RELATED APPLICATION
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present application relates to the field of electronic cigarette technology,
particularly to an electronic cigarette having child lock function.
BACKGROUND
[0003] With the development of electronic cigarette technology, more and more electronic
cigarettes have appeared in people's daily lives. However, existing electronic cigarettes
can only achieve negative pressure sensing through a pressure sensor to control the
electronic cigarette to work or not work based on the sensed negative pressure value.
They do not involve a child lock function and cannot effectively prevent minors from
using electronic cigarettes.
SUMMARY
[0004] Based on this, it is necessary to provide an electronic cigarette having child lock
function to effectively prevent minors from using electronic cigarettes.
[0005] An electronic cigarette having child lock function, where it includes:
an outer tube;
a partition layer connected to the inner wall of the outer tube, configured to divide
the interior of the outer tube into a first chamber and a second chamber, the first
chamber communicating with atmospheric pressure through a first airway and a third
airway, and the second chamber communicating with atmospheric pressure through a second
airway;
a heating device, configured to heat;
a pressure control module, connected to the heating device in the partition layer,
configured to control the heating device based on a pressure difference between the
first chamber and the second chamber, and to lock or unlock the heating device when
the pressure difference meets a preset condition; and
a battery cell, connected to the heating device through the pressure control module
and located within the outer tube, configured to provide power.
[0006] In one embodiment, the pressure control module includes:
a pressure sensing module, configured to generate a first control signal based on
the pressure difference and to generate a second control signal when the pressure
difference meets a preset condition; and
a control module, connected to the pressure sensing module and the heating device,
configured to control the heating device to heat based on the first control signal,
and to lock or unlock the heating device based on the second control signal.
[0007] In one embodiment, the pressure sensing module includes:
an airflow sensor, configured to detect the pressure difference between the first
chamber and the second chamber and to generate a capacitance change value corresponding
to the pressure difference;
a capacitance value reading module, connected to the airflow sensor, configured to
read and output the capacitance change value; and
a detection module, connected to the capacitance value reading module, configured
to generate the first control signal based on the capacitance change value, and to
generate the second control signal when the detection module determines that the pressure
difference meets a preset condition based on the capacitance change value.
[0008] In one embodiment, the control module further includes:
a controllable switch, electrically connected to the heating device, the controllable
switch responding to the second control signal, the controllable switch closing to
correspond to an unlock state of the heating device, and the controllable switch opening
to correspond to a lock state of the heating device.
[0009] In one embodiment, the electronic cigarette having child lock function further includes:
an indicator light, connected to the pressure control module and arranged on an outer
wall of the outer tube, configured to indicate an operating state of the electronic
cigarette having child lock function.
[0010] In one embodiment, the electronic cigarette having child lock function further includes:
an e-liquid chamber, located within the outer tube; and
e-liquid-absorbent cotton, located within the e-liquid chamber.
[0011] In one embodiment, the electronic cigarette having child lock function further includes:
sealant silicone, configured to seal the heating device and the e-liquid-absorbent
cotton within the e-liquid chamber.
[0012] In one embodiment, the outer tube includes a first end, further including:
an upper sealing plug; and
a mouthpiece, including two ends, one end being connected to the upper sealing plug
and the other end being connected to the first end of the outer tube.
[0013] In one embodiment, the electronic cigarette further includes:
e-liquid-absorbent cotton, located within the mouthpiece.
[0014] In one embodiment, the outer tube further includes a second end, further including:
a bottom cover, including an upper end and a lower end, the upper end connecting to
the second end of the outer tube; and
a lower protective sleeve, connecting to the lower end of the bottom cover.
