Abstract:
Disclosed is an electronic cigarette, comprising a suction stem ( 10 ) and a power supply rod ( 20 ), wherein the suction stem ( 10 ) comprises a suction cylinder ( 11 ), and an end of the suction stem ( 10 ) is provided with a suction nozzle cover ( 13 ). The electronic cigarette further comprises a gas valve ( 16 ). By the means of the gas valve ( 16 ), the electronic cigarette will not be smoked once it is brought into the mouth of a person, effectively preventing children and infants from sucking the electronic cigarette as a toy.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to electronic cigarettes, and particularly relates to an electronic cigarette capable of preventing infant smoking by accident. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Electronic cigarette is a simulation cigarette, using a heating wire to heat and vaporize fragrance-containing materials to produce aerosol for users smoking However, conventional electronic cigarette is available for smoking right after taking in mouth, then easy to cause infant smoking by accident. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Accordingly, an objective of the present invention provides an electronic cigarette capable of preventing infant smoking by accident. 
         [0004]    To achieve the aforementioned objective, the present invention provides an electronic cigarette, including a suction stem and a power supply rod. The suction stem includes a suction cylinder, and a suction nozzle cover is provided at one end of the suction stem. The electronic cigarette further comprises a gas valve. Therefore, by using the gas valve, the electronic cigarette is no longer available for smoking right after taking in mouth, which effectively prevents infant smoking by accident like a toy. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, as an embodiment, the gas valve includes a bottom seat and a plurality of columns disposed at a first side of the bottom seat, the columns defines gaps therebetween to coordinately form a ventilation groove for aerosol flowing. The gaps make the gas valve easy to install. When one end of the column is pressed, there is space relative to near the deformation and then facilitate the gas valve to be inserted into a through-hole of the suction nozzle cover. Preferably, the bottom seat and the columns are integrally formed to a structure; the structure is simple and practical, convenient for using. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, a bottom of the ventilation groove is formed by a part area of the first side. Specifically, a plan view of the cross section of the ventilation groove relative to the first side of the bottom seat locates within the first side. An area from the plan view area within the first side forms a sealing part operable to seal, which guarantees a tightness of the gas valve when closed. 
         [0007]    Furthermore, preferably the number of columns is two, the cross-section of the column is arcuate, planar surfaces of the two columns are opposite to each other and the two columns are symmetrical disposed. 
         [0008]    Furthermore, as an alternative embodiment, the gas valve includes a bottom seat and a column disposed at the first side of the bottom seat; the column axially defines a cavity therein; a distal end of the column radially defines an air vent therein; the air vent communicates with an aerosol passage in the suction stem and the cavity; the first side of the bottom seat defines a groove therein; the groove is formed by the cavity extending from the first side toward the second side of the bottom seat; the groove communicates the cavity with outside. The groove structure makes the ventilation groove still capable to ventilate with outside after pressing the gas valve, then guarantees the ventilation smoothness. 
         [0009]    Furthermore, a wall of the through-hole of the suction nozzle cover extends inward to form a sidewall; the sidewall blocks the air vent when pulling out the gas valve, and exposes the air vent when pressing the gas valve. Therefore, the air vent and the sidewall matchingly form a switch structure, guaranteeing the smooth flow between the aerosol passage and the outside after pressing the gas valve. 
         [0010]    Furthermore, a distal end of the column extends outward to form a stopping part capable of preventing the gas valve escaping from the through-hole of the suction nozzle cover. The stopping part is barb-shaped, then effectively to prevent the gas valve escaping from the through-hole of the suction nozzle cover by excessive force. A distal end of the stopping part is gradually larger toward the direction of the bottom seat, then facilitate to be inserted into the through-hole of the suction nozzle cover. 
         [0011]    Furthermore, the bottom seat is truncated cone-shaped, and a diameter of the first side opposite to the suction nozzle cover is smaller than a diameter of the second side. Therefore, the cone is small and compact, and a slanted side surface structure of the cone gradually sloping from inside to outside makes it easy for adult users to pull out the gas valve by fingers, and the operation is easy. However, infants&#39; fingers are often clumsy and it is not easy to pull out the gas valve. The second side of the bottom seat is planar structure, facilitating users to press the gas valve. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, the suction stem further comprises a first connector disposed at the other end of the suction cylinder and used to connect with the power supply rod. 
