WO2025052636A1 - Aerosol generation device - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

Aerosol Generator

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device.

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

International Publication No. 2021/013477

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

The present invention aims to provide an aerosol generating device that can appropriately control the heating of an aerosol-generating item using electromagnetic waves.

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

The present invention provides, for example, an aerosol generating device that can appropriately control the heating of an aerosol generating item using electromagnetic waves.

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

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

Schematic diagram showing a configuration example of an aerosol generating device FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of characteristics of a reflected wave detected by a reflected wave detection unit; Flowchart showing the operation of the aspirator Schematic diagram showing a configuration example of an aerosol generating device having a mouthpiece

The embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention as claimed, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments may be combined in any desired manner. Additionally, the same reference numbers are used for identical or similar configurations, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The moisture content of the tobacco filling can be 10% by weight or more and 15% by weight or less, and preferably 11% by weight or more and 13% by weight or less, based on the total amount of the tobacco filling. Such a moisture content suppresses the occurrence of rolling stains and improves the suitability of the tobacco filling section 41 for rolling during production. There are no particular restrictions on the size of the tobacco shreds contained in the tobacco filling or the method of preparation thereof. For example, dried tobacco leaves shredded to a width of 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less may be used. In addition, when using a crushed homogenized sheet, dried tobacco leaves may be crushed to an average particle size of about 20 μm to 200 μm, homogenized, processed into a sheet, and then shredded to a width of 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less may be used.

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

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

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

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

The shape of the wrapping paper for the tobacco filling section 41 (tobacco filling material) can be square or rectangular. When used as wrapping paper for wrapping the tobacco filling material (to make the tobacco filling section 41), the length of one side can be about 6 mm to 70 mm, the length of the other side can be 15 mm to 28 mm, and the preferred length of the other side can be 22 mm to 24 mm, with an even more preferred length being about 23 mm.

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

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

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

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

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

The configuration of the cooling segment of the mouthpiece 42 is not particularly limited as long as it has the function of cooling the mainstream tobacco smoke, and an example is a cardboard processed into a cylindrical shape. In this case, the inside of the cylinder is hollow, and the vapor containing the aerosol base material and the tobacco flavor components is cooled by contacting the air inside the cavity.

One aspect of the cooling segment may be a paper tube formed by processing a single sheet of paper or a sheet of paper laminated together into a cylindrical shape. In addition, in order to increase the cooling effect by bringing room temperature outside air into contact with high-temperature steam, it is preferable that the paper tube has holes for introducing outside air around it. That is, the cooling segment is provided with vents, which are openings for taking in air from the outside. The number of vents in the cooling segment is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, a plurality of vents are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the cooling segment. In addition, the group of vents arranged in the circumferential direction of the cooling segment may be formed in multiple stages along the Z-axis direction of the cooling segment. By providing the vents in the cooling segment, when the tobacco stick 40 is sucked, low-temperature air flows into the cooling segment from the outside, and the temperature of the volatile components and air flowing in from the tobacco filling section 41 can be reduced. In addition, the steam containing the aerosol base material and the tobacco flavor components is condensed by being cooled by the low-temperature air introduced into the cooling segment through the vents. This promotes the generation of aerosols and allows the size of the aerosol particles to be controlled. In addition, by applying a polymer coating such as polyvinyl alcohol or a polysaccharide coating such as pectin to the inner surface of the cardboard tube, the cooling effect can be increased by utilizing the heat absorption of the coating or the heat of dissolution associated with the phase change. The airflow resistance of this cylindrical cooling segment is zero _mmH2O .

When the cooling segment is filled with a sheet or the like for cooling the volatile components and air flowing from the tobacco filling section 41 into the cooling segment of the mouthpiece section 42, the total surface area of the cooling segment is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 300 ^mm2 /mm or more and 1000 ^mm2 /mm or less. This surface area is the surface area per mm of the length of the cooling segment in the air passage direction. The total surface area of the cooling segment is preferably 400 ^mm2 /mm or more, more preferably 450 ^mm2 /mm or more, while it is preferably 600 ^mm2 /mm or less, and more preferably 550 ^mm2 /mm or less.

