Patent Publication Number: US-2016235120-A1

Title: Atomization assembly and electronic cigarette

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application relates to an electronic product, and more particularly relates to an atomization assembly and an electronic cigarette. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic cigarettes are used for smoking cessation and substitute for traditional cigarettes. An electronic cigarette available in the market includes an atomization assembly and a battery assembly connected to each other. The atomization assembly is provided with a liquid storage sponge and an outer electrode connected to the battery assembly. An atomization base provided with a ventilation hole is usually arranged between the liquid storage sponge and the outer electrode for isolating them. When smoking, the user may exhale the electronic cigarette, thus results in a mistaken control of a control module in the battery assembly. That is, the airflow exhaled by the user may be sensed by the airflow sensor of the control module which would then control the atomization assembly to atomize the tobacco oil and turn on the ash head light for imitating the burning of the tobacco. In such a way, the normal operation of the electronic cigarette would be affected. Moreover, in the prior atomization assembly, the tobacco oil in the liquid storage sponge can pass through the atomization base and leak into the battery assembly, thus failing the control module in the battery assembly and resulting in a short circuit and so on. 
     SUMMARY 
     An objective of this application is, aimed to the disadvantages in the prior art  that a mistaken control of a control module in the battery assembly would be resulted by user&#39;s exhalation and the tobacco oil is likely to leak into the battery assembly, providing an atomization assembly and an electronic cigarette. 
     According to a first aspect, an atomization assembly is provided for forming an electronic cigarette together with a battery assembly. The atomization assembly comprises an atomization sleeve and an atomization base disposed in the atomization sleeve. An airflow channel allowing a smoke airflow to flow is provided in the atomization sleeve. A ventilation hole in communication with the airflow channel is disposed in the atomization base. The atomization assembly also comprises a one-way valve used for preventing the airflow from flowing towards the battery assembly. The one-way valve is mounted in the ventilation hole or on an outer side of one end of the ventilation hole and is corresponding to the ventilation hole in position. 
     Preferably, the atomization assembly further comprises a mounting element for fixing the one-way valve. The mounting element is embedded in the ventilation hole or on an outer side of one end of the ventilation hole and is coaxially arranged with the atomization base. The mounting element has a hardness greater than that of the atomization base. 
     In the atomization assembly according to the present application, the one-way valve comprises a hollow valve pipe, an end of which away from the battery assembly is an opening end in communication with the ventilation hole, other end of which is rotatablely connected to a valve gate. The one-way valve is mounted on the mounting element which abuts against an outer wall surface of the valve gate away from the opening end. 
     In the atomization assembly according to the present application, the valve gate and the valve pipe are made of soft materials and made in one piece. 
     In the atomization assembly according to the present application, the mounting element comprises a clamping portion and a receiving pipe adapted to  the one-way valve and protruding from an external circumference of the clamping portion along a direction away from the clamping portion. The one-way valve is embedded into the receiving pipe. The outer wall surface of the valve gate abuts against an inner wall surface of the clamping portion. The clamping portion is provided with a through hole in communication with the airflow channel. 
     In the atomization assembly according to the present application, the ventilation hole comprises a first ventilation hole comprising a second ventilation hole and a third ventilation hole in communication with each other. The second ventilation hole has a diameter which is smaller than that of the third ventilation hole, such that a first flange is formed on an inner wall of the atomization base corresponding to the first ventilation hole. The second ventilation hole is arranged on one end of the first ventilation hole away from the battery assembly. The mounting element is embedded into the third ventilation hole. An end of the receiving pipe away from the clamping portion abuts against a radial surface of the first flange. 
     In the atomization assembly according to the present application, an external circumference of the receiving pipe is attached to an inner circumference of the atomization base corresponding to the third ventilation hole. 
     In the atomization assembly according to the present application, an inner wall surface of the valve pipe and an inner wall surface of the atomization base corresponding to the second ventilation hole are coplanar along an axial direction. One end of the opening end of the one-way valve abuts against a radial surface of the first flange. 
     In the atomization assembly according to the present application, the ventilation hole comprises a first ventilation hole and a fourth ventilation hole in communication with the first ventilation hole along an axial direction. The first ventilation hole has a diameter which is smaller than that of the fourth ventilation hole, such that a second flange is formed on an inner wall of the atomization base.  The first ventilation hole is arranged on one end of the atomization base away from the battery assembly. The mounting element is embedded into the fourth ventilation hole. An end of the receiving pipe away from the clamping portion abuts against a radial surface of the second flange. 
