U.S. patent application number 17/067267 was filed with the patent office on 2021-03-18 for inhaler.
This patent application is currently assigned to JAPAN TOBACCO INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is JAPAN TOBACCO INC.. Invention is credited to Yuki ABE, Simon COX, Adam GEERNAERT, Michihiro INAGAKI, Jumpei INOUE, Takahisa KUDO, Yuki MINAMI, Jobanputra RISHI, Franck RUBICONI.
Application Number | 20210076734 17/067267 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005292497 |
Filed Date | 2021-03-18 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210076734 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MINAMI; Yuki ; et
al. |
March 18, 2021 |
INHALER
Abstract
An inhaler includes a first liquid storage unit; a second liquid
storage unit; an atomizing unit which includes a piezoelectric
element substrate having an IDT constructed by use of a pair of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes and is constructed to
atomize liquid by a surface acoustic wave generated by applying a
high-frequency voltage to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes; and a mouthpiece for guiding aerosol which is
generated by atomizing the liquid in the atomizing unit. The
atomizing unit is constructed to atomize first liquid supplied from
the first liquid storage unit and second liquid supplied from the
second liquid storage unit, respectively.
Inventors: |
MINAMI; Yuki; (Tokyo,
JP) ; KUDO; Takahisa; (Tokyo, JP) ; INAGAKI;
Michihiro; (Tokyo, JP) ; INOUE; Jumpei;
(Tokyo, JP) ; ABE; Yuki; (Tokyo, JP) ;
GEERNAERT; Adam; (Cambridge, GB) ; RUBICONI;
Franck; (Cambridge, GB) ; COX; Simon;
(Cambridge, GB) ; RISHI; Jobanputra; (Cambridge,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
JAPAN TOBACCO INC. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
1000005292497 |
Appl. No.: |
17/067267 |
Filed: |
October 9, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/JP2019/015377 |
Apr 9, 2019 |
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17067267 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 40/05 20200101;
A24F 40/30 20200101; B05B 17/0676 20130101; A24F 40/48 20200101;
A24F 40/53 20200101; A24F 40/10 20200101 |
International
Class: |
A24F 40/05 20060101
A24F040/05; A24F 40/10 20060101 A24F040/10; A24F 40/30 20060101
A24F040/30; B05B 17/06 20060101 B05B017/06; A24F 40/48 20060101
A24F040/48 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 10, 2018 |
JP |
PCT/JP2018/015128 |
Dec 19, 2018 |
JP |
PCT/JP2018/046712 |
Claims
1. An inhaler comprising: a first liquid storage unit; a second
liquid storage unit; an atomizing unit which comprises a
piezoelectric element substrate having an IDT constructed by use of
a pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes and is
constructed to atomize liquid by a surface acoustic wave generated
by applying a high-frequency voltage to the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes; and a mouthpiece for guiding
aerosol which is generated by atomizing the liquid in the atomizing
unit; wherein the atomizing unit is constructed to atomize first
liquid supplied from the first liquid storage unit and second
liquid supplied from the second liquid storage unit,
respectively.
2. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid and
the second liquid are different from each other.
3. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid
comprises at least nicotine.
4. The inhaler according to claim 3, wherein the first liquid
further comprises at least one of an acid, a taste component, and a
somatosensory component.
5. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the second liquid
comprises a flavor component.
6. The inhaler according to claim 5, wherein the flavor component
comprises at least one of menthol, limonene, citral, linalool,
vanillin, carvone, and glycosides of these.
7. The inhaler according to claim 5, wherein the second liquid
further comprises at least one of a taste component, a
somatosensory component, an emulsifier, glycerin, propylene glycol,
and ethanol.
8. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece
comprises a first flow path through which first aerosol generated
by atomizing the first liquid passes mainly, and a second flow path
through which second aerosol generated by atomizing the second
liquid, passes.
9. The inhaler according to claim 3, wherein the mouthpiece
comprises a first flow path through which first aerosol generated
by atomizing the first liquid passes mainly, and a second flow path
through which second aerosol generated by atomizing the second
liquid, passes, and the first flow path is defined by a pipe line
which comprises at least a part which is curved.
10. The inhaler according to claim 5, wherein the mouthpiece
comprises a first flow path through which first aerosol generated
by atomizing the first liquid passes mainly, and a second flow path
through which second aerosol generated by atomizing the second
liquid, passes, and the second flow path is defined by an
approximately straight pipe line.
11. The inhaler according to claim 3, wherein the mouthpiece
comprises a first flow path through which first aerosol generated
by atomizing the first liquid passes mainly, and a second flow path
through which second aerosol generated by atomizing the second
liquid, passes, and the first flow path is provided with an air
flow accelerating member which is constructed to reduce the first
flow path.
12. The inhaler according to claim 11, wherein the first flow path
is provided with a trap member which is arranged in such a manner
that the aerosol passed through the air flow accelerating member
collides the trap member.
13. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece
comprises a flow path in which the aerosol, which is generated by
atomizing the first liquid, swirls while the aerosol passes through
the flow path.
14. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric
element substrate comprises a front surface on which the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes is arranged; a rear
surface positioned opposite to the front surface; and a pair of
edges opposite to each other; and the inhaler further comprises a
first liquid supplier constructed to supply the first liquid to one
of the edges of the piezoelectric element substrate, and a second
liquid supplier constructed to supply the second liquid to another
of the edges of the piezoelectric element substrate.
15. The inhaler according to claim 14, comprising: a cover which
covers the front surface of the piezoelectric element substrate;
wherein the cover comprises a first opening part which is
positioned right above the one edge and through which the first
aerosol, which is generated by atomizing the first liquid, passes,
and a second opening part which is positioned right above the other
edge and through which the second aerosol, which is generated by
atomizing the second liquid, passes.
16. The inhaler according to claim 15, wherein the cover comprises
an opening which is different from the first opening part and the
second opening part; and air that is flown into the inside side of
the cover from the opening passes over the IDT and flows toward the
outside side of the cover from the first opening part and the
second opening part.
17. The inhaler according to claim 15, wherein the piezoelectric
element substrate comprises a disposition portion where the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes is positioned, and the
cover is arranged in such a manner that it covers at least the part
right above the disposition portion and is not to be in contact
with the front surface of the piezoelectric element substrate.
18. The inhaler according to claim 15, wherein the first flow path
communicates with the first opening part, and the second flow path
communicates with the second opening part.
19. The inhaler according to claim 1, comprising: a trap member
constructed to trap at least a part of one of the first aerosol
generated by atomizing the first liquid and the second aerosol
generated by atomizing the second liquid.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation application of
International Application No. PCT/JP2019/015377, filed on Apr. 9,
2019.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an inhaler.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Conventionally, known is an atomizing unit configured to
atomize liquid by using a piezoelectric element substrate having an
IDT (interdigital transducer) made of a pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes to generate a SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave)
(for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Further, technology has
been proposed in which such an atomizing unit is used for a flavor
inhaler (for example, Patent Document 3).
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0004] PTL 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2012-24646
[0005] PTL 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication (Translation
of PCT Application) No. 2016-513992
[0006] PTL 3: US Patent No. 2017/0280771
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0007] A first feature is an inhaler, and the gist thereof is that
the inhaler comprises a first liquid storage unit; a second liquid
storage unit; an atomizing unit which comprises a piezoelectric
element substrate having an IDT constructed by use of a pair of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes and is constructed to
atomize liquid by a surface acoustic wave generated by applying a
high-frequency voltage to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes; and a mouthpiece for guiding aerosol which is
generated by atomizing the liquid in the atomizing unit; wherein
the atomizing unit is constructed to atomize first liquid supplied
from the first liquid storage unit and second liquid supplied from
the second liquid storage unit, respectively.
[0008] A second feature comprises the first feature, wherein the
gist thereof is that the first liquid and the second liquid are
different from each other.
[0009] A third feature comprises the first feature or the second
feature, wherein the gist thereof is that the first liquid
comprises at least nicotine.
[0010] A fourth feature comprises the third feature, wherein the
gist thereof is that the first liquid further comprises at least
one of an acid, a taste component, and a somatosensory
component.
[0011] A fifth feature comprises one of the first feature to the
fourth feature, wherein the gist thereof is that the second liquid
comprises a flavor component.
[0012] A sixth feature comprises the fifth feature, wherein the
gist thereof is that the flavor component comprises at least one of
menthol, limonene, citral, linalool, vanillin, carvone, and
glycosides of these.
[0013] A seventh feature comprises the fifth feature or the sixth
feature, wherein the gist thereof is that the second liquid further
comprises at least one of a taste component, a somatosensory
component, an emulsifier, glycerin, propylene glycol, and
ethanol.
[0014] A eighth feature comprises one of the first feature to the
seventh feature, wherein the gist thereof is that the mouthpiece
comprises a first flow path through which first aerosol generated
by atomizing the first liquid passes mainly, and a second flow path
through which second aerosol generated by atomizing the second
liquid, passes.
[0015] A ninth feature comprises the eighth feature when it is
dependent on the third feature or the fourth feature, wherein the
gist thereof is that the first flow path is defined by a pipe line
which comprises at least a part which is curved.
[0016] A tenth feature comprises the eighth feature when it is
dependent on one of the fifth feature to the seventh feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the second flow path is defined by
an approximately straight pipe line.
[0017] An eleventh feature comprises the eighth feature when it is
dependent on the third feature or the fourth feature, wherein the
gist thereof is that the first flow path is provided with an air
flow accelerating member which is constructed to reduce the first
flow path.
[0018] A twelfth feature comprises the first feature, wherein the
gist thereof is that the first flow path is provided with a trap
member which is arranged in such a manner that the aerosol passed
through the air flow accelerating member collides the trap
member.
[0019] A thirteenth feature comprises one of the first feature to
the seventh feature, wherein the gist thereof is that the
mouthpiece comprises a flow path in which the aerosol, which is
generated by atomizing the first liquid, swirls while the aerosol
passes through the flow path.
[0020] A fourteenth feature comprises one of the first feature to
the thirteenth feature, wherein the gist thereof is that the
piezoelectric element substrate comprises a front surface on which
the pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes is
arranged; a rear surface positioned opposite to the front surface;
and a pair of edges opposite to each other; and the inhaler further
comprises a first liquid supplier constructed to supply the first
liquid to one of the edges of the piezoelectric element substrate,
and a second liquid supplier constructed to supply the second
liquid to another of the edges of the piezoelectric element
substrate.
[0021] A fifteenth feature comprises the fourteenth feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the inhaler comprises a cover
which covers the front surface of the piezoelectric element
substrate; wherein the cover comprises a first opening part which
is positioned right above the one edge and through which the first
aerosol, which is generated by atomizing the first liquid, passes,
and a second opening part which is positioned right above the other
edge and through which the second aerosol, which is generated by
atomizing the second liquid, passes.
[0022] A sixteenth feature comprises the fifteenth feature, wherein
the gist thereof is that the cover comprises an opening which is
different from the first opening part and the second opening part;
wherein air that flows into the inside side of the cover from the
opening passes over the IDT and flows toward the outside side of
the cover from the first opening part and the second opening
part.
[0023] A seventeenth feature comprises the fifteenth feature or the
sixteenth feature, wherein the gist thereof is that the
piezoelectric element substrate comprises a disposition portion
where the pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes is
positioned, and the cover is arranged in such a manner that it
covers at least the part right above the disposition portion and is
not to be in contact with the front surface of the piezoelectric
element substrate.
[0024] An eighteenth feature comprises one of the fifteenth feature
to the seventeenth feature, wherein the gist thereof is that the
first flow path communicates with the first opening part, and the
second flow path communicates with the second opening part.
[0025] A nineteenth feature comprises one of the first feature to
the eighteenth feature, wherein the gist thereof is that the
inhaler comprises a trap member constructed to trap at least a part
of one of the first aerosol generated by atomizing the first liquid
and the second aerosol generated by atomizing the second
liquid.
[0026] A twentieth feature is an inhaler, and the gist thereof is
that the inhaler comprises: a piezoelectric element substrate
having an IDT constructed by use of a pair of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes; a liquid supplier for supplying
liquid, which is to be atomized, to a front surface of the
piezoelectric element substrate on which the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes is positioned; a sensor, which
comprises at least a pair of detection parts which are opposite to
each other, for detecting liquid supplied to the front surface of
the piezoelectric element substrate; and a controller for
controlling, based on result of detection by the sensor, the liquid
supplier in such a manner that the liquid supplier supplies a
certain quantity of the liquid to the front surface of the
piezoelectric element substrate.
[0027] A twenty-first feature comprises twentieth feature, wherein
the gist thereof is that the detection parts are positioned apart
from the front surface of the piezoelectric element substrate.
[0028] A twenty-second feature comprises twentieth feature or the
twenty-first feature, wherein the gist thereof is that the
piezoelectric element substrate comprises an edge to which the
liquid from the liquid supplier is supplied; each of the detection
parts comprises a convex part which projects toward an opposite
detection part; and a distance between the edge and the convex part
is 0.10 mm to 0.20 mm.
[0029] A twenty-third feature comprises the twenty-second feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the inhaler further comprises a
guide wall positioned at an edge side of the piezoelectric element
substrate; and a distance between the edge and au end surface, at
the edge side, of the guide wall is equal to or longer than 0.25
mm.
[0030] A twenty-fourth feature comprises the twenty-second feature
or the twenty-third feature, wherein the gist thereof is that a
distance between the convex parts of the detection parts, which are
opposite to each other, corresponds to an overlap length of the
pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes.
[0031] A twenty-fifth feature comprises one of the twentieth
feature to the twenty-fourth feature, wherein the gist thereof is
that the piezoelectric element substrate comprises edges that are
opposite to each other across the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes, and the sensor is arranged on each of the
edges that are opposite to each other.
[0032] A twenty-sixth feature comprises one of the twentieth
feature to the twenty-fifth feature, wherein the gist thereof is
that the sensor comprises one of an electric conductivity sensor,
an emitter-receiver sensor, and a capacitive sensor.
[0033] A twenty-seventh feature is a controller for controlling an
atomizing unit, wherein the gist thereof is that the atomizing unit
comprises a piezoelectric element substrate comprising an IDT
comprising a pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes,
and a liquid supplier configured to supply liquid, which is to be
atomized, to the piezoelectric element substrate; wherein the
piezoelectric element substrate is configured to atomize the liquid
by use of a surface acoustic wave generated by applying a
high-frequency voltage to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes; and the controller is configured to
periodically change amplitude and/or a frequency of the
high-frequency voltage applied to the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes.
[0034] A twenty-eighth feature comprises the twenty-seventh
feature, wherein the gist thereof is that the controller is
configured to modulate the high-frequency voltage applied to the
pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes based on a
sine wave, a rectangular wave, a triangular wave, or a saw tooth
wave; and the modulation is amplitude modulation and/or frequency
modulation.
[0035] A twenty-ninth feature comprises the twenty-seventh feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the controller is configured to
modify the amplitude of the high-frequency voltage applied to the
pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes to have the
form of a sine wave, a rectangular wave, a triangular wave, or a
saw tooth wave.
[0036] A thirtieth comprises the twenty-ninth feature, wherein the
gist thereof is that the controller is configured to modify the
amplitude of the high-frequency voltage applied to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes by providing with, in
an alternating manner, a period during which the high-frequency
voltage is applied and a period during which the high-frequency
voltage is not applied.
[0037] A thirty-first feature comprises one of the twenty-eighth
feature to the thirtieth feature, wherein the gist thereof is that
a duty ratio of the rectangular wave is set in such a manner that
damage to the piezoelectric element substrate due to high
temperature is avoided, and/or in such a manner that generation, by
atomization, of particles having particle sizes larger than a
predetermined size is suppressed, when the high-frequency voltage
is applied to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes.
[0038] A thirty-second feature comprises the twenty-eighth feature
or the twenty-ninth feature, wherein the gist thereof is that, in a
single period of the triangular wave, a ratio between amplitude and
a length of a period during which a change occurs in a first
direction which is parallel to the amplitude and a ratio between
amplitude and a length of a period during which a change occurs in
a second direction which is opposite to the first direction are set
in such a manner that damage to the piezoelectric element substrate
due to high temperature is avoided, and/or in such a manner that
generation, by atomization, of particles having particle sizes
larger than a predetermined size is suppressed, when the
high-frequency voltage is applied to the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes.
[0039] A thirty-third feature comprises the twenty-eighth feature
or the twenty-ninth feature, wherein the gist thereof is that a
ratio between a length of a single period and amplitude of the saw
tooth wave is set in such a manner that damage to the piezoelectric
element substrate due to high temperature is avoided, and/or in
such a manner that generation, by atomization, of particles having
particle sizes larger than a predetermined size is suppressed, when
the high-frequency voltage is applied to the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes.
[0040] A thirty-fourth feature comprises one of the twenty-seventh
feature to the thirty-third feature, wherein the gist thereof is
that a frequency of the periodical changing is equal to or higher
than 50 Hz and equal to or lower than 500 Hz.
[0041] A thirty fifth feature is a controller for controlling an
atomizing unit, wherein the gist thereof is that the atomizing unit
comprises a piezoelectric element substrate comprising an IDT
comprising a pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes,
and a liquid supplier configured to supply liquid, which is to be
atomized, to the piezoelectric element substrate; wherein the
piezoelectric element substrate is configured to atomize the liquid
by use of a surface acoustic wave generated by applying a
high-frequency voltage to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes; and the controller performs control to start
supply of the liquid, which is to be atomised, to the piezoelectric
element substrate after predetermined time has elapsed since
application of the high-frequency voltage to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes has started.
[0042] A thirty-sixth feature comprises the thirty-fifth feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that a length of the predetermined time
is set in such a manner that generation, by atomization, of
particles having particle sizes larger than a predetermined size is
suppressed.
[0043] A thirty-seventh feature comprises the thirty-fifth feature
or the thirty-sixth feature, wherein the gist thereof is that the
controller is configured to set a speed to supply the liquid, which
is to be atomized, to the piezoelectric element substrate to a
predetermined value, right after supplying is started.
[0044] A thirty-eighth feature comprises the thirty-fifth feature
or the thirty-sixth feature, wherein the gist thereof is that the
controller is configured to set a speed to supply the liquid, which
is to be atomized, to the piezoelectric element substrate to zero
right after supplying is started, and gradually increase the supply
speed to a predetermined value.
[0045] A thirty-ninth feature comprises the thirty-eighth feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that a length of time during which the
supply speed increases from zero to the predetermined value is set
in such a manner that generation, by atomization, of particles
having particle sizes larger than a predetermined size is
suppressed.
[0046] A fortieth feature is a controller for controlling an
atomizing unit, wherein the gist thereof is that the atomizing unit
comprises a piezoelectric element substrate comprising an IDT
comprising a pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes,
a liquid supplier configured to supply liquid, which is to be
atomized, to the piezoelectric element substrate, and a sensor for
detecting a quantity of the liquid. which is to be atomized, which
exists on the piezoelectric element substrate; wherein the
piezoelectric element substrate is configured to atomize the liquid
by use of a surface acoustic wave generated by applying a
high-frequency voltage to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes; and the controller is configured to control
supply of the liquid, which is to be atomized, to the piezoelectric
element substrate based on the quantity of the liquid existing on
the piezoelectric element substrate.
[0047] A forty-first feature comprises the fortieth feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the controller is configured to
start, at the same time, application of the high-frequency voltage
to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes, and
supply of the liquid, which is to be atomized, to the piezoelectric
element substrate.
[0048] A forty-second feature comprises the fortieth feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the controller is configured to
start supply of the liquid, which is to be atomized, to the
piezoelectric element substrate, after starting application of the
high-frequency voltage to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes.
[0049] A forty-third feature comprises one of the fortieth feature
to the forty-second feature, wherein the gist thereof is that the
controller is configured to control supply of the liquid, which is
to be atomized, to the piezoelectric element substrate in such a
manner that a quantity, that is in a first predetermined range of
quantities, of the liquid, which is to be atomized, exists on the
piezoelectric element substrate, before application of the
high-frequency voltage to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes is started.
[0050] A forty-fourth feature comprises the forty-third feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the first predetermined range of
quantities is set in such a manner that generation, by atomization,
of particles having particle sizes larger than a predetermined size
is suppressed.
[0051] A forty-fifth feature comprises one of the fortieth feature
to the forty-fourth feature, wherein the gist thereof is that
controller is configured to control supply of the liquid, which is
to be atomized, to the piezoelectric element substrate in such a
manner that the speed of supply of the liquid, which is to be
atomized, to the piezoelectric element substrate is made to have a
predetermined value or predetermined change, after application of
the high-frequency voltage to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes is started.
[0052] A forty-sixth feature comprises one of the fortieth feature
to the forty-fifth feature, wherein the gist thereof is that the
controller is configured to stop supply of the liquid, which is to
be atomized, to the piezoelectric element substrate, in the case
that the quantity of the liquid, which is to be atomized, existing
on the piezoelectric element substrate is equal to or above an
upper limit in a second predetermined range of quantities, when
supplying the liquid, which is to be atomized, to the piezoelectric
element substrate; and the upper limit and a lower limit of the
second predetermined range of quantities are equal to or larger
than an upper limit and a lower limit of the first predetermined
range of quantities, respectively.
[0053] A forty-seventh feature comprises the forty-sixth feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the controller is configured to
restart supply of the liquid, which is to be atomized, to the
piezoelectric element substrate, in the case that the quantity of
the liquid, which is to be atomized, existing on the piezoelectric
element substrate is less than the lower limit of the second
predetermined range of quantities, when supply of the liquid, which
is to be atomized, to the piezoelectric element substrate is being
stopped.
[0054] A forty-eighth feature comprises the forty-sixth feature or
the forty-seventh feature, wherein the gist thereof is that the
second predetermined range of quantities is set in such a manner
that generation, by atomization, of particles having particle sizes
larger than a predetermined size is suppressed.
[0055] A forty-ninth feature comprises a program, wherein the gist
thereof is that the program makes a processor to function as at
least a part of the controller recited in one of the twenty-seventh
feature to the forty-eighth feature.
[0056] A fiftieth feature is an inhaler, and the gist thereof is
that the inhaler comprises an atomizing unit which comprises a
piezoelectric element substrate having a first DT consisting of a
pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes and is configured to
atomize liquid by a surface acoustic wave generated by applying a
high-frequency voltage to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes, and a controller configured to monitor a resonant
frequency of the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes and
apply a voltage to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes
at a frequency determined based on the monitored resonant
frequency.
[0057] A fifty first feature comprises the fiftieth feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the controller is configured to,
when monitoring the resonant frequency, apply a voltage to the pair
of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes at a frequency selected from
multiple different frequencies and determine as the resonant
frequency, a frequency of a voltage applied to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes when power reflected from the
pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes is the lowest.
[0058] A fifty second feature comprises the fifty first feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the controller is configured to
detect first power reflected from the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes when a voltage is applied to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes at a first frequency, detect
second power reflected from the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes when a voltage is applied to the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes at a second frequency separated from the
first frequency by a first value, and apply a voltage to the pair
of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes at a third frequency
separated from the second frequency by a second value that is
smaller than the first value when the second power is lower than
the first power.
[0059] A fifty third feature comprises the fifty first feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the controller is configured to
monitor reflected power from the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes while discretely increasing or decreasing a frequency of
a voltage applied to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes, end a scan when the trend of the value indicating
reflected power shifts from a decreasing trend to an increasing
trend, and determine as the resonant frequency, a frequency of a
voltage applied to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes
when the reflected power becomes the lowest.
[0060] A fifty fourth feature comprises the fifty first feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the controller is configured to
monitor reflected power from the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes while discretely increasing a frequency of a voltage
applied to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes, reduce
the range of variation in a frequency of a voltage applied to the
pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes and discretely decrease
the frequency when the trend of the value indicating the reflected
power shills from a decreasing trend to an increasing trend.
[0061] A fifty fifth feature comprises the fifty first feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the controller is configured to
monitor reflected power from the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes while discretely decreasing a frequency of a voltage
applied to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes, reduce
the range of variation in a frequency of a voltage applied to the
pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes and discretely increase
the frequency when the trend of the value indicating the reflected
power shifts from a decreasing trend to an increasing trend.
[0062] A fifty sixth feature comprises the fifty first feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the controller is configured to
determine a resonant frequency monitored before the start of
atomization of liquid by the atomizing unit, a resonant frequency
estimated from the temperature of the piezoelectric element
substrate or a frequency closest to the resonant frequency at the
time of the previous inhalation as a frequency to be selected first
from the multiple different frequencies.
[0063] A fifty seventh feature comprises the fiftieth feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the inhaler further comprises a
second IDT located on the piezoelectric element substrate and
configured to generate a voltage in response to the surface
acoustic wave and the controller is configured to, when monitoring
the resonant frequency, apply a voltage to the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes at a frequency selected from multiple
different frequencies and determine as the resonant frequency, a
frequency of a voltage applied to the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes when a voltage arising at the second IDT is
the highest.
[0064] A fifty eighth feature comprises the fifty seventh feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the controller is configured to
detect a first voltage arising at the second IDT when a voltage is
applied to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes at a
first frequency, detect a second voltage arising at the second IDT
when applying a voltage to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes at a second frequency separated from the first frequency
by a first value, and apply a voltage to the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes at a third frequency separated from the
second frequency by a second value that is smaller than the first
value when the second voltage is higher than the first voltage.
[0065] A fifty ninth feature comprises the fifty seventh feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the controller is configured to
monitor a voltage arising at the second IDT while discretely
increasing or decreasing a frequency of a voltage applied to the
pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes, end a scan when the
trend of the value of the voltage arising at the second IDT shifts
from an increasing trend to a decreasing trend, and determine as
the resonant frequency, a frequency of a voltage applied to the
pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes when the voltage
becomes the highest.
[0066] A sixtieth feature comprises the fifty seventh feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the controller is configured to
monitor a voltage arising at the second IDT while discretely
increasing a frequency of a voltage applied to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes, reduce the range of variation
in a frequency of a voltage applied to the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes and discretely decrease the frequency when
the trend of the value of the voltage arising at the second IDT
shifts from an increasing trend to a decreasing trend.
