wave emitting section not to emit electromagnetic waves when the detection result of the object by the object detection section satisfies a constraint condition.

[0007] According to the present invention, for example, it is possible to provide an aerosol generating device that can appropriately control the heating of an aerosol-generating article using electromagnetic waves.

[0008] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0010] Schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of an aerosol generating device. FIG. 1 shows an example of the characteristics of a reflected wave detected by a reflected wave detecting unit. A flowchart showing the operation of an inhaler. Schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of an aerosol generating device having a mouthpiece.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar components, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0012] An aerosol generation device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the aerosol generation device 10 of this embodiment, and shows a diagram after an aerosol-generating article 40 has been attached (inserted) into the aerosol generation device 10. Fig. 1 shows directions in an XYZ coordinate system, with the insertion direction of the aerosol-generating article 40 into the aerosol generation device 10 being the -Z direction.

[0013] The aerosol generating device 10 is configured to heat the aerosol-generating article 40 in response to an action (also called an atomization request) by a user that requests atomization of the aerosol source, such as an inhalation action (puffing action), and provide the user with a gas containing an aerosol or a gas containing an aerosol and a flavoring substance. The aerosol generating device 10 is sometimes called an inhaler (atomizer), and in the following description, the aerosol generating device 10 may be referred to as an "inhaler 10."

[0014] The aerosol-generating article 40 is an article including an aerosol source that generates an aerosol upon heating, and is detachably (insertable) attached to the inhaler 10. The aerosol-generating article 40 may include, in addition to the aerosol source, a flavor source that generates a flavor substance upon heating. The flavor source may be a plant other than tobacco, such as mint, Chinese medicine, or herbs. In this embodiment, the aerosol-generating article 40 is configured as a tobacco stick having a substantially cylindrical rod shape, but it does not have to be stick-shaped and may be capsule-shaped or cartridge-shaped. The aerosol-generating article 40 may also be configured in a form in which a liquid (aerosol source, tobacco extract) is impregnated into a porous body such as a nonwoven fabric. Hereinafter, the aerosol-generating article 40 may be referred to as a "tobacco stick 40."

[0015] <Configuration of Tobacco Stick> The tobacco stick 40 may include, for example, a tobacco filler section 41 (tobacco rod section), a mouthpiece section 42, and tipping paper 43 that connects them together. The tobacco filler section 41 contains a tobacco filler that includes an aerosol source and a flavor source. The mouthpiece section 42 is connected coaxially to the tobacco filler section 41 by being wrapped around the tobacco filler section 41 with tipping paper 43. The tobacco stick 40 has a substantially constant diameter over its entire length in the Z-axis direction (longitudinal direction). Note that the tobacco stick 40 may be provided with a filter at the end upstream of the tobacco filler section 41 to prevent the tobacco filler from falling out.

[0016] [Tobacco Filling Section] The configuration of the tobacco filling section 41 is not particularly limited and may be a general configuration. For example, the tobacco filling section 41 may be a tobacco filling material wrapped in cigarette paper.

[0017] The tobacco filler contains, as a flavor source, for example, tobacco leaves, tobacco leaf extracts, or processed products thereof. In this embodiment, the tobacco filler is configured to contain tobacco shreds. The material of the tobacco shreds contained in the tobacco filler is not particularly limited, and known materials such as lamina or backbone can be used. Alternatively, the tobacco may be produced by crushing dried tobacco leaves to an average particle size of 20 μm or more and 200 μm or less to produce tobacco pulverized material, which is then homogenized and processed into a sheet (hereinafter simply referred to as a homogenized sheet). Furthermore, the tobacco may be a so-called strand type, in which a homogenized sheet having a length approximately equal to the longitudinal direction of the tobacco rod is shredded approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tobacco rod and filled into the tobacco rod. Furthermore, the width of the tobacco shreds is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less when filling the tobacco filling section 41. The content of dried tobacco leaves in the tobacco filler section 41 is not particularly limited, but may be 200 mg or more and 800 mg or less per rod, and preferably 250 mg or more and 600 mg or less per rod. This range is particularly suitable for a tobacco filler section 41 having a circumference of 22 mm and a length of 20 mm.

[0018] Various types of tobacco can be used for the production of shredded tobacco and homogenized sheets. Examples include flue-cured tobacco, burley, oriental tobacco, native tobacco, other Nicotiana tabacum varieties, Nicotiana rustica varieties, and mixtures thereof. Mixtures can be created by appropriately blending the above varieties to achieve the desired flavor. Details of the tobacco varieties are disclosed in the "Encyclopedia of Tobacco," published by the Tobacco Research Center on March 31, 2009. There are several conventional methods for producing homogenized sheets, i.e., grinding tobacco leaves and processing them into homogenized sheets. The first method is to produce a paper-making sheet using a papermaking process. The second method is to mix a suitable solvent, such as water, with ground tobacco leaves to homogenize them, then thinly cast the homogenized mixture onto a metal plate or metal belt and dry it to produce a cast sheet. The third method is to mix a suitable solvent, such as water, with ground tobacco leaves to homogenize them, and extrude the mixture into a sheet to produce a rolled sheet. The types of the above-mentioned uniforming sheets are disclosed in detail in "Encyclopedia of Tobacco, Tobacco Research Center, March 31, 2009."

[0019] The moisture content of the tobacco filler can be 10% by weight or more and 15% by weight or less, and preferably 11% by weight or more and 13% by weight or less, based on the total weight of the tobacco filler. This moisture content suppresses the occurrence of stains on the tobacco filler and improves the suitability for wrapping during the production of the tobacco filler 41. There are no particular restrictions on the size or preparation method of the tobacco shreds contained in the tobacco filler. For example, dried tobacco leaves shredded to a width of 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less may be used. Furthermore, when using a pulverized homogenized sheet, dried tobacco leaves may be pulverized to an average particle size of approximately 20 μm to 200 μm, homogenized, and then shredded to a width of 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less.

[0020] The tobacco filler contains an aerosol base that generates aerosol smoke. The type of aerosol base is not particularly limited, and extracts from various natural products and / or their constituent components can be selected depending on the application. Examples of aerosol bases include water, glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and mixtures thereof. The content of the aerosol base in the tobacco filler is not particularly limited, and from the viewpoints of generating sufficient aerosol and imparting a good flavor, it is usually 5% by weight or more, preferably 10% by weight or more, and usually 50% by weight or less, preferably 15% by weight or more and 25% by weight or less, based on the total weight of the tobacco filler.

