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(11) | EP 3 970 534 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | ATOMIZER |
| (57) An atomizer, including an end cover (4), the end cover including a main body. The
main body includes an outer peripheral wall, and the outer peripheral wall includes
an annular recess (41) for air circulation. The annular recess includes a wall (411)
including an air inlet (15) and/or an air vent (18).
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[0002] In a conventional atomizer, external air enters an atomization channel through an air inlet to drive smoke to flow to the mouthpiece. Condensed e-liquid easily leaks from the air inlet along the atomization channel, thereby staining the atomizer, which adversely affects user experience.
[0003] In the process of filling the e-liquid tank of the atomizer with e-liquid, air present in the e-liquid tank results in a relatively low filling efficiency as entry of the e-liquid into the tank is hampered by air escaping through the inlet.
[0004] In addition, when the atomizer works, the e-liquid is atomized into vapor by a heater. Because the e-liquid tank is isolated from the outside environment and the air cannot flow into the e-liquid tank, the e-liquid does not contact with the heater quickly enough due to the pressure difference. As a result, the heater may suffer a burnt out.
[0005] The disclosure provides an atomizer comprising an end cover. The end cover comprises a main body comprising an outer peripheral wall. The outer peripheral wall comprises an annular recess for air circulation. The annular recess comprises a wall comprising an air inlet and/or an air vent. The atomizer comprises an atomizing channel in which a heating element is disposed to heat and atomize the e-liquid. The atomizing channel allows the smoke generated from atomizing the e-liquid to flow to the mouthpiece. The air inlet directly communicates with the atomizing channel or communicates with the atomizing channel through the passage. The air vent directly communicates with the e-liquid tank or communicates with the e-liquid tank through an e-liquid channel. In certain embodiments, the air inlet is disposed on the wall of the annular recess, but the air vent is not provided; in the case where, the e-liquid vapor is condensed into liquid and stays in the atomizing channel or the annular recess, preventing leakage of the e-liquid. In certain embodiments, the air vent is disposed on the wall of the annular recess and the air inlet is disposed on the other components of the atomizer, which prevent the e-liquid leakage and make the e-liquid filling fast. In certain embodiments, both the air inlet and the air vent are disposed on the wall of the annular recess, which makes the smoke and the air flow more smoothly.
[0006] The main body comprises an air passage communicating with the air inlet and optionally communicating with the atomizing channel. In certain embodiments, the main body is not provided with the air passage and the air inlet is disposed on the main body; the atomizing channel is disposed on the distal end of the main body and is directly connected to the air inlet.
[0007] The air passage extends from a proximal end toward a distal end of the main body. The air inlet is disposed on the bottom wall of the annular recess and directly communicates with the air passage.
[0008] A first tube is disposed on the distal end of the main body and communicates with the air passage. The first tube provides convenience for the main body to connect with the atomizing channel (for example, a position limiter) and for a first seal to be positioned and prevents the position limiter from moving from side to side.
[0009] The main body further comprises an air hole through which the external air flows into the annular recess. In certain embodiments, the main body is not provided with the air hole. When the annular recess is sealed with a casing of the atomizer, the air hole is disposed on the casing. When the main body comprises a seal wall for sealing the annular recess, the air hole is disposed on the seal wall. When the main body is inserted into the e-liquid tank and the annular recess is sealed with the inside wall of the e-liquid tank, the air hole is disposed on the inside wall of the e-liquid tank so that the airflow is inhaled into the annular recess through the air hole.
[0010] The air hole extends from the proximal end of the main body into the annular recess. Specifically, the air hole extends from the proximal end of the main body into the wall of the annular recess.
[0011] A second tube is disposed on the wall of the annular recess and communicates with the air hole. The second tube prevents the e-liquid in the annular recess from leaking out through the air hole, and the airflow is guided by the second tube toward the annular recess.
[0012] The main body further comprises an e-liquid channel communicating with the air vent disposed on the wall of the annular recess.
[0013] The e-liquid channel is disposed on the distal end of the main body and comprises an open end communicating with the e-liquid tank and a blind end.
[0014] A third tube is disposed on the distal end of the main body and communicates with the e-liquid channel. The third tube provides convenience for the first seal to be positioned and prevents the e-liquid from leaking out from the open end of the e-liquid channel.
