FLAVOR INHALER

Abstract

 A flavor inhaler is provided. This flavor inhaler comprises: a communication element for communicating externally; and a metallic communication assistance member for enhancing antenna sensitivity of the communication element.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a flavor inhaler.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Flavor inhalers for inhaling flavors, etc., without combustion of materials are conventionally known. In a known flavor inhaler of this type, an antenna signal output provided on a printed circuit board mounted within a metal housing is electrically connected to the inside surface of the metal housing by a contact spring such that the metal housing is used as an antenna (e.g., see PTL 1).

CITATION LIST

PATENT LITERATURE

[0003] PTL 1: JP 2023-525388 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0004] In the flavor inhaler of PTL 1, the metal housing and the antenna signal output are electrically connected by a contact spring, so there is a risk of reduced antenna sensitivity if there is a contact fault between the metal housing and the antenna signal output due to incorrect assembly of the flavor inhaler or an impact on the flavor inhaler, etc.

[0005]  The present invention has been devised in order to at least partly solve such a problem, and the objective thereof lies in providing a flavor inhaler capable of enhancing antenna sensitivity.

SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention provides a flavor inhaler. This flavor inhaler comprises: a communication element for communicating externally; and a metallic communication assistance member for enhancing antenna sensitivity of the communication element.

[0007] The first aspect of the present invention makes it possible to provide a flavor inhaler capable of enhancing antenna sensitivity of the communication element.

[0008] In a second aspect of the present invention, the flavor inhaler of the first aspect further comprises a circuit board having a first face facing toward the inside of the flavor inhaler and a second face facing toward the outside of the flavor inhaler, the communication element being disposed on the first face of the circuit board.

[0009] According to the second aspect of the present invention, antenna sensitivity can still be maintained by means of the communication assistance member even if the communication element is disposed on the first face of the circuit board, that is, facing inwardly of the flavor inhaler. Furthermore, there is a greater degree of freedom in the arrangement of elements inside the flavor inhaler, and the flavor inhaler can be made more compact by arranging the communication element on the first face of the circuit board.

[0010]  In a third aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with the second aspect, the communication assistance member comprises: a substantially planar base portion configured to cover at least part of the second face of the circuit board; and an extension portion which extends from the base portion to the first face side along a side face of the circuit board, and extends over the communication element in a direction from the second face to the first face while also including a part adjacent to the communication element.

[0011] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the extension portion of the communication assistance member extends over the communication element in a direction from the second face to the first face while also including a part adjacent to the communication element, so the communication assistance member can serve as an antenna and enhance antenna sensitivity of the communication element by shifting the radio wave transmission/reception location from the first face side to the second face side.

[0012] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with the third aspect, the communication element has an antenna electrode for sending/receiving radio waves, and at least part of the extension portion faces the antenna electrode.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, at least part of the extension portion faces the antenna electrode, whereby radio waves from the communication element are efficiently propagated to the communication assistance member, and the antenna sensitivity of the communication element can therefore be further enhanced.

[0014]  In a fifth aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with the third or fourth aspect, the extension portion contacts the communication element.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the extension portion contacts the communication element, and the antenna sensitivity of the communication element can therefore be further enhanced.

[0016] In a sixth aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with any of the second to fifth aspects, the communication assistance member is a fixing member for fixing, to the circuit board, a component to be fixed.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a fixing member for fixing, to the circuit board, a component to be fixed is used as the communication assistance member for enhancing antenna sensitivity of the communication element, so it is possible to reduce the number of parts in the flavor inhaler while also reducing the amount of work in manufacturing the flavor inhaler, leading to a reduction in costs.

[0018] In a seventh aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with the sixth aspect, the component to be fixed is a connector of a flexible printed circuit board.

[0019] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a fixing member for fixing, to the circuit board, a connector of a flexible printed circuit board is used as the communication assistance member for enhancing antenna sensitivity of the communication element, so it is possible to reduce the number of parts in the flavor inhaler while also reducing the amount of work in manufacturing the flavor inhaler, leading to a reduction in costs.

[0020] In an eighth aspect of the present invention, the flavor inhaler of any of the second to seventh aspects further comprises a case for accommodating the communication element, the communication assistance member, and the circuit board, the case comprising: a metallic first case having an opening portion formed on the second face side, in a state in which the communication element, the communication assistance member, and the circuit board are accommodated therein; and a non-metallic second case configured to cover the opening portion.

[0021] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the communication assistance member serves as an antenna, and radio waves sent/received on the second face side are not obstructed by the metallic first case when the radio wave transmission/reception location has been shifted from the first face side to the second face side, so it is possible to enhance antenna sensitivity of the communication element in the flavor inhaler which is provided with a case comprising the metallic first case and the non-metallic second case.

[0022] In a ninth aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with the eighth aspect, the second case is made of a resin.

[0023] According to the ninth aspect, the second case is made of a resin, thereby making it possible to enhance antenna sensitivity of the communication element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] 

[Fig. 1] is an oblique view showing a flavor-generating system according to an embodiment.

[Fig. 2] is an oblique view showing a flavor inhaler according to an embodiment.

[Fig. 3] is a view in cross section showing the flavor inhaler as seen along the arrows 3-3 in fig. 2.

[Fig. 4] is an exploded oblique view of the flavor inhaler.

[Fig. 5] is an oblique view of a chamber.

[Fig. 6] is a view in cross section showing the chamber as seen along the arrows 6-6 in fig. 5.

[Fig. 7A] is a view in cross section showing the chamber as seen along the arrows 7A-7A in fig. 6.

[Fig. 7B] is a view in cross section showing the chamber as seen along the arrows 7B-7B in fig. 6.

[Fig. 8] is a view in cross section of the chamber in which a flavor-generating article is accommodated.

[Fig. 9] is an exploded oblique view of a flavor-generating article according to an embodiment.

[Fig. 10] is a schematic side view in cross section of the flavor-generating article according to an embodiment.

[Fig. 11] is an exploded oblique view of a flavor-generating article according to another embodiment.

[Fig. 12] is an oblique view showing a flavor-generating assembly.

[Fig. 13] is an enlarged oblique view showing a specific part of the flavor-generating assembly.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0025]  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below, identical or corresponding components are assigned the same reference symbols and duplicate descriptions will not be given. Dimensions of parts in the drawings below are altered, as appropriate, for ease of understanding.

[0026] Fig. 1 is an oblique view showing a flavor-generating system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an oblique view showing a flavor inhaler 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flavor-generating system 1000 is constructed by applying a flavor-generating article 100 to a flavor inhaler 200 comprising a heating unit 40 to be described later. The flavor-generating article 100 is at least partly accommodated in the flavor inhaler 200 via an insertion port 210.

[0027] An X-Y-Z orthogonal coordinate system may be applied to the drawings described in the present specification for convenience of description. In this coordinate system, the Z-axis is oriented vertically upward, the X-Y plane is arranged cutting across the flavor inhaler 200 in a horizontal direction, and the Y-axis is arranged extending from the side face to the rear face of the flavor inhaler 200. The Z-axis direction may also refer to a direction of insertion of the flavor-generating article 100 which is accommodated in a chamber 50 to be described later. Furthermore, the X-axis direction may also refer to a device longitudinal direction in a plane orthogonal to the insertion direction of the flavor-generating article 100. The Y-axis direction may also refer to a device short-side direction in a plane orthogonal to the insertion direction of the flavor-generating article 100.

