U.S. patent application number 17/398453 was filed with the patent office on 2021-11-25 for suction device, device for controlling suction device, information processing method, and program.
This patent application is currently assigned to Japan Tobacco Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Japan Tobacco Inc.. Invention is credited to Takeshi AKAO, Takashi FUJIKI, Ryoji FUJITA, Takuma NAKANO, Yasuhiro ONO, Kazutoshi SERITA, Manabu TAKEUCHI, Hiroshi TEZUKA, Masayuki TSUJI.
Application Number | 20210360970 17/398453 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005829251 |
Filed Date | 2021-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210360970 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TAKEUCHI; Manabu ; et
al. |
November 25, 2021 |
SUCTION DEVICE, DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING SUCTION DEVICE, INFORMATION
PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM
Abstract
A mechanism capable of specifying the arrangement of a flavor
component generating base material in a suction device includes a
retention part having an internal space; a pressure sensor for
detecting a pressure applied to the inner wall of the retention
part; and a control unit for specifying the arrangement of a flavor
component generation base material in the internal space of the
retention part on the basis of the detection result from the
pressure sensor.
Inventors: |
TAKEUCHI; Manabu; (Tokyo,
JP) ; AKAO; Takeshi; (Tokyo, JP) ; ONO;
Yasuhiro; (Tokyo, JP) ; FUJIKI; Takashi;
(Tokyo, JP) ; NAKANO; Takuma; (Tokyo, JP) ;
TSUJI; Masayuki; (Tokyo, JP) ; FUJITA; Ryoji;
(Tokyo, JP) ; SERITA; Kazutoshi; (Tokyo, JP)
; TEZUKA; Hiroshi; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Japan Tobacco Inc. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Japan Tobacco Inc.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
1000005829251 |
Appl. No.: |
17/398453 |
Filed: |
August 10, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/JP2019/007656 |
Feb 27, 2019 |
|
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17398453 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 40/20 20200101;
A24F 40/53 20200101 |
International
Class: |
A24F 40/20 20060101
A24F040/20; A24F 40/53 20060101 A24F040/53 |
Claims
1. An inhaler comprising: a holding part comprising an inner space;
a pressure sensor for detecting pressure applied to an inner wall
of the holding part; and a control unit which specifies, based on a
result of detection by the pressure sensor, an arrangement of a
flavor component generating base-material in the inner space in the
holding part.
2. The inhaler as recited in claim 1, further comprising a function
part which applies, to the flavor component generating
base-material held in the inner space of the holding part, a
function that makes the flavor component generating base-material
generate flavor-component-added gas.
3. The inhaler as recited in claim 2, wherein the holding part
comprises an opening which makes the inner space communicate with
an outer space, and wherein the pressure sensor detects pressure
applied to part of the inner wall of the holding part, wherein the
part of the inner wall is in a position that is closer to the side
of the opening than the position to which the function is applied
by the function part.
4. The inhaler as recited in claim 3, wherein the flavor component
generating base-material comprises a flavor-component generating
part and a part which is not the flavor-component generating part,
wherein the parts are positioned in an order from an end to the
other end, and each of which has a hardness different from that of
the other, and wherein the control unit specifies that the
arrangement of the flavor component generating base-material
corresponds to a predetermined arrangement, if pressure
corresponding to the hardness of the part which is not the
flavor-component generating part is detected by the pressure
sensor.
5. The inhaler as recited in claim 4, wherein the predetermined
arrangement is an arrangement wherein the flavor-component
generating part and one part of the part which is not the
flavor-component generating part are held in the inner space, and
the other part of the part which is not the flavor-component
generating part protrudes to the outer space from the opening.
6. The inhaler as recited in claim 4, wherein the predetermined
arrangement is an arrangement wherein the flavor-component
generating part is positioned in the position to which the function
part applies the function.
7. The inhaler as recited in claim 2, wherein the holding part
comprises an opening which makes the inner space communicate with
an outer space, wherein the inhaler comprises a first elastic
member installed in a position, in part of the inner wall of the
holding part, that is closer to the side of the opening than the
position to which the function is applied by the function part, and
wherein the pressure sensor detects pressure applied to the first
elastic member.
8. The inhaler as recited in claim 2, wherein parts of the flavor
component generating base-material, from one end to the other end
thereof, have different degrees of hardness, wherein the inhaler
comprises plural function parts, and wherein the control unit
specifies a position of the one end of the flavor component
generating base-material in the inner space, and, based on the
specified position, selects a function part, to which electric
power is to be supplied, from the plural function parts.
9. The inhaler as recited in claim 1, wherein the holding part
comprises an opening which makes the inner space communicate with
an outer space, wherein the flavor component generating
base-material is inserted into the inner space from the opening,
and wherein the pressure sensor detects pressure applied to a part,
which is positioned in an end part positioned in an inserting
direction, of the inner wall of the holding part.
10. The inhaler as recited in claim 9, wherein the inhaler
comprises a piston member which is installed in the part, which is
positioned in the end part positioned in an inserting direction, of
the inner wall of the holding part, and can move in the inserting
direction, and wherein the control unit specifies that the
arrangement of the flavor component generating base-material
corresponds to a predetermined arrangement, if pressure
representing a state that the distance of movement of the piston
member in the inserting direction has reached a predetermined
threshold value is detected by the pressure sensor.
11. The inhaler as recited in claim 1, wherein the flavor component
generating base-material comprises a second elastic member which
protrudes in a transverse direction, wherein the holding part
comprises an opening which makes the inner space communicate with
an outer space, and a groove part winch is formed on the inner wall
and along which the second elastic member can slide when the flavor
component generating base-material is inserted or pulled out,
wherein the groove part comprises a first end positioned in the
inserting direction, and a second end positioned between the first
end and the opening and in the pulling-out direction, and position
shift in a circumferential direction between a gate, which is
formed in the opening, of the groove part and the first end part in
the inner space is large, compared with position shift in the
circumferential direction between the gate and the second end part
in the inner space, and wherein the inhaler further comprises a
third elastic member which exerts elastic force, in the pulling-out
direction, to the flavor component generating base-material.
12. The inhaler as recited in claim 1, wherein the inhaler
comprises a fourth elastic member which protrudes in a transverse
direction in the inner space, and further comprises a sliding
member which can slide, in the inner space, along the inner wall of
the holding part, and a fifth elastic member which exerts elastic
force, in the pulling-out direction, to the sliding member, wherein
the holding part comprises an opening which makes the inner space
communicate with an outer space, and a groove part which is formed
on the inner wall and along which the fourth elastic member can
slide when the sliding member is slid, and wherein the groove part
comprises a first end positioned in the inserting direction, and a
second end positioned between the first end and the opening and in
the pulling-out direction, and position shift in a circumferential
direction between a gate, which is formed in the opening, of the
groove part and the first end part in the inner space is large,
compared with position shift in the circumferential direction
between the gate and the second end part in the inner space.
13. The inhaler as recited in claim 1, wherein the holding part
comprises a first housing and a second housing which can be
separated from or coupled to each other, and the flavor component
generating base-material is held between the first housing and the
second housing in the state that the housings are being coupled
with each other.
14. The inhaler as recited in claim 2, wherein the control unit
controls the state of supplying of electric power to the function
part, based on a specified arrangement of the flavor component
generating base-material.
15. The inhaler as recited in claim 14, wherein the control unit
changes the state of supplying of electric power to the function
part to a state that allows supplying of electric power to the
function part, if it is specified that the arrangement of the
flavor component generating base-material corresponds to a
predetermined arrangement.
16. The inhaler as recited in claim 15, wherein the inhaler further
comprises an operation input part, and wherein the control unit
starts supplying of electric power to the function part, if a
predetermined operation is inputted to the operation input part
during the state that allows supplying of electric power to the
function part.
17. The inhaler as recited in claim 15, wherein the control unit
starts supplying of electric power to the function part, if a
suction action performed by a user is detected during the state
that allows supplying of electric power to the function part.
18. The inhaler as recited in claim 14, wherein the control unit
changes the state of supplying of electric power to the function
part to a state that does not allow supplying of electric power to
the function part, if it is specified that the arrangement of the
flavor component generating base-material does not correspond to a
predetermined arrangement.
19. The inhaler as recited in claim 1, wherein the inhaler
comprises a notification unit, and wherein the control unit
controls the notification unit to output a notification
corresponding to a specified arrangement of the flavor component
generating base-material.
20. The inhaler as recited in claim 19, wherein the control unit
controls the notification unit to output the notification that
becomes different according to judgment as to whether the specified
arrangement of the flavor component generating base-material
corresponds to a predetermined arrangement.
21. The inhaler as recited in claim 19, wherein the notification
unit performs at least one of light emission, display, sound
output, and vibration actions.
22. A control device for an inhaler, comprising: a control unit
which specifies, based on a result of detection by a pressure
sensor which detects pressure applied to an inner wall of a holding
part which comprises an inner space, an arrangement of a flavor
component generating base-material in the inner space of the
holding part.
23. An information processing method, comprising: a process for
specifying, based on a result of detection by a pressure sensor
which detects pressure applied to an inner wall of a holding part
which comprises an inner space, an arrangement of a flavor
component generating base-material in the inner space of the
holding part.
24. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing
computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor
of a computer, cause the computer function as: a control unit which
specifies, based on a result of detection by a pressure sensor
which detects pressure applied to an inner wall of a holding part
which comprises an inner space, an arrangement of a flavor
component generating base-material in the inner space of the
holding part.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation application of
International Application No. PCT/JP2019/007656, filed on Feb. 27,
2019.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an inhaler, a control
device for an inhaler, an information processing method, and a
program.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Inhalers, such as an electronic cigarette, a nebulizer, and
so on, each of which generates gas to which a flavor component that
is to be sucked by a user has been added, have spread through the
market. For example, a flavor component generating base-material
which contributes to generation of gas to which flavor components
have been added, such as a flavor source for adding flavor to an
aerosol source for generating aerosol or to aerosol, is installed
in an inhaler; and contents stored in the flavor component
generating base-material are consumed every time when the
flavor-component-added gas is generated. A user can taste the
flavor together with the gas, by sucking (hereinafter, this action
may be referred to as puffing) the flavor-component-added gas
generated by each of the above inhalers.
