Flavor inhaler and flavor generating system

Abstract

This flavor inhaler comprises: a housing; and a lid assembly that can move in a first direction. The lid assembly includes: a biasing member; and a movable member that can move relative to the lid assembly. The biasing member and the movable member are configured to move integrally with the lid assembly. The biasing member is configured to bias the movable member in a second direction crossing the first direction.

Description

Flavor inhaler and flavor generating system

[0001] The present invention relates to a flavor inhaler and a flavor generating system.

[0002] Conventionally, non-combustion heating type flavor inhalers that generate an aerosol or the like by heating a material containing a flavor source without burning the material have been known. Such flavor inhalers may have a movable lid (see Patent Documents 1 to 4).

[0003] Chinese Utility Model No. 211268652 Chinese Utility Model No. 216165172 Chinese Utility Model No. 218245680 Chinese Utility Model No. 219020198

[0004] In the electronic heating inhaler of Patent Document 1, the slider of the sliding cover assembly has a protrusion that fits into a groove. In the smoking set of Patent Document 2, the protrusion of the slidable bracket engages with a notch to limit the movement of the bracket. In the non-combustion heating smoking article of Patent Document 3, the slider of the protective sliding cover is provided with a protrusion that fits into a groove. In the aerosol generating device of Patent Document 4, the sliding bracket in the sliding cover assembly has an elastic arm on which a positioning block is formed, and the positioning block is configured to move in and out of the groove. However, the sliders in Patent Documents 1 to 4 have structural constraints, such as the need for the member that abuts against the guide to be elastic.

[0005] In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flavor inhaler and a flavor generating system having a movable lid that allows for more flexible configuration.

[0006] According to a first aspect, there is provided a flavor inhaler comprising: a housing; and a lid assembly movable in a first direction, the lid assembly comprising a biasing member and a movable member movable relative to the lid assembly, the biasing member and the movable member configured to move integrally with the lid assembly, and the biasing member configured to bias the movable member in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

[0007] According to the first aspect, it is possible to provide a flavor inhaler having a movable lid that allows for a more flexible configuration.

[0008] A second aspect is the first aspect, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

[0009] According to the second aspect, the movable member is biased in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the lid assembly, so that the movement of the lid assembly can be adjusted more stably using the movable member.

[0010] A third aspect is the first or second aspect, wherein the housing includes a guide portion, and the movable member is configured to be movable along the guide portion.

[0011] According to the third aspect, the movement of the lid assembly can be adjusted by utilizing the contact between the guide portion and the movable member.

[0012] A fourth aspect is the third aspect, wherein the guide portion is a groove formed on the outer surface of the housing.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect, the guide portion can guide the lid assembly with a simple configuration by utilizing the shape of the groove.

[0014] The fifth aspect is characterized in that, in the third or fourth aspect, the lid assembly further includes an abutment portion configured to be movable along the guide portion, and at least one of the abutment portion and the movable member is configured to abut against the guide portion.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect, more flexible design is possible, and the need for precise molding of the contact portion and the movable member can be reduced, so that the lid assembly and the like can be manufactured efficiently.

[0016] A sixth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the third to fifth aspects, the lid assembly includes a pair of the movable members, each of which is arranged on either side of the lid assembly along the second direction.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect, the lid assembly can be configured to receive resistance from both sides of the lid assembly via the movable member, so that the lid assembly can be moved more stably.

[0018] A seventh aspect is the device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the biasing member includes a leaf spring.

[0019] According to the seventh aspect, the lid assembly can be configured compactly, and the biasing member can bias the movable member more stably.

[0020] An eighth aspect is summarized as any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the lid assembly further includes a magnet, and the flavor inhaler further includes a magnetic sensor that detects a magnetic field of the magnet.

[0021] According to the eighth aspect, the position of the lid assembly can be detected in the flavor inhaler, and control can be performed using information about the position of the lid assembly.

[0022] A ninth aspect is characterized in that, in the eighth aspect, the lid assembly further includes a support portion that supports the magnet and a cover that covers the magnet, and the support portion and the cover are fastened together by a fastening member.

[0023] According to the ninth aspect, the lid assembly can firmly support the magnet so that the magnet does not fall off the lid assembly.

[0024] A tenth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to ninth aspects, the housing has an opening through which a flavor-generating article can be inserted, and the lid assembly is configured to be movable between a closed position that covers at least a portion of the opening and an open position through which the flavor-generating article can be inserted into the opening.

[0025] According to the tenth aspect, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering through the opening into which the flavor-generating article can be inserted. Furthermore, since the lid assembly includes a movable member and a biasing member, it is possible to more stably open and close the opening while miniaturizing the flavor inhaler.

[0026] An eleventh aspect is summarized as any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the movable member is configured to be positioned in a recess formed on the outer surface of the housing in at least one of the open position and the closed position.

[0027] According to the eleventh aspect, it is possible to prevent the lid assembly from shifting from the open position or the closed position due to unintentional contact or impact by the user, or the like.

[0028] According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided a flavor generating system, comprising the flavor inhaler of any one of the first to eleventh aspects and a flavor generating article.

[0029] According to the twelfth aspect, it is possible to provide a flavor generating system including a flavor inhaler having a movable lid, which allows for a more flexible configuration.

[0030] 1. A perspective view showing a flavor generating system according to one embodiment. A perspective view showing a flavor inhaler according to one embodiment. A cross-sectional view showing the flavor inhaler taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2. An exploded perspective view of the flavor inhaler. A perspective view of a chamber. A cross-sectional view showing the chamber taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5. A cross-sectional view showing the chamber taken along line 7A-7A of FIG. 6. A cross-sectional view showing the chamber taken along line 7B-7B of FIG. 6. A cross-sectional view of a chamber in which a flavor generating article is housed. An exploded perspective view of a flavor generating article according to one embodiment. A schematic cross-sectional side view of a flavor generating article according to one embodiment. An exploded perspective view of a flavor generating article according to another embodiment. A cross-sectional view of a flavor inhaler showing an insertion guide member. A side cross-sectional view showing an insertion guide member. A bottom view showing an insertion guide member. A schematic cross-sectional side view including a heating section and a chamber. A schematic cross-sectional view showing a chamber, etc. taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 15. A perspective view of a flavor generating assembly. A perspective view of an intermediate body including a flavor generating assembly and a case section. A front view of an outer case. A side view of an outer case. A plan view of an outer case. An exploded perspective view showing an upper member and a lid assembly. 1 is a perspective view showing a lid assembly; FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an upper base on which the lid assembly is arranged; FIG. 3 is a plan view of the lid assembly without the cover; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a first guide portion; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a second guide portion; FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a movable member in a closed position; FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a movable member in an open position; FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a biasing member; FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the lid assembly; FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating detection of the position of the lid assembly; and FIG. 11 is a conceptual view illustrating accommodation of a flavor generating assembly in a case.

[0031] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below, the same or corresponding components are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. In the following drawings, the dimensions of each part have been changed appropriately for easy understanding.

[0032] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a flavor generating system 1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a flavor inhaler 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The flavor generating system 1000 is configured by applying a flavor generating article 100 to a flavor inhaler 200 having a heating unit 40, which will be described later. At least a portion of the flavor generating article 100 is accommodated in the flavor inhaler 200 through an insertion opening 210.

[0033] In the drawings described in this specification, an X-Y-Z Cartesian coordinate system may be used for convenience of explanation. In this coordinate system, the Z-axis faces vertically upward, the X-Y plane is positioned so as to cut the flavor inhaler 200 horizontally, and the Y-axis is positioned so as to extend from the side surface of the flavor inhaler 200 to its rear surface. The Z-axis direction can also be referred to as the insertion direction of the flavor generating article 100 housed in the chamber 50 described below. The X-axis direction can also be referred to as the longitudinal direction of the device in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction of the flavor generating article 100. The Y-axis direction can also be referred to as the lateral direction of the device in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction of the flavor generating article 100.

[0034] The flavor inhaler 200 is configured to generate a flavor-containing aerosol by, for example, heating a stick-shaped flavor generating article 100 having a flavor source containing an aerosol source. The flavor generating article 100 is configured, for example, to include a smokable article containing a flavor source such as tobacco and an aerosol source at the tip end in the negative Z-axis direction, and a filter at another location. Examples of aerosol sources include glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and mixtures thereof. The flavor generating article 100 is configured to generate a flavor by being heated by the non-combustion heating flavor inhaler 200. The flavor inhaler 200 is preferably a non-combustion heating tobacco product.

[0035] In this embodiment, the flavor generating article 100 is described as being stick-shaped, but the flavor generating article used in the flavor inhaler 200 is not limited to this. For example, the flavor generating article may be configured to include a cartridge containing a liquid aerosol source. The cartridge may also have a heater.

[0036] 1 and 2, the flavor inhaler 200 has an upper member 204, an outer case 410, an outer panel 520, and a lid 208. The movable lid 208 is disposed on the upper member 204. The lid 208 is preferably a sliding cover. The outer case 410 defines a portion of the outer surface of the flavor inhaler 200 and is sized to fit in a user's hand. When using the flavor inhaler 200, the user can hold the flavor inhaler 200 in their hand and inhale the aerosol.

[0037] From the viewpoint of efficiently dissipating heat from the heating unit 40 to the outside, the outer case 410 is preferably formed from a metal such as aluminum, magnesium, or titanium, or an alloy containing aluminum, magnesium, or titanium, etc. However, the material of the outer case 410 is not limited to these, and can be made of resin, for example, and in particular, any suitable material can be selected, such as polycarbonate (PC), ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) resin, PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone), or a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymers.

[0038] The upper member 204 has an insertion opening 210 for receiving the flavor-generating article 100, and the lid 208 is slidably attached to the upper member 204 to close the insertion opening 210. Specifically, the lid 208 is configured to be movable along the outer surface of the upper member 204 between a closed position, at which the insertion opening 210 of the upper member 204 is closed, and an open position (the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 ), at which the insertion opening 210 is opened. For example, a user can manually operate the lid 208 to move the lid 208 between the closed position and the open position. In this way, the lid 208 can allow or restrict access of the flavor-generating article 100 to the interior of the flavor inhaler 200.

[0039] The upper member 204 preferably includes at least one of metal and resin such as PC. The metal included in the upper member 204 may be aluminum, magnesium, titanium, or an alloy containing aluminum, magnesium, or titanium. However, the material of the upper member 204 is not limited to these and may be any suitable material, such as ABS resin, PEEK, or a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymers. From the perspective of achieving a unified aesthetic, the material of the upper member 204 is preferably the same as the material of the outer case 410. On the other hand, from the perspective of making the insertion port 210 stand out, the material of the upper member 204 is preferably different from the material of the outer case 410.

[0040] In the flavor generating system 1000, air inhaled by a user is introduced into the flavor inhaler 200 through the insertion port 210, flows through the chamber 50 in the negative direction of the Z axis, and is supplied to the upstream end face of the flavor generating article 100. That is, the flavor generating system 1000 shown in Fig. 1 has a so-called counterflow type air flow path. Note that the air flow path is not limited to the counterflow type, and may have a so-called bottom flow type air flow path in which air is introduced into the chamber 50 through a vent hole formed in the bottom of the chamber 50 and supplied to the upstream end face of the flavor generating article 100.

[0041] Next, the internal structure of the flavor inhaler 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler 200 taken along the arrow 3-3 in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the internal space of the flavor inhaler 200 is provided with a power supply unit 20, an atomization unit 30, and a control unit 80. The inner case 420 and the inner panel 510 will be described later.

[0042] The control unit 80 includes a substrate 81. The substrate 81 includes, for example, a microprocessor, and can control the supply of power from the power supply unit 20 to the atomization unit 30. This allows the control unit 80 to control the heating of the flavor-generating article 100 by the atomization unit 30. The control unit 80 also includes a communication element 82 such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface. The control unit 80 can communicate with external devices via the communication element 82.