[0028]  The flavor inhaler 200 is configured to generate an aerosol containing a flavor by, for example, heating a stick-type flavor-generating article 100 including a flavor source containing an aerosol source. As an example, the flavor-generating article 100 comprises, on a tip end side in the Z-axis negative direction, a smokable material that contains a flavor source such as tobacco, and an aerosol source, and also comprises a filter in another part. Examples of aerosol sources that may be cited include glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and mixtures thereof. The flavor-generating article 100 is configured to be heated by means of a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 200 to generate a flavor. The flavor inhaler 200 is preferably of a heat-not-burn tobacco type.

[0029] It should be noted that, in the embodiments, the flavor-generating article 100 is described as being stick-shaped, but the flavor-generating article used in the flavor inhaler 200 is not limited to that shape. For example, the flavor-generating article may also be configured to contain a cartridge accommodating a liquid aerosol source. Furthermore, this cartridge may include a heater.

[0030] As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the flavor inhaler 200 comprises an upper member 204, an outside case 410 (corresponding to an example of a first case), an outside panel 520 (corresponding to an example of a second case), and a cover 208. The movable cover 208 is disposed on the upper member 204. The cover 208 is preferably a slide cover. The outside case 410 defines part of an outer face of the flavor inhaler 200 and is sized to fit in a user's hand. When the user is using the flavor inhaler 200, the user can inhale the aerosol while holding the flavor inhaler 200 in their hand. It should be noted that the upper member 204 may be an assembly of several members.

[0031] The outside case 410 is preferably formed by a metal such as aluminum, magnesium, or titanium, or an alloy containing aluminum, magnesium, or titanium, etc., from the viewpoint of efficiently dissipating heat from the heating unit 40 to the outside. However, the outside case 410 is not limited to the materials above and may also be made of a resin, for example, and it is possible to select any suitable material, such as, in particular, polycarbonate (PC), ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resin, PEEK (polyether ether ketone), or a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymers. The outside case 410 here is formed by a metal in this embodiment.

[0032] The upper member 204 includes the insertion port 210 for receiving the flavor-generating article 100, and the cover 208 is slidably attached to the upper member 204 so as to close the insertion port 210. Specifically, the cover 208 is configured to be capable of moving along an outer surface of the upper member 204 between a closed position for closing the insertion port 210 of the upper member 204, and an open position (the position shown in fig. 1 and 2) for opening the insertion port 210. For example, the user can manually operate the cover 208 to move the cover 208 between the closed position and the open position. By this means, the cover 208 can permit or restrict access of the flavor-generating article 100 to the inside of the flavor inhaler 200.

[0033]  The upper member 204 preferably comprises at least one of a metal and a resin such as PC. The metal contained in the upper member 204 can be aluminum, magnesium, or titanium, or an alloy containing aluminum, magnesium, or titanium, etc. However, the upper member 204 is not limited to the materials above, and it is possible to select any suitable material, such as ABS resin, PEEK, or a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymers. From the viewpoint of achieving a uniform esthetic appearance, the material of the upper member 204 is preferably the same as the material of the outside case 410. Meanwhile, the material of the upper member 204 is preferably different from the material of the outside case 410 from the viewpoint of making it easier for the user to ascertain the position where the flavor-generating article 100 should be introduced into the flavor inhaler 200.

[0034] In the flavor-generating system 1000, air drawn in by the user is introduced from the insertion port 210 into the flavor inhaler 200, flows through the inside of the chamber 50 in the Z-axis negative direction, and is supplied to an upstream-side end face of the flavor-generating article 100. That is to say, the flavor-generating system 1000 shown in fig. 1 has what is known as a counterflow-type air flow path. It should be noted that the air flow path is not limited to a counterflow-type, and may equally be what is known as a bottom-flow-type air flow path, in which air is introduced into the chamber 50 from a ventilation port formed in a bottom portion of the chamber 50, from where the air is supplied to the upstream-side end face of the flavor-generating article 100.

[0035] The internal structure of the flavor inhaler 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described next. Fig. 3 is a view in cross section showing the flavor inhaler 200 as seen along the arrows 3-3 shown in fig. 2. As shown in fig. 3, a power source unit 20, an atomization unit 30, and a control unit 80 are provided in an internal space of the flavor inhaler 200. An inside case 420 and an inside panel 510 will be described later.

[0036] The control unit 80 includes a board 81 (corresponding to an example of a circuit board). The board 81 may include a microprocessor, etc., for example, and may control the supply of power from the power source unit 20 to the atomization unit 30. This enables the control unit 80 to control heating of the flavor-generating article 100 by the atomization unit 30. Furthermore, the control unit 80 comprises a communication element 82 such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface. The control unit 80 can communicate with an external device via the communication element 82. Furthermore, the board 81 has a first face 81a facing toward the inside of the flavor inhaler 200, and a second face 81b facing toward the outside of the flavor inhaler. The communication element 82 is disposed on the first face 81a of the board 81.

[0037] The power source unit 20 comprises a battery 21 which is electrically connected to the board 81 of the control unit 80. The battery 21 is a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery or a non-rechargeable battery, for example. The battery 21 is electrically connected to the atomization unit 30 via the board 81. This allows the battery 21 to supply power to the atomization unit 30 to suitably heat the flavor-generating article 100.

[0038] The atomization unit 30 comprises: the chamber 50 extending in the longitudinal direction of the flavor-generating article 100; a heating unit 40 surrounding part of the chamber 50; a heat insulating portion 32; and a substantially cylindrical insertion guide member 34. The chamber 50 has a tubular shape for accommodating the flavor-generating article 100. It should be noted that the chamber 50 may also have what is known as an elliptical shape with a major diameter and a minor diameter in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flavor inhaler 200. The chamber 50 is preferably formed from a material that is heat resistant and has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, and may, for example, be formed from a metal such as stainless steel, a resin such as PEEK, glass, or ceramic.

[0039] The heating unit 40 contacts an outer circumferential surface of the chamber 50 and is configured to heat the flavor-generating article 100 accommodated in the chamber 50. The heating unit 40 may be a heat-generating element which generates heat by means of electrical power from the power source unit 20, which is to say that the temperature thereof rises. The heating unit 40 may be a sheet-like heater such as a film heater. The heating unit 40 may be provided so as to contact the outer circumferential surface of the chamber 50, or may be provided on an inner face of the chamber 50. Here, the length of the heating unit 40 in the longitudinal direction is 10 mm, for example. The heater constituting the heating unit 40 may comprise a heating wire. This heater is disposed outside the chamber 50, which functions as an accommodating portion for accommodating the flavor-generating article 100, and is configured to heat the flavor-generating article 100 accommodated in the chamber 50 from the outside of the flavor-generating article 100. The flavor inhaler 200 is thus preferably an external heating type flavor inhaler. Moreover, the heating unit 40 may be an induction coil disposed in the flavor inhaler 200, and may be configured to inductively heat a susceptor disposed in the flavor-generating article 100. Alternatively, the heating unit 40 may be a microwave radiation source disposed in the flavor inhaler 200, and may be configured to heat a microwave absorber such as water or glycerol contained in the flavor-generating article 100 by means of microwaves. Furthermore, the flavor inhaler 200 may be of the internal heating type, in which case the heating unit 40 may be a pin-type or blade-type heater.

[0040] The heat insulating portion 32 is disposed so as to surround the chamber 50 and the heating unit 40, and inhibits dissipation of heat to outside of the chamber 50. The heat insulating portion 32 may be an aerogel, for example. A heat diffusing member such as a graphite sheet may be disposed between the heat insulating portion 32 and the chamber 50. The heat diffusing member may be disposed between the heat insulating portion 32 and the heating unit 40 which is a film heater or similar, or may be disposed between the heating unit 40 which is a film heater or similar, and the chamber 50. The insertion guide member 34 is formed by a resin material such as PEEK, PC or ABS, for example, and is provided between the cover 208, in the closed position, and the chamber 50. The insertion guide member 34 communicates with the outside of the flavor inhaler 200 when the cover 208 is in the open position, guiding insertion of the flavor-generating article 100 into the chamber 50 when the flavor-generating article 100 is inserted into the insertion guide member 34.

