CN111096486A - Power supply unit for non-combustion type aspirator, main body unit and non-combustion type aspirator - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a power supply unit of a non-combustion type aspirator, a main body unit and a non-combustion type aspirator. A power supply unit of a non-combustion type aspirator according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a housing having a pressure fluctuation chamber and a normal pressure chamber, the pressure fluctuation chamber being provided with a communication port communicating with an atomizing unit accommodating an aerosol source, the normal pressure chamber being divided so as to sandwich a partition member with the pressure fluctuation chamber; a chargeable/dischargeable power supply housed in the normal pressure chamber; a first substrate assembly to which the pressure sensor is attached and which is housed in the case such that at least the pressure sensor is exposed to the pressure fluctuation chamber; and a second substrate assembly which is accommodated in the normal pressure chamber on the opposite side of the first substrate assembly with the power source interposed therebetween, and to which a female connector is attached.

Description

Power supply unit for non-combustion type aspirator, main body unit and non-combustion type aspirator

Technical Field

The invention relates to a power supply unit of a non-combustion type aspirator, a main body unit and a non-combustion type aspirator.

Background

Conventionally, there is known a non-combustion type aspirator (hereinafter, simply referred to as an aspirator) for tasting a flavor by aspirating a vapor (for example, aerosol) atomized by heating. As such an aspirator, for example, there is an aspirator including an atomizing unit that accommodates an content (for example, an aerosol source) that can be atomized and a power supply unit that is mounted with a battery.

In the aspirator, a heating portion provided in the atomizing unit generates heat by electric power supplied from a battery. Thereby, the content in the atomizing unit is atomized. The user can draw the atomized aerosol out together with air through the mouthpiece portion.

For example, patent document 1 below discloses a structure in which a battery, a circuit board, and the like are assembled to a cylindrical case in a state of being mounted on a frame. In patent document 1 described below, a switching element is mounted on a circuit board located on a first side with respect to a battery, and a female connector is mounted on a circuit board located on a second side with respect to the battery.

Patent document 1: chinese patent publication No. 106343611 specification

However, in the above-described conventional technology, there is room for improvement in terms of improving the liquid-proof performance of the female connector and the battery and improving the sensitivity of the pressure sensor.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide a power supply unit, a main body unit and a non-combustion type aspirator of the non-combustion type aspirator, wherein the sensitivity of a pressure sensor can be improved on the basis of improving the liquid-proof performance of a female connector and a storage battery.

(1) In order to achieve the above object, a power supply unit of a non-combustion type aspirator according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a housing having a pressure fluctuation chamber provided with a communication port communicating with an atomizing unit accommodating an aerosol source, and a normal pressure chamber partitioned to sandwich a partition member with the pressure fluctuation chamber; a chargeable/dischargeable power supply housed in the normal pressure chamber; a first substrate assembly to which a pressure sensor is attached and which is housed in the housing such that at least the pressure sensor is exposed to the pressure varying chamber; and a second substrate assembly that is housed on the opposite side of the first substrate assembly in the normal pressure chamber with the power supply interposed therebetween, and to which a female connector is attached.

According to this aspect, since at least the female connector and the power supply are disposed in the normal pressure chamber partitioned from the pressure fluctuation chamber by the partition member, it is possible to suppress aerosol or the like from entering the normal pressure chamber through the communication port and suppress aerosol from adhering to the female connector and the power supply.

On the other hand, by housing the female connector and the power supply in the normal pressure chamber, the pressure fluctuation chamber can be downsized. This makes it possible to quickly detect the pressure fluctuation in the pressure fluctuation chamber.

(2) In the power supply unit of the non-combustion type aspirator of the above aspect (1), the following may be applied: the first substrate assembly is disposed closer to the atomizing unit than the power supply, a push button that can be pushed is disposed on the housing, and the first substrate assembly includes a switch element that is operated by the push button.

According to this aspect, the first substrate assembly is disposed closer to the atomizing unit than the power supply, so that the volume of the pressure fluctuation chamber can be reduced. This makes it possible to quickly detect the pressure fluctuation generated in the pressure fluctuation chamber by the pressure sensor. As a result, the sensitivity of the pressure sensor can be improved.

Further, by disposing the first substrate assembly by the atomizing unit, the switching element can be disposed near the center of the non-combustion type aspirator. This can improve the operability.

(3) In the power supply unit of the non-combustion type aspirator according to the above-described aspect (1) or (2), the following may be applied: the power supply device is provided with a holder which is mounted with the power supply, the first board assembly, and the second board assembly and is assembled to the housing.

According to this aspect, the ease of assembly can be improved as compared with a case where the power supply, the first board assembly, and the second board assembly are respectively assembled to the housing. Further, the first substrate assembly and the second substrate assembly are mounted on the holder as substrate assemblies, respectively, so that the layout can be improved, for example, the substrate assemblies are disposed on both sides of the power supply as described above.

(4) In the power supply unit of the non-combustion type aspirator of any one of the above (1) to (3), the following may be adopted: the power source is a battery.

According to this embodiment, unlike the case where a primary battery is used as a power source, for example, the battery can be used repeatedly.

(5) A main unit of a non-combustion extractor according to an aspect of the present invention includes: the power supply unit of the above-described mode; a cylindrical holding unit connected to the power supply unit.

According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a high-performance main unit that can improve both the liquid-proof performance of the female connector and the power supply and the sensitivity of the pressure sensor.

(6) A non-combustion type aspirator according to an aspect of the present invention includes: the main body unit of the above-described mode; the atomizing unit is detachably accommodated in the holding unit.

According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a high-performance non-combustion type aspirator capable of simultaneously improving the liquid-proof performance of the female connector and the power supply and the sensitivity of the pressure sensor.

In this aspect, the atomizing unit is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the main unit. Therefore, the aerosol source can be replenished by the operation of attaching and detaching the atomizing unit, and the trouble of the operation of filling the aerosol source can be reduced. As a result, excellent operability can be achieved.

Effects of the invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, the sensitivity of the pressure sensor can be improved while improving the liquid-proof performance of the female connector and the secondary battery.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an aspirator of an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the aspirator of the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the power supply unit of the embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V of fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the power supply unit of the embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the power supply unit of the embodiment as viewed from the holding unit side in the axial direction.

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the holding unit of the embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a connection structure of the first connecting member and the second connecting member according to the embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the holding unit and the cartridge according to the embodiment as viewed from the power supply unit side in the axial direction.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along line XI-XI of fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the mouthpiece corresponding to line XII-XII of fig. 1.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view along the axial direction of the cartridge of the embodiment.

Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge of the embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the can of the embodiment as viewed from the opening portion side.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the heater holder of the embodiment viewed from the power supply unit side.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the atomizing container of the embodiment viewed from the mesh body side.

Fig. 18 is a front view of the aspirator of the embodiment.

Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view in the axial direction when the mouthpiece is removed from the aspirator of the embodiment.

Fig. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the vertical engaging convex portion is provided on the cigarette holder according to the embodiment.

Fig. 21 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the mouthpiece is screwed in a mounted state of the cartridge according to the embodiment.

Fig. 22 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the mouthpiece of the embodiment rotates together with the cartridge.

Fig. 23 is an explanatory view showing a state where the mouthpiece of the embodiment is fastened to the end.

Detailed Description

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[ aspirator ]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the aspirator.

The extractor 1 shown in fig. 1 is a so-called non-combustion type extractor, and the tobacco leaves are smoked with the aerosol atomized by heating, thereby tasting the flavor of the tobacco leaves.

The aspirator 1 includes a main body unit 10, a cartridge (atomizing unit) 11 detachably attached to the main body unit 10, and a capsule 12.

< body cell >

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the aspirator 1.

As shown in fig. 2, the main body unit 10 includes a power supply unit 21, a holding unit 22, and a mouthpiece (mouthpiece portion) 23. The power supply unit 21, the holding unit 22, and the mouthpiece 23 are each formed in a cylindrical shape having the axis O as the center axis, and are arranged in line on the axis O. In the following description, a direction along the axis O is referred to as an axial direction (normal direction). In this case, a side from the mouthpiece 23 toward the power supply unit 21 may be referred to as an opposite-mouthpiece side or a first side, and a side from the power supply unit 21 toward the mouthpiece 23 may be referred to as a mouthpiece side or a second side in the axial direction. In addition, a direction intersecting the axis O in a plan view as viewed from the axial direction may be referred to as a radial direction, and a direction circulating around the axis O may be referred to as a circumferential direction. In the present specification, "direction" refers to two directions, and when one of the directions is indicated, it is described as "side".

< Power supply Unit >

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 3, the power supply unit 21 includes a housing 31 and a holder assembly 32 housed in the housing 31.

(holder Assembly)

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the power supply unit 21.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the holder assembly 32 is configured by mounting a battery 33, a substrate assembly (a first substrate assembly 34 and a second substrate assembly 35), and the like on a battery holder 36.

The battery holder 36 is integrally formed with a resin material, for example. The battery holder 36 includes a base portion 40. The base portion 40 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape having the axis O as the center axis. The base portion 40 may have a shape other than a semi-cylindrical shape as long as an assembly opening 40a (see fig. 4) for receiving the battery 33 and the like is opened outward in the radial direction.

The base portion 40 has a press-fitting cylindrical portion 41 connected to an end portion on the opposite side to the holding unit 22 in the axial direction. The press-fit cylindrical portion 41 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the axis O as a central axis. The press-fit cylindrical portion 41 is formed with a connector passage hole 42 penetrating the press-fit cylindrical portion 41 in the radial direction at a part in the circumferential direction. The opening portion of the press-fit cylindrical portion 41 located on the opposite side of the holding unit 22 in the axial direction is closed by the closing portion 43. The closing portion 43 is formed in a circular shape having a diameter larger than that of the press-fit cylindrical portion 41.

A button opening 44 (see fig. 3) is formed in a portion of the base portion 40 located on the side of the holding unit 22 in the axial direction. The button opening 44 penetrates a part of the base portion 40 in the circumferential direction in the radial direction. The connector passage holes 42 and the button openings 44 are arranged at positions different by 180 ° in the circumferential direction, for example. In the present embodiment, the radial direction passing through the centers of the connector passage holes 42 and the button openings 44 in the circumferential direction is referred to as the front-back direction. In this case, the connector passage hole 42 side is referred to as a back side with respect to the axis O, and the button opening 44 side is referred to as a front side with respect to the axis O. The positions of the connector passage hole 42 and the button opening 44 can be changed as appropriate.

In the base part 40, a button guide tube 45 extending to the back side is formed at an opening edge of the button opening 44. The button guide cylinder 45 surrounds the button opening 44.

In the base portion 40, a partition wall 46 partitioning the base portion 40 in the axial direction is formed at a portion located on the opposite side of the button opening 44 in the axial direction from the holding unit 22.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V of fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 3 to 5, a stepped portion 47 is connected to an end portion of the base portion 40 located on the side of the holding unit 22 in the axial direction. The step portion 47 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape disposed coaxially with the base portion 40, and the radial distance from the axis O is gradually reduced in the axial direction as approaching the holding unit 22. A connection base 48 is connected to an end edge of the stepped portion 47 on the side of the holding unit 22 in the axial direction. The connection base 48 is formed in a circular shape having the axis O as the center axis. The connection base 48 is formed with a pair of electrode holding portions 50 and a communication port 51.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the pair of electrode holders 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape protruding toward the holder unit 22 in the axial direction. The electrode holders 50 are located on both sides in the radial direction with respect to the axis O. In the present embodiment, the electrode holding portions 50 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the front-back surface direction (hereinafter, may be referred to as a left-right direction) in the radial direction. Further, the electrode holding portions 50 extend in the axial direction and are connected to each other in the radial direction.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the communication port 51 protrudes toward the holder unit 22 side in the axial direction from a portion located on the back side in the radial direction with respect to the axis O in the connection pedestal 48.

As shown in fig. 5, the pin electrodes 49 are held by the electrode holding portions 50, respectively. The pin electrode 49 is configured such that a pin-shaped electrode body is elastically supported in the cylindrical case. The pin electrode 49 is configured such that the electrode body penetrates the electrode holding portion 50 in the axial direction in a state where the cylindrical case is fitted into the electrode holding portion 50. Of the two axial ends of the pin electrode 49 (electrode body), the end located on the opposite side of the holding unit 22 in the axial direction is connected to a first substrate 60, which will be described later, by an electrode wire in the battery holder 36.

The battery 33 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the axis O in the axial direction. The battery 33 is accommodated in the base portion 40 at a portion located on the opposite side of the holding unit 22 in the axial direction with respect to the partition wall 46. The power supply unit mounted on the aspirator 1 is not limited to a secondary battery such as the storage battery 33, and may be a super capacitor or the like as a chargeable and dischargeable power supply. The power supply unit may be a primary battery.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the first substrate assembly 34 is disposed in the base portion 40 at a portion located on the holding unit 22 side in the axial direction with respect to the partition wall 46. Specifically, the first substrate assembly 34 includes a first substrate 60, a switching element 52 (see fig. 3), and a pressure sensor 53.

