Patent Description:
Electronic atomizing device generally includes an atomizer and a power supply. The power supply supplies power to the atomizer. The atomizer converts electrical energy into heat to atomize the liquid to form an aerosol that can be inhaled by the user. When the aerosol is inhaled at a nozzle at an end of an inhaling passage of the atomizer, the user may sometimes inhale the liquid from the inhaling passage. In addition, during transportation or storage of the electronic atomizing device, the atomizer may be inverted or tilted, such that the nozzle faces downward, causing the liquid in the inhaling passage to leak out of the atomizer via the nozzle. Known devices are disclosed in, for example, documents <CIT> and <CIT>.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the present application provides an atomizer and an electronic atomizing device including the same.

The invention relates to an atomizer including a top cover assembly provided with a guiding passage as set out in claim <NUM>.

An electronic atomizing device includes a power supply and the atomizer electrically connected to the power supply.

Details of one or more embodiments of the present application will be given in the following description and attached drawings. Other features, objects and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description, drawings, and claims.

In order to facilitate the understanding of the present application, the present application will be described in a more comprehensive manner with reference to the relevant drawings. Exemplary embodiments of the present application are shown in the drawings. However, the present application can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the application of the present application more thorough and comprehensive.

It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on another element or an intermediate element may also be present. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to another element or an intermediate element may be present at the same time. Terms "inner", "outer", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only, and do not mean that they are the only embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, an electronic atomizing device according to an embodiment of the present application includes an atomizer <NUM> and a power supply (not labeled). The atomizer <NUM> is detachably and electrically connected to the power supply. In other embodiments, the atomizer <NUM> and the power supply can also be packaged in the same housing, and cannot be detached from each other. The power supply can supply power to the atomizer <NUM>. The atomizer <NUM> converts electrical power into heat, so as to atomize liquid in the atomizer <NUM> to form an aerosol that can be inhaled by the user. The liquids can be e-liquid and other aerosol generating substrates.

The atomizer <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, a top cover assembly <NUM>, a sealing member <NUM>, a flow guiding member <NUM>, a base <NUM>, an atomizing core <NUM>, and a liquid absorbing member <NUM>. In other embodiments, components such as the flow guiding member <NUM> and the base <NUM> of the atomizer <NUM> can be omitted as needed, and which are not limited herein.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the housing <NUM> includes a shell <NUM> and a central post <NUM>. The central post <NUM> is connected to the housing <NUM> and is located in a cavity enclosed by the shell <NUM>. The central post <NUM> is provided with an inhaling hole <NUM> therein. An upper end of the inhaling hole <NUM> forms a nozzle 121a. The nozzle 121a is in a direct fluid communication with an outside atmosphere, thus the user can inhale the aerosol at the nozzle 121a. The central post <NUM> includes a tip portion <NUM> provided away from the nozzle 121a. A cross-sectional size of the tip portion <NUM> gradually decreases in a direction from top to bottom, such that the tip portion <NUM> is substantially frustum-shaped. The central post <NUM> has a second inner surface <NUM> that defines a boundary of the inhaling hole <NUM>. The second inner surface <NUM> is recessed to form a receiving groove 122a. The receiving groove 122a extends along a central axis of the inhaling hole <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the top cover assembly <NUM> is provided in the cavity enclosed by the shell <NUM>. The top cover assembly <NUM> includes a heating top cover <NUM> and a blocking portion <NUM>. The blocking portion <NUM> is sleeved on the heating top cover <NUM>. The blocking portion <NUM> and the housing <NUM> cooperatively enclose a liquid reservoir for storing the liquid. The heating top cover <NUM> is provided with an air guiding hole <NUM> and a guiding passage <NUM>. A lower end of the central post <NUM> is inserted into the air guiding hole <NUM>, and the central post <NUM> and the air guiding hole <NUM> can be in an interference fit. The tip portion <NUM> is located in the air guiding hole <NUM>, such that the inhaling hole <NUM> and the air guiding hole <NUM> are coaxially arranged. In addition, the inhaling hole <NUM> and the air guiding hole <NUM> cooperatively form an inhaling passage <NUM>. A central axis of the inhaling passage <