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

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

It is preferable that the ventilation holes in the cooling segment are located at a position 4 mm or more away from the boundary between the cooling segment and the filter segment. This not only improves the cooling capacity of the cooling segment, but also suppresses the retention of components generated by heating in the cooling segment, thereby improving the delivery amount of the components. It is preferable that the tipping paper 43 has an opening directly above the ventilation holes provided in the cooling segment (a position where they overlap vertically). It is preferable that the ventilation holes (openings) in the cooling segment are arranged so that the air inflow rate from the ventilation holes when inhaling at 17.5 ml/sec with an automatic smoking machine (the volumetric rate of air inflowing from the ventilation holes when the volumetric rate of air inhaled from the mouth end is 100% by volume) is 10 to 90% by volume, preferably 50 to 80% by volume, and more preferably 55 to 75% by volume. For example, the number of ventilation holes per ventilation hole group can be selected from the range of 5 to 50, and the diameter of the ventilation hole can be selected from the range of 0.1 to 0.5 mm, and a combination of these selections can be achieved. The air inflow ratio can be measured by a method conforming to ISO9512 using an automatic smoking machine (for example, a single-cigarette automatic smoking machine manufactured by Borgwaldt). The length of the cooling segment in the Z-axis direction (airflow direction) is not particularly limited, but is usually 10 mm or more, preferably 15 mm or more, and usually 40 mm or less, preferably 35 mm or less, and more preferably 30 mm or less. It is particularly preferable that the length of the cooling segment in the Z-axis direction is 20 mm. By setting the length of the cooling segment in the Z-axis direction to the above lower limit or more, a sufficient cooling effect can be ensured and a good flavor can be obtained. In addition, by setting the length of the cooling segment in the Z-axis direction to the above upper limit or less, it is possible to suppress losses caused by the vapor and aerosol generated during use adhering to the inner wall of the cooling segment.

The configuration of the filter segment of the suction mouth portion 42 is not particularly limited as long as it has the function of a general filter, and an example of such a filter segment is cellulose acetate tow processed into a cylindrical shape. The single thread fineness and total fineness of the cellulose acetate tow are not particularly limited, but when the filter segment has a circumference of 22 mm, it is preferable that the single thread fineness is 5 to 20 g/9000 m and the total fineness is 12000 to 30000 g/9000 m. The cross-sectional shape of the fibers of the cellulose acetate tow may be a Y cross section or an R cross section. When the filter segment is formed by filling the cellulose acetate tow, 5 to 10% by weight of triacetin may be added to the cellulose acetate tow to improve the filter hardness. The filter segment may be composed of a single segment or multiple segments. When the filter segment is composed of multiple segments, for example, a hollow segment such as a center hole is arranged on the upstream side (tobacco-filled section 41 side), and an acetate filter with a mouth-end cross section filled with cellulose acetate tow is arranged as a segment on the downstream side (mouth end side). This prevents unnecessary loss of the generated aerosol, and improves the appearance of the tobacco stick 40. In addition, from the viewpoint of changes in the sensation of smoking and the comfort of holding the tobacco stick in the mouth, an acetate filter may be arranged on the upstream side (tobacco-filled section 41 side), and a hollow segment such as a center hole may be arranged on the downstream side (mouth end side). In addition, the filter segment may be arranged using other alternative filter materials, such as a paper filter filled with sheet-like pulp paper, instead of an acetate filter.

General functions of filters in the filter segment include, for example, adjusting the amount of air mixed in when inhaling aerosols, reducing flavors, and reducing nicotine and tar, but it is not necessary for a filter to have all of these functions. Also, in electrically heated tobacco products, which tend to produce fewer components and have a lower tobacco filler filling rate compared to cigarette products, another important function is to prevent the tobacco filler from falling out while suppressing the filtering function.

