ATOMIZATION CORE MODULE, ATOMIZER, AND ELECTRONIC ATOMIZATION APPARATUS

An atomization core module includes: a heating assembly having a heating unit, and a first electrode and a second electrode that are connected to the heating unit; a first connecting member having a mounting cavity, the heating assembly being disposed in the mounting cavity, the first electrode being electrically connected to the first connecting member; a second connecting member sleeved on an outer side of the first connecting member, the second electrode being electrically connected to the second connecting member; and an insulation member disposed between the first connecting member and the second connecting member so as to insulate the first connecting member from the second connecting member.

FIELD

This application relates to the field of electronic atomization technologies, and in particular, to an atomization core module, an atomizer, and an electronic atomization apparatus.

BACKGROUND

An electronic atomization apparatus generally includes an atomizer and a main unit. The atomizer is configured to store and atomize an aerosol-generating substrate, and the main unit is configured to supply power to the atomizer and control the atomizer to atomize the aerosol-generating substrate.

In an existing electronic atomization apparatus, the atomizer is generally electrically connected to the main unit by using an ejector pin or an elastic pin. This structure for implementing the electrical connection has a complex design, and has high assembly difficulty.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, the present invention provides an atomization core module, comprising: a heating assembly comprising a heating unit, and a first electrode and a second electrode that are connected to the heating unit; a first connecting member having a mounting cavity, the heating assembly being disposed in the mounting cavity, the first electrode being electrically connected to the first connecting member; a second connecting member sleeved on an outer side of the first connecting member, the second electrode being electrically connected to the second connecting member; and an insulation member disposed between the first connecting member and the second connecting member so as to insulate the first connecting member from the second connecting member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, the present invention provides an atomization core module, an atomizer, and an electronic atomization apparatus provided in this application resolve a technical problem that a structure for electrically connecting an atomizer and a main unit in an electronic atomization apparatus in the related art is complex.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides an atomization core module, including a heating assembly, a first connecting member, a second connecting member, and an insulation member; the heating assembly includes a heating unit, and a first electrode and a second electrode that are connected to the heating unit; the first connecting member has a mounting cavity; the heating assembly is disposed in the mounting cavity; the first electrode is electrically connected to the first connecting member; the second connecting member is sleeved on an outer side of the first connecting member; the second electrode is electrically connected to the second connecting member; and the insulation member is disposed between the first connecting member and the second connecting member, to insulate the first connecting member from the second connecting member.

The second connecting member includes a connection column, the first connecting member is provided with a communication hole, and the connection column penetrates the communication hole and is electrically connected to the second electrode.

The first connecting member includes a first body portion, a surface of an end of the first body portion is provided with a mounting groove, and the mounting groove forms the mounting cavity; and an atomization surface of the heating unit is disposed toward a bottom surface of the mounting groove.

The first electrode is in contact with the bottom surface of the mounting groove, to electrically connect the first electrode to the first connecting member.

A bottom wall of the mounting groove is provided with a first groove, an inner surface of the first groove has a protrusion, and the protrusion extends in a depth direction of the first groove; and an end surface of the protrusion that is close to the mounting groove is electrically connected to the first electrode.

A bottom wall of the mounting groove is provided with a first groove, and an atomization cavity is formed between the atomization surface of the heating unit and an inner surface of the first groove.

The first connecting member further includes a first extending portion connected to the first body portion, the first extending portion is provided with a first through hole in communication with the first groove, and the first through hole is configured to communicate the atomization cavity with outside air.

An outer diameter of the first extending portion is less than an outer diameter of the first body portion; and the bottom wall of the first groove is provided with the communication hole.

The second connecting member further includes a second body portion and a second extending portion that are connected to each other; a surface of an end of the second body portion is provided with a second groove, and the first body portion is disposed in the second groove; the second extending portion is provided with a second through hole in communication with the second groove, and the first extending portion is disposed in the second through hole; and the connection column is disposed on a bottom surface of the second groove.

