HK1192496B - Aerosol aspirator - Google Patents

Description

Aerosol aspirator

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol suction apparatus that generates aerosol in accordance with a suction operation of a user and supplies the aerosol to the user.

Background

Such aerosol attractors are disclosed in, for example, the following patent documents 1 to 4.

The aerosol aspirator disclosed in patent document 1 includes: a suction tube having a suction nozzle; a solution supply source which is built in the suction tube and stores a solution to be aerosolized; a dispensing device capable of quantitatively dispensing the solution from the solution supply source to a dispensing position in the aspiration tube; and an electric heater for heating the solution dispensed at the dispensing position to atomize the solution and generate an aerosol in the suction tube.

The aerosol suction apparatus disclosed in patent document 2 has an electric heater and a high-frequency generator for aerosolizing liquid supplied by a pump.

The aerosol suction apparatus disclosed in patent document 3 includes an ink jet unit for aerosolizing a liquid.

The aerosol aspirator disclosed in patent document 4 includes a liquid supply path utilizing capillary action and an electric heater disposed at an outlet of the liquid supply path.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: international publication WO2008/105918A1

Patent document 2: (Japanese) Special Table JP2006-524494A

Patent document 3: (Japanese) republic of Kokai WO97/48293

Patent document 4: japanese unexamined patent publication JPH11 (1999) -89551

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

The aerosol suction apparatus of patent document 1 requires manual operation of the dispensing device before a user performs a suction operation through the suction nozzle, or requires automatic operation of the dispensing device simultaneously with the suction operation. The presence of the dispensing device is not only a significant factor that increases the size of the aerosol inhaler, but also hinders the user from easily performing the aerosol inhalation by manual operation of the dispensing device.

On the other hand, the automatic operation of the dispensing device provides a user with a simple attraction, but in this case, not only the structure of the dispensing device becomes complicated, but also electric power is consumed due to the automatic operation. Therefore, a large capacity power supply is required for the dispensing device and the electric heater, which leads to further increase in size of the aerosol aspirator.

Further, the aerosol suction apparatuses of patent documents 2 and 3 are difficult to be downsized due to their complicated structures, like the aerosol suction apparatus of patent document 1. On the other hand, the aerosol suction apparatus of patent document 4 has a simpler structure than the aerosol suction apparatuses of patent documents 1 to 3, but as with the aerosol suction apparatuses of patent documents 1 to 3, since the liquid does not collide directly with the electric heater to be aerosolized into the liquid, reliable aerosolization cannot be ensured.

The invention aims to provide a small aerosol suction apparatus which can facilitate suction by a user and reliably ensure aerosolization of a liquid.

Technical scheme for solving technical problem

The above object is achieved by an aerosol aspirator of the present invention, comprising:

a suction path that connects an atmosphere opening port and a suction nozzle and allows a flow of air from the atmosphere opening port toward the suction nozzle;

a solution supply device that is a solution supply device that supplies a solution that generates an aerosol, the solution supply device including,

a solution supply source that stores the solution,

a capillary tube connected to the solution supply source, having a discharge end opened toward the suction nozzle in the suction path, leading the solution from the solution supply source to the discharge end, and discharging the solution from the discharge end when the air flow occurs in the suction path;

heating means for receiving the discharged solution from the discharge end and atomizing the discharged solution received by the receiving block by heating, the heating means comprising,

a power supply for supplying power to the electronic device,

and an electric heater which is disposed immediately downstream of a discharge end, which allows the air to flow, which is disposed opposite to the discharge end with a predetermined distance therebetween, and which generates heat when a voltage of the power source is applied thereto.

According to the aerosol suction apparatus, when the user performs a suction operation through the mouthpiece, the solution is discharged from the discharge end of the capillary tube. The discharged solution is entirely atomized by heat from the heater while being received and blocked by the outer surface of the heater, and an aerosol is generated in the suction path. Thus, the user can draw the aerosol through the mouthpiece.