     In the atomization assembly according to the present application, the mounting element has a connection portion extended along a radial direction away from the clamping portion at one end provided with the clamping portion. An external circumference of the connection portion abuts against an inner wall of the atomization base corresponding to the fourth ventilation hole. 
     In the atomization assembly according to the present application, the connection portion is provided with symmetrical insertion holes. 
     In the atomization assembly according to the present application, an inner wall surface of the valve pipe and an inner wall surface of the atomization base corresponding to the first ventilation hole are coplanar along an axial direction. One end of the opening end of the one-way valve abuts against a radial surface of the second flange. 
     According to a second aspect, an electronic cigarette is provided, which comprising an atomization assembly and a battery assembly connected together. The atomization assembly comprises an atomization sleeve and an atomization base disposed in the atomization sleeve. An airflow channel allowing a smoke airflow to flow is provided in the atomization sleeve. A ventilation hole in communication with the airflow channel is disposed in the atomization base. The atomization assembly also comprises a one-way valve used for preventing the airflow from flowing towards the battery assembly. The one-way valve is mounted in the ventilation hole or on an outer side of one end of the ventilation hole and is corresponding to the ventilation hole in position. 
     In the electronic cigarette according to the present application, the atomization assembly further comprises a mounting element for fixing the one-way valve.  The mounting element is embedded in the ventilation hole or on an outer side of one end of the ventilation hole and is coaxially arranged with the atomization base. The mounting element has a hardness greater than that of the atomization base. 
     In the electronic cigarette according to the present application, the one-way valve comprises a hollow valve pipe, an end of which away from the battery assembly is an opening end in communication with the ventilation hole, other end of which is rotatablely connected to a valve gate. The one-way valve is mounted on the mounting element which abuts against an outer wall surface of the valve gate away from the opening end. 
     In the electronic cigarette according to the present application, the mounting element comprises a clamping portion and a receiving pipe adapted to the one-way valve and protruding from an external circumference of the clamping portion along a direction away from the clamping portion. The one-way valve is embedded into the receiving pipe. The outer wall surface of the valve gate abuts against an inner wall surface of the clamping portion. The clamping portion is provided with a through hole in communication with the airflow channel. 
     In the electronic cigarette according to the present application, the ventilation hole comprises a first ventilation hole comprising a second ventilation hole and a third ventilation hole in communication with each other. The second ventilation hole has a diameter which is smaller than that of the third ventilation hole, such that a first flange is formed on an inner wall of the atomization base corresponding to the first ventilation hole. The second ventilation hole is arranged on one end of the first ventilation hole away from the battery assembly. The mounting element is embedded into the third ventilation hole. An end of the receiving pipe away from the clamping portion abuts against a radial surface of the first flange. 
     In the electronic cigarette according to the present application, an external circumference of the receiving pipe is attached to an inner circumference of the atomization base corresponding to the third ventilation hole.  
     In the electronic cigarette according to the present application, the ventilation hole comprises a first ventilation hole and a fourth ventilation hole in communication with the first ventilation hole along an axial direction. The first ventilation hole has a diameter which is smaller than that of the fourth ventilation hole, such that a second flange is formed on an inner wall of the atomization base. The first ventilation hole is arranged on one end of the atomization base away from the battery assembly. The mounting element is embedded into the fourth ventilation hole. An end of the receiving pipe away from the clamping portion abuts against a radial surface of the second flange. 
     In the electronic cigarette according to the present application, the mounting element has a connection portion extended along a radial direction away from the clamping portion at one end provided with the clamping portion. An external circumference of the connection portion abuts against an inner wall of the atomization base corresponding to the fourth ventilation hole. 
     When implementing the atomization assembly and the electronic cigarette according to the present application, following advantageous or effects can be obtained. By means of the one-way valve disposed in the ventilation hole in the atomization base or on the outer side of one end of the ventilation hole and corresponding to the ventilation hole in position, the airflow is prevented from flowing towards the battery assembly. Accordingly, a mistaken control of a control module in the battery assembly can be prevented. In addition, the situations are prevented that the tobacco liquid on a liquid storage sponge leaks from the ventilation hole into the battery assembly, and accordingly a microphone in the battery assembly fails or a short circuit of a battery occurs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cutaway diagram showing the electronic cigarette according to the present application.  
