CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of this application relate to the field of electronic atomization technologies,
and in particular, to an electronic atomization device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] During use of tobacco products (for example, cigarettes and cigars), tobacco is burnt
to generate tobacco smoke. An attempt has been made to replace these tobacco-burning
products by producing products that release compounds without burning.
[0004] An example of such a product is a heating device, which releases compounds by heating
rather than burning materials. For example, the materials may be tobacco or other
non-tobacco products, where the non-tobacco products may or may not include nicotine.
In another example, aerosol providing products exist, for example, the so-called electronic
atomization devices. The devices usually include liquid. The liquid is heated and
atomized, so as to generate an inhalable aerosol. In a known electronic atomization
device, an airflow sensor is mounted at a portion of a distal end close to an air
inlet to sense an air flow. For the known electronic atomization device, arrangement
of the airflow sensor is disadvantageous for disassembling or taking out a battery
core from the distal end.
SUMMARY
[0005] An embodiment of this application provides an electronic atomization device, including:
a liquid storage cavity, configured to store a liquid substrate;
an atomization assembly, in fluid communication with the liquid storage cavity, and
configured to absorb the liquid substrate from the liquid storage cavity and atomize
the liquid substrate to generate an aerosol;
a support, configured to support the atomization assembly, where at least part of
the atomization assembly is accommodated inside the support and is arranged adjacent
to the liquid storage cavity; and
an airflow sensor, configured to sense a change in air flowing through an interior
of the electronic atomization device, where the airflow sensor is accommodated or
held in the support and is arranged facing away from the liquid storage cavity.
[0006] In some embodiments, the airflow sensor is arranged to deviate from a longitudinal
central axis of the electronic atomization device.
[0007] In some embodiments, an axis of the airflow sensor is arranged to be substantially
perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the electronic atomization device; or
the axis of the airflow sensor is arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal
direction of the electronic atomization device.
[0008] In some embodiments, the electronic atomization device includes:
a battery core, configured to provide electric power, where
the airflow sensor is electrically connected to the atomization assembly; and the
airflow sensor is further configured to guide a current between the battery core and
the atomization assembly when air flows through the electronic atomization device.
[0009] In some embodiments, the support includes a first end close to the liquid storage
cavity along a longitudinal direction and a second end facing away from the first
end.
[0010] The first end is provided with a first opening configured to allow accommodating
of the atomization assembly in the support, and the second end is provided with a
second opening configured to allow accommodating of the airflow sensor in the support.
[0011] In some embodiments, the support defines a second accommodating cavity and a third
accommodating cavity that are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction.
The second accommodating cavity is close to the first end and configured to accommodate
the atomization assembly, and the third accommodating cavity is close to the second
end and configured to accommodate the airflow sensor.
[0012] In some embodiments, the interior of the electronic atomization device defines an
airflow channel that provides an airflow path, and a portion of the airflow channel
passes through the support to bring the third accommodating cavity into communication
with the second accommodating cavity.
[0013] In some embodiments, the electronic atomization device further includes:
a first liquid guide element, in fluid communication with the liquid storage cavity
to absorb the liquid substrate.
[0014] The atomization assembly includes:
a second liquid guide element, including an outer side surface and an inner side surface
that are opposite to each other, where the outer side surface is arranged to indirectly
absorb, from the first liquid guide element, the liquid substrate sourced from the
liquid storage cavity; and
a heating element, coupled to the second liquid guide element and adjacent to the
inner side surface, and configured to heat at least part of the liquid substrate in
the second liquid guide element to generate an aerosol.
[0015] In some embodiments, the support includes a first support portion, a second support
portion, and a third support portion that are arranged along a longitudinal direction.
[0016] The first support portion at least partially surrounds or accommodates the first
liquid guide element.
[0017] The second support portion at least partially surrounds or accommodates the second
liquid guide element.
[0018] The third support portion at least partially surrounds or accommodates the airflow
sensor.
[0019] In some embodiments, a first accommodating cavity is defined in the first support
portion; the first accommodating cavity includes a first section and a second section
that are arranged in sequence; a cross-sectional area of the first section increases
along a direction facing away from the second support portion, and the cross-sectional
area of the second section is substantially constant.
[0020] The first liquid guide element is arranged in the second section, and avoids the
first section. In some embodiments, the electronic atomization device further includes:
an airflow channel, defining an airflow path passing through the electronic atomization
device, where a portion of the airflow channel is provided to extend around the support
along a circumferential direction of the support.
[0021] In some embodiments, the electronic atomization device further includes:
an elastic conductive element, arranged between the battery core and the airflow sensor,
to provide an electrical connection therebetween.
[0022] In some embodiments, the battery core abuts against the conductive element to form
the electrical connection and at least partially compresses the conductive element.
[0023] In some embodiments, the conductive element is in a meandering and bent shape.
[0024] In some embodiments, the electronic atomization device further includes:
a housing, having a proximal end and a distal end that are opposite to each other
along a longitudinal direction; and
an end cap, at least partially closing the distal end of the housing and detachably
connected to the housing, where the end cap is constructed to be detachable from the
housing to open the distal end of the housing, to allow the battery core to be taken
out from the distal end of the housing, and
when the battery core is taken out from the distal end of the housing, the battery
core is separated from the conductive element to break the electrical connection.
[0025] In some embodiments, the electronic atomization device further includes:
a holding element, configured to hold or fasten the conductive element, and at least
partially provide support for the airflow sensor accommodated in the support.
[0026] In some embodiments, the electronic atomization device further includes:
a ventilation channel, at least partially defined on the support, to provide a flow
path for air to enter the liquid storage cavity.
[0027] Another embodiment of this application provides an electronic atomization device,
including:
a liquid storage cavity, configured to store a liquid substrate;
a heating element, configured to heat the liquid substrate to generate an aerosol;
a battery core, configured to supply power to the heating element;
an airflow sensor, configured to sense a change in air flowing through an interior
of the electronic atomization device, where along a longitudinal direction of the
electronic atomization device, the airflow sensor is arranged between the heating
element and the battery core; and
an elastic conductive element, arranged between the battery core and the airflow sensor,
to provide an electrical connection therebetween.
[0028] The heating element is electrically connected to the airflow sensor, and the airflow
sensor is further configured to guide a current between the battery core and the heating
element when the air flows through the electronic atomization device.
[0029] Another embodiment of this application provides an electronic atomization device,
including:
a liquid storage cavity, configured to store a liquid substrate;
a first liquid guide element, arranged to be perpendicular to a longitudinal direction
of the electronic atomization device and in fluid communication with the liquid storage
cavity to absorb the liquid substrate;
a tubular element, extending through the first liquid guide element, where an atomization
assembly is arranged in the tubular element, and the atomization assembly indirectly
absorbs, from the first liquid guide element, the liquid substrate sourced from the
liquid storage cavity and atomizes the liquid substrate to generate an aerosol;
a support, including a first accommodating cavity and a second accommodating cavity
that are arranged along the longitudinal direction, where the first accommodating
cavity at least partially accommodates the first liquid guide element, and the second
accommodating cavity at least partially accommodates the tubular element; and
a ventilation channel, defined on the support, to provide a flow path for air to enter
the liquid storage cavity, where the ventilation channel includes:
a vent hole, extending through an outer surface of the support to an inner surface
of the first accommodating cavity; and
a vent groove, extending, from an inner side wall of the first accommodating cavity,
toward the liquid storage cavity and crossing the first liquid guide element along
the longitudinal direction of the electronic atomization device.
[0030] Another embodiment of this application provides an electronic atomization device,
including a housing and
a liquid storage cavity, configured to store a liquid substrate, where the housing
has a light-transmissive region that surrounds or defines at least a portion of the
liquid storage cavity;
an atomization assembly, in fluid communication with the liquid storage cavity, so
as to absorb the liquid substrate from the liquid storage cavity and atomize the liquid
substrate to generate an aerosol;
a light source, configured to emit light; and
a light-transmissive support, at least partially surrounding or accommodating the
atomization assembly and/or the light source, where at least part of the support is
located between the light source and the liquid storage cavity, so as to transmit
the light emitted by the light source to the light-transmissive region.
[0031] In some embodiments, the light emitted by the light source is visible through the
light-transmissive region of the housing.
[0032] In some embodiments, the housing has a proximal end and a distal end that are opposite
to each other along a longitudinal direction, and the light-transmissive region and/or
the liquid storage cavity is close to the proximal end.
[0033] In some embodiments, the housing includes the proximal end and the distal end that
are opposite to each other along the longitudinal direction, and
a transparent first shell, close to or defining the proximal end; and
a non-transparent second shell, close to or defining the distal end and partially
surrounding the first shell.
[0034] The first shell has an exposed portion that is exposed from the second shell near
the proximal end, and the light-transmissive region of the housing is defined by the
exposed portion.
[0035] In some embodiments, an inner surface of the second shell is substantially reflective.
[0036] In some embodiments, the electronic atomization device further includes:
an airflow sensor, configured to sense air flowing through the electronic atomization
device.
