WO2022123757A1

WO2022123757A1 - Fragrance inhaler

Info

Publication number: WO2022123757A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/046195
Authority: WO
Inventors: 干城隅井; 康信井上; 学山田; 啓介森田; 弘樹中合
Original assignee: 日本たばこ産業株式会社
Priority date: 2020-12-11
Filing date: 2020-12-11
Publication date: 2022-06-16
Also published as: TW202222185A; JP7463556B2; EP4260722A1; JPWO2022123757A1; EP4260722A4

Abstract

The present invention suppresses a leakage of heat in a fragrance inhaler.　This inhaler comprises: a housing; an accommodation unit which is accommodated in the housing and accommodates a consuming material; and a heating unit configured to heat the consuming material accommodated in the accommodation unit. In a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the accommodation unit, the housing has a first long axis passing through the center of gravity of the housing. In the cross-section, the accommodation unit has a second long axis passing through the center of gravity of the accommodation part. In the cross-section, the first long axis crosses the second long axis.

Description

Flavor aspirator

The present invention relates to a flavor aspirator.

Conventionally, a flavor aspirator for sucking a flavor or the like without burning the material has been known. The flavor aspirator has, for example, a chamber that houses the flavor generating article, a heater that heats the flavor generating article housed in the chamber, and a heat insulating material that suppresses heat transfer of the heater to the housing (for example, a patent). See Document 1).

Further, a device having a heating chamber having a flat substantially elliptical cross section and a heating plate for heating the heating chamber, inserting a cigarette into the heating chamber, and compressing and holding the cigarette in the heating chamber. It is known (see Patent Document 2).

International Publication No. 2020/035454 China Utility Model Announcement No. 205052881

In the heating chamber having a substantially elliptical cross section of the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, the area along the long axis of the ellipse and the surface along the short axis of the ellipse are close to the outer housing. Is different. Specifically, the area of the surface along the long axis close to the outer housing is larger than the area of the surface along the short axis close to the outer housing. Therefore, if the distance between the surface along the long axis and the outer housing is approximately the same as the distance between the surface along the minor axis and the outer housing, it is close to the surface along the long axis. The heat of the heating chamber is easily transferred to the portion of the outer housing. As a result, in such a device, there is a risk that unintended heat leakage may occur or the user may feel uncomfortable during use. On the other hand, if the external housing is made large in order to prevent this, the miniaturization of the device is hindered.

One of the objects of the present invention is to suppress heat leakage in a flavor aspirator.

According to the first form, a flavor aspirator is provided. This flavor aspirator includes a housing, an accommodating portion housed in the housing and configured to accommodate the consumable material, and a heating unit configured to heat the consumable material housed in the accommodating portion. And have. In a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the housing, the housing has a first major axis that passes through the center of gravity of the housing. In the cross section, the accommodating portion has a second major axis that passes through the center of gravity of the accommodating portion. In the cross section, the first major axis intersects the second major axis.

According to the first embodiment, since the first major axis is not parallel to the second major axis, the surface of the accommodating portion along the second major axis may face the surface of the housing along the first major axis. Can be prevented. As a result, the area of the surface along the second major axis of the accommodating portion closer to the housing as compared with the case where the surface along the second major axis of the accommodating portion faces the surface along the first major axis of the housing. Since the heat can be reduced, the heat of the housing portion can be transferred to the housing and the heat leakage can be suppressed. In the present specification, the "first major axis" means the length of the housing (the length between the outer surfaces) on a predetermined axis passing through the center of gravity of the housing in a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the housing portion. A shaft located on a predetermined shaft when it corresponds to the maximum length of the housing. Further, in the present specification, the "first long axis" refers to a housing on an axis orthogonal to a predetermined axis passing through the center of gravity of the housing and passing through the center of gravity of the housing in a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the accommodating portion. It can also be said that the axis is located on a predetermined axis when the length (the length between the outer surfaces) corresponds to the minimum length of the housing. Similarly, as used herein, the term "second major axis" refers to the length of the accommodating portion (length between outer surfaces) on a predetermined axis passing through the center of gravity of the accommodating portion in a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the accommodating portion. ) Refers to an axis located on a predetermined axis when it corresponds to the maximum length of the accommodating portion. Further, in the present specification, the "second long axis" is an axis orthogonal to a predetermined axis passing through the center of gravity of the accommodating portion and passing through the center of gravity of the accommodating portion in a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the accommodating portion. It can also be said that the axis is located on a predetermined axis when the length of the accommodating portion (the length between the outer surfaces) corresponds to the minimum length of the accommodating portion.