[0043] The power supply unit 20 has a battery 21 electrically connected to a substrate 81 of the control unit 80. The battery 21 is, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery or a non-rechargeable battery. The battery 21 is electrically connected to the atomization unit 30 via the substrate 81. This allows the battery 21 to supply power to the atomization unit 30 so as to appropriately heat the flavor-generating article 100.

[0044] The atomization unit 30 has a chamber 50 extending in the longitudinal direction of the flavor generating article 100, a heating unit 40 surrounding a portion of the chamber 50, a heat insulating unit 32, and a substantially cylindrical insertion guide member 34. The chamber 50 has a cylindrical shape that accommodates the flavor generating article 100. The chamber 50 may have a so-called elliptical shape having a major axis and a minor axis in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flavor inhaler 200. The chamber 50 is preferably formed from a heat-resistant material with a small coefficient of thermal expansion, and may be formed from, for example, a metal such as stainless steel, a resin such as PEEK, glass, ceramic, or the like.

[0045] The heating unit 40 is configured to contact the outer peripheral surface of the chamber 50 and heat the flavor-generating article 100 housed in the chamber 50. The heating unit 40 may be a heating element that generates heat, i.e., its temperature increases, due to power from the power supply unit 20. The heating unit 40 may be a sheet-like heater such as a film heater. The heating unit 40 may be provided so as to contact the outer peripheral surface of the chamber 50, or may be provided on the inner surface of the chamber 50. Here, the longitudinal length of the heating unit 40 is, for example, 10 mm. The heater constituting the heating unit 40 may include an electric heating wire. The heater is disposed outside the chamber 50, which functions as a housing for housing the flavor-generating article 100, and is configured to heat the flavor-generating article 100 housed in the chamber 50 from outside the flavor-generating article 100. As such, the flavor inhaler 200 is preferably an externally heated flavor inhaler. The heating unit 40 may be an induction coil disposed in the flavor inhaler 200, and configured to inductively heat a susceptor disposed in the flavor generating article 100. Alternatively, the heating unit 40 may be a microwave radiation source disposed in the flavor inhaler 200, and configured to use microwaves to heat a microwave absorber, such as water or glycerin, contained in the flavor generating article 100. The flavor inhaler 200 may also be an internal heating type, in which case the heating unit 40 may be a pin-type or blade-type heater.

[0046] The heat insulating section 32 is disposed to surround the chamber 50 and the heating section 40 and suppresses heat radiation to the outside of the chamber 50. The heat insulating section 32 may be made of, for example, aerogel. A heat diffusion member such as a graphite sheet may be disposed between the heat insulating section 32 and the chamber 50. This heat diffusion member may be disposed between the heat insulating section 32 and the heating section 40, such as a film heater, or between the heating section 40, such as a film heater, and the chamber 50. The insertion guide member 34 is formed of a resin material such as PEEK, PC, or ABS, and is disposed between the lid 208 in the closed position and the chamber 50. When the lid 208 is in the open position, the insertion guide member 34 communicates with the outside of the flavor inhaler 200 and guides the insertion of the flavor generating article 100 into the chamber 50 by inserting the flavor generating article 100 into the insertion guide member 34.

[0047] The flavor inhaler 200 may further include a terminal 90. The terminal 90 may be an interface for connecting the flavor inhaler 200 to, for example, an external power source. If the battery 21 is a rechargeable battery, connecting the external power source to the terminal 90 allows current to flow from the external power source to the battery 21, thereby charging the battery 21. In addition, connecting a data transmission cable to the terminal 90 may allow data related to the operation of the flavor inhaler 200 to be transmitted to an external device.

[0048] 4 is an exploded perspective view of the flavor inhaler 200. The flavor inhaler 200 includes a flavor generating assembly 300, a case unit 400, and a panel unit 500. The case unit 400 includes an outer case 410 and an inner case 420. The panel unit 500 includes an inner panel 510 and an outer panel 520. The inner case 420 may be configured as part of the flavor generating assembly 300. In the illustrated example, the case unit 400 includes two cases, the outer case 410 and the inner case 420, but the number of cases in the case unit 400 is not particularly limited and may be one, three, or more. In the illustrated example, the panel unit 500 includes two panels, but the number of panels in the panel unit 500 is not particularly limited and may be one, three, or more.

[0049] The flavor generating assembly 300 is an assembly including a heating unit 40 (FIG. 3) and a control unit 80. The flavor generating assembly 300 preferably further includes a chamber 50 or a power supply unit 20. The flavor generating assembly 300 has a chassis 310. The flavor generating assembly 300 has the power supply unit 20, the atomizing unit 30, a substrate 81, a flexible printed circuit board (FPC, FIG. 17), etc. arranged on the chassis 310 as a support or base. The flavor generating assembly 300 is configured to stably support each component while ensuring electrical connection between the components. The flavor generating assembly 300 is preferably stick-shaped to facilitate insertion into the case 400.

[0050] The outer case 410 extends in its longitudinal direction and has a first end 414, a second end 416 opposite the first end 414 in the longitudinal direction, and a side surface 415 extending from the first end 414 to the second end 416. A first opening 411 is formed in the end surface of the first end 414, and a second opening 412 is formed in the side surface 415. The first opening 411 and the second opening 412 are connected to form a single opening. The outer case 410 houses the inner case 420 and the flavor generating assembly 300.

[0051] The inner case 420 is a case disposed inside the outer case 410 and houses the flavor generating assembly 300. The inner case 420 is disposed to facilitate insertion of the flavor generating assembly 300 and to more stably support the flavor generating assembly 300. As shown in FIG. 4 , the inner case 420 has a bottom member 421. The bottom member 421 has an upper surface 422 that supports the flavor generating assembly 300 and is configured to receive the terminal 90. The upper surface 422 preferably extends substantially horizontally. The second end 416 of the outer case 410 is curved for aesthetic reasons or ease of holding, but the presence of the bottom member 421 allows for more stable support of the flavor generating assembly 300.

[0052] The material of the inner case 420 is not particularly limited and may include, for example, a resin material such as PC, PEEK, or ABS, or a metal. The metal included in the inner case 420 may be aluminum, magnesium, titanium, or an alloy containing aluminum, magnesium, or titanium. The flavor inhaler 200 may not have the inner case 420, and the outer case 410 may be a single case that houses the flavor generating assembly 300.

[0053] The flavor generating assembly 300 is housed in the case 400 such that the substrate 81 is positioned on the second opening 412 side. The substrate 81 preferably defines a portion of the surface of the flavor generating assembly 300 on the second opening 412 side. This prevents the substrate 81 or elements near the substrate 81 from coming into contact with the case 400 or other components and being damaged when the flavor generating assembly 300 is inserted into the case 400. Furthermore, even if a communication element 82 ( FIG. 3 ) is located near the substrate 81, communication is less likely to be obstructed by the case 400 or other components, allowing the flavor inhaler 200 to be configured compactly. Furthermore, the substrate 81 can be accessed after the flavor generating assembly 300 is inserted into the case 400. For example, the substrate 81 can be attached or detached to or from the flavor generating assembly 300 housed in the case 400, and elements can be added or removed from the substrate 81 by soldering or the like.

[0054] In the flavor generating assembly 300, the atomizing unit 30 including the heating unit 40 is preferably disposed on the opposite side of the base plate 81 from the second opening 412. The heating unit 40 is preferably disposed on the opposite side of the base plate 81 from the second opening 412 with respect to a central axis Ax2 ( FIG. 17 ) extending in the longitudinal direction of the flavor generating assembly 300. This allows efficient heat dissipation from the heating unit 40 via the case 400. It is more preferable that at least one of the outer case 410 and the inner case 420 contains a metal such as aluminum, magnesium, or titanium, or an alloy containing aluminum, magnesium, or titanium, etc., since this promotes heat dissipation.

[0055] An upper member 204 is disposed on the first opening 411 side of the flavor generating assembly 300. The lid 208 disposed on the upper member 204 is preferably movable, in coordinates on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, between a position corresponding to the insertion opening 210 through which the flavor generating article 100 is inserted and a position corresponding to the substrate 81. When a magnet that moves integrally with the lid 208 is disposed on the lid 208, a magnetic sensor can be disposed on the substrate 81, thereby enabling a compact configuration of a mechanism for detecting the position of the lid 208.

[0056] The panel unit 500 is configured to cover the second opening 412. The inner panel 510 corresponds to the shape of the second opening 412 and is a panel extending in the longitudinal direction of the outer case 410 so as to cover the second opening 412. The inner panel 510 is disposed inside the outer panel 520. The outer panel 520 is configured to cover at least a portion of the inner panel 510. The outer panel 520 is preferably detachably attached to the inner panel 510 or the like. In the illustrated example, the outer panel 520 is attracted to the inner panel 510 by magnetic force, as described below. The outer panel 520 also has a protrusion 524 that is configured to be inserted into a recess (not shown) in the upper member 204 to more stably hold the outer panel 520 and facilitate attachment of the outer panel 520.

[0057] The inner panel 510 and the outer panel 520 may be made of resin, metal, or the like. Each of the inner panel 510 and the outer panel 520 may be made partially of resin and partially of metal. The resin included in the inner panel 510 or the outer panel 520 may be, for example, PC, ABS resin, PEEK, or a polymer alloy. The metal included in the inner panel 510 or the outer panel 520 may be aluminum, magnesium, titanium, an alloy containing aluminum, magnesium, or titanium, stainless steel, or the like.

[0058] The upper member 204 has a first connecting portion 91 for connecting to at least one panel of the outer case 410, the inner case 420, the flavor generating assembly 300, or the panel unit 500. The first connecting portion 91 may have an engaging portion such as a claw portion to engage with another member, a fastening portion such as a screw hole to connect to another member by fastening, a fitting portion such as a protrusion or recess to connect to another member by fitting, or an adhesive-coated surface to connect to another member by adhesion. Alternatively, the first connecting portion 91 may have a magnetic member or a magnet and be attracted to another member by magnetic force. In FIG. 4, the first connecting portion 91 is a claw portion configured to engage with the outer case 410 or the inner case 420. The first connecting portion 91 more reliably facilitates assembly of the flavor inhaler 200.

[0059] At least one panel included in the panel unit 500 may have a second connecting portion 514, 526. The inner panel 510 has a second connecting portion 514 for connecting to the upper member 204, the outer case 410, the inner case 420, the flavor generating assembly 300, or the outer panel 520, which is another panel among the at least one panel. The second connecting portion 514 may have an engaging portion such as a claw portion to engage with another member, a fastening portion such as a hole through which a screw passes and connect to another member by fastening, a fitting portion such as a protrusion or recess to connect to another member by fitting, or an adhesive-coated surface to connect to another member by adhesion. Alternatively, the second connecting portion 514 may have a magnetic member or a magnet and be attracted to another member by magnetic force. In FIG. 4, the second connecting portion 514A is a hole through which a screw passes, and the inner panel 510 is fastened to the flavor generating assembly 300 by the screw. The second connecting portion 514B is a magnetic member and is configured to be attracted to the second connecting portion 526, which is a magnet, on the outer panel 520. The second connecting portion 514 makes it easier to assemble the flavor inhaler 200 with more certainty.