[0037] The light source is integrated into the airflow sensor.
[0038] In some embodiments, the light source is configured to emit light when air flows
through the electronic atomization device.
[0039] In some embodiments, the light source is accommodated or held in the support and
is arranged facing away from the liquid storage cavity.
[0040] In some embodiments, the light source is arranged to deviate from a longitudinal
central axis of the electronic atomization device.
[0041] In some embodiments, the electronic atomization device further includes:
a battery core, configured to provide electric power to the atomization assembly and
the light source.
[0042] The light source and/or the support is located between the battery core and the liquid
storage cavity.
[0043] In some embodiments, the electronic atomization device further includes:
a battery core, configured to provide electric power to the atomization assembly and
the light source; and
an end cap, at least partially closing the distal end of the housing and detachably
connected to the housing, where the end cap is constructed to be detachable from the
housing to open the distal end of the housing, to allow the battery core to be taken
out from the distal end of the housing.
[0044] In some embodiments, the support includes a first end close to the liquid storage
cavity along a longitudinal direction and a second end facing away from the first
end.
[0045] The atomization assembly is accommodated in the support from the first end, and the
light source is accommodated or held in the support from the second end.
[0046] In some embodiments, the electronic atomization device further includes:
a holding element, at least partially extending into the support from the second end,
to provide support for the light source.
[0047] In some embodiments, the electronic atomization device further includes:
a first liquid guide element, arranged to be perpendicular to a longitudinal direction
of the electronic atomization device and in fluid communication with the liquid storage
cavity to absorb the liquid substrate.
[0048] The atomization assembly includes:
a second liquid guide element, arranged to extend along the longitudinal direction
of the electronic atomization device and including an outer side surface and an inner
side surface that are opposite to each other, where the outer side surface is arranged
to indirectly absorb, from the first liquid guide element, the liquid substrate sourced
from the liquid storage cavity; and
a heating element, coupled to the second liquid guide element and adjacent to the
inner side surface, and configured to heat at least part of the liquid substrate in
the second liquid guide element to generate an aerosol.
[0049] In some embodiments, the support includes a first support portion, a second support
portion, and a third support portion that are arranged along a longitudinal direction.
[0050] The first support portion at least partially surrounds or accommodates the first
liquid guide element.
[0051] The second support portion at least partially surrounds or accommodates the second
liquid guide element.
[0052] The third support portion at least partially surrounds or accommodates the light
source.
[0053] In some embodiments, the electronic atomization device further includes:
an airflow channel, defining an airflow path passing through the electronic atomization
device, where at least a portion of the airflow channel is provided to extend around
the support along a circumferential direction of the support.
[0054] Still another embodiment of the application provides an electronic atomization device,
including a proximal end and a distal end that are opposite to each other along a
longitudinal direction, and
a liquid storage cavity, arranged close to the proximal end and configured to store
a liquid substrate;
an atomization assembly, in fluid communication with the liquid storage cavity, so
as to receive the liquid substrate from the liquid storage cavity and atomize the
liquid substrate to generate an aerosol;
a battery core, configured to supply power to the atomization assembly;
a light source, configured to emit light; and
a support, at least partially located between the battery core and the liquid storage
cavity and at least partially surrounding or accommodating the light source, where
the support is constructed to be light-transmissive, so as to transmit the light emitted
by the light source to the proximal end.
[0055] Still another embodiment of this application provides an electronic atomization device,
including a housing and
a liquid storage cavity, configured to store a liquid substrate, where the housing
has a light-transmissive region that surrounds or defines at least a portion of the
liquid storage cavity;
an atomization assembly, in fluid communication with the liquid storage cavity, so
as to absorb the liquid substrate from the liquid storage cavity and atomize the liquid
substrate to generate an aerosol;
an airflow sensor, configured to sense air flowing through the electronic atomization
device, where the airflow sensor is further integrated with a light source and is
configured to emit light when the air flows through the electronic atomization device;
and
a light-transmissive support, at least partially located between the airflow sensor
and the liquid storage cavity, to transmit the light emitted by the airflow sensor
to the light-transmissive region.
[0056] According to the electronic atomization device provided in the foregoing embodiments,
the atomization assembly and the airflow sensor are accommodated and mounted in the
support, helping eliminate the airflow sensor from affecting a disassembling operation
on another component, for example, the battery core.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0057] One or more embodiments are illustratively described with reference to the figures
in the corresponding accompanying drawings, and these illustrative descriptions are
not to limit the embodiments. Elements having the same reference numerals in the accompanying
drawings are denoted as similar elements, and the figures in the accompanying drawings
are not drawn to scale, unless particularly stated otherwise.
FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic atomization device from
a perspective according to an embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the electronic atomization device in FIG.
1 from another perspective;
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic atomization device in
FIG. 1 from a perspective;
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic atomization device in
FIG. 3 from another perspective;
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a holding element, a conductive element,
and a battery core in FIG. 4 from a perspective after assembly;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a detachable connection between an end cap and a
housing of the electronic atomization device in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram in which a battery core is taken out or replaced after
the end cap in FIG. 6 is detached from the housing;
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram from a perspective after some components of the electronic
atomization device in FIG. 1 are assembled to a support;
FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram from a perspective after some components
of the electronic atomization device in FIG. 8 are assembled to a support;
FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded view from a perspective before some components of
the electronic atomization device in FIG. 1 are assembled with a support;
FIG. 11 is a schematic exploded view from another perspective before some components
in FIG. 10 are assembled with a support;
FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional exploded view from another perspective before
some components in FIG. 10 are assembled with a support;
FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged view of the electronic atomization device in FIG.
3;
FIG. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of the support in FIG. 12 from another perspective;
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of an airflow sensor having a light source according
to an embodiment;
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram in which light emitted by the airflow sensor in FIG.
15 is transmitted to a first shell;
FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electronic atomization device from
a perspective according to another embodiment;
FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic atomization device in
FIG. 17 from another perspective;
FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view from another perspective after some components
of the electronic atomization device in FIG. 17 are assembled to a support;
FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional exploded view from another perspective before
some components in FIG. 19 are assembled to a support; and
FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram in which light emitted by the airflow sensor in FIG.
17 is transmitted to a first shell.
Reference numerals:
[0058]
100. Electronic atomization device; 10. Housing; 11. First shell; 12. Second shell;
14. Tubular element; 15. Airflow sensor; 16. Sealing element; 17. Conductive element;
18. Holding element; 19. Connecting element; 110. Proximal end; 111. Aerosol output
tube; 112. Liquid storage cavity; 113. Air outlet; 120. Distal end; 141. Through hole;
151. First sensing surface; 152. Second sensing surface; 161. First sealing portion;
162. Second sealing portion; 171. First electrical contact portion; 172. Second electrical
contact portion; 173. Recess; 181. First holding space; 182. Protrusion; 183. Separation
wall; 191: Engagement groove; 1810. Upper end; 1820. Lower end; 1911. First portion;
1912. Second portion; 20. End cap; 21. Air inlet; 22. Engagement protrusion; 30. Second
liquid guide element; 40. Heating element; 50. First liquid guide element; 510. Upper
surface; 520. Lower surface; 60. Support; 610. First support portion; 611. First accommodating
cavity; 620. Second support portion; 621. Flange; 622. Groove; 623. First channel
portion; 624. First communication hole; 625. Second channel portion; 627. Second accommodating
cavity; 628. Gap; 630. Third support portion; 631. Third accommodating cavity; 632.
Clamping wall; 633. Air inlet groove; 670. Ventilation channel; 671. Vent hole; 672.
First vent groove; 673. Second vent groove; 681. First limiting wall; 682. Second
limiting wall; 683. Hole; 70. Battery core.
100a. Electronic atomization device; 10a. Housing; 11a. First shell; 12a. Second shell;
14a. Tubular element; 15a. Airflow sensor; 16a. Sealing element; 17a. Conductive element;
18a. Holding element; 19a. Connecting element; 110a. Proximal end; 111a. Aerosol output
tube; 112a. Liquid storage cavity; 113a: Air outlet; 120a. Distal end; 141a. Through
hole; 151a. First sensing surface; 152a. Second sensing surface; 161a. Air hole; 20a.
End cap; 21a. Air inlet; 30a. Second liquid guide element; 40a. Heating element; 50a:
First liquid guide element; 60a. Support; 610a. First support portion; 611a. First
accommodating cavity; 620a. Second support portion; 621a. Flange; 622a. Groove; 623a.
First channel portion; 624a. First communicating opening; 625a. Second channel portion;
627a. Second accommodating cavity; 630a. Third support portion; 631a.
[0059] Third accommodating cavity; 670a. Ventilation channel; 671a. Vent hole; 672a. Vent
groove; 6111a. First section; 6112a. Second section; 6711a. Port. 6712a. Limiting
wall; 70a. Battery core.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0060] For ease of understanding of this application, this application is described in more
detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
It should be noted that, when an element is expressed as "being fixed to"/"being fixedly
connected to" another element, the element may be directly on the another element,
or one or more intermediate elements may exist between the element and the another
element. When one element is described to be "connected to" another element, the element
may be directly connected to the another element, or one or more intermediate elements
may exist therebetween. Terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer",
and similar expressions used in this specification are for illustrative purposes only.