Specifically, the heater is orthogonal to an axis of the suction path and extends in a direction intersecting the suction path. Preferably, the capillary tube extends on the axis of the suction path.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

The aerosol aspirator of the present invention is capable of discharging a solution from a discharge end of a capillary tube in conjunction with a suction operation of a user and receiving and blocking the discharged solution on an outer surface of a heater, so that the discharged solution is entirely atomized on the outer surface of the heater to generate aerosol in a suction path. Therefore, the user can easily and efficiently suck the aerosol.

The details and advantages of the aerosol aspirator of the present invention will be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description below.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing an aerosol suction apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a view showing a specific example of the liquid tank of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the heater of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the heater of fig. 1 together with a power supply circuit.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of an aerosol aspirator prior to aerosol generation.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a part of the aerosol aspirator showing a state after aerosol generation, as viewed in a longitudinal section of the inner tube along a longitudinal section of the heater.

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of a part of the aerosol aspirator showing a state after aerosol generation, as viewed in a vertical section of the inner tube along a cross section of the heater.

Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining a malfunction of the aerosol aspirator in the case where the distance between the capillary tube and the heater is excessively long.

Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining a malfunction of the aerosol aspirator when the distance between the capillary tube and the heater is too short.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view of a heating test apparatus for obtaining an optimum heating apparatus.

Fig. 11 is a graph showing measurement results obtained in the heat test apparatus.

Fig. 12 is a view showing a housing member according to a modification.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1, an aerosol aspirator 10 of an embodiment includes: an outer tube 12 having a cylindrical shape with both ends open, and a suction nozzle 14 detachably connected to a base end of the outer tube. The outer tube 12 and the suction nozzle 14 are formed of heat-resistant synthetic resin. The outer tube 12 has a cap 16 at its forward end, the cap 16 being detachable from the outer tube 12.

The outer tube 12 accommodates a power supply unit 18 as a power source, a liquid tank 20 as a solution supply source, and an inner tube 22. The power supply unit 18, the liquid tank 20, and the inner tube 22 are disposed in this order from the cover 16 side on the axis of the outer tube 12. The inner tube 22 communicates with the suction nozzle 14.

The power supply unit 18 and the liquid tank 20 can be replaced, and replacement of the power supply unit 18 and the liquid tank 20 is performed by removing the cap 16 from the outer tube 12.

The power supply unit 18 includes a battery holder 24 and a commercially available battery, such as a five-size battery 26, held in the battery holder 24. The battery 26, having a nominal voltage of 1.5V, is disposed on the axis of the outer tube 12.

The tank 20 is shown in more detail using fig. 2.

The tank 20 includes a cylindrical tank shell 28. A plurality of ribs are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the can 28. These ribs are disposed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the can 28, and extend in the axial direction of the can 28 except for the end of the can 28 on the battery power source 18 side.

The ribs described above form a plurality of axial passages 27 (see fig. 1) between the outer surface of the shell 28 and the inner surface of the outer pipe 12, while an annular chamber 29 (see fig. 1) is secured between the end of the shell 28 and the inner surface of the outer pipe 12. The annular chamber 29 is connected to the axial passage 29.

A coiled pipe 30 is housed in the can 28. The bobbin 30 extends in the axial direction of the outer tube 12, and has both ends opened. An introduction line 32 extends from one end of the coiled pipe 30 to the outer surface of the tank shell 28, and the introduction line 32 opens at the outer surface of the tank shell 28 and connects to the annular chamber 29. Further, a check valve 34 is disposed in the introduction pipe 32, and the check valve 34 is opened only toward one end of the bypass pipe 30.