[0015] The wall of the annular recess further comprises a first recess communicating with the air vent. The first recess is disposed on the wall of the annular recess. The first recess comprises a side wall and a bottom wall. The air vent is disposed on the side wall or the bottom wall of the first recess. The absorber is disposed in the first recess so as to adsorb the e-liquid remaining in the air vent and quickly expand to prevent the e-liquid from flowing from the air vent into the e-liquid tank. When the atomizer works, the e-liquid attached to the absorber are sucked into the e-liquid tank with the airflow. In certain embodiments, the air vent is disposed on the wall of the annular recess without the first recess.
[0016] The side wall of the first recess comprises an air channel extending along the depth direction of the first recess.
[0017] The air vent is disposed on the side wall of the first recess and a second recess is disposed on the bottom wall of the first recess; one end of the second recess communicates with the air vent and the other end of the second recess communicates with the air channel; or the air vent is disposed on the bottom wall of the first recess and communicates with the air channel. When the air vent is disposed on the side wall of the first recess, the blind end of the e-liquid channel is disposed in the air vent. The second recess is used to guide air flow.
[0018] The air channel is less than or equal to 0.5 mm in depth and is less than or equal to 3 mm in width. Preferably, the air channel is less than or equal to 0.1 mm in depth and is less than or equal to 1 mm in width. For example, the depth of the air channel is 0.03 mm, 0.05 mm, 0.07 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.15 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, or 0.4 mm; and the width of the air channel is 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.45 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.55 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.65 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.9 mm, 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, or 2.5 mm.
[0019] The cross-sectional area of the air vent is less than or equal to 7 mm2. Preferably, the cross-sectional area of the air vent is less than or equal to 3.2 mm2; and the air channel is less than or equal to 0.2 mm in depth and is less than or equal to 2 mm in width; and more preferably, the cross-sectional area of the air vent is less than or equal to 0.8 mm2. For example, the cross-sectional area of the air vent is 0.21 mm2, 0.24 mm2, 0.26 mm2, 0.79 mm2, 1.77 mm2, 3.1 mm2, or 4.9 mm2.
[0020] The main body further comprises a first fill hole extending from the proximal end toward the distal end of the main body. The e-liquid is injected into the e-liquid tank through the first fill hole.
[0021] The atomizer of the disclosure comprises an e-liquid tank. The main body is disposed on one end of the e-liquid tank; and the annular recess and the inside wall of the e-liquid tank forms a closed space; or the end cover comprises a seal wall for sealing the annular recess of the main body; the seal wall is integrated with or detachably connected to the main body; and the end cover is connected to one end of the e-liquid tank.
[0022] The atomizer further comprises an atomizing assembly comprising a hollow position limiter and a heating element. One end of the hollow position limiter is disposed in the air passage and the other end of the position limiter is disposed in the e-liquid tank. The hollow position limiter comprises at least one second fill hole. The at least one second fill hole is in the e-liquid tank. The heating element is disposed in the position limiter and is opposite to the at least one second fill hole.
[0023] The proximal end of the air passage is sealed with the holder. The holder is disposed on one end of the hollow position limiter and the heating element is fixedly disposed on the holder. The heating element comprises a pin. One end of the holder away from the hollow position limiter comprises a fastener into which the pin of the heating element is inserted.
[0027] A filling plug is disposed in the bottom wall of the first recess opposite to the air vent and is disposed on the absorber. The absorber is tightened by the filling plug to prevent falling off. The filling plug comprises rubber, wood, etc.
[0028] The first seal is disposed on the distal end of the main body so as to seal the gap between the main body and the end cover. The first seal comprises a through hole matching the first tube and the second tube and has the same cross-sectional shape as the main body.
[0029] The air passage comprises an inner wall and the position limiter comprises an outer wall. A second seal is disposed between the inner wall of the air passage and the outer wall of the position limiter.
[0030] A third seal is disposed between the vapor channel and the position limiter. The vapor channel comprises rubber, plastic, etc. Preferably, the vapor channel is disposed on the outer circumference of the one end of the position limiter and the third seal is disposed between the vapor channel and the position limiter.
[0032] A protective cover comprises metal and is disposed on the proximal end of the main body. When the heating element achieves high temperatures, the atomizing assembly expands and is covered by the protective cover to prevent leakage of the e-liquid.