[0021] The tobacco filler may contain a flavoring. The type of the flavoring is not particularly limited, and from the viewpoint of imparting a good flavor, the following may be used: acetanisole, acetophenone, acetylpyrazine, 2-acetylthiazole, alfalfa extract, amyl alcohol, amyl butyrate, trans-anethole, star anise oil, apple juice, balsam of Peru oil, beeswax absolute, benzaldehyde, benzoin resinoid, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, benzyl propionate, 2,3-butanedione, 2-butanol, butyl butyrate, butyric acid, caramel, cardamom oil, carob absolute, β-carotene, carrot juice, L-carvone, β-caryophyllene, cassia bark oil, cedarwood oil, celery seed oil, chamomile oil, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamyl cinnamate, citronella oil, DL-citronellal, Nerol, clary sage extract, cocoa, coffee, konjac oil, coriander oil, cumin aldehyde, davana oil, delta-decalactone, gamma-decalactone, decanoic acid, dill herb oil, 3,4-dimethyl-1,2-cyclopentanedione, 4,5-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-one, 3,7-dimethyl-6-octenoic acid, 2,3-dimethylpyrazine, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2,6-dimethylpyrazine, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl acetate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl isovalerate, ethyl lactate, ethyl laurate, ethyl levulinate, ethyl maltol, ethyl octanoate, ethyl oleate, ethyl palmitate, ethyl phenylacetate, ethyl propionate, ethyl stearate, ethyl valerate, ethyl vanillin, ethyl vanillin glucoside, 2-ethyl-3,(5 or 6)-dimethylpyrazine, 5-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2(5H)-furanone, 2-ethyl-3-methylpyrazine, eucalyptol, fenugreek absolute, gene absolute, gentian root infusion, geraniol, geranyl acetate, grape juice, guaiacol, guava extract, gamma-heptalactone, gamma-hexalactone, hexanoic acid, cis-3-hexen-1-ol, hexyl acetate, hexyl alcohol, phenylhexyl acetate, honey, 4-hydroxy-3-pentenoic acid, lauryl methylpropional Ingredients: methicone, 4-hydroxy-4-(3-hydroxy-1-butenyl)-3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one, 4-(para-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone, sodium 4-hydroxyundecanoate, immortelle absolute, beta-ionone, isoamyl acetate, isoamyl butyrate, isoamyl phenylacetate, isobutyl acetate, isobutyl phenylacetate, jasmine absolute, cola nut tincture, labdanum oil, lemon terpeneless oil, licorice extract, linalool, linalyl acetate, robertia jasmine Orris root oil, maltol, maple syrup, menthol, menthone, L-menthyl acetate, para-methoxybenzaldehyde, methyl 2-pyrrolyl ketone, methyl anthranilate, methyl phenylacetate, methyl salicylate, 4'-methylacetophenone, methylcyclopentenolone, 3-methylvaleric acid, mimosa absolute, honey, myristic acid, nerol, nerolidol, gamma-nonalactone, nutmeg oil, delta-octalactone, octanal, octanoic acid, orange flower oil, orange oil, orris root oil, palmitic acid, omega-pentadeca Calactone, peppermint oil, petitgrain Paraguay oil, phenethyl alcohol, phenethyl phenylacetate, phenylacetic acid, piperonal, plum extract, propenylguaethol, propyl acetate, 3-propylidenephthalide, prune juice, pyruvic acid, raisin extract, rose oil, rum, sage oil, sandalwood oil, spearmint oil, styrax absolute, marigold oil, tea distillate, α-terpineol, terpinyl acetate, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoxaline, 1,5,5,9-tetramethyl-13-oxacyclo(8.3.0.0(4.9))tridecane, 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine, thyme oil, tomato extract, 2-tridecanone, triethyl citrate, 4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexenyl)2-buten-4-one, 2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexene-1,4-dione, 4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1,3-cyclohexene) Examples of the fragrance include 2-(2-(2-oxadienyl)-2-buten-4-one, 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine, γ-undecalactone, γ-valerolactone, vanilla extract, vanillin, veratraldehyde, violet leaf absolute, N-ethyl-p-menthane-3-carboxamide (WS-3), and ethyl-2-(p-menthane-3-carboxamide) acetate (WS-5), with menthol being particularly preferred. These fragrances may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0022] The content of the flavoring in the tobacco filler is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of imparting a good flavor, it is usually 10,000 ppm or more, preferably 20,000 ppm or more, more preferably 25,000 ppm or more, and is usually 70,000 ppm or less, preferably 50,000 ppm or less, more preferably 40,000 ppm or less, and even more preferably 33,000 ppm or less.

[0023] Cigarette paper is a sheet material for wrapping a tobacco filler, and its composition is not particularly limited, and a common one can be used. For example, the base paper used for cigarette paper can be cellulose fiber paper, and more specifically, hemp, wood, or a mixture thereof. The basis weight of the base paper in the cigarette paper is, for example, usually 20 gsm or more, preferably 25 gsm or more. On the other hand, the basis weight is usually 65 gsm or less, preferably 50 gsm or less, and more preferably 45 gsm or less. The thickness of cigarette paper having the above properties is not particularly limited, and from the viewpoints of rigidity, breathability, and ease of adjustment during papermaking, it is usually 10 μm or more, preferably 20 μm or more, more preferably 30 μm or more, and usually 100 μm or less, preferably 75 μm or less, and more preferably 50 μm or less.

[0024] The shape of the cigarette paper for the tobacco filler 41 (tobacco filler) can be square or rectangular. When used as cigarette paper for wrapping the tobacco filler (for producing the tobacco filler 41), the length of one side can be about 6 mm to 70 mm, and the length of the other side can be 15 mm to 28 mm, with the preferred length of the other side being 22 mm to 24 mm, and more preferably about 23 mm.

[0025] In addition to the pulp, the cigarette paper may contain a filler. The filler content can be 10% by weight or more and less than 60% by weight, preferably 15% by weight or more and 45% by weight or less, relative to the total weight of the cigarette paper. In the cigarette paper, within a preferred basis weight range (25 gsm or more and 45 gsm or less), the filler content is preferably 15% by weight or more and 45% by weight or less. Furthermore, when the basis weight is 25 gsm or more and 35 gsm or less, the filler content is preferably 15% by weight or more and 45% by weight or less, and when the basis weight is more than 35 gsm and 45 gsm or less, the filler content is preferably 25% by weight or more and 45% by weight or less. As the filler, calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, kaolin, etc. can be used, but calcium carbonate is preferably used from the viewpoint of enhancing flavor and whiteness, etc.

[0026] Various auxiliary agents other than the base paper and fillers may be added to the cigarette paper. For example, a water resistance improver may be added to improve water resistance. Water resistance improvers include wet strength agents (WS agents) and sizing agents. Examples of wet strength agents include urea-formaldehyde resin, melamine-formaldehyde resin, polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE), etc. Examples of sizing agents include rosin soap, alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), and highly saponified polyvinyl alcohol with a saponification degree of 90% or more. A paper strength agent may also be added as an auxiliary agent, such as polyacrylamide, cationic starch, oxidized starch, CMC, polyamide epichlorohydrin resin, and polyvinyl alcohol. It is known that the use of a very small amount of oxidized starch in particular improves air permeability (for example, JP 2017-218699 A). The wrapping paper may also be coated as appropriate.

[0027] A coating agent may be added to at least one of the two surfaces of the cigarette paper, the front and back. There are no particular limitations on the coating agent, but a coating agent that can form a film on the surface of the paper and reduce liquid permeability is preferred. Examples of such coating agents include alginic acid and its salts (e.g., sodium salts), polysaccharides such as pectin, cellulose derivatives such as ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, and nitrocellulose, starch and its derivatives (e.g., ether derivatives such as carboxymethyl starch, hydroxyalkyl starch, and cationic starch, and ester derivatives such as starch acetate, starch phosphate, and starch octenyl succinate).

[0028] The length of the tobacco filling section 41 in the Z-axis direction can be changed as appropriate to suit the size of the product, but is, for example, 5 mm or more, preferably 10 mm or more, more preferably 12 mm or more, even more preferably 18 mm or more, and is usually 70 mm or less, preferably 50 mm or less, more preferably 30 mm or less, even more preferably 25 mm or less.

[0029] [Mouth Section] The configuration of the mouth section 42 is not particularly limited and can be any common configuration. For example, the mouth section 42 may be configured to include two segments (sections) consisting of a cooling segment and a filter segment. The cooling segment and the filter segment are arranged along the Z-axis direction (longitudinal direction) so that the cooling segment is located closer to the tobacco packing section 41 than the filter segment. That is, the cooling segment is positioned so as to be sandwiched between the tobacco packing section 41 and the filter segment in the Z-axis direction. The mouth section 42 may be configured so that the cooling segment abuts the tobacco packing section 41 and the filter segment, or so that a gap is formed between the tobacco packing section 41 and the cooling segment, and between the cooling segment and the filter segment 122. The mouth section 42 may also be formed from a single segment.

[0030] The configuration of the cooling segment of the mouthpiece portion 42 is not particularly limited as long as it has the function of cooling the mainstream tobacco smoke, and an example thereof is a cylindrical cardboard. In this case, the inside of the cylinder is hollow, and the vapor containing the aerosol base material and tobacco flavor components is cooled by contact with the air inside the hollow.

[0031] One embodiment of the cooling segment may be a paper tube formed by processing a single sheet of paper or multiple sheets of paper into a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, in order to increase the cooling effect by bringing room-temperature external air into contact with high-temperature steam, it is preferable that the paper tube have holes around its periphery for introducing external air. That is, the cooling segment is provided with vent holes, which are openings for introducing air from the outside. The number of vent holes in the cooling segment is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, multiple vent holes are arranged at regular intervals around the circumferential direction of the cooling segment. Furthermore, the vent hole groups arranged around the circumferential direction of the cooling segment may be formed in multiple stages along the Z-axis direction of the cooling segment. By providing vent holes in the cooling segment, when the tobacco stick 40 is inhaled, low-temperature air flows into the cooling segment from the outside, thereby lowering the temperature of the volatile components and air flowing in from the tobacco filling section 41. Furthermore, the vapor containing the aerosol base material and tobacco flavor components is condensed by being cooled by the low-temperature air introduced into the cooling segment through the vent holes. This promotes aerosol generation and enables control of the size of the aerosol particles. In addition, by applying a polymer coating such as polyvinyl alcohol or a polysaccharide coating such as pectin to the inner surface of the paper tube, the cooling effect can be increased by utilizing the heat of dissolution that accompanies the heat absorption and phase change of the coating. The airflow resistance of this cylindrical cooling segment is zero mmH ２ It becomes O.