[0061] Unless otherwise defined, meanings of all technical and scientific terms used in
this specification are the same as those usually understood by a person skilled in
the art of this application. Terms used in the specification of this application are
merely intended to describe objectives of the specific embodiments, but are not intended
to limit this application. The term "and/or" used in this specification includes any
or all combinations of one or more related listed items.
[0062] In addition, technical features involved in different embodiments of this application
described below may be combined with each other so long as they do not constitute
a conflict with each other.
[0063] In the embodiments of this application, the "mounting" includes fixing or limiting
an element or a device to a specific position or place in a manner such as welding,
screwing, snapping, or bonding. The element or the device may be kept static at the
specific position or place or moved within a limited range. The element or the device
may or may not be disassembled after being fixed or limited to the specific position
or place, which is not limited in the embodiments of this application.
[0064] In addition, terms "first", "second", and "third" in this application are merely
intended for a purpose of description, and shall not be understood as an indication
or implication of relative importance or implicit indication of the quantity of indicated
technical features. Therefore, a feature defined by the terms such as "first", "second",
and "third" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In description
of the disclosure, "a plurality of" or "several" indicates at least two, such as two
or three, unless specifically defined otherwise.
Embodiment 1:
[0065] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic atomization device from
a perspective according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram
of the electronic atomization device in FIG. 1 from another perspective.
[0066] This application provides an electronic atomization device, which is configured to
atomize a liquid substrate to generate an aerosol.
[0067] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show schematic diagrams of an electronic atomization device 100
according to an embodiment, which includes a plurality of components arranged in an
external body or a housing (which may be referred to as a first shell). An overall
design of the external body or the housing may be changed, and a form or a configuration
of the external body that may define an overall dimension and a shape of the electronic
atomization device 100 may be changed. Generally, an elongated body may be formed
from a single integrated first shell, or the elongated first shell may be formed from
two or more separable bodies.
[0068] For example, the electronic atomization device 100 may have a control body at an
end. The control body includes a first shell containing one or more reusable components
(for example, storage batteries such as rechargeable batteries and/or rechargeable
supercapacitors, and various electronic devices for controlling an operation of a
product), and has the external body or the housing for inhalation at an other end.
[0069] In some embodiments, the external body or the housing of the electronic atomization
device 100 substantially defines an outer surface of the electronic atomization device
100.
[0070] In specific embodiments shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the electronic atomization device
100 includes:
a housing 10 that may include one or more reusable components. The housing 10 has
a proximal end 110 and a distal end 120 that are opposite to each other along a longitudinal
direction. During use, the proximal end 110 is an end close to a user for inhalation,
and the distal end 120 is an end away from the user.
[0071] In some examples, the housing 10 or a part thereof may be formed by metal such as
stainless steel or aluminum, or an alloy, or another suitable material including various
plastics (for example, polycarbonate), metal-plating over plastic, ceramic, and the
like.
[0072] In some embodiments, the housing 10 is jointly formed by a plurality of components.
In addition, in some embodiments, the housing 10 is open at the distal end 120. As
shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 7, the housing 10 includes:
a first shell 11 and a second shell 12. The first shell 11 is close to or defines
the proximal end 110, and the second shell 12 is close to or defines the distal end
120.
[0073] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic atomization device in
FIG. 1 from a perspective. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic
atomization device in FIG. 3 from another perspective. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional
view of a holding element, a conductive element, and a battery core in FIG. 4 from
a perspective after assembly. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a detachable connection
between an end cap and a housing of the electronic atomization device in FIG. 1. FIG.
7 is a schematic diagram in which a battery core is taken out or replaced after the
end cap in FIG. 6 is detached from the housing.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 7, the electronic atomization device 100 further includes:
a battery core 70, configured to supply power and arranged in the second shell 12.
[0075] In the embodiments shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 7, the electronic atomization device 100
further includes:
an end cap 20, coupled to and closing the distal end 120 of the housing 10/the second
shell 12. The end cap 20 may be removed and detached from the distal end 120 of the
housing 10/the second shell 12. After the end cap 20 is removed or detached from the
distal end 120 of the second shell 12, the distal end 120 of the housing 10 can be
opened or exposed, so that the battery core 70 can be taken out or replaced from the
distal end 120 of the housing 10/the second shell 12.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 7, the end cap 20 at least partially extends into the
housing 10/the second shell 12 from the distal end 120 after assembly. Moreover, an
air inlet 21 is provided on the end cap 20, so as to allow external air to enter the
electronic atomization device 100 after assembly.
[0077] To form a detachable connection between the end cap 20 and the distal end 120 of
the housing 10, referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 7, the electronic atomization device 100
further includes:
a connecting element 19, located in the housing 10 and arranged at the distal end
120. The connecting element 19 is fixedly connected to the second shell 12 of the
housing 10 in a close-fitting manner, such as staking or interference. During use,
the end cap 20 is detachably connected to the connecting element 19, so as to establish
a detachable connection to the housing 10. In the embodiment, the connecting element
19 is made of a rigid alloy, such as stainless steel or polymer plastic.
[0078] Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 7, the connecting element 19 is substantially arranged
in a circular shape. The connecting element 19 is provided with an engagement groove
191 configured to connect to the end cap 20. The engagement groove 191 includes a
first portion 1911 extending along a circumferential direction and a second portion
1912 extending from the first portion 1911 toward the distal end 120 along an axial
direction. Further, the second portion 1912 is open toward the distal end 120.
[0079] Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 7, the end cap 20 at least partially extends into the
connecting element 19. The end cap 20 is provided with an engagement protrusion 22.
During use, the engagement protrusion 22 stretches into the first portion 1911 of
the engagement groove 191 and abuts against an end of the first portion 1911 of the
engagement groove 191, thereby forming lock to prevent the end cap 20 from being removed
or detached along a longitudinal direction of the housing 10.
[0080] For an operation process in which the end cap 20 is removed, reference is made to
FIG. 7. The end cap 20 is first rotated around a central axis, to move the engagement
protrusion 22 from the first portion 1911 into the second portion 1912, as shown by
an arrow P11 in FIG. 7. After the engagement protrusion 22 is moved from the first
portion 1911 into the second portion 1912, the end cap 20 is in an unlocked state,
and in this case, may be allowed to be detached from the housing 10 along the longitudinal
direction of the electronic atomization device 100. A disassembly operation is shown
by an arrow P12 in FIG. 7. The end cap 20 is moved along the longitudinal direction,
so that the engagement protrusion 22 leaves the engagement groove 191 along the second
portion 1912. Therefore, connection between the end cap 20 and the connecting element
19 is released, so that the end cap 20 can be detached or removed from the distal
end 120 of the housing 10.
[0081] After the end cap 20 is removed, the distal end 120 of the housing 10 is opened,
so that the battery core 70 can be taken out or removed from the distal end 120 of
the housing 10 through gentle shaking or swinging.
[0082] As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 7, the electronic atomization device 100 further includes:
an air outlet 113, configured for inhalation by a user, where the air outlet 113 is
located at the proximal end 110 of the housing 10 and is defined or formed by the
first shell 11; and
a liquid storage cavity 112 configured to store the liquid substrate, and an atomization
assembly configured to absorb the liquid substrate from the liquid storage cavity
112 and heat and atomize the liquid substrate. To facilitate atomization and output,
the liquid storage cavity 112 and the atomization assembly are both arranged close
to the proximal end 110. The electronic atomization device 100 further includes an
aerosol output tube 111 arranged along the longitudinal direction. The aerosol output
tube 111 at least partially extends in the liquid storage cavity 112, and a space
between an outer wall of the aerosol output tube 111 and an inner surface of the housing
10/the first shell 11 forms the liquid storage cavity 112. An end portion of the aerosol
output tube 111 opposite to the proximal end 110 is in communication with the air
outlet 113, to output the aerosol atomized and generated by the atomization assembly
to the air outlet 113 for inhalation.
[0083] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the aerosol output tube 111 and the housing 10/the
first shell 11 are integrally molded by using a moldable material, so that a side
of a prepared liquid storage cavity 112 at the proximal end 110 is closed, and a side
of the prepared liquid storage cavity toward the distal end 120 is opened.
[0084] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram from a perspective after some components of the electronic
atomization device in FIG. 1 are assembled to a support. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional
diagram from a perspective after some components of the electronic atomization device
in FIG. 8 are assembled to a support. FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded view from a
perspective before some components of the electronic atomization device in FIG. 1
are assembled with a support. FIG. 11 is a schematic exploded view from another perspective
before some components in FIG. 10 are assembled with a support. FIG. 12 is a schematic
cross-sectional exploded view from another perspective before some components in FIG.
