ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE ATOMIZATION CORE

An atomization core provides a core body having a central channel, a generally cylindrical, ceramic first layer having an outer diameter and an inner diameter, and a generally cylindrical, ceramic second layer having an outer diameter and an inner diameter. The central channel extends through the first and second layers. The first layer, the second layer, and the central channel are aligned about a central axis, and the inner diameter of the second layer is about equal to the outer diameter of the first layer.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to atomization and vaporizing devices, and more particularly, to an atomization core of an electronic cigarette device.

BACKGROUND

Electronic cigarette (also known as “E-cigarette”), or vaping, devices can be used to deliver nicotine,cannabis(THC, CBD), flavorings, chemicals, and other substances. These devices are known by many different names and come in many shapes, sizes and device types. These devices may also be referred to as “E-cigs”, “Vapes”, “Vape pens,” “dab pens,” “dab rigs,” “Tanks,” “Mods,” “Pod-Mods,” and the like. Use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products is sometimes referred to as “vaping.”

Typically, a conventional e-cigarette device or electronic cigarette device includes several basic components: a cartridge (also referred to as a reservoir or pod), an atomizer (or atomizer core) including a heating element, a power source (e.g., a battery), and a mouthpiece. The cartridge (or reservoir or pod) can hold various substances. The cartridge may be pre-loaded with these substances, and sold with or separate from the rest of the e-cigarette device. One particular substance is a liquid solution (sometimes referred to as “e-liquid” or “e-juice”). In one particular example, the liquid solution may contain varying amounts of nicotine,cannabis(THC, CBD), flavorings, and/or other chemicals. Some conventional e-cigarette devices may not use a cartridge to hold the liquid solution. Instead, these e-cigarette devices include a reservoir built-into the device for containing the liquid solution, and into which the liquid solution can be filled. In many e-cigarette devices, puffing by a user results in an airflow entering the electronic cigarette device. As the air flows into the electronic cigarette device, the generated airflow will trigger an airflow sensor, and thereby activate the heating element of the atomizer. The electric heating element, disposed within an atomization channel of the atomizer core, starts to heat the e-liquid, and generate aerosol or vapor, which then flows out through the atomization channel under the drive of the airflow, and the resulting aerosol or vapor travels to the mouthpiece where the aerosol or vapor is then inhaled by the user.

In a conventional electronic cigarette device, a ceramic atomization core have a single-layer structure. In terms of ceramic, “porosity” refers to the proportion of the volume of the pores in the ceramic to the overall volume of the ceramic, and the porosity of the ceramic is generally between 20% and 65%. If the ceramic material of the core has a high porosity, an e-liquid guide speed (i.e., the speed that e-liquid disseminates through the ceramic material) can be too high, and result in the problem of e-liquid leakage (i.e., e-liquid passing from the interior atomization core due to too much e-liquid present in the core to be vaporized by the heating element efficiently). Also, if the ceramic material of the core has a low porosity, e-liquid supply would be not delivered in a timely manner to the heating element, and result in “dry burning” within the core. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved atomization core of an electronic cigarette device. There is a further need for an improved atomization core of an electronic cigarette that provides at least two (2) layers in the atomization core. There is an additional need for an improved atomization core of an electronic cigarette device made of at least two (2) layers of ceramic material. There is also a need for an improved atomization core of an electronic cigarette device made of at least two (2) layers of ceramic material, where each layer has a different porosity from at least one other layer. There is a need for an improved atomization core of an electronic cigarette device having multiple layers of ceramic material, where the layers have different porosities in a combined manner, so that the atomization core has the advantages of both high porosity and low porosity while avoiding the disadvantages of each of high porosity and low porosity. There is a further need for an improved atomizer core of an electronic cigarette device that is easier to manufacture, assemble, disassemble, adjust, and maintain. The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved atomizer core of an electronic cigarette device. The present invention provides an improved atomizer core of an electronic cigarette that provides at least two (2) layers in the atomization core. The present invention provides an improved atomizer core of an electronic cigarette device made of at least two (2) layers of ceramic material. The present invention provides an improved atomizer core of an electronic cigarette device made of at least two (2) layers of ceramic material, where each layer has a different porosity from at least one other layer. The present invention provides an improved atomizer core of an electronic cigarette device having multiple layers of ceramic material, where the layers have different porosities in a combined manner, so that the atomization core has the advantages of both high porosity and low porosity while avoiding the disadvantages of each of high porosity and low porosity. The present invention provides an improved atomizer core of an electronic cigarette device that is easier to manufacture, assemble, adjust, and maintain. The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other related advantages.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an atomization core includes a core body having a central channel, a generally cylindrical, ceramic first layer having an outer diameter and an inner diameter, and a generally cylindrical, ceramic second layer having an outer diameter and an inner diameter. The central channel extends through the first and second layers, and the first layer, the second layer, and the central channel are aligned about a central axis. The inner diameter of the second layer is about equal to the outer diameter of the first layer.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the atomization core further includes a heating element embedded in the core body and spirally arranged about the central channel.