[0067] A sixty first feature comprises the fifty seventh feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the controller is configured to
monitor a voltage arising at the second IDT while discretely
decreasing a frequency of a voltage applied to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes, reduce the range of variation
in a frequency of a voltage applied to the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes and discretely increase the frequency when
the trend of the value of the voltage arising at the second IDT
shifts from an increasing trend to a decreasing trend.
[0068] A sixty second feature comprises the fifty seventh feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the controller is configured to
determine a resonant frequency monitored before the start of
atomization of the liquid by the atomizing unit, a resonant
frequency estimated from the temperature of the piezoelectric
element substrate or a frequency closest to the resonant frequency
at the time of the previous inhalation as a frequency to be
selected first from the multiple different frequencies.
[0069] A sixty third feature comprises any one of the fiftieth to
sixty second features, wherein the gist thereof is that the
controller is configured to monitor the resonant frequency before
the start or after the end of atomization of the liquid by the
atomizing unit.
[0070] A sixty fourth feature comprises any one of the fiftieth to
sixty second features, wherein the gist thereof is that the
controller is configured to monitor the resonant frequency after
detecting a request to atomize the liquid.
[0071] A sixty fifth feature comprises any one of the fiftieth to
sixty second features, wherein the gist thereof is that the
controller is configured to apply a voltage to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes at a frequency determined based
on the monitored resonant frequency during atomization of the
liquid by the atomizing unit.
[0072] A sixty sixth feature comprises the sixty third feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the controller is configured to
determine a range of frequencies including the monitored resonant
frequency and control a frequency of a voltage applied to the pair
of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes in such a manner as to vary
within the determined range of frequencies during atomization of
the liquid by the atomizing unit.
[0073] The sixty seventh feature comprises the sixty sixth feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the inhaler further comprises a
memory unit for storing a correspondence between a resonant
frequency and a frequency range and the controller is configured to
determine the frequency range based on the monitored resonant
frequency and the correspondence.
[0074] The sixty eighth feature comprises any one of the fiftieth
to sixty second features, wherein the gist thereof is that the
resonant frequency is monitored during atomization of the liquid by
the atomizing unit.
[0075] The sixty ninth feature comprises the sixth eighth feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the controller is configured to
control a frequency of a voltage applied to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes in such a manner as to vary
within a predetermined range and adjust the predetermined range in
such a manner as to include the monitored resonant frequency,
during atomization of the liquid by the atomizing unit.
[0076] The seventieth feature comprises the sixty eighth feature,
wherein the gist thereof is that the controller is configured to
control a frequency of a voltage applied to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes and determine the monitored
resonant frequency as a frequency of a voltage applied to the pair
of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes at the time of the next
inhalation, during atomization of the liquid by the atomizing
unit.
[0077] The seventy first feature comprises any one of fiftieth to
sixty second features, wherein the gist thereof is that the inhaler
further comprises a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature
of the piezoelectric element substrate, wherein the controller is
configured to obtain the temperature detected by the temperature
sensor and determine a frequency of a voltage applied to the pair
of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes based on the detected
temperature, during atomization of the liquid by the atomizing
unit.
[0078] The seventy second feature comprises the seventy first
feature, wherein the gist thereof is that the controller is
configured to predict a variation in a resonant frequency during
atomization of the liquid by the atomizing unit based on the
detected temperature and determine a frequency of a voltage applied
to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes based on the
predicted variation in the resonant frequency.
[0079] The seventy third feature comprises the seventy second
feature, wherein the gist thereof is that the inhaler further
comprises a memory unit for storing a correspondence between a
temperature and a resonant frequency of the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes, wherein the controller is configured to
predict a variation in the resonant frequency based on the detected
temperature and the correspondence.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0080] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a flavor inhaler 1
according to an embodiment.
[0081] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an atomizing unit 100
according to the embodiment.
[0082] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a planar view of a SAW
module 30 viewed from a front surface side of a piezoelectric
element substrate 31.
[0083] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a cross-section of the SAW
module 30.
[0084] FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a mechanism of generating
an aerosol.
[0085] FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing a penetrated aperture 34
according to a first modification.
[0086] FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing a separation wall 37
according to a second modification.
[0087] FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing the separation wall 37
according to the second modification.
[0088] FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing a hydrophilic layer 38
according to a third modification.
[0089] FIG. 10 shows photographs of a result of a first
experiment.
[0090] FIG. 11 is a table showing a result of a second
experiment.
[0091] FIG. 12 is a graph showing a result of a third
experiment.
[0092] FIG. 13 is a diagram for describing a fifth
modification.
[0093] FIG. 14 is a diagram for describing a sixth
modification.
[0094] FIG. 15 is a diagram for describing the sixth
modification.
[0095] FIG. 16 is a diagram for describing a seventh
modification.
[0096] FIG. 17 is a diagram for describing the seventh
modification.
[0097] FIG. 18 is a diagram for describing an eighth
modification.
[0098] FIG. 19 is a diagram for describing the eighth
modification.
[0099] FIG. 20 is a diagram for describing the eighth
modification.
[0100] FIG. 21 is a diagram for describing a ninth
modification.
[0101] FIG. 22 is a diagram for describing the ninth
modification.
[0102] FIG. 23 is a diagram for describing the ninth
modification.
[0103] FIG. 24 is a diagram for describing the ninth
modification.
[0104] FIG. 25 is a diagram for describing the ninth
modification.
[0105] FIG. 26 is a diagram for describing a tenth
modification.
[0106] FIG. 27 is a diagram for describing an eleventh
modification.
[0107] FIG. 28 is a diagram for describing a twelfth
modification.
[0108] FIG. 29 is a diagram for describing a thirteenth
modification.
[0109] FIG. 30 is a diagram for describing a fourteenth
modification.
[0110] FIG. 31 is a diagram for describing the fourteenth
modification.
[0111] FIG. 32 is a diagram for describing the fourteenth
modification.
[0112] FIG. 33 is a diagram for describing the fourteenth
modification.
[0113] FIG. 34 is a diagram for describing a fifteenth
modification.
[0114] FIG. 35 is a diagram for describing a sixteenth
modification.
[0115] FIG. 36 is a diagram for describing the sixteenth
modification.
[0116] FIG. 37 is a diagram for describing a seventeenth
modification.
[0117] FIG. 38 is a diagram for describing an eighteenth
modification.
[0118] FIG. 39 is a diagram for describing a nineteenth
modification.
[0119] FIG. 40 is a diagram for describing the nineteenth
modification.
[0120] FIG. 41 is a diagram for describing the nineteenth
modification.
[0121] FIG. 42 is a diagram for describing a twentieth
modification.
[0122] FIG. 43 is a diagram for describing the twentieth
modification.
[0123] FIG. 44 is a diagram for describing the twentieth
modification.
[0124] FIG. 45 is a diagram for describing a twenty second
modification.
[0125] FIG. 46 is a diagram for describing a twenty third
modification.
[0126] FIG. 47 is a diagram for describing the twenty third
modification.
[0127] FIG. 48 is a diagram for describing a result of an
experiment.
[0128] FIG. 49 is a perspective view showing an example of an
exterior of the unit which is that from which the sensor, the
controller, and the power source of the flavor inhaler 1 shown in
FIG. 1 have been removed.
[0129] FIG. 50 is a longitudinal section of the unit shown in FIG.
49.
[0130] FIG. 51 is an exploded perspective view of the unit shown in
FIG. 49.
[0131] FIG. 52 is an exploded perspective view of the atomizing
unit from which the first cover and the second cover have been
removed.
[0132] FIG. 53 is a cross-section view of the atomizing unit.
[0133] FIG. 54 is a side cross-section view of the mouthpiece.
[0134] FIG. 55 is a side cross-section view showing another example
of the mouthpiece.
[0135] FIG. 56 is a perspective view showing a further example of
the mouthpiece.
[0136] FIG. 57 is a schematic drawing of the mouthpiece wherein
cross sections of the separation part and the air outlet shown in
FIG. 56 are shown.
[0137] FIG. 58 is a side cross-section view showing a still further
example of the mouthpiece.
[0138] FIG. 59 is a schematic side view showing the flow of air
passing through the mouthpiece shown in FIG. 58.
[0139] FIG. 60 is a side cross-section view showing a still further
example of the mouthpiece.
[0140] FIG. 61 is a schematic side view showing the flow of air
passing through the mouthpiece shown in FIG. 60.
[0141] FIG. 62 is a graph showing a result of measurement of
diameter distribution with respect to aerosol in experiment 1.
[0142] FIG. 63 is a graph showing discomfort in a throat.
[0143] FIG. 64 is an enlarged view of a part extracted from the
atomizing unit shown in FIG. 52.
[0144] FIG. 65 is a graph showing relationship between the spaces
C2 shown in FIG. 64 and the atomizing amounts.
[0145] FIG. 66 is a graph showing relationship between the spaces
L1 shown in FIG. 64 and the atomizing amounts.
[0146] FIG. 67 is figure for explaining twenty-sixth modification
A.
[0147] FIG. 68 is figure for explaining twenty-sixth modification
A.
[0148] FIG. 69 is figure for explaining twenty-sixth modification
D.
[0149] FIG. 70 is figure for explaining twenty-sixth modification
D.
[0150] FIG. 71 is figure for explaining twenty-sixth modification
D.
[0151] FIG. 72 is figure for explaining twenty-sixth modification
D.
[0152] FIG. 73 is figure for explaining twenty-sixth modification
E.
[0153] FIG. 74 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating
the inhaler according to the twenty seventh modification.
[0154] FIG. 75 illustrates an example of a control circuit of the
inhaler.
[0155] FIG. 76 is a flow chart illustrating a specific example of a
process performed at step 4004 in FIG. 74.
[0156] FIG. 77 shows graphs for explaining an example of a method
of determining a resonant frequency during the process illustrated
in FIG. 76.
[0157] FIG. 78A illustrates an example of a configuration of the
inhaler according to the twenty seventh modification for
determining a resonant frequency by a method that differs from the
method explained in FIG. 77.
[0158] FIG. 78B illustrates an example of the arrangement of the
first and second IDTs.
[0159] FIG. 78C illustrates an example of the arrangement of the
first and second IDTs.
[0160] FIG. 78D illustrates an example of the arrangement of the
first and second IDTs.
[0161] FIG. 79 is a flow chart illustrating a specific example of a
process performed at step 4004 in FIG. 74.
[0162] FIG. 80A is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating
the inhaler according to the twenty seventh modification.
[0163] FIG. 80B is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating
the inhaler according to the twenty seventh modification.
[0164] FIG. 80C is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating
the inhaler according to the twenty seventh modification.
[0165] FIG. 81A is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating
the inhaler according to the twenty seventh modification.
[0166] FIG. 81B is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating
the inhaler according to the twenty seventh modification
[0167] FIG. 81C is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating
the inhaler according to the twenty seventh modification.
[0168] FIG. 82 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating
the inhaler according to the twenty seventh modification.
[0169] FIG. 83 is a flow chart illustrating a specific example of a
process performed at step 4814.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0170] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described. In the following description of the drawings, the same
or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference
numerals. It is noted that the drawings are schematic, and the
ratios of dimensions and the like may be different from the actual
ones.
[0171] Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be
determined by referring to the following description. Of course,
the drawings may include the parts with different dimensions and
ratios.
[0172] [Overview of Disclosure]
[0173] As described in the background art, technology has been
proposed in which an atomizing unit using a piezoelectric element
substrate is used for a flavor inhaler. As a result of extensive
studies, the inventors found that various means need to be devised
if using a piezoelectric element substrate in an atomizing unit to
be used for the flavor inhaler.
[0174] An atomizing unit according to the overview of disclosure
comprises: a piezoelectric element substrate having an interdigital
transducer made of a pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes; and a liquid supplier configured to supply liquid to be
aerosolized to the piezoelectric element substrate. The
piezoelectric element substrate is configured to atomize the liquid
by use of a surface acoustic wave generated by applying a voltage
to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes at a
high frequency (resonant frequency). The piezoelectric element
substrate has a certain number of the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes, the certain number being
determined based on a desired aerosol atomised by use of the
surface acoustic wave.
[0175] According to the overview of the disclosure, the number of
pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes is determined
based on a desired aerosol. Therefore, as the atomizing unit having
the limited power that can be supplied to the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes, it is possible to provide an
appropriate atomizing unit by improving atomizing efficiency of the
liquid.
Embodiment
[0176] (Flavor Inhaler)
[0177] A flavor inhaler according to an embodiment will be
described below. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a flavor inhaler
1 according to the embodiment.
[0178] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the flavor inhaler 1 has an
atomizing unit 100, a liquid storage unit 200, a sensor 300, a
controller 400, and a power source 500. The flavor inhaler 1 has a
housing 1X configured to house the atomizing unit 100, the liquid
storage unit 200, the sensor 300, the controller 400, and the power
source 500. The housing 1X may have a rectangular box shape as
illustrated in FIG. 1, or may have a cylindrical shape. The flavor
inhaler 1 has a chamber 1C communicating from an inlet 1A to an
outlet 1B. The outlet 1B may be provided with a mouthpiece 1D. The
mouthpiece 1D may be a continuous body with the housing 1X, or may
be a separate body from the housing 1X. The mouthpiece 1D may have
a filter.
[0179] The atomizing unit 100 atomizes a liquid to be aerosolized
supplied from the liquid storage unit 200. The atomizing unit 100
uses a surface acoustic wave (SAW) to atomize the liquid. The
atomizing unit 100 may be a cartridge configured to be detachable.
Details of the atomizing unit 100 will be given later.
[0180] The liquid storage unit 200 houses the liquid. The liquid
storage unit 200 may be a cartridge configured to be detachable.
The liquid storage unit 200 may be integrally formed with the
atomizing unit 100. The liquid may include solvents such as water,
glycerin, propylene glycol, and ethanol. The liquid may include
solutes (flavor components) contributing to at least any one of a
fragrance and a taste. The flavor component may include a volatile
component and a non-volatile component. It may be sufficient that
the volatile component is a component generally used as a flavor.
The volatile component may be a plant-derived component or a
synthetic component. Examples of the volatile component include
menthol, limonene, linalool, vanillin, tobacco extracts, and the
like. The non-volatile component may be a component contributing to
the sense of taste. Examples of the non-volatile component include
sugars such as glucose, fructose, sucrose and lactose; bitter
substance such as tannin, catechin, and naringin, acids such as
malic acid and citric acid, and salts. The liquid may be in an
emulsified state by an emulsifier, or may be in a suspended state
by a dispersant. The liquid may include an ionic substance and a
water-soluble flavor that is insoluble in glycerin and propylene
glycol and soluble in water.
[0181] If the liquid storage unit 200 is a cartridge and a SAW
module described below has two or more penetrated apertures, the
liquid may be supplied to the two or more penetrated apertures from
one cartridge, or the liquid may be supplied to the two or more
penetrated apertures individually from two or more cartridges. If
two or more cartridges are provided, each cartridge may store
liquid of a different kind. For example, a first cartridge may
store a volatile component and a second cartridge may store a
non-volatile component.
[0182] If the liquid storage unit 200 is a cartridge, the cartridge
may include the above-described mouthpiece ID as a continuous body.
According to such a configuration, the mouthpiece ID is also
replaced when the cartridge is replaced, and thus, the mouthpiece
1D is hygienically maintained.
[0183] If the liquid storage unit 200 is a cartridge, the cartridge
may be a disposable type, or may be a refillable type. The
refillable type is a type that a user refills the cartridge with
liquid of choice.
[0184] The sensor 300 detects a puff action of a user. For example,
the sensor 300 detects a flow of gas passing through the chamber
1C. For example, the sensor 300 is a flow rate sensor. The flow
rate sensor includes an orifice disposed within the chamber 1C. The
flow rate sensor monitors a pressure difference between an upstream
of the orifice and a downstream of the orifice, and detects an air
flow by the monitored pressure difference.
[0185] The controller 400 is configured of a processor, a memory,
and the like, and controls each configuration provided to the
flavor inhaler 1. The controller 400 may be an article configured
to be detachable. For example, the controller 400 specifies a start
of a puff action by a detection result of the sensor 300. The
controller 400 may start an atomization action of the atomizing
unit 100, in response to the start of the puff action. The
controller 400 may specify a stop of the puff action by the
detection result of the sensor 300. The controller 400 may stop the
atomization action of the atomizing unit 100, in response to the
stop of the puff action. If a certain period has passed from the
start of the puff action, the controller 400 may stop the
atomization action of the atomizing unit 100.
[0186] In the embodiment, the controller 400 may include a voltage
and frequency control circuit configured to control the SAW module
described below. A voltage and frequency adjustment circuit
controls, as the atomization action of the atomizing unit 100, a
frequency and magnitude of power (for example, AC voltage) supplied
to a SAW module 30. However, as described below, the voltage and
frequency adjustment circuit may be provided to a drive circuit
board 20.
[0187] The power source 500 supplies power for driving the flavor
inhaler 1. The power source 500 may be a primary battery such as a
manganese battery, an alkaline battery, an oxyride battery, a
nickel battery, a nickel manganese battery, and a lithium battery,
or may be a secondary battery such as a nickel-cadmium battery, a
nickel-metal hydride battery, and a lithium battery. The power
source 500 may be an article configured to be detachable.
[0188] (Atomizing Unit)
[0189] An atomizing unit according to the embodiment will be
described below. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the atomizing
unit 100 according to the embodiment.
[0190] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the atomizing unit 100 has a
housing 10, the drive circuit board 20, the SAW module 30, a
ceiling plate 40, and a top cover 50.
[0191] The housing 10 houses the drive circuit board 20, the SAW
module 30, and the ceiling plate 40. The housing 10 may house a
housing body configured to house the liquid to be aerosolized, or
may house a liquid supplier (for example, a syringe pump)
configured to supply the liquid to the SAW module 30.
[0192] The drive circuit board 20 has a drive circuit configured to
drive the SAW module 30. The drive circuit board 20 may be
considered to include a part of the above-described controller 400
(for example, the voltage and frequency control circuit).
Alternatively, the drive circuit board 20 may be considered to be a
part of the controller 400. For example, the drive circuit uses the
power supplied from the power source 500 to drive the SAW module
30. The drive circuit controls the frequency and the magnitude of
the power (for example, AC voltage) supplied to the SAW module 30.
The drive circuit may control an amount of the liquid supplied to
the SAW module 30.
[0193] As described below, the SAW module 30 has a piezoelectric
element substrate having interdigital transducer made of at least
one pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes. Details
of the SAW module 30 will be described later (see FIG. 3 and FIG.
4).
[0194] The ceiling plate 40 is a plate-like member disposed on the
drive circuit board 20 and the SAW module 30. The drive circuit
board 20 and the SAW module 30 are disposed between the housing 10
and the ceiling plate 40. The ceiling plate 40 has an opening 41
exposing at least the piezoelectric element substrate. For example,
the ceiling plate 40 is configured by stainless steel.
[0195] The top cover 50 is disposed on the ceiling plate 40. The
top cover 50 has an inlet 51 and an outlet 52 and has an air flow
path extending from the inlet 51 to the outlet 52. The aerosol is
led out from the SAW module 30 to the outlet 52 by an airstream
from inlet 51 to outlet 52. The top cover 50 may have an O ring 53
configured to improve airtightness of the air flow path. For
example, the top cover 50 is configured by resins having heat
resistance such as polycarbonates, and the 0 ring 53 may be
configured by resins having elasticity such as silicon. A position
of the outlet 52 may be any position and the outlet 52 may be
provided immediately above the opening 41 of the ceiling plate 40.
According to such a configuration, it is possible to efficiently
lead the aerosol generated toward a direction immediately above the
SAW module 30 and an aerosol flow path can be shortened. The outlet
52 may have a filter.
[0196] (Saw Module)
[0197] A SAW module according to the embodiment will be described
below. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a planar view of the SAW
module 30 viewed from the front surface side of a piezoelectric
element substrate 31. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a
cross-section of the SAW module 30.
[0198] As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the SAW module 30 has
the piezoelectric element substrate 31, an electrode (a main body
portion 32 and an interdigital transducer made of the pairs of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33), a penetrated
aperture 34, and a heat sink structure 35. The piezoelectric
element substrate 31 is configured to atomize the liquid by use of
a SAW generated by applying a voltage to the pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 at a high frequency (resonant
frequency).
[0199] The piezoelectric element substrate 31 includes a front
surface 31F on which the main body portion 32 and the pairs of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 are disposed and a
rear surface 31B provided on an opposite side of the front surface
31F. The piezoelectric element substrate 31 includes a
piezoelectric body configured to expand and contract as a result of
applying the voltage thereto. A portion of the piezoelectric
element substrate 31 where the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes 33 are disposed may be referred to as a
disposition portion 30A. It may be sufficient that the
piezoelectric body configures at least the front surface 31F. As
the piezoelectric body, a known piezoelectric body configured by
ceramics such as quartz, barium titanate, and lithium niobate can
be used.
[0200] The main body portion 32 is electrically connected to the
power source 500. The main body portion 32 includes a first main
body portion 32A integrally formed with a first electrode 33A that
is one of the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes
33, and a second main body portion 32B integrally formed with a
second electrode 33B that is the other one of the pairs of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33. The first main
body portion 32A and the second main body portion 32B are disposed,
with the disposition portion 30A being sandwiched therebetween, in
an orthogonal direction B to a travel direction A of the SAW. The
power output from a battery is supplied to the pairs of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 through the main
body portion 32.
[0201] The pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33
include the first electrode 33A and the second electrode 33B. The
first electrode 33A and the second electrode 33B are alternately
disposed in the travel direction A of the SAW. The first electrode
33A has a shape extending along the orthogonal direction B from the
first main body portion 32A. The second electrode 33B has a shape
extending along the orthogonal direction B from the second main
body portion 32B. For example, the pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 are configured by gold plated
metal and the like.
[0202] The penetrated aperture 34 is an aperture penetrating the
piezoelectric element substrate 31 from the rear surface 31B to the
front surface 31F. The penetrated aperture 34 forms a flow path
leading the liquid from the rear surface 31B to the front surface
31F. The penetrated aperture 34 has, in a planar view viewed from a
side of the front surface 31F, a maximum width W.sub.MAX in the
travel direction A of the SAW and a maximum length L.sub.MAX in the
orthogonal direction B. The maximum length L.sub.MAX is greater
than the maximum width W.sub.MAX. In other words, the penetrated
aperture 34 has a shape longer in the orthogonal direction B (for
example, an elliptical shape or a rectangular shape). If the
penetrated aperture 34 is an elliptical shape or a rectangular
shape, it may be sufficient that a longitudinal axis of the
penetrated aperture 34 extends along the orthogonal direction B.
"Extending along the orthogonal direction B" may mean to have an
inclination in which the longitudinal axis of the penetrated
aperture 34 is equal to or less than 45.degree. with respect to the
orthogonal direction B. It is preferable that the maximum length
L.sub.MAX is greater than a length of the disposition portion 30A
in the orthogonal direction B (for example, overlapping portion of
the first electrode 33A and the second electrode 33B). As
illustrated in FIG. 3, it is preferable that the penetrated
aperture 34 includes at least two penetrated apertures that
sandwich the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes
33. According to such a configuration, it increases an interaction
of SAW and liquid and increases the amount of liquid atomized for
the same power.
[0203] The heat sink structure 35 is a structure configured to
conduct away the heat generated by a reflection of the surface
acoustic wave on an edge of the piezoelectric element substrate 31.
The heat sink structure 35 includes at least any one of a heat
conductive layer and a Peltier element, the heat conductive layer
being configured by a material having a thermal conductivity higher
than a thermal conductivity of the piezoelectric element substrate
31. The heat sink structure 35 has a penetrated aperture 35A
continuous to the penetrated aperture 34. The penetrated aperture
35A is an aperture through which the liquid is led to the front
surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. In an
example illustrated in FIG. 4, the heat sink structure 35 is a heat
conductive layer disposed on the rear surface 31B of the
piezoelectric element substrate 31. However, the embodiment is not
limited thereto. For example, the heat sink structure 35 may only
need to be in contact with the piezoelectric element substrate 31
and may be disposed on the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric
element substrate 31. The heat sink structure 35 may be a Peltier
element. The heat sink structure 35 may include both the heat
conductive layer and the Peltier element. For example, as the heat
conductive layer, metals such as aluminum, copper, and iron may be
used, and carbon, Aluminum nitride, and ceramics may also be used.
For example, the Peltier element may be stuck to the piezoelectric
element substrate 31 by an adhesive (a grease, an epoxy resin, a
metal paste). It is preferable that the thermal conductivity of the
adhesive is higher than 0.1 W/m/K. Further, it is preferable that
the thermal conductivity of the adhesive is higher than 0.5 W/m/K.
The thinner adhesive would be preferable, and the thin adhesive may
be available by a screen printing.
[0204] As illustrated in FIG. 4, a liquid supplier 60 is provided
on a side of the rear surface 31B of the piezoelectric element
substrate 31, the liquid supplier 60 is configured to supply the
liquid to the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The liquid
supplier 60 supplies the liquid to the front surface 31F of the
piezoelectric element substrate 31 through the penetrated aperture
34 and the penetrated aperture 35A.
[0205] For example, the liquid supplier 60 is a syringe pump. In
such a case, the penetrated aperture 34 and the penetrated aperture
35A configure a flow path of the liquid. The syringe pump may be
manually operated or electrically operated.