[0004] For making it possible to generate flavor-component-added
gas in a satisfactory manner, it is desirable that a flavor
component generating base-material be installed correctly in an
inhaler. In view of the above point, for example, Patent Literature
1 discloses a technique for detecting, by using an optical sensor,
a state with respect to whether a cigarette has been inserted in a
device which heats a cigarette inserted therein to make a flavor
component be allowed to be sucked.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0005] PTL 1: Japanese Patent Application Public Disclosure No.
H07-184627
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0006] However, the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1
merely makes it possible to make a judgment regarding whether a
cigarette has been inserted into the inside of a device, and does
not make it possible to make a judgment regarding whether the
cigarette has been installed correctly in the device. For example,
if a cigarette is not installed in a correct position such as an
innermost part or the like in the inside of a device and if the
cigarette in such as state is heated, there is a risk that uneven
heating or heating without an object to be heated occurs.
[0007] The present invention has been achieved in view of the above
problem; and an object of the present invention is to provide means
that can specify arrangement of a flavor component generating
base-material in an inhaler.
Solution to Problem
[0008] For solving the above problem, according to a point of view
of the present invention, an inhaler is provided, and the inhaler
is characterized in that it comprises: a holding part comprising an
inner space; a pressure sensor for detecting pressure applied to an
inner wall of the holding part; and a control unit which specifies,
based on result of detection by the pressure sensor, arrangement of
a flavor component generating base-material in the inner space in
the holding part.
[0009] The inhaler may further comprises a function part which
applies, to the flavor component generating base-material held in
the inner space of the holding part, a function that makes the
flavor component generating base-material generate
flavor-component-added gas.
[0010] The holding part may comprise an opening which makes the
inner space communicate with an outer space; and the pressure
sensor may detect pressure applied to part of the inner wall of the
holding part, wherein the part of the inner wall is in a position
that is closer to the side of the opening than the position to
which the function is applied by the function part.
[0011] The flavor component generating base-material may comprise a
flavor-component generating part and a part which is not the
flavor-component generating part, wherein the parts are positioned
in an order from an end to the other end, and each of which has
hardness different from that of the other; and the control unit may
specify that arrangement of the flavor component generating
base-material corresponds to predetermined arrangement, if pressure
corresponding to the hardness of the part which is not the
flavor-component generating part is detected by the pressure
sensor.
[0012] The predetermined arrangement may be arrangement wherein the
flavor-component generating part and one part of the part which is
not the flavor-component generating part are held in the inner
space, and the other part of the part which is not the
flavor-component generating part protrudes to the outer space from
the opening.
[0013] The predetermined arrangement may be arrangement wherein the
flavor-component generating part is positioned in the position to
which the function part applies the function.
[0014] The holding part may comprise an opening which makes the
inner space communicate with an outer space; the inhaler may
comprise a first elastic member installed in a position, in part of
the inner wall of the holding part, that is closer to the side of
the opening than the position to which the function is applied by
the function part; and the pressure sensor may detect pressure
applied to the first elastic member.
[0015] Parts of the flavor component generating base-material, from
one end to the other end thereof, may have different degrees of
hardness; the inhaler may comprise plural function parts; and the
control unit may specify a position of the one end of the flavor
component generating base-material in the inner space, and, based
on the specified position, may select a function part, to which
electric power is to be supplied, from the plural function
parts.
[0016] The holding part may comprise an opening which makes the
inner space communicate with an outer space; the flavor component
generating base-material may be inserted into the inner space from
the opening; and the pressure sensor may detect pressure applied to
a part, which is positioned in an end part positioned in an
inserting direction, of the inner wall of the holding part.
[0017] The inhaler may comprise a piston member which is installed
in the part, which is positioned in the end part positioned in an
inserting direction, of the inner wall of the holding part, and can
move in the inserting direction; and the control unit may specify
that arrangement of the flavor component generating base-material
corresponds to predetermined arrangement, if pressure representing
a state that the distance of movement of the piston member in the
inserting direction has reached a predetermined threshold value is
detected by the pressure sensor.
[0018] The flavor component generating base-material may comprise a
second elastic member which protrudes in a transverse direction;
the holding part may comprise an opening which makes the inner
space communicate with an outer space, and a groove part winch is
formed on the inner wall and along which the second elastic member
can slide when the flavor component generating base-material is
inserted or pulled out; the groove part may comprise a first end
positioned in the inserting direction, and a second end positioned
between the first end and the opening and in the pulling-out
direction, and position shift in a circumferential direction
between a gate, which is formed in the opening, of the groove part
and the first end part in the inner space may be large, compared
with position shift in the circumferential direction between the
gate and the second end part in the inner space; and the inhaler
may further comprise a third elastic member which exerts elastic
force, in the pulling-out direction, to the flavor component
generating base-material.
[0019] The inhaler may comprise a fourth elastic member which
protrudes in a transverse direction in the inner space, and may
further comprise a sliding member which can slide, in the inner
space, along the inner wall of the holding part, and a fifth
elastic member which exerts elastic force, in the pulling-out
direction, to the sliding member; the holding part may comprise an
opening which makes the inner space communicate with an outer
space, and a groove part which is formed on the inner wall and
along which the fourth elastic member can slide when the sliding
member is slid; and the groove part may comprise a first end
positioned in the inserting direction, and a second end positioned
between the first end and the opening and in the pulling-out
direction, and position shift in a circumferential direction
between a gate, which is formed in the opening, of the groove part
and the first end part in the inner space may be large, compared
with position shift in the circumferential direction between the
gate and the second end part in the inner space.
[0020] The holding part may comprise a first housing and a second
housing which can be separated from or coupled to each other, and
the flavor component generating base-material may be held between
the first housing and the second housing in the state that the
housings are being coupled with each other.
[0021] The control unit may control the state of supplying of
electric power to the function part, based on specified arrangement
of the flavor component generating base-material.
[0022] The control unit may change the state of supplying of
electric power to the function part to a state that allows
supplying of electric power to the function part, if it is
specified that arrangement of the flavor component generating
base-material corresponds to predetermined arrangement.
[0023] The inhaler may further comprise an operation input part;
and the control unit may start supplying of electric power to the
function part, if predetermined operation is inputted to the
operation input part during the state that allows supplying of
electric power to the function part.
[0024] The control unit may start supplying of electric power to
the function part, if a suction action performed by a user is
detected during the state that allows supplying of electric power
to the function part.
[0025] The control unit may change the state of supplying of
electric power to the function part to a state that does not allow
supplying of electric power to the function part, if it is
specified that arrangement of the flavor component generating
base-material does not correspond to predetermined arrangement.
[0026] The inhaler may comprise a notification unit; and the
control unit may control the notification unit to output
notification corresponding to specified arrangement of the flavor
component generating base-material.
[0027] The control unit may control the notification unit to output
notification that becomes different according to judgment as to
whether specified arrangement of the flavor component generating
base-material corresponds to predetermined arrangement.
[0028] The notification unit may perform at least one of light
emission, display, sound output, and vibration actions.
[0029] For solving the above problem, according to a different
point of view of the present invention, a control device for an
inhaler is provided, wherein the control device is characterized in
that it comprises: a control unit which specifies, based on result
of detection by a pressure sensor which detects pressure applied to
an inner wall of a holding part which comprises an inner space,
arrangement of a flavor component generating base-material in the
inner space of the holding part.
[0030] For solving the above problem, according to a different
point of view of the present invention, an information processing
method is provided, wherein the method is characterized in that it
comprises: a process for specifying, based on result of detection
by a pressure sensor which detects pressure applied to an inner
wall of a holding part which comprises an inner space, arrangement
of a flavor component generating base-material in the inner space
of the holding part.
[0031] For solving the above problem, according to a different
point of view of the present invention, a program is provided,
wherein the program is that which makes a computer function as
control unit which specifies, based on result of detection by a
pressure sensor which detects pressure applied to an inner wall of
a holding part which comprises an inner space, arrangement of a
flavor component generating base-material in the inner space of the
holding part.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0032] As explained above, according to the present invention,
means that can specify a position of a flavor component generating
base-material in an inhaler is provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 is a figure showing a construction example of an
inhaler according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a general perspective view of an inhaler in the
state that it is holding a flavor component generating
base-material, according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of a smoking article.
[0036] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic
construction of an inhaler in the state that it is holding a
smoking article, according to a first embodiment.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of a flow of a
heating control process performed in an inhaler according to the
above embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic
construction of an inhaler in the state that it is holding a
smoking article, according to a second embodiment.
[0039] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic
construction of an inhaler in the state that it is holding a
smoking article, according to a third embodiment.
[0040] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic
construction of an inhaler in the state that it is holding a
smoking article, according to a fourth embodiment.
[0041] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of a flow of a
heating control process performed in an inhaler according to the
above embodiment.
[0042] FIG. 10 is a figure schematically showing a procedure to
insert a smoking article into an inhaler according to a first
modified example.
[0043] FIG. 11 is a figure showing a schematic construction example
of an inhaler according to a second modified example.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0044] In the following description, preferred embodiments of the
present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the
attached figures. In this regard, in the specification and the
figures, for omitting overlapping explanations, a reference number
that is the same as that assigned to one component is assigned to
the other component, in the case that the other component has a
function/construction that is substantially the same as that of the
one component.
1. BASIC CONSTRUCTION
[0045] In the following description, a basic construction example
of an inhaler according to the present invention will be explained
with reference to FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 1 is a figure showing a
construction example of an inhaler 100 according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of an inhaler according
to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a general
perspective view of the inhaler in the state that it is holding a
flavor component generating base-material, according to the
embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the
inhaler 100 is constructed to generate aerosol including a flavor,
for example, by heating a flavor component generating
base-material, such as a smoking article, which comprises an
aerosol source and a filling article including a flavor source. In
the present embodiment, a smoking article 200 is used as a flavor
component generating base-material.