The first substrate 60 is disposed so that the front-back surface direction is the thickness direction. Specifically, the first board 60 is fixed to the base portion 40 with screws or the like in a state of being placed on the opening end face of the assembly opening 40 a. The first substrate 60 is connected to the battery 33 via a first connection wiring (not shown). In the example shown in fig. 3, the first substrate 60 is located on the axis O.

The switching element 52 is disposed on the front surface (first main surface) of the first substrate 60 at a position overlapping the button opening 44 when viewed from the front-back surface direction. In the present embodiment, the switching element 52 is mounted on the surface of the first substrate 60. However, the switching element 52 may be mounted on the first substrate 60 in a state where a connection terminal drawn out from the switching element 52 is inserted into a through hole of the first substrate 60.

The pressure sensor 53 is disposed on the back surface (second principal surface) of the first substrate 60 on the side of the holding unit 22 in the axial direction with respect to the switching element 52. That is, the pressure sensor 53 is disposed at a position not overlapping the switching element 52 in a plan view seen from the front-back surface direction. In the present embodiment, the pressure sensor 53 is disposed at a position offset toward the holding unit 22 side in the axial direction with respect to the switching element 52, but is not limited to this configuration. That is, as long as the switching elements 52 and the pressure sensors 53 are arranged at positions shifted in the in-plane direction of the first substrate 60, they may be arranged at positions shifted to the side opposite to the holding unit 22 in the axial direction, or may be arranged shifted in the radial direction in the left-right direction.

The pressure sensor 53 can be of an electrostatic capacitance type, for example. That is, the pressure sensor 53 detects the operation of the diaphragm that deforms in response to pressure fluctuations as a change in capacitance. The pressure sensor 53 of the present embodiment is mounted on the first substrate 60 in a state where a connection terminal led out from the pressure sensor 53 is inserted into a through hole of the first substrate 60. However, the pressure sensor 53 may be mounted on the surface of the first substrate 60.

A sensor holder (partition member) 54 is attached to the pressure sensor 53. The sensor holder 54 is formed of a resin material such as silicone resin that is softer than the battery holder 36 and has elasticity. The sensor holder 54 includes a mounting portion 55 mounted on the battery holder 36 and a covering portion 56 covering the pressure sensor 53.

The mounting portion 55 is formed in a semicircular shape. The attachment portion 55 is assembled to the battery holder 36 in a state of abutting on the connection base 48 from the opposite side to the holding unit 22 in the axial direction. Further, a clamping piece 57 (see fig. 4) for clamping the mounting portion 55 in the axial direction is formed between the stepped portion 47 and the connection base 48. The gripping pieces 57 protrude in the circumferential direction from both end faces of an arc located on the outer side in the radial direction (left-right direction) in the step portion 47.

The covering portion 56 is connected from the mounting portion 55 to the side opposite to the holding unit 22 in the axial direction. The covering portion 56 is formed in a cover shape that is open on the front surface side. A spacer 56b bulging toward the front surface side is formed on the bottom wall portion 56a of the covering portion 56. The pressure sensor 53 is fitted into the covering portion 56 in a state of being in contact with the spacer 56 b. Thereby, a radial gap is provided between the inner surface of the bottom wall portion 56a and the pressure sensor 53. Further, the bottom wall portion 56a is formed with an air replacement hole 58 that penetrates the bottom wall portion 56a in the radial direction.

The mounting portion 55 is formed with a communication passage 59 for communicating the inside of the communication port 51 with the inside of the covering portion 56. The communication passage 59 extends in the axial direction in the mounting portion 55. An end portion of the communication path 59 on the opposite side to the holding unit 22 in the axial direction is opened on the inner circumferential surface of the covering portion 56. On the other hand, the end portion on the holding unit 22 side in the axial direction in the communication path 59 opens on the surface facing the holding unit 22 side in the axial direction in the mounting portion 55. In the present embodiment, the minimum inner diameter of the communication path 59 is larger than the maximum inner diameter of the air replacement hole 58. In the communication passage 59, at least an inner diameter of an end portion on the holding unit 22 side in the axial direction is larger than an inner diameter of the communication port 51.

In the present embodiment, the communication port 51 and the communication path 59 are disposed at positions at least partially overlapping the pressure sensor 53 when viewed in the axial direction. However, the communication port 51 and the communication path 59 may be disposed at positions shifted from the pressure sensor 53 when viewed from the axial direction.

As shown in fig. 3 to 5, the second substrate assembly 35 is disposed on the opposite side of the first substrate assembly 34 in the axial direction with the battery 33 interposed therebetween. That is, the substrate assemblies 34 and 35 of the present embodiment are disposed on both sides in the axial direction with the battery 33 interposed therebetween. The second substrate assembly 35 includes a second substrate 61 and a female connector 62.

The second substrate 61 is accommodated in the press-fit cylindrical portion 41 with a radial direction (front-back direction) as a thickness direction. As shown in fig. 5, the second substrate 61 is mounted on the boss 41a protruding radially inward from the press-fit cylindrical portion 41, and is fixed to the boss 41a by screws or the like. The second substrate 61 is connected to the first substrate 60 via a second connection wiring 61 a. That is, the second connecting wire 61a is axially routed outside the battery holder 36 through the periphery of the battery 33.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the female connector 62 is used for charging the battery 33 and is inserted into and removed from a male connector (not shown) drawn from an external power supply. In the present embodiment, a USB connector (universal serial Bus) is used as the female connector 62, for example. However, the female connector 62 is not limited to the USB connector. In addition, the female connector 62 also need not necessarily be used for charging, and may be used for communication, for example.

The female connector 62 is attached to the second substrate 61 with the opening facing the rear surface side. The front end portion (end portion near the opening portion) of the female connector 62 is inserted into the connector passage hole 42. However, the female connector 62 may be retracted radially inward from the connector passage hole 42.

(outer cover)

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the housing 31 includes an outer tube portion 71, an interposed member 72, and a connection mechanism 73.

The outer cylindrical portion 71 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the axis O as the center axis. The holder assembly 32 is inserted into the outer cylindrical portion 71 through an opening portion located on the opposite side of the holder unit 22 in the axial direction. Specifically, the holder assembly 32 is assembled in the outer tube portion 71 in a state where the press-fit tube portion 41 of the battery holder 36 is press-fitted into the outer tube portion 71 at the end portion on the opposite side from the holding unit 22. Thus, the holder assembly 32 is accommodated in the outer tube portion 71 in a state where the end portion located on the holding unit 22 side in the axial direction protrudes from the outer tube portion 71. Further, the opening portion of the outer tube portion 71 located on the opposite side from the holding unit 22 in the axial direction is closed by the closing portion 43 of the battery holder 36.

A connector exposure hole 75 is formed in a portion of the outer cylindrical portion 71 that is located on the opposite side from the holding unit 22 in the axial direction and overlaps with the connector passage hole 42 and the female connector 62 as viewed in the radial direction. The connector exposure hole 75 penetrates the outer cylindrical portion 71 in the radial direction. In the present embodiment, the female connector 62 is opened in the radial direction, but the female connector 62 may be opened in the axial direction.

A button exposure hole 76 is formed in an end portion of the outer cylindrical portion 71 on the side of the holding unit 22 in the axial direction, at a portion overlapping the button opening 44 as viewed in the radial direction. The button exposure hole 76 penetrates the outer cylindrical portion 71 in the radial direction.

The button exposing hole 76 and the button opening 44 accommodate a button 78. The push button 78 is configured to be movable in the radial direction while being supported by the push button guide cylinder 45. The push button 78 presses the switching element 52 in association with the movement to the inside in the radial direction. The surface of the button 78 is exposed to the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical portion 71 through the button exposure hole 76. Further, the button 78 is not limited to moving in the radial direction, and may be moved slidably in the axial direction, for example. Instead of the button 78, the aspirator 1 may be operated by a touch sensor or the like.

The interposed member 72 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the axis O as the center axis. The intermediate member 72 is inserted between the holder assembly 32 and the outer tube portion 71 from the side of the holder unit 22 in the axial direction. Thus, the opening portion of the outer cylindrical portion 71 on the side of the holder unit 22 in the axial direction is sealed between the holder assembly 32 and the outer cylindrical portion 71.

As shown in fig. 3, in the housing 31, a space surrounded by the sensor holder 54 constitutes a pressure fluctuation chamber S1 in which the pressure fluctuates through the communication port 51 in accordance with the use (suction) of the aspirator 1. On the other hand, the space other than the pressure variable chamber S1 in the housing 31 constitutes a normal pressure chamber S2 to which atmospheric pressure acts. In the present embodiment, the battery 33 and the substrate assemblies 34 and 35 are housed in the atmospheric chamber S2 except for the pressure sensor 53. However, as long as at least the pressure sensor 53 is housed in the pressure fluctuation chamber S1, components other than the pressure sensor 53 may be housed in the pressure fluctuation chamber S1. Further, a liquid detection seal or the like may be provided in the housing 31 so as to grasp the entry of liquid into the housing 31.

(connecting mechanism)

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the connection mechanism 73 includes a connection cover 80, a first connecting member 81, and an annular piece 82.

The connection cover 80 is formed of a resin material such as silicone resin that is softer than the battery holder 36 and has elasticity. The connection cover 80 is attached to the connection base 48 from the side of the holding unit 22 in the axial direction. The connecting cover 80 has a base portion 91, a flange portion 92, and a surrounding convex portion 93.

As shown in fig. 5, the base portion 91 is formed in a cylindrical shape having the axis O as the center axis. In the base portion 91, receiving recesses 95 that are recessed toward the holding unit 22 in the axial direction are formed at positions that overlap the electrode holding portions 50 in a plan view. The receiving recesses 95 extend in the axial direction and are connected in the radial direction. The base portion 91 has electrode insertion holes 97 formed at positions overlapping with the respective receiving recesses 95 in a plan view. The electrode insertion hole 97 axially penetrates the base portion 91 and communicates with the inside of the housing recess 95.

As shown in fig. 3, a port insertion hole 99 is formed in the base portion 91 at a position overlapping the communication port 51 in a plan view. The port insertion hole 99 penetrates the base portion 91 in the axial direction.

As shown in fig. 3 and 5, the electrode holding portion 50 is housed in each housing recess 95 of the connection cover 80, and the communication port 51 is inserted into the port insertion hole 99. Thereby, the connection cover 80 is assembled to the battery holder 36 in a state of abutting against an end surface of the connection base 48 facing the holding unit 22 side in the axial direction. In this state, the pin electrode 49 protrudes from the base portion 91 to the axial direction of the holder unit 22 through the electrode insertion hole 97. The communication port 51 protrudes from the base portion 91 to the axial direction holder unit 22 side through the port insertion hole 99. That is, the surface of the connection cover 80 (base part 91) facing the holding unit 22 side constitutes a base surface 91a on which the pin electrode 49 protrudes and the communication port 51 opens.

The flange portion 92 projects radially outward from an end portion of the base portion 91 on the side opposite to the holding unit 22 in the axial direction.

The surrounding convex portion 93 protrudes in the axial direction from an end surface in the base portion 91 facing the holding unit 22 side in the axial direction. Specifically, the surrounding protrusion 93 is formed in a ring shape extending along the outer periphery of the base portion 91. That is, the surrounding protrusion 93 surrounds the pin electrode 49 and the communication port 51 in a gathered manner at a position radially outward from the pin electrode 49 and the communication port 51. The surrounding protrusion 93 may be positioned radially inward of the outer peripheral edge of the base portion 91, as long as it is configured to surround the periphery of the pin electrode 49 and the communication port 51 in a concentrated manner. The surrounding protrusion 93 is not limited to a ring shape, and may have a polygonal shape or the like. In the present embodiment, "surround" does not have to extend continuously, but includes a meaning extending intermittently. That is, the surrounding projection 93 in the present embodiment can be modified as appropriate as long as it entirely surrounds the pin electrode 49 and the communication port 51.

The surrounding protrusion 93 is formed in a triangular shape that is acute toward the holding unit 22 in the axial direction when viewed in a longitudinal direction along the axial direction. The protruding height of the surrounding convex portion 93 from the base portion 91 is higher than the communication port 51 and lower than the pin electrode 49. However, the protrusion height around the convex portion 93 may be higher than the pin electrode 49. The shape of the surrounding protrusion 93 in a vertical cross section is not limited to a triangular shape.

The first connecting member 81 includes a base cylindrical portion 100, vertical engaging convex portions (first vertical engaging convex portion 101a to third vertical engaging convex portion 101c), and a horizontal engaging convex portion 102.