[0033] As used herein, the term "proximal," as is traditional, refers to the end portion of the apparatus that is closest to the operator, while the term "distal" refers to the end portion that is farthest from the operator.
[0034] The first seal, the second seal, the third seal, and the oil plug comprise rubber, plastic, silicone, etc.
[0035] The following advantages are associated with the atomizer of the disclosure:
- 1. The atomizer comprises a closed space for preventing leakage of oil from the air passage to the outside, which causes the atomizer to be stained.
- 2. The air is discharged through the air vent, which makes the e-liquid filling faster, preventing leakage of the e-liquid from the first fill hole and thus avoiding staining the atomizer.
- 3. The conventional e-liquid tank is isolated from the outside environment and the air cannot flow into the e-liquid tank, e-liquid cannot immediately contact the heater due to the pressure difference of the air, which is likely to burn out the heater. The air is inhaled into the e-liquid tank through the first recess and the air vent, accelerating the flow velocity of the smoke generated.
- 4. The absorber adsorbs the e-liquid remaining in the air vent and quickly expands to prevent the e-liquid from flowing through the air vent into the e-liquid tank. When the user is smoking, the e-liquid attached to the absorber are sucked into the e-liquid tank with the airflow.
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an atomizer according to one embodiment of the disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an atomizer according to one embodiment of the disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an atomizer according to one embodiment of the disclosure;
FIG. 4 is schematic diagram of an end cover according to one embodiment of the disclosure;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating direction of air in an atomizer during e-liquid filling according to one embodiment of the disclosure; and
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating directions of air and smoke in an atomizer during smoking according to one embodiment of the disclosure.
[0036] In the drawings, the following reference numbers are used: 1. E-liquid tank; 101. Mouthpiece; 102. Vapor channel; 2. Third seal; 3. First seal; 4. End cover; 5. Second seal; 6. Protective cover; 7. Oil plug; 8. Position limiter; 9. Heating element; 10. Holder; 11. Fastener; 12. Absorber; 13. Filling plug; 14. Air hole; 15. Air inlet; 16. First fill hole; 17. Air channel; 18. Air vent; 19. First recess; 190. Second groove; 191. Side wall of the first recess; 192. Bottom wall of the first recess; 20. Closed space; 41. Annular recess; 411. Bottom wall of the annular recess; 412. First side wall; 413. Second side wall; 42. First tube; 43. Third tube; 44. Second tube; 45. E-liquid channel; and 46. Air passage.
[0037] To further illustrate, embodiments detailing an atomizer are described below. It should be noted that the following embodiments are intended to describe and not to limit the disclosure.
Example 1
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an atomizer comprises an e-liquid tank 1, a first seal 3, a second seal 5, a third seal 2, an end cover 4, a protective cover 6, an oil plug 7, a position limiter 8, a heating element 9, a holder 10, a fastener 11, an absorber12, and a filling plug 13.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the e-liquid tank 1 comprises a mouthpiece 101 and a vapor channel 102 communicating with the mouthpiece 101. The smoke generated from heating e-liquid flows through the vapor channel 102 to the mouthpiece 101.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 4, the end cover 4 comprises a main body comprising an outer peripheral wall. The outer peripheral wall comprises an annular recess for circulation. The main body further comprises an air hole 14, an air inlet 15, a first fill hole 16, and a first recess 19. The annular recess comprises a side wall and a bottom wall 411. The side wall of the annular recess comprises a first side wall 412 and a second side wall 413. The air inlet 15 and the first recess 19 are disposed on the bottom wall 411 of the annular recess 41. The first recess 19 comprises a side wall 191 and a bottom wall 192. The side wall 191 of the first recess 19 comprises an air channel 17 and an air vent 18 opposite to the air channel 17. A second groove 190 is disposed on the bottom wall 192 of the first recess 19. One end of the second groove 190 communicates with the air vent 18 and the other end of the second groove 190 communicates with the air channel 17. The main body comprises a proximal end and a distal end. A first tube 42 and a third tube 43 are disposed at the distal end of the main body, and a second tube 44 is disposed on the second side wall 413 of the annular recess 41.
