WO2025110240A1 - Cartridge, aerosol generation device, and non-combustion-type inhaler - Google Patents

Abstract

This cartridge comprises: a tank capable of accommodating an aerosol source; a heating unit which is supplied with the aerosol source from the tank, and which generates an aerosol by heating the aerosol source; and an electrode unit that is electrically connected to the heating unit. The electrode unit is provided with a space portion capable of accommodating the aerosol source.

Description

Cartridge, aerosol generating device, and non-combustion inhaler

The present invention relates to a cartridge, an aerosol generating device, and a non-combustion inhaler.
This application claims priority to PCT/CN2023/133690, filed November 23, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Non-combustion inhalers that inhale an aerosol and taste a flavor have been known for some time. One such non-combustion inhaler includes, for example, a cartridge that contains an aerosol source, a main unit of an aerosol generating device that contains the cartridge in an insertable and removable manner, and a flavor source container that imparts a flavor to the aerosol atomized by the main unit.

One example of this type of device is the cartridge for a non-combustion inhaler described in Patent Document 1 below. This cartridge includes a tank capable of housing an aerosol source, a heating unit that receives the aerosol source from the tank and heats the aerosol source to generate aerosol, and an electrode unit that is electrically connected to the heating unit.

JP 2020-65536 A

The purpose of the present invention is to suppress the escape of aerosol sources.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a tank capable of accommodating an aerosol source, a heating section to which the aerosol source is supplied from the tank and which heats the aerosol source to generate an aerosol, and an electrode section electrically connected to the heating section, wherein the electrode section is provided with a space portion capable of accommodating the aerosol source.
According to this aspect, the aerosol source that has dripped from the tank or the heating unit, the aerosol source that has condensed and turned back into liquid, etc. can be contained in the space provided in the electrode unit, and thus the outflow of the aerosol source can be suppressed.

In the above cartridge, the electrode portion may have a shape that is open toward the heating portion.
According to this aspect, the aerosol source that drips from the tank and the heating section can be easily received by the electrode section.

In the above cartridge, the electrode portion may include a bottom wall portion that forms a bottom surface of the space, and a peripheral wall portion that stands upright from the bottom wall portion and forms a side surface of the space.
According to this aspect, the electrode portion has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a large volume of the space portion can be ensured.

The cartridge may further include a first fitting portion that fits with an inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion and holds the electrode portion.
According to this aspect, the first fitting portion fits into the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion, thereby sealing the inside of the electrode portion and preventing the aerosol source from overflowing from the space portion.

In the above cartridge, the first fitting portion may be formed on a protrusion having a facing surface facing the bottom wall portion with a gap therebetween.
According to this aspect, the aerosol source can be accommodated in the space surrounded by the bottom wall of the electrode part, the opposing surface of the protrusion, and the peripheral wall of the electrode part sealed by the first fitting portion.

In the above cartridge, the convex portion may be formed on a holder that supports the heating portion, the heating portion may have a lead wire that abuts the electrode portion, and the opposing surface may have a through hole that passes through the holder and through which the lead wire passes.
According to this aspect, the aerosol source that flows out through the through hole through which the lead wire of the heating unit passes can be received in the space.

In the above cartridge, a rib may be formed on the opposing surface, standing toward the bottom wall portion, and the lead wire may be sandwiched between the bottom wall portion and the rib.
According to this aspect, the lead wire can be prevented from being separated from the bottom wall portion in the space, so that power supply to the lead wire is stabilized.

In the above cartridge, a groove may be formed in the opposing surface on the opposite side of the through hole with respect to the rib, and an end of the lead wire may be inserted into the groove.
According to this aspect, the lead wire can be positioned with respect to the rib before the electrode portion is fitted to the protrusion. Also, by forming the groove, the capacity of the space portion is increased, so that a larger amount of the aerosol source can be stored in the space portion.

In the above cartridge, a second through hole penetrating the holder may be formed in the opposing surface at a position different from the through hole.
According to this aspect, when the aerosol source flows into the space portion from the through hole through which the lead wire passes, the air in the space portion can be discharged to the outside through the second through hole, making it easier for the aerosol source to flow into the space portion.

In the above cartridge, the peripheral wall portion may have a diameter increasing toward an end portion opposite the bottom wall portion.
According to this aspect, it becomes easier to insert the protrusion into the inside of the peripheral wall portion, and assembling of the electrode portion becomes easier.

The cartridge may further include a second fitting portion that fits with an outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion and holds the electrode portion.
According to this aspect, the second fitting portion fits into the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion, thereby sealing the outside of the electrode portion and preventing the aerosol source from overflowing from the space portion.

The cartridge may further include an annular groove into which the peripheral wall portion is inserted, and an outer peripheral wall of the annular groove may form the second fitting portion.
According to this aspect, the annular groove portion makes the outflow path of the aerosol source from the space portion to the outside a complicated path, thereby making it possible to suppress outflow of the aerosol source via the electrode portion.

An aerosol generating device according to one aspect of the present invention includes the cartridge described above and a power supply unit that supplies power to the heating unit of the cartridge to generate the aerosol.
According to this aspect, since the above-mentioned cartridge is provided, it is possible to prevent the power supply unit from getting wet with the aerosol source.

A non-combustion inhaler according to one aspect of the present invention includes the aerosol generating device described above and a flavor source container attached to a mouthpiece of the aerosol generating device.
According to this embodiment, a flavor can be added to the aerosol.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the escape of the aerosol source can be suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aspirator according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the aspirator according to the embodiment, seen from the bottom side. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of a suction device according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cartridge according to the embodiment, as viewed from the bottom side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cartridge according to one embodiment, as viewed from the top side. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge according to the embodiment, as viewed from the bottom side. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 4. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 4. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the holder according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a heating unit and a holder according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a holder according to one embodiment. FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the holder with the electrode portion removed according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a holder from which an electrode portion according to one embodiment has been removed; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electrode portion according to one embodiment. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XV-XV of FIG. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a modified example of the holder from which the electrode portion according to the embodiment has been removed. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a modified example of the holder according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a bottom view showing a modified example of the holder from which the electrode portion according to the embodiment has been removed. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of a holder to which an electrode portion is attached according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

The following describes a non-combustion type suction device (hereinafter simply referred to as suction device) according to one embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

[Suction device]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an aspirator 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the aspirator 1 according to an embodiment, as viewed from the bottom side. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the aspirator 1 according to an embodiment.
The inhaler 1 is a so-called non-combustion type inhaler, which obtains flavor by inhaling an aerosol atomized by heating through a flavor source.

As shown in FIG. 2, the inhaler 1 comprises a main unit 2, a cartridge 3 (also called an atomization unit), a flavor source container 4, and a mouthpiece 5. The cartridge 3 is removably housed in a cartridge housing 10 of the main unit 2. The flavor source container 4 is removably attached to a heating module 11 of the main unit 2. The mouthpiece 5 is removably attached to the flavor source container 4.

The main unit 2 includes a housing 12. The housing 12 is generally formed in the shape of a rounded, flat box. The housing 12 has a pair of main surface portions 12A and a peripheral wall portion 12B. Here, "a pair" of main surface portions 12A means that one main surface portion (first main surface portion 12A1) and the other main surface portion (second main surface portion 12A2) are arranged opposite each other, and is not limited to the meaning that the first main surface portion 12A1 and the second main surface portion 12A2 are identical in shape even in the fine details. Note that "a pair" also appears in the explanations of other parts, but is not limited to the meaning that the shapes are identical in the fine details as above.

When the housing unit 12 is imagined as a hexahedron surrounded by six rectangles, the pair of main surface portions 12A refer to the portions that form a pair of opposing faces of the hexahedron (the faces with the largest area in this embodiment). The peripheral wall portion 12B refers to the portions that form the remaining four faces of the hexahedron excluding the pair of main surface portions 12A. The peripheral wall portion 12B can also be referred to as the portion that connects the peripheries of the pair of opposing main surface portions 12A.

In the following description, of the pair of principal surfaces 12A (first principal surface 12A1, second principal surface 12A2), the side on which the first principal surface 12A1 is arranged is referred to as the front side, and the side on which the second principal surface 12A2 is arranged is referred to as the rear side. In addition, in a plan view, the side on which the heating module 11 is arranged is referred to as the left side, and the side on which the input device 15 (see FIG. 1) is arranged is referred to as the right side. The side from which the heating module 11 protrudes is referred to as the upper side, and the opposite side is referred to as the lower side.

In addition, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system may be set in the drawings, and the positional relationships of each component may be explained with reference to this XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. The X-axis direction is the front-to-back direction of the aspirator 1 (also called the thickness direction), the Y-axis direction is the left-to-right direction of the aspirator 1 (also called the width direction), and the Z-axis direction is the up-to-down direction of the aspirator 1 (also called the height direction).

