Patent Publication Number: US-2016219935-A1

Title: Atomizer and electronic cigarette with same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. §119 from China Patent Application No. 201510054168.5, filed on Feb. 2, 2015 in the China Intellectual Property Office, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. This application is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. §120 of international patent application PCT/CN2015/075361 filed Mar. 30, 2015. 
     FIELD 
     The subject matter herein generally relates to electronic cigarette technology, and particularly to an atomizer and an electronic cigarette with the atomizer. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The electronic cigarette, also known as virtual cigarette, electronic atomizer, and electronic cigar, has the same appearance and similar taste as that of an ordinary cigarette. The electronic cigarette is used to simulate the feeling of smoking, so as to facilitate a smoker to quit smoking or use it as an alternative to the ordinary cigarette. 
     An atomizer is a part of the electronic cigarette. There are mainly two ways of liquid injection for the atomizer currently on the market: crestal liquid injection and basal liquid injection. By the crestal liquid injection, it is usually required to open the top cover of the atomizer or remove the atomizer from the electronic cigarette so as to expose the injection port for injecting liquid. Due to the communication between the liquid storage chamber and the atomizing chamber and the specified hydraulic pressure difference therebetween, the pressure generated during the crestal liquid injection tends to cause the cigarette liquid pass through the cigarette liquid chamber and the liquid inlet and flow into the atomizing chamber, resulting in the atomizer leakage. On the other hand, the operation of the basal liquid injection is troublesome, which requires to invert the electronic cigarette and open the base for liquid injection. Since the base is connected to the atomizer by screw thread, cigarette liquid are likely to spill from the thread connection part. Both the two ways may lead to complicated operation of the liquid injection of the atomizer, and the difficulty to clean the atomizer and/or the electronic cigarette. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures. 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view an atomizer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the atomizer in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded, isometric view of the atomizer in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of an atomizer of an alternative embodiment in an injecting state. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the atomizer in  FIG. 4  in a closed state. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of an atomizer of another alternative embodiment in an injecting state. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the atomizer in  FIG. 6  in a closed state. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of an atomizer of an additional alternative embodiment in a closed state. 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of a circled part IX in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of the atomizer in  FIG. 6  in an injecting state. 
         FIG. 11  is an isometric view of an electronic cigarette according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of the present disclosure. 
     Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now be presented. 
     The term “coupled” is defined as connected, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarily limited to physical connections. The connection can be such that the objects are permanently connected or releasably connected. The term “comprising,” when utilized, means “including, but not necessarily limited to”; it specifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in the so-described combination, group, series and the like. 
     When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. 
     Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may be abbreviated as “/”. 
     The present disclosure is described in relation to an atomizer. The atomizer can include an atomizing pipe, a liquid storage chamber and a liquid retainer. The atomizing pipe can include an injection port in a sidewall thereof. The liquid storage chamber is defined in the atomizing pipe. The liquid retainer is movably coupled to the atomizing pipe. The liquid retainer is movable relative to the atomizing pipe to adjust states of the injection port relative to an external environment, the liquid retainer is transitionable between: (i) a first configuration in which the liquid retainer covers the injection port, the injection port is not in communication with the external environment, and (ii) a second configuration in which the liquid retainer exposes the injection port to the external environment, the injection port is in communication with the external environment. 
     The present disclosure is described further in relation to an electronic cigarette. The electronic cigarette can include a cigarette holder and an atomizer coupled to the cigarette holder. The atomizer can include an atomizing pipe, a liquid storage chamber and a liquid retainer. The atomizing pipe can include an injection port in a sidewall thereof. The liquid storage chamber is defined in the atomizing pipe. The liquid retainer is movably coupled to the atomizing pipe. The liquid retainer is movable relative to the atomizing pipe to adjust states of the injection port relative to an external environment, the liquid retainer is transitionable between: (i) a first configuration in which the liquid retainer covers the injection port, the injection port is not in communication with the external environment, and (ii) a second configuration in which the liquid retainer exposes the injection port to the external environment, the injection port is in communication with the external environment. 
       FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  illustrate an atomizer  100  of an embodiment of the present disclosure. The atomizer  100  can include a top cover  120 , a liquid retainer  130 , a liquid storage chamber  160 , an atomizing pipe  170 , an atomizing unit  180  and a base  190 . The atomizing pipe  170  has two opposite ends thereof coupled to the top cover  120  and the base  190 , respectively. The liquid storage chamber  160  is defined in the atomizing pipe  170 . The atomizing unit  180  is located in the atomizing pipe  170 . The liquid retainer  130  can be movably coupled to the atomizing pipe  170 . The atomizing unit  180  is positioned at one end of the base  190 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates that the atomizing pipe  170  includes an injection port  171  in a sidewall thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewall of the atomizing pipe  170  is in a shape of cylinder. The injection port  171  communicates an interior of the atomizing pipe  170  and an external environment outside the injection port  171 . The injection port  171  is in communication with the liquid storage chamber  160 . The injection port  171  is configured to inject cigarette liquid into the atomizing pipe  170  by a user. 