[0060] The outer panel 520 has a second connecting portion 526 for detachably connecting to the upper member 204, the outer case 410, the inner case 420, the flavor generating assembly 300, or the inner panel 510, which is another panel among the at least one of the above panels. The second connecting portion 526 may have an engaging portion such as a claw portion to engage with the other member, a fastening portion such as a hole through which a screw passes and connect to the other member by fastening, a fitting portion such as a protrusion or recess to connect to the other member by fitting, or an adhesive-coated surface to connect to the other member by adhesion. Alternatively, the second connecting portion 526 may have a magnetic member or a magnet and be attracted to the other member by magnetic force. In FIG. 4, the second connecting portion 526 is a magnet and is configured to be attracted to the magnetic member 514B of the inner panel 510. In FIG. 4, the second connecting portion 526 provided on the surface of the outer panel 520 facing the inner panel 510 is schematically shown by a dotted line. The magnet may be disposed on the inner panel 510, but is preferably disposed on the outer panel 520 to reduce the risk of adversely affecting elements near the substrate 81. The second connecting portion 526 makes it possible to more reliably and easily assemble the flavor inhaler 200.

[0061] The outer case 410 has a third connecting portion 417 for connecting to at least one panel of the upper member 204, the inner case 420, the flavor generating assembly 300, or the panel unit 500. The third connecting portion 417 may have an engaging portion such as a claw portion for engaging with another member, a fastening portion such as a hole through which a screw passes for connection to another member by fastening, a fitting portion such as a protrusion or recess for connection to another member by fitting, or an adhesive-coated surface for connection to another member by adhesion. Alternatively, the third connecting portion 417 may have a magnetic member or a magnet and be attracted to another member by magnetic force. In FIG. 4 , the third connecting portion 417 is a recess configured to be connected to a protrusion of the inner case 420 by fitting. The third connecting portion 417 more reliably facilitates assembly of the flavor inhaler 200.

[0062] The inner case 420 has a fourth connecting portion 423 for connecting to at least one panel of the upper member 204, the outer case 410, the flavor generating assembly 300, or the panel unit 500. The fourth connecting portion 423 may have an engaging portion such as a claw portion to engage with another member, a fastening portion such as a hole through which a screw passes to connect to another member by fastening, a fitting portion such as a protrusion or recess to connect to another member by fitting, or an adhesive-coated surface to connect to another member by adhesion. Alternatively, the fourth connecting portion 423 may have a magnetic member or a magnet and be attracted to another member by magnetic force. In FIG. 4 , the fourth connecting portion 423 is a protrusion configured to be connected to a recess of the outer case 410 by fitting. The fourth connecting portion 423 more reliably facilitates assembly of the flavor inhaler 200.

[0063] As described above, the flavor inhaler 200 may have at least one panel of the panel unit 500 arranged on the second opening 412 side of the flavor inhaler 200, and at least one upper member 204 located on the first end 414 side and having a movable lid 208 arranged thereon, so that the first opening 411 or the second opening 412 can be covered and the portion of the flavor generating assembly 300 exposed at the first opening 411 or the second opening 412 can be protected.

[0064] 4, the flavor inhaler 200 may have a tactile switch 380 and a display unit 390. The tactile switch 380 has an ON state when pressed and an OFF state when not pressed, and is configured to generate different electrical signals in a circuit on the substrate 81 in the ON state and the OFF state. For example, the tactile switch 380 is configured to energize the circuit in the ON state and not energize the circuit in the OFF state. The tactile switch 380 functions as an input unit that accepts user input.

[0065] The display unit 390 has at least one of a light source such as a light-emitting diode and a screen made up of a plurality of pixels. In the illustrated example, the inner panel 510 has a through-hole 512 penetrating through it in its thickness direction, and the outer panel 520 has a window 522 at a position facing the through-hole 512 in its thickness direction. The display unit 390 is configured so that a translucent display window that forms an optical path is inserted into the through-hole 512, and is configured to emit light to the outside of the flavor inhaler 200 through the translucent window 522 of the outer panel 520.

[0066] In this embodiment, at least a portion of the inner panel 510 near the through-hole 512 and at least a portion of the outer panel 520 near the window 522 are configured to be elastically deformable by a user's pressure. Furthermore, the tactile switch 380 is disposed opposite the display unit 390 in the thickness direction of the inner panel 510, and is configured so that the tactile switch 380 switches between an ON state and an OFF state by a user's pressure.

[0067] Note that the flavor inhaler 200 may have any interface, such as a button or a touch panel, that accepts input from a user, instead of or in addition to the tactile switch 380. Furthermore, the configuration of the display unit 390 and the optical path is not particularly limited to the above example, as long as the user can obtain information via the display unit 390.

[0068] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the chamber 50. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the chamber 50 taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 5. Fig. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the chamber 50 taken along line 7A-7A in Fig. 6. Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the chamber 50 taken along line 7B-7B in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7B-7B in a state in which the flavor-generating article 100 has been placed at a desired position in the chamber 50.

[0069] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the chamber 50 may be a tubular member including a chamber opening 52 through which the flavor generating article 100 is inserted and a tubular sidewall 60 that houses the flavor generating article 100.

[0070] As shown in Figures 6 and 7B, the side wall portion 60 includes a contact portion 62 and a separation portion 66. When the flavor-generating article 100 is placed at a desired position in the chamber 50, the contact portion 62 contacts or presses against a portion of the flavor-generating article 100, and the separation portion 66 is separated from the flavor-generating article 100. In this disclosure, the "desired position in the chamber 50" refers to a position where the flavor-generating article 100 is appropriately heated, or the position of the flavor-generating article 100 when the user inhales the flavor. The contact portion 62 has an inner surface 62a and an outer surface 62b. The separation portion 66 has an inner surface 66a and an outer surface 66b. The heating portion 40 is placed on the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62. It is preferable that the heating portion 40 be placed on the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 without any gaps. The heating portion 40 may include an adhesive layer. In this case, it is preferable that the heating portion 40 including the adhesive layer is disposed on the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 without any gaps.

[0071] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 is flat. Because the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 is flat, when a strip-shaped electrode connected to the heating unit 40 is disposed on the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62, bending of the electrode can be suppressed. As shown in Figures 6 and 7B, the inner surface 62a of the contact portion 62 is flat. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6 and 7B, the thickness of the contact portion 62 is uniform.

[0072] 5 and 6, the chamber 50 preferably has a cylindrical non-retaining portion 54 between the chamber opening 52 and the side wall portion 60. When the flavor-generating article 100 is positioned at a desired position in the chamber 50, a gap may be formed between the non-retaining portion 54 and the flavor-generating article 100. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the chamber 50 preferably has a chamber guide portion 58 having a tapered surface 58a connecting the inner surface of the non-retaining portion 54 and the inner surface 62a of the contact portion 62.

[0073] 5, 6, and 7B, the chamber 50 has two contact portions 62 arranged in the circumferential direction of the chamber 50, and the two contact portions 62 face each other so as to be parallel to each other. It is preferable that at least a part of the distance between the inner surfaces 62a of the two contact portions 62 is smaller than the width of the portion of the flavor-generating article 100 inserted into the chamber 50 that is disposed between the contact portions 62.

[0074] 7B , the inner surface 66a of the separation portion 66 may have an overall arc-shaped cross section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) of the chamber 50. In addition, the separation portion 66 is disposed so as to be adjacent to the contact portion 62 in the circumferential direction.

[0075] 6 and 7A, a step 560 is formed in the bottom 56 of the chamber 50. The step 560 is configured to expose at least a portion of the end surface of the flavor-generating article 100. The bottom 56 can also support a portion of the flavor-generating article 100 so that the exposed end surface of the flavor-generating article 100 communicates with a void 67 (see FIG. 8), which will be described later. The shape of the step 560 is not limited to the shape shown in the drawings, as long as it is possible to introduce air into the flavor-generating article 100.

[0076] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken at the same position as Figure 7B with the flavor-generating article 100 placed at a desired position in the chamber 50. As shown in Figure 8, when the flavor-generating article 100 is placed at a desired position in the chamber 50, the flavor-generating article 100 can be pressed into contact with the contact portion 62 of the chamber 50. Meanwhile, a gap 67 is formed between the flavor-generating article 100 and the separation portion 66. The gap 67 can communicate with the chamber opening 52 and an end face of the flavor-generating article 100 positioned in the chamber 50. This allows air flowing in from the chamber opening 52 to pass through the gap 67 and enter the interior of the flavor-generating article 100. In other words, an air flow path (gap 67) is formed between the flavor-generating article 100 and the separation portion 66.

[0077] Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the flavor generating article 100. Fig. 10 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the flavor generating article 100. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10 , the flavor generating article 100 includes a flavor source 221 that generates a flavor, and a tip plug 112 arranged upstream of the flavor source 221. More specifically, in the illustrated example, the flavor generating article 100 includes, in order from the tip side (i.e., the side opposite the mouthpiece), the tip plug 112, a flavor generating section 220, a hollow tube section 132, a hollow filter 240, and a filter plug 250. These five components are connected using an outer plug wrap 280, an outer plug wrap 260, and tipping paper 270.

[0078] The flavor generating section 220 is disposed adjacent to and downstream of the tip plug 112. The flavor generating section 220 includes a flavor source 221 and a wrapping paper 222 around which the flavor source 221 is wrapped. The form of the flavor generating section 220 is not particularly limited as long as it is a known form, but typically, the flavor source 221 is wrapped in the wrapping paper 222. The flavor source 221 is wrapped in the wrapping paper 222 so that the flavor source 221 faces inward to form the flavor generating section 220.

[0079] The flavor source 221 may include at least one of a flavoring such as menthol and a natural material such as tobacco. The flavor source 221 may include a tobacco filler. The tobacco filler is not particularly limited and may include at least one of tobacco shreds and a tobacco sheet formed by processing tobacco shreds into a sheet. The flavor generating unit 220 may include an aerosol source. The type of aerosol source is not particularly limited, and extracts from various natural products and / or their constituent components may be selected depending on the application.

[0080] The configuration of the cigarette paper 222 used in the flavor-generating article 100 is not particularly limited and can be any common configuration. Specifically, for example, the cigarette paper can be primarily made of pulp. Pulp can be wood pulp such as softwood pulp or hardwood pulp, flax pulp, hemp pulp, sisal pulp, esparto, or other pulps commonly used in cigarette papers for tobacco products. The cigarette paper can be obtained by papermaking using one or more of these pulps. These pulps can be used alone or in combination of multiple types in any ratio. Pulp configurations that can be used include chemical pulp obtained by kraft cooking, acidic, neutral, or alkaline sulfite cooking, soda cooking, etc., ground pulp, chemi-ground pulp, and thermomechanical pulp.

[0081] 9 and 10 , the tip plug 112 is located at the tip of the flavor-generating article 100 and is configured to cover the end of the flavor source 221. This prevents the flavor source 221 from falling out of the flavor-generating article 100. Specifically, the tip plug 112 includes a first filler material 211 and a first inner plug wrap 212 that wraps around the first filler material 211. The tip plug 112 may further include an aerosol source supported by the first filler material 211.

[0082] The material of the first inner plug wrap 212 is not particularly limited, and known materials can be used. The first inner plug wrap 212 may contain a filler such as calcium carbonate. The thickness of the first inner plug wrap 212 is not particularly limited, and is typically 20 μm to 140 μm, preferably 30 μm to 130 μm, and more preferably 30 μm to 120 μm. The basis weight of the first inner plug wrap 212 is not particularly limited, and is typically 20 gsm to 100 gsm, preferably 22 gsm to 95 gsm, and more preferably 23 gsm to 90 gsm. The first inner plug wrap 212 may be coated or uncoated, but is preferably coated with a desired material to provide functions other than strength and structural rigidity.

[0083] 9 , the flavor-generating article 100 preferably has a downstream section 130 arranged downstream of the flavor source 221. In this case, the downstream section 130 can cool and filter the vapor or aerosol generated in the flavor source 221. Specifically, the downstream section 130 preferably includes a filter plug 250. This allows the filter plug 250 to cool and filter the vapor or aerosol generated in the flavor source 221.

