Atomizer and electronic cigarette having the same

An atomizing head and a ventilation assembly are included in an atomizer for an electronic cigarette. The atomizing head includes an atomizing core and an atomizing tube. The circumference of the atomizing core defines airflow channels, so that air can flow into the atomizing core. This avoids the leakage caused by negative pressure when a user is inhaling smoke. The atomizer causes outside air to be more fully mixed with the smoke generated from liquid tobacco, and the user's experience is improved.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an electronic cigarette, and more particularly to an atomizer and an electronic cigarette having the atomizer.

BACKGROUND

An electronic cigarette can atomize liquid tobacco stored in a smoke cartridge into smoke, which can be inhaled like traditional cigarettes. Usually, the electronic cigarette includes an atomizer and a battery device. The atomizer includes a heating coil. The liquid tobacco stored in the atomizer can be atomized by the heating coil to generate smoke. In current atomizer, the liquid tobacco is stored in a container. The storage container could be a liquid cup in the atomizer or a divided space of an atomizing tube. A baffle piece is positioned on an upper cover of the storage container for sealing the storage container, and several holes are defined on the baffle piece. When the electronic cigarette is in work, the liquid tobacco can flow out from the holes. However, during transportation or storage, the electronic cigarettes can be shaken, which results in leakage of the liquid tobacco. The atomizer defines an air inlet at the bottom, and an end of the air inlet is in communication with a liquid guide, the other end of the air inlet is in communication with the outside. Since the holes are totally open all the time, and liquid tobacco cannot be prevented from leaking and being wasted when in use. In addition, when the user is inhaling, a negative pressure is produced, and the liquid tobacco of the liquid guide can easily leak from the air inlet. This reduces utilization rate of the liquid tobacco and user's experience.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed description of specific embodiments of the present application will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings. A number of specific details are set forth in the following description so as to enable full understanding of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make improvements without violating the contents of the present application. Therefore, the present application is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein.

The term “coupled” is defined as coupled, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarily limited to physical connections. The connection may be such that the objects are permanently coupled or releasably coupled. The term “substantially” is defined to be essentially conforming to the particular dimension, shape, or other feature that the term modifies, such that the component need not have that exact feature. 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.

When an element is considered to be “fixed to” another element, it can be either directly fixed on another element or indirectly fixed on another element with a centered element. When an element is considered to be “coupled with” another element, it can be either directly coupled with another element or indirectly coupled with another element.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one skilled in the art. The terms used in specification of the present application are only for describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present application. The terms “and/or” used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed items.

FIGS. 1 to 4show an atomizer100of a first embodiment. The atomizer100includes a liquid storage assembly1and an atomizing assembly2. The upper portion of the atomizing assembly2is coupled to the liquid storage assembly1. The liquid storage assembly1is sleeved over the upper portion of the atomizing assembly2. An inner cavity of the liquid storage assembly1forms a liquid storage cavity3. The lower portion of the atomizing assembly2can be suspended in the liquid storage cavity3, or can abut against an inner surface of the lower portion of the liquid storage assembly1. The liquid storage cavity3is configured to store liquid tobacco, therefore the atomizing assembly2is effectively immersed in the liquid storing cavity3. The liquid tobacco stored in the liquid storage cavity3is absorbed and atomized by the atomizing assembly2to generate smoke, and a user inhales the smoke through a cigarette holder4. The liquid storage assembly1provides a liquid storage cavity3for storing liquid tobacco, and also forms an outline of the atomizer100.

In order to solve the problem of leaking liquid tobacco, in the first embodiment of the atomizer100, the inner cavity of the liquid storage assembly1forms the liquid storage cavity3. The liquid storage cavity3is sealed because of the function of storing liquid tobacco. The atomizing assembly2is received in the liquid storage assembly1, thus the liquid storage assembly1provides a closed space for the atomizing assembly2. Liquid tobacco is stored in the liquid storage cavity3, so that the atomizing assembly2is steeped in the liquid tobacco. In this way, the leakage situation can be avoided, and the utilization rate of the liquid tobacco can be improved.

Referring toFIG. 3, in the first embodiment of the atomizer100, the liquid storage assembly1includes a base11, a supporting sheath12, a glass outer tube13, and a fixing member14. The supporting sheath12sleeves on the glass outer tube13. The base11is fixed at the lower end of the supporting sheath12. Accordingly, the fixing member14is fixed at the upper end of the supporting sheath12. When all parts of the liquid storage assembly1are assembled, the atomizing assembly2can be received in the liquid storage assembly1. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixing member14is a lantern ring with internal threads, and external threads are defined on the atomizing assembly2, so that the atomizing assembly2can be fixed and sealed on the liquid storage assembly1.