[0047] A person skilled in the art will understand that the smoking
article 200 is a mere example of a flavor component generating
base-material. An aerosol source included in a flavor component
generating base-material may be solid or liquid. The aerosol source
may be liquid such as polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerin or
propylene glycol, or water, or the like, for example. The aerosol
source may comprise a tobacco raw material or an extract originated
from a tobacco raw material, which releases a
fragrance-inhaling-taste component when it is heated. In the case
that the inhaler 100 is an inhaler for medical use, such as a
nebulizer or the like, the aerosol source may comprise a medicine
that is to be sucked by a patient. The flavor component generating
base-material may not comprise a flavor source, depending on
intended use thereof. Further, gas, to which flavor components
generated from a flavor component generating base-material are to
be added, is not limited to aerosol, and, for example, invisible
vapor may be generated.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inhaler 100 comprises a top
housing 171A, a bottom housing 171B, a cover 172, a power source
switch 173, and a lid part 174. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the
inhaler 100 comprises a holding part 175 and a heating unit 176
therein. The outermost housing 171 of the inhaler 100 is
constructed as a result that the top housing 171A and the bottom
housing 171B are connected to each other. The housing 171 may have
a size that fits in a hand of a user. In the above case, when a
user uses the inhaler 100, the user can hold the inhaler 100 by a
user's hand, and suck aerosol.
[0049] The top housing 171A comprises an opening (not shown in the
figures), and the cover 172 is coupled to the top housing 171A to
close the opening. As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 172 has an opening
172a into which the smoking article 200 can be inserted. The lid
part 174 is constructed to open/close the opening 172a of the cover
172. Specifically, the lid part 174 is attached to the cover 172,
and constructed to be able to move, along a surface of the cover
172, between a first position for closing the opening 172a and a
second position for opening the opening 172a.
[0050] The power source switch 173 is used for switching between an
ON state and an OFF state of operation of the inhaler 100. For
example, in a state that the smoking article 200 has been inserted
in the opening 172a and attached therein as shown in FIG. 2, a user
can make the smoking article 200 be heated without combustion
thereof, by manipulating the power source switch 173 to thereby
supply electric power from a battery (not shown in the figures) to
the heating unit 176. As a result that the smoking article 200 is
heated, aerosol is generated from an aerosol source included in the
smoking article 200, and flavor in a flavor source is taken in the
aerosol. A user can suck aerosol including flavor, by sucking it
from a part of the smoking article 200 projecting from the inhaler
100 (the part shown in FIG. 2).
[0051] In this regard, in this specification, a direction along
that a flavor component generating base-material such as the
smoking article 200 is inserted to the opening 172a is also
referred to as an inserting direction, and a direction along that a
flavor component generating base-material such as the smoking
article 200 is pulled out from the opening 172a is also referred to
as a pulling-out direction. In the case that it is not necessary to
specifically distinguish between the inserting direction and the
pulling-out direction, these directions are also collectively
referred to as a longitudinal direction.
[0052] The holding part 175 comprises an inner space, and houses
part of the smoking article 200 in the inner space and holds the
smoking article 200. The holding part 175 comprises the opening
172a which makes the inner space communicate with an outer space,
and holds the smoking article 200 inserted from the opening 172a to
the inner space. For example, the holding part 175 is a cylindrical
body extending along the longitudinal direction, and defines a
columnar inner space. The holding part 172 may be constructed in
such a manner that, at least in part thereof in the longitudinal
direction, an inner diameter is smaller than an outer diameter of
the smoking article, and may hold the smoking article 200 inserted
in the inner space by pressing the smoking article 200 from the
outer periphery thereof. The holding part 175 also has a function
to define a flow path of air supplied to the smoking article.
[0053] In the state that the smoking article 200 is being held by
the holding part 175, if a user holds the part protruding from the
opening 172a of the smoking article 200 in the user's mouth and
performs a sucking action, air flows into the inside of the holding
part 175 from a hole which is not shown in the figures. The air
that has flown into the inside of the holding part 175 passes
through the inside, and, together with aerosol generated from the
smoking article 200, arrives at the inside of the mouth of the
user. Thus, the side closer to the opening 172a of the holding part
175 is a downstream side, and the side opposite thereto is an
upstream side. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the pulling out
direction is that to the downstream side, and the inserting
direction is that to the upstream side.
[0054] The heating unit 176 has a function to heat the smoking
article 200 held in the inner space of the holding part 175 from
the outer periphery of the smoking article 200, by heating the
inner space of the holding part 175 from the outer periphery
thereof. At least part of the holding part 175 may be the heating
unit 176. For example, the heating unit 176 may be a cylindrical
body extending along the longitudinal direction, and may be part of
the construction of the holding part 175. Also, the heating unit
176 may be arranged on the circumference of the holding part 175,
and may heat the smoking article 200 across the holding part 175.
In this regard, the heating unit 176 is a mere example of a
function part which applies, to a flavor component generating
base-material held in the holding part, a function that makes the
flavor component generating base-material generate
flavor-component-added gas. Regarding the function applied to the
flavor component generating base-material, the function is not
limited to a heating function, and may be any function such as an
ultrasonic vibration function or the like.
[0055] The construction of the inhaler 100 shown in each of FIGS. 1
and 2 is a mere example of the inhaler according to the present
invention. The inhaler according to the present invention can be
constructed to have any one of various types of forms, wherein, in
each form, flavor-component-added gas is generated from a flavor
component generating base-material by holding the flavor component
generating base-material and applying a function, and the generated
gas is allowed to be sucked by a user.
[0056] Next, as an example of a flavor component generating
base-material used in the inhaler 100 according to the present
embodiment, the construction of the smoking article 200 will be
explained. FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the smoking article
200. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the smoking article 200
comprises a base-material part 200A, which comprises a filling
article 201 and first rolling paper 202 by which the filling
article 201 is wound, and a suction opening part 200B which forms
an end part opposite to the base-material part 200A. The
base-material part 200A and the suction opening part 200B are
connected by second rolling paper 203 which is different from the
first rolling paper 202. In this regard, it is possible to connect
the base-material part 200A and the suction opening part 200B by
using the first rolling paper 202, i.e., by omitting the second
rolling paper 203.
[0057] The suction opening part 200B in FIG. 3 comprises a paper
tube part 204, a filter part 205, and a hollow segment part 206
positioned between the paper tube part 204 and the filter part 205.
For example, the hollow segment part 206 comprises a filling layer
including one or plural hollow channels, and a plug wrapper for
covering the filling layer. Since the density of filled fibers in
the filling layer is high, air and aerosol flows through the hollow
channel only, and almost no air and aerosol flows through the
filling layer, when suction action is performed. Regarding the
smoking article 200, if it is desired to lower a decrease in the
quantity of delivery of aerosol due to filtering of the aerosol
components in the filter part 205, shortening the length of the
filter part 205 and replacing that part by the hollow segment part
206 will be effective for increasing the quantity of delivery of
the aerosol.
[0058] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the suction opening part
200B comprises three segments. However, in the other embodiment,
the suction opening part 200B may be constructed by using one or
two segments, or may be constructed by using four or more segments.
For example, it is possible to omit the hollow segment part 206,
and form the suction opening part 200B by arranging the paper tube
part 204 and the filter part 205 adjacent to each other.
[0059] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, regarding the length in
the longitudinal direction of the smoking article 200, it is
preferable to set it to 40-90 mm, more preferable to set it to
50-75 mm, and still more preferably to set it to 50-60 mm.
Regarding the circumference of the smoking article 200, it is
preferable to set it to 15-25 mm, more preferable to set it to that
equal to or less than 17-24 mm, and still more preferably to set it
to 20-22 mm. Further, regarding the smoking article 200, the length
of the base-material part 200A may be 20 mm, the length of the
first rolling paper 202 may be 20 mm, the length of the hollow
segment part 206 may be 8 mm, and the length of the filter part 205
may be 7 mm. The length of each of the above segments may be
changed appropriately, according to suitability to manufacture,
required quality, and so on.
[0060] In the present embodiment, the filling article 201 in the
smoking article 200 may comprise an aerosol source which generates
aerosol when it is heated at predetermined temperature. The kind of
the aerosol source is not specifically limited, and extracted
material and/or components obtained from various natural products
may be selected as an aerosol source according to intended use.
Glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and a
mixture thereof, for example, can be listed as aerosol sources. The
aerosol source content of the filling article 201 is not
specifically limited; and, in view of generation of sufficient
quantity of aerosol and satisfactory addition of fragrance inhaling
taste, the aerosol source content is usually equal to or greater
than 5 weight percent, and is preferably equal to or greater than
10 weight percent, and is usually equal to or less than 50 weight
percent, and is preferably equal to or less than 20 weight
percent.
[0061] The filling article 201 in the smoking article 200 in the
present embodiment may comprise shredded tobacco as a flavor
source. The material of shredded tobacco is not specifically
limited, and publicly known material such as a lamina, a stem, and
so on may be used as the material. The range of the content of the
filling article 201 in the smoking article 200, in the case that
the circumference is 22 mm and the length is 20 mm, is, for
example, 200-400 mg, and is preferably 250-320 mg. The water
content of the filling article 201 is, for example, 8-18 weight
percent, and is preferably 10-16 weight percent. In the case that
the water content is that explained above, occurrence of staining
at the time of rolling is suppressed, and suitability to rolling at
the time of manufacture of the base-material part 200A is made
satisfactory. There is no special limitation with respect to the
size, the preparation method, and so on of the shredded tobacco
used as the filling article 201. For example, dried tobacco leaves
cut into pieces, each having the width of 0.8-1.2 mm, may be used.
Alternatively, dried tobacco leaves are crushed and uniformized to
become particles, regarding which the average particle size is
approximately 20-200 .mu.m, and the particles are processed to
become a sheet, and the sheet cut into pieces, each having the
width of 0.8-1.2 mm, may be used. Further, the above sheet formed
via the sheet process may be processed to gather it without cutting
it, and the gathered sheet may be used as the filling article 201.
Further, the filling article 201 may comprise one kind or two or
more kinds of flavors. The kinds of flavors are not specifically
limited; however, in view of provision of satisfactory smoke
flavor, a flavor is menthol, preferably.
[0062] In the present embodiment, each sheet of the first and
second rolling paper 202 and 203 in the smoking article 200 may be
constructed by use of base paper which has the basis weight of, for
example, 20-65 gsm, preferably, 25-45 gsm. The thickness of each
sheet of the first and second rolling paper 202 and 203 is not
specifically limited; however, in view of rigidness, gas
permeability, and easiness of adjustment at the time of paper
manufacture, the thickness is set to 10-100 .mu.m, preferably, set
to 20-75 .mu.m, and, more preferably, set to 30-50 .mu.m.