Furthermore, the positional relationship of each component may be described based on the main axis O of the cartridge 3 and cartridge storage section 10. The main axis O is the central axis of the cylindrical cartridge 3 and cartridge storage section 10. The direction in which the main axis O extends may be referred to as the axial direction (the Z-axis direction described above), the direction perpendicular to the main axis O may be referred to as the radial direction, and the direction going around the main axis O may be referred to as the circumferential direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 12 includes an outer case 13, a display cover 14, and an inner case 20. The outer case 13 is formed by combining a first case 13A and a second case 13B. The first case 13A has a first main surface 12A1 and a first peripheral wall 12B1 provided on the periphery of the first main surface 12A1. The second case 13B has a second main surface 12A2 and a second peripheral wall 12B2 provided on the periphery of the second main surface 12A2.

The first peripheral wall portion 12B1 of the first case 13A, the second peripheral wall portion 12B2 of the second case 13B, the display cover 14, and the inner case 20 form the peripheral wall portion 12B. The peripheral wall portion 12B has a mating surface between the first peripheral wall portion 12B1 of the first case 13A and the second peripheral wall portion 12B2 of the second case 13B.

The peripheral wall portion 12B has four corners 12C (corner portions). The four corners 12C include a first corner 12C1 where the heating module 11 is located, a second corner 12C2 where the opening of the cartridge storage portion 10 (see FIG. 2) is located, a third corner 12C3 where the charging terminal 21 (see FIG. 2) is located, and a fourth corner 12C4 where the input device 15 (see FIG. 1) is located.

As shown in FIG. 1, the display cover 14 is provided from the heating module 11 arranged at the first corner 12C1 to the fourth corner 12C4. The display cover 14 has a through hole in which the input device 15 (push button) is arranged. The outer surface of the display cover 14 is lower than the outer surface of the outer case 13. In other words, the input device 15 is arranged in a recess.

The input device 15 may be located at a position below the outer surface of the outer case 13. In other words, it is sufficient that at least a part of the input device 15 is located at a position below the outer surface of the outer case 13. It is preferable that the entire input device 15 is located at a position below the outer surface of the outer case 13. In other words, it is preferable that the contact detection part (button surface) of the input device 15 is located at a position that does not reach the outer surface of the outer case 13.

As shown in FIG. 2, an opening of the cartridge storage section 10 is provided at the second corner 12C2. The opening of the cartridge storage section 10 can be opened and closed by a cartridge storage lid 50 provided at the bottom of the housing section 12 (inner case 20). A charging terminal 21 is provided at the third corner 12C3.

As shown in FIG. 1, a window 16 is provided between the first corner 12C1 and the second corner 12C2 of the peripheral wall 12B. The window 16 allows the remaining amount of liquid in the aerosol source of the cartridge 3 housed inside the cartridge housing 10 to be confirmed. The window 16 is formed by an opening 13a provided in the outer case 13 and a cover member 17 that covers the opening 13a. A first air inlet 18A that takes in air (outside air) into the housing 12 is provided in the gap between the opening 13a and the cover member 17.

The first air inlet 18A takes in air into the cartridge storage section 10 from the window section 16 between adjacent corners 12C (in this embodiment, the first corner 12C1 and the second corner 12C2) of the peripheral wall section 12B. The first air inlet 18A is the entrance to the first air flow path 70 that takes in outside air when the user inhales. The first air inlet 18A is formed in a ring shape along the edge of the opening 13a of the outer case 13.

The size of the first air inlet 18A should be such that it is not completely blocked by the user's fingers. For example, the dimension of the first air inlet 18A in the main axis direction (Z axis direction) should be equal to or greater than the average width of the first knuckle of the thumb of an average adult (e.g., 2.0 cm or more). In addition, the distance in the X axis direction between the two slits that extend parallel to the main axis direction of the first air inlet 18A may be equal to or greater than the average width of the first knuckle of the thumb of an average adult.

The first air inlet 18A may be just one or two slits extending parallel to the main axis direction, so long as it is large enough not to be blocked by the user's fingers. In other words, the first air inlet 18A may be formed in a slit shape along the edge of the opening 13a of the outer case 13.

A communication hole 17a is formed in the cover member 17. The communication hole 17a provides fluid communication between the first air inlet 18A and the interior of the cartridge storage section 10. The communication hole 17a is located where the cover member 17 and the outer case 13 overlap. In other words, the communication hole 17a is located inside the outer case 13 and is covered by the outer case 13. Therefore, the communication hole 17a cannot be seen from outside the outer case 13. Furthermore, the communication hole 17a cannot be directly blocked with a finger unless the outer case 13 is removed.

The outer case 13 has an exposed portion 13b that exposes a portion of the inner case 20 at the second corner 12C2. A second air inlet 18B that takes in air (outside air) into the housing 12 is provided in the gap between the inner case 20 and the outer case 13 at the exposed portion 13b.

The second air inlet 18B takes in air from the second corner 12C2 of the peripheral wall portion 12B into the inside of the cartridge storage portion 10. The second air inlet 18B is formed in the gap between the inner case 20 and the outer case 13 at the exposed portion 13b. The second air inlet 18B opens facing the -Z side. In other words, the second air inlet 18B is located in a different position from the first air inlet 18A, and the opening direction of the second air inlet 18B is 90° different from that of the first air inlet 18A, which faces the -Y side.

The housing 12 has a protrusion 90 around the second air inlet 18B. The protrusion 90 is formed by the outer case 13. The protrusion 90 is formed by a step between the inner case 20 and the outer case 13. In other words, even if a user's finger touches the periphery of the second air inlet 18B, the protrusion 90 (outer case 13) around the exposed portion 13b becomes a step, forming a gap between the user's finger and the protrusion 90, making it difficult for the second air inlet 18B to become blocked. Note that the protrusion 90 is not limited to the outer case 13, and may be formed by making a part of the inner case 20 protrude.

The housing 12 has a first air flow path 70 that connects the first air inlet 18A and the communication hole 17a, and a second air flow path 80 that connects the second air inlet 18B and the communication hole 17a. The first air flow path 70 is a gap between the outer case 13 and the cover member 17, and is formed in a ring shape along the edge of the opening 13a. The second air flow path 80 is a gap between the outer case 13 and the inner case 20, and extends from the exposed portion 13b of the second corner 12C2 to the +Z side, passing through a part of the first air flow path 70 to the communication hole 17a.

The first air flow path 70 has a shorter flow path length to the communication hole 17a than the second air flow path 80. In other words, the first air flow path 70 has a smaller air flow resistance than the second air flow path 80. Therefore, more air flows through the first air flow path 70 than through the second air flow path 80. For this reason, in normal use, the first air inlet 18A is the main air inlet, and the second air inlet 18B is the secondary air inlet when the first air inlet 18A is blocked.

The communication hole 17a has a smaller flow path cross-sectional area than either the first air inlet 18A or the second air inlet 18B. Therefore, even if either the first air inlet 18A or the second air inlet 18B is blocked, the flow path cross-sectional area is ultimately narrowed at the communication hole 17a, so the flow rate and flow speed of the air sucked into the cartridge storage space 10A can be kept almost constant. In other words, the communication hole 17a functions as an air resistance rate-controlling part.

<Flavor source container>
The flavor source container 4 (also called a tobacco capsule) shown in Fig. 2 contains a flavor source and adds flavor to the aerosol atomized by the cartridge 3. As the raw material pieces constituting the flavor source, cut tobacco or a molded product formed by forming tobacco raw material into particles can be used. The flavor source may also be composed of plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint, Chinese medicine, herbs, etc.). The flavor source may also be imparted with a flavoring such as menthol. Furthermore, the flavor source may be a flavoring supported on a plant-derived support (such as cellulose) or other support (including an inorganic support).

The flavor source container 4 has a flavor source storage chamber that stores the flavor source, and a filter and fine holes that allow the aerosol to pass through to the flavor source storage chamber. The flavor source container 4 is attached to the mouthpiece 11a provided on the heating module 11 of the main unit 2. The top of the flavor source container 4 protrudes from the heating module 11, and the mouthpiece 5 is attached to this protruding part.

<Mouthpiece>
The mouthpiece 5 is a cylindrical member that the user holds in his/her mouth. The mouthpiece 5 is, for example, a soft resin molded body made of a resin material such as silicone resin at the portion that the user holds in his/her mouth, and a hard resin molded body made of a resin material such as polypropylene resin at the portion that is attached to the top of the flavor source container 4. The attachment of the mouthpiece 5 to the flavor source container 4 is optional, and the top of the flavor source container 4 may be held directly in the mouth when in use.