         FIG. 2  is a cutaway diagram showing the atomization assembly according to a first embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 3  is a structural diagram showing the one-way valve according to the present application. 
         FIG. 4  is a structural diagram showing the mounting element according to a first embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram showing the exhalation state according to a first embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram showing the inhaling state according to a first embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 7  is a cutaway diagram showing the atomization assembly according to a second embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 8  is a structural diagram showing the mounting element according to a second and a third embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram showing the exhalation state according to a second embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram showing the inhaling state according to a second embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram showing the exhalation state according to a third embodiment of the present application. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Hereinafter, the atomization assembly and the electronic cigarette according to the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1-2 , the electronic cigarette comprises an atomization  assembly  1  and a battery assembly  2  connected together. The atomization assembly  1  comprises an atomization sleeve  10  and an atomization base  11  disposed in the atomization sleeve  10 . A liquid storage sponge  12  is arranged on one side of the atomization base  11 , and an outer electrode  13  is arranged on the other side of the atomization base  11 . The atomization base  11  isolates the liquid storage sponge  12  from the outer electrode  13 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 10 , the atomization base  11  is provided with two through holes  130  for inserting two conductive wires  14  of the heating wire for atomizing the tobacco oil. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , an airflow channel  15  allowing a smoke airflow to flow is provided in the atomization sleeve  10 . A ventilation hole  100  in communication with the airflow channel  15  is disposed in the atomization base  11 . The atomization assembly also comprises a one-way valve  120  corresponding to the ventilation hole  100  in position and a mounting element  110  for fixing the one-way valve  120 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the one-way valve  120  comprises a hollow valve pipe  121 , an end of which away from the battery assembly  2  is an opening end  122  in communication with the ventilation hole  100 , other end of which is rotatablely connected to a valve gate  123 . The valve gate  123  and the valve pipe  121  are made of soft materials, such as silicone or soft plastic and so on, and are made in one piece. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the mounting element  110  comprises a clamping portion  111  and a receiving pipe  112  adapted to the one-way valve  120  and protruding from an external circumference of the clamping portion  111  along a direction away from the clamping portion  111 . The clamping portion  111  is provided with a through hole  113  in communication with the airflow channel  15 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5-6 and 9-10 , one end of the one-way valve  120  provided with the valve gate  123  is inserted into the receiving pipe  112  along a direction facing the receiving pipe  112 , and embedded into the receiving pipe  112 . The  outer wall surface of the valve gate  123  abuts against an inner wall surface of the clamping portion  111 , such that the one-way valve  120  only can be opened in a direction toward the inside of the valve pipe  121 , that is toward the opening end  122 . Preferably, the valve pipe  121  has an axial length which is greater than or equal to the diameter of the valve gate  123 , such that the valve gate  123  would not be blocked by other atomization components other than the opening end  122  during the opening process, thus the opening would not be too small to affect the smoking effect. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5, 9 and 11 , when users smoke via the electronic cigarettes and inhale, the valve gate  123  of the one-way valve  120  opens, such that the airflow would flow into the atomization assembly  1 , thus not affecting the smoking effect. As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 10 , when users exhale, the valve gate  123  would not open as it abuts against the clamping portion  111  of the mounting element  110 . Combining  FIGS. 6 and 10 , the airflow would be prevented from flowing towards the battery assembly  2 , so that a mistaken control of the control module  21  in the battery assembly  2  would also be prevented, that is, the control module  21  would not be turned on to control the atomization assembly to atomize the tobacco oil and turn on the ash head light (unshown) for imitating the burning of the tobacco, during the exhalation. Meanwhile, the tobacco oil in the liquid storage sponge  12  can not leak into the battery assembly  2  for failing the control module in the battery assembly and resulting in a short circuit and so on. 
     EMBODIMENT 1 
     As shown in  FIG. 1-6 , the mounting element  110  is embedded in the ventilation hole  100 . Then the one-way valve  120  is mounted in the ventilation hole  100 . 