On the other hand, a delivery line 36 extends from the other end of the coil 30, and the delivery line 36 is connected to a capillary tube 40 via a joint 38. The capillary tube 40 projects from the can 28 into the inner tube 22 and is located on the axis of the inner tube 22. The protruding end of the capillary tube 40 forms a discharge end 42, which discharge end 42 opens towards the suction nozzle 14. Further, a check valve 44 is also disposed in the delivery pipe 36, and the check valve 44 is opened only toward the capillary tube 40.

The internal flow path (introduction line 32, winding pipe 30, and delivery line 36) of the liquid tank 22 and the capillary tube 40 are filled with the solution to be aerosolized, and the solution reaches the discharge end 42 of the capillary tube 40. Here, the solution may contain, for example, propylene glycol, glycerin, or the like.

As best seen in fig. 1, the inner tube 22 extends from the tank 20 toward the mouthpiece 14 and is connected to an absorbent sleeve 48. The absorbent sleeve 48 is positioned coaxially with the inner tube 22 and has the same inner diameter as the inner space of the inner tube 22. The thickness of the portion of the outer tube 12 surrounding the inner tube 22 and the absorbing sleeve 48 is greater than the thickness of the portion of the outer tube 12 surrounding the power supply unit 18 and the liquid tank 20.

Specifically, the inner tube 22 is formed of, for example, stainless steel or ceramic. On the other hand, the absorbent sleeve 48 is formed of, for example, a paper tube or a hollow cylindrical paper filter capable of absorbing the solution. Such an absorbent sleeve 48 has a volume sufficient to satisfy the required amount of solution absorption.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 1, a plurality of atmosphere inlets and outlets 50 are formed in the outer tube 12. These atmosphere inlets and outlets 50 are disposed adjacent to the liquid tank 20, for example, at intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer pipe 12. The atmosphere inlet/outlet 50 extends from the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube 12 through the inner tube 22. The atmosphere inlet/outlet 50 is provided with an atmosphere opening 52 that opens to the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube 12, and is connected to the annular chamber 29 through the axial passage 27.

Therefore, the atmosphere outlet and inlet 50 and the inner tube 22 form a suction path connecting the atmosphere opening 52 and the suction nozzle 14. The atmospheric air inlet/outlet 50 maintains the inside of the annular chamber 29 at atmospheric pressure, and as a result, the solution in the liquid tank 20 is always subjected to atmospheric pressure through the open end of the introduction pipe 32.

Now, when the user sucks the air in the inner tube 22 through the suction nozzle 14, the pressure in the inner tube 22 becomes negative pressure, and the outside air is introduced into the inner tube 22 through the air inlet/outlet 50. Such introduction of the outside air generates an air flow toward the suction nozzle 14 in the suction path described above.

The negative pressure in the inner tube 22 discharges the solution from the discharge end 42 of the capillary 40 into the suction path, i.e., into the inner tube 22, and the discharge amount of the solution here is determined by the strength of the negative pressure. On the other hand, the capillary tube 40 is replenished with a solution corresponding to the amount of the discharged solution from the liquid tank 20. As described above, since the solution in the liquid tank 20 is always subjected to the atmospheric pressure, the solution in the internal flow path of the liquid tank 20 moves toward the capillary tube 40 as the solution is replenished.

A cylindrical heater 56 is disposed in the inner tube 22, and the heater 56 is located immediately downstream of the discharge end 42 of the capillary tube 40 as viewed in the flow of air generated in the suction path.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inner diameter of the inner tube 22 and the inner diameter of the capillary tube 40 are denoted as D_IT、D_CTWhile, the outer diameter D of the heater 56_OIs larger than the inner diameter D of the inner pipe 22_ITIs small and is smaller than the inner diameter D of the capillary tube 40_CTOr a large diameter.

I.e. the outer diameter D_OThe following relationship is satisfied.

D_IT>D_O>D_CT(1)

The heater 56 penetrates the inner tube 22 in the diameter direction of the inner tube 22, and has an axis perpendicular to the axis of the inner tube 22. The heater 56 is supported at both ends by the outer tube 12.

