Flavor inhaler and flavor inhalation system

Abstract

This flavor inhaler comprises a housing. The housing is provided with a wall. The wall is provided with a first wall part that is formed from a metal and defines a first outer surface, and a second wall part that is formed from a resin and defines a second outer surface. The first wall part is provided with a first connection part that is formed from a metal. The second wall part is provided with a second connection part that is connected to the first connection part. The first connection part is provided with at least one of a through-hole and a notch. The second connection part is provided with a plurality of connection surfaces that face the first connection part and are on mutually opposite sides, and a surface connection part that connects the plurality of connection surfaces through at least one of the through-hole and the notch.

Description

Fragrance attractor and fragrance attracting system

[0001] The present invention relates to a fragrance attractor and a fragrance attracting system.

[0002] Conventionally, a fragrance attractor for generating an aerosol or the like having a fragrance without burning a material is known (see Patent Document 1). In such a fragrance attractor, various structures of the walls constituting the housing have been proposed. In Patent Document 2, in a fragrance attractor that communicates with an external device via a communication unit, it is disclosed that a metal panel attached to the wall of a resin inner housing does not cover the communication unit in a plan view seen from a direction orthogonal to the wall.

[0003] International Publication No. 2020 / 148861 International Publication No. 2022 / 123768

[0004] In a fragrance attractor having a wall composed of a plurality of wall portions with different compositions, there is a risk that the wall may be damaged by the action of an external force or the like because a gap is likely to form between the plurality of wall portions.

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide a fragrance attractor or a fragrance attracting system in which a wall composed of a plurality of wall portions with different compositions is suppressed from being damaged by the action of an external force or the like.

[0006] According to one aspect, a fragrance attractor is provided. The fragrance attractor includes a housing, the housing includes a wall, the wall includes a first wall portion formed of metal and defining a first outer surface, and a second wall portion formed of resin and defining a second outer surface, the first wall portion includes a first connection portion, the second wall portion includes a second connection portion connected to the first connection portion, the first connection portion includes at least one of a through hole and a notch, and the second connection portion includes a plurality of connection surfaces facing each other and facing the first connection portion, and a surface connection portion connecting between the plurality of connection surfaces through at least one of the through hole and the notch.

[0007] According to the above aspect, it is possible to provide a fragrance attractor in which a wall composed of a first wall portion and a second wall portion having different compositions is suppressed from being damaged by the action of an external force or the like.

[0008] The flavor inhaler further comprises a heating unit housed in the housing for heating a flavor source, and a wireless communication unit housed in the housing and positioned away from the heating unit, wherein the first wall portion is positioned opposite the heating unit in a direction perpendicular to the first outer surface and does not cover the wireless communication unit in a plan view from that direction, and the second wall portion may be positioned opposite the wireless communication unit in a direction perpendicular to the second outer surface.

[0009] In this case, data or information can be transmitted and received by the wireless communication unit while suppressing the deterioration of communication efficiency caused by shielding by the first wall containing metal.

[0010] A metal body may be placed on the second wall portion to improve the communication gain of the wireless communication unit.

[0011] In this case, the wireless communication unit can communicate more stably or more efficiently.

[0012] At least a portion of the metal body may be arranged with respect to a predetermined distance from the first wall portion to enable capacitive coupling.

[0013] In this case, the wireless communication unit can communicate more stably or more efficiently.

[0014] The flavor inhaler may further include double-sided tape positioned between at least a portion of the metal body and the first wall portion.

[0015] In this case, the metal body and the first wall can be bonded together without electrical conductivity between them, and the flavor inhaler can be made more compact, easier to manufacture, and have a simpler structure.

[0016] The metal body may extend along the wall from a position overlapping the first outer surface of the first wall portion to a position overlapping the second outer surface of the second wall portion.

[0017] In this case, the gain in the wireless communication unit can be further improved by capacitive coupling between the first wall portion and other members containing metal.

[0018] The flavor inhaler may further include a spacer located between the wireless communication unit and the metal body.

[0019] In this case, by maintaining the distance between the wireless communication unit and the metal body in a way that minimizes changes in distance, the improvement in communication gain due to the metal body can be prevented from being reduced.

[0020] The flavor inhaler may further include a control board, and the first wall portion may be electrically connected to the grounding terminal of the control board.

[0021] In this case, it is possible to suppress the adverse effects on the user caused by static electricity generated on the first wall.

[0022] The first wall portion and the second wall portion may be integrally formed by insert molding.

[0023] In this case, walls composed of a first wall section and a second wall section can be manufactured efficiently, and mass production is also possible.

[0024] The through-hole may extend in the direction of the wall's thickness.

[0025] In this case, the wall composed of the first and second wall sections can be made structurally more stable.

[0026] In another embodiment, a flavor suction system is provided, which comprises the flavor suction device described above and a consumable material including a flavor source.

[0027] In this case, it is possible to provide a flavor suction system having a flavor suction device in which the wall, composed of a first wall portion and a second wall portion having different compositions from each other, is less likely to be damaged by external forces or the like.