<Main unit>
As shown in FIG. 3, the main unit 2 includes a heating module 11, an input device 15, a charging terminal 21, a power supply unit 22, a main board 23, a display device 24, a light source 25, a sensor 26, and a cartridge storage lid 50.

The housing 12 of the main unit 2 is a hard resin molded body made of a resin material such as polycarbonate resin or ABS resin. Inside the housing 12, a cartridge storage section 10 that stores the cartridge 3 is provided. The cartridge storage section 10 forms a cylindrical space extending in the Z-axis direction.

A cartridge abutment portion 27 is disposed at the opening on the axially upper side (+Z side) of the cartridge storage portion 10. The cartridge abutment portion 27 is an elastic body formed from a resin material such as silicone resin. A communication hole 27a is formed in the cartridge abutment portion 27, which connects the top of the cartridge 3 with the bottom of the flavor source container 4.

The heating module 11 includes a heater section 11b that heats the flavor source container 4. The heater section 11b includes, for example, a pipe member into which the flavor source container 4 is inserted, and a film heater wrapped cylindrically around the outer periphery of the pipe member. The heater section 11b is electrically connected to the main board 23.

The input device 15 is, for example, a push button. The input device 15 is electrically connected to the main board 23. The input device may be a touch panel. In other words, the input device 15 may be any type of contact detection unit.

The power supply unit 22 is disposed on the +Y side of the cartridge storage section 10. The power supply unit 22 is electrically connected to the main board 23. The power supply unit 22 is, for example, a storage battery (secondary battery), and can be charged via a charging terminal 21 provided on the main board 23. Note that the power supply unit 22 is not limited to a secondary battery that can be charged and discharged, and may be a supercapacitor or the like. The power supply unit 22 may also be a primary battery. Note that if the power supply unit 22 is a primary battery, the charging terminal 21 is not necessary.

The main board 23 is disposed on the +Y side of the power supply unit 22. The main board 23 has a plate shape extending along the X-Z plane. The charging terminal 21 is mounted on the lower end of the main board 23. The main board 23 is connected to various electronic components directly or indirectly via wiring or a flexible printed circuit board (not shown).

Here, the "main board" refers to the largest board housed inside the housing 12. The main board 23 is larger than the switch board of the input device 15 and the display board of the display device 24. If only one board is housed inside the housing 12, that board is the "main board". If two boards of the same size are housed inside the housing 12, the board on which the electronic control calculation unit such as a CPU or microcomputer is mounted is considered to be the "main board".

The display device 24 is disposed below (on the -Z side) of the display cover 14. The display cover 14 is translucent, allowing the display surface of the display device 24 to be confirmed. The display device 24 is, for example, an organic EL display or a liquid crystal display. The display device 24 is electrically connected to the main board 23.

The light source 25 is disposed opposite the cover member 17 in the Y-axis direction, sandwiching the cartridge storage section 10 between them. The light source 25 is, for example, an LED light. The cover member 17 is translucent, and the liquid level of the aerosol source inside the cartridge 3 illuminated by the light source 25 can be confirmed. The light source 25 is electrically connected to the main board 23.

The sensor 26 is disposed on the +Y side of the cartridge storage section 10. The sensor 26 is a so-called puff sensor that detects the user's inhalation. Examples of the sensor 26 include a pressure sensor that detects pressure, an airflow sensor that detects air flow, and a temperature sensor that detects temperature. In this embodiment, the side of the sensor 26 facing the cartridge storage section 10 is the detection section. The detection section detects, for example, the behavior of a diaphragm that deforms in response to pressure fluctuations as a change in capacitance.

The cartridge storage lid 50 opens and closes the cartridge storage section 10 provided at the bottom of the housing section 12. The cartridge storage lid 50 is attached to the housing section 12 in a pivot (hinge) manner. The cartridge storage lid 50 is provided with a plurality of protruding electrodes 51. The protruding electrodes 51 are inserted into the cartridge storage section 10 when the cartridge storage lid 50 is closed. The plurality of protruding electrodes 51 are electrically connected to the main board 23.

The tip of the protruding electrode 51 is biased toward the +Z side by a spring member housed inside the protruding electrode 51, and is freely displaceable in the Z-axis direction. In other words, the tip of the protruding electrode 51 extends toward the cartridge 3, and displaces toward the -Z side when the cartridge 3 is inserted. Even in this state, the tip of the protruding electrode 51 is biased toward the +Z side, ensuring contact with the cartridge 3.

There are three protruding electrodes 51 (the one located at the back is not shown) so that there is no need to align them with the two electrode portions 6A, 6B of the cartridge 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the two electrode portions 6A, 6B of the cartridge 3 are each formed in a semicircular area that divides the bottom surface of the cartridge 3 into two. In contrast, the protruding electrodes 51 are arranged at positions corresponding to the three vertices of an equilateral triangle, spaced 120° apart. This ensures that at least two of the three protruding electrodes 51 come into contact with the two electrode portions 6A, 6B. This ensures that electricity flows through the cartridge 3.

<Cartridge>
The cartridge 3 stores the liquid aerosol source and atomizes the liquid aerosol source. The cartridge 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is accommodated inside the housing 12 through a cartridge accommodating section 10 provided at the bottom of the housing 12.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cartridge 3 according to an embodiment as viewed from the bottom side. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the cartridge 3 according to an embodiment as viewed from the top side. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge 3 according to an embodiment as viewed from the bottom side. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII shown in Fig. 4.
As shown in FIG. 6 , the cartridge 3 includes electrode units 6 A, 6 B, a tank 100 , a gasket 200 , a heating unit 300 , and a holder 400 .

The tank 100 stores the aerosol source. The tank 100 is a hard resin molded body made of a resin material such as polycarbonate resin. The tank 100 is translucent, and allows the remaining amount of liquid in the aerosol source to be confirmed. Here, "translucent" refers to a material that transmits light and has an extremely high transmittance, allowing the other side to be seen through the material, and also includes a material that transmits light like "transparent", but unlike "transparent", the shape of the other side cannot be clearly recognized through the material because the transmitted light is diffused or has a low transmittance. In other words, even frosted glass or milky white plastic has translucency. The gasket 200, the heating unit 300, and the holder 400 do not have translucency, but some or all of them may have translucency. If the remaining amount of liquid in the aerosol source is not to be confirmed, the tank 100 does not need to have translucency.

The tank 100 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top. As shown in FIG. 7, the tank 100 includes a peripheral wall portion 110, a top wall portion 120, a flow passage pipe portion 130, and a rib 140. The peripheral wall portion 110 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the main axis O as the central axis. The upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion 110 is connected to the peripheral edge portion of the top wall portion 120. Note that the peripheral wall portion 110, the top wall portion 120, the flow passage pipe portion 130, and the rib 140 are integrally molded into a single part, but some or all of these may be separate parts. For example, the flow passage pipe portion 130 is integrally molded with the tank 100, but may be a separate part from the tank 100. Also, the flow passage pipe portion 130 may be integrally molded with the gasket 200 or the holder 400.

The top wall portion 120 is formed in a disk shape with the main axis O as the central axis, and closes the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 110. The first opening 131 of the flow passage pipe portion 130 opens in the center of the top wall portion 120. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of bottomed cylindrical depressions 121 are formed around the first opening 131 on the upper surface of the top wall portion 120. The depressions 121 correspond to the resin injection holes used during injection molding of the tank 100.

As shown in FIG. 7, the flow passage pipe section 130 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the main axis O as its central axis, and is suspended downward (to the -Z side) from the lower surface of the top wall section 120. As described above, a first opening 131 is formed at the upper end of the flow passage pipe section 130. In addition, a second opening 132 is formed at the lower end of the flow passage pipe section 130. The second opening 132 is positioned directly above the heating section 300 and opens toward the heating section 300.

The flow path pipe section 130 guides the aerosol generated in the heating section 300 to the outside. The aerosol generated in the heating section 300 is introduced into the flow path pipe section 130 from the second opening 132, passes through the flow path pipe section 130, and is guided to the outside of the cartridge 3 from the first opening 131. The aerosol leaving the first opening 131 passes through the communication hole 27a of the cartridge abutment section 27 shown in FIG. 3, and then passes through the flavor source container 4, and is carried to the user's mouth. In other words, the "outside" of the cartridge 3 here refers to the outside of the outlet side of the aerosol flow when the user inhales (puffs), and not the outside of the inlet side where outside air (air) is taken in.