[0015] The above electronic cigarette having child lock function is configured with a lock
state and an unlock state. By setting a pressure control module between the first
chamber and the second chamber to obtain a pressure difference between the two chambers,
when it is determined that the pressure difference meets a preset condition, the heating
device is locked or unlocked to control the locking or unlocking of the electronic
cigarette. Therefore, the user can control the working state of the electronic cigarette
by controlling the pressure difference between the two chambers to meet the preset
condition, effectively preventing minors from accidentally ingesting the electronic
cigarette.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present
application or the conventional technology, the drawings used in the description of
the embodiments or the conventional technology will be briefly introduced below. It
is evident that the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present application.
For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the disclosed
drawings without creative efforts.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the chamber structure of the electronic cigarette
having child lock function in one embodiment of the present application;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of gas flowing through the two chambers during inhalation
in one embodiment of the present application;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of gas flowing through the two chambers during exhalation
in one embodiment of the present application;
FIG. 4 is a working schematic diagram of each working module inside the electronic
cigarette having child lock function in one embodiment of the present application;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of each device of the electronic cigarette
having child lock function in one embodiment of the present application;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of each device of the electronic cigarette
having child lock function in another embodiment of the present application; and
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the appearance structure of the electronic cigarette
having child lock function in one embodiment of the present application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, provides
a clear and complete description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of
the present application. It is evident that the described embodiments are merely a
part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of them. Based on the
embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled
in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the
present application.
[0018] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that terms such
as "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 orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations
or positional relationships shown in the drawings. They are merely for the convenience
of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, not indicating or
implying that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be
constructed, and operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be
construed as limitations on this utility model.
[0019] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only
and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly
specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defined as "first"
and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of these features.
In the description of this utility model, "multiple" means at least two, such as two,
three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.
[0020] In this utility model, unless otherwise specified and defined, terms such as "install,"
"connect," "link," "fix," and the like should be understood broadly. For example,
they can be fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral; they can be mechanical
connections or electrical connections; they can be directly connected or indirectly
connected through an intermediary, or they can be internal communication between two
elements or interaction between two elements, unless otherwise specifically defined.
For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this utility
model can be understood according to specific situations.
[0021] In this utility model, unless otherwise specified and defined, the first feature
"on" or "under" the second feature may be in direct contact with the second feature,
or the first and second features may be in indirect contact through an intermediary.
Moreover, the first feature "above," "over," and "on" the second feature may be directly
above or obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicate that the first feature
is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. The first feature "below,"
"under," and "beneath" the second feature may be directly below or obliquely below
the second feature, or merely indicate that the first feature is at a lower horizontal
level than the second feature.
[0022] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed
on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening
element. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can
be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element.
The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar
expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the
only embodiment.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the electronic cigarette having child lock
function in this utility model includes an outer tube 100, a partition layer 101,
a pressure control module 105, a heating device 107, and a battery cell 109. The partition
layer 101 is connected to the inner wall of the outer tube 100 and is used to divide
the interior of the outer tube 100 into a first chamber 103 and a second chamber 106.
The first chamber 103 communicates with atmospheric pressure through a first airway
102 and a third airway 104, while the second chamber 106 communicates with atmospheric
pressure through a second airway 108. The heating device 107 is used to heat to form
an aerosol of the corresponding medium; the pressure control module 105 is connected
to the heating device 107 and the partition layer 101, controlling the heating device
107 to heat when a pressure difference is formed between the first chamber 103 and
the second chamber 106, and determining whether the pressure difference meets a preset
condition to lock or unlock the heating device 107 when the preset condition is met;
the battery cell 109 is connected to the heating device 107 through the pressure control
module 105 and is located inside the outer tube, providing power.
[0024] In this embodiment, the electronic cigarette having child lock function is configured
with a lock state and an unlock state. By setting a pressure control module between
the first chamber and the second chamber to obtain a pressure difference between the
two chambers, when it is determined that the pressure difference meets a preset condition,
the heating device is locked or unlocked to control the locking or unlocking of the
electronic cigarette. Therefore, the user can control the working state of the electronic
cigarette by controlling the pressure difference between the two chambers, effectively
preventing minors from accidentally ingesting the electronic cigarette.