An outer diameter of the second extending portion is less than an outer diameter of the second body portion.

An outer surface of the second extending portion is provided with a thread, to connect the atomization core module to a main unit.

The insulation member includes a hollow insulation tube and an annular flange; the hollow insulation tube is disposed between the first extending portion and the second extending portion; and the annular flange is connected to an outer surface of an end of the hollow insulation tube and disposed between the first body portion and a bottom wall of the second groove.

The heating assembly further includes a seal member, and the seal member is configured to seal a periphery of the heating unit; the heating unit includes a porous liquid guide member and a heating element; and the porous liquid guide member includes a liquid absorbing surface and an atomization surface, and the heating element is disposed on the atomization surface.

To resolve the foregoing technical problem, a second technical solution provided in this application is as follows. An atomizer is provided, including an atomization tube, an atomization core module, and a suction nozzle component; the atomization tube includes a first end and a second end that are opposite to each other; the atomization core module is the atomization core module according to any one of the above; the atomization core module is disposed at the first end of the atomization tube and plugs the first end of the atomization tube; the suction nozzle component is disposed at the second end of the atomization tube; the suction nozzle component forms a first channel; the atomization tube, the atomization core module, and the suction nozzle component cooperate to form a liquid storage cavity, and the liquid storage cavity is configured to store an aerosol-generating substrate; a heating unit of the atomization core module is configured to atomize the aerosol-generating substrate to generate an aerosol; and the first channel is configured to output the aerosol.

A first connecting member includes a first body portion, a surface of an end of the first body portion is provided with a mounting groove, and the mounting groove forms a mounting cavity; a bottom wall of the mounting groove is provided with a first groove, and an atomization cavity is formed between an atomization surface of the heating unit and an inner surface of the first groove; and the atomization tube forms a second channel, and the second channel communicates an atomization cavity with the first channel.

An end portion of a heating assembly that is close to the suction nozzle component is provided with a liquid outlet, and the liquid outlet enables the liquid storage cavity to be in fluid communication with the heating assembly.

The heating assembly further includes a seal member, and the seal member is configured to seal a periphery of the heating unit; the seal member is provided with at least one notch, and the notch forms the liquid outlet.

To resolve the foregoing technical problem, a third technical solution provided in this application is as follows. An electronic atomization apparatus is provided, including an atomizer and a main unit; the atomizer is configured to store and atomize an aerosol-generating substrate; the atomizer is the atomizer according to any one of the above; and the main unit is configured to supply power to the atomizer and control the atomizer to atomize the aerosol-generating substrate.

Different from the related art, according to the atomization core module, the atomizer, and the electronic atomization apparatus provided in this application, the atomization core module includes a heating assembly, a first connecting member, a second connecting member, and an insulation member; the heating assembly includes a heating unit, and a first electrode and a second electrode that are connected to the heating unit; the first connecting member has a mounting cavity; the heating assembly is disposed in the mounting cavity; the first electrode is electrically connected to the first connecting member; the second connecting member is sleeved on an outer side of the first connecting member; the second electrode is electrically connected to the second connecting member; and the insulation member is disposed between the first connecting member and the second connecting member, to insulate the first connecting member from the second connecting member. Through the foregoing arrangement, a quantity of elements for electrically connecting the heating assembly to the main unit is reduced, and the assembly difficulty is reduced.

The technical solutions in embodiments of this application are clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application. It is clear that the described embodiments are merely some rather than all of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of this application.

In the following descriptions, for the purpose of illustration rather than limitation, specific details such as a specific system structure, an interface, and a technology are proposed to thoroughly understand this application.

The terms “first”, “second”, and “third” in this application are merely intended for a purpose of description, and shall not be understood as indicating or implying relative significance or implicitly indicating a quantity of indicated technical features. Therefore, features defining “first”, “second”, and “third” can explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the descriptions of this application, “a plurality of” means at least two, such as two and three unless it is specifically defined otherwise. All directional indications (for example, upper, lower, left, right, front, and back) in the embodiments of this application are only used for explaining relative position relationships, movement situations, or the like among the various components in a specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indications change accordingly. In the embodiments of this application, the terms “include”, “have”, and any variant thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but further optionally includes a step or unit that is not listed, or further optionally includes another step or component that is intrinsic to the process, method, product, or device.