The second aspect is the gist of the first aspect, that the heating portion is provided on the inner surface or the outer surface of the accommodating portion, and the heating portion does not intersect the second major axis in the cross section.

When the first major axis intersects the second major axis, the accommodating portion may have a surface located farther from the housing than the surface of the accommodating portion on the second major axis. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the distance between the housing and the heating portion can be increased as compared with the case where the heating portion intersects the second major axis, so that the heat of the heating portion may leak to the housing. Can be more suppressed.

The third form has, in the first form or the second form, an air flow path formed between the consumable material and the accommodating portion when the consumable material is arranged at a desired position in the accommodating portion. However, in the cross section, the gist is that the air flow path intersects the second major axis.

According to the third embodiment, since the air flow path is provided on the second long axis in which the distance between the housing and the accommodating portion is relatively short, the air flow path functions as an air heat insulating layer, and the consumption is heated in the accommodating portion. It can be suppressed that the heat of the material is transferred to the outside of the housing. As a result, heat leakage to the housing can be suppressed.

In the fourth form, in any one of the first to third forms, the accommodating portion has a tubular side wall portion, and the side wall portion has a flat inner surface and a flat outer surface, and is parallel to each other. It has a pair of flat portions, the flat portion thereof is substantially parallel to the second major axis in the cross section, and the heating portion is provided on the flat inner surface or the flat outer surface of the flat portion. , Is the gist.

According to the fourth embodiment, since the heating portion is not provided on the second long axis in which the distance between the housing and the accommodating portion is relatively short, the distance between the housing and the heating portion can be increased, and the heat of the heating portion can be increased. Can be more suppressed from leaking into the housing.

The fifth form is the fourth form quoting the third form, in which the side wall portion has a curved portion connecting the ends of the pair of flat portions in the cross section, and the air flow path has a curved portion. The gist is that it is formed between the consumable material and the curved portion.

According to the fifth embodiment, since the air flow path is formed between the curved portion and the consumable material, the air passing through the air flow path can absorb the heat of the curved portion and cool the curved portion. Further, since the second major axis of the accommodating portion is substantially parallel to the flat portion, the curved portion is located on the second major axis. Therefore, since the curved portion having a relatively short distance from the housing is cooled, heat leakage to the housing can be suppressed.

The gist of the sixth form is that, in any one of the first to fifth forms, the center of gravity of the housing and the center of gravity of the accommodating portion do not substantially coincide with each other.

According to the sixth embodiment, a wider space can be formed in the housing as compared with the case where the center of gravity of the accommodating portion coincides with the center of gravity of the housing. As a result, it becomes easy to secure a space for accommodating parts such as a power supply in the housing.

The gist of the seventh form is that, in any of the first to sixth forms, the first major axis is substantially orthogonal to the second major axis in the cross section.

According to the seventh embodiment, the surface along the second major axis of the accommodating portion is further separated from the surface along the first major axis of the housing as compared with the case where the first major axis is not orthogonal to the second major axis. Can be done. As a result, the heat of the accommodating portion is transferred to the housing, and the heat leakage can be suppressed.

In the eighth form, in any one of the first to seventh forms, the length of the housing in the first major axis corresponds to the maximum length of the housing in the cross section, and the said in the second major axis. The gist is that the length of the housing portion corresponds to the maximum length of the housing portion in the cross section.

It is a schematic front view of the flavor aspirator which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic top view of the flavor aspirator which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic bottom view of the flavor aspirator which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic side sectional view of a consumable material. It is sectional drawing of the flavor aspirator in the arrow view 3-3 shown in FIG. 1B. It is a perspective view of a chamber. It is sectional drawing of the chamber in the arrow view 4B-4B shown in FIG. 4A. It is sectional drawing of the chamber in the arrow view 5A-5A shown in FIG. 4B. It is sectional drawing of the chamber in the arrow view 5B-5B shown in FIG. 4B. It is a perspective view of a chamber and a heating unit. It is sectional drawing of the flavor aspirator in the arrow view 7-7 shown in FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the axis orthogonal to the axial direction of the chamber in a state where the consumable material is arranged at a desired position in the chamber shown in FIGS. 3 to 7. The cross-sectional view in the cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the chamber provided in the flavor aspirator according to another embodiment is shown. The cross-sectional view in the cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the chamber provided in the flavor aspirator according to another embodiment is shown. It is a schematic diagram explaining the relative orientation of the chamber and the outer housing of the flavor aspirator 100 which concerns on another embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments 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 duplicated description will be omitted.