[0041] The flavor inhaler 200 may further comprise a terminal 90. The terminal 90 may be an interface for connecting the flavor inhaler 200 to an external power source, for example. If the battery 21 is a rechargeable battery, the battery 21 can be charged by connecting the external power source to the terminal 90 so that a current flows from the external power source to the battery 21. Furthermore, data relating to the operation of the flavor inhaler 200 may also be sent to an external device by connecting a data transmission cable to the terminal 90.

[0042] Fig. 4 is an exploded oblique view of the flavor inhaler 200. The flavor inhaler 200 comprises a flavor-generating assembly 300, a case portion 400, and a panel portion 500. The case portion 400 comprises an outside case 410 and an inside case 420. The panel portion 500 comprises an inside panel 510 (corresponding to an example of a second case), and an outside panel 520. It should be noted that the inside case 420 may be configured as part of the flavor-generating assembly 300. In the example depicted, the case portion 400 comprises two cases, namely the outside case 410 and the inside case 420, but there is no particular limitation to the number of cases in the case portion 400, and there may equally be one, or three or more. Furthermore, in the example depicted, the panel portion 500 comprises two panels, but there is no particular limitation to the number of panels in the panel portion 500, and there may equally be one, or three or more.

[0043] The flavor-generating assembly 300 is an assembly including the heating unit 40 (fig. 3) and the control unit 80. The flavor-generating assembly 300 preferably also includes the chamber 50 or the power source unit 20. The flavor-generating assembly 300 has a chassis 310. In the flavor-generating assembly 300, the power source unit 20, the atomization unit 30, the board 81 and a flexible printed circuit board (FPC, fig. 12), etc., are arranged on the chassis 310, which serves as a support or base portion. The flavor-generating assembly 300 is configured so that each part is stably supported while electrical connections between parts are maintained. The flavor-generating assembly 300 is preferably stick-shaped in order to facilitate insertion thereof into the case portion 400.

[0044]  The outside case 410 extends in its longitudinal direction and comprises a first end 414, a second end 416 on the opposite side to the first end 414 in the longitudinal direction, and a side face 415 extending from the first end 414 side to the second end 416 side. A first opening portion 411 is formed in the end face at the first end 414, and a second opening portion 412 (corresponding to an example of an opening portion) is formed in the side face 415. The first opening portion 411 and the second opening portion 412 are linked to form one opening. The outside case 410 accommodates the inside case 420 and the flavor-generating assembly 300. The second opening portion 412 is formed on the second face 81b side of the board 81 (fig. 3) in a state in which the flavor-generating assembly 300 is accommodated in the outside case 410.

[0045] The inside case 420 is a case disposed inside the outside case 410 and accommodates the flavor-generating assembly 300. The inside case 420 is arranged to facilitate insertion of the flavor-generating assembly 300 and to support the flavor-generating assembly 300 more stably. As shown in fig. 4, the inside case 420 has a bottom member 421. The bottom member 421 has an upper face 422 supporting the flavor-generating assembly 300 and is configured so that the terminal 90 passes therethrough. The upper face 422 preferably extends substantially horizontally. The second end 416 of the outside case 410 is curved from the perspective of esthetics or ease of holding, but the presence of the bottom member 421 allows the flavor-generating assembly 300 to be supported more stably.

[0046] There is no particular limitation as to the material of the inside case 420, and it may comprise a resin material such as PC, PEEK, or ABS, or a metal, for example. The metal contained in the inside case 420 may be aluminum, magnesium, or titanium, or may be an alloy containing aluminum, magnesium, or titanium, etc. It should be noted that the flavor inhaler 200 does not need to include the inside case 420, and the outside case 410 may be a single case that accommodates the flavor-generating assembly 300.

[0047] The flavor-generating assembly 300 is accommodated in the case portion 400 in such a way that the board 81 is disposed on the second opening portion 412 side. The board 81 preferably defines part of the surface of the flavor-generating assembly 300 on the second opening portion 412 side. This inhibits situations where the board 81 or elements in the vicinity of the board 81 might be damaged by contact with the case portion 400, etc. when the flavor-generating assembly 300 is inserted into the case portion 400. Furthermore, even if the communication element 82 (fig. 3) is disposed close to the board 81, the flavor inhaler 200 can still be made compact because communication is unlikely to be obstructed by the case portion 400, etc. The board 81 can also be accessed after the flavor-generating assembly 300 has been inserted into the case portion 400. For example, the board 81 can be attached to or detached from the flavor-generating assembly 300 accommodated in the case portion 400, and elements can be added to or removed from the board 81 by soldering or the like.

[0048] In the flavor-generating assembly 300, the atomization unit 30 including the heating unit 40 is preferably disposed on the opposite side of the board 81 to the second opening portion 412 side. The heating unit 40 is preferably disposed on the opposite side to the second opening portion 412 side with respect to a center axis Ax2 (fig. 12) extending in the longitudinal direction of the flavor-generating assembly 300. This allows heat to be dissipated efficiently from the heating unit 40 through the case portion 400. The outside case 410 and/or the inside case 420 more preferably contains a metal such as aluminum, magnesium, or titanium, or an alloy containing aluminum, magnesium, or titanium, etc., since this promotes heat dissipation.

[0049] The upper member 204 is disposed on the first opening portion 411 side of the flavor-generating assembly 300. The cover 208 disposed in the upper member 204 is preferably capable of moving between a position corresponding to the insertion port 210 through which the flavor-generating article 100 is inserted, and a position corresponding to the board 81, in coordinates on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. If a magnet that moves integrally with the cover 208 is disposed on the cover 208, a mechanism for detecting the position of the cover 208 can be made compact by placing a magnetic sensor on the board 81.

[0050] The panel portion 500 is configured to cover the second opening portion 412. The inside panel 510 is a panel which corresponds to the shape of the second opening portion 412 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the outside case 410 so as to cover the second opening portion 412. The inside panel 510 is arranged on the inner side of the outside panel 520. The outside panel 520 is configured to cover at least part of the inside panel 510. The outside panel 520 is preferably detachably fitted to the inside panel 510, etc. In the example depicted, the outside panel 520 is attracted to the inside panel 510 by means of magnetic force, as will be described later. Furthermore, the outside panel 520 has a protrusion 524 which is inserted into a recess (not depicted) in the upper member 204 so that the outside panel 520 is held more stably and is more easily attached.

[0051]  The inside panel 510 and the outside panel 520 may be formed by a resin or a metal, etc. The inside panel 510 and the outside panel 520 may each be formed partly from a resin and partly from a metal. The resin contained in the inside panel 510 or the outside panel 520 is PC, ABS resin, PEEK, or a polymer alloy, for example. The metal contained in the inside panel 510 or the outside panel 520 may be aluminum, magnesium or titanium, an alloy containing aluminum, magnesium or titanium, or stainless steel, etc. Here, in this embodiment, the inside panel 510 and the outside panel 520 are formed by a resin.

[0052] The upper member 204 has first connecting portions 91 for connecting to the outside case 410, the inside case 420, the flavor-generating assembly 300, or at least one panel of the panel portion 500. The first connecting portions 91 may have an engaging portion such as a claw portion and engage with other members, may have a fastening portion such as a screw hole and connect with other members by fastening, may have a mating portion such as a projection or recess and connect with other members by mating, or may have an adhesive-coated face and connect with other members by adhesion. Alternatively, the first connecting portions 91 may have a magnetic member or a magnet and be attracted to other members by means of magnetic force. In the configuration of fig. 4, the first connecting portions 91 are claw portions which engage with the outside case 410 or the inside case 420. The first connecting portions 91 make it possible to assemble the flavor inhaler 200 more reliably and easily.

