EP2946679B1

EP2946679B1 - Atomizer and electronic cigarette having same

Info

Publication number: EP2946679B1
Application number: EP15164152.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yonghai LI; Zhongli XU; Laizhi Song; Xingbing Zou; Yindeng Deng
Original assignee: Shenzhen FirstUnion Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen FirstUnion Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2014-04-28
Filing date: 2015-04-17
Publication date: 2019-09-25
Anticipated expiration: 2035-04-17
Also published as: EP2946679A1; US20150305406A1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to electronic cigarettes, and particularly to an atomizer and an electronic cigarette using same.

BACKGROUND ART

Nowadays, electronic cigarettes mainly include disposable electronic cigarettes and refillable electronic cigarette. The disposable electronic cigarettes are not environmental-friendly because they are discarded after used. The refillable electronic cigarettes can be used repeatedly. After tobacco liquid in the refillable electronic cigarettes is used up, the user of the electronic cigarettes can refill the tobacco liquid by themselves. Accordingly, the refillable electronic cigarettes are more environmental-friendly. However, it is inconvenient to refill the tobacco liquid, and the tobacco liquid may pollute clothes of the users during this process.
What is needed, therefore, is an atomizer and an electronic cigarette using same, which can overcome the above shortcomings.
Some prior art atomizers are disclosed in WO 2013/159245 A1 , US 2011/277757 A1 and EP 2260733 A1 .

SUMMARY

An exemplary atomizer includes a liquid supply component, an atomizing assembly, and a piercing means. The liquid supply component is configured for storing tobacco liquid. The liquid supply component has a sealing means for sealing the tobacco liquid therein. The piercing means for piercing the sealing structure so that the tobacco liquid flows to the atomizing assembly. The atomizing assembly is configured for heating the tobacco liquid to form aerosol.
The present invention provides an atomizer according to independent claim 1. Various embodiments or improvements are recited in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an atomizer in a first state according to a first embodiment, not according to the invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the atomizer of FIG. 1 in a second state.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic cigarette according to a second embodiment, not according to the invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an atomizing device according to a first embodiment, according to the invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an atomizing head assembly of the atomizing device of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the atomizing head assembly of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid supply component of the atomizing device of FIG. 4.
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid supply component of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid supply component according to a second embodiment, according to the invention.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an electronic cigarette according to a third