     The ventilation hole  100  comprises a first ventilation hole  101  comprising a second ventilation hole  102  and a third ventilation hole  103  in communication with each other. The second ventilation hole  102  has a diameter which is smaller than that of the third ventilation hole  103 , such that a first flange  131  is formed on an inner wall of the atomization base  11  corresponding to the first ventilation hole  101 . The second ventilation hole  102  is arranged on one end of the first ventilation hole  101  away from the battery assembly  2 . The mounting element  110  is embedded into the third ventilation hole  103 , such that the one-way valve  120  is mounted on the atomization base  11  corresponding to the third ventilation hole  103  of the first ventilation hole  101 . 
     An end of the receiving pipe  112  of the mounting element  110  away from the clamping portion  111  abuts against a radial surface of the first flange  131 . Preferably, an external circumference of the receiving pipe  112  is attached to an inner circumference of the atomization base  11  corresponding to the third ventilation hole  103 , so as to further prevent the tobacco oil in the liquid storage sponge  12  from leaking into the battery assembly  2  via the first ventilation hole  101 . 
     The one-way valve  120  is embedded into the mounting element  110  with the opening end  122  facing the second ventilation hole  102 . The one-way valve  120  covers the second ventilation hole  102 , that is, the end of the opening end  122  on the one-way valve  120  abuts against the radial surface of the first flange  131 . In such a way, the airflow would further be prevented from flowing towards the battery assembly  2 , and meanwhile the tobacco oil in the liquid storage sponge  12  can also be prevented from leaking into the battery assembly  2  via the first ventilation hole  101 . 
     More preferably, an inner wall surface of the valve pipe  121  and an inner wall surface of the atomization base  11  corresponding to the second ventilation hole  102  are coplanar along an axial direction, that is, the valve pipe  121  has an inner diameter which is equal to a diameter of the second ventilation hole  102 . In such a way, even if the valve pipe  121  has an axial length which is smaller than the diameter of the valve gate  123 , the valve gate  123  would not be blocked by other  atomization components when the opening end  122  of the valve gate  123  is opened towards the valve pipe  121 . Accordingly, it can be opened completely. 
     The mounting element  110  has a hardness greater than that of the atomization base  11 . As the atomization base  11  is always made from soft silica gel, so the mounting element  110  can be made from hard materials. Thus, the attachment between the atomization base  11  and the atomization sleeve can be improved, so no oil leakage would be resulted by deformation therebetween when an external force is applied. 
     EMBODIMENT 2 
     As shown  FIG. 7-10 , the mounting element  110  is embedded in the ventilation hole  100 . Then the one-way valve  120  is mounted in the ventilation hole  100 . 
     Comparing with embodiment 1, the present embodiment is different in that the ventilation hole  100  comprises a first ventilation hole  101  and a fourth ventilation hole  104  in communication with the first ventilation hole  101  along an axial direction. That is, an extension portion (unshown) extended from the side wall at one end of the atomization base  11  towards the battery assembly  2  circles to form the fourth ventilation hole  104 . In the present embodiment, the first ventilation hole  101  is a single ventilation hole, inside which no more ventilation holes are formed. In other embodiments, the first ventilation hole  101  also can comprise a second ventilation hole  102  and a third ventilation hole  103 . 
     The first ventilation hole  101  has a diameter which is smaller than that of the fourth ventilation hole  104 , such that a second flange  132  is formed on an inner wall of the atomization base  11 . The first ventilation hole  101  is arranged on one end of the atomization base  11  away from the battery assembly  2 . The fourth ventilation hole  104  is arranged on one end of the atomization base  11  close to the battery assembly  2 .  
     The mounting element  110  is embedded into the fourth ventilation hole  104 . An end of the receiving pipe  112  away from the clamping portion  111  abuts against a radial surface of the second flange  132 . The one-way valve  120  is embedded into the mounting element  110 . The opening end  122  faces the first ventilation hole  101 . The one-way valve  120  covers the first ventilation hole  101 , that is, the end of the opening end  122  on the one-way valve  120  abuts against the radial surface of the second flange  132 . In such a way, the airflow would further be prevented from flowing towards the battery assembly  2 , and meanwhile the tobacco oil in the liquid storage sponge  12  can also be prevented from leaking into the battery assembly  2  via the ventilation hole  100 . 