The cross-sectional shape of the filter segment is substantially circular, and the diameter of the circle can be changed as appropriate according to the size of the product, but is usually 4.0 mm or more and 9.0 mm or less, preferably 4.5 mm or more and 8.5 mm or less, and more preferably 5.0 mm or more and 8.0 mm or less. If the cross section is not circular, the above diameter applies to a circle having the same area as the cross section. The perimeter of the filter segment can be changed as appropriate according to the size of the product, but is usually 14.0 mm or more and 27.0 mm or less, preferably 15.0 mm or more and 26.0 mm or less, and more preferably 16.0 mm or more and 25.0 mm or less. The length of the filter segment in the Z-axis direction can be changed as appropriate according to the size of the product, but is usually 5 mm or more and 35 mm or less, and preferably 10.0 mm or more and 30.0 mm or less. The shape and dimensions of the filter medium can be adjusted as appropriate so that the shape and dimensions of the filter segment are within the above range.

The airflow resistance of the filter segment per 120 mm of length in the Z-axis direction is not particularly limited, but is usually 40 mmH ₂ O or more and 300 mmH ₂ O or less, preferably 70 mmH ₂ O or more and 280 mmH ₂ O or less, and more preferably 90 mmH ₂ O or more and 260 mmH ₂ O or less. The above airflow resistance is measured according to the ISO standard method (ISO6565), for example, using a filter airflow resistance measuring device manufactured by Cerulean Co., Ltd. The airflow resistance of the filter segment refers to the air pressure difference between the first end face and the second end face when air is flowed at a predetermined air flow rate (17.5 cc/min) from one end face (first end face) to the other end face (second end face) in a state in which air does not pass through the side face of the filter segment. The unit of airflow resistance can generally be expressed in mmH ₂ O. It is known that the relationship between the airflow resistance of a filter segment and the length of the filter segment is proportional within the length range typically used (5 mm to 200 mm), and if the length of a filter segment is doubled, the airflow resistance also doubles.

The density of the filter medium in the filter segment is not particularly limited, but is usually 0.10 g/cm ³ or more and 0.25 g/cm ³ or less, preferably 0.11 g/cm ³ or more and 0.24 g/cm ³ or less, and more preferably 0.12 g/cm ³ or more and 0.23 g/cm ³ or less. The filter segment may be provided with a winding paper (filter plug winding paper) for winding the filter medium and the like from the viewpoint of improving the strength and structural rigidity. The mode of the winding paper is not particularly limited, and may include one or more rows of seams containing adhesive. The adhesive may include a hot melt adhesive, and the hot melt adhesive may further include polyvinyl alcohol. In addition, when the filter segment is composed of two or more segments, it is preferable that the winding paper winds these two or more segments together. The material of the winding paper in the filter segment is not particularly limited, and a known material can be used, and may also include a filler such as calcium carbonate.

The thickness of the roll paper is not particularly limited, and is usually 20 μm or more and 140 μm or less, preferably 30 μm or more and 130 μm or less, and more preferably 30 μm or more and 120 μm or less. The basis weight of the roll paper is not particularly limited, and is usually 20 gsm or more and 100 gsm or less, preferably 22 gsm or more and 95 gsm or less, and more preferably 23 gsm or more and 90 gsm or less. In addition, the roll paper may be coated or uncoated, but from the viewpoint of imparting functions other than strength and structural rigidity, it is preferable that it is coated with a desired material.

When the filter segment includes a center hole segment and a filter medium, the center hole segment and the filter medium may be connected, for example, by an outer plug wrapper (outer winding paper). The outer plug wrapper may be, for example, a cylindrical paper. The tobacco loading section 41, the cooling segment, and the connected center hole segment and filter medium may be connected, for example, by a mouthpiece lining paper. These connections can be made, for example, by applying glue such as vinyl acetate glue to the inner surface of the mouthpiece lining paper, and then inserting the tobacco loading section 41, the cooling segment, and the connected center hole segment and filter medium and rolling them up. These may also be connected in multiple separate instances using multiple lining papers.