[0084] The filter plug 250 is located at the end of the flavor-generating article 100 on the mouthpiece side. The filter plug 250 includes a second filler material 251 and a second inner plug wrap 252 around which the second filler material 251 is wound. The filter material used in the second filler material 251 is not particularly limited as long as it has a general filter function. Typical filter functions include, for example, adjusting the amount of air mixed in when inhaling aerosols, reducing flavors, and reducing nicotine and tar. However, the filter material used in the second filler material 251 does not need 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 filtering while preventing the tobacco filler from falling out.

[0085] The filter medium constituting the second filler 251 of the filter plug 250 may be, for example, one manufactured by the manufacturing method described below, or a commercially available product. The form of the filter plug 250 is not particularly limited, and may be a plain filter including a single filter segment, or a multi-segment filter including multiple filter segments, such as a dual filter or triple filter.

[0086] The second filler 251 constituting the filter plug 250 may be formed in any suitable form, and any known form may be used. For example, cellulose acetate tow processed into a cylindrical shape may be used as the second filler 251. In the case of a filter filled with cellulose acetate tow, triacetin may be added in an amount of 5% by weight or more and 10% by weight or less relative to the weight of the cellulose acetate tow to improve the filter hardness. Alternatively, a paper filter filled with sheet-shaped pulp paper may be used instead of the acetate filter.

[0087] To improve strength and structural rigidity, the filter plug 250 may include a second inner plug wrap 252 (wrap) around which the second filler 251 (described below) is wrapped. The second inner plug wrap 252 may include one or more rows of adhesive-containing seams. The adhesive may include, but is not limited to, a vinyl acetate adhesive or a hot melt adhesive, and the hot melt adhesive may include polyvinyl alcohol. When the filter segment is made up of two or more segments, the second inner plug wrap 252 is preferably wound around these two or more segments.

[0088] The material of the second inner plug wrap 252 is not particularly limited, and known materials can be used. The material may contain a filler such as calcium carbonate. The thickness of the second inner plug wrap 252 is not particularly limited, and is typically 20 μm to 140 μm, preferably 30 μm to 130 μm, and more preferably 30 μm to 120 μm. The basis weight of the second inner plug wrap 252 is not particularly limited, and is typically 20 gsm to 100 gsm, preferably 22 gsm to 95 gsm, and more preferably 23 gsm to 90 gsm. The second inner plug wrap 252 may be coated or uncoated, but is preferably coated with a desired material to provide functions other than strength and structural rigidity.

[0089] 9 and 10, the hollow filter 240 and the filter plug 250 may be connected by, for example, an outer plug wrap 260. The outer plug wrap 260 may be, for example, a cylindrical piece of paper.

[0090] The downstream section 130 may further include a hollow tube section 132 and a hollow filter 240. The hollow filter 240 is disposed adjacent to and downstream of the hollow tube section 132. The hollow filter 240 includes a filter medium 241 having one or more hollow sections, and a third inner plug wrap 242 around which the filter medium 241 is wound. The third inner plug wrap 242 is not particularly limited, and may be the same as the plug wrap used in cigarettes, for example. The third inner plug wrap 242 may be omitted. The hollow filter 240 may also be omitted.

[0091] The hollow tube portion 132 is sandwiched adjacent to the flavor generating portion 220 and the hollow filter 240 or the filter plug 250 (if the hollow filter 240 is not present), and is typically a rod-shaped member having a cavity in a circumferential cross section of a cylinder or the like that is hollow (hollow). The longitudinal length of the hollow tube portion 132 can be appropriately changed according to the size of the product, but is typically 15 mm or more, preferably 20 mm or more, and typically 40 mm or less, preferably 35 mm or less, and more preferably 30 mm or less. By setting the longitudinal length of the hollow tube portion 132 at or above the lower limit, a sufficient cooling effect can be ensured to obtain a good flavor, while by setting it at or below the upper limit, loss due to adhesion of the generated steam and aerosol to the inner wall of the hollow tube portion 132 can be suppressed.

[0092] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the hollow tube portion 132 may be provided with circumferential and concentric air vents (vf) (also referred to in the art as ventilation filters). The presence of the air vents (vf) allows air to flow into the hollow tube portion 132 from the outside during use, lowering the temperature of the components and air flowing in from the flavor generating section 220. The air vents (vf) may be provided in a region 4 mm or more toward the hollow tube portion 132 from the boundary between the hollow tube portion 132 and the hollow filter 240 or the filter plug 250 (if the hollow filter 240 is not present). In this case, the air vents (vf) not only improve the cooling capacity of the hollow tube portion 132 but also suppress the retention of components generated by heating within the hollow tube portion 132, thereby improving the delivery amount of the components. In addition, when an aerosol source is used in the flavor generating section 220, the vapor containing the aerosol source and tobacco flavor components generated when the flavor generating article 100 is heated comes into contact with air from the outside, lowers in temperature, and liquefies, thereby facilitating the generation of the aerosol.

[0093] The configuration of the outer plug wrap 280 is not particularly limited and can be any common configuration. Specifically, for example, the outer plug wrap 280 can be primarily made of pulp. Pulp can be wood pulp, such as softwood pulp or hardwood pulp, or pulp commonly used in cigarette paper for tobacco products, such as flax pulp, hemp pulp, sisal pulp, and esparto. The outer plug wrap 280 can be obtained by papermaking one or more of these pulps. These pulps can be used alone or in any combination of two or more types. Pulp types that can be used include chemical pulp obtained by kraft cooking, acidic, neutral, or alkaline sulfite cooking, and soda cooking, ground pulp, chemi-ground pulp, and thermomechanical pulp. Commercially available products may be used for the outer plug wrap 280. The shape of the outer plug wrap 280 is not particularly limited and can be, for example, square or rectangular. The outer plug wrap 280 may include at least one of fillers, additives, and coatings.

[0094] The configuration of the tipping paper 270 is not particularly limited and can be any common configuration. Specifically, for example, the tipping paper 270 can be primarily composed of pulp. Pulp can be wood pulp, such as softwood pulp or hardwood pulp, or pulp commonly used in cigarette paper for tobacco products, such as flax pulp, hemp pulp, sisal pulp, and esparto. The tipping paper 270 can be obtained by papermaking one or more of these pulps. These pulps can be used alone or in any combination of multiple types in any ratio. Pulp types that can be used include chemical pulps produced by kraft cooking, acidic, neutral, or alkaline sulfite cooking, and soda cooking, ground pulp, chemi-ground pulp, and thermomechanical pulp. Commercially available tipping paper 270 may be used. The shape of the tipping paper 270 is not particularly limited and can be, for example, square or rectangular. Furthermore, flavor generating article 100 may have one sheet of tipping paper 270, or may have multiple sheets of tipping paper 270. Tipping paper 270 may contain at least one of a filler, an auxiliary agent, a coating agent, and a lip release material that helps a user to easily separate tipping paper 270 from their lips without substantial adhesion when they hold the mouthpiece of flavor generating article 100 between their mouths.

[0095] Next, the connection manner of each element constituting the flavor generating article 100 will be described. In FIG. 9 , gaps are provided between the elements to make the connection easier to see. However, in an actual flavor generating article 100, the elements are adjacent to each other without any gaps, as shown in FIG. 10 . In the flavor generating article 100 shown in FIG. 9 , the five elements are connected using an outer plug wrap 280, an outer plug wrap 260, and tipping paper 270. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9 , the outer plug wrap 280 connects the tip plug 112, the flavor generating section 220, and the hollow tube section 132. Here, the outer plug wrap 280 is wrapped around the tip plug 112, the flavor generating section 220, and a portion of the hollow tube section 132 to cover them entirely. This connected body is referred to as a first connected body 285. Furthermore, the outer plug wrap 260 connects the hollow filter 240 and the filter plug 250 by wrapping around them to cover them entirely. This connected body is referred to as a second connected body 265. Furthermore, tipping paper 270 connects the first connector 285 and the second connector 265. Here, the tipping paper 270 covers the entire second connector 265 and a portion of the first connector 285, leaving the first connector 285 exposed at the upstream end. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 9 , the outer plug wrap 280 does not cover the hollow tube portion 132 to the downstream end, leaving the hollow tube portion 132 exposed at the downstream end. However, the outer plug wrap 280 may cover the hollow tube portion 132 to the downstream end. In this case, it is preferable that the outer plug wrap 280 and the tipping paper 270 have an opening located directly above the ventilation hole vf provided in the hollow tube portion 132. As a result, it is preferable that the ventilation hole vf be provided so as to penetrate the tipping paper 270, the outer plug wrap 280, and the hollow tube portion 132.

[0096] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a flavor generating article 100 according to another embodiment. The flavor generating article 100 shown in FIG. 11 differs from the flavor generating article 100 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 only in the manner of connection. In the flavor generating article 100 shown in FIG. 11, five components are connected using an outer plug wrap 280, an outer plug wrap 260, and tipping paper 270. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the outer plug wrap 280 connects the tip plug 112 and the flavor generating section 220 by wrapping them together so as to cover their entirety. This connected body is referred to as a first connected body 285. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the outer plug wrap 260 connects the hollow filter 240 and the filter plug 250 by wrapping them together so as to cover their entirety. This connected body is referred to as a second connected body 265. Furthermore, the tipping paper 270 connects the first connected body 285, the hollow tube section 132, and the second connected body 265. Here, the tipping paper 270 covers the entire hollow tube portion 132 and the second connecting body 265 and a portion of the first connecting body 285, leaving the first connecting body 285 exposed at the upstream end. Five components may be connected in the form shown in Fig. 11. Note that, in Fig. 11, the outer plug wrap 280 covers the flavor generating section 220 up to the downstream end, but the flavor generating section 220 may not be covered all the way to the downstream end, leaving the flavor generating section 220 exposed at the downstream end.

[0097] The form of the flavor generating article 100 is not particularly limited to the above-described example, as long as the flavor generating article 100 inserted into the flavor inhaler 200 can be heated by the heating unit 40 and can generate a flavor. For example, the flavor generating article 100 does not need to have a tip plug 112.

[0098] As shown in Fig. 1 , when the flavor generating article 100 is properly inserted into the chamber 50 of the flavor inhaler 200, a portion of the flavor generating article 100 may be exposed to the outside of the flavor inhaler 200. Specifically, in the state shown in Fig. 1 , all or a portion of the second connecting body 265 shown in Fig. 9 or 11 may be exposed to the outside of the flavor inhaler 200. Furthermore, in the state shown in Fig. 1 , a portion of the hollow tube portion 132 shown in Fig. 9 or 11 may be exposed to the outside of the flavor inhaler 200. In this case, the vent hole vf formed in the hollow tube portion 132 may be exposed to the outside of the flavor inhaler 200, or may be located inside the flavor inhaler 200 (upstream of the insertion port 210 through which the flavor generating article 100 is inserted). It is preferable that the vent hole vf formed in the hollow tube portion 132 be located inside the flavor inhaler 200, since this makes it less likely for the user to block the vent hole vf.

[0099] 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the chamber 50 and the insertion guide member 34, taken parallel to the insertion direction of the flavor-generating article 100. The cylindrical insertion guide member 34 is located on the insertion opening 210 side of the chamber 50, and the interior of the insertion guide member 34 communicates with the interior of the chamber 50. The flavor inhaler 200 may have a cylindrical gasket 36 disposed radially outward with respect to the central axis Ax1 of the chamber 50, at the end of the chamber 50 on the chamber opening 52 side. The gasket 36 has a rib 37 on its inner circumferential surface on the chamber 50 side, and a protruding portion 53 protruding radially outward from the tip of the chamber 50 on the chamber opening 52 side is supported by the rib 37. The protruding portion 53 is further pressed by the end face of the insertion guide member 34 from the side opposite the rib 37 in the insertion direction.

