Patent Publication Number: US-2019191765-A1

Title: Battery assembly and electronic cigarette having same

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application NO. 201721824376.x filed on Dec. 22, 2017; the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to electronic cigarettes, in particular to a battery assembly and an electronic cigarette having the battery assembly. 
     BACK GROUND 
     An electronic cigarette is also known as “E-cigarette”, which functions as substitutes for quitting smoking or traditional cigarettes. The electronic cigarette has similar appearance with the traditional cigarette, and generates aerosol when it is inhaled by smokers. Even, the electronic cigarette has more various tastes than the traditional cigarette. The electronic cigarette quickly becomes more and more popular because that the electronic cigarette does not generate tar and is far safer than traditional cigarette. Typically, the electronic cigarette includes an atomizer and a battery assembly for powering the atomizer. The atomizer heats tobacco liquid stored in the atomizer to generate aerosol and the smokers can inhale aerosol like inhaling the traditional smoke. 
     The size of the traditional cigarette is large and it is inconvenience to carry. When more and more people use the electronic cigarette, and the development of the electronic cigarette, a mini electronic cigarette with a small size is produced. However, the mini electronic cigarette includes two parts of shell, and the two parts of the shell are combined together via screws to form an entire shell of the battery assembly. The screws are position outside of the shell. However, there will be a gap between the two parts of the shell and the screws are easily oxidized in air. 
     Therefore, there is room for improvement in the art. 
     SUMMARY 
     A battery assembly for an electronic cigarette, includes a housing, a limiting block, and an assembling board. The housing is integrally formed and has an opening. The housing defines a cavity communicating with the opening. The housing further includes an inner surface surrounding the cavity. The limiting block extends from the inner surface. The assembling board is inserted into the cavity from the opening and fixed in the limiting block for dividing the cavity into an assembling space and a plug space. The plug space communicates with the opening and accommodates an atomizer via the opening. The assembling space deviates from the opening, and receive one or more electronic components which electrically are electrically connected to the atomizer. 
    
    
     
       DRAWING 
       For a better understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure or the technical scheme in the prior art, accompanying drawings needed in the description of the embodiments or the prior art are simply illustrated below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the ordinary skill in the field, other accompanying drawings may be obtained according to the structure shown in these accompanying drawings without creative work. 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of an electronic cigarette having a battery assembly and an atomizer in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of a portion A shown in  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of a portion B shown in  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric explored view of the electronic cigarette shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric exploded view of the atomizer shown in  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric exploded view of the battery assembly shown in  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric exploded view of the atomizer viewed from another aspect in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a gasket of the battery assembly shown in  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric view of a pin of the battery assembly shown in  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the pin of the battery assembly shown in  FIG. 1  viewed from another aspect in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     SPECIFICATION 
     A clear and complete description as below is provided for the technical scheme in the embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the embodiments described hereinafter are simply part embodiments of the present disclosure, but all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by the ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present disclosure without creative work are intended to be included in the scope of protection of the present disclosure. 
     It should be noted that all directional indications (such as top, bottom, left, right, front, behind . . . ) in the embodiments of the present disclosure are merely to illustrate a relative position relation, a relative motion condition, etc. between each part in a certain state (for example, the state shown in the drawings). If the state changes, the directional indication changes accordingly. 
     In addition, if terms “first”, “second”, etc. appear in the present disclosure, they are merely for the purpose of description, but cannot be understood as the indication or implication of relative importance or as the implicit indication of the number of the designated technical features; therefore, features defined by “first” and “second” may specifically or implicitly include one or more such features. In the description of the present disclosure, unless otherwise stated, “a plurality of” means at least two, for example, two, three, etc. 
     In the present disclosure, unless otherwise specifically stated and defined, terms “connected”, “fixed”, etc. should be interpreted expansively. For example, “fixed” may be fixed connection, also may be detachable connection, or integration; may be mechanical connection, also may be electrical connection; may be direct connection, also may be indirect connection through an intermediate, and may be internal communication between two elements or interaction of two elements, unless otherwise specifically defined. The ordinary skill in this field can understand the specific implication of the above terms in the present disclosure according to specific conditions. 
