Button assembly for nebulizer and nebulizer

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a button assembly for a nebulizer. The button assembly comprises: a button body; an elastic member, provided with a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the first end being coupled to the button body, and the second end being configured to be coupled to a housing of a nebulizer; and at least one arm, a proximal end of the at least one arm being coupled to the button body. The button body stretches the elastic member when a distal end of the at least one arm opposite to the proximal end is close to the housing of the nebulizer.

Description

Button assembly for nebulizer and nebulizer CROSS-REFERENCE

[0001] The present disclosure incorporates by reference in its entirety the Chinese Patent Application No. 202410885061.4 entitled "Trigger assembly for nebulizer and nebulizer" filed on July 3, 2024, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of medical devices, and more particularly to a button assembly for nebulizer and nebulizer. BACKGROUND

[0003] A nebulizer can atomize a liquid (e.g., a medicament) into droplets. In the related art, a container in a nebulizer is filled with a liquid to be atomized or nebulized, and the liquid in the container can be atomized and nebulized out of a nozzle of a jet assembly in a stroke in which the container moves relative to the jet assembly.

[0004] The methods described in this section can not be the methods that have been previously conceived or adopted. Unless otherwise indicated, nothing in this section should be assumed to be prior art merely because of its inclusion in this section. Similarly, nothing in this section should be assumed to have been known or used in the art before the date of this disclosure, unless otherwise specifically indicated. SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure provides a button assembly for nebulizer and nebulizer.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a button assembly for a nebulizer, comprising: a button body; an elastic member having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the first end is coupled to the button body and the second end is configured to be coupled to a housing of the nebulizer; and a first arm and a second arm, each having a proximal end coupled to the button body, wherein the button body is configured to compress the elastic member when distal ends of the first arm and the second arm, opposite to the proximal ends, are away from each other, and the button body is configured to stretch the elastic member when the distal ends of the first arm and the second arm are close to each other.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a nebulizer, comprising: a nebulizing assembly; and a button assembly according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the button assembly being configured to be pressed to actuate the nebulizing assembly to nebulize a liquid.

[0008] The above description is only a summary of the technical solutions of the present application. In order to enable one skilled in the art to more clearly understand the technical means of the present application, the following specific embodiments of the present application can be implemented according to the content of the specification, and in order to make the above and other purposes, characteristics and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the following specific embodiments of the present application are described. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Further details, features and advantages of the present disclosure are disclosed in the following description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a button assembly for an atomizer according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a button body of the button assembly in FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the button body of the button assembly in FIG. 2;

[0013] FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic views of a first arm and a second arm in FIG. 1, respectively;

[0014] FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic views of the first arm and the second arm in FIG. 1, respectively, from another angle;

[0015] FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic views illustrating another embodiment of the first arm and the second arm in FIG. 1, respectively;

[0016] FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating the button assembly for the atomizer in a triggered position state according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating the button assembly for the atomizer in an intermediate state according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating the button assembly for the atomizer in a pre-loaded position state according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the atomizer according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating the atomizer according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0021] FIG. 15 is a sectional view illustrating the atomizer in FIG. 14 at A-A section.

[0022] List of reference signs: first component 1010; second component 1020; button assembly 1030; button body 1031, assembly hole 3101, insertion portion 3102, second undercut structure 3103, second assembly portion 3104, guide portion 3105; elastic member 1032, first end 3201, second end 3202; first arm 1033, 1033*, proximal end of first arm 3301, distal end of first arm 3302, first assembly portion 3303, connecting portion 3305, bearing portion 3306, limiting protrusion 3307, 3307*, matching portion 3308, 3308*; head 301, groove 302, first undercut structure 303; second arm 1034, 1034*, proximal end of second arm 3401, distal end of second arm 3402; button connecting piece 1035; another elastic member 1036; atomizer 2000; upper shell 2010, lower shell 2020, button 2030, delivery tube seat 2040; rotating shell 2050; spray assembly 2060; first direction D1, second direction D2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In the present disclosure, the use of the terms "first", "second", and the like, to describe various elements is not intended to convey a meaning that the elements so described are to be understood as being either singular or plural unless explicitly so defined. In some examples, the first element and the second element can refer to the same instance of the element, while in some cases, based on the context of the description, they can also refer to different instances.

[0024] The terminology used in the description of the various described examples herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting. Unless specifically defined otherwise, any term used herein can be either one or more than one unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the term "plurality" means two or more, and the term "based on" shall be interpreted as "based at least in part on." Furthermore, the term "and / or" and "at least one of" are intended to cover any and all combinations of items listed.

[0025] In the context of the present disclosure, "atomizer" refers to a device for atomizing a liquid. Typically, an atomizer is used to atomize a fluid (e.g., a medicinal liquid or similar fluid) and to spray the atomized fluid to the mouth or nose of a user (e.g., a patient).