The filter media of the filter segment may include a crushable additive release container (e.g., a capsule) that includes a crushable shell such as gelatin. The form of the capsule (also called "additive release container" in the art) is not particularly limited and may be any known form, for example, a crushable additive release container that includes a crushable shell such as gelatin. The form of the capsule is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a frangible capsule, preferably spherical in shape. The additive contained in the capsule may include any of the additives described above, but is preferably a flavoring agent or activated carbon. The flavoring agent may be, for example, menthol, spearmint, peppermint, fenugreek, or clove, medium chain triglyceride (MCT), or a combination thereof. In addition, one or more materials that help filter smoke may be added as an additive. The form of the additive is not particularly limited and is usually a liquid or solid. The use of capsules containing additives is well known in the art. Frangible capsules and methods for their manufacture are well known in the art.

Flavoring may be added to the filter material of the filter segment. By adding flavoring to the filter material, the amount of flavoring delivered during use is increased compared to the conventional technology of adding flavoring to the tobacco filling material that constitutes the tobacco filling section 41. The degree of increase in the amount of flavoring delivered is further increased depending on the position of the ventilation hole (opening) provided in the cooling segment. There is no particular restriction on the method of adding flavoring to the filter material, and it is sufficient to add it so that it is dispersed approximately uniformly in the filter material to which the flavoring is to be added. The amount of flavoring added can be 10 to 100 volume % of the filter material. The flavoring may be added to the filter material before the filter segment is constructed, or after the filter segment is constructed. The type of flavoring is not particularly limited, but the same flavoring contained in the tobacco filling material described above may be used.

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

The surface area of the activated carbon per unit cross-sectional area is more preferably 17.0 m ² /cm ² or more, and more preferably 35.0 ^{m 2} /cm ² or more. On the other hand, it is more preferably 77.0 ^{m 2} /cm ² or less, and more preferably 73.0 m ² /cm ² or less. The surface area of the activated carbon per unit cross-sectional area can be adjusted, for example, by adjusting the specific surface area of the activated carbon and its added amount, and the cross-sectional area of the filter medium perpendicular to the direction of air flow. The calculation of the surface area of the activated carbon per unit cross-sectional area is calculated based on the filter medium to which activated carbon is added. When the filter segment is composed of a plurality of filter mediums, the cross-sectional area and length of only the filter medium to which activated carbon is added are used as the basis.

Examples of activated carbon include those made from wood, bamboo, coconut shells, walnut shells, and coal. The activated carbon may have a BET specific surface area of 1100 ^{m 2} /g or more and 1600 ^{m 2} /g or less, preferably 1200 ^{m 2} /g or more and 1500 m ² /g or less, and more preferably 1250 m ² /g or more and 1380 ^{m 2} /g or less. The BET specific surface area can be determined by a nitrogen gas adsorption method (BET multipoint method). The activated carbon may have a pore volume of 400 μL/g or more and 800 μL/g or less, more preferably 500 μL/g or more and 750 μL/g or less, and more preferably 600 μL/g or more and 700 μL/g or less. Pore volume can be calculated from the maximum adsorption amount obtained by using nitrogen gas adsorption method.The amount of activated carbon added per unit length of the filter medium in the direction of airflow is preferably 5mg/cm or more and 50mg/cm or less, more preferably 8mg/cm or more and 40mg/cm or less, and even more preferably 10mg/cm or more and 35mg/cm or less.By making the specific surface area of activated carbon and the amount of activated carbon added within the above range, the surface area of activated carbon per unit cross-sectional area can be adjusted to a desired one.