The ribs 140 extend radially from the flow passage pipe section 130 and connect the outer peripheral surface of the flow passage pipe section 130 to the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall section 110. The upper end of the rib 140 is connected to the lower surface of the top wall section 120. In other words, the rib 140 is connected to three surfaces: the outer peripheral surface of the flow passage pipe section 130, the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall section 110, and the lower surface of the top wall section 120. In this embodiment, three ribs 140 are formed around the flow passage pipe section 130 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The lower end 142 of the rib 140 abuts against the top surface 211 of the gasket 200 as shown in FIG. 7. This positions the gasket 200 in the Z-axis direction relative to the tank 100.

As shown in FIG. 7, the peripheral wall portion 110 of the tank 100 extends downward (to the -Z side) beyond the lower end of the flow passage pipe portion 130. Two engagement holes 111 are formed near the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 110. The two engagement holes 111 are for fixing the holder 400 to the tank 100. The two engagement holes 111 are arranged opposite each other on either side of the peripheral wall portion 110, sandwiching the main axis O.

The gasket 200 is a cylindrical member that covers the bottom side of the annular space (liquid storage chamber 101) formed between the peripheral wall portion 110 and the flow path pipe portion 130 of the tank 100. The gasket 200 is formed from an elastic member, for example a resin material such as silicone resin. The gasket 200 fits inside the tank 100 to form the liquid storage chamber 101 inside the tank 100. The liquid storage chamber 101 stores an aerosol source of liquid.

The gasket 200 has an insertion hole 201 that axially penetrates the center of the top surface 211 and into which the flow passage pipe section 130 is inserted. The inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 201 has a plurality of annular protrusions 202 that seal the gap with the flow passage pipe section 130. A heating chamber 200A that communicates with the lower end of the insertion hole 201 is formed on the inside of the lower part of the gasket 200. The flow passage pipe section 130 and the heating chamber 200A are communicated by inserting the flow passage pipe section 130 into the insertion hole 201. The lower end (second opening 132) of the flow passage pipe section 130 protrudes downward (into the heating chamber 200A) from the insertion hole 201, but it does not have to protrude.

The gasket 200 comprises a first cylindrical portion 210, a second cylindrical portion 220, and a third cylindrical portion 230. The first cylindrical portion 210, the second cylindrical portion 220, and the third cylindrical portion 230 are connected in this order from top to bottom. The first cylindrical portion 210 forms the top surface 211 of the gasket 200. The portion of the first cylindrical portion 210 that abuts against the lower end 142 of the rib 140 has an outer diameter that allows the portion to abut against the lower end 142 in the radial direction. The second cylindrical portion 220 is connected to the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 210. The second cylindrical portion 220 has a circumferential surface that is approximately truncated cone-shaped and has an outer diameter that increases downward.

The third cylindrical portion 230 is connected to the lower end of the second cylindrical portion 220. The third cylindrical portion 230 has a peripheral surface with an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the tank peripheral wall portion 110. A sealing cylindrical portion 231 is formed at the lower end of the third cylindrical portion 230. A plurality of annular sealing protrusions 232 that protrude radially outward are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the sealing cylindrical portion 231. The sealing protrusions 232 abut against the inner peripheral surface of the tank peripheral wall portion 110 and seal the gap between the tank 100 and the gasket 200.

The gasket 200 has multiple flat surfaces to prevent air from accumulating in narrow gaps in the liquid storage chamber 101 and impeding the supply of the aerosol source to the heating section 300 (wick 310). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, a first flat surface 203, a second flat surface 204, and a third flat surface 205 are formed on the outer periphery of the gasket 200. The first flat surface 203 is a plane parallel to the X-Z plane, and extends from the upper end of the first cylindrical section 210 to near the lower end of the second cylindrical section 220.

The second flat portion 204 is connected to the lower end of the first flat portion 203. The second flat portion 204 is a plane inclined with respect to the X-Z plane, and is formed near the lower end of the second cylindrical portion 220. The second flat portion 204 is inclined so that the lower end is farther away from the main axis O than the upper end. The third flat portion 205 is connected to the lower end of the second flat portion 204. The third flat portion 205 is a plane parallel to the X-Z plane, and extends from near the lower end of the second cylindrical portion 220 to the third cylindrical portion 230.

A through hole is formed on the underside of the third flat portion 205, penetrating the third tubular portion 230 in the Y-axis direction. The through hole forms a space for inserting the heating portion 300 into the heating chamber 200A inside the gasket 200. The first flat portion 203, the second flat portion 204, the third flat portion 205, and the through hole are formed in the gasket 200 in pairs symmetrically in the Y-axis direction.

As shown in FIG. 6, the heating unit 300 includes a wick 310 and a heater wire 320. The wick 310 is a porous, liquid-absorbent, and generally cylindrical member. The wick 310 is made of bundled fibers such as cotton fibers or glass fibers, and has a capillary structure. The wick 310 may be an elastic sponge body, a woven fiber mesh or string body, a porous sintered body, or the like, as long as it has a capillary structure.

As shown in FIG. 8, the wick 310 extends in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the main axis O. One end 311 and the other end 312 of the wick 310 in the Y-axis direction are inserted into the liquid storage chamber 101 via the through holes of the gasket 200. This causes the aerosol source in the liquid storage chamber 101 to be sucked up into the wick 310 from the one end 311 and the other end 312 of the wick 310. Note that the one end 311 and the other end 312 of the wick 310 include the end face in the Y-axis direction and the outer peripheral surface around the end face.

Note that one end 311 and the other end 312 of the wick 310 are thicker and have a larger surface area than the other parts, but this is because they are not constrained by the heater wire 320 or the first fixing part 501 and second fixing part 502 described below. In other words, the wick 310 is elastically compressed by the heater wire 320, the first fixing part 501, and the second fixing part 502, and the other parts are restored and deformed.

The heater wire 320 heats the aerosol source sucked up by the wick 310 to generate an aerosol. The heater wire 320 is, for example, a nichrome wire, and has a heating portion 321 wound in a spiral shape around the wick 310. As shown in FIG. 7, lead wires 322A, 322B at one end and the other end of the heater wire 320 extend from both ends of the heating portion 321 along the axial direction toward the holder 400.

The lead wires 322A and 322B of the heater wire 320 are electrically connected to the two electrode portions 6A and 6B that fit into the holder 400. When electricity is applied to the heater wire 320 via the two electrode portions 6A and 6B, the wick 310 is heated. When the wick 310 is heated, the aerosol source absorbed in the wick 310 is atomized.

The holder 400 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. The holder 400 is a hard resin molded body made of a resin material such as polycarbonate resin. The holder 400 includes a base portion 410 that forms the bottom of the cartridge 3, and an outer cylinder portion 420 and an inner cylinder portion 430 that stand on the base portion 410. The base portion 410 is formed in a disk shape with the main axis O as its central axis. The outer cylinder portion 420 and the inner cylinder portion 430 are formed in a cylindrical shape with the main axis O as its central axis.

Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the holder 400 according to an embodiment. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the heating unit 300 and the holder 400 according to an embodiment. Fig. 11 is a plan view of the holder 400 according to an embodiment.
9, two annular grooves 470 into which the two electrode portions 6A, 6B fit are formed on the lower surface 410a of the base portion 410. Each of the two electrode portions 6A, 6B has a shape having two straight lines extending parallel to the Y-axis direction and two arcs connecting both ends of the two straight lines when viewed from the bottom.

As shown in FIG. 9, the two electrode portions 6A, 6B are arranged in a pair in the X-axis direction with the main axis O in between. Furthermore, a pair of recesses 412 are formed in the lower surface 410a of the base portion 410 in the Y-axis direction with the main axis O in between. The recesses 412 correspond to the resin injection holes used during injection molding of the holder 400. Furthermore, three engagement recesses 413 are formed in the lower surface 410a of the base portion 410 along the outer periphery of the base portion 410. The three engagement recesses 413 are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction (at 120° intervals in the circumferential direction).

The engagement recesses 413 open on two surfaces, the lower surface 410a and the outer peripheral surface 410b of the base portion 410. The engagement recesses 413 are formed in a tapered shape such that the circumferential width of the engagement recesses 413 gradually increases toward the lower surface 410a of the base portion 410. Into the three engagement recesses 413 thus formed, for example, the vertical engagement protrusions of the aerosol generating device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-65538 are inserted. In other words, the cartridge 3 of this embodiment is compatible with cartridges of other aerosol generating devices.

A vertical groove 415 extending in the Z-axis direction is formed in one of the three engagement recesses 413. The vertical groove 415 opens to the lower surface 410a of the base portion 410 and is formed deeper radially inward than the engagement recess 413. The upper end of the vertical groove 415 communicates with the bottom surface of a horizontal groove 414 extending radially inward from the outer peripheral surface 410b of the base portion 410. As shown in FIG. 7, the horizontal grooves 414 are formed in a pair in the X-axis direction so as to communicate with the lower surface sides of both ends of the air passage 416 that penetrates the base portion 410 in the X-axis direction.