FIG. 1A is a schematic front view of the flavor aspirator 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1B is a schematic top view of the flavor aspirator 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1C is a schematic bottom view of the flavor aspirator 100 according to the present embodiment. In the drawings described herein, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system may be added for convenience of explanation. In this coordinate system, the Z-axis points vertically upward, the XY planes are arranged to cut the flavor aspirator 100 horizontally, and the Y-axis extends from the front to the back of the flavor aspirator 100. It is arranged to be put out. The Z-axis can also be said to be the insertion direction of the consumable material housed in the chamber 50 of the atomizing unit 30, which will be described later, or the axial direction of the cylindrical chamber 50. In the present specification, the Z-axis direction may be simply referred to as an axial direction. Further, the X-axis can be said to be a first direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and the Y-axis can be said to be a second direction orthogonal to the axial direction and the first direction. Further, the X-axis direction can also be said to be the device longitudinal direction on the plane orthogonal to the insertion direction of the consumable material, or the direction in which the heating unit and the power supply unit are aligned. The Y-axis direction can also be said to be the device short-side direction on the plane orthogonal to the insertion direction of the consumable material.

The flavor aspirator 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to generate an aerosol containing an aerosol by heating, for example, a stick-type consumable material having a flavor source containing an aerosol source.

As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the flavor aspirator 100 includes an outer housing 101 (corresponding to an example of the housing), a slide cover 102, and a switch portion 103. The outer housing 101 constitutes the outermost housing of the flavor aspirator 100 and has a size that fits in the user's hand. When the user uses the flavor aspirator 100, the flavor aspirator 100 can be held by hand to suck the aerosol. The outer housing 101 may be configured by assembling a plurality of members. The outer housing 101 can be formed of, for example, a resin such as PEEK (polyetheretherketone).

The outer housing 101 has an opening (not shown) for receiving consumable materials, and the slide cover 102 is slidably attached to the outer housing 101 so as to close this opening. Specifically, the slide cover 102 is outside the outer housing 101 between a closed position (position shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B) for closing the opening of the outer housing 101 and an open position for opening the opening. It is configured to be movable along the surface. For example, the user can manually operate the slide cover 102 to move the slide cover 102 between the closed position and the open position. Thereby, the access of the consumable material to the inside of the slide cover 102 and the flavor aspirator 100 can be permitted or restricted.

The switch unit 103 is used to switch the operation of the flavor aspirator 100 on and off. For example, by operating the switch unit 103 with the consumable material inserted in the flavor aspirator 100, electric power is supplied to a heating unit (not shown) from a power source (not shown) to heat the consumable material without burning it. Can be done. The switch unit 103 may be a switch provided outside the outer housing 101, or may be a switch located inside the outer housing 101. When the switch is located inside the outer housing 101, the switch is indirectly pressed by pressing the switch portion 103 on the surface of the outer housing 101. In this embodiment, an example in which the switch of the switch unit 103 is located inside the outer housing 101 will be described.

The flavor aspirator 100 may further have a terminal (not shown). The terminal may be an interface that connects the flavor aspirator 100 to, for example, an external power source. When the power source included in the flavor aspirator 100 is a rechargeable battery, by connecting an external power source to the terminal, the external power source can pass a current through the power source to charge the power source. Further, the flavor aspirator 100 may be configured so that data related to the operation of the flavor aspirator 100 can be transmitted to an external device by connecting a data transmission cable to the terminal.

Next, the consumable material used in the flavor aspirator 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view of the consumer material 110. In the present embodiment, the smoking system can be configured by the flavor aspirator 100 and the consumable material 110. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the consumable material 110 includes a smokeable substance 111, a tubular member 114, a hollow filter portion 116, and a filter portion 115. The smokeable material 111 is wrapped by the first wrapping paper 112. The tubular member 114, the hollow filter portion 116, and the filter portion 115 are wound by a second wrapping paper 113 different from the first wrapping paper 112. The second wrapping paper 113 also wraps a part of the first wrapping paper 112 that wraps the smokeable material 111. As a result, the cylindrical member 114, the hollow filter portion 116, and the filter portion 115 are connected to the smokeable substance 111. However, the second wrapping paper 113 may be omitted, and the tubular member 114, the hollow filter portion 116, and the filter portion 115 and the smokeable material 111 may be connected by using the first wrapping paper 112. A lip release agent 117 is applied to the outer surface of the second wrapping paper 113 in the vicinity of the end portion on the filter portion 115 side to prevent the user's lips from sticking to the second wrapping paper 113. The portion of the consumer material 110 to which the lip release agent 117 is applied functions as a mouthpiece of the consumer material 110.