The activated carbon particles preferably have a cumulative 10% by volume particle diameter (particle diameter D10) of 250 μm or more and 1200 μm or less. The activated carbon particles preferably have a cumulative 50% by volume particle diameter (particle diameter D50) of 350 μm or more and 1500 μm or less. The particle diameters D10 and D50 can be measured by a laser diffraction scattering method. An example of an apparatus suitable for this measurement is the laser diffraction/scattering type particle size distribution measuring apparatus "LA-950" manufactured by Horiba, Ltd. The powder is poured into the cell of this apparatus together with pure water, and the particle diameter is detected based on the light scattering information of the particles. The measurement conditions using the above measuring apparatus are as follows.
Measurement mode: Manual flow-type cell measurement Dispersion medium: Ion-exchanged water Dispersion method: Measured after 1 minute of ultrasonic irradiation Refractive index: 1.92-0.00i (sample refractive index) / 1.33-0.00i (dispersion medium refractive index)
Number of measurements: Measure twice using different samples

In addition, there are no particular limitations on the method for adding activated carbon to the filter medium of the filter segment, and it is sufficient to add the activated carbon so that it is dispersed approximately uniformly in the filter medium to which it is to be added.

[Tip paper]
The material of the tipping paper 43 is not particularly limited, and may be paper made of general plant fiber (pulp), a sheet using polymer-based chemical fiber (polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, etc.), a polymer-based sheet, metal foil, or a composite material combining these. For example, the tipping paper 43 may be made of a composite material in which a polymer-based sheet is bonded to a paper base material. Note that the tipping paper 43 referred to here means a sheet-like material that connects multiple segments in the tobacco stick 40, for example, connecting the tobacco filling portion 41 and the mouthpiece portion 42.

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

The chip paper 43 may contain fillers other than the above-mentioned pulp, such as metal carbonates such as calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, metal oxides such as titanium oxide, titanium dioxide and aluminum oxide, metal sulfates such as barium sulfate and calcium sulfate, metal sulfides such as zinc sulfide, quartz, kaolin, talc, diatomaceous earth, gypsum, etc., and it is particularly preferable that the chip paper 43 contains calcium carbonate from the viewpoint of improving whiteness and opacity and increasing the heating rate. Furthermore, these fillers may be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

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

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

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

[Microwave shield]
The tobacco stick 40 (e.g., the mouth part 42) may be provided with a microwave shield (electromagnetic wave shield) 44. The microwave shield 44 is attached to the cooling segment of the mouth part 42 upstream of the vent hole, and is located inside the guide part 13 of the inhaler 10 when the tobacco stick 40 is inserted into the inhaler 10. In this way, the microwave shield 44 can cooperate with the guide part 13 of the inhaler 10 to prevent microwaves from leaking out of the inhaler 10. However, as long as the microwave shield 44 is located inside the guide part 13 of the inhaler 10 when the tobacco stick 40 is inserted into the inhaler 10, for example, the microwave shield 44 may be attached to the filter segment of the mouth part 42 or may be disposed adjacent to the filter segment of the mouth part 42. The microwave shield 44 may also be disposed at the upstream or downstream end of another filter segment provided adjacent to the cooling segment of the mouth part 42. The microwave shield 44 may be constructed by placing a preformed shielding member at a predetermined position on the tobacco stick 40, or may be constructed by printing onto the filter segment of the mouthpiece 42.

When the aperture ratio of the microwave shield 44 is designed in consideration of the blocking of microwaves and the airflow resistance, the aperture ratio is, for example, 10% or more, preferably 30% or more, and more preferably 50% or more. The aperture ratio is 90% or less, preferably 80% or less, and more preferably 70% or less. In addition, in the case of the above-mentioned aperture ratio of the microwave shield 44, the overall airflow resistance of the inhaler 10 and the tobacco stick 40 is 8 mmH ₂ O or more, preferably 10 mmH ₂ O or more, more preferably 12 mmH ₂ O or more, and 100 mmH ₂ O or less, preferably 80 mmH ₂ O or less, and more preferably 60 mmH ₂ O or less. In this case, it is possible to provide a system that achieves both the suppression of microwave leakage and the desirable airflow resistance with a simple device configuration. The airflow resistance is measured based on the ISO standard method (ISO6565) as described above.

