Patent Description:
In a process of suction and atomization of an electronic atomizing device, a continuous consumption of liquid will gradually accumulate a certain negative pressure in a liquid reservoir that stores the liquid. As the negative pressure continues to increase, the liquid will be difficult to be transported to an atomizing surface of a porous heating element for atomization, subjected to a capillary effect. Due to insufficient liquid supply, the electronic atomizing device generates scorching smell and other harmful substances, which in turn affects user's inhaling experience.

The present invention is defined in the independent claim. According to various embodiments, an electronic atomizing device including a ventilation valve is provided.

A ventilation valve configured to be mounted to a liquid reservoir of an electronic atomizing device includes: a valve sleeve connected to the liquid reservoir and provided with a through hole, the through hole in communication with a storage cavity of the liquid reservoir; and a valve element having air permeability and including an oleophobic material layer and adjacent to the storage cavity, and a semi-permeable membrane connected to an end of the oleophobic material layer away from the storage cavity, the oleophobic material layer filling at least a part of the through hole.

In one of the embodiments, in an axial direction of the through hole, a thickness of the oleophobic material layer is greater than a thickness of the semi-permeable membrane.

In one of the embodiments, the thickness of the oleophobic material layer ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>, and the thickness of the semi-permeable membrane ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>.

In one of the embodiments, a stepped portion is formed on an inner surface of the through hole. An end of the valve element abuts against the stepped portion.

The semi-permeable membrane is accommodated in the through hole.

In one of the embodiments, an end of the valve element adjacent to the storage cavity is lower than a top portion of the valve sleeve by a preset height difference.

In one of the embodiments, the valve element is provided with a plurality of air inlet channels. A diameter of each air inlet channel ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>.

In one of the embodiments, central axes of the air inlet channels are parallel with a central axis of the through hole.

In one of the embodiments, there is a preset distance from one end of the air inlet channel to an end surface of the valve element adjacent to the storage cavity. The other end of the air inlet channel extends through an end surface of the valve element away from the storage cavity.

In one of the embodiments, the ventilation valve further includes a dust filter provided at an end surface of the valve element away from the storage cavity; or further comprising a dust filter integrally formed with the semi-permeable membrane; the valve sleeve is made of silicone.

In one of the embodiments, the valve sleeve includes a main body fixed in the liquid reservoir and a flange portion connected to an end of the main body away from the storage cavity. The flange portion being configured to abut against the liquid reservoir.

In one of the embodiments, a plurality of protruding rings are provided on an outer surface of the valve sleeve. The plurality of protruding rings are spaced apart with an interval in an axial direction of the valve sleeve. The plurality of protruding rings are configured to be embedded in the liquid reservoir.

In one of the embodiments, the valve element includes a plurality of oleophobic material layers and a plurality of semi-permeable membranes that are alternately arranged in an axial direction of the through hole.

In one of the embodiments, each of the plurality of semi-permeable membranes is connected to an end surface of the respective oleophobic material layer away from the storage cavity.

A ventilation valve includes a valve sleeve; and a valve element having air permeability and comprising an oleophobic material layer, and a semi-permeable membrane connected to an end of the oleophobic material layer.

An electronic atomizing device includes a liquid reservoir having a storage cavity and the ventilation valve as described above. The liquid reservoir is provided with a mounting hole communicating with the storage cavity. The ventilation valve is received in the mounting hole.

Since the oleophobic material layer can fill at least a part of the through hole, the liquid in the storage cavity cannot leak out through the through hole and the valve element, the storage cavity can be effectively prevented from liquid leakage. Moreover, when the liquid in the storage cavity is gradually consumed because of the atomization, the air can enter the storage cavity through the valve element to fill a space released by the liquid in time, such that air pressure in the storage cavity is kept within a normal range. Due to the air pressure, the liquid in the storage cavity can be smoothly supplied to the atomizing core of the electronic atomizing device for atomization, to ensure that the atomizing core can always obtain enough liquid during the atomizing process, so as to avoid scorching caused by the insufficient liquid supply.