     More preferably, an inner wall surface of the valve pipe  121  and an inner wall surface of the atomization base  11  corresponding to the first ventilation hole  101  are coplanar along an axial direction, that is, the valve pipe  121  has an inner diameter which is equal to a diameter of the first ventilation hole  101 . In such a way, even if the valve pipe  121  has an axial length which is smaller than the diameter of the valve gate  123 , the valve gate  123  would not be blocked by other atomization components when the opening end  122  of the valve gate  123  is opened towards the valve pipe  121 . Accordingly, it can be opened completely. 
     The external circumference of the receiving pipe  112  of the mounting element  110  is attached to an inner circumference of the atomization base  11  corresponding to the fourth ventilation hole  104 . Or referring  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the mounting element  110  has an annular connection portion  114  extended along a radial direction away from the clamping portion  111  at one end provided with the clamping portion  111 . An external circumference of the connection portion  114  abuts against an inner wall of the atomization base  11  corresponding to the fourth ventilation hole  104 . In such a way, the one-way valve  120  can be fixed on the atomization base  11  corresponding to the fourth ventilation hole  104 . In general, the fourth ventilation hole  104  has a diameter which is far greater than that of the first ventilation hole  101 . Accordingly, it is preferable that, the mounting element   110  has an annular connection portion  114  extended along a radial direction away from the clamping portion  111  at one end provided with the clamping portion  111 , and an external circumference of the annular connection portion  114  abuts against an inner wall of the atomization base  11  corresponding to the fourth ventilation hole  104 . 
     The mounting element  110  has a hardness greater than that of the atomization base  11 . Thus, the attachment between the atomization base  11  and the atomization sleeve can be improved, so no oil leakage would be resulted by deformation therebetween when an external force is applied. 
     In additional, the atomization base  11  is provided with symmetrical insertion holes  115  for inserting two conductive wires  14  of the heating wire for atomizing the tobacco oil. 
     EMBODIMENT 3 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3, 8 and 11 , the mounting element  110  is arranged on an outer side of one end of the atomization base  11 , and is coaxially arranged with the atomization base  11 . Such that, the one-way valve  120  is mounted on an outer side of one end of the ventilation hole  100 . 
     Comparing with embodiment 1, the present embodiment is different in that the ventilation hole  100  is formed by the ventilation hole  100  which comprises a second ventilation hole  102  and a third ventilation hole  103  in communication with each other. The mounting element  110  has an annular connection portion  114  extended along a radial direction away from the clamping portion  111  at one end provided with the clamping portion  111 . The annular connection portion  114  and the clamping portion  111  are arranged on an outer side of one end of the ventilation hole  100  close to the battery assembly  2 . An external circumference of the connection portion  114  abuts against an inner wall of the atomization sleeve  10 . The receiving pipe  112  is inserted into the third ventilation hole  103 . An end of  the receiving pipe  112  away from the clamping portion  111  abuts against a radial surface of the first flange  131 . 
     The one-way valve  120  is embedded into the mounting element  110  with the opening end  122  facing the second ventilation hole  102 . The one-way valve  120  covers the ventilation hole  100 , that is, the end of the opening end  122  on the one-way valve  120  abuts against the radial surface of the first flange  131 . In such a way, the airflow would further be prevented from flowing towards the battery assembly  2 , and meanwhile the tobacco oil in the liquid storage sponge  12  can also be prevented from leaking into the battery assembly  2  via the ventilation hole  100 . 
     More preferably, an inner wall surface of the valve pipe  121  and an inner wall surface of the atomization base  11  corresponding to the second ventilation hole  102  are coplanar along an axial direction, that is, the valve pipe  121  has an inner diameter which is equal to a diameter of the second ventilation hole  102 . In such a way, even if the valve pipe  121  has an axial length which is smaller than the diameter of the valve gate  123 , the valve gate  123  would not be blocked by other atomization components when the opening end  122  of the valve gate  123  is opened towards the valve pipe  121 . Accordingly, it can be opened completely. 
     In additional, the connection portion  114  is provided with symmetrical insertion holes  115  for inserting two conductive wires  14  of the heating wire for atomizing the tobacco oil. 
     It should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto by one skilled in the art based on the motivation of the present application, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application as described by the appended claims.