[0028] This is a schematic diagram showing a flavor suction system according to one embodiment. This is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a consumer product according to one embodiment. This is a schematic front view of a flavor suction device according to one embodiment. This is a schematic top view of a flavor suction device according to one embodiment. This is a schematic bottom view of a flavor suction device according to one embodiment. This is a schematic front view of a flavor suction device with the outer panel removed. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flavor suction device at the line 5-5 shown by arrow 5-5 in Figure 3B. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flavor suction device at the line 6-6 shown by arrow 6-6 in Figure 4. This is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of a flavor suction device at the line 7-7 shown by arrow 7-7 in Figure 4, showing the second wall. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flavor suction device showing the configuration of the first wall and the second wall in one embodiment. This is an enlarged side view of the first wall, showing the first connection part. This is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of a flavor suction device at the line 10-10 shown by arrow 10-10 in Figure 4, showing the second wall. This is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of a flavor suction device at the line 11-11 shown by arrow 11-11 in Figure 4, showing the second wall.

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the flavor inhalation system 1000 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the flavor inhalation system 1000 includes a non-combustion heating type consumer material 100 and a flavor inhaler 200. The air inhaled by the user is guided into the user's oral cavity in the order of, for example, airflow A1, airflow A2, and airflow A3. That is, the flavor inhalation system 1000 shown in Figure 1 has a so-called counterflow type airflow path.

[0030] As described later, the consumable material 100 has a flavor-generating segment containing an aerosol source and a flavor source, and for example, has a columnar shape extending along its longitudinal direction. The consumable material 100 may be, for example, a tobacco stick. However, it is not limited to this, and the consumable material 100 may have a cylindrical shape, a columnar shape with a polygonal cross-section, or a flattened shape.

[0031] The flavor inhaler 200 includes a battery 10, a control unit 20, and an atomizing unit 30. The battery 10 stores the power used by the flavor inhaler 200. For example, the battery 10 is a lithium-ion battery. The battery 10 may be rechargeable by an external power source.

[0032] The control unit 20 consists of a CPU and memory, and controls the operation of the flavor inhaler 200. For example, the control unit 20 starts heating the consumable 100 in response to user operation on an input device such as a push button or a slide switch (not shown), and stops heating the consumable 100 after a certain period of time has elapsed. The control unit 20 may also stop heating the consumable 100 before a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of heating if the number of puffing operations by the user exceeds a certain value. For example, the puffing operation is detected by a sensor (not shown).

[0033] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the consumer product 100. The consumer product 100 comprises an upstream segment 101 including a flavor generating segment 110 and a downstream segment 102 including at least a mouthpiece segment 120. The flavor generating segment 110 includes an aerosol source and a flavor source. The second tip paper 104 surrounds the flavor generating segment 110 and is configured to connect the flavor generating segment 110 and the downstream segment 102.

[0034] Preferably, the consumable material 100 has an upstream portion 130 that abuts against the upstream end 110a of the flavor generating segment 110. In this case, the end of the flavor generating segment 110 is covered by the upstream portion 130, so that the flavor generating segment 110 does not fall off the consumable material 100. In addition, leakage of vapor or aerosol generated in the flavor generating segment 110 to the upstream side of the flavor generating segment 110 can be suppressed. As shown in Figure 2, the upstream segment 101 comprises a flavor generating segment 110 that generates aerosol by heating, and an upstream portion 130.

[0035] The upstream section 130 is located at the tip of the consumable material 100 and is configured to cover the end of the flavor generating segment 110. The upstream section 130 can be made of a material that is generally usable as a filter material for the consumable material 100. Specifically, for example, the upstream section 130 may be paper, plastic film, cellulose acetate, or nonwoven fabric. The upstream section 130 is preferably paper. The length of the upstream section 130 in the longitudinal direction may be 1 mm or more, or 10 mm or less. Any additional members may be provided on the upstream side of the upstream section 130.

[0036] The downstream segment 102 preferably has an intermediate segment 140 and a mouthpiece segment 120 positioned downstream of the intermediate segment 140. The mouthpiece segment 120 may have a hollow segment 120a and a filter segment 120b. In a more specific example, the consumable 100 has, in order from the tip side (i.e., the side opposite the mouthpiece), an upstream section 130, a flavor generating segment 110, an intermediate segment 140, a hollow segment 120a, and a filter segment 120b. These five parts are covered by a flared rim. In particular, the parts are connected to each other by a first tip paper 103 and a second tip paper 104, at least a portion of which are located in the outermost layer.

[0037] As shown in the figure, the intermediate segment 140 may be provided with ventilation V1 in its circumferential and concentric direction. Furthermore, if the ventilation V1 arranged concentrically is considered as a single group of openings, there may be one such group or two or more.

