Electronic cigarette

An atomizing electronic cigarette has an atomizing core component and a liquid storage component, including an electric heater. The electric heater may have a through hole aligned with a channel passing through the liquid storage component. The cigarette can heat and uniformly vaporize liquid from the liquid storage component, with the user inhaling the vaporized liquid. The vapor generated by the atomizing process may be cooled as it flows through the channel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As a cigarette substitute, atomizing electronic cigarettes have occupied a large percentage of the market for smoking substitute products. The improvement of atomizing electronic cigarette technology is a prerequisite for widespread application and acceptance of electronic cigarettes.

At present, the existing atomizing electronic cigarettes still have many problems and shortcomings, for example, poor atomization, large liquid drops in the final atomized smoke, nonuniform smoke caused by different sizes of liquid drops, too much moisture in the smoke, poor mouthfeel, etc. In some conditions, the smoke is at a high temperature because of insufficient cool-down and will cause discomfort.

The above problems cause significant differences between real cigarettes and electronic cigarettes for smokers, which is not conducive for smokers to select electronic cigarettes in place of real ones.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to overcome various shortcomings in the prior art, some embodiments of the invention provide an improved atomizing electronic cigarette having a liquid permeating component in an atomizer that is sleeved on an electric heater. Cigarette liquid stored in a liquid storage component permeates into the liquid permeating component. The electric heater interacts with the liquid permeating component, such that the cigarette liquid is atomized with smaller and more uniform droplets. In another aspect, by communicating through holes and channels provided and arranged in the electric heater and the liquid storage component, the atomized large drops can adhere to the liquid storage component under the pressure of airflow, such that the inhaled smoke is more similar to the feel a real cigarettes to more suitable meet the taste of smoker.

An embodiment of the invention is an improved atomizing electronic cigarette comprising a power supply unit, a sensor, an atomizing core component and a liquid storage component, within a housing. An air inlet is arranged on the housing. One end of the housing is provided with an air suction port. The atomizing core component comprises an electric heater that can atomize liquid from the liquid storage component.

The liquid storage component can be internally provided with a hollow channel, a through-hole channel, an annular channel or a cross section of sparse mesh channels or combinations thereof, through which gas flows.

The atomizing core component can further comprise a liquid conduction or transportation component in contact with the liquid permeating component and the liquid storage component.

The liquid conduction or transportation component can be sleeved on the liquid permeating component, and include a conduction part that extends from one end of the liquid conduction component in the radial direction to contact with the liquid storage component.

The sensor can be an air pressure sensor or air flow sensor. The housing can comprise a first housing and a second housing, the power device and the sensor are located in the first housing, the atomizing core component and the liquid storage component are located in the second housing, and the auxiliary air inlet is arranged in an area of the first housing and/or the second housing.

The electric heater can be formed by spirally winding electric heating wires or made up of electric heating film arranged on the inner surface of the liquid permeating component, and the electric heater formed by spirally winding or electric heating film on the inner surface of the liquid permeating component can be hollow to form the through hole.

Atomized large drops can be absorbed at, or adhere to, the liquid storage component under the pressure of airflow, a common problem in the prior art where vapor having large particles is passed directly to the user. Thus current embodiments produce inhaled smoke that more closely meets the taste of smoker.

The cigarette liquid can permeate and conduct more sufficiently and rapidly, to more efficiently produce vapor or atomized smoke. In addition, the structure is simple and saves space, such that the volume of the whole atomizing electronic cigarette can be smaller.

In another embodiment of the invention, the electronic cigarette is designed to be detachable and changeable, such that change of components can be simply achieved by detaching and reassembling the first and second housings. Such an electronic cigarette is more convenient to carry as it is also more portable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings.

As shown inFIG. 1toFIG. 5, the invention provides an improved atomizing electronic cigarette, comprising a power device1, a sensor2, an atomizing core component and a liquid storage component3, further comprising a housing containing the above components. An air inlet4is arranged on an area of the housing close to the sensor2. The atomizing core component comprises an electric heater5and a liquid permeating component6sleeved on the electric heater5. The electric heater5is a hollow structure and has a through hole51through which gas flows. The liquid storage component3internally has a channel31through which the gas flows. The channel can be a hollow channel, a through-hole channel, an annular channel or a channel with mesh cross section or combinations thereof. The purpose is to make the atomized gas that passes through the channel contact with the liquid storage core of the liquid storage component, and to make the liquid storage component3coordinate with the liquid permeating component6to permeate cigarette liquid to the liquid permeating component6. In addition, the sensor2communicates with the through hole51and the channel31and forms an airflow loop with the auxiliary air inlet4.

In the embodiment, as shown inFIG. 1toFIG. 3, the atomizing core component further comprises a liquid conduction component7that is contacted with the liquid permeating component6and with the liquid storage component3. The liquid conduction component7is sleeved on the liquid permeating component6, with a conduction part71that extends from one end of the liquid conduction component in the radial direction, and is contacted with the liquid storage component3. As a result, cigarette liquid on the liquid storage component3is absorbed and permeated to the liquid permeating component. As shown inFIG. 1A, to make the liquid conduction component7mate with the liquid permeating component6more tightly to improve the liquid conductivity, a fastening sleeve12can be sleeved on the liquid conduction component7.