Furthermore, the tobacco stick 40 configured as described above may be configured such that a part of the outer surface of the tipping paper 43 is covered with a lip release material. The lip release material refers to a material configured to assist in the easy separation of the contact between the lips and the tipping paper 43 without substantial adhesion when the user holds the mouthpiece portion 42 of the tobacco stick 40 in the mouth. The lip release material may contain, for example, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, etc. For example, the outer surface of the tipping paper 43 may be coated with the lip release material by applying an ethyl cellulose-based or methyl cellulose-based ink to the outer surface of the tipping paper 43.

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

The airflow resistance in the Z-axis direction per tobacco stick 40 configured as described above is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of ease of smoking, it is usually 8 mmH2O or more, preferably 10 _mmH2O or more, more preferably 12 _mmH2O or more, and usually 100 _mmH2O or less, preferably 80 _mmH2O or less, more preferably 60 _mmH2O or _less . The airflow resistance is measured, for example, using a filter airflow resistance meter manufactured by Cerulean Co., Ltd., in accordance with the ISO standard method (ISO6565:2015). The airflow resistance refers to the air pressure difference between the first end face and the second end face when air is flowed at a predetermined air flow rate (17.5 cc/min) from one end face (first end face) to the other end face (second end face) in a state in which air does not pass through the side face of the tobacco stick 40. The unit is generally expressed in _mmH2O . It is known that the relationship between the airflow resistance and the tobacco stick 40 is proportional within the normally used length range (lengths of 5 mm to 200 mm), and if the length of the tobacco stick 40 is doubled, the airflow resistance also doubles.

The rod-shaped tobacco stick 40 preferably has a columnar shape that satisfies an aspect ratio of 1 or more, as defined below.
Aspect ratio = h/w

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

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

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

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

Note that although magnetron oscillators are also used as devices for generating high-frequency electromagnetic waves, when a semiconductor oscillator is used as the high-frequency oscillator 20, it is possible to make the main body smaller than when a magnetron oscillator is used. Furthermore, semiconductor oscillators can operate at lower voltages than magnetron oscillators, so frequency stability and output stability can be improved. However, the high-frequency oscillator 20 of this embodiment may be a magnetron oscillator, as it is only necessary to generate high-frequency electromagnetic waves of a specified frequency.

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

In this embodiment, a circulator 21a is provided in the middle of the waveguide 21. The circulator 21a is configured to transmit microwaves incident from a port on the high frequency oscillator 20 side within the waveguide 21 toward the antenna 22, and to transmit microwaves (reflected waves) incident from a port on the antenna 22 side toward the reflected wave detector 32 described below. By providing such a circulator 21a in the middle of the waveguide 21, it is possible to reduce the incidence of reflected waves that return from the antenna 22 without becoming microwaves into the high frequency oscillator 20.

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

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

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

The notification unit 25 notifies the user of information based on the control by the control unit 23. Examples of information notified to the user include information indicating the detection of the insertion of the tobacco stick 40 into the storage unit 12, information indicating the start of heating the tobacco stick 40 by microwaves, information indicating the transition to a state in which the aerosol can be inhaled, error information, and remaining charge information of the power supply unit 24 (battery remaining charge information). In the present embodiment, the notification unit 25 notifies the user of information indicating that control is being performed so that microwaves are not emitted from the antenna 22 into the storage unit 12 (hereinafter, this may be referred to as discharge impossible information). The discharge impossible information may include foreign object presence information indicating that a metal-containing object (hereinafter, this may be referred to as a foreign object) that is an object containing metal is present in the storage unit 12. The foreign object presence information may be information indicating the presence of a foreign object in the storage unit 12 itself, but may also be information indicating that a foreign object has been detected in the storage unit 12, information for encouraging the removal of a foreign object in the storage unit 12, or information for encouraging the cleaning of the storage unit 12. The non-dischargeable information may also include non-container information indicating that no tobacco stick 40 is contained in the storage section 12. Here, the notification section 25 may be composed of a light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a vibration element such as a vibration motor, or a sound output element. The notification section 25 may be composed of a display element (display) such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The notification section 25 may be a combination of two or more elements selected from a light-emitting element, a vibration element, a sound output element, and a display element.