10 are assembled with a support.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 12, further, a first liquid guide element 50 is arranged
in the housing 10/the first shell 11. The first liquid guide element 50 is a layer
of a sheet or blocky fiber, which is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction
of the housing 10/the first shell 11. In some embodiments, the first liquid guide
element 50 is made of a flexible capillary fiber material, such as natural cotton
fibers or non-woven fibers. Specifically, the first liquid guide element 50 includes
liquid guide cotton in a shape of a sheet. Alternatively, in some other variant embodiments,
the first liquid guide element 50 includes artificial cotton, hard artificial cotton,
or artificial foam made of filamentous polyurethane, or the like. For example, the
first liquid guide element 50 is made of a 138# hard synthetic organic polymer fiber,
which has a density of 0.1-0.9 mg/mm
3. A total weight of the first liquid guide element 50, when not infiltrated with liquid,
is approximately 0.04-0.06 g. The first liquid guide element 50 is prepared from an
oriented fiber in an oriented arrangement substantially along a length direction,
a width direction, or a radial direction. By arranging the oriented fiber in the length
direction or the width direction of the first liquid guide element 50, the first liquid
guide element 50 is endowed with a high anti-bending property and rigidity. Specifically,
for example, the first liquid guide element 50 is hard artificial cotton including
the oriented polyester fiber, hard artificial cotton, or artificial foam made of filamentous
polyurethane, or the like.
[0086] Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 12, the first liquid guide element 50 is accommodated
and arranged in a support 60. Further, after assembly, the first liquid guide element
50 and the support 60 jointly close a hole of the liquid storage cavity 112 toward
the distal end 120. Because the support 60 is dense, a liquid substrate in the liquid
storage cavity 112 may leave the liquid storage cavity 112 substantially only by being
absorbed by the first liquid guide element 50 after assembly.
[0087] FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged view of the electronic atomization device in FIG.
3. FIG. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of the support in FIG. 12 from another
perspective.
[0088] Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 14, an upper surface 510 of the first liquid guide element
50 adjacent to the liquid storage cavity 112 is in fluid communication with the liquid
storage cavity 112, so as to absorb a liquid substrate. Further, after assembly, the
first liquid guide element 50 and the support 60 jointly close and define a part of
a boundary of the liquid storage cavity 112. As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 12, the first
liquid guide element 50 is constructed in a circular shape.
[0089] As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 14, a tubular element 14 is further provided in the housing
10/the first shell 11. The tubular element 14 is an independent component and is preferably
made of a relatively thin, rigid material. As a proper example, a ceramic tube, a
stainless steel tube, or the like is used as the tubular element 14. After extending
through the first liquid guide element 50 in an axial direction, the tubular element
14 is connected to the aerosol output tube 111 through interference, close fitting,
or interference fitting, to further form sealing therebetween while fastening connection
is enabled. After assembly, the first liquid guide element 50 is arranged around the
tubular element 14.
[0090] Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 12, the atomization assembly is accommodated and assembled
in the tubular element 14. The tubular element 14 is provided with several through
holes 141 arranged at intervals along a circumferential direction. The atomization
assembly is in fluid communication with the first liquid guide element 50 through
the through hole 141 to receive a liquid substrate. In addition, in the embodiments
shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 12, the through hole 141 on the tubular element 14 substantially
avoids the first liquid guide element 50. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the first
liquid guide element 50 is closer to the proximal end 110 than the through hole 141
on the tubular element 14.
[0091] Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 12, in some embodiments, the atomization assembly includes
a second liquid guide element 30. The second liquid guide element 30 is flexible in
this embodiment, and, for example, is made of a flexible fiber, such as a cotton fiber,
a non-woven fabric, a sponge, or the like. The second liquid guide element 30 is constructed
to be in a shape of a tube or a barrel arranged along the longitudinal direction of
the housing 10/the first shell 11. The second liquid guide element 30 is coaxial with
the tubular element 14 and is located inside the tubular element 14. Alternatively,
in some other variant embodiments, the second liquid guide element 30 may further
include a rigid porous element, for example, porous ceramic, or porous glass.
[0092] In an embodiment, an outer side surface of the second liquid guide element 30 along
a radial direction covers or is in communication with the through hole 141, so that
the outer side surface of the second liquid guide element 30 is configured as a liquid
absorbing surface, to receive and absorb, through the through hole 141, a liquid substrate
passing through the first liquid guide element 50, as shown by an arrow R1 in FIG.
3 and FIG. 4. An inner side surface of the second liquid guide element 30 along the
radial direction is configured as an atomization surface, and the atomization surface
is coupled to/attached to/abuts against the heating element 40. Further, after the
liquid substrate is transferred to the atomization surface, the liquid substrate is
heated and atomized by the heating element 40 to generate an aerosol, which is released.
[0093] Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 12, in the embodiments, the heating element 40 is arranged
to extend along the longitudinal direction of the second liquid guide element 30.
The heating element 40 is arranged coaxially with the second liquid guide element
30. In some optional embodiments, the heating element 40 is a resistive heating mesh,
a resistive heating coil, or the like. In the embodiment, the heating element 40 is
a heating element prepared by coiling a sheet base material or a mesh base material.
The coiled heating element 40 is in a non-closed tubular shape in a circumferential
direction, and is in a cylindrical shape having a side opening in a longitudinal direction.
A conductive pin is welded or arranged on two ends of the heating element 40, which
is configured to guide a current on the heating element 40.
[0094] In some other variant implementations, the heating element 40 may be coupled to the
second liquid guide element 30 through printing, deposition, sintering, physical assembly,
or the like. In some other variant implementations, the second liquid guide element
30 may have a plane or a curved surface for supporting the heating element 40, and
the heating element 40 is formed on the plane or the curved surface of the porous
body through installing, printing, deposition, or the like. Alternatively, in some
other variant implementations, the heating element 40 is a conductive trajectory formed
on a surface of the second liquid guide element 30. In some other variant implementations,
the conductive trajectory of the heating element 40 may be in a form of a printed
circuit formed by printing. In some other variant implementations, the heating element
40 is a patterned conductive trajectory. In some other implementations, the heating
element 40 is planar. In some other variant implementations, the heating element 40
is a conductive trajectory extending in a meandering, circuitous, reciprocal, or zigzagging
manner.
[0095] Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 12, the support 60 is further used to support and fix
the first liquid guide element 50 and the tubular element 14. The support 60 is substantially
in a cylindrical shape. The support 60 is rigid. For example, the support 60 is made
of rigid polymer plastic.
[0096] Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 7, the housing 10/the first shell 11 is further provided
with: a holding element 18, located in the second shell 12 and located between the
battery core 70 and the support 60 in a longitudinal direction. The holding element
18 is configured to support and hold the elastic conductive element 17. The elastic
conductive element 17 may be an electrical contact. In addition, the holding element
18 is configured to at least partially surround and hold the battery core 70.
[0097] Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 7, the holding element 18 is substantially in a ring
shape arranged in a longitudinal direction of the second shell 12. In some embodiments,
the holding element 18 is rigid, for example, made of an organic polymer plastic.
[0098] As shown in FIG. 5, the holding element 18 includes:
an upper end 1810 and a lower end 1820, facing away from each other; and
a separation wall 183, arranged to be perpendicular to an axial direction of the holding
element 18, and separating an inner space of the holding element 18 to define a first
holding space 181 located between the separation wall 183 and the upper end 1810 and
a second holding space located between the separation wall 183 and the lower end 1820.
[0099] After assembly, the upper end 1810 of the holding element 18 at least partially extends
into the support 60, and is connected to the support 60. The battery core 70 is at
least partially held or mounted in the second holding space.
[0100] As shown in FIG. 5, the holding element 18 further includes:
a protrusion 182, extending from the separation wall 183 into the first holding space
181 in an axial direction, so as to support an airflow sensor 15 and a sealing element
16 that are accommodated and held in the support 60 after assembly. After assembly,
the airflow sensor 15 and the sealing element 16 that are accommodated and mounted
in the support 60 abut against the protrusion 182.
[0101] In some embodiments, the airflow sensor 15 is, for example, a microphone, a micro-electromechanical
system (MEMS) sensor, or the like.
[0102] In some specific embodiments of this application, the airflow sensor 15 is a high-end
microphone commonly used in the art that is integrated with a plurality of hardware
functions. For example, specifically, the airflow sensor 15 is a multifunctional microphone
integrated with heat control, an LED (light emitting diode) light source, air flow
detection, and the like. Further, in an embodiment, the electronic atomization device
100 is not provided with a main control circuit board, such as a flexible printed
circuit (FPC) board, a printed circuit board (PCB), or the like, configured to operate
the electronic atomization device 100, or a microcontroller unit (MCU) controller
or the like arranged on the main control circuit board.
[0103] In an embodiment, the airflow sensor 15 is arranged to deviate from a longitudinal
central axis of the electronic atomization device 100. For example, in FIG. 3, the
airflow sensor 15 is arranged close to a side.
