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WO2024127608A1 - Inhalateur d'arôme et système d'inhalation d'arôme - Google Patents

Inhalateur d'arôme et système d'inhalation d'arôme Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024127608A1
WO2024127608A1 PCT/JP2022/046303 JP2022046303W WO2024127608A1 WO 2024127608 A1 WO2024127608 A1 WO 2024127608A1 JP 2022046303 W JP2022046303 W JP 2022046303W WO 2024127608 A1 WO2024127608 A1 WO 2024127608A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
guide member
insertion guide
consumable product
flavor inhaler
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/JP2022/046303
Other languages
English (en)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
篤史 一瀬
貴裕 小山
貴司 藤木
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Japan Tobacco Inc
Original Assignee
Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Japan Tobacco Inc filed Critical Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority to PCT/JP2022/046303 priority Critical patent/WO2024127608A1/fr
Priority to TW112122974A priority patent/TW202425842A/zh
Publication of WO2024127608A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024127608A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A24F40/51—Arrangement of sensors

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates to a flavor inhaler and a flavor inhalation system.
  • an optical detection unit is provided to detect the state of a storage unit that stores consumable materials containing smokable substances, and the presence or absence of a component inside the storage unit is determined.
  • an optical sensor is provided for a heating unit that heats the consumable materials stored in the storage unit, and the presence or absence of the consumable materials inside the storage unit is determined.
  • the present disclosure provides a suitably configured flavor inhaler and flavor inhalation system.
  • a first aspect of the present disclosure is a flavor inhaler comprising an insertion portion into which a consumer product is inserted, and at least two detection portions each including a light emitting portion that irradiates light and a light receiving portion that receives light, the detection portions being arranged to be spaced apart from each other, wherein an intersecting region exists within the insertion portion where the light irradiated from each of the at least two detection portions can intersect, and at least one of the at least two detection portions is configured to exclude the light reflected in the intersecting region from being detected.
  • At least one of the multiple optical detection units excludes from the detection target the reflected light reflected in the intersection area where the irradiation ranges of the multiple optical detection units overlap. In other words, at least one of the multiple optical detection units excludes from the detection target the objects located in the intersection area where a false positive determination may occur.
  • the first aspect by excluding objects located in the intersection area from the detection target, false positive determinations can be prevented and the advantage of making a determination based on a combination of the respective detection results of the multiple detection units can be realized.
  • a second aspect of the present disclosure is a flavor inhaler according to the first aspect, in which the light receiving unit has a threshold value that is a minimum value of the intensity of light that can be detected, and when reflected light reflected in the intersecting region is received by at least one of the light receiving units, the intensity of the reflected light is smaller than the threshold value.
  • a threshold value that is the minimum detectable light intensity is set in the light receiving section of the detection unit, and when at least one of the multiple detection units receives reflected light reflected in the intersection possible area, the intensity of this reflected light is smaller than the threshold value.
  • the reflected light is not detected.
  • a third aspect of the present disclosure is a flavor inhaler according to the first or second aspect, in which the at least two detection units are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other when viewed in the axial direction of the inserted portion.
  • the multiple detectors that detect the inside of the inserted part in the flavor inhaler are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other when viewed from the axial direction of the inserted part. Therefore, according to the third aspect, each of the multiple detectors detects from a different angle, making it possible to more accurately determine the condition inside the inserted part.
  • the fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a flavor inhaler according to the third aspect, in which the intersecting region is located approximately at the center of the inserted portion when viewed in the axial direction of the inserted portion.
  • the intersecting area where the illumination ranges of the multiple optical detection units overlap is located approximately at the center of the inserted part when viewed from the axial direction of the inserted part. Therefore, according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to prevent erroneous determinations caused by an object located near the center of the inserted part.
  • a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a flavor inhaler according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a heating section for heating the consumer product, the inserted section includes a storage section for storing the consumer product and a guide section connected to the storage section and constituting an insertion port for the consumer product, the at least two detection sections are arranged to overlap with the guide section in the axial direction of the inserted section, and the guide section includes a transparent region configured to allow the transmission of light emitted by the light emitting section and reflected light reflected within the inserted section.
  • the multiple detection units are arranged in the axial direction of the inserted part so as not to overlap with the storage part in which the consumable material heated by the heating part is mainly stored, but to overlap with the guide part connected to the storage part.
  • the multiple detection units are sufficiently separated from the consumable material heated by the heating part, and the influence of heat on the multiple detection units can be suppressed.
  • the multiple detection units by arranging the multiple detection units so as to overlap with the inserted part in the axial direction of the inserted part, the axial length of the inserted part of the flavor inhaler can be suppressed, and the detection units can be shielded to protect them from external influences.
  • the detection units are arranged so as to be exposed, there is a possibility that smoke generated from the heated consumable material may affect the detection units. Furthermore, since the guide part is provided with a transparent area configured to allow the detection light to pass through, the detection function of the detection units can be properly performed.
  • the sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a flavor inhaler according to the fifth aspect, in which the light emitted from the light-emitting unit is incident approximately perpendicularly to the tangent of the outer periphery of the guide unit.
  • the light emitted from the light-emitting elements of the multiple detection units is incident approximately perpendicularly to the tangent of the outer periphery of the guide unit. Therefore, the detection light emitted from each of the multiple detection units is directed toward approximately the center of the inserted part when viewed from the axial direction of the inserted part, and an intersection area is formed near the center of the inserted part. Therefore, according to the sixth aspect, it is possible to prevent erroneous determinations caused by objects located near the center of the inserted part.
  • the seventh aspect of the present disclosure is a flavor inhaler according to the fifth aspect, in which the light-emitting unit and the corresponding light-receiving unit are arranged along the axial direction of the inserted portion, and the transmissive area of the guide portion has a longitudinal direction that is along the axial direction of the inserted portion.
  • the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged along the axial direction of the inserted part, and the transmission area of the guide unit extends along the axial direction of the inserted part.
  • the space for arranging the detection unit becomes large, resulting in an increase in the size of the device.
  • the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the inserted part, the light irradiated from the light emitting unit and spread in the horizontal direction is diffused by the circular shape of the consumer product, preventing it from reaching the light receiving unit properly.
  • the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged along the axial direction of the inserted part, the light irradiated from the light emitting unit spreads in a direction approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical surface (i.e., vertical direction), so it is reflected by the linear shape of the consumer product and can reach the light receiving unit properly. Therefore, according to the seventh aspect, it is possible to contribute to the miniaturization of the device and the improvement of the detection accuracy.
  • the eighth aspect of the present disclosure is a flavor inhaler according to the fifth aspect, wherein at least one of the light-emitting elements is configured to irradiate light such that when the irradiated light is reflected at the intersection region, passes through the transmission region, and then reaches the corresponding light-receiving element, the intensity of the light is less than a threshold value that is the minimum light intensity that the light-receiving element can detect.
  • a threshold value that is the minimum detectable light intensity is set in the light receiving section of the detection section, and in at least one of the multiple detection sections, when reflected light reflected in the intersection possible region passes through the transparent region of the guide section and reaches the light receiving section, the intensity of the reflected light is smaller than the threshold value.
  • the reflected light is not detected.
  • the ninth aspect of the present disclosure is a flavor inhaler according to the first or second aspect above, in which the consumable product is configured in a substantially cylindrical shape.
  • the consumable material inserted into the insertion portion of the flavor inhaler is configured to have a roughly cylindrical shape.
  • a roughly cylindrical consumable material is easy to hold for users who are accustomed to conventional tobacco sticks.