[0026] In the related art, a container in an atomizer is filled with liquid to be atomized or sprayed, and in the course of movement of the container relative to a spraying assembly, the liquid in the container can be atomized and sprayed from the spout of the spraying assembly. However, the button assembly of the atomizer in the related art is usually rough in workmanship, and the feedback of the button to the user is unstable. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an atomizer with an improved button assembly.

[0027] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a button assembly for an atomizer and an atomizer. In the context of the present disclosure, the button assembly can be installed in the atomizer and can be linked with the spraying assembly of the atomizer to actuate the spraying assembly to perform a spraying action.

[0028] In the context of the present disclosure, the "pre-loaded position" of the spraying assembly can refer to a position in which the liquid in the atomizer is loaded to be ready to be sprayed out (for example, loaded from the tank body to the pumping chamber), and in this position, the atomizer cannot autonomously perform atomization spraying without the triggering action of external force, and only when the spraying assembly is triggered by, for example, manual operation (such as pressing the button assembly according to the present disclosure), can the spraying assembly be restored from the "pre-loaded position" to the "triggered position", that is, the state of the liquid in the atomizer is converted from the pre-spraying state to the atomization spraying state. In the "triggered position", the atomizer can be operated again (for example, screwed) to convert to the "pre-loaded position", so the "triggered position" can also be called the initial position.

[0029] The triggering assembly according to exemplary embodiments will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. Among them, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a button assembly for an atomizer according to exemplary embodiments; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a button body of the button assembly in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the button body of the button assembly in FIG. 2; FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic diagrams of a first arm and a second arm in FIG. 1, respectively; FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic diagrams of the first arm and the second arm in FIG. 1 from another angle, respectively; FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams illustrating another embodiment of the first arm and the second arm in FIG. 1, respectively; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the button assembly for an atomizer according to exemplary embodiments in a triggered position state; FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the button assembly for an atomizer according to exemplary embodiments in an intermediate state; and FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the button assembly for an atomizer according to exemplary embodiments in a pre-loaded position state.

[0030] In the context of the present disclosure, at least one arm of the button assembly has "folding" and "expanding" states.

[0031] In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, at least one arm in the present disclosure can include only the first arm 1033, or only the second arm 1034, or both the first arm 1033 and the second arm 1034. In the following description, it can be understood that the first arm 1033 and the second arm 1034 can also be replaced by embodiments including only the first arm 1033 or only the second arm 1034, which is not limited herein.

[0032] With the corresponding movement of the atomizer in different positions, at least one arm in the present disclosure can also be converted between corresponding states. In the case where the distal end of the at least one arm opposite to the proximal end is close to the shell of the atomizer, the button body stretches the elastic member. In the case where the distal end of the at least one arm is away from the shell of the atomizer, the button body compresses the elastic member.

[0033] For example, in the example where the at least one arm includes the first arm 1033 and the second arm 1034, in the case where the atomizer is in the trigger position (initial position), the first arm and the second arm of the button assembly can be in the open state, at this time, the distal end of each of the first arm and the second arm is away from each other; in the case where the atomizer is in the preloaded position, the first arm and the second arm of the button assembly can be in the closed state, at this time, the distal end of each of the first arm and the second arm is close to each other (compared to the case of the open state).

[0034] According to the button assembly of the present disclosure, by the at least one arm (for example, the first arm 1033, the second arm 1034, or both the first arm 1033 and the second arm 1034) coupled on the button body and the elastic member, the position of the button body (due to the elastic deformation of the elastic member) relative to the atomizer shell is different when the at least one arm is in different states, and the force feedback of the user pressing the button body is different, thereby providing the user with a clear feeling and feedback for the state of the atomizer, which helps to improve the user experience and use convenience. Specifically, in the case where the at least one arm is open (trigger position), the at least one arm drives the button body to move inwards through the proximal end thereof coupled to the button body, and the elastic member is in a compressed state, at this time, the feeling of pressing the button is that the resistance is large, and the stroke generated when pressing the button body is small. In the case where the at least one arm is open (preloaded position), the at least one arm is closed and pushes the button body to move outwards through the proximal end thereof, and the spring is in a stretched state, at this time, the feeling of pressing the button is that the resistance is small, and the stroke generated when pressing the button body is large.

[0035] In addition, the linkage design between the button body and the at least one arm and the elastic member saves the internal space of the atomizer, makes the overall structure of the atomizer more compact and durable, and the elastic member is both compressed and stretched during the use of the atomizer, the stress is uniformly distributed, avoiding rapid aging caused by one-way stress, thereby prolonging the service life.

[0036] Referring first to FIGS. 1-9, the button assembly 1030 for the nebulizer includes a button body 1031, a resilient member 1032, and a first arm 1033 and a second arm 1034.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the resilient member 1032 has a first end 3201 coupled to the button body 1031 and a second end 3202 opposite the first end 3201 for coupling to the housing of the nebulizer. Referring further to FIGS. 4 and 5, the first arm 1033 has a proximal end 3301 and a distal end 3302 and the second arm 1034 has a proximal end 3401 and a distal end 3402, wherein the proximal end 3301 of the first arm 1033 and the proximal end 3401 of the second arm 1034 are coupled to the button body 1031.