[0053] At least one panel included in the panel portion 500 may have second connecting portions 514, 526. The inside panel 510 has second connecting portions 514 for connecting to the upper member 204, the outside case 410, the inside case 420, the flavor-generating assembly 300, or the outside panel 520, which is the other of the at least one panel mentioned above. The second connecting portions 514 may have an engaging portion such as a claw portion and engage with other members, may have a fastening portion such as a hole through which a screw passes and connect with other members by fastening, may have a mating portion such as a projection or recess and connect with other members by mating, or may have an adhesive-coated face and connect with other members by adhesion. Alternatively, the second connecting portions 514 may have a magnetic member or a magnet and be attracted to other members by means of magnetic force. In the configuration of fig. 4, a second connecting portion 514A is a hole through which a screw passes, and the inside panel 510 is fastened to the flavor-generating assembly 300 by means of the screw. Furthermore, second connecting portions 514B are magnetic members which are attracted to the second connecting portions 526, which are magnets on the outside panel 520. The second connecting portions 514 make it possible to assemble the flavor inhaler 200 more reliably and easily.

[0054] The outside panel 520 has the second connecting portions 526 for detachable connection to the upper member 204, the outside case 410, the inside case 420, the flavor-generating assembly 300, or the inside panel 510, which is the other of the at least one panel mentioned above. The second connecting portions 526 may have an engaging portion such as a claw portion and engage with other members, may have a fastening portion such as a hole through which a screw passes and connect with other members by fastening, may have a mating portion such as a projection or recess and connect with other members by mating, or may have an adhesive-coated face and connect with other members by adhesion. Alternatively, the second connecting portions 526 may have a magnetic member or a magnet and be attracted to other members by means of magnetic force. In the configuration of fig. 4, the second connecting portions 526 are magnets which are attracted to the magnetic members 514B on the inside panel 510. In fig. 4, the second connecting portions 526 provided on the face of the outside panel 520 on the inside panel 510 side are shown schematically by dotted lines. Magnets could be arranged on the inside panel 510, but are preferably arranged on the outside panel 520 to reduce the risk of adversely affecting elements in the vicinity of the board 81. The second connecting portions 526 make it possible to assemble the flavor inhaler 200 more reliably and easily.

[0055] The outside case 410 has third connecting portions 417 for connecting to the upper member 204, the inside case 420, the flavor-generating assembly 300, or at least one panel of the panel portion 500. The third connecting portions 417 may have an engaging portion such as a claw portion and engage with other members, may have a fastening portion such as a hole through which a screw passes and connect with other members by fastening, may have a mating portion such as a projection or recess and connect with other members by mating, or may have an adhesive-coated face and connect with other members by adhesion. Alternatively, the third connecting portions 417 may have a magnetic member or a magnet and be attracted to other members by means of magnetic force. In the configuration of fig. 4, the third connecting portions 417 are recesses which are connected to projections on the inside case 420 by means of mating. The third connecting portions 417 make it possible to assemble the flavor inhaler 200 more reliably and easily.

[0056] The inside case 420 has fourth connecting portions 423 for connecting to the upper member 204, the outside case 410, the flavor-generating assembly 300, or at least one panel of the panel portion 500. The fourth connecting portions 423 may have an engaging portion such as a claw portion and engage with other members, may have a fastening portion such as a hole through which a screw passes and connect with other members by fastening, may have a mating portion such as a projection or recess and connect with other members by mating, or may have an adhesive-coated face and connect with other members by adhesion. Alternatively, the fourth connecting portions 423 may have a magnetic member or a magnet and be attracted to other members by means of magnetic force. In the configuration of fig. 4, the fourth connecting portions 423 are projections which are connected to recesses on the outside case 410 by means of mating. The fourth connecting portions 423 make it possible to assemble the flavor inhaler 200 more reliably and easily.

[0057] As described above, the flavor inhaler 200 may include the at least one panel of the panel portion 500 which is disposed on the second opening portion 412 side of the flavor inhaler 200, and/or the upper member 204 which is located on the first end 414 side and has the movable cover 208 arranged thereon. As a result, the first opening portion 411 or the second opening portion 412 can be covered, and the parts of the flavor-generating assembly 300 that are exposed by the first opening portion 411 or the second opening portion 412 can be protected.

[0058] As shown in fig. 4, the flavor inhaler 200 may have a tactile switch 380 and a display portion 390. The tactile switch 380 has an ON state when pressed and an OFF state when not pressed, and is configured to generate different electrical signals in a circuit on the board 81 in the ON state and the OFF state. For example, the tactile switch 380 is configured to energize the circuit in the ON state and not to energize the circuit in the OFF state. The tactile switch 380 functions as an input unit for accepting user input.

[0059] The display portion 390 includes at least one of a light source such as a light-emitting diode, and a screen comprising multiple pixels. In the example depicted, the inside panel 510 has through-holes 512 penetrating in a thickness direction thereof, and the outside panel 520 has window portions 522 at positions facing the through-holes 512 in the thickness direction thereof. The display portion 390 is configured so that light-transmissive display window portions forming optical paths are inserted into the through-holes 512, and is configured to emit light to outside of the flavor inhaler 200 through the light-transmissive window portions 522 in the outside panel 520.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, at least the part of the inside panel 510 in the vicinity of the through-holes 512 and at least the part of the outside panel 520 in the vicinity of the window portions 522 are configured to be elastically deformable under a pressing force from the user. In addition, the tactile switch 380 is disposed facing the display portion 390 in the thickness direction of the inside panel 510, and is configured so that the tactile switch 380 switches between an ON state and an OFF state under a pressing force from the user.

[0061] It should be noted that, instead of or as well as the tactile switch 380, the flavor inhaler 200 may include any interface, such as a button or a touch panel, which accepts user input. Furthermore, the form of the display portion 390 and the optical path are not particularly limited to the example given above, provided that the user is able to acquire information via the display portion 390.

[0062] Fig. 5 is an oblique view of the chamber 50. Fig. 6 is a view in cross section of the chamber 50 as seen along the arrows 6-6 shown in fig. 5. Fig. 7A is a view in cross section of the chamber 50 as seen along the arrows 7A-7A in fig. 6. Fig. 7B is a view in cross section of the chamber 50 as seen along the arrows 7B-7B in fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a view in cross section, as seen along the arrows 7B-7B, of a state in which the flavor-generating article 100 has been placed at a desired position inside the chamber 50.

[0063] As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the chamber 50 may be a cylindrical member comprising: a chamber opening 52 into which the flavor-generating article 100 is inserted, and a cylindrical side wall portion 60 accommodating the flavor-generating article 100.

[0064] As shown in fig. 6 and 7B, the side wall portion 60 comprises contact portions 62 and spaced-apart portions 66. When the flavor-generating article 100 has been placed at a desired position inside the chamber 50, the contact portions 62 contact or press parts of the flavor-generating article 100, and the spaced-apart portions 66 are spaced apart from the flavor-generating article 100. It should be noted that, in the present disclosure, "a desired position inside the chamber 50" means a position at which the flavor-generating article 100 is suitably heated, or a position of the flavor-generating article 100 when the user inhales a flavor. The contacts portions 62 each have an inner surface 62a and an outer surface 62b. The spaced-apart portions 66 each have an inner surface 66a and an outer surface 66b. The heating unit 40 is disposed on the outer surfaces 62b of the contact portions 62. The heating unit 40 is preferably arranged on the outer surfaces 62b of the contact portions 62 without a gap. Moreover, the heating unit 40 may comprise an adhesive layer. In that case, the heating unit 40 comprising the adhesive layer is preferably arranged on the outer surfaces 62b of the contact portions 62 without a gap.