[0038] The flavor source may include at least one of tobacco raw materials and non-tobacco raw materials. In this case, not only tobacco but also other plant materials can be used as the flavor source, so a variety of flavors can be provided. Tobacco raw materials are raw materials derived from tobacco, and specifically include shredded dried tobacco leaves or crushed tobacco leaves. Crushed tobacco leaves are particles obtained by crushing tobacco leaves. As for non-tobacco raw materials, for example, plants used as herbs or spices can be used. Specific examples of plants used as herbs or spices include dill seeds, rosemary, star anise, cloves, oregano, ginger, and chamomile.

[0039] An aerosol source is a material that vaporizes upon heating and generates an aerosol upon cooling, or a material that generates an aerosol upon atomization. Known materials can be used as aerosol sources, including, for example, glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and mixtures thereof.

[0040] Figure 3A is a schematic front view of the flavor inhaler 200 according to this embodiment. Figure 3B is a schematic top view of the flavor inhaler 200 according to this embodiment. Figure 3C is a schematic bottom view of the flavor inhaler 200 according to this embodiment. In the drawings described herein, an X-Y-Z Cartesian coordinate system may be included for convenience of explanation. In this coordinate system, the Z axis points vertically upward, the X-Y plane is arranged to cut the flavor inhaler 200 horizontally, and the Y axis extends from the front to the back of the flavor inhaler 200. The Z axis can also be said to be the insertion direction of the consumable material 100 housed in the housing 38 of the atomizing unit 30, which will be described later. The X axis direction can also be said to be the longitudinal direction of the device on a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction of the consumable material 100, or the direction in which the heating unit and the battery 10 are aligned. The Y axis direction can also be said to be the short direction of the device on a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction of the consumable material 100.

[0041] The flavor inhaler 200 according to this embodiment is configured to generate an aerosol by heating the flavor generating segment 110 of the consumable 100 shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figures 3A to 3C, the flavor inhaler 200 has an outer casing 201, a slide cover 202, and a switch unit 203. The outer casing 201 forms the outermost surface of the flavor inhaler 200 and is sized to fit in the user's hand. When the user uses the flavor inhaler 200, they can hold the outer casing 201 in their hand and inhale the aerosol.

[0042] As shown in Figures 3B and 3C, the outer casing 201 has an outer panel 204 and an outer case 205 so as to be divided in the Y-axis direction. In other words, the outer casing 201 can be formed by connecting the outer panel 204 to the outer case 205 in the Y-axis direction. The outer panel 204 can be configured to be detachably attached to the outer case 205. The outer case 205 has a bottom wall 205a and a peripheral wall 205b extending from the bottom wall 205a.

[0043] The slide cover 202 is slidably mounted on the outer casing 201 to close an opening 206 formed in the outer casing 201 for inserting the consumable 100. Specifically, the slide cover 202 is configured to move along the outer surface of the outer casing 201 between a closed position (shown in Figure 3B) that closes the opening 206 of the outer casing 201 and an open position that opens the opening 206. For example, a user can move the slide cover 202 between the closed and open positions by manually operating it. This allows the slide cover 202 to allow or restrict access of the consumable 100 to the inside of the flavor inhaler 200.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3B, the outer casing 201 has a recess 207 in which the slide cover 202 is disposed. In the present embodiment, the recess 207 is formed in the upper portion of the outer casing 201. The recess 207 has a bottom wall portion 207a and side wall portions 207b. The opening 206 is formed in the bottom wall portion 207a. The slide cover 202 is configured to slide in the first direction d1 inside the recess 207.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3A, the outer panel 204 has a window portion 208 disposed so as to overlap a window portion 244 of an inner panel 210, which will be described later, and a switch portion 203. The switch portion 203 is used to switch on and off the operation of the fragrance attractor 200. For example, the user can operate the switch portion 203 with the consumable 100 inserted into the fragrance attractor 200, so that power is supplied from the battery 10 to the heating portion of the atomization portion 30, and the consumable 100 can be heated without being burned. Note that the switch portion 203 may have a switch provided outside the outer casing 201, or may have a switch located inside the outer casing 201. When the switch is located inside the outer casing 201, by pressing the switch portion 203 on the surface of the outer casing 201, the outer casing 201 is curved and the switch is indirectly pressed. In the present embodiment, an example in which the switch of the switch portion 203 is located inside the outer casing 201 will be described. Further, the fragrance attractor 200 may be configured to detect that the consumable 100 has been inserted into the fragrance attractor 200 and automatically supply power from the battery 10 to the heating portion of the atomization portion 30.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3C, the fragrance attractor 200 may have a terminal 209. The terminal 209 can be an interface for connecting the fragrance attractor 200 to, for example, an external power source. When the battery 10 included in the fragrance attractor 200 is a rechargeable battery, by connecting an external power source to the terminal 209, a current can be passed from the external power source to the battery 10 to charge the battery 10. Further, by connecting a data transmission cable to the terminal 209, data related to the operation of the fragrance attractor 200 may be transmitted to an external device.