The smokeable substance 111 may include, for example, a flavor source such as tobacco and an aerosol source. Further, the first wrapping paper 112 around which the smokeable material 111 is wrapped may be a breathable sheet member. The tubular member 114 can be a paper tube or a hollow filter. In the illustrated example, the consumer material 110 includes a smokeable material 111, a tubular member 114, a hollow filter unit 116, and a filter unit 115, but the configuration of the consumer material 110 is not limited to this. For example, the hollow filter portion 116 may be omitted, and the cylindrical member 114 and the filter portion 115 may be arranged adjacent to each other.

Next, the internal structure of the flavor aspirator 100 will be described. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the flavor aspirator 100 in the arrow view 3-3 shown in FIG. 1B. As shown in FIG. 3, an inner housing 10 is provided inside the outer housing 101 of the flavor aspirator 100. The inner housing 10 is made of, for example, a resin, and in particular, a polycarbonate (PC), an ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadie-Style) resin, a PEEK (polyetheretherketone), a polymer alloy containing a plurality of kinds of polymers, or the like, or It can be made of metal such as aluminum. From the viewpoint of heat resistance and strength, the inner housing 10 is preferably formed of PEEK. However, the material of the inner housing 10 is not particularly limited. A power supply unit 20 and an atomizing unit 30 are provided in the internal space of the inner housing 10. Further, the outer housing 101 is made of, for example, a resin, and in particular, a polycarbonate (PC), an ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadie-Style) resin, a PEEK (polyetheretherketone), a polymer alloy containing a plurality of types of polymers, and the like, and the like. Alternatively, it may be made of a metal such as aluminum.

The power supply unit 20 has a power supply 21. The power source 21 may be, for example, a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. The power supply 21 is electrically connected to the atomizing unit 30. As a result, the power supply 21 can supply electric power to the atomizing unit 30 so as to appropriately heat the consumable material 110.

As shown in the figure, the atomizing portion 30 includes a chamber 50 extending in the insertion direction (Z-axis direction) of the consumable material 110 (corresponding to an example of the accommodating portion), a heating unit 40 surrounding a part of the chamber 50, and heat insulation. It has a portion 32 and a substantially tubular insertion guide member 34. The chamber 50 is configured to accommodate the consumable material 110. The heating unit 40 is configured to come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the chamber 50 and heat the consumable material 110 housed in the chamber 50.

The flavor aspirator 100 further has a first support portion 37 and a second support portion 38 that support both ends of the chamber 50 and the heat insulating portion 32. The first support portion 37 is arranged so as to support the ends of the chamber 50 and the heat insulating portion 32 on the slide cover 102 side (Z-axis positive direction side). The second support portion 38 is arranged so as to directly or indirectly support the ends of the chamber 50 and the heat insulating portion 32 on the negative side of the Z axis. The first support portion 37 and the second support portion 38 can be formed of, for example, an elastomer such as silicone rubber. As shown, a bottom member 36 may be provided at the bottom of the chamber 50. The bottom member 36 can function as a stopper for positioning the consumable material 110 inserted into the chamber 50. The bottom member 36 has irregularities on the surface with which the consumer material 110 abuts, and the bottom member 36 capable of defining a space in which air can be supplied to the surface with which the consumable material 110 abuts is, for example, a resin material such as PEEK or a metal. , Glass, ceramic, etc., but is not particularly limited thereto. Further, the material constituting the bottom member 36 may be a material having lower thermal conductivity than the material constituting the chamber 50. When the bottom member 36 is joined to the bottom 56 of the chamber 50 (see FIG. 6B), an adhesive that can be composed of a resin material such as an epoxy resin or an inorganic material can be used. Details of the chamber 50 and the heating unit 40 will be described later.

The heat insulating portion 32 has a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, and is arranged so as to surround the chamber 50. The heat insulating portion 32 may include, for example, an airgel sheet. The insertion guide member 34 is made of a resin material such as PEEK, PC, or ABS, and is provided between the slide cover 102 in the closed position and the chamber 50. In the present embodiment, since the insertion guide member 34 can come into contact with the chamber 50, the insertion guide member 34 is preferably formed of PEEK from the viewpoint of heat resistance. The insertion guide member 34 communicates with the outside of the flavor aspirator 100 when the slide cover 102 is in the open position, and inserts the consumable material 110 into the insertion guide member 34 to insert the consumable material 110 into the chamber 50. To guide you.