[0104] As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, the electronic atomization device 100 further includes:
an elastic conductive element 17, mounted and held on the holding element 18. In some
embodiments, the elastic conductive element 17 and the holding element 18 are integrally
prepared through metal insert molding, insert molding, or the like, thereby enabling
firm coupling therebetween. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the elastic
conductive element 17 and the holding element 18 are mechanically connected, thereby
enabling firm coupling therebetween. For example, the holding element 18 is provided
with a fastening structure such as a clamping port or a groove used for clamping or
fastening the conductive element 17, so that the conductive element 17 is firmly held
on the holding element 18.
[0105] In some embodiments, the elastic conductive element 17 includes metal or an alloy
with low resistivity. For example, the conductive element 17 includes gold, silver,
copper, or an alloy thereof.
[0106] In some embodiments, the elastic conductive element 17 at least partially crosses
or passes through a separation wall 183. Alternatively, the elastic conductive element
17 at least partially extends through the first holding space 181 or extends to the
second holding space. Alternatively, the elastic conductive element 17 includes a
first electrical contact portion 171 extending or exposed to the first holding space
181, and a second electrical contact portion 172 extending or exposed to the second
holding space. During assembly, a battery core 70 elastically abuts against the second
electrical contact portion 172 of the conductive element 17, so as to establish electric
conduction. The airflow sensor 15 is welded or electrically connected to the first
electrical contact portion 171 of the conductive element 17 to form an electrical
connection.
[0107] In some embodiments, the elastic conductive element 17 is formed by bending a sheet
or a conductor precursor. In some embodiments, the elastic conductive element 17 is
in a meandering and bending shape. In some embodiments, the elastic conductive element
17 is formed by bending a copper sheet. In some embodiments, the meandering and bent
conductive element 17 has a substantially S shape. Alternatively, in some other embodiments,
the meandering and bent conductive element 17 has a substantially U shape or the like.
In some embodiments, at least one recess 173 is defined in the elastic conductive
element 17. The separation wall 183 of the holding element 18 is embedded or snapped
into the at least one recess 173.
[0108] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, when the battery core 70 elastically
abuts against the second electrical contact portion 172 of the conductive element
17 to form an electrical connection, the conductive element 17 is compressed during
use. In addition, in the embodiment, an elastic property of the conductive element
17 enables it to be biased to abut against or engage with the battery core 70. Moreover,
as shown in FIG. 7, when the battery core 70 is removed from the distal end 120, the
battery core 70 is separated from the conductive element 17 to break electrical connection.
[0109] Referring to FIG. 8 to FIG. 14, a support 60 is arranged to substantially extend
along a longitudinal direction of an electronic atomization device 100. The support
60 has a first end facing toward or close to a liquid storage cavity 112 and a second
end facing away from the first end. The support 60 is substantially in a cylindrical
shape extending from the first end to the second end. The support 60 is rigid. For
example, the support 60 is made of rigid polymer plastic. As shown in FIG. 8 to FIG.
14, in some embodiments, the support 60 includes a first support portion 610, a second
support portion 620, and a third support portion 630 that are arranged in sequence
along a longitudinal direction. The third support portion 630 is connected to a holding
element 18 through a mechanical connection or a firm connection.
[0110] As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 14, a first accommodating cavity 611 is defined in the
first support portion 610, so as to accommodate and hold a first liquid guide element
50. After assembly, the first support portion 610 surrounds the first liquid guide
element 50. At a place where it is close to the liquid storage cavity 112, the first
support portion 610 is in an interference fit with the housing 10/the first shell
11. A sealing ring, such as an O-shaped ring, around the first support portion 610
is arranged outside the first support portion 610, to provide sealing between the
first support portion 610 and the housing 10/the first shell 11.
[0111] As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 14, a mechanical connection and an interference fit are
established between the third support portion 630 and the housing 10/the first shell
11. Specifically, a connection structure, such as an engagement groove or an engagement
protrusion, may be arranged on the third support portion 630, to further establish
a mechanical connection with the housing 10/the first shell 11. In addition, the holding
element 18 at least partially extends into the third support portion 630 to establish
a mechanical connection with the third support portion 630. In addition, a sealing
ring such as an O-ring is arranged outside the third support portion 630, to provide
sealing between the third support portion 630 and the housing 10/the first shell 11.
[0112] As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 14, a plurality of flanges 621 that surround the second
support portion 620 in a circumferential direction and a groove 622 that is located
between adjacent flanges 621 are further arranged outside the second support portion
620 of the support 60. As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 14, the flange 621 is arranged between
the sealing ring arranged outside the first support portion 610 and the sealing ring
outside the third support portion 630 along the longitudinal direction of the support
60.
[0113] As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 14, a second accommodating cavity 627 is defined in the
second support portion 620, and configured to at least partially mount and accommodate
the tubular element 14 and the atomization assembly. Specifically, after assembly,
at least part of the tubular element 14 passes through the first accommodating cavity
611 and is inserted into the second accommodating cavity 627 of the support 60. In
addition, the tubular element 14 and the support 60 are in an interference fit to
enable sealing therebetween. In addition, no flexible sealing element is between the
tubular element 14 and the support 60. As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 14, after assembly,
a part of the tubular element 14 extends into the support 60, and another part of
the tubular element extends out of the support 60. For example, after assembly, the
tubular element 14 has an exposed portion extending out of the support 60 and/or the
first liquid guide element 50, so as to form a close-fitting connection with the aerosol
output tube 111 through the exposed portion. The first end of the support 60 is open
or has a first opening. The first liquid guide element 50 is received in the first
accommodating cavity 611 from the first end through the first opening; and/or, the
tubular element 14 and/or the atomization assembly passes through the first accommodating
cavity 611 from the first end through the first opening and is received in the second
accommodating cavity 627.
[0114] As shown in FIG. 14, a portion of the second accommodating cavity 627 close to the
first accommodating cavity 611 has a gradually increased inner diameter, or the portion
of the second accommodating cavity 627 close to the first accommodating cavity 611
has an inner side surface which is obliquely arranged. After assembly, a through hole
141 of the tubular element 14 and the portion of the second accommodating cavity 627
having the increased inner diameter are opposite and thus from a gap 628 therebetween.
In addition, in FIG. 3 to FIG. 14, at least part of the through hole 141 of the tubular
element 14 is staggered from the first liquid guide element 50, so that a part of
the through hole 141 of the tubular element 14 is not covered or blocked by the inner
surface of the first liquid guide element 50.
[0115] As shown in FIG. 13, after assembly, a liquid buffer space surrounding the through
hole 141 is defined by the gap 628. The gap 628 is in fluid communication with the
lower surface 520 of the first liquid guide element 50. During use, a liquid substrate
in a liquid storage cavity 112 is absorbed through an upper surface 510 of the first
liquid guide element 50 and then flows to the gap 628 through the lower surface 520.
Finally, the liquid substrate passes through the through hole 141 of the tubular element
14 and is absorbed by a second liquid guide element 30, as shown by an arrow R1 in
FIG. 13.
[0116] In the embodiments shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 14, when the first liquid guide element
50 is accommodated and assembled in the first accommodating cavity 611, the upper
surface 510 of the first liquid guide element 50 is substantially flush with an opening
of the first accommodating cavity 611. Alternatively, when the first liquid guide
element 50 is accommodated and assembled in the first accommodating cavity 611, the
upper surface 510 of the first liquid guide element 50 is substantially flush with
the first end of the support 60.
[0117] As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 14, the third support portion 630 of the support 60 is
further provided therein with:
a third accommodating cavity 631, configured to accommodate or mount an airflow sensor
15 and a sealing element 16. The airflow sensor 15 is accommodated and mounted in
the third accommodating cavity 631 of the support 60 and is arranged facing away from
the liquid storage cavity 112.
[0118] In the embodiments of FIG. 3 to FIG. 14, the airflow sensor 15 is in a shape of a
sheet, a disk, or a cylinder. An axis of the airflow sensor 15 is arranged along the
longitudinal direction of the support 60. The sealing element 16 is configured to
wrap the airflow sensor 15. As shown in FIG. 12, the sealing element 16 includes a
first sealing portion 161 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the support 60,
and a second sealing portion 162 arranged along the longitudinal direction of the
support 60. After assembly, the airflow sensor 15 is wrapped in the second sealing
portion 162 of the sealing element 16. After assembly, the holding element 18 at least
partially extends into the third accommodating cavity 631, and the protrusion 182
supports the first sealing portion 161 of the sealing element 16 accommodated and
held in the support 60. The third accommodating cavity 631 is open at the second end
of the support 60, or the second end of the support 60 has a second opening. The airflow
sensor 15 is received in the third accommodating cavity 631 from the second end through
the second opening.
[0119] As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 14, the third support portion 630 of the support 60 is
further provided therein with:
a clamping wall 632, which is configured to clamp a second sealing portion 162 of
a sealing element 16 and/or an airflow sensor 15 accommodated in a third accommodating
cavity 631, so that the second sealing portion and the airflow sensor are stably mounted.