[0206] In FIG. 3, a case is exemplified where the liquid supplier
60 is a syringe pump; however, the embodiment is not limited to
this. For example, the liquid supplier 60 may be a member
configured to supply the liquid by a capillary phenomenon. In such
a case, the liquid supplier 60 includes a capillary member through
which the liquid is suctioned up and the penetrated aperture 34 and
the penetrated aperture 35A configure an aperture through which the
capillary member is passed. A first end of the capillary member at
least reaches the liquid storage unit 200 and a second end of the
capillary member reaches the SAW module 30. In a cross-section of
the penetrated aperture 34 and the penetrated aperture 35A, the
capillary member is disposed on at least a part of the
cross-section. The capillary member may be configured by at least
any one of a naturally derived fiber material, a plant-derived
fiber material, and a synthetic fiber material. For example, the
naturally derived fiber material may be at least any one of a dried
plant, a cut-up dried plant, cut-up leaf tobacco, a dried fruit, a
cut-up dried fruit, a dried vegetable, and a cut-up dried
vegetable. For example, the plant-derived fiber material may be at
least any one of an absorbent cotton and a linen fiber. The
capillary member may be a cut-up dried plant formed in a sheet
shape, such as a cut-up filter paper and a cut-up tobacco
sheet.
[0207] Further, the liquid supplier 60 may be a combination of the
syringe pump and the capillary member. If a remaining amount of the
liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 200 is equal to or more
than a threshold value, the liquid may be supplied by the capillary
member and if the remaining amount of the liquid is less than the
threshold value, the liquid may be supplied by the syringe pump.
The controller 400 may determine, based on a predetermined
reference, whether to use either the syringe pump or the capillary
member.
[0208] If the liquid storage unit 200 is a cartridge, the liquid
supplier 60 may automatically supply the liquid to the SAW module
30 in response to an attachment of the cartridge. If a power source
switch configured to drive the flavor inhaler 1 is provided, the
liquid supplier 60 may automatically supply the liquid to the SAW
module 30 in response to the turning on of the power source.
[0209] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the SAW module 30 may include a
coating layer 36. The coating layer 36 may entirely cover the
piezoelectric element substrate 31, or may partially cover the
piezoelectric element substrate 31. The coating layer 36 may be
provided on an inner surface of the penetrated aperture 34.
According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the
liquid from coming in contact with the piezoelectric element
substrate 31. Further, by conformably depositing the coating
material, the coating layer 36 may be provided on an inner surface
of the penetrated aperture 35A, in addition to the inner surface of
the penetrated aperture 34. According to such a configuration, it
is possible to further prevent the liquid from coming in contact
with the piezoelectric element substrate 31.
[0210] It may be sufficient that the coating layer 36 is configured
by a material suppressing denaturation of the piezoelectric element
substrate 31 caused due to adherence or the like of the liquid. For
example, the coating layer 36 may be configured by polymeric
materials such as polypropylene and polyethylene. The coating layer
36 may be configured by a material such as metal, carbon, Teflon
(trademark), glass, Parylene, Silicon dioxide, and Titanium
dioxide, or a ceramic material such as Silicon nitride, Silicon
oxynitride, and Alumina oxide.
[0211] Under such premise, the piezoelectric element substrate 31
has a certain number of pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes 33, the certain number being determined based on a
desired aerosol atomized by use of the SAW. Specifically, the
number of pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33
is determined based on atomizing efficiency of the aerosol atomised
by use of the SAW. The interval of electrodes adjacent to each
other included in the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes 33 and the width of the electrodes in the travel
direction are determined in accordance with a frequency set based
on a desired particle size of the aerosol atomized by use of the
SAW.
[0212] Here, the desired aerosol is an aerosol including an aerosol
having the desired particle size as a peak of the number
concentration. The atomizing efficiency is a degree of the number
concentration of the aerosol in a case where the power supplied to
the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 is
constant. The number concentration is the number of aerosol
particles included per unit volume. For example, the number
concentration of sub-micron droplets is equal to or more than
10.sup.8/cm.sup.3.
[0213] In the embodiment, the power supplied to the pairs of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 is provided by a
battery included in the flavor inhaler having the atomizing unit
100. Under such an environment, it is preferable that the power
supplied to the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes 33 is equal to or more than 3 W. When the power is equal
to or more than 3 W, the atomization of the liquid appropriately
occurs. On the other hand, it is preferable that the power supplied
to the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 is
equal to or less than 10 W. When the power is equal to or less than
10 W, the power supplied to the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes 33 can be appropriately controlled while
suppressing an overheating or the like of the pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33, the piezoelectric element
substrate, and the liquid under restrictions such as the power that
can be supplied and the capacity of the battery.
[0214] Generally, the decrease of the amount of power supplied to
the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 would
suppress the overheating of the SAW module 30, however, it also
causes the decrease of the aerosol amount. Under such a premise,
the amount of power supplied to the pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 may be controlled by PWM (Pulse
Width Modulation) in view of suppressing the overheating of the SAW
module 30. According to such a configuration, the overheating of
the SAW module 30 can be suppressed by PWM while suppressing the
decrease of the aerosol amount generated by SAW.
[0215] Under such power restrictions, it is preferable that the
number of pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33
is equal to or more than 10. According to such a configuration, it
is possible to atomize the liquid at a high atomizing efficiency.
On the other hand, it is preferable that the number of pairs of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 is equal to or less
than 80. According to such a configuration, the frequency bandwidth
does not become too narrow, and thus, it is possible to achieve
appropriate atomization even in consideration of the manufacturing
variation of the atomizing unit 100 and variations of the resonant
frequency under different operating conditions (temperature,
pressure, humidity, etc. . . . ).
[0216] The interval of the electrodes adjacent to each other and
the width of the electrodes in the travel direction are inevitably
determined in accordance with the frequency of the power supplied
to the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33.
The higher the frequency, the narrower the interval of the
electrodes adjacent to each other, and the smaller the particle
size of the aerosol. Under such a relationship, the desired
particle size having the peak number concentration may be between
0.2 .mu.m and 1.0 .mu.m, for example. In such a case, it is
preferable that the frequency is equal to or more than 20 MHz.
According to such a configuration, it is possible to keep the
particle size having the peak number concentration within a range
of the desired particle size. On the other hand, it is preferable
that the frequency is equal to or less than 200 MHz. Such a
configuration may ensure that the interval of the electrodes do not
become too narrow so that it is less likely to cause
short-circuiting of electrode at powers higher than the required
minimum power (3 W, for example).
[0217] As described above, it should be noted that as a result of
extensive studies, the inventors obtained a new finding that, under
the condition where the power that can be supplied to the pairs of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 is limited, the
number of pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33
is determined based on the atomizing efficiency of the aerosol. It
also should be noted that the inventors obtained a new finding that
the interval (that is, the frequencies) of the electrodes are
determined in accordance with the frequency set based on the
desired particle size of the aerosol. Further, it should be noted
that the inventors obtained, based on the finding that the
atomizing efficiency may change depending on the interval (that is,
the frequencies or the desired particle sizes) of the electrodes, a
new finding that the number of pairs of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes 33 is determined based on the desired aerosol.
The desired aerosol is an aerosol in which the aerosol having the
desired particle size is included in a desired distribution.
[0218] Further, as a result of extensive studies, the inventors
obtained a new finding that the atomizing efficiency of the aerosol
is high when a ratio (hereinafter, "R") of a length (hereinafter,
"H") of the overlapping portion of the pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 to a wavelength (hereinafter,
".lamda..sub.0") of the SAW is within a predetermined range. It is
preferable that R (=H/.lamda..sub.0) is equal to or more than 10
and equal to or less than 150. Further, it is preferable that R is
less than 70, preferably equal to or less than 50. Here,
.lamda..sub.0 is represented by a ratio (v/f) of a frequency
(hereinafter, "f") for the power supplied to the pairs of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 to a propagation
velocity (hereinafter, "v") of the SAW. Where f has a correlation
with the interval of the electrodes and the width of the electrodes
in the travel direction, and v has a correlation with the type
(characteristic) of the piezoelectric element substrate on which
the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 are
provided. In other words, it is preferable that the length of the
overlapping portion of the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes 33, the interval of the electrodes, and the
type of the piezoelectric element substrate are determined so that
a relationship of 10.ltoreq.R.ltoreq.150 is satisfied. According to
such a configuration, it is possible to provide the atomizing unit
100 having a high atomizing efficiency of the aerosol.
[0219] (Shape of Penetrated Aperture)
[0220] A shape of a penetrated aperture according to the embodiment
will be described below. FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a
mechanism of generating an aerosol.
[0221] As illustrated in FIG. 5, of the liquid exposed from the
penetrated aperture 34, a portion relatively close to a portion
coming in contact with the SAW configures a thin film portion 71.
Of the liquid exposed from the penetrated aperture 34, a portion
relatively far from the portion coming in contact with the SAW
configures a thick film portion 72. The particle size of an aerosol
81 atomized from the thin film portion 71 is smaller than the
particle size of an aerosol 82 atomized from the thick film portion
72. Therefore, if the desired particle size is comparatively small
particle size (for example, 0.2 .mu.m to 1.0 .mu.m), it is
effective to increase the area of the thin film portion 71 in the
planar view of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 viewed from
the side of the front surface 31F. From such a perspective, it is
preferable that the penetrated aperture 34 has a shape in which the
maximum length L.sub.MAX is greater than the maximum width
W.sub.MAX.
[0222] Further, if assuming that the penetrated aperture has a
circular shape having a diameter corresponding to the maximum
length L.sub.MAX, the area of the liquid exposed from the
penetrated aperture becomes too large, and thus, the liquid is
likely to flow out above the piezoelectric element substrate 31
when a user diagonally tilts the flavor inhaler 1. From such a
perspective also, it is preferable that the penetrated aperture 34
has a shape in which the maximum length L.sub.MAX is greater than
the maximum width W.sub.MAX.
[0223] (Operation and Effect)
[0224] According to the embodiment, the number of pairs of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 is determined based
on the desired aerosol. Therefore, in the atomizing unit 100 where
the power that can be supplied to the pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 is limited, it is possible to
provide an appropriate atomizing unit by improving the atomizing
efficiency of the liquid.
[0225] [First Modification]
[0226] A first modification of the embodiment will be described
below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly described
below.
[0227] In the first modification, similarly to the embodiment, the
penetrated aperture 34 has a shape in which the maximum length
L.sub.MAX is greater than the maximum width W.sub.MAX. Under such
premise, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the penetrated aperture 34 is
provided so as to reduce interference between a reflected wave of
the SAW reflected by the penetrated aperture 34 and the SAW
generated by the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes 33. Specifically, it is preferable that the longitudinal
axis of the penetrated aperture 34 has an inclination with respect
to the orthogonal direction B. The longitudinal axis of the
penetrated aperture 34 may have an inclination 30.degree. or more
and 45.degree. or less with respect to the orthogonal direction B.
It is noted that the shape of the penetrated aperture 34 is not
limited to the elliptical shape illustrated in FIG. 6 and may be a
rectangular shape.
[0228] Further, the penetrated aperture 34 may have a shape other
than the elliptical shape and the rectangular shape. Even in such a
case, the penetrated aperture 34 is provided so as to reduce the
interference between the reflected wave of the SAW reflected by the
penetrated aperture 34 and the SAW generated by the pairs of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33. For example, at
least a part of the penetrated aperture 34 is defined by an edge
line where the penetrated aperture 34 comes in contact with the
SAW. The edge line has an inclination with respect to the
orthogonal direction B to the travel direction A of the SAW. Here,
the edge line may have a portion parallel to the orthogonal
direction B. However, it is preferable that the portion of at least
a half or more of the edge line has an inclination with respect to
the orthogonal direction B. It is preferable that the portion of at
least a half or more of the edge line has an inclination of
30.degree. or more and 45.degree. or less with respect to the
orthogonal direction B. If the penetrated aperture 34 is an
elliptical shape or a rectangular shape, the longitudinal axis of
the penetrated aperture 34 may have an inclination of 30.degree. or
more and 45.degree. or less with respect to the orthogonal
direction B.
[0229] According to such a configuration, the SAW generated by
applying a voltage to the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes 33 at a high frequency (resonant frequency) is
not easily interfered by the reflected wave of the SAW reflected at
the penetrated aperture 34. Therefore, the tolerance of the
piezoelectric element substrate 31 improves and the atomizing
efficiency of the aerosol also improves.
[0230] [Second Modification]
[0231] A second modification of the embodiment will be described
below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly described
below.
[0232] In the second modification, the SAW module 30 has a
separation wall 37 separating the liquid exposed from the
penetrated aperture 34 and the disposition portion 30A. It is
preferable that the separation wall 37 entirely covers the
disposition portion 30A. Further, the separation wall 37 may be
configured to separate the air flow path extending from the inlet
51 to the outlet 52 and the disposition portion 30A. According to
such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the deterioration
of the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33
caused due to adherence of the liquid and collision of air
introduced from the inlet 51.
[0233] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the separation wall 37 may be
provided on the front surface 31F so as to come in contact with the
front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 between
the disposition portion 30A and the penetrated aperture 34. The
separation wall 37 may not cover the entire piezoelectric element
substrate 31. Typically, the separation wall 37 may be positioned
at a minimum of 0.5 mm far from the edge (correspond to the typical
thin film width). According to such a configuration, it is possible
to ensure the suppression of the deterioration of the pairs of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 caused due to
adherence or the like of the liquid.
[0234] In such a case, the separation wall 37 may be provided on
the front surface 31F so as to come in contact with the front
surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 between the
disposition portion 30A and a atomization zone when the atomization
zone is provided at a side of the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes 33 relative to the penetrated aperture 34.
[0235] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the separation wall 37 may be
provided on the front surface 31F so as not to come in contact with
the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31
between the disposition portion 30A and the penetrated aperture 34.
It is possible to suppress, if not eliminate, the deterioration of
the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 caused
due to adherence or the like of the liquid while avoiding a
situation where propagation of the SAW is blocked by the separation
wall 37. Further, a gap between the separation wall 37 and the
front surface 31F provided for the propagation of the SAW may be
approximately several microns. Such a gap can sufficiently suppress
the deterioration of the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes 33.
[0236] In such a case, the separation wall 37 may be provided on
the front surface 31F so as not to come in contact with the front
surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 between the
disposition portion 30A and a atomization zone when the atomization
zone is provided at a side of the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes 33 relative to the penetrated aperture 34.
[0237] [Third Modification]
[0238] A third modification of the embodiment will be described
below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly described
below.
[0239] In the third modification, as illustrated in FIG. 9, a
hydrophilic layer 38 continuous from the penetrated aperture 34 is
provided on the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element
substrate 31 between the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes 33 and the penetrated aperture 34. For example, the
hydrophilic layer 38 is configured by a material such as Teflon
(trademark) resin, glass fiber, and the like. The hydrophilic layer
38 can be formed by a generally known hydrophilic treatment
technology. For example, the hydrophilic treatment technology may
be a formation of a hydrophilic polymer film such as acetate, a
diamond-like carbon film forming treatment, plasma treatment,
surface roughening treatment, or a combination thereof. According
to such a configuration, the liquid exposed from the penetrated
aperture 34 easily moves to the hydrophilic layer 38 and a thin
film of the liquid is easily formed on the hydrophilic layer 38.
Accordingly, it is possible to generate an aerosol having a small
particle size from the thin film formed on the hydrophilic layer
38. For example, if the desired particle size is a comparatively
small particle size (for example, 0.2 .mu.m to 1.0 .mu.m), it is
preferable that the hydrophilic layer 38 is provided.
[0240] [Fourth Modification]
[0241] A fourth modification of the embodiment will be described
below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly described
below.
[0242] In the fourth modification, a display device configured to
display a state of the flavor inhaler 1 is provided. The display
device may be provided on an exterior surface of the housing 1X of
the flavor inhaler 1, or may be separately provided from the flavor
inhaler 1. If the display device is separated from the flavor
inhaler 1, the display device has a function of performing
communication with the flavor inhaler 1. The display device
includes a display such as a liquid crystal or an organic EL. The
display device may display the remaining amount of the liquid
stored in the liquid storage unit 200, and may display a count of
puff actions executed by the user.
Experiment Result
First Experiment
[0243] A first experiment will be described below. In the first
experiment, the atomization state of the aerosol was visually
confirmed by modifying the number of pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33. FIG. 10 is a diagram
illustrating a result of the first experiment.
[0244] In a sample of N=20, the number of pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 was 20 and the power of 9.5 W
was applied to the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes 33 at a frequency of 46.09 MHz. In a sample of N=40, the
number of pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33
was 40 and the power of 9.0 W was applied to the pairs of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 at a frequency of
46.42 MHz. In a sample of N=80, the number of pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 was 80 and the power of 8.0 W
was applied to the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes 33 at a frequency of 46.505 MHz.
[0245] As illustrated in FIG. 10, it was confirmed that an aerosol
amount of the sample of N=40 is larger than an aerosol amount of
the sample of N=20, and an aerosol amount of the sample of N=80 is
larger than the aerosol amount of the sample of N=40. From such
experimental results, it was visually confirmed that the atomizing
efficiency increases as the number of pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 increases.
[0246] It is noted that an experiment was also performed on a
sample where the number of pairs of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes 33 was 160, and it was confirmed that the
atomization did not occur in such a sample at similar power. Such a
result is considered to be caused because a frequency that can be
used became too narrow due to an NBW becoming too narrow, and thus,
appropriate atomization did not occur due to the technical
difficulty to drive the device at the most efficient frequency at
all times, as described in a second experiment.
Second Experiment
[0247] A second experiment will be described below. In the second
experiment, an NBW was confirmed by modifying the number of pairs
of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33. FIG. 11 is a
table showing a result of the second experiment. In FIG. 11, "N" is
the number of pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes
33. "Frequency" is a frequency of the AC voltage applied to the
pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33. "NBW" is
the frequency bandwidth centered around the SAW resonant frequency
in which a magnitude of the power reflection coefficient of the SAW
is smaller than a threshold value. A smaller magnitude of the power
reflection coefficient of the SAW means more electrical energy is
converted to mechanical energy. That is, the maximum energy
conversion is achieved in the NBW which is the frequency bandwidth
centered around the SAW resonant frequency.
[0248] As shown in FIG. 11, it was confirmed that the NBW (Null
Bandwidth) becomes narrower as the number of pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 increases. As described above,
for the sample of N=160, it was confirmed that the frequency that
can be used became too narrow due to the NBW becoming too narrow,
and thus, appropriate atomization did not occur.
[0249] As explained above, it was confirmed, from the result of the
first experiment, that the atomizing efficiency improves as the
number of pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33
increases; however, it was confirmed, from the result of the second
experiment, that the atomizing efficiency rather decreases if the
number of pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33
is too large. That is, from the results of the first experiment and
the second experiment, it was confirmed that it is preferable to
determine the number of pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes 33, based on the atomizing efficiency of the aerosol. In
other words, it was confirmed that it is preferable that the number
of pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 is
determined so as to satisfy a condition in which the NBW does not
fall below a predetermined width and the amount of aerosol is equal
to or more than the threshold value.
Third Experiment
[0250] A third experiment will be described below. The effect of
the frequency on the particle diameter (median volume based Dv50)
was confirmed for three samples. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating
a result of a third experiment.
[0251] "Straight IDT-2.25 mm" refers to a sample including the
pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 of a
linear shape having a length of 2.25 mm. "Straight IDT-4.5 mm"
refers to a sample including the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes 33 of a linear shape having a length of 4.5 mm.
"Focussed IDT-50.degree." refers to a sample including the pairs of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 of a fan shape
having a length of 2.25 mm and a central angle of 50.degree..
[0252] As illustrated in FIG. 12, it was confirmed that the average
volume size (Dv 50) becomes smaller as the frequency increases,
regardless of the design of the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes 33. According to such a result, it was
confirmed that it might be sufficient that the interval (that is,
frequencies) of the electrodes and the width of the electrodes are
determined based on a desired particle size of the aerosol.
[0253] [Fifth Modification]
[0254] A fifth modification of the embodiment will be described
below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly described
below.
[0255] In the fifth modification, an amplitude of a high-frequency
voltage applied to the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes
33 will be described.
[0256] Specifically, in the fifth modification, the controller 400
periodically changes the amplitude of the high frequency voltage
applied to the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33.
According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress
droplets from scattering from the liquid guided to the front
surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. Accordingly,
the liquid can be effectively used and stable aerosol atomization
can be realized. In detail, the aerosol is atomized from the liquid
(the thin film portion) at near-side of the pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes 33 upon the application of the high voltage,
and the supply of the liquid decreased by the atomization is
promoted upon the application of the low voltage. A generation of
coarse particles can be suppressed and the atomizing amount of fine
particles can be decreased by repeating such operations. Note that
the high voltage and the low voltage are repeated around 100
Hz.
[0257] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the periodic
amplitude of the high frequency voltage may draw a sinusoidal wave
shape, draw a rectangular wave shape, draw a triangular wave shape,
and draw a sawtooth wave shape. In particular, it is preferable to
apply a high frequency voltage so that the periodic amplitude of
the high frequency voltage draws a rectangular wave shape.
[0258] [Sixth Modification]
[0259] A sixth modification of the embodiment will be described
below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly described
below.
[0260] In the sixth modification, a profile of the optimum
frequency of the voltage applied to the pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes 33 will be described. The optimum frequency
is a resonance frequency of the SAW (for example, the center
frequency of the NBW described above) in which the magnitude of the
power reflection coefficient of the SAW is smaller than a threshold
value.
[0261] Firstly, a characteristic where the optimum frequency varies
according to a relationship between a liquid supply speed
(.mu.l/sec) of the liquid guided to the front surface 31F of the
piezoelectric element substrate 31 and a time will be described.
Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 14, samples (12 samples in
FIG. 14) different in liquid supply speed were prepared and the
relationship between a time for applying a voltage to the pairs of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 and the optimum frequency
was confirmed. Note that the width of the pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes 33 is constant. According to such a
confirmation result, it can be seen that the optimum frequency
varies with a lapse of time, and it can also be seen that such a
variance is different depending on each liquid supply speed.
Therefore, the controller 400 can improve the atomizing efficiency
of the aerosol by monitoring the optimum frequency, which varies
according to the liquid supply speed and the time, and supplying
the liquid at the monitored optimum frequency.
[0262] Secondly, a characteristic where the optimum frequency
varies according to a relationship between an output (W) of the SAW
generated by applying a high frequency voltage to the pairs of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 and a time will be
described. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 15, samples (5
samples in FIG. 15) different in SAW output were prepared, and the
relationship between the time for applying a voltage to the pairs
of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 and the optimum frequency
was confirmed. Note that the width of the pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes 33 is constant. According to such a
confirmation result, it can be seen that the optimum frequency
varies with a lapse of time, and it can also be seen that such a
variance is different depending on each output of the SAW.
Therefore, the controller 400 can improve the atomizing efficiency
of the aerosol by monitoring the optimum frequency, which varies
according to the output of the SAW and the time, and supplying the
liquid at the monitored optimum frequency.
[0263] [Seventh Modification]
[0264] A seventh modification of the embodiment will be described
below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly described
below.
[0265] In the seventh modification, a relationship between the
liquid supply speed (.mu.l/sec) of the liquid guided to the front
surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 and the
output (W) of the SAW generated by applying a high frequency
voltage to the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 will
be described.
[0266] Firstly, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the controller 400
gradually increases the output of the SAW from a time tStart so
that the output of the SAW reaches a desired level at a time t2.
The controller 400 sets the output of the SAW to zero at a time
tEnd. On the other hand, the controller 400 increases the liquid
supply speed to a desired level at a time t1. The controller 400
sets the liquid supply speed to zero at the time tEnd. The time t1
may be between the time tStart and the time t2.
[0267] Secondly, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the controller 400
gradually increases the output of the SAW from the time tStart so
that the output of the SAW reaches the desired level at the time
t2. The controller 400 sets the output of the SAW to zero at the
time tEnd. On the other hand, the controller 400 gradually
increases the liquid supply speed from the time t1 so that the
liquid supply speed reaches a desired level at a time t3. The
controller 400 sets the liquid supply speed to zero at the time
tEnd. The time t1 may be between the time tStart and the time t2.
The time t3 may be after the time t2.
[0268] Note that the time tStart may be a timing at which the start
of the puff action is detected by the sensor 300 or a timing at
which a button for performing the puff action is pressed. The time
tEnd may be a timing at which the end of the puff action is
detected by the sensor 300 or a timing at which the button for
performing the puff action is no longer pressed.
[0269] As illustrated in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, the output of the SAW
gradually increases from the time tStart and the liquid supply
speed starts increasing at the time t1 after the time tStart, and
thus, it is possible to suppress scattering of droplets having a
large diameter from the liquid guided to the front surface 31F of
the piezoelectric element substrate 31 in an initial phase during
which the output (W) of the SAW increases. Further, as illustrated
in FIG. 17, scattering of droplets having a large diameter can be
suppressed by gradually increasing the liquid supply speed.
[0270] [Eighth Modification]
[0271] An eighth modification of the embodiment will be described
below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly described
below.
[0272] In the eighth modification, a detector configured to detect
a state of the aerosol is provided. For example, the controller 400
may feedback an error such as a poor aerosol generation, based on a
detection result of the detector. The detector may be a microphone
sensor configured to detect a weak noise caused by the aerosol
generation.
[0273] As illustrated in FIG. 18, a detector 39 may be provided on
the rear surface 31B of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The
detector 39 is preferably provided on an opposite side of the
liquid with the piezoelectric element substrate 31 interposed
therebetween.
[0274] As illustrated in FIG. 19, the detector 39 may be provided
on the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31.
If the travel direction of the SAW is a direction P, the detector
39 may be provided next to the liquid in a direction Q orthogonal
to the direction P. The detector 39 is preferably not in contact
with the liquid.
[0275] As illustrated in FIG. 20, the detector 39 may be provided
above the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate
31, at a position apart from the front surface 31F of the
piezoelectric element substrate 31. In order to suppress a contact
between the detector 39 and the aerosol, it is preferable that a
shield 39A is provided between the detector 39 and the aerosol.
[0276] [Ninth Modification]
[0277] A ninth modification of the embodiment will be described
below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly described
below.
[0278] In the ninth modification, a sensor configured to detect the
liquid exposed from the penetrated aperture 34 is provided. For
example, the controller 400 may control the liquid supplier 60
(liquid supply speed, and the like), based on a detection result of
the sensor. According to such a configuration, it is possible to
suppress an excessive supply of the liquid to the atomizer as well
as drying up of the liquid at the atomizer by accurate pump
control, and the stability of aerosol atomization is improved.