[0038] The button body 1031 compresses the resilient member 1032 when the distal ends of the first arm 1033 and the second arm 1034 are away from each other and stretches the resilient member 1032 when the distal ends of the first arm 1033 and the second arm 1034 are close to each other.

[0039] In some embodiments, the force acting on the button body 1031 collectively by the first arm 1033, the second arm 1034 and the resilient member 1032 is between 5N and 25N.

[0040] In some embodiments, the button assembly is configured to be pressed towards the housing of the nebulizer under a pressing force in a range between 4N and 20N. In the present disclosure, a user actuates the button assembly by pressing a portion of the button assembly exposed outside the housing of the nebulizer (which can be the button body 1031, for example) to trigger the nebulizer to perform a nebulization operation. When the user presses the button body, the first arm 1033, the second arm 1034 and the resilient member 1032 coupled to the button body 1031 have an obstructive effect on the travel of the button body, and thus the pressing force (which can also be referred to as the activation force) required to press the button assembly needs to be adapted to the force acting on the button body 1031 collectively by the first arm 1033, the second arm 1034 and the resilient member 1032. For example, when the first arm 1033 and the second arm 1034 are in different states before and after dosing (spread or closed), the button body 1031 and the resilient member 1032 are also in corresponding different states, and the resistance of the first arm 1033, the second arm 1034 and the resilient member 1032 acting on the button body 1031 can be between 4N and 20N, and thus the activation force required to be applied to the button body 1031 needs to be between 4N and 20N.

[0041] In some embodiments, at least one of the first arm 1033 and the second arm 1034 has a first fitting portion 3303 at a proximal end thereof, and the button body 1031 has a fitting hole 3101 for cooperating with the first fitting portion. For example, referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the first arm 1033 has a first fitting portion 3303 at a proximal end 3301 thereof. When the first fitting portion 3303 is inserted into the fitting hole 3101 of the button body 1031, a precise mechanical fit is formed, which ensures the position accuracy of the first arm 1033 when assembled, and reduces the possibility of misalignment and looseness between parts.

[0042] Further referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, in some embodiments, the first fitting portion 3303 has a head portion adapted to the shape of the fitting hole 3101 to install the first fitting portion 3303 into the fitting hole 3101 in a first direction D1. In some examples, for example as shown in FIG. 2, the shape of the fitting hole 3101 can be oval or other suitable shape, and the contour shape of the outermost edge of the head portion 301 of the first fitting portion 3303 is adapted to the shape of the fitting hole 3101, which can achieve that the first arm 1033 can only be assembled in a specific direction (for example, the first direction D1 as shown in FIG. 2). The shape of the head portion and the fitting hole further improves the assembly accuracy and stability of the button assembly.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the first fitting portion 3303 comprises a groove 302 configured to extend to a main portion of the first fitting portion 3303, and at least one first barb structure 303, wherein the groove 302 is configured to contract to make the at least one first barb structure 303 pass through the fitting hole 3101 during installation of the first fitting portion 3303 into the fitting hole, and the first barb structure 303 is configured to abut around the fitting hole 3101 when the first fitting portion 3303 is installed into the fitting hole 3101.

[0044] The design of the groove 302 enables the first fitting portion 3303 to contract when passing through the fitting hole 3101, and the barb structure smoothly passes through the aperture, thereby achieving quick and stable clamping. The design of the first barb structure 303 helps to prevent the first fitting portion 3303 from loosening / disengaging due to external force after installation, improves the assembly reliability, and avoids the inconsistency of the button assembly pressing feeling or the shift of the key position due to looseness.

[0045] In some examples, the at least one first barb structure 303 can be symmetrically arranged on both sides of the recess 302, i.e., the number of the first barb structure 303 can be two. In embodiments according to the present disclosure, the first barb structure 303 can be rotated in the assembly hole 3101 of the button body 1031, and the relative movement between the button body 1031 and the first arm 1033 and / or the second arm 1034 can be achieved through the rotation of the first barb structure 303. It can be understood that the first barb structure 303 in the present disclosure can also be four symmetrically arranged first barb structures.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the button body 1031 has at least one insertion portion 3102 for coupling to the housing of the atomizer, and the head of the at least one insertion portion 3102 is provided with at least one second barb structure 3103.

[0047] The at least one insertion portion 3102 is arranged such that when the button assembly 1030 is mounted to the housing of the atomizer by the button body 1031, no additional tools or fasteners are required, and the second barb structure 3103 provided on the head of the insertion portion 3102 is automatically locked in the inner wall of the housing, improving assembly efficiency and reducing production costs. Moreover, once the insertion is completed, during use, the second barb structure 3103 can be used to limit the position of the rebound of the button body 1031 by tightly abutting the inner wall of the housing, ensuring that the button assembly is firmly fixed in the housing and is not easily loosened.