[0047] FIG. 4 is a front view of the fragrance attractor 200 with the outer panel 204 removed. As shown in FIG. 4, when the outer panel 204 is removed, the inner panel 210 is exposed. The inner panel 210 is attached to the outer case 205 so as to close an opening defined by the peripheral wall 205b of the outer case 205 shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the inner panel 210 is fixed to the outer case 205 at three locations by screws 240.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, a magnet 242 is provided on the surface of the inner panel 210 facing the outer panel 204. A magnetic body (not shown) is disposed at a position facing the magnet 242 of the outer panel 204. The outer panel 204 is detachably fixed to the inner panel 210 by the magnet 242 attracting the magnetic body by magnetic force. In the illustrated example, two magnets 242 are arranged at intervals in the Z-axis direction. The outer panel 204 may be provided with a magnet configured to attract the magnet 242 instead of the magnetic body. Further, the inner panel 210 may be provided with a magnetic body instead of the magnet 242. In this case, it is necessary to provide a magnet on the outer panel 204 to attract the magnetic body.

[0049] The inner panel 210 has a window portion 244 through which light from a light source such as an LED disposed inside the outer casing 201 passes. By displaying the light from the light source through the window portion 244, the window portion 244 can function as an indicator indicating the state of the fragrance attractor 200. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the inner panel 210 has two window portions 244 with different shapes, but the number and shape of the window portions 244 can be arbitrary. Further, the inner panel 210 has a switch 246 that is pressed by pressing the switch portion 203 of the outer panel 204 shown in FIG. 3A.

[0050] Next, the internal structure of the flavor inhaler 200 will be described. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler 200 in the direction of the arrow 5-5 shown in Figure 3B. As shown in Figure 5, the internal space of the outer case 205 houses a battery 10, a control unit 20 (not shown), and an atomizing unit 30 for heating the consumable 100. The flavor inhaler 200 also has a chassis 12 that integrally fixes the battery 10 and the atomizing unit 30. The battery 10 and the atomizing unit 30, while fixed by the chassis 12, can be inserted into the interior of the outer case 205 through the opening defined by the peripheral wall 205b shown in Figures 3B and 3C.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5, the atomizing section 30 includes a housing section 38 extending in the insertion direction (Z-axis direction) of the consumable material 100, a heating section 36 surrounding a part of the housing section 38, a heat insulating section 32, and a substantially cylindrical insertion guide member 34. The housing section 38 is configured to house the consumable material 100. The housing section 38 is preferably made of a material that has heat resistance and a low coefficient of thermal expansion, and can be made of, for example, metal such as stainless steel, resin such as PEEK (polyetheretherketone), glass, or ceramic.

[0052] The heating unit 36 ​​is configured to contact the outer circumferential surface of the housing unit 38 and heat the flavor-generating segment 110 of the consumable material 100 housed in the housing unit 38. Specifically, the heating unit 36 ​​may include a heating element such as a heating track and an electrically insulating sheet covering at least one side of the heating element. Alternatively, the heating unit 36 ​​may include a susceptor and an induction coil configured to inductively heat the susceptor. In this case, the susceptor may constitute the housing unit 38 itself, be placed inside the flavor-generating segment 110 of the consumable material 100, or be a separate component from the housing unit 38 that surrounds the outer surface of the housing unit 38. Furthermore, the heating unit 36 ​​may include a heating element that heats the flavor-generating segment 110 of the consumable material 100 from the inside.

[0053] The heat insulating section 32 is generally cylindrical and is positioned to surround the housing section 38. The heat insulating section 32 may include, for example, an aerogel sheet. The insertion guide member 34 is made of a resin material such as PEEK, PC (polycarbonate), or ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) and is provided between the slide cover 202 in the closed position and the housing section 38.

[0054] The insertion guide member 34 has the function of guiding the insertion of the consumable material 100. Specifically, when the slide cover 202 is in the open position, the insertion guide member 34 guides the insertion of the consumable material 100 into the housing 38 by inserting the consumable material 100 into the insertion guide member 34. The insertion guide member 34 is preferably made of PEEK from the viewpoint of heat resistance.

[0055] Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler 200 with the outer panel 204 removed, as seen from the line 6-6 in Figure 4. The 6-6 section in Figure 4 is a side cross-section having a heating section 36 for heating the flavor source and a second wall section 320, which will be described later. As shown in Figure 6, the inner panel 210 may be a wall 300 defining at least one face of the housing 2000 of the flavor inhaler 200. In the illustrated example, the inner panel 210 extends along the front side of the flavor inhaler 200 to which the removable outer panel 204 is attached. The inner panel 210 and the outer case 205 constitute the housing 2000. In other words, the housing 2000 has a wall 300.

[0056] As shown in Figure 6, the inner panel 210 has a first wall portion 310 and a second wall portion 320. The first wall portion 310 defines a first outer surface S11, and the second wall portion 320 defines a second outer surface S12. The inner panel 210 is flat (the length in the Y direction is shortest compared to the length in the X and Z directions), and it is preferable that the first wall portion 310 and the second wall portion 320 are arranged side by side perpendicular to the thickness direction. In the illustrated example, the inner panel 210 is arranged along the ZX plane, and the first outer surface S11 of the first wall portion 310 and the second outer surface S12 of the second wall portion 320 constitute the side surface on the front side of the flavor inhaler 200, which is a common surface S10. The first outer surface S11 and the second outer surface S12 may be flush, but are not limited to this.

