AEROSPENSION AND ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE WITH IT

Description

[0001] The disclosure relates to an atomizer and an electronic cigarette comprising the same.

[0002] In conventional atomizers, when the atomized e-liquid cools down, it condenses into e-liquid and accumulates in the air channel. The condensed e-liquid easily flows through the air inlet or the air channel, and leaks outside the atomizer, thus bringing bad user experience and shortening the service life of the atomizer. E-liquid accumulation in the air channel is seen, for example, in devices described in CN 211129739 U, CN 110495648 A, WO 2020 / 224590 A1, WO 2021 / 086449 A1, CN 111772238 A, and EP 2460422 A1.

[0003] The first objective of the disclosure is to provide an atomizer; the atomizer comprises a housing comprising an e-liquid chamber for storing an e-liquid, an e-liquid seal member for sealing the e-liquid chamber, a fixing member for fixing the e-liquid seal member, and a heating assembly for atomizing the e-liquid. The housing comprises a top end having a mouthpiece, and a bottom end distal from the mouthpiece. The e-liquid seal member comprises an inner wall, an atomizing channel confined by the inner wall, and a protrusion protruding out from the inner wall and extending into the atomizing channel. The protrusion is in the shape of a reversed oval funnel; a concave groove is confined by the protrusion and the inner wall, and the concave groove functions as a first e-liquid collector. The fixing member comprises a recess portion functions as a second e-liquid collector. The e-liquid seal member and the fixing member are disposed on the bottom end of the housing; the e-liquid seal member is disposed adjacent to the e-liquid chamber; and the fixing member is disposed under and connected to the e-liquid seal member. The heating assembly is disposed within the atomizing channel, and the protrusion extends towards the heating assembly. The first e-liquid collector and the second e-liquid collector are disposed under the heating assembly. The first e-liquid collector is configured to store condensed e-liquid; and the second e-liquid collector is configured to store the condensed e-liquid overflowing out of the first e-liquid collector. The first e-liquid collector is disposed near the heating assembly. The protrusion is disposed under the heating assembly and the fixing member is disposed under the protrusion, whereby the concave groove is disposed under the heating assembly and the recess portion is disposed under the concave groove. The concave groove has a top opening facing towards the heating assembly, and the recess portion has a top opening facing towards the protrusion. The protrusion is disposed on the recess portion to ensure that the condensed e-liquid flows down the protrusion into the recess portion.

[0004] In a class of this embodiment, a cross-section of the protrusion along the central axis of the e-liquid seal member comprises two protrusion portions, and the two protrusion portions are separately in the shape of a hook.

[0005] In a class of this embodiment, the top end of the housing comprises an open end away from the e-liquid seal member and functioning as the mouthpiece; the housing further comprises an air conduction tube communicating with the open end and the atomizing channel; the e-liquid chamber is defined by the e-liquid seal member, the air conduction tube, and the housing.

[0006] In a class of this embodiment, the heating assembly comprises an e-liquid absorption member and a heating element disposed on the e-liquid absorption member; and the air conduction tube abuts against the e-liquid absorption member. The heating assembly further comprises two grooves disposed oppositely to each other on the inner wall of the atomizing channel; both ends of the e-liquid absorption member are disposed on the two grooves, respectively. The two protrusion portions on the cross-section of the protrusion along the central axis of the e-liquid seal member are disposed oppositely to each other. The two grooves are separately in the shape of "U"; the heating assembly is horizontally disposed on the two grooves.

[0007] In a class of this embodiment, the top opening of the recess portion is defined by a top edge and the top edge abuts against both ends of the e-liquid seal member; a through hole is formed in the center of the protrusion and communicates with the top opening of the recess portion, thus concentrating the flow of the condensed e-liquid into the recess portion

[0008] In a class of this embodiment, the e-liquid seal member comprises an e-liquid guide part disposed on a side or bottom portion of an outside wall of the concave portion and extending into the recess portion; the fixing member comprises an air inlet covered by the e-liquid guide part; the e-liquid guide part is configured to conduct the e-liquid into the recess portion and prevent the e-liquid from flowing through the air inlet out of the atomizer.