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

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

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

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

The object detection unit 30 can detect a foreign object in the storage unit 12 by using an oscillation circuit 31 or a reflected wave detection unit 32. In the present embodiment, the suction device 10 is provided with both the oscillation circuit 31 and the reflected wave detection unit 32 so that it can detect a foreign object using both the oscillation circuit 31 and the reflected wave detection unit 32. However, this is not limited to this, and only one of the oscillation circuit 31 and the reflected wave detection unit 32 may be provided. In other words, the suction device 10 may be configured to detect a foreign object using only one of the oscillation circuit 31 and the reflected wave detection unit 32. The object detection unit 30 may be realized by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor, and may be configured as a part of the control unit 23.

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

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

The object detection unit 30 can also detect the tobacco stick 40 contained in the storage unit 12 based on the reflected wave detected by the reflected wave detection unit 32. Specifically, the peak frequency at which the reflected wave detected by the reflected wave detection unit 32 is the smallest can change depending on whether or not the tobacco stick 40 is contained in the storage unit 12. Therefore, the object detection unit 30 can detect the presence or absence of the tobacco stick 40 in the storage unit 12 based on the peak frequency. Note that when detecting the tobacco stick 40 using the reflected wave detection unit 32, the aforementioned tobacco detection unit 27 does not need to be provided in the inhaler 10.

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

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

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

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

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

If it is determined in step S13 that the object detection result by the object detection unit 30 satisfies the constraint condition, the process proceeds to step S14. Specifically, if the object detection unit 30 detects a foreign object in the storage unit 12, or if the object detection unit 30 does not detect the tobacco stick 40 in the storage unit 12, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the control unit 23 controls the high-frequency oscillator unit 20 so as not to emit microwaves from the antenna 22 into the storage unit 12, and stops heating the tobacco stick 40. This step S14 may be understood as a process of prohibiting the emission of microwaves from the antenna 22 into the storage unit 12. Next, in step S15, the control unit 23 notifies the user, via the notification unit 25 or the communication unit 26, of release-prohibited information indicating that control is being performed so that microwaves are not emitted from the antenna 22 into the storage unit 12. The release-prohibited information may include foreign object presence information indicating the presence of a foreign object in the storage unit 12, and/or non-container information indicating that the tobacco stick 40 is not contained in the storage unit 12. As described above, the foreign object presence information can be information indicating the presence of a foreign object in the storage unit 12, information indicating that a foreign object has been detected in the storage unit 12, information to encourage the removal of the foreign object in the storage unit 12, or information to encourage cleaning of the storage unit 12.

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

In step S17, the control unit 23 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of heating the tobacco stick 40. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S18, where the control unit 23 controls the high-frequency oscillator unit 20 to end the emission of microwaves from the antenna 22 into the storage unit 12, and ends the heating of the tobacco stick 40. Here, in this embodiment, the control unit 23 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed in step S17, but this is not limited thereto, and the control unit 23 may also determine whether the user's atomization requests (inhalation actions, puffing actions) have reached a predetermined number of times in step S17. In this case, the process proceeds to step S18 if the user's atomization requests have reached the predetermined number of times since the start of heating the tobacco stick 40.

As described above, the inhaler 10 of this embodiment has an object detection unit 30 that detects an object (foreign object, tobacco stick 40) in the storage unit 12, and controls so as not to emit microwaves from the antenna 22 when the object detection result by the object detection unit 30 satisfies the constraint conditions. This makes it possible to avoid emitting microwaves into the storage unit 12 when a foreign object is present in the storage unit 12 or when the tobacco stick 40 is not contained in the storage unit 12, thereby improving the safety of the inhaler 10.