[0057] Figure 7 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler 200 with the outer panel 204 removed, as seen from the line 7-7 in Figure 4. The 7-7 section in Figure 4 is a side cross-section including the wireless communication unit 80 and the metal body 81, which will be described below. Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view including the second wall portion 320.

[0058] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the flavor inhaler 200 has a wireless communication unit 80. The flavor inhaler 200 is configured to communicate with external devices via the wireless communication unit 80. The wireless communication unit 80 is not particularly limited as long as it can be installed in the flavor inhaler 200 and is capable of wireless communication, but it may be a communication device capable of short-range wireless communication using radio waves in the 2.4 GHz band, and may be a Bluetooth® interface in particular. The wireless communication unit 80 may include a circuit that performs wireless signal processing and the like, and a power supply antenna. The control unit 20 (Figure 1) can receive information or data necessary for controlling the flavor inhaler 200 via the wireless communication unit 80, and can transmit information or data acquired by the flavor inhaler 200 to external devices.

[0059] As shown in Figure 6, the wireless communication unit 80 is housed in the housing 2000. The wireless communication unit 80 is preferably positioned away from the heating unit 36, and in particular, it is preferable that it be positioned away from the heating unit 36 ​​in a plan view taken from a direction perpendicular to the first outer surface S11 or the second outer surface S12. This makes it possible to suppress adverse effects on the components of the wireless communication unit 80 due to heat from the heating unit 36. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the control unit 20 may have a control board 21. The wireless communication unit 80 may be connected to the ground terminal of the control board 21 and positioned on the control board 21.

[0060] As shown in Figure 6, the first wall portion 310 may be positioned opposite the heating portion 36 in a direction perpendicular to the first outer surface S11. Alternatively, the first wall portion 310 may be positioned overlapping with at least a portion of the heating portion 36 in a plan view taken from a direction perpendicular to the first outer surface S11. The first wall portion 310 preferably contains metal. This allows heat from the heating portion 36 to diffuse along the first wall portion 310, protecting the user from localized temperature rises. The metal contained in the first wall portion 310 may be magnesium or aluminum. The first wall portion 310 preferably contains metal as its main component. Hereinafter, "main component" means containing 50% or more by weight. From a similar viewpoint, the first wall portion 310 is preferably formed from metal.

[0061] When the first wall portion 310 contains metal, it is preferable that, in a plan view taken from a direction perpendicular to the first outer surface S11, the first wall portion 310 is not positioned opposite the wireless communication unit 80, or does not cover the wireless communication unit 80 in that plan view. This makes it possible to suppress the deterioration of the communication efficiency of the wireless communication unit 80 due to electromagnetic waves being shielded by the metal contained in the first wall portion 310.

[0062] The first wall portion 310 may be connected to the control board 21. Preferably, the first wall portion 310 is electrically connected to the grounding terminal of the control board 21. This makes it possible to suppress adverse effects such as pain on the user due to static electricity generated on the first wall portion 310.

[0063] As shown in Figure 6, the flavor inhaler 200 may have a first conductive part 610. The first conductive part 610 is a conductive member that electrically connects the first wall portion 310 and the control board 21. From the viewpoint of facilitating the removal of the inner panel 210, the first conductive part 610 is preferably a conductive cushion. The conductive cushion may be, for example, a urethane foam wrapped with metal fibers. However, since the inner panel 210 does not need to be attached and detached frequently, the first conductive part 610 may be made of any conductive member. As shown in Figure 6, the flavor inhaler 200 may have a second conductive part 620. The second conductive part 620 is a conductive member that electrically connects the ground terminal of the control board 21 and the outer case 205. In the illustrated example, the second conductive part 620 is a screw that passes through a through hole in the control board 21 and is screwed into the outer case 205, and is pressed against the control board 21 by the conductive cushion of the first conductive part 610.

[0064] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the second wall portion 320 may be positioned opposite the wireless communication unit 80 in a direction perpendicular to the second outer surface S12. Alternatively, the second wall portion 320 may be positioned overlapping with at least a portion of the wireless communication unit 80 in a plan view from a direction perpendicular to the second outer surface S12. The composition of the second wall portion 320 is different from that of the first wall portion 310. The second wall portion 320 is preferably made of a non-conductive material, and preferably contains resin from the viewpoint of processability, etc. This can suppress the shielding of electromagnetic waves and the deterioration of the communication efficiency of the wireless communication unit 80. The resin contained in the second wall portion 320 is not particularly limited, but for example, it can be polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). The second wall portion 320 preferably contains resin as its main component. From a similar viewpoint, the second wall portion 320 is preferably formed from resin. In addition, glass filler may be contained in the second wall portion 320 to increase rigidity.