[0100] The flavor inhaler 200 may have a sealing member 38 located between the gasket 36 and the insertion guide member 34. This makes it possible to prevent undesirable components, such as sidestream smoke, generated by heating by the heating unit 40 from adversely affecting the internal equipment of the flavor inhaler 200. The sealing member 38 is preferably disposed in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the gasket 36 and the outer circumferential surface of the insertion guide member 34. From the viewpoint of low gas permeability, the sealing member 38 preferably contains fluororubber, and is more preferably an O-ring containing fluororubber.

[0101] 13 and 14 are a side cross-sectional view and a bottom view showing an example of the insertion guide member 34. The insertion guide member 34 has a pair of first protrusions 334A and a pair of second protrusions 334B. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the insertion guide member 34 cut along the central axis Ax1, showing the arrangement of the first protrusions 334A and the second protrusions 334B in the insertion direction of the flavor-generating article 100. FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the insertion guide member 34, showing the arrangement of the first protrusions 334A and the second protrusions 334B in the circumferential direction of the flavor-generating article 100. As in the illustrated example, the chamber 50 and the insertion guide member 34 are preferably arranged coaxially. Separately arranging the first protrusions 334A and the second protrusions 334B reduces the area of ​​contact between the flavor-generating article 100 and the insertion guide member 34. This makes it possible to prevent the flavor-generating article 100 from breaking or bending when the flavor-generating article 100 is pulled out after the flavor has been inhaled.

[0102] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the first protrusions 334A and the second protrusions 334B have different shapes. As shown in Figure 13, the pair of first protrusions 334A extend along the central axis Ax1, and in a cross section passing through the central axis Ax1 of the insertion guide member 34, the first protrusions 334A have inclined portions 336 that approach the central axis Ax1 as they move toward the chamber 50 in the insertion direction. The inclined portions 336 may be substantially linear or arc-shaped. It is preferable that the inclined portions 336 have a convex shape that extends radially inward. The first protrusions 334A press and grip the inserted flavor-generating article 100 from both sides.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 14 , the pair of second protrusions 334B have inner circumferential surfaces curved along an imaginary circle 326 centered on the central axis Ax1. As such, the second protrusions 334B preferably have a concave shape extending radially inward. The second protrusions 334B limit the angle of the flavor-generating article 100 when the flavor-generating article 100 is pulled out after flavor inhalation, thereby preventing the flavor-generating article 100 from breaking or bending. To avoid excessively restricting the angle of the flavor-generating article 100, making it difficult to remove, the radius of the imaginary circle 326 is preferably larger than the radius of the flavor-generating article 100. The insertion guide member 34 may be configured in any manner as long as the flavor-generating article 100 can be inserted into the chamber 50 and flavor inhalation is possible.

[0104] Fig. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view including the heating unit 40 and the chamber 50. Fig. 15 shows a cross section parallel to the insertion direction of the flavor-generating article 100. Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the insertion direction along arrows 16-16 shown in Fig. 15. As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the atomizing unit 30 has a first heat insulating section 361 that constitutes the heat insulating section 32, a sealing section 362, a fixing section 363, and a sensor 391.

[0105] The first heat insulating section 361 is disposed so as to cover at least a portion of the chamber 50, and suppresses heat radiation to the outside of the chamber 50. The first heat insulating section 361 has a multilayer structure in which heat-resistant sheet-like heat insulating members 364 are wound in multiple layers around the cylindrical portion of the chamber 50. Here, the sheet-like heat insulating members 364 are glass fiber sheets containing aerogel particles, for example, formed by applying aerogel ink to a glass fiber sheet and drying it, and have a heat resistance temperature of approximately 350°C and a thermal conductivity of approximately 25 mW / mK.

[0106] Aerogel has internal pores that are divided into spaces smaller than the mean free path of air (approximately 70 nm), preventing air convection and suppressing heat conduction. The average pore diameter is preferably approximately 50 nm or less. Aerogel also has low density, suppressing heat conduction. That is, aerogel achieves high thermal insulation due to the above structure. Aerogel may include, for example, silica aerogel, carbon aerogel, or a porous structure made of fumed silica.

[0107] Here, the innermost surface of the first heat insulating section 361 contacts the chamber 50 and / or the heating section 40, and the outermost surface of the first heat insulating section 361 is separated from the inner surface of the case section 400. The first heat insulating section 361 has a multilayer structure in which one sheet-like heat insulating member 364 having a thickness of 1 mm or less, for example 0.5 mm, is wound continuously in six layers around the cylindrical section of the chamber 50.

[0108] That is, the first heat insulating section 361 is formed by first contacting one end of the sheet-shaped heat insulating member 364 with the outer peripheral surface of the prepared chamber 50 and / or heating section 40, and then continuously wrapping the sheet-shaped heat insulating member 364 around the cylindrical portion of the chamber 50 up to six layers. Here, the first heat insulating section 361 may have a multi-layer structure in which the sheet-shaped heat insulating member 364 is wrapped in, for example, three to seven layers.

[0109] The sealing portion 362 is disposed to cover both ends of the first insulating portion 361 in the longitudinal direction of the flavor inhaler 200. The sealing portion 362 prevents air from entering the first insulating portion 361. The sealing portion 362 may be, for example, a sponge washer formed of a foam with a closed-cell structure that prevents air from passing through. A sponge washer formed of a foam with a closed-cell structure has a certain degree of softness, thereby improving fit compared to a case where a silicone ring or the like is used as the sealing portion 362. Furthermore, using a sponge washer formed of a foam with a closed-cell structure as the sealing portion 362 can prevent powder from falling off the first insulating portion 361 compared to a foam with an open-cell structure. The material of the sponge washer constituting the sealing portion 362 is not particularly limited and may include, for example, a resin such as silicone resin. The sponge washer constituting the sealing portion 362 may have a notch formed therein to facilitate attachment.

[0110] The fixing portion 363 is disposed so as to cover the first heat insulating portion 361 and the sealing portion 362, and fixes the first heat insulating portion 361 and the sealing portion 362. The fixing portion 363 may be, for example, a heat shrink tube or a resin film such as a PI (polyimide) film. The fixing portion 363 presses and fixes the first heat insulating portion 361 and the sealing portion 362 to the chamber 50. The fixing portion 363 is not shown in FIG. 15 .

[0111] The sensor 391 is disposed between the layers of the first insulating section 361 and measures the temperature of the chamber 50. The sensor 391 may be a temperature sensor such as a thermistor or a thermocouple. The temperature of the chamber 50 detected by the sensor 391 is output to the control unit 80 to control heating of the flavor-generating article 100 by the atomizing unit 30. As shown in FIG. 15 , the sensor 391 has a lead 392 electrically connected to the control unit 80. The lead 392 extending from between the layers of the first insulating section 361 may be pressed toward the chamber 50 by the sealing section 362. By pressing the lead 392 toward the chamber 50 by the sealing section 362, the sealing section 362 holds the lead 392. Therefore, even if a force is applied to the lead 392, the lead 392 can be prevented from moving and causing deformation of the first insulating section 361.

[0112] In addition, as long as the heating unit 40 can heat the flavor-generating article 100 inserted into the flavor inhaler 200 and the user can inhale the flavor, the aspects of the first insulating unit 361 and the sealing unit 362, etc. are not particularly limited to the above-mentioned examples.

[0113] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the flavor generating assembly 300. FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing an intermediate body 700 consisting of the flavor generating assembly 300 and a case unit 400 in which the flavor generating assembly 300 is housed. As shown in FIG. 17 , the flavor generating assembly 300 includes a power supply unit 20, an atomizing unit 30, a control unit 80, terminals 90, a chassis 310, a bracket 320, and a flexible printed circuit (FPC) 330. The flavor generating assembly 300 compactly integrates multiple components of the flavor inhaler 200, thereby making the flavor inhaler 200 more compact and facilitating assembly of the flavor inhaler 200. While there are no particular limitations on which components of the flavor inhaler 200 should be included in the flavor generating assembly 300, it is preferable that the flavor generating assembly 300 include the heating unit 40 and the control unit 80, and more preferably, at least one of the power supply unit 20 and the chamber 50. Since the power supply unit 20 and the chamber 50 are components with a relatively large volume in the flavor inhaler 200, by integrating them into the flavor generating assembly 300, the flavor inhaler 200 can be configured more compactly.

[0114] 18 , in the flavor inhaler 200, the flavor generating assembly 300 is positioned to face the first opening 411 in the longitudinal direction of the outer case 410 and to face the second opening 412 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the outer case 410. This allows the flavor generating assembly 300 to be easily inserted into the case 400 with a simple configuration while preventing adverse effects caused by contact between the case 400 and components arranged on the second opening 412 side of the flavor generating assembly 300.

[0115] 17, the flavor generating assembly 300 has a central axis Ax2 extending in the longitudinal direction. As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 17, the communication element 82 is located closer to the second opening 412 than the central axis Ax2. This allows electromagnetic waves from the communication element 82 to easily pass through the second opening 412, further reducing the risk of communication being interrupted by the case 400 or the like.

[0116] 18 , the substrate 81 is preferably disposed on the second opening 412 side of the flavor generating assembly 300. The substrate 81 is preferably located on the second opening 412 side of the central axis Ax2 in the flavor generating assembly 300. This prevents adverse effects such as damage to the elements of the control unit 80 due to contact with the case unit 400 when inserting the flavor generating assembly 300 into the case unit 400. Furthermore, even if the communication element 82 ( FIG. 3 ) is disposed near the substrate 81, the risk of communication being interrupted by the case unit 400 or the like can be reduced, allowing the flavor inhaler 200 to be made compact.

[0117] The chassis 310 functions as a support for each part of the flavor generating assembly 300. The material constituting the chassis 310 is not particularly limited, but the chassis 310 may include resin such as PC, metal, or the like.

[0118] The bracket 320 is configured to hold a member such as the substrate 81 and to prevent deviation. In the illustrated example, the bracket 320 is attached to the chassis 310. The material constituting the bracket 320 is not particularly limited, but the bracket 320 may include a metal such as stainless steel. The bracket 320 may be configured to cover a portion of the substrate 81.

[0119] In the illustrated example, the leads from the heating unit 40, the battery 21, the substrate 81, and the terminals 90 are electrically connected via the FPC 330. Use of the FPC 330 can make the flavor generating assembly 300 lighter and more compact. The FPC 330 can be electrically connected to any electrical and electronic components of the flavor generating assembly 300.

[0120] 19 is a front view of the outer case 410, FIG. 20 is a side view of the outer case 410, and FIG. 21 is a plan view of the outer case 410. The outer case 410 has an opening 413, which is an opening that connects a first opening 411 formed at a first end 414 of the outer case 410 with a second opening 412 formed at a side surface 415. The side surface 415 is formed to surround a central axis Ax3 extending in the longitudinal direction of the outer case 410, and defines the outer peripheral surface of the outer case 410.

[0121] The first opening 411 is formed at the first end 414 so that the central axis Ax3 passes through the first opening 411. In other words, the first opening 411 opens in the longitudinal direction toward the upper member 204. The first opening 411 is located on the end surface of the first end 414, and as shown in FIG. 20 , the end surface is formed so as to intersect with the central axis Ax3.

[0122] The first opening 411 has a dimension that allows the flavor generating assembly 300 to be inserted into the outer case 410 through the first opening 411. The maximum width of the first opening 411 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is preferably greater than the maximum width of the flavor generating assembly 300 in the same direction. The first opening 411 is preferably configured to allow the flavor generating assembly 300 to be inserted in the longitudinal direction.