[0279] As illustrated in FIG. 21, a sensor 71 may be an electric
conductivity sensor including a pair of tip ends (for example, tip
ends 71A, 71B). The pair of tip ends are adjacent to the penetrated
aperture 34 and are electrically connected by the liquid exposed
from the penetrated aperture 34. The sensor 71 detects a presence
of the liquid based on the conductivity of the electric signal
between the pair of tip ends.
[0280] As illustrated in FIG. 22, a sensor 72 may be an electric
conductivity sensor including two or more pairs of tip ends (for
example, tip ends 72A, 72B, and the like). The two or more pairs of
tip ends are adjacent to the penetrated aperture 34 and are
electrically connected by the liquid exposed from the penetrated
aperture 34. However, the positions where the pairs of tip ends are
provided are different from each other. Based on the conductivity
of the electrical signal between the pair of tip ends, the
uniformity of the thin film can be monitored and the presence of
the liquid at the position where the pair of tip ends can be
detected by use of the sensor 72.
[0281] As illustrated in FIG. 23, a sensor 73 may be a sensor
including an emitter (for example, an emitter 73A) configured to
output a predetermined signal and a receiver (for example, a
receiver 73B) configured to receive the predetermined signal. The
emitter 73A and the receiver 73B are disposed with the penetrated
aperture 34 interposed therebetween, and the sensor 73 detects the
presence of the liquid based on a transmission magnitude of the
predetermined signal. The emitter 73A and the receiver 73B may be
configured of a thin film solid pad.
[0282] As illustrated in FIG. 24, a sensor 74 may be a SAW sensor
including an emitter (for example, an emitter 74A) configured to
output the SAW and a receiver (for example, a receiver 74B)
configured to receive the SAW. The emitter 74A and the receiver 74B
are disposed with the penetrated aperture 34 interposed
therebetween, and the sensor 74 detects the presence of the liquid
based on the transmission magnitude of the SAW. The emitter 74A and
the receiver 74B may be configured of a thin film IDT.
[0283] As illustrated in FIGS. 25 (a) and 25 (b), a sensor 75 may
be a capacitive sensor including one or more pairs of electrodes
(for example, tip ends 75A, 75B and the like). In such a case, the
one or more pairs of electrodes are disposed across the liquid
disposed on the atomization zone. The sensor 75 detects the
presence or non-presence of the liquid based on a difference of
capacitance caused by the presence or non-presence of the liquid.
In such a case, the penetrated aperture 34 can be omitted.
[0284] [Tenth Modification]
[0285] A tenth modification of the embodiment will be described,
below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly described
below.
[0286] In the tenth modification, an example of a combination of
the eighth modification and the ninth modification will be
described. As illustrated in FIG. 26, the SAW module 30 includes a
detector 81, a sensor 82, and a depth sensor 83.
[0287] Similar to the detector 39 described in the eighth
modification, the detector 81 detects the state of the aerosol.
Similar to the electric conductivity sensor or the SAW sensor
described in the ninth modification, the sensor 82 detects the
liquid exposed from the penetrated aperture 34. The depth sensor 83
detects a depth of the liquid (a surface water level of the liquid)
in the penetrated aperture 34. The depth sensor 83 may be an
electric conductivity sensor configured to detect the presence of
the liquid based on the conductivity of the electric signal.
[0288] In such a configuration, before and after the atomization of
the aerosol, the controller 400 controls the liquid supplier 60
(the liquid supply speed and the like), based on a detection result
of the depth sensor 83, as illustrated in an upper part of FIG. 26.
For example, the controller 400 controls the liquid supplier 60 so
that the liquid is maintained at a desired depth. According to such
a configuration, a responsiveness of the aerosol atomization
improves.
[0289] During the atomization of the aerosol, the controller 400
feeds back an error such as a poor aerosol generation, based on a
detection result of the detector 81, as illustrated in a lower part
of FIG. 26. The controller 400 may notify the user of the error and
may stop an operation of the flavor inhaler 1 (for example, the
atomizing unit 100). Further, the controller 400 controls the
liquid supplier 60 (liquid supply speed, and the like) based on a
detection result of the sensor 82. According to such a
configuration, the stability of the aerosol atomization is
improved.
[0290] Moreover, the liquid amount during the atomization can be
controlled using the depth sensor 83. The controller 400 controls
the liquid supplier 60 (the liquid supply speed and the like) based
on the detection result of the depth sensor 83 when the depth
sensor 83 detects a decrease of the liquid. According to such a
configuration, the liquid amount can be kept at a desired level
during the atomization and the stability of the aerosol atomization
is improved.
[0291] Further, although not shown, two or more depth sensors, each
having different detection depths, can be provided as the depth
sensor 83. In such a case, it is easy to appropriately control the
liquid amount in a range of the depth sensors having the different
detection depths. For example, when the first depth sensor, which
detects the first depth of the liquid, detects the liquid and the
second sensor, which detects the second depth shallower than the
first depth, does not detects the liquid, it is possible to detect
the depth of liquid is between the first depth and the second
depth.
[0292] [Eleventh Modification]
[0293] An eleventh modification of the embodiment will be described
below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly described
below.
[0294] In the eleventh modification, a method of guiding the liquid
on the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31
will be described. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 27, a
supply port 34X, a hydrophilic layer 38A, a hydrophobic layer 38B,
and a hydrophobic layer 38C are provided on the front surface 31F
of the piezoelectric element substrate 31.
[0295] The supply port 34X is a point to which liquid is supplied.
The supply port 34X is provided outside a path of the SAW.
Therefore, the supply port 34X does not need to be the
above-described penetrated aperture 34, and may be a point at which
the liquid is supplied from a side of the front surface 31F of the
piezoelectric element substrate 31.
[0296] The hydrophilic layer 38A is continuous to the supply port
34X and has a pattern for leading the liquid into the path of the
SAW. The hydrophobic layer 38B is provided on a near side to the
pairs of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 than the
hydrophilic layer 38A, and is provided apart from the hydrophilic
layer 38A. The hydrophobic layer 38C is provided on a far side from
the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 than the
hydrophilic layer 38A, and is provided apart from the hydrophilic
layer 38A. The movement of the liquid from hydrophilic layer 38A
can be restricted by the hydrophobic layers 38B and 38C, the
contact angle of SAW to the liquid can be reduced, and the
efficiency of the aerosol atomization is improved.
[0297] According to such a configuration, the penetrated aperture
34 does not need to be provided and thus, the coating layer 36
coating the piezoelectric element substrate 31 can easily be
provided.
[0298] [Twelfth Modification]
[0299] A twelfth modification of the embodiment will be described
below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly described
below.
[0300] In the twelfth modification, a method of supplying the
liquid to the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element
substrate 31 will be described. Specifically, as illustrated in
FIG. 28, a hydrophilic layer 38D and a wick 90 are provided on the
front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31.
[0301] The hydrophilic layer 38D is provided on the path of the
SAW. The hydrophilic layer 38D has a length L and a width W and
configures an atomization zone for atomizing the aerosol. The wick
90 is continuous to the hydrophilic layer 38D and supplies the
liquid to the hydrophilic layer 38D. The wick 90 may have a wick
core 91 which keeps a shape of the wick 90, and a holding layer 92
which holds the liquid. The wick core 91 contacts with the front
surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 preferably
formed of a metal or a plastic having a hardness which can reflect
the SAW transmitted on the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The
holding layer 92 may be configured of a capillary member configured
to supply the liquid by a capillary phenomenon.
[0302] According to such a configuration, the penetrated aperture
34 does not need to be provided and thus, the coating layer 36
coating the piezoelectric element substrate 31 can easily be
provided.
[0303] [Thirteenth Modification]
[0304] A thirteenth modification of the embodiment will be
described below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly
described below.
[0305] In the thirteenth modification, a method of supplying the
liquid to the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element
substrate 31 will be described. Specifically, as illustrated in
FIG. 29, a hydrophilic layer 38E and a member 84 are provided on
the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31.
Further, a liquid storage unit 200 and a driving unit 61 are
provided on the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element
substrate 31.
[0306] The hydrophilic layer 38E is provided on the path of the SAW
and configures an atomization zone for atomizing the aerosol. The
member 84 may be a sensor configured to detect the presence of the
liquid or a detector configured to detect the state of the
aerosol.
[0307] The liquid storage unit 200 and a driving unit 61 configure
a device configured to drop the liquid in the vicinity of the
hydrophilic layer 38E. For example, the liquid storage unit 200 may
include a nozzle configured to store the liquid and drop the
liquid. The driving unit 61 may be a member (for example, a motor)
configured to generate a drive force for dropping the liquid from
the nozzle.
[0308] According to such a configuration, the penetrated aperture
34 does not need to be provided and thus, the coating layer 36
coating the piezoelectric element substrate 31 can easily be
provided.
[0309] [Fourteenth Modification]
[0310] A fourteenth modification of the embodiment will be
described below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly
described below.
[0311] In the fourteenth modification, a method of supplying the
liquid to the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element
substrate 31 will be described. Specifically, as illustrated in
FIG. 30 and FIG. 31, the SAW module 30 has a guide member 610
configured to guide the liquid. The piezoelectric element substrate
31 is coated with the coating layer 36.
[0312] The guide member 610 is provided on the front surface 31F of
the piezoelectric element substrate 31 at an edge portion of the
piezoelectric element substrate 31. The guide member 610 has a
shape having a predetermined height from the front surface 31F of
the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The guide member 610 may be
made in a material with high thermal conductivity (metal or
ceramic, for example). The guide member 610 includes a flow path
611, a temporary storage unit 612, and a guide slit 613. The flow
path 611 configures a flow path of the liquid. The temporary
storage unit 612 temporarily stores the liquid supplied via the
flow path 611. The guide slit 613 has an inclination with respect
to the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31.
The guide slit 613 guides the liquid overflowing from the temporary
storage unit 612 to the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric
element substrate 31 by the weight of the liquid and/or capillary
force. Two or more guide slits may be provided as the guide slit
613.
[0313] According to such a configuration, the atomization zone can
be disposed at a position apart from the edge portion of the
piezoelectric element substrate 31 by the guide member 610 provided
at the edge portion of the piezoelectric element substrate 31, and
a detachment of the coating layer 36 can be suppressed at the edge
portion. Further, the penetrated aperture 34 does not need to be
provided and thus, the coating layer 36 coating the piezoelectric
element substrate 31 can easily be provided.
[0314] In the fourteenth modification, a case of supplying the
liquid from the rear surface 31B of the piezoelectric element
substrate 31 is exemplified, however, the fourteenth modification
is not limited thereto. The liquid may be supplied from the side of
the guide member 610 or may be supplied from above the guide member
610. If the liquid is supplied from above the guide member 610, the
above-described flow path 611 may not be provided.
[0315] Alternatively, the liquid may be supplied via the penetrated
aperture 34. In such a case, the guide member 610 is provided so
that the flow path 611 communicates with the penetrated aperture
34, the atomization zone can be disposed at a position apart from
the edge portion of the penetrated aperture 34, and the detachment
of the coating layer 36 at the edge portion can be suppressed.
[0316] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 32, the SAW module 30 may
have a guide member 610A configured to guide the liquid. The guide
member 610A is formed of a member such as a plastic or metal having
a fine flow path inside and provided on the front surface 31F of
the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The guide member 610A
guides the liquid impregnated in the guide member 610A to the fine
space between the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element
substrate 31 and the guide member 610A. The guide member 610A
guides the liquid on the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric
element substrate 31 from the fine space.
[0317] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 33, the SAW module 30 may
have a guide member 610B configured to guide the liquid. The guide
member 610B is formed of a member such as a plastic or metal having
a fine flow path inside and provided on the front surface 31F of
the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The guide member 610B
guides the liquid impregnated in the guide member 610B to the front
surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 along a slant
surface 613B of the guide member 610B.
[0318] According to the configurations shown if FIGS. 32 and 33, as
same as the configuration shown in FIGS. 30 and 32, the atomization
zone can be disposed at a position apart from the edge portion of
the piezoelectric element substrate 31 and a detachment of the
coating layer 36 can be suppressed at the edge portion.
[0319] [Fifteenth Modification]
[0320] A fifteenth modification of the embodiment will be described
below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly described
below.
[0321] In the fifteenth modification, a variation of a substrate
configuration of the SAW module 30 will be described. Specifically,
as illustrated in FIG. 34, the SAW module 30 includes a
piezoelectric element substrate 621, a plate 622, a buffer 623, and
an atomization surface layer 624. In FIG. 34, a configuration other
than the substrate configuration (for example, the pairs of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33) is omitted.
[0322] The piezoelectric element substrate 621 is similar to the
piezoelectric element substrate 31 described above. The plate 622
is a substrate different from the piezoelectric element substrate
31, and is an aluminum plate, for example. The buffer 623 is
located on a front surface and a side surface of the piezoelectric
element substrate 621 and is configured by a buffer liquid that
transmits the SAW generated from the piezoelectric element
substrate 621 to the atomization surface layer 624. For example,
the buffer liquid is Glycerin. The atomization surface layer 624 is
provided on the buffer 623 and the plate 622 and is provided with
an atomization zone for atomizing the aerosol. For example, the
atomization surface layer 624 is configured of a stainless plate.
In such a case, the liquid may be supplied from a front surface
side of the atomization surface layer 624.
[0323] According to such a configuration, the SAW can be
transmitted to the atomization surface layer 624 that is different
from the piezoelectric element substrate 621, and a contact of the
liquid (a flavor liquid) with the piezoelectric element substrate
621 can be avoided. For example, a penetrated aperture
corresponding to the penetrated aperture 34 described above may be
provided in the plate 622.
[0324] [Sixteenth Modification]
[0325] A sixteenth modification of the embodiment will be described
below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly described
below.
[0326] In the sixteenth modification, a variation of a shape of the
edge portion of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 will be
described in a case where the liquid is supplied from the rear
surface 318 of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The edge
portion is a portion adjacent to the atomization zone. The edge
portion is subjected to a filleting and chamfering process.
According to such a configuration, the detachment of the coating
layer 36 at the edge portion can be suppressed by reducing the
energy density at the atomization zone.
[0327] Here, the chamfering process of the edge portion may be a
linear chamfering process, as illustrated in FIG. 35, or a round
chamfering process, as illustrated in FIG. 36. The edge portion may
be an edge portion of the penetrated aperture 34.
[0328] [Seventeenth Modification]
[0329] A seventeenth modification of the embodiment will be
described below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly
described below.
[0330] In the seventeenth modification, a variation of the
atomization zone will be described. Specifically, as illustrated in
FIG. 37, the SAW module 30 includes two or more shallow grooves 631
(here, grooves 631A to 631D) as the atomization zone. Each of the
grooves 631 has a shape extending in a direction orthogonal to the
travel direction of the SAW. The liquid is supplied to each of the
grooves 631. An amount of liquid supplied to each of the grooves
631 may be larger for a groove closer to the pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes 33. Although not illustrated in FIG. 34, the
piezoelectric element substrate 31 is coated by the coating layer
36.
[0331] According to such a configuration, the energy of the SAW is
dispersed by two or more grooves and thus, a detachment of the
coating layer 36 in the atomization zone is suppressed, and the
robustness of the conformal coating in the edge portion would be
increased.
[0332] [Eighteenth Modification]
[0333] An eighteenth modification of the embodiment will be
described, below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly
described, below.
[0334] In the eighteenth modification, a method of guiding the
liquid on the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element
substrate 31 will be described. Specifically, as illustrated in
FIG. 35, the SAW module 30 has a printed electrode 641 to a printed
electrode 643. Two liquid storage units 200 (a liquid storage unit
200A and a liquid storage unit 200B) are provided. A liquid stored
in the liquid storage unit 200A may be different from a liquid
stored in the liquid storage unit 200B.
[0335] The printed electrode 641 to the printed electrode 643
transport the liquid by utilizing a voltage difference between
printed electrodes adjacent to each other. For example, the printed
electrode 641A transports the liquid stored in the liquid storage
unit 200A, and the printed electrode 641B transports the liquid
stored in the liquid storage unit 200B. The printed electrode 642
transports a mixture of liquids supplied from the printed electrode
641A and the printed electrode 641B. The printed electrode 643A and
the printed electrode 643B transport a mixture of liquids supplied
from the printed electrode 642. Each of a part of the printed
electrode 643A and a part of the printed electrode 643B configures
the atomization zone.
[0336] A width of the printed electrode configuring the atomization
zone may be larger than a width of the printed electrode (for
example, the printed electrode 642) not configuring the atomization
zone and may be actuated in a specific manner to attract the bulk
of liquid in two or more different directions at the same time.
According to such a configuration, the width of the printed
electrode not configuring the atomization zone is small and thus,
it is possible to save a space of the printed electrode not
configuring the atomization zone. The bulk of liquid is attracted
in two or more different directions at the same time and thus, the
liquid in the atomization zone can be flattened and the contact
angle of the SAW to the liquid can be reduced.
[0337] [Nineteenth Modification]
[0338] A nineteenth modification of the embodiment will be
described, below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly
described, below.
[0339] In the nineteenth modification, a variation of the heat
radiation mechanism will be described. Specifically, as illustrated
in FIG. 39 to FIG. 41, a coating layer 651 and an adhesive layer
652 are provided on the rear surface of the SAW module 30. The
coating layer 651 may include metal. The adhesive layer 652 may
include solder.
[0340] Under such premise, as illustrated in FIG. 39, the SAW
module 30 is adhered to a heat conductive member 653 and a circuit
board 654 via the adhesive layer 652. The heat conductive member
653 includes a heat conductive member such as metal, and has a
columnar portion 653A and a plate portion 653B. The columnar
portion 653A penetrates the circuit board 654, and the plate
portion 653B is disposed on the rear surface of the circuit board
654. The circuit board 654 is configured of a member easily
adherable to the adhesive layer 652, and includes a penetrated
aperture passing through the columnar portion 653A.
[0341] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 40, the SAW module 30
is adhered to a heat sink 655 via the adhesive layer 652. The heat
sink 655 is configured of a heat conductive member such as
metal.
[0342] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 41, the SAW module 30
may be adhered to the heat conductive member 653 and the circuit
board 654 via the adhesive layer 652, and the heat sink 655 may be
adhered to the plate portion 653B (combination of FIG. 39 and FIG.
40).
[0343] [Twentieth Modification]
[0344] A twentieth modification of the embodiment will be described
below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly described
below.
[0345] In the twentieth modification, a variation of the liquid
supplier will be described. Here, a case where the liquid supplier
has a liquid storage unit will be exemplified.
[0346] Firstly, as illustrated in FIG. 42, the liquid supplier 60
may include a housing 661, a pump 662, and a piston 663. The
housing 661 includes a liquid 666 for driving the piston 663 and a
liquid 667 for generating an aerosol. The liquid 666 and the liquid
667 are partitioned by the piston 663. The housing 661 includes a
flow path 661A for communicating the housing 661 and the pump 662,
and a flow path 661B for communicating the housing 661 and the pump
662. The housing 661 includes a discharge port 661C configured to
discharge the liquid 667.
[0347] Here, the pump 662 moves the piston 663 by a reflux of the
liquid 666. For example, the pump 662 advances the piston 663 by
sucking up the liquid 666 via the flow path 661A and returning the
liquid 666 to the housing 661 via the flow path 661B. Thus, the
pump 662 can discharge the liquid 667 from the discharge port 661C.
The pump 662 may be a piezo pump.
[0348] According to such a configuration, the liquid 666 used for
discharging the liquid 667 does not mix with the liquid 667 and
thus, the possibility that an impurity is mixed into the liquid 667
can be reduced. Further, the liquid 667 that generates the aerosol
does not pass through the pump 662 and thus, a deterioration of the
liquid 667 can be suppressed. Further, an amount of movement of the
piston 663 can be specified by the amount of reflux of the liquid
666, and a remaining amount of the liquid 667 can be specified by
the amount of movement of the piston 663.
[0349] In FIG. 42, the liquid 666 is exemplified as a medium for
driving the piston 663, however, a gas may be used instead of the
liquid 666.
[0350] Here, as shown in FIG. 43, the liquid supplier 60 may
include the pump 668 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG.
42. The pump 668 moves the piston 663 by a reflux of the liquid
666. The pump 668 retracts the piston 663 by sucking up liquid 666
via the flow path 669A and returning the liquid 666 to the housing
661 via the flow path 669B. The pump 668 may be a piezo pump.
[0351] Secondly, as illustrated in FIG. 44, the liquid supplier 60
includes a housing 671 and a bag 672. The housing 671 houses the
bag 672 and an air 676 and includes an inlet 671A configured to
supply the air 676 into the housing 671. The bag 672 houses the
liquid 677 for generating the aerosol and includes a discharge port
672A configured to discharge the liquid 677. A discharge port 672A
may be integrally formed with the housing 671.
[0352] Here, the bag 672 is configured of a flexible member. Thus,
when the air 676 is supplied into the housing 671 from the inlet
671A, the bag 672 can discharge the liquid 677 by a pressure of the
air 676.
[0353] According to such a configuration, the air 676 used for
ejecting the liquid 677 does not mix with the liquid 677 and thus,
the possibility that an impurity is mixed into the liquid 677 can
be reduced.
[0354] In FIG. 44, the air 676 is exemplified as a medium for
pressurizing the bag 672, however, a liquid may be used instead of
the air 676.
[0355] [Twenty First Modification]
[0356] A twenty first modification of the embodiment will be
described below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly
described below.
[0357] Although not particularly mentioned in the embodiment, the
piezoelectric element substrate 31 may be cut out by laser cutting.
According to such a configuration, since the edge portion of the
piezoelectric element substrate 31 becomes smooth, the durability
of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 and the adhesion of the
coating layer 36 are improved.
[0358] [Twenty Second Modification]
[0359] A twenty second modification of the embodiment will be
described below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly
described below.
[0360] In the twenty second modification, as illustrated in FIG.
45, the atomizing unit 100 includes a top cover 710, a guide wall
711, and a sensor 712. The atomizing unit 100 includes the
piezoelectric element substrate 31 and the pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 as described in the
embodiment.
[0361] The top cover 710 is provided to cover a lateral and upper
side of the aerosol atomized by SAW. An opening 710A is provided at
an upper end of the top cover 710 to lead out the aerosol.
[0362] The guide wall 711 is provided to contact with an inner wall
of the top cover 710 not allowing a space with the inner wall of
the top cover 710. The guide wall 711 is positioned away from the
piezoelectric element substrate 31, the penetrated aperture 34 is
provided between the piezoelectric element substrate 31 and the
guide wall 711. In FIG. 45, guide walls 711A and 711B are provided
as the guide wall 711.
[0363] The first liquid is provided to the penetrated aperture 34A
provided between the piezoelectric element substrate 31 and the
guide wall 711A from the liquid supplier (a syringe pump, for
example). Similarly, the second liquid is provided to the
penetrated aperture 34B provided between the piezoelectric element
substrate 31 and the guide wall 711B from the liquid supplier (a
syringe pump, for example). The first liquid and the second liquid
may be the same kind of liquid or the different kind of the
liquid.
[0364] The sensor 72 detects the liquid exposed from the penetrated
aperture 34 as same as the ninth modification or the like. The
liquid supplier 60 (supplying speed of the liquid) can be
controlled based on the detection result of the sensor 72. In FIG.
45, a sensor 72A detects the first liquid exposed from the
penetrated aperture 34A and a sensor 72B detects the second liquid
exposed from the penetrated aperture 34B as the sensor 72.
[0365] Although not shown in FIG. 45, a sealing member such as
O-ring or packing may be provided to suppress a leakage of the
first liquid and the second liquid.
[0366] [Twenty Third Modification]
[0367] A twenty third modification of the embodiment will be
described below. A difference from the embodiment will be mainly
described below.
[0368] In the twenty third modification, as illustrated in FIG. 46,
the atomizing unit 100 includes an impactor 721 and a separation
wall 722 in addition to the configuration in FIG. 45.
[0369] The impactor 721 is positioned to cover the atomization zone
of the first liquid. The impactor 721 has a function to trap the
coarse particles (about 10 microns, for example) included in the
aerosol generated from the first liquid by inertial impaction. The
fine particles are guided to the opening 710A (that is the mouth of
user) from a void between the impactor 721 and the piezoelectric
element substrate 31 without trapped by the impactor 721.
[0370] The coarse particles trapped by the impactor 721 may be
returned to the atomization zone. The coarse particles returned to
the atomization zone may be re-atomized. Alternately, the coarse
particles trapped by the impactor 721 can be collected by a
collecting member such as a porous absorber or a reservoir without
re-used for the atomization.
[0371] In FIG. 46, although a impactor is not provided which covers
the atomization zone of the second liquid, the impactor may be
provided which covers the atomization zone of the second liquid.
The first liquid and the second liquid may be the same kind of
liquid or the different kind of the liquid. The aerosol including
the particles of the desired size can be supplied by providing the
impactor or not.
[0372] Although FIG. 46 shows an example that the first liquid and
the second liquid are atomized independently, the first liquid and
the second liquid may be atomized after mixed. The impactor 721 may
be positioned to cover the atomization zone of the mixed liquid or
positioned at the mouthpiece.
[0373] The separation wall 722 is provided between the atomization
zone of the first liquid and the atomization zone of the second
liquid. The separton wall 722 suppress the mix of the aerosol
generated from the first liquid and the aerosol generated from the
second liquid until the aerosol is led out from the opening 710A.
According to such a configuration, the mixing of the aerosol
generated from the different kind of liquids can be suppressed when
the first liquid and the second liquid are the different kind
Specifically, it is preferable to suppress the mixing of the
aerosol generated from the different kind of liquids, when the
coarse particles generated from respective liquids are re-used.
[0374] Further, the separation wall 722 can trap the extra-large
particles (about 100 micron, for example) larger than the coarse
particles trapped by the impactor 721. Moreover, the separation
wall 722 can trap the extra-large particles about 100 micron when
the impactor 712 is not provided.