[0063] In the present embodiment, filler may be included in the
rolling paper 202 and 203 in the smoking article 200. The filler
content may be equal to or greater than 10 weight percent and less
than 60 weight percent, and, may preferably be 15-45 weight
percent, with respect to the total weight of the first rolling
paper 202 and the second rolling paper 203. In the present
embodiment, it is preferable that the filler be 15-45 weight
percent, with respect to a preferable range of basis weight (25-45
gsm). For example, calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, kaolin, and
so on may be used as filler. Paper including filler such as that
explained above presents a white color that is preferable in view
of appearance of paper used as rolling paper of the smoking article
200, and is able to keep its whiteness permanently. By including a
large quantity of filler such as that explained above, the ISO
whiteness of rolling paper can be raised to 83% or more, for
example. Further, in view of practicality in terms of use of it as
rolling paper in the smoking article 200, it is preferable that the
first rolling paper 202 and the second rolling paper 203 have the
tensile strength of 8N/15 mm or more. The tensile strength can be
increased by reducing the filler content. Specifically, the tensile
strength can be increased by reducing the filler content to that
less than the upper limit of the filler content that has been shown
with respect to each range of the basis weight illustrated in the
above description.
2. FIRST EMBODIMENT
[0064] The present embodiment has a form wherein a pressure sensor
is installed in a downstream-side end part of a holding part, and
the state of arrangement of a flavor component generating
base-material in the holding part is specified based on result of
detection by the pressure sensor.
[0065] (Construction Example)
[0066] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic
construction of an inhaler 100 in the state that it is holding a
smoking article 200, according to a first embodiment. As shown in
FIG. 4, the inhaler 100 comprises a pressure sensor 177, a battery
178, a notification unit 179, and a control unit 180, in addition
to the components explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In
this regard, representation of the same components (for example,
the heating unit 176 and the pressure sensor 177) in the figure,
that are represented in such a manner that they hold the holding
part 175 between them from the top side and the bottom side of the
holding part 175, represents the construction that components are
installed in such a manner that they surround the holding part 175.
In the following description, the above matter also apply to other
block diagrams.
[0067] The pressure sensor 177 detects pressure applied to an inner
wall of the holding part 175. The inner wall of the holding part
175 is a wall defining the inner space of the holding part 175. For
example, the pressure sensor 177 may detect pressure applied to at
least one point in the inner wall, may detect a total value of
pressure applied to a predetermined area of the inner wall, or may
detect distribution of pressure applied to a predetermined area of
the inner wall. The pressure sensor 177 is installed in a position,
in the inner wall of the holding part 175, that is closer to the
side of the opening 172a than the position heated by the heating
unit 176, and detects pressure applied to the inner wall in the
position where the pressure sensor 177 is installed. In the example
shown in FIG. 4, the pressure sensor 177 is installed in the
downstream-side end part of the holding part 175, and detects
pressure applied to the inner wall of the downstream-side end part.
For example, the holding part 175 is that holding the smoking
article 200 in such a manner that it applies pressure to the outer
periphery of the smoking article 200, and the pressure sensor 177
is installed in a part in the holding part 175 where the inner
diameter thereof is smaller than the outer diameter of the smoking
article 200. Thus, pressure applied to the above part is detected
by the pressure sensor 177. The pressure sensor 177 is also able to
detect attachment/detachment of the smoking article 200 to/from the
inhaler 100, based on judgment as to whether or not the detected
pressure is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold
value. Since the pressure sensor 177 is installed in the
downstream-side end part of the holding part 175, the pressure
sensor 177 can be separated from the heating unit 176 and failure
of the pressure sensor 177 due to the heat can be prevented.
[0068] The inhaler 100 may comprise any sensors different from the
pressure sensor 177. For example, the inhaler 100 may comprise a
pressure sensor for detecting change in air pressure in the inside
of the holding part 175 or a flow rate sensor for detecting a flow
rate of aerosol, and presence/absence of suction action and the
quantity of suction by a user may be detected by the above sensors.
The above pressure sensor or flow rate sensor may be constructed to
count the number of times of puffs performed by a user by using the
inhaler 100. Further, the inhaler 100 may comprise a weight sensor
for detecting the weight of the smoking article 200. Further, the
inhaler 100 may comprise a sensor which accumulates time of
electrical conduction to the heating unit 176. Further, the inhaler
100 may comprise a sensor for detecting an SOC (State of Charge),
an integrated current value, a voltage, or the like of the battery
178. The integrated current value may be obtained by using a
current integration method, an SOC-OCV (Open Circuit Voltage)
method, or the like.
[0069] The battery 178 is a power source which stores electric
power, and supplies electric power to the respective components in
the inhaler 100, such as the heating unit 176, the notification
unit 179, the pressure sensor 177, the control unit 180, and so on.
The battery 178 may be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable
battery, for example. The battery 178 may be charged by connecting
it to an external electric power source via a predetermined port
(not shown in the figure) of the inhaler 100. The battery 178 only
may be able to be detached from the inhaler 100, and may be able to
be replaced by a new battery 178.
[0070] The notification unit 179 may comprise a light emitting
element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a display, a
speaker, a vibrator, and so on. The notification unit 179 is
constructed to provide a user with some information by performing
at least one of light emission, display, sound output, and
vibration actions, as necessary. Further, the notification unit 179
may comprise a communication device, and transmit information to
the other device such as a smartphone or the like to provide a user
with the information via the other device.
[0071] The control unit 180 functions as an arithmetic processing
unit and a control device, and controls overall operation in the
inhaler 100. The control unit 180 may be an electronic circuit
module constructed as a microprocessor or a microcomputer. The
control unit 180 may be constructed to control operation of the
inhaler 100 in accordance with computer-executable instructions
stored in a storage unit which is not shown in the figure. The
storage unit is a storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory),
a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, or the like. The
storage unit may store, in addition to computer-executable
instructions such as those explained above, setting data which are
necessary for controlling the inhaler 100 and other data. For
example, the storage unit may store various data such as methods
for controlling the notification unit 179 (modes of light emission,
vocalization, vibration, etc., and so on), values detected by the
pressure sensor 177, history of heating by the heating unit 176,
and so on. The control unit 180 reads data from the storage unit
and uses the data for controlling the inhaler 100 as necessary, and
stores data in the storage unit as necessary.
[0072] The smoking article 200 is inserted into the holding part
175 and held thereby. In the state that the smoking article 200 is
being held in the holding part 175, the longitudinal direction of
the inhaler 100 and the longitudinal direction of the smoking
article 200 coincide or approximately coincide with each other. In
the following description, it is supposed that the longitudinal
direction of the inhaler 100 and the longitudinal direction of the
smoking article 200 coincide with each other, unless specifically
explained. The smoking article 200 is inserted into the inner space
of the holding part 175 from the opening 172a in such a manner that
the base-material part 200A which is defined as the head is
inserted first into the holding part 175, and is held in the state
that at least part of the suction opening part 200B protrudes to
the outer space. With respect to the ends of the smoking article
200 in the longitudinal direction, one end positioned in the
base-material part 200A side is referred to as a tip 210a, and the
other end positioned in the suction opening part 200B side is also
referred to as a rear end 210b.
[0073] In this regard, the base-material part 200A includes, as
contents, an aerosol source and a flavor source, to which
flavor-component-added gas contributes. The base-material part 200A
corresponds to a flavor component generating part of a flavor
component generating base-material. On the other hand, the suction
opening part 200B is a part, that is to be held in a user's mouth,
for allowing suction of aerosol generated by the base-material part
200A, and does not include a flavor source or a aerosol source,
typically. The suction opening part 200B corresponds to a part,
which is not the flavor-component generating part, of a flavor
component generating base-material.
[0074] (Operation)
[0075] Specifying of Arrangement
[0076] The control unit 180 specifies, based on result of detection
by the pressure sensor 177, arrangement of the smoking article 200
in the inner space of the holding part 175. Arrangement of the
smoking article 200 in the holding part 175 refers to arrangement
of the smoking article 200 inserted into the inner space of the
holding part 175 in the longitudinal direction. If it is explained
more simply, arrangement of the smoking article 200 in the holding
part 175 refers to a position of the tip 210a of the smoking
article 200 in the longitudinal direction, in other words, the
depth that the smoking article 200 is inserted.
[0077] For example, the control unit 180 judges whether arrangement
of the smoking article 200 in the holding part 175 corresponds to
predetermined correct arrangement. The arrangement shown in FIG. 4
is an example of correct arrangement. Correct arrangement is that
wherein the base-material part 200A and a part of the suction
opening part 200B are held in the inner space of the holding part
175, and the other part of the suction opening part 200B protrudes
from the opening 172a to the outer space. The
longitudinal-direction length L.sub.S from a bottom part 175a of
the holding part 175 to the opening 172a is longer than the
longitudinal-direction length L.sub.T-A of the base-material part
200A, and shorter than the longitudinal-direction length L.sub.T of
the smoking article 200. Thus, for example, if the smoking article
200 is inserted in such a manner that the tip 210a of the smoking
article 200 touches the bottom part 175a of the holding part 175
(i.e., reaches the innermost place), it is regarded that the
arrangement of the smoking article 200 corresponds to the correct
arrangement. In the other point of view, correct arrangement refers
to arrangement wherein the smoking article 200 is positioned in a
position heated by the heating unit 176. In the case that
arrangement of the smoking article 200 corresponds to correct
arrangement, heat is applied by the heating unit 176 to part, that
is larger when compared with the part in the case that the
arrangement of the smoking article 200 does not correspond to the
correct arrangement, of the base-material part 200A, uneven heating
can be prevented, and flavor-component-added aerosol can be
generated efficiently. Further, in the case that arrangement of the
smoking article 200 corresponds to correct arrangement, heating by
the heating unit 176 without an object to be heated can be
prevented.
[0078] Regarding the smoking article 200, the smoking article 200
comprises the base-material part 200A and the suction opening part
200B which are positioned in an order in the longitudinal direction
from the position of the tip 210a to the position of the rear end
210b, and hardness of one of them is different from that of the
other. It is desirable to set the range of hardness of the
base-material part 200A and the range of hardness of the suction
opening part 200B in such a manner that they are separated from
each other by more than a predetermined value for ensuring accuracy
with respect to specifying of arrangement of the smoking article
200. Typically, the hardness of the base-material part 200A is
uniform and the hardness of the suction opening part 200B is
uniform, in the longitudinal direction; and the base-material part
200A is softer than the other, i.e, the suction opening part 200B
is harder than the other.
