Aerosol generation apparatus

The aerosol generation apparatus provides tactile and auditory feedback through deformable feedback members to ensure accurate atomizer selection and activation, addressing the lack of feedback in existing systems.

GB2700439APending Publication Date: 2026-02-04SHENZHEN FIRST UNION TECH CO LTD
View PDF 2 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
GB2025003236
Authority / Receiving Office
GB · GB
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-03-06
Filing Date
2025-03-06
Publication Date
2026-02-04

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing aerosol generation apparatuses lack feedback mechanisms to inform users which atomizer is being activated during rotation, leading to uncertainty in selecting the correct atomizer for use.

Method used

Incorporation of a positioning member with a first and second feedback member that elastically deform to provide tactile and auditory feedback when aligned, indicating the selection of an atomizer, and ensuring electrical connection to only one atomizer at a time.

Benefits of technology

Enables users to accurately select and activate the desired atomizer through tactile and auditory feedback, enhancing user experience and ensuring efficient operation.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
    Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

An aerosol generation apparatus including a first assembly (2, Fig. 1) having a first feedback member 22, and a second assembly (1, Fig. 1) rotatably connected to the first assembly (2, Fig. 1) about
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of this application relate to the field of aerosol generation technologies, and in particular, to an aerosol generation apparatus. BACKGROUND An aerosol generation apparatus is an apparatus that can atomize a liquid preparation to form an aerosol. However, in some exemplary existing technologies, there is an aerosol generation apparatus that includes a plurality of selectively usable atomizers. For example, a typical aerosol generation apparatus includes a power supply assembly and an atomizing assembly provided with a plurality of atomizers. The atomizing assembly rotates relative to the power supply assembly, to cause one of the atomizers of the atomizing assembly to be electrically connected to an output electrode of the power supply assembly, so that the atomizer can be activated and generate an aerosol. However, during rotation to switch to an atomizer that can be activated, the lack of feedback prevents a user from clearly knowing whether the next atomizer has been rotated to the position where it can be activated. SUMMARY An objective of this application is to provide an aerosol generation apparatus with a positioning member, to provide a feedback that at least one atomizer can be activated. An aerosol generation apparatus according to an embodiment of this application includes: a first assembly including a first feedback member; and a second assembly rotatably connected to the first assembly about an axis in a first direction, where the second assembly includes a second feedback member and a plurality of atomizers, and the atomizers and the first assembly are arranged in the first direction, where during relative rotation of the first assembly and the second assembly, relative positions of the first feedback member and the second feedback member are changeable, at least one of the first feedback member and the second feedback member is elastically deformable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and when the first feedback member is positionally aligned with the second feedback member, a feedback can be provided to a user through the elastic deformation, to indicate that at least one atomizer of the second assembly is selected by an operation. In an example, the first assembly includes a first holding member, the second assembly includes a second holding member, one of the first holding member and the second holding member includes an annular wall, the other includes a protruding portion, and the annular wall surrounds a periphery of at least a portion of the protruding portion; one of the first feedback member and the second feedback member includes a groove provided in an inner side surface of the annular wall, and the other includes an embedded portion at least partially exposed on an outer side surface of the protruding portion; and when the first feedback member is positionally aligned with the second feedback member, at least a portion of the embedded portion is located in the groove. In an example, the annular wall has an open first end portion, and the first end portion is configured to insert the protruding portion into the annular wall; and the groove extends parallel to the first direction to the first end portion or to be adjacent to the first end portion, and during insertion of at least a portion of the protruding portion into the annular wall, the embedded portion is slidable along the groove. In an example, the first assembly has a first alignment mark at least partially exposed, the second assembly has a second alignment mark at least partially exposed, and when the first alignment mark is aligned with the second alignment mark, the embedded portion at least partially falls into the groove. In an example, at least a portion of the first holding member is exposed and is provided with the first alignment mark, and at least a portion of the second holding member is exposed and is provided with the second alignment mark. In an example, the inner side surface of the annular wall includes a guiding inclined surface, the groove extends to the guiding inclined surface, and the guiding inclined surface is arranged adjacent to the first end portion. In an example, a number of the grooves is equal to a number of the atomizers, and the plurality of grooves are in a one-to-one correspondence and association with the plurality of the atomizers. In an example, the embedded portion includes a spherical ball, and during the relative rotation of the first assembly and the second assembly, the