[0065] As shown in Figure 7, the flavor inhaler 200 may have a metal body 81 for improving the gain in communication of the wireless communication unit 80. The metal body 81 may be a powerless element. The metal body 81 is positioned away from the wireless communication unit 80 and is not electrically connected to the antenna connected to the power supply unit of the wireless communication unit 80. Preferably, the first end 811 of the metal body 81 is adhesively fixed to the first wall portion 310 via double-sided tape, and the second end 812 extends inward to the second wall portion 320 and is positioned on the second wall portion 320. Furthermore, the second end 812 of the metal body 81 is close to the power supply unit (not shown) of the wireless communication unit 80, the first end 811 of the metal body 81 extends away from the power supply unit (not shown) of the wireless communication unit 80, and the second end 812 of the metal body 81 extends so as not to overlap with the first wall portion 310. As a result, the metal body 81 acts as a director, improving the communication gain of the wireless communication unit 80, enabling more stable and efficient communication. Thus, the inner panel 210 of this embodiment may have a metal body 81 which is a powerless element. Preferably, the metal body 81 is positioned on the inner surface of the second wall portion 320 opposite to the second outer surface S12, facing the wireless communication unit 80 in a direction perpendicular to the second outer surface S12.

[0066] As shown in Figure 7, it is preferable that the metal body 81 extends along the wall 300 from a first position P1, which overlaps with the first outer surface S11 of the first wall portion 310, to a second position P2, which overlaps with the second outer surface S12 of the second wall portion 320. Alternatively, the metal body 81 may extend from a position facing the first wall portion 310 in a direction perpendicular to the first outer surface S11, to a position facing the second wall portion 320 in a direction perpendicular to the second outer surface S12. This allows for capacitive coupling with other members including metal, such as the first wall portion 310, to further improve the communication gain of the wireless communication unit 80.

[0067] Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the inner panel 210 in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, the coupling portion 810, which is at least a part of the metal body 81, is arranged with a predetermined distance C1 between it and the first wall portion 310. The predetermined distance C1 is not particularly limited as long as capacitive coupling between the metal body 81 and the first wall portion 310 is possible, but it can be, for example, 0.2 mm or less. Capacitive coupling between the metal body 81 and the first wall portion 310 can further improve the communication gain of the wireless communication unit 80.

[0068] As shown in Figure 8, the flavor inhaler 200 may have double-sided tape 61 positioned between the joint portion 810 of the metal body 81 and the first wall portion 310. This allows the joint portion 810 and the first wall portion 310 to be bonded together without electrical conductivity between them. The double-sided tape 61 can also be a spacer that forms a predetermined gap C1 between the first wall portion 310 and the joint portion 810. It is preferable that the double-sided tape 61 is bonded to both the first wall portion 310 and the joint portion 810. The double-sided tape 61, which has both bonding and spacer functions, can make the flavor inhaler 200 more compact, easier to manufacture, and have a simpler configuration. The double-sided tape 61 can also be placed between the second wall portion 320 and the metal body 81. Thus, the inner panel 210 of this embodiment may have a metal body 81 bonded to the second wall portion 320 with double-sided tape 61.

[0069] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the flavor inhaler 200 may have a spacer 82 positioned between the wireless communication unit 80 and the metal body 81. The spacer 82 maintains the distance between the wireless communication unit 80 and the metal body 81 so that the distance does not change, thereby preventing a reduction in the improvement of communication gain by the metal body 81. The spacer 82 is preferably an elastic material such as a cushion to reduce the transmission of shock to the wireless communication unit 80 or the control board 21, etc. Furthermore, the spacer 82 is preferably made of a material with a low dielectric constant from the viewpoint of suppressing deterioration of communication efficiency. The spacer 82 is preferably a cushioning material containing at least one of urethane sponge, silicone sponge, and ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM).

[0070] As shown in Figure 8, the inner panel 210 may be bonded to the outer case 205 by a panel adhesive portion 60. In the illustrated example, the panel adhesive portion 60 is double-sided tape, which bonds the first wall portion 310 to the outer case 205. In addition to fastening with screws 240 as described above, bonding with the panel adhesive portion 60 can suppress the risk of foreign matter such as water entering between the inner panel 210 and the outer case 205. As shown in Figure 8, the heating unit 36 ​​and the battery 10 are housed in the housing 2000. The wireless communication unit 80 may be located between the heating unit 36 ​​and the battery 10. This allows for a compact electrical system for the flavor inhaler 200. Note that the flavor inhaler 200 does not necessarily have an outer panel 204 (Figure 3A-3C).

[0071] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the first wall portion 310 may have a first connecting portion 510, and the second wall portion 320 may have a second connecting portion 520 connected to the first connecting portion 510. In the following, "connected" means that the first wall portion 310 and the second wall portion 320 are in contact or bonded via an adhesive layer containing an adhesive or the like.

[0072] The first connecting portion 510 contains metal, and may contain metal as its main component. Preferably, the first connecting portion 510 is formed from metal. Preferably, the first connecting portion 510 is formed integrally with the portion of the first wall portion 310 other than the first connecting portion 510. Preferably, the first connecting portion 510 extends along the first outer surface S11 or the second outer surface S12.