Next, the structure of the chamber 50 will be described. FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the chamber 50. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the chamber 50 in the arrow view 4B-4B shown in FIG. 4A. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the chamber 50 in the arrow view 5A-5A shown in FIG. 4B. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the chamber 50 in the arrow view 5B-5B shown in FIG. 4B. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the chamber 50 and the heating unit 40. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the chamber 50 may be a tubular member including an opening 52 into which the consumable material 110 is inserted and a tubular side wall portion 60 for accommodating the consumable material 110. The chamber 50 is preferably formed of a material having heat resistance and a low coefficient of thermal expansion, and may be formed of, for example, a metal such as stainless steel, a resin such as PEEK, glass, or ceramic.

As shown in FIGS. 4B and 5B, the side wall portion 60 includes a flat portion 62 and a curved portion 66. When the consumable material 110 is placed in a desired position within the chamber 50, the flat portion 62 contacts or presses on a portion of the consumable material 110 and the curved portion 66 separates from the consumable material 110. In the present specification, the "desired position in the chamber 50" means a position where the consumable material 110 is appropriately heated, or a position of the consumable material 110 when the user smokes. The flat portion 62 has a flat inner surface 62a and a flat outer surface 62b. The curved portion 66 has an inner surface 66a and an outer surface 66b. As shown in FIG. 6, the heating unit 40 is arranged on the outer surface 62b of the flat portion 62. It is preferable that the heating unit 40 is arranged without a gap on the outer surface 62b of the flat portion 62. The heating unit 40 may include an adhesive layer. In that case, it is preferable that the heating unit 40 including the adhesive layer is arranged without a gap on the outer surface 62b of the flat portion 62.

Since the outer surface 62b of the flat portion 62 is flat, the strip-shaped electrode 48 is connected to the heating unit 40 arranged on the outer surface 62b of the flat portion 62 as shown in FIG. It is possible to suppress bending. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 5B, the thickness of the flat portion 62 is uniform.

As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 5B, the chamber 50 has two flat portions 62 in the circumferential direction of the chamber 50, and the pair of flat portions 62 are parallel to each other. It is preferable that at least a part of the distance between the inner surfaces 62a of the pair of flat portions 62 is smaller than the width of the portion arranged between the flat portions 62 of the consumable material 110 inserted into the chamber 50.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the inner surface 66a of the curved portion 66 may have an overall arcuate cross section in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) of the chamber 50. Further, the curved portion 66 is arranged so as to be adjacent to the flat portion 62 in the circumferential direction. In other words, the curved portion 66 is configured to connect the respective ends of the pair of flat portions 62 to each other.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the chamber 50 may have a hole 56a in its bottom 56 such that the bottom member 36 shown in FIG. 3 penetrates and is placed inside the chamber 50. The bottom member 36 may be fixed to the inside of the bottom 56 of the chamber 50 with an adhesive or the like. The bottom member 36 provided on the bottom 56 may support a portion of the consumable material 110 inserted into the chamber 50 so as to expose at least a portion of the end face of the consumable material 110.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the chamber 50 preferably has a tubular portion 54 between the opening 52 and the side wall portion 60. With the consumable material 110 positioned at the desired position in the chamber 50, a gap may be formed between the tubular portion 54 and the consumable material 110. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, it is preferable that the chamber 50 has a first guide portion 58 provided with a tapered surface 58a connecting the inner surface of the tubular portion 54 and the inner surface 62a of the flat portion 62.

As shown in FIG. 6, the heating unit 40 has a heating element 42 (corresponding to an example of a heating unit). The heating element 42 may be, for example, a heating track. The heating element 42 may be provided on the outer surface or the inner surface of the chamber 50. The heating element 42 is preferably arranged so as to heat the flat portion 62 without contacting the curved portion 66 of the chamber 50. In other words, the heating element 42 is preferably arranged only on the outer surface of the flat portion 62. The heating element 42 has a portion that heats the curved portion 66 of the chamber 50 and a portion that heats the flat portion 62, and may have a difference in the heating capacity of each. Specifically, the heating element 42 may be configured to heat the flat portion 62 to a higher temperature than the curved portion 66. For example, the placement density of the heating track of the heating element 42 in the flat portion 62 and the curved portion 66 can be adjusted. Further, the heating element 42 may have substantially the same heating capacity all around the chamber 50 and may be wound around the outer periphery of the chamber 50. As shown in FIG. 6, it is preferable that the heating unit 40 has, in addition to the heating element 42, an electrical insulating member 44 that covers at least one surface of the heating element 42. In the present embodiment, the electrical insulating member 44 is arranged so as to cover both sides of the heating element 42.