[0375] The extra-large particles trapped by the separation wall 722
may be returned to the atomization zone. The extra-large particles
returned to the atomization zone may be re-atomized. Alternately,
the extra-large particles trapped by the separation wall 722 can be
collected by a collecting member such as a porous absorber or a
reservoir without re-used for the atomization.
[0376] Although the impactor 721 is provided in FIG. 46, a filter
725 may be provided instead of the impactor 721 as shown in FIG.
47. The filter 725 may be a fibrous layer filter or a granular
packed layer provided at an arbitrary position within the top cover
710. It is possible to design the trap efficiency of the coarse
particles appropriately by changing a fiber diameter, a grain size,
a filling ratio, and a filling length of the filter 721.
[0377] The top cover 710 may include an inlet 726. The flow path of
air or aerosol from the inlet 726 to the opening 710A is formed in
the top cover 710. According to such a configuration, it is
possible to suppress a retention of aeroson in the top cover 710
and to optimize an amount of the aerosol delivered to the mouth.
The top cover 710 in FIGS. 45 and 46 may include the inlet 726.
Experiment Result
[0378] The experiment result would be described below. In the
experiment, a distilled water is used as the liquid and 50 MHz is
used as the frequency of the voltage applied to the pairs of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes. In the experiment, a
diameter distribution of particles included in aerosol. FIG. 48
shows the experiment result.
[0379] FIG. 48 shows the diameter distributions observed based on
the number of particles and the volume of the particles. Regarding
the number of particles, it is observed that the diameter
distribution has the single peak. However, regarding the volume of
particles, it is observed that the diameter distribution has two
peaks (about 0.6 micron and about 8 micron).
[0380] In such a case, it is possible to adjust the diameter
distribution based on the volume of particles to have the single
peak (about 0.6 micron) by selectively trapping the particles of 8
micron by use of the impactor 721 or the filter 725 described in
the twenty third modification (see FIG. 46 or 47).
[0381] [Twenty-Fourth Modification]
[0382] FIG. 49 is a perspective view showing an example of an
exterior of the unit excluding the sensor 300, the controller 400,
and the power source 500 of the flavor inhaler 1 shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 50 is a longitudinal section of the unit shown in FIG. 49.
FIG. 51 is an exploded perspective view of the unit shown in FIG.
49. As shown in FIG. 49 to FIG. 51, a unit 1000 comprises a
mouthpiece 1001D, an atomizing unit 1100, a first liquid storage
unit 1200A, and a second liquid storage unit 1200B. Note that, in
the following description, the "flavor inhaler" may simply be
referred to as an "inhaler." In addition to the flavor components,
any components, which can be inhaled, can be inhaled by use of the
"inhaler."
[0383] The first liquid storage unit 1200A and the second liquid
storage unit 1200B are housed in a housing 1202 which is a
component of the housing 1X shown in FIG. 1. In the present
modified example, the first liquid storage unit 1200A comprises a
cylinder 1204A and a piston 1206A, and first liquid is stored in a
space defined by the cylinder 1204A and the piston 1206A.
Similarly, the second liquid storage unit 1200B comprises a
cylinder 1204B and a piston 1206B, and second liquid is stored in a
space defined by the cylinder 1204B and the piston 1206B. The first
liquid storage unit 1200A and the second liquid storage unit 1200B
may be integrally constructed as a cartridge for making them to be
attachable/detachable in a simultaneous manner
[0384] In the present modified example, the first liquid and the
second liquid may be the same liquid. Alternatively, the first
liquid and the second liquid may be different from each other. The
first liquid may comprise at least nicotine. In addition, the first
liquid may comprise an acid such as malic acid, citric acid,
tartaric acid, or the like, for forming a salt with nicotine, for
example. Further, the first liquid may comprise at least one of
erythritol, a salt, an inosinic acid, a glutamic acid, a succinic
acid, sodium salts of these, potassium salts of these, isohumulone,
cucurbitacin, curcumine, falcarindiol, naringin, quassin, quinine,
riboflavin, thiamine, and catechin, as a taste component. Also, the
first liquid may comprise at least one of capsaicin, piperine,
eugenol, allicin, allyl isothiocyanate, gingerol, cinnamic
aldehyde, and glycosides of these, as a component (a somatosensory
component) for making somatic sense to be expressed in a user who
inhaled the component.
[0385] The second liquid may comprise a flavor component which
includes at least one of menthol, limonene, citral, linalool,
vanillin, carvone, and glycosides of these. The second liquid may
comprise an emulsifier, and may be in an emulsified state.
Regarding the emulsifier, it may be possible to use emulsifiers
such as glycerine fatty acid ester, sorbitan fatty acid ester,
propylene glycol fatty acid ester, sucrose fatty acid ester,
lecithin, saponin, sodium caseinate, oxyethylene fatty acid
alcohol, sodium oleate, a morpholine fatty acid salt,
polyoxyethylene higher fatty acid alcohol, calcium stearoyl
lactate, monoglyceride ammonium phosphate, and so on. The second
liquid may comprise a solvent such as glycerin, propylene glycol,
ethanol, or the like. In the case that a hydrophobic flavor
component is to be used in the second liquid, it can be made to
have the form of a solution by dissolving the flavor component in
the solvent. Further, the second liquid may comprise at least one
of erythritol, a salt, an inosinic acid, a glutamic acid, a
succinic acid, sodium salts of these, potassium salts of these,
isohumulone, cucurbitacin, curcumine, falcarindiol, naringin,
quassin, quinine, riboflavin, thiamine, and catechin, as a taste
component. Also, the second liquid may comprise at least one of
capsaicin, piperine, eugenol, allicin, allyl isothiocyanate,
gingerol, cinnamic aldehyde, and glycosides of these, as a
component (a somatosensory component) for making somatic sense to
be expressed in a user who inhaled the component. At least one of
the first liquid and the second liquid may be the same as liquid
stored in the liquid storage unit 200 which has been explained in
relation to FIG. 1.
[0386] As shown in FIG. 50, the housing 1202 houses a motor 1208A
and a gear box 1210A. Electric power is supplied from the power
source 500 shown in FIG. 1 to the motor 1208A. The gear box 1210A
can convert driving force in the direction of rotation of the motor
1208A to driving force in the direction of an axis of the piston
1206A. Also, the gear box 1210A can change the speed of rotation of
the motor 1208A. Similarly, the housing 1202 houses a motor 1208B
and a gear box 1210B, and a piston 1206B is driven by the motor
1208B and the gear box 1210B. Electric power is supplied from the
power source 500 shown in FIG. 1 to the motor 1208B. That is, in
the present modified example, a liquid supplier for supplying
liquid from the first liquid storage unit 1200A and the second
liquid storage unit 1200B is constructed by using, as components
thereof, the motors 1208A and 1208B and the gear boxes 1210A and
1210B. Note that it may be possible to drive both the pistons 1206A
and 1206B by use of a single motor and a single gear box.
[0387] As shown in FIG. 50, the atomizing unit 1100 is arranged at
a position above the first liquid storage unit 1200A and the second
liquid storage unit 1200B, and fixed to an upper part of the
housing 1202 by a fixture 1002 such as a screw and so on. Also, the
mouthpiece 1001D is fixed to an upper part of the atomizing unit
1100 by a fixture 1004 such as a screw and so on.
[0388] As shown in FIG. 51, the atomizing unit 1100 is covered by a
first cover 1106 and a second cover 1107. The first cover 1106
comprises, on its upper surface, a first opening part 1102 and a
second opening part 1104. The first opening part 1102 is
constructed in such a manner that first aerosol, which is generated
by atomizing the first liquid, passes through it, as will be
explained later. The second opening part 1104 is constructed in
such a manner that second aerosol, which is generated by atomizing
the second liquid, passes through it, as will be explained
later.
[0389] Next, the atomizing unit 1100 shown in FIG. 49 to FIG. 51
will be explained. FIG. 52 is an exploded perspective view of the
atomizing unit 1100 from which the first cover 1106 and the second
cover 1107 have been removed. FIG. 53 is a cross-section view of
the atomizing unit 1100. In FIG. 53, for convenience of
explanation, the first liquid storage unit 1200A and the second
liquid storage unit 1200B are shown. As shown in FIG. 52, the
atomizing unit 1100 comprises a base member 1108, a PCB board 1109,
a piezoelectric element substrate 1031 comprising a pair of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 1033, a pair of guide
walls 1711A and 1711B, and a top cover 1710. An adhesive sheet 1110
is positioned between the base member 1108 and the PCB board 1109,
so that the position of the PCB board 1109 relative to the base
member 1108 is fixed, and leaking of the first liquid and the
second liquid is suppressed.
[0390] As shown in FIG. 53, the piezoelectric element substrate
1031 is positioned on a top surface of the PCB board 1109. A heat
sink structure 1035 similar to the heat sink structure 35 shown in
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is positioned on a rear surface of the
piezoelectric element substrate 1031. Note that it is possible to
adopt the heat sink structure shown in FIGS. 39-41 in place of the
heat sink structure 1035.
[0391] Further, the piezoelectric element substrate 1031 comprises
a pair of edges 1031A and 1031B which are opposite to each other.
The guide wall 1711A is positioned at the edge 1031A side, and the
guide wall 1711B is positioned at the edge 1031B side. The guide
walls 1711A and 1711B comprise penetrated apertures 1713A and
1713B, which extend between the top surface and the bottom surface,
respectively. Further, the guide walls 1711A and 1711B comprise
concave parts 1714A and 1714B communicating with the penetrated
apertures 1713A and 1713B, respectively. As shown in FIG. 53, the
first liquid storage unit 1200A and the second liquid storage unit
1200B are connected to the bottom surfaces of the guide walls 1711A
and 1711B, respectively. The liquids (a first liquid and a second
liquid) supplied by syringe pumps from the first liquid storage
unit 1200A and the second liquid storage unit 1200B pass through
the penetrated apertures 1713A and 1713B from a lower side to an
upper side and arrive at the concave parts 1714A and 1714B,
respectively. The liquids, which have arrived at the concave parts
1714A and 1714B, arrive at the edges 1031A and 1031B, and are
atomized by energy in the pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes 1033. That is, the syringe pumps are constructed to
supply the first liquid and the second liquid to the edges 1031A
and 1031B of the piezoelectric element substrate 1031,
respectively.
[0392] Further, the atomizing unit 1100 comprises a seal member
1111. The seal member 1111 as a whole has an approximately ring
shape, and is in contact with the top surfaces of the guide walls
1711A and 1711B and the top surface of the piezoelectric element
substrate 1031. As a result, the liquids that arrived at the
concave parts 1714A and 1714B is controlled in such a manner that
liquids do not flow to the outside of the guide walls 1711A and
1711B and the piezoelectric element substrate 1031.
[0393] The atomizing unit 1100 comprises a pair of electric
contacts 1032A and 1032B which electrically connect contacts formed
on the PCB board 1109 with the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes 1033. Further, the atomizing unit 1100
comprises sensors 1070 for detecting liquid. In the example shown
in FIG. 52, the sensor 1070 is an electric conductivity sensor. The
function of the sensor 1070 is similar to the function of sensor 71
shown in FIG. 21. Also, the sensor for detecting the liquid is not
limited to the above, and it is possible to adopt the
emitter/receiver sensor or the capacitive sensor shown in FIGS.
22-25.
[0394] As shown in FIG. 52 and FIG. 53, the top cover 1710
comprises, at a center part thereof, an opening part 1710a through
which aerosol passes, and is arranged to cover the guide walls
1711A and 1711B, the PCB board 1109, and the piezoelectric element
substrate 1031, from above. Also, an O-ring 1113 is arranged
between a periphery at the side part of the top cover 1710 and the
first cover 1106.
[0395] Further, as shown in FIG. 53, the opening part 1710a of the
top cover 1710 is positioned above the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 1033 and the pair of edges 1031A
and 1031B of the piezoelectric element substrate 1031. Thus, the
aerosol from the first liquid and the aerosol from the second
liquid, which are generated by the pair of edges 1031A and 1031B,
can flow to the outside of the top cover 1710. Also, as shown in
the figure, the first cover 1106 is arranged to cover the front
surface side of the piezoelectric element substrate 1031. The first
opening part 1102 and the second opening part 1104 of the first
cover 1106 are positioned right above the edges 1031A and 1031B of
the piezoelectric element substrate 1031, respectively. Thus, the
aerosol from the first liquid and the aerosol from the second
liquid, which are generated by the edges 1031A and 1031B,
respectively, can pass through the first opening part 1102 and the
second opening part 1104, respectively. Accordingly, the first
opening part 1102 of the first cover 1106 can emit the aerosol from
the first liquid mainly, and the second opening part 1104 can emit
the aerosol from the second liquid mainly.
[0396] Further, as shown in FIG. 53, the first cover 1106 is
arranged in such a manner that it covers the part right above the
disposition portion, where the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes 1033 is positioned, and is not to be in contact
with the pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 1033.
Thus, the aerosol generated by the edges 1031A and 1031B is made to
be in contact with the pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes 1033, so that degradation of the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 1033 can be suppressed, and
propagation of a SAW by the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes 1033 cannot be prevented. A gap between the
first cover 1106 and the piezoelectric element substrate 1031 may
be approximately several microns, for example. If the gap is that
explained above, degradation of the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 can be suppressed
sufficiently.
[0397] Next, the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 49 to FIG. 51 will
be explained. FIG. 54 is a cross-section view of the mouthpiece
1001D. The mouthpiece 1001D comprises a first pipeline 1016 which
comprises at least a part which is curved, a second pipeline 1018
which is approximately straight, and a third pipe line 1020. As
would be understood based on FIG. 50, the first pipeline 1016
communicates with the first opening part 1102 of the first cover
1106, and the second pipeline 1018 communicates with the second
opening part 1104. That is, the first pipe line 1016 defines a
first flow path 1016a through which the first aerosol, which is
generated by atomizing the first liquid, passes mainly. Also, the
second pipe line 1018 defines a second flow path 1018a through
which the second aerosol, which is generated by atomizing the
second liquid, passes mainly. Also, regarding a third flow path
1020a which is defined by the third pipe line 1020, the first
aerosol and the second aerosol flow into each other in it and pass
through it. A first air inlet 1016b is formed on a side surface of
the first pipe line 1016, and a second air inlet 1018b is formed on
a side surface of the second pipe line 1018. As a result of
inhaling action by a user, air flows into the first flow path 1016a
and the second flow path 1018a from the first air inlet 1016h and
the second air inlet.
[0398] Regarding the case that the first liquid includes nicotine
and water, and that the first liquid is atomized by the SAW
generated by the pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes 1033, it has been known that peaks in diameter
distribution of particles included in the aerosol appear at a point
near 10 microns (hereinafter, coarse particles) and a point in
submicron (hereinafter, submicron particles), as shown by the
experimental result shown in FIG. 48. According to the mouthpiece
1001D shown in FIG. 54, the aerosol including coarse particles, in
the aerosol passing through the first flow path 1016a, collides
with a wall surface of the first pipe line 1016 and is trapped
thereby. Thus, the aerosol including coarse particles is eliminated
from the aerosol passing through the first flow path 1016a, so that
the aerosol including particles having desired particle sizes can
be supplied to the mouth of the user. For holding the collided
particles in the aerosol, it is preferable that the wall surface of
the first pipe line 1016 is provided with porous material such as a
fibrous packed bed, a granular packed bed, a sponge, a sintered
body, and so on, or the wall surface itself is formed by use of
porous material.
[0399] Also, regarding the case that the second liquid includes
flavor components, and that the second liquid is atomized by the
SAW generated by the pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes 1033, it has been known that a peak in diameter
distribution of particles included in the aerosol appears at a
point near 10 microns. According to the mouthpiece 1001D shown in
FIG. 54, each of the second pipe line 1018 defining the second flow
path 1018a and the third pipe line 1020 defining the third flow
path 1020a is formed to have an approximately straight shape. Thus,
even if the particles of the aerosol generated from the second
liquid are coarse particles, trapping of aerosol by each of wall
surfaces of the second pipe line 1018 and the third pipe line 1020
can be suppressed.
[0400] FIG. 55 is a side cross-section view showing another example
of the mouthpiece 1001D. The mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 55 is
different, when compared with the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG.
54, in the point that it comprises an air inlet 1022 communicating
with the first flow path 1016a. In the mouthpiece 1001D shown in
FIG. 55, the first pipeline 1016 also comprises at least a part
which is curved, and the second pipeline 1018 is also formed to
have an approximately straight shape. Thus, the aerosol including
coarse particles, in the aerosol passing through the first flow
path 1016a, collides with a wall surface of the first pipe line
1016 and is trapped thereby. Also, even if the particles of the
aerosol generated from the second liquid are coarse particles,
trapping of aerosol by each of wall surfaces of the second pipe
line 1018 and the third pipe line 1020 can be suppressed. For
holding the collided particles in the aerosol, it is preferable
that the wall surface of the first pipe line 1016 is provided with
porous material such as a fibrous packed bed, a granular packed
bed, a sponge, a sintered body, and so on, or the wall surface
itself is formed by use of porous material.
[0401] FIG. 56 is a perspective view showing a further example of
the mouthpiece 1001D. As shown in FIG. 56, the mouthpiece 1001D
comprises a base part 1024 which is connected to the atomizing unit
1100 shown in FIG. 51 and so on, an air flow path part 1026
extending upwardly from the base part 1024, a separation part 1028
connected to the air flow path part 1026, and an air outlet 1030.
In the air flow path part 1026, an air inlet 1024A is formed for
supplying air to an air flow path, which is not shown in the
figure, of the air flow path part 1026.
[0402] The mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 56 comprises a flow path
in which the aerosol flown into the mouthpiece 1001D as a result of
inhaling action performed by a user swirls while the aerosol passes
through the flow path, and is guided to the air outlet 1030.
Specifically, air flowing in from the air inlet 1024A during
inhaling action performed by a user takes therein the aerosol
generated in the atomizing unit 1100, and arrives at the separation
part 1028 via an air flow path, which is not shown in the figure,
in the air flow path part 1026. Note that the first aerosol, which
is generated in the atomizing unit 1100 from the first liquid may
pass through the air flow path, which is not shown in the figure,
in the air flow path part 1026. In the separation part 1028,
aerosol including coarse particles is trapped by swirling the
aerosol, and aerosol including submicron particles flows out of the
air outlet 1030.
[0403] Further, the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 56 comprises the
second pipe line 1018 through which the second aerosol, which is
generated in the atomizing unit 1100 from the second liquid, may
pass through. In the present modified example, the second pipe line
1018 extends, in an orthogonal direction, from the base part 1024.
The second pipe line 1018 is in fluid communication with the air
outlet 1030, and aerosol including submicron particles, in the
first aerosol, flows into the second pipe line 1018 from the air
outlet 1030. The third pipe line 1020 is that extending from the
second pipe line 1018, and aerosol including submicron particles,
in the first aerosol, and the second aerosol pass through the third
pipe line 1020.
[0404] FIG. 57 is a schematic drawing of the mouthpiece 1001D
wherein cross sections of the separation part 1028 and the air
outlet 1030 shown in FIG. 56 are shown. The separation part 1028
comprises a cone part 1032 which communicates with an air flow path
1026A of an air flow path part 1026, a trap part 1034 which
communicates with a tip part (a smaller-diameter side) of the cone
part 1032, and an outflow part 1036 which communicates with a rear
end part (a larger-diameter side) of the cone part 1032. Aerosol
flowing into the separation part 1028 from the air flow path 1026A
swirls in the cone part 1032. At that time, aerosol including
coarse particles is separated from the flow of air, trapped by a
wall surface of the cone part 1032, and the trapped liquid is
finally dropped into the trap part 1034 and held therein. On the
other hand, aerosol including submicron particles does not adhere
to the wall surface of the cone part 1032 even if the aerosol is
made to swirl, and flows into the second pipe line 1018 from the
air outlet 1030 along with the flow of air.
[0405] The mouthpiece 1001D shown in each of FIG. 54 to FIG. 56 may
be provided with at least one of the impactor 721 explained in
relation to FIG. 46 and the filter 725 explained in relation to
FIG. 47 (each of which corresponds to an example of a trap member),
in an appropriate manner. Then, coarse particles can be trapped in
a more appropriate manner. It is preferable that the impactor 721
is formed by use of porous material such as a fibrous packed bed, a
granular packed bed, a sponge, a sintered body, and so on, for
holding collided particles of aerosol.
[0406] FIG. 58 is a side cross-section view showing a still further
example of the mouthpiece 1001D. FIG. 59 is a schematic side view
showing the flow of air passing through the mouthpiece 1001D shown
in FIG. 58. In FIG. 59, the flow of air flowing in form a first air
inlet 1016b and a second air inlet 1018b is shown by use of an
arrow. Similarly to the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 54, the
mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 58 and FIG. 59 comprises a first
pipeline 1016 which comprises at least a part which is curved, a
second pipeline 1018 which is approximately straight, and a third
pipe line 1020. The first pipeline 1016 communicates with the first
opening part 1102 of the first cover 1106 shown in FIG. 51, and the
second pipeline 1018 communicates with the second opening part
1104. That is, the first pipe line 1016 defines a first flow path
1016a through which the first aerosol, which is generated by
atomizing the first liquid, passes mainly. Also, the second pipe
line 1018 defines a second flow path 1018a through which the second
aerosol, which is generated by atomizing the second liquid, passes
mainly. Also, regarding a third flow path 1020a which is defined by
the third pipe line 1020, the first aerosol and the second aerosol
flow into each other in it and pass through it.
[0407] Further, the first flow path 1016a in the mouthpiece 1001D
shown in FIG. 58 and FIG. 59 is provided with an air flow
accelerating member 1037 and a trap member 1038 positioned at a
downstream side of the air flow accelerating member 1037. The air
flow accelerating member 1037 can reduce the flow path of the first
flow path 1016a, so that the flow velocity of the first aerosol
flowing toward the trap member 1038 can be increased. The trap
member 1038 is arranged at position whereat the first aerosol
passed through the air flow accelerating member 1037 collides, and
to have a gap in terms of a cross section of the first flow path
1016a. In the example shown in the figure, the air flow
accelerating member 1037 is formed by use of a porous fibrous layer
filter having a through hole at the center thereof (a center hall
filter) or the like, and the trap member 1038 is formed by use of a
solid porous fibrous layer filter (a super slim filter) or the
like.
[0408] The second flow path 1018a is provided with an air flow
accelerating member 1039 which has a hole at the center part
thereof. For example, the air flow accelerating member 1039 lies
along the whole length of the second flow path 1018a, and has an
inner diameter larger than that of the air flow accelerating member
1037.
[0409] As shown by use of the arrow in FIG. 59, the air flowing in
from the first air inlet 1016b (not shown in FIG. 58) takes therein
the first aerosol from the first opening part 1102 shown in FIG.
51, and flows into the first flow path 1016a. The air flowing in
from the second air inlet 1018b takes therein the second aerosol
from the second opening part 1104 shown in FIG. 51, and flows into
the second flow path 1018a.
[0410] A part of aerosol including coarse particles, in the first
aerosol flown into the first flow path 1016a, is trapped by an
inner surface of the air flow accelerating member 1037 when the
aerosol passes through the air flow accelerating member 1037 which
is formed by use of a filter. Also, the flow velocity of the first
aerosol passed through the air flow accelerating member 1037 is
increased by the air flow accelerating member 1037, and the first
aerosol collides with the trap member 1038. As a result, aerosol
including coarse particles, in the first aerosol, is trapped by the
trap member 1038, and, on the other hand, aerosol including
submicron particles is not trapped by the trap member 1038, so that
it passes through the gap between the trap member 1038 and the wall
surface of the first pipe line 1016, and arrives at the third flow
path 1020a. By increasing the flow velocity of the first aerosol by
use of the air flow accelerating member 1037, efficiency of
inertial trapping of aerosol, which includes coarse particles, in
the trap member 1038 can be improved.
[0411] As shown in the figure, since the second pipe line 1018 is
formed to have an approximately straight shape, trapping of the
second aerosol, which includes coarse particles and flows into the
second flow path 1018a, at a wall surface of the second pipeline
1018 (inner wall of the air flow accelerating member 1039) is
suppressed, so that the second aerosol can arrive at the third pipe
line 1020. Note that the air flow accelerating member 1037, the
trap member 1038, and the air flow accelerating member 1039 may be
formed by use of porous material such as a fibrous packed bed, a
granular packed bed, a sponge, a sintered body, and so on.
[0412] FIG. 60 is a side cross-section view showing a still further
example of the mouthpiece 1101D. FIG. 61 is a schematic side view
showing the flow of air passing through the mouthpiece shown in
FIG. 60. The mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 60 and FIG. 61 is
different, when compared with the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 58
and FIG. 59, in the point that the air inlet for supplying air to
the mouthpiece 1001D of the former is different from that of the
latter. Specifically, the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 60 and
FIG. 61 comprises an air inlet 1025 positioned between a first pipe
line 1016 and a second pipe line 1018, instead of the first air
inlet 1016b and the second air inlet 1018b.
[0413] The air inlet 1025 goes through the mouthpiece 1001D from a
surface at a front side to a surface at a rear side of the
mouthpiece 1001D, when the sheet showing FIG. 61 is viewed from the
front. Also, as shown in FIG. 61, the air inlet 1025 communicates
with the first flow path 1016a of the first pile line 1016 and the
second flow path 1018a of the second flow path 1018. A part of the
air flowing in from the air inlet 1025 takes therein the first
aerosol from the first opening part 1102 shown in FIG. 51, and
flows into the first flow path 1016a. Also, the remaining part of
the air flowing in from the air inlet 1025 takes therein the second
aerosol from the second opening part 1104 shown in FIG. 51, and
flows into the second flow path 1018a. Further, in the case of the
present example, an opening which is different from the first
opening part 1102 and the second opening part 1104 may be formed on
the first cover 1106 shown in FIG. 51 and FIG. 53, and air taken
from the air inlet 1025 may be made to be flown into the inside of
the first cover 1106, made to pass on the surface of the IDT (the
pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 1033), and,
thereafter, made to flow through the first opening part 1102 and
the second opening part 1104. By causing the air to flow as
explained above, adhesion of the aerosol, which is generated by the
edge 1031A and the edge 1031B, to the IDT can be more reliably
prevented. Note that, the flow of air explained above is not
limited to that in the case of the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG.
