Abstract:
An electronic cigarette comprising an atomizer and a first case configured for accommodating the atomizer is provided; the atomizer includes a heating mechanism, a breather pipe, and oil storage cotton, the heating mechanism is received inside the breather pipe, and the oil storage cotton envelops an outer surface of the breather pipe; wherein, the heating mechanism is positioned along an axial direction of the breather pipe, and has a shape matching an inner surface of the breather pipe. The heating mechanism in the electronic cigarette has a large effective heating area so that more smoke can be generated by the atomizer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This non-provisional application claims priorities under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No. 201320401923.9 filed in P.R. China on Jul. 5, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of electronic devices, and more particularly, relates to an electronic cigarette. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In the prior art, a heating mechanism of an electronic cigarette is usually formed by a nickel-chromium alloy wire coiled into a spiral shape. The heating mechanism is mounted on a cross section of a corresponding stationary bracket to generate heat. However, in this method, an effective heating area of the electronic cigarette is too limited. Therefore, smoke generated by an atomizer of the electronic cigarette is less, and it may be difficult to meet the need of a user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The objective of the present invention is to provide an electronic cigarette including a heating mechanism that has a large effective heating area, aiming at the defect that the effective heating area of the heating mechanism of the electronic cigarette is too limited in the prior art so that less smoke can be generated by the atomizer of the electronic cigarette. 
         [0005]    The technical solutions of the present invention for solving the technical problems are as follows. 
         [0006]    An electronic cigarette comprising an atomizer and a first case configured for accommodating the atomizer is provided; the atomizer includes a heating mechanism, a breather pipe, and oil storage cotton, the heating mechanism is received inside the breather pipe, and the oil storage cotton envelops an outer surface of the breather pipe; wherein, the heating mechanism is positioned along an axial direction of the breather pipe, and has a shape matching an inner surface of the breather pipe. 
         [0007]    Advantageously, the heating mechanism comprises a heating sleeve; a shape of the heating sleeve matches a shape of the inner surface of the breather pipe; an outer surface of the heating sleeve fits the inner surface of the breather pipe; and a wall of the heating sleeve defines a plurality of first through-holes configured for enabling smoke oil to enter the heating sleeve. 
         [0008]    Advantageously, the plurality of first through-holes are strewn all around the wall of the heating sleeve and arranged in an array. 
         [0009]    Advantageously, the heating mechanism comprises a heating slice; the heating slice has a shape matching the inner surface of the breather pipe, and fits the inner surface of the breather pipe; and the heating slice defines a plurality of second through-holes configured for enabling smoke oil to enter the heating slice. 
         [0010]    Advantageously, the plurality of second through-holes are defined on the heating slice and arranged in an array. 
         [0011]    Advantageously, the heating mechanism comprises a heating coil having a rolling shape; the heating coil is mounted on the inner surface of the breather pipe; and the heating coil and the breather pipe are coaxial with each other. 
         [0012]    Advantageously, the breather pipe is formed by weaving glass fibers, and gaps formed between the glass fibers form passages for guiding smoke oil. 
         [0013]    Advantageously, the electronic cigarette further comprises a second case and a battery accommodated in the second case; and the second case is connected with the first case detachably. 
         [0014]    Advantageously, a first conductive sleeve and a first electrode column are formed on an end of the first case that is adjacent to the second case; both the first conductive sleeve and the first electrode column are connected with the heating mechanism; the first conductive sleeve is mounted on the second case detachably, and the first electrode column is mounted inside the first conductive sleeve and insulated with the first conductive sleeve; 
         [0015]    a second conductive sleeve and a second electrode column are formed on an end of the second case that is adjacent to the first case; both the second conductive sleeve and the second electrode column are electrically connected with the battery respectively; the second conductive sleeve is mounted on the second case detachably; the second electrode column is mounted inside the second conductive sleeve and insulated with the second conductive sleeve; 
         [0016]    the first conductive sleeve and the second conductive sleeve define corresponding thread structures; wherein, when the first conductive sleeve is connected with the second conductive sleeve by thread connection, the first electrode column abuts the second electrode column and is thereby electrically connected with the second electrode column. 
         [0017]    Advantageously, the electronic cigarette further includes at least one sticker attached on an outer surface of the first case. 
         [0018]    Advantageously, the electronic cigarette further includes a binding layer formed between the sticker and the first case and configured for attaching the sticker to the first case. 
         [0019]    Advantageously, the electronic cigarette further includes a cigarette-holder and a cigarette-holder cap configured for keeping the cigarette-holder cleaning, and the cigarette-holder and the cigarette-holder cap are mounted on an end of the first case that is far away from the second case. 