In accordance with an additional embodiment of the present invention, the core body includes a microporous ceramic.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, the core body includes a generally cylindrical core body.

In accordance with a still further embodiment of the present invention, the central channel includes two separate channels.

In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, the porosity of the ceramic first layer is greater than the porosity of the ceramic second layer.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the porosity of the ceramic first layer is lesser than the porosity of the ceramic second layer.

In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present invention, the atomization core further includes a third layer having an outer diameter and an inner diameter where the first layer, the second layer, the third layer, and the central channel are aligned about the central axis. The inner diameter of the third layer is about equal to the outer diameter of the second layer.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an atomization core includes a core body having a central channel, a generally cylindrical, ceramic first layer having an outer diameter and an inner diameter, and a generally cylindrical, ceramic second layer having an outer diameter and an inner diameter. The central channel extends through the first and second layers, and the first layer, the second layer, and the central channel are aligned about a central axis. The porosity of one of the ceramic layers is greater than the porosity of the other ceramic layer, and the inner diameter of the second layer is about equal to the outer diameter of the first layer.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the atomization core further includes a heating element embedded in the core body and spirally arranged about the central channel.

In accordance with an additional embodiment of the present invention, the core body includes a microporous ceramic.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, the core body includes a generally cylindrical core body.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the central channel includes two separate channels.

In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present invention, the porosity of the ceramic first layer is greater than the porosity of the ceramic second layer.

In accordance with yet an additional embodiment of the present invention, the porosity of the ceramic first layer is lesser than the porosity of the ceramic second layer.

In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, the atomization core further includes a third layer having an outer diameter and an inner diameter, and where the first layer, the second layer, the third layer, and the central channel are aligned about the central axis. The porosity of at least one of the ceramic layers is greater than the porosity of at least one of the other ceramic layers, and the inner diameter of the third layer is about equal to the outer diameter of the second layer.

This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of the invention may be understood quickly. Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which can become apparent from the following description, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention or be understood through practice of the present invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide an electronic cigarette assembly. The following detailed description describes the present embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, reference numbers label elements of the present embodiments. These reference numbers are reproduced below in connection with the discussion of the corresponding drawing features. It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity, many other elements found in electronic cigarette assemblies. Those of ordinary skill in the pertinent arts may recognize that other elements and/or steps are desirable and/or required in implementing the present invention. However, because such elements and steps are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements and steps is not provided herein. The disclosure herein is directed to all such variations and modifications to such elements and methods known to those skilled in the pertinent arts.

Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail hereinafter, and illustrations of the embodiments are shown in the drawings, wherein identical or similar reference numerals denote identical or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described hereinafter with reference to the drawings are exemplary and only intended to explain the present invention, and cannot be understood as limiting the present invention.

With reference toFIGS.1-12, embodiments of the present invention provide for an improved electronic cigarette device. As shown inFIGS.10-12, an electronic cigarette assembly20includes an atomizer assembly200and a battery assembly300. The atomizer assembly200includes a housing30, an upper cap21, a smoke guide tube or atomization tube22, an e-liquid guide cotton23, a ceramic atomizer core24, an e-liquid storage chamber or cavity31, an upper sealing seat25, and a magnet26. The magnet26is configured to engage the atomizer assembly200with the battery assembly300. The battery assembly300includes a battery assembly body27, a lower sealing seat28, and a lower cap29. The upper sealing seat25and the lower sealing seat28may be made from various materials including, but not limited to, silicone, plastic (e.g., thermoplastic, thermoelastic, thermosetting, etc.), and the like. The upper cap21and the lower cap29may be made from various materials including, but not limited to, plastic (e.g., thermoplastic (e.g., Poly Cyclohexylenedimethylene Terephthalate glycol-modified (PCTG), Polycarbonates (PC), and the like), thermoelastic, thermosetting, etc.), silicone, and the like. The atomizer assembly200and the battery assembly300are generally disposed within a housing sleeve110. A portion of the upper cap21is received within the housing sleeve110at a top end of the housing sleeve110, and a portion of the lower cap29is received within the housing sleeve110at a bottom end of the housing sleeve110. A portion of the upper cap21is received within the housing30at a top end of the housing30, and a portion of the upper sealing seat25is received within the housing30at a bottom end of the housing30.