As shown in FIG. 7, the outer cylinder portion 420, the inner cylinder portion 430, and the upper side of the horizontal groove 414 of the base portion 410 are inserted inside the peripheral wall portion 110 of the tank 100. The base portion 410 has two engagement pieces 401 protruding radially outward, which engage with two engagement holes 111 in the peripheral wall portion 110 of the tank 100.

The sealing tube portion 231 of the gasket 200 is fitted onto the outer tube portion 420. The outer tube portion 420 supports the radially inner side of the sealing tube portion 231, and prevents the sealing protrusion 232 of the sealing tube portion 231 from moving away from the peripheral wall portion 110 of the tank 100. In other words, the outer tube portion 420 improves the adhesion of the sealing protrusion 232 to the peripheral wall portion 110 of the tank 100.

As shown in FIG. 6, the lower end of the peripheral wall 110 of the tank 100 is formed with positioning recesses 112 for positioning the holder 400 in the circumferential direction. The positioning recesses 112 are cutouts recessed toward the +Z side, and are arranged in a pair facing each other across the main axis O. In contrast, the holder 400 is formed with positioning protrusions 402 that are inserted axially into the positioning recesses 112. The positioning protrusions 402 have a shape, size, number, and arrangement that correspond to the positioning recesses 112.

As shown in FIG. 10, the positioning protrusion 402 is formed on a step 410c recessed radially inward from the outer circumferential surface 410b of the base portion 410. The lower end of the peripheral wall portion 110 of the tank 100 abuts against the step 410c in the axial direction. When the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 110 of the tank 100 abuts against the step 410c, the positioning protrusion 402 is inserted into the positioning recess 112, and the engagement piece 401 engages with the engagement hole 111, so that the holder 400 is assembled to the tank 100 in a state where it is positioned axially, radially, and circumferentially. A gasket 200 and a heating portion 300 are assembled between the tank 100 and the holder 400.

As shown in FIG. 7, the inner cylinder 430 is fitted into the heating chamber 200A of the gasket 200. This allows communication between the space inside the inner cylinder 430 and the heating chamber 200A. An aerosol source holder 440 (described later) is formed between the inner cylinder 430 and the outer cylinder 420. The aerosol source holder 440 is an annular space surrounding the heating chamber 200A in a plan view, and the upper part is closed by the gasket 200. The aerosol source holder 440 is partially connected to the heating chamber 200A via an air vent groove 431. The air vent groove 431 extends from the upper end surface of the inner cylinder 430 to the middle part in the height direction of the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 430.

The underside of the holder 400 is exposed from the tank 100. The underside of the holder 400 has approximately the same outer diameter as the peripheral wall portion 110 of the tank 100. In addition, two lateral grooves 414 recessed radially inward are formed on the underside of the holder 400. The two lateral grooves 414 are arranged opposite each other across the main axis O. The two lateral grooves 414 communicate with the bottom surfaces of both ends of an air passage 416 arranged radially inward of the peripheral wall portion 110 of the tank 100. A number of communication holes 417 are formed in the ceiling surface of the middle part of the air passage 416 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) in the Z-axis direction, which communicate with the inside of the inner tube portion 430 (heating chamber 200A).

In other words, when the user puffs (inhales), the heating chamber 200A becomes negative pressure via the flow path pipe section 130, and outside air is introduced into the air passage 416 from the vertical groove 415 and horizontal groove 414, and/or the horizontal groove 414. The air introduced into the air passage 416 is introduced into the heating chamber 200A from the communication hole 417 in the middle of the passage, and carrying the aerosol generated in the heating chamber 200A, passes through the flow path pipe section 130 and the communication hole 27a of the cartridge abutment section 27 shown in FIG. 3, and further passes through the flavor source container 4, and is carried to the user's mouth. Note that puffing is possible as long as there is at least the horizontal groove 414, and the vertical groove 415 is formed so that the sensor 26 can detect the puff.

As shown in FIG. 10, the holder 400 includes an inner cylinder portion 430 that supports the heating portion 300, and an outer cylinder portion 420 that supports the heating portion 300 outside the inner cylinder portion 430. As shown in FIG. 11, the inner cylinder portion 430 is formed into a rectangular cylinder in a plan view. The outer cylinder portion 420 is formed into a circular cylinder in a plan view.

The inner cylinder portion 430 is provided with a number of communication holes 417 that communicate with the air passage 416 shown in FIG. 7, and a pair of through holes 418 that guide the lead wires 322A, 322B of the heater wire 320 to the electrode portions 6A, 6B. The communication holes 417 are formed in two rows along the X-axis direction in which the air passage 416 extends. The through holes 418 are formed in pairs on the inside of two of the four inner corners of the inner cylinder portion 430 that are located diagonally opposite each other.

At the upper end of the inner tube portion 430, a pair of support surfaces 432 that support the heating portion 300 are formed in the Y-axis direction, sandwiching the main axis O. The support surfaces 432 are formed in a semicircular arc shape in side view, convex downward. The upper end of the inner tube portion 430 is raised upward relative to the lowest point of the support surface 432 on both sides of the support surface 432. At the lowest point of the support surface 432, a groove 433 is formed that extends linearly in the Y-axis direction. For example, a part of the wick 310 fits into the groove 433, regulating the displacement of the heating portion 300 around the Y-axis. The groove 433 also functions as a gas-liquid exchange groove that introduces air into the tank 100 when an aerosol source is supplied from the tank 100 to the wick 310. In addition, the above-mentioned air vent grooves 431 are formed in a pair on the upper end surface and outer circumferential surface of the wall portions facing each other in the X-axis direction of the inner cylinder portion 430, in a point-symmetrical positional relationship on either side of the main axis O.

Furthermore, at the upper end of the outer tube portion 420, a pair of support surfaces 421 that support the heating portion 300 are formed in the Y-axis direction, sandwiching the main axis O. The support surfaces 421 are formed in a semicircular arc shape in side view, convex downward. The upper end of the outer tube portion 420 is protruded upward relatively to the support surface 421 on both sides of the support surface 421. As shown in FIG. 11, the support surface 421 of the outer tube portion 420 is wider in the X-axis direction than the support surface 432 of the inner tube portion 430. In other words, the support surface 421 of the outer tube portion 420 has a larger radius of curvature (smaller curvature) than the support surface 432 of the inner tube portion 430. Furthermore, the support surface 421 of the outer tube portion 420 has a larger support area than the support surface 432 of the inner tube portion 430. In other words, the support surface 421 of the outer cylinder 420 supports the heating unit 300 (wick 310) more loosely than the support surface 432 of the inner cylinder 430.

Between the inner cylinder 430 and the outer cylinder 420, an aerosol source holding section 440 (sub-reserve tank) capable of containing an aerosol source is formed. The aerosol source holding section 440 forms an annular space in a plan view as shown in FIG. 11, and has a communication section 441 (opening) on the upper side (see FIG. 8). The bottom of the aerosol source holding section 440 is formed with a first bottom surface 442, a second bottom surface 443 that is deeper than the first bottom surface 442, and a third bottom surface 444 that is shallower than the first bottom surface 442.

The first bottom surface 442 is a reference surface for the bottom surface of the aerosol source holding unit 440. The second bottom surface 443 is provided in a pair on the bottom of the aerosol source holding unit 440, sandwiching the main axis O in the Y-axis direction. The second bottom surface 443 is disposed between the support surface 421 of the outer cylinder 420 and the support surface 432 of the inner cylinder 430 in a plan view. The second bottom surface 443 is the bottom surface of an inverted truncated cone depression whose inner diameter decreases from the first bottom surface 442 downward. The center of the second bottom surface 443 is disposed closer to the support surface 421 of the outer cylinder 420 than the support surface 432 of the inner cylinder 430 in a plan view, and the second bottom surface 443 extends to the lower end of the aerosol source guiding unit 450.

The third bottom surface 444 is provided in a pair on the bottom of the aerosol source holding portion 440, sandwiching the main axis O in the X-axis direction. The third bottom surface 444 is provided along the X-axis direction in which the air passage 416 extends. In other words, the third bottom surface 444 is formed in a portion that protrudes relatively higher than the first bottom surface 442 in order to ensure the volume of the air passage 416 and ensure the thickness of the ceiling of the air passage 416. The air vent groove 431 is formed to be located above the third bottom surface 444.

An aerosol source guiding section 450 is formed on the inner wall surface of the outer tube section 420. As shown in FIG. 8, the aerosol source guiding section 450 in this embodiment is a groove section that guides the aerosol source supplied to the heating section 300 to the aerosol source holding section 440. Note that the aerosol source guiding section 450 may be something other than a groove section as long as it can guide the aerosol source supplied to the heating section 300 to the aerosol source holding section 440.