[0123] The second opening 412 has a dimension that prevents the flavor generating assembly 300 inserted into the outer case 410 from falling out through the second opening 412. This allows the flavor generating assembly 300 inserted into the outer case 410 through the first opening 411 to be stably held within the case part 400, facilitating subsequent assembly work.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 19 , the width of the second opening 412, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the outer case 410, is defined as a first width W1. The direction in which this first width W1 is measured is defined as the width direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 17 , the width of the flavor generating assembly 300 in this width direction is defined as a second width W2. At a certain position in the longitudinal direction of the outer case 410, the first width W1 is preferably smaller than the second width W2. This more reliably prevents the flavor generating assembly 300 inserted into the outer case 410 from falling through the second opening 412. For example, the first width W1 may be smaller than the second width W2 at the position in the longitudinal direction where the chamber 50, the substrate 81, the chassis 310, or the power supply unit 20 are located. The outer case 410 may have at least one protrusion protruding in the width direction from the side wall 415 along the second opening 412. For example, the protrusions may be provided so as to protrude in the width direction from the opening end of the side wall 415 that contacts the second opening 412. The position and shape of the protrusions are not particularly limited, but they are preferably provided on both sides of the second opening 412 in the width direction, and a pair of such protrusions may be provided at one or more positions in the insertion direction. This configuration can further prevent the flavor generating assembly 300 from falling off the case portion 400 and can also prevent the inner panel 510 from penetrating into the outer case 410 due to impact, etc.

[0125] 19 , the second opening 412 extends from the first end 414 to the second end 416. The second opening 412 preferably extends in the longitudinal direction of the outer case 410. The longitudinal length of the outer case 410 is defined as a first length L1, and the longitudinal length of the second opening 412 is defined as a second length L2. The position of the upper end of the second opening 412 can be set to, for example, an upper limit height that can be set so that the flavor generating assembly 300 does not pass through the second opening 412 when inserted.

[0126] The second length L2 is preferably greater than 50% of the first length L1, more preferably greater than 60%, even more preferably greater than 70%, and even more preferably greater than 80%. The longer the second length L2, the more reliably the components of the flavor generating assembly 300 located on the second opening 412 side can be prevented from being damaged or otherwise adversely affected by contact with the case 400 when the flavor generating assembly 300 is inserted into the case 400. To protect the substrate 81 and its surrounding elements, the second opening 412 may extend beyond the tip of the second end 416 of the substrate 81 toward the second end 416. From the same perspective, the second length L2 may be set based on the position of the substrate 81.

[0127] 19 , the outer case 410 may have a third connecting portion 417. In the illustrated example, the third connecting portion 417 is a recess formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer case 410, and is configured to fit with a protrusion (not shown) formed on the outer circumferential surface of the inner case 420. As described above, the form of the third connecting portion 417 is not particularly limited, and it may be connected to another member by engagement, fastening, or the like.

[0128] 21 , the outer case 410 may have a terminal insertion opening 419 into which an external terminal to be connected to the terminal 90 is inserted. The terminal insertion opening 419 is formed at the second end 416. The position and size of the terminal insertion opening 419 are not particularly limited. For example, the terminal insertion opening 419 may be formed at the side surface 415.

[0129] FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view including the upper member 204 and the lid 208. The lid 208 is configured to be movable in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the flavor-generating article 100. As shown in FIG. 22, the upper member 204 may have a cap portion 207 and an upper base portion 209. The upper member 204 constitutes at least a part of the housing of the flavor inhaler 200. The upper member 204 may also be referred to as a first-end member disposed on the first end 414 side of the outer case 410. Hereinafter, in the insertion direction of the flavor-generating article 100, the side where the insertion opening 210 is disposed (the positive side of the Z axis) is referred to as the upper side, and the side where the second end 416 of the outer case 410 is disposed (the negative side of the Z axis) is referred to as the lower side. In the illustrated example, a protrusion 814 (described later) of the lid 208 is positioned between the cap portion 207 and the upper base portion 209, thereby limiting the movement of the lid 208 in the insertion direction. This allows the upper base 209 to have a simpler configuration than when a slider that movably supports the lid is provided on the upper base, and the flavor inhaler 200 can be made more compact.

[0130] The material of the cap portion 207 is not particularly limited and may include at least one of metal and resin. The metal included in the cap portion 207 may be aluminum, magnesium, titanium, or an alloy including aluminum, magnesium, or titanium. The cap portion 207 may include, for example, anodized aluminum. The cap portion 207 and the upper base portion 209 may define a recess in which at least a portion of the lid 208 is accommodated (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ). As shown in FIG. 22 , the cap portion 207 may have a cap opening 206, which may be an opening of the recess.

[0131] The material of the upper base 209 is not particularly limited and may include at least one of resin and metal. When the lid 208 has a magnet 850 as described below, the upper base 209 preferably does not include a material that shields magnetism. The upper base 209 may include, for example, PC. As shown in FIG. 22 , the upper base 209 preferably defines an insertion opening 210 for the flavor-generating article 100. The upper base 209 may also have a support surface 290 that supports the lid 208, and the support surface 290 may include the bottom surface of the recess in the upper member 204. The support surface 290 can limit movement of the lid 208 in the insertion direction.

[0132] Fig. 23 is a perspective view showing the lid 208 according to this embodiment. Fig. 24 is a plan view of the upper base 209 with the lid 208 placed on a support surface 290. As shown in Fig. 23, the lid 208 may be formed as a lid assembly 800 made up of multiple members, which will be described below. As shown in Fig. 23, the lid assembly 800 may have a cover 810, a movable member 820, and an abutment portion 830. The movable member 820 may have a first movable member 821 and a second movable member 822.

[0133] In the examples shown in Figures 22 and 24, the lid assembly 800 is configured to move approximately in the longitudinal direction of the device (X-axis direction) with a slight downward tilt. In Figure 24, the movement direction of the lid assembly 800 is schematically indicated by arrow Ar1. In the example shown in Figure 24, the lid assembly 800 is disposed in a closed position. When the lid assembly 800 is moved to the positive X-axis direction, it becomes an open position in which the insertion opening 210 is exposed and the flavor-generating article 100 can be inserted. Hereinafter, the term "movement direction" simply refers to the movement direction of the lid assembly 800, and the direction perpendicular to the movement direction and the insertion direction of the flavor-generating article 100 is referred to as the lateral direction. The movement direction of the lid assembly 800 is not particularly limited to the illustrated example. In Figure 23 and Figure 25 described below, for ease of understanding, coordinate axes are set using an example in which the movement direction is the X-axis and the lateral direction is the Y-axis.

[0134] In the flavor inhaler 200 according to this embodiment, the upper member 204, which is a housing, has an insertion opening 210, which is an opening through which the flavor generating article 100 can be inserted, and the lid assembly 800 can be configured to be movable between a closed position that covers at least a portion of the insertion opening 210 and an open position through which the flavor generating article 100 can be inserted into the insertion opening 210. This can prevent foreign matter from entering through the insertion opening 210. Furthermore, because the lid assembly 800 has the movable member 820 and the biasing member 860, which will be described later, the flavor inhaler 200 can be made smaller while enabling the insertion opening 210 for the flavor generating article 100 to be opened and closed more stably.

[0135] The cover 810 protects the components included in the lid assembly 800. The material of the cover 810 is not particularly limited and may include at least one of metal and resin. The metal included in the cover 810 may be aluminum, magnesium, titanium, or an alloy including aluminum, magnesium, or titanium. The cover 810 may include, for example, anodized aluminum. As shown in FIG. 23 , the cover 810 may have a cover main body 811 and a protrusion 814.

[0136] 23 , the cover body 811 may have an upper plate 812 and a cover side wall 813. The upper plate 812 is preferably configured to allow a user to move the lid assembly 800 while touching the upper plate 812 with their fingers. The cover side wall 813 is preferably configured to surround each component inside the lid assembly 800. The shape of the cover body 811 is not particularly limited, and for example, the entire cover body 811 may be configured with a curved surface.

[0137] The protrusion 814 is configured to cover a portion of the abutting portion 830 from the standpoint of aesthetics or protection of the abutting portion 830. As shown in Fig. 23 , the protrusion 814 may include protrusions 814A, 814B, 814C, and 814D. As shown in Fig. 24 , the protrusions 814A and 814B may protrude laterally from the cover side wall 813 and be located on both sides of the first movable member 821 in the movement direction. The protrusions 814C and 814D may protrude laterally from the cover side wall 813 and be located on both sides of the second movable member 822 in the movement direction.

[0138] The protrusion 814A is located above a contact portion 830A (described later) and on the opposite side of the contact portion 830A from the first movable member 821 in the movement direction. The protrusion 814B is located above a contact portion 830B (described later) and on the opposite side of the contact portion 830B from the first movable member 821 in the movement direction. The protrusion 814C is located above a contact portion 830C (described later) and on the opposite side of the contact portion 830C from the second movable member 822 in the movement direction. The protrusion 814D is located above a contact portion 830D (described later) and on the opposite side of the contact portion 830D from the second movable member 822 in the movement direction. Note that while four protrusions 814 are shown in the illustrated example, the number of protrusions 814 is not particularly limited and can be one to three or five or more.

[0139] The side wall of the protrusion 814A opposite the first movable member 821 in the movement direction may abut against the open position stopper 715 ( FIG. 24 ) in the open position. The side wall of the protrusion 814C opposite the second movable member 822 in the movement direction may abut against the open position stopper 725 in the open position. At least one of the open position stoppers 715 and 725 may be an inner wall of the upper base 209. In this manner, a configuration may be adopted in which the movement of the lid assembly 800 in the open position is limited by the abutment of the side wall of the protrusion 814 closest to the open position with the open position stopper 715, 725. This more reliably limits the movement of the lid assembly 800 in the open position, thereby enabling, for example, more stable detection of the magnet 850 in the open position.

[0140] The side wall of the protrusion 814B opposite the first movable member 821 in the movement direction may abut against the closed position stopper 716 in the closed position. The side wall of the protrusion 814D opposite the second movable member 822 in the movement direction may abut against the closed position stopper 726 in the closed position. At least one of the closed position stoppers 716 and 726 may be an inner wall of the upper base 209. In this manner, the movement of the lid assembly 800 in the movement direction in the closed position may be limited by the abutment of the side wall of the protrusion 814 closest to the closed position with the closed position stopper 716 or 726. This more reliably limits the movement of the lid assembly 800 in the closed position and prevents adverse effects, such as the insertion opening 210 not being fully covered. It is preferable that the insertion opening 210 be completely covered in the closed position. This prevents an unnatural impression or poor aesthetics.

[0141] Note that the cover body 811 may be configured to abut against a stopper in the open position or the closed position to limit the movement of the lid assembly 800. However, by configuring the cover body 811 not to abut against a stopper and the protrusion 814 to abut against the open position stopper 715, 725 or the closed position stopper 716, 726 in at least one of the open position and the closed position, it is possible to prevent the surface of the cover body 811 from wearing out and impairing the aesthetic appearance. Here, it is considered that surface wear of the protrusion 814 is less noticeable than that of the cover body 811.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 24 , the upper base 209 may have a guide portion 7. The guide portion 7 may include a pair of guide portions 7, a first guide portion 710 and a second guide portion 720, located on either side of the lid assembly 800 in the lateral direction. As shown in FIG. 24 , the first guide portion 710 and the second guide portion 720 may be formed to extend in the movement direction and face each other in the lateral direction. The guide portion 7 is preferably a groove formed in the outer surface of the upper base 209, which is the housing. This allows the lid assembly 800 to be guided using a simple configuration by utilizing the shape of the groove.

[0143] The abutting portion 830 ( FIG. 23 ) is configured to be movable along the guide portion 7. The abutting portion 830 may be configured to abut against the guide portion 7, thereby restricting lateral movement of the lid assembly 800. Preferably, the abutting portion 830 slidably abuts against the guide portion 7. As shown in FIG. 24 , the abutting portion 830 may be formed to protrude laterally from the cover side wall 813. The abutting portion 830 may be configured so as not to always abut against the guide portion 7. At least one of the abutting portion 830 and the movable member 820 may be configured to abut against the guide portion 7. This allows for more flexible design and reduces the need to precisely mold the abutting portion 830 and the movable member 820, thereby enabling efficient manufacturing of the lid assembly 800 and the upper member 204.