After being mounted, the second sealing portion 162 of the sealing element 16 abuts
against or is clamped to the clamping wall 632.
[0120] As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 11, an air inlet groove 633 is arranged on an inner side
surface of the third accommodating cavity 631, to provide a path for air to enter
the third accommodating cavity 631.
[0121] As shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 14, an air inlet channel is provided on the support 60,
to provide a channel for air from the air inlet 21 to enter the second accommodating
cavity 627. A complete air inlet channel includes:
a first channel portion 623, extending from the third accommodating cavity 631 along
the longitudinal direction of the support 60, or extending through the third accommodating
cavity to the groove 622 on the surface of the second support portion 620, where the
first channel portion 623 defines a first communicating hole 624 on a surface of the
second support portion 620;
at least one groove 622; and
a second channel portion 625, extending from the groove 622 on the surface of the
second support portion 620, or extending through the groove to the second accommodating
cavity 627, so as to deliver air to an atomization assembly in the second accommodating
cavity 627. The second channel portion 625 may include a plurality of bent sections.
[0122] For a flow path of air during inhalation, reference is made to the arrow R2 in FIG.
3 to FIG. 14. External air entering through an air inlet 21 sequentially passes through
a gap between a battery core 70 and a housing 10 and a holding element 18 and then
enters the third accommodating cavity 631 through the air inlet groove 633. Then the
external air flows into the groove 622 on the surface of the second support portion
620 through the first channel portion 623, and flows to the second channel portion
625 through the groove 622. Finally, the external air enters the tubular element 14
through the second channel portion 625, and carries an aerosol generated by an atomization
assembly to deliver it to an air outlet 113 from an aerosol output tube 111.
[0123] As shown in FIG. 10, along a radial direction of a support 60, the first communicating
hole 624 of the first channel portion 623 is arranged facing away from a port of the
second channel portion 625 located on the surface of the support 60. Along the longitudinal
direction of the support 60, the first communicating hole 624 and the port of the
second channel portion 625 located on the surface of the support 60 have different
longitudinal heights. Specifically, in FIG. 9 to FIG. 14, the first communicating
hole 624 is farther from the third support portion 630 than the port of the second
channel portion 625 located on the surface of the support 60.
[0124] According to the embodiments shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 14, the airflow sensor 15 is
configured to sense a change in air flowing through the support 60 and/or the electronic
atomization device 100. Specifically, in the embodiments shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 14,
the airflow sensor 15 includes a first sensing surface 151 and a second sensing surface
152 that are opposite to each other. The second sealing portion 162 of the sealing
element 16 wraps the airflow sensor 15, and the first sensing surface 151 and the
second sensing surface 152 are substantially exposed. In the embodiments, the first
sensing surface 151 and the second sensing surface 152 are isolated from each other.
The first sensing surface 151 faces and is in communication with the first channel
portion 623. The first sensing surface 151 is configured to sense a pressure in the
first channel portion 623. As shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 14, the first channel portion
623 is staggered from the airflow sensor 15. The second sensing surface 152 is in
communication with the external atmosphere through an assembly gap, so as to sense
a pressure of the external atmosphere. The airflow sensor 15 determines an air flow
caused by inhalation of a user based on a difference between pressure values sensed
by the first sensing surface 151 and the second sensing surface 152.
[0125] As shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 14, the support 60 further defines a ventilation channel
670, to provide a flow path for air to enter a liquid storage cavity 112. Therefore,
when a liquid substrate in a liquid storage cavity 112 is gradually consumed, and
a negative pressure in the liquid storage cavity 112 is relatively low, the air can
enter the liquid storage cavity 112 through the ventilation channel 670 to relieve
or eliminate the negative pressure in the liquid storage cavity 112. Specifically,
the ventilation channel 670 includes:
a vent hole 671, extending from the groove 622 of the second support portion 620 to
an inner bottom wall of the first accommodating cavity 611;
a first vent groove 672, arranged on the inner bottom wall of the first accommodating
cavity 611, where the first vent groove 672 extends from the vent hole 671 to an inner
side wall of a support 60; and
a second vent groove 673, extending from the first vent groove 672 to a first end
of the support 60.
[0126] In the embodiments, the vent hole 671 has a diameter of approximately 0.3-2.0 mm.
Moreover, the first vent groove 672 and/or the second vent groove 673 has a width
and/or a depth of approximately 0.3-2.0 mm. When the negative pressure in the liquid
storage cavity 112 exceeds a predetermined threshold, as shown by an arrow R3 in FIG.
9 to FIG. 14, the air enters the liquid storage cavity 112 sequentially through the
vent hole 671, the first air vent groove 672, and the second air vent groove 673,
thereby eliminating or relieving the negative pressure in the liquid storage cavity
112.
[0127] As shown in FIG. 14, to avoid or prevent a port (that is, an air inlet port) of the
vent hole 671 located in the groove 622 from being closed or blocked by a housing
10, a first limiting wall 681 and a second limiting wall 682 are arranged in the groove
622. The first limiting wall 681 and the second limiting wall 682 are each located
on one of two sides of the port of the vent hole 671 located in the groove 622. The
first limiting wall 681 and the second limiting wall 682 define a hole 683 in the
groove 622 to maintain smooth air flow through the port of the vent hole 671 located
in the groove 622, so that air can enter the ventilation channel.
[0128] In the embodiments, the first limiting wall 681 and the second limiting wall 682
are obliquely arranged relative to the longitudinal direction of the support 60. Moreover,
a width of each of the first limiting wall 681 and the second limiting wall 682 is
less than a radial width of a flange 621, so that a gap is maintained between the
first limiting wall 681 and the second limiting wall 682 and the housing 10, and is
in communication with the third accommodating cavity 631 below and/or the air inlet
channel, thereby enabling air in the third accommodating cavity 631 and/or the air
inlet channel to enter the ventilation channel 670. In addition, in the embodiments,
a space of the hole 683 defined between the first limiting wall 681 and the second
limiting wall 682 can further be as a liquid buffer chamber, to store, adsorb, or
hold a liquid substrate seeped through the ventilation channel 670, so as to prevent
the liquid substrate seeped from the ventilation channel 670 from further leaking
into the third accommodating cavity 631. In addition, during use, a liquid substrate
is held in the liquid buffer chamber defined by the hole 683. When a difference in
air pressures inside and outside the liquid storage cavity 112 exceeds a threshold,
the liquid substrate in the hole 683 can be driven by the air pressure difference
to further flow back to an atomization assembly and/or a liquid storage cavity 112
through the ventilation channel 670.
[0129] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of an airflow sensor having a light source according
to an embodiment. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram in which light emitted by the airflow
sensor in FIG. 15 is transmitted to a first shell.
[0130] FIG. 15 shows a schematic diagram of the airflow sensor 15 integrated with a light
source (LED) and heat control according to an embodiment.
[0131] As shown in FIG. 15, the airflow sensor 15 includes:
an interface 3, configured to generate an input electrical signal based on an air
flow caused by inhalation of a user;
an interface 4, configured to electrically connect to a positive electrode of a battery
core 70;
an interface 5, configured to connect to a heating element 40;
an interface 6, electrically connected to the light source (LED) integrated in the
airflow sensor 15; and
an interface 2, connected to a negative electrode of the battery core 70 through a
ground connection.
[0132] In some embodiments, the airflow sensor 15 can determine an inhalation action of
the user based on the input electrical signal from the interface 3.
[0133] In some embodiments, the airflow sensor 15 can be configured to provide a current
to the light source (LED) through the interface 6 when it determines inhalation of
the user, so that the light source (LED) emits light.
[0134] Alternatively, the light source (LED) is configured to emit light during the inhalation
of the user.
[0135] In some embodiments, the airflow sensor 15 can be configured to, when determining
the inhalation of the user, provide the current to the heating element 40 through
the interface 5, so that the heating element 40 heats a liquid substrate in a second
liquid guide element 30 to generate an aerosol.
[0136] The airflow sensor 15 integrated with the light source (LED) with the heat control
may be, for example, a microphone of model IP9013-SOT23-6. Alternatively, in some
other variant embodiments, the light source LED is a light emitting device independent
of the airflow sensor 15, rather than being integrated in the airflow sensor 15.
[0137] In the embodiment, after mounting, the interface 4 of the airflow sensor 15 is welded
to a first electrical contact portion 171 of a conductive element 17 through a conductive
lead, so as to form an electrical connection with a battery core 70.
[0138] In the embodiment, the heating element 40 is connected to the interface 2 and the
interface 5 of the airflow sensor 15 through a welding lead, so that the airflow sensor
15 can guide a current between the heating element 40 and the battery core 70, to
provide electric power of the battery core 70 to the heating element 40 to heat a
liquid substrate.
[0139] Alternatively, in some other variant embodiments, the electronic atomization device
100 may further include:
a circuit or a circuit board, which is provided with an MCU controller, and is electrically
connected to the first electrical contact portion 171 to form an electrical connection
with the battery core 70. The MCU controller is configured to control the light source
LED to emit light and/or to control output of electric power to the heating element
40 when the airflow sensor 15 senses an inhalation action of a user.