  • the roughly circular shape when viewed vertically from above has symmetry, making it suitable for detection by multiple detection units. Therefore, the ninth aspect can contribute to improving operability for users and improving detection accuracy.
  • a tenth aspect of the present disclosure is a flavor inhaler according to the first or second aspect, in which when each of the at least two detection units detects the consumer good inserted into the insertion unit, the heating unit starts heating the consumer good.
  • the flavor inhaler starts heating the consumable goods after each of at least two detectors provided for detecting the consumable goods detects the consumable goods. Therefore, according to the tenth aspect, unnecessary heating operations can be prevented.
  • An eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is a flavor inhaler, comprising: an insertion portion into which a consumable product is inserted;
  • the flavor inhalation system includes a flavor inhaler and a consumer product, and at least two detection units, each of which includes a light-emitting unit that emits light and a light-receiving unit that receives light, and which are arranged at a distance from each other, wherein an intersection area exists within the inserted portion where the light emitted from each of the at least two detection units can intersect, and at least one of the at least two detection units is configured to exclude reflected light reflected in the intersection area from being detected.
  • At least one of the multiple optical detection units in the flavor inhalation system excludes from the detection target the reflected light reflected in the intersection area where the irradiation ranges of the multiple optical detection units overlap.
  • at least one of the multiple optical detection units excludes from the detection target the objects located in the intersection area where a misjudgment may occur.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flavor inhaler according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flavor inhaler housing a consumable product.
  • 3 is a cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler taken along the arrows 3-3 in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a chamber and a heating unit.
  • FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the chamber taken along line 5B-5B of FIG. 5A.
  • 6A is a cross-sectional view of the chamber taken along line 6A-6A of FIG. 5B.
  • 6B is a cross-sectional view of the chamber taken along line 6B-6B of FIG. 5B.
  • FIG. 6B shows the cross-sectional view of the consumable product placed in the chamber 50 at a desired location.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the periphery of the insertion guide member.
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of the infrared sensor.
  • 9 is a top view of the main part of FIG. 8 as viewed from the axial direction of the insertion guide member.
  • 11 is a cross-sectional view of the upper part of the atomizing unit 30 taken along the arrows 11-11 in FIG. 8.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram in which a heat transfer path is added to the top view shown in FIG. 10 .
  • FIG. 11 is a top view of a main part of the atomization unit in which consumable materials are accommodated in the insertion guide member in a flavor inhaler according to a modified embodiment, as viewed from the axial direction of the insertion guide member.
  • FIG. 14 is a top view of the insertion guide member shown in FIG. 13 , in which a cleaning tool is accommodated in place of the consumable product.
  • FIG. 15 is a top view showing a modified arrangement of the cleaning tools in FIG. 14 .
  • FIG. 16 is a first top view showing a further modification of the arrangement of the cleaning tools in FIG. 15 .
  • FIG. 16 is a second top view showing a further modification of the arrangement of the cleaning tools in FIG. 15 .
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the flavor inhaler 100 according to this embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the flavor inhaler 100 containing the consumable product 120 inserted through the opening 110.
  • an X-Y-Z Cartesian coordinate system may be used for convenience of explanation.
  • the Z axis faces vertically upward, the X-Y plane is arranged to cut the flavor inhaler 100 horizontally, and the Y axis is arranged to extend from the front to the back of the flavor inhaler 100.
  • the Z axis can also be referred to as the insertion direction of the consumable product 120 contained in the chamber 50 described later.
  • the X-axis direction can also be referred to as the device longitudinal direction in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction of the consumable product 120.
  • the Y-axis direction can also be referred to as the device lateral direction in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction of the consumable product 120.
  • the flavor inhaler 100 is configured to generate an aerosol containing a flavor by, for example, heating a stick-shaped consumable product 120 having a flavor source containing an aerosol source.
  • the consumable product 120 is configured to have a smokable article containing a flavor source such as tobacco and an aerosol source at the tip in the negative direction of the Z axis, and a filter at another location.
  • the aerosol source include glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and mixtures thereof.
  • the consumable product 120 is described as having a stick shape, but the consumable product used in the flavor inhaler 100 is not limited to this.
  • the consumable product can be configured to include a cartridge containing a liquid aerosol source. Furthermore, this cartridge may have a heating section.
  • the flavor inhaler 100 has a housing 102 composed of an upper housing 104 and a lower housing 106, and a sliding cover 108.
  • the housing 102 constitutes the outermost housing of the flavor inhaler 100 and has a size that fits in the user's hand. When using the flavor inhaler 100, the user can hold the flavor inhaler 100 in their hand and inhale the aerosol.
  • the upper housing 104 is made of a resin such as polycarbonate
  • the lower housing 106 is made of a metal such as aluminum.
  • the material of the housing 102 is not limited to these and may be made of any suitable resin, such as polycarbonate (PC), ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) resin, PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone), or a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymers.
  • the upper housing 104 has an opening 110 for receiving the consumable product 120, and the slide cover 108 is slidably attached to the upper housing 104 so as to close the opening 110.
  • the slide cover 108 is configured to be movable along the outer surface of the upper housing 104 between a closed position in which the opening 110 of the upper housing 104 is closed, and an open position (position shown in Figures 1 and 2) in which the opening is opened.
  • a user can manually operate the slide cover 108 to move the slide cover 108 between the closed position and the open position. In this way, the slide cover 108 can allow or restrict access of the consumable product 120 to the inside of the flavor inhaler 100.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 show the joint surface between the upper housing 104 and the lower housing 106 of the housing 102 of the flavor inhaler 100 as intersecting obliquely with the XY plane, but the configuration of the housing 102 is not limited to this.
  • the housing 102 can also be constructed from three or more members.
  • the flavor inhaler 100 may further have a terminal (not shown).
  • the terminal may be an interface that connects the flavor inhaler 100 to, for example, an external power source. If the power source provided in the flavor inhaler 100 is a rechargeable battery, connecting the external power source to the terminal allows current to flow from the external power source to the power source, thereby charging the power source.
  • connecting a data transmission cable to the terminal may allow data related to the operation of the flavor inhaler 100 to be transmitted to an external device.
  • Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler 100 taken along the arrow 3-3 shown in Figure 1.
  • the internal space of the housing 102 of the flavor inhaler 100 contains a power supply unit 20, an atomization unit 30, and a control unit 80.
  • the control unit 80 includes a substrate 82.
  • the substrate 82 includes, for example, a microprocessor, and can control the supply of power from the power supply unit 20 to the atomization unit 30. This allows the control unit 80 to control the heating of the consumable product 120 by the atomization unit 30.
  • the control unit 80 also includes a Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface 28. The control unit 80 can communicate with external devices via the Bluetooth interface 28.
  • the power supply unit 20 has a power supply 21 electrically connected to the board 82 of the control unit 80.
  • the power supply 21 can be, for example, a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery.
  • the power supply 21 is electrically connected to the atomization unit 30 via the board 82. This allows the power supply 21 to supply power to the atomization unit 30 so as to appropriately heat the consumable product 120.
  • the atomization unit 30 has a chamber 50 extending in the longitudinal direction of the consumable product 120, a heating unit 40 (not shown in FIG. 3) surrounding a portion of the chamber 50, a heat insulating unit 32, and a generally cylindrical insertion guide member 34.
  • the chamber 50 is configured to accommodate the consumable product 120.
  • the heating unit 40 is configured to contact the outer peripheral surface of the chamber 50 and heat the consumable product 120 accommodated in the chamber 50.
  • the insulating section 32 is disposed so as to surround the chamber 50 and the heating section 40.
  • the insulating section 32 may be, for example, an aerogel.