[0032] When a sheet or the like for cooling volatile components or air flowing from the tobacco filling section 41 into the cooling segment of the mouthpiece section 42 is filled into the cooling segment, the total surface area of ​​the cooling segment is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 300 mm ２ / mm or more, 1000mm ２ This surface area is the surface area per length (mm) of the cooling segment in the airflow direction. The total surface area of ​​the cooling segment is 400 mm ２ / mm or more, and ２ / mm or more is more preferable, while 600 mm ２ / mm or less, and２ / mm or less is more preferable.

[0033] It is desirable for the cooling segment's internal structure to have a large total surface area. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the cooling segment may be formed from a thin sheet of material that is wrinkled to form channels, and then pleated, gathered, and folded. The more folds or pleats within a given volume of the element, the greater the total surface area of ​​the cooling segment. The thickness of the cooling segment's constituent material is not particularly limited and may be, for example, from 5 μm to 500 μm, or from 10 μm to 250 μm.

[0034] It is also desirable to use paper as the material for the cooling sheet member from the viewpoint of reducing the environmental load. The paper as the material for the cooling sheet has a basis weight of 30 to 100 g / m ２ and a thickness of 20 to 100 μm is desirable. From the viewpoint of minimizing the removal of flavor source components and aerosol base components in the cooling segment, it is desirable for the air permeability of the paper used as the cooling sheet material to be low, and the air permeability is preferably 10 Coresta or less. By applying a polymer porting such as polyvinyl alcohol or a coating of a polysaccharide such as pectin to the paper used as the cooling sheet material, the cooling effect can be increased by utilizing the heat of solution associated with the endothermic heat and phase change of the coating.

[0035] The ventilation holes in the cooling segment are preferably positioned at a distance of 4 mm or more from the boundary between the cooling segment and the filter segment. This not only improves the cooling capacity of the cooling segment, but also suppresses the retention of components generated by heating within the cooling segment, thereby improving the delivery amount of the components. Preferably, the tipping paper 43 has openings directly above the ventilation holes in the cooling segment (i.e., positions where the holes overlap). The ventilation holes (openings) in the cooling segment are preferably positioned so that the air inflow rate (volume ratio of air inflowing through the ventilation holes, where the volume ratio of air inhaled from the mouthpiece end is 100 volume %) when inhaled at 17.5 ml / sec using an automatic smoking machine is 10 to 90 volume %, preferably 50 to 80 volume %, and more preferably 55 to 75 volume %. This can be achieved, for example, by selecting the number of ventilation holes per ventilation hole group from a range of 5 to 50, selecting the ventilation hole diameter from a range of 0.1 to 0.5 mm, or by combining these selections. The air inflow ratio can be measured using an automatic smoking machine (e.g., a single-cigarette automatic smoking machine manufactured by Borgwaldt) using a method conforming to ISO 9512. The length of the cooling segment in the Z-axis direction (airflow direction) is not particularly limited, but is typically 10 mm or more, preferably 15 mm or more, and typically 40 mm or less, preferably 35 mm or less, and more preferably 30 mm or less. It is particularly preferred that the length of the cooling segment in the Z-axis direction be 20 mm. By setting the length of the cooling segment in the Z-axis direction to be equal to or greater than the above-mentioned lower limit, a sufficient cooling effect can be ensured, resulting in a good flavor. Furthermore, by setting the length of the cooling segment in the Z-axis direction to be equal to or less than the above-mentioned upper limit, loss due to vapor and aerosol generated during use adhering to the inner wall of the cooling segment can be suppressed.

[0036] The configuration of the filter segment of the suction nozzle 42 is not particularly limited as long as it functions as a general filter. For example, a cylindrical filter segment made of cellulose acetate tow can be used. The single-filament fineness and total fineness of the cellulose acetate tow are not particularly limited. However, for a filter segment with a circumference of 22 mm, the single-filament fineness is preferably 5 to 20 g / 9000 m and the total fineness is preferably 12,000 to 30,000 g / 9000 m. The cross-sectional shape of the cellulose acetate tow fibers may be either a Y-shaped or an R-shaped cross-section. When a filter segment is formed by filling cellulose acetate tow, 5 to 10 wt. % of triacetin may be added relative to the weight of the cellulose acetate tow to improve filter hardness. The filter segment may be composed of a single segment or multiple segments. When the filter segment is composed of multiple segments, for example, a hollow segment such as a center hole may be arranged on the upstream side (tobacco packing section 41 side), and an acetate filter with a mouthpiece cross section filled with cellulose acetate tow may be arranged as a segment on the downstream side (mouthpiece end side). This type of arrangement prevents unnecessary loss of the generated aerosol and improves the appearance of the tobacco stick 40. Furthermore, from the perspective of changes in the smoking sensation and comfort in the mouth, an acetate filter may be arranged on the upstream side (tobacco packing section 41 side) and a hollow segment such as a center hole may be arranged on the downstream side (mouthpiece end side). Furthermore, the filter segments may be arranged using alternative filter materials, such as a paper filter filled with sheet-like pulp paper, instead of an acetate filter.

[0037] Typical functions of a filter in a filter segment include, for example, adjusting the amount of air mixed in when inhaling aerosols, reducing flavor, and reducing nicotine and tar, but it is not necessary for the filter to have all of these functions. Furthermore, in electrically heated tobacco products, which tend to produce fewer components and have a lower tobacco filler filling rate than cigarette products, one important function is to suppress the filtering function while preventing the tobacco filler from falling out.

[0038] The cross-sectional shape of the filter segment is substantially circular, and the diameter of the circle can be appropriately changed according to the size of the product, but is usually 4.0 mm to 9.0 mm, preferably 4.5 mm to 8.5 mm, and more preferably 5.0 mm to 8.0 mm. If the cross section is not circular, the above diameter refers to the diameter of a circle assumed to have the same area as the cross section. The circumferential length of the filter segment can be appropriately changed according to the size of the product, but is usually 14.0 mm to 27.0 mm, preferably 15.0 mm to 26.0 mm, and more preferably 16.0 mm to 25.0 mm. The length of the filter segment in the Z-axis direction can be appropriately changed according to the size of the product, but is usually 5 mm to 35 mm, and preferably 10.0 mm to 30.0 mm. The shape and dimensions of the filter medium can be appropriately adjusted so that the shape and dimensions of the filter segment fall within the above ranges.

[0039] The airflow resistance per 120 mm of the filter segment in the Z-axis direction is not particularly limited, but is usually 40 mmH ２ O or more, 300mmH ２ O or less, 70 mmH ２ O or more, 280mmH ２ It is preferable that the pressure is 90 mmH or less. ２ O or more, 260mmH ２ It is more preferable that the airflow resistance is 0 or less. The airflow resistance is measured in accordance with the ISO standard method (ISO 6565), for example, using a filter airflow resistance measuring device manufactured by Cerulean Co., Ltd. The airflow resistance of a filter segment refers to the air pressure difference between the first end face and the second end face when air is flowed at a predetermined air flow rate (17.5 cc / min) from one end face (first end face) to the other end face (second end face) of the filter segment in a state where air does not pass through the side faces of the filter segment. The unit of airflow resistance is generally mmH ２It can be expressed as O. It is known that the relationship between the airflow resistance of a filter segment and its length is proportional within the length range typically used (5 mm to 200 mm), and if the length of a filter segment is doubled, the airflow resistance also doubles.

[0040] The density of the filter material in the filter segment is not particularly limited, but is usually 0.10 g / cm ３ Above, 0.25g / cm ３ or less, and 0.11 g / cm ３ Above, 0.24g / cm ３ It is preferable that the density is 0.12 g / cm or less. ３ Above, 0.23g / cm ３ It is more preferable that the following is true. From the viewpoint of improving strength and structural rigidity, the filter segment may be provided with a wrapper (filter plug wrapper) on which the filter medium or the like is wound. The form of the wrapper is not particularly limited, and it may include one or more rows of seams containing adhesive. The adhesive may include a hot melt adhesive, and the hot melt adhesive may further include polyvinyl alcohol. Furthermore, when the filter segment consists of two or more segments, it is preferable that the wrapper wraps these two or more segments together. The material of the wrapper in the filter segment is not particularly limited, and known materials can be used, and it may also include a filler such as calcium carbonate.