[0079] The control unit 180 uses a difference between the hardness
of the base-material part 200A and the hardness of the suction
opening part 200B to specify arrangement of the smoking article 200
in the holding part 175. Specifically, the control unit 180 judges
that arrangement of the smoking article 200 corresponds to correct
arrangement, in the case that the pressure detected by the pressure
sensor 177 is that within a range of pressure comprising pressure
that is assumed to be detected when arrangement of the smoking
article 200 corresponds to correct arrangement. In the present
case, the longitudinal-direction length L.sub.C from the bottom
part 175a of the holding part 175 to the position where the
pressure sensor 177 detects pressure is longer than the
longitudinal-direction length L.sub.T-A of the base-material part
200A and shorter than the longitudinal-direction length L.sub.T of
the smoking article 200. Thus, in the case that arrangement of the
smoking article 200 corresponds to correct arrangement, the suction
opening part 200B positions in the position where the pressure
sensor 177 detects pressure, as shown in FIG. 4. Accordingly, the
control unit 180 judges that arrangement of the smoking article 200
corresponds to correct arrangement, in the case that pressure
corresponding to the hardness of the suction opening part 200B is
detected by the pressure sensor 177. For example, the control unit
180 judges that arrangement of the smoking article 200 corresponds
to correct arrangement, in the case that pressure detected by the
pressure sensor 177 is equal to or greater than a predetermined
threshold value. On the other hand, the control unit 180 judges
that arrangement of the smoking article 200 does not correspond to
the correct arrangement, in the case that pressure detected by the
pressure sensor 177 is less than the predetermined threshold value.
For example, the predetermined threshold value is any value between
a pressure value corresponding to the hardness of the base-material
part 200A and a pressure value corresponding to the hardness of the
suction opening part 200B.
[0080] Regarding operation modes of the inhaler 100, the modes may
include a sleep mode, a standby mode, and heating mode. The sleep
mode is an operation mode for monitoring pressing of the power
source switch 173. The standby mode is an operation mode for
monitoring arrangement of the smoking article 200 in the holding
part 175 and monitoring judgement with respect to whether a
condition to perform heating is satisfied. The heating mode is an
operation mode for performing supplying of electric power to the
heating unit 176. If the power source switch 173 is pressed when
the operation mode of the inhaler 100 is the sleep mode, the mode
changes to the standby mode. After the mode is changed to the
standby mode, supplying of electric power from the battery 178 to
the pressure sensor 177 is started, so that the pressure sensor 177
is brought to a state wherein it can detects pressure, and the
above-explained process to specify arrangement of the smoking
article 200 is performed. It may also be possible to continue
specifying of arrangement of the smoking article 200 in the heating
mode.
[0081] Control Corresponding to Specified Arrangement
[0082] The control unit 180 controls, based on specified
arrangement of the smoking article 200, the state with respect to
supplying of electric power to the heating unit 176. In more
detail, in the case that it is specified that arrangement of the
smoking article 200 corresponds to correct arrangement, the control
unit 180 changes the state with respect to supplying of electric
power to the heating unit 176 to a state that allows supplying of
electric power to the heating unit 176. The state that allows
supplying of electric power to the heating unit 176 is a state
wherein supplying of electric power to the heating unit 176 is
performed if a predetermined condition (hereinafter, a heating
performing condition) is satisfied in the state. On the other hand,
in the case that it is specified that arrangement of the smoking
article 200 does not correspond to correct arrangement, the control
unit 180 changes the state with respect to supplying of electric
power to the heating unit 176 to a state that does not allow
supplying of electric power to the heating unit 176. The state that
does not allow supplying of electric power to the heating unit 176
is a state wherein supplying of electric power to the heating unit
176 is not performed regardless of whether the heating performing
condition is satisfied. Supplying of electric power to the heating
unit 176 is allowed only when arrangement of the smoking article
200 corresponds to correct arrangement, so that it becomes possible
to prevent occurrence of uneven heating and heating without an
object to be heated.
[0083] The heating performing condition may be occurrence of an
event that the power source switch 173 is pressed. In the above
case, the control unit 180 starts supplying of electric power to
the heating unit 176, in the case that the power source switch 173
is pressed during the state that allows supplying of electric power
to the heating unit 176. In more detail, the control unit 180 makes
the battery 178 start supplying of electric power to the heating
unit 176 to make the heating unit 176 perform heating. In the above
case, a user can enjoy a good inhalation experience, during that
uneven heating or heating without an object to be heated does not
occur, by simply pressing the power source switch 173 and without
specifically checking whether arrangement of the smoking article
200 corresponds to correct arrangement. In this regard, in the case
that the operation mode of the inhaler 100 is the sleep mode,
supplying of electric power to the heating unit 176 is started by
pressing the power source switch 173 two times. First pressing
action applied to the power source switch 173 is the action for
making the inhaler 100 return to the standby mode from the sleep
mode. Second pressing action applied to the power source switch 173
is the action for starting supplying of electric power to the
heating unit 176. It should be reminded that the power source
switch 173 is an example of an operation input part which accepts
an input relating to operation from a user, and pressing of the
power source switch 173 is an example of predetermined operation
inputted to the operation input part. Alternatively, the operation
input part may be constructed by using any input device, such as a
lever, a touch sensor, or the like, for example; and the
predetermined operation may be up and down movement of a lever or
touching on a touch sensor.
[0084] In a different example, the heating performing condition may
be occurrence of an event that an aerosol sucking action is
performed by a user. In the above case, the control unit 180 starts
supplying of electric power to the heating unit 176, in the case
that an aerosol sucking action performed by a user is detected
during the state that allows supplying of electric power to the
heating unit 176. In the above case, a user can also enjoy a good
inhalation experience, during that uneven heating or heating
without an object to be heated does not occur, by simply performing
sucking action and without specifically checking whether
arrangement of the smoking article 200 corresponds to correct
arrangement.
[0085] In a different example, the heating performing condition may
be occurrence of an event that a smoking article 200 is attached in
such a manner that arrangement thereof is correct. In the above
case, the control unit 180 starts supplying of electric power to
the heating unit 176, in the case that it is specified based on
result of detection of pressure by the pressure sensor 177 that
arrangement of the smoking article 200 corresponds to correct
arrangement. Since heating is started right after the smoking
article 200 is attached in such a manner that arrangement thereof
is correct, it becomes possible to quickly allow a user to suck
aerosol.
[0086] The control unit 180, when it has specified based on result
of detection of pressure by the pressure sensor 177 that
arrangement of the smoking article 200 does not correspond to
correct arrangement, stops supplying of electric power to the
heating unit 176, immediately or after the elapse of a
predetermined period of time, to stop hearting. As a result, it
becomes possible to prevent occurrence of uneven heating and
heating without an object to be heated, when the smoking article
200 is pulled out from the holding part 175 or the position of the
smoking article 200 is shifted by a user by mistake.
[0087] Regarding an example of control other than control of the
heating unit 176, the control unit 180 may control the notification
unit 179 to make it provide notification corresponding to specified
arrangement of the smoking article 200. For example, the control
unit 180 makes the notification unit 179 output emission light, a
display, sound, or vibration corresponding to arrangement of the
smoking article 200. In this regard, the control unit 180 may
control the notification unit 179 to make it output different
notification, according to judgment as to whether specified
arrangement of the smoking article 200 corresponds to correct
arrangement. For example, the notification unit 179 emits light
having a different emission pattern or a different color, and/or
outputs different sound, according to judgment as to whether
arrangement of the smoking article 200 corresponds to correct
arrangement. In the other example, the notification unit 179
provides notification if arrangement of the smoking article 200
corresponds to correct arrangement, and does not provide
notification if arrangement of the smoking article 200 does not
correspond to correct arrangement. In any case, a user can easily
check whether arrangement of the smoking article 200 corresponds to
correct arrangement.
[0088] (Flow of Process)
[0089] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of a flow of a
heating control process performed in the inhaler 100 according to
the present embodiment. At the time when the heating control
process relating to the above flow is started, the operation mode
of the inhaler 100 is the sleep mode. In the case that the mode is
the standby mode, the process starts from step S106.
[0090] First, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 180 monitors a
state as to whether the power source switch 173 has been pressed
(step S102). If the power source switch 173 is pressed (step
S102/YES), the control unit 180 starts supplying of electric power
from the battery 178 to the pressure sensor 177 (step S104). On the
other hand, if the power source switch 173 is not pressed (step
S102/NO), the process returns to step S102 again. After step S104,
the control unit 180 obtains result of detection of pressure by the
pressure sensor 177 (step S106). Next, the control unit 180
specifies, based on the result of detection of pressure by the
pressure sensor 177, arrangement of the smoking article 200 in the
inner space of the holding part 175 (step S108). If it is judged
that arrangement of the smoking article 200 corresponds to correct
arrangement (step S110/YES), the control unit 180 changes the state
with respect to supplying of electric power to the heating unit 176
to a state that allows supplying of electric power (step S112). On
the other hand, if it is judged that arrangement of the smoking
article 200 does not correspond to correct arrangement (step
S110/NO), the control unit 180 changes the state with respect to
supplying of electric power to the heating unit 176 to a state that
does not allow supplying of electric power (step S114). Thereafter,
the process returns to step S110 again. After step S112, the
control unit 180 judges whether the power source switch 173 has
been pressed, and whether a suction action has been detected (step
S116). If it is judged that the power source switch 173 has been
pressed or a suction action has been detected (step S116/YES), the
control unit 180 performs supplying of electric power to the
heating unit 176 to start heating of the smoking article 200 (step
S118). Thereafter, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if
it is judged that the power source switch 173 has not been pressed
and a suction action has not been detected (step S116/NO), the
process returns to step S116 again.
[0091] (Effect)
[0092] As explained above, only when arrangement of the smoking
article 200 in the holding part 175 corresponds to correct
arrangement, supplying of electric power to the heating unit 176 is
performed. That is, even if the smoking article 200 is inserted in
the holding part 175, supplying of electric power to the heating
unit 176 is not performed if arrangement of the smoking article 200
does not correspond to correct arrangement. Accordingly, occurrence
of uneven heating and heating without an object to be heated can be
prevented in a precise manner. Further, since judgment as to
whether arrangement corresponds to correct arrangement is performed
automatically by using a pressure sensor, convenience of a user can
be raised.