Therefore, as described above, if it is considered that the capillary tube 40 is located on the axis of the inner tube 22, the discharge end 42 of the capillary tube 40 is shielded by the heater 56 when the heater 56 is viewed from the downstream end of the inner tube 22. In other words, the cross-section of the discharge end 42 can be projected completely onto the outer surface of the heater 56.

Further, as previously described, when the solution is discharged from the discharge end 42, the discharged solution forms a droplet at the discharge end 42, the maximum diameter of which is defined by the inner diameter D of the capillary 40_CTAnd (6) determining. Here, in D_MAXThe pitch Z between the discharge end 42 and the heater 56 when indicating the maximum diameter of the droplet has the following relationship.

D_MAX>Z>D_CT(2)

Therefore, when the solution is discharged from the discharge end 42, the discharged solution is reliably received and blocked at the outer surface of the heater 56.

Table 1 below shows that the solution was propylene glycol (PG: density 1.036 g/mm)²) Relative to the inner diameter D of the capillary 42_CTAnd the droplet discharge amount, discharge volume, and diameter of the suction amount of air generated by the inner tube 22.

[ Table 1]

The liquid tank 20 shown in fig. 3 has a structure different from that of the already described liquid tank. Specifically, the liquid tank 20 of fig. 3 has an internal flow path 30a extending in a zigzag shape, instead of the coiled tube 30. This means that no coiled tube 30 is necessary for the tank 20.

The structure of the heater 56 is described in detail below.

The heater 56 includes, for example, a chromel wire 58 as a resistance heat generating member, and a cylindrical case member 60 covering the chromel wire 58. In the case of this embodiment, as is clear from fig. 3, the chromel wire 58 penetrates the case member 60 three times in the axial direction of the case member 60, and has two ends projecting from the two ends of the case member 60, respectively.

As shown in fig. 4, the chromel wire 58 is connected in series with the aforementioned battery 26 via a power supply circuit 63, and the power supply circuit 63 has a switch 64. Although the power supply circuit 63 and the switch 64 are not shown in fig. 1, the power supply circuit 63 and the switch 64 are disposed on the inner surface of the outer tube 12, and the outer tube 12 has a button (not shown) for operating the switch 64 on the outer surface thereof.

The housing member 60 is formed of a ceramic such as alumina, silicon nitride, or the like, and provides an outer surface of the heater 56. Further, as is apparent from fig. 4, it is preferable that, for example, an annular groove 62 is formed in a part of the outer surface of the housing member 60, and an annular heat-resistant net 64 is held as a humidifying member in the annular groove 62. The web 64 is positioned directly opposite the discharge end 42 of the capillary tube 40, and the aforementioned spacing Z is defined as being between the discharge end 42 and the web 64.

The case element 60 described above not only protects the chrome-nickel wire 58 but also thermally connects the chrome-nickel wire 58 and the mesh 4. Specifically, when the battery 26 is in a usable state and a voltage of 1 to 1.5V is applied to the chromel wire 58, the jacket member 60 rapidly transmits heat generated from the chromel wire 58 to the outer surface of the heater 56, and has an effect of maintaining the heating temperature of the outer surface of the heater 56 within a temperature range required for atomization of the solution. That is, the chromel wire 58 and the housing member 60 provide an internal structure for maintaining the heating temperature of the outer surface of the heater 56 in the above temperature range, and therefore, the housing member 60 has a predetermined thickness and volume.

Next, the operation principle of the aerosol suction apparatus according to the embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 5 to 9. In fig. 5 to 9, the mesh 64 of the heater 56 is omitted.

Fig. 5 shows a state in which the switch 64 of the power supply circuit 63 is turned on and the aerosol suction apparatus is usable. When in this state, the heating temperature of the outer surface of the heater 56 is rapidly maintained within the required temperature range, and the relationship of the foregoing formula (2) is satisfied, and therefore, the solution in the capillary tube 40 is not atomized by the radiant heat from the heater 56. I.e. no aerosol is generated.