[0009] The second objective of the disclosure is to provide an electronic cigarette; the electronic cigarette comprises the atomizer and a battery assembly.

[0010] The following advantages of the disclosure are associated with the atomizer and the electronic cigarette of the disclosure: the atomizer comprises the first e-liquid collector and the second e-liquid collector, both of which are configured to prevent leakage of the e-liquid; the heating assembly is disposed near the first e-liquid collector so as to atomize the e-liquid in the first e-liquid collector, thereby improving utilization of the e-liquid and prolonging atomizer life. FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an atomizer according to one embodiment of the disclosure; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an atomizer according to one embodiment of the disclosure; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an atomizer according to one embodiment of the disclosure; and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view including arrows showing the flow direction of condensed e-liquid in an atomizer according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0011] In the drawings, the following reference numbers are used: 1. Housing; 2. E-liquid seal member; 3. Heating assembly; 4. Seal ring; 5. Fixing member; 6. First electrode; 7. Second electrode; 101. Mouthpiece; 102. Air conduction channel; 103. Air conduction tube; 104. E-liquid chamber; 201. Atomizing channel; 202. Concave groove 203. Protrusion; 204. E-liquid guide part; 501. Recess portion; and 502. Air inlet.

[0012] An electronic cigarette comprises an atomizer and a battery assembly; the atomizer is formed integrally with, fixedly connected to, or detachably connected to the battery assembly.

[0013] The atomizer comprises a housing 1, a first e-liquid collector, and a second e-liquid collector. An e-liquid chamber 104 is formed in the housing 1 and the housing 1 comprises an air conduction channel 102 disposed in the e-liquid chamber 104. The first e-liquid collector and the second e-liquid collector are disposed under the air conduction channel 102 to collect the condensed e-liquid. The condensed e-liquid first fills up the first e-liquid collector and then flows into the second e-liquid collector, which prevent leakage of the e-liquid, thereby improving utilization of the e-liquid.

[0014] Both the first e-liquid collector and the second e-liquid collector are in the form of a concave portion 202 or a recess portion 501, so that the condensed e-liquid can easily flow into the first and second e-liquid collectors.

[0015] The housing 1 further comprises an air conduction tube 103 that allows vapor or smoke to flow through. The air conduction tube 103 is disposed in the housing 1 and comprises a hollow column functioning as the air conduction channel 102.

[0016] The housing 1 comprises an open end functioning as a mouthpiece 101. The mouthpiece 101 communicates with the air conduction channel 102.

[0017] The atomizer further comprises a heating assembly 3 and an e-liquid seal member 2. The e-liquid seal member 2 is disposed in the housing 1 to seal the e-liquid chamber 104. The e-liquid member 2 comprises an atomizing channel 201 and the heating assembly 3 is disposed in the atomizing channel 201 to absorb and atomize the e-liquid. The heating assembly 3 comprises an e-liquid absorption member and a heating element. The e-liquid-absorbing member comprises an e-liquid-absorbing cotton, or an e-liquid-absorbing cloth. The heating element comprises a metal body member, or a ceramic body member provided with a metal conductive wire. The heating assembly 3 can refer to the e-liquid-absorbing cotton wound with the metal conductive wire, the e-liquid-absorbing cotton wrapped in the metal or ceramic body member, and the metal or ceramic body member wound with an e-liquid cord. The heating assembly 3 is configured to atomize the e-liquid and vegetable oil in the e-liquid chamber 104.

[0018] The air conduction tube 103 comprises a distal end away from the mouthpiece 101 and the distal end is disposed in the atomizing channel 201 to prevent leakage of e-liquid vapor or smoke. The e-liquid seal member 2 comprises silica gel, latex, rubber, etc., which are soft, has a large deformation coefficient, and achieves a good sealing effect.

[0019] The e-liquid seal member 2 comprises a first end comprising a protrusion 203. The protrusion 203 extends into the atomizing channel 201 and a concave groove 202 is defined by outer wall of the protrusion 203 and an inner wall of the atomizing channel 201.