For the convenience of understanding of the present disclosure, the present disclosure will be described more fully with reference to related drawings. However, the present disclosure can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In contrast, providing these embodiments is to providing a fully and thoroughly understanding of the disclosure of the present disclosure.

It should be noted that when an element is referred as to be "fixed" to another element, it can be directly on another element or there may be an intermediate element therebetween. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected to another element or there may be an intermediate element therebetween at the same time. The terms "inner", "outer", "left", "right" and the like used herein are for illustration only and are not meant to be the only embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic atomizing device according to an embodiment includes a ventilation valve <NUM> and a liquid reservoir <NUM>. The liquid reservoir <NUM> is provided with a storage cavity <NUM> therein. The storage cavity <NUM> is used to store liquid, which is capable of generating an aerosol gel. The storage cavity <NUM> can supply liquid to an atomizing core (not shown) of the electronic atomizing device. The atomizing core may have a porous ceramic structure. Subjected to a capillary effect, the atomizing core absorbs the liquid in the storage cavity <NUM> and atomize it to aerosol gel for the user to inhale.

Referring to <FIG>, in some embodiments, the liquid reservoir <NUM> is provided with a mounting hole <NUM> at a bottom portion thereof. The mounting hole <NUM> is a through hole and communicates with the storage cavity <NUM>. A plurality of circular grooves <NUM> are formed on a sidewall of the mounting hole <NUM>. The plurality of circular grooves <NUM> are spaced apart with an interval in an axial direction of the mounting hole <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the ventilation valve <NUM> includes a valve sleeve <NUM> and a valve element <NUM>. The valve sleeve <NUM> is provided with a through hole <NUM>. When the valve sleeve <NUM> is received in the mounting hole <NUM> of the liquid reservoir <NUM>, the through hole <NUM> is in fluid communication with the storage cavity <NUM> of the liquid reservoir <NUM>.

The valve sleeve <NUM> may be made of silicone, which has a good sealing effect. The valve sleeve <NUM> includes a main body <NUM> and a flange portion <NUM>. The main body <NUM> is fixed in the mounting hole <NUM>, and the flange portion <NUM> is provided at an end of the main body <NUM> away from the storage cavity <NUM>. A plurality of protruding rings <NUM> corresponding to the circular grooves <NUM> are provided on an out surface of the main body150. The plurality of protruding rings <NUM> are spaced apart with an interval in the axial direction of the valve sleeve <NUM>. The plurality of protruding rings <NUM> can be embedded in the plurality of circular grooves <NUM> of the liquid reservoir <NUM>. For example, when the main body <NUM> is received in mounting hole <NUM>, each protruding ring <NUM> is embedded in a corresponding circular groove <NUM>. As such, the connection strength between the valve sleeve <NUM> and the liquid reservoir <NUM> can be enhanced, while the sealing property of the main body <NUM> and the protruding ring <NUM> with respect to the mounting hole <NUM> can be ensured, thereby preventing the liquid from leaking out from the mounting hole <NUM>. The flange portion <NUM> may extend in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the main body <NUM>. When the main body <NUM> is mounted in the mounting hole <NUM>, the flange portion <NUM> can abut against a bottom surface of the liquid reservoir <NUM>. In fact, the flange portion <NUM> has a position limiting effect on the entire valve sleeve <NUM> when it is mounted, thereby improving the mounting accuracy of the valve sleeve <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a stepped portion <NUM> is formed on a portion of an inner surface of the through hole <NUM>. Accordingly, the through hole <NUM> is composed of a first hole <NUM> and a second hole <NUM> that are arranged coaxially. A diameter of the first hole <NUM> is greater than a diameter of the second hole <NUM>, and a bottom wall of the first hole <NUM> constitutes the stepped portion <NUM>. An end of the valve element <NUM> may abut against the stepped portion <NUM>, such that the stepped portion <NUM> has a good positioning effect on the valve element <NUM> and improves the mounting accuracy of the valve element <NUM> when mounting the valve element <NUM>. Moreover, the valve element <NUM> is prevented from loosening and escaping from the through hole <NUM>.