[0140] As shown in FIG. 16, the light source LED is close to or located on a second sensing
surface 152 and faces away from a first sensing surface 151. In addition, the light
source LED is arranged facing away from a clamping wall 632 and/or a first channel
portion 623. The light source LED emits light through the second sensing surface 152.
[0141] In some embodiments, a support 60 is light-transmissive. For example, the support
60 is made of a transparent, light-transmissive material, for example, polymer plastic
such as polypropylene (PP) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic, or the like.
[0142] In some embodiments, a second shell 12 is light-shielding or opaque. The second shell
12 may be made of an opaque polymer such as polycarbonate (PC), an alloy such as stainless
steel/an aluminum alloy.
[0143] In some embodiments, a first shell 11 is transparent. For example, the first shell
11 is made of polymer plastic such as PP and PMMA, or acrylic.
[0144] As shown by an arrow R4 in FIG. 16, light emitted by the light source LED is transmitted
through the support 60 toward a proximal end 110 and/or a liquid storage cavity 112,
and then is emitted from the first shell 11. In this way, during use, when a user
inhales through the air outlet 113, the user can further view, through a portion of
the first shell 11 close to the proximal end 110, the light emitted by the light source
LED, to determine whether an electronic atomization device 100 responds to an inhalation
action and/or whether the electronic atomization device 100 generates an aerosol based
on the inhalation action. A portion of the first shell 11 extends into the second
shell 12 and is surrounded by the second shell 12. Another portion of the first shell
11 is exposed from or located outside the second shell 12, and the exposed portion
of the first shell 11 exposed from the second shell 12 defines a light-transmissive
region through which light emitted by a light source is transmitted out of the housing
10. In addition, the light-transmissive region of the housing 10 is optically coupled
to a light source (LED) and/or an airflow sensor 15 through a light-transmissive support
60.
[0145] As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 16, the second shell 12 substantially extends to be flush
with the first end of the support 60. Alternatively, the second shell 12 extends by
a length from the distal end 120 to the liquid storage cavity 112. An inner surface
of the second shell 12 may be reflective. For example, the inner surface of the second
shell 12 is provided with a reflective coating, or the second shell 12 is made of
a bright alloy material such as an aluminum alloy, so that the inner surface of the
second shell 12 is substantially reflective, facilitating transmission or reflection
of light irradiated onto the inner surface of the second shell 12 to a proximal end
110.
Embodiment 2:
[0146] FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electronic atomization device from
a perspective according to another embodiment. FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional
view of the electronic atomization device in FIG. 17 from a perspective. FIG. 19 is
a schematic cross-sectional view from another perspective after some components of
the electronic atomization device in FIG. 17 are assembled to a support. FIG. 20 is
a schematic cross-sectional exploded view from another perspective before some components
in FIG. 19 are assembled to a support. FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram in which light
emitted by the airflow sensor in FIG. 17 is transmitted to a first shell.
[0147] FIG. 17 to FIG. 21 are schematic diagrams of an electronic atomization device 100a
according to still another embodiment. In the embodiment, the electronic atomization
device 100a includes:
a housing 10a, including a first shell 11a close to and defining a proximal end 110a
and a second shell 12a close to and defining a distal end 120a, where the first shell
11a at least partially extends into the second shell 12a and is surrounded by the
second shell 12a;
an end cap 20a, coupled to the distal end 120a of the housing 10a and closing the
distal end 120a, where the end cap 20a can be detached from the distal end 120a of
the housing 10a to open the distal end 120a, for taking out or replacing the battery
core 70a, and the end cap 20a is further provided with an air inlet 21a configured
to allow air to enter the electronic atomization device 100a;
a connecting element 19a, firmly assembled in the housing 10a and arranged close to
the distal end 120a, where the end cap 20a is detachably connected to the connecting
element 19a, to form a detachable connection with the housing 10a, and moreover, the
end cap 20a can be disconnected from the connecting element 19a and thus detached
from the housing 10a;
a battery core 70a, configured to supply power;
a liquid storage cavity 112a, arranged close to the proximal end 110a and located
in the first shell 11a;
an aerosol output tube 111a, at least partially extending inside the liquid storage
cavity 112a, where a liquid storage cavity 112a is formed through a space between
an outer wall of the aerosol output tube 111a and an inner surface of the housing
10a/the first shell 11a, and an end portion, opposite to the proximal end 110a, of
the aerosol output tube 111a is in communication with the air outlet 113a, so as to
output an aerosol atomized and generated by an atomization assembly to an air outlet
113a for inhalation;
a first liquid guide element 50a, accommodated and held in a support 60a and configured
to absorb a liquid substrate in the liquid storage cavity 112a, where the first liquid
guide element 50a is arranged to be substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal
direction of the electronic atomization device 100a;
a tubular element 14a, for example, a stainless steel tube, a ceramic tube, or a plastic
tube, arranged to extend in the liquid storage cavity 112a along a longitudinal direction,
where the tubular element 14a is tightly fitted to the aerosol output tube 111a though
staking, interference, or the like, the tubular element 14a is arranged to extend
through the first liquid guide element 50a, and a tube wall of the tubular element
14a is further provided with a through hole 141a and the like, to allow a liquid substrate
to pass through the through hole 141 and flow into the tubular element 14a;
a second liquid guide element 30a, made of a capillary material or a porous material,
for example, sponge, a cotton fiber, or a porous body such as a porous ceramic body,
where the second liquid guide element 30a is arranged to extend inside the tubular
element 14a along a longitudinal direction, the second liquid guide element 30a is
constructed in a tubular shape, an outer surface of the second liquid guide element
30a can receive, through the through hole 141a in the tubular element 14a, a liquid
substrate sourced from the liquid storage cavity 112a from the first liquid guide
element 50a, and a liquid transmission direction is shown by the arrow R1 in FIG.
17 and FIG. 18; and
a heating element 40a, coupled to the inner surface of the second liquid guide element
30a, where the heating element 40a is configured to heat at least part of a liquid
substrate in the second liquid guide element 30a to generate an aerosol released to
the aerosol output tube 111a. In the preferred embodiment, the heating element 40a
is a cylindrical heating mesh, a spiral coil, or the like.
[0148] As shown in FIG. 17 to FIG. 21, the electronic atomization device 100a further includes:
a holding element 18a, configured to at least partially surround and hold a battery
core 70a; and
an elastic conductive element 17a, assembled and held on the holding element 18a,
and at least partially configured to guide a current between the battery core 70a
and the airflow sensor 15a/the heating element 40a.
[0149] As shown in FIG. 17 to FIG. 21, the electronic atomization device 100a further includes:
a support 60a, configured to accommodate and hold a first liquid guide element 50a,
a tubular element 14a, an airflow sensor 15a, a sealing element 16a, and the like.
In the embodiment, the support 60a includes a first support portion 610a, a second
support portion 620a, and a third support portion 630a that are arranged in sequence
along a longitudinal direction. The third support portion 630a is mechanically or
firmly connected to a holding element 18a.
[0150] As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, a first accommodating cavity 611a is defined in
the first support portion 610a. In the embodiment, the first accommodating cavity
611a includes a first section 6111a and a second section 6112a that are arranged in
sequence along a longitudinal direction. The first section 6111a is close to a first
end of the support 60a, and an inner side surface of the first section 6111a is in
an inclined, tapered shape or in a wide-mouth shape. The second section 6112a is in
a cylindrical shape with a substantially constant diameter. In the embodiment, the
first liquid guide element 50a is accommodated and held in the second section 6112a
of the first accommodating cavity 611a. In addition, the first liquid guide element
50a avoids the tapered first section 6111a, and a liquid substrate in a liquid storage
cavity 112a is guided through the tapered first section 6111a to the first liquid
guide element 50a and is absorbed. In the embodiment, after assembly, the first liquid
guide element 50a is not flush with the first end of the support 60a. For example,
a spacing d1 exists therebetween in FIG. 19. In some embodiments, the spacing d1 is
approximately 5-10 mm.
[0151] As shown in FIG. 17 to FIG. 20, at a place close to the liquid storage cavity 112a,
the first support portion 610a is in an interference fit with a housing 10a/a first
shell 11a. A sealing ring, such as an O-shaped ring, around the first support portion
610a is arranged outside the first support portion 610a, to provide sealing between
the first support portion 610a and the housing 10a/the first shell 11a.
[0152] As shown in FIG. 17 to FIG. 20, a mechanical connection and an interference fit are
established between the third support portion 630a and the housing 10a/the first shell
11a. In addition, a sealing ring, such as an O-shaped ring, is arranged outside the
third support portion 630a, to provide sealing between the third support portion 630a
and the housing 10a/the first shell 11a. Moreover, the holding element 18a at least
partially extends into the third support portion 630a, and has a mechanical connection
established with the third support portion 630a.