A first electrode15is positioned on the liquid storage assembly1, and a second electrode23is positioned on the atomizing assembly2. The first electrode15is electrically connected with the second electrode23. In the first embodiment, the first electrode15passes through a first through hole112defined on the base11. In order not to damage the sealing of the liquid storage assembly1, the first electrode15and the first through hole112can be assembled as an interference fit or threaded connection. When the first electrode15and the first through hole112are assembled together as an interference fit, a first sealing member151can be positioned between the first electrode15and the first through hole112. The first sealing member151can be a gasket made of silicon or rubber.

Referring toFIG. 5, when the first electrode15passes through the first through hole112, a first electrode connecting tube153matched to the first electrode15is positioned at another side of the base11. The first electrode connecting tube153is clipped in the first through hole112through a first silicon gasket152. The existence of the first electrode connecting tube153and the first silicon gasket152improves the sealing between the first electrode15and the first through hole112. When the first electrode15, the first electrode connecting tube153, and the first silicon gasket152are assembled, the first electrode15can be inserted into the first electrode connecting tube153, and both of them can continue conducting. In order to firmly connect the atomizer100to a battery of an electronic cigarette, in the illustrated embodiment, a connection portion111is positioned on the base11. The connection portion111can be threaded or with a buckle, thus the atomizer100has a reliable connection with the battery of the electronic cigarette.

Referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 6, in the first embodiment, the atomizing assembly2includes an atomizing head21and a ventilation assembly22. The atomizing head21is fixedly connected to the ventilation assembly22. The second electrode23is positioned on the atomizing head21. Specifically, the atomizing head21includes an atomizing core212and an atomizing tube211. The atomizing tube211is sleeved over the atomizing core212. The second electrode23is positioned at the bottom of the atomizing tube211. The upper end of the atomizing tube211is fixed to the ventilation assembly22.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, preferably, the atomizing tube211further includes an atomizing head base2113positioned at the lower end of the atomizing tube211. A second through hole2112is defined on the atomizing head base2113. The second electrode23passes through the second through hole2112and is fixed to the atomizing head base2113. A second sealing member231is positioned between the second electrode23and the second through hole2112, thus the reliability of sealing is improved, and too much liquid tobacco is prevented from entering the atomizing head21, thus user will not inhale liquid tobacco.

FIG. 7shows the atomizer100of the first embodiment. The atomizing assembly2includes an air adjusting device. The air adjusting device is positioned on the ventilation assembly22. The air adjusting device can adjust the amount of airflow in the atomizer100, to adapt to different users' requirements. Specifically, the ventilation assembly22includes an inner tube223, an outer tube222and a ventilation cover221. An end of the outer tube222is fixed to the atomizing head base2113, another end of the outer tube222is fixed to the ventilation cover221. The outer tube222is sleeved over the inner tube223. In the first embodiment, preferably, an inner tube upper flange2231is positioned at the outside of an end of the inner tube223. A ventilation cover lower flange2211is positioned at the lower end of the ventilation cover21. During assembly, the end of the inner tube223with the inner tube upper flange2231is pressed into the outer tube222, the inner tube upper flange2231abuts against the ventilation cover lower flange2211as an interference fit, so that the inner tube223is fixed in the outer tube222. The other end of the inner tube223is suspended. Therefore, the present disclosure is different from the current technology, that air is injected from the bottom of the atomizing core, and the air inlet of the atomizing core is exposed to the outside of the atomizer. In the first embodiment, the atomizing tube211is sleeved over the atomizing core212. The atomizing tube211, as a part of the atomizing assembly2, is positioned in the liquid storage cavity3, thus leaking should not occur. Even if the liquid tobacco is leaking, the leaked liquid tobacco is still in the atomizer100, the liquid tobacco will not leak out from the atomizer100. In the first embodiment, the air flow and the liquid tobacco flow are separated. Air can enter the atomizing core212from upper portion, middle portion, or lower portion of the atomizer100through an airflow channel2123, and the air mixes with the smoke in the atomizing core212, and it is then that the user inhales the air/smoke mixture.

Specifically, the air adjusting device is formed by the outer tube222and the ventilation cover221. The ventilation cover221is rotatably sleeved over the outer tube222. A first ventilation portion2221is defined on the outer tube222. A second ventilation portion2212is defined on the ventilation cover221. Since the ventilation cover221is rotatably sleeved over the outer tube222, the port size between the first ventilation portion2221and the second ventilation portion2212is adjustable by screwing the ventilation cover221. Preferably, in order to limit a rotation angle of the ventilation cover221, and to remind user that the port size between the first ventilation portion2221and the second ventilation portion2212is reaching the maximum or the minimum size. In the illustrated embodiment, pin bolts2223are positioned on the outer tube222. The pin bolts2223are inserted into the installation holes2222defined on the outer tube222, and the pin bolts2223are an interference fit with the installation holes2222. Therefore, in screwing the ventilation cover221, the pin bolts2223limit the rotation angle of the ventilation cover221.