The valve element <NUM> is used to block the through hole <NUM>. The valve element <NUM> has both of good liquid isolation property and air permeability. In other words, the valve element <NUM> can prevent the liquid from leaking while allowing air to pass through. Due to the valve element <NUM>, the liquid in the storage cavity <NUM> cannot leak out through a gap between the valve element <NUM> and the valve sleeve <NUM>, and the liquid cannot leak out from a surface of the valve element <NUM> by infiltrating into the valve element <NUM>. Therefore, the valve element <NUM> can, on one hand, prevent the storage cavity <NUM> from liquid leakage, on the other hand and more importantly, when the liquid in the storage cavity <NUM> is gradually consumed, the air can enter the storage cavity <NUM> through the valve element <NUM> to fill the space released by the liquid in time, such that air pressure in the storage cavity <NUM> is kept within a normal range. Due to the normal air pressure, the liquid in the storage cavity <NUM> can be smoothly supplied to the atomizing core, such that the atomizing core can always obtain enough liquid during the atomizing process, so as to avoid scorching caused by the insufficient liquid supply.

Referring to <FIG>, the valve element <NUM> includes an oleophobic material layer <NUM> and a semi-permeable membrane <NUM> connected to an end of the oleophobic material layer <NUM>. The oleophobic material layer <NUM> fills at least a part of the through hole <NUM>. Specifically, when a thickness of the oleophobic material layer <NUM> in an axial direction of the through hole <NUM> is less than a length of the through hole <NUM>, the oleophobic material layer <NUM> fills a part of the through hole <NUM>; when the thickness of the oleophobic material layer <NUM> in the axial direction of the through hole <NUM> is equal to the length of the through hole <NUM>, the oleophobic material layer <NUM> can fill the entire through hole <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in one embodiment, the thickness of the oleophobic material layer <NUM> is less than the length of the through hole <NUM>, such that an end of the valve element <NUM> adjacent to the storage cavity <NUM> may be lower than a top portion of the valve sleeve <NUM> by a preset height difference L. A space defined by the preset height distance L can effectively increase an air storage space of the storage cavity <NUM>, such that the air pressure in the storage cavity <NUM> can be kept within a normal range. In other embodiments, referring to <FIG>, a top surface of the oleophobic material layer <NUM> may also be coplanar with the end of the valve sleeve <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the oleophobic material layer <NUM> may be made of a rigid material, that is, the oleophobic material layer <NUM> has a certain deformation resistance, thereby enhancing the structural strength of the entire ventilation valve <NUM>. The oleophobic material layer <NUM> may also form an interference fit with the through hole <NUM>, such that the oleophobic material layer <NUM> is always in a firm contact with an inner surface of the through hole <NUM>, so as to ensure that a good sealing effect is formed between the oleophobic material layer <NUM> and the through hole <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the oleophobic material layer <NUM> may be made of an organic material, such as polyvinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, and polypropylene. The