[0093] (Supplement)
[0094] The inhaler 100 may comprise an additional pressure sensor
positioned between the pressure sensor 177 and the heating unit 176
shown in FIG. 4. It is desirable that the longitudinal-direction
length from the bottom part 175a of the holding part 175 to the
position where the additional pressure sensor detects pressure be
shorter than the longitudinal-direction length L.sub.T-A of the
base-material part 200A. In such a case, if arrangement of the
smoking article 200 corresponds to the correct arrangement, the
base-material part 200A positions on the position where the
additional pressure sensor detects pressure. The control unit 180
specifies that arrangement of the smoking article 200 corresponds
to the correct arrangement, if pressure corresponding to hardness
of the suction opening part 200B is detected by the pressure sensor
177 and pressure corresponding to hardness of the base-material
part 200A is detected by the additional pressure sensor. Thus, in
the case that the smoking article 200 is inserted to reach an
excessively deep position so that the suction opening part 200B is
inserted to be positioned on the position of the additional sensor,
it is possible to specify that the above arrangement of the smoking
article 200 does not correspond to correct arrangement.
3. SECOND EMBODIMENT
[0095] The present embodiment has a form wherein a pressure sensor
is positioned in an upstream-side end part of a holding part, and
arrangement of a flavor component generating base-material in the
holding part is specified based on result of detection by the
pressure sensor. In the following description, explanation of parts
shared by the present embodiment and the first embodiment will be
omitted, and parts of the present embodiment different from those
of the first embodiment will be explained mainly.
[0096] (Construction Example)
[0097] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic
construction of an inhaler 100 in the state that it is holding a
smoking article 200, according to a second embodiment. As shown in
FIG. 6, the inhaler 100 according to the present embodiment
comprises components similar to those in the inhaler 100 according
to the first embodiment that has been explained with reference to
FIG. 4. In this regard, the construction of the pressure sensor 177
in the present embodiment is different from that in the first
embodiment.
[0098] The pressure sensor 177 detects pressure applied to an inner
wall of the holding part 175. In the present embodiment, the
pressure sensor 177 detects pressure applied to an inner wall which
is a part in the inner wall of the holding part 175 and is
positioned in the end part in the inserting direction. In the
example shown in FIG. 6, the pressure sensor 177 detects pressure
added to the bottom part 175a of the holding part 175. In this
regard, the bottom part 175a according to the present embodiment
may be constructed as a piston member which can move in the
inserting direction. The back side of the bottom part 175a is
provided with a columnar convex part 175b which extends in the
inserting direction. An elastic member 175c is constructed, for
example, by using a compression coil spring, which is installed to
surround the periphery of the convex part 175b, is compressed in
the inserting direction, and exerts elastic force in the
pulling-out direction. In the state that the smoking article 200
has been inserted into the holding part 175 and the tip 210a has
been brought into contact with the bottom part 175a, if the smoking
article 200 is further inserted, the bottom part 175a moves, in the
inserting direction, from an initial position. Thereafter, if the
smoking article 200 is pulled out from the holding part 175, the
bottom part 175a is pushed back in the pulling-out direction by the
elastic member 175c, and returns to the initial position. The
construction of the piston member is not limited to that shown in
FIG. 6, if movement such as that explained above can be
realized.
[0099] (Operation)
[0100] The only difference between the operation of the inhaler 100
according to the present embodiment and that in the first
embodiment resides in the process for specifying arrangement. In
the following description, the above point will be explained in
detail.
[0101] The control unit 180 according to the present embodiment
specifies that arrangement of the smoking article 200 corresponds
to correct arrangement, if pressure representing a state that the
distance of movement of the bottom part 175a in the inserting
direction has reached a predetermined threshold value is detected
by the pressure sensor 177. In an example, the pressure sensor 177
may be connected to the elastic member 175c. In such a case, the
control unit 180 specifies that arrangement of the smoking article
200 corresponds to correct arrangement, if pressure added to the
pressure sensor 177 from the elastic member 175c has reached a
predetermined threshold value. In the other example, the pressure
sensor 177 may be installed in a position where the convex part 175
is brought in contact with the pressure sensor 177 when the
distance of movement of the bottom part 175a in the inserting
direction has reached a predetermined threshold value. In such a
case, the control unit 180 specifies that arrangement of the
smoking article 200 corresponds to correct arrangement, if an event
that the convex part 175b is in contact with the pressure sensor
177 is detected. In this regard, regarding the construction for
detecting the contact state, a contact sensor may be installed in
place of the pressure sensor 177. On the other hand, the control
unit 180 specifies that arrangement of the smoking article 200 does
not correspond to correct arrangement, if pressure representing a
state that the distance of movement of the bottom part 175a in the
inserting direction has reached a predetermined threshold value is
not detected by the pressure sensor 177.
[0102] (Flow of Process)
[0103] The flow of the process in the inhaler 100 according to the
present embodiment is similar to that according to the first
embodiment.
[0104] (Effect)
[0105] According to the present embodiment, since the pressure
sensor 177 is installed in a position distant from the holding part
175, effect of heat from the heating unit 176 on the pressure
sensor 177 can be further suppressed, compared with the case of the
first embodiment. Thus, it becomes possible to further prevent
failure of the pressure sensor 177 due to heat.
4. THIRD EMBODIMENT
[0106] The present embodiment has a form wherein an elastic member
is positioned in a downstream-side end part of a holding part, and
pressure added to the elastic member is detected by a pressure
sensor. In the following description, explanation of parts shared
by the present embodiment and the first embodiment will be omitted,
and parts of the present embodiment different from those of the
first embodiment will be explained mainly.
[0107] (Construction Example)
[0108] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic
construction of an inhaler 100 in the state that it is holding a
smoking article 200, according to a third embodiment. As shown in
FIG. 7, the inhaler 100 according to the present embodiment
comprises an elastic member 181, in addition to components similar
to those in the inhaler 100 according to the first embodiment that
has been explained with reference to FIG. 4.
[0109] The elastic member 181 is installed in a position, in the
inner wall of the holding part 175, that is closer to the side of
the opening 172a than the position heated by the heating unit 176.
For example, in the downstream-side end part of the holding part
175, the elastic member 181 further protrudes from the inner wall
of the holding part 175 to the inner-space side, and is constructed
in such a manner that the inner diameter of the inner space in the
protruded part is smaller than the outer diameter of the smoking
article 200. Further, the elastic member 181 holds the smoking
article 200 by applying pressure from the periphery of the smoking
article 200 inserted into the inner space of the holding part 175.
The elastic member 181 is constructed by using any material such as
rubber, sponge, or the like, for example. According to the above
construction, positioning of the smoking article 200 can be made
easier, and shifting of arrangement of the smoking article 200 out
of correct arrangement can be prevented more strongly.
[0110] The pressure sensor 177 detects pressure applied to the
elastic member 181. For example, the pressure sensor 177 may be an
elastic gauge which detects pressure, based on deformation of the
elastic member 181. The pressure, that is applied to the elastic
member 181 when the elastic member 181 holds the smoking article
200 by applying pressure to the periphery of the smoking article
200, is detected by the pressure sensor 177. The pressure sensor
177 is also be able to detect attachment/detachment of the smoking
article 2300 to/from the inhaler 100, based on judgment as to
whether the detected pressure is equal to or greater than a
predetermined threshold value.
[0111] (Operation)
[0112] The operation of the inhaler 100 according to the present
embodiment is similar to that according to the first
embodiment.
[0113] (Flow of Process)
[0114] The flow of the process in the inhaler 100 according to the
present embodiment is similar to that according to the first
embodiment.
[0115] (Effect)
[0116] According to the present embodiment, the smoking article 200
is held by the elastic member 181. Thus, compared with the case in
the first embodiment, positioning of the smoking article 200 can be
made easier, and shifting of arrangement of the smoking article 200
out of correct arrangement can be prevented more strongly.
5. FOURTH EMBODIMENT
[0117] The present embodiment has a form wherein a plurality of
function parts is installed, and a function part which is to be
activated is selected according to specified arrangement of a
flavor component generating base-material. In the following
description, explanation of parts shared by the present embodiment
and the first embodiment will be omitted, and parts of the present
embodiment different from those of the first embodiment will be
explained mainly.
[0118] (Construction Example)
[0119] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic
construction of an inhaler 100 in the state that it is holding a
smoking article 200, according to a fourth embodiment. As shown in
FIG. 8, the inhaler 100 according to the present embodiment
comprises components similar to those in the inhaler 100 according
to the first embodiment that has been explained with reference to
FIG. 4. However, the inhaler 100 according to the present
embodiment comprises a plurality of heating units 176 (a heating
unit 176A and a heating unit 176B).
[0120] The plural heating units 176 are installed in different
positions in the longitudinal direction, respectively. For example,
the distance L.sub.H-A from the bottom part 175a of the holding
part 175 to the position where the heating unit 176A is installed
is different from the distance L.sub.H-B from the bottom part 175a
of the holding part 175 to the position where the heating unit 176B
is installed. Further, the plural heating units 176 heat, from the
different positions in the longitudinal direction, respectively,
the smoking article 200 held by the holding part 175. It should be
reminded that, although FIG. 8 shows an example wherein two heating
units 176 are installed, it may be possible to install three or
more heating units 176.
[0121] (Operation)
[0122] Specifying of Arrangement
[0123] In the present embodiment, regarding the smoking article 200
in the part from one end to the other end thereof in the
longitudinal direction, the smoking article 200 has a part having
hardness different from that of other parts. For example, the
hardness of the smoking article 200 gradually changes in the
longitudinal direction. Change in the hardness may be uniform
increase or uniform decrease. For ensuring accuracy of specifying
of arrangement of the smoking article 200 that will be explained
later, it is desirable that positions in the smoking article 200 in
the longitudinal direction have one-to-one relationship with
degrees of hardness.
[0124] The control unit 180 specifies arrangement of the smoking
article 200 in the holding part 175, by using difference in degrees
of hardness of parts in the smoking article 200 from one end to the
other end thereof in the longitudinal direction. In more detail,
the control unit 180 performs recognition with respect to the
pressure detected by the pressure sensor 177 for determining to
which specific pressure corresponding to a specific position in the
smoking article 200 in the longitudinal direction the detected
pressure corresponds. Thereafter, the control unit 180 specifies
the position of the tip 210a of the smoking article 200 in the
inner space of the holding part 175, based on the distance L.sub.I
between the position P.sub.I of the smoking article 200
corresponding to the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 177
and the tip 210a of the smoking article 200.