The ceramic atomization core24is disposed within a lower end of the atomization tube22. While ceramic atomization core24is illustrated in use inFIGS.10-12, ceramic atomization cores124,224,324are also suitable for use in the illustrated electronic cigarette assembly20. The atomization tube22includes an inner, generally cylindrical atomization channel33. While the atomization channel33is illustrated as being generally cylindrical, the atomization channel33can have other shapes including polygonal shapes where the atomization channel could have three (3) or more sides. The inner atomization channel33is configured to provide a path for discharge of aerosol or vapor to the upper cap21. The aerosol or vapor is generated by heating and atomization of e-liquid400by the ceramic atomization core24. The upper cap21includes a mouthpiece portion35for engagement with a user's mouth during use of the electronic cigarette assembly20. The upper cap21also includes a channel or passage36defining a path to the atomization tube22through which the aerosol or vapor passes through the upper cap21to a user's mouth for subsequent inhalation. One end of the channel or passage36is open at the mouthpiece portion35and one end of the channel or passage36is open to the atomization tube22through a guide portion40of the upper cap21. The open upper end of the atomization tube22extends into the guide portion40of the upper cap21in communication with the channel or passage36such that vaporized liquid or smoke passes from the atomization tube22into the channel or passage36for subsequent inhalation by the user as the mouthpiece portion35is in communication with the atomization channel33.

The atomization tube22includes at least one e-liquid inlet hole221corresponding to the ceramic atomization core24. The e-liquid inlet hole221allows e-liquid400in the e-liquid storage chamber or cavity31to enter the ceramic atomization core24and move towards an electric heating element50for atomization into aerosol or vapor. The e-liquid400is transferred from the e-liquid storage chamber or cavity31to the e-liquid guide cotton23through the e-liquid inlet hole221and finally into the ceramic core24. As mentioned above, the “e-liquid” or “e-juice”400is a liquid solution that may contain varying amounts of various substances (alone or in combination) that can include, without limitation, nicotine,cannabis(e.g., THC, CBD), flavorings, and/or other chemicals.

As shown inFIGS.1-6, a first embodiment of an atomization core24is illustrated. The ceramic atomization core24is generally cylindrical, and includes a generally cylindrical first layer or inner layer241, a generally cylindrical second layer or outer layer242, and an electric heating element50inlaid in the atomization core24. The generally cylindrical first and second layers241,242are generally concentric, adjacent, and aligned about a central axis (not shown). The first and second layers241,242of the atomization core24may be made of various ceramic materials including, but not limited to, a microporous ceramic having micropores. The micropores can be in the general range of about 8 μm to about 18 μm, preferably about 13 μm. The first layer241includes a porosity less than that of the second layer242(i.e., the porosity of the layers241,242decreases sequentially from the outer layer (i.e., second layer242) to the inner layer (i.e., first layer241). A result is that the first layer241has an e-liquid absorption speed less than that of the second layer242. In general, when multiple ceramic layers are provided, the porosity decreases sequentially from outside to inside, and accordingly the speed decreases sequentially from outside to inside. The combination of the at least two layers of ceramic material having different porosities provides the atomization core24with the advantages of both high porosity and low porosity while avoiding the disadvantages of single-layer conventional atomization cores where the single-layer has either a high porosity or a low porosity. It should be noted that the positions of the less porosity layer and the more porosity layer can be interchanged. As long as the combination of the two layers can achieve the goal of a reasonable oil absorption speed.