Next, the relative orientations of the chamber 50 and the outer housing 101 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the flavor aspirator 100 in arrow view 7-7 shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, for the sake of simplicity, the illustration of the parts excluding the outer housing 101 and the chamber 50 is omitted. As shown in FIGS. 5B and 6, the chamber 50 of the present embodiment has a flat shape in a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction. Specifically, the chamber 50 has a pair of flat portions 62 parallel to each other and a pair of curved portions 66 connecting the respective ends of the pair of flat portions 62. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the outer housing 101 of the present embodiment has a flat shape in a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the outer housing 101 has a first side wall 101a and a first side wall 101a and a second side wall 101b facing the first side wall 101a in the Y-axis direction.

In the cross section shown in FIG. 7, the outer housing 101 has a first major axis A1 that passes through the center of gravity of the outer housing 101. The center of gravity of the outer housing 101 in the present specification means the center of gravity when the inside of the outer edge of the outer housing 101 in the cross section shown in FIG. 7 has the same mass. Further, in the present specification, the "first long axis" is the length of the outer housing 101 on a predetermined axis passing through the center of gravity of the outer housing 101 in a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the chamber 50 (cross section shown in FIG. 7). A shaft located on a predetermined shaft when the width (length between outer surfaces) corresponds to the maximum length of the outer housing 101. Therefore, the length of the outer housing 101 on the first major axis A1 shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to the maximum length of the outer housing 101 in the cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the chamber 50. Further, in the present specification, the "first long axis" is a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the chamber 50, orthogonal to a predetermined axis passing through the center of gravity of the outer housing 101, and passing through the center of gravity of the outer housing 101. It can also be said that the shaft is located on a predetermined shaft when the length of the outer housing 101 (the length between the outer surfaces) on the shaft corresponds to the minimum length of the outer housing 101.

In the cross section shown in FIG. 7, the chamber 50 has a second major axis A2 that passes through the center of gravity of the chamber 50. The center of gravity of the chamber 50 in the present specification means the center of gravity when the inside of the outer edge of the chamber 50 in the cross section shown in FIG. 7 has the same mass. Further, in the present specification, the "second major axis" is the length of the chamber 50 (the length between the outer surfaces) on a predetermined axis in the cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the chamber 50 (cross section shown in FIG. 7). Refers to an axis located on a predetermined axis when the length corresponds to the maximum length of the chamber 50. Therefore, the length of the chamber 50 on the second major axis A2 shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to the maximum length of the chamber 50 in the cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the chamber 50. Further, in the present specification, the "second long axis" is an axis orthogonal to a predetermined axis passing through the center of gravity of the chamber 50 and passing through the center of gravity of the chamber 50 in a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the chamber 50. It can also be said that the axis is located on a predetermined axis when the length of the chamber 50 (the length between the outer surfaces) corresponds to the minimum length of the chamber 50.

In the chamber 50 and the outer housing 101 having a flat shape as shown in FIG. 7, when the chamber 50 is arranged in the outer housing 101 so that the first major axis A1 is parallel to the second major axis A2, The surface of the chamber 50 along the second major axis A2, that is, the surface including the flat portion 62, faces the first side wall 101a and the second side wall 101b of the outer housing 101. In this case, the surfaces of the chamber 50 along the second major axis A2, which have a relatively large area close to the first side wall 101a and the second side wall 101b of the outer housing 101, face each other, which is not intended from the outer housing 101. There is a risk of heat leakage or discomfort when used by the user. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the outer housing 101 and the chamber 50 are arranged so that the first major axis A1 and the second major axis A2 intersect in the cross section shown in FIG. 7.

As a result, the first major axis A1 is not parallel to the second major axis A2, so that the surface of the chamber 50 along the second major axis A2 is the surface of the outer housing 101 along the first major axis A1 (first). It can be prevented from facing the side wall 101a or the second side wall 101b). As a result, the surface of the chamber 50 along the second major axis A2 faces the surface of the outer housing 101 along the first major axis A1 as compared with the case where the surface of the chamber 50 is opposed to the surface of the outer housing 101 along the first major axis A1. Since the area close to the outer housing 101 can be reduced, the heat of the chamber 50 can be suppressed from being transferred to the outer housing 101 and leaking.