“Embodiment” mentioned in this specification means that particular features, structures, or characteristics described with reference to the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The term appearing at different positions of this specification may not refer to the same embodiment or an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive with another embodiment. A person skilled in the art explicitly or implicitly understands that the embodiments described in this specification may be combined with other embodiments.

This application is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

Referring toFIG.1,FIG.1is a schematic diagram of a structure of an electronic atomization apparatus according to an embodiment of this application. This embodiment of this application provides an electronic atomization apparatus100. The electronic atomization apparatus100may be configured to atomize an aerosol-generating substrate. The electronic atomization apparatus100includes an atomizer1and a main unit2that are electrically connected to each other.

The atomizer1is configured to store the aerosol-generating substrate and atomize the aerosol-generating substrate, to generate an aerosol that can be inhaled by a user. The atomizer1specifically may be used in different fields, for example, medical treatment, cosmetics, and leisure inhaling. In a specific embodiment, the atomizer1may be used in an electronic aerosol atomization apparatus, and configured to atomize an aerosol-generating substrate and generate an aerosol for a smoker to inhale. In all the following embodiments, leisure inhaling is used as an example. Certainly, in another embodiment, the atomizer1may alternatively be used in a hair spray device to atomize hair spray for hair styling; or a device for treating diseases of the upper and lower respiratory system, to atomize medical drugs.

For a specific structure and function of the atomizer1, reference may be made to a specific structure and function of the atomizer1in any of the following embodiments, and a same or similar technical effect can be achieved. Details are not described herein.

The main unit2includes a battery and a controller. The battery is configured to supply power to operation of the atomizer1, so that the atomizer1can atomize an aerosol-generating substrate to form an aerosol. The controller is configured to control the atomizer1to atomize the aerosol-generating substrate. The main unit2further includes other elements such as a battery holder and an airflow sensor.

The atomizer1and the main unit2may be integrally arranged or may be detachably connected to each other, which may be designed according to a specific requirement.

Referring toFIG.2toFIG.8,FIG.2is a schematic diagram of an exploded structure of an atomizer in the electronic atomization apparatus provided inFIG.1,FIG.3is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of the atomizer in the electronic atomization apparatus provided inFIG.1,FIG.4is a schematic diagram of an exploded structure of an atomization core module in the atomizer provided inFIG.2,FIG.5is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure in a first direction of the atomization core module provided inFIG.4,FIG.6is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure in a second direction of the atomization core module provided inFIG.4,FIG.7is a schematic diagram of a structure of a first connecting member in the atomization core module provided inFIG.4,FIG.8is a schematic diagram of a structure of a second connecting member in the atomization core module provided inFIG.4,FIG.9is a schematic diagram of an exploded structure of a heating assembly in the atomization core module provided inFIG.4,FIG.10is a schematic diagram of a structure from another angle of a heating unit in the heating assembly provided inFIG.9, andFIG.11is a schematic diagram of a structure from another angle of a second seal member in the heating assembly provided inFIG.9.

Referring toFIG.2andFIG.3, the atomizer1includes a suction nozzle component11, an atomization tube12, and an atomization core module13. The atomization tube12includes a first end and a second end that are opposite to each other. The atomization core module13is disposed at the first end of the atomization tube12and plugs the first end of the atomization tube12. Specifically, the atomization core module13is partially disposed inside the atomization tube12, and partially disposed outside the atomization tube12. The suction nozzle component11is disposed at the second end of the atomization tube12. An assembly process of the atomizer1is as follows. First, the atomization core module13is in interference fit with the first end of the atomization tube12, then the aerosol-generating substrate is injected from the second end of the atomization tube12into inner space of the atomization tube12, and then the suction nozzle component11is pressed to the second end of the atomization tube12through riveting. In other words, the suction nozzle component11, the atomization tube12, and the atomization core module13in this embodiment may be separately assembled, and then assembled together to form the atomizer1.