[0144] As shown in FIG. 23 , the abutment portion 830 may have abutment portions 830A, 830B, 830C, and 830D. As shown in FIG. 23 , the abutment portions 830A and 830B may be located on both sides of the first movable member 821 in the direction of movement. The abutment portions 830C and 830D may be located on both sides of the second movable member 822 in the direction of movement. The abutment portions 830 extend from a lid base 840 ( FIG. 25 ), which will be described later, but the form of the abutment portions 830 is not particularly limited and they may be formed on the cover 810. Note that while the illustrated example shows four abutment portions 830, the number of abutment portions 830 is not particularly limited and may be one to three or five or more.

[0145] Figure 25 is a plan view of the lid assembly 800 without the cover 810. The lid assembly 800 has a biasing member 860 that biases the movable member 820. The movable member 820 and the biasing member 860 are attached to the lid assembly 800 so as to move integrally with the lid assembly 800. Here, the phrase "moving integrally with" a member means that the member moves along with the movement of the lid assembly 800 and is not supported in contact with any part of the flavor inhaler 200 other than the lid assembly 800. As can be seen from Figures 24 and 25, the movable member 820 may be configured to move integrally with the lid assembly 800 in the movement direction while also being movable relative to the lid assembly 800 in a direction intersecting the movement direction. Here, "movable relative to the lid assembly 800" means that the movable member 820 is movable relative to parts of the lid assembly 800 other than the movable member 820, or relative to a central axis extending perpendicular to the movement direction and lateral direction of the lid assembly 800. The movable member 820 may be movable relative to the biasing member 860 or the lid base 840 .

[0146] 25 , the lid assembly 800 may have a lid base 840 that supports the movable member 820 and the biasing member 860. The lid base 840 may support at least one of the first movable member 821, the second movable member 822, and the biasing member 860. The lid base 840 may be configured to support the movable member 820 and the biasing member 860 on its upper surface, and to abut the support surface 290 of the upper base 209 on its lower surface.

[0147] As shown in FIG. 25 , the biasing member 860 is configured to bias the movable member 820 in a biasing direction (corresponding to an example of a second direction) intersecting the movement direction (corresponding to an example of a first direction) of the lid assembly 800. As shown in FIG. 24 , the movable member 820 is biased to abut against the guide portion 7, thereby limiting the movement of the lid assembly 800. The movable member 820 is preferably configured to be movable along the guide portion 7. This allows the movement of the lid assembly 800 to be adjusted by utilizing the abutment between the guide portion 7 and the movable member 820. For example, by utilizing the fact that the lid assembly 800 moves while the biased movable member 820 is in contact with the wall surface of the guide portion 7, the lid assembly 800 is less likely to deviate from a desired position, such as the open position or the closed position. As shown in FIG. 25 , the biasing direction of the biasing member 860 is preferably approximately perpendicular to the movement direction of the lid assembly 800, more preferably approximately perpendicular to the movement direction and the insertion direction of the flavor-generating article 100, and even more preferably horizontal. This allows the movement of the lid assembly 800 to be adjusted more stably.

[0148] In this embodiment, the biasing member 860 biases the movable member 820 in a biasing direction intersecting the movement direction, which allows for a more flexible configuration compared to, for example, a configuration in which the biasing member directly abuts against the guide portion 7. For example, because the biasing member 860 does not need to abut against the guide portion 7, a material and shape more suitable for biasing can be selected. Furthermore, because the material and shape of the movable member 820 do not necessarily need to be elastic, a material and shape suitable for movably, particularly slidably, abutting against the guide portion 7 can be selected. In this embodiment, the mechanisms for sliding the biasing member 860, the movable member 820, etc. are located outside the housing formed by the upper member 204, particularly inside the lid assembly 800, which allows the flavor inhaler 200 to be configured compactly.

[0149] As shown in FIG. 25 , the lid assembly 800 may have a pair of movable members 820, consisting of a first movable member 821 and a second movable member 822. The first movable member 821 and the second movable member 822 may be disposed on either side of the lid assembly 800 in the biasing direction. This allows the lid assembly 800 to receive resistance from both sides of the lid assembly 800 via the movable members 820, thereby enabling the lid assembly 800 to move more stably. As shown in FIG. 25 , the first movable member 821 and the second movable member 822 may have gaps C1 and C2 between them and the lid base 840 in the biasing direction. The first movable member 821 and the second movable member 822 may be configured to be movable in the biasing direction by the width of the gap C1 and the width of the gap C2, respectively.

[0150] As shown in Figure 25, the movable member 820 may be plate-shaped and extend in the movement direction and the lateral direction. The shape of the movable member 820 is not particularly limited as long as it can move integrally with the lid assembly 800 and can move in the biasing direction relative to the lid assembly 800. The material of the movable member 820 is not particularly limited and may include at least one of resin and metal, and preferably includes at least one of polyoxymethylene (POM) and PC. From the viewpoints of wear resistance and reducing noise generated when the lid assembly 800 moves, POM is more preferred for the movable member 820.

[0151] 24 , the first guide portion 710 may have an intermediate portion 711, a closed position recess 712, and an open position recess 713. The second guide portion 720 may have an intermediate portion 721, a closed position recess 722, and an open position recess 723. The intermediate portion 711, the closed position recess 712, and the open position recess 713 may be positioned to laterally face the intermediate portion 721, the closed position recess 722, and the open position recess 723, respectively.

[0152] 26A and 26B are schematic cross-sectional views of the upper base 209 parallel to the XY plane at a position in the Z-axis direction where the guide unit 7 is located. In the example of FIG. 26A , the closed position recess 712 is a recess in the side wall constituting the first guide unit 710 against which the first movable member 821 abuts when the lid assembly 800 is in the closed position. The open position recess 713 is a recess in the side wall constituting the first guide unit 710 against which the first movable member 821 abuts when the lid assembly 800 is in the open position. The intermediate portion 711 is located between the closed position recess 712 and the open position recess 713 in the movement direction, and the side wall constituting the intermediate portion 711 is offset toward the lid assembly 800 from at least one of the closed position recess 712 and the open position recess 713. It is preferable that the first movable member 821 be located in the closed position recess 712 and the open position recess 713 in the open position. This prevents the lid assembly 800 from shifting from the open or closed position due to unintentional contact or impact by the user.

[0153] 26B , the closed position recess 722 is a recess in the side wall that constitutes the second guide portion 720 against which the second movable member 822 abuts when the lid assembly 800 is in the closed position. The open position recess 723 is a recess in the side wall that constitutes the second guide portion 720 against which the second movable member 822 abuts when the lid assembly 800 is in the open position. The intermediate portion 721 is located between the closed position recess 722 and the open position recess 723 in the movement direction, and the side wall that constitutes the intermediate portion 721 is offset toward the lid assembly 800 from at least one of the closed position recess 722 and the open position recess 723. It is preferable that the second movable member 822 be located in the closed position recess 722 in the closed position and in the open position recess 723 in the open position.

[0154] As shown in FIG. 26A , the first guide portion 710 may have an inclined surface 714A between the intermediate portion 711 and the closed position recess 712 in the movement direction. The inclined surface 714A may be inclined with respect to the movement direction and the lateral direction so as to face the closed position. The inclined surface 714A can guide the biased first movable member 821 abutting against the inclined surface 714A toward the closed position. This provides a force returning the lid assembly 800 to the closed position when the lid assembly 800 is displaced from the closed position due to unintentional contact or impact by the user, thereby further preventing the lid assembly 800 from displacing from the closed position. From a similar perspective, as shown in FIG. 26B , the second guide portion 720 may have an inclined surface 724A between the intermediate portion 721 and the closed position recess 722 in the movement direction. The inclined surface 724A may be inclined with respect to the movement direction and the lateral direction so as to face the closed position. The inclined surface 724A can guide the biased second movable member 822 that abuts against the inclined surface 724A toward the closed position.

[0155] As shown in FIG. 26A , the first guide portion 710 may have an inclined surface 714B between the intermediate portion 711 and the open position recess 713 in the movement direction. The inclined surface 714B may be inclined with respect to the movement direction and the lateral direction so as to face the open position. The inclined surface 714B guides the biased first movable member 821 that abuts against the inclined surface 714B toward the open position. This provides a force returning the lid assembly 800 to the open position when the lid assembly 800 is displaced from the open position due to unintentional contact or impact by the user, thereby further preventing the lid assembly 800 from displacing from the open position. From a similar perspective, as shown in FIG. 26B , the second guide portion 720 may have an inclined surface 724B between the intermediate portion 721 and the open position recess 723 in the movement direction. The inclined surface 724B may be inclined with respect to the movement direction and the lateral direction so as to face the open position. The inclined surface 724B guides the biased second movable member 822 that contacts the inclined surface 724B toward the open position. Note that by adjusting the inclination of the inclined surface 714A, etc., it is possible to create a click mechanism that produces a clicking sound.

[0156] As described above, the movable member 820 according to this embodiment may be configured to be positioned in the recesses R (closed position recesses 721, 722 or open position recesses 713, 723) formed in the guide portion 7, which is the outer surface of the housing, in at least one of the open position and the closed position. The position, shape, and number of the recesses R formed in the guide portion 7 are not particularly limited. For example, the guide portion 7 may be provided with recesses R to prevent the lid assembly 800 from shifting from a desired position other than the open position or the closed position. Furthermore, either the first guide portion 710 or the second guide portion 720 may not have the recesses R or the slope. In this case, there may be only one movable member 820. The number of movable members 820 is not particularly limited, and may be three or more, for example, by arranging multiple movable members on at least one side of the lid assembly 800.

[0157] FIG. 27A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the first movable member 821 in the closed position. As shown in FIG. 27A , the first movable member 821 may have an abutting end 823 that abuts the recess R in the open and closed positions. The abutting end 823 preferably extends in the movement direction. The first movable member 821 may have an inclined end 824A that abuts the inclined surface 714A in the closed position. The inclined end 824A is formed to be inclined with respect to the movement direction. The inclined end 824A is preferably located on the open position side of the first movable member 821 in the movement direction. The inclined end 824A may have a shape corresponding to the inclined surface 714A of the first guide member 710. More specifically, it is preferable that the inclined end 824A and the inclined surface 714A are substantially parallel in a plane including the movement direction and the lateral direction. For example, the angle formed between the inclined end 824A and the inclined surface 714A in a plane including the movement direction and the lateral direction may be 5 degrees or less. This allows the lid assembly 800 to be held in the closed position more stably.

[0158] As shown in FIG. 27A , the protrusion 814B abuts against the closed position stopper 716 in the closed position, limiting movement of the lid assembly 800 in the movement direction. Here, when the protrusion 814B abuts against the closed position stopper 716, it is preferable that the abutment end 823 abuts against the closed position recess 712 and the inclined end 824A abut against the inclined surface 714A or face the inclined surface 714A with a small gap between them. In this way, the protrusion 814B and the first movable member 821 have shapes corresponding to the closed position stopper 716, the closed position recess 712, and the inclined surface 714A, thereby more precisely maintaining the position of the lid assembly 800 in the closed position. From a similar perspective, it is preferable that the protrusion 814D ( FIG. 24 ) and the second movable member 822 have shapes corresponding to the closed position stopper 726, the closed position recess 722 ( FIG. 26B ), and the inclined surface 724A in the closed position.