[0125] Control Corresponding to Specified Arrangement
[0126] The control unit 180 selects, from plural heating units 176,
a heating unit 176 to which electric power is to be supplied, based
on the specified position of the tip 210a of the smoking article
200 in the inner space of the holding part 175. In more detail, the
control unit 180 selects, from the plural heating units 176, a
heating unit 176, to which electric power is to be supplied, which
applies heat from a position closer to the side of the opening 172a
than the position of the tip 210a of the smoking article 200. For
example, the control unit 180 calculates, based on the distance
L.sub.I, a distance L.sub.R between the tip 210a of the smoking
article 200 and the bottom part 175a of the holding part 175.
Thereafter, the control unit 180 selects the heating units 176A and
176b if the distance L.sub.R is shorter than the distance
L.sub.H-B, selects the heating unit 176A if the distance L.sub.R is
equal to or longer than the distance L.sub.H-B and shorter than
L.sub.H-A, and does not select any of the heating units if the
distance L.sub.R is equal to or longer than the distance L.sub.H-A.
In the example shown in FIG. 8, the distance L.sub.R is equal to or
longer than the distance L.sub.H-B and shorter than L.sub.H-A, so
that the control unit 180 selects the heating unit 176A as that to
which electric power is to be supplied.
[0127] In this regard, after destination of supply of electric
power is selected, the state with respect to supplying of electric
power to the heating unit 176, which is selected as the destination
of supply of electric power, is changed to a state that allows
supplying of electric power. On the other hand, the state with
respect to supplying of electric power to the heating unit 176,
which is not selected as the destination of supply of electric
power, is changed to a state that does not allow supplying of
electric power.
[0128] As explained above, as result that a heating unit 176, which
applies heat from a position where the smoking article 200 is not
being inserted, in the plural hearting units 176 is not selected as
a destination of supply of electric power, occurrence of uneven
heating and heating without an object to be heated can be
prevented. Further, as a result that a heating unit 176, which
applies heat from a position where the smoking article 200 is being
inserted, in the plural hearting units 176 is selected as a
destination of supply of electric power, the smoking article 200
can be heated to generate aerosol even in the case that the smoking
article 200, although it is being inserted, does not reach the
innermost place of the holding part 175.
[0129] (Flow of Process)
[0130] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of a flow of a
heating control process performed in the inhaler 100 according to
the present embodiment. At the time when the heating control
process relating to the above flow is started, the operation mode
of the inhaler 100 is the sleep mode. In the case that the mode is
the standby mode, the process starts from step S206.
[0131] The processes relating to steps S202-206 are similar to the
processes relating to steps S102-106 explained with reference to
FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 9, after step S206, the control unit 180
specifies, based on result of detection of pressure by the pressure
sensor 177, a position of the tip 210a of the smoking article 200
in the inner space of the holding part 175 (step S208). Next, based
on the specified position of the tip 210a of the smoking article
200, the control unit 180 selects a heating unit 176, as a
destination of supply of electric power, from the plural heating
units 176 (step S210). Next, the control unit 180 changes the state
with respect to supplying of electric power to the heating unit
176, that has been selected as a destination of supply of electric
power, to a state that allows supplying of electric power (step
S212). Next, the control unit 180 judges whether the power source
switch 173 has been pressed, and whether a suction action has been
detected (step S214). If it is judged that the power source switch
173 has been pressed or a suction action has been detected (step
S214/YES), the control unit 180 performs supplying of electric
power to the heating unit 176, which has been selected as a
destination of supply of electric power, to start heating of the
smoking article 200 (step S216). Thereafter, the process is
terminated. On the other hand, if it is judged that the power
source switch 173 has not been pressed and a suction action has not
been detected (step S214/NO), the process returns to step S214
again.
[0132] It should be reminded that the above explained flow of the
process is an example, and the present invention is not limited by
the above example. For example, processes relating to steps S212
and S214 may be omitted. In such a case, the inhaler 100 selects a
heating unit 176 as a destination of supply of electric power, and,
right after selection, performs supplying of electric power to the
heating unit 176 selected as a destination of supply of electric
power.
[0133] (Effect)
[0134] According to the present embodiment, even in the case that
the smoking article 200 does not reach the innermost place of the
holding part 175 although it is being inserted into the holding
part 175, the smoking article 200 can be heated to generate aerosol
while preventing occurrence of uneven heating or heating without an
object to be heated.
6. MODIFIED EXAMPLES
6.1. First Modified Example
[0135] In each of the above embodiment, judgment as to whether
arrangement of the smoking article 100 corresponds to correct
arrangement is made based on result of detection of pressure by the
pressure sensor; however, the present invention is not limited by
the above embodiments. For example, judgment as to whether
arrangement of the smoking article 100 corresponds to correct
arrangement may be made by using a physical mechanism. In the
following description, the above point will be explained in
detail.
[0136] (Construction Example)
[0137] FIG. 10 is a figure schematically showing a procedure to
insert a smoking article 200 into an inhaler 100 according to a
first modified example. An insertion procedure proceeds in
accordance with step S302 to step S306. Step S302 shows a state
before insertion. Step S304 shows a state during an inserting
process. Step S306 shows a state after completion of insertion.
[0138] As shown in step S302, the smoking article 200 according to
the present modified example comprises, in addition to the
base-material part 200A and the suction opening part 200B, a stick
holder 200C that is installed to cover the tip 210a of the
base-material part 200A. The stick holder 200C comprises an elastic
member 211 which protrudes in a transverse direction of the smoking
article 200. In this regard, the transverse direction is a
direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, so that, for
example, if the shape of the cross section of the stick holder 200C
is circular, the transverse direction is a radial direction. The
elastic member 211 is constructed by using an elastic member such
as rubber or the like, for example, to have a columnar shape
extending in the transverse direction, and exerts elastic force in
a direction orthogonal to the transverse direction.
[0139] The holding part 175 according to the present modified
example comprises a groove part 182 along which the elastic member
211 can slide when the smoking article 200 is inserted or pulled
out. The groove part 182 is formed in the inner wall of the holding
part 175. The smoking article 200 is inserted into the holding part
175 after the position of a gate 182A of the groove part 182 formed
in the opening 172a and the position of the elastic member 211 are
aligned with each other. The elastic member 211 slides along the
inside of the groove part 182 in the inserting direction when the
smoking article 200 is inserted, and slides along the inside of the
groove part 182 in the pulling-out direction when the smoking
article 200 is pulled out. Hereinafter, the axis passing through
the gate 182A and extending in the longitudinal direction is also
referred to as a central axis 182B. As shown in FIG. 10, the groove
part 182 is bent toward the direction of the circumference of the
inner space of the holding part 175. In a section wherein position
shift d from the position of the gate 182A in the circumferential
direction (i.e., position shift from the central axis 182B in the
circumferential direction) exceeds 0, the elastic member 211 is in
a state that it is being bent in the circumferential direction and
the tip thereof slides along the inside of the groove part 182. In
the above state, the elastic member 211 exerts elastic force that
works to move it back in the direction toward the central axis
182B. The groove part 182 comprises a first end 183 (183A and 183B)
positioned in the inserting direction, and a second end 184
positioned between the first end 183 and the opening 172a and in
the pulling-out direction. Further, the inhaler 100 comprises an
elastic member 185 which exerts, to the smoking article 200,
elastic force in the pulling-out direction. The elastic member 185
is constructed by using a compression coil spring or the like, for
example.
[0140] As shown in step S304, when the smoking article 200 is
inserted in the inserting direction by a hand of a user, the
elastic member 185 is compressed while the smoking article 200 is
being inserted. At the time when the inserted smoking article 200
has reached the innermost place, the elastic member 211 reaches the
first end part 183. At that time, the position shift d.sub.1 in the
circumferential direction between the gate 128A and the first end
part 183 is large, compared with the position shift d.sub.2 in the
circumferential direction between the gate 128A and the second end
part 184. In the example shown in FIG. 10, it is shown that
d.sub.1>0 and D.sub.2=0. Thus, in the state that the elastic
member 211 has reached the first end part 183, the elastic member
211 exerts elastic force that works to move it back in the
direction toward the central axis 182B. In the above state, if a
user takes a user's hand off the smoking article 200, the elastic
member 211 attempts to move back in the direction toward the
central axis 182B, i.e., exerts elastic force that works to move it
in the direction toward the second end part 184, with respect to
which the position shift from the central axis 182B is smaller. As
a result, the elastic member 211 slides along the inside of the
groove part 182 from the first end part 183 to the second end part
184, and, by the elastic force exerted from the elastic member 185
while it is sliding, the smoking article 200 is pushed back in the
pulling out direction. Thereafter, when the elastic member 211 has
reached the second end par 184, pushing-back action in the pulling
out direction is terminated. In this regard, in the case that the
tip part, which is to be in contact with the groove part 182, of
the elastic member 211 is covered by a metal or the like, sound of
collision may be generated when the elastic member 211 (the tip
part thereof) collides, as a result of pushing-back, with the
second end part 184.
[0141] Step S306 shows a state that the elastic member 211 has been
pushed back and has reached the second end part 184. The correct
arrangement of the smoking article 200 according to the present
modified example refers to the state shown in step S306.
[0142] On the other hand, when pulling out the smoking article 200,
a user once pushes it until the elastic member 211 reaches the
first end part 183. Thereafter, the user pulls out the smoking
article 200 in such a manner that, while it is being pulled out, it
is rotated in a direction along that the elastic member 211 is
moved away from the central axis 182B. In this manner, the smoking
article 200 can be pulled out from the holding part 175.
[0143] (Effect)
[0144] According to the present modified example, a user inserts
the smoking article 200 in the inserting direction by a user's
hand, and, thereafter, can recognize that arrangement of the
smoking article 200 corresponds to correct arrangement, when action
that the elastic member 211 is pushed back until it reaches the
second end part 184 is completed. More simply, a user can also
recognize that arrangement of the smoking article 200 corresponds
to correct arrangement, by hearing sound of collision between the
elastic member 211 and the second end part 184. Further, according
to the present modified example, it becomes possible to prevent
unsatisfactory insertion of the smoking article 200, so that
occurrence of uneven heating and heating without an object to be
heated can be prevented.