[0041] The thickness of the roll is not particularly limited, but is usually 20 μm to 140 μm, preferably 30 μm to 130 μm, and more preferably 30 μm to 120 μm. The basis weight of the roll is not particularly limited, but is usually 20 gsm to 100 gsm, preferably 22 gsm to 95 gsm, and more preferably 23 gsm to 90 gsm. The roll may or may not be coated, but is preferably coated with a desired material from the viewpoint of imparting functions other than strength and structural rigidity.

[0042] When the filter segment includes a center hole segment and a filter medium, the center hole segment and the filter medium may be connected, for example, by an outer plug wrapper (outer wrapping paper). The outer plug wrapper may be, for example, a cylindrical piece of paper. The tobacco filler section 41, the cooling segment, and the connected center hole segment and filter medium may also be connected, for example, by a mouthpiece lining paper. These connections can be made, for example, by applying glue such as vinyl acetate glue to the inner surface of the mouthpiece lining paper, and then wrapping the tobacco filler section 41, the cooling segment, and the connected center hole segment and filter medium. These may also be connected in multiple layers using multiple lining papers.

[0043] The filter material of the filter segment may include a crushable additive release container (e.g., a capsule) having a crushable outer shell such as gelatin. The form of the capsule (also referred to in the art as an "additive release container") is not particularly limited and may be any known form, for example, a crushable additive release container having a crushable outer shell such as gelatin. The form of the capsule is not particularly limited and may be, for example, an easily breakable capsule, preferably spherical. The additive contained in the capsule may include any of the additives described above, but preferably includes a flavoring agent or activated carbon. The flavoring agent may be, for example, menthol, spearmint, peppermint, fenugreek, clove, medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), or a combination thereof. One or more materials that aid in filtering smoke may also be added as an additive. The form of the additive is not particularly limited and is typically a liquid or solid. The use of capsules containing additives is well known in the art. Frangible capsules and methods for their manufacture are well known in the art.

[0044] A flavoring may be added to the filter material of the filter segment. Adding a flavoring to the filter material increases the amount of flavoring delivered during use compared to conventional techniques in which flavoring is added to the tobacco packing that constitutes the tobacco packing section 41. The degree of increase in flavoring delivery further increases depending on the position of the ventilation holes (openings) provided in the cooling segment. The method for adding a flavoring to the filter material is not particularly limited; it need only be added so that the flavoring is substantially uniformly dispersed in the filter material to which the flavoring is to be added. The amount of flavoring added may be 10 to 100 volume % of the filter material. The flavoring may be added to the filter material before or after the filter segment is constructed. The type of flavoring is not particularly limited, and flavorings similar to those contained in the tobacco packing described above may be used.

[0045] The filter segment includes a filter medium, and activated carbon may be added to at least a portion of the filter medium. The amount of activated carbon added to the filter medium is 15.0 m per tobacco stick 40, calculated as the specific surface area of ​​the activated carbon × the weight of the activated carbon / the cross-sectional area of ​​the filter medium in the direction perpendicular to the air flow direction. ２ / cm ２ Over 80.0m ２ / cm ２ or less. For convenience, the above-mentioned "specific surface area of ​​activated carbon × weight of activated carbon / cross-sectional area of ​​filter medium perpendicular to the airflow direction" is sometimes expressed as "surface area of ​​activated carbon per unit cross-sectional area." This surface area of ​​activated carbon per unit cross-sectional area can be calculated based on the specific surface area of ​​activated carbon added to the filter medium of one tobacco stick 40, the weight of the added activated carbon, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the filter medium. Note that activated carbon may not be uniformly dispersed in the filter medium to which it is added, and therefore it is not required that the above range be satisfied in all cross-sections of the filter medium (cross-sections perpendicular to the airflow direction).

[0046] The surface area of ​​activated carbon per unit cross-sectional area is 17.0 m ２ / cm ２More preferably, it is 35.0 m or more. ２ / cm ２ It is more preferable that the distance is 77.0 m or more. ２ / cm ２ More preferably, it is 73.0 m or less. ２ / cm ２ It is more preferable that the surface area of ​​activated carbon per unit cross-sectional area is less than 1 / 2. The surface area of ​​activated carbon per unit cross-sectional area can be adjusted, for example, by adjusting the specific surface area of ​​activated carbon, its amount added, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the filter material in the direction perpendicular to the airflow direction. The calculation of the surface area of ​​activated carbon per unit cross-sectional area is calculated based on the filter material to which activated carbon is added. When a filter segment is composed of multiple filter materials, the cross-sectional area and length of only the filter material to which activated carbon is added are used as the basis.

[0047] Examples of activated carbon include those made from raw materials such as wood, bamboo, coconut shells, walnut shells, and coal. Activated carbon with a BET specific surface area of ​​1100 m ２ / g or more, 1600m ２ / g or less, and preferably 1200m ２ / g or more, 1500m ２ / g or less, and more preferably 1250m ２ / g or more, 1380m ２ / g or less can be used. The BET specific surface area can be determined by nitrogen gas adsorption (BET multipoint method). In addition, activated carbon can be used with a pore volume of 400 μL / g or more and 800 μL / g or less, more preferably 500 μL / g or more and 750 μL / g or less, and even more preferably 600 μL / g or more and 700 μL / g or less. The pore volume can be calculated from the maximum adsorption amount obtained using the nitrogen gas adsorption method. The amount of activated carbon added per unit length in the airflow direction of the filter medium to which activated carbon is added is preferably 5 mg / cm or more and 50 mg / cm or less, more preferably 8 mg / cm or more and 40 mg / cm or less, and even more preferably 10 mg / cm or more and 35 mg / cm or less. By setting the specific surface area of ​​activated carbon and the amount of activated carbon added within the above ranges, the surface area of ​​activated carbon per unit cross-sectional area can be adjusted to the desired one.

[0048] Furthermore, it is preferable that the cumulative 10% by volume particle diameter (particle diameter D10) of the activated carbon particles is 250 μm or more and 1200 μm or less. It is also preferable that the cumulative 50% by volume particle diameter (particle diameter D50) of the activated carbon particles is 350 μm or more and 1500 μm or less. The particle diameters D10 and D50 can be measured by a laser diffraction scattering method. An example of a suitable device for this measurement is the HORIBA Laser Diffraction / Scattering Particle Size Distribution Analyzer "LA-950." Powder is poured into the cell of this device together with pure water, and the particle diameter is detected based on the light scattering information of the particles. The measurement conditions for the above-mentioned measuring device are as follows: Measurement mode: Manual flow-moh cell measurement Dispersion medium: Ion-exchanged water Dispersion method: Measurement after 1 minute of ultrasonic irradiation Refractive index: 1.92-0.00i (sample refractive index) / 1.33-0.00i (dispersion medium refractive index) Number of measurements: Measurements were performed twice with different samples

[0049] The method for adding activated carbon to the filter medium of the filter segment is not particularly limited, and the activated carbon may be added so as to be dispersed substantially uniformly in the filter medium to which the activated carbon is added.

[0050] [Tipping Paper] The material for the tipping paper 43 is not particularly limited, and may be paper made from ordinary plant fibers (pulp), a sheet made from polymer-based chemical fibers (such as polypropylene, polyethylene, or nylon), a polymer-based sheet, metal foil, or a composite material combining these. For example, the tipping paper 43 may be made from a composite material in which a polymer-based sheet is bonded to a paper base material. Note that the tipping paper 43 referred to here refers to a sheet-like material that connects multiple segments of the tobacco stick 40, such as connecting the tobacco filler portion 41 and the mouthpiece portion 42.