[0073] Figure 9 is an enlarged side view of the first wall portion 310 showing the first connection portion 510. Figure 9 shows only the first wall portion 310. As shown in Figure 9, the first wall portion 310 may have a wall opening 511. The wall opening 511 is defined in the first wall portion 310 and is configured to allow electromagnetic waves used for communication of the wireless communication unit 80 to pass through. The first connection portion 510 may be a rib that defines the wall opening 511. The first connection portion 510 may be formed to surround the wall opening 511. As shown in Figure 9, the first connection portion 510 may have a through hole T1. The through hole T1 may be a through hole formed in the rib that constitutes the first connection portion 510. The first connection portion 510 may have a notch T2 alternatively or additionally to the through hole T1. Preferably, such a notch T2 has a structure that sandwiches a part of the first connecting portion 510 between the notch T2 and the wall opening 511. The second wall body 321, which will be described later, is positioned along the wall 300 so as to overlap with the wall opening 511, and the second connecting portion 520 is positioned so as to overlap with the through hole T1.

[0074] The second connecting portion 520 contains resin, and may contain resin as its main component. Preferably, the second connecting portion 520 is formed from resin. Preferably, the second connecting portion 520 is formed integrally with the portion of the second wall portion 320 other than the second connecting portion 520.

[0075] Figure 10 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler in the direction of arrow 10-10 shown in Figure 4. Figure 11 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler in the direction of arrow 11-11 shown in Figure 4. The 10-10 cross-section in Figure 4 shown in Figure 10 is a side cross-section that does not pass through the through hole T1 of the first connecting portion 510, and the 11-11 cross-section in Figure 4 shown in Figure 11 is a side cross-section that passes through the through hole T1. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the second wall portion 320 has a flat plate-shaped second wall portion body 321, and the second connecting portion 520 may extend from the second wall portion body 321 in a direction along the wall 300.

[0076] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the second connecting portion 520 has a first portion 521A and a second portion 521B. The first portion 521A is located on the side of the second outer surface S12 that is perpendicular to the second outer surface S12, compared to the first connecting portion 510. The first portion 521A may have a connecting surface 522A that faces or contacts the first connecting portion 510. The second portion 521B is located between the first connecting portion 510 and the internal space of the housing 2000, in a direction perpendicular to the second outer surface S12. The second portion 521B may have a connecting surface 522B that faces or contacts the first connecting portion 510.

[0077] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the first portion 521A and the second portion 521B of the second connecting portion 520 may form a structure that sandwiches the first connecting portion 510. In other words, the second connecting portion 520 may have a plurality of connecting surfaces 522A and 522B that face the first connecting portion 510 and are opposite to each other. In the illustrated example, the first portion 521A, the first connecting portion 510, and the second portion 521B are arranged in the order of the first portion 521A, the first connecting portion 510, and the second portion 521B in a direction perpendicular to the second outer surface S12. The first portion 521A and the second portion 521B of the second connecting portion 520 may be formed to branch off from the second wall portion body 321 in a cross section perpendicular to the second outer surface S12.

[0078] A gap may form between the first wall portion 310, which contains metal, and the second wall portion 320, which contains resin, making the inner panel 210 prone to damage. The second connecting portion 520 having the clamping structure makes the inner panel 210 more structurally stable and less prone to damage. In particular, the method of forming the inner panel 210 by placing the first wall portion 310, which is made of metal, into a mold and pouring in resin is preferable because it allows for mass production and efficient manufacturing, but the clamping structure can also be easily formed by this method.

[0079] As shown in Figure 11, the second connecting portion 520 may have a surface connecting portion 523 that connects the connecting surface 522A of the first portion 521A and the connecting surface 522B of the second portion 521B through the through hole T1. This allows the surface connecting portion 523 to support the first portion 521A and the second portion 521B while restricting movement along the second outer surface S12, making it less likely for the second connecting portion 520 to detach from the first connecting portion 510, and further structurally stabilizing the inner panel 210. From a similar viewpoint, it is preferable, but not limited to, that the surface connecting portion 523 and the through hole T1 extend in the thickness direction of the wall 300. It is preferable that the surface connecting portion 523 is formed integrally with the first portion 521A and the second portion 521B. The surface connecting portion 523 may be columnar. The number, shape, and position of the through holes T1 and surface connection portions 523 are not particularly limited, as long as the desired structural stability can be obtained in the inner panel 210. For example, the first connection portion 510 can have one or more arbitrary numbers of through holes T1. In the example of Figure 9, the shape of the through holes T1 is circular in a plan view perpendicular to the second outer surface S12, but it is not limited to this, and may be any shape such as a triangle, quadrilateral or polygon.

[0080] It is more preferable that the first wall portion 310 and the second wall portion 320 are integrally formed by insert molding. This allows for efficient manufacturing of the inner panel 210 and enables mass production. However, the first wall portion 310 and the second wall portion 320 are not limited to insert molding and may be formed by other methods such as injection molding.