[0065] As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the outer surfaces 62b of the contact portions 62 are planar. Since the outer surfaces 62b of the contact portions 62 are planar, if strip-shaped electrodes connected to the heating unit 40 are disposed on the outer surfaces 62b of the contact portions 62, flexing of the electrodes can be inhibited. As shown in fig. 6 and 7B, the inner surfaces 62a of the contact portions 62 are planar. Furthermore, as shown in fig. 6 and 7B, the contact portions 62 have a uniform thickness.

[0066] As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the chamber 50 preferably has a cylindrical non-holding portion 54 between the chamber opening 52 and the side wall portion 60. In a state in which the flavor-generating article 100 is positioned in a desired position in the chamber 50, gaps may be formed between the non-holding portion 54 and the flavor-generating article 100. Furthermore, as shown in fig. 5 and 6, the chamber 50 preferably has chamber guide portions 58 having tapered surfaces 58a that connect the inner surface of the non-holding portion 54 and the inner surfaces 62a of the contact portions 62.

[0067] As shown in fig. 5, 6 and 7B, the chamber 50 has two contact portions 62 in the circumferential direction of the chamber 50, and the two contact portions 62 face each other and are substantially parallel to each other. The distance between the inner surfaces 62a of the two contact portions 62 is, at least partially, preferably less than the width of the part of the flavor-generating article 100 that is disposed between the contact portions 62 when inserted into the chamber 50.

[0068] As shown in fig. 7B, the inner surfaces 66a of the spaced-apart portions 66 may have a generally arc-shaped cross-section in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) of the chamber 50. Furthermore, the spaced-apart portions 66 are arranged so as to be adjacent to the contact portions 62 in the circumferential direction.

[0069] As shown in fig. 6 and 7A, a step 560 is formed on the bottom portion 56 of the chamber 50. The step 560 is configured to expose at least a portion of the end face of the flavor-generating article 100. Furthermore, the bottom portion 56 may support a portion of the flavor-generating article 100 such that the exposed end face of the flavor-generating article 100 communicates with voids 67 (see fig. 8), which will be described later. The step 560 is not limited to the shape depicted provided that air can be introduced into the flavor-generating article 100.

[0070] Fig. 8 is a view in cross section at the same position as in fig. 7B, of a state in which the flavor-generating article 100 is arranged at the desired position inside the chamber 50. As shown in fig. 8, when the flavor-generating article 100 is arranged at the desired position inside the chamber 50, the flavor-generating article 100 may come into contact with and be pressed by the contact portions 62 of the chamber 50. Meanwhile, voids 67 are formed between the flavor-generating article 100 and the spaced-apart portions 66. The voids 67 may provide communication between the chamber opening 52 and the end face of the flavor-generating article 100 positioned within the chamber 50. This allows air that has flowed in from the chamber opening 52 to pass through the voids 67 and flow into the inside of the flavor-generating article 100. In other words, air flow paths (the voids 67) are formed between the flavor-generating article 100 and the spaced-apart portions 66.

[0071] Fig. 9 is an exploded oblique view of the flavor-generating article 100. Furthermore, fig. 10 is a schematic side view in cross section of the flavor-generating article 100. As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the flavor-generating article 100 comprises: a flavor source 221 for generating a flavor; and a tip-end plug 112 disposed on the upstream side of the flavor source 221. More specifically, in the example depicted, the flavor-generating article 100 comprises, in order from the tip-end side (i.e., the opposite side to a mouthpiece): the tip-end plug 112; a flavor-generating portion 220; a hollow tube portion 132; a hollow filter 240; and a filter plug 250. These five components are joined by using an outer plug wrap 280, an outer plug wrap 260, and a tipping paper 270.

[0072] The flavor-generating portion 220 is disposed adjacently downstream of the tip-end plug 112. The flavor-generating portion 220 comprises: the flavor source 221; and a wrapping paper 222 wrapped around the flavor source 221. There is no particular restriction on the form of the flavor-generating portion 220 provided that it has a well-known form, and it is normally in a form in which the flavor source 221 is wrapped with the wrapping paper 222. The flavor-generating portion 220 is formed by wrapping the flavor source 221 with the wrapping paper 222 so that the flavor source 221 is on the inside.

[0073]  The flavor source 221 may include at least one of a flavoring such as menthol and a natural material such as tobacco. The flavor source 221 may contain a tobacco filling material. There is no particular restriction on the tobacco filling material and it may comprise at least one of cut tobacco, and a tobacco sheet obtained by processing cut tobacco into a sheet. The flavor-generating portion 220 may contain an aerosol source. There is no particular limitation as to the type of aerosol source, and various types of natural extracts and/or components thereof may be selected, depending on the intended use.

[0074] There is no particular restriction on the configuration of the wrapping paper 222 used in the flavor-generating article 100, and it may take a general form. Specifically, the wrapping paper may comprise pulp as its main component, for example. Pulps which may be used include wood pulps such as softwood pulp and hardwood pulp, flax pulp, hemp pulp, sisal pulp, and esparto, etc., and it is possible to use a pulp which is generally used in a wrapping paper for a tobacco product, and the wrapping paper may be obtained by a papermaking process employing one or more of these pulps. These pulps may be used alone, or several types of pulps may be combined in any proportions for use. Forms of pulp which may be used include chemical pulp, ground pulp, chemiground pulp, and thermomechanical pulp, etc. which are obtained by means of kraft digestion, acid/neutral/alkaline sulfite digestion, and soda digestion, etc.

[0075] As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the tip-end plug 112 is positioned at the tip end of the flavor-generating article 100 and is configured to cover the end portion of the flavor source 221. This makes it possible to prevent the flavor source 221 from falling out from the flavor-generating article 100. Specifically, the tip-end plug 112 comprises a first filler material 211, and a first inner plug wrap 212 wrapped around the first filler material 211. The tip-end plug 112 may further include an aerosol source supported by the first filler material 211.

[0076] There is no particular restriction on the material of the first inner plug wrap 212 and a well-known material may be used. The first inner plug wrap 212 may contain a filler such as calcium carbonate, or the like. There is no particular restriction on the thickness of the first inner plug wrap 212, and it is normally 20 µm-140 µm, preferably 30 µm-130 µm, and more preferably 30 µm-120 µm. There is no particular restriction on the basis weight of the first inner plug wrap 212, but it is normally 20 gsm-100 gsm, preferably 22 gsm-95 gsm, and more preferably 23 gsm-90 gsm. Furthermore, the first inner plug wrap 212 may be coated or uncoated, but is preferably coated with a desired material from the viewpoint of allowing functions other than strength and structural rigidity to be imparted.

[0077] As shown in fig. 9, the flavor-generating article 100 preferably has a downstream portion 130 disposed on the downstream side of the flavor source 221. In this case, the vapor or aerosol generated by the flavor source 221 can be cooled and filtered in the downstream portion 130. Specifically, the downstream portion 130 preferably includes the filter plug 250. This enables the vapor or aerosol generated by the flavor source 221 to be cooled and filtered in the filter plug 250.