The base tubular portion 100 is formed in a multi-stage tubular shape having a diameter gradually reduced from the axis O toward the axial direction retaining unit 22 side. An end portion of the base tubular portion 100 located on the opposite side of the holding unit 22 in the axial direction is fitted into the inner side of the interposed member 72. In this state, the end portion of the base cylinder portion 100 on the side of the holding unit 22 in the axial direction surrounds the connection cover 80 with the flange portion 92 being sandwiched in the axial direction between the connection base 48 and the connection cover. An outer flange portion 105 that protrudes radially outward is formed at an end portion of the base tube portion 100 on the side of the holder unit 22 in the axial direction.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the power supply unit 21.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the vertical engaging convex portions 101a to 101c protrude from the base tube portion 100 toward the holder unit 22 side in the axial direction. A plurality of vertical engaging projections 101a to 101c are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, the vertical engaging convex portions 101a to 101c are arranged uniformly at intervals of 120 ° in the circumferential direction. The vertical engaging convex portions 101a to 101c may be single or plural. The pitch of the vertical engaging projections 101a to 101c can be changed as appropriate. In this case, the plurality of vertical engaging convex portions 101a to 101c may be arranged unequally.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the power supply unit 21 viewed from the side of the holding unit 22 in the axial direction.

As shown in fig. 7, in each of the vertical engaging convex portions 101a to 101c, the vertical engaging convex portions 101a to 101c are arranged so that the pin electrode 49 is not arranged on the virtual straight lines La to Lc connecting the center in the circumferential direction and the axis O. Specifically, the pin electrodes 49 are disposed at positions that are line-symmetrical with respect to a virtual straight line La that connects the first longitudinal convex engagement portion 101a and the axis O. That is, the virtual straight line T1 connecting the pin electrodes 49 to each other and the virtual straight line La are orthogonal to each other, and the distances from the virtual straight line La to the pin electrodes 49 are equal to each other.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the end edges of the vertical engaging convex portions 101a to 101c located on the side of the holding means 22 in the axial direction are located on the side of the holding means 22 in the axial direction with respect to the pin electrode 49. The vertical engaging convex portions 101a to 101c are formed in a rectangular shape in a side view seen from the radial direction. At the end of the vertical engaging convex portions 101a to 101c on the side of the holding means 22 in the axial direction, the surface facing the inside in the radial direction is an inclined surface whose thickness in the radial direction gradually decreases as it goes toward the holding means 22 in the axial direction. The inclined surfaces function as guides for smoothly guiding the vertical engaging convex portions 101a to 101c to an engaging concave portion 210, which will be described later, of the cartridge 11.

The lateral engagement projection 102 projects radially outward from the outer flange 105. The lateral engaging protrusion 102 is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view. The lateral engaging projections 102 are formed in plurality at intervals in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, the lateral engaging projections 102 are equally spaced at intervals of 90 ° in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, one lateral engaging convex portion 102 is disposed at a position equivalent to the first longitudinal engaging convex portion 101a in the circumferential direction. The number of the lateral engaging projections 102 may be one or more. The pitch of the lateral engaging projections 102 can be appropriately changed. In this case, the plurality of lateral engaging convex portions 102 may be arranged unequally.

The annular piece 82 is formed in a thin annular shape. The annular piece 82 is inserted into the base tube portion 100 from the side of the holding unit 22 in the axial direction, and is sandwiched between the sandwiching member 72 and the outer flange portion 105 in the axial direction. As shown in fig. 5, a flexure 106 is formed in a part of the annular sheet 82 in the circumferential direction. The flexure 106 is formed in an arch shape bulging outward in the radial direction. The flexure 106 is configured to be elastically deformable in the radial direction. The flexure 106 is located radially inward of the radially outer end surface of the lateral engaging projection 102.

The plurality of flexible portions 106 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction. For example, the flexible portion 106 is disposed at a position equivalent to a pair of lateral engaging convex portions 102 facing each other in the radial direction (left-right direction) of the lateral engaging convex portions 102 in the circumferential direction. However, the number of the flexible portions 106 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the flexible portion 106 may be formed to correspond to each lateral engaging projection 102, or may be formed to correspond to only one lateral engaging projection 102.

< holding Unit >

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the holding unit 22.

As shown in fig. 8, the holding unit 22 is detachably attached to the main body unit 10. Specifically, the holding unit 22 includes the container holding cylinder 120, the transmissive cylinder 121, the second coupling member 122, and the sleeve 123.

The vessel holding cylinder 120 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the axis O as the center axis. A viewing hole 130 is formed in the axial center portion of the container holding cylinder 120. The observation hole 130 penetrates the vessel holding cylinder 120 in the radial direction. The observation hole 130 is formed in an oblong shape with the axial direction as the longitudinal direction. The observation holes 130 are formed in a pair at diametrically opposed portions of the vessel holding cylinder 120. The number, position, shape, and the like of the observation holes 130 can be changed as appropriate.

A vent hole 131 is formed in a portion of the container holding cylinder 120 located on the power supply unit 21 side in the axial direction with respect to the observation hole 130. The vent 131 radially penetrates the container holding cylinder 120. The vent 131 communicates the inside and outside of the holding unit 22. The pair of vents 131 is formed in the container holding tube 120 at the portions facing each other in the radial direction (front-back direction). The number, position, shape, and the like of the vents 131 can be changed as appropriate.

The transmission cylinder 121 is formed of a material having light transmittance. The transmission cylinder 121 is inserted into the container holding cylinder 120. Specifically, the transmissive tube 121 covers the observation hole 130 from the radially inner side on the mouthpiece 23 side in the axial direction with respect to the air vent 131 in the container holding tube 120. That is, the user can visually confirm the inside of the holding unit 22 through the observation hole 130 and the transmission cylinder 121. The holding unit 22 may have a structure without the observation hole 130 or the transmission cylinder 121.

The second coupling member 122 is engaged with the first coupling member 81 when the holding unit 22 is attached to the main unit 10. Specifically, the second connecting member 122 includes a fitting tube 140, a guide tube 141, and a locking piece 142.

The fitting cylinder 140 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the axis O as the center axis. The fitting cylinder 140 is fitted to a portion of the container holding cylinder 120 located on the power supply unit 21 side in the axial direction of the transmission cylinder 121 by press fitting or the like.

The guide tube 141 is disposed coaxially with the fitting tube 140. The guide tube 141 extends from the fitting tube 140 toward the mouthpiece 23 side in the axial direction. The guide cylinder 141 is formed in a tapered cylindrical shape having an inner diameter gradually increasing toward the mouthpiece 23 side in the axial direction. The outer diameter of the guide cylinder 141 is smaller than the outer diameter of the fitting cylinder 140. A relief portion 145 is formed in the guide tube 141 at a position overlapping the vent hole 131 when viewed from the side in the radial direction. The escape portion 145 is formed in a U shape, for example, opening toward the mouthpiece 23 side in the axial direction. The vent 131 opens into the holding unit 22 through the escape 145. The shape of the escape portion 145 may be such that at least a part of the vent 131 is exposed in the holding unit 22. When the guide tube 141 and the vent 131 are arranged at different positions in the axial direction, the guide tube 141 may not have the escape portion 145.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a connection structure of the first coupling member 81 and the second coupling member 122.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, the locking piece 142 protrudes from the fitting cylinder 140 toward the power supply unit 21 in the axial direction. The locking piece 142 is formed in an L shape in a side view from a radial direction. Specifically, the locking piece 142 has a longitudinally extending portion 150 and a laterally extending portion 151.

The longitudinal extension 150 protrudes from the fitting cylinder 140 toward the power supply unit 21 side in the axial direction.

As shown in fig. 9, the lateral extension 151 is cantilevered from the end of the longitudinal extension 150 on the power supply unit 21 side in the axial direction toward one side in the circumferential direction.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the holder unit 22 and the cartridge 11 viewed from the power supply unit 21 side in the axial direction.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the laterally extending portion 151 is formed with an engagement recess 155 recessed outward in the radial direction at one circumferential end. The engagement recess 155 is formed in a semicircular shape radially outward.

A plurality of the locking pieces 142 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, the locking pieces 142 are arranged evenly at intervals of 90 ° in the circumferential direction. An engagement groove 158 into which the lateral engagement convex portion 102 is inserted is defined between the circumferentially adjacent engagement pieces 142. The engagement groove 158 is formed in an L shape in side view.

As shown in fig. 2 and 9, the power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22 are detachably connected to the lateral engaging projection 102 via the locking piece 142. That is, in order to connect the power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22, the lateral engaging projection 102 is inserted into the engaging groove 158 in the axial direction, and then the power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22 are relatively rotated about the axis O. Then, the lateral engaging projection 102 is engaged axially between the lateral extension 151 and the fitting cylinder 140. Further, during the relative rotation of the power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22 about the axis O, the flexible portion 106 of the annular piece 82 is fitted into the engagement recess 155. Thereby, the flexible portion 106 is engaged with the engagement recess 155 in the circumferential direction. As a result, the power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22 are assembled to each other in a state where the positioning in the axial direction and the circumferential direction is completed.

As shown in fig. 9, in the engagement groove 158 of the present embodiment, the engagement cylinder 140 and the laterally extending portion 151 are formed in a tapered shape in which the width in the axial direction gradually decreases from the other side in the circumferential direction toward the one side. Specifically, the end surface of the lateral extension portion 151 facing the mouthpiece 23 in the axial direction is an inclined surface extending toward the power supply unit 21 in the axial direction as going from the other circumferential side to the one circumferential side.

The lateral engaging convex portion 102 is formed in a tapered shape gradually narrowing in width in the axial direction from one side in the circumferential direction to the other side. Specifically, an end surface of the lateral engaging protrusion 102 facing the opposite side of the axial holding unit 22 is an inclined surface extending toward the mouthpiece 23 in the axial direction from one side in the circumferential direction to the other side. Thus, when the power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22 are connected, interference between the lateral extending portion 151 and the lateral engaging convex portion 102 can be suppressed, and the assembling property can be improved.

As shown in fig. 8, the sleeve 123 is fitted into the container holding cylinder 120 by press fitting or the like at a portion located on the mouthpiece 23 side in the axial direction with respect to the transmissive cylinder 121. The transmission cylinder 121 is axially held between the second coupling member 122 and the sleeve 123. A female screw portion 123a is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve 123.

< mouthpiece >

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along line XI-XI of fig. 1. Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the mouthpiece 23 corresponding to line XII-XII in fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 11 and 12, the mouthpiece 23 includes a mouthpiece body 160 and anti-slip members (a first anti-slip member 161 and a second anti-slip member 162).

The mouthpiece 23 is formed with a suction port 23a capable of accommodating the capsule 12. The mouthpiece body 160 is formed in a multi-stage tubular shape having the axis O as the center axis. A male screw portion 160a is formed at an end portion of the mouthpiece body 160 on the side of the holding unit 22 in the axial direction. The external thread portion 160a of the mouthpiece body 160 is detachably screwed to the internal thread portion 123a of the sleeve 123. The mouthpiece body 160 may be attached to and detached from the sleeve 123 by a method other than screwing (e.g., fitting).

In the mouthpiece main body 160, an abutment flange 165 is formed at a portion located on the opposite side of the holding unit 22 in the axial direction with respect to the male threaded portion 160 a. The abutting flange 165 is formed in a ring shape protruding outward in the radial direction. The abutment flange 165 abuts against the holder unit 22 in the axial direction in a state where the mouthpiece 23 is attached to the holder unit 22. Further, the abutment flange 165 gradually reduces in outer diameter in the axial direction as it goes away from the holder unit 22.

A partition 167 that partitions the inside of the mouthpiece body 160 in the axial direction is formed at an end of the mouthpiece body 160 on the side of the holding unit 22 in the axial direction. The partition 167 has a through hole 168 formed therein at a position overlapping the axis O and penetrating the partition 167 in the axial direction. The through hole 168 has, for example, an oblong shape whose longitudinal direction is one of the radial directions. The through-hole 168 may have a perfect circle shape, a polygonal shape, or the like in a plan view.

The first anti-slip member 161 is integrally formed of a resin material such as silicone resin. The first anti-slip member 161 includes a ring portion 169, a fitting projection 170, and an abutment projection 171.

The ring portion 169 is fitted in the mouthpiece body 160 from the holding unit 22 side in the axial direction. Further, the first anti-slip member 161 is positioned in the axial direction with respect to the mouthpiece body 160 by the ring portion 169 coming into contact with the partition portion 167 in the axial direction.

A communication hole 169a is formed in the center of the ring portion 169. The communication hole 169a communicates the inside of the holding unit 22 and the inside of the mouthpiece body 160 through the through hole 168.