  • the insertion guide member 34 is formed of a resin material such as PEEK, PC, or ABS, and is provided between the slide cover 108 in the closed position and the chamber 50. When the slide cover 108 is in the open position, the insertion guide member 34 communicates with the outside of the flavor inhaler 100, and guides the insertion of the consumable product 120 into the chamber 50 by inserting the consumable product 120 into the insertion guide member 34.
  • the atomizing unit 30 and the control unit 80 are covered by a heat diffusion sleeve 70 and placed in the internal space of the housing 102.
  • the heat diffusion sleeve 70 is made of a material with high thermal conductivity such as metal, and diffuses the heat generated in the atomizing unit 30 inside the housing 102.
  • the heat diffusion sleeve 70 can be configured to be placed only inside the upper housing 104 without interfering with the lower housing 106.
  • an open area can be provided in the heat diffusion sleeve 70 so as not to interfere with communication with external devices via the Bluetooth interface 28 of the control unit 80.
  • metal members interfere with electromagnetic waves, but at least the open area of the heat diffusion sleeve 70 can be used as a path for the control unit 80 to communicate with external devices via the Bluetooth interface 28.
  • Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the chamber 50 and the heating unit 40.
  • Fig. 5A is a perspective view of the chamber 50 alone.
  • Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the chamber 50 taken along line 5B-5B in Fig. 5A.
  • Fig. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the chamber 50 taken along line 6A-6A in Fig. 5B.
  • Fig. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the chamber 50 taken along line 6B-6B in Fig. 5B.
  • Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 6B in which the consumable product 120 has been placed at a desired position in the chamber 50.
  • the atomization unit 30 has a heating unit 40, a chamber 50, and an insertion guide member 34. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, a strip-shaped electrode 48 is connected between the heating unit 40 and the chamber 50. For ease of explanation, the heat insulating unit 32 is not shown in FIG. 4.
  • the chamber 50 may be a cylindrical member including an opening 52 into which the consumable product 120 is inserted and a cylindrical side wall portion 60 that houses the consumable product 120.
  • the chamber 50 is preferably formed from a material that is heat resistant and has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, and may be formed from, for example, a metal such as stainless steel, a resin such as PEEK, glass, or ceramic. This allows for effective heating from the chamber 50 to the consumable product 120.
  • the side wall portion 60 includes a contact portion 62 and a separation portion 66.
  • the contact portion 62 contacts or presses a part of the consumable product 120, and the separation portion 66 is separated from the consumable product 120.
  • the “desired position in the chamber 50" refers to a position where the consumable product 120 is appropriately heated, or the position of the consumable product 120 when the user smokes.
  • the contact portion 62 has an inner surface 62a and an outer surface 62b.
  • the separation portion 66 has an inner surface 66a and an outer surface 66b.
  • the heating portion 40 is placed on the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62. It is preferable that the heating portion 40 is placed on the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 without any gaps.
  • the heating portion 40 may include an adhesive layer. In this case, it is preferable that the heating section 40 including the adhesive layer is arranged without any gaps on the outer surface 62b of the contact section 62.
  • the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 is flat.
  • the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 be flat, it is possible to prevent the band-shaped electrode 48 connected to the heating portion 40, which is disposed on the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 as shown in Figure 4, from bending.
  • the inner surface 62a of the contact portion 62 is flat.
  • the thickness of the contact portion 62 is uniform.
  • the chamber 50 preferably has a cylindrical non-retaining portion 54 between the opening 52 and the side wall portion 60.
  • a gap may be formed between the non-retaining portion 54 and the consumable product 120.
  • the chamber 50 preferably has a first guide portion 58 with a tapered surface 58a that connects the inner surface of the non-retaining portion 54 and the inner surface 62a of the contact portion 62.
  • the chamber 50 has two contact portions 62 in the circumferential direction of the chamber 50, and the two contact portions 62 face each other so as to be parallel to each other. It is preferable that at least a part of the distance between the inner surfaces 62a of the two contact portions 62 is smaller than the width of the portion of the consumable product 120 inserted into the chamber 50 that is disposed between the contact portions 62.
  • the inner surface 66a of the separation portion 66 may have an overall arc-shaped cross section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) of the chamber 50.
  • the separation portion 66 is disposed so as to be adjacent to the contact portion 62 in the circumferential direction.
  • the chamber 50 may have a hole 56a in its bottom 56 so that a bottom member (not shown) can pass through and be positioned inside the chamber 50.
  • the bottom member provided on the bottom 56 supports a portion of the consumable product 120 inserted into the chamber 50 so that at least a portion of the end surface of the consumable product 120 is exposed.
  • the bottom 56 may also support a portion of the consumable product 120 so that the exposed end surface of the consumable product 120 communicates with a gap 67 (see FIG. 7) described below.
  • the heating unit 40 has a heating element 42.
  • the heating element 42 may be, for example, a heating track.
  • the heating element 42 is preferably arranged so as to heat the contact portion 62 without contacting the separation portion 66 of the chamber 50.
  • the heating element 42 is preferably arranged only on the outer surface of the contact portion 62.
  • the heating element 42 may have a difference in heating capacity between the portion that heats the separation portion 66 of the chamber 50 and the portion that heats the contact portion 62.
  • the heating element 42 may be configured to heat the contact portion 62 to a higher temperature than the separation portion 66.
  • the arrangement density of the heating track of the heating element 42 in the contact portion 62 and the separation portion 66 may be adjusted.
  • the heating element 42 may have approximately the same heating capacity around the entire circumference of the chamber 50 and be wound around the outer periphery of the chamber 50.
  • the heating unit 40 preferably has, in addition to the heating element 42, an electrically insulating member 44 that covers at least one surface of the heating element 42. In the atomizing unit 30 of this embodiment, the electrical insulating member 44 is arranged to cover both sides of the heating element 42.
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 6B in a state where the consumable product 120 is placed at a desired position in the chamber 50.
  • the consumable product 120 when the consumable product 120 is placed at a desired position in the chamber 50, the consumable product 120 can be pressed against the contact portion 62 of the chamber 50 by contacting it. Meanwhile, a gap 67 is formed between the consumable product 120 and the separation portion 66.
  • the gap 67 can be connected to the opening 52 of the chamber 50 and the end face of the consumable product 120 positioned in the chamber 50. This allows air flowing in from the opening 52 of the chamber 50 to pass through the gap 67 and flow into the inside of the consumable product 120. In other words, an air flow path (gap 67) is formed between the consumable product 120 and the separation portion 66.
  • the flavor inhaler 100 has been described as generating an aerosol containing flavor by contact heating the chamber 50 containing the stick-shaped consumer product 120 from the outside by the heating unit 40.
  • the manner of heating the consumer product in the flavor inhaler disclosed herein is not limited to the external contact heating type.
  • the chamber 50 containing the consumer product 120 may be used as a susceptor, and the chamber 50 may be inductively heated by an induction coil wound around the chamber 50 to generate an aerosol containing flavor.
  • the material and shape of the chamber 50 may be changed as appropriate.
  • a pin-shaped heating unit protruding from the bottom of the chamber 50 may be provided, and the pin-shaped heating unit inside the consumer product 120 may be resistively or inductively heated to generate an aerosol containing flavor.
  • the shape of the consumer product is not limited to a stick shape, and a susceptor may be placed on a non-stick-shaped consumer product contained in the chamber, and the susceptor may be inductively heated to generate an aerosol containing flavor.
  • Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the periphery of the insertion guide member 34.
  • Fig. 9 is a side view of the infrared sensor 94A.
  • Fig. 10 is a top view of the main part of Fig. 8 as seen from the axial direction of the insertion guide member.
  • Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the upper part of the atomization unit 30 as seen along arrows 11-11 in Fig. 8.
  • the detection unit In a flavor inhaler, it is preferable to separate the detection unit from the heating unit to avoid the effects of heat from the heating unit. On the other hand, if the distance between the detection unit and the detection target is too large, the detection medium will attenuate as it travels and the signal strength will decrease, making it difficult to perform proper detection and resulting in an increase in the size of the device.
  • FIG. 8 shows the upper end of the insertion guide member 34 and the members arranged around it.
  • the Z-axis direction is the insertion direction of the consumer product 120 contained in the chamber 50. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34 is approximately parallel to the Z-axis.
  • the end of the chamber 50 in the positive Z-axis direction is connected to the end of the insertion guide member 34 in the negative Z-axis direction, and the consumer product 120 is inserted into the pair of the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50.
  • the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34 and the axial direction of the chamber 50 are both approximately parallel to the Z-axis and point in a common direction.
  • the pair of the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50 is an example of an inserted portion of the present disclosure.
  • the chamber 50 is also an example of a storage portion of the present disclosure, and the insertion guide member 34 is an example of a guide portion of the present disclosure.
  • the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50 may be integrally molded.
  • a retaining wall 90 is disposed on the X-axis positive side (i.e., the direction in which the control unit 80 is disposed) of the insertion guide member 34.
  • the retaining wall 90 functions to hold the insertion guide member 34 in an appropriate position and orientation inside the housing 102.
  • the gasket 38 into which the insertion guide member 34 is fitted is held by two ribs 90B and 90C of the retaining wall 90.
  • the retaining wall 90 may hold the insertion guide member 34 via other ribs or protrusions.
  • the retaining wall portion 90 may extend in the negative Z-axis direction and retain the chamber 50 via other ribs or protrusions.
  • a fixed substrate 92 is provided on three surfaces of the retaining wall portion 90 that face the insertion guide member 34 and are joined to each other at bent portions.
  • the fixed substrate 92 has three portions that are bent so as to join to the three surfaces of the retaining wall portion 90.
  • infrared sensors 94A and 94B are provided on the two surfaces at both ends of the fixed substrate 92, respectively.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B are an example of a detection unit of the present disclosure.
  • the three faces of the retaining wall portion 90 on which the fixed substrate 92 is disposed are configured to surround a portion of the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34.
  • the fixed substrate 92 is shown as a single substrate that is integrally molded and bent, but the configuration of the fixed substrate 92 is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure the fixed substrate 92 as two independent horizontal substrates on which infrared sensors 94A and 94B are mounted, respectively.
  • the infrared sensor 94A is configured to include a light receiving unit 94A1 and a light emitting unit 94A2 arranged along the Z-axis direction as shown in FIG. 9, for example.
  • the light receiving unit 94A1 is configured to be able to detect infrared rays when it receives infrared rays in a predetermined wavelength range and intensity range.
  • the light receiving unit 94A1 has a threshold value that is the minimum value of the intensity of the infrared rays that can be detected.
  • the light emitting unit 94A2 is also configured to be able to irradiate infrared rays of a predetermined wavelength and intensity.
  • the infrared rays irradiated from the light emitting unit 94A2 pass through the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34 and irradiate the internal configuration of the insertion guide member 34.
  • the infrared rays are reflected by the consumable product 120 and head toward the outside of the insertion guide member 34.
  • the light receiving unit 94A1 detects the reflected infrared rays.
  • the infrared rays irradiating the inside of the insertion guide member 34 reach the opposing points on the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34, where they are absorbed and reflected.
  • the intensity of the infrared rays received by the light receiving unit 94A1 does not meet the threshold value described above, so the light receiving unit 94A1 does not detect the infrared rays.
  • the infrared sensor 94A can determine whether the consumable product 120 is contained in the insertion guide member 34.
  • the detection results from the infrared sensor 94A can be used by the control unit 80 to control each component of the flavor inhaler 100.
  • the control unit 80 can be configured not to allow the heating unit 40 to heat the chamber 50 unless it is determined that the consumable product 120 is contained within the insertion guide member 34. With this configuration, a safety device that prevents unnecessary heating can be provided in the flavor inhaler 100.
  • the other infrared sensor 94B can be configured in the same manner as the infrared sensor 94A. As shown in FIG. 10, the two infrared sensors 94A and 94B are arranged to be spaced apart from each other when viewed from the positive Z-axis direction of the insertion guide member 34, and perform detection from different angles, thereby making it possible to more reliably determine whether or not the consumable product 120 is contained within the insertion guide member 34.
  • the control unit 80 can be configured to determine that the consumable product 120 is inserted into the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50 only when the presence of the consumable product 120 is detected by both the two infrared sensors 94A and 94B. With the above configuration, it is possible to prevent a false determination that the consumable product 120 is inserted when the consumable product 120 is not inserted.
  • the transparent regions 34A and 34B are provided at the locations facing the infrared sensors 94A and 94B on the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34.
  • the transparent regions 34A and 34B do not need to transmit substantially 100% of the infrared light emitted by the light receiving unit 94A1 (and 94B1) and the infrared light reflected inside the insertion guide member 34, but only need to be configured to have an appropriate transmittance for performing detection by the above-mentioned infrared sensor 94A (and 94B).
  • a portion of the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34 is configured as the transparent regions 34A and 34B, but the entire outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34 may be configured as a transparent region.
  • the light receiving portions 94A1, 94B1 and the light emitting portions 94A2, 94B2 of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B are arranged along the Z axis.
  • the transparent regions 34A, 34B of the insertion guide member 34 may be formed to extend so as to have a longitudinal direction along the Z axis.
  • the longitudinal length of the transparent regions 34A and 34B of the insertion guide member 34 along the Z-axis direction may be 2.7 to 8.4 mm.
  • the tangent at the center of the transmission areas 34A and 34B of the insertion guide member 34 is approximately perpendicular to the infrared rays emitted from the light-emitting portions 94A2 and 94B2 of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B.
  • the infrared rays emitted from the infrared sensors 94A and 94B are directed toward approximately the center inside the insertion guide member when viewed from the positive direction of the Z axis.
  • the distance from the infrared sensors 94A and 94B to the inner surface of the transparent regions 34A and 34B of the insertion guide member 34 may be 2 to 8 mm.
  • the starting point of this distance may be the light-emitting portion 94A2, 94B2 of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B, or may be the midpoint between the light-emitting portion 94A2, 94B2 and the light-receiving portion 94A1, 94B1.
  • the three faces of the retaining wall portion 90 that face the insertion guide member 34 and are joined to each other at the bends are approximately parallel to a tangent drawn at the opposing points of the insertion guide member 34.
  • the distances from each of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B to opposing points on the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34 are approximately equal.
  • each of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B is positioned so as to be linearly symmetrical with respect to the pair of the rib 90A and the concave protrusion 36.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B are positioned so as to be spaced apart from each other.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B are spaced apart from the insertion guide member 34 and the outer periphery of the chamber 50 when viewed from the positive direction of the Z axis. Also, as shown in FIG. 11, the infrared sensors 94A and 94B are spaced apart from the heating section 40 (the heating element 42) along the Z axis. In particular, the infrared sensors 94A and 94B are arranged in parallel with the insertion guide member 34 along the Z axis. For ease of explanation, the gasket 38 and the transparent regions 34A and 34B are omitted from FIG. 11.
  • Figures 8 and 11 show the control unit 80, holding wall 90, and fixed substrate 92 all having their upper ends on the same horizontal plane (X-Y plane) as the upper end of the insertion guide member 34, the configuration of the control unit 80, holding wall 90, and fixed substrate 92 is not limited to this.