The sensor2can be an air pressure sensor or airflow sensor. In the embodiment, an airflow sensor is used. The housing comprises a first housing8and a second housing8′, the power supply unit1and the sensor2which are located in the first housing8. The atomizing core component and the liquid storage component3are located in the second housing8′. The auxiliary air inlet4is arranged in an area of the first housing8and/or the second housing8′ close to the sensor2. In the embodiment, the auxiliary air inlet4is arranged on the first housing8and located in an area close to the sensor2. The power supply unit1is a battery that can be a rechargeable battery or disposable battery.

A bracket9is arranged in the second housing8′. The atomizing core component is fixed on the bracket9, and the electric heater5is connected with the power device1and the sensor2and starts to heat or stops heating according to the flow situation detected by the sensor2. An air-intake connection component10and an electrode ring11are arranged on the bracket9. The air-intake connection component10and the electrode ring11are electrically connected with two leads of the electric heater5, respectively. The air-intake connection component10achieves an electrical connection through connection with the sensor2. The electrode ring11is electrically connected with the power device1through the connection of the air-intake connection component10and the sensor2. The function of the sensor is to switch on or off the whole circuit according to the gas flow. When user inhales, gas inside the electronic cigarette flows. At this time, the sensor switches the circuit on to start the electric heater5to heat. When the user stops inhaling, gas stops flowing, and the sensor switches the circuit off to make the electric heater5stop heating. An electrode ring post13corresponding to the electrode ring10is arranged at the opening of the first housing8. A contact part131extends from the electrode ring post13in the axial direction. The electrode ring post13is connected with the power device1. When the first housing8and the second housing8′ are connected, the contact part131is inserted into the second housing8′ and contacted with the electrode ring11.

In this embodiment, the first housing8and the second housing8′ are connected through the connection of the air-intake connection component10and the sensor2, and the air-intake connection component10and the sensor2are connected by means of splicing or plugging, threads, or clamping. Through such a detachable and changeable split structure, the change of components can be simply achieved by detaching and reassembling the first housing8and the second housing8′, such that it is convenient to carry and use the electronic cigarette. This embodiment discloses a connection structure by means of threads.

As shown inFIG. 1, the air-intake connection component10also has an air vent101. The sensor2communicates with the air vent101, the through hole51and the channel31and forms an airflow path with the auxiliary air inlet4. An air suction port32is arranged on the second housing8′, and the sensor2communicates with the air vent101, the through hole51, the channel31and the air suction port32and forms an airflow path with the auxiliary air inlet4.

The liquid storage component3is made of liquid storage core materials such as micro-porous ceramic, foamed ceramic, natural fiber, artificial fiber or foam metal material. The liquid permeating component6is made of ceramic fiber, quartz fiber, glass fiber, aramid fiber, common fiber, paper, fabric or non-woven fabric material. The thickness of the liquid permeating component6is from 0.5 to 5 mm. The electric heater5is formed by spirally winding electric heating wires, which forms the through hole51. The diameter of the through hole51can be from 0.5 to 4 mm. In this embodiment, the thickness of the liquid permeating component6is 1 mm, and the diameter of the through hole51is 1 mm.

The liquid permeating component6in the atomizing core component is directly sleeved on the electric heater5. Cigarette liquid in the liquid storage component3is conducted and permeated to the liquid permeating component6by the liquid conduction component7. The thickness of the liquid permeating component6is 1 mm. As a result, the permeated cigarette liquid can be completely vaporized by the electric heater5more easily. When the user inhales, as the sensor2communicates with the air vent101, the through hole51, the channel31and the air suction port32and forms an airflow path with the auxiliary air inlet4. When gas flow is generated inside the electronic cigarette, the sensor3switches the circuit on, the electric heater5starts to heat to make the cigarette liquid in the liquid permeating component6be vaporized after reaching the boiling point. At the same time, because the through hole51and the channel31of the electric heater5and the liquid storage component3are in communication, vapor generated during atomizing process can be further cooled under the push of airflow and finally inhaled into the user's mouth through the air suction port32.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown inFIG. 6, the liquid permeating component6is contacted with the liquid storage component3. The atomizing core component is sleeved in the channel31of the liquid storage component3, and the peripheral surface of the liquid permeating component6is mated with the inner wall of the channel31.

The liquid storage component3can be made of micro-porous ceramic, foamed ceramic, natural fiber, artificial fiber or foam metal material. The liquid permeating component6can be made of ceramic fiber, quartz fiber, glass fiber, aramid fiber, common fiber, paper, fabric or non-woven fabric material. The thickness of the liquid permeating component6ranks from 0.5 to 5 mm. The electric heater5is formed by spirally winding electric heating wires to form a through hole51. The diameter of the through hole51can be from 0.5 to 4 mm. In this embodiment, the thickness of the liquid permeating component6is 1 mm and the diameter of the through hole51is 1 mm.