The aerosol source induction unit 450 may have, for example, a capillary structure similar to that of the wick 310 at a position corresponding to the groove, a surface treatment that makes the aerosol source less water-repellent (more lyophilic) to the aerosol source, or a structure that combines all or part of the groove, capillary structure, and surface treatment. In addition, "induction" means that the aerosol source can be drawn into the aerosol source holding unit 440 without the aerosol source naturally dripping from the heating unit 300 (wick 310).

As shown in FIG. 8, the heating unit 300 is fixed by a first fixing part 501 and a second fixing part 502. The first fixing part 501 fixes the wick 310 parts on both sides of the heat generating part 321 of the heating unit 300. The second fixing part 502 fixes the wick 310 parts at a position farther away from the heat generating part 321 of the heating unit 300 than the first fixing part 501. The first fixing part 501 includes the inner tube part 430 of the holder 400 and the lower surface part 206 of the gasket 200. In addition, the second fixing part 502 includes a pair of clamping pieces of the gasket 200.

The lower surface 206 of the gasket 200 is not present directly above the support surface 421 of the outer tube 420, and a space S that communicates with the liquid storage chamber 101 is formed. The lower surface 206 of the gasket 200 is disposed in a position that faces at least the support surface 432 of the inner tube 430 in the Z-axis direction. The wick 310 is compressed more at the first fixing portion 501 than at the second fixing portion 502. In other words, the compression rate of the wick 310 is higher at the first fixing portion 501 than at the second fixing portion 502. Note that the "compression rate" referred to here can be defined, for example, as the ratio of the cross-sectional area after compression based on the cross-sectional area of the normal outer shape of the wick 310.

Next, we will explain the electrode parts 6A and 6B and their surrounding structure.

Fig. 12 is a bottom view of the holder 400 from which the electrode units 6A and 6B according to one embodiment have been removed. Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the holder 400 from which the electrode unit 6B according to one embodiment has been removed. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the electrode unit 6B according to one embodiment. Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XV-XV shown in Fig. 9.
15, the electrode unit 6B is provided with a space 7 capable of accommodating an aerosol source. The electrode unit 6A is also provided with a space 7 similar to that of the electrode unit 6B, but the description thereof will be omitted to avoid duplication.

The electrode portion 6B has a shape that is open toward the heating portion 300. Specifically, the electrode portion 6B is located below the heating portion 300 in the Z-axis direction or the direction of gravity, and has a shape that is open in the direction opposite to the direction of gravity. In this way, the electrode portion 6B has a shape for receiving the aerosol source that has dropped due to gravity. As shown in FIG. 14, the electrode portion 6B is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape and includes a bottom wall portion 601 and a peripheral wall portion 602. Such an electrode portion 6B can be formed, for example, by press processing. The electrode portion 6B may also be formed by cutting out a metal material. In other words, depending on the processing method, the thickness of the bottom wall portion 601 and the peripheral wall portion 602 may not be constant. Also, depending on the processing method, the bottom wall portion 601 and the peripheral wall portion 602 may be smoothly continuous with a curved surface inside the electrode portion 6B.

The bottom wall portion 601 extends in a plate shape along the X-Y plane. When viewed from the bottom, the bottom wall portion 601 has an outer periphery having two straight lines extending parallel to the Y-axis direction and two arcs connecting both ends of the two straight lines. The peripheral wall portion 602 stands at a constant height from the outer periphery of the bottom wall portion 601 toward the +Z side. At the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 602, a flange portion 603 is formed that is curved so as to be warped toward the outside of the electrode portion 6B. This flange portion 603 makes it easier for the protrusion portion 460, which will be described later, to be inserted without getting caught. In addition, since the flange portion 603 is formed around the entire circumference of the upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion 602, the peripheral wall portion 602 is less likely to deform, and the pressing pressure of the protrusion portion 460 is more likely to be uniform.

As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the holder 400 has a convex portion 460 formed on the inside of the annular groove portion 470 into which the electrode portion 6B is inserted. The convex portion 460 fits into the inside of the electrode portion 6B. The convex portion 460 has an opposing surface 461 that faces the bottom wall portion 601 with a gap therebetween, and a peripheral surface 462 that fits into the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 602. The opposing surface 461 has the same shape as the bottom wall portion 601 described above when viewed from the bottom as shown in Figure 12. The peripheral surface 462 of the convex portion 460 is also called the inner wall portion 471 of the annular groove portion 470 (see Figure 15).

As shown in FIG. 12, a through hole 418 through which the lead wire 322B of the heating unit 300 passes is formed in the facing surface 461. The through hole 418 is formed on one side (the -Y side for the electrode unit 6B) in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the facing surface 461. A guide groove 418a that guides the lead wire 322B is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 418. The guide groove 418a forms an inclination that guides the lead wire 322B toward the longitudinal center of the facing surface 461.

A rib 463 is formed in the longitudinal center of the opposing surface 461. The rib 463 stands on the -Z side from the opposing surface 461 towards the bottom wall portion 601. This rib 463 extends in the short direction of the opposing surface 461. In this embodiment, multiple ribs 463 (two in this embodiment) are formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the opposing surface 461. The lead wire 322B is sandwiched between the bottom wall portion 601 and the rib 463, as shown in FIG. 15.

As shown in FIG. 12, a pair of abutment portions 464 are provided on both longitudinal sides of the opposing surface 461. The pair of abutment portions 464 are each formed in a semicircular arc shape along the outer periphery of the opposing surface 461. The pair of abutment portions 464 each protrude further toward the -Z side than the rib 463 with respect to the opposing surface 461. The pair of abutment portions 464 abut against the bottom wall portion 601 to prevent the rib 463 from being pressed excessively against the lead wire 322B.

As shown in FIG. 15, the protrusion 460 has a first fitting portion 700 that fits into the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 602 and holds the electrode portion 6B. The first fitting portion 700 is formed on the peripheral surface 462 of the protrusion 460. The first fitting portion 700 fits into the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 602 of the electrode portion 6B and forms an annular seal portion along the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 602. In other words, the portion surrounded by the bottom wall portion 601 of the electrode portion 6B, the opposing surface 461 of the protrusion 460, and the peripheral wall portion 602 of the electrode portion 6B sealed by the first fitting portion 700 becomes the space portion 7 capable of containing an aerosol source.

As shown in FIG. 15, the peripheral wall portion 602 expands in diameter toward the end (the opening of the electrode portion 6B) that is open toward the heating portion 300 on the opposite side from the bottom wall portion 601. Note that the peripheral wall portion 602 originally expands in diameter toward the +Z side due to press working, but is deformed by fitting the convex portion 460 inside, causing the diameter to expand further. Note that "expanding" here refers to the cross section of the peripheral wall portion 602 gradually becoming larger in a similar shape, but it does not have to be a strictly similar shape.

The holder 400 includes a second fitting portion 710 that fits into the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 602 and holds the electrode portion 6B. The second fitting portion 710 is formed on the outer peripheral wall 472 of the annular groove portion 470 into which the peripheral wall portion 602 is inserted. The second fitting portion 710 is formed on the flange portion 603 at the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 602, but if there is no flange portion 603, the second fitting portion 710 may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 602 or on the outer peripheral surface other than the upper end.

The second fitting portion 710 fits into the outer peripheral wall 472 of the annular groove portion 470, forming an annular seal portion that fits along the annular groove portion 470. In other words, the gap between the electrode portion 6B and the holder 400 is doubly sealed by a first seal portion formed by the first fitting portion 700 and a second seal portion formed by the second fitting portion 710. In addition, since the electrode portion 6B has a cup shape, the outflow path of the aerosol source from the space portion 7 to the outside of the holder 400 is a complicated path (a so-called labyrinth path) that travels back and forth in the Z-axis direction inside and outside the peripheral wall portion 602.

<How to use the suction device>
When using the inhaler 1 having the above-described configuration, first, as shown in Fig. 2, the cartridge housing lid 50 provided on the bottom of the housing 12 of the main unit 2 is opened. Then, the cartridge 3 is inserted into the cartridge housing 10. After the cartridge 3 is inserted into the cartridge housing 10, the cartridge housing lid 50 is closed. Next, the flavor source container 4 is attached to the mouthpiece 11a of the heating module 11 of the main unit 2, and further, the mouthpiece 5 is attached to the flavor source container 4 protruding from the heating module 11.

When inhaling with the inhaler 1, the user presses the input device 15 shown in Figs. 1 and 3. At this time, for example, the main unit 2 may be programmed to start up by pressing the input device 15 multiple times. When the main unit 2 starts up, for example, the heating module 11 heats the flavor source container 4 to accentuate the flavor.