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts have been exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of the present disclosure.
The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to "an" or "one" embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.
Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now be presented.
The term "outside" refers to a region that is beyond the outermost confines of a physical object. The term "inside" indicates that at least a portion of a region is partially contained within a boundary formed by the object. The term "substantially" is defined to be essentially conforming to the particular dimension, shape or other word that substantially modifies, such that the component need not be exact. For example, substantially cylindrical means that the object resembles a cylinder, but can have one or more deviations from a true cylinder. The term "comprising," when utilized, means "including, but not necessarily limited to"; it specifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in the so-described combination, group, series and the like.
Referring to FIG. 1, an atomizer 10 includes a mouthpiece 11, an atomizing sleeve 12, a liquid tank 13, a piercing means 15, an atomizing assembly 16, and a connector 17.
The mouthpiece 11 and the atomizing sleeve 12 are detachably connected. In the present embodiment, the mouthpiece 11 and the atomizing sleeve 12 are engaged by screw threads. The mouthpiece 11 defines an air outlet 112.
The atomizing sleeve 12 defines a space 122 for receiving the liquid tank 13. The liquid tank 13 is configured (i.e., structured and arranged) for storing tobacco liquid 14. The liquid tank 13 includes a bottom wall 132 made of material, which can be pierced easily, for example, aluminum foil.
The connector 17 is fixed at one end of the atomizing sleeve 12 away from the mouthpiece11, and is configured for connecting with an external power supply. The piercing means 15 is arranged between the connector 17 and the liquid tank 13. The piercing means 15 is fixedly connected with the connector 17. The piercing means 15 includes a supporting element 152 and a first liquid absorbing element 151 extending through the supporting element 152. The supporting element 152 is made of hard material, such as, metal. The first liquid absorbing element 151 may be made of porous material. In the present embodiment, the first liquid absorbing element 151 is made of glass fiber core. The connector 17 is annular, and the supporting element 152 is fixed on the connector 17. The connector 17 includes a silicone holder 174 inside. The silicone holder 174 and the supporting element 152 cooperatively define an atomizing cavity 172.
The atomizing assembly 16 is received in the atomizing cavity 172, and includes a second liquid absorbing element 161 and a heating wire 162 spirally wound around the second liquid absorbing element 161. The second liquid absorbing element 161 is made of porous material. In the present embodiment, the second liquid absorbing element 161 is made of glass fiber core. An end of the first liquid absorbing element 151 is connected to the second liquid absorbing element 161. Quite usefully, a length direction of the first liquid absorbing element 151 is substantially perpendicular to a length direction of the second liquid absorbing element 161, and the end of the first liquid absorbing element 151 is connected to a middle portion of the second liquid absorbing element 161 in the length direction. The first liquid absorbing element 151 is configured for absorbing tobacco liquid and conveying the tobacco liquid to the second liquid absorbing element 161 after the piercing means 15 pierces the liquid tank 13. The second liquid absorbing element 161 absorbs tobacco liquid from the first liquid absorbing element 151, so that the heating wire 162 heats the tobacco liquid. The tobacco liquid is conveyed to the second liquid absorbing element 161 by the first liquid absorbing element 151 from the liquid tank 13 via capillary action. Two opposite ends of the heating wire 162 are connected to the power supply.
The liquid tank 13 and an inner wall of the atomizing sleeve 12 cooperatively define an air passage 126. The air passage 126 communicates with the air outlet 112. The supporting element 152 defines a through hole 1522 communicating with the air passage 126. The aerosol can reach the air outlet 112 through the air passage 126.
Further, a top wall 134 of the liquid tank 13 and an inner wall of the mouthpiece cooperatively define a funnel-shaped space 124 for collecting air in the air passage 126 to the mouthpiece 11.
In use, the mouthpiece 11 is rotated relative to the atomizing sleeve 12, the mouthpiece 11 forces the liquid tank 13 to move downwards such that the piercing means 15 pierces through the bottom wall 132 of the liquid tank. The tobacco liquid 14 in the liquid tank 13 is conveyed to the second liquid absorbing element 161 via the first liquid absorbing element 151. After the heating wire 162 is powered on, the tobacco liquid absorbed in the second liquid absorbing element 161 is heated to form aerosol. After the tobacco liquid 14 in the liquid tank 13 is used up, the mouthpiece 11 is screwed off, and then the liquid tank 13 is replaced by a new liquid tank.
In the present embodiment, the tobacco liquid is conveyed to the second liquid absorbing element 161 by the first liquid absorbing element 151 from the liquid tank 13 via capillary action. Therefore, it is prevented that a lot of the tobacco liquid suddenly rushes to the atomizing assembly 16 when the bottom wall 132 is pierced, thus reducing risk of liquid leakage.
Referring to FIG. 3, an electronic cigarette 30 includes an atomizer 10 and a power supply 20. The power supply 20 is configured for providing the atomizer 10 working power.
Referring to FIGS. 4-8, an atomizing device 100 according to the invention is shown. The atomizing device 100 is configured (i.e., structured and arranged) for heating tobacco liquid to form aerosol. The atomizing device 100 includes a liquid supply component 110 and an atomizing head assembly 120. The atomizing head assembly 120 is detachably coupled with the liquid supply component 110. The atomizing head assembly 120 includes an atomizing sleeve 121, a connector 122, a piercing means 123, and an atomizing assembly 124. The connector 122 is arranged at an end of the atomizing sleeve 121. The piercing means 123 is provided in the atomizing sleeve 121. The atomizing assembly 124 is arranged between the connector 122 and the piercing means 123. The liquid supply component 110 includes a liquid tank 111 and a mouthpiece 112. The mouthpiece 112 includes an engaging part 1121 configured for engaging with the atomizing sleeve 121 by interference fit, thus fixedly connecting with the liquid supply component 110 and the atomizing head assembly 120. The piercing means 123 is adapted for piercing the liquid tank 111 so that the tobacco liquid flows to the atomizing assembly 124. The atomizing assembly 124 is adapted to heat the tobacco liquid. The connector 122 is configured for connecting the atomizing device 100 and an external power supply.