61, and it may be adopted in other mouthpieces 1001D.
[0414] The mouthpieces 1001D shown in FIG. 54 to FIG. 61 are
explained as those having the third pipe lines 1020; however, the
constructions thereof are not limited to those explained above.
That is, each of the mouthpieces 1001D shown in FIG. 54 to FIG. 61
may be constructed in such a manner that it does not comprise the
third pipe line 1020, and the first aerosol passing through the
first pipe line 1016 and the second aerosol passing through the
second pipe line 1018 arrive at the mouth of a user independently
from each other. Further, regarding the twenty-fourth modification,
although it is explained that the second liquid is atomized by use
of energy of a surface acoustic wave in the IDT, the construction
is not limited to the above, and the second liquid may be atomized
by use of another appropriate method such as that using an existing
mesh nebulizer or the like. Further, the first cover 1106 and the
second cover 1107 shown in FIG. 51 to FIG. 53 may be formed by use
of metal, for suppressing emission of EMC.
Experiment 1
[0415] An experiment for measuring diameter distribution with
respect to aerosol passed through the first flow path 1016a and the
third flow path 1020a in the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 58 and
FIG. 59 was conducted. In the experiment, the flow rate of the
aerosol was set to 55 ml/3 s, and a solution including 96 wt % of
water, 2 wt % of malic acid, and 2 wt % of nicotine was adopted as
the aerosol source. Spraytech which is available from Malvem
corporation was used as the measurement device. Further, an
experiment in which the air flow accelerating member 1037 and the
trap member 1038 are not used, an experiment in which the air flow
accelerating member 1037 having an inner diameter of 2.0 mm is
used, and an experiment in which the air flow accelerating member
1037 having an inner diameter of 3.2 mm is used, in the mouthpiece
1001, were conducted.
[0416] FIG. 62 is a graph showing a result of measurement of
diameter distribution with respect to aerosol in experiment 1. Note
that the vertical axis in FIG. 62 shows weight distribution, that
is a result of transformation from volume distribution, when it is
assumed that an integrated value of volume distribution of all
aerosol particle diameters corresponds to weight of the aerosol
inhaled by a single inhaling action. Note that the weight of the
aerosol inhaled by a single inhaling action was evaluated by
trapping, by a filter, aerosol outputted when the inhaling action
is performed in such a manner that a quantity of 55 ml is inhaled
during a period of 3 seconds with constant inhaling velocity, and
calculating a difference between the weight before the inhaling
action and the weight after the inhaling action. As shown in FIG.
62, in the case that the air flow accelerating member 1037 and the
trap member 1038 are not used in the mouthpiece 1001D, a peak of
the diameter distribution appeared at a point near 10 microns. On
the other hand, in each of the case that the trap member 1038 and
the air flow accelerating member 1037 having an inner diameter of
2.0 mm is used and the case that the trap member 1038 and the air
flow accelerating member 1037 having an inner diameter of 3.2 mm is
used, distribution of particle diameters around 10 microns
disappeared. More specifically, in the case that the trap member
1038 and the air flow accelerating member 1037 having an inner
diameter of 2.0 mm is used, almost all diameter distribution of 2
microns or more disappeared; and in the case that the trap member
1038 and the air flow accelerating member 1037 having an inner
diameter of 3.2 mm is used, almost all diameter distribution of 5
microns or more disappeared. On the other hand, diameter
distribution of submicron particles in each case is not very
different from those of other cases. Based on the above result of
the experiment, it can be understood that aerosol including coarse
particles is trapped, and submicron particles are allowed to arrive
at the third flow path 1020a, in the case that the trap member 1038
and the air flow accelerating member 1037 are used.
Experiment 2
[0417] An experiment for verifying degrees of discomfort in a
throat, when aerosol passed through the first flow path 1016a and
the third flow path 2010a in the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 58
and FIG. 59 was inhaled, was conducted. In the experiment, a
solution including 96 wt % of water, 2 wt % of malic acid, and 2 wt
% of nicotine was adopted as the aerosol source; and degrees of
discomfort in a throat with respect to each person on a panel
including five people, when the person performed inhaling action by
use of the mouthpiece 1001D, were verified. Also, similarly to the
case of experiment 1, an experiment in which the air flow
accelerating member 1037 and the trap member 1038 are not used, an
experiment in which the air flow accelerating member 1037 having an
inner diameter of 2.0 mm is used, and an experiment in which the
air flow accelerating member 1037 having an inner diameter of 3.2
mm is used, in the mouthpiece 1001, were conducted.
[0418] FIG. 63 shows a graph and an evaluation sheet showing
degrees of discomfort in the throat. Regarding discomfort in the
throat, the strength of discomfort in the throat, that was felt by
each person on the panel when the person inhaled aerosol, was
evaluated by use of the evaluation sheet shown in FIG. 63.
Specifically, discomfort in the throat in the case that each of the
five people on the panel inhaled aerosol by use of the mouthpiece
1101D which uses neither the air flow accelerating member 1037 nor
the trap member 1038 was evaluated, and discomfort in the throat
with respect to each of the other examples was also evaluated. In
addition to the positions on the evaluation sheet where numbers are
written, each person on the panel can enter a recording mark on any
position, such as a position between the numbers 2 and 3, for
example. In analysis of the result, positions of recorded marks are
measured by use of a ruler, and are converted to numerical values.
Each error bar in the graph in FIG. 63 shows a confidence interval
with respect to a population mean when the confidence level is
95%.
[0419] Note that, in the experiment, a solution including 2 wt % of
nicotine, 2 wt % of malic acid, and 96 wt % of water was used, and
it was atomized by supplying electric power of 11 W with a resonant
frequency of 23.9 MHz. The parts shown in FIGS. 60 and 61 were used
in the mouthpiece 1101D. The quantity of the solution to be
supplied during atomization was set to 5 mg/sec, and each subject
inhaled the atomized aerosol for arbitrary length of time, and
performed evaluation with respect to the degree of discomfort felt
during the time.
[0420] As shown by the graph in FIG. 63, in each of the case that
the air flow accelerating member 1037 having an inner diameter of
2.0 mm is used and the case that the air flow accelerating member
1037 having an inner diameter of 3.2 mm is used, the degree of
discomfort in the throat was significantly lowered, compared with
the case that air flow accelerating member 1037 and the trap member
1038 were not used in the mouthpiece 1101D; thus, it can be stated
that the above two cases are preferable in terms of feeling of
fragrance inhaling taste.
[0421] Regarding the case of FIG. 63, note that, in the case that
the air flow accelerating member 1037 and the trap member 1038 are
used, the quantity of nicotine inhaled per unit time is reduced,
compared with the case that the air flow accelerating member 1037
and the trap member 1038 are not used. For evaluating the effect
due to the above matter, concentration of nicotine in the solution,
which was used, was adjusted in such a manner that the quantity of
nicotine inhaled per unit time was set to be the same, and
evaluation was performed; however, as a result, the tendency shown
in FIG. 63 was not changed (not shown in the figure). That is, the
size of the particle mainly contributes mainly to the degree of
discomfort in the throat, and the degree of discomfort in the
throat can be lowered by reducing coarse particles.
[0422] As explained above, according to experiment 1, aerosol
including coarse particles is trapped, and submicron particles are
allowed to arrive at the third flow path 1020a, in the case that
air flow accelerating member 1037 and the trap member 1038 are
used. Accordingly, in experiment 2, it can be understood that, in
the case that air flow accelerating member 1037 and the trap member
1038 are used, aerosol including coarse particles is trapped, and
submicron particles are allowed to arrive at the third flow path
1020a, thus, arrive at the mouth of a user. Also, in experiment 2,
in the case that air flow accelerating member 1037 and the trap
member 1038 are used, discomfort in the throat can be remarkably
reduced, and desirable fragrance inhaling taste can be obtained.
That is, it can be stated that, by using the flow accelerating
member 1037 and the trap member 1038 in the mouthpiece 1001D,
aerosol including coarse particles is trapped, and, as a result,
discomfort in the throat is remarkably reduced.
[0423] In general, it has been known that the size of a particle
emitted from a cigarette when it is burned is approximately 0.2
microns. On the other hand, as explained above, the aerosol
generated by the atomizing unit 1100 relating to the twenty-fourth
modification includes coarse particles, each having the size of
approximately 10 microns, in addition to submicron particles. Thus,
by adopting the mouthpiece 1001D shown in FIG. 58 in the unit 1000
relating to the twenty-fourth modification, submicron particles are
allowed to arrive at the mouth of a user while the coarse particles
are remarkably reduced. As a result, fragrance inhaling taste
similar to that obtainable from a burned cigarette can be obtained.
Note that since the mouthpieces 1001D shown in FIG. 54 to FIG. 57
can also deliver submicron particles into the mouth of a user while
reducing the coarse particles, the mouthpieces can provide
fragrance inhaling taste similar to that provided by the mouthpiece
1001D shown in FIG. 58.
[0424] [Twenty-Fifth Modification]
[0425] Regarding the twenty-fifth modification, a sensor 1070 for
detecting a liquid supplied to the edges 1031A and 1031B in the
piezoelectric element substrate 1031 shown in FIG. 52 will be
explained. For example, based on result of detection by the sensor
1070, the controller 400 shown in FIG. 1 may drive the motors 1208A
and 1208B which are liquid suppliers and are shown in FIG. 50, and
control the supply speeds of the liquids and the supply quantities
of the liquids that are supplied from the first liquid storage unit
1200A and the second liquid storage unit 1200B to the edges 1031A
and 1031B, respectively. A sufficient atomizing amount cannot be
obtained in the case that the quantities of liquids supplied to the
edges 1031A and 1031B are small; and the particle diameters in
atomized aerosol become large in the case that the quantities of
liquids supplied to the edges 1031A and 1031B are large.
Specifically, at that time, aerosol which includes extra-large
particles, each of which is larger than a coarse particle and has a
diameter of approximately 100 microns, and particles, each of which
has a diameter larger than that of an extra-large particle, is
generated. Thus, by controlling operation of the liquid suppliers
by the controller 400 based on result of detection by the sensor
1070, certain quantities of liquids can be supplied to the edges
1031A and 1031B in the piezoelectric element substrate 1031. As a
result, a sufficient atomizing amount can be realized, and
generation of aerosol having a particle diameter larger than that
of a coarse particle can be prevented.
[0426] FIG. 64 is an enlarged view of a part extracted from the
atomizing unit 1100 shown in FIG. 52. Specifically, FIG. 64
illustrates the PCB board 1109, the piezoelectric element substrate
1031 comprising the pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes 1033, the guide wall 1711A, the seal member 1111, and
the sensor 1070 in the atomizing unit 1100 shown in FIG. 52.
[0427] In FIG. 64, the sensor 1070 comprises a pair of sensor
electrodes (detection part) 1070A and 1070B which are opposite to
each other. The sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B are constructed
by use of a metal such as gold-plated copper, for example. Also,
the sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B are attached to the PCB board
1109, and electrically connected to contacts formed on the PCB
board 1109. In this regard, the sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B
are positioned above the piezoelectric element substrate 1031, with
the seal member 1111 positioned between the sensor electrodes 1070A
and 1070B and the piezoelectric element substrate 1031. For
example, the sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B are positioned in
such a manner that they are separated by 0.1 mm (.+-.0.05 mm) from
the surface of the piezoelectric element substrate 1031. In the
case that the sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B are positioned on
the surface of the piezoelectric element substrate 1031, there are
risks that the sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B may peel off, and
relative positions of the sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B may
shift, due to vibration caused by a SAW that propagates through the
piezoelectric element substrate 1031. Thus, by separating the
sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B from the surface of the
piezoelectric element substrate 1031, peeling off of the sensor
electrodes 1070A and 1070B and shifting of relative positions of
the sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B can be prevented, and
accurate result of detection can be obtained.
[0428] The sensor electrode 1070A comprises a base part 1071A which
has a rectangular shape and has one end side electrically connected
to a contact formed on the PCB board 1109, and a convex part 1072A
which projects toward the sensor electrode 1070B from the other end
side of the base part 1071A. On the other hand, the sensor
electrode 1070B comprises a base part 1071B which has a rectangular
shape and has one end side electrically connected to a contact
formed on the PCB board 1109, and a convex part 1072B which
projects toward the sensor electrode 1070A from the other end side
of the base part 1071B. Note that each of the base parts 1071A and
1071B may have a shape other than a rectangular shape. The convex
parts 1072A and 1072B are positioned adjacent to the edge 1031A to
which liquid is supplied, and are electrically connected by the
liquid supplied from the edge 1031A. The sensor 1070 outputs, as
detection result, the conductivity of the electric signal
corresponding to the quantity of the liquid between the convex part
1072A and the convex part 1072B. The conductivity of the electric
signal outputted from the sensor 1070 becomes large as the quantity
of the liquid supplied to the edge 1031A becomes large. Thus, it is
possible to judge, based on the magnitude of the conductivity of
the electric signal, the state that an appropriate quantity of the
liquid is supplied to the edge 1031A, the state that an excessive
quantity of the liquid is supplied to the edge 1031A, and the state
that the quantity of the liquid supplied to the edge 1031A is
insufficient.
[0429] In the case that the controller 400 has judged, based on the
conductivity of the electric signal outputted from the sensor 1070,
that an excessive quantity of the liquid has been supplied to the
edge 1031A, it drives the motor 1208A to reduce the liquid supply
speed and/or the liquid supply quantity of the liquid supplied from
the first liquid storage unit 1200A to the edge 1031A. Further, in
the case that the controller 400 has judged, based on the
conductivity of the electric signal outputted from the sensor 1070,
that the quantity of the liquid supplied to the edge 1031A is
insufficient, it drives the motor 1208A to increase the liquid
supply speed and/or the liquid supply quantity of the liquid
supplied from the first liquid storage unit 1200A to the edge
1031A. As a result, a certain appropriate quantity of the liquid
can be supplied to the edge 1031A, so that a sufficient atomizing
amount can be realised, and generation of aerosol having particle
diameters larger than those of coarse particles can be prevented.
Note that, although the edge 1031A side is extracted and shown in
FIG. 64, the edge 1031B side also has a construction similar to
that of the edge 1031A side, and the controller 400 drives, based
on detection result from the sensor 1070, the motor 1208B in a
manner similar to that in the case of the edge 1031A side.
[0430] Next, positional relationship between the piezoelectric
element substrate 1031 and the sensor electrodes 1070A and 1070B
and positional relationship between the piezoelectric element
substrate 1031 and the guide wall 1711A will be explained with
reference to result of experiments. As shown in FIG. 64, it is
defined herein that the space between the top end of the convex
part 1072A and the top end of the convex part 1072B is C1; the
space between the edge 1031A and the side, at the edge 1031A side,
of each of the convex part 1072A and the convex part 1072B is C2;
and the space between the edge 1031A and the end surface, at the
edge 1031A side, of the guide wall 1711A is L1.
[0431] First, the atomizing amounts of aerosol generated in the
atomizing unit 1100 were measured, under a condition that the space
C1 is set to 4 mm, the space L1 is set to 0.4 mm, and the space C2
is varied. Note that the space C1 may be set in accordance with the
output width of the SAW, i.e., the width that the aerosol is
generated, to correspond to the overlap length of the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 1033. In the
measurement, electric power of 10 W was supplied to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 1033, and the
atomizing amounts, when liquid for testing was atomized, were
measured, under the state that the top cover 1710 has been removed.
FIG. 65 is a graph showing relationship between the space C2 and
the atomizing amount. In FIG. 65, the horizontal axis represents
the space C2 (mm), and the vertical axis represents an atomizing
amount per a single puff TPM/puff (mg). Note that, in the case that
the space C2 is a negative value, it means that the convex part
1072A and the convex part 1072B are positioned, across the edge
1031A, on the guide wall 1711A. It can be understood from FIG. 65
that the atomizing amount becomes the maximum at a point where the
space C2 is around 0.15 mm. Thus, it is desirable that the space C2
be set to 0.15 mm (+0.05 mm).
[0432] Next, the atomizing amounts of aerosol generated in the
atomizing unit 1100 were measured, under a condition that the space
C1 is set to 4 mm, the space C2 is set to 0.15 mm, and the space L1
is varied. In the measurement, electric power of 10 W was supplied
to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 1033,
and the atomizing amounts when liquid for testing was atomized were
measured, under the state that the top cover 1710 has been removed.
FIG. 66 is a graph showing relationship between the space L1 and
the atomizing amount. In FIG. 66, the horizontal axis represents
the space L1 (mm), and the vertical axis represents an atomizing
amount TPM/puff (mg). It can be understood from FIG. 66 that the
atomizing amount becomes the maximum in the region where the space
L1 is equal to or larger than 0.25 mm. Thus, it is desirable that
the space L1 be set to equal to or larger than 0.25 mm.
[0433] Note that, although the case that the sensor 1070 is an
electric conductivity sensor has been explained with respect to the
present modified example, the sensor is not limited to the above,
and the emitter-receiver sensor or the capacitive sensor shown in
FIGS. 22-25 may be adopted as a sensor for detecting liquid.
[0434] [Twenty-Sixth Modification A]
[0435] In the following, a modified example 26A of the embodiment
will be explained. In the following, differences between
embodiments will be explained mainly.
[0436] Regarding the modified example 26A, amplitude of a voltage
having a high frequency (this is also referred to as a
"high-frequency voltage" in the following explanation of the
modified example 26A) applied to the pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 will be explained.
[0437] Specifically, in the modified example 26A, the controller
400 periodically changes amplitude of a high-frequency voltage
applied to the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes 33. In the case that the amplitude of the high-frequency
voltage is set to be constant and is applied, power consumption
becomes large, and, due thereto, the piezoelectric element
substrate 31 may be overheated; thus, if a configuration for
periodically changing the amplitude is adopted, power consumption
can be reduced, and damage to the piezoelectric element substrate
31, due to high temperature, can be avoided. Further, according the
above configuration, it is possible to suppress scattering by
receiving a SAW of a droplet, as a bulk droplet, from liquid, which
is guided to the front surface 31F of the piezoelectric element
substrate 31. FIG. 67 is an example picture in which a droplet 3210
scattered as a bulk droplet is photographed. Note that 3220 denotes
minute particles, and 3230 denotes a droplet adhered to the front
surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 after it is
scattered. By suppressing scattering of a bulk droplet, the liquid
can be used effectively, and stable atomization of aerosol can be
realized. In detail, when a high voltage is being applied, aerosol
is atomized by use of a liquid at a side close to the pairs of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 (the thin film
part); and, when a low voltage is being applied, supply of the
liquid to the thin film part, that is reduced as a result of
atomization, is accelerated. As a result that the above phenomena
are repeated in a periodic manner, generation of particles having
sizes larger than a predetermined size can be suppressed, and the
quantity of atomization of minute particles can be increased (Refer
to FIG. 5 and explanations relating thereto, also). Note that it is
preferable to repeat application of a high voltage and a low
voltage, i.e., it is preferable to repeat increasing and decreasing
of amplitude of the high-frequency voltage at a frequency between
approximately 50 Hz-500 Hz, more preferably, at a frequency of
approximately 100 Hz.
[0438] Periodic changing in the amplitude of the high-frequency
voltage can be realised by defining the high-frequency voltage
applied to the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes 33 as a wave which is to be modulated, and performing
amplitude modulation based on a modulating signal having a
predetermined waveform. The controller 400 may comprise a
modulating signal generating circuit, a modulation circuit, and so
on.
[0439] Alternatively, it is possible to realize periodic changing
of the amplitude of the high-frequency voltage by use of the
controller 400 in such a manner that the amplitude of the
high-frequency voltage applied to the pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 is made to be a wave having a
predetermined waveform. In such a case, it is not necessary to
include a modulating signal generating circuit, a modulation
circuit, or the like in the controller 400.
[0440] For example, as shown in FIG. 68, the periodic amplitude of
the high-frequency voltage, and the above modulating signal which
is causes of such a periodic amplitude may draw a sine wave shape,
may draw a rectangular wave shape, may draw a triangular wave
shape, or may draw a saw tooth wave shape. Especially, it is
preferable that a high-frequency voltage be applied in such a
manner that the periodic amplitude of the high-frequency voltage
draws a rectangular wave shape. The controller 400 can change the
amplitude of the high-frequency voltage applied to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 in such a manner
that the change in the amplitude over time corresponds to the shape
of a rectangular wave, by providing with, in an alternative manner,
a period during which the high-frequency voltage is applied and a
period during which the high-frequency voltage is not applied.
[0441] In the case that a sine wave is used, the period of the sine
wave may be set, by performing numerical calculation or performing
an experiment, such that damage to the piezoelectric element
substrate 31 due to overheat at the time that the high-frequency
voltage is applied to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes 33 is prevented. In addition or alternatively, the
period of the sine wave may be set, by performing numerical
calculation or performing an experiment, such that generation of
particles having sizes larger than a predetermined size in
atomization is suppressed.
[0442] In the case that a rectangular wave is used, a duty ratio of
the rectangular wave may be set, by performing numerical
calculation or performing an experiment, such that damage to the
piezoelectric element substrate 31 due to high temperature is
prevented, and/or generation, by atomization, of particles having
particle sizes larger than a predetermined size is suppressed, when
the high-frequency voltage is applied to the pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33.
[0443] In the case that a triangular wave is used, a slope during
an increasing state and a slope during a decreasing state in the
triangular wave may be set, by performing numerical calculation or
performing an experiment, such that damage to the piezoelectric
element substrate 31 due to high temperature is prevented, and/or
generation, by atomization, of particles having particle sizes
larger than a predetermined size is suppressed, when the
high-frequency voltage is applied to the pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33.
[0444] Note that, in more general, the "slope during an increasing
state" can be specified by a ratio between amplitude and a length
of a period (this corresponds to pSin+ in FIG. 68), during which a
change occurs in a first direction which is parallel the amplitude
(for example, D1 in FIG. 68), in a single period of the triangular
wave. Also, in more general, the "slope during a decreasing state"
can be specified by a ratio between the amplitude and a length of a
period (this corresponds to pSin- in FIG. 68), during which a
change occurs in a second direction opposite to the first
direction, in a single period of the triangular wave.
[0445] In the case that a saw tooth wave is used, a slope of the
saw tooth wave may be set, by performing numerical calculation or
performing an experiment, such that damage to the piezoelectric
element substrate 31 due to high temperature is prevented, and/or
generation, by atomization, of particles having particle sizes
larger than a predetermined size is suppressed, when the
high-frequency voltage is applied to the pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33.
[0446] Note that, in more general, a "slope" of a saw tooth wave
can be specified by a ratio between a length of a single period of
the saw tooth wave and amplitude thereof.
[0447] Note that, although the "droplet" scattered as a bulk
droplet, which is explained above, includes an extra-large particle
having a particle diameter of approximately 100 microns which is
larger than that of a coarse particle, and a particle having a
particle diameter larger than that of an extra-large particle, the
"droplet" is not limited to those explained above. Accordingly, the
"predetermine size" with respect to the above explained "particle
larger than a predetermined size" may be 100 microns, for
example.
[0448] At least a part of the controller 400 according to the
modified example 26A may be realized by a processor. For example,
the controller 400 may comprise a processor and a memory which
stores a program, and the program may be that causing the processor
to function as at least a part of the controller 400 according to
the modified example 26A.
[0449] [Twenty-Sixth Modification B]
[0450] In the following, a modified example 26B of the embodiment
will be explained. The modified example 26B is a modified version
of the modified example 26A; and, in the following, differences
from the modified example 26A will be explained mainly
[0451] In the modified example 26A, the amplitude of the
high-frequency voltage applied to the pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 is periodically changed; on the
other hand, in the modified example 26B, the frequency of the
high-frequency voltage applied to the pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 is periodically changed.
According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress
scattering by receiving a SAW of a droplet, as a bulk droplet, from
liquid, which is guided to the front surface 31F of the
piezoelectric element substrate 31. By the above configuration, the
liquid can be used effectively, and stable atomization of aerosol
can be realized. In detail, when a high-frequency voltage having a
frequency relatively close to a resonant frequency is being
applied, aerosol is atomized by use of a liquid at a side close to
the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 (the
thin film part); and, when a high-frequency voltage having a
frequency relatively far from the resonant frequency is being
applied, supply of the liquid to the thin film part, that is
reduced as a result of atomization, is accelerated. As a result
that the above phenomena are repeated in a periodic manner,
generation of particles having sizes larger than a predetermined
size can be suppressed, and the quantity of atomization of minute
particles can be increased (Refer to FIG. 5 and explanations
relating thereto, also). Note that it is preferable to repeat
frequency changing of the high-frequency voltage at a frequency
between approximately 50 Hz-500 Hz, more preferably, at a frequency
of approximately 100 Hz.
[0452] Periodic changing in the frequency of the high-frequency
voltage can be realized by defining the high-frequency voltage
applied to the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes 33 as a wave which is to be modulated, and performing
frequency modulation based on a modulating signal having a
predetermined waveform. The controller 400 may comprise a
modulating signal generating circuit, a modulation circuit, and so
on. The modulating signal may draw a sine wave shape, may draw a
rectangular wave shape, may draw a triangular wave shape, or may
draw a saw tooth wave shape.
[0453] In the case that a sine wave is used, the period of the sine
wave may be set, by performing numerical calculation or performing
an experiment, such that generation, by atomization, of particles
having sizes larger than the above predetermined size is
suppressed.
[0454] In the case that a rectangular wave is used, a duty ratio of
the rectangular wave may be set, by performing numerical
calculation or performing an experiment, such that generation, by
atomization, of particles having sizes larger than the above
predetermined size is suppressed.
[0455] In the case that a triangular wave is used, a slope during
an increasing state and a slope during a decreasing state in the
triangular wave may be set, by performing numerical calculation or
performing an experiment, such that generation, by atomization, of
particles having sizes larger than the above predetermined size is
suppressed.