As illustrated, e-liquid is transferred from the e-liquid storage cavity31to the e-liquid guide cotton23through the e-liquid inlet hole221, then to the second ceramic layer242, and finally to the first ceramic layer241. The e-liquid is buffered and stored by providing a multilayer ceramic core, so that e-liquid supply is stable. A first advantage is that e-liquid absorption is performed by the outer ceramic layer (i.e., the second layer242) having a high porosity, so that the continuity of the e-liquid supply is good, and no empty absorption event occurs, and a second advantage is that the e-liquid absorption is performed by an inner ceramic layer (i.e., the first layer241having a low porosity, so that e-liquid leakage caused by the speed and angle of e-liquid supply is reduced, if not avoided.

The electric heating element50is spirally arranged. The electric heating element50includes an electric heating element body248, and pins249led out from two (2) ends of the electric heating element body248. A bottom portion of the ceramic atomization core24is disposed on the sealing seat25. The sealing seat25includes holes253through which the pins249of the ceramic core24extend into a channel of the battery assembly300, with the pins249riveted with two poles of the battery assembly300. A pair of electrodes251are made of various materials including, without limitation, conductive metal. The electrodes251are separate electrically connected to the pins249.

The electric heating element50may come in various forms including, but not limited to two (2) identical electric heating element bodies connected in parallel together and soldered at two ends. In one illustrative embodiment, the size of a soldered dot left after soldering cannot be more than 0.35 mm (as the larger the soldered dot, the easier it becomes for a portion of the soldered dot to contact an adjacent heating coil of the electric heating element50, and cause a short circuit).

As shown inFIGS.1-6, a first embodiment of an atomization core24is illustrated. The ceramic atomization core24is generally cylindrical, and includes a generally cylindrical first layer or inner layer241, a generally cylindrical second layer or outer layer242, and an electric heating element50inlaid in the atomization core24. The generally cylindrical first and second layers241,242are generally concentric, adjacent, and aligned about a central axis (not shown). The first and second layers241,242of the atomization core24may be made of various ceramic materials including, but not limited to, a microporous ceramic having micropores. The micropores can be in the general range of about 8 μm to about 18 μm, preferably about 13 μm. The first layer241includes a porosity less than that of the second layer242(i.e., the porosity of the layers241,242decreases sequentially from the outer layer (i.e., second layer242) to the inner layer (i.e., first layer241). A result is that the first layer241has an e-liquid absorption speed less than that of the second layer242. In general, when multiple ceramic layers are provided, the porosity decreases sequentially from outside to inside, and accordingly the speed decreases sequentially from outside to inside. The combination of the at least two layers of ceramic material having different porosities provides the atomization core24with the advantages of both high porosity and low porosity while avoiding the disadvantages of single-layer conventional atomization cores where the single-layer has either a high porosity or a low porosity. Again, it should be noted that the positions of the less porosity layer and the more porosity layer can be interchanged. As long as the combination of the two layers can achieve the goal of a reasonable oil absorption speed. The shape of the ceramic atomization core24may be made by various methods including, without limitation, being integrally formed by injection molding. As set forth above, the atomization core24has an inner, generally cylindrical atomization channel (or central channel)33configured to provide a path for discharge of aerosol or vapor to the atomization channel of the atomization tube22. The ceramic atomization core24is of one-piece construction with the first layer241and the second layer242made from the same or different ceramic materials. In the alternative, the ceramic atomization core24may be made from separate first and second layers241,242joined together, where the first and second layers241,242may be made from the same or different microporous materials (e.g., ceramic). The exterior surfaces of the first and second layers241,242may be viewed as surfaces through which e-liquid or e-liquid vapor is absorbed, while e-liquid or vaporized e-liquid is emitted from the interior surface of the first layer241forming the atomization channel33. The first and second layers241,242are each at least 0.7 mm. The thickness of the two layers can be the same or one layer can be thicker than the other. The thickness of a layer can be adjusted in relation to the desired porosity of that layer.