[0041] The first tube 42 communicates with the air passage 46. The second tube 44 communicates with the air hole 14. The third tube 43 communicates with the first fill hole 16. The air channel 17 extends along the depth direction of the first recess 19.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the first seal 3 is disposed on the end cover 4 and pressed into a lower portion of the e-liquid tank 1. The first seal 3 is disposed between the e-liquid tank 1 and the end cover 4, resisting leaks in the interface. The end cover 4 is disposed into the lower portion of the e-liquid tank 1. The annular recess 41 and the inside wall of the e-liquid tank 1 forms a closed space 20. The air inlet 15 and the first recess 19 are disposed in the closed space 20. The air hole 14 and the first fill hole 16 are disposed at the proximal end of the main body. The air hole 14 communicates with the closed space 20. The first fill hole 16 communicates with the e-liquid tank 1 through an e-liquid channel 45. The air inlet 15 communicates with the air passage 46. Referring to FIG. 4, the air vent 18 is disposed on one end of the side wall of the first recess 19 and communicates with the e-liquid channel 45. The air channel 17 is disposed on the other end of the side wall of the first recess 19.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the third seal 2 is disposed in the vapor channel 102 which functions as an atomizing channel. The absorber 12 is disposed at the bottom of the first recess 19 so as to adsorb the e-liquid remaining in the air vent 18 and quickly expand to prevent the e-liquid from flowing through the air vent 18 into the e-liquid tank 1. When the atomizer works, the e-liquid attached to the absorber 12 are sucked into the cartridge with the airflow. The filling plug 13 is disposed in the first recess 19, so that the air can only flow through the air channel 17 when being inhaled and exhausted. The absorber 12 is tightened by the filling plug 13 to prevent falling off. The heating element 9 is disposed in the position limiter 8 so as to heat and atomize the e-liquid. The position limiter 8 is fixed on the holder 10. The fastener 11 is disposed in the bottom of the heating element 9. The heating element 9 comprises a pin inserted into the fastener 11. The position limiter 8, the heating element 9, the holder 10, and the fastener 11 are integrated to form an atomizing assembly. The position limiter 8 comprises at least one second fill hole. The second seal 5 is disposed in the air passage 46. The atomizing assembly penetrates through the air passage 46 and is inserted into the e-liquid tank 1. The position limiter 8 is disposed in the e-liquid tank 1. The first end of the position limiter 8 passes through the third seal 2 and is inserted into the vapor channel 102. The oil plug 7 is dispose in the first fill hole 16 so as to prevent leakage of the e-liquid. The protective cover 6 is disposed on the lower portion of the e-liquid tank 1 so as to conduct electricity and prevent deformation of the e-liquid tank 1 during the heating stage.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, when the e-liquid is injected into the e-liquid tank 1 through the first fill hole 16, the air in the e-liquid tank 1 is discharged through the air vent 18 into the first recess 19, into the closed space 20, and out of the air hole 14. When the user is smoking, the external air is inhaled into the closed space 20 through the air hole 14. A part of the air enters the air passage 46 from the air inlet 15 and drives the smoke generated by the heating element 9 to the position limiter 8, and the smoke is inhaled into use's mouth from the vapor channel 102. Another part of the air enters the first recess 19 from the air channel 17 and flows through the air vent 18 into the e-liquid tank 1. In the e-liquid tank 1, the air accelerates the flow velocity of the smoke generated so that the smoke generated flows to the heating element 9 from the second fill hole.
Example 2
[0045] The example is basically the same as Example 1, except that the annular recess 41 of the example comprises the air vent 18 disposed on the slot wall, but the air inlet 15 and the air passage 46 are not provided. The annular recess 41 of the example is used in combination with the air vent 18. The atomizer comprises an atomizing channel comprising the heating element 9 used to heat and atomize the e-liquid, and the atomizing channel allows the smoke generated to flow to the mouthpiece 101. The air inlet 15 communicates with the atomizing channel of the heating element 9.
Example 3
[0046] The example is basically the same as Example 1, except that the annular recess 41 of the example comprises the air inlet 15 disposed on the slot wall, but the air vent 18 is not provided. The annular recess 41 of the example is used in combination with the air inlet 15. The air vent 18 is provided on the atomizer disposed on the inside wall of the e-liquid tank 1.