The suction nozzle component11, the atomization tube12, and the atomization core module13cooperate to form a liquid storage cavity10. The liquid storage cavity10is configured to store the aerosol-generating substrate. An end portion of the atomization core module13that is close to the suction nozzle component11is provided with a liquid outlet131. The liquid outlet131enables the liquid storage cavity10to be in fluid communication with the atomization core module13, so that the aerosol-generating substrate in the liquid storage cavity10enters the atomization core module13. The atomization core module13is configured to atomize the aerosol-generating substrate, to generate an aerosol through heating.

A first channel110is formed in the suction nozzle component11, and a second channel120is formed in the atomization tube12. The first channel110is in communication with the second channel120to form an air outlet channel14. An end portion of the atomization core module13that is close to the atomization tube12is provided with a vapor outlet132. The vapor outlet132is in communication with the air outlet channel14, and the aerosol generated by the atomization core module13by atomizing the aerosol-generating substrate enters the air outlet channel14through the vapor outlet132, to be inhaled by a user. In other words, the first channel110and the second channel120are configured to output the aerosol. A first seal member15is provided between the suction nozzle component11and the atomization tube12, to seal a connection part between the first channel110and the second channel120, to prevent the aerosol from leaking from the connection part between the first channel110and the second channel120. Referring toFIG.4andFIG.5, the atomization core module13includes a heating assembly133, a first connecting member134, a second connecting member135, and an insulation member136. The heating assembly133includes a heating unit1331, and a first electrode and a second electrode that are connected to the heating unit1331. The heating unit1331is configured to atomize the aerosol-generating substrate. The first connecting member134has a mounting cavity1341. The heating assembly133is disposed in the mounting cavity1341. The first electrode of the heating assembly133is electrically connected to the first connecting member134. An end portion of the first connecting member134that is away from the heating assembly133is configured to be electrically connected to the main unit2. The second connecting member135is sleeved on an outer side of the first connecting member134; and the second electrode of the heating assembly133is electrically connected to the second connecting member135, and an end portion of the second connecting member135that is away from the heating assembly133is configured to be electrically connected to the main unit2. The insulation member136is sleeved between the first connecting member134and the second connecting member135to insulate the first connecting member134from the second connecting member135. Optionally, materials of the first connecting member134and the second connecting member135are metal, provided that the materials are electrically conductive; and a material of the insulation member136is plastic, provided that the material is insulated.

An assembly process of the atomization core module13may be as follows. The insulation member136is first pressed onto the first connecting member134, then the insulation member136is pressed onto the second connecting member together with the first connecting member134, and then the heating assembly133is mounted to the first connecting member, to form the atomization core module13.

The heating unit1331is electrically connected to the main unit2through the first electrode, the second electrode, the first connecting member134, and the second connecting member135. The first connecting member134and the second connecting member135not only serve as a conducting member to electrically connect the heating unit1331to the main unit2, but also serve as a structural member for supporting and fixing the heating assembly133. In comparison with an existing atomizer in which the heating unit is electrically connected to the main unit through an ejector pin or an elastic pin, a quantity of elements is reduced and assembly difficulty is reduced. In addition, the heating assembly133, the first connecting member134, the second connecting member135, and the insulation member136are modularized, so that an overall assembly structure of the electronic atomization apparatus is simple, to help improve product stability.

Referring toFIG.5, the heating assembly133is provided with a through hole at a position corresponding to the second channel120. The through hole forms the vapor outlet132, so that the aerosol generated through atomization by the heating assembly133enters the second channel120through the vapor outlet132. An end portion of the heating assembly133that is close to the suction nozzle component11is provided with a liquid outlet131. The liquid outlet131enables the liquid storage cavity to be10in fluid communication with the heating assembly133.