However, when the aerosol inhaler is drawn from the state shown in fig. 5 by the user through the mouthpiece, the solution is discharged from the discharge end 42 of the capillary tube 40 as described above. Here, since the capillary tube 40 and the heater 56 satisfy the relationship of the above-described expressions (1) and (2), the discharge solution L is reliably received and blocked at the outer surface of the heater 56 as shown in fig. 6 and 7. Here, in the case where the mesh 64 is provided on the outer surface of the heater 56 as described above, the discharged solution is received and blocked by the mesh 64, and is spread on the mesh 64.

At this time, the heating temperature of the outer surface of the heater 56 is already maintained within the aforementioned temperature range, so the discharge solution L is immediately atomized by being heated by the heater 56, thereby generating the aerosol X within the inner tube 22. Thus, the user can attract the aerosol X through the mouthpiece 14.

In addition, in the case where the heater 56 has the mesh 64, since the mesh 64 increases the wettability of the discharge solution L to the heater 56, the discharge solution L is atomized in a wide area, and the aerosol is rapidly generated.

Further, if the user stops the suction action, the discharge of the solution from the discharge end 42 of the capillary tube 40 immediately stops. As is apparent from the foregoing description, the spacing Z between the discharge end 42 and the outer surface of the heater 56 is at least greater than the inner diameter D of the capillary tube 40_CTTherefore, only if the heating temperature of the outer surface of the heater 56 is maintained in the above temperature range, the solution in the discharge end 42 is not atomized by the radiant heat from the heater 56.

Therefore, the generation of aerosol is stopped at the same time as the suction operation of the user is stopped, and the solution in the capillary 40 is not wasted.

As a result, the aerosol can be reliably sucked every time the user performs the suction operation, and the amount of the aerosol sucked by the user is determined by the strength of the suction operation of the user and the period of the suction operation.

On the other hand, even if the heating temperature of the outer surface of the heater 56 is maintained in the above temperature range, if the relationship of the above expression (2) is not satisfied, the interval Z is larger than the maximum diameter D of the droplet of the solution_MAXAnd larger, the discharged solution L is not received and blocked by the outer surface of the heater 56 and falls toward the inner surface of the inner tube 22 as shown in fig. 8. In this case, the discharge solution L is not atomized, and the user cannot attract the aerosol.

Conversely, if the spacing Z is greater than the inner diameter D of the capillary 40_CTNarrow, as shown in fig. 9, it is possible for the solution within the capillary tube 40 to be atomized by radiant heat from the heater 56. In this case, as described above, the aerosol is generated regardless of the suction operation of the user, and the solution in the liquid tank 20 is wasted.

Therefore, with the aerosol aspirator of the present embodiment, if the relationship of the expressions (1) and (2) is not satisfied and the heating temperature of the outer surface of the heater 56 is not maintained in the appropriate temperature range, the discharge solution L cannot be atomized, that is, aerosol cannot be generated, or waste of the solution cannot be avoided.

Specifically, in the case where the relation of the expressions (1) and (2) is satisfied and the solution is propylene glycol, the temperature of the outer surface of the heater 56 is required to be maintained in a temperature range of 180 to 280 ℃.

In the case of the present embodiment, the aerosol aspirator does not include a control circuit that controls the heating of the chrome-nickel wire 58. Therefore, in order to maintain the heating temperature of the outer surface of the heater 56 within the aforementioned temperature range, the thickness (volume) of the housing member 60 must be appropriately set.

Here, if the thickness of the case member 60 is thicker, the heat transfer speed from the chromel wire 58 to the outer surface of the heater 56 through the case member 60 is retarded, and on the other hand, the heat radiation amount from the case member 60 increases because the area of the outer surface of the case member 60 increases. That is, it is considered that the thicker the thickness of the outer jacket member 60 is, the lower the heating temperature of the outer surface of the heater 56 is.