[0051] The basis weight of the tipping paper 43 is not particularly limited, but is usually 32 gsm or more and 40 gsm or less, preferably 33 gsm or more and 39 gsm or less, and more preferably 34 gsm or more and 38 gsm or less. The air permeability of the tipping paper 43 is not particularly limited, but is usually 0 Coresta units or more and 30,000 Coresta units or less, and preferably more than 0 Coresta units and 10,000 Coresta units or less. The air permeability is a value measured in accordance with ISO 2965:2009, and is the rate at which air permeability increases over an area of ​​1 cm per minute when the differential pressure between both sides of the paper is 1 kPa. ２ Flow rate of gas passing through (cm ３ 1 C.U. is expressed as cm under 1 kPa. ３ / (min cm ２ )

[0052] In addition to the pulp, the tipping paper 43 may contain a filler, for example, metal carbonates such as calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, metal oxides such as titanium oxide, titanium dioxide and aluminum oxide, metal sulfates such as barium sulfate and calcium sulfate, metal sulfides such as zinc sulfide, quartz, kaolin, talc, diatomaceous earth, gypsum, etc. In particular, it is preferable that the tipping paper 43 contains calcium carbonate from the viewpoints of improving whiteness and opacity and increasing the heating rate. Furthermore, these fillers may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0053] In addition to the pulp and filler, various auxiliary agents may be added to the tip paper 43. For example, the tip paper 43 may contain a water resistance improver to improve water resistance. Water resistance improvers include wet strength agents (WS agents) and sizing agents. Examples of wet strength agents include urea-formaldehyde resin, melamine-formaldehyde resin, polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE), etc. Examples of sizing agents include rosin soap, alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), and highly saponified polyvinyl alcohol with a saponification degree of 90% or more.

[0054] A coating agent may be added to at least one of the two surfaces, the front and back surfaces, of tipping paper 43. There are no particular restrictions on the coating agent, but a coating agent that can form a film on the surface of the paper and reduce liquid permeability is preferred.

[0055] The method for producing the tipping paper 43 is not particularly limited, and a general method can be applied, and for example, in the case of an embodiment in which pulp is the main component, a method can be mentioned in which the texture is adjusted and made uniform using pulp in a papermaking process using a Fourdrinier paper machine, a cylinder paper machine, a combined cylinder and short-circuit paper machine, etc. If necessary, a wet strength agent can be added to impart water resistance to the cigarette paper, or a sizing agent can be added to adjust the printing condition of the cigarette paper.

[0056] [Microwave Shield] The tobacco stick 40 (e.g., the mouthpiece portion 42) may be provided with a microwave shield (electromagnetic wave shield) 44. The microwave shield 44 is attached to the cooling segment of the mouthpiece portion 42, upstream of the vent hole, and is located inside the guide portion 13 of the inhaler 10 when the tobacco stick 40 is inserted into the inhaler 10. This allows the microwave shield 44 to cooperate with the guide portion 13 of the inhaler 10 to prevent microwaves from leaking outside the inhaler 10. However, as long as the microwave shield 44 is located inside the guide portion 13 of the inhaler 10 when the tobacco stick 40 is inserted into the inhaler 10, the microwave shield 44 may be attached to the filter segment of the mouthpiece portion 42, or may be located adjacent to the filter segment of the mouthpiece portion 42, for example. The microwave shield 44 may also be located at the upstream or downstream end of another filter segment located adjacent to the cooling segment of the mouthpiece portion 42. The microwave shield 44 may be constructed by placing a pre-formed shielding member at a predetermined position on the tobacco stick 40, or may be constructed by printing on the filter segment of the mouthpiece 42.

[0057] When the aperture ratio of the microwave shield 44 is designed in consideration of microwave blocking and airflow resistance, the aperture ratio is, for example, 10% or more, preferably 30% or more, and more preferably 50% or more. The aperture ratio is 90% or less, preferably 80% or less, and more preferably 70% or less. With the above aperture ratio of the microwave shield 44, the overall airflow resistance of the inhaler 10 and the tobacco stick 40 is 8 mmH. ２ 0 or more, preferably 10 mmH ２ 0 or more, more preferably 12 mmH ２ O or more and 100 mmH ２ 0 or less, preferably 80 mmH ２ 0 or less, and more preferably 60 mmH ２In this case, it is possible to provide a system that suppresses microwave leakage and achieves desirable airflow resistance with a simple device configuration. Note that the airflow resistance is measured based on the ISO standard method (ISO 6565) as described above.

[0058] Furthermore, the tobacco stick 40 configured as described above may have a configuration in which a portion of the outer surface of the tipping paper 43 is coated with a lip release material. The lip release material refers to a material configured to help the lips and the tipping paper 43 to easily separate without causing substantial adhesion when the user holds the mouthpiece 42 of the tobacco stick 40 in their mouth. The lip release material may contain, for example, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, etc. For example, the outer surface of the tipping paper 43 may be coated with the lip release material by applying an ethyl cellulose-based or methyl cellulose-based ink to the outer surface of the tipping paper 43.

[0059] The lip release material of the tipping paper 43 is disposed at least in a predetermined mouthpiece region that comes into contact with the lips of a user when the user holds the mouthpiece 42 in their mouth. More specifically, the lip release material-disposed region of the outer surface of the tipping paper 43 that is covered with the lip release material is defined as the region located between the mouthpiece end and the air hole of the mouthpiece 42.

[0060] Furthermore, the airflow resistance in the Z-axis direction per tobacco stick 40 configured as described above is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of ease of smoking, it is usually 8 mmH ２ O or more, 10 mmH ２ It is preferable that the pressure is 12 mmH or more. ２ It is more preferable that the pressure is 100 mmH or more. ２ O or less, 80 mmH ２ It is preferable that the pressure is 60 mmH or less. ２It is more preferable that the airflow resistance is 0 or less. The airflow resistance is measured in accordance with the ISO standard method (ISO 6565:2015) using, for example, a filter airflow resistance measuring device manufactured by Cerulean Co., Ltd. The airflow resistance refers to the air pressure difference between the first end face and the second end face when air is flowed at a predetermined air flow rate (17.5 cc / min) from one end face (first end face) to the other end face (second end face) in a state where air does not pass through the side faces of the tobacco stick 40. The unit is generally mmH. ２ It is represented by O. It is known that the relationship between the airflow resistance and the tobacco stick 40 is proportional within the length range normally used (5 mm to 200 mm), and if the length of the tobacco stick 40 is doubled, the airflow resistance also doubles.

[0061] The rod-shaped tobacco stick 40 preferably has a columnar shape that satisfies an aspect ratio defined as follows, which is 1 or greater: aspect ratio = h / w

[0062] where w is the width of the tip of the tobacco stick 40, and h is the length in the Z-axis direction, and it is preferable that h≧w. The cross-sectional shape of the tobacco stick 40 is not particularly limited, and may be polygonal, rounded polygonal, circular, elliptical, or the like. The width w of the tobacco stick 40 is the diameter when the cross-sectional shape of the tobacco stick 40 is circular, the major axis when the cross-sectional shape is elliptical, and the diameter of the circumscribing circle or the major axis of the circumscribing ellipse when the cross-sectional shape is polygonal or rounded polygonal. The length h of the tobacco stick 40 in the Z-axis direction is not particularly limited, and is, for example, usually 40 mm or more, preferably 45 mm or more, and more preferably 50 mm or more. It is also usually 100 mm or less, preferably 90 mm or less, and more preferably 80 mm or less. The width w of the tip of the tobacco stick 40 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, usually 5 mm or more, and preferably 5.5 mm or more. It is also usually 10 mm or less, preferably 9 mm or less, and more preferably 8 mm or less. The ratio of the lengths of the cooling segment and the filter segment of the mouthpiece portion 42 to the length of the tobacco stick 40 (cooling segment:filter segment) is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of the amount of flavor delivered and an appropriate aerosol temperature, it is usually 0.60-1.40:0.60-1.40, preferably 0.80-1.20:0.80-1.20, more preferably 0.85-1.15:0.85-1.15, even more preferably 0.90-1.10:0.90-1.10, and particularly preferably 0.95-1.05:0.95-1.05. By setting the ratio of the lengths of the cooling segment and the filter segment of the mouthpiece portion 42 within the above ranges, a balance is achieved between the cooling effect, the effect of suppressing losses due to adhesion of generated vapor and aerosol to the inner wall of the cooling segment, and the filter's function of adjusting the air volume and flavor, thereby achieving a good flavor and flavor intensity.

[0063] <Configuration of Inhaler> The inhaler 10 includes a case 11 in which various components, described below, are mounted. The case 11 is provided with a storage section 12 capable of storing at least a portion of a tobacco stick 40 inserted through an opening 12a, a guide section 13 for guiding the insertion of the tobacco stick 40 through the opening 12a of the storage section 12, and an air flow path 14 that communicates with the storage section 12 and allows air to be introduced into the storage section 12. The storage section 12 may have an inner surface made of metal or the like to confine microwaves (electromagnetic waves) within the storage section 12. The air flow path 14 has an air intake 14a provided on the exterior of the case 11 and is configured to introduce air into the storage section 12 through the air intake 14a. The air flow path 14 may be provided with a microwave shield 14b that allows air to pass through but blocks microwaves. The air flow path 14 is not limited to being provided on the side surface of the storage section 12 as shown in FIG. 1 , but may also be provided on the bottom or top surface of the storage section 12.