[0048] In some examples, the insertion portion 3102 can have a plate-like structure, and the second barb structure 3103 can be arranged at the end of the plate-like structure, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, two second barb structures 3103 can be arranged at the end of the insertion portion 3102. In addition, the at least one insertion portion 3102 can be symmetrically arranged with respect to the geometric center of the button body 1031, which helps to improve the stability of the installation of the button body 1031 to the housing of the atomizer.

[0049] It can be understood that, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the second arm 1034 of the button assembly 1030 can have an assembly portion similar to the first arm 1033 and a head on the assembly portion, which has the same features and functions as the first assembly portion 3303 and the head 301 of the first arm 1033, and will not be described here again.

[0050] Referring again to Figure 2, in some embodiments, the button body 1031 has a second mounting portion 3104. The first end 3201 of the elastic member 1032 is fitted onto the second mounting portion 3104, and the second end 3202 of the elastic member is connected to the atomizer housing. The elastic member 1032 being fitted onto the second mounting portion 3104 simplifies and speeds up the assembly process, allowing for installation without complex tools and reducing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the two ends of the elastic member 1032 are connected to the button body and the atomizer housing respectively, which aids in the axial positioning of the elastic member and improves the assembly stability of the components.

[0051] Referring further to Figure 3, in the embodiment of the button body 1031 shown in Figure 3, a guide portion 3105 is provided on the button body 1031. The guide portion 3105 can cooperate with the corresponding guide feature of the atomizer to improve the installation accuracy of the button body 1031. Furthermore, when the button body 1031 is pressed, the guide portion 3105 helps maintain the direction of the pressing force, preventing instability of the button body 1031 and improving the user experience. The number of guide portions 3105 can be two; for example, as shown in Figure 3, the button body 1031 can have two guide portions 3105 symmetrical with respect to the central axis of the button body 1031. In some examples, the guide portion 3105 has an "L"-shaped cross-sectional shape to improve the assembly efficiency and positioning accuracy of the guide portion 3105 with the corresponding guide feature of the atomizer.

[0052] In some examples, the elastic element 1032 can be positioned in the middle of the button body 1031, which helps the button body 1031 to be evenly stressed and improves the overall pressing feel of the button assembly 1030.

[0053] In some embodiments, the elastic element 1032 is a spring, the shape of the second mounting portion 3104 is configured to adapt to the inner diameter of the spring 1032, and the second mounting portion 3104 and the spring 1032 are interference-fitted. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the shape of the second mounting portion 3104 adapts to the elastic element 1032; for example, the second mounting portion 3104 may be cross-shaped, the cross-shaped profile adapting to the inner diameter of the elastic element, and the second mounting portion 3104 may be interference-fitted to the elastic element by its cross-shaped profile or any other suitable shape.

[0054] The shape of the second assembly part 3104 is adapted to the inner diameter of the elastic element, which helps to radially position the elastic element and prevents the elastic element coupled to the button body from changing position or shifting during the pressing process, thereby further improving the assembly stability of the component.

[0055] In some embodiments, the pressing force is related to the elastic force of the elastic member 1032 acting on the button body 1031. For example, the elastic force of the elastic member 1032 acting on the button body 1031 is between 2N and 8N.

[0056] In some examples, the atomizer further comprises: a first component 1010 and a second component 1020, wherein the first component 1010 and the second component 1020 are configured such that, in the case of rotation of the second component 1020 relative to the first component 1010 towards the second direction, the second component 1020 can move away from the first component 1010 to a pre-loaded position, and wherein the first arm and the second arm are partially arranged around the first component 1010 and / or the second component 1020, and in the case of movement of the second component 1020 to the pre-loaded position, the first arm 1033 and the second arm 1034 slide relative to the outer peripheral surface of the second component 1020, so that the respective distal ends 3302, 3402 of the first arm 1033 and the second arm 1034 move close to each other.

[0057] It can be seen that the second component 1020 in FIG. 10 is in the trigger position (also the initial position), in which case the first arm and the second arm of the button assembly 1030 are in an open state, and the button body squeezes the elastic member. The second component 1020 in FIG. 12 is in the pre-loaded position, in which case the first arm 1033 and the second arm 1034 of the button assembly 1030 are in a closed state, and the button body stretches the elastic member. The second component 1020 in FIG. 11 is in an intermediate state between the trigger position and the pre-loaded position. In the case of rotation of the second component 1020 relative to the first component 1010 towards the second direction, at least one arm (for example, the first arm 1033 and / or the second arm 1034) of the button assembly 1030 is always around the first component 1010 and / or the second component 1020, so that it can prevent the first component 1010 and / or the second component 1020 from being undesirably detached from the at least one arm, thereby preventing the atomizer from being misfired. In some examples, the second component 1020 is configured in the delivery tube seat (also referred to as the tube holder) of the atomizer, and at least one arm of the button assembly 1030 can always embrace the tube holder to prevent the occurrence of an undesired misfire during rotation.