         [0013]    Furthermore, the power supply rod includes a battery tube and a battery disposed in the battery tube; one end of the battery tube is provided with a second connector coupled to the first connector, the other end of the battery tube is equipped with a switch module and a light cap assembly. 
         [0014]    Furthermore, both the first connector and the second connector comprises an outer electrode ring, an insulation ring and an inner electrode in turn nested. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the suction stem further comprises an atomizer disposed in the suction cylinder for generating smoking The atomizer comprises an atomization chamber, a liquid-storage piece is fitted on a catheter to form the atomization chamber therein, and two ends of them being sealed. A heater is disposed in the atomization chamber. Two ends of the atomization chamber are sealed by a liquid-blocking seat and the outer electrode ring respectively. 
         [0016]    Furthermore, the atomizer includes an atomization chamber composed of a liquid-storage piece and a catheter which are in turn nested, and of which two ends are sealed, and a heater disposed in the atomization chamber; two ends of the atomization chamber are sealed by a liquid-blocking seat and the outer electrode ring respectively. 
         [0017]    Furthermore, the heater includes a liquid-guiding piece of which two ends extend out of an outer sidewall of the catheter and mutually abuts with the liquid-storage piece, and a heating wire winding on an outer surface of the liquid-storage piece; two ends of the heating wire are electrically connected to the inner electrode and the outer electrode ring respectively. 
         [0018]    Preferably, the gas valve is rotatably fitted to the suction nozzle cover. The suction nozzle cover comprises a bottom wall and an annular side wall longitudinally extending from a periphery of the bottom wall, and the bottom wall defines a suction hole. The gas valve is by a bottom cover and an annular side wall longitudinally extending from a periphery of the bottom cover, and the bottom cover defines a via hole selectably connected with the suction hole. 
         [0019]    Preferably, the bottom wall of the suction nozzle cover racially extends outwards to form an annular mounting flange; the gas valve defines an annular groove in its side wall inner; and the annular mounting flange is fitted in the annular groove. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the side wall of the suction nozzle cover forms a mounting step; and the distal end of the side wall of the gas valve rests on the mounting step. 
         [0021]    the gas valve comprises a sealing stopper inserted in the suction nozzle cover and a valve cover flexibly connected with the sealing stopper; the sealing stopper defines a smoke outlet communicated with an inner of the suction nozzle cover; and the valve cover comprises a flexible connection flexibly connected with the sealing stopper, a lip connected with the connection, and a sealing column formed on the lip for tightly inserted in the smoke outlet. 
         [0022]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the power supply rod comprises a first power cylinder with the battery therein and a second power cylinder slidably sleeved with the first power cylinder, and the gas valve is set between the two power cylinders. The gas valve comprises a valve plug disposed in an inner wall of the first power cylinder and a sealing sheath disposed in an inner wall of the second power cylinder. The valve plug comprises an inserting portion fixed in the inner wall of the first power cylinder and a sliding column extending from one end of the inserting portion and axially extending towards the second power cylinder; an inner of the sliding column defines a cavity communicated with an inner of the inserting portion; and a side wall of the sliding column defines a vent hole communicated with the cavity. 
         [0023]    The sealing sheath is sleeved on the sliding column, when the second power cylinder is departed from the first power cylinder, the sealing sheath completely seals off the vent hole 
         [0024]    Preferably, an end of the sliding column is sleeved with a stopping ring to prevent the sealing sheath sliding off the sliding column. 
         [0025]    The advantage of the present invention are: the gas valve is removably embedded in the through-hole of the suction nozzle cover and the gas valve serves as a switch for the inhalation port of aerosol passage, thereby the electronic cigarette is no longer available for smoking right after taking in mouth, which effectively prevents infant inhaling the electronic cigarette by mistake like a toy. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a whole structure of an electronic cigarette according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a side sectional view along line A-A of the electronic cigarette shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the electronic cigarette according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a first state of the electronic cigarette according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a second state of the electronic cigarette according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of the gas valve in an opening state of the electronic cigarette according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the gas valve in a closing state of the electronic cigarette according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of the gas valve in a closing state of the electronic cigarette according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of the gas valve in an opening state of the electronic cigarette according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 10   a  is a schematic view of the gas valve in an opening state of the electronic cigarette according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 10   b  is an enlarged view of Section A of the electronic cigarette in  FIG. 10   a;    
           [0037]      FIG. 10   c  is a schematic view of the gas valve in a closing state of the electronic cigarette according to the third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 11   a  is a schematic view of the gas valve in a closing state of the electronic cigarette according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 11   b  is a schematic view of the gas valve in an opening state of the electronic cigarette according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 12   a  is a schematic view of the gas valve in an opening state of the electronic cigarette according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 12   b  is a schematic view of the gas valve in a closing state of the electronic cigarette according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , the present invention provides an electronic cigarette capable of preventing infant smoking by accident, no smoking will happen when infants taking the electronic cigarette in mouth for fun. The electronic cigarette includes a suction stem  10  and a power supply rod  20  which are interconnected. 