In the present embodiment, in the cross section shown in FIG. 7, it is preferable that the first major axis A1 is substantially orthogonal to the second major axis A2. As a result, the surface of the chamber 50 along the second major axis A2 is more than the surface of the outer housing 101 along the first major axis A1 as compared with the case where the first major axis A1 is not orthogonal to the second major axis A2. Can be separated. As a result, the heat of the heating unit 40 is transferred to the outer housing 101, and the heat leakage can be suppressed.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, it is preferable that the center of gravity of the outer housing 101 and the center of gravity of the chamber 50 do not substantially match. As a result, a wider space can be formed in the outer housing 101 as compared with the case where the center of gravity of the chamber 50 coincides with the center of gravity of the outer housing 101. As a result, it becomes easy to secure a space for accommodating parts such as the power supply 21 in the outer housing 101.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction of the chamber 50 in a state where the consumable material 110 is arranged at a desired position in the chamber 50 shown in FIGS. 3 to 7. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the heating element 42 is provided only on the flat portion 62. When the consumable material 110 is placed in a desired position within the chamber 50, an air flow path may be formed between the consumable material 110 and the chamber 50. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, when the consumable material 110 is arranged at a desired position in the chamber 50, the consumable material 110 can come into contact with and be pressed against the flat portion 62 of the chamber 50. On the other hand, a gap 67 is formed between the consumer material 110 and the curved portion 66. The void 67 can communicate with the opening 52 of the chamber 50 and the end face of the consumable material 110 located in the chamber 50. As a result, the air flowing in from the opening 52 of the chamber 50 can pass through the gap 67 and flow into the inside of the consumable material 110. In other words, an air flow path (void 67) is formed between the consumable material 110 and the curved portion 66.

As shown in FIG. 8, it is preferable that the heating element 42 does not intersect the second major axis A2 in the cross section orthogonal to the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 7, when the first major axis A1 intersects the second major axis A2, the chamber 50 has an outer housing rather than the surface of the chamber 50 (the surface of the curved portion 66) on the second major axis A2. There may be a surface located away from 101. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the surface of the flat portion 62 of the chamber 50 is located farther than the surface of the curved portion 66 and the first side wall 101a or the second side wall 101b of the outer housing 101. .. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the distance between the outer housing 101 and the heating element 42 can be increased as compared with the case where the heating element 42 intersects the second major axis A2, so that the heat of the heating element 42 can be increased. Leakage to the outer housing 101 can be further suppressed. When the heating element 42 has a sparse portion and a dense portion, the sparse portion of the heating element 42 intersects the second major axis A2, and the dense portion of the heating element intersects the first major axis A1. Is preferable.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, it is preferable that the air flow path (void 67) intersects the second major axis A2 in the cross section orthogonal to the axial direction. As a result, the air flow path (void 67) is provided on the second major axis A2 in which the distance between the outer housing 101 and the chamber 50 is relatively short, so that the air flow path (void 67) functions as an air heat insulating layer. The heat of the consumable material 110 heated in the chamber 50 can be suppressed from being transferred to the outside of the chamber 50. As a result, heat leakage to the chamber 50 can be suppressed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, in the cross section orthogonal to the axial direction, the flat portion 62 is substantially parallel to the second major axis A2, and the heating element 42 is provided on the inner surface or the outer surface of the flat portion 62. Is preferable. As a result, since the heating element 42 is not provided on the second major axis A2 in which the distance between the outer housing 101 and the chamber 50 is relatively short, the distance between the outer housing 101 and the heating element 42 can be increased, and heating can be performed. The heat of the element 42 can be more suppressed from leaking to the outer housing 101.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, since the air flow path (void 67) is formed between the curved portion 66 and the consumable material 110, the air passing through the air flow path (void 67) is allowed to pass through the air flow path (void 67). It is possible to absorb the heat of the curved portion 66 and cool the curved portion 66. Further, since the second major axis A2 of the chamber 50 is substantially parallel to the flat portion 62, the curved portion 66 is located on the second major axis A2. Therefore, since the curved portion 66 having a relatively short distance from the outer housing 101 is cooled, heat leakage to the outer housing 101 can be suppressed.

9A and 9B show cross-sectional views in a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the chamber 50 included in the flavor aspirator 100 according to another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9A, the chamber 50 may have a substantially elliptical cross section in a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 9A, the heating element 42 may be provided on the inner surface of the chamber 50. The length of the chamber 50 on the second major axis A2 shown in FIG. 9A corresponds to the maximum length of the chamber 50 in the cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the chamber 50. Also in the example shown in FIG. 9A, similarly to the chamber 50 shown in FIG. 8, the heating element 42 does not intersect with the second major axis A2 in the cross section orthogonal to the axial direction. Further, since the chamber 50 shown in FIG. 9A has a substantially elliptical cross section, when the consumable material 110 having a circular cross section is inserted into the chamber 50, a gap is generated between the consumable material 110 and the chamber 50, and this gap is the first. It will be located on the long axis A2.