[0058] In examples, in the case of the pre-loaded position, the drug liquid can be pumped from the storage tank to the pumping chamber located at the first component 1010 or the second component 1020; in the case of the trigger position, the drug liquid can be ejected outward from the pumping chamber through the nozzle, and accordingly, after the ejection is completed, the second component 1020 in the trigger position is in the initial position of the next action cycle, so as to be moved to the pre-loaded position again.

[0059] According to the button assembly 1030 of the present disclosure, in the case that the first arm 1033 and the second arm 1034 are in different states before and after the atomizer pumps the liquid medicine into the pumping chamber, the position of the button body (due to the elastic deformation of the elastic member) relative to the atomizer shell is different, and the force feedback of the user pressing the button body is different, thereby providing the user with a clear feeling and feedback of the atomizer state, which helps to improve the user experience and use convenience.

[0060] The first component 1010 and the second component 1020 are configured such that in the case that the second component 1020 rotates relative to the first component 1010 towards the first direction D2, the second component 1020 can move away from the first component 1010 to a preloaded position. For example, with reference to FIGS. 10-12, starting from the position shown in FIG. 10, the second component 1020 rotates relative to the first component 1010 towards the clockwise direction in FIG. 10, and as the second component 1020 rotates, the second component 1020 gradually moves away from the first component 1010 as shown in FIG. 10; when the second component 1020 further rotates towards the clockwise direction, the second component 1020 moves to the preloaded position shown in FIG. 12. In examples, the rotational movement between the first component 1010 and the second component 1020 can also be converted into relative movement between the two by a gear and rack mechanism or a screw mechanism.

[0061] As an alternative form, the first arm, the second arm and the elastic member can also be coupled to the button body through a button connector 1035 (only marked in FIG. 12 for simplicity of view) as shown in FIGS. 10-12, for example, the first arm, the second arm and the elastic member are first connected to the button connector 1035, and the button connector 1035 is then connected to the button body. It should be understood that the button assembly 1030 in FIGS. 10-12 can also be replaced by the button assembly shown in FIG. 1, which has similar features and functions to the button assembly according to the present disclosure, and will not be described here.

[0062] In some examples, the first arm 1033 and the second arm 1034 of the button assembly 1030 can be partially arranged around the first component 1010 and / or the second component 1020, for example, the first arm 1033 and the second arm 1034 of the button assembly 1030 can be connected to the first component 1010 and partially arranged around the outer periphery of the first component 1010; or the first arm 1033 and the second arm 1034 of the button assembly 1030 can be connected to the second component 1020 and partially arranged around the outer periphery of the second component 1020; or the first arm 1033 and the second arm 1034 of the button assembly 1030 can be connected to both the first component 1010 and the second component 1020 and partially arranged around both.

[0063] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 4-7, at least one of the first arm 1033 and the second arm 1034 includes a connection portion 3305. The connection portion 3305 is pivotally connected to the first component 1010 and / or the second component 1020, such that upon pressing the button body 1031, the corresponding first arm 1033 and / or the second arm 1034 pivots about the connection portion.

[0064] For example, as shown in FIGS. 10-11, the connection portion 3305 can be pivotally connected to a shaft on the first component 1010, such that when a user presses the button assembly 1030 (e.g., the button body or the button connector), the proximal end 3301 of the first arm 1033 moves radially inward (towards the first component 1010), causing the curved first arm to rotate about its own connection portion 3305, whereby the distal end 3302 of the first arm 1033 moves radially outward (away from the first component 1010). It is understood that the second arm 1034 can also have a corresponding connection portion that functions and features similarly to the connection portion 3305 of the first arm, which will not be repeated here. That is, upon a user pressing the button, the distal end of the first arm 1033 and the distal end of the second arm 1034 will move away from each other.

[0065] In some embodiments, the distal end of the first arm 1033 and / or the second arm 1034 includes a bearing portion extending radially inward from the body thereof, the bearing portion configured to abut the second component 1020 upon the first arm 1033 and / or the second arm 1034 sliding relative to the outer peripheral surface of the second component 1020.

[0066] For example, the body of the first arm 1033 and / or the second arm 1034 can have a generally annular shape, such that the inner periphery thereof can substantially surround the first component 1010 or the second component 1020 having a generally cylindrical outer surface. The bearing portion 3306 of the first arm 1033 and / or the second arm 1034 extends radially inward from the annular body to the annular interior. As shown in FIG. 8, the distal end 3302 of the first arm 1033 has a bearing portion 3306, it is understood that the second arm 1034 can also have a corresponding bearing portion 3306, which will not be repeated here.