In order to confirm such a decrease in the heating temperature of the outer surface of the heater 56, the inventors prepared heaters 56 having different thicknesses of only the case member 60, respectively_A～56_G. Here, the heater 56_A～56_GAccording to the thickness of the heater 56_A～56_GThe order of (a) and (b) increases with a certain increase.

FIG. 10 shows a heater 56_X(X represents any of A to G).

The heating test device comprises a heater 56_XA voltage-applying power supply circuit 66, the power supply circuit 66 including a DC power supply 68 capable of varying the applied voltage, a shunt resistor 70 (1 m.OMEGA.), and a voltmeter 72, and the heater 56_XConnected in series with shunt resistor 70.

Further, the heating test device includes a temperature sensor 74, the temperature sensor 74 being capable of measuring the heater 56_XI.e. the heater 56_XThe outer surface temperature of the outer housing part 60. Specifically, the temperature sensor 74 includes a K thermocouple.

As shown in FIG. 10, the heater 56 is provided_XWhen connected to the power supply circuit 66, a voltage from a dc power supply 68 is applied to the heater 56_XThe chrome nickel wire 58, heats up. The heat generated from the chrome nickel wire 58 moves within the case member 60, raises the temperature of the case member 60, and is radiated from the outer surface of the case member 60 to the surroundings.

As a result, the heating temperature of the outer surface of the case member 60 is determined by the difference between the amount of heat generated by the chromel wire 58 and the amount of heat radiated from the case member 60, and the temperature increase rate of the outer surface of the case member 60 is determined by the moving rate of the heat transferred in the case member 60.

In the implementation of the heater 56_XIn the heating test of (1), while the dc power supply 68 applies a voltage to the chromel wire 58 while sequentially changing the voltage applied to the chromel wire 58 within the range of 0.8V to 1.6V, the temperature sensor 74 measures the heating temperature of the outer surface of the housing member 60 for each voltage applied to the chromel wire 58. The measurement results are shown in FIG. 11.

As is clear from fig. 11, the higher the voltage applied to the chromel wire 58, the outer surface of the housing member 60 is heated by the heater 56_XThe higher the temperature.

However, in the normal use state of the battery 26, if the voltage applied to the battery 26 is 1.0V to 1.5V, only the heater 56 is used_FThe heating temperature of the outer surface of the housing member 60 can be maintained within the above temperature range (180 to 280 ℃).

This means that, as the heater 56 of the present embodiment, if the heater 56 is used_FThe aerosol suction apparatus 10 can maintain the heating temperature of the outer surface of the heater 56 within the above temperature range without the need for a control circuit for controlling the voltage applied to the chrome-nickel wire 58.

Further, as described above, if the control circuit is not required in the aerosol suction apparatus 10, the load on the battery 26 is reduced, and the aerosol suction apparatus 10 can be used for a long period of time. Further, the use of the battery 26 enables the aerosol suction apparatus 10 to be reduced in size or slimmed, and the convenience of the aerosol suction apparatus can be improved.

On the other hand, in a situation where the voltage of the battery 26 is lowered and the heating temperature of the outer surface of the heater 56 is lower than the temperature range, if the user performs the suction operation, the atomization of the solution discharged from the capillary tube 40 becomes insufficient, and there is a possibility that a part of the discharged solution adheres to the inner surface of the inner tube 22.

Further, even if the heating temperature of the outer surface of the heater 56 is maintained within the temperature range, it is considered that the generated aerosol is aggregated on the inner surface of the inner tube 22, and the solution adheres to the inner surface of the inner tube 22.

Such an adhering solution may move toward the mouthpiece 14 in accordance with the suction operation of the user and may flow into the oral cavity of the user.

However, since the absorption sleeve 48 formed of a paper tube or a paper filter is disposed between the inner tube 22 and the mouthpiece 14, even if the adhering solution moves toward the mouthpiece 14, the adhering solution can be reliably absorbed by the absorption sleeve 48, and the solution does not flow into the oral cavity of the user.