[0020] The first end of the e-liquid seal member 2 further comprises at least one e-liquid guide part 204 extending downward into the second e-liquid collector. Excess e-liquid overflows out of the first e-liquid collector down the at least one e-liquid guide part 204 into the second e-liquid collector, which prevents the condensed e-liquid from flowing into an airflow channel.

[0021] The atomizer further comprises a fixing member 5, a first electrode 6, and a second electrode 7. The housing 1 further comprises a distal end portion away from the mouthpiece 101 and the fixing member 5 is disposed in the distal end portion. The air inlet 502, the first electrode 6, and the second electrode 7 are disposed on one end of the fixing member 5. Both the first electrode 6 and the second electrode 7 separately comprise a conductive material for making electrical connection to positive and negative pins of the heating element, thereby allowing the heating element to produce heat for atomization. The e-liquid guide part 204 can prevent the condensed e-liquid from flowing into the air inlet 502

[0022] Another end of the fixing member 5 is connected to the first end of the e-liquid seal member 2. The recess portion 501 is disposed in the fixing member 5 and configured to function as the second e-liquid collector. The protrusion 203 is disposed on the recess portion 501 and a gap (a through hole) is formed in the center of the protrusion 203, so that the atomizing channel 201 communicates with the recess portion 501. The at least one e-liquid guide part 204 is disposed in the recess portion 501. Excess e-liquid overflows out of the first e-liquid collector, through the gap, down the at least one e-liquid guide part 204, and into the second e-liquid collector.

[0023] The atomizer further comprises a seal ring 4 disposed between the fixing member 5 and the housing 1.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in certain embodiments, an atomizer comprises the housing 1, the e-liquid seal member 2, the heating assembly 3, the seal ring 4, the fixing member 5, the first electrode 6, and the second electrode 7. The e-liquid chamber 104 is formed in the housing 1. The e-liquid seal member 2 is disposed in the housing 1 to prevent the e-liquid from leaking out of the e-liquid chamber 104. The housing 1 comprises the air conduction tube 103 for air conduction and emission. The housing 1 further comprises the open end functioning as the mouthpiece 101. The air conduction tube 103 is disposed in the housing 1 and comprises a hollow column as the air conduction channel 102. The mouthpiece 101 communicates with the air conduction channel 102. The air conduction tube 103 comprises the distal end away from the mouthpiece 101 and the distal end is disposed in the atomizing channel 201 to prevent leakage of e-cigarette vapor or smoke. The heating assembly 3 is disposed in the atomizing channel 201 to atomize the e-liquid. The e-liquid seal member 2 comprises a first end comprising the protrusion 203. The protrusion 203 extends into the atomizing channel 201 and the concave groove 202 is defined by the outer wall of the protrusion 203 and the inner wall of the atomizing channel 201. The first end of the e-liquid seal member 2 further comprises the at least one e-liquid guide part 204 extending downward into the second e-liquid collector. Excess e-liquid overflows out of the concave groove 202 and enters the recess portion 501 via the at least one e-liquid guide part 204, which prevents the condensed e-liquid from flowing into the airflow channel and the air inlet 502. The fixing member 5 is disposed in the bottom of the housing 1 to support the e-liquid seal member 2 and limit change in position of the e-liquid seal member 2. The air inlet 502, the first electrode 6, and the second electrode 7 are disposed on one end of the fixing member 5. Both the first electrode 6 and the second electrode 7 separately comprise a conductive material for making electrical connection to positive and negative pins of the heating element, thereby allowing the heating element to produce heat. Another end of the fixing member 5 is connected to the first end of the e-liquid seal member 2. The protrusion 203 is disposed on the recess portion 501 and the gap is formed in the center of the protrusion 203, so that the atomizing channel 201 communicates with the recess portion 501. The at least one e-liquid guide part 204 is disposed in the recess portion 501. Excess e-liquid overflows out of the concave groove 202, through the gap, down the at least one e-liquid guide part 204, and into the recess portion 501, thereby prevent leakage of the e-liquid. The seal ring 4 is disposed between the fixing member 5 and the housing 1 to enhance the leak resistance of the atomizer.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view including arrows showing the flow direction of the condensed e-liquid in the atomizer. When the e-cigarette vapor cools down, it condenses into the e-liquid and flows along the inner wall of the atomizing channel 201 into the concave portion 202. Excess e-liquid overflows out of the concave portion 202 down the e-liquid guide part 204 into the recess portion 501, thereby prevent leakage of the condensed-e-liquid.