[0078] The filter plug 250 is positioned in the end portion, on the mouthpiece side, of the flavor-generating article 100. The filter plug 250 comprises a second filler material 251, and a second inner plug wrap 252 wrapped around the second filler material 251. There is no particular restriction as to the filter material used in the second filler material 251, provided that it has the general functions of a filter. Examples of general functions of the filter which may be cited include adjusting the amount of air which is mixed when the aerosol, etc. is drawn in, lightening the flavor, and lightening nicotine and tar, etc., but the filter material used in the second filler material 251 need not have all of these functions. Furthermore, in an electrically heated tobacco product, which generates fewer components and tends to have a lower filling ratio of tobacco filling material than a cigarette product, an important function of the filter also lies in preventing the tobacco filling material from falling out, while controlling a filtration function.

[0079] A material produced by means of a production method, discussed hereinafter, for example, may be used for the filter material constituting the second filler material 251 of the filter plug 250, and it is also possible to use a commercially available product. Furthermore, there is no particular restriction on the form of the filter plug 250, and it is possible to form a plain filter comprising a single filter segment, or a multi-segment filter comprising multiple filter segments, such as a dual filter or a triple filter, or the like.

[0080] There is no particular restriction on the form of the second filler material 251 constituting the filter plug 250, and a well-known form may be adopted. For example, a component obtained by processing cellulose acetate tow into a cylindrical shape may be used as the second filler material 251. In the case of a filter filled with cellulose acetate tow, triacetin may be added in an amount of 5 wt%-10 wt% with respect to the weight of the cellulose acetate tow, in order to improve filter hardness. Furthermore, a paper filter filled with sheet-like paper pulp may also be used instead of the acetate filter.

[0081] The filter plug 250 may include the second inner plug wrap 252 (wrapping paper) wrapped around the second filler material 251, discussed hereinafter, from the viewpoint of improving strength and structural rigidity. There is no particular restriction on the form of the second inner plug wrap 252, and it may include a seam comprising one or more lines of adhesive. There is no particular limitation as to the adhesive, but it may comprise a vinyl acetate-based adhesive or a hot-melt adhesive, and the hot-melt adhesive may comprise polyvinyl alcohol. Furthermore, if the filter segment comprises two or more segments, the second inner plug wrap 252 is preferably wrapped around both of these two or more segments.

[0082] There is no particular restriction on the material of the second inner plug wrap 252, and a well-known material may be used, and it may furthermore include a filler such as calcium carbonate, etc. There is no particular restriction on the thickness of the second inner plug wrap 252, and it is normally 20 µm-140 µm, preferably 30 µm-130 µm, and more preferably 30 µm-120 µm. There is no particular restriction on the basis weight of the second inner plug wrap 252, but it is normally 20 gsm-100 gsm, preferably 22 gsm-95 gsm, and more preferably 23 gsm-90 gsm. Furthermore, the second inner plug wrap 252 may be coated or uncoated, but is preferably coated with a desired material from the viewpoint of allowing functions other than strength and structural rigidity to be imparted.

[0083]  As shown in fig. 9 and fig. 10, the hollow filter 240 and the filter plug 250 may be connected by the outer plug wrap 260 (outside wrap paper), for example. The outer plug wrap 260 may be a cylindrical paper, for example.

[0084] The downstream portion 130 may further comprise the hollow tube portion 132 and the hollow filter 240. The hollow filter 240 is disposed adjacently downstream of the hollow tube portion 132. The hollow filter 240 may comprise: a filtration material 241 having one or more hollow portions; and a third inner plug wrap 242 wrapped around the filtration material 241. There is no particular restriction on the third inner plug wrap 242, and the same plug wrap as used in cigarettes may, for example, be used. The third inner plug wrap 242 may be omitted. Furthermore, the hollow filter 240 may be omitted.

[0085] The hollow tube portion 132 is a rod-shaped member which is adjacently interposed between the flavor-generating portion 220 and the hollow filter 240 or the filter plug 250 (when there is no hollow filter 240), and is normally provided with a cavity which is cylindrical or the like, the circumferential cross section thereof forming a hollow (enclosed space). The length of the hollow tube portion 132 in the long axis direction may be appropriately varied according to the size of the product, but it is normally 15 mm or greater and preferably 20 mm or greater, and is normally 40 mm or less, preferably 35 mm or less, and more preferably 30 mm or less. By setting the length of the hollow tube portion 132 in the long axis direction at or above the abovementioned lower limit, it is possible to ensure a sufficient cooling effect and to obtain a pleasant flavor, and by setting the length at or below the abovementioned upper limit, it is possible to inhibit loss caused by adhesion of the generated vapor and aerosol to an inner wall of the hollow tube portion 132.

[0086] As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the hollow tube portion 132 may be provided with ventilation holes vf (also referred to as a "ventilation filter" in this technical field) which are in the circumferential direction and concentric. The presence of the ventilation holes vf allows air to flow into the hollow tube portion 132 from the outside during use, and enables a reduction in the temperature of air and components flowing in from the flavor-generating portion 220. The ventilation holes vf may be provided in a region lying at least 4 mm in the direction of the hollow tube portion 132 side from a boundary between the hollow tube portion 132 and the hollow filter 240 or the filter plug 250 (when there is no hollow filter 240). In this case, the ventilation holes vf can not only enhance the cooling capability of the hollow tube portion 132, but can also suppress stagnation of components generated by means of heating inside the hollow tube portion 132, and increase the amount of delivery of those components. It should be noted that when an aerosol source is used in the flavor-generating portion 220, a vapor containing the aerosol source and the tobacco flavor component generated as a result of the flavor-generating article 100 being heated is liquefied by a reduction in temperature caused by contact with external air, making it possible to promote aerosol generation.

[0087] There is no particular restriction on the configuration of the outer plug wrap 280, and it may take a general form. Specifically, the outer plug wrap 280 may comprise pulp as its main component, for example. Pulps which may be used include wood pulps such as softwood pulp and hardwood pulp, flax pulp, hemp pulp, sisal pulp, and esparto, etc., and it is possible to use a pulp which is generally used in a wrapping paper for a tobacco article, and the outer plug wrap 280 may be obtained by a papermaking process employing one or more of these pulps. These pulps may be used alone, or several types of pulps may be combined in any proportions for use. Forms of pulp which may be used include chemical pulp, ground pulp, chemiground pulp, and thermomechanical pulp, etc. which are obtained by means of kraft digestion, acid/neutral/alkaline sulfite digestion, and soda digestion, etc. It should be noted that a commercially available article may be used for the outer plug wrap 280. There is no particular restriction on the shape of the outer plug wrap 280, and it may have a square or rectangular shape, for example. The outer plug wrap 280 may include at least one of a filler, an auxiliary agent, and a coating agent.

[0088] There is no particular restriction on the configuration of the tipping paper 270, and it may take a general form. Specifically, the tipping paper 270 may comprise pulp as its main component, for example. Pulps which may be used include wood pulps such as softwood pulp and hardwood pulp, flax pulp, hemp pulp, sisal pulp, and esparto, etc., and it is possible to use a pulp which is generally used in a wrapping paper for a tobacco article, and the tipping paper 270 may be obtained by a papermaking process employing one or more of these pulps. These pulps may be used alone, or several types of pulps may be combined in any proportions for use. Forms of pulp which may be used include chemical pulp, ground pulp, chemiground pulp, and thermomechanical pulp, etc. which are obtained by means of kraft digestion, acid/neutral/alkaline sulfite digestion, and soda digestion, etc. It should be noted that a commercially available article may be used for the tipping paper 270. There is no particular restriction on the shape of the tipping paper 270, and it may have a square or rectangular shape, for example. Furthermore, the flavor-generating article 100 may include one tipping paper 270, but it may equally include multiple tipping papers 270. The tipping paper 270 may include at least one of a filler, an auxiliary agent, a coating agent, and a lip-release material that assists in easy separation, substantially without adhesion, of the lips and the tipping paper 270 when the user holds the mouthpiece of the flavor-generating article 100 in their mouth.