oleophobic material layer <NUM> may also be made of inorganic material, such as alumina after hydrophobic treatment, diatomaceous earth, silica or the like. The oleophobic material layer <NUM> may also be made of a composite of both organic material and inorganic material. When the oleophobic material layer <NUM> is made of the aforementioned material, it can exhibit good oleophobicity (i.e., tending to repel oil). When the oleophobic material layer <NUM> is in direct contact with the liquid in the storage cavity <NUM>, the liquid cannot infiltrate into the oleophobic material layer <NUM> and leaks out from a surface of the oleophobic material layer <NUM>, thereby preventing the liquid from leaking out from the storage cavity <NUM>. Meanwhile, there are a large number of air-permeable micropores in the oleophobic material layer <NUM>, such that the oleophobic material layer <NUM> has good air permeability, and air can enter the storage cavity <NUM> through the oleophobic material layer <NUM>, such that air pressure in the storage cavity <NUM> is always kept within the normal range, thus ensuring that the liquid in the storage cavity <NUM> can be smoothly supplied to the atomizing core. In some embodiments, diameters of the air-permeable micropores may range from <NUM> to <NUM>. For example, the diameter of the air-permeable micropores may be <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or the like.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the semi-permeable membrane <NUM> is provided on an end of the oleophobic material layer <NUM> away from the storage cavity <NUM>. For example, the semi-permeable membrane <NUM> and the oleophobic material layer <NUM> are laminated, or the semi-permeable membrane <NUM> may be embedded in the oleophobic material layer <NUM>. The semi-permeable membrane <NUM> may be made of materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene and polyvinylidene fluoride, such that the semi-permeable membrane <NUM> also has good oleophobicity. Therefore, the liquid cannot infiltrate into the semi-permeable membrane <NUM> and leaks out from a surface of the semi-permeable membrane <NUM>, so as to prevent the liquid from leaking out from the storage cavity <NUM>. Due to the semi-permeable membrane <NUM>, another barrier for preventing the liquid leakage is provided, which can further improve the liquid isolation property of the entire valve element <NUM>. In addition, the oleophobicity of the semi-permeable membrane <NUM> may be greater than that of the oleophobic material layer <NUM>, so as to further ensure the liquid isolation property of the entire valve element <NUM>. Moreover, the semi-permeable membrane <NUM> may also has air-permeable micropores. The average diameter of the air-permeable micropores may be less than the average diameter of the air-permeable micropores in the oleophobic material layer <NUM>. For example, the average diameter of the air-permeable micropores in the semi-permeable membrane <NUM> may range from <NUM> to <NUM>, such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or the like, such that the semi-permeable membrane <NUM> has good air permeability. Therefore, the air can enter the storage cavity <NUM> by passing through the semi-permeable membrane <NUM> and the oleophobic material layer <NUM> in sequence, such that air pressure in the storage cavity <NUM> is always kept within a normal range, so as to ensure that the liquid in the storage cavity <NUM> can be smoothly supplied to the atomizing core.