Claims

1. An atomizer, comprising: a housing (1) comprising a top end having a mouthpiece (101), a bottom end, and an e-liquid chamber (104) for storing an e-liquid; an e-liquid seal member (2) for sealing the e-liquid chamber (104), the e-liquid seal member (2) comprising an inner wall and an atomizing channel (201) confined by the inner wall; a fixing member (5) for fixing the e-liquid seal member (2); and a heating assembly (3) for atomizing the e-liquid; wherein: the e-liquid seal member (2) and the fixing member (5) are disposed on the bottom end of the housing (1); the e-liquid seal member (2) is disposed adjacent to the e-liquid chamber (104); the fixing member (5) is disposed under and connected to the e-liquid seal member (2); the heating assembly (3) is disposed within the atomizing channel (201); the e-liquid seal member (2) comprises a protrusion (203) protruding out from the inner wall, characterized in that: the protrusion (203) extends into the atomizing channel (201) and towards the heating assembly (3) to form a concave groove (202); wherein the protrusion (203) is in the shape of a reversed oval funnel; the concave groove (202) is confined by the protrusion (203) and the inner wall, and the concave groove (202) has a top opening facing towards the heating assembly (3); the fixing member (5) comprises a recess portion (501) having a top opening facing towards the protrusion (203); the protrusion (203) is disposed under the heating assembly (3), and the fixing member (5) is disposed under the protrusion (203), whereby the concave groove (202) is disposed under the heating assembly (3) and the recess portion (501) is disposed under the concave groove (202); the concave groove (202) and the recess portion (501) are adapted to collect and store the condensed e-liquid; the concave groove (202) is adapted to function as a first e-liquid collector; the recess portion (501) is adapted to function as a second e-liquid collector; and the protrusion (203) is disposed above the recess portion (501) to ensure that the condensed e-liquid flows down the protrusion (203) into the recess portion (501).

2. The atomizer of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the protrusion (203) along the central axis of the e-liquid seal member (2) comprises two protrusion portions, each of the two protrusion portions is in the shape of a hook.

3. The atomizer of claim 2, wherein the housing (1) further comprises an air conduction tube (103) communicating with the mouthpiece (101) and the atomizing channel (201); the e-liquid chamber (104) is defined by the e-liquid seal member (2), the air conduction tube (103), and the housing (1).

4. The atomizer of claim 3, wherein the heating assembly (3) comprises an e-liquid absorption member and a heating element disposed on the e-liquid absorption member; and the air conduction tube (103) abuts against the e-liquid absorption member; and the heating assembly (3) further comprises two grooves disposed oppositely to each other on the inner wall; two ends of the e-liquid absorption member are disposed on the two grooves, respectively; the two protrusion portions on the cross-section of the protrusion (203) are disposed oppositely to each other5. The atomizer of claim 1, wherein the top opening of the recess portion (501) is defined by a top edge and the top edge abuts against the e-liquid seal member (2);a through hole is formed in the center of the protrusion (203) and communicates with the top opening of the recess portion (501).

6. The atomizer of claim 1, wherein the e-liquid seal member (2) comprises an e-liquid guide part (204) disposed on a side or bottom portion of an outside wall of the concave groove (202) and extending into the recess portion (501); the fixing member (5) comprises an air inlet (502) covered by the e-liquid guide part (204).

7. An electronic cigarette, comprising the atomizer of any one of claims 1-6 and a battery assembly.