Then, the user inhales while holding the mouthpiece 5 in their mouth. Then, air inside the cartridge housing 10 is sucked into the cartridge 3, and the sensor 26 shown in FIG. 3 detects the puff. When the sensor 26 detects the puff, electricity is applied to the heater wire 320 of the cartridge 3, causing the heater wire 320 to heat up. When the heater wire 320 heats up, the liquid aerosol source impregnated in the wick 310 is heated and atomized.

Air (outside air) flows into the cartridge storage section 10 through the communication hole 17a formed in the cover member 17. The air that has flowed into the cartridge storage section 10 is introduced into the air passage 416 through the vertical groove 415 and horizontal groove 414 of the cartridge 3, and/or the horizontal groove 414, as shown in FIG. 7. The air introduced into the air passage 416 is introduced into the heating chamber 200A through the communication hole 417, and carrying the aerosol generated in the heating chamber 200A, passes through the flow path pipe section 130 and the communication hole 27a of the cartridge abutment section 27 shown in FIG. 3, and further passes through the flavor source container 4 and the mouthpiece 5, and is carried to the user's mouth. This allows the user to taste the flavor.

The atomized aerosol fills the heating chamber 200A, and may condense in part within the heating chamber 200A and return to the aerosol source. As shown in FIG. 8, the aerosol source is supplied from the tank 100 to the heating unit 300. When the aerosol source is supplied to the wick 310 in excess of the amount that it can hold, the aerosol source tends to drip from the heat generating portion 321 inside the inner cylinder 430 (heating chamber 200A). However, in this embodiment, the excess aerosol source supplied from the tank 100 to the heating unit 300 is guided by the aerosol source guide unit 450 to the aerosol source holding unit 440 between the inner cylinder 430 and the outer cylinder 420 that support the heating unit 300, so that the aerosol source can be prevented from dripping inside the inner cylinder 430.

On the other hand, if the aerosol source drips down inside the inner tube portion 430, the aerosol source passes through, for example, the through hole 418 of the lead wire 322B as shown in FIG. 15 and is accommodated in the space portion 7 of the electrode portion 6B. The electrode portion 6B has a shape that opens toward the heating portion 300, and is easy to receive the aerosol source that drips down from the through hole 418. In addition, since the electrode portion 6B is doubly sealed by the first fitting portion 700 and the second fitting portion 710, it is possible to prevent the aerosol source from overflowing from the space portion 7. Even if the space portion 7 is provided, the lead wire 322B can be prevented from separating (floating) from the bottom wall portion 601 by providing a rib 463 on the opposing surface 461 of the convex portion 460. In other words, the electrical connection between the power supply unit 22 and the heating portion 300 can be reliably secured.

The cartridge 3 having the above configuration may also have the configuration shown in Figures 16 to 19.

Fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing a modified example of the holder 400 from which the electrode unit 6B according to an embodiment has been removed. Fig. 17 is a plan view showing a modified example of the holder 400 according to an embodiment. Fig. 18 is a bottom view showing a modified example of the holder 400 from which the electrode units 6A and 6B according to an embodiment have been removed. Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the holder 400 to which the electrode unit 6B according to an embodiment has been attached. Note that Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the XV-XV cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 9.
As shown in FIGS. 16 and 18, a groove 466 is formed on the opposing surface 461 on the opposite side in the Y-axis direction to the through-hole 418 with the rib 463 therebetween.

The groove 466 is a recess recessed toward the +Z side with respect to the opposing surface 461. The groove 466 is formed between the rib 463 and the abutment portion 464 in the bottom view shown in FIG. 16. As shown in FIG. 19, the end of the lead wire 322B is inserted into the groove 466. The end of the lead wire 322B forms a bent portion 323 that is bent at a substantially right angle toward the +Z side. This causes the lead wire 322B to be approximately J-shaped and to be caught in the groove 466, so that the lead wire 322B can be positioned relative to the rib 463 (protrusion 460) even without the electrode portion 6B. Furthermore, the formation of the groove 466 increases the capacity of the space portion 7, so that more aerosol source can be stored in the space portion 7.

17, the holder 400 has a second through hole 480 formed at a position different from the through hole 418. Specifically, the second through holes 480 are formed as a pair on the inside of two corners located on a diagonal line different from the through hole 418 among the four inner corners of the inner cylinder portion 430. The second through hole 480 extends to the opposing surface 461 as shown in FIG. 18. Note that the second through hole 480 is disposed in the groove portion 466, but it may be disposed outside the groove portion 466. As shown in FIG. 19, the presence of the second through hole 480 makes it easier for the aerosol source to flow into the space portion 7 when the aerosol source flows into the space portion 7 from the through hole 418, since the air in the space portion 7 can be discharged to the outside from the second through hole 480.

In other words, this embodiment provides the following effects:

[Action and Effect]
The cartridge 3 according to the present embodiment described above comprises a tank 100 capable of accommodating an aerosol source, a heating section 300 to which the aerosol source is supplied from the tank 100 and which heats the aerosol source to generate an aerosol, and electrode sections 6A, 6B electrically connected to the heating section 300, and a space section 7 capable of accommodating the aerosol source is provided in the electrode sections 6A, 6B.
According to this configuration, the aerosol source that has dripped from the tank 100 or the heating unit 300, or the aerosol source that has condensed and turned back into liquid, can be contained in the space 7 provided in the electrode units 6A and 6B. Therefore, the outflow of the aerosol source can be suppressed.

In this embodiment, the electrode units 6A and 6B have a shape that is open toward the heating unit 300.
According to this configuration, the aerosol source dripping from the tank 100 and the heating unit 300 can be easily received by the electrode units 6A and 6B.

In this embodiment, the electrode portions 6A, 6B include a bottom wall portion 601 that forms the bottom surface of the space portion 7 , and a peripheral wall portion 602 that stands upright from the bottom wall portion 601 and forms the side surface of the space portion 7 .
According to this configuration, the electrode parts 6A and 6B are cylindrical with a bottom, and the volume of the space part 7 can be made large. In addition, the solvent crack of the holder 400 can be suppressed. That is, in the past, the electrode parts were inserted into the holes provided in the holder, so that the holes of the holder were subjected to stress from the inside to the outside, and the holder was prone to cracking (solvent cracking). In the present embodiment, conversely, the convex part 460 provided on the holder 400 is inserted into the cylindrical electrode parts 6A and 6B with a bottom, so that the convex part 460 is subjected to stress from the outside to the inside, and the holder 400 is less likely to crack.

In this embodiment, a first fitting portion 700 is provided that fits into the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 602 and holds the electrode portions 6A and 6B.
According to this configuration, the first fitting portion 700 fits into the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 602 to seal the inside of the electrode portions 6A, 6B, thereby preventing the aerosol source from overflowing from the space portion 7.

In this embodiment, the first fitting portion 700 is formed in a protruding portion 460 having an opposing surface 461 that faces the bottom wall portion 601 with a gap therebetween.
According to this configuration, an aerosol source can be contained in the space 7 surrounded by the bottom wall portions 601 of the electrode portions 6A and 6B, the opposing surface 461 of the convex portion 460, and the peripheral wall portions 602 of the electrode portions 6A and 6B sealed by the first fitting portion 700.

In addition, in this embodiment, the convex portion 460 is formed on the holder 400 that supports the heating portion 300, and the heating portion 300 has lead wires 322A, 322B that abut against the electrode portions 6A, 6B, and the opposing surface 461 is formed with a through hole 418 that penetrates the holder 400 and through which the lead wires 322A, 322B pass.
According to this configuration, the aerosol source that flows out via the through-hole 418 of the holder 400, through which the lead wires 322A and 322B of the heating unit 300 pass, can be received in the space 7.

In this embodiment, a rib 463 is formed on the opposing surface 461 so as to stand toward the bottom wall portion 601 , and the lead wires 322 A, 322 B are sandwiched between the bottom wall portion 601 and the rib 463 .
According to this configuration, the lead wires 322A, 322B can be prevented from being separated (floating) from the bottom wall portion 601 in the space portion 7, so that the power supply to the lead wires 322A, 322B is stabilized.

In this embodiment, a groove 466 is formed on the opposing surface 461 on the opposite side of the rib 463 from the through hole 418, and the ends (bent portions 323) of the lead wires 322A and 322B are inserted into the groove 466.
According to this configuration, the lead wires 322A and 322B can be positioned with respect to the rib 463 before the electrodes 6A and 6B are fitted into the protrusion 460. In addition, the formation of the groove 466 increases the capacity of the space 7, so that a larger amount of the aerosol source can be stored in the space 7.