The fitting projections 170 are formed in a pair at radially opposed positions on the inner peripheral edge of the ring portion 169 with the communication holes 169a therebetween. The fitting projection 170 projects from the ring portion 169 toward the side opposite to the holding unit 22 in the axial direction. The fitting projections 170 are fitted into both ends in the radial direction in the through hole 168. Thereby, the first anti-slip member 161 is completely positioned with respect to the circumferential direction of the mouthpiece body 160. In the present embodiment, the fitting projection 170 is fitted into the through hole 168, but the fitting projection 170 may be fitted into a hole different from the through hole 168.

The abutment projection 171 projects from the ring portion 169 toward the holder unit 22 side in the axial direction. The abutment projection 171 is formed in a circular shape centered on the axis O. In the present embodiment, two contact protrusions 171 are formed concentrically. The first antiskid member 161 may not have the abutment protrusion 171.

The second anti-slip member 162 is integrally formed of a resin material such as silicone resin. The second anti-slip member 162 is fitted into the mouthpiece body 160 from the side opposite to the axial holding unit 22. Further, the second slip prevention member 162 axially abuts on the partition 167, and positioning in the axial direction with respect to the mouthpiece body 160 is completed.

< tobacco pouch >

As shown in fig. 2 and 11, the capsule 12 is detachably mounted in the mouthpiece body 160 from the side opposite to the holding unit 22 in the axial direction. The capsule 12 includes a capsule portion 180 and a filter portion 181.

As shown in fig. 11, the capsule portion 180 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having the axis O as the center axis. A mesh opening that penetrates the bottom wall portion 186 in the axial direction is formed in the bottom wall portion 186 of the capsule portion 180 that closes the opening on the holding unit 22 side in the axial direction.

The filter unit 181 is fitted into the capsule unit 180 from the side opposite to the holding unit 22 in the axial direction. Tobacco leaves are sealed in a space defined by the capsule portion 180 and the filter portion 181.

< cigarette cartridge >

As shown in fig. 2, the cartridge 11 stores and aerosolizes an aerosol source of liquid. The cartridge 11 is housed in the transmission tube 121 of the holding unit 22.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view along the axial direction of the cartridge 11. Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge 11.

As shown in fig. 13 and 14, the cartridge 11 includes a bottomed cylindrical can 191, a substantially disc-shaped gasket 192 housed in the can 191, a substantially disc-shaped mesh body 193, a heating portion 194, an atomizing container 195, and a heater holder 196 that closes an opening 191a of the can 191.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the can 191 viewed from the opening 191a side.

As shown in fig. 13 to 15, two engagement holes 198 are formed in the peripheral wall 191b of the can 191 on the side of the bottom 191c slightly closer to the opening 191 a. The engagement hole 198 is used to fix the heater holder 196 to the tank 191. The engagement hole 198 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the radial direction so as to be long in the circumferential direction. The two engagement holes 198 are disposed opposite to each other on both sides across the axis Q of the tank 191. Further, in a state where the cartridge 11 is housed in the transmission tube 121, the axis Q coincides with the axis O of the main unit 10. The axis Q is an axis shared by the respective parts constituting the cartridge 11. Hereinafter, the axis Q is not limited to the axis Q of the canister 191, and is used for the description of each part constituting the cartridge 11.

Further, a guide recess 198a is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 191b of the can 191 slightly closer to the opening 191a than the engagement hole 198. The guide recess 198a is also open on the opening 191a side. The guide recess 198a has a function of guiding an engagement piece 206 described later when the heater holder 196 is fixed to the tank 191.

A through hole 191d penetrating the bottom 191c is formed in the radial center of the bottom 191c of the can 191. An annular flow passage pipe 197 protruding from the inner surface of the bottom 191c into the tank 191 is integrally formed on the periphery of the through hole 191 d. The inside of the passage pipe 197 communicates with the through hole 191 d. The flow passage pipe 197 serves as a flow passage for the atomized aerosol. The flow pipe 197 extends from the bottom 191c to a position slightly closer to the opening 191a than the substantially axial center of the tank 191.

A plurality of (3 in the present embodiment) ribs 199 that span the peripheral wall 191b and the passage pipe 197 are integrally formed between the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 191b and the outer peripheral surface of the passage pipe 197. The ribs 199 are arranged radially from the axial direction at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The rib 199 extends from the bottom 191c of the tank 191 to a position slightly before the end (front end) of the flow pipe 197 on the opening 191a side. The ribs 199 serve to support the flow path pipe 197.

A convex portion 201 is integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 191b at a position where the rib 199 is formed. The protrusion 201 extends axially along the rib 199. The projection 201 is formed between the end (tip) from the bottom 191c of the tank 191 to the opening 191a side of the rib 199 and the tip of the flow pipe 197. The protrusion 201 has a function of improving the mechanical strength of the can 191, and a function of positioning the gasket 192.

The gasket 192 is formed to have an outer diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the can 191. The washer 192 positions the mesh 193, which will be described later, and maintains the posture of the mesh 193. In other words, the gasket 192 supports the mesh body 193 described later. An insertion hole 192a into which the passage pipe 197 can be inserted is formed at the radial center of the washer 192. A gasket 192 is accommodated in the tank 191 so that a flow path pipe 197 is inserted into the insertion hole 192 a. The gasket 192 is positioned in the tank 191 with one surface 192b in contact with the end surface 201a of the projection 201. In a state where the gasket 192 is positioned, the outer circumferential surface of the gasket 192 contacts the inner circumferential surface of the can 191. Further, the insertion hole 192a of the gasket 192 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the flow passage pipe 197.

A plurality of (4 in the present embodiment) openings 192c are formed in most of the space between the insertion hole 192a and the outer peripheral surface of the washer 192. The opening 192c is formed in an arc shape when viewed from the axial direction. The openings 192c are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The inside of the tank 191 communicates with both sides via the gasket 192c via the opening 192 c. A mesh 193 is disposed on the other surface 192d of the gasket 192 opposite to the one surface 192 b.

The mesh 193 is a porous member having liquid absorption properties. The mesh body 193 is formed of, for example, a cotton-based fiber material. The mesh 193 is also formed in substantially the same shape as the gasket 192. That is, the mesh body 193 is formed to have an outer diameter substantially equal to an inner diameter of the tank 191. An insertion hole 193a into which the passage pipe 197 can be inserted is formed at the radial center of the mesh body 193. The flow passage pipe 197 is inserted into the insertion hole 193a, and the position of the mesh 193 is determined by overlapping one surface 193b of the mesh 193 with the other surface 192d of the washer 192. The outer circumferential surface of the mesh body 193 contacts the inner circumferential surface of the can 191. Further, the insertion hole 193a of the mesh body 193 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the flow passage pipe 197.

The inside of the tank 191 is divided into a liquid storage chamber 202 on the bottom 191c side and an opening chamber 203 on the opening 191a side by the mesh 193. An aerosol source of liquid is stored in the liquid receiving chamber 202. The open chamber 203 becomes a space for atomizing the aerosol source sucked by the mesh 193.

The other surface 193c of the mesh 193 opposite to the one surface 193b is exposed to the opening chamber 203. A heating unit 194 is provided so as to be connected to the other surface 193c of the mesh 193 exposed to the opening chamber 203.

The heated portion 194 is used to atomize an aerosol source of liquid. The heating unit 194 is housed in the opening chamber 203. The heating portion 194 includes a core portion 204 formed in a substantially U-shape and a heating wire 205 that heats the core portion 204. The core 204 is a substantially cylindrical member having liquid absorption properties and being porous. Such a core 204 is bent and deformed into a substantially U-shape.

More specifically, the core 204 is composed of two axially extending portions 204a extending in the axial direction and a radially extending portion 204c connecting one ends of the two axially extending portions 204a to each other via a bent portion 204 b. The other end of the axial extension 204a is connected to the mesh 193. Thereby, the aerosol source absorbed by the mesh 193 can be sucked by the core 204.

The electric heating wire 205 has an electric heating wire main body 205a formed in a spiral shape so as to surround the periphery of the radially extending portion 204c of the core 204, and two terminal portions 205b extending from both terminal ends of the electric heating wire main body 205a toward the heater holder 196 side in the axial direction. When the core 204 is heated by the electric heating wire 205, the aerosol source absorbed by the core 204 is atomized. The distal ends of the two terminal portions 205b are folded back toward the mesh 193. The two terminal portions 205b are connected to the heater holder 196.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the heater holder 196 viewed from the power supply unit 21 side (first side in the axial direction).

As shown in fig. 13 and 16, the heater holder 196 is formed in a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape. The opening portion 191a of the tank 191 is closed so that the opening portion 196a of the heater holder 196 faces the tank 191.

The peripheral wall 196b of the heater holder 196 is formed to have an outer diameter substantially the same as that in the peripheral wall 191b of the can 191. A fitting portion 196d whose diameter is reduced via a stepped surface 196c is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 196b from the substantially center in the axial direction to the opening 196 a. The fitting portion 196d is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 191b of the can 191. Further, the end portion of the peripheral wall 191b of the can 191 on the opening 191a side abuts against the stepped surface 196c of the peripheral wall 196 b. Thereby, the heater holder 196 is positioned in the axial direction with respect to the can 191.

Further, two engaging pieces 206 are integrally formed at positions corresponding to the two engaging holes 198 of the can 191 at the end portion of the fitting portion 196d on the opening 196a side. The two engaging pieces 206 protrude toward the corresponding engaging holes 198. That is, the two engaging pieces 206 are disposed facing each other on both sides with the axis Q of the heater holder 196 interposed therebetween.

The engagement piece 206 engages with the engagement hole 198 of the tank 191 to integrate the tank 191 and the heater holder 196. The engaging piece 206 is formed to be elastically deformable in the radial direction. An engagement claw 207 which can be inserted into the engagement hole 198 of the can 191 is formed at the tip of the engagement piece 206 so as to protrude radially outward.

The engaging pawl 207 is formed to have a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape along a plane in the axial direction and the radial direction. That is, the inclined surface 207a is formed such that the surface of the engagement claw 207 on the distal end side is inclined toward the proximal end side (the fitting portion 196d side) as going radially outward. On the other hand, the flat surface 207b on the base end side of the engagement claw 207 is orthogonal to the axial direction.

Further, a recess 208 is formed in the peripheral wall 196b of the heater holder 196 on the outer peripheral surface avoiding the fitting portion 196d, the recess being aligned in the axial direction with the engagement claw 207. The radially outer side of the recess 208 is open to the step surface 196c side. The recess 208 is formed with a first air suction hole 209 penetrating the peripheral wall 196b in the thickness direction. The inside and outside of the peripheral wall 196b are communicated via the first air-suction holes 209.

Three engaging recesses 210 are formed in the peripheral wall 196b of the heater holder 196 on the bottom 196e side. The three engaging recesses 210 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction (at intervals of 120 ° in the circumferential direction) while avoiding the formation positions of the recesses 208. The engagement recess 210 is formed so as to open radially outward and to the bottom 196 e. A tapered flat chamfered portion 210a is formed on the bottom 196e side of the engagement recess 210 so as to gradually widen the circumferential width of the engagement recess 210 toward the bottom 196 e.

The vertical engaging convex portions 101a to 101c of the first coupling member 81 are inserted into the three engaging concave portions 210 formed in this way. Thereby, the heater holder 196 (cartridge 11) and the first coupling member 81 are coupled, and the heater holder 196 (cartridge 11) and the first coupling member 81 can be positioned in the circumferential direction.

A substantially plate-shaped connecting wall 211 is integrally formed at a bottom 196e of the heater holder 196 so as to stand from an inner surface in the axial direction. The connecting wall 211 extends in a radial direction passing through the axis Q of the heater holder 196, and both ends in the longitudinal direction in the radial direction are connected to the inner surface of the peripheral wall 196 b. With such a connecting wall 211, the inside of the heater holder 196 is divided into two spaces.

Two slits 212 are formed in the bottom 196e of the heater holder 196. The two slits 212 are arranged along both sides of the connecting wall 211 in the plate thickness direction.

Electrodes 213 and 214 are provided on both sides of the connecting wall 211 in the thickness direction. The electrodes 213 and 214 include lead electrode portions 213a and 214a provided on the connecting wall 211, and connection electrode portions (planar electrodes) 213b and 214b extending from the lead electrode portions 213a and 214a to the outer surface of the bottom portion 196e via the corresponding slits 212. Two terminal portions 205b of the electric heating wire 205 constituting the heating portion 194 are connected to the lead electrode portions 213a and 214a, respectively.