[0067] As can be seen from FIGS. 10-12, during the rotation of the second component 1020 relative to the first component 1010, no interference is caused to the rotation of the second component 1020 due to the first arm 1033 and / or the second arm 1034 wrapping around the periphery of the first component 1010 and / or the second component 1020, instead, the first arm 1033 and / or the second arm 1034 will slide relative to the outer peripheral surface of the second component 1020 as the second component 1020 rotates. When the second component 1020 moves to the pre-loaded position as shown in FIG. 12, the radially inwardly extending bearing portion 3306 of the first arm 1033 and / or the second arm 1034 is able to abut against the second component 1020 due to the fact that it is closer to the inner side in the radial direction relative to the main body, thereby hindering the second component 1020 from moving away from the pre-loaded position.

[0068] For example, the upper surface of the bearing portion 3306 in FIG. 12 abuts against the lower surface of a portion of the second component 1020, thereby preventing the second component 1020 from moving further downwardly away from the pre-loaded position.

[0069] In some embodiments, the first arm 1033 and / or the second arm 1034 can be configured such that the second component 1020 is able to abut against the bearing portion 3306 of the first arm 1033 and / or the second arm 1034 exactly when the second component 1020 is disengaged from the first component 1010. For example, the first arm 1033 and / or the second arm 1034 can be configured in this manner by setting the size of the main body of the first arm 1033 and / or the second arm 1034 (or in other words, the position of the bearing portion 3306 of the first arm 1033 and / or the second arm 1034). In an example, the first arm 1033 and / or the second arm 1034 can be connected to the first component 1010, and the position of the bearing portion 3306 of the first arm 1033 and / or the second arm 1034 can be set at the position where the second component 1020 is exactly disengaged from the first component 1010. In this way, when the second component 1020 is disengaged from the first component 1010, the second component 1020 is smoothly abutted by the bearing portion 3306, thereby achieving a smooth transition of the second component 1020 from the intermediate state to the pre-loaded state, without causing the situation of a small amount of liquid being ejected due to a non-smooth transition.

[0070] In some embodiments, the carrier 3306 is configured to disengage the second component 1020 to release the second component in the case that the button body 1031 is pressed in the case that the second component 1020 is moved to the pre-loaded position. For example, the first arm 1033 and / or the second arm 1034 can be configured as described above by setting the size of the carrier 3306 of the first arm 1033 and / or the second arm 1034. In an example, with continued reference to FIGS. 1-6, the distance that the carrier 3306 extends inwardly can not necessarily be too great, as long as the abutment requirement for the second component 1020 can be met, such that when it is desired to transition the second component 1020 from the pre-loaded position to the triggered position, only a slight movement of the position of the carrier 3306 (e.g., slightly radially outwardly in FIG. 6) is needed to release the second component 1020.

[0071] In some embodiments, the button assembly further comprises another resilient member 1036. The other resilient member 1036 is configured to store energy when the second component 1020 moves away from the first component 1010, and wherein in the case that the carrier 3306 disengages the second component 1020, the second component 1020 is moved toward the first component 1010 to the triggered position under the action of the other resilient member 1036.

[0072] The other resilient member 1036 is configured to store energy when the second component 1020 moves away from the first component 1010. For example, the other resilient member 1036 can be a spring or other resilient member, as long as it can store energy through elastic deformation. In an example, the other resilient member 1036 (e.g., a spring) can be disposed on the side of the second component 1020 closer to the first component 1010, and stretch deformation occurs when the second component 1020 moves away from the first component 1010 to store energy, and when the other resilient member 1036 rebounds, the second component 1020 can be pushed to the triggered position by the pulling force. The other resilient member 1036 (e.g., a spring) can be disposed on the side of the second component 1020 away from the first component 1010, and compression deformation occurs when the second component 1020 moves away from the first component 1010 to store energy, and when the other resilient member 1036 rebounds, the second component 1020 can be pushed to the triggered position by the pushing force.

[0073] Referring back to FIGS. 6-9, the distal end 3302 and the distal end 3402 can comprise a limiting protrusion 3307 disposed adjacent to the carrier 3306 and protruding from the carrier surface of the carrier 3306, the limiting protrusion 3307 being configured to block the rotation of the second component 1020 toward the second direction D2 in the case that the carrier 3306 abuts the second component 1020.

[0074] In some examples, when the second component 1020 is in the preloaded position, the bearing portion 3306 abuts against the second component 1020, and the limiting protrusion 3307 blocks the rotation of the second component 1020 towards the second direction D2, thereby preventing the undesired rotation between the second component 1020 and the first component 1010 towards the second direction D2. In some embodiments, the end of the second component 1020 is provided with a limiting step, and the limiting protrusion 3307 blocks the rotation of the second component 1020 towards the second direction D2 by abutting against the limiting step.