As shown in FIG. 9B, the chamber 50 may have a substantially rectangular cross section in a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction. In the example shown in FIG. 9B, the heating element 42 is provided on the inner surface of the chamber 50, as in FIG. 9A. Unlike the second major axis A2 shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9A, the length of the chamber 50 in the second major axis A2 shown in FIG. 9B is the maximum length of the chamber 50 in the cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the chamber 50. It does not correspond to the length. On the other hand, in FIG. 9B, in a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the chamber 50, the length of the chamber 50 in the axis A3 orthogonal to the second major axis A2 passing through the center of gravity C1 of the chamber 50 and passing through the center of gravity C1 of the chamber 50. The (length between the outer surfaces) corresponds to the minimum length of the chamber 50. Also in the example shown in FIG. 9B, similarly to the chamber 50 shown in FIG. 8, the heating element 42 does not intersect with the second major axis A2 in the cross section orthogonal to the axial direction. Further, since the chamber 50 shown in FIG. 9B has a substantially rectangular cross section, when the consumable material 110 having a circular cross section is inserted into the chamber 50, a gap is generated between the consumable material 110 and the chamber 50, and this gap is the second. It will be located on the long axis A2.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating the relative orientation of the chamber 50 and the outer housing 101 of the flavor aspirator 100 according to another embodiment. In FIG. 10, only the chamber 50 and the outer housing 101 are shown for ease of explanation. As shown in FIG. 10, the first major axis A1 of the outer housing 101 and the second major axis A2 of the chamber 50 do not have to be orthogonal to each other. Even in this case, since the first major axis A1 is not parallel to the second major axis A2, the surface of the chamber 50 along the second major axis A2 is along the first major axis A1 of the outer housing 101. It can be prevented from facing the surface.

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 made within the scope of claims and the technical ideas described in the specification and drawings. Is possible. It should be noted 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 the action and effect of the present invention are exhibited. For example, the flavor aspirator 100 of the present embodiment has a so-called counterflow type air flow path in which the air flowing in from the opening 52 of the chamber 50 is supplied to the end face of the consumable material 110, but the chamber is not limited to this. It may have a so-called bottom flow type air flow path in which air is supplied from the bottom 56 of the 50 into the chamber 50. Further, the heating element 42 is not limited to the resistance heating type, and may be an induction heating type. In that case, the heating element 42 can heat the chamber 50 by induction heating. Further, when the consumption material 110 has a susceptor, the heating element 42 can heat the susceptor of the consumption material 110 by induction heating.

42: Heating element 50: Chamber 60: Side wall portion 62: Flat portion 66: Curved portion 67: Void 100: Flavor aspirator 101: Outer housing 110: Consumable material A1: First major axis A2: Second major axis C1: Center of gravity

Claims

With the housing
An accommodating portion accommodated in the housing and configured to accommodate consumables.
It has a heating unit configured to heat the consumable material housed in the storage unit, and has a heating unit.
In a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the housing, the housing has a first major axis that passes through the center of gravity of the housing.
In the cross section, the accommodating portion has a second major axis that passes through the center of gravity of the accommodating portion.
In the cross section, the first major axis intersects the second major axis, a flavor aspirator.
In the flavor aspirator according to claim 1,
The heating portion is provided on the inner surface or the outer surface of the accommodating portion.
In the cross section, the heating portion is a flavor aspirator that does not intersect the second major axis.
In the flavor aspirator according to claim 1 or 2.
It has an air flow path formed between the consumable material and the accommodating portion when the consumable material is placed at a desired position in the accommodating portion.
In the cross section, the air flow path intersects the second major axis, a flavor aspirator.
In the flavor aspirator according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The accommodating portion has a cylindrical side wall portion and has a cylindrical side wall portion.
The side wall portion has a flat inner surface and a flat outer surface, and has a pair of flat portions parallel to each other.
In the cross section, the flat portion is substantially parallel to the second major axis.
The heating portion is a flavor aspirator provided on the flat inner surface or the flat outer surface of the flat portion.
In the flavor aspirator according to claim 4, which cites claim 3.
The side wall portion has a curved portion connecting the ends of the pair of flat portions in the cross section.
The air flow path is a flavor aspirator formed between the consumable material and the curved portion.
In the flavor aspirator according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
A flavor aspirator in which the center of gravity of the housing and the center of gravity of the housing portion do not substantially coincide with each other.
In the flavor aspirator according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
In the cross section, the first major axis is substantially orthogonal to the second major axis, a flavor aspirator.
In the flavor aspirator according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The length of the housing on the first major axis corresponds to the maximum length of the housing on the cross section.
The flavor aspirator whose length of the accommodating portion in the second major axis corresponds to the maximum length of the accommodating portion in the cross section.