spherical ball is in rolling connection with the annular wall. In an example, a first electrode group is fixed to the first holding member, and when the first feedback member is positionally aligned with the second feedback member, the first electrode group is electrically connected to only one of the atomizers. In an example, at least a portion of the first electrode group is surrounded by the annular wall. In an example, the aerosol generation apparatus further includes a mouthpiece and a connecting shaft, where the connecting shaft connects the mouthpiece to the first assembly to link the mouthpiece and the first assembly, and when the first feedback member is positionally aligned with the second feedback member, the mouthpiece is in fluid communication with only one of the atomizers. In an example, an air hole in fluid communication with the outside is provided in the first holding member, and when the first feedback member is positionally aligned with the second feedback member, the air hole is in fluid communication with one of the atomizers. In an example, the first feedback member further includes an elastic portion hidden inside the protruding portion, and the elastic portion elastically abuts against the embedded portion during the relative rotation of the first assembly and the second assembly. In the aerosol generation apparatus, the first assembly is rotatably connected to the second assembly about the axis in the first direction. The first assembly includes the first feedback member, and the second assembly includes the second feedback member and the plurality of atomizers. The atomizers and the first assembly are arranged in the first direction. During the relative rotation of the first assembly and the second assembly, relative positions of the first feedback member and the second feedback member are changeable, and at least one of the first feedback member and the second feedback member can be elastically deformed in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction. When the first feedback member is positionally aligned with the second feedback member, a feedback that at least one atomizer of the second assembly is selected by an operation can be provided to a user through the elastic deformation, and based on the feedback, the user can stop the second assembly from continuing rotating relative to the first assembly, thereby facilitating use by the user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To describe the technical solutions of specific embodiments of this application or in the existing technologies more clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings required for describing the specific embodiments or the existing technologies. In all the accompanying drawings, similar elements or parts are generally identified by using similar reference numerals. In the accompanying drawings, various elements or parts are not necessarily drawn to actual scale. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generation apparatus according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an aerosol generation apparatus according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of combination of a second assembly and a mouthpiece according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a second holding member according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a first assembly according to an embodiment of this application; and FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a first holding member according to an embodiment of this application. In the figures: 1. Second assembly; 11. Atomizer; 111. Liquid cup; 112. Atomization core; 113. First air channel; 114. Second electrode group; 12. Second holding member; 121. Annular wall; 1211. First end portion; 1212. Guiding inclined surface; 122. Separating plate; 123. Central tube; 124. Protruding edge; 13. Second housing; 131. Window; 14. Second feedback member; 141. Groove; 15. Second alignment mark; 16. Air inlet hole; 2. First assembly; 21. First holding member; 211. Protruding portion; 2111. Accommodation groove; 212. Supporting table; 22. First feedback member; 221. Embedded portion; 222. Elastic portion; 23. First alignment mark; 24. Flexible member; 25. Air hole; 26. First housing; 3. Mouthpiece; 4. First electrode group; 5. Connecting shaft. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application are clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application. Clearly, the described embodiments are merely some rather than all of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of this application. The terms "first", "second", and "third" in this application are merely intended for a purpose of description, and shall not be understood as indicating or implying relative significance or implicitly indicating the number or order of indicated technical features. All directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear) in the embodiments of this application are only used for explaining relative position relationships, or movement situations, or the like between components in a specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indications correspondingly change. In addition, the terms "include", "have", and any variant thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, and instead, further optionally includes a step or unit that is not listed, or further optionally includes another step or unit that is intrinsic to the process, method, product, or device. "Embodiment" mentioned herein means that specific features, structures, or characteristics described with reference to the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The phrase appearing at various locations in the specification unnecessarily indicates a same embodiment or an independent or alternative embodiment exclusive to another embodiment. A person skilled in the art explicitly or implicitly understands that the embodiments described in the specification may be combined with other embodiments. It should be noted that, when an element is referred to as "being fixed to" another element, the element may be directly on another element, or an intervening element may be present. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, the element may be directly connected to the another element, or one or more intervening elements may exist between the element and the another element at the same time. The terms "perpendicular", "horizontal", "left", and "right", and similar expressions used herein are only for the purpose of description but not indicate a unique implementation. Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, an embodiment of this application provides an aerosol generation apparatus. The aerosol generation apparatus includes a first assembly 2 and a second assembly 1, where the second assembly 1 includes a plurality of atomizers 11. As shown in this application, "a plurality of refers to two or more. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the second assembly 1 includes a total of four atomizers 11, and the four atomizers 11 are arranged in an array. At least two of the plurality of atomizers 11 may be configured to accommodate different liquid substrates. Different liquid substrates include liquid substrates with different flavors or liquid substrates with different ingredients and proportions. Certainly, in some embodiments, all atomizers 11 may contain the same liquid substrate. The liquid substrate may include a liquid containing a tobacco substance containing a volatile tobacco flavor ingredient, and may alternatively be a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance. The liquid substrate may include water, a medicinal solution, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, a flavoring agent, an aromatic agent, a vitamin mixture, or the like. The flavoring agent may include an areca nut extract, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruity aroma ingredients, and the like, but is not limited thereto. The aromatic agent may include ingredients that can provide various scents or flavors to the user. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture in which at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E is mixed, but is not limited thereto. Based on different attributes of the liquid substrate, the aerosol generation apparatus may be used in different fields, such as medical treatment and electronic aerosol atomization. The atomizer 11 includes a liquid cup 111 configured to contain a liquid substrate and an atomization core 112 in fluid communication with the liquid cup 111, and the atomization core 112 is configured to atomize the liquid substrate, so that the liquid substrate generates an aerosol. The atomization core 112 may include a liquid absorbing element and a heating element. The liquid absorbing element may be a porous body or a fiber, can absorb the liquid substrate, and can guide the liquid substrate into an atomization range of the heating element. The heating element is configured to atomize at least part of the liquid substrate on the liquid absorbing element to form the aerosol. The heating element may be combined on the liquid absorbing element, so that the heating element and the heating element can form a whole. In some embodiments, the liquid cup 111 has liquid storage cotton, and the liquid substrate is adsorbed in the liquid storage cotton to be held in the liquid cup 111. Certainly, the liquid storage cotton is optional rather than mandatory. At least a portion of a cup wall of the liquid cup 111 may be transparent, so that a user can observe a remaining amount of the liquid substrate inside the liquid cup 111 through the cup wall of the liquid cup 111. The second assembly 1 may further include a second housing 13. The plurality of atomizers 11 are accommodated inside the second housing 13. At least a portion of the second housing 13 has a window 131. The window 131 is transparent, so that the liquid cup 111 can be visually observed through the window 131. When at least a portion of the cup wall of the liquid cup 111 is transparent, a remaining amount of the liquid substrate inside the liquid cup 111 can be visually observed through the second housing 13 and the liquid cup 111 in sequence. There may be one or more windows 131. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, there are a plurality of windows 131, and the plurality of windows 131 are in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of atomizers 11, so that remaining amounts of liquid substrates in different atomizers 11 can be observed through different windows 131. Each of the foregoing atomizers 11 may further include a first air channel 113, and the first air channel 113 is in fluid communication with the atomization core 112. The first air channel 113 is configured to deliver an aerosol. In an example, the atomizer 11 may have an atomization compartment in fluid communication with the liquid cup 111, the atomization core 112 is accommodated in the atomization compartment, and the first air channel 113 is in fluid communication with the atomization compartment. Alternatively, referring to FIG. 2, in another example, at least a portion of the atomization core 112 is arranged in the first air channel 113. Each foregoing atomizer 11 may further include a second electrode group 114. The heating element generates heat by fetching electricity from the second electrode group 114. The second electrode group 114 may include a positive output electrode and a negative output electrode. The positive output electrode and the negative output electrode may be electrically connected to two opposite ends of the heating element respectively. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the aerosol generation apparatus further includes a mouthpiece 3. The mouthpiece 3 can be selectively in fluid communication with the first air channel 113 in any one of the atomizers 11 of the second assembly 1, or the mouthpiece 3 can be in fluid communication with the first air channels 113 in the plurality of atomizers 11 at the same time. At least a portion of the mouthpiece 3 can be held in the mouth by the user, so that the user can inhale the aerosol generated by the atomizer by sucking the mouthpiece 3. The aerosol generation apparatus further includes a power supply assembly, and the power supply assembly includes a first electrode group 4. The first electrode group 4 is configured to be electrically connected to at least one atomizer 11 of the second assembly 1. The first electrode group 4 is electrically connected to the second electrode group 114 of the atomizer 11 to be electrically connected to the atomizer 11. The electrical connection between the first electrode group 4 and the second electrode group 114 may be abutment, and the abutment between the first electrode group 4 and the second electrode group 114 may be elastic abutment. Electrodes in the first electrode group 4 may include a positive output electrode and a negative output electrode. The positive output electrode and the negative output electrode in the first electrode group 4 are configured to be electrically connected to the positive output electrode and the negative output electrode in the second electrode group 114 of the atomizer 11 respectively. The power supply assembly may further include a battery cell. The battery cell may be any appropriate battery. The battery cell may provide, by the first electrode group 4, power to the atomizer 11 electrically connected to the first electrode group 4. The positive output electrode and the negative output electrode in the first electrode group 4 may be electrically connected to a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal of the battery cell 41 respectively. The power supply assembly may further include a circuit board. The circuit board may electrically connect the battery cell to the first electrode group 4. When the first electrode group 4 is electrically connected to at least one atomizer 11 of the second assembly 1, the circuit board can control the battery cell to provide power to the first electrode group 4, so that the atomization core 112 in the atomizer 11 electrically connected to the first electrode group 4 can obtain the power and atomize the liquid substrate. The first assembly 2 may be rotatably connected to the second assembly 1 about an axis in a first direction, and a relative position relationship between the plurality of atomizers 11 of the second assembly 1 and the first assembly 2 may be changed through rotation. For example, an atomizer 11 in a non-operating position is rotated to an operating position through rotation, and the atomizer 11 in the operating position is an atomizer selected by an operation. In some examples, the atomizer selected by the operation can be activated, so as to generate an aerosol for the user to inhale or use. When the liquid substrate in the atomizer 11 in the operating position is exhausted, a new atomizer 11 with a relatively sufficient liquid substrate can be rotated to be in the operating position instead of the atomizer 11 with the liquid substrate being exhausted. Alternatively, when there is a need to replace an inhaling taste, an atomizer 11 with another taste can be rotated to be in the operating position instead of the original atomizer 11. It should be noted that, the operating position can only be occupied by one atomizer 11 at the same time, or the operating position can receive two or more atomizers 11 at the same time, so that the user can inhale aerosols generated by a plurality of atomizers 11 at the same time. In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the second housing 13 of the second assembly 1 has a window 131, and at least a portion of the liquid cup 111 of the atomizer 11 is transparent, so that the user can observe a remaining amount of the liquid substrate in the liquid cup 11, and the user can determine, based on the remaining amount of the liquid substrate in the atomizer 11, whether the atomizer 11 in the operating position needs to be switched. To make it convenient for the user to determine whether one or more atomizers 11 of the second assembly 1 are rotated to the operating position, or to determine whether one or more atomizers 11 of the second assembly 1 are rotated to become the atomizer(s) selected by an operation, the first assembly 2 includes a first feedback member 22, and the second assembly 1 includes a second feedback member 14. During relative rotation of the first assembly 2 and the second assembly 1 about the axis in the first direction, relative positions of the first feedback member 22 and the second feedback member 14 are changeable, and at least one of the first feedback member 22 and the second feedback member 14 can be elastically deformed in the second direction. When the first feedback member 22 is positionally aligned with the second feedback member 14, a feedback that at least one atomizer 11 of the second assembly 1 is selected by an operation can be provided to the user through the elastic deformation. For example, during the relative rotation of the first assembly 2 and the second assembly 1, a deformation amount of the elastic deformation changes when the first feedback member 22 is aligned with the second feedback member 114, so as to provide a feedback to the user that at least one atomizer 11 of the second assembly 1 is selected by an operation or may be activated. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The mouthpiece 3 and the second assembly 1 are arranged in the first direction, and / or the atomizer 11 of the second assembly 1 and the first assembly 2 are arranged in the first direction. The plurality of atomizers 11 of the second assembly 1 are arranged in the second direction relative to each other. In an embodiment, a change in the deformation amount of the elastic deformation causes a change in an electrical parameter of a detector or a capacitor in the aerosol generation apparatus. Based on the change in the electrical parameter, a controller on the circuit board may control a buzzer, a player, or the like to generate an auditory prompt, and / or control a motor, a vibrator, or the like to generate a tactile prompt, and / or control an LED light, a display, or the like to generate a visual prompt. The auditory prompt, the tactile prompt, and / or the visual prompt is used as a feedback that at least one of the atomizers 11 of the second assembly 1 is selected by an operation or may be activated, to prompt the user to sense that the second assembly 1 can be stopped from continuing rotating relative to the first assembly 2. In an embodiment, when the first feedback member 22 is positionally aligned with the second feedback member 114, the deformation amount of the elastic deformation causes collision between other components in the aerosol generation apparatus, so that at least a portion of the aerosol generation apparatus vibrates and / or generates a sound. Vibration and / or sound is used as a feedback that at least one atomizer 11 of the second assembly 114 is selected or may be activated, to prompt the user to sense that the second assembly 1 can be stopped from continuing rotating relative to the first assembly 2. In an embodiment, when the first feedback member 22 is positionally aligned with the second feedback member 114, the first feedback member 22 interferes with the second feedback member 114, thereby changing the deformation amount of the elastic deformation. In an example, that the first feedback member 22 interferes with the second feedback member 114 includes that collision occurs between the first feedback member and the second feedback member, so that at least a portion of the aerosol generation apparatus vibrates or generates a sound, and the vibration and / or the sound is used as a feedback that at least one atomizer 11 of the second assembly is selected or may be activated, to prompt the user to sense that the second assembly 1 can be stopped from continuing rotating relative to the first assembly 2. In an example, that the first feedback member 22 interferes with the second feedback member 114 includes that at least a portion of one of the first feedback member and the second feedback member is embedded in the other, or that the first feedback member 22 interferes with the second feedback member 114 includes that there are interaction forces between the first feedback member and the second feedback member, so that resistance to rotation of the second assembly 1 relative to the first assembly 2 suddenly increases, or smoothness of the rotation of the second assembly 1 relative to the first assembly 2 changes. This enables significant tactile sensing by the user. The tactile sensing is used as a feedback that at least one atomizer 11 of the second assembly 1 is selected by an operation or may be activated, to prompt the user to sense that the second assembly 1 can be stopped from continuing rotating relative to the first assembly 2. In an embodiment, the first assembly 2 includes a first holding member 21, and the second assembly 1 includes a second holding member 12. One of the first holding member 21 and the second holding member 12 includes an annular wall 121, the other includes a protruding portion 211. The annular wall 121 surrounds a periphery of at least a portion of the protruding portion 211. One of the first feedback member 22 and the second feedback member 14 includes a groove 141 provided in an inner side surface of the annular wall 121, and the other includes an embedded portion 221 at least partially exposed on an outer side surface of the protruding portion 211. When the first feedback member corresponds to the second feedback member, at least a portion of the embedded portion 221 is located in the groove 141. Further, when at least a portion of the embedded portion 221 is located in the groove 141, the groove 141 provides an avoidance space, so that a squeezing force on at least one of the first feedback member 22 and the second feedback member 14 in the second direction is reduced, and at least part of elastic potential energy can be released, thereby changing the deformation amount of the elastic deformation. When the first assembly 2 and the second assembly 1 continue relatively rotating about the axis in the first direction, so that the first feedback member 22 and the second feedback member 14 are staggered from each other, and the embedded portion 221 is separated from the groove 141. This restores the squeezing force on at least one of the first feedback member 22 and the second feedback member 14 in the second direction, and implements relatively high elastic potential energy again. Therefore, the deformation amount of the elastic deformation changes again when the embedded portion 221 is separated from the groove 141. For example, when at least one of the first feedback member 22 or the second feedback member 14 releases the elastic potential energy in the second direction, the embedded portion 221 collides with the groove 141, thereby generating the foregoing feedback. For example, when at least one of the first feedback member 22 and the second feedback member 14 releases the elastic potential energy in the second direction, at least a portion of the embedded portion 221 is located in the groove 141, and resistance to rotation of the second assembly 1 relative to the first assembly 2 suddenly increases, or smoothness of the rotation of the second assembly 1 relative to the first assembly 2 changes, thereby generating the foregoing feedback. In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the annular wall 121 has an open first end portion 1211, and the first end portion 1211 is configured to insert the protruding portion 211 into the annular wall 121, so that at least a portion of the protruding portion 211 is surrounded by the annular wall 121. The groove 141 includes a wire slot. The wire slot extends to the first end portion 1211 or to be adjacent to the first end portion 1211. During insertion of at least a portion of the protruding portion 211 into the annular wall 121, the embedded portion 221 slides along the groove 141. Since the groove 141 can provide the avoidance space, the embedded portion 221 slides along the groove 141 during the insertion of the at least a portion of the protruding portion 211 into the