[0075] In some embodiments, when the bearing portion 3306 abuts against the second component 1020, the limiting protrusion contacts the second component 1020 in a tangential manner to block the rotation of the second component 1020 towards the second direction D2. The tangential contact can be achieved by one of the limiting protrusion and the second component 1020 having an arc-shaped surface. For example, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the surface of the limiting protrusion 3307* for blocking the rotation of the second component 1020 towards the second direction D2 has an arc-shaped surface. In some examples, it can also be that the surface of the second component 1020 that contacts the limiting protrusion has an arc-shaped surface, while the corresponding surface of the limiting protrusion can be a flat surface. When the atomizer is in the preloaded position, the user presses the button assembly 1030, and when the button body pushes the first arm 1033 and the second arm 1034, the button body will be hindered by the friction between the first arm 1033 and / or the second arm 1034 and the second component 1020 (e.g., the friction at the arc-shaped surface of the bearing portion 3306 and the limiting protrusion 3307), and thus the size of the friction can affect the activation force required to be applied on the button body 1031. By the tangential contact between the limiting protrusion and the second component 1020 (e.g., by providing the surface of the limiting protrusion 3307* for blocking the rotation of the second component 1020 towards the second direction D2 with an arc-shaped surface), the size of the friction can be controlled within a desired range, thereby improving the feel when the user presses.

[0076] In some embodiments, the pressing force is related to the friction between each of the at least one arm and the second component. In some examples, the size of the friction between the first arm 1033 or the second arm 1034 and the second component 1020 is between 1 N and 6 N.

[0077] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides an atomizer. The atomizer of the present disclosure is described below in combination with FIGS. 13 to 15. Among them, FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an atomizer according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating an atomizer according to an exemplary embodiment; and FIG. 15 is a sectional view illustrating the atomizer of FIG. 14 at A-A section.

[0078] The atomizer 2000 includes a spray assembly and a button assembly 1030 according to the present disclosure for pressing to actuate the spray assembly to spray liquid. The spray assembly 2060 can be mounted into the atomizer 2000 and can be linked with the button assembly 1030 of the atomizer, for delivering atomized liquid to be sprayed into a corresponding chamber.

[0079] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the atomizer 2000 can include an upper housing 2010, a lower housing 2020, and a button 2030 disposed in the upper housing portion. In addition, as shown in FIG. 15, the atomizer 2000 can further include a delivery tube seat 2040 and a rotating housing 2050 disposed in the lower housing 2020.

[0080] In some embodiments, the first component 1010 can constitute the upper housing 2010 of the atomizer 2000, the second component 1020 constitutes the delivery tube seat 2040 of the atomizer 2000, and the delivery tube seat 2040 is configured to be rotatable with the rotation of the lower housing 2020 of the atomizer 2000.

[0081] For example, the upper housing 2010 and the lower housing 2020 can be rotatable relative to each other, and the delivery tube seat 2040 is coupled with the lower housing 2020, by rotating the lower housing 2020 relative to the upper housing 2010, the delivery tube seat 2040 can be rotated relative to the upper housing 2010, in other words, by rotating the lower housing 2020 relative to the upper housing 2010, the second component 1020 of the trigger assembly 1000 disposed in the atomizer 2000 can be rotated relative to the first component 1010, and the second component 1020 moves away from the first component 1010 to a preloaded position. In this process, a portion of the liquid stored in the tank of the atomizer 2000 may, for example, be pumped into the pumping chamber of the atomizer 2000 for atomized spraying.

[0082] In some embodiments, the atomizer 2000 includes a rotating housing 2050 for accommodating at least a portion of the spray assembly 2060, and the distal end of at least one of the first arm 1033 and the second arm 1034 has a mating portion that mates with the rotating housing. In some examples, the mating portion can be a protrusion (such as the mating portion 3308 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) or a plurality of elongated prisms (such as the mating portion 3308* shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) provided on the first arm and / or the second arm.

[0083] In some examples, the rotating housing 2050 is located inside the lower housing 2020 and is disposed outside the delivery tube seat 2040. The rotating housing 2050 can transmit the rotation of the lower housing 2020 to the delivery tube seat 2040, in other words, when the rotating housing 2050 rotates, the delivery tube seat 2040 also rotates; in addition, when the delivery tube seat 2040 is released to move towards the upper housing 2010, the rotating housing 2050 does not move upwards with the delivery tube seat 2040.

[0084] It should be understood that, in the present specification, the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship or dimensions based on the orientation or positional relationship or dimensions shown in the drawings, and the use of these terms is only for the convenience of description, and does not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present application.

[0085] In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", and the like are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first", "second", "third" can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited.

[0086] In the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connection", "connection", "mounting" and the like should be understood broadly, for example, it can be a mounted connection, or a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be a mechanical connection, or an electrical connection, or a communication; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0087] In this application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "on" or "under" of a first feature to a second feature can include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, "on", "above" and "over" of a first feature to a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or only indicates that the first feature is higher in horizontal height than the second feature. "Under", "below" and "underneath" of a first feature to a second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or only indicates that the first feature is lower in horizontal height than the second feature.