The liquid tank 111 defines an opening at one end, and a silica gel stopper 113 is provided at the opening. The silica gel stopper 113 includes a thin film 1131 for sealing the opening. The thin film 1131 and the silica gel stopper 113 are integrally formed. The piercing means 123 pierces the thin film 1131, inserts into the liquid tank 111, and then guides the tobacco liquid in the liquid tank 111 to flow to the atomizing assembly 124.
When the thin film 1131 is pierced, the tobacco liquid in the liquid tank 111 flows along the piercing means 123. After the piercing means 123 is pulled out, an opening in the thin film 1131 formed by the piercing means 123, will shut off automatically due to the resilience of the thin film 1131. In this way, the tobacco liquid in the liquid tank 111 is prevented from leaking when replacing the liquid supply component 110.
In the present embodiment, the liquid tank 111 and the mouthpiece 112 are engaged by interference fit. When replacing the liquid tank 111, the mouthpiece 112 is pulled out. In this way, the liquid tank 111 and the mouthpiece 112 are pulled out together. Accordingly, it is very convenient to replace the liquid tank 111.
The piercing means 123 includes a main body 1231 and a pricking part 1232. When the pricking part 1232 pierces the thin film 1131 and inserts into the liquid tank 111, the main body 1231 abuts tightly against the silica gel stopper 113, thus preventing the tobacco liquid from leaking. To prevent the silica gel stopper 113 from being squeezed to deform by the main body 1231, a supporting ring 114 is provided in the silica gel stopper 113, and the supporting ring 114 is engaged with the silica gel stopper 113 by interference fit.
An outer diameter of the liquid tank 111 is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the atomizing sleeve 121. An annular gap 130 is defined between the liquid tank 111 and the atomizing sleeve 121. The liquid tank 111 includes a cut-off surface 115 extending along an axial direction on an outer wall. When the liquid tank 111 is coupled with the mouthpiece 112, a first air passage 140 is defined between the liquid tank 111 and the mouthpiece 112. The aerosol generated by the atomizing assembly 124 flows along the annular gap 130, the first air passage 140 and an air outlet 1122 defined at one end of the mouthpiece 112, and then reaches a mouth of a user.
The connector 122 is configured for connecting the atomizing device 100 to an external power supply. In the present embodiment, the connector 122 includes a connecting sleeve 1221, a tubular electrode 1222, and an insulated ring provided between the tubular electrode 1222 and the connecting sleeve 1221. The connecting sleeve 1221 is fixedly connected to the atomizing sleeve 121. The tubular electrode 1222 is arranged in the connecting sleeve 1221 and inserts into the atomizing assembly 124. The atomizing assembly 124 includes a heating element 1241. Two opposite ends of the heating element 1241 are respectively connected to the connecting sleeve 1221 and the tubular electrode 1222. The connecting sleeve 1221 and the tubular electrode 1222 are connected to the external power supply.
The atomizing assembly 124 includes a holder 1243. The holder 1243 and the piercing means 123 cooperatively define an atomizing cavity. The atomizing assembly 124 further includes a liquid conducting element 1242 arranged in the atomizing cavity, a heating element 1241 in the atomizing cavity wound around the liquid conducting element 1242, and a porous liquid absorbing body 1244. The heating element 1241 is wound around the liquid conducting element 1242. The porous liquid absorbing body 1244 is arranged between the piercing means 123 and the liquid conducting element 1242, and is in tight contact with the liquid conducting element 1242. The holder 1243 is configured for supporting the heating element 1241 and the liquid conducting element 1242. The porous liquid absorbing body 1244 is adapted for storing tobacco liquid, which is guided by the piercing means 123 from the liquid tank 111. The liquid conducting element 1242 is adapted for absorbing tobacco liquid from the porous liquid absorbing body 1244. The porous liquid absorbing body 1244 may be a cotton cloth, or other porous material. The heating element 1241 is configured for heating tobacco liquid absorbed in the liquid conducting element 1242.
The tubular electrode 1222 defines a central hole 1224 communicating with the atomizing cavity. The piercing means 123 and the atomizing sleeve 121 cooperatively define an air gap (not shown). The central hole 1224, the atomizing cavity, the air gap and the annular gap 130 cooperatively form a second air passage. The second air passage communicates with the first air passage 140. Air enters the second air passage via the central hole 1224, and brings the aerosol generated in the atomizing cavity out from the mouthpiece 112.
In the present embodiment, the atomizing sleeve 121 and the liquid tank 111 are made of transparent material, so that quantity of tobacco liquid left in the liquid tank 111 can be seen easily. When the tobacco liquid in the liquid tank 111 is used up, the liquid tank 111 or the liquid supply component 110 is replaced, and the atomizing head assembly 120 can be used repeatedly. Accordingly, the atomizing device 100 is environmental-friendly.
Referring to FIG. 9, another liquid supply component 210 is shown. The liquid supply component 210 includes a mouthpiece 212, a liquid tank 211. The mouthpiece 212 defines an air outlet 2122. The liquid supply component 210 further includes an air guide 213 arranged between the air outlet 2122 and the liquid tank 211. The air guide 213 defines a spiral air groove 2131, which communicates with a first air passage 240 and the air outlet 2122. After passing the air groove 2131, temperature of the aerosol is effectively decreased, thus improving user experience of the atomizing device.
Referring to FIG. 10, an electronic cigarette 1 includes an atomizer 2 and a power supply 3. The atomizer 1 may be any atomizer of the previous embodiment. The power supply 3 provides the atomizer 1 working power.