         [0043]    The suction stem  10  includes a suction cylinder  11 , an atomizer  12  disposed in the suction cylinder  11  and used to produce aerosol, a suction nozzle cover  13  embedded in one end of the suction cylinder  11 , and a first connector disposed at the other end of the suction cylinder  11  to connect with the power supply rod  20 . In the embodiment, an outer surface of the suction cylinder  11  is sheathed with a sticker  14  for decoration and protective effect. 
         [0044]    The suction cylinder  11  is barrel-shaped. A gas valve  16  is movably embedded in a through-hole of the suction nozzle cover  13  and serves as a switch for a suction hole of an aerosol passage. The gas valve  16  includes a bottom seat  160  and several columns  162  disposed at an first side of the bottom seat  160 . The columns  162  defines gaps therebetween to coordinately form a ventilation groove  1621  for aerosol flowing. 
         [0045]    The bottom seat  160  is truncated cone-shaped, and a diameter of the first side opposite to the suction nozzle cover  13  is smaller than that of an second side. Therefore, the cone is small and compact, and a slanted surface structure of the truncated cone gradually sloping from inside to outside makes it easy for adult users to pull out the gas valve  16  by fingers, and the operation is easy. However, infants&#39; fingers are often clumsy and it is not easy for infants to pull out the gas valve  16 . The second side of the bottom seat  160  is a planar structure, which facilitates the user to press the gas valve  16 . 
         [0046]    A distal end of the column  162  extends outwardly to form a stopping part capable of preventing the gas valve  16  escaping from the through-hole of the suction nozzle cover  13 . There are two columns  162 , and the cross-section of the columns is arcuate. Planar surfaces of the two columns  162  are opposite to each other and the two columns are symmetrical disposed. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 7 , in accordance with the first embodiment, pulling out the gas valve  16 , the electronic cigarette is in a ventilation state (as a first state shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 6 ), it is available for user to smoke the electronic cigarette. Pressing the gas valve  16 , the electronic cigarette is in a blocked state (as a second state shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 7 ), it is unavailable to smoke the electronic cigarette. Specifically, a bottom of the ventilation groove  1621  is formed by a part of the first side. The projection area of the cross section of the ventilation groove  1621  towards the first side of the seat  160  locates within the first side. An area expanding outwards from the projection area in the first side forms a sealing part operable to seal, which guarantees a tightness of the gas valve  16  when closed. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , as a second embodiment, pulling out the gas valve  16 , the electronic cigarette is in a blocked state (as the first state shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 8 ), it is unavailable to smoke the electronic cigarette; pressing the gas valve  16 , the electronic cigarette is in a ventilation state (as a second state shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 9 ), it is available for smoking the electronic cigarette. Specifically, the gas valve  16  includes the bottom seat  160  and the column  162  disposed at the first side of the bottom seat  160 . The column  162  axially defines a cavity  1620  therein. A distal end of the column  162  radially defines an air vent  1623  therein. The air vent  1623  communicates with the aerosol passage in the suction stem  10  and the cavity  1620 . The first side of the bottom seat  160  defines a groove  1601  therein. The groove  1601  is formed by the cavity  1620  extending from the first side to the second side through the seat  160 . The groove  1601  makes the cavity  1620  communicating to outside. Structure of the groove  1601  makes the ventilation groove  1621  still capable to ventilate with outside after pressing the gas valve  16 , then guarantees the ventilation smoothly. And, a wall of a suction hole of the suction nozzle cover  13  extends inward to form a sidewall. The sidewall blocks the air vent  1623  when pulling out the gas valve  16 , and exposes the air vent  1623  when pressing the gas valve  16 . Therefore, the cooperation of the ventilation hole  1623  and the sidewall forms a switch structure, which guarantees the smoothly flow between the aerosol passage and the outside after pressing the gas valve  16 . 