[0025] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the second chamber 106 is always in communication
with atmospheric pressure through the second airway 108, and the first chamber 103
is in communication with atmospheric pressure through the third airway 104 and also
through the first airway 102. The first airway 102 is an inhalation port, and the
third airway 104 is an intake port. When the user inhales the electronic cigarette,
external airflow flows from the third airway 104 through the first chamber 103 and
then through the first airway 102 to the user's mouth, so the pressure in the first
chamber 103 will be lower than the atmospheric pressure in the second chamber 106.
The pressure control module 105 can sense the pressure change between the two chambers
to generate a pressure difference, and when the pressure in the first chamber 103
is less than that in the second chamber 106, it controls the heating device 107 to
heat to produce aerosol for the user to inhale. When it is necessary to lock the electronic
cigarette, in this embodiment, the preset value of the pressure difference between
the two chambers can be set to be greater than or equal to 2000PA. In actual use,
it can be set as needed, but the preset value of the pressure difference needs to
be distinguished from the pressure difference value generated by the user's normal
inhalation of the electronic cigarette, and generally, the preset value of the pressure
difference is larger. At this time, the preset condition for locking can be set so
that when the pressure control module 105 detects that the pressure of the second
chamber 106 minus the pressure of the first chamber 103 is greater than or equal to
2000PA three times within 2 seconds, the heating device 107 is locked and no longer
heats. Even if the pressure control module 105 can detect that the pressure in the
first chamber 103 is less than that in the second chamber 106, generating a pressure
difference, it does not control the heating device 107 to heat. The preset condition
for unlocking is similar. If the heating device 107 of the current electronic cigarette
is locked, the pressure control module 105 detects the pressure difference generated
by the user's inhalation action, and if the pressure of the second chamber 106 minus
the pressure of the first chamber 103 is greater than or equal to 2000PA three times
within 2 seconds, the heating device 107 is unlocked, and the electronic cigarette
can generate aerosol for the user to inhale through normal inhalation action. That
is, by detecting the user's inhalation action, the electronic cigarette having child
lock function achieves locking or unlocking. The above example is only one way to
achieve the child lock function, and different inhalation times and intervals can
be set according to actual needs, and different preset conditions for locking and
unlocking the pressure difference can also be set according to actual needs.
[0026] In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, the electronic cigarette can also be
locked or unlocked by blowing. When the user blows air from the first airway 102,
external airflow flows from the first airway 102 through the first chamber 103 and
then through the third airway 104 to the outside. At this time, the pressure in the
third airway 104 will be higher than atmospheric pressure, that is, the pressure in
the first chamber 103 is higher than that in the second chamber 106. When the pressure
control module 105 detects that the pressure in the first chamber 103 is greater than
that in the second chamber 106 and the pressure difference between the two chambers
is greater than a certain preset value (in this embodiment, the pressure difference
between the two chambers is set to be greater than or equal to 100PA, and it can be
set as needed in actual use, but it should be distinguished from the pressure difference
value generated by the user's normal inhalation of the electronic cigarette, and the
calculation methods of the two difference values are different), and the pressure
difference lasts for a period of time (it can be a time greater than or equal to 1
second, and it can be set as needed in actual use), then the preset condition for
locking is that when the pressure in the first chamber 103 is greater than that in
the second chamber 106 and the pressure difference appears three times greater than
or equal to 100PA within 2 seconds, the pressure control module 105 locks the heating
device 107, and it no longer heats; the unlocking is similar, so when the first chamber
102 and the second chamber 106 have a first pressure difference that appears three
times greater than or equal to 100PA within 2 seconds, the pressure control module
105 unlocks the heating device 107, achieving the unlocking operation of the electronic
cigarette. The working state of the heating device 107 is equivalent to the working
state of the electronic cigarette, that is, when the heating device 107 is in the
locked state, the electronic cigarette is also in the locked state, and when the heating
device 107 is in the unlocked state, the electronic cigarette is also in the unlocked
state. When the electronic cigarette is in the locked state, even if there is a pressure
difference between the first chamber 103 and the second chamber 106, the heating device
107 will not work. The above example is only one way to achieve the child lock function,
and different blowing times and intervals can be set according to actual needs, and
different preset conditions for locking and unlocking the pressure difference can
also be set according to actual needs.