Specifically, referring toFIG.9toFIG.11, the heating assembly133further includes a second seal member1332. The second seal member1332seals a periphery of the heating unit1331. The second seal member1332is provided with a liquid outlet131, so that the aerosol-generating substrate enters the heating unit1331.

The second seal member1332includes an annular side wall1332band a top wall1332cthat are connected to each other. The heating unit1331is disposed in an inner space surrounded and formed by the second seal member1332. Optionally, the heating unit1331is in interference fit with the second seal member1332. A shape and a size of the heating unit1331are set in cooperation with a shape and a size of the second seal member1332. The second seal member1332is provided with at least one notch1332d, and the notch1332dextends from the top wall1332cto the annular side wall1332b, so that when the heating unit1331is disposed in the inner space formed by the second seal member1332, the heating unit1331is partially exposed. Therefore, the aerosol-generating substrate is in fluid communication with the heating unit1331. It may be understood that the notch1332dforms the liquid outlet131, and the aerosol-generating substrate enters the heating unit1331through the liquid outlet131. In this embodiment, the annular side wall1332bis a ring, and the top wall1332cis a disc.

The top wall1332cis provided with a through hole a. Optionally, the through hole a is located at a central position of the top wall1332c. The heating unit1331is provided with a through hole b. The through hole a is disposed corresponding to the through hole b. The through hole a and the through hole b cooperate to form the vapor outlet132. An inner surface of the annular side wall1332bis provided with a bump1332e, and the bump1332eis provided with a vent groove1332a. With reference toFIG.6, the vent groove1332ais in communication with the liquid storage cavity10and the atomization cavity130, to exchange air for the liquid storage cavity10, so that sufficient liquid supply to the heating assembly133is ensured and a dry heating phenomenon is avoided.

The heating unit1331includes a porous liquid guide member1331aand a heating clement1331b. The heating element1331bmay be a heating film, a metal mesh, a metal sheet, or the like. The porous liquid guide member1331aincludes a liquid absorbing surface A and an atomization surface B. The heating element1331bis disposed on the atomization surface B of the porous liquid guide member1331a. The porous liquid guide member1331aguides the aerosol-generating substrate to the atomization surface B by using a capillarity force of the aerosol-generating substrate, and an aerosol is generated by the heating element1331b. The heating unit1331is a high thermal conductivity heating unit. In another embodiment, for the heating unit1331, a conductive and porous liquid guide member, for example, a porous conductive ceramic, may be used. Because the porous conductive ceramic can both guide liquid and electrically heat, no heating element needs to be specifically disposed.

Referring toFIG.4,FIG.5, andFIG.7, the first connecting member134includes a first body portion1342and a first extending portion1343connected to the first body portion1342. Optionally, the first body portion1342and the first extending portion1343are integrally formed. A surface of an end of the first body portion1342is provided with a mounting groove1342a, and the mounting groove1342aforms the mounting cavity1341. The atomization surface of the heating unit1331is disposed toward a bottom surface of the mounting groove1342a, that is, the atomization surface of the heating unit1331faces downward. A bottom wall of the mounting groove1342ais provided with a first groove1342b. An atomization cavity130is formed between the atomization surface of the heating unit1331and an inner surface of the first groove1342b, and an aerosol generated by the heating unit1331through atomization is released into the atomization cavity130. The atomization cavity130is in communication with the air outlet channel14through the vapor outlet132. The first extending portion1343is provided with a first through hole1343ain communication with the first groove1342b. The first through hole1343ais configured to communicate the atomization cavity130with outside air. It may be understood that, the external air enters the atomization cavity130through the first through hole1343a, and then flows into the air outlet channel14through the vapor outlet132. In this embodiment, the first body portion1342and the first extending portion1343are both cylindrical, disposed coaxially, and integrally formed. A diameter of the first body portion1342is greater than a diameter of the first extending portion1343.