[0145] (Supplement 1)
[0146] It should be reminded that the inhaler 100 according to the
present modified example may comprise a pressure sensor 177. For
example, the pressure sensor 177 may be installed in a manner
explained in relation to each of the above embodiments, and
arrangement of the smoking article 200 may be specified thereby. In
the other example, a pressure sensor 177 may be installed in the
second end part 184, and arrangement of the smoking article 200 may
be specified based on result as to whether the state that the
elastic member 211 has reached the second end part 184 is detected
by the pressure sensor 177. Further, a process corresponding to
specified arrangement of the smoking article 200 may be
performed.
[0147] (Supplement 2)
[0148] Further, although an example in which the stick holder 200C
is installed on the smoking article 200 is illustrated in FIG. 10,
the present invention is not limited by the above example. For
example, the stick holder 200C may not be installed on the smoking
article 200, and may be installed, in the inhaler 100, as a sliding
member which slides in the inner space of the holding part 175.
Such a sliding member is installed in the inner space of the
holding part 175 in such a manner that it can slide, along an inner
wall of the holding part 175, in the inner space of the holding
part 175. Similar to the stick holder 200C shown in FIG. 10, the
sliding member comprises an elastic member 211 protruding in the
transverse direction in the inner space of the holding part 175. In
this regard, the transverse direction is a direction orthogonal to
the longitudinal direction, so that, for example, if the shape of
the cross section of the inner space of the holding part 175 is
circular, the transverse direction is a radial direction.
[0149] Other constructions are similar to those shown in FIG. 10.
For example, the holding part 175 comprises a groove part 182 along
which the elastic member 211 can slide when the sliding member
slides. The sliding member slides in the inner space of the holding
part 175 in the inserting direction or the pulling-out direction
when the smoking article 200 is inserted or pulled out. In
conjunction with the above sliding, the elastic member 200 slides
along the inside of the groove part 182 in the inserting direction
when the smoking article 200 is inserted, and slides along the
inside of the groove part 182 in the pulling-out direction when the
smoking article 200 is pulled out. The groove part 182 comprises a
first end 183 and a second end 184. Further, the inhaler 100
comprises an elastic member 185 which exerts, to the sliding
member, elastic force in the pulling-out direction.
[0150] The inserting/pulling-out procedure for
inserting/pulling-out the smoking article into/from the inhaler 100
is also similar to that explained above with reference to FIG. 10.
However, in the inserting procedure, the smoking article 200 is
inserted into the holding part 175 in such a manner that the
sliding member is pushed by the tip of the smoking article 200 and
the sliding member slides in the inserting direction. A user can
insert the smoking article 200 with sliding movement of the sliding
member in the inserting direction. On the other hand, in the
pulling-out procedure, the elastic member 185 exerts elastic force
in the pulling-out direction, that is applied to the sliding
member, to push the sliding member back to a position in the
pulling-out direction in the holding part 175. In relation to the
above action, the user can pull out the smoking article 200 from
the holding part 175.
[0151] According to the present construction, since it is
unnecessary for the smoking article 200 to have the stick holder
200C, the cost required for manufacturing the smoking article 200
can be reduced, compared with that in the case of the construction
in which the smoking article 200 has the stick holder 200C.
6.1. Second Modified Example
[0152] Regarding each of the above embodiments, although an example
in which the smoking article 200 is inserted from the opening 172a
into the inner space of the holding part 175 has been explained,
the present invention is not limited by the above example. In the
following description, the other example will be explained.
[0153] (Construction Example)
[0154] FIG. 11 is a figure showing a schematic construction example
of an inhaler 100 according to a second modified example. As shown
in FIG. 11, the holding part 175 according to the present modified
example comprises a first housing 190A and a second housing 190B
which can be separated from or coupled to each other. For example,
the first housing 190A is coupled to the second housing 190B via a
rotation axis 191, and can be rotated about the rotation axis 191
as the center of rotation. Thus, the first housing 190A and the
second housing 190B are separated by rotating them in a direction
for separating them from each other, and are coupled with each
other by rotating them until they are brought to be in contact with
each other. It should be reminded that, in FIG. 11, illustration of
the constructions of the heating unit 176 and so on are
omitted.
[0155] For inserting the smoking article 200 into the inhaler 100,
first, the first housing 190A and the second housing 190B are
brought to a state wherein they are separated from each other, and
the smoking article 200 is put in a groove part 192 in the second
housing 190B. While maintaining the above state, the first housing
190A is rotated until it is brought to be in contact with the
second housing 190B, and is fixed during the contact state, and, as
a result, the first housing 190A and the second housing 190B are
coupled with each other. The holding part 175 holds the smoking
article 200 between the first housing 190A and the second housing
190B which are in a state that they are being coupled with each
other. For example, a pressure sensor 177 is installed in the
groove part 192 in the second housing 190B, and detects pressure
applied thereto when the smoking article 200 is held between the
housings.
[0156] (Supplement)
[0157] It should be reminded that arrangement of the smoking
article 200 may be specified based on result of detection by the
pressure sensor and by using the method explained in relation to
each of the above embodiments. Further, a process corresponding to
specified arrangement of the smoking article 200 may be
performed.
7. CONCLUSION
[0158] Embodiments of the present invention have been explained in
detail with reference to FIGS. 1-11. As explained above, according
to each embodiment, the inhaler 100 comprises a holding part for
holding the smoking article 200 in the internal space, and a
pressure sensor 177 for detecting pressure applied to the inner
wall of the holding part 175. Further, the inhaler 100 specifies,
based on result of detection by the pressure sensor 177,
arrangement of the smoking article 200 in the holding part 175. In
addition to judgment as to whether the smoking article 200 has been
inserted into the holding part 175, the inhaler 100 can specify
whether arrangement of the smoking article 200 in the holding part
175 corresponds to correct arrangement. Further, since the pressure
sensor 177 is not affected by ambient light, accuracy of detection
can be improved, compared with the case that a light sensor is
used.
[0159] In the above description, preferred embodiments of the
present invention have been explained in detail with reference to
the attached figures; however, the present invention is not limited
by the examples explained above. It is obvious to a person, who has
ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present
invention pertains, that it is possible to conceive of various
kinds of modified examples or rectified examples within the scope
of the technical idea disclosed in the claims; and it is understood
that they are also those pertaining to the scope of the technique
of the present invention.
[0160] For example, regarding each of the above embodiments, it has
been explained that arrangement of the smoking article 200 in the
holding part 175 refers to arrangement of the smoking article 200
inserted into the inner space of the holding part 175 in the
longitudinal direction; however, the present invention is not
limited to the above example. For example, arrangement of the
smoking article 200 in the holding part 175 may refer to an angle
of the smoking article 200 inserted into the inner space of the
holding part 175. In this regard, the angle of the smoking article
200 is an angle formed between an axis in the longitudinal
direction of the inhaler 100 and an axis in the longitudinal
direction of the smoking article. For example, plural pressure
sensors 177 are installed side by side in the longitudinal
direction in the inner wall of the holding part 175, and the angel
of the smoking article 200 is specified based on a slope with
respect to values of pressure detected by the plural pressure
sensors 177.
[0161] Further, each of the above-explained embodiments may be
combined with the other embodiment in an appropriate manner. For
example, the first embodiment may be combined with the second
embodiment. In such a case, pressure sensors are installed in both
the downstream-side end part and the upstream-side end part of the
holding part, and arrangement of the flavor component generating
base-material in the holding part is specified based on result of
detection by these pressure sensors. In the above case, accuracy
with respect to specifying of arrangement of the flavor component
generating base-material can be improved, compared with the case
wherein one of the pressure sensors only is installed.
[0162] It should be reminded that the inhaled 100 explained in this
specification may be realized as a single device, or a device
comprising a different device as a component thereof or comprising
different devices as components constituting the device. For
example, in the functional constructions in the inhaler 100
explained with reference to FIG. 4 and so on, the control unit 180
may be installed in a control device, that is for the inhaler 100,
in a smart phone, a server, of the like which is connected to the
inhaler 100 via a network or the like. In the above case, the
inhaler 100 transmits result of detection by the pressure sensor
177 to the control device. Next, the control device specifies
arrangement of the smoking article 200 based on the result of
detection by the pressure sensor 177, generates control information
(for example, an instruction to start heating by the heating unit
176) corresponding to the specified arrangement, and transmits the
generated control information to the inhaler 100. Thereafter, the
inhaler 100 performs a process instructed in the control
information received from the control device.
[0163] It should be reminded that the series of processes performed
by the respective devices explained in the present specification
may be realized by using any one of software, hardware, and a
combination of software and hardware. Programs, that are components
of the software, are stored in advance in a storage medium (a
non-transitory medium: a non-transitory media) implemented in the
inside or the outside of the respective devices, for example.
Further, for example, each program is read into a RAM when a
computer is operated, and is executed by a processor such as a CPU.
The above storage medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an
optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, or the like.
Further, the above-explained computer program may be delivered via
a network without using a storage medium, for example.
[0164] Further, the processes explained by using each of the flow
charts and sequence diagrams in the present specification may not
necessarily be performed in the illustrated order. Some processing
steps may be performed in a parallel manner. Further, an additional
processing step may be adopted, and some processing steps may be
omitted.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0165] 100 Suction device [0166] 171 Housing [0167] 171A Top
housing [0168] 171B Bottom housing [0169] 172 Cover [0170] 172a
Opening [0171] 173 Power source switch [0172] 174 Lid part [0173]
175 Holding part [0174] 175a Bottom part [0175] 175b Convex part
[0176] 175c Elastic member [0177] 176 Heating unit [0178] 177
Pressure sensor [0179] 178 Battery [0180] 179 Notification unit
[0181] 180 Control unit [0182] 181 Elastic member [0183] 182 Groove
part [0184] 182A Gate [0185] 182B Central axis [0186] 183 First end
part [0187] 184 Second end part [0188] 185 Elastic member [0189]
190A First housing [0190] 190B Second housing [0191] 191 Rotation
axis [0192] 192 Groove part [0193] 200 Smoking article [0194] 200A
Base-material part [0195] 200B Suction opening part [0196] 201
Filling article [0197] 202 First rolling paper [0198] 203 Second
rolling paper [0199] 204 Paper tube part [0200] 205 Filter part
[0201] 206 Hollow segment part [0202] 210a Tip [0203] 210b Rear end
[0204] 211 Elastic member
* * * * *