Referring toFIG. 8, the atomizing core212includes at least one airflow channel2123defined at an outer side of the circumference of the atomizing core212. In the illustrated embodiment, there are four airflow channels2123. When the external air enters the atomizer100, the air can flow into an interior of the atomizing core212through the airflow channels2123. The atomizing core further includes a spiral-shaped heating coil2121and a liquid absorbing element2124. The heating coil2121is positioned vertically, and a center channel of the heating coil2121can be a part of a smoke channel. The smoke generated from liquid tobacco is inhaled by the user through the smoke channel. Preferably, the airflow channels2123are each a groove defined on a surface of the atomizing core212, and the direction of the each groove is parallel with an axial direction of the atomizing core212. The periphery of the atomizing core212is divided into several liquid inlet areas by several airflow channels2123. Each liquid inlet area corresponds to an assisting liquid inlet2122. The assisting liquid inlets2122communicate with liquid inlets2111defined on the atomizing tube211, so that liquid tobacco can be absorbed by the liquid absorbing element2124through the liquid inlet2111and the assisting liquid inlet2122. When the heating coil2121is energized, the liquid tobacco can be continuously heated and atomized. The liquid absorbing element2124can be at least one or a combination of cotton material, porous ceramic, porous graphite, and foam metal. The heating coil2121is wrapped in the liquid absorbing element2124, and both are arranged in the atomizing core212. To prevent liquid tobacco from fizzing and sputtering when liquid tobacco is heated, a filter screen2125is positioned on the upper end of the liquid absorbing element2124. The filter screen2125can be made of steel. Furthermore, an atomizing core cover2126is positioned on the upper end of the atomizing core212to press together the filter screen2125, the liquid absorbing element2124, and the heating coil2121. The filter screen2125, the liquid absorbing element2124, and the heating coil2121are tightly arranged in the atomizing core212. In order to keep the airflow smooth, the atomizing core cover2126can be unsealed and can define a through hole at the top thereof.

Referring toFIG. 9, the direction of arrows shows the direction of airflow. When the ventilation cover221is rotated, causing the first ventilation portion2221to communicate with the second ventilation portion2212, external air enters the atomizer100through the second ventilation portion2212and the first ventilation portion2221. Then, the air enters the atomizing head21through the channel between the outer tube222and the inner tube223. Liquid tobacco is heated to generate smoke in the atomizing head21, and the air/smoke mixture is inhaled by user through the inner channel of the inner tube223. When the liquid tobacco needs replenishment, the ventilation cover221can be rotated in reverse. With the help of the pin bolt2223, the outer tube222is rotated accordingly and separated from the liquid storage assembly1. Thereby, the user can inject new liquid tobacco into the liquid storage cavity3. When the user finishes injecting liquid tobacco, the atomizing assembly2can be screwed back into the liquid storage assembly1. The whole process of injecting liquid tobacco is convenient, and the atomizer100needs not be turned over.

Referring toFIG. 2andFIGS. 4-6, an end of the heating coil2121is sandwiched between the second electrode23and the second sealing member231. Another end of the heating coil2121is sandwiched between the atomizing head base2113and the second sealing member231. The atomizing head base2113, the atomizing tube211, the ventilation cover221, the fixing member14, the supporting sheath12, and the base11are made of electrically conductive materials. The first sealing member151, the first silicon gasket152, and the second sealing member231not only have a sealing function, but also have an insulating function. Therefore, the first electrode15, the first electrode connecting tube153are insulated from the base11. The second electrode23is insulated from the atomizing head base2113. When the atomizing assembly2is assembled in the liquid storage assembly1, and the liquid storage assembly1is connected with the battery, an end of the heating coil2121is electrically connected with a pole of the battery through the second electrode23and the first electrode15, another end of the heating coil2121is electrically connected with another pole of the battery through the atomizing head base2113, the atomizing tube211, the ventilation cover221, the fixing member14, the supporting sheath12, and the base11.

FIGS. 10-13show a second embodiment of an atomizer. The difference between the first embodiment and the second embodiment is that the atomizer of the second embodiment further includes a liquid inlet tube18and a liquid inlet adjusting ring19.