[0064] The inhaler 10 further includes a high-frequency oscillator 20, a waveguide 21, an electromagnetic wave emitter 22, a controller 23, a power supply 24, a notification unit 25, a communication unit 26, a cigarette detector 27, and an operation detector 28. These components 20 to 28 are mounted inside the case 11. Here, the electromagnetic wave emitter 22 is a part that emits electromagnetic waves (microwaves) into the housing 12, and in this embodiment, an antenna will be used as an example of the electromagnetic wave emitter 22. Hereinafter, the electromagnetic wave emitter 22 may be referred to as the "antenna 22."

[0065] The high-frequency oscillator 20 includes, for example, a semiconductor (solid-state) oscillator and generates high-frequency electromagnetic waves of a predetermined frequency. The semiconductor oscillator is an oscillator configured with semiconductor elements such as an LDMOS transistor, a GaAs FET, a SiC MESFET, or a GaN HFET. High-frequency electromagnetic waves refer to electromagnetic waves between 3 Hz and 3 THz, including microwaves between 300 MHz and 300 GHz. The high-frequency oscillator 20 can generate high-frequency electromagnetic waves at a frequency (e.g., 2.40 to 2.50 GHz) suitable for heating the tobacco stick 40 (aerosol source). In this embodiment, the high-frequency oscillator 20 generates microwaves with a frequency of 2.45 GHz as the high-frequency electromagnetic waves. The high-frequency oscillator 20 may also include an amplifier for amplifying the high-frequency electromagnetic waves. The semiconductor oscillator itself may function as an amplifier, or an amplifier configured as an electronic component separate from the semiconductor oscillator may be provided.

[0066] Although magnetron oscillators are also used as devices for generating high-frequency electromagnetic waves, when a semiconductor oscillator is used as the high-frequency oscillator 20, the main body can be made smaller than when a magnetron oscillator is used. Furthermore, semiconductor oscillators can operate at lower voltages than magnetron oscillators, and therefore can improve frequency stability and output stability. However, the high-frequency oscillator 20 of this embodiment may be a magnetron oscillator as long as it is capable of generating high-frequency electromagnetic waves of a predetermined frequency.

[0067] The microwaves generated by the high-frequency oscillator 20 are guided to the antenna 22 through the waveguide 21. The waveguide 21 connects the high-frequency oscillator 20 and the antenna 22 and guides the microwaves generated by the high-frequency oscillator 20 to the antenna 22 to heat the tobacco stick 40 (aerosol source). The waveguide 21 may be, for example, a waveguide or a coaxial cable. When the high-frequency oscillator 20 and the antenna 22 are directly connected, the waveguide 21 may be omitted. The antenna 22 emits (radiates) the microwaves guided through the waveguide 21 into the storage section 12. In the example of FIG. 1 , the antenna 22 is provided on the bottom surface of the storage section 12, but this is not limiting and the antenna 22 may be provided on the side or top surface of the storage section 12. The antenna 22 may be configured in a rod shape and provided inside the tobacco stick 40, or may be in the form of an electrode that sandwiches the tobacco stick 40.

[0068] In this embodiment, a circulator 21a is provided midway through the waveguide 21. The circulator 21a is configured to transmit microwaves incident from a port on the high-frequency oscillator 20 side within the waveguide 21 toward the antenna 22, and to transmit microwaves (reflected waves) incident from a port on the antenna 22 side toward a reflected wave detector 32, which will be described later. By providing such a circulator 21a midway through the waveguide 21, it is possible to reduce the incidence of reflected waves that return from the antenna 22 without becoming microwaves, entering the high-frequency oscillator 20.

[0069] In order to protect the high-frequency oscillator 20, the waveguide 21 may be provided with an isolator for absorbing reflected waves returning toward the high-frequency oscillator 20 via the antenna 22. In this case, the isolator may be disposed between the high-frequency oscillator 20 and the circulator 21a. The waveguide 21 may also be provided with a power monitor that detects the power of the incident wave from the high-frequency oscillator 20 and the power of the reflected wave from the antenna 22 or the inside of the accommodating unit 12, and / or an impedance matching unit that matches the impedance on the high-frequency oscillator 20 side with the impedance on the accommodating unit 12 side to reduce the power of the reflected wave.

[0070] The control unit 23 functions as a calculation processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation of the inhaler 10 in accordance with various programs. Specifically, the control unit 23 can control the high-frequency oscillator 20 to emit microwaves from the antenna 22 to heat the tobacco stick 40 in response to an atomization request from the user. The control unit 23 can also control the high-frequency oscillator 20 to heat the tobacco stick 40 in accordance with a desired heating profile that has been set in advance. The control unit 23 can be realized by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor. Here, the inhaler 10 may be provided with a temperature sensor to grasp (detect) the overheated state of the tobacco stick 40. In this case, the control unit 23 can control the heating of the tobacco stick 40 based on the detection result of the temperature sensor.

[0071] The power supply unit 24 supplies power to each unit of the inhalator 10 (particularly the high-frequency oscillator unit 20) based on the control of the control unit 23. The power supply unit 24 is configured by a rechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery. By providing such a power supply unit 24, the inhalator 10 can be configured to be portable.

[0072] The notification unit 25 notifies the user of information based on control by the control unit 23. Examples of information notified to the user include information indicating the detection of the insertion of a tobacco stick 40 into the storage unit 12, information indicating the start of heating of the tobacco stick 40 by microwaves, information indicating the transition to a state in which the aerosol can be inhaled, error information, and remaining charge information (remaining battery charge information) for the power supply unit 24. In addition, in this embodiment, the notification unit 25 notifies the user of information indicating that control is being performed to prevent microwaves from being emitted from the antenna 22 into the storage unit 12 (hereinafter, this may be referred to as "release impossible information"). The release impossible information may include foreign object presence information indicating the presence of a metal-containing object (hereinafter, this may be referred to as "foreign object") in the storage unit 12. The foreign object presence information may be information indicating the presence of a foreign object in the storage unit 12 itself, information indicating the detection of a foreign object in the storage unit 12, information prompting the user to remove the foreign object in the storage unit 12, or information prompting the user to clean the storage unit 12. The discharge impossibility information may also include non-container information indicating that no tobacco sticks 40 are contained in the container 12. Here, the notification unit 25 may be configured with a light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a vibration element such as a vibration motor, or a sound output element. The notification unit 25 may also be configured with a display element (display) such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The notification unit 25 may be a combination of two or more elements selected from a light-emitting element, a vibration element, a sound output element, and a display element.

[0073] The communication unit 26 is an interface for acquiring information about the usage status of the inhalator 10 and transmitting it to an external data server or a user's mobile terminal device (hereinafter referred to as a data server, etc.), or for receiving data from a data server, etc. The communication unit 26 can communicate with the data server, etc., for example, via Bluetooth (registered trademark), which is a short-range wireless communication, or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area), which is a long-range wireless communication. Note that communication between the communication unit 26 and the data server, etc., is not limited to the above-described wireless communication, and may be another form of wireless communication or wired communication. Here, in this embodiment, the communication unit 26 may be configured to notify the user of the foreign object presence information by transmitting the foreign object presence information to the data server, etc. That is, the communication unit 26 may be understood as one form of a notification unit that notifies the user of the foreign object presence information.

[0074] The tobacco detection unit 27 detects the presence or absence of a tobacco stick 40 in the storage unit 12. This allows the control unit 23 to determine whether a tobacco stick 40 is stored (inserted) in the storage unit 12 based on the detection result of the tobacco detection unit 27, and to control the emission of microwaves from the antenna 22 according to the determination result. For example, when the control unit 23 determines based on the detection result of the tobacco detection unit 27 that a tobacco stick 40 is not stored in the storage unit 12, it prohibits the emission of microwaves from the antenna 22. On the other hand, when the control unit 23 determines based on the detection result of the tobacco detection unit 27 that a tobacco stick 40 is stored (inserted) in the storage unit 12, it enables the emission of microwaves from the antenna 22. The tobacco detection unit 27 may be configured, for example, as a capacitance-type proximity sensor, but is not limited to this and may also be configured as a contact-type sensor (e.g., a pressure sensor) or a photoelectric sensor. In the example of Figure 1, the cigarette detection unit 27 is provided on the side surface (inner surface on the +Y direction side) of the storage unit 12, but it may also be provided on the bottom or top surface of the storage unit 12, or on the guide unit 13 or lid unit 11b.