[0153] As shown in FIG. 17 to FIG. 20, a plurality of flanges 621a that surround the second
support portion 620a along a circumferential direction and a groove 622a that is located
between adjacent flanges 621a are further arranged outside the second support portion
620a of the support 60a.
[0154] As shown in FIG. 17 to FIG. 20, a second accommodating cavity 627a is defined in
the second support portion 620a, to at least partially mount and accommodate the tubular
element 14a and the atomization assembly. Specifically, after assembly, at least part
of the tubular element 14a passes through the first accommodating cavity 611a and
is inserted into the second accommodating cavity 627a. In addition, the tubular element
14a and the support 60a are in an interference fit, to enable sealing therebetween.
In addition, no flexible sealing element is between the tubular element 14a and the
support 60a. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 17 to FIG. 20, after assembly,
the tubular element 14a is completely located in the support 60a. Alternatively, in
the embodiment, no portion of the tubular element 14a extends out of the support 60a.
After assembly, an aerosol output tube 111a extends into the first accommodating cavity
611a to engage with the tubular element 14a.
[0155] As shown in FIG. 17 to FIG. 20, a portion of the second accommodating cavity 627a
close to the first accommodating cavity 611a has a gradually increased inner diameter,
or the portion of the second accommodating cavity 627a close to the first accommodating
cavity 611a has an inner side surface which is obliquely arranged. After assembly,
a through hole 141a of the tubular element 14a is opposite to the portion of the second
accommodating cavity 627a having the increased inner diameter, so that a gap is formed
therebetween to enable the through hole 141a in fluid communication with the first
liquid guide element 50a. During use, after a liquid substrate in a liquid storage
cavity 112a is absorbed through an upper surface of the first liquid guide element
50a, it flows to the through hole 141a through a lower surface and is absorbed by
a second liquid guide element 30a, as shown by the arrow R1 in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18.
[0156] As shown in FIG. 17 to FIG. 20, the third support portion 630a of the support 60a
is further provided therein with:
a third accommodating cavity 631a, configured to accommodate or mount an airflow sensor
15a and a sealing element 16a. In the embodiment, an axis of the airflow sensor 15a
and the sealing element 16a are arranged to be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction
of the support 60a. The airflow sensor 15a is wrapped by the sealing element 16a.
As shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the holding element 18a at least partially extends
into the third accommodating cavity 631a, and supports the sealing element 16a accommodated
and held in the third accommodating cavity 631a, so that the sealing element 16a is
stably accommodated and mounted in the third accommodating cavity 631a.
[0157] As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, an air hole 161a is arranged on the sealing element
16a, so that air can enter the third accommodating cavity 631a after passing through
the sealing element 16a.
[0158] As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, an air inlet channel is provided on the support
60a, to provide a channel for air to enter the second accommodating cavity 627a. A
complete air inlet channel includes:
a first channel portion 623a, extending from the third accommodating cavity 631a along
the longitudinal direction of the support 60a, or extending through the third accommodating
cavity to the groove 622a on the surface of the second support portion 620a, where
the first channel portion 623a defines a first communication hole 624a on a surface
of the second support portion 620a;
at least one groove 622a; and
a second channel portion 625a, extending from the groove 622a on the surface of the
second support portion 620a, or extending through the groove to the second accommodating
cavity 627a, so as to deliver air to an atomization assembly in the second accommodating
cavity 627a. The second channel portion 625a may include a plurality of bent sections.
[0159] For a flow path of air during inhalation, reference is made to the arrow R2 in FIG.
17 to FIG. 20. External air entering through the air inlet 21a sequentially passes
through a gap between the battery core 70a and the housing 10a, and the holding element
18a, and then enters the third accommodating cavity 631a through the air hole 161a
of the sealing element 16a. Then the external air flows into the groove 622a on the
surface of the second support portion 620a through the first channel portion 623a,
and flows to the second channel portion 625a through the groove 622a. Finally, the
external air enters the tubular element 14a through the second channel portion 625a,
and carries an aerosol generated by an atomization assembly to deliver it to an air
outlet 113a from an aerosol output tube 111a.
[0160] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, the airflow sensor 15a
is configured to sense a change in air flowing through the support 60a and/or the
electronic atomization device 100a. In the embodiment, the airflow sensor 15a has
a first sensing surface 151a and a second sensing surface 152a that are opposite to
each other along a longitudinal direction of the electronic atomization device 100a.
The first sensing surface 151a is arranged toward the proximal end 110a and is in
communication with the air passing through the support 60a. The airflow sensor 15a
determines an inhalation action of a user and generates a high-level signal when a
difference between pressures of the first sensing surface 151a and the second sensing
surface 152a is greater than a preset threshold due to an inhalation air flow. The
first sensing surface 151a and the second sensing surface 152a are not wrapped by
the flexible sealing element 16a, so as to be exposed for pressure sensing.
[0161] As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, the support 60a further defines a ventilation channel
670a, to provide a flow path for air to enter the liquid storage cavity 112a. Therefore,
when the liquid substrate in the liquid storage cavity 112a is gradually consumed,
and a negative pressure in the liquid storage cavity 112a is relatively low, the air
can enter the liquid storage cavity 112a through the ventilation channel 670a to relieve
or eliminate the negative pressure in the liquid storage cavity 112a. Specifically,
the ventilation channel 670a includes:
a vent hole 671a, radially extending through an outer side surface of a first support
portion 610a to an inner side surface of a second section 6112a of a first accommodating
cavity 611a; and
a vent groove 672a, arranged on the inner side surface of the second section 6112a
of the first accommodating cavity 611a, and extending from the vent hole 671a to the
first section 6111a.
[0162] In the embodiment, the vent hole 671a has a diameter of approximately 0.3-2.0 mm.
Moreover, the vent groove 672a has a width and/or a depth of approximately 0.3-2.0
mm. When the negative pressure in the liquid storage cavity 112a exceeds a predetermined
threshold, as shown by the arrow R3 in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, air enters the liquid
storage cavity 112a sequentially through the vent hole 671a and the vent groove 672a,
thereby eliminating or relieving the negative pressure in the liquid storage cavity
112a. To prevent an entrance of the vent hole 671a from being covered or blocked by
the housing 10a/the first shell 11a and maintain smooth air intake, the vent hole
671a is arranged as a port 6711a having an enlarged cross-sectional area at an entrance
of the outer side surface of the support 60a. The cross-sectional area of the enlarged
port 6711a is significantly enlarged, for example, a width or height of approximately
3-5 mm, helping maintain smooth air intake through the vent hole 671a.
[0163] In the embodiment, similar to the previous embodiment, the enlarged port 6711a is
surrounded and defined by limiting walls 6712a located at two sides of the enlarged
port 6711a. Similarly, a width of the limiting wall 6712a is less than a radial width
of the flange 621a, so that a gap is defined between the limiting wall 6712a and the
housing 10a and is in communication with a lower third accommodating cavity 631a and/or
an air inlet channel, so that air in the third accommodating cavity 631a and/or the
air inlet channel can enter the ventilation channel 670a. Moreover, in the embodiment,
the limiting wall 6712a is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the support
60. In addition, in the embodiment, the enlarged port 6711a defined by the limiting
wall 6712a may further be used as a liquid buffer chamber, to store, adsorb, or hold
the liquid substrate seeped from the ventilation channel 670a, so as to prevent the
liquid substrate seeped from the ventilation channel 670a from further leaking into
the third accommodating cavity 631a. In addition, during use, a liquid substrate is
held in the liquid buffer chamber defined by the enlarged port 6711a. When a difference
in air pressures inside and outside the liquid storage cavity 112a exceeds a threshold,
the liquid substrate in the enlarged port 6711a can further be driven through the
air pressure difference to flow back to an atomization assembly and/or a liquid storage
cavity 112a through the ventilation channel 670a.
[0164] As shown in FIG. 21, a light source is integrated or arranged in the airflow sensor
15a, and, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, configured to emit light in response to
an inhalation action of a user. As shown by the arrow R4 in FIG. 21, the light emitted
from the light source is transmitted through the support 60a toward the proximal end
110a and/or the liquid storage cavity 112a, and then is emitted from the first shell
11a. In this way, during use, when the user inhales through the air outlet 113a, the
user can further view, through a portion of the first shell 11a close to the proximal
end 110a, the light emitted by the light source, to determine whether an electronic
atomization device 100a responds to an inhalation action and/or whether the electronic
atomization device 100a generates an aerosol based on the inhalation action.
[0165] Alternatively, in some other variant embodiments, the light source is an individual
LED lamp, and the light source is not integrated in the airflow sensor 15a. Correspondingly,
the light source is arranged or accommodated in the third accommodating cavity 631a
of the support 60a and is configured to emit light in response to the inhalation action
of the user.
[0166] It should be noted that the preferred embodiments of this application are provided
in the specification and the accompanying drawings of this application, but are not
limited to the embodiments described in this specification. Further, a person of ordinary
skill in the art may make improvements or modifications according to the foregoing
descriptions, and all of the improvements and modifications shall fall within the
protection scope of the appended claims of this application.