  • Figure 8 can also be interpreted as a perspective view of the upper part of the atomization unit 30 cut by a horizontal plane (X-Y plane) that passes through the transparent regions 34A and 34B of the insertion guide member 34.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B have been described as detecting the consumer product 120.
  • the detection target of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B is not limited to the consumer product 120, and various objects located inside the insertion guide member 34 can be detected.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B can detect the cleaning tool 130 described below.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B can also detect the presence of dirt on the transparent areas 34A and 34B of the insertion guide member 34.
  • the infrared rays irradiated from the light-emitting unit 94A2 or 94B2 may not enter the inside of the insertion guide member 34, and the infrared rays may not reach the corresponding light-receiving unit 94A1 or 94B1. In other words, if the infrared sensors 94A or 94B do not detect an object, it can be determined that the transparent area 34A or 34B may be dirty.
  • the detection results of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B are described as being used to determine whether or not the consumable product 120 is contained in the insertion guide member 34, but the use of the detection results is not limited to this.
  • the control unit 80 can use the detection results of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B for various controls of each component of the flavor inhaler 100.
  • the control unit 80 when performing the above-mentioned detection of a cleaning tool or dirt, can be configured to notify the user of the flavor inhaler 100 of a message such as "cleaning in progress" or "transmitting area is dirty.” Specifically, the control unit 80 can notify the user by turning on or blinking an LED (not shown) that is arranged in an easily visible position on the flavor inhaler 100. The control unit 80 can also be configured to notify the user of the message via the Bluetooth interface 28 to the user's smartphone.
  • a suitable flavor inhalation system can be constructed.
  • Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram in which the heat transfer path is added to the top view shown in Fig. 10.
  • the rib 90A of the retaining wall 90 to which the concave protrusion 36 of the insertion guide member 34 is connected is disposed at a position separated from the infrared sensors 94A and 94B.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B are separated from the pair of the rib 90A and the concave protrusion 36.
  • the pair of the rib 90A and the concave protrusion 36 is an example of a connecting portion of the present disclosure.
  • the rib 90A is also an example of a first protrusion of the present disclosure
  • the concave protrusion 36 is an example of a second protrusion of the present disclosure.
  • the retaining wall 90 described above is an example of a retaining portion of the present disclosure.
  • the fixed substrate 92 is also an example of a substrate of the present disclosure.
  • the heat generated in the atomizing unit 30 is caused by the heating unit 40.
  • the heating unit 40 heats the chamber 50, the consumable product 120 contained in the chamber 50 is heated and an aerosol is generated.
  • chamber 50 ⁇ insertion guide member 34 ⁇ set of concave protrusions 36 and ribs 90A ⁇ fixed substrate 92 ⁇ infrared sensor 94A or 94B.
  • the transmission path A from the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34 is clearly longer than the distance from the infrared sensors 94A and 94B to the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34.
  • the retaining wall portion 90, the rib 90A, the concave protrusion portion 36, and the insertion guide member 34 are made of a material with a lower thermal conductivity than the material of the chamber 50. By configuring them in this way, it is possible to suppress the transfer of heat to the infrared sensors 94A and 94B via the transfer path A.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B that detect the consumable product 120 in the flavor inhaler 100 are separated from the heating unit 40 in the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50, and are separated from the outer circumferential surfaces of the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B By being separated from the heating unit 40 in the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50, and being separated from the outer circumferential surfaces of the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50 in which the consumable product 120 heated by the heating unit 40 is stored, the influence of heat on the infrared sensors 94A and 94B can be reduced.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B which are provided to prevent performance degradation due to the influence of heat, can appropriately determine the presence or absence of the consumable product in the insertion guide member 34.
  • the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B that detect the consumable product 120 in the flavor inhaler 100 are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other when viewed from the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B each perform detection from a different angle, making it possible to more accurately determine the presence or absence of the consumable product 120 in the insertion guide member 34.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B that detect the consumable product 120 in the flavor inhaler 100 are arranged so as to overlap the guide section connected to the chamber 50, without overlapping the chamber 50 in which the insertion guide member 34 heated by the heating section 40 is mainly housed, in the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the infrared sensors 94A and 94B are sufficiently separated from the heating section 40 and the consumable product 120 heated by the heating section 40, and the influence of heat on the infrared sensors 94A and 94B can be further reduced.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B are arranged so as to overlap the insertion guide member 34 in the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50, the axial length of the atomization section 30 of the flavor inhaler 100 can be reduced, and the infrared sensors 94A and 94B can be shielded to protect them from external influences.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B are positioned so that they are exposed, smoke generated by the heated consumable product 120 may affect the infrared sensors 94A and 94B.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B that detect the consumable product 120 in the flavor inhaler 100 are configured as optical sensors including a light-emitting portion 94A2 (94B2) and a light-receiving portion 94A1 (94B1). Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to optically determine the presence or absence of the consumable product 120 in the insertion guide member 34.
  • the chamber 50 that houses the consumable product 120 and the insertion guide member 34 that forms the insertion port for the consumable product 120 are integrally molded. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the strength and rigidity of the combination of the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50 can be increased.
  • the insertion guide member 34 has transparent regions 34A and 34B that serve as passageways for infrared light for detection by the infrared sensors 94A and 94B. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the detection function of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B can be properly performed.
  • the distance from the infrared sensors 94A and 94B to the inner surface of the insertion guide member 34 is 2 to 8 mm. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the infrared sensors 94A and 94B are sufficiently separated from the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50 that contain the consumable product 120 heated by the heating unit 40, so that the infrared sensors 94A and 94B can be reliably protected from the effects of heat.
  • the light-emitting unit 94A2 (94B2) and the light-receiving unit 94A1 (94B1) of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B are arranged along the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of the insertion guide member 34. If the light-emitting unit 94A2 (94B2) and the light-receiving unit 94A1 (94B1) are arranged along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34 (a straight line on the X-Y plane), the space required for arranging the infrared sensors 94A and 94B becomes large, resulting in an increase in the size of the flavor inhaler 100.
  • the light-emitting unit 94A2 (94B2) and the light-receiving unit 94A1 (94B1) are arranged along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34, the light irradiated from the light-emitting unit 94A2 (94B2) and spread in the horizontal direction (X-Y plane) is diffused by the circular shape of the consumer product 120, preventing it from reaching the light-receiving unit 94A1 (94B1) properly.
  • this embodiment can contribute to miniaturizing the flavor inhaler 100 and improving the accuracy of detection by the infrared sensors 94A and 94B.
  • the length of the transparent regions 34A and 34B of the insertion guide member 34 along the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34 is 2.7 to 8.4 mm. If the transparent regions 34A and 34B are too large, the infrared light emitted by the light-emitting unit 94A2 (94B2) may be diffused inside the insertion guide member 34 and reach the light-receiving unit 94A1 (94B1), which may cause an erroneous determination. On the other hand, by making the transparent regions 34A and 34B an appropriate size, the detection accuracy can be improved. Therefore, this embodiment can contribute to further improving the detection accuracy of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B.
  • infrared sensors 94A and 94B that detect the consumable product 120 are separated from the heating unit 40 in the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50, and separated from the outer circumferential surface of the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B By being separated from the heating unit 40 in the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50, and being separated from the outer circumferential surface of the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50 in which the consumable product 120 heated by the heating unit 40 is stored, the influence of heat on the infrared sensors 94A and 94B can be reduced. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the infrared sensors 94A and 94B, which are provided to prevent performance degradation due to the influence of heat, can appropriately determine the presence or absence of a consumable product in the insertion guide member 34.