[0027] Through the above two embodiments, two operations can be performed simultaneously:
first, cover the third airway 104 with a hand while blowing or inhaling from the first
airway 102; second, the pressure difference between the two chambers meets the preset
condition. By performing two operations, the heating device 107 of the electronic
cigarette can be locked or unlocked, thereby controlling the operation of the electronic
cigarette. The user can control the operation of the electronic cigarette by controlling
the pressure difference between the two chambers, effectively preventing minors from
accidentally ingesting the electronic cigarette.
[0028] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the pressure control module 105 includes a
pressure sensing module 406 and a control module 407. The pressure sensing module
406 is used to generate a first control signal based on the pressure difference formed
when the pressure in the first chamber 103 is less than that in the second chamber
106 during the user's inhalation of the electronic cigarette, and to generate a second
control signal when the pressure difference between the first chamber 103 and the
second chamber 106 meets the aforementioned preset conditions for locking and unlocking
by blowing or inhaling. The control module 407 is connected to the pressure sensing
module 406 and the heating device 107, controlling the heating device 107 to heat
based on the first control signal and locking or unlocking the heating device 107
based on the second control signal. The first and second control signals are parallel,
and this embodiment does not exclude the simultaneous existence of the two signals,
but the control module 407 will only respond to the first control signal to control
the heating device 107 when the heating device 107 is in the unlocked state.
[0029] In this embodiment, the pressure sensing module 406 can accurately sense the pressure
difference between the first chamber 103 and the second chamber 106 and generate control
signals so that the control module 407 controls the heating device 107 based on the
control signals. Through the above connection relationship, the pressure difference
between the two chambers can be accurately and effectively sensed, and the pressure
difference can be converted into control signals so that the control module 407 controls
the heating device, improving the accuracy of sensing the voltage difference and enhancing
the coordination of work between the modules.
[0030] In one embodiment, again referring to FIG. 4, the pressure sensing module 406 includes
an airflow sensor 401, a detection module 405, and a capacitance value reading module
402. The airflow sensor 401 is used to detect the pressure difference between the
first chamber 103 and the second chamber 106 and generate a capacitance change value
corresponding to the pressure difference; the capacitance value reading module 402
is connected to the airflow sensor 401, used to read the capacitance change value
generated by the airflow sensor 401 and convert it into a numerical output; the detection
module 405 is connected to the capacitance value reading module 402, generating the
first control signal based on the capacitance change value, and generating the second
control signal when the pressure difference between the first chamber 103 and the
second chamber 106 meets the aforementioned preset conditions for locking and unlocking
by blowing or inhaling based on the capacitance change value.
[0031] In this embodiment, the airflow sensor 401 includes but is not limited to a capacitive
microphone and a micro-electromechanical system microphone. The airflow sensor 401
can accurately detect the pressure difference between the first chamber 103 and the
second chamber 106 and generate a capacitance change value based on the pressure difference.
The capacitance value reading module 402 reads the capacitance change value and converts
it into a processable numerical output, while the detection module 405 judges and
generates control signals based on the processed numerical values, enhancing the stability
of conversion processing between signals.
[0032] In one embodiment, again referring to FIG. 4, the control module 407 further includes
a controllable switch 404, which is electrically connected to the heating device 107
(i.e., the controllable switch 404 is connected to the heating device 107 through
the battery cell 109) and responds to the second control signal to open or close.