[0075] The operation detection unit 28 detects various operations performed by the user on the inhaler 10. The operation detection unit 28 may also be understood as an input unit that accepts user input instructions. In this embodiment, the operation detection unit 28 detects a predetermined operation performed by the user to instruct the inhaler 10 to start heating the tobacco stick 40. Examples of the predetermined operation include operating the button 11a to instruct the inhaler 10 to start heating the tobacco stick 40, opening the lid 11b that opens and closes the opening 12a (opening) of the storage unit 12 (moving the lid 11b from the closed position to the open position), or inserting the tobacco stick 40 into the storage unit 12. Note that, in the example of FIG. 1, the lid 11b is configured to slide in the ±Y direction on the top surface of the case 11 to open and close the opening 12a, but this is not limited thereto and may also be configured as a door that opens and closes the opening 12a. The insertion of the tobacco stick 40 into the storage unit 12 can be detected using the tobacco detection unit 27.

[0076] In the inhaler 10 configured as described above, it is necessary to avoid emitting microwaves from the antenna 22 into the storage unit 12 when a foreign object (metal-containing object) is present in the storage unit 12 or when a tobacco stick 40 is not contained in the storage unit 12. For this reason, the inhaler 10 of this embodiment is provided with an object detection unit 30 that detects an object present in the storage unit 12. The object detection unit 30 can be configured to detect a foreign object present in the storage unit 12 and / or at least a portion of the tobacco stick 40 contained in the storage unit 12 (e.g., the tobacco filler portion 41) as the object. Then, when the detection result of the object by the object detection unit 30 satisfies a constraint condition, the control unit 23 controls the antenna 22 not to emit microwaves. The constraint condition can include at least one of a condition that a foreign object is detected by the object detection unit 30 and a condition that at least a portion of the tobacco stick 40 is not detected by the object detection unit 30.

[0077] Methods for detecting a foreign object in the storage unit 12 using the object detection unit 30 include a method using an oscillator circuit 31 and a method using a reflected wave detection unit 32. In the inhaler 10 of the present embodiment, both the oscillator circuit 31 and the reflected wave detection unit 32 are provided in the inhaler 10 so that foreign object detection using both the oscillator circuit 31 and the reflected wave detection unit 32 can be performed. However, this is not limited to this, and only one of the oscillator circuit 31 and the reflected wave detection unit 32 may be provided. In other words, the inhaler 10 may be configured to perform only one of foreign object detection using the oscillator circuit 31 and foreign object detection using the reflected wave detection unit 32. The object detection unit 30 may be realized by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor, and may be configured as part of the control unit 23.

[0078] The oscillator circuit 31 is a resonant circuit including a coil 31a and a capacitor (not shown). The coil 31a is disposed within the housing 12. In such an oscillator circuit 31, if a foreign object (metallic inclusion) is present within the housing 12, the Q value of the coil 31a changes, and the amplitude of the output signal from the oscillator circuit 31 changes. For example, if a foreign object such as a metal piece is present within the housing 12, the metal is closer to the coil 31a than when the foreign object is not present within the housing 12. This reduces the Q value of the coil 31a and reduces the amplitude of the output signal from the oscillator circuit 31. Therefore, the object detection unit 30 can detect a foreign object within the housing 12 based on the Q value of the coil 31a of the oscillator circuit 31. Specifically, the object detection unit 30 compares the output signal from the oscillator circuit 31 with a reference signal, and if the difference between the signals is equal to or greater than a threshold, it can determine that a foreign object is present within the housing 12. The reference signal is, for example, a signal output from the oscillator circuit 31 when no foreign object is present in the container 12, and is set in advance through experiments, simulations, or the like.

[0079] The reflected wave detection unit 32 detects the reflected wave returning from the antenna 22. The reflected wave is incident on the reflected wave detection unit 32 from the antenna 22 via the waveguide 21 and the circulator 21a. If a foreign object (metallic inclusion) is present in the accommodation unit 12, the impedance matching is disrupted compared to when the foreign object is not present in the accommodation unit 12, and the power of the reflected wave detected by the reflected wave detection unit 32 may change (increase). Therefore, the object detection unit 30 can detect a foreign object in the accommodation unit 12 based on the reflected wave detected by the reflected wave detection unit 32. Specifically, the object detection unit 30 can determine that a foreign object is present in the accommodation unit 12 when the magnitude (amplitude) of the power of the reflected wave detected by the reflected wave detection unit 32 exceeds a threshold value. The threshold value is set in advance through experiments, simulations, or the like.

[0080] Furthermore, the object detection unit 30 can detect tobacco sticks 40 contained in the storage unit 12 based on the reflected waves detected by the reflected wave detection unit 32. Specifically, the peak frequency at which the reflected waves detected by the reflected wave detection unit 32 are least may change depending on whether or not a tobacco stick 40 is contained in the storage unit 12. Therefore, the object detection unit 30 can detect the presence or absence of a tobacco stick 40 in the storage unit 12 based on this peak frequency. Note that when detecting tobacco sticks 40 using the reflected wave detection unit 32, the aforementioned tobacco detection unit 27 does not need to be provided in the inhaler 10.

[0081] Here, when detecting foreign objects and tobacco sticks 40 using the reflected wave detection unit 32, the high-frequency oscillator unit 20 is controlled to temporarily emit microwaves from the antenna 22 into the storage unit 12. At this time, the frequency of the microwaves emitted from the antenna 22 into the storage unit 12 may be swept within a specified frequency range (e.g., 2400 to 2500 MHz) or may be set to a fixed frequency (e.g., 2460 MHz). Furthermore, multiple types of microwaves having different frequencies (e.g., 2400 MHz, 2460 MHz, 2500 MHz) may be radiated from the antenna 22 into the storage unit 12.

[0082] FIG. 2 shows an example of the characteristics of the reflected wave detected by the reflected wave detection unit 32 when the frequency of the microwaves emitted from the antenna 22 into the storage unit 12 is swept over a specified frequency range. The horizontal axis of FIG. 2 represents the frequency of the reflected wave, and the vertical axis represents the reflection coefficient. When a tobacco stick 40 is stored in the storage unit 12, a peak of the reflected wave occurs within a specified frequency range, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2. On the other hand, when a tobacco stick 40 is not stored in the storage unit 12, a peak of the reflected wave occurs outside the specified frequency range, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 2. Therefore, the object detection unit 30 can detect the presence or absence of a tobacco stick in the storage unit 12 based on the peak frequency of the reflected wave detected by the reflected wave detection unit 32. Furthermore, if a foreign object (metallic inclusion) is present in the storage unit 12, the power of the reflected wave may change (increase) outside the specified frequency range, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 2. That is, a peak of the reflected wave occurs outside the specified frequency range. Therefore, the object detection unit 30 can detect the presence or absence of a foreign object in the storage unit 12 based on the peak frequency of the reflected wave detected by the reflected wave detection unit 32.

[0083] <Operation Flow of Aspirator> Next, an operation flow of the aspirator 10 of this embodiment configured as described above will be described. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the aspirator 10 of this embodiment. The flowchart of Fig. 3 can be executed by the control unit 23.

[0084] In step S11, the control unit 23 determines whether or not a predetermined user operation for instructing the start of heating of the tobacco stick 40 has been detected by the operation detection unit 28. As described above, the predetermined operation may include operating the button 11a, opening the lid unit 11b, or inserting the tobacco stick 40 into the storage unit 12. If at least one of these operations has been detected by the operation detection unit 28, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the control unit 23 causes the object detection unit 30 to detect an object in the storage unit 12. In this embodiment, the object detection unit 30 is configured to detect foreign matter (metal-containing material) and / or the tobacco stick 40 as the object in the storage unit 12. As described above, the object detection unit 30 can detect foreign matter in the storage unit 12 using the oscillation circuit 31 and / or the reflected wave detection unit 32. Furthermore, as described above, the object detection unit 30 can detect the tobacco stick 40 in the storage unit 12 using the reflected wave detection unit 32.