As shown inFIGS.7A-7B, a second embodiment of an atomization core124is illustrated. The ceramic atomization core124is the same/similar to the atomization core24, with the main exception that the atomization core124includes a third layer243, and other parts being arranged in the same/similar manner. The atomization core124includes a first (inner) layer241, a second (middle) layer, and the third (outer) layer243. The layers241,242,243of the atomization core124may be made of various ceramic materials including, but not limited to, a microporous ceramic having micropores. The micropores can be in the general range of about 8 μm to about 18 μm, preferably about 13 μm. The ceramic material of the first layer241has a porosity greater than that of the ceramic material of the second layer242, and that of the ceramic material of the third layer243. That is, the first layer241has an e-liquid absorption speed greater than that of the second layer242, and that of the third layer243. The ceramic atomization core124is of one-piece construction with the first, second, and third layers241,242,243made from the same or different ceramic materials. In the alternative, the ceramic atomization core124may be made from separate first, second, and third layers241,242,243joined together, where the first, second, and third layers241,242,243may be made from the same or different microporous materials (e.g., ceramic). The outer surfaces of the first, second, and third layers241,242,243may be viewed as surfaces through which e-liquid or e-liquid vapor is absorbed, while e-liquid or vaporized e-liquid is emitted from the interior surface of the first layers241forming the atomization channel133. Again, the first, second, and third layers241,242,243are each at least 0.7 mm. The thickness of the first, second, and third layers can be the same or one layer can be thicker or thinner than the other layers. The thickness of a layer can be adjusted in relation to the desired porosity of that layer.

As shown inFIGS.8A-8B, a third embodiment of an atomization core224is illustrated. The ceramic atomization core224includes ceramic inner and outer layers1241,1242, and is the same/similar to the generally cylindrical atomization core24, with the main exception that the inner layer1241does not have a constant outer diameter between top and bottom, and the outer layer1242does not have a constant inner diameter between top and bottom. The generally cylindrical first and second layers1241,1242are generally concentric, adjacent, and aligned about a central axis (not shown). As shown inFIGS.8A-8B, the outer diameter of the first layer or inner layer1241is sized and shaped to match the inner diameter of the second layer or outer layer1242. The first layer or inner layer1241has a generally cylindrical, constant inner diameter between top and bottom, but the outer diameter of the first layer or inner layer1241has a generally cylindrical first portion or lower portion1241ahaving a constant diameter, and a generally cylindrical second portion or upper portion1241bhaving a constant diameter, where the outer diameter of the first portion1241ais greater than the outer diameter of the second portion1241b. The second layer or outer layer1242has a generally cylindrical, constant outer diameter between top and bottom, but the inner diameter of the second layer or outer layer1242has a generally cylindrical first portion or lower portion1242ahaving a constant diameter, and a generally cylindrical second portion or upper portion1242bhaving a constant diameter, where the inner diameter of the first portion1242ais greater than the outer diameter of the second portion1242b. The outer diameter of the first portion (or lower portion)1241aof the first layer (or inner layer)1241is generally equal to the inner diameter of the first portion or lower portion1242aof the first portion (or lower portion)1242aof the second layer (or outer layer)1242. The outer diameter of the second portion (or upper portion)1241bof the first layer (or inner layer)1241is generally equal to the inner diameter of the second portion or upper portion1242bof the second layer (or outer layer)1242.

The first and second layers1241,1242of the atomization core224may be made of various ceramic materials including, but not limited to, a microporous ceramic having micropores. The micropores can be in the general range of about 8 μm to about 18 μm, preferably about 13 μm. The first layer1241includes a porosity less than that of the second layer1242(i.e., the porosity of the layers1241,1242decreases sequentially from the outer layer (i.e., second layer1242) to the inner layer (i.e., first layer1241). A result is that the first layer1241has an e-liquid absorption speed less than that of the second layer1242. The combination of the at least two layers of ceramic material having different porosities provides the atomization core224with the advantages of both high porosity and low porosity while avoiding the disadvantages of single-layer conventional atomization cores where the single-layer has either a high porosity or a low porosity. In the alternative, the porosity of the first layer1241can be greater than that of the porosity of the second layer1242.