     In addition, technical schemes of each embodiment of the present disclosure maybe combined mutually; however, this must be carried out on the basis that the or ordinary skill in this field can implement the combination. When the combination of technical schemes has a conflict or cannot be implemented, it should considered that such combination of technical schemes does not exist and is not in the scope of protection claimed by the present disclosure. 
     The present disclosure relates to a battery compartment for an electronic cigarette, aiming to solve the problem of tobacco oil leaking in structure in related art. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an electronic cigarette  1000  in accordance with an embodiment. The electronic cigarette  1000  includes a battery assembly  200  and an atomizer  100 . The battery assembly  200  is detachably mounted to the battery assembly  200 , and configured to power the atomizer  100 . The atomizer  100  is configured for storing tobacco liquid, and heating the tobacco liquid to generate aerosol. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 and 6 , the battery assembly  200  includes a housing  20 , an assembling board  40 , at least one fastening member  233 , and one or more electronic components  24 . The assembling board  40 , the at least one fastening member  233 , the one or more electronic components  24  are mounted in the housing  20 . The housing  20  is integrally formed, and defines an opening  25 , and a cavity  26  communicating with the opening  25 . The housing  20  further includes an inner surface  27  surrounding the cavity  26 , and a limiting block  23  protruding from the inner surface  27  and near the opening  25 . The assembling board  40  is inserted into the cavity  20  and fixed in the limiting block  23  via the at least one fastening member  233 , such that the cavity  20  is divided into a plug space  21  and an assembling space  22  via the limiting block  23 . The plug space  21  is configured to accommodate the atomizer  100 . The assembling space  22  is configured to accommodate the one or more components  24  and sealed by the assembling board  40 . In this embodiment, the housing  20  has an appearance similar to a shield shaped. In other embodiments, the housing  20  may has an appearance similar to but not limited to a cigarette. The assembling board  40  has an appearance fitting the cavity  26 . The assembling board  40  has a flat top surface  44  and a bottom surface  45  opposite to the top surface  44 . The assembling board  40  defines a fixing hole  43 . The fixing hole  43  is in a round-spoon shaped. The fixing hole  43  includes a round hole  430  and an oblong hole  432  communicating with the round hole  430 . The diameter of the round hole  430  is larger than the oblong hole  432 . Further, the battery assembly  200  further includes a sealing gasket  42 . The assembling board  40  defines a fixing groove  41  around the assembling board  40  for accommodating the sealing gasket  42 . The sealing gasket  42  protrudes from the assembling board  40 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , the battery assembly  200  further includes two contact pins  60 , two first magnetic elements  80 , a gasket  211 , a trigger  300 . The contact pins  60 , the first magnetic elements  80 , the gasket  211 , and the trigger  300  are fixed in the assembling board  40 . The shape of the gasket  211  matches the fixing hole  43  and the gasket  211  is accommodated in the fixing hole  43 . The gasket  211  defines a first engaging hole  2112 , two second engaging holes  2111 , an air guide hole  2114 , and includes two flanges  2113  around the second engaging holes  2111 . The air guide hole  2114  and the first engaging hole  2112  are respectively in accordance with to the round hole  430  and the oblong hole  432 . The first engaging hole  2112  is adjacent one end of the air guide hole  2114 . One of the second engaged hole  2111  is adjacent a center of the air guide hole  211 , the other one of the second engaged hole  2111  is adjacent to an end of the air guide hole  211  away from the first engaged hole  2112 . The gasket  211  is positioned in the fixing hole  43 , and a periphery wall of the gasket  211  is pressed by an inner sidewall surrounding the fixing hole  43 , the fixing hole  43  is thus firmly sealed by the gasket  211 . The trigger  300  is positioned in the first engaged hole  2112 . The contact pins  60  are respectively positioned in the second engaged holes  2111 . The trigger  300  and the contact pins  60  are then fixed in the assembling board  40 . In this embodiment, the contact pins  60  are elastic. The one or more electronic components  24  include a main circuit board  221 , a battery  242 , at least one light source  223 , and a connecter  222 . The main circuit board  221  is fixed in the bottom surface  45  of the assembling board  40 . The battery  242 , the at least one light source  223 , the connecter  222  are positioned in the main circuit board  221 . The main circuit board  221  is also electrically connected with the trigger  300  and the contact pins  60 . In this embodiment, the USB connector  222  can be a mini USB connector, a micro USB connector, a TYPE-C connector etc. 