[0089] A mode of joining of the components constituting the flavor-generating article 100 will be described next. In fig. 9, gaps are provided between the components to make it easier to see how the components are joined, but the components of the actual flavor-generating article 100 are adjacent without gaps, as shown in fig. 10. In the flavor-generating article 100 shown in fig. 9, the five components are joined by using the outer plug wrap 280, the outer plug wrap 260, and the tipping paper 270. Specifically, as shown in fig. 9, the outer plug wrap 280 joins the tip-end plug 112, the flavor-generating portion 220, and the hollow tube portion 132. Here, the outer plug wrap 280 is wound so as to cover the whole of the tip-end plug 112 and the flavor-generating portion 220, and part of the hollow tube portion 132. This joined body will be referred to as a first joined body 285. Furthermore, the outer plug wrap 260 is wound so as to join the hollow filter 240 and the filter plug 250 while also covering same in their entirety. This joined body will be referred to as a second joined body 265. The tipping paper 270 further joins the first joined body 285 and the second joined body 265. Here, the tipping paper 270 covers the whole of the second joined body 265 and part of the first joined body 285, while exposing the first joined body 285 at its upstream end. It should be noted that in the example shown in fig. 9, the outer plug wrap 280 exposes the hollow tube portion 132 at its downstream end, without covering the hollow tube portion 132 as far as its downstream end, but the hollow tube portion 132 may equally be covered as far as its downstream end. In this case, perforations are preferably provided in the outer plug wrap 280 and the tipping paper 270 at positions directly above the ventilation holes vf provided in the hollow tube portion 132. As a result, the ventilation holes vf are preferably provided so as to penetrate through the tipping paper 270, the outer plug wrap 280, and the hollow tube portion 132.

[0090] Fig. 11 is an exploded oblique view of a flavor-generating article 100 according to another embodiment. The flavor-generating article 100 shown in fig. 11 differs from the flavor-generating article 100 shown in fig. 9 and 10 only in the mode of joining thereof. In the flavor-generating article 100 shown in fig. 11, the five components are joined by using the outer plug wrap 280, the outer plug wrap 260, and the tipping paper 270. Specifically, as shown in fig. 11, the outer plug wrap 280 is wound so as to join the tip-end plug 112 and the flavor-generating portion 220 while also covering same in their entirety. This joined body will be referred to as a first joined body 285. Furthermore, in the example shown in fig. 11, the outer plug wrap 260 is wound so as to join the hollow filter 240 and the filter plug 250 while also covering same in their entirety. This joined body will be referred to as a second joined body 265. The tipping paper 270 further joins the first joined body 285, the hollow tube portion 132, and the second joined body 265. Here, the tipping paper 270 covers the whole of the hollow tube portion 132 and the second joined body 265, and part of the first joined body 285, while exposing the first joined body 285 at its upstream end. The five components may be joined in a form such as shown in fig. 11. It should be noted that in fig. 11, the outer plug wrap 280 covers the flavor-generating portion 220 as far as its downstream end, but the outer plug wrap 280 may equally expose the flavor-generating portion 220 at its downstream end, without covering the flavor-generating portion 220 as far as its downstream end.

[0091] It should be noted that the form of the flavor-generating article 100 is not particularly limited to the example described above, provided that the heating unit 40 can heat the flavor-generating article 100 inserted into the flavor inhaler 200 to generate flavor. For example, the flavor-generating article 100 need not include the tip-end plug 112.

[0092] As shown in fig. 1, when the flavor-generating article 100 has been suitably inserted into the chamber 50 of the flavor inhaler 200, part of the flavor-generating article 100 may be exposed to the outside of the flavor inhaler 200. Specifically, in the state shown in fig. 1, part or all of the second joined body 265 shown in fig. 9 or fig. 11 may be exposed to the outside of the flavor inhaler 200. Furthermore, in the state shown in fig. 1, part of the hollow tube portion 132 shown in fig. 9 or fig. 11 may be exposed to the outside of the flavor inhaler 200. In this case, the ventilation holes vf formed in the hollow tube portion 132 may be exposed to the outside of the flavor inhaler 200, or may be positioned on the inside of the flavor inhaler 200 (upstream of the insertion port 210 for insertion of the flavor-generating article 100). The ventilation holes vf formed in the hollow tube portion 132 are preferably located on the inside of the flavor inhaler 200 so that the ventilation holes vf cannot easily be obstructed by the user.

[0093] Fig. 12 is an oblique view showing the flavor-generating assembly 300. As shown in fig. 12, the flavor-generating assembly 300 comprises the power source unit 20, the atomization unit 30, the control unit 80, the terminal 90, the chassis 310, a bracket 320 (corresponding to an example of a communication assistance member and fixing member), and a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) 330 (corresponding to an example of a component to be fixed).

[0094] The flavor-generating assembly 300 compactly integrates multiple parts of the flavor inhaler 200, so that the flavor inhaler 200 can be made compact and assembly of the flavor inhaler 200 can be simplified. There is no particular limitation as to which parts of the flavor inhaler 200 are included in the flavor-generating assembly 300, but the flavor-generating assembly 300 preferably includes the heating unit 40 and the control unit 80, and more preferably also includes at least one of the power source unit 20 and the chamber 50. Since the power source unit 20 and the chamber 50 are parts of the flavor inhaler 200 having a relatively large volume, integrating those parts into the flavor-generating assembly 300 allows the flavor inhaler 200 to be made more compact.

[0095] As shown in fig. 12, the flavor-generating assembly 300 has a center axis Ax2 extending in the longitudinal direction. As can be seen from fig. 3 and fig. 12, the communication element 82 is positioned on the second opening portion 412 side of the center axis Ax2. This allows radio waves from the communication element 82 to pass easily through the second opening portion 412, further reducing the risk of communication being obstructed by the case portion 400, etc.

[0096] The chassis 310 functions as a support for each part of the flavor-generating assembly 300. That is, the power source unit 20, the atomization unit 30, the control unit 80, and the terminal 90 are attached to the chassis 310. There is no particular limitation as to the material constituting the chassis 310, but the chassis 310 may comprise a resin such as PC or a metal, etc.

[0097] The bracket 320 is configured fix a connector 331 of the FPC 330 to the board 81, and to inhibit detachment of the board 81 from the chassis 310. In the example depicted, the bracket 320 is attached to the chassis 310. There is no particular limitation as to the material constituting the bracket 320, but the bracket 320 may comprise a metal such as stainless steel.

[0098] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the bracket 320 functions as a communication assistance member for enhancing antenna sensitivity of the communication element 82 (fig. 3). Using the metallic bracket 320 makes it possible to provide a flavor inhaler 200 capable of enhancing antenna sensitivity of the communication element 82. The details of this will be described later.

[0099] In the example depicted, leads from the heating unit 40 (fig. 3), the battery 21 (fig. 3), the board 81, and the terminal 90 are electrically connected via the FPC 330. Using the FPC 330 enables the flavor-generating assembly 300 to be made light and compact. The FPC 330 can be electrically connected to any electrical or electronic components of the flavor-generating assembly 300.

[0100] As described above, in this embodiment, the metallic bracket 320 functions as a communication assistance member for enhancing antenna sensitivity of the communication element 82 (fig. 3). The manner in which the bracket 320 enhances antenna sensitivity of the communication element 82 will be described below with reference to fig. 13. Fig. 13 is an enlarged oblique view showing a specific part of the flavor-generating assembly 300.

[0101] As shown in fig. 13, the control unit 80 comprises the board 81 having the first face 81a and the second face 81b, and the communication element 82 disposed on the first face 81a of the board 81. The communication element 82 has, on a portion thereof, an antenna electrode 821 for sending/receiving radio waves. In the example depicted, the antenna electrode 821 is provided on an end portion of the communication element 82 in the Y-axis positive direction.