         [0049]    The atomizer  12  includes an atomization chamber formed by a liquid-storage piece  120  and a catheter  121  being sleeved each other and with their two ends being sealed, and a heater  122  disposed in the atomization chamber. Two ends of the atomization chamber are sealed by a liquid-blocking seat  123  and an outer electrode ring  31  respectively. The heater  122  includes a liquid-guiding piece  1220 , of which two ends extend out of an outer sidewall of the catheter  121  and mutually abuts with the liquid-storage piece  120 , and a heating wire  1221  winding on an outer surface of the liquid-storage piece  1220 . Two ends of the heating wire  1221  are electrically connected to an inner electrode  33  and the outer electrode ring  31  respectively. In the embodiment, the liquid-storage piece  120  is liquid-storage cotton, the catheter  121  is a kind of fiberglass tube, and the liquid-guiding piece  1220  is a liquid-guiding wick. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the power supply rod  20  includes a battery tube  21  and a battery  22  disposed in the battery tube  21 . One end of the battery tube  21  is provided with a second connector coupled to the first connector, and the other end of the battery tube  21  is equipped with a switch module  23  and a light cap assembly  24 . The switch module  23  includes a supporting seat  230  and an airflow sensor  231  fixed on the supporting seat  230 . The light cap assembly  24  includes a light cap  240  and a LED light  241  disposed in the inside, and being red, and used to simulate burning cigarette to indicate state. 
         [0051]    Both the first connector and the second connector comprise the outer electrode ring  31 , an insulation ring  32  and the inner electrode  33  in turn nested. The insulation ring  32  is used for the insulation between the outer electrode ring  31  and the inner electrode  33 . 
         [0052]    In accordance with the third embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 10   a - 10   c,  the electronic cigarette is similar to the first and second embodiments, herein only differences will be described. Referring to  FIGS. 10   a - 10   c,  one end of the suction stem  10   a  (namely its bottom) is provided with a suction nozzle cover  13   a,  and the gas valve  16   a  is rotatably sleeved with the suction nozzle cover  13   a.  The suction nozzle cover  13   a  comprises a bottom wall  132  and an annular side wall  134  longitudinally extending from a periphery of the bottom wall  132 . The bottom wall  132  defines a suction hole  1322 . The gas valve  16   a  comprises a bottom cover  162  and a side wall  164  longitudinally extending from a periphery of the bottom cover  162 , and the bottom cover  162  defines a via hole  1622  selectably connected with the suction hole  1322 . 
         [0053]    When the gas valve  16   a  is rotated relative to the suction nozzle cover  13   a  for a certain angle, the via hole  1622  right communicates with the suction hole  1322 , then when the user smokes via the electronic cigarette, smoke mist can flow into the user&#39;s mouth from the suction hole  1322  through the via hole  1622 . Otherwise, when the gas valve  16   a  is further rotated relative to the suction nozzle cover  13   a,  the via hole  1622  is synchronously rotated together with the gas valve  16   a,  then the via hole  1622  and the suction hole  1322  are offset one another, namely, the via hole  1622  is blocked by the bottom wall  132  of the suction nozzle cover  13   a  except the suction hole  1322 , and smoke mist is blocked flowing out from the suction nozzle cover  13   a.  Usually, the infant has no idea of rotating the gas valve  16   a  due to its mind. Therefore, even the infant accidentally suctions the suction nozzle cover  13   a  of the electronic cigarette in its mouth, no smoke mist will be inhaled, which guarantees infant safe and healthy. 
         [0054]    Preferably, the bottom wall  132  of the suction nozzle cover  13   a  racially extends outwards to form an annular mounting flange  1324 ; correspondingly, the gas valve  16   a  defines an annular groove  166  in its side wall  164  inner; and the annular mounting flange  1324  is fitted in the annular groove  166 , thereby the gas valve  16   a  is axially positioned relative to the suction nozzle cover  13   a.    
         [0055]    Preferably, the side wall  134  of the suction nozzle cover  13   a  forms a mounting step  1342 ; and the distal end of the side wall  164  of the gas valve  16   a  rests on the mounting step  1342 , which further prevents axial rotation between the suction nozzle cover  13   a  and the gas valve  16   a.    