When the controllable switch 404 is closed, it connects the battery cell 109 to the
heating device 107 for power supply, and at this time, the control module 407 can
respond to the first control signal to control the heating device 107 to heat, corresponding
to the unlocked state of the heating device 107; when the controllable switch 404
is open, the heating device 107 cannot receive power from the battery cell 109, and
the control module 407 cannot respond to the first control signal to control the heating
device 107 to heat, corresponding to the locked state of the heating device 107.
[0033] The controllable switch 404 includes but is not limited to a field-effect transistor,
a thyristor, a relay, and a transistor.
[0034] In one embodiment, again referring to FIG. 4, the electronic cigarette having child
lock function further includes an indicator light 403, connected to the pressure control
module 105, located on the outer wall of the outer tube 100, and used to indicate
the operating state of the entire electronic cigarette having child lock function.
[0035] The form of the indicator light 403 is not limited and can be an LED indicator light
or any other device that can achieve an indication function, and multiple LED lights
can be set as needed; for example, one LED can be set to be always on to indicate
that the controllable switch in the heating device is in the closed state, and the
LED is always off to indicate that the controllable switch in the heating device is
in the open state. Another LED can be set to light up during a preset time period
to indicate that the heating element is heating, and the LED light goes out during
the preset time period to indicate that the heating element is not heating. It should
be noted that when some indicator lights include multiple small LED lights and the
LED lights have multiple circuit structures, a part of the LED lights can be set to
indicate the state of the controllable switch, and another part can indicate whether
the heating element is heating or not heating. This embodiment does not limit the
structure of the indicator light 403.
[0036] In this embodiment, the indicator light 403 is set on the outer wall of the outer
tube 100, allowing the user to clearly understand the working state of the electronic
cigarette having child lock function when using it, facilitating use.
[0037] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the electronic cigarette having child lock
function further includes an e-liquid chamber 502 and e-liquid-absorbent cotton 503,
where the e-liquid chamber 502 is located inside the outer tube 100 and the e-liquid-absorbent
cotton 503 is located inside the e-liquid chamber 502.
[0038] In this embodiment, the electronic cigarette having child lock function is equipped
with an e-liquid chamber 502 and e-liquid-absorbent cotton 503, ensuring the basic
functionality of the electronic cigarette.
[0039] In one embodiment, again referring to FIG. 5, the electronic cigarette having child
lock function further includes sealant silicone 501, which is used to seal the heating
device 107 and the e-liquid-absorbent cotton 503 within the e-liquid chamber 502.
[0040] In this embodiment, the electronic cigarette having child lock function is equipped
with sealant silicone 501, which seals the heating device 107 and the e-liquid-absorbent
cotton 503 within the e-liquid chamber 502, ensuring the safe use of the electronic
cigarette having child lock function and improving its safety.
[0041] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the outer tube 100 of the electronic cigarette
includes a first end, and the electronic cigarette further includes an upper sealing
plug 601 and a mouthpiece 602, which includes two ends, one end connected to the upper
sealing plug 601, and the other end connected to the first end of the outer tube 100.
[0042] In one embodiment, the electronic cigarette further includes e-liquid-absorbent cotton
603, which is located inside the mouthpiece 602.
[0043] In this embodiment, the e-liquid-absorbent cotton 603 is set inside the mouthpiece
602, improving the user's experience.
[0044] In one embodiment, the outer tube 100 further includes a second end, and the electronic
cigarette having child lock function further includes a bottom cover 607 and a lower
protective sleeve 608, where the bottom cover 607 includes an upper end and a lower
end, the upper end connected to the second end of the outer tube 100, and the lower
protective sleeve 608 is connected to the lower end of the bottom cover 607.
[0045] In this embodiment, again referring to the structural schematic of the electronic
cigarette having child lock function shown in FIG. 6, the electronic cigarette having
child lock function includes a bottom cover 607 and a lower protective sleeve 608,
ensuring the integrity of the structure of the electronic cigarette having child lock
function and improving the user's experience. The overall appearance structure of
the electronic cigarette having child lock function can be referred to in FIG. 7,
and the components can be connected and combined through connecting components made
of EVA material.