The present invention is not limited to the aerosol suction apparatus 10 of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

For example, as for the heater 56, the resistance heat generating component is not limited to a chrome nickel wire, and the cross section of the heater 56 is not limited to a circle, but may be an ellipse or a polygon.

The housing member 60 may be formed of metal, instead of the mesh 64 described above, having a roughened outer surface 66, such as that shown in fig. 12, at least where it receives the solution to resist the aforementioned discharge. For example, the rough outer surface 62 is formed by a plurality of narrow annular grooves arranged in parallel at intervals in the axial direction of the housing member 60, and such annular grooves can function to extend and expand the discharged solution in the same manner as the mesh 64 when the outer surface 66 of the housing member 60 receives the discharged solution.

Further, in the case where the outer shell member 60 and the inner tube 22 of the heater 56 are both made of the same ceramic, it is preferable that these outer shell member 60 and the inner tube 22 are formed as an integrally molded product. Thereby, the number of parts of the aerosol aspirator can be reduced.

Description of the reference numerals

12 outer tube 14 suction nozzle 18 power supply unit 20 liquid tank 22 inner tube 26 battery 40 capillary tube 42 dispensing port 48 suction sleeve (paper tube, paper filter) 50 atmosphere port 52 atmosphere open port 56 heater 58 chrome nickel wire (resistance heat generating component) 60 housing component 64 net (humidifying component)

Claims (11)

1. An aerosol aspirator, comprising:

a suction path that connects an atmosphere opening port and a suction nozzle and allows a flow of air from the atmosphere opening port toward the suction nozzle;

a solution supply device that is a solution supply device that supplies a solution that generates an aerosol, the solution supply device including,

a solution supply source that stores the solution,

a capillary tube connected to the solution supply source, having a discharge end opened toward the suction nozzle in the suction path, leading the solution from the solution supply source to the discharge end, and discharging the solution from the discharge end when the air flow occurs in the suction path;

heating means for receiving the discharged solution from the discharge end and atomizing the received discharged solution by heating, the heating means comprising,

a power supply for supplying power to the electronic device,

an electric heater which is disposed immediately downstream of a discharge end, allows the flow of the air, is opposed to the discharge end, and generates heat when a voltage of the power source is applied thereto,

a prescribed distance is left between the heater and the discharge end,

the distance is shorter than the diameter of the largest droplet formed by the surface tension of the solution at the discharge end.

2. An aerosol aspirator according to claim 1, wherein the heater is orthogonal to the axis of the suction path and extends in a direction transverse to the suction path.

3. The aerosol aspirator of claim 1, wherein the capillary tube extends on an axis of the suction path.

4. The aerosol aspirator of claim 1, wherein the distance is longer than an inner diameter of the capillary tube.

5. The aerosol aspirator of claim 1, wherein the capillary tube has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the heater.

6. An aerosol aspirator according to claim 1, wherein the discharge end is located in a position shielded by the heater when viewed from the nozzle side within the suction path.

7. An aerosol aspirator according to claim 1, wherein the heater has a non-smooth region on at least a portion of its outer surface where it receives the barrier solution.

8. The aerosol aspirator of claim 1, wherein the heater further comprises an outer surface to receive the blocking of the discharged solution and an inner structure to maintain a heating temperature of the outer surface of the heater within a prescribed temperature range required for atomization of the discharged solution using only the applied voltage and radiant heat from the outer surface.

9. The aerosol aspirator of claim 1, wherein the heater has a resistive heat generating component and a housing component surrounding the resistive heat generating component.

10. The aerosol aspirator of claim 9, wherein the heater further comprises a humidification component on an outer surface of the heater to extend the received blocked discharged solution along the outer surface.

11. The aerosol aspirator of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a commercially available battery.