annular wall 121, the resistance to the insertion of the protruding portion 211 into the annular wall 121 can be reduced, and the combination of the protruding portion 211 and the annular wall 121 is facilitated. In addition, the groove 141 has a guiding function, and can guide the protruding portion 211 into the annular wall 121. To facilitate insertion of the protruding portion 211 into the annular wall 121, an inner side surface of the annular wall 121 may include a guiding inclined surface 1212. The guiding inclined surface 1212 is arranged adjacent to the first end portion 1211. In a direction in which the protruding portion 211 is inserted into the annular wall 121, the guiding inclined surface 1212 gradually narrows, so that the dimension gradually decreases. Therefore, a starting end of the guiding inclined surface 1212 has a relatively large dimension. Preferably, the dimension of the starting end of the guiding inclined surface 1212 is greater than that of a head end of the protruding portion 211. The groove 141 may extend to the guiding inclined surface 1212. An end portion of the groove 141 may be arranged in close proximity to the guiding inclined surface 1212. The groove 141 is spaced apart from the first end portion 1211 of the annular wall 121 by the guiding inclined surface 1212. In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the end portion of the groove 131 is located on the guiding inclined surface 1212, so that the groove 141 does not extend to the first end portion 1211 of the annular wall 121. The groove 141 is provided in the inner side surface of the annular wall 121, and therefore has concealment performance, especially when the groove 141 does not extend to the first end portion 1211. To enable the embedded portion 221 to be aligned with the groove 141 during the combination of the protruding portion 211 and the annular wall 121, so that the embedded portion can accurately fall into the groove 141 and then move along the groove 141, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first assembly 2 has a first alignment mark 23 at least partially exposed, the second assembly 1 has a second alignment mark 15 at least partially exposed. The groove 141 or the wire slot is linear and extends in the first direction, with an extension direction approximately parallel to the first direction. When the first alignment mark 23 is aligned with the second alignment mark 15, the embedded portion 221 and the groove 141 or the wire slot are located on a same straight line extending in the first direction, or the embedded portion 221 falls into the groove 141 or the wire slot. Therefore, during the combination of the protruding portion 221 and the annular wall 121, as long as it is ensured that the first alignment mark 23 exposed outside and the second alignment mark 15 exposed outside are aligned with each other, it can be ensured that the embedded portion 221 can accurately fall into the groove 141, and then move along the groove 141, so that the protruding portion 221 enters the annular wall 121, and the protruding portion and the annular wall are combined. In embodiments shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, at least a portion of the first holding member 21 is exposed and is provided with the first alignment mark 23, and at least a portion of the second holding member 12 is exposed and is provided with the second alignment mark 15. At least one of the first alignment mark 23 and the second alignment mark 15 may be a color bar, a color block, a text, an icon, a protruding point, or a groove. In an example, the embedded portion 221 includes a spherical ball, and during the relative rotation of the first assembly 2 and the second assembly 1, the spherical ball is in rolling connection with the inner side surface of the annular wall 121. This reduce the resistance to the relative rotation of the first assembly 2 and the second assembly 1. The spherical ball may be made of a metal, or may have a smooth surface. In a first preferred embodiment of this application, referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the first electrode group 4 is fixed to the first holding member 21, so that when the first assembly 2 and the second assembly 1 relatively rotate about the axis in the first direction, the second assembly 1 can rotate relative to the first electrode group 4. When the first feedback member 22 is aligned with the second feedback member 14, the first electrode group 4 is electrically connected to only one of the atomizers 11, so that the atomizer 11 is selected by an operation. Therefore, by the relative rotation of the first assembly 2 and the second assembly 1, the first electrode group 4 can be selectively electrically connected to only one of the atomizers 11. In this embodiment, the second holding member 12 may be arranged between the mouthpiece 3 and the first holding member 21. In an example of the first preferred embodiment, referring to FIG. 2, the mouthpiece 3 can rotate relative to the second assembly 1, and the mouthpiece 3 can be selectively in fluid communication with one of the atomizers 11. When the mouthpiece 3 is in fluid communication with the atomizer 11, the user can inhale, through the mouthpiece 3, the aerosol generated by the atomizer 11. The aerosol generation apparatus further includes a connecting shaft 5. The connecting shaft 5 connects the mouthpiece 3 to the first assembly 2, to link the mouthpiece 3 and the first assembly 2, so that the mouthpiece 3 and the first assembly 2 can synchronously rotate relative to the second assembly 1 through the connection by the connecting shaft 5. When the first feedback member 22 is aligned with the second feedback member 14, while the first electrode group 4 is electrically connected to only one of the atomizers 11, the mouthpiece 3 is in fluid communication with the atomizer 11. In an example of the first preferred embodiment, referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the second holding member 12 keeps supporting the atomizer 11, and holds a plurality of atomizers 11 in the second