     When the atomizer  100  is plugged into the plug space  21 , the contact pins  60  are elastically contacted to the atomizer  100 , such that the atomizer  100  is electrically connected to the main circuit board  221  via the contact pins  60 , and the battery  242  can supply power for the circuit board  221  to drive the atomizer  100 . It is understood that, the atomizer  100  can be stably and electrically connected to battery assembly  200  because of the elastic pins  60 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , in this embodiment, the fastening member  233  is a screw bolt. The limiting block  23  defines a mounting hole  231 , and has an engaging member  232  engaged with the fastening member  233 . In this embodiment, the engaging member  232  is a nut. It is easily to be understood that, the fastening member  233  and the engaging member  232  can also be other fastening mechanism which are engaged to secure together. The fastening member  233  extends through the assembling board  40  from the top surface to the bottom surface and is engaged with the engaging member  232  together. The assembling board  40  is thus fixed in the limiting block  23 . In other embodiments, the assembling board  40  is fixed to the limiting block  23  via adhesive without the fastening mechanism. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1, 5, and 7 , the atomizer  100  includes an atomizer module  30 , a shell  10  covers the atomizer module  30 , and a liquid chamber  90  forming between the shell  10  and the atomizer module  30 . One end of the atomizer module  30  is inserted into the plug space  21 , and an inlet passageway  400  is formed between the inner surface  27  and the shell  10  to allow air to flow into the atomizer  30 . The inlet passageway  400  is a gap between the shell  10  and inner surface  27 . The liquid chamber  90  is configured to store the tobacco liquid. When the atomizer  100  is inserted into the plug space  21 , the atomizer module  30  is electrically contacted the contact pins  60 , and the atomizer  100  is thus electronically connected to the battery assembly  200 . The atomizer module  30  heats the tobacco liquid to generate the aerosol when the atomizer  100  is powered. The trigger  300  is positioned in a position which the air can flow over from the inlet passageway  400 , and generates a control signal to control the battery assembly  200  to power the atomizer  100 . In this embodiment, the trigger  300  is a gas sensitivity sensor. 
     Referring  FIGS. 1, 5 and 7 , the atomizing module  30  includes an atomization base  31 , an atomization core  32 , an atomization casing  33 , an outlet pipe  34 , and a sealing element  70 . In this embodiment, the outlet pipe  34  and the atomization casing  33  are integrally formed. The outlet pipe  34  extends from the atomization casing  33 . The atomization core  32 , the atomization casing  33 , and the sealing element  70  are fixed in the atomization base  31 . The atomization casing  33  positioned at one side of the atomization base  31  away from the battery assembly  200 , and the outlet pipe  34  is away from the atomization base  31 . The atomization casing  33  further covers the atomization core  32  to form an atomizing chamber  35 . The sealing element  70  is positioned at the other side of the atomization base  31  facing the battery assembly  200 . The atomization base  31  and the shell  10  are combined together for receiving the atomization case  32  and forming the liquid chamber  90  among the atomization base  31 , the shell  10  and the atomization case  32 . 
     The atomization base  31  defines an inlet hole  311 , two pin holes  312  and two filling holes  313 . The inlet hole  311 , the pin holes  312  and the filling holes  313  are arranged in a straight line. The pin holes  312  are positioned at two sides of the inlet hole  311 . Each filling hole  313  is adjacent each pin hole  312  and away from the inlet hole  311 . The filling holes  313  communicate with the liquid chamber  90  and allow the liquid tobacco to be filled into the liquid chamber  90 . The inlet hole  311  communicates with the inlet passageway  400 . The atomization base  31  further extends a bracket  36  surrounding the inlet hole  311 . 