         [0020]    Advantageously, the electronic cigarette further includes a lamp assembly mounted on an end of the second case that is far away from the first case, and the lamp assembly is electrically connected with the battery. 
         [0021]    Advantageously, the electronic cigarette further includes a sealing ring positioned between the cigarette-holder and the atomizer and configured to prevent smoke oil from flowing into the cigarette-holder. 
         [0022]    Advantageously, the heating mechanism is made of nickel-chromium alloy or iron-chromium alloy. 
         [0023]    By implementing the electronic cigarette in the present invention, the following advantages can be achieved. The heating mechanism of the electronic cigarette provided by the present invention has a shape corresponding to the breather pipe, and is positioned along an axial direction of the breather pipe. Thus, an effective heating area of the electronic cigarette can be enlarged, and the atomizer can generate more smoke. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments in the following, in the accompanying drawings: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a structural schematic view of an electronic cigarette of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a structural schematic view of a heating mechanism of the electronic cigarette shown in  FIG. 1 , according to a first embodiment; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a structural schematic view of a heating mechanism of the electronic cigarette shown in  FIG. 1 , according to a second embodiment; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a structural schematic view of a heating mechanism of the electronic cigarette shown in  FIG. 1 , according to a third embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0029]      FIG. 1  shows an electronic cigarette of an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic cigarette comprises a first case  10 , a second case  20 , an atomizer  30 , and a battery  40 . The atomizer  40  is configured to atomize smoke oil, and is accommodated in the first case  10 . The battery  40  is configured to supply power to the atomizer  30 , and is accommodated in the second case  20 . The first case  10  is connected with the second case  20  detachably. 
         [0030]    In this embodiment, the first case  10  is approximately cylindrical, and can also have other shapes. A first conductive sleeve  11  and a first electrode column  12  are formed on an end of the first case  10  that is adjacent to the second case  20 . Both the first conductive sleeve  11  and the first electrode column  12  are electrically connected with a heating mechanism  31 . The first conductive sleeve  11  is substantially cylindrical, and is mounted on the first case  10  detachably. One end of the first conductive sleeve  11  is open, and the other end of the first conductive sleeve  11  has a first bottom surface. The first bottom surface defines a first hole, and the first hole is circular. A first insulating ring  13  is fixed in the first hole. The first electrode column  12  passes through the first insulating ring  13 , and is mounted in the first conductive sleeve  11 . The first electrode column  12  and the first conductive sleeve  11  are mutually insulated by the first insulating ring  13 . Furthermore, the first conductive sleeve  11  defines an outer thread. 
         [0031]    The electronic cigarette further includes at least one sticker attached on an outer surface of the first case  10  and a binding layer configured for attaching the sticker to the first case. The sticker can slip over, be embedded in, or be pasted on the binding layer. Furthermore, the sticker can be printed by trademarks, logos, etc., or designed to have a three-dimensional shape of words and/or patterns to improve the beauty of the electronic cigarette. 
         [0032]    The electronic cigarette further includes a cigarette-holder and a cigarette-holder cap  14  configured for keeping the cigarette-holder cleaning, and the cigarette-holder and the cigarette-holder cap  14  are mounted on an end of the first case  10  that is far away from the second case  20 . The electronic cigarette further includes a sealing ring (not shown) positioned between the cigarette-holder and the atomizer  30  and configured to prevent smoke oil from flowing into the cigarette-holder. The sealing ring is made of rubber or other materials. 
         [0033]    In this embodiment, the second case  20  is approximately cylindrical, and can also have other shapes. A second conductive sleeve  21  and a second electrode column  22  are formed on an end of the second case  20  that is adjacent to the first case  10 . The second conductive sleeve  21  and the second electrode column  22  are electrically connected with the battery  40  respectively. The second conductive sleeve  20  is substantially cylindrical, and is mounted on the second case  20  detachably. One end of the second conductive sleeve  20  is open, and the other end of the second conductive sleeve  20  has a second bottom surface. The second bottom surface defines a second hole, and the second hole is circular. A second insulating ring  23  is fixed in the second hole. The second electrode column  22  passes through the second insulating ring  23 , and is mounted in the second conductive sleeve  21 . The second electrode column  22  and the second conductive sleeve  21  are mutually insulated by the second insulating ring  23 . The second conductive sleeve  21  defines an inner thread corresponding to the outer thread on the first conductive sleeve  11 . When the second conductive sleeve  21  is connected with the first conductive sleeve  11  by thread connection, the second conductive sleeve  21  is electrically connected with the first conductive sleeve  11 , and the second electrode column  22  is electrically connected with the first electrode column  12 . This thread connection method has advantages of easy disassembly and installation, firm connection, and stable electronic connection. 