  • the shortest path from the infrared sensors 94A and 94B to the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34, which passes through the set of the concave protrusions 36 and the ribs 90A that connect the insertion guide member 34, into which the consumer product 120 is inserted, to the holding wall 90 in the flavor inhaler 100, is configured to be longer than the distance between each of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B and the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34 of the inserted portion.
  • the heat conduction path from the insertion guide member 34 through the set of the concave protrusions 36 and the ribs 90A and the holding wall 90 to each of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B is sufficiently long, so that the influence of heat from the insertion guide member 34 on the infrared sensors 94A and 94B can be suppressed.
  • the concave projections 36 and ribs 90A that connect the insertion guide member 34, into which the consumable product 120 is inserted, to the retaining wall 90 in the flavor inhaler 100 are not directly connected to the infrared sensors 94A and 94B held by the retaining wall 90.
  • the heat conduction path from the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34 through the concave projections 36 and ribs 90A and the retaining wall 90 to the infrared sensors 94A and 94B is guaranteed to be longer than the distance between each of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B and the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34, and the influence of heat from the insertion guide member 34 on the infrared sensors 94A and 94B can be reliably suppressed.
  • the holding wall 90 which holds the infrared sensors 94A and 94B for detecting the consumer product 120 and is connected to the insertion guide member 34 into which the consumer product 120 is inserted via the concave protrusion 36 and the rib 90A, is configured to surround a portion of the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34.
  • the insertion guide member 34 is connected to the holding wall 90 located around the outer periphery via the concave protrusion 36 and the rib 90A, so that the position of the insertion guide member 34 inside the flavor inhaler 100 is stabilized, and the infrared sensors 94A and 94B held around the insertion guide member 34 can detect the consumer product 120 inside the insertion guide member 34.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B that detect the consumable product 120 in the flavor inhaler 100 are arranged so as to overlap the insertion guide member 34 connected to the chamber 50 in the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34, without overlapping the chamber 50 in which the consumable product 120 heated by the heating unit 40 is mainly stored. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the infrared sensors 94A and 94B are sufficiently separated from the heating unit 40 and the consumable product 120 heated by the heating unit 40, and the influence of heat on the infrared sensors 94A and 94B can be further reduced.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B are arranged so as to overlap the insertion guide member 34 in the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34, the axial length of the insertion guide member 34 of the flavor inhaler 100 can be reduced, and the infrared sensors 94A and 94B can be shielded to protect them from external influences.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B are arranged so as to be exposed, smoke generated from the heated consumable product 120 may affect the infrared sensors 94A and 94B.
  • the concave projection 36 and the rib 90A connect the retaining wall 90 and the insertion guide member 34, preventing the chamber 50, which mainly contains the consumable product 120 heated by the heating unit 40, from connecting to the retaining wall 90, thereby reliably suppressing the transfer of heat.
  • the configuration for connecting the insertion guide member 34, into which the consumable product 120 is inserted, to the holding wall 90 in the flavor inhaler 100 includes a rib 90A that is integrally molded with the holding wall 90 and protrudes from the holding wall 90, and a concave protrusion 36 that protrudes from the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34 and connects to the rib 90A. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the insertion guide member 34 and the holding wall 90 can be stably connected by the concave protrusion 36 and the rib 90A.
  • the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B that detect the consumable product 120 in the flavor inhaler 100 are held and arranged by a holding wall portion 90 configured to surround the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34 into which the consumable product 120 is inserted. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B arranged to surround the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34 each perform detection from a different angle, making it possible to more accurately determine the presence or absence of the consumable product 120 in the insertion guide member 34.
  • the holding wall portion 90 has multiple faces that are approximately parallel to the tangent plane of the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34 that faces each of the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B, and each of the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B is held by the corresponding face of the holding wall portion 90. Therefore, according to this embodiment, each of the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B can emit infrared rays toward approximately the center of the insertion guide member 34.
  • each of the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B is disposed on a corresponding fixed substrate 92, and each surface of the fixed substrate 92 is disposed on a surface of the retaining wall portion 90 that is approximately parallel to a tangent plane on the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the infrared sensors 94A and 94B can be stably held in a preferred position.
  • the distance from each of the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B to the outer periphery of the opposing insertion guide member 34 is approximately equal. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B arranged approximately symmetrically when viewed from the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34 can reliably detect the presence or absence of consumable products 120 in the insertion guide member 34.
  • the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B are arranged so as to be linearly symmetrical when viewed from the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34 with respect to the concave protrusion 36 and rib 90A that connect the insertion guide member 34, into which the consumable product 120 is inserted, to the retaining wall portion 90. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B arranged symmetrically when viewed from the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34 can reliably detect the presence or absence of the consumable product in the inserted portion.
  • the components other than the chamber 50 that mainly holds the consumable product 120 to be heated are made of a material with a lower thermal conductivity than the chamber 50. Therefore, according to this embodiment, heat conduction to the infrared sensors 94A and 94B can be reliably suppressed.
  • the shortest path from the infrared sensors 94A and 94B to the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34, through the set of concave protrusions 36 and ribs 90A that connect the insertion guide member 34 into which the consumable product 120 is inserted to the retaining wall 90 is configured to be longer than the distance between each of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B and the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34 of the inserted portion.
  • the heat conduction path from the insertion guide member 34 through the set of concave protrusions 36 and ribs 90A and the retaining wall 90 to each of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B is sufficiently long, so that the influence of heat from the insertion guide member 34 on the infrared sensors 94A and 94B can be suppressed.
  • Fig. 13 is a top view of the main part of the atomizing unit 30 in which the consumable product 120 is accommodated in the insertion guide member 34, as seen from the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34.
  • Fig. 14 is a top view in which the cleaning tool 130 is accommodated in the insertion guide member 34 instead of the consumable product 120 in Fig. 13.
  • Fig. 15 is a top view in which the arrangement of the cleaning tool 130 in Fig. 14 is changed.
  • Fig. 16 is a first top view in which the arrangement of the cleaning tool 130 in Fig. 15 is further changed.
  • Fig. 17 is a second top view in which the arrangement of the cleaning tool 130 in Fig. 15 is further changed.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B are adjusted to fully utilize the advantages of using multiple optical detection units, the infrared sensors 94A and 94B, to detect the inside of the insertion guide member 34.
  • an accurate determination can be made by providing multiple detection units and making a determination based on a combination of the detection results of each detection unit. For example, if a thinner foreign object, rather than a consumable product, is present within the irradiation range of one optical detection unit, combining detection by another optical detection unit can prevent a false determination that a consumable product is contained within the storage unit. However, in an area where the irradiation ranges of multiple optical detection units overlap within the storage unit, if a thinner foreign object, rather than a consumable product, is present in this area, it may be falsely determined that a consumable product is contained within the storage unit. In other words, in an area where the irradiation ranges of multiple optical detection units overlap within the storage unit, the advantage of making a determination based on a combination of the detection results of each detection unit may not be obtained.
  • the infrared rays emitted from the light-emitting portions 94A2, 94B2 of the infrared sensors 94A, 94B enter the insertion guide member 34 through the transparent regions 34A, 34B of the insertion guide member 34, reach the consumable product 120 and are reflected.
  • the reflected infrared rays pass through the transparent regions 34A, 34B and reach the light-receiving portions 94A1, 94B1 of the infrared sensors 94A, 94B and are received.
  • the above process determines that the consumable product 120 is contained inside the insertion guide member 34.