[0456] In the case that a saw tooth wave is used, a slope of the
saw tooth wave may be set, by performing numerical calculation or
performing an experiment, such that generation, by atomization, of
particles having sizes larger than the above predetermined size is
suppressed.
[0457] At least a part of the controller 400 according to the
modified example 26B may be realized by a processor. For example,
the controller 400 may comprise a processor and a memory which
stores a program, and the program may be that causing the processor
to function as at least a part of the controller 400 according to
the modified example 26B.
[0458] [Twenty-Sixth Modification C]
[0459] A modified example 26C is a combination of the modified
example 26A and the modified example 26B. That is, in the modified
example 26C, the amplitude and the frequency of the high-frequency
voltage applied to the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes 33 are periodically changed. The period for changing the
amplitude and the period for changing the frequency may be the same
or different.
[0460] At least a part of the controller 400 according to the
modified example 26C may be realized by a processor. For example,
the controller 400 may comprise a processor and a memory which
stores a program, and the program may be that causing the processor
to function as at least a part of the controller 400 according to
the modified example 26C.
[0461] [Twenty-Sixth Modification D]
[0462] In the following, a modified example 26D of the embodiment
will be explained. In the following, differences between
embodiments will be explained mainly.
[0463] Regarding the modified example 26D, relationship between a
liquid supply speed (.mu.l/sec) of liquid guided to the front
surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31 and output
(W) of a SAW generated as a result of application of a
high-frequency voltage to the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes 33 will be explained.
[0464] First, as shown in FIG. 69, the controller 400 makes the
output of the SAW gradually increase from time tStart, such that
the output of the SAW reaches a desired level at time t2. The
controller 400 makes the output of the SAW be zero at time tEnd. On
the other hand, the controller 400 makes the liquid supply speed
increase to a desired level at time t1. The controller 400 makes
the liquid supply speed be zero at time tEnd. The time t1 may be
that between the time tStart and the time t2.
[0465] Second, as shown in FIG. 70, the controller 400 makes the
output of the SAW gradually increase, from time tStart, such that
the output of the SAW reaches a desired level at time t2. The
controller 400 makes the output of the SAW be zero at time tEnd. On
the other hand, the controller 400 makes the liquid supply speed
gradually increase, from time t1, such that the liquid supply speed
reaches a desired level at time t3. The controller 400 makes the
liquid supply speed be zero at time tEnd. The time t1 may be that
between the time tStart and the time t2. The time t3 may be that
after the time t2.
[0466] Note that the time tStart may be the timing when the start
of a puff action is detected by the sensor 300, or the timing when
a button for performing a puff action is pressed. The time tEnd may
be the timing when the end of a puff action is detected by the
sensor 300, or timing when a button for performing a puff action,
which has been pressed, is released.
[0467] As shown in FIG. 69 and FIG. 70, the output of the SAW
gradually increases form the time tStart, and increasing of the
liquid supply speed is started at the time t1 that is after the
time tStart; thus, in an initial stage for increasing the output
(W) of the SAW, it is possible to suppress scattering by receiving
the SAW of a droplet having a large diameter, i.e., a bulk droplet,
from the liquid, which is guided to the front surface 31F of the
piezoelectric element substrate 31. Further, as shown in FIG. 70,
by gradually increasing the liquid supply speed, scattering of a
droplet having a large diameter, i.e., a bulk droplet, can be
suppressed
[0468] Note that the modified example 26D deals with the problem
that power consumption becomes large in the case that the amplitude
of the high-frequency voltage is set to be constant. That is, in
the modified example 26D, the SAW output is zero at the time
tStart, and it gradually increases to a desired level. This can be
realized by changing the amplitude of the high-frequency voltage
applied to the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes 33 to that by which desired SAW output is obtained.
Thus, according to the modified example 26D, power consumption
becomes smaller, compared with the case that a high-frequency
voltage having constant amplitude is applied, such that SAW output
having a predetermined level is obtained from the point in time at
the time tStart.
[0469] FIG. 71 is an example flow chart 3000A for realizing the
above-explained process. The respective steps included in the flow
chart may be those executed by the controller 400.
[0470] Note that the flow chart 3000A corresponds to a single
suction (puff) action, and a similar process may be performed with
respect to each suction action. Accordingly, after completion of
the process shown by the flow chart 3000A, the process may be
repeated immediately; thus, in the flow chart 3000A, right after
the process has reached "END," the process may proceed to "START."
In such a case, the process shown by the flow chart 3000A forms a
loop; and the loop is commenced from "START" when a predetermined
signal (for example, a signal representing a power ON state) is
received by the controller 400, and terminated when another
predetermined signal (for example, a signal representing a power
OFF state) is received by the controller 400.
[0471] 3010A denotes a step for determining whether the start of a
puff action is detected. In the case that the start of a puff
action is detected, the process proceeds to step 3020A, and, if
not, step 3010A is repeated. Note that the above-explained time
tStart may be a point of time when the start of a puff action is
detected in the step.
[0472] 3020A denotes a step for initializing parameters A and v,
which represent the amplitude of a high-frequency voltage applied
to the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 and
speed of supply of liquid to the SAW module, more specifically, to
the piezoelectric element substrate 31, to have values of zeros,
respectively.
[0473] 3030A denotes a step for generating signals for applying a
high-frequency voltage having amplitude of magnitude A to the pairs
of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 and supplying
liquid with a liquid supply speed of magnitude v to the
piezoelectric element substrate 31. The above signals may be that
which is to be sent to the atomizing unit 100.
[0474] 3040A denotes a step for determining whether time t that has
elapsed since the start of the puff action has detected in step
3010A is equal to or longer than a first predetermined time, in
other words, whether the first predetermined time has elapsed since
the start of the puff action has detected. If it is determined that
the first predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to
step 3050A, and, if not, the process proceeds to step 3060A. The
first predetermined time corresponds to the above-explained time t1
minus the time tStart.
[0475] 3050A denotes a step for setting the parameter v to a
predetermined value. The predetermined value is a value
corresponding to a desired level of the liquid supply speed.
[0476] 3060A denotes a step for determining whether the elapsed
time t is equal to or less than a second predetermined time, in
other words, whether the second predetermined time has not yet
elapsed since the start of the puff action has detected. If it is
determined that the second predetermined time has not yet elapsed,
the process proceeds to step 3070A, and, if it is not determined
so, the process proceeds to step 3080A. The second predetermined
time corresponds to the above-explained time t2 minus the time
tStart.
[0477] 3070A denotes a step for adding a predetermined value AA to
the parameter A. The predetermined value AA corresponds to a value
which is calculated by multiplying a value by a value, wherein the
former value is obtained by dividing a value corresponding to a
desired level of amplitude of the high-frequency voltage by a value
obtained by subtracting the above explained time tStart from the
time t2, and the latter value is a value obtained by subtracting
the time when step 3070A was executed last time from the time at
when step 3070A is executed this time. In the case that the
interval between executions of steps 3070A is constant, AA can be
regarded as a constant. Note that, AA may be zero when step 3070A
is executed for the first time.
[0478] 3080A denotes a step for determining whether the end of the
puff action is detected. In the case that the end of the puff
action is detected, the process proceeds to step 3090A, and, if
not, the process returns to step 3030A.
[0479] 3090A denotes a step for generating signals for stopping
application of the high-frequency voltage to the pairs of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 and stopping supply
of the liquid to the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The above
signals may be that which is to be sent to the atomizing unit 100.
Also, the above-explained time tEnd may be a point of time when
this step is executed.
[0480] FIG. 72 is another example flow chart 3000B for realizing
the above-explained process. The respective steps included in the
flow chart 3000B may be those executed by the controller 400. Note
that, similarly to the case of the flow chart 3000A, the flow chart
3000B corresponds to a single suction (puff) action, and a similar
process may be performed with respect to each suction action.
[0481] 3010B, 3020B, 3030B, 3060B, 3070B, 3080B, and 3090B denote
steps similar to steps 3010A, 3020A, 3030A, 3060A, 3070A, 3080A,
and 3090A included in the flow chart 3000A.
[0482] 3040B denotes a step which is similar to step 3040A included
in the flow chart 3000A in the point that determination regarding
whether the first predetermined time has elapsed is performed;
however, there is a point of difference which is that the process
proceeds to step 3045B if it is determined that the first
predetermined time has elapsed, wherein a step similar to step
3045B is not included in the flow chart 3000A.
[0483] 3045B denotes a step for determining whether the elapsed
time t is equal to or less than a third predetermined time, in
other words, whether the third predetermined time has not yet
elapsed since the start of the puff action has detected. If it is
determined that the third predetermined time has not yet elapsed,
the process proceeds to step 3050B, and, if it is not determined
so, the process proceeds to step 3060B. The third predetermined
time corresponds to the above-explained time t3 minus the time
tStart.
[0484] 3050B denotes a step for adding a predetermined value Av to
the parameter v. The predetermined value Av corresponds to a value
which is calculated by multiplying a value by a value, wherein the
former value is obtained by dividing a value corresponding to a
desired level of the liquid supply speed by a value obtained by
subtracting the above explained time t1 from the time t3, and the
latter value is a value obtained by subtracting the time when step
3050B was executed last time from the time when step 3050B is
executed this time. In the case that the interval between
executions of steps 3050B is constant, Av can be regarded as a
constant. Note that, .DELTA.v may be zero when step 3050B is
executed for the first time.
[0485] Each of lengths of the first predetermined time, the second
predetermined time, and the third predetermined time in the
above-explained flow chart may be set, by performing numerical
calculation or performing an experiment, such that generation of
particles having sizes larger than a predetermined size in
atomization is suppressed.
[0486] Note that, although the "droplet having a large diameter,"
which is scattered as a bulk droplet and is explained above,
includes an extra-large particle having a particle diameter of
approximately 100 microns which is larger than that of a coarse
particle, and a particle having a particle diameter larger than
that of the extra-large particle, the "droplet" is not limited to
that explained above. Accordingly, the "predetermine size" with
respect to the above explained "particle larger than a
predetermined size" may be 100 microns, for example.
[0487] Note that at least a part of the controller 400 according to
the modified example 26D may be realized by a processor. For
example, the controller 400 may comprise a processor and a memory
which stores a program, and the program may be that causing the
processor to function as at least a part of the controller 400
according to the modified example 26D.
[0488] [Twenty-Sixth Modification E]
[0489] In the following, a modified example 26E of the embodiment
will be explained. In the following, differences between
embodiments will be explained mainly.
[0490] In the modified example 26E, the quantity of the liquid,
which is to be atomized and exists on the piezoelectric element
substrate 31, is obtained by use of a sensor, for example, the
above-explained sensor 1070, for detecting the quantity of the
liquid, which is to be atomized and exists on the piezoelectric
element substrate 31; and based on the quantity, supply of the
liquid, which is to be atomized, to the piezoelectric element
substrate 31 is controlled; and, by the above control, scattering
by receiving a SAW of a droplet, as a bulk droplet having a large
diameter, from liquid, which is guided to the front surface 31F of
the piezoelectric element substrate 31, is suppressed.
[0491] FIG. 73 is an example flow chart 3100 for realizing a
process relating to the modified example 26E. The respective steps
included in the flow chart may be those executed by the controller
400. Note that, similarly to the case of the flow chart 3000A, the
flow chart 3100 corresponds to a single suction (puff) action, and
a similar process may be performed with respect to each suction
action.
[0492] 3110 denotes a step for generating a signal for supplying
liquid, which is to be atomized, to the piezoelectric element
substrate 31. The above signal may be that which is to be sent to
the atomizing unit 100.
[0493] 3120 denotes a step for determining whether the quantity of
the liquid, which is to be atomized and exists on the piezoelectric
element substrate 31 (more specifically, on the front surface of
the piezoelectric element substrate 31; this also applies to the
following), is in a first predetermined range. In the case that the
quantity of the liquid, which is to be atomized, is in the first
predetermined range, the process proceeds to step 3130, and, if
not, the process returns to step 3110.
[0494] According to the steps 3110 and 3120, the quantity of the
liquid, which is to be atomized and is in the first predetermined
range of quantities, would be supplied to the piezoelectric element
substrate 31. Note that the first predetermined range of quantities
may be set, by performing numerical calculation or performing an
experiment, such that generation of particles having sizes larger
than a predetermined size is suppressed, when application of the
high-frequency voltage to the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes 33 is started via step 3160 which will be
explained later.
[0495] 3130 denotes a step for determining whether the start of a
puff action is detected. In the case that the start of a puff
action is detected, the process proceeds to step 3140, and, if not,
the process repeats step 3130.
[0496] 3140 denotes a step for initializing an excess flag which
will be used in a later step, that is, a step for making a state in
which the flag has not been set. The excess flag can be realized by
use of a memory included in the controller 400.
[0497] 3141 denotes a step for determining whether an excess flag
has been set. In the case that an excess flag has been set, the
process proceeds to step 3142, and, if not, the process proceeds to
step 3144.
[0498] 3142 denotes a step for determining whether the quantity of
the liquid, which is to be atomized and exists on the piezoelectric
element substrate 31, is less than a lower limit of a second
predetermined range. In the case that the quantity of the liquid,
which is to be atomized, is less than the lower limit of the second
predetermined range, the process proceeds to step 3143, and, if
not, the process proceeds to step 3160.
[0499] 3143 denotes a step for initializing the excess flag. Step
3143 is a step similar to step 3140.
[0500] 3144 denotes a step for determining whether the quantity of
the liquid, which is to be atomized and exists on the piezoelectric
element substrate 31, is equal to or more than an upper limit of
the second predetermined range. In the case that the quantity of
the liquid, which is to be atomized, is equal to or more than the
upper limit of the second predetermined range, the process proceeds
to step 3145, and, if not, the process proceeds to step 3150.
[0501] 3145 denotes a step for setting the excess flag.
[0502] 3150 denotes a step for generating a signal for supplying
the liquid, with liquid supply speed having magnitude of the
parameter v(t), to the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The
above signal may be that which is to be sent to the atomizing unit
100.
[0503] The parameter v(t) may exhibit predetermined change that is
a function of time t elapsed since detection of the start of a puff
action in step 3130. After at least certain time has elapsed since
the start of a puff action has detected, the value of v(t) or an
average value of v(t) over predetermined time must be larger than
speed of consumption of the liquid, which exists on the
piezoelectric element substrate 31, by atomization through step
3160 which will be explained later. However, the predetermined
change may be a change that is zero for a while since the start of
a puff action has detected, and, thereafter, become larger than
zero. Also, the parameter v(t) may take a predetermined constant
value over time.
[0504] According to steps 3140-3150, in the case that the quantity
of the liquid, which is to be atomized and exists on the
piezoelectric element substrate 31, becomes equal to or more than
the upper limit of the second predetermined range, step 3150 is not
executed, and supplying of the liquid, which is to be atomized, to
the piezoelectric element substrate 31 is stopped. Further,
according to steps 3140-3150, after supplying of the liquid, which
is to be atomized, to the piezoelectric element substrate 31 is
stopped, if the quantity of the liquid, which is to be atomized and
exists on the piezoelectric element substrate 31, becomes less than
the lower limit of the second predetermined range, step 3150 is
executed and supply is restarted. Thus, according to steps
3140-3150, the quantity of the liquid, which is to be atomized and
exists on the piezoelectric element substrate 31, can be within the
second predetermined range.
[0505] Note that the second predetermined range of quantities may
be set, by performing numerical calculation or performing an
experiment, such that generation of particles having sizes larger
than a predetermined size, when the high-frequency voltage to the
pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 is applied
through step 3160 which will be explained later. In this regard,
the upper limit and the lower limit of the second predetermined
range of quantities may be equal to or larger than upper limit and
the lower limit of the first predetermined range of quantities,
respectively. Thus, the second predetermined range of quantities
may be equal to the first predetermined range of quantities.
[0506] 3160 denotes a step for generating a signal for applying, to
the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33, a
high-frequency voltage having amplitude having magnitude
corresponding to the parameter A(t) and a frequency corresponding
to the parameter f(t). The above signal may be that which is to be
sent to the atomizing unit 100.
[0507] The parameters A(t) and f(t) may exhibit predetermined
change that is a function of time t elapsed since detection of the
start of a puff action in step 3130. Also, the parameters A(t)
and/or f(t) may take a predetermined constant value/values over
time.
[0508] 3170 denotes a step for determining whether the end of the
puff action is detected. In the case that the end of the puff
action is detected, the process proceeds to step 3180, and, if not,
the process returns to step 3141.
[0509] 3180 denotes a step for generating signals for stopping
application of the high-frequency voltage to the pairs of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 and stopping supply
of the liquid to the piezoelectric element substrate 31. The above
signals may be that which is to be sent to the atomizing unit
100.
[0510] Note that, although the "droplet having a large diameter,"
which is scattered as bulk a droplet and is explained above,
includes an extra-large particle having a particle diameter of
approximately 100 microns which is larger than that of a coarse
particle, and a particle having a particle diameter larger than
that of the extra-large particle, the "droplet" is not limited to
that explained above. Accordingly, the "predetermine size" with
respect to the above explained "particle larger than a
predetermined size" may be 100 microns, for example.
[0511] Note that at least a part of the controller 400 according to
the modified example 26E may be realized by a processor. For
example, the controller 400 may comprise a processor and a memory
which stores a program, and the program may be that causing the
processor to function as at least a part of the controller 400
according to the modified example 26E.
[0512] [Twenty Seventh Modification]
[0513] The inhaler 1 of the present invention may be configured to
apply a consistently appropriate frequency to a pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 of an interdigital
transducer (IDT).
[0514] FIG. 74 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating
the inhaler 1 according to the present modification. Hereafter, the
method will be explained on the assumption that all the steps
illustrated in FIG. 74 are carried out by the controller 400 of the
inhaler 1. It should be noted, however, that at least some of the
steps may be earned out by one or more of the other components of
the inhaler 1. Further, it should be apparent that when the present
modification is carried out by a processor such as the controller
400 or the like, the present modification can be implemented as a
program for causing the processor to carry out a method or as a
computer readable storage medium in which the program is stored.
The same could be said of the flow charts shown in FIGS. 76, 79,
80A, 80B, 80C, 81A, 81B, 81C, 82 and 83.
[0515] At step 4002, the controller 400 determines whether a
request to atomize liquid to be stored in the liquid storage unit
200 is detected. The inhaler 1 may comprise a power source switch
and a drive switch for liquid atomization. The power source switch
and the drive switch may be separate switches. Alternatively, one
switch may have the functions of both a power source switch and a
drive switch. Further, when the power source switch and the drive
switch are separate switches, the power source switch may be a dip
switch. The power source switch may be designed such that when the
power source switch is turned on, a predetermined amount of liquid
is supplied to be inhalable. The drive switch may be in the form of
a button, so that when a user depresses the drive switch, power is
supplied. In one example, the controller 400 may be configured to
determine that a request to atomize liquid is detected when the
drive switch is depressed. In another example, the controller 400
may be configured to determine that a request to atomize liquid is
detected when inhalation by a user is detected. For example, the
inhaler 1 may comprise a pressure sensor and the controller 400 may
be configured to detect inhalation by a user based on the variation
in pressure detected by the pressure sensor, etc.
[0516] When a request to atomize liquid is not detected ("N" at
step 4002), the process returns to the step preceding step 4002. In
contrast, when a request to atomize liquid is detected ("Y" at step
4002), the process proceeds to step 4004.
[0517] At step 4004, the controller 400 monitors a resonant
frequency of the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33. A
specific configuration for carrying out step 4004 will be described
below.
[0518] FIG. 75 illustrates an example of the control circuit 4100
of the inhaler 1. The control circuit 4100 is configured to control
the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes 33 and monitor a resonant frequency of the
pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33. In this example,
the control circuit 4100 comprises a MEMS oscillator 4102, DC/DC
converter 4103, power amplifier 4104, two-way coupler 4106, power
detector 4108A and power detector 4108B in addition to the
controller 400. The controller 400 communicates with the MEMS
oscillator 4102 to thereby control an oscillatory frequency of the
MEMS oscillator 4102. The MEMS oscillator 4102 outputs an indicated
oscillatory frequency. The DC/DC converter 4103 supplies to the
power amplifier 4104 a voltage indicated by the controller 400. The
power amplifier 4101 is connected to the power source 500 and
amplifies a voltage supplied from the power source 500 with a
voltage supplied from the DC/DC converter. The power amplifier 4101
may be configured to modulate the voltage with an oscillatory
frequency received from the MEMS oscillator 4102. The controller
400 can amplitude-modulate a voltage output from the power
amplifier 4101 by changing a supply voltage from the DC/DC
converter 4103. In one example, a modulation frequency for the
amplitude-modulation may be 100 Hz.
[0519] The two-way coupler 4106 receives an output from the power
amplifier 4104, supplies a portion of the received output to the
pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 of the IDT and
outputs another portion of the received output to the power
detector 4108A. In other words, the power detector 4108A detects
power (or voltage) supplied to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes 33 in the forward direction. The analog-digital
conversion is performed on a power value detected by the power
detector 4108A and the converted value is supplied to the
controller 400. The two-way coupler 4106 receives power (or
voltage) reflected from the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes 33 and supplies at least a portion of the received power
to the power detector 4108B. In other words, the power detector
4108B detects reverse power reflected from the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes 33. The analog-digital conversion is
performed on a power value detected by the power detector 4108B and
the converted value is supplied to the controller 400.
[0520] FIG. 76 is a flow chart illustrating a specific example of a
process performed at step 4004 in FIG. 74. At step 4202, the
controller 400 applies a voltage to the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes 33 at a frequency selected from multiple
different frequencies. Next, at step 4204, the controller 400
determines as a resonant frequency, the frequency of the voltage
applied to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 when
power reflected from the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes 33 is the lowest.
[0521] FIG. 77 illustrates a specific example of a method of
determining a resonant frequency in the process illustrated in FIG.
76. FIG. 77(a) will be described below. The controller 400
determines multiple different frequencies (f1-f9) used to determine
a resonant frequency. The controller 400 first selects a frequency
f1 from the multiple different frequencies and controls the MEMS
oscillator 4102 so as to output a signal of the oscillatory
frequency f1. Based on a signal received from the MEMS oscillator
4102, the power amplifier 4104 outputs a voltage that fluctuates at
frequency f1. The thus output voltage is applied to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 of IDT via the two-way
coupler 4106. If the frequency f1 and the resonant frequency of the
pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 do not completely
match, a portion of power supplied to the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes 33 is reflected to be input to the power
detector 4108B via the two-way coupler 4106. Thus, the controller
400 obtains a value of reflected power. FIG. 77(a) is a plot
showing the relationship between reflected power and frequencies
f1-f9. When the frequency is f6, power reflected from the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 is the lowest. Thus, the
controller 400 determines f6 as a resonant frequency.
[0522] Parameters to be set in advance with respect to the method
described in FIG. 77 can be the number of points (frequencies) to
be scanned, a frequency range to be scanned, an interval between
adjacent frequencies, etc. In FIG. 77(a), frequencies are scanned
at nine points f1-f9. Since the intervals between the respective
adjacent frequencies are relatively large, there can be some gap
between the resonant frequency f6 detected by scanning and the true
resonant frequency. On the other hand, if there are more
frequencies to be scanned in the same frequency range, the
intervals between the respective adjacent frequencies naturally
become smaller, which enables more accurate determination of a
resonant frequency. As described above, the controller 400 is able
to flexibly provide for a variety of accuracies demanded for
resonant frequency detection, by changing configurable
parameters.
[0523] In one example, the controller 400 may be configured to
detect first power reflected from the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes 33 when a voltage is applied to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 at a first frequency (for
example, f1). The controller 400 may be configured to detect second
power reflected from the pair of comb-shaped electrodes 33 when a
voltage is subsequently applied to the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes 33 at a second frequency (for example, f2)
separated from the first frequency by a first value. When the
second power is lower than the first power, the controller 400 may
next apply a voltage to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes 33 at a third frequency (for example, f3) separated from
the second frequency by a second value that is smaller than the
first value, in which case a frequency interval between f2 and 13
may be set to be smaller than the frequency interval between f1 and
C. According to this example, when a frequency of a voltage applied
to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 is greatly
separated from a resonant frequency, a frequency scanning operation
is conducted with wide intervals between the respective adjacent
frequencies, whereas as the frequency of the voltage to be applied
approaches a resonant frequency, a frequency scanning operation is
conducted with narrow intervals between the respective adjacent
frequencies. Thus, a less detailed scan is carried out where the
frequency intervals are large and a detailed scan does not have to
be carried out over the entire frequency range, which
advantageously reduces time required for monitoring a resonant
frequency.
[0524] In one example, the controller 400 may be configured to
monitor reflected power from the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes 33 while discretely increasing or decreasing the
frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes 33. The controller 400 may be configured to
end a scan when the trend of the value indicating reflected power
shills from a decreasing trend to an increasing trend and determine
as a resonant frequency, the frequency of the voltage applied to
the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 when reflected
power becomes the lowest. According to this example, the range of
frequencies to be scanned can be decreased, which advantageously
reduces time required for monitoring a resonant frequency.
[0525] In one example, the controller 400 may be configured to
monitor reflected power from the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes 33 while discretely increasing the frequency of the
voltage applied to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes
33. The controller 400 may be configured to reduce the range of
variation in the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 and discretely decrease the
frequency when the trend of the value indicating reflected power
shifts from a decreasing trend to an increasing trend. According to
this example, a less detailed scan is carried out where the
frequency intervals are large and a detailed scan does not have to
be carried out over the entire frequency range, which
advantageously reduces time required for monitoring a resonant
frequency.
[0526] In one example, the controller 400 may be configured to
monitor reflected power from the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes 33 while discretely decreasing the frequency of the
voltage applied to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes
33. The controller 400 may be configured to reduce the range of
variation in the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 and discretely increase the
frequency when the trend of the value indicating reflected power
shifts from a decreasing trend to an increasing trend. According to
this example, a less detailed scan is carried out where the
frequency intervals are large and a detailed scan does not have to
be carried out over the entire frequency range, which
advantageously reduces time required for monitoring a resonant
frequency.