Referring to <FIG>, in the axial direction of the through hole <NUM>, the thickness H of the oleophobic material layer <NUM> may range from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, for example, may specifically be <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or the like. The thickness h of the semi-permeable membrane <NUM> may range from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, for example, may specifically be <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or the like. Since the thickness H of the oleophobic material layer <NUM> is greater than the thickness h of the semi-permeable membrane <NUM>, the thickness of the semi-permeable membrane <NUM> can be kept within the normal range on the basis of ensuring liquid isolation property and air permeability, such that the semi-permeable membrane <NUM> will not occupy too much mounting space, so as to ensure a more compact structure of the valve element <NUM> and even the entire ventilation valve <NUM>. The semi-permeable membrane <NUM> is entirely accommodated in the through hole <NUM>, which makes full use of the existing space of the through hole <NUM>, and can also ensure that the compactness of the valve element <NUM> and the ventilation valve <NUM>. The oleophobic material layer <NUM> is also entirely accommodated in the through hole <NUM>. By accommodating both of the semi-permeable membrane <NUM> and the oleophobic material layer <NUM> entirely in the through hole <NUM>, both of them can be well protected by the valve sleeve <NUM>.

In an alternative embodiment, the valve element <NUM> may include a plurality of oleophobic material layers <NUM> and a plurality of semi-permeable membranes <NUM> that are alternately arranged in the axial direction of the through hole <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, in the illustrated embodiment, three semi-permeable membranes <NUM> and three oleophobic material layers <NUM> are provided, which are alternately laminated on one another in the axial direction of the through hole <NUM>. The semi-permeable membranes <NUM> on the topmost is in contact with the liquid in the storage cavity <NUM>, and the semi-permeable membranes <NUM> on the lowermost is in contact with a dust filter <NUM>. Through alternately arranging the oleophobic material layers <NUM> and the semi-permeable membranes <NUM> in sequence, the liquid isolation property and air permeability throughout the valve element <NUM> can be enhanced.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> again, in some embodiments, the ventilation valve <NUM> further includes a dust filter <NUM> connected to the valve element <NUM>. The dust filter <NUM> is partially accommodated in the through hole <NUM>. The dust filter <NUM> has good air permeability due to its large pore diameter, and air can pass through the dust filter <NUM> and enter the storage cavity <NUM> via the valve element <NUM>. The dust filter <NUM> is located at the end surface of the valve element <NUM> away from the storage cavity <NUM>. For example, the dust filter <NUM> is connected to the end surface of the semi-permeable membrane <NUM> away from the storage cavity <NUM>. The dust filter <NUM> can prevent large particles of dust and impurities from entering the valve element <NUM>, so as to prevent the dust and impurities from weakening the air permeability of the valve element <NUM>. The dust filter <NUM> may be made of polymer material or metal material. In one embodiment, the dust filter <NUM> may be integrally formed with the semi-permeable membrane <NUM>. In other embodiments, the dust filter <NUM> may be integrally formed with the valve sleeve <NUM>. In that case, the dust filter <NUM> may be made of silicone.

Referring to <FIG>, in an alternative embodiment, the oleophobic material layer <NUM> may be provided with a plurality of air inlet channels <NUM>. The air inlet channel <NUM> may not penetrate an end surface of the oleophobic material layer <NUM> adjacent to the storage cavity <NUM>. That is, there is a preset distance from a top end of the air inlet channel <NUM> to the end surface of the oleophobic material layer <NUM>, so as to prevent the liquid from entering the air inlet channel <NUM>, thus ensuring the liquid isolation property of the oleophobic material layer <NUM>. A diameter of the air inlet channel <NUM> may be greater than the diameter of the air-permeable micropore of the oleophobic material layer <NUM>. For example, the diameter of each air inlet channel <NUM> may range from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, which may specifically be <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or the like. Through the provision of the air inlet channel <NUM>, a large amount of air can flow into the air inlet channel <NUM> first, and then enter the air-permeable micropores from the air inlet channel <NUM> to quickly diffuse into the storage cavity <NUM>. Therefore, the air inlet channel <NUM> can significantly increase the speed of the air entering the storage cavity <NUM>, ensuring that the storage cavity <NUM> can be quickly replenished with air and the air pressure therein is timely kept within the normal range. Central axes of the air inlet channels <NUM> may also be parallel with a central axis of the through hole <NUM>, such that the air can enter the storage cavity <NUM> through the shortest diffusion path, which further increases the speed of the air entering the storage cavity <NUM>. The air inlet channel <NUM> extends from an end away from the storage cavity <NUM> in a direction towards the storage cavity <NUM> but does not communicate with the storage cavity <NUM>. The depth of the air inlet channel <NUM> may be greater than <NUM>% but less than <NUM>% of the thickness of the oleophobic material layer <NUM>, thus ensuring better air permeability and higher mechanical strength of the oleophobic material layer <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An electronic atomizing device, comprising:
a liquid reservoir (<NUM>) having a storage cavity (<NUM>), the liquid reservoir (<NUM>) being provided with a mounting hole (<NUM>) that communicates with the storage cavity (<NUM>);
ventilation valve (<NUM>) comprising:
a valve sleeve (<NUM>) received in the mounting hole (<NUM>) and provided with a through hole (<NUM>) in communication with the storage cavity (<NUM>) of the liquid reservoir (<NUM>); and
a valve element (<NUM>) having air permeability and comprising an oleophobic material layer (<NUM>) adjacent to the storage cavity (<NUM>), and a semi-permeable membrane (<NUM>) connected to an end of the oleophobic material layer (<NUM>) away from the storage cavity (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the oleophobic material layer (<NUM>) and the semi-permeable membrane (<NUM>) are accommodated in the through hole (<NUM>).