[0046] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. To make
the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in
the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction
in these combinations of technical features, they should be considered within the
scope of this specification.
[0047] The above embodiments only express several implementation modes of the present application,
and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be
understood as limitations on the scope of the patent application. It should be noted
that for those skilled in the art, several modifications and improvements can be made
without departing from the concept of the present application, and these all belong
to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope
of this patent application should be subject to the appended claims.
1. An electronic cigarette having child lock function,
characterized in that the electronic cigarette having child lock function comprises:
an outer tube;
a partition layer connected to an inner wall of the outer tube, wherein the partition
layer is configured to divide an interior of the outer tube into a first chamber and
a second chamber, the first chamber communicating with atmospheric pressure through
a first airway and a third airway, and the second chamber communicating with atmospheric
pressure through a second airway;
a heating device, configured to heat;
a pressure control module, connected to the heating device in the partition layer,
and configured to control the heating device based on a pressure difference between
the first chamber and the second chamber, and to lock or unlock the heating device
when the pressure difference meets a preset condition; and
a battery cell, connected to the heating device through the pressure control module
and located within the outer tube, configured to provide power.
2. The electronic cigarette having child lock function according to claim 1,
characterized in that the pressure control module comprises:
a pressure sensing module, configured to generate a first control signal based on
the pressure difference and to generate a second control signal when the pressure
difference meets a preset condition; and
a control module, connected to the pressure sensing module and the heating device,
configured to control the heating device to heat based on the first control signal,
and to lock or unlock the heating device based on the second control signal.
3. The electronic cigarette having child lock function according to claim 2,
characterized in that the pressure sensing module comprises:
an airflow sensor, configured to detect the pressure difference between the first
chamber and the second chamber and to generate a capacitance change value corresponding
to the pressure difference;
a capacitance value reading module, connected to the airflow sensor, configured to
read and output the capacitance change value; and
a detection module, connected to the capacitance value reading module, configured
to generate the first control signal based on the capacitance change value, and to
generate the second control signal when the detection module determines that the pressure
difference meets a preset condition based on the capacitance change value.
4. The electronic cigarette having child lock function according to claim 2, characterized in that the control module further comprises:
a controllable switch, electrically connected to the heating device, the controllable
switch responding to the second control signal, the controllable switch closing to
correspond to an unlock state of the heating device, and the controllable switch opening
to correspond to a lock state of the heating device.
5. The electronic cigarette having child lock function according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic cigarette having child lock function further comprises:
an indicator light, connected to the pressure control module and arranged on an outer
wall of the outer tube, and configured to indicate an operating state of the electronic
cigarette having child lock function.
6. The electronic cigarette having child lock function according to claim 1,
characterized in that the electronic cigarette having child lock function further comprises:
an e-liquid chamber, located within the outer tube; and
e-liquid-absorbent cotton, located within the e-liquid chamber.
7. The electronic cigarette having child lock function according to claim 6, characterized in that the electronic cigarette having child lock function further comprises:
sealant silicone, configured to seal the heating device and the e-liquid-absorbent
cotton within the e-liquid chamber.
8. The electronic cigarette having child lock function according to claim 1,
characterized in that the outer tube comprises a first end, and the electronic cigarette having child lock
function further comprises:
an upper sealing plug; and
a mouthpiece, comprising two ends, one end being connected to the upper sealing plug
and the other end being connected to the first end of the outer tube.
9. The electronic cigarette having child lock function according to claim 8, characterized in that the electronic cigarette having child lock function further comprises:
e-liquid-absorbent cotton, located within the mouthpiece.
10. The electronic cigarette having child lock function according to claim 7,
characterized in that the outer tube further comprises a second end, and the electronic cigarette having
child lock function further comprises:
a bottom cover, comprising an upper end and a lower end, the upper end connecting
to the second end of the outer tube; and
a lower protective sleeve, connecting to the lower end of the bottom cover.