[0085] In step S13, the control unit 23 determines whether or not the object detection result by the object detection unit 30 satisfies the constraint conditions. As described above, the constraint conditions may include at least one of the conditions that a foreign object is detected by the object detection unit 30 and that at least a part of the tobacco stick 40 is not detected by the object detection unit 30.

[0086] If it is determined in step S13 that the object detection result by the object detection unit 30 satisfies the constraints, the process proceeds to step S14. Specifically, if the object detection unit 30 detects a foreign object in the storage unit 12, or if the object detection unit 30 does not detect a tobacco stick 40 in the storage unit 12, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the control unit 23 controls the high-frequency oscillator unit 20 to prevent microwaves from being emitted from the antenna 22 into the storage unit 12, thereby halting heating of the tobacco stick 40. This step S14 may also be understood as a process of prohibiting microwave emission from the antenna 22 into the storage unit 12. Next, in step S15, the control unit 23 notifies the user, via the notification unit 25 or the communication unit 26, of release-prohibited information indicating that control has been exercised to prevent microwaves from being emitted from the antenna 22 into the storage unit 12. The release-prohibited information may include foreign object presence information indicating the presence of a foreign object in the storage unit 12 and / or no-storage information indicating that no tobacco stick 40 is stored in the storage unit 12. As described above, the foreign matter presence information may be information indicating the presence of a foreign matter in the storage section 12, information indicating that a foreign matter has been detected in the storage section 12, information to prompt the removal of the foreign matter in the storage section 12, or information to prompt the cleaning of the storage section 12.

[0087] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that the object detection result by the object detection unit 30 does not satisfy the constraint condition, the process proceeds to step S16. Specifically, if the object detection unit 30 has not detected a foreign object in the storage unit 12, or if the object detection unit 30 has detected a tobacco stick 40 in the storage unit 12, the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the control unit 23 controls the high-frequency oscillator unit 20 in response to a user instruction to emit microwaves from the antenna 22 into the storage unit 12, thereby starting heating of the tobacco stick 40. The user instruction may include, for example, operation of the button 11a by the user. If the predetermined user operation in step S11 is operation of the button 11a, heating of the tobacco stick 40 may start regardless of the user instruction.

[0088] In step S17, the control unit 23 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of heating the tobacco stick 40. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S18, where the control unit 23 controls the high-frequency oscillator unit 20 to terminate the emission of microwaves from the antenna 22 into the storage unit 12, thereby terminating the heating of the tobacco stick 40. While in this embodiment it is determined in step S17 whether a predetermined time has elapsed, this is not limiting, and it may also be determined in step S17 whether the user's atomization requests (inhalation actions, puffing actions) have reached a predetermined number of times. In this case, the process proceeds to step S18 if the user's atomization requests have reached the predetermined number of times since the start of heating the tobacco stick 40.

[0089] As described above, the inhaler 10 of this embodiment has the object detection unit 30 that detects an object (foreign object, tobacco stick 40) in the storage unit 12, and when the object detection result by the object detection unit 30 satisfies the constraint conditions, it controls so as not to emit microwaves from the antenna 22. This makes it possible to avoid emitting microwaves into the storage unit 12 when a foreign object is present in the storage unit 12 or when no tobacco stick 40 is contained in the storage unit 12, thereby improving the safety of the inhaler 10.

[0090] <Other Embodiments> In the above embodiment, an example of an inhalator 10 configured so that the user holds the mouthpiece 42 of the tobacco stick 40 directly in the mouth has been described. However, as shown in Fig. 4, the inhalator 10 may be equipped with a mouthpiece 50 that the user holds in the mouth to inhale gas (gas containing aerosol) from the storage section 12. The mouthpiece 50 is detachable from the inhalator 10. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example configuration of an inhalator 10 (aerosol generating device) having a mouthpiece 50.

[0091] The mouthpiece 50 can be attached to the guide part 13 of the inhaler 10 so as to cover the portion (mouthpiece part 42) of the tobacco stick 40 that protrudes from the inhaler 10 (storage part 12). The mouthpiece 50 is provided with a microwave shield 51 for blocking microwaves that leak out from the storage part 12 to the outside through the opening 12a and the guide part 13. The microwave shield 51 can be made of a metal mesh or the like so as to be permeable to gas but block microwaves.

[0092] When a mouthpiece 50 equipped with a microwave shield 51 is used, the inhaler 10 may be provided with a mouthpiece detection unit 29 that detects whether the mouthpiece 50 is attached. This allows the control unit 23 to control the emission of microwaves from the antenna 22 based on the detection result of the mouthpiece detection unit 29. For example, when the control unit 23 determines, based on the detection result of the mouthpiece detection unit 29, that the mouthpiece 50 is not attached to the inhaler 10, it prohibits the emission of microwaves from the antenna 22. On the other hand, when the control unit 23 determines, based on the detection result of the mouthpiece detection unit 29, that the mouthpiece 50 is attached to the inhaler 10, it enables the emission of microwaves from the antenna 22. Note that, when a mouthpiece 50 equipped with a microwave shield 51 is used, the tobacco stick 40 does not need to be provided with a microwave shield 44.

[0093] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example (microwave heating method) has been described in which the tobacco sticks 40 in the storage unit 12 are heated by emitting electromagnetic waves (microwaves) generated by the high-frequency oscillator 20 from the antenna 22 into the storage unit 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a method may be used in which the tobacco sticks 40 are dielectrically heated by controlling the microwaves (electromagnetic waves) emitted from the antenna 22 to change the electromagnetic field (electromagnetic field intensity) generated in the storage unit 12.

[0094] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device comprising: a storage unit that stores at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article including an aerosol source; an electromagnetic wave emitting unit that emits electromagnetic waves into the storage unit; an object detection unit that detects an object present in the storage unit; and a control unit that controls the heating of at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article stored in the storage unit by controlling the emission of electromagnetic waves from the electromagnetic wave emitting unit, wherein the control unit controls the electromagnetic wave emitting unit not to emit electromagnetic waves when the detection result of the object by the object detection unit satisfies a constraint condition.

2. The aerosol generating device described in claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies a user of information, wherein the control unit notifies the user through the notification unit of information indicating that control is being performed to prevent electromagnetic waves from being emitted from the electromagnetic wave emission unit into the storage unit when the detection result of the object by the object detection unit satisfies the constraint condition.

3. The aerosol generating device described in claim 2, characterized in that when the detection result of the object by the object detection unit does not satisfy the constraint condition, the control unit, in accordance with a user instruction, causes the electromagnetic wave emitting unit to emit electromagnetic waves so as to heat at least a portion of the aerosol generating item.

4. An aerosol generating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the object detection unit is configured to detect a metal-containing object as the object, and the constraint condition includes a condition that the metal-containing object is detected by the object detection unit.

5. The aerosol generating device described in claim 4, further comprising a coil disposed within the storage unit, wherein the object detection unit detects the metal-containing material within the storage unit based on the Q value of the coil.

6. The aerosol generating device described in claim 4, further comprising a reflected wave detection unit that detects reflected waves returning from the electromagnetic wave emission unit, and the object detection unit detects the metal-containing object within the storage unit based on the reflected waves detected by the reflected wave detection unit.

7. An aerosol generating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the object detection unit is configured to detect at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article contained in the storage unit as the object, and the constraint condition includes a condition that at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article is not detected by the object detection unit.

8. An aerosol generating device as described in claim 7, further comprising a reflected wave detection unit that detects reflected waves returning from the electromagnetic wave emission unit, and the object detection unit detects at least a portion of the aerosol-generating item in the storage unit based on the reflected waves detected by the reflected wave detection unit.

9. An aerosol generating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an operation detection unit that detects a specified operation performed by a user to instruct the start of heating of the aerosol generating item, and the control unit, when the specified operation is detected by the operation detection unit, causes the object detection unit to detect the object.

10. The aerosol generating device described in claim 9, further comprising a button operated by the user to instruct the start of heating of the aerosol generating item, and the operation detection unit detects operation of the button by the user as the specified operation.

11. The aerosol generating device described in claim 9, further comprising a lid portion for opening and closing an opening for inserting at least a portion of the aerosol-generating item into the storage portion, wherein the operation detection unit detects the opening operation of the lid portion by a user as the specified operation.

12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 9, characterized in that the operation detection unit detects the insertion of the aerosol-generating article into the storage unit by a user as the specified operation.

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