         [0034]    It is understood that the first conductive sleeve  11  can also define an inner thread, and the second conductive sleeve  21  can also define an outer thread corresponding to the inner thread of the first conductive sleeve  11 . 
         [0035]    The electronic cigarette further includes a lamp assembly  24  mounted on an end of the second case  20  that is far away from the first case  10 . The lamp assembly  24  is electrically connected with the battery  40 , and lighting of the lamp assembly  24  is used to simulate burning of a cigarette end. 
         [0036]    The atomizer  30  includes a heating mechanism  31 , a breather pipe  32 , and oil storage cotton  33 . The heating mechanism  31  is used to atomize smoke oil, and is mounted inside the breather pipe  32 . The heating mechanism  31  is positioned along an axial direction of the breather pipe  32 , and has a shape matching an inner surface of the breather pipe  32 . The oil storage cotton  33  is used for storing smoke oil, and envelops an outer surface of the breather pipe  32 . The breather pipe  32  is formed by weaving glass fibers, and gaps between the glass fibers form passages for guiding the smoke oil. The gaps between the glass fibers further have functions of supporting and ventilation. Furthermore, the breather pipe  32  made of the glass fibers has an advantage of good heat resistance, which prevents the breather pipe  32  from melting due to heat generated by the heating mechanism  31 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , a heating sleeve  31   a  can be adopted as the heating mechanism  31 , and the shape of the heating sleeve  31   a  matches the inner surface of the breather pipe  32 . An outer surface of the heating sleeve  31   a  fits the inner surface of the breather pipe  32 . Correspondingly, an end of the breather pipe  32  that is far away from the battery  40  defines a mounting groove (not shown), and the mounting groove is positioned to surround the inner surface of the breather pipe  32 . An end of the heating sleeve  31   a  is embedded in the mounting groove. Additionally, the heating sleeve  31   a  and the breather pipe  32  may not fit each other, that is, there can be a gap between the heating sleeve  31   a  and the breather pipe  32 . Advantageously, the width of the gap is 0.3 mm. 
         [0038]    The heating sleeve  31   a  defines a plurality of first through-holes  311   a  configured for enabling smoke oil to enter the heating sleeve  31   a.  The plurality of first through-holes  311   a  are strewn all around the wall of the heating sleeve  31   a  and arranged in an array. Furthermore, each of the first through-holes  311   a  is a circular hole with a radius ranging from 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm, and a distance between centers of every two adjacent ones of the first through-holes  311   a  ranges from 2.8 mm to 4.5 mm. By testing, when the radii and center distances of the first through-holes  311   a  are in the above-described ranges, the atomizing effect of the heating sleeve  31   a  achieves the best. Additionally, the shapes of the first through-holes  311   a  can be one or more kinds of shapes selected from oval, polygon, and curve. The heating sleeve  31   a  is made of metal having a high resistivity, such as nickel-chromium alloy or iron-chromium alloy. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , a heating slice  31   b  can be adopted as the heating mechanism  31 . The heating slice  31   b  has a curve surface matching the inner surface of the breather pipe  32 , and fits the inner surface of the breather pipe  32 . The heating slice  31   b  can fit the inner surface of the breather pipe  32  by pasting or embedding. 
         [0040]    The heating slice  31   b  defines a plurality of second through-holes  311   b.  The second through-holes  311   b  are arranged in an array and configured for enabling smoke oil to arrive at an inside of the heating slice  31   b.  The heating slice  31   b  is made of metal having a high resistivity, such as nickel-chromium alloy or iron-chromium alloy. 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , a heating coil  31   c  can be adopted as the heating mechanism  31 , and the heating coil  31   c  has a rolling shape formed by rolling a metal wire. The heating coil  31   c  is mounted on and fits the inner surface of the breather pipe  32 , and the heating coil  31   c  and the breather pipe  32  are coaxial with each other. Furthermore, the heating coil  31   c  can be embedded in the inner surface of the breather pipe  32  directly. The metal wire of the heating coil  31   c  is enveloped by an insulating layer. Besides, when the heating coil  31   c  is manufactured, a gap is formed between every two adjacent ones of the circles of the heating coil  31   c,  so that smoke oil is enabled to enter the heating coil  31   c.  When an axial length of the heating coil  31   c  is one third of a length of the breather pipe  32 , and a width of the gap between every two adjacent ones of the circles of the heating coil  31   c  is a half of a diameter of the wire of the heating coil  31   c,  the most smoke can be generated. The heating coil  31   c  is made of metal having a high resistivity, such as nickel-chromium alloy or iron-chromium alloy. 
         [0042]    In the inspiration of the present invention, those ordinary skills in the art can also make many modifications without breaking away from the subject of the present invention and the protection scope of the claims. All these modifications belong to the protection of the present invention.