[0081] Although 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, specification, and drawings. Furthermore, any shape or material not directly described in the specification and drawings is within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention as long as it achieves the function and effect of the present invention.

[0082] (1) According to a first aspect of the present invention, the flavor inhaler comprises a housing, the housing comprising a wall, the wall comprising a first wall portion formed of metal and defining a first outer surface, and a second wall portion formed of resin and defining a second outer surface, the first wall portion comprising a first connecting portion, the second wall portion comprising a second connecting portion connected to the first connecting portion, the first connecting portion comprising at least one of a through hole and a notch, the second connecting portion comprising a plurality of connecting surfaces facing the first connecting portion and facing each other, and a surface connecting portion connecting the plurality of connecting surfaces through at least one of the through hole and the notch. (2) According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the flavor inhaler further comprises a heating unit housed in the housing for heating a flavor source, and a wireless communication unit housed in the housing and positioned away from the heating unit, wherein the first wall portion is positioned opposite the heating unit in a direction perpendicular to the first outer surface and does not cover the wireless communication unit in a plan view from that direction, and the second wall portion is positioned opposite the wireless communication unit in a direction perpendicular to the second outer surface. (3) According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, a metal body for improving the gain in communication of the wireless communication unit is disposed on the second wall portion. (4) According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, at least a portion of the metal body is disposed at a predetermined distance from the first wall portion to enable capacitive coupling. (5) According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the flavor inhaler further comprises double-sided tape located between at least a portion of the metal body and the first wall portion. (6) According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any third to fifth aspect, the metal body extends along the wall from a position overlapping the first outer surface of the first wall portion to a position overlapping the second outer surface of the second wall portion. (7) According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any third to sixth aspect, the flavor inhaler further comprises a spacer located between the wireless communication unit and the metal body. (8) According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any first to seventh aspect, the flavor inhaler further comprises a control board, and the first wall portion is electrically connected to the ground terminal of the control board.(9) According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in any of the first to eighth aspects, the first wall portion and the second wall portion are integrally formed by insert molding. (10) According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in any of the first to ninth aspects, the through hole extends in the thickness direction of the wall. (11) According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the flavor suction system comprises a flavor suction device according to any of the first to tenth aspects and a consumable material containing a flavor source.

[0083] 10: Battery 20: Control unit 21: Control board 30: Atomizing unit 36: Heating unit 61: Double-sided tape 80: Wireless communication unit 81: Metal body 82: Spacer 100: Consumables 200: Flavor inhaler 201: Outer casing 204: Outer panel 205: Outer case 210: Inner panel 300: Wall 310: First wall section 320: Second wall section 510: First connection section 520: Second connection section 521A: First part 521B: Second part 522A, 522B: Connection surface 523: Surface connection section 610: First conductive part 620: Second conductive part 810: Joint section 1000: Flavor inhalation system 2000: Housing C1: Predetermined interval P1: First position P3: Second position S11: First outer surface S12: Second outer surface T1: Through hole T2: Notch

Claims

1. A flavor inhaler comprising a housing, wherein the housing comprises a wall, the wall comprising a first wall portion formed of metal and defining a first outer surface, and a second wall portion formed of resin and defining a second outer surface, the first wall portion comprising a first connecting portion, the second wall portion comprising a second connecting portion connected to the first connecting portion, the first connecting portion comprising at least one of a through hole and a notch, and the second connecting portion comprising a plurality of connecting surfaces facing the first connecting portion and facing each other, and a surface connecting portion connecting the plurality of connecting surfaces through at least one of the through hole and the notch, the flavor inhaler.

2. The flavor inhaler according to claim 1, further comprising: a heating unit housed in the housing for heating a flavor source; and a wireless communication unit housed in the housing and positioned away from the heating unit, wherein the first wall is positioned opposite the heating unit in a direction perpendicular to the first outer surface and does not cover the wireless communication unit in a plan view from that direction; and the second wall is positioned opposite the wireless communication unit in a direction perpendicular to the second outer surface.

3. The flavor inhaler according to claim 2, wherein a metal body for improving the gain in communication of the wireless communication unit is disposed on the second wall portion.

4. The flavor inhaler according to claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the metal body is arranged with respect to the first wall portion at a predetermined distance that enables capacitive coupling.

5. The flavor inhaler according to claim 4, further comprising double-sided tape positioned between at least a portion of the metal body and the first wall portion.

6. The flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the metal body extends along the wall from a position overlapping the first outer surface of the first wall portion to a position overlapping the second outer surface of the second wall portion.

7. The flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 3 to 6, further comprising a spacer located between the wireless communication unit and the metal body.

8. The flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a control board, wherein the first wall portion is electrically connected to the grounding terminal of the control board.

9. The flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first wall portion and the second wall portion are integrally formed by insert molding.

10. The flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the through hole extends in the thickness direction of the wall.

11. A flavor inhalation system comprising a flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a consumable material containing a flavor source.

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