In this embodiment, the atomizing core component is integrally sleeved in the channel31of the liquid storage component3, such that the surface of the liquid permeating component6is directly contacted with the inner wall of the channel31of the liquid storage component3. Because the contact area is larger, the permeation and conduction of cigarette liquid is more sufficient and rapid, and the atomized smoke efficiently generated. At the same time, the structure is simple and saves space, so as to minimize the size of the atomizing electronic cigarette.

In other embodiments, an improved atomizing electronic cigarette is provided comprising a power device (1), a sensor (2), an atomizing core component and a liquid storage component (3), further comprising a housing containing the above components, an auxiliary air inlet (4) being arranged on the housing. One end of the housing is provided with an air suction port, characterized in that the atomizing core component comprises an electric heater (5), the electric heater (5) atomizes liquid in a liquid storage component (3). The liquid storage component (3) internally has a channel (31) through which the atomized gas flows, and the auxiliary air inlet (4), the sensor (2) and the suction nozzle form an airflow loop.

In other aspects the atomizing electronic cigarette can be characterized in that the atomizing core component comprises a liquid permeating component (6) that is sleeved on the electric heater (5), a channel (51) through which gas flows is arranged in the atomizing core component, and the channel (51) is made up of the structure of the electric heater (5).

In other aspects the atomizing electronic cigarette can be characterized in that the electric heater (5) of the atomizing core component is directly inserted into the channel (31) of the liquid storage component (3), and the atomized gas directly flows through the channel (31).

In other aspects the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that the liquid storage component (3) is internally provided with the channel (31) which is a hollow channel, a through-hole channel, an annular channel or a channel with mesh in cross section or combinations thereof, through which gas flows.

In other aspects the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that the atomizing core component further comprises a liquid conduction component (7) that is contacted with the liquid permeating component (6), and with the liquid storage component (3).

In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that the liquid conduction component (7) is sleeved on the liquid permeating component (6), a conduction part (71) extends from one end of the liquid conduction component in the radial direction, and the conduction part (71) is contacted with the liquid storage component (3).

In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that the sensor (2) is an air pressure sensor or airflow sensor, the housing comprises a first housing (8) and a second housing (8′), the power device (1) and the sensor (2) are located in the first housing (8), the atomizing core component and the liquid storage component (3) are located in the second housing (8′), and the auxiliary air inlet (4) is arranged in an area of the first housing (8) and/or the second housing (8′) close to the sensor.

In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that a bracket (9) is arranged in the second housing (8′), the atomizing core component is fixed on the bracket (9), and the electric heater (5) is connected with the power device (1) and the sensor (2) and starts to heat or stops heating according to the flow situation of gas through the sensor (2).

In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that an air-intake connection component (10) and an electrode ring (11) are arranged on the bracket (9), the air-intake connection component (10) and the electrode ring (11) are electrically connected with two leads of the electric heater (5) respectively, the air-intake connection component (10) achieves electric connection through connection with the sensor (2), the electrode ring (11) is electrically connected with the power device (1) through the connection of the air-intake connection component (10) and the sensor (2), the air-intake connection component (10) also has an air vent (101), the sensor (2) communicates with the air vent (101), the through hole (51) and the channel (31) and forms an airflow path with the auxiliary air inlet (4).

In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that the first housing (8) and the second housing (8′) are connected through the connection of the air-intake connection component (10) and the sensor (2), and the air-intake connection component (10) and the sensor (2) are connected by means of splicing or plugging, threads or clamping.

In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that an air suction port (a) is arranged on the second housing (8′), and the sensor (2) communicates with the air vent (101), the through hole (51), the channel (31) and the air suction port (a) and forms an airflow loop with the auxiliary air inlet (4).

In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that the housing is an integrated whole, the front end of which is provided with the auxiliary air inlet (4), and the sensor (2) communicates with the air vent (101), the through hole (51), the channel (31) and the air suction port (a) and forms an airflow loop with the auxiliary air inlet (4).

In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that the liquid permeating component (6) is contacted with the liquid storage component (3), the atomizing core component is sleeved in the channel (31) of the liquid storage component (3), and the peripheral surface of the liquid permeating component (6) is mated with the inner wall of the channel (31).

In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that the liquid storage component (3) is made of micro-porous ceramic, foamed ceramic, natural fiber, artificial fiber or foam metal material, the liquid permeating component (6) is made of ceramic fiber, quartz fiber, glass fiber, aramid fiber, common fiber paper, fabric or non-woven fabric material, the electric heater (5) is formed by spirally winding electric heating wires or made up of electric heating film arranged on the inner surface of the liquid permeating component, and the electric heater formed by spirally winding or electric heating film on the inner surface of the liquid permeating component is hollow to form the through hole (51).

In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that the thickness of the liquid permeating component (6) ranks from 0.5 to 5 mm, and the diameter of the through hole (51) ranks from 0.5 to 4 mm.

In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that zeolite particles are added in the liquid permeating component (6).