The connection electrode portions 213b and 214b are formed into substantially semicircular shapes on both sides in the radial direction with an insulating portion 215 described later interposed therebetween. Specifically, the two connection electrode portions 213b and 214b are arranged such that the linear sides 213c and 214c are opposed to each other in the radial direction when viewed from the axial direction. The two connection electrode portions 213b and 214b form outer peripheral portions with arc-shaped arc edges 213d and 214d when viewed from the axial direction. One side 213c, 214c of each of the two connection electrode portions 213b, 214b is configured to sandwich an end of the connection wall 211. The tip ends of the pin electrodes 49 (electrode bodies) held by the electrode holding portions 50 are in contact with the connection electrode portions 213b and 214b in a state where the heater holder 196 (cartridge 11) is coupled to the first coupling member 81. That is, the bottom 196e of the heater holder 196 functions as an electrode disposition surface axially facing the base surface 91a in a state of being attached to the body unit 10 of the cartridge 11.

Here, the connection electrode portions 213b and 214b are formed on at least the rotation locus of the pin electrode 49 (the first pin electrode 49a and the second pin electrode 49b) when the power supply unit 21 and the cartridge 11 rotate relative to each other about the axis O (the axis Q). That is, the connection electrode portions 213b and 214b are formed in regions including both the first virtual circumference C1 passing through the first pin electrode 49a about the axis O and the second virtual circumference C2 passing through the second pin electrode 49b about the axis O. In the present embodiment, the pin electrodes 49a and 49b are arranged line-symmetrically, and therefore the virtual circumferences C1 and C2 coincide with each other.

In addition, since the end portion of the connection wall 211 interposed between the one sides 213c, 214c of the two connection electrode portions 213b, 214b extends in the radial direction passing through the axis Q of the heater holder 196, in other words, the connection wall 211 is provided on a virtual straight line T1 in a predetermined direction among virtual straight lines T1 connecting the two pin electrodes 49. The predetermined orientation is such that a virtual straight line T2 passing through the circumferential center of one of the three engagement recesses 210 formed in the heater holder 196 coincides with the axis Q of the heater holder 196. The connecting wall 211 is formed to have a width in the short side direction (circumferential direction around the axis Q) slightly larger than the axial diameter of each pin electrode 49.

The end portion of the connecting wall 211 thus arranged functions as an insulating portion 215 that partitions the connecting electrode portions 213b and 214b in the circumferential direction. By disposing the insulating portion 215 on the virtual straight line T2 passing through the circumferential center of the one engaging recess 210 and the axis Q of the heater holder 196, the tip of each pin electrode 49 reliably and independently contacts the two connection electrode portions 213b, 214b in a state where the heater holder 196 (the cartridge 11) is coupled to the first coupling member 81. In other words, no two pin electrodes 49 simultaneously contact one of the two connection electrode portions 213b, 214 b. In this way, the connection electrode portions 213b and 214b of the present embodiment include the virtual circumferences C1 and C2 on both sides in the radial direction with the virtual straight line T2 (the insulating portion 215) interposed therebetween, and are formed in a semicircular shape extending outward (the arc edges 213d and 214d) and inward (the edges 213C and 214C) in the radial direction with respect to the virtual circumferences C1 and C2.

Further, concave portions 213e and 214e recessed radially inward are formed at substantially the center in the circumferential direction on the arc edges 213d and 214d of the two connection electrode portions 213b and 214 b. In the bottom 196e of the heater holder 196, a second suction hole 216 penetrating in the thickness direction of the bottom 196e is formed in a position corresponding to one of the recessed portions 213e, 214e of the connection electrode portions 213b, 214 b. The bottom 196e communicates inside and outside via the second suction holes 216.

In the bottom 196e, recesses 196f having the same shape as the connection electrode portions 213b and 214b when viewed in the axial direction are formed at positions corresponding to the connection electrode portions 213b and 214 b. The connection electrode portions 213b and 214b are housed in the recess 196 f. By forming the recessed portion 196f, the surfaces of the connection electrode portions 213b, 214b and the surface of the bottom portion 196e at the position where these connection electrode portions 213b, 214b are not arranged are located on the same plane. A part of the atomizing container 195 is housed so as to be fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 196b of the heater holder 196.

As shown in fig. 11, in a state where the cartridge 11 is mounted in the holder unit 22, the outer peripheral portion of the bottom portion 196e axially abuts against the surrounding protrusion 93. Thus, the space surrounded by the bottom portion 196e and the connecting cover 80 (the base surface 91a and the surrounding protrusion 93) forms a buffer space S3 that communicates the inside of the communication port 51 with the second air intake hole 216. In the example of fig. 11, the communication port 51 and the second intake hole 216 are arranged at positions separated in the axial direction and shifted from each other in the circumferential direction. The communication port 51 and the second intake hole 216 may be arranged at positions offset from each other in the radial direction.

The communication port 51 of the present embodiment communicates with the inside of the flow passage pipe 197 via the buffer space S3, the second intake hole 216, and the like. Further, a portion of the bottom portion (second surface) 196e, with which the surrounding protrusion 93 abuts, is formed as a flat surface orthogonal to the axial direction. The portion of the bottom 196e that abuts around the projection 93 may be convex, concave, inclined, or the like.

In the present embodiment, the cartridge 11 is pressed around the convex portion 93 by the mouthpiece 23, and is brought into close contact with the bottom portion 196e in an elastically deformed state. However, the surrounding protrusion 93 and the bottom 196e are not necessarily in close contact, and may be separated. That is, if negative pressure can be generated in the pressure fluctuation chamber S1 through the communication port 51 during suction, a slight gap may be generated between the surrounding protrusion 93 and the bottom 196 e.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the atomizing container 195 as viewed from the mesh 193 side (second side in the axial direction).

The atomizing container 195 shown in fig. 13, 14, 17 and the like is formed of a member having elasticity, for example, a resin material such as silicone resin. The atomizing container 195 is axially provided between the other surface 193c of the mesh body 193 and the vicinity of the bottom 196e of the heater holder 196. That is, the atomizing container 195 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so as to surround the periphery of the heating portion 194, and the cylindrical portion 217 fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 191b of the tank 191 and the fitting portion 218 fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 196b of the heater holder 196 are formed in a substantially block shape integrally.

A step surface 217a is formed at most of the center in the radial direction at the end of the cylindrical portion 217 on the mesh 193 side. By forming the stepped surface 217a, an annular projecting portion 219 is formed in which the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical portion 217 projects toward the mesh body 193 side. The end of the protrusion 219 abuts on the other surface 193c of the mesh 193. The outer diameter of the projection 219 is substantially the same as or smaller than the inner diameter of the peripheral wall 191b in the can 191.

A receiving recess 220 is formed in most of the stepped surface 217a so as to correspond to the shape of the heating portion 194. The accommodation recess 220 serves as an atomization chamber M in which the aerosol atomized by the heating portion 194 is stored. The atomization chamber M communicates with a flow path pipe 197 of the tank 191.

A seat surface 221 on which the bent portion 204b of the core portion 204 constituting the heating portion 194 is placed is formed in the accommodation recess 220. A recess 221a for avoiding interference with the terminal end 205b of the electric heating wire 205 constituting the heating portion 194 is formed on the radially inner surface of the seat surface 221.

A seal portion 222 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 217 near the fitting portion 218. The seal portion 222 is formed to protrude radially outward over the entire circumference excluding a notch portion 222a described later. The seal portion 222 has a function of ensuring sealability between the cylindrical portion 217 and the peripheral wall 191b of the tank 191, and a function of suppressing detachment of the atomizing container 195 from the tank 191.

The outer diameter of the sealing portion 222 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the peripheral wall 191b of the can 191. Therefore, the seal portion 222 is compressed in the radial direction in a state where the atomization container 195 is accommodated in the tank 191. This ensures the sealing performance of the seal portion 222, and suppresses the disengagement of the atomization container 195 from the tank 191 by the frictional resistance of the seal portion 222.

In addition, the sealing portion 222 is formed with two notches 222 a. The two notches 222a are disposed opposite to each other on both sides with respect to the axis Q of the can 191. The notch 222a allows outside air to communicate with a liquid reservoir 223 described later.

A liquid reservoir 223 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 217 from the tip of the protruding portion 219 to the seal portion 222. The liquid storage portion 223 is as follows: when the mesh 193 and the core 204 are saturated, the aerosol source of the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber 202 of the tank 191 is temporarily stored when the aerosol source leaks by being transmitted along the inner circumferential surface of the circumferential wall 191b of the tank 191.

The liquid reservoir 223 is a recess formed obliquely so that the entire outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 217 gradually narrows from the seal portion 222 toward the tip of the protruding portion 219 to form a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 217 and the peripheral wall 191b of the can 191. In other words, the liquid reservoir 223 is a concave portion that gradually widens the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 217 and the peripheral wall 191b of the tank 191 toward the opening 191a of the tank 191. Since the liquid reservoir 223 is formed in this manner, a narrow portion 279 that forms a slight gap between the protruding portion 219 and the peripheral wall 191b of the can 191 is formed near the protruding portion 219 of the cylindrical portion 217.

Here, the end of the projecting portion 219 of the cylindrical portion 217 abuts against the other surface 193c of the mesh 193. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the mesh body 193 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the can 191. Therefore, the narrow portion 279 formed between the protruding portion 219 of the cylindrical portion 217 and the peripheral wall 191b of the can 191 is covered (blocked) by the outer peripheral portion of the mesh body 193.

Further, a recess 224 for receiving the engagement piece 206 is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the tube portion 217 at a position corresponding to the engagement piece 206 on the heater holder 196 side of the seal portion 222. By inserting the engaging piece 206 into the recessed portion 224, the atomizing container 195 and the heater holder 196 are positioned in the circumferential direction. Further, a bottom surface 224a of the concave portion 224 in the cylindrical portion 217 abuts on an inner surface of the engagement piece 206 in the radial direction.

The fitting portion 218 of the atomizing container 195 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape that can be fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 196b of the heater holder 196. That is, the outer diameter of the fitting portion 218 is formed so as to be smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 217 via the stepped surface 217 b. The fitting portion 218 is formed with a slit 225 into which the connecting wall 211 of the heater holder 196 can be inserted. The fitting portion 218 is formed with a slit for a heating wire, not shown, which communicates with the slit 225 and into which the terminal portion 205b of the heating wire 205 can be inserted. By inserting the terminal end portion 205b of the electric heating wire 205 into the electric heating wire slit, the terminal end portion 205b is held in the atomizing container 195. Lead electrode portions 213a and 214a provided on the connecting wall 211 are connected to the terminal portion 205b of the heater wire 205.

In the fitting portion 218, a ventilation passage 226 is formed at a position corresponding to the first air intake hole 209 and the second air intake hole 216 of the heater holder 196. The fitting portion 218 is formed with a slit 218a that communicates the slit 225 and the air passage 226 with the atomizing chamber M (the housing recess 220) of the cylinder portion 217. The ventilation passage 226 communicates with the atomizing chamber M (the housing recess 220) of the atomizing container 195 through the slit 218 a. Thereby, the atomizing chamber M (the housing recess 220) of the atomizing container 195 and the first and second air suction holes 209 and 216 of the heater holder 196 are communicated via the air passage 226 and the slit 218 a.

< integral assembling structure of aspirator >

Fig. 18 is a front view of the aspirator 1.

As shown in fig. 18, the body unit 10 of the extractor 1 includes a connection portion 300 that connects the power supply unit 21, the holding unit 22, and the mouthpiece 23 in the axial direction in which the axis O (central axis) extends. The connecting portion 300 has a first rotary connecting portion 301 that connects the power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22, and a second rotary connecting portion 302 that connects the holding unit 22 and the mouthpiece 23.

In the following description, in the circumferential direction around the axis O, a direction around the axis O in a clockwise direction when viewed from the mouthpiece 23 side along the axis O on the power supply unit 21 side in a plan view is referred to as a rotation direction M1, and a direction around the axis O in a counterclockwise direction is referred to as a rotation direction M2.

The first rotation coupling portion 301 performs coupling and decoupling between the power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22 by relative rotation of the power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22 about the axis O. When the power supply unit 21 is used as a reference, the power supply unit 21 is connected to the holding unit 22 when the holding unit 22 is rotated in the rotation direction M1 with respect to the power supply unit 21. When the holding unit 22 is rotated in the rotation direction M2 with respect to the power supply unit 21, the connection between the power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22 is released.

The first rotation connecting portion 301 includes a rotation connecting mechanism 310 based on the first connecting member 81 and the second connecting member 122 shown in fig. 9, and a lock mechanism 311 based on the annular piece 82 and the second connecting member 122 shown in fig. 9 and 10. Specifically, as shown in fig. 9, the rotational coupling mechanism 310 axially inserts the lateral engaging protrusion 102 of the first coupling member 81 provided in the power supply unit 21 into the engaging groove 158 of the second coupling member 122 provided in the holding unit 22, and then rotates the holding unit 22 in the rotational direction M1 (see fig. 18) with respect to the power supply unit 21, thereby engaging the lateral engaging protrusion 102 with the engaging piece 142 and coupling the power supply unit 21 to the holding unit 22.