[0102] The bracket 320 comprises: a substantially planar base portion 321 configured to cover at least part of the second face 81b of the board 81; and an extension portion 322 which extends from the base portion 321 to the first face 81a side along a side face of the board 81. The extension portion 322 extends over the communication element 82 in a direction from the second face 81b to the first face 81a while also including a part adjacent to the communication element 82.

[0103] The extension portion 322 of the bracket 320 thus extends over the communication element 82 in a direction from the second face 81b to the first face 81a while also including a part adjacent to the communication element 82, so the bracket 320 can serve as an antenna and enhance antenna sensitivity of the communication element 82 by shifting the radio wave transmission/reception location from the first face 81a side to the second face 81b side.

[0104] Furthermore, antenna sensitivity can still be maintained by means of the bracket 320 even if the communication element 82 is disposed on the first face 81a of the board 81, that is, facing inwardly of the flavor inhaler 200. Furthermore, there is a greater degree of freedom in the arrangement of elements inside the flavor inhaler 200, and the flavor inhaler 200 can be made more compact by arranging the communication element 82 on the first face 81a of the board 81.

[0105] In the configuration here, at least part of the extension portion 322 may face the antenna electrode 821. At least part of the extension portion 322 faces the antenna electrode 821, whereby radio waves from the communication element 82 are efficiently propagated to the bracket 320, and the antenna sensitivity of the communication element 82 can therefore be further enhanced.

[0106] Furthermore, the extension portion 322 may be configured to cover a range of between 80% and 100% of the area of the antenna electrode 821. Sufficient antenna sensitivity of the communication element 82 can be ensured by configuring the extension portion 322 to cover a range of between 80% and 100% of the area of the antenna electrode 821.

[0107] In addition, a distance between the communication element 82 and the extension portion 322 may be set at 1.5 mm or less at the position where the communication element 82 and the extension portion 322 are adjacent. Sufficient antenna sensitivity of the communication element 82 can be ensured by setting the distance between the communication element 82 and the extension portion 322 at 1.5 mm or less at the position where the communication element 82 and the extension portion 322 are adjacent. Here, the extension portion 322 may contact the communication element 82. In this case, the extension portion 322 contacts the communication element 82, and the antenna sensitivity of the communication element 82 can therefore be enhanced.

[0108] Moreover, the bracket 320 which is used as the communication assistance member for enhancing antenna sensitivity of the communication element 82 constitutes a fixing member for fixing, to the board 81, the connector 331 of the FPC 330 which is a component to be fixed. The bracket 320 for fixing the connector 331 of the FPC 330 to the board 81 is used as the communication assistance member for enhancing antenna sensitivity of the communication element 82, so it is possible to reduce the number of parts in the flavor inhaler 200 while also reducing the amount of work in manufacturing the flavor inhaler 200, leading to a reduction in costs.

[0109] Furthermore, as described above, the case which accommodates the flavor-generating assembly 300 including the communication element 82, the bracket 320, and the board, comprises: the metallic outside case 410 having the second opening portion 412 formed on the second face 81b side, in a state in which the flavor-generating assembly 300 is accommodated in the outside case 410; and the resinous inside panel 510 and outside panel 520 configured to cover the second opening portion 412. As a result, the bracket 320 serves as an antenna, and radio waves sent/received on the second face 81b side are not obstructed by the metallic outside case 410 when the radio wave transmission/reception location has shifted from the first face 81a side to the second face 81b side, so it is possible to enhance antenna sensitivity of the communication element 82 in the flavor inhaler 200 which is provided with the case comprising the metallic outside case 410 and the resinous inside panel 510 and outside panel 520.

[0110] While embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments of the invention described above are for ease of understanding of the present invention and do not limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified and improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and equivalents thereof are included in the present invention. Furthermore, components described in the claims and specification may be combined or omitted within a scope that enables the problem above to be at least partly solved, or within a scope that demonstrates at least some of the advantageous effects.

[0111] A number of aspects disclosed in the present specification are given below.

[0112] A first aspect of the present invention is a flavor inhaler comprising: a communication element for communicating externally; and a metallic communication assistance member for enhancing antenna sensitivity of the communication element.

[0113] In a second aspect of the present invention, the flavor inhaler of the first aspect further comprises a circuit board having a first face facing toward the inside of the flavor inhaler and a second face facing toward the outside of the flavor inhaler, the communication element being disposed on the first face of the circuit board.

[0114] In a third aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with the second aspect, the communication assistance member comprises: a substantially planar base portion configured to cover at least part of the second face of the circuit board; and an extension portion which extends from the base portion to the first face side along a side face of the circuit board, and extends over the communication element in a direction from the second face to the first face while also including a part adjacent to the communication element.

[0115] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with the third aspect, the communication element has an antenna electrode for sending/receiving radio waves, and at least part of the extension portion faces the antenna electrode.

[0116] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with the third or fourth aspect, the extension portion contacts the communication element.

[0117] In a sixth aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with any of the second to fifth aspects, the communication assistance member is a fixing member for fixing, to the circuit board, a component to be fixed.

[0118] In a seventh aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with the sixth aspect, the component to be fixed is a connector of a flexible printed circuit board.

[0119] In an eighth aspect of the present invention, the flavor inhaler of any of the second to seventh aspects further comprises a case for accommodating the communication element, the communication assistance member, and the circuit board, the case comprising: a metallic first case having an opening portion formed on the second face side, in a state in which the communication element, the communication assistance member, and the circuit board are accommodated therein; and a non-metallic second case configured to cover the opening portion. In a ninth aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with the eighth aspect, the second case is made of a resin.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0120] 

80... Control unit

81... Board

81a... First face

81b... Second face

82... Communication element

200... Flavor inhaler

320... Bracket

321... Base portion

322... Extension portion

330... Flexible printed circuit board

331... Connector

410... Outside case

412... Second opening portion

510... Inside panel

520... Outside panel

821... Antenna electrode

Claims

1. A flavor inhaler comprising:

a communication element for communicating externally; and

a metallic communication assistance member for enhancing antenna sensitivity of the communication element.

2. The flavor inhaler as claimed in claim 1,

further comprising a circuit board having a first face facing toward the inside of the flavor inhaler and a second face facing toward the outside of the flavor inhaler,

wherein the communication element is disposed on the first face of the circuit board.

3. The flavor inhaler as claimed in claim 2, wherein
the communication assistance member comprises:

a substantially planar base portion configured to cover at least part of the second face of the circuit board; and

an extension portion which extends from the base portion to the first face side along a side face of the circuit board, and extends over the communication element in a direction from the second face to the first face while also including a part adjacent to the communication element.

4. The flavor inhaler as claimed in claim 3, wherein
the communication element has an antenna electrode for sending/receiving radio waves, and at least part of the extension portion faces the antenna electrode.

5. The flavor inhaler as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein
the extension portion contacts the communication element.

6. The flavor inhaler as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein
the communication assistance member is a fixing member for fixing, to the circuit board, a component to be fixed.

7. The flavor inhaler as claimed in claim 6, wherein
the component to be fixed is a connector of a flexible printed circuit board.

8. The flavor inhaler as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7,

further comprising a case for accommodating the communication element, the communication assistance member, and the circuit board,

wherein the case comprises:

a metallic first case having an opening portion formed on the second face side, in a state in which the communication element, the communication assistance member, and the circuit board are accommodated therein; and

a non-metallic second case configured to cover the opening portion.

9. The flavor inhaler as claimed in claim 8, wherein
the second case is made of a resin.

Drawing