     The liquid retainer  130  is movable relative to the atomizing pipe  170  to adjust states of the injection port  171  relative to the external environment. The liquid retainer  130  is changeable between: (i) a first configuration in which the liquid retainer  130  covers the injection port  171 , the injection port  171  is not in communication with the external environment, the atomizer  100  is in a closed state, and (ii) a second configuration in which the liquid retainer  130  exposes the injection port  171  to the external environment, the injection port  171  is in communication with the external environment, the atomizer  100  is in an injecting state. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid retainer  130  can move on the atomizing pipe  170  along an axial direction of the atomizing pipe  170  by limitation of the top cover  120  and/or the base  190 . In at least one alternative embodiment, movements of the liquid retainer  130  on the atomizing pipe  170  can be limited by other ways, as long as it is convenient for injection and avoiding liquid leakage. 
     The liquid retainer  130  includes an injection window  131  capable of being in communication with the injection port  171 . When the liquid retainer  130  is in the first configuration, the injection window  131  is not in communication with the injection port  171 . When the liquid retainer  130  is in the second configuration, the injection window  131  is in communication with the injection port  171 , the injection port  171  is exposed to the external environment via the injection window  131 . 
     A size of the injection window  131  may be larger, smaller or equal to a size of the injection port  171 . In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid retainer  130  may be a liquid retaining ring rotatably sleeved on the atomizing pipe  170 . The injection port  171  and the injection window  131  may be superposed with each other, and the injection port  171  may be in communication with the external environment, by rotating the liquid retainer  130  (which may drive the injection window  131  thereof to rotate) relative to the atomizing pipe  170 , to realize side injection of the cigarette liquid into the atomizing pipe  170  from the sidewall of atomizing pipe  170 . In at least one embodiment, when rotating the liquid retainer  130  relative to the atomizing pipe  170 , if the injection port  171  is covered by the liquid retainer  130 , the atomizer  100  is in the closed state, and if the injection window  131  and the injection port  171  are superposed, the atomizer  100  is in an injecting state to be injected cigarette liquid therein. 
     The atomizing pipe  170  can define a sealing groove  172  in an external face of the sidewall thereof. The sealing groove  172  is configured to receive a sealing element  150  therein. In at least one embodiment, the atomizing pipe  170  can define two sealing grooves  172  in the external face of the sidewall thereof. The two sealing grooves  172  are located at two opposite sides of the injection port  171 . Two sealing elements  150  are received in the two sealing grooves  172  respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, each sealing groove  172  and each sealing element  150  are annular in the sidewall of the atomizing pipe  170 . The injection port  171  is located between the two sealing elements  150 . Each sealing element  150  is located between the atomizing pipe  170  and the liquid retainer  130 . The sealing element  150  is configured to seal the atomizer  100  to prevent the cigarette liquid in the liquid storage chamber  160  from spilling from the liquid storage chamber  160  when the atomizer  100  is in the closed state. Material of the sealing element  150  may be silicone, rubber or others. 
     The atomizer  100  can further include a stopper  132  configured to detachably hold the liquid retainer  130  to the atomizing pipe  170 , to prevent the user from turning the liquid retainer  130  to the injecting state which may cause the cigarette liquid in the liquid storage chamber  160  spill out. In the illustrated embodiment, the stopper  132  is coupled to an inner wall of the liquid retainer  130 . The external face of the sidewall of the atomizing pipe  170  further defines a limiting groove  177  configured to match the stopper  132 . The stopper  132  may be an elastic element. In at least one embodiment, when the user turn the liquid retainer  130  to drive the stopper  132  to slide into the limiting groove  177 , the liquid retainer  130  may be clamped to the atomizing pipe  170  to prevent the user from turning the liquid retainer  130  to the injecting state. In at least one alternative embodiment, when the stopper  132  is held in the limiting groove  177 , the atomizer  100  is in the injecting state, and when the stopper  132  is removed from the limiting groove  177 , the atomizer  100  is in the closed state. 
     In at least one alternative embodiment, the stopper  132  may be coupled to the atomizing pipe  170 , and the limiting groove  177  may be defined in the liquid retainer  130 . However, the implementation is not limited to these embodiments. 
     Further, the atomizing pipe  170  can include a first pipe  173  and a second pipe  175  coupled to the first pipe  173 . The second pipe  175  can have a diameter larger than that of the first pipe  173 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the injection port  171 , the sealing grooves  172  and the limiting groove  177  are defined in the first pipe  173 . Material of the first pipe  173  may be metal. Material of the second pipe  175  may be translucent material, such as plastics or glass. 