Example 4
[0047] The example is basically the same as Examples 1-3, except that a seal wall (not shown) is disposed on the outer circumference of the main body of the end cover. The annular recess 41 is sealed with the seal wall to form the closed space 20. The seal wall is integrated with, detachably connected to, or fixedly connected to the main body of the end cover 4. The end cover 4 is inserted into the e-liquid tank 1 or disposed around the outer circumference of one end of the e-liquid tank 1. The end cover 4 is connected to the e-liquid tank 1 with any method.
1. An atomizer, comprising an end cover, the end cover comprising a main body; the main
body comprising an outer peripheral wall, and the outer peripheral wall comprising
an annular recess for air circulation; and the annular recess comprising a wall comprising
an air inlet and/or an air vent.
2. The atomizer of claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises an air passage; the
air inlet communicates with the air passage; the air passage extends from a proximal
end toward a distal end of the main body; and a first tube is disposed on the distal
end of the main body and communicates with the air passage.
3. The atomizer of claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises an air hole through
which external air flows into the annular recess.
4. The atomizer of claim 3, wherein the air hole extends from the proximal end of the
main body into the annular recess; and a second tube is disposed on the wall of the
annular recess and communicates with the air hole.
5. The atomizer of claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises an e-liquid channel
communicating with the air vent disposed on the wall of the annular recess.
6. The atomizer of claim 5, wherein the e-liquid channel is disposed on the distal end
of the main body and comprises an open end communicating with an e-liquid tank and
a blind end; and a third tube is disposed on the distal end of the main body and communicates
with the e-liquid channel.
7. The atomizer of claim 1, wherein the wall of the annular recess further comprises
a first recess and the air vent communicates with the first recess.
8. The atomizer of claim 7, wherein a side wall of the first recess comprises an air
channel extending along a depth direction of the first recess.
9. The atomizer of claim 8, wherein the air vent is disposed on the side wall of the
first recess and a second recess is disposed on a bottom wall of the first recess;
one end of the second recess communicates with the air vent and the other end of the
second recess communicates with the air channel; or the air vent is disposed on the
bottom wall of the first recess and communicates with the air channel.
10. The atomizer of claim 8, wherein the air channel is less than or equal to 0.5 mm in
depth and is less than or equal to 3 mm in width, and a cross-sectional area of the
air vent is less than or equal to 7 mm2.
11. The atomizer of claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises a first fill hole
extending from the proximal end toward the distal end of the main body.
12. The atomizer of claim 2, wherein the atomizer further comprises an e-liquid tank;
the main body is disposed on one end of the e-liquid tank; and the annular recess
and an inside wall of the e-liquid tank forms a closed space; or the end cover comprises
a seal wall for sealing the annular recess of the main body; the seal wall is integrated
with or detachably connected to the main body; and the end cover is connected to one
end of the e-liquid tank.
13. The atomizer of claim 12, wherein
the atomizer further comprises an atomizing assembly comprising a hollow position limiter and a heating element; one end of the hollow position limiter is disposed in the air passage and the other end of the hollow position limiter is disposed in the e-liquid tank; the hollow position limiter comprises at least one second fill hole; the at least one second fill hole is in the e-liquid tank; the heating element is disposed in the hollow position limiter and is opposite to the at least one second fill hole;
a proximal end of the air passage is sealed with a holder; the holder is disposed on one end of the hollow position limiter and the heating element is fixedly disposed on the holder; the heating element comprises a pin; one end of the holder away from the hollow position limiter comprises a fastener, and the pin of the heating element is fixed on the fastener;
the e-liquid tank comprises a mouthpiece and a vapor channel communicating with the mouthpiece; one end of the position limiter abuts against the vapor channel, and is disposed in or outside the vapor channel; and
a first seal is disposed on the distal end of the main body to seal a gap between the main body and the end cover; and/or a second seal is disposed between an inner wall of the air passage and an outer wall of the position limiter; and/or a third seal is disposed between the vapor channel and the position limiter; an oil plug is disposed on the first fill hole; and/or a protective cover is disposed on the proximal end of the main body.
14. The atomizer of claim 7, wherein an absorber is disposed in the air vent or is disposed
on the bottom wall of the first recess.
15. The atomizer of claim 14, wherein a filling plug is disposed in the bottom wall of
the first recess and is disposed on the absorber.