The shape of the ceramic atomization core224may be made by various methods including, without limitation, being integrally formed by injection molding. In essence, the inner layer or first layer1241has the appearance that a recess or notch has been formed around the circumference of the upper portion1241bof the atomization core224. The ceramic core224has an inner, generally cylindrical atomization channel (or central channel)233configured to provide a path for discharge of aerosol or vapor to an atomization channel of the smoke guide tube or atomization tube22. The diameter of the atomization channel233is defined by the inner diameter of the first layer (or inner layer)1241. The ceramic atomization core224is of one-piece construction with the first layer (or inner layer)1241and the second layer (or outer layer)1242made from the same ceramic material. In the alternative, the ceramic atomization core124may be made from separate first and second layers1241,1242joined together, where the first and second layers1241,1242may be made from the same or different microporous materials (e.g., ceramic). The exterior surfaces of the first and second layers1241,1242may be viewed as surfaces through which e-liquid or e-liquid vapor is absorbed, while e-liquid or vaporized e-liquid is emitted from the interior surfaces of the first layer1241forming the atomization channel233. It should again be noted that the first and second layers1241,1242are each at least 0.7 mm. The thickness of the two layers can be the same or one layer can be thicker than the other. The thickness of a layer can be adjusted in relation to the desired porosity of that layer.

As seen inFIGS.9A-9B, a fourth embodiment of an atomization core324is illustrated. The ceramic atomization core324includes ceramic inner and outer layers2241,2242, and is the same/similar to the generally cylindrical atomization core24, with the main exceptions that the atomization core324includes two (2) atomization channels1233, and that portions of the inner layer2241form portions of an outer surface of the atomization core324, and with other parts being arranged in the same/similar manner. There are two (2) separate electric heating elements50, and they are parallel circuits. Each atomization channel1233has its own heating element50. Each heating element50has a pair of leads249. In the alternative, a single heating element50can be arranged around the two atomization channels1233.

In addition, the claimed invention is not limited in size and may be constructed in various sizes in which the same or similar principles of operation as described above would apply. Furthermore, the figures (and various components shown therein) of the specification are not to be construed as drawn to scale.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. In other words, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property can include additional elements not having that property. In other words, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. In other words, the use of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and additional items. Further, references to “one embodiment” or “one implementation” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments or implementations that also incorporate the recited features. The term “exemplary” is intended to mean “an example of”.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In other words, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded by the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not necessarily excluding the plural of the elements or steps. Further, references to “one embodiment” or “one implementation” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments or implementations that also incorporate the recited features. Thus, when introducing elements of aspects of the disclosure or the examples thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. In other words, the indefinite articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” as used in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

In the description of the present invention, several means one or more, a plurality of means more than two, greater than, less than, more than, and the like are understood as not including this number, while above, below, within, and the like are understood as including this number. If there are the descriptions of first and second, it is only for the purpose of distinguishing technical features, and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms “installation”, “connected” and “connection” if any shall be understood in a broad sense unless otherwise specified and defined. For example, they may be fixed connection, removable connection or integrated connection; may be mechanical connection or electrical connection; and may be direct connection, or indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and connection inside two elements. The specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood in a specific case by those of ordinary skills in the art.

While various spatial and directional terms, such as “up”, “down”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “inside”, “outside”, “upper,” “lower,” and the like are used to describe embodiments and implementations of the present disclosure, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations can be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that a top side becomes a bottom side if the structure is flipped 180 degrees, becomes a left side or a right side if the structure is pivoted 90°, and the like. In other words, spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”, “above”, “lateral”, “longitudinal” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or position relationship indicated by the terms is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, it is only for the convenience of description of the present invention and simplification of the description, and it is not to indicate or imply that the indicated device or element must have a specific orientation, and be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the terms shall not be understood as limiting the present invention.

It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above can relate to one embodiment or can relate to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages. It will further be understood that reference to ‘an’ item refers to one or more of those items.

The order of execution or performance of the operations in examples of the disclosure illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations can be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and examples of the disclosure can include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation (e.g., different steps, etc.) is within the scope of aspects and implementations of the disclosure. In other words, the method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

The above description presents the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use this invention. This invention is, however, susceptible to modifications and alternate constructions from that discussed above that are fully equivalent. Moreover, features described in connection with one embodiment of the invention may be used in conjunction with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated above. Consequently, this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, this invention covers all modifications and alternate constructions coming within the spirit and scope of the invention as generally expressed by the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention.

The following claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope of the invention. The illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that should not be taken as limiting the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Various technical features of the above embodiments may be combined randomly, and in order to simplify the description, possible combinations of various technical features in the above embodiments are not all described. However, as long as the combinations of these technical features have no contradiction, the combinations of these technical features should be considered as falling into the scope recorded by the specification.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those of ordinary skills in the art may understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principle and purpose of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

The following claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope of the invention. The illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that should not be taken as limiting the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.