     It can be understood that the first pipe  173  and the second pipe  175  may be made of the same material, and may be also made of different materials and not limited to these embodiments. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid retainer  130  is sleeved on the first pipe  173 . The liquid retainer  130  has one portion thereof coupled to the first pipe  173 , and another portion thereof coupled to the second pipe  175 . 
     It can be understood that the atomizing pipe  170  can be integrally molded, or formed of two components detachably or non-detachably coupled together. 
     The atomizer  100  further includes a gas outlet pipe  200  received in the atomizing pipe  170  and communicating with the liquid storage chamber  160 . The gas outlet pipe  200  has one end thereof coupled to the top cover  120 , and the other end thereof coupled to the base  190 . The gas outlet pipe  200  defines a atomizing chamber  210  therein. The atomizing unit  180  is located in the atomizing chamber  210 . When the cigarette liquid in the liquid storage chamber  160  flows into the atomizing chamber  210  through a liquid access port in the gas outlet pipe  200 , the cigarette liquid may be absorbed by delivery cotton of the atomizing unit  180 , and be atomized by a heating element of the atomizing unit  180 . 
     During the liquid injection of the atomizer  100  according to the present disclosure, none of the following operations are required: for example, opening the top cover  120 , disassembling the atomizer  100  from the electronic cigarette, or opening the base  190 . The liquid injection of the atomizer  100  according to the present disclosure is simple and convenient. Further, there is no pressure generated upon the cigarette liquid in the liquid storage chamber  160  to cause the cigarette liquid flow towards the atomizing chamber  210 , and there is no cigarette liquid spilling from the injection port  171 . Thus, the present disclosure has effectively solved the problems in the prior art: the crestal liquid injection may easily generate a pressure upon the cigarette liquid in the liquid storage chamber  160  by the cigarette liquid flow towards the atomizing chamber  210 , which causes leakage of the atomizer  100 , whilst the basal liquid injection is troublesome in operation, easy to cause cigarette liquid spilling out and hard to clean the remained cigarette liquid in the atomizer. 
       FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  illustrate that, in at least one alternative embodiment, the liquid retainer  130  is a liquid retaining block coupled on the atomizing pipe  170 . One end of the liquid retainer  130  can be rotatably coupled to the atomizing pipe  170  by a pivot  400 , and the other end of the liquid retainer  130  can be detachably locked on the atomizing pipe  170 . When the other end of the liquid retainer  130  is detached from the atomizing pipe  170 , the injection port  171  may be in communication with the external environment by rotating the liquid retainer  130  relative to the atomizing pipe  170 , such that the liquid injection is possible. 
       FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  illustrate that, in at least one alternative embodiment, the liquid retainer  130  may be a liquid retaining ring vertically movably sleeved on the atomizing pipe  170 . One end of the liquid retainer  130  is coupled to an elastic element  500  which is coupled to the atomizing pipe  170  or the top cover  120 . When the liquid retainer  130  moves toward the elastic element  500  along an axis direction of the atomizing pipe  170 , the cigarette liquid is injectable once the injection port  171  of the atomizing pipe  170  and the injection window  131  on the liquid retainer  130  are superposed. By a reverse operation, the liquid retainer  130  can return to its initial position, and the atomizer  100  is in closed state. 
     In at least one alternative embodiment, a top, bottom, left or right side of the injection port  171  of the atomizing pipe  170  is provided with a guiding groove. The liquid retainer  130  is slidably received in the guiding groove to realize vertical or horizontal movements.  FIG. 8  through  FIG. 10  illustrate that the top side of the injection port  171  of the atomizing pipe  170  is provided with a guiding groove  174 . The liquid retainer  130  is a liquid retaining block. The liquid retainer  130  is slidably received in the guiding groove  174  to realize the vertical movements. If the user moves the liquid retainer  130  to communicate the atomizing pipe  170  with the external environment, the atomizer  100  is in a state to be injected; otherwise the atomizer  100  is in a closed state. 
     It should be understood that, the liquid retainer  130  is not limited to a liquid retaining ring in other embodiments, and the liquid retainer  130  can be the liquid retaining block of other shapes, such as in a shape of half ring, strip or sector. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates that the present disclosure also provides an electronic cigarette  300  including the above atomizer  100 . The electronic cigarette  300  further includes a cigarette holder  310  coupled to the top cover  120 , and a battery pack  320  electrically coupled to the atomizer  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cigarette holder  310  has one end thereof inserted into the top cover  120 . 
     The embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, including in matters of shape, size and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present disclosure up to, and including, the full extent established by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the claims.