The lock mechanism 311 restricts the rotation of the holding unit 22 in the rotation direction M2 in which the connection by the rotational connection mechanism 310 is released. Specifically, as shown in fig. 9 and 10, the lock mechanism 311 includes: a flexure 106 provided on the annular sheet 82 attached to the power unit 21 and protruding outward in the radial direction; the distal end portion 142a is provided on the second coupling member 122 of the holding unit 22, and protrudes radially inward relative to the bottom of the engagement recess 155 in the locking piece 142. The tip portion 142a of the locking piece 142 is located on the moving path of the flexure 106 about the axis O.

When the rotary connection mechanism 310 is connected (when the holding unit 22 is rotated in the rotation direction M1 with respect to the power supply unit 21), the flexible portion 106 comes into contact with the distal end portion 142a of the locking piece 142, and the flexible portion 106 elastically deforms radially inward and passes over the distal end portion 142 a. After the flexible portion 106 passes over the distal end portion 142a, it returns to deform radially outward and engages with the engagement recess 155. When the flexible portion 106 is engaged with the engagement recess 155, the flexible portion 106 and the distal end portion 142a of the locking piece 142 face each other in the rotation direction M1 and are locked. Thus, the connection between the power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22 cannot be released unless a certain force is applied.

According to the first rotation connecting portion 301, even when the power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22 are provided so as to be separable as in the present embodiment in order to improve manufacturing efficiency and the like, it is possible to facilitate connection between the power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22 by the rotation connecting mechanism 310 and improve reliability (connection strength) of a connection state between the power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22 by the lock mechanism 311. Further, since the connection is performed by the rotational connection mechanism 310 and the locking is performed by the locking mechanism 311, the convenience (usability) of the assembly can be improved.

In the lock mechanism 311, as shown in fig. 10, the elastically deformed flexure 106 is disposed radially inward of the locking piece 142 having a greater rigidity than the annular piece 82. Therefore, in a state where the power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22 are connected, the flexible portion 106 is covered and protected from the outside by the locking piece 142. Therefore, the flexible portion 106 is less likely to be damaged if dropping, collision, or the like occurs. This ensures strength against repeated use of the assembly, and improves reliability of locking.

As shown in fig. 9, the locking piece 142 locked by the flexible portion 106 is formed with an engagement groove 158 into which the lateral locking convex portion 102 of the rotating link mechanism 310 is engaged. In this way, the locking piece 142 forms a part of the rotating link mechanism 310 (the engagement groove 158) and a part of the lock mechanism 311 (the distal end portion 142a (the convex portion)), so that the reliability of the connected state (the connection strength) can be relatively easily improved.

As shown in fig. 18, the second rotational connection portion 302 connects and disconnects the holding unit 22 and the mouthpiece 23 by relative rotation of the holding unit 22 and the mouthpiece 23 about the axis O. When the holder 22 is used as a reference, the holder 22 is connected to the mouthpiece 23 when the mouthpiece 23 is rotated in the rotation direction M1 with respect to the holder 22. When the mouthpiece 23 is rotated in the rotation direction M2 with respect to the holding unit 22, the connection between the holding unit 22 and the mouthpiece 23 is released.

As shown in fig. 11, the second rotary connecting portion 302 includes the male screw portion 160a provided in the mouthpiece 23 and the female screw portion 123a provided in the holding unit 22. Specifically, the second rotational connecting portion 302 connects the holding unit 22 and the mouthpiece 23 by rotating the male screw portion 160a provided in the mouthpiece 23 in the rotational direction M1 with respect to the female screw portion 123a provided in the holding unit 22. Further, the male screw portion 160a provided in the mouthpiece 23 is rotated in the rotation direction M2 with respect to the female screw portion 123a provided in the holding unit 22, whereby the connection between the holding unit 22 and the mouthpiece 23 is released.

As shown in fig. 18, the rotation direction M1 is the connection direction of the holding unit 22 with respect to the power supply unit 21, and is also the connection direction of the mouthpiece 23 with respect to the holding unit 22. The rotation direction M2 is a direction in which the holding unit 22 is disconnected from the power supply unit 21, and is also a direction in which the mouthpiece 23 is disconnected from the holding unit 22. In this way, the rotational directions of connection and disconnection about the axis O are aligned in the first rotational connection portion 301 and the second rotational connection portion 302. Therefore, the user can be given a sense of unity of the unit assembling work, and convenience (usability) can be improved.

The frequency of releasing the connection of the mouthpiece 23 and the holding unit 22 is higher than the frequency of releasing the connection of the power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22 due to the replacement of the cartridge 11 and the like. In the present embodiment, the first rotational coupling portion 301 releases the connection between the power supply unit 21 and the holder unit 22 by applying a first torque 301T around the axis O, and the second rotational coupling portion 302 releases the connection between the holder unit 22 and the mouthpiece 23 by applying a second torque 302T smaller than the first torque 301T. This prevents the holding unit 22 from rotating in conjunction with the power supply unit 21 when the mouthpiece 23 is removed from the holding unit 22.

The first torque 301T is a peak value of a torque value when the holding unit 22 is rotated in the rotation direction M2 with respect to the power supply unit 21, and depends on a spring constant or the like corresponding to the elastic deformation in the radial direction of the flexure 106 shown in fig. 9 and 10. The second torque 302T is a peak value of a torque value when the mouthpiece 23 is rotated in the rotation direction M2 with respect to the holding unit 22, and depends on a static friction force between the male screw portion 160a and the female screw portion 123a shown in fig. 11. The first torque 301T is preferably 1.5 times or more as compared with the second torque 302T, for example.

Since the connection configuration of the first rotation connection portion 301 and the second rotation connection portion 302 is different, it is easy to adjust the magnitude relationship between the first torque 301T and the second torque 302T. For example, when the material of the flexible portion 106 (annular piece 82) forming the lock mechanism 311 of the first rotation connecting portion 301 is selected and the thickness is adjusted, the spring constant corresponding to the elastic deformation of the flexible portion 106 in the radial direction is changed, and the magnitude of the first torque 301T relative to the second torque 302T can be easily adjusted.

Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction when the mouthpiece 23 is removed from the aspirator 1.

As shown in fig. 19, in the inhaler 1, the cartridge 11 can be attached and detached in the axial direction by removing the mouthpiece 23 from the main body unit 10. The cartridge housing portion 320 is referred to as a case when the mouthpiece 23 is removed from the main unit 10. That is, the cartridge accommodating portion 320 includes the holding unit 22 and the power supply unit 21.

The cartridge accommodating portion 320 is formed with a bottomed cylindrical cartridge accommodating space 321. The peripheral wall of the cartridge accommodating portion 320 forming the cartridge accommodating space 321 is formed by the holding unit 22. The cartridge accommodating portion 320 forming the cartridge accommodating space 321 has a bottom formed by the power supply unit 21. That is, the peripheral wall (the holding unit 22) of the cartridge accommodating portion 320 is detachable from the bottom (the power supply unit 21) of the cartridge accommodating portion 320.

A vertical engaging protrusion 101 (reference numeral 101 is given to vertical engaging protrusions 101a to 101c in fig. 19) provided on the first coupling member 81 is provided upright on the bottom of the cartridge accommodating portion 320 in the axial direction. The vertical engaging convex portion 101 is disposed so as to be insertable into an engaging concave portion 210 provided in the cartridge 11 in the axial direction. That is, the vertical engaging convex portion 101 and the engaging concave portion 210 are arranged on the same radius with the axis O as the center. The vertical engaging convex portion 101 and the engaging concave portion 210 form a first rotation restricting portion 330 that restricts relative rotation of the cartridge 11 about the axis O with respect to the cartridge housing portion 320 (cartridge housing space 321).

In the first rotation restricting portion 330, when the cartridge 11 and the cartridge accommodating portion 320 are rotated relative to each other about the axis O, the vertical engaging convex portion 101 provided on the same radius is inserted into the engaging concave portion 210, and rotation restriction of the cartridge 11 about the axis O is performed. Thereby, the cartridge 11 is positioned in the circumferential direction, and the electrical conduction between the connection electrode portions 213b, 214b (see fig. 10) of the bottom 196e of the cartridge 11 and the pin electrode 49 of the power supply unit 21 can be ensured.

The first rotation restricting portion 330 forms, together with the mouthpiece 23, a positioning mechanism 340 that positions the cartridge 11 with respect to the cartridge housing 320 in conjunction with the screwing of the mouthpiece 23 with respect to the cartridge housing 320 (the holding unit 22). According to the positioning mechanism 340, the cartridge 11 can be positioned while the mouthpiece 23 is screwed to the cartridge housing portion 320. Therefore, positioning of the cartridge 11 that can be attached to and detached from the cartridge housing portion 320 becomes easy, and the assembly complexity is eliminated. In addition, it is no longer necessary to directly rotate the cartridge 11 by hand.

Specifically, the mouthpiece 23 includes the first anti-slip member (cartridge contact portion) 161 described above that rotates the cartridge 11 about the axis O with respect to the cartridge housing portion 320. The first anti-slip member 161 is attached to the mouthpiece body 160 and abuts against the cartridge 11 in the middle of the mouthpiece body 160 being connected to the holding unit 22. When the first anti-slip member 161 comes into contact with the cartridge 11, the cartridge 11 starts rotating together with the mouthpiece 23, and when the circumferential positions of the engaging recess 210 and the longitudinal engaging protrusion 101 match, the cartridge 11 falls toward the bottom of the cartridge accommodating portion 320 by gravity, and the longitudinal engaging protrusion 101 is inserted into the engaging recess 210, thereby positioning the cartridge 11 in the circumferential direction.

When the mouthpiece 23 is screwed in, the first anti-slip member 161 is compressed in the axial direction between the cartridge 11 supported by the power supply unit 21 (the vertical engaging protrusion 101 and the like) and the mouthpiece body 160. As shown in fig. 11, the first anti-slip member 161 presses the cartridge 11 toward the power supply unit 21 in a state where the mouthpiece 23 is screwed to the holding unit 22. Thereby positioning the cartridge 11 in the axial direction.

Since the first anti-slip member 161 is formed of the silicone resin as described above, a frictional force that rotates the cartridge 11 is exhibited in the circumferential direction, and a pressing force that presses the cartridge 11 is easily exhibited in the axial direction. As shown in fig. 19, the first antiskid member 161 has an abutment projection 171 formed on the facing surface 161a facing the cartridge 11. With the abutment projection 171, the contact of the first anti-skid member 161 with respect to the cartridge 11 is no longer a plane contact, so the contact pressure increases, and frictional force in the circumferential direction and pressing force in the axial direction are more likely to be exhibited.

As shown in fig. 11, the contact protrusion 171 is crushed in the axial direction, so that the through hole 191d of the cartridge 11 and the communication hole 169a of the first antiskid member 161 are hermetically sealed, the flow path of the cartridge 11 and the mouthpiece 23 communicates, and the aerosol generated in the cartridge 11 can be sucked through the mouthpiece 23. Since the contact projection 171 is formed in a double ring shape (see fig. 12), a double seal with high airtightness can be formed.

As shown in fig. 19, the mouthpiece 23 includes a second rotation restricting portion 350 that restricts relative rotation of the first anti-slip member 161 with respect to the mouthpiece body 160. The second rotation restricting portion 350 is formed by the fitting projection 170 (see fig. 12) provided on the first anti-slip member 161 and the through hole 168 (see fig. 12) provided in the long hole of the mouthpiece main body 160. The fitting projections 170 extend in a pair in the axial direction toward the mouthpiece body 160, and are fitted into both longitudinal end portions of the through hole 168.

According to the second rotation restricting portion 350, even if the condensed aerosol is stored between the mouthpiece body 160 and the first anti-slip member 161, the first anti-slip member 161 can be prevented from idling (sliding) with respect to the mouthpiece body 160. Therefore, positioning in the circumferential direction of the cartridge 11 can be reliably performed. The through hole 168 may be formed as an elongated hole and may be integrated with the suction port 23 a.

[ Effect ]

< method for assembling suction device >

Next, a method of assembling the aspirator 1 will be described.

As shown in fig. 2, when assembling the aspirator 1 according to the present embodiment, the holding unit 22 is first assembled to the power supply unit 21. Specifically, after the lateral engaging projection 102 is inserted into the engaging groove 158 in the axial direction, the power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22 are relatively rotated about the axis O. Then, the power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22 are assembled to each other in the first rotation connecting portion 301 in a state where the positioning in the axial direction and the circumferential direction is completed. When the power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22 are detached, the operation is reversed.