In this embodiment, a second through-hole 480 that passes through the holder 400 is formed in the opposing surface 461 at a position different from the through-hole 418 .
According to this configuration, when the aerosol source flows into the space 7 through the through hole 418 through which the lead wires 322A and 322B pass, the air in the space 7 can be discharged to the outside through the second through hole 480, making it easier for the aerosol source to flow into the space 7.

In this embodiment, the peripheral wall portion 602 has a diameter that increases toward the end portion opposite the bottom wall portion 601 .
According to this configuration, it becomes easier to insert the protrusion 460 into the inside of the peripheral wall portion 602, and the assembly of the electrode portions 6A, 6B becomes easier.

In this embodiment, a second fitting portion 710 is provided which fits onto the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 602 and holds the electrode portions 6A and 6B.
According to this configuration, the second fitting portion 710 fits into the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 602 to seal the outside of the electrode portions 6A, 6B, thereby preventing the aerosol source from spilling out of the space portion 7.

In this embodiment, the annular groove 470 into which the peripheral wall portion 602 is inserted is provided, and the outer peripheral wall 472 of the annular groove 470 forms the second fitting portion 710 .
According to this configuration, the outflow path of the aerosol source from the space portion 7 to the outside is made to be a complicated path, and outflow of the aerosol source via the electrode portions 6A and 6B can be suppressed.

The aerosol generation device according to this embodiment includes the cartridge 3 described above and a power supply unit 22 that supplies power to the heating unit 300 of the cartridge 3 to generate an aerosol.
According to this configuration, since the above-mentioned cartridge 3 is provided, it is possible to prevent the power supply unit 22 from becoming wet with the aerosol source.

The non-combustion inhaler 1 according to this embodiment includes the aerosol generating device described above and a flavor source container 4 attached to the mouthpiece 11a of the aerosol generating device.
This configuration allows flavors to be added to the aerosol.

In this way, this embodiment can prevent the aerosol source from leaking out.

<Other Modifications>
Although the preferred embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and modifications. Addition, omission, substitution, and other modifications of the configuration are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention is not limited by the above description, but is limited only by the scope of the attached claims.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the inhaler 1 having the flavor source container 4 detachably attached thereto has been described as an example of an aerosol generating device that generates aerosol without combustion, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. As another example of the aerosol generating device, a configuration that does not have the flavor source container 4 like an electronic cigarette (for example, a configuration in which a mouthpiece is directly attached to a mouthpiece) may be used. In this case, an aerosol source containing a flavor may be stored in the cartridge 3, and the aerosol containing the flavor may be generated by the aerosol generating device.
That is, in the above-described embodiment, an aerosol generating device may be one that does not include the flavor source container 4, but includes the main unit 2 and the cartridge 3. Also, an aerosol generating device may be one that does not include the flavor source container 4 and the cartridge 3, but includes only the main unit 2.
The aerosol source is not limited to a liquid, and may be a liquid containing a solid or gel as long as it can utilize the capillary phenomenon.

In the above embodiment, the cartridge 3 is described as being cylindrical in shape, but this is not the only possible configuration. The cartridge 3 may have any configuration capable of holding the aerosol source. In other words, the cartridge 3 is not limited to a cylinder, and may have any three-dimensional shape, such as a cube, triangular pyramid, pyramid, prism, octahedron, cone, sphere, torus, etc.

In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which the main unit 2 is started by pressing the input device 15, but a configuration in which the main unit 2 is started only by detecting a puff with the sensor 26 without having the input device 15 is also possible.

In addition, the components in the above-described embodiments may be replaced with well-known components as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the above-described variations may be combined as appropriate.

The present invention relates to a cartridge, an aerosol generating device, and a non-combustion inhaler, and is capable of suppressing the leakage of the aerosol source.

1...inhaler, 2...main unit, 3...cartridge, 4...flavor source container, 5...mouthpiece, 6A...electrode portion, 6B...electrode portion, 7...space portion, 10...cartridge storage portion, 10A...cartridge storage space, 11...heating module, 11a...mouthpiece portion, 11b...heater portion, 12...housing portion, 12A...main surface portion, 12A1...first main surface portion, 12A2...second main surface portion, 12B...circumferential wall portion, 12B1...first peripheral wall portion, 12B2...second peripheral wall portion, 12C...corner portion, 12C1...first corner portion, 12C2...second corner portion, 12C3...third corner portion, 12C4...fourth corner portion, 13...outer case, 13a...opening portion, 13A...first case, 13b...exposed portion, 13B...second case, 14...display Ray cover, 15...input device, 16...window portion, 17...cover member, 17a...communication hole, 18A...first air inlet, 18B...second air inlet, 20...inner case, 21...charging terminal, 22...power supply unit, 23...main board, 24...display device, 25...light source, 26...sensor, 27...cartridge abutment portion, 27a...communication hole, 50...cartridge housing lid, 51...projecting electrode, 70...first air flow path, 80...second air flow path, 90...projecting portion, 100...tank, 101...liquid storage chamber, 110...peripheral wall portion, 111...engagement hole, 112...recess, 120...top wall portion, 130...flow path pipe portion, 131...first opening, 132...second opening, 140...rib, 142...lower end, 200...gasket 200A...heating chamber, 201...insertion hole, 202...annular projection, 203...first plane part, 204...second plane part, 205...third plane part, 206...bottom surface part, 210...th 1 cylindrical part, 211... top surface, 220... second cylindrical part, 230... third cylindrical part, 231... seal cylindrical part, 232... seal projection, 300... heating part, 310... wick, 311... one end part , 312...other end portion, 320...heater wire, 321...heat generating portion, 322A...lead wire, 322B...lead wire, 323...bent portion, 400...holder, 401...engagement piece, 402...projection portion, 410...base portion, 410a...lower surface, 410b...outer peripheral surface, 410c...step portion, 413...engagement recess, 414...horizontal groove, 415...vertical groove, 416...air passage , 417...communication hole, 418...through hole, 418a...guide groove, 420...outer cylinder portion, 421...support surface, 430...inner cylinder portion, 431...groove, 432...support surface, 433...groove, 440...aerosol source holding portion, 441...communication portion, 442...first bottom surface, 443...second bottom surface, 444...third bottom surface, 450...aerosol source guiding portion, 460...projection portion, 46 1...opposing surface, 462...peripheral surface, 463...rib, 464...contact portion, 466...groove portion, 470...annular groove portion, 471...inner wall portion, 472...outer wall portion, 480...second through hole, 501...first fixing portion, 502...second fixing portion, 601...bottom wall portion, 602...peripheral wall portion, 603...flange portion, 700...first fitting portion, 710...second fitting portion, O...main shaft, S...space

Claims (14)

A tank capable of containing an aerosol source;
a heating unit to which the aerosol source is supplied from the tank and which heats the aerosol source to generate an aerosol;
an electrode portion electrically connected to the heating portion,
The electrode portion is provided with a space portion capable of accommodating the aerosol source.
cartridge. The electrode portion has a shape that is open toward the heating portion.
2. The cartridge of claim 1. The electrode portion is
A bottom wall portion forming a bottom surface of the space portion;
A peripheral wall portion extending from the bottom wall portion and forming a side surface of the space portion.
3. A cartridge according to claim 1 or 2. a first fitting portion that fits into an inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion and holds the electrode portion;
4. The cartridge of claim 3. The first fitting portion is formed on a protrusion having an opposing surface that faces the bottom wall portion with a gap therebetween.
5. A cartridge according to claim 4. The protrusion is formed on a holder that supports the heating unit,
The heating unit has a lead wire that contacts the electrode unit,
A through hole is formed in the opposing surface, the through hole penetrating the holder and through which the lead wire passes.
6. A cartridge according to claim 5. A rib is formed on the opposing surface so as to extend upright toward the bottom wall portion,
The lead wire is sandwiched between the bottom wall portion and the rib.
7. The cartridge of claim 6. A groove is formed on the opposing surface on the opposite side of the rib with respect to the through hole,
The end of the lead wire is inserted into the groove.
8. A cartridge according to claim 7. A second through hole penetrating the holder is formed in the opposing surface at a position different from the through hole.
A cartridge according to any one of claims 6 to 8. The peripheral wall portion has a diameter that increases toward an end portion opposite the bottom wall portion.
A cartridge according to any one of claims 3 to 9. a second fitting portion that fits onto an outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion and holds the electrode portion;
A cartridge according to any one of claims 3 to 10. an annular groove into which the peripheral wall portion is inserted;
An outer circumferential wall of the annular groove portion forms the second fitting portion.
A cartridge according to claim 11. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 12;
A power supply unit that supplies power to the heating unit of the cartridge to generate the aerosol.
Aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device according to claim 13 ;
A flavor source container attached to a mouthpiece of the aerosol generating device.
Non-combustion aspirator.

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