  • FIG. 13 shows the central axis 34C of the insertion guide member 34. Also, in FIG. 13, an intersecting region 140 is shown, which is a region that can be irradiated by both infrared rays irradiated from the light-emitting units 94A2 and 94B2 of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B. For convenience, in FIG. 13, the intersecting region 140 is shown by a circular dashed line centered on the central axis 34C.
  • the shape and area of the intersecting region 140 are substantially determined based on the intensity and directivity of the infrared rays irradiated from the light-emitting units 94A2 and 94B2 of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B, and the transmittance of the transmission regions 34A and 34B of the insertion guide member 34.
  • the sizes and shapes of the infrared rays, the intersecting region 140, the consumable product 120, and the cleaning tool 130 (described later) shown in FIG. 13 to 17 are for convenience in explaining the principle of this modified example, and do not necessarily match the actual sizes and shapes.
  • the tangent at the center of the transparent regions 34A and 34B of the insertion guide member 34 is approximately perpendicular to the infrared rays emitted from the light-emitting portions 94A2 and 94B2 of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, the intersecting region 140 is located approximately at the center of the insertion guide member 34 when viewed from the positive direction of the Z axis.
  • a cleaning tool 130 for cleaning the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50 may be inserted into the insertion guide member 34.
  • the cleaning tool 130 is formed in a roughly cylindrical shape with an appropriate longitudinal length, and is configured to be able to sweep out dust that has accumulated at the bottom of the chamber 50.
  • the infrared rays emitted from the light-emitting portion 94A2 of the infrared sensor 94A pass through the transmission area 34A and reach the opposing portion of the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34 without being reflected by the cleaning tool 130, where they are absorbed and reflected.
  • the intensity of the infrared rays received by the light-receiving portion 94A1 does not meet the threshold value, which is the minimum value of the intensity of the infrared rays that the light-receiving portion 94A1 can detect. Therefore, the infrared sensor 94A does not detect anything. This is the same as when the consumable product 120 is not inserted into the insertion guide member 34 in the above-mentioned embodiment.
  • the infrared light emitted from the light-emitting portion 94B2 of the infrared sensor 94B passes through the transmission area 34B, reaches the cleaning tool 130 and is reflected, and the reflected infrared light passes through the transmission area 34B again and reaches the light-receiving portion 94B1.
  • the intensity of the infrared light received by the light-receiving portion 94B1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, which is the minimum value of the intensity of the infrared light that the light-receiving portion 94B1 can detect. Therefore, the infrared sensor 94B detects that the detection object is contained inside the insertion guide member 34.
  • the control unit 80 can determine the internal state of the insertion guide member 34. Because the infrared sensor 94A does not detect anything, the control unit 80 can determine that the consumable product 120 is not inserted into the insertion guide member 34. This is because, if the consumable product 120 is inserted into the insertion guide member 34 as shown in FIG. 13, both infrared sensors 94A and 94B should detect the consumable product 120. Furthermore, because only the infrared sensor 94B detects the detection target, the control unit 80 can determine that a thinner foreign object (here, the cleaning tool 130) is contained inside the insertion guide member 34, rather than the consumable product 120.
  • a thinner foreign object here, the cleaning tool 130
  • the control unit 80 can determine that the inside of the insertion guide member 34 is in one of three states: (1) the consumable product 120 is contained, (2) a foreign object thinner than the consumable product 120 is contained, or (3) nothing is contained. This is an advantage that cannot be obtained when the flavor inhaler 100 is configured to have only a single infrared sensor. If the infrared sensor 94A does not exist in FIG. 14, the control unit 80 can only recognize that some kind of member is present inside the insertion guide member 34. In other words, it is not possible to distinguish between the above states (1) and (2). On the other hand, if the infrared sensor 94B does not exist in FIG. 14, the control unit 80 will erroneously determine that nothing is contained inside the insertion guide member 34 (i.e., the state is (3)).
  • both of the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B detect the detection target, and the control unit 80 erroneously determines that the consumable product 120 is contained in the insertion guide member 34. In other words, it fails to recognize that the state is (2), and erroneously recognizes that the state is (1).
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B are configured to exclude infrared rays reflected in the intersection area 140 from the detection target. Specifically, in the situation shown in FIG. 15, the infrared rays irradiated from the light emitting units 94A2 and 94B2 of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B pass through the transmission areas 34A and 34B, reach the cleaning tool 130 and are reflected. The reflected infrared rays pass through the transmission areas 34A and 34B again and reach the light receiving units 94A1 and 94B1.
  • the intensity of the infrared rays received by the light receiving units 94A1 and 94B1 is smaller than the threshold value, which is the minimum value of the intensity of the infrared rays that can be detected by the light receiving units 94A1 and 94B1. Therefore, neither of the infrared sensors 94A nor 94B detects anything. Since none of the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B detect anything, the control unit 80 does not erroneously determine that the consumable product 120 is stored in the insertion guide member 34. Specifically, the control unit 80 determines that nothing is contained inside the insertion guide member 34 (i.e., the state is (3)). This determination is not accurate, but at least it prevents the control unit 80 from erroneously determining that the consumable product 120 is contained in the insertion guide member 34 in the situation shown in FIG. 15.
  • the control unit 80 of the flavor inhaler 100 can correctly determine that a foreign object thinner than the consumable product 120 is contained inside the insertion guide member 34 (i.e., the state is (2)).
  • the entire cleaning tool 130 is contained within the intersecting region 140, but in FIG. 16 and 17, a part of the cleaning tool 130 overlaps the intersecting region 140, and other parts of the cleaning tool 130 do not overlap the intersecting region 140.
  • the control unit 80 can accurately determine the state inside the insertion guide member 34.
  • both infrared sensors 94A and 94B have been described as excluding infrared rays reflected in the intersection area 140 from the detection target.
  • the configuration of this modified example is not limited to this, and only one of infrared sensors 94A and 94B may be configured to exclude infrared rays reflected in the intersection area 140 from the detection target. Details of the individual cases in each of Figures 13 to 17 will be omitted, but in all cases, it is prevented from erroneously determining that the consumable product 120 is contained within the insertion guide member 34 (i.e., it is in state (1)) when the consumable product 120 is not contained within the insertion guide member 34 (i.e., it is not in state (1)).
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B have been described as detecting the consumable product 120 and the cleaning tool 130.
  • the detection targets of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B are not limited to the consumable product 120 and the cleaning tool 130, and various objects located inside the insertion guide member 34 can be detected.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B can also detect the presence of dirt on the transparent areas 34A and 34B of the insertion guide member 34.
  • the infrared rays irradiated from the light-emitting unit 94A2 or 94B2 may not enter the inside of the insertion guide member 34, and the infrared rays may not reach the corresponding light-receiving unit 94A1 or 94B1. In other words, if the infrared sensor 94A or 94B does not detect an object, it can be determined that the transparent area 34A or 34B may be dirty.
  • the consumable product 120 may be configured to have a substantially cylindrical shape.
  • the detection results from the infrared sensors 94A and 94B can be used by the control unit 80 to control each component of the flavor inhaler 100.
  • the control unit 80 can be configured not to allow the heating unit 40 to heat the chamber 50 unless it is determined that the consumable product 120 is contained within the insertion guide member 34 (state (1)). With this configuration, a safety device that prevents unnecessary heating can be provided in the flavor inhaler 100.
  • a suitable flavor inhalation system can be constructed.
  • At least one of the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B excludes from the detection target infrared rays reflected in the intersecting region 140 where the irradiation ranges of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B overlap. That is, at least one of the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B excludes from the detection target objects located in the intersecting region 140 where erroneous determination may occur.