[0088] Although the present disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description is to be considered illustrative or exemplary only; the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations that would be obvious to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the disclosure, along with modifications to the disclosed embodiments, can be made and fall within the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0089] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps not listed in the claims, the word "a" or "an" preceding a word does not exclude a plurality of that word, the term "multiple" means two or more, and the term "based on" means "based at least in part on". Where an indefinite or definite article is used, such as "a" or "an", "the", this does not exclude a plurality of the indicated elements or steps, and it is within the scope of the disclosure that, individually or jointly, one or more features, elements or steps can be replaced by a plurality of the features, elements or steps.

Claims

1. A button assembly for an atomizer, comprising: a button body; a resilient member having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the first end is coupled to the button body and the second end is configured to be coupled to a housing of the atomizer; and at least one arm having a proximal end coupled to the button body, wherein the button body stretches the resilient member when a distal end of the at least one arm opposite to the proximal end is close to the housing of the atomizer.

2. The button assembly of claim 1, wherein, The button body compresses the resilient member when the distal end of the at least one arm is away from the housing of the atomizer.

3. The button assembly of claim 1, wherein, The button assembly is configured to be pressed towards the housing of the atomizer under a pressing force ranging between 4N and 20N.

4. The button assembly of claim 1, wherein, The at least one arm has a first fitting portion at the proximal end, and the button body has a fitting hole configured to cooperate with the first fitting portion.

5. The button assembly of claim 4, wherein, The first fitting portion has a head portion adapted to the shape of the fitting hole to mount the first fitting portion into the fitting hole in a first direction.

6. The button assembly of claim 4 or 5, wherein, The first fitting portion comprises: a groove configured to extend to a main portion of the first fitting portion; and at least one first barb structure, wherein the groove is configured to contract to allow the at least one first barb structure to pass through the fitting hole during the mounting of the first fitting portion into the fitting hole, and the first barb structure is configured to abut around the fitting hole when the first fitting portion is mounted into the fitting hole.

7. The button assembly of claim 1, wherein, The button body has at least one insertion portion configured to be coupled to the housing of the atomizer, and the head portion of the at least one insertion portion is provided with at least one second barb structure.

8. The button assembly of claim 1, wherein, The button body has a second fitting portion, and the first end of the resilient member is sleeved on the second fitting portion, and the second end of the resilient member is connected to the housing of the atomizer.

9. The button assembly of claim 8, wherein, The resilient member is a spring, the shape of the second fitting portion is configured to be adapted to the inner diameter of the spring, and the second fitting portion is in interference fit with the spring.

10. The button assembly of claim 1, wherein, The atomizer comprises: a first component and a second component, wherein the first component and the second component are configured such that the second component is movable away from the first component to a preloaded position when the second component is rotated relative to the first component towards a second direction, and wherein the at least one arm is partially disposed around the first component and / or the second component, and the distal end of the at least one arm is moved close to the housing of the atomizer when the second component is moved to the preloaded position.

11. The button assembly of claim 10, wherein, The at least one arm comprises a connecting portion pivotally connected to the first component and / or the second component, such that the at least one arm is pivoted around the connecting portion when the button body is pressed.

12. The button assembly of claim 10, wherein, The distal end of the at least one arm comprises a bearing portion extending radially inwardly from a body thereof, the bearing portion being configured to abut the second component upon sliding of the first arm and the second arm relative to an outer peripheral surface of the second component.

13. The button assembly of claim 10, wherein, The distal end comprises a limiting protrusion disposed adjacent to the bearing portion and protruding from a bearing surface of the bearing portion, the limiting protrusion being for blocking rotation of the second component towards a second direction upon abutment of the bearing portion against the second component.

14. The button assembly of claim 13, wherein, The limiting protrusion is in tangential contact with the second component upon abutment of the bearing portion against the second component to block rotation of the second component towards a second direction.

15. The button assembly of claim 2, wherein, The pressing force is related to a frictional force between each of the at least one arm and the second component, the frictional force having a magnitude between 1 N and 6 N.

16. The button assembly of claim 2, wherein, The pressing force is related to an elastic force of the elastic member acting on the button body, the elastic force having a magnitude between 2 N and 8 N.

17. The button assembly of claim 11, wherein, Upon movement of the second component to the pre-loaded position, the bearing portion is configured to disengage from the second component to release the second component upon pressing of the button body.

18. The button assembly of claim 17, wherein, The button assembly further comprises another elastic member configured to store energy upon movement of the second component away from the first component, and wherein, upon disengagement of the bearing portion from the second component, the second component is moved towards the first component to a triggered position under action of the another elastic member.

19. An atomizer comprising: a spray assembly; and a button assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 18 for pressing to actuate the spray assembly to eject liquid.

20. The atomizer of claim 19, wherein, The atomizer comprises a turning housing for housing at least a portion of the spray assembly, and at least one of the distal end of the first arm and the second arm has a mating portion mating with the turning housing.

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