[0159] FIG. 27B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the first movable member 821 in the open position. As shown in FIG. 27B , the first movable member 821 may have an inclined end 824B that abuts the inclined surface 714B in the open position. The inclined end 824B is formed to be inclined with respect to the direction of movement. The inclined end 824B is preferably located on the closed position side of the first movable member 821 in the direction of movement. The inclined end 824B may have a shape corresponding to the inclined surface 714B of the first guide member 710. More specifically, it is preferable that the inclined end 824B and the inclined surface 714B are approximately parallel in a plane including the direction of movement and the lateral direction. For example, the angle formed between the inclined end 824B and the inclined surface 714B in a plane including the direction of movement and the lateral direction can be 5 degrees or less. This allows the lid assembly 800 to be more stably held in the open position.

[0160] As shown in FIG. 27B , the protrusion 814A abuts against the open position stopper 715 in the open position, limiting the movement of the lid assembly 800 in the travel direction. Here, when the protrusion 814A abuts against the open position stopper 715, it is preferable that the abutment end 823 abuts against the open position recess 713 and the inclined end 824B abut against the inclined surface 714B or face each other with a small gap between them. In this way, the protrusion 814A and the first movable member 821 have shapes corresponding to the open position stopper 715, the open position recess 713, and the inclined surface 714B, thereby more precisely maintaining the position of the lid assembly 800 in the open position. From a similar perspective, it is preferable that the protrusion 814C ( FIG. 24 ) and the second movable member 822 have shapes corresponding to the open position stopper 725, the open position recess 723 ( FIG. 26B ), and the inclined surface 724B in the open position.

[0161] FIG. 28 is a plan view of the biasing member 860. As shown in FIG. 28 , the biasing member 860 may have a first arm 861, a second arm 862, and an attachment portion 863. The first arm 861 and the second arm 862 may be flexible in the lateral direction and have a shape in which a plate-like or rod-like metal member is folded. The first arm 861 may have a first arm abutting portion 8610 on the lateral side of the first movable member 821, and the first arm abutting portion 8610 may abut against the first movable member 821. The second arm 862 may have a second arm abutting portion 8620 on the lateral side of the second movable member 822, and the second arm abutting portion 8620 may abut against the second movable member 822. As shown in FIGS. 25 and 28, the mounting portion 863 may be a plate-like member extending along the movement direction and the lateral direction, and the lower surface thereof may be configured to be supported by the lid base 840.

[0162] As shown in Figure 28, the biasing member 860 is preferably a leaf spring. By including a leaf spring in the biasing member 860, the lid assembly 800 can be configured compactly and can bias the movable member 820 more stably. The shape of the biasing member 860 is not particularly limited to the example shown in the figure. Furthermore, the position and number of the biasing members 860 are not particularly limited, and the lid assembly 800 may have multiple biasing members 860 that each bias the first movable member 821 or the second movable member 822.

[0163] Figure 29 is an exploded perspective view of the lid assembly 800. As shown in Figures 25 and 29, the lid assembly 800 may have a magnet 850. The magnet 850 is preferably configured to move integrally with the lid assembly 800.

[0164] FIG. 30 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating detection of the position of the lid assembly 800. As shown in FIG. 30, the flavor inhaler 200 may have a magnetic sensor 83 that detects the magnetic field of the magnet 850. This allows the control unit 80 to detect the position of the lid assembly 800 and perform control using information about the position of the lid assembly 800. For example, to prevent unintended heating by the user, the control unit 80 can disable the heating unit 40 from heating when the lid assembly 800 is in the closed position. The magnetic sensor 83 can be disposed below the upper base 209, and is preferably provided on the substrate 81 from the perspective of compact configuration of the flavor inhaler 200. The magnetic sensor 83 can be provided at least at one position in the movement direction of the lid assembly 800 indicated by the arrow Ar1.

[0165] As shown in FIGS. 25 and 29 , the lid assembly 800 may have a fastening member 880 that fastens the cover 810 and the lid base 840. For example, the fastening member 880 may include a screw. As shown in FIG. 29 , the cover 810 may be positioned to cover the magnet 850. The lid base 840 may also function as a support for the magnet 850. This configuration allows the magnet 850 to be firmly supported so that it does not fall off the lid assembly 800. For example, if the lid assembly 800 is controlled to be heated only when it is in the open position, if the magnet 850 falls off the lid assembly 800, the lid assembly 800 may not detect that it is in the open position, which could prevent heating. As such, it may be important to prevent the magnet 850 from falling off the lid assembly 800, as this could affect the control of the control unit 80. As shown in FIG. 29 , the lid base 840 may have a magnet accommodating portion 843 that has a sidewall that surrounds the magnet 850 and accommodates the magnet 850. The lid base 840 may also have a base through-hole 844 formed therein through which the fastening member 880 passes.

[0166] As shown in FIGS. 25 and 29 , the lid assembly 800 may include an adhesive tape 870 that bonds the cover 810 and the biasing member 860. The lid assembly 800 may also include a cushion (not shown) positioned between the magnet 850 and the cover 810. This cushion may, for example, pass through the mounting portion 863 ( FIG. 28 ) of the biasing member 860 and be compressed between the magnet 850 and the cover 810. This can prevent the biasing member 860 from shifting in position in the X and Y directions and can also reduce the transmission of impact to the cover 810 to components inside the lid assembly 800, such as the biasing member 860. In this case, the adhesive tape 870 may be positioned between the cushion and the biasing member 860.

[0167] A method for manufacturing the flavor inhaler 200 will be described below. This manufacturing method includes at least the following first to fourth steps. The first to fourth steps are performed in numerical order. In the first step, the case part 400 including the outer case 410 and the flavor generating assembly 300 are prepared.

[0168] In the second step, the inner case 420 is inserted into the outer case 410. Preferably, the inner case 420 is inserted through the first opening 411 of the outer case 410. The inner case 420 can be fixed to the inside of the outer case 410 by engaging with a claw member (not shown), fitting with a fitting portion, or bonding with an adhesive. If the flavor inhaler 200 does not have the inner case 420, the second step may be omitted. Alternatively, the inner case 420 may be inserted into the outer case 410 as a part of the flavor generating assembly 300 in the third step.

[0169] In a third step, the flavor generating assembly 300 is inserted into the case portion 400. The flavor generating assembly 300 is inserted into the outer case 410 through the first opening 411, and the flavor generating assembly 300 is attached inside the outer case 410.

[0170] Figure 31 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the third step. Figure 31 schematically illustrates the movement of the flavor generating assembly 300 in the insertion direction toward the outer case 410, into which the inner case 420 is disposed. The flavor generating assembly 300 can be inserted into the outer case 410 from the end opposite the insertion opening 210 of the flavor generating article 100 (the end where the terminal 90 is formed). In the illustrated example, the terminal 90 is inserted into a through-hole formed in the bottom member 421 of the inner case 420 so as to be connectable to an external terminal (not shown) inserted through the terminal insertion opening 419 of the outer case 410. When the flavor generating assembly 300 is inserted into the outer case 410, an intermediate body 700 (Figure 18) is obtained.

[0171] In a fourth step, other components included in the flavor inhaler 200 are attached to the intermediate body 700 including the flavor generating assembly 300 and the outer case 410. For example, the upper member 204, the inner panel 510, and the outer panel 520 are attached to the intermediate body 700. Note that detachable components such as the outer panel 520 may be provided as accessories without being attached to the flavor inhaler 200 during the manufacturing process.

[0172] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims and the technical idea described in the specification and drawings. Note that any shape or material not directly described in the specification or drawings is within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention as long as it achieves the functions and effects of the present invention.

[0173] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the flavor inhaler comprises a housing and a lid assembly movable in a first direction, the lid assembly comprising a biasing member and a movable member movable relative to the lid assembly, the biasing member and the movable member configured to move integrally with the lid assembly, and the biasing member configured to bias the movable member in a second direction intersecting the first direction. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the housing comprises a guide portion, and the movable member is configured to be movable along the guide portion. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the guide portion is a groove formed on the outer surface of the housing. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect, the lid assembly further comprises an abutting portion configured to be movable along the guide portion, and at least one of the abutting portion and the movable member is configured to abut against the guide portion. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the third to fifth aspects, the lid assembly includes a pair of the movable members, each of the pair of movable members being arranged on either side of the lid assembly along the second direction. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the biasing member includes a leaf spring. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the lid assembly further includes a magnet, and the flavor inhaler further includes a magnetic sensor for detecting a magnetic field of the magnet. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect, the lid assembly further includes a support portion for supporting the magnet and a cover for covering the magnet, the support portion and the cover being fastened together by a fastening member. According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the housing includes an opening through which a flavor-generating article can be inserted, and the lid assembly is configured to be movable between a closed position that covers at least a portion of the opening and an open position through which the flavor-generating article can be inserted into the opening.According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to tenth aspects, the movable member is configured to be positioned in a recess formed in an outer surface of the housing in at least one of the open position and the closed position. According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, a flavor generating system includes the flavor inhaler of any one of the first to eleventh aspects and a flavor generating article.

[0174] 7: Guide section 20: Power supply section 30: Atomization section 34: Insertion guide member 40: Heating section 50: Chamber 80: Control section 81: Circuit board 83: Magnetic sensor 100: Flavor-generating article 200: Flavor inhaler 204: Upper member 208: Lid 209: Upper base section 300: Flavor-generating assembly 310: Chassis 320: Gasket 330: Flexible printed circuit board 400: Case section 410: Outer case 411: First opening 412: Second opening 413: Opening 414: First end of outer case 415: Side surface of outer case 416: Second end of outer case 420: Inner case 500: Panel section 510: Inner panel 520: Outer panel 700: Intermediate body 710: First guide section 711, 721: Intermediate section 712, 722: Closed position recess 713, 723: Open position recess 720: Second guide portion 724A, 724B, 724C, 724D: Inclined surface 800: Lid assembly 810: Cover of lid assembly 814, 814A, 814B, 814C, 814D: Protrusion 820: Movable member 821: First movable member 822: Second movable member 830, 830A, 830B, 830C, 830D: Abutment portion 840: Lid base 850: Magnet 860: Urging member 880: Fastening member 1000: Flavor generating system Ax1: Central axis of insertion guide member Ax2: Central axis of flavor generating assembly Ax3: Central axis of outer case R: Recess

Claims

1. A fragrance attractor, comprising a housing and a lid assembly movable in a first direction, wherein the lid assembly includes a biasing member and a movable member movable relative to the lid assembly, the biasing member and the movable member being configured to move integrally with the lid assembly, and the biasing member being configured to bias the movable member in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

2. The fragrance attractor according to claim 1, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

3. The fragrance attractor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing includes a guide portion, and the movable member is configured to be movable along the guide portion.

4. The fragrance attractor according to claim 3, wherein the guide portion is a groove formed on an outer surface of the housing.

5. The fragrance attractor according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the lid assembly further includes a contact portion configured to be movable along the guide portion, and at least one of the contact portion and the movable member is configured to contact the guide portion.

6. The fragrance attractor according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the lid assembly includes a pair of the movable members, and each of the pair of movable members is disposed on both sides of the lid assembly along the second direction.

7. The fragrance attractor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the biasing member includes a leaf spring.

8. The fragrance attractor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the lid assembly further includes a magnet, and the fragrance attractor further includes a magnetic sensor configured to detect a magnetic field of the magnet.

9. The fragrance attractor according to claim 8, wherein the lid assembly further includes a support portion for supporting the magnet and a cover for covering the magnet, and the support portion and the cover are fastened by a fastening member.

10. The housing has an opening into which a fragrance-generating article can be inserted, and the lid assembly is configured to be movable between a closed position covering at least a part of the opening and an open position where the fragrance-generating article can be inserted into the opening. The fragrance attractor according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The movable member is configured to be located in a recess formed on an outer surface of the housing in at least one of the open position and the closed position. The fragrance attractor according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A fragrance generation system comprising the fragrance attractor according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and a fragrance-generating article.

Images