Claims

An atomizer (100), comprising:
a liquid supply component (110), the liquid supply component (110) being configured for storing tobacco liquid, the liquid supply component (110) having a sealing means (113, 1131) for sealing the tobacco liquid therein;

an atomizing assembly (124); and

a piercing means (123) for piercing the sealing means (113, 1131) so that the tobacco liquid flows to the atomizing assembly (124), the atomizing assembly (124) configured for heating the tobacco liquid to form aerosol;

characterized in that the atomizer (100) further comprises:
an atomizing sleeve (121), the piercing means (123) being received in the atomizing sleeve (121); and

a connector (122) arranged at an end of the atomizing sleeve (121), the connector (122) being configured for connecting to a power supply;

wherein the atomizing assembly (124) is positioned between the piercing means (123) and the connector (122); the liquid supply component (110) comprises a liquid tank (111) and an engaging part (1121), the engaging part (1121) is configured for connecting to an opposite end of the atomizing sleeve (121); the liquid tank (111) defines the opening at one end, the sealing means (113, 1131) is arranged at one end of the liquid tank (111),

the sealing means comprises a silica gel stopper, the silica gel stopper has a thin film integrally formed, and the thin film is configured for sealing the opening.
The atomizer (100) according to claim 1, further comprising:
an atomizing sleeve (121);

a mouthpiece (112) connected to one end of the atomizing sleeve (121);

wherein the piercing means (123) and the atomizing assembly (124) are received in the atomizing sleeve (121), the piercing means (123) comprises a first liquid absorbing element, the atomizing assembly (124) comprises a second liquid absorbing element and a heating wire (1241) wound around the second liquid absorbing element, the first liquid absorbing element is connected to the second liquid absorbing element, and the first liquid absorbing element is configured for conveying the tobacco liquid to the second liquid absorbing element.
The atomizer (100) according to claim 2, wherein the piercing means (123) further comprises a supporting element surrounding the first liquid absorbing element, and the first liquid absorbing element extends through the supporting element.
The atomizer (100) according to claim 2, wherein a length direction of the first liquid absorbing element is substantially perpendicular to a length direction of the second liquid absorbing element, and the end of the first liquid absorbing element is connected to a middle portion of the second liquid absorbing element in the length direction.
The atomizer (100) according to claim 3, wherein the atomizing assembly (124) further comprises a connector (122) arranged at an end of the atomizing sleeve (121) away from the mouthpiece (112), and the connector (122) being configured for connecting to a power supply.
The atomizer (100) according to claim 5, wherein the connector (122) is annular, the supporting element is fixed on the connector (122), the connector (122) comprises a silicone holder received in the connector (122), the silicone holder and the supporting element cooperatively define an atomizing cavity, and the atomizing assembly (124) is accommodated in the atomizing cavity.
The atomizer (100) according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply component (110) further comprises a mouthpiece (112), the liquid tank (111) and mouthpiece (112) are engaged by interference fit, and the engaging part (1121) is provided at an end of the mouthpiece (112).
The atomizer (100) according to claim 1, wherein the silica gel stopper (113) further comprises a supporting ring (114) provided in the silica gel stopper (113), and the supporting ring (114) is configured for preventing the silica gel stopper (113) from deforming.
The atomizer (100) according to claim 7, wherein an outer diameter of the liquid tank (111) is smaller than an inner diameter of the atomizing sleeve (121), the liquid tank (111) has a cut-off surface extending along an axial direction on an outer wall, and the cut-off surface and the mouthpiece (112) cooperatively define a first air passage (140).
The atomizer (100) according to claim 1, wherein the connector (122) comprises a connecting sleeve (1221) fixedly connected to the atomizing sleeve (121), and a tubular electrode (1222), the tubular electrode (1222) is received in the connecting sleeve (1221), and is insulated from the tubular electrode (1222), the atomizing assembly (124) comprises a heating element (1241), and two opposite ends of the heating element (1241) are respectively connected to the connecting sleeve (1221) and the tubular electrode (1222).
The atomizer (100) according to claim 10, wherein the atomizing assembly (124) further comprises a holder (1243), a liquid conducting element (1242), and a porous liquid absorbing body (1244); the holder (1243) and the piercing means (123) cooperatively define an atomizing cavity, the liquid conducting element (1242) is arranged in the atomizing cavity; the porous liquid absorbing body (1244) is arranged between the piercing means (123) and the liquid conducting element (1242), the porous liquid absorbing body (1244) is in contact with the liquid conducting element (1242), and the heating element (1241) is wound around the liquid conducting element (1242).
The atomizer (100) according to claim 11, wherein the tubular electrode (1222) defines a central hole communicating with the atomizing cavity, the piercing means (123) and the atomizing sleeve (121) cooperatively define an air gap, the atomizing sleeve (121) and the liquid tank (111) cooperatively define a gap, the central hole, the atomizing cavity, the air gap and the annular gap cooperatively form a second air passage.
The atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the piercing means (123) comprises a pricking part (1232) configured for piercing the sealing means (113, 1131).
An electronic cigarette, comprising:
an atomizer (100) according to any of claims 1-13; and

a power supply configured for supplying the atomizer (100) power.