     The atomizing casing  33  is secured in the bracket  36 , and the atomizing chamber  35  is formed by the atomization base  31  together with the atomization case  33 . The atomizing chamber  35  communicates with the inlet hole  311  that the air can flow into the atomizing chamber  35 . The atomization casing  33  defines an outlet hole  331 , and at least one guide hole  332 . The outlet hole  311  communicates with the atomizing chamber  35  and the outlet pipe  34  that the air can flow out of the atomizer  200  only via the outlet pipe  34 . The guide hole  332  communicates with the liquid chamber  90  for allowing the liquid to flow into the atomization chamber  35 . 
     The sealing element  70  is movably secured in the atomizing base  31 . The sealing element  70  can seals and open the filing hole  313 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the atomization core  32  is positioned in the atomization chamber  35 , and fixed in the bracket  36 . The atomization core  32  is further blocked the guiding hole  322 , and the liquid can infiltrate into the atomization core  32 . A portion of the atomization core  32  further orderly extends through the seal element  70  and the atomization base  31 , and elastically contact to the contact pins  60 . The atomizer  100  is thus electrically connected to the battery assembly  200 . 
     The atomization core  32  includes a heating wire  321 , a guide rod (not shown) is twined by the heating wire  321 , and two contact terminals  322 . The heating wire  321  includes two ends electrically connected to two contact terminals  322 . The guide rod is made of cotton materials, each guide hole  332  is blocked by the guiding rod and the guiding rod is partially positioned in the atomization chamber  35 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7,9-10 , the two contact terminals  322  both extend through the sealing element  70 , and then extend through the atomization base  31  via the pin holes  312 . One end of each contact terminal  322  is inserted into the pin holes  312 , and defines a first inserting hole  3222  and facing the atomization core  32 . The two ends of the heating wire  321  are inserted into the inserting hole  3222  and electrically contact to the contact terminal  322 . The other end of each contact terminal  322  defines a second inserting hole  3223 . A size of the other end of each contact terminal  322  is larger than that of the pin hole  60 , the other end of each contact terminal  322  is thus positioned at a side facing the battery assembly  200 . The second inserting hole  3223  of each contact terminal  322  correspondingly faces each contact pins  60 , and accommodates the corresponding contact pins  60  for electrically contacting the corresponding contact pin  60 . 
     Each contact terminal  322  further forms a plurality of sealing rings  3221  surrounding the contact terminal  322  and arranged at intervals. One of the sealing rings  3221  is near the atomization base  31 . The sealing rings  3221  are in a raked stage shape. Each sealing ring  3221  protrudes from the contact terminal  322 , two opposite sides of each sealing ring  3221  are both circular ring plane, one side of the each sealing ring  3221  facing the atomization core  32  is larger than the other side. A side wall between the two opposite sides of each sealing ring  3221  is smoothly and gradually inclined from the one side toward the other side. Each contact terminal  322  is easily inserted though the sealing element  70  and the atomization base  31  because of the incline side wall of each sealing ring  3221 , and is firmly seal the pin holes  312  via the sealing rings. 
     The atomizer  100  further includes two second magnetic elements  50 . The second magnetic elements  50  are fixed in a side the atomization base  31  facing the battery assembly  200 . The second magnetic elements  50  are contracted by the first magnetic element  50  to enable the atomizer  100  to be firmly plugged into the plug space  21 . 
     The above are preferred embodiments of the present disclosure merely and are not intended to limit the patent scope of the present disclosure. Any equivalent structures made according to the description and the accompanying drawings of the present disclosure without departing from the idea of the present disclosure, or any equivalent structures applied in other relevant technical fields directly or indirectly are intended to be included in the patent protection scope of the present disclosure.