Next, the cartridge 11 is inserted into the holding unit 22. Specifically, the cartridge 11 is inserted into the holding unit 22 in a state in which the connection electrode portions 213b and 214b of the cartridge 11 are directed toward the holding unit 22 in the axial direction. When the circumferential positions of the vertical engaging convex portions 101a to 101c of the power supply unit 21 and the engaging concave portion 210 of the cartridge 11 are matched, the vertical engaging convex portions 101a to 101c are inserted into the engaging concave portion 210 corresponding to each vertical engaging convex portion. The engagement recess 210 is formed with a flat chamfered portion 210a, while the vertical engagement projections 101a to 101c are formed with inclined surfaces at their tips. Therefore, the vertical engaging convex portions 101a to 101c can be smoothly inserted into the engaging concave portion 210. This enables the cartridge 11 to be positioned in the circumferential direction and the axial direction with respect to the power supply unit 21, and the cartridge 11 is assembled to the power supply unit 21 at a standard position.

That is, one pin electrode 49 of the pin electrodes 49 of the power supply unit 21 is connected to one of the connection electrode portions 213b, 214b of the cartridge 11. The other pin electrode 49 is connected to the other connection electrode portion 213b, 214b of the connection electrode portions 213b, 214b of the cartridge 11. The electric power of the power supply unit 21 can be supplied to the electric heating wire 205 of the heating portion 194 through the connection electrode portions 213b and 214b (the electrodes 213 and 214). The bottom 196e of the cartridge 11 abuts against the surrounding protrusion 93, and the buffer space S3 is defined by the cartridge 11 and the connecting cover 80.

Next, the mouthpiece 23 is assembled to the holding unit 22 by the second rotating connecting portion 302. Specifically, the male screw portion 160a of the mouthpiece body 160 is screwed into the female screw portion 123a of the sleeve 123. Then, the first anti-slip member 161 of the mouthpiece 23 contacts the bottom 191c of the cartridge 11. In this state, when the mouthpiece 23 is further fastened, the first anti-slip member 161 is elastically deformed so that the cartridge 11 is held in the holding unit 22 in a state of being pressed toward the power supply unit 21 side in the axial direction. Further, the cartridge 11 is restricted from moving in the circumferential direction with respect to the power supply unit 21 by the vertical engaging convex portions 101a to 101 c. Therefore, the cartridge 11 is prevented from rotating in conjunction with the mouthpiece 23 by the frictional force acting between the first anti-slip member 161 and the cartridge 11.

The capsule 12 is then inserted into the mouthpiece 23. Specifically, the capsule 12 is fitted into the mouthpiece body 160 with the mesh opening facing the mouthpiece 23.

By the above operation, the assembly of the aspirator 1 is completed.

When the cartridge 11 is inserted, the longitudinal engaging protrusions 101a to 101c of the power supply unit 21 and the engaging recess 210 of the cartridge 11 may not be aligned in the circumferential direction due to the circumferential direction of the cartridge 11. In this case, the bottom 196e of the cartridge 11 is in a state of being caught by the vertical engaging protrusions 101a to 101c (hereinafter, simply referred to as "catching state").

Fig. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the cartridge 11 is mounted on the vertical engaging projection 101.

As shown in fig. 20, in the mounted state of the cartridge 11, the movement of the cartridge 11 toward the power supply unit 21 side in the axial direction with respect to the power supply unit 21 is restricted. Therefore, the pin electrode 49 and the connection electrode portions 213b and 214b are separated in the axial direction, and conduction between the power supply unit 21 and the cartridge 11 is not ensured. In the mounted state, if the pin electrode 49 is brought into contact with the connection electrode portions 213b and 214b, there is a possibility that the pin electrode 49 and the connection electrode portions 213b and 214b are not arranged at desired circumferential positions.

Fig. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the mouthpiece 23 is screwed in a state in which the cartridge 11 is mounted.

As shown in fig. 21, when the mouthpiece 23 is turned while holding the cartridge 11 in the mounted state and is screwed to the holding means 22, the first anti-slip member 161 comes into contact with the cartridge 11 at least before the screwing is completed, as shown in fig. 22 described later. Specifically, as shown in fig. 21, the first anti-slip member 161 does not contact the cartridge 11 at the moment when the male thread portion 160a of the mouthpiece 23 hits the female thread portion 123a of the holding means 22, but as shown in fig. 22, the first anti-slip member 161 contacts the cartridge 11 when the male thread portion 160a is screwed into the female thread portion 123a and the first anti-slip member is rotated from half a turn to two turns.

Fig. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the mouthpiece 23 rotates together with the cartridge 11.

As shown in fig. 22, if the screwing operation of the mouthpiece 23 is continued with the first anti-slip member 161 in contact with the cartridge 11, the mouthpiece 23 rotates together with the cartridge 11 due to the frictional force acting between the first anti-slip member 161 and the cartridge 11. That is, the cartridge 11 is generally rotated in the circumferential direction (fastening direction (rotation direction M1)) while being pressed toward the power supply unit 21 in the axial direction by the screwing operation of the mouthpiece 23.

Thereafter, when the circumferential positions of the connection electrode portions 213b, 214b of the cartridge 11 and the vertical engaging convex portions 101a to 101c of the power supply unit 21 are matched, the vertical engaging convex portions 101a to 101c enter the corresponding engaging concave portions 210. That is, the cartridge 11 is assembled in a standard position by allowing the axial movement of the cartridge 11 with respect to the power supply unit 21. Thereby, the pin electrode 49 and the connection electrode portions 213b, 214b are brought into contact (conduction) in a state where the circumferential movement of the cartridge 11 with respect to the power supply unit 21 is restricted.

Fig. 23 is an explanatory view showing a state where the mouthpiece 23 is fastened to the end.

As shown in fig. 23, if the axial movement of the cartridge 11 is allowed by the positioning of the longitudinal engaging convex portion 101 and the engaging concave portion 210 in the circumferential direction, the mouthpiece 23 can be further screwed in. When the mouthpiece 23 is fastened to the end, the connection electrode portions 213b and 214b are pressed against the pin electrode 49, and the first anti-slip member 161 is compressed in the axial direction between the cartridge 11 supported by the power supply unit 21 and the mouthpiece main body 160, whereby the cartridge 11 is positioned in the axial direction. In this way, the cartridge 11 is positioned in the circumferential direction and the axial direction by screwing the mouthpiece 23, and the cartridge 11 and the power supply unit 21 are electrically conducted. In addition, the abutment protrusion 171 of the first anti-slip member 161 is compressed in the axial direction, thereby sealing the gap between the cartridge 11 and the mouthpiece 23.

When the cartridge 11 is assembled in the normal position, the surrounding protrusion 93 of the connection cover 80 abuts on the cartridge 11. Therefore, a buffer space S3 (see fig. 3) surrounded by the surrounding protrusion 93 is formed between the bottom 196e of the heater holder 196 of the cartridge 11 and the attachment cover 80.

Method for assembling a cartridge

Next, a method of assembling the cartridge 11 will be described.

First, the liquid storage chamber 202 of the tank 191 is filled with an aerosol source of liquid, and then the gasket 192 and the mesh 193 are inserted in this order from the opening 191a of the tank 191. At this time, one surface 192b of the gasket 192 is brought into contact with the end surface 201a of the projection 201 of the can 191. One surface 193b of the mesh 193 is overlapped with the other surface 192d of the gasket 192. Thus, the inside of the tank 191 is accurately partitioned into the liquid containing chamber 202 and the opening chamber 203 by the mesh body 193. The mesh body 193 is soft itself, but can be held in place and positioned using the washer 192.

In addition, the heating unit 194 and the atomizing chamber 195 are assembled to the heater holder 196 together with the above-described steps. Specifically, first, the heating part 194 is assembled to the accommodation recess 220 of the atomization container 195. Next, the atomization container 195 is inserted into the heater holder 196 with the fitting portion 218 side of the atomization container 195 facing the opening 196a of the heater holder 196. Then, the fitting portion 218 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 196b of the heater holder 196. At this time, the connecting wall 211 of the heater holder 196 is inserted into the slit 225 so as to face the slit 225 of the fitting portion 218.

Next, the heater holder 196 is assembled to the opening 191a of the can 191. Specifically, the heater holder 196 is inserted into the opening 191a of the tank 191 such that the side surface of the engagement piece 206 of the heater holder 196 faces the opening 191a of the tank 191. At this time, the positions of the engaging hole 198 and the guide recess 198a formed in the peripheral wall 191b of the can 191 and the engaging piece 206 of the heater holder 196 are also aligned.

In this state, when the heater holder 196 is inserted into the opening 191a of the can 191, first, the inclined surface 207a of the engagement claw 207 formed in the engagement piece 206 is brought into contact with the peripheral wall 191b of the can 191. The inclined surface 207a allows the engaging pawl 207 to smoothly abut against the guide recess 198a of the tank 191.

Thereafter, when the heater holder 196 is further pressed into the tank 191, the engagement claw 207 is accommodated in the guide recess 198 a. Then, the engagement piece 206 is pressed radially inward by the guide recess 198a and is elastically deformed. At this time, the engagement piece 206 is elastically deformed smoothly radially inward by the inclined surface 207a of the engagement claw 207. Here, since the two engaging pieces 206 are arranged to face each other on both sides with the axis Q therebetween, the radially inward forces applied to the two engaging pieces 206 are less likely to be deviated when viewed from the entire heater holder 196. Therefore, the balance of the forces when elastically deforming the engaging piece 206 can be obtained, and the heater holder 196 can be easily inserted into the opening 191a of the can 191. Further, the bottom surface 224a of the concave portion 224 of the atomizing container 195 abuts on the inner surface of the engagement piece 206 in the radial direction. Therefore, when the engaging piece 206 is elastically deformed radially inward, the concave portion 224 of the atomizing container 195 is slightly deformed radially inward.

After that, when the heater holder 196 is further pressed, the engagement claw 207 moves along the guide recess 198 a. Then, the engagement claw 207 rides up the terminal end of the guide recess 198a (the end on the side of the engagement hole 198 of the tank 191), and the engagement claw 207 is inserted into the engagement hole 198 of the tank 191 by the restoring force of the engagement piece 206 and the restoring force of the recess 224 of the atomization container 195. Thereby, the heater holder 196 is fixed to the canister 191, and the assembly of the cartridge 11 is completed.

Here, in a state where the heater holder 196 is fixed to the tank 191, the radially outer surface of the engagement piece 206 is covered with the circumferential wall 191b of the tank 191. When one of the two engagement claws 207 is to be disengaged, for example, the tank 191 or the heater holder 196 is tilted so that the engagement claw 207 is disengaged from the engagement hole 198, the other engagement claw 207 is pressed radially outward. Therefore, once engaged, it is difficult to release the engagement hole 198 and the engagement piece 206.

< method of using aspirator >

When using the aspirator 1, the user presses the button 78. At this time, for example, by pressing the button 78 a plurality of times (for example, 5 times), a start preparation signal is output from the switching element 52 to the control unit mounted on the first board assembly 34.

Next, the user performs suction while holding the mouthpiece 23 or the capsule 12. Then, the air in the holding unit 22 is sucked, so that the inside of the holding unit 22 becomes a negative pressure. When the inside of the holding unit 22 becomes negative pressure, the inside of the atomization container 195 (inside of the atomization chamber M) of the cartridge 11, the buffer space S3, and the communication port 51 also draw air in the pressure variation chamber S1, so that the inside of the pressure variation chamber S1 also becomes negative pressure. Specifically, the air in the pressure changing chamber S1 flows into the buffer space S3 through the communication port 51, and then flows into the heater holder 196 through the second air intake hole 216. Air flowing into the heater holder 196 passes through the air passage 226 and the aerosol container 195 and through the flow passage tube 197 and then through the mouthpiece 23 into the mouth of the user. When the pressure sensor 53 detects that the pressure in the pressure fluctuation chamber S1 is less than a predetermined value, for example, it outputs a start signal to the control unit.

The control unit that receives the activation signal energizes the heating unit 194 of the cartridge 11. Further, the inside of the holding unit 22 becomes a negative pressure, and new air is introduced into the holding unit 22 through the air vent 131. Further, fresh air is introduced into the atomization chamber M of the cartridge 11 (the opening chamber 203 of the tank 191) through the first air intake hole 209 formed in the heater holder 196 of the cartridge 11 and the air passage 226 of the atomization container 195.

The electric current is passed through the heating portion 194, so that the electric heating wire 205 generates heat. The aerosol source of liquid that is immersed in the wick 204 via the mesh 193 is then heated and atomised. The atomized aerosol is filled in the atomizing chamber M. The atomized aerosol is sucked toward the mouthpiece 23 through the flow passage pipe 197 of the canister 191 together with the fresh air introduced into the atomization chamber M. The atomized aerosol and air mixture then passes through the capsule 12 and into the mouth of the user. This allows the user to taste the flavor of the cigarette.