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

The mouthpiece 50 can be attached to the guide section 13 of the inhaler 10 so as to cover the portion (mouthpiece section 42) of the tobacco stick 40 that protrudes from the inhaler 10 (container section 12). The mouthpiece 50 is provided with a microwave shield 51 for blocking microwaves that leak out from the container section 12 to the outside through the opening 12a and the guide section 13. The microwave shield 51 can be made of a metal mesh or the like so as to allow gas to pass through while blocking microwaves.

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

In the above embodiment, an example (microwave heating method) has been described in which the tobacco stick 40 in the storage section 12 is heated by emitting electromagnetic waves (microwaves) generated by the high-frequency oscillator 20 from the antenna 22 into the storage section 12. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, a method in which the tobacco stick 40 is dielectrically heated by controlling the microwaves (electromagnetic waves) emitted from the antenna 22 to change the electromagnetic field (electromagnetic field strength) generated in the storage section 12 may also be used.

The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

a housing for housing at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article including an aerosol source;
an electromagnetic wave emitting portion that emits electromagnetic waves into the housing portion;
an object detection unit that detects an object present in the storage unit;
a control unit that controls the heating of at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article contained in the container by controlling the emission of electromagnetic waves from the electromagnetic wave emitting unit;
Equipped with
The aerosol generating device is characterized in that the control unit controls the electromagnetic wave emission unit not to emit electromagnetic waves when the detection result of the object by the object detection unit satisfies a constraint condition. A notification unit that notifies a user of information,
The aerosol generating device described in claim 1, characterized in that when the detection result of the object by the object detection unit satisfies the constraint condition, the control unit notifies the user via the notification unit of information indicating that control is being performed to prevent electromagnetic waves from being emitted from the electromagnetic wave emission unit into the storage unit. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, characterized in that, when the detection result of the object by the object detection unit does not satisfy the constraint condition, the control unit, in response to a user instruction, causes the electromagnetic wave emission unit to emit electromagnetic waves so as to heat at least a portion of the aerosol generating item. The object detection unit is configured to detect a metal-containing object containing a metal as the object,
4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the constraint condition includes a condition that the metal-containing object is detected by the object detection unit. Further comprising a coil disposed within the housing,
The aerosol generating device according to claim 4 , wherein the object detection unit detects the metal-containing material in the storage unit based on a Q value of the coil. A reflected wave detection unit that detects a reflected wave returning from the electromagnetic wave emission unit,
The aerosol generating device according to claim 4 , wherein the object detection unit detects the metal-containing object in the storage unit based on the reflected wave detected by the reflected wave detection unit. the object detection unit is configured to detect at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article contained in the container as the object,
4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the constraint condition includes a condition that at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article is not detected by the object detection unit. A reflected wave detection unit that detects a reflected wave returning from the electromagnetic wave emission unit,
The aerosol generating device according to claim 7 , wherein the object detection unit detects at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article in the storage unit based on the reflected wave detected by the reflected wave detection unit. The aerosol generating article further includes an operation detection unit that detects a predetermined operation performed by a user to instruct the user to start heating the aerosol generating article,
The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control unit causes the object detection unit to detect the object when the specified operation is detected by the operation detection unit. a button operated by the user to start heating the aerosol-generating article;
The aerosol generating device according to claim 9 , wherein the operation detection unit detects an operation of the button by a user as the predetermined operation. The aerosol-generating article further includes a cover for opening and closing an opening for inserting at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article into the container,
The aerosol generating device according to claim 9 , wherein the operation detection unit detects an opening operation of the lid unit by a user as the predetermined operation. The aerosol generating device according to claim 9, characterized in that the operation detection unit detects the insertion of the aerosol-generating article into the storage unit by a user as the predetermined operation.

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