  • a threshold value that is the minimum intensity of infrared light that can be detected is set in the light receiving parts 94A1, 94B1 of the infrared sensors 94A, 94B, and when at least one of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B receives infrared light reflected in the intersecting area 140, the intensity of the infrared light is smaller than the threshold value.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B receives infrared light reflected by an object located in the intersecting area 140 where a misjudgment may occur, the infrared light is not detected by the infrared sensor.
  • the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B that detect the inside of the insertion guide member 34 in the flavor inhaler 100 are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other when viewed from the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34. Therefore, according to this modified example, the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B each perform detection from a different angle, making it possible to more accurately determine the state inside the insertion guide member 34.
  • the intersecting area 140 where the irradiation ranges of the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B overlap is located approximately at the center of the insertion guide member 34 when viewed from the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34. Therefore, according to this modified example, it is possible to prevent erroneous determinations caused by objects located near the center of the insertion guide member 34.
  • the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B are arranged so as to overlap the insertion guide member 34 connected to the chamber 50 in the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50, without overlapping the chamber 50 in which the consumable product 120 heated by the heating unit 40 is mainly stored. Therefore, according to this modification, the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B are sufficiently separated from the consumable product 120 heated by the heating unit 40, and the influence of heat on the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B can be suppressed.
  • the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B are arranged so as to overlap the insertion guide member 34 in the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34, the axial length of the insertion guide member 34 of the flavor inhaler 100 can be suppressed, and the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B can be shielded to protect them from external influences.
  • the infrared sensors 94A and 94B are arranged so as to be exposed, smoke generated from the heated consumable product 120 may affect the infrared sensors 94A and 94B.
  • the insertion guide member 34 is provided with transparent areas 34A and 34B that are configured to allow infrared light irradiated from the light-emitting parts 94A2 and 94B2 of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B to pass through, so that the detection functions of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B can be performed appropriately.
  • the infrared rays emitted from the light-emitting portions 94A2, 94B2 of the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B are incident approximately perpendicularly to the tangent to the outer periphery of the insertion guide member 34. Therefore, the infrared rays emitted from each of the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B are directed toward approximately the center of the insertion guide member 34 when viewed from the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34, and an intersection area 140 is formed near the center of the insertion guide member 34. Therefore, according to this modified example, it is possible to prevent erroneous determinations caused by objects located near the center of the insertion guide member 34.
  • the light-emitting units 94A2, 94B2 and the light-receiving units 94A1, 94B1 are arranged along the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of the insertion guide member 34, and the transparent regions 34A and 34B of the insertion guide member 34 extend along the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34.
  • the space for arranging the infrared sensors 94A and 94B becomes larger, resulting in an increase in the size of the flavor inhaler 100.
  • the light emitting unit 94A2 (94B2) and the light receiving unit 94A1 (94B1) are arranged along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34, the light irradiated from the light emitting unit 94A2 (94B2) and spreading in the horizontal direction (X-Y plane) is diffused by the circular shape of the consumer goods 120, preventing the light from reaching the light receiving unit 94A1 (94B1) properly.
  • the light emitting unit 94A2 (94B2) and the light receiving unit 94A1 (94B1) are arranged along the axial direction of the insertion guide member 34, the light irradiated from the light emitting unit 94A2 (94B2) spreads in a direction approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical surface (i.e., the Z-axis direction), and is reflected by the linear shape of the consumer goods 120, so that it can reach the light receiving unit 94A1 (94B1) properly.
  • the transmission areas 34A and 34B are provided in accordance with the arrangement of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B. Therefore, this modification can contribute to miniaturizing the flavor inhaler 100 and improving the detection accuracy of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B.
  • a threshold value is set for the light receiving parts 94A1, 94B1 of the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B, which is the minimum value of the intensity of infrared light that can be detected.
  • the intensity of the infrared light is smaller than the threshold value.
  • the infrared light is not detected. Therefore, according to this modification, by reliably excluding the object located in the crossable region 140 from the detection target, misjudgment can be prevented, and the advantage of making a judgment based on a combination of the detection results of the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B can be reliably demonstrated.
  • the consumable product 120 inserted into the insertion guide member 34 and chamber 50 of the flavor inhaler 100 is configured to have an approximately cylindrical shape.
  • the approximately cylindrical consumable product 120 is easy to hold for users who are accustomed to conventional tobacco sticks.
  • the approximately circular shape when viewed vertically from above is symmetrical, making it suitable for detection by multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B. Therefore, this modified example can contribute to improving operability for users and improving detection accuracy.
  • At least one of the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B excludes from the detection target infrared rays reflected in an intersection possible area 140 where the irradiation ranges of the infrared sensors 94A and 94B overlap.
  • at least one of the multiple infrared sensors 94A and 94B excludes from the detection target objects located in the intersection possible area 140 where erroneous determination may occur.

Landscapes

  • Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
  • Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un inhalateur d'arôme comprenant : une partie de réception d'insertion dans laquelle un bien de consommation est inséré ; et au moins deux unités de détection qui sont positionnées de façon à être espacées l'une de l'autre, chacune des au moins deux unités de détection comprenant une unité d'émission de lumière qui émet de la lumière et une unité de réception de lumière qui reçoit de la lumière. Une région d'intersection possible où la lumière émise par chacune des au moins deux unités de détection peut se croiser est présente à l'intérieur de la partie de réception d'insertion. Au moins l'une des au moins deux unités de détection est configurée pour exclure, à partir de sujets de détection, une lumière réfléchie qui est réfléchie dans la région d'intersection possible.
PCT/JP2022/046303 2022-12-16 2022-12-16 Inhalateur d'arôme et système d'inhalation d'arôme Ceased WO2024127608A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

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PCT/JP2022/046303 WO2024127608A1 (fr) 2022-12-16 2022-12-16 Inhalateur d'arôme et système d'inhalation d'arôme
TW112122974A TW202425842A (zh) 2022-12-16 2023-06-19 香味吸嚐器及香味吸嚐系統

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/JP2022/046303 WO2024127608A1 (fr) 2022-12-16 2022-12-16 Inhalateur d'arôme et système d'inhalation d'arôme

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WO2024127608A1 true WO2024127608A1 (fr) 2024-06-20

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0590161U (ja) * 1992-05-02 1993-12-07 剛志 原田 タバコの有害物質軽減具
JP2021520776A (ja) * 2018-03-29 2021-08-26 ニコベンチャーズ トレーディング リミテッド エアロゾル化可能媒体からエアロゾルを生成するための装置、エアロゾル化可能媒体の物品、及びエアロゾル生成装置を動作させる方法
JP2022504005A (ja) * 2019-10-10 2022-01-13 ケーティー・アンド・ジー・コーポレーション エアロゾル生成装置及びその動作方法
WO2022123768A1 (fr) * 2020-12-11 2022-06-16 日本たばこ産業株式会社 Inhalateur d'arôme et procédé de fabrication d'un inhalateur d'arôme

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0590161U (ja) * 1992-05-02 1993-12-07 剛志 原田 タバコの有害物質軽減具
JP2021520776A (ja) * 2018-03-29 2021-08-26 ニコベンチャーズ トレーディング リミテッド エアロゾル化可能媒体からエアロゾルを生成するための装置、エアロゾル化可能媒体の物品、及びエアロゾル生成装置を動作させる方法
JP2022504005A (ja) * 2019-10-10 2022-01-13 ケーティー・アンド・ジー・コーポレーション エアロゾル生成装置及びその動作方法
WO2022123768A1 (fr) * 2020-12-11 2022-06-16 日本たばこ産業株式会社 Inhalateur d'arôme et procédé de fabrication d'un inhalateur d'arôme

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