< action of cartridge >

In the cartridge 11, the aerosol source of the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber 202 of the tank 191 is absorbed by the mesh 193 and further absorbed by the core 204. If the mesh 193 and the core 204 are saturated (exceed the liquid holding force), there is a possibility that the liquid leaks out to the heater holder 196 side by passing along the inner circumferential surface between the outer circumferential portion of the mesh 193 and the inner circumferential surface of the circumferential wall 191b of the tank 191.

Here, the liquid reservoir 223 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the atomizing container 195 on the heater holder 196 side of the mesh body 193. Therefore, the aerosol source of the liquid is stored in the liquid reservoir 223, and leakage to the heater holder 196 side is prevented.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the capacity (volume of space) of the liquid reservoir 223 is about 53.4mm³. When the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid storage chamber 202 of the tank 191 is 1/3 and the head space volume expansion rate (the volume expansion rate of the air in the remaining 2/3 space portion in the liquid storage chamber 202) is 6%, the air in the liquid storage chamber 202 of the tank 191 expands to push out about 100mm from the liquid storage chamber 202³Is used to control the flow of liquid. About 20 to 30mm of an aerosol source capable of holding the extruded liquid by the mesh 193 and the core 204³Of the aerosol source of (a). About 100mm³The remaining 70-80 mm of the aerosol source of the liquid³Is stored in the liquid storage portion 223.

Here, the liquid reservoir 223 is formed to gradually narrow the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 217 and the peripheral wall 191b of the can 191 from the seal portion 222 toward the tip end of the protruding portion 219. In other words, a narrow portion 279 in which the gap between the protruding portion 219 and the peripheral wall 191b of the can 191 is narrowed is formed near the protruding portion 219 of the cylindrical portion 217. Therefore, of the aerosol sources of the liquid pushed out from the liquid storage chamber 202 of the can 191, the remaining aerosol sources after the web 193 and the core part 204 are saturated are easily sucked by the narrow part 279, and actively flow to the liquid storage part 223 through the narrow part 279.

In other words, the aerosol source of liquid stored in the liquid receiving chamber 202 of the canister 191 is first absorbed by the absorbent web 193 and then by the wick 204. After the web 193 and the wick 204 are saturated, the aerosol source of liquid is sucked up by the throat 279 and stored in the reservoir 223.

On the other hand, when the saturation state of the mesh 193 is eliminated, the aerosol source of the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion 223 is supplied through the narrow portion 279 (between the protrusion 219 and the peripheral wall 191b of the tank 191). The aerosol source of liquid is then absorbed by the mesh 193. In other words, the aerosol source of the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion 223 flows back to the liquid storage chamber 202 of the tank 191 through the narrow portion 279. At this time, since the narrow portion 279 is covered (blocked) by the outer peripheral portion of the mesh 193, the liquid aerosol source is also efficiently returned to the liquid storage chamber 202 of the tank 191 by the capillary force of the mesh 193.

Further, since the two notched portions 222a are formed in the seal portion 222 of the cylindrical portion 217, the liquid reservoir 223 communicates with the outside air through the notched portions 222a of the seal portion 222 and the gap between the engagement hole 198 of the tank 191 and the engagement piece 206 (engagement claw 207) of the heater holder 196. As another example, the liquid reservoir 223 and the outside air may communicate with each other through the notch 222a of the sealing portion 222 and the first air-intake hole 209 of the heater holder 196. Therefore, no pressure difference is generated between the inside and the outside of the liquid reservoir 223. As a result, the liquid aerosol source can be prevented from accidentally flowing out of the liquid reservoir 223 to the outside, and the liquid aerosol source can be more efficiently returned to the liquid storage chamber 202 of the can 191.

[ Effect ]

As described above, the power supply unit 21 of the present embodiment has the following configuration: the first substrate assembly 34 is provided with the pressure sensor 53 attached thereto such that the pressure sensor 53 is exposed to the pressure changing chamber S1, and the second substrate assembly 35 is disposed on the opposite side of the first substrate assembly 34 with the battery 33 interposed therebetween in the normal pressure chamber S2, and the second substrate assembly 35 is disposed on the opposite side of the first substrate assembly 34.

According to this configuration, since at least the female connector 62 and the battery 33 are disposed in the normal pressure chamber S2 partitioned from the pressure varying chamber S1 by the sensor holder 54, it is possible to suppress the aerosol or the like from entering the normal pressure chamber S2 through the communication port 51 and to suppress the aerosol from adhering to the female connector 62 and the power supply 33.

On the other hand, by housing the female connector 62 and the battery 33 in the normal pressure chamber S2, the pressure fluctuation chamber S1 can be reduced in size. This enables rapid detection of pressure fluctuations in the pressure fluctuation chamber S1.

In the power supply unit 21 of the present embodiment, the following configuration is adopted: the first substrate assembly 34 is disposed closer to the cartridge 11 than the battery 33, and is mounted with the switch element 52 operated by the button 78.

With this configuration, the first substrate assembly 34 is disposed closer to the cartridge 11 than the battery 33, so that the volume of the pressure fluctuation chamber S1 can be reduced. This enables the pressure sensor 53 to quickly detect the pressure fluctuation generated in the pressure fluctuation chamber S1. As a result, the sensitivity of the pressure sensor 53 can be improved.

Further, by disposing the first substrate assembly 34 close to the cartridge 11, the switching element 52 can be disposed close to the axial center of the extractor 1. This can improve the operability.

In the power supply unit 21 of the present embodiment, the following configuration is adopted: the battery holder 36 is provided, and the battery 33, the first board assembly 34, and the second board assembly 35 are mounted on the battery holder 36 and assembled to the housing 31.

With this configuration, the ease of assembly can be improved as compared with a case where the battery 33, the first board assembly 34, and the second board assembly 35 are respectively assembled to the housing 31. Further, by mounting the first board assembly 34 and the second board assembly 35 as board assemblies on the battery holder 36, layout properties can be improved, and the board assemblies 34 and 35 are disposed on both sides of the battery 33, for example.

In the power supply unit 21 of the present embodiment, the following configuration is adopted: the power source mounted on the battery holder 36 is the battery 33.

With this configuration, unlike the case where a primary battery is used as a power source, for example, the battery can be used repeatedly.

In the main body unit 10 of the present embodiment, the following structure is adopted: the power supply unit 21 and a cylindrical holding unit 22 axially connected to the power supply unit 21 are provided.

The aspirator 1 according to the present embodiment has the following structure: the cigarette pack includes the main body unit 10 and a cartridge 11 detachably housed in a holding unit 22.

According to this configuration, it is possible to provide the high-performance main unit 10 and the aspirator 1 that can simultaneously achieve the improvement of the liquid-proof performance of the female connector 62 and the secondary battery 33 and the improvement of the sensitivity of the pressure sensor 52.

In the present embodiment, the cartridge 11 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the power supply unit 21. Therefore, the aerosol source can be replenished by the operation of attaching and detaching the cartridge 11, and the trouble of the operation of filling the aerosol source can be reduced. As a result, excellent operability can be achieved.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other changes in the structure can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention is not to be limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the aspirator 1 in which the capsule 12 is detachably provided is described as an example of an aerosol generating device that generates aerosol without involving combustion, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. As another example of the aerosol-generating device, a structure that does not have the capsule 12, such as an electronic cigarette, may be adopted. In this case, the flavor-containing aerosol source is housed in the cartridge 11, and the flavor-containing aerosol is generated by the aerosol generating device.

In the above embodiment, the case where the body unit 10 is configured by dividing the power supply unit 21, the holding unit 22, and the mouthpiece 23 has been described, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22 may be integrally formed, and the holding unit 22 and the mouthpiece 23 may be integrally formed.

In the above embodiment, the holding means 22 is formed in the tubular shape surrounding the circumference of the cartridge 11, but the present invention is not limited to this structure. The holding means 22 may be any structure capable of holding the cartridge 11. In the present specification, the attachment and detachment of the cartridge 11 and the main unit 10 (power supply unit 21) is not limited to the case where the cartridge 11 is held by the mouthpiece 23 by being housed in the holding unit 22, and includes the case where only the pin electrode 49 is connected to and disconnected from the connection electrode portions 213b and 214 b.

In the above embodiment, the power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22 are formed in the cylindrical shape coaxially arranged, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The power supply unit 21 and the holding unit 22 may have different shapes.

In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the battery 33 and the substrate assemblies 34 and 35 are mounted on the battery holder 36 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The battery 33 and the substrate assemblies 34 and 35 may be mounted directly in the case 31.

In the above embodiment, the button 78 (the switching element 52) for outputting the start preparation signal is mounted, but a configuration without the button 78 (a configuration in which the start is performed by the detection by the pressure sensor 53) is also possible.

In the above embodiment, the structure in which the pin electrodes 49 are arranged at the positions line-symmetrical with respect to the virtual straight line La has been described, but the structure is not limited to this structure. That is, the pin electrodes 49 may have different radial distances from the axis O as long as they are configured such that a virtual straight line T1 extending along the in-plane direction (tangential direction) of the seating surface 91a and connecting the two pin electrodes 49 passes through the axis O. In this case, the connection electrode portions 213b and 214b may be arranged in at least an arc shape in a region including both the first virtual circle C1 passing through the first pin electrode 49a about the axis O and the second virtual circle C2 passing through the second pin electrode 49b about the axis O. Therefore, each pin electrode 49 is not limited to a semicircular shape, and may be rectangular or oblong. Further, each pin electrode 49 may be different in shape.

In the above embodiment, the description has been given of the structure in which the axis O passes through the center of the seating surface 91a, but the structure is not limited to this structure. The axis O may be displaced from the center of the seating surface 91 a. In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the entire power supply unit 21 is disposed coaxially with the cartridge 11 has been described, but the configuration is not limited to this configuration. As long as the first electrode arrangement surface and the second electrode arrangement surface are arranged to face each other, for example, the battery 33 of the power supply unit 21 and the axis of the cartridge 11 may be arranged in parallel with each other.

In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the first substrate 60 is disposed in the state in which the thickness direction coincides with the radial direction has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The first substrate 60 may be disposed in a state where the thickness direction coincides with the axial direction, for example.

In the above embodiment, the pressure sensor 53 has been described as an example of the sensor mounted on the first substrate 60, but various sensors other than the pressure sensor 53 may be mounted.

In the above embodiment, the structure in which the interior of the housing 31 is partitioned into the pressure fluctuation chamber S1 and the normal pressure chamber S2 was described, but the interior of the housing 31 may not be partitioned into the pressure fluctuation chamber S1 and the normal pressure chamber S2.

Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as in the following description, but are not limited to the following.

(attached note 1)

A power supply unit for a non-combustion type aspirator, comprising:

a cylindrical housing having a pressure fluctuation chamber and a normal pressure chamber, the pressure fluctuation chamber being opened with a communication port, the normal pressure chamber being partitioned to sandwich a partition member with the pressure fluctuation chamber;

a battery housed in the normal pressure chamber;

a first substrate assembly that is disposed in parallel with the battery in an axial direction of the case, has a pressure sensor attached thereto, and is housed in the case such that at least the pressure sensor is exposed to the pressure varying chamber;

and a second substrate assembly that is disposed on an opposite side of the first substrate assembly in an axial direction of the housing so as to sandwich the battery between the second substrate assembly and the first substrate assembly in the atmospheric pressure chamber, and to which a female connector is attached.

In addition, the components in the above embodiments may be replaced with known components as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention, and the above modifications may be combined as appropriate.

Claims (6)

1. A power supply unit for a non-combustion type aspirator, comprising:

a housing having a pressure fluctuation chamber provided with a communication port communicating with an atomizing unit accommodating an aerosol source, and a normal pressure chamber partitioned to sandwich a partition member with the pressure fluctuation chamber;

a chargeable/dischargeable power supply housed in the normal pressure chamber;

a first substrate assembly to which a pressure sensor is attached and which is housed in the housing such that at least the pressure sensor is exposed to the pressure varying chamber;

and a second substrate assembly that is housed on the opposite side of the first substrate assembly in the normal pressure chamber with the power supply interposed therebetween, and to which a female connector is attached.

2. The non-combustion extractor power supply unit of claim 1,

the first substrate assembly is disposed closer to the atomizing unit than the power source,

a push button which can be pressed is arranged on the shell,

the first board assembly includes a switch element operated by the button.

3. The power supply unit of the non-combustion extractor according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a holder that mounts the power supply, the first substrate assembly, and the second substrate assembly and is assembled to the housing.

4. The power supply unit of a non-combustion extractor as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power supply is a battery.

5. A main unit of a non-combustion type aspirator, comprising:

the power supply unit of any one of claims 1 to 4;

a cylindrical holding unit connected to the power supply unit.

6. A non-combustion type aspirator is characterized by comprising:

a body unit as claimed in claim 5;

the atomizing unit is detachably accommodated in the holding unit.

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