In an implementation, the first electrode of the heating assembly133is in contact with the bottom surface of the mounting groove1342a, so that the first electrode is electrically connected to the first connecting member134.

In an implementation, the inner surface of the first groove1342bincludes a protrusion1342c. The protrusion1342cextends in a depth direction of the first groove1342b(as shown inFIG.7). An end surface of the protrusion1342cthat is close to the mounting groove1342ais electrically connected to the first electrode. Optionally, a length of the protrusion1342cis the same as a depth of the first groove1342b. The protrusion1342cand the first body portion1342are integrally formed.

Referring toFIG.4andFIG.8, the second connecting member135includes a second body portion1351and a second extending portion1352that are connected to each other, and a connection column1353. A surface of an end of the second body portion1351is provided with a second groove1351a. The second extending portion1352is provided with a second through hole1352ain communication with the second groove1351a. The connection column1353is disposed on a bottom surface of the second groove1351a, and the connection column1353is spaced from a port of the second through hole1352a. The bottom wall of the first groove1342bis provided with a communication hole, that is, the first connecting member134is provided with the communication hole.

The connection column1353penetrates the communication hole and is electrically connected to the second electrode of the heating assembly133. Optionally, the second body portion1351, the second extending portion1352, and the connection column1353are integrally formed. In this embodiment, the second body portion1351and the second extending portion1352are both cylindrical and are disposed coaxially.

A diameter of the second body portion1351is greater than a diameter of the second extending portion1352. The second groove1351aand the second through hole1352aare both cylindrical. The connection column1353is disposed on an edge of the bottom wall of the second groove1351athat is close to the second through hole1352a.

It may be understood that, the first electrode of the heating assembly133is electrically connected to the main unit2through the protrusion1342cof the first connecting member134, and a contact area between the first electrode and the protrusion1342cis large. The second electrode of the heating assembly133is electrically connected to the main unit2through the connection column1353of the second connecting member135, and a contact area between the second electrode and the connection column1353is large, to ensure the stability of electrical connection.

When the first connecting member134and the second connecting member135are sleeved, the first body portion1342of the first connecting member134is disposed in the second groove1351a, and the first extending portion1343of the first connecting member134is disposed in the second through hole1352a, so that the second connecting member135is sleeved on an outer side of the first connecting member134.

The second extending portion1352is further configured to be connected to the main unit2. Optionally, an outer surface of the second extending portion1352is provided with a thread to be connected to the main unit2. To be specific, the atomization core module13may be detachably connected to the main unit2through the thread. It may be understood that, due to fixed connection between the suction nozzle component11, the atomization tube12, and the atomization core module13, the atomization core module13is connected to the main unit2through the thread on the outer surface of the second extending portion1352, in other words, the atomizer1is detachably connected to the main unit2.

Optionally, shapes of the first body portion1342, the first extending portion1343, the second body portion1351, and the second extending portion1352are all cylinders. An outer diameter of the first extending portion1343is less than an outer diameter of the first body portion1342, and an outer diameter of the second extending portion1352is less than an outer diameter of the second body portion1351, so that a shape the electronic atomization apparatus is flat after the atomization core module13is connected to the main unit2.

Referring toFIG.4, the insulation member136includes a hollow insulation tube1361and an annular flange1362. The hollow insulation tube1361is disposed between the first extending portion1343and the second extending portion1352. The annular flange1362is connected to an outer surface of an end portion of the hollow insulation tube1361. The annular flange1362is disposed between the first body portion1342and the bottom wall of the second groove1351a.It may be understood that, the insulation member136is cooperatively arranged with the first connecting member134and the second connecting member135, provided that the first connecting member134can be insulated from the second connecting member135. Further, the annular flange1362further includes a through hole for the connection column1353to penetrate.

With reference toFIG.3, the first body portion1342of the first connecting member134is disposed inside the atomization tube12, and the inner surface of the side wall of the second groove1351aof the second connecting member135fits an outer surface of the atomization tube12, to plug the second end of the atomization tube12.