[0527] In one example, the controller 400 may be configured to
determine a resonant frequency monitored before the start of
atomization of liquid by the atomizing unit 100, a resonant
frequency estimated from the temperature of the piezoelectric
element substrate 31 or a frequency closest to the resonant
frequency at the time of the previous inhalation as a frequency to
be selected first from the multiple different frequencies.
[0528] FIG. 78A illustrates an example of a configuration of the
inhaler 1 according to the present modification for determining a
resonant frequency by a method different from the method explained
with reference to FIG. 77. In addition to the IDT (hereafter
referred to as a first IDT) comprising the main body portion 32 and
pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33, a second IDT
comprising the main body portion 4432 and pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes 4433 is disposed on the piezoelectric
element substrate 31. The second IDT may have a similar
configuration to the first IDT. The second IDT is provided at a
position where a SAW (surface acoustic wave) output from the first
IDT passes. As is illustrated in FIG. 78A, the second IDT is
disposed such that the intersection of the second IDT and the
intersection of the first IDT at least partially overlap one
another along the direction of propagation of a SAW. The second IDT
may be smaller than the first IDT or as large as the first IDT.
When the second IDT is smaller than the first IDT, the second IDT
may be disposed only on one side of the first IDT as illustrated in
FIG. 78A or at least one second IDT may be disposed on each side of
the first IDT. Since a SAW is partially converted to a voltage or
heat by the second IDT, a SAW decreases as it is output from the
first IDT and passes through the second IDT. Thus, when the second
IDT is as large as the first IDT, it should be disposed only on one
side of the first IDT for the sake of efficiency.
[0529] If the second IDT is provided at a position where a SAW
(surface acoustic wave) passes as is described in the foregoing
example, such a configuration presents a problem that the
electrodes of the second IDT could come off due to surface acoustic
wave vibration. With a view to solving the problem, the first IDT
and the second IDT in the present modification may be first
disposed on the piezoelectric element substrate 31 and then, a
coating layer may be provided on the piezoelectric element
substrate 31, which could prevent vibration-induced detachment of
the electrodes of the IDT.
[0530] FIG. 78B illustrates an example of the placement of the
first and second IDTs. The first IDT (supply IDT) for supplying AC
voltage and the second IDT (detection IDT) for detecting the
frequency of the supplied voltage are disposed on the piezoelectric
element substrate 31. The AC voltage supply circuit 4442 is
connected to the first IDT. The voltage detection circuit 4444 is
connected to the second IDT. When a voltage is supplied by the AC
voltage supply circuit 4442 to the first IDT, a SAW is generated on
either side of the first IDT. As was explained in connection with
FIG. 78A, the second IDT could assume various sizes. In the example
illustrated in FIG. 78B, the second IDT and the first IDT are the
same size. In FIG. 78B, a SAW on one side of the first IDT that
propagates rightward from the first IDT, is used to atomize liquid,
whereas a SAW on the other side of the first IDT that propagates
leftward from the first IDT, is used by the second IDT to detect a
voltage.
[0531] FIG. 78C illustrates an example of the arrangement of the
first and second IDTs. In the example illustrated in FIG. 78C, the
second IDT is smaller than the first IDT. The second IDT uses a
portion of a SAW that propagates leftward from the first IDT to
pick up power (voltage.) In this example, a SAW generated on either
side of the first IDT can be used to atomize liquid.
[0532] FIG. 78D illustrates an example of the arrangement of the
first and second IDTs. In this example, the first and second IDTs
are disposed to have a common reference voltage. Since the number
of a pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes of the second IDT
is smaller than the number of pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes of the first IDT in this example, SAW reduction is
prevented and power (voltage) can be picked up.
[0533] A device that generates a SAW such as the first IDT
illustrated in FIGS. 78A-78D tends to generate heat when high power
is supplied to the device. Since such a device as described above
usually has a narrow range of frequencies at which impedance
matching is achieved, a frequency, at which impedance matching is
achieved, sometimes changes with temperature variations.
Considering that low power consumption is required when such a
device is used in portable equipment, it is desirable to be able to
detect a matching frequency with low power consumption. Therefore,
when monitoring a resonant frequency of the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes 33 of the first IDT, electric power lower
than necessary for atomizing liquid may be supplied to the first
IDT, and after determining the frequency of the voltage to be
applied to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33,
higher electric power necessary for atomization may be supplied to
the first IDT. Thereby, power consumption in monitoring a resonant
frequency can be reduced.
[0534] FIG. 79 is a flow chart illustrating a specific example of a
process performed at step 4004 in FIG. 74. The process illustrated
in FIG. 79 can be implemented by applying the configurations shown
in FIGS. 78A to 78D to the inhaler 1. At step 4502, the controller
400 applies a voltage to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes 33 at a frequency selected from multiple different
frequencies (for example, f1-f9.) Next, at step 4504 the controller
400 determines as a resonant frequency, the frequency of the
voltage applied to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes
33 when a voltage generated at the second IDT is the highest.
[0535] In one example, the controller 400 may detect a first
voltage arising at the second IDT when a voltage is applied to the
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 at a first frequency (for
example, f1). Next, the controller 400 may detect a second voltage
arising at the second IDT when a voltage is applied to the
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 at a second frequency (for
example, f2) separated from the first frequency by a first value.
When the second voltage is higher than the first voltage, the
controller 400 may apply a voltage to the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes 33 at a third frequency (for example, f3)
separated from the second frequency by a second value that is
smaller than the first value.
[0536] In one example, the controller 400 may monitor a voltage
that arises at the second IDT while discretely increasing or
decreasing the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33. The controller 400 may be
configured to end a scan when the trend of the value of a voltage
arising at the second IDT shifts from an increasing trend to a
decreasing trend and determine as a resonant frequency, the
frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes 33 when the voltage becomes the highest.
[0537] In one example, the controller 400 may be configured to
monitor a voltage arising at the second IDT while discretely
increasing the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33. The controller 400 may be
configured to reduce the range of variation in the frequency of the
voltage applied to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes
33 and discretely decrease the frequency when the trend of the
value of a voltage arising at the second IDT shifts from an
increasing trend to a decreasing trend.
[0538] In one example, the controller 400 may be configured to
monitor a voltage arising at the second IDT while discretely
decreasing the frequency of the voltage applied to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33. The controller 400 may be
configured to reduce the range of variation in the frequency of the
voltage applied to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes
33 when the trend of the value of a voltage arising at the second
IDT shifts from an increasing trend to a decreasing trend.
[0539] In one example, the controller 400 may be configured to
determine a resonant frequency monitored before the start of
atomization of liquid by the atomizing unit 100, a resonant
frequency estimated from the temperature of the piezoelectric
element substrate 31 or a frequency closest to the resonant
frequency at the time of the previous inhalation as a frequency to
be selected first from multiple different frequencies.
[0540] Returning to FIG. 74, at step 4004 a resonant frequency of
the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 is monitored and
a frequency of a voltage applied to the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes 33 is determined based on the monitored
resonant frequency by use of the configuration and process
described in FIGS. 75 to 79. Next, at step 4006 the controller 400
applies a voltage to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes 33 at the determined frequency.
[0541] Manufacturing variations in terms of inter-electrode
distance and the like can occur in an IDT for an inhaler. Further,
a resonant frequency of a pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes of an IDT varies depending on the usage temperature of
an inhaler, etc. Accordingly, a conventional inhaler cannot attain
a sufficient amount of atomized liquid under various circumstances.
According to the present modification, a resonant frequency of a
pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes can be monitored and a
frequency of a voltage to be applied to the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes can be dynamically controlled. Thus, an
inhaler according to the present modification can apply a voltage
at a frequency appropriate for a pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes and provide a sufficient amount of atomized liquid under
various circumstances even if a resonant frequency of the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes varies due to manufacturing
variations, usage temperature, etc.
[0542] FIG. 80A is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating
the inhaler 1 according to the present modification. At step 4604A
the controller 400 performs a control operation so that the inhaler
1 enters a standby mode (state where liquid is supplied to the
proper level for atomization, so that upon application of a
voltage, liquid can be atomized at any moment) The controller 400
may be configured to monitor the liquid surface level to determine
whether liquid is supplied to the proper level for atomization. The
controller 400 may be configured to monitor the liquid surface
level while monitoring a resonant frequency of the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33. Alternatively, the
controller 400 may be configured to monitor a resonant frequency of
the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 after it is
determined that liquid is supplied to the proper level for
atomization.
[0543] The process proceeds to step 4607A, where the controller 400
determines whether a request to atomize liquid is detected (whether
the drive switch of the inhaler 1 is depressed, whether inhalation
by a user is detected, etc.) If it transpires that a request to
atomize liquid is not detected ("N" at step 4607A), the process
returns to the process preceding step 4607A.
[0544] If it transpires that a request to atomize liquid is
detected ("Y" at step 4607A), the process proceeds to step 4608A
and the controller 400 starts atomization of liquid by the
atomizing unit 100. In other words, the controller 400 is
configured to monitor a resonant frequency (step 4604A) before the
start of the atomization of liquid by the atomizing unit 100 (step
4608A).
[0545] The process proceeds to step 4610A and the controller 400
applies a voltage to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes 33 at a frequency determined based on the resonant
frequency monitored at step 4604A, while the atomizing unit 100
atomizes liquid.
[0546] FIG. 80B is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating
the inhaler 1 according to the present modification. Since the
process at steps 4601B, 4602B and 4604B is similar to the process
at steps 4604A, 4607A and 4608A, an explanation for steps 4601B,
4602B and 4604B is omitted here.
[0547] At step 4606B the controller 400 applies a voltage to the
pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 at the resonant
frequency monitored in the standby mode at the time of the first
inhalation and at a frequency based on the resonant frequency
determined for the immediately previous inhalation at the time of
inhalation from the second time onward.
[0548] At step 4608B the controller 400 monitors a resonant
frequency of the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33
upon completion of atomization of liquid by the atomizing unit 100.
The monitored resonant frequency may be stored in the memory unit.
At the time of the next inhalation, the resonant frequency is used
to determine a frequency of a voltage applied to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 during atomization of
liquid.
[0549] In other words, the controller 400 is configured to monitor
a resonant frequency after completion of atomization of liquid by
the atomizing unit 100, in the process 4600B shown in FIG. 80B.
[0550] FIG. 80C is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating
the inhaler 1 according to the present modification. Since the
process at step 4604C is similar to the process at step 4604A, an
explanation for step 4604C is omitted here.
[0551] At step 4606C the controller 400 determines a frequency
range including the monitored resonant frequency. In one example,
when a monitored resonant frequency is 25 MHz, the controller 400
may determine 24.9 MHz to 25.1 MHz as a frequency range. In this
example, a frequency range may be determined such that a resonant
frequency of the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33
falls within the frequency range even if the temperature of the
piezoelectric element substrate 31 changes as a result of usage of
the inhaler 1. The inhaler 1 may comprise a memory unit for storing
a correspondence between a resonant frequency and a frequency range
applied to the resonant frequency. The controller 400 may be
configured to determine a frequency range based on a monitored
resonant frequency and a correspondence stored in the memory
unit.
[0552] The process proceeds to step 4607C, where the controller 400
determines whether a request to atomize liquid is detected (whether
the drive switch of the inhaler 1 is depressed, whether inhalation
by a user is detected, etc.) If it transpires that a request to
atomize liquid is not detected ("N" at step 4607C), the process
returns to the step preceding step 4607C.
[0553] If it transpires that a request to atomize liquid is
detected ("Y" at step 4607C), the process proceeds to step 4608C
and the controller 400 starts atomization of liquid by the
atomizing unit 100. In other words, the controller 400 is
configured to monitor a resonant frequency (step 4604C) before the
start of the atomization of liquid by the atomizing unit 100 (step
4608C), in the process 4600C shown in FIG. 80C.
[0554] The process proceeds to step 4610C and the controller 400
controls a frequency of a voltage applied to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 (for example, by controlling
an oscillatory frequency of the MEMS oscillator 4102) during
atomization of liquid by the atomizing unit 100 so as to fall
within the frequency range determined at step 4606C. The controller
400 may be configured to control a frequency of a voltage applied
to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 during
atomization of liquid by the atomizing unit 100 so as to vary
within the frequency range. For example, the controller 400 may be
configured to control a frequency of a voltage to be applied so as
to periodically vary within the frequency range. If a frequency of
a voltage applied to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes 33 is allowed to vary within a predetermined frequency
range (for example, 24.9 MHz to 25.1 MHz) during atomization of
liquid, electric power can be supplied at a resonant frequency for
a certain period of time without having to monitor a resonant
frequency each time inhalation occurs.
[0555] According to the present modification, a resonant frequency
of a pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes is monitored to
dynamically control a frequency of a voltage to be applied to the
pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes. Thus, an inhaler
according to the present modification can apply a voltage at a
frequency appropriate for a pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes and provide a sufficient amount of atomized liquid under
various circumstances even if a resonant frequency of the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes differs from a design value due
to manufacturing variations, etc.
[0556] According to the present modification, a resonant frequency
is determined only once before the start of atomization of liquid,
which simplifies a process performed by a controller. A controller
monitors a resonant frequency at the time of performing a process
for entering a standby mode, determines a frequency for atomization
based on the thus obtained resonant frequency before atomization
and applies the determined frequency for atomization. In other
words, the controller 400 does not monitor a resonant frequency
each time inhalation occurs, which enables the controller 400 to
use the time in which a user is inhaling to atomize liquid. Thus,
the present modification can secure a sufficient amount of atomized
liquid, compared to a case when a resonant frequency is monitored
every time a user inhales.
[0557] FIG. 81A is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating
the inhaler 1 according to the present modification. Since the
process at step 4704A is similar to the process at step 4604A, an
explanation for step 4704 is omitted here.
[0558] At step 4706A the controller 400 determines based on the
values monitored at step 4704A, an initial value of a resonant
frequency for the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33
used at the time of the first inhalation.
[0559] The process proceeds to step 4707A, where the controller 400
determines whether a request to atomize liquid is detected (whether
the drive switch of the inhaler 1 is depressed, whether inhalation
by a user is detected, etc.) If it transpires that a request to
atomize liquid is not detected ("N" at step 4707A), the process
returns to the step preceding step 4707A.
[0560] In contrast, if it transpires that a request to atomize
liquid is detected ("Y" at step 4707A), the process proceeds to
step 4708A and the controller 400 sets an initial value of a
frequency of a voltage applied to the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes 33. At the time of the first inhalation, the
initial value is a value determined at step 4706A. At the time of
inhalation from the second time onward, the initial value set at
step 4708A may be a resonant frequency monitored at the time of the
previous inhalation. At step 4709A the controller 400 starts
atomization of liquid by the atomizing unit 100. Next, at step
4710A the controller 400 applies a voltage to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 at a frequency (fixed value)
determined based on the initial value.
[0561] At step 4712A the controller 400 monitors a resonant
frequency of the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33,
during atomization of liquid by the atomizing unit 100.
[0562] At step 4714A the controller 400 applies a voltage to the
pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 at a frequency
determined based on the monitored resonant frequency, which enables
fine adjustments in the frequency for the current or next
inhalation. From that time onwards, the process at step 4710A to
step 4714A may be repeated during atomization of liquid.
[0563] FIG. 81B is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating
the inhaler according to the present modification. Since the
process at step 4704B to step 4709B is similar to the process at
step 4704A to step 4709A, an explanation for the process at step
4704B to step 4709B is omitted here.
[0564] At step 4710B the controller 400 is configured to control a
voltage applied to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes
33 so as to vary within a predetermined range of frequencies
including a frequency determined based on the initial value. For
example, the controller 400 may be configured to vary a frequency
of a voltage applied to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes 33 within a narrow range of frequencies including the
initial value (for example, initial value+/-0.1 MHz).
[0565] At step 4712B, the controller 400 monitors a resonant
frequency of the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33,
during atomization of liquid by the atomizing unit 100. In the
example shown in FIG. 81B, a voltage applied to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 is controlled so as to vary
within a predetermined range of frequencies, at step 4710B. Thus, a
resonant frequency can be monitored at the same time as liquid is
atomized. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 81A,
atomization of liquid must be stopped during the process of
monitoring a resonant frequency. Thus, compared to the example
illustrated in FIG. 81A, the example shown in FIG. 81B comprises
the foregoing additional feature.
[0566] At step 4714B the controller 400 adjusts a predetermined
range of frequencies used at step 4710B so as to include the
resonant frequency monitored at step 4712B, which enables fine
adjustments in the frequency for the current inhalation. From that
time onwards, the process at step 4710B to step 4714B may be
repeated during atomization of liquid.
[0567] FIG. 81C is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating
the inhaler 1 according to the present modification. Since the
process at step 4704C to step 4712C is similar to the process at
step 4704B to step 4712B, an explanation for the process at step
4704C to step 4712C is omitted here.
[0568] At step 4714C the controller 400 determines the resonant
frequency monitored at the step 4712C as a frequency of a voltage
applied to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 at
the time of the next inhalation. The thus determined frequency may
be stored in a memory unit. When the inhalation action occurs next
time, the controller 400 applies a voltage to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 at a frequency determined at
step 4714C.
[0569] According to the present modification, a frequency of a
voltage applied to a pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes
can be appropriately set while a user is using an inhaler and
liquid is atomized. Thus, the present modification can provide
detailed control suited for the condition of an inhaler, which
changes from moment to moment, thereby to optimize the liquid
atomization amount.
[0570] FIG. 82 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating
the inhaler 1 according to the present modification. Since the
process at step 4804 to step 4810 is similar to the process at step
4704A to step 4710A, an explanation for the process at step 4804 to
step 4810 is omitted here.
[0571] The inhaler 1 may comprise a temperature sensor configured
to detect the temperature of the piezoelectric element substrate 31
that contributes to the phase and amplification of a SAW. The
temperature sensor may be configured to detect the temperature of
the appropriate component of the inhaler 1 other than the
piezoelectric element substrate 31. The temperature sensor may be
provided at any appropriate position in the inhaler 1.
Alternatively, the temperature may be measured by having
thermocouples, thermistors or the like contact the components, in
which case the temperature of the substrate surface in the
neighborhood of the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33
may be measured to prevent short circuits. Alternatively, a
non-contact temperature measuring system such as a radiation
thermometer using infrared may be employed, in which case the
temperature of the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33
may be measured.
[0572] At step 4812 the controller 400 obtains the temperature
detected by the temperature sensor, during atomization of liquid by
the atomizing unit 100. The process proceeds to step 4814, where
the controller 400 determines a frequency of a voltage applied to
the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 based on the
temperature detected at step 4812.
[0573] FIG. 83 is a flow chart illustrating a specific example of a
process performed at step 4814. At step 4902 the controller 400
predicts a resonant frequency variation during atomization of
liquid by the atomizing unit 100, based on the temperature detected
at step 4812. Since the velocity of propagation of a SAW increases
as the temperature rises, the resonant frequency tends to increase.
Thus, the controller 400 may predict a resonant frequency variation
by utilizing such tendency. Alternatively, the inhaler 1 may
comprise a memory unit and the memory unit may store information
regarding correspondence between the temperature of the
piezoelectric element substrate 31 (or other appropriate component)
and the resonant frequency. The controller 400 may be configured to
predict a variation in the resonant frequency of the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrode 33 (or other appropriate
component) based on the measured temperature of the piezoelectric
element substrate 31 (or other appropriate component) and the
foregoing information.
[0574] The process proceeds to step 4904 and the controller 400
determines a frequency of a voltage applied to the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 based on resonant frequency
variation predicted at step 4902.
[0575] Referring back to FIG. 82, at step 4816 the controller 400
applies a voltage to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes 33 at a frequency determined at step 4814.
[0576] According to the present modification, a resonant frequency
of a pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes can be monitored
to dynamically control a frequency of a voltage that is applied to
the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes. Further, a
variation in a resonant frequency of the pair of interlocking
comb-shaped electrodes during atomization of liquid can be
predicted by also using the temperature detected by a temperature
sensor. Thus, the present modification can apply a voltage at a
frequency appropriate for a pair of interlocking comb-shaped
electrodes and provide a sufficient amount of atomized liquid under
various circumstances even if a resonant frequency of the pair of
interlocking comb-shaped electrodes varies due to manufacturing
variations, usage temperature, etc. Further, the present
modification can provide detailed control suited for the condition
of an inhaler, which changes from moment to moment, thereby to
optimize the liquid atomization amount.
[0577] In another example, the controller 400 may be configured to
detect the temperature before the start of atomization of liquid by
the atomizing unit 100 and determine a frequency of a voltage
applied to the pair of interlocking comb-shaped electrodes 33 based
on the thus detected temperature. According to the foregoing
configuration, the temperature is detected only once before the
start of atomization of liquid, which enables precise control of a
resonant frequency by a relatively simple process.
Other Embodiments
[0578] The present invention has been described in terms of the
embodiment set forth above; however, the invention should not be
understood to be limited by the statements and the drawings
constituting a part of this disclosure. From this disclosure,
various alternative embodiments, examples, and operational
technologies will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0579] In the embodiment, the liquid supplier 60 is provided on the
side of the rear surface 31B of the piezoelectric element substrate
31. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example,
the liquid supplier 60 may be provided on the side of the front
surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. In such a
case, the liquid supplier 60 may drop the liquid onto the front
surface 31F of the piezoelectric element substrate 31. Further, the
piezoelectric element substrate 31 may not need to have the
penetrated aperture 34.
[0580] In the embodiment, the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes 33 have a linear shape. However, the embodiment
is not limited thereto. For example, the pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 may have a fan shape.
[0581] In the embodiment, the number of pairs of interlocking
comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 is determined based on the
atomizing efficiency of the aerosol atomized by use of the SAW.
However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the
number of pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33
may be determined based on a magnitude of power that can be
supplied to the pairs of interlocking comb-shaped metallic
electrodes 33. The number of pairs of interlocking comb-shaped
metallic electrodes 33 may be determined based on the type of
solute or solvent configuring the liquid. the number of pairs of
interlocking comb-shaped metallic electrodes 33 may be determined
based on a supplying method and a supplying speed of the liquid
supplied to the SAW module.
[0582] In the embodiment, the flavor inhaler 1 has the inlet 1A.
However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. The flavor inhaler
1 may not need to have the inlet 1A. In such a case, a user inhales
the aerosol flowing out from the mouthpiece 1D together with
outside air without holding the mouthpiece 1D with a mouth.
[0583] Although not particularly mentioned in the embodiment, the
amount of aerosol inhaled by a user may be settable by the user.
The flavor inhaler 1 may adjust, based on the amount of aerosol set
by the user, the voltage applied to the SAW module 30, and may
adjust the amount of liquid supplied to the SAW module 30 from the
liquid supplier 60.
[0584] In the embodiment, a case has been exemplified in which the
flavor inhaler 1 has one SAW module 30. However, the embodiment is
not limited thereto. The flavor inhaler 1 may have two or more SAW
modules 30.
[0585] Although not particularly mentioned in the embodiment, the
flavor inhaler 1 may have a power source switch. The flavor inhaler
1 may operate in a drive mode in response to turning on the power
source. The drive mode is a mode in which the power is supplied to
each configuration provided in the flavor inhaler 1, and for
example, is a mode in which the atomization action of the atomizing
unit 100 can be started. The flavor inhaler 1 may operate in a
standby mode in a state where the power source switch is turned
off. The standby mode is a mode operating at standby power that can
detect whether the power source switch is turned on.
[0586] Although not particularly mentioned in the embodiment, the
flavor inhaler 1 may have a temperature sensor configured to detect
a temperature (for example, atmospheric temperature) of the flavor
inhaler 1. If the temperature of the flavor inhaler 1 falls below a
lower limit temperature, the flavor inhaler 1 may have a function
of not performing the atomization action of the liquid. If the
temperature of the flavor inhaler 1 exceeds a higher limit
temperature, the flavor inhaler 1 may have a function of not
performing the atomization action of the liquid.
[0587] Although not particularly mentioned in the embodiment, the
flavor inhaler 1 may have a remaining amount sensor configured to
detect the remaining amount of the liquid. The remaining amount
sensor may be provided within the penetrated aperture 34 and may
detect a liquid surface level of the liquid within the penetrated
aperture 34. The surface water level of the liquid may be
controlled by a detection result of the remaining amount sensor. If
at least any one of the atomizing unit 100 and the liquid storage
unit 200 is a cartridge, the flavor inhaler 1 may have a detecting
sensor configured to detect a presence or an absence of the
cartridge. If there is no cartridge, the flavor inhaler 1 may have
a function of not performing the atomization action of the
liquid.
[0588] In the embodiment, the flavor inhaler 1 has the sensor 300.
However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. The flavor inhaler
1 may have, instead of the sensor 300, a drive switch used to drive
the atomizing unit 100. The flavor inhaler 1 may start the
atomization action of the atomizing unit 100 in response to the
drive switch being turned on. The flavor inhaler 1 may stop the
atomization action of the atomizing unit 100 in response to the
drive switch being turned off. If a certain period has passed from
a switch-on of the drive switch, the flavor inhaler 1 may stop the
atomization action of the atomizing unit 100.
[0589] Although not particularly mentioned in the embodiment, a
switch provided on the flavor inhaler 1 may be a switch other than
the above-described power source switch and drive switch. For
example, the switch may be the one configured to switch two or more
operation modes of the flavor inhaler 1. The switch provided on the
flavor inhaler 1 may be a mechanical switch or a touch panel.
[0590] Although not particularly mentioned in the embodiment, the
flavor inhaler 1 may have a function of returning, to the liquid
storage unit 200, an unused liquid within a pipe for supplying the
liquid from the liquid storage unit 200 to the atomizing unit 100.
The flavor inhaler 1 may have a structure of preventing the unused
liquid from flowing out through the mouthpiece 1D, such as a liquid
reservoir structure configured to reserve and recycle the unused
liquid.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0591] According to the embodiment, it is possible to provide an
atomizing unit by which atomizing efficiency of liquid can be
improved.
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