In the second embodiment, the liquid inlet tube18is positioned on the atomizing assembly2. Preferably, the liquid inlet tube18is sleeved over the outer tube222. A liquid inlet tube flange181is positioned at a peripheral region of the liquid inlet tube18, and a first liquid injection hole182is defined on the peripheral region of the liquid inlet tube18. A liquid inlet adjusting ring flange191is positioned at an inner wall of the liquid inlet adjusting ring19. A second liquid injection hole192is defined on a sidewall of the liquid inlet adjusting ring19. The liquid inlet adjusting ring19is rotatably sleeved over the periphery of the liquid inlet tube18and will not slide down because of abutting against the liquid inlet adjusting ring flange191and the liquid inlet tube flange181. The liquid inlet adjusting ring19can be made of solid metal, or ceramic material, or silicon, or rubber. The area between the first liquid injection hole182and the second liquid injection hole192is adjustable by rotating the liquid inlet adjusting ring19, so that the first liquid injection hole182and the second liquid injection hole192can communicate or not.

The way of injecting liquid tobacco in the first embodiment is to separate the atomizing assembly2from the liquid storage assembly1, then inject the liquid tobacco. In the second embodiment, the way of injecting liquid tobacco is to rotate the liquid inlet adjusting ring19to open the first liquid injection hole182and the second liquid injection hole192. Liquid tobacco is then injected at a side of the atomizer100. After injection, the liquid inlet adjusting ring19is rotated to stagger the first liquid injection hole182and the second liquid injection hole192. In this way, the liquid storage assembly1is not separated from the atomizing assembly2in the whole process of injecting new liquid tobacco, and the operations of injecting new liquid tobacco are simplified.

FIG. 14andFIG. 15show a third embodiment of an atomizer. The difference between the first embodiment and the third embodiment is that the heating coil2121of the third embodiment is positioned horizontally, and the liquid tobacco enters the atomizing assembly2from the bottom of the atomizing assembly2. By contrast, the heating coil2121of the first embodiment is positioned vertically, and the liquid tobacco enters the atomizing assembly2from the sidewall of the atomizing assembly2.

Specifically, in the third embodiment, the atomizer100includes a plate-shaped heating coil2121. The atomizing core212includes an atomizing core base2127and a liquid absorbing element2124. A concave portion2128is defined on the atomizing core base2127. The heating coil2121and the liquid absorbing element2124are received in the concave portion2128. The atomizing core base2127is fixed at the bottom of the atomizing tube211. The second electrode23is sleeved at the bottom of the atomizing core base2127. Several grooves are defined on the periphery of the atomizing core base2127. When all parts of the atomizing core212are assembled, and the atomizing core212is combined with the ventilation assembly22to form the atomizing assembly2, the grooves defined on the periphery of the atomizing core base2127become channels for liquid tobacco to enter the liquid absorbing element2121. From the bottom of the atomizing core base2127, the space between the grooves and the inner wall of the atomizing tube221forms a liquid inlet2111. In the third embodiment, the liquid tobacco enters the atomizing assembly2from the bottom of the atomizing core212. Compared with the first embodiment (sideways entry of the liquid tobacco), the liquid tobacco is more fully utilized in the third embodiment. This avoids liquid tobacco which is stored at the bottom of the liquid storage cavity3being wasted by not being absorbed by the atomizing assembly2.

In the third embodiment, the atomizing assembly2includes a ventilation base24. The ventilation base24is substantially annular. The ventilation base24is sleeved over the plate-shaped heating coil2121. The inner ring of the ventilation base24is aligned with the inner tube223, and abuts against the lower end of the inner tube223. Several grooves or openings (not shown in FIGS) are defined on the upper edge of the ventilation base24, to connect the upper edge of the ventilation base24and the lower edge of the ventilation base24. Air can pass through the grooves or openings. The specific shape of the grooves or openings is not limited. The top surface of the liquid absorbing element2124defines holes communicating with grooves or openings defined at the lower edge of the ventilation base24, so that airflow can pass through the holes to enter the liquid absorbing assembly2124, and flow out from the center of the liquid absorbing assembly2124. The plate-shaped hating coil2121is positioned on the top center portion of the liquid absorbing element2124. When the absorbed liquid tobacco is heated to generate smoke, the smoke is accumulated in the inner ring of the ventilation base24. External air passes through the second ventilation portion2212and the first ventilation portion2221, and enters the space between the outer tube222and the inner tube223, then flows down into the ventilation base24. Since the upper end and the lower end of the ventilation base24are communicated, air flow can enter the liquid absorbing element2124and flow out from the top center of the liquid absorbing element2124. At the same time, external air mixes with the smoke. The air/smoke mixture flows out from the inner space of the inner tube223for inhalation.

FIG. 16shows an embodiment of an electronic cigarette. The electronic cigarette includes a battery5and any one of the atomizers100described in previous embodiments. The atomizer100is positioned on the upper portion of the battery5, so that the user can hold the battery5. The electronic cigarette has advantages provided by the atomizer100. The present disclosure provides a reliable leak-proof electronic cigarette.

The embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Many details are often found in the art such as the other features of atomizers. Therefore, many such details are neither shown nor described. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the embodiments, the present disclosure is illustrative only, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the embodiments to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.