housing 13. Specifically, at least a portion of the second holding member 12 is arranged in the second housing 13, and the second holding member 12 supports the plurality of atomizers 11, so that the plurality of atomizers 11 are held in the second housing 13. The second holding member 12 may include one or more separating plates 122, and the one or more separating plates 122 divide an internal space of the second housing 13 into a plurality of holding spaces. Each holding space may hold one atomizer 11. An outer side end of the holding space defined by the second holding member 12 may be open, so that on one hand, a volume of the aerosol generation apparatus can be reduced, and on the other hand, manufacturing costs of the second holding member 12 can be reduced. In addition, the second housing 13 and the liquid cup 11 can be visually not blocked, thereby facilitating observation of a remaining amount of the liquid substrate in the liquid cup 11 by the user. Further, Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the second holding member 1 includes a central tube 123 with a hollow interior. A plurality of separating plates 122 are radially arranged on a periphery of the central tube 123 and are all connected to the central tube 123. The connecting shaft 5 connects the first holding member 21 to the mouthpiece 3, so that the first holding member 21 and the mouthpiece 3 can be linked, and can synchronously rotate relative to the second assembly 1. Therefore, while the first electrode group 4 is electrically connected to one of the atomizers 11, the mouthpiece 3 is in fluid communication with the atomizer 11. Specifically, one end of the connecting shaft 5 is connected to the first holding member 21, and the other end thereof passes through the central tube 123 to be connected to the mouthpiece 3. When the first assembly 2 and the second assembly 1 relatively rotate, the connecting shaft 5 rotates in the central tube 123. The central tube 123 and the separating plate 122 may be integrally formed through injection molding. In an example of the first preferred embodiment, referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 6, the first holding member 21 includes a protruding portion 211, and the second holding member 12 includes an annular wall 121. Since the first assembly 2 includes the first feedback member 22 and the first holding member 21, the first feedback member 22 includes the foregoing embedded portion 221. Similarly, the second feedback member 14 includes the foregoing groove 141. In the embodiments shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6, the first feedback member 22 further includes an elastic portion 222 hidden inside the protruding portion 211. In embodiments shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6, a deformation direction of the elastic portion 222 and an extension direction thereof are on a same straight line. Specifically, the elastic portion 222 is a spring extending in the second direction, or is a silicone, a rubber, or a sponge that can be deformed in the second direction. The protruding portion 211 internally has an accommodation groove 2111 extending in the second direction, and at least a portion of the elastic portion 222 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 2111. Agroove wall of the accommodation groove 2111 may define a deformation direction of the elastic portion 222. When the first feedback member 22 is not aligned with the second feedback member 14, or during the relative rotation of the first assembly 2 and the second assembly 1, the elastic portion 222 elastically abuts against the embedded portion 221, and the elastic portion 222 may be in an elastically compressed state to have a relatively large deformation amount, thereby having relatively high elastic potential energy. When the first feedback member 22 is aligned with the second feedback member 14, the elastic portion 222 abuts against at least a portion of the embedded portion 221 into the groove 141, so that the deformation amount of the elastic portion 222 is reduced, thereby releasing at least part of elastic potential energy. When the first feedback member 22 is not aligned with the second feedback member 14, or during the relative rotation of the first assembly 2 and the second assembly 1, at least a portion of the embedded portion 221 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 2111, and the annular wall 121 abuts against the elastic portion 222 through the embedded portion 221, so that the elastic portion 222 keeps a large deformation amount. When the first feedback member 22 is aligned with the second feedback member 14, at least a portion of the embedded portion 221 is located in the groove 141, so that a volume of the embedded portion 221 accommodated in the accommodation groove 2111 is reduced, thereby reducing the deformation amount of the elastic portion 22. It should be noted that, in another example, the elastic portion 222 may be an elastic piece connected to a side wall of the protruding portion 221. The elastic piece may be a metal elastic piece, or may be integrally formed with the protruding portion 211 through injection molding. An extension direction of the elastic piece and a deformation direction thereof intersect and are not on a same straight line. For example, the extension direction of the elastic piece is perpendicular to the deformation direction thereof. In embodiments shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, at least a portion of the first electrode group 4 may be surrounded by the annular wall 121. For example, the first electrode group 4 may be fixed to the protruding portion 211. In an example of the first preferred embodiment, referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, a bottom of each atomizer 11 of the second assembly 1 is provided with an air inlet hole 16 in fluid communication with the first air channel 113. During inhaling, air needs to enter the first air channel 113 of the atomizer 11 through the air inlet hole 16. An air hole 25 that is in fluid communication with the outside is provided in the first holding member 21. A hollow flexible member 24 is further fixed to the first holding member 21. An end portion of the flexible member 24 protrudes from the first holding member 21. When the first feedback member 22 corresponds to the second feedback member 14, the flexible member 24 elastically abuts against the second assembly 1, and hermetically connects the air hole 25 to the air inlet hole 16 of an atomizers 11, so that the air hole 25 is in fluid communication with only the air inlet hole 16 of the atomizer 11. Therefore, when the first feedback member 22 is aligned with the second feedback member 14, while the first electrode group 4 is electrically connected to one of the atomizers 11, the air hole 25 is in fluid communication with the atomizer 11. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the air hole 25 is provided in the protruding portion 221. In a second preferred embodiment of this application, as is not shown, the first holding member is integrally formed with the mouthpiece or the first holding member is connected to the mouthpiece, so that when the first assembly and the second assembly relatively rotate, the second assembly can rotate relative to the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece can be selectively in fluid communication with only one of the atomizers. When the first feedback member is aligned with the second feedback member, the mouthpiece is in fluid communication with one of the atomizers, so that the atomizer is selected by an operation. Therefore, by the relative rotation of the first assembly and the second assembly, the mouthpiece may be selectively in fluid communication with only one of the atomizers. In this embodiment, the first holding member may be arranged between the mouthpiece and the second holding member. In an example of the second preferred embodiment, the aerosol generation apparatus further includes a connecting shaft and a fixing base. The first electrode group is fixed to the fixing base. One end of the connecting shaft is connected to the first holding member, and the other end thereof penetrates through the second holding member to be connected to the fixing base. In addition, the connecting shaft can rotate in the second holding member, so that during relative rotation of the first holding member and the second holding member, the fixing base can rotate relative to the second holding member. Therefore, while the mouthpiece is in fluid communication with an atomizer, the first electrode group is electrically connected to the atomizer. The second holding member may be located between the fixing base and the first holding member. The fixing base may be further provided with an air hole in fluid communication with the outside, so that while the first electrode group is electrically connected to an atomizer, the air hole is in fluid communication with the atomizer. In a third preferred embodiment of this application, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the first holding member 21 is provided with an air hole 25 in fluid communication with the outside, so that when the first assembly 2 and the second assembly 1 relatively rotate, the second assembly 1 can rotate relative to the air hole 25. When the first feedback member 22 is aligned with the second feedback member 14, the air hole 25 is in fluid communication with only one of the atomizers 11, so that the atomizer 11 is selected by an operation. In an example of the third preferred embodiment, the first electrode group 4 is fixed in the second assembly 1. Based on any one of the foregoing embodiments or examples, referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the first holding member further includes a supporting table 212, and the first assembly 2 further includes a first housing 26. The supporting table 212 is arranged around the protruding portion 211, and the supporting table 212 may be integrally formed with the protruding portion 211 through injection molding. The supporting table 212 supports the first end portion 1211 of the annular wall 121 in the first direction, and an end portion of the first housing 26 abuts against the supporting table 212 in the first direction, so that at least part of an outer side wall of the supporting table 212 is exposed outside the first housing 26. At least a portion of the first alignment mark 23 is arranged on the outer side wall, which is exposed outside, of the supporting table 212. The power supply assembly may be held in the first housing 26, and a portion of the first holding member 21 may be held in the first housing 26. Based on any one of the foregoing embodiments or examples, referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the second holding member 12 further includes a protruding edge 124, and the protruding edge 124 is arranged around an outer side surface of the annular wall 121 and is adjacent to the first end portion 1211 of the annular wall 121. A side of the protruding edge 124 abuts against the first holding member 21, and specifically, abuts against the supporting table 212, so as to be supported by the first holding member 21. The opposite other side of the protruding edge 124 abuts against the second housing 13, so as to support the second housing 13 and be exposed outside the second housing 13. At least a portion of the second alignment mark 15 is arranged on the protruding edge 124. It should be noted that, the specification of this application and the accompanying drawings thereof illustrate preferred embodiments of this application, but this application is not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. Further, for a person of ordinary skill in the art, improvements or modifications may be made according to the above descriptions, and all these improvements and modifications shall fall within the protection scope of the appended claims of this application.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • vaporiser

    EP4442133A1

  • device FOR INHALING A GAS SUCH AS AN ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE

    FR3025981A1