         [0056]    In accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention as shown in  FIGS. 11   a - 11   b,  the electronic cigarette is similar to the third embodiment, herein only difference will be described. Referring to  FIGS. 11   a - 11   b,  one end of the suction stem  10   b  (namely its bottom) is inserted with a suction nozzle cover  13   b,  and the gas valve  16   b  is fitted to the suction nozzle cover  13   b.  The gas valve  16   b  comprises a sealing stopper  161  inserted in the suction nozzle cover  13   b  and a valve cover  163  flexibly connected with the sealing stopper  161 ; the sealing stopper  161  defines a smoke outlet  1612  communicated with an inner of the suction nozzle cover  13   b;  and the valve cover  163  comprises a flexible connection  1632  flexibly engaged with the sealing stopper  161 , a lip  1634  connected with the flexible connection  1632 , and a sealing column  1636  formed on the lip  1634  for tightly inserted in the smoke outlet  1612 . 
         [0057]    The sealing column  1636  is tightly inserted in the smoke outlet  1612 , by which smoke mist is interrupted from the inner to the outside of the electronic cigarette. If the user desires smoke, he only needs to pull the sealing column  1636  out of the smoke outlet  1612 . Usually, the infant has no idea of pulling the sealing column  1636  out of the smoke outlet  1612  due to its age; therefore, it can prevent the infant accidently inhaling smoke and guarantee its safety and health. 
         [0058]    Please note that: in above amendments, the gas valve is fitted to the suction nozzle cover. However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the gas valve can also be fitted to the atomizer or the power supply rod, which also has the advantage like the above amendments to prevent infant smoking by accident so as to ensure its safety and health. 
         [0059]    For example, as the fifth embodiment of the present invention as show in  FIGS. 12   a - 12   b,  the power supply rod  20   a  comprises a first power cylinder  21   a  with the battery  22  therein and a second power cylinder  21   b  slidably sleeved with the first power cylinder  21   a.  The gas valve  18  is set between the two power cylinders. 
         [0060]    The gas valve  18  comprises a valve plug  182  disposed in an inner wall of the first power cylinder  21   a  and a sealing sheath  184  disposed in an inner wall of the second power cylinder  21   b.  The valve plug  182  comprises an inserting portion  1822  fixed in the inner wall of the first power cylinder  21   a  and a sliding column  1824  extending from one end of the inserting portion  1822  and axially towards the second power cylinder  21   b;  an inner of the sliding column  1824  defines a cavity  1826  communicated with the inserting portion  1822  inner; and a side wall of the sliding column  1824  defines a vent hole  18242  communicated with the cavity  1826 . The sealing sheath  184  is sleeved on the sliding column  1824 , when the second power cylinder  21   b  is departed from the first power cylinder  21   a,  and the sealing sheath  184  completely seals off the vent hole  18242  in the sliding column  1824 , thereby the cavity  1826  is closed off with outside. Because the cavity communicates with the aerosol passage in the electronic cigarette, substantially, the aerosol passage is closed off with outside, which can prevent the infant smoking by accident, further guarantee safety. 
         [0061]    Preferably, an end of the sliding column  1824  is sleeved with a stopping ring  186  to prevent the sealing sheath  184  sliding off the sliding column  1824 , and so as to prevent the second power cylinder  21   b  sliding off the first power cylinder  21   a.    
         [0062]    It is understood, the power supply rod  20  can be replaced with a structure adapted to a high-capacity battery to supply power. The high-capacity battery is available in the art, and is embedded in the suction stem  10 . Then an appropriate gas valve  16  may be set in the suction stem  10 , or at the smoke outlet of the atomizer, or in the suction nozzle cover  13  so as to prevent the infant smoking by accident. 
         [0063]    In another embodiment, the electronic cigarette has no power supply rod, but the smoke mist is generated by vaporization of compressed gas. Then the appropriate gas valve  16  is set in the suction stem  10  or in the suction nozzle cover  13  so as to prevent the infant smoking by accident. 
         [0064]    In a further embodiment, the electronic cigarette has a soft end of the suction stem instead of the suction nozzle cover  13 . Then the appropriate gas valve  16  is set in the suction stem  10  or in the end of the suction stem  10  so as to prevent the infant smoking by accident. 
         [0065]    Embodiments of the present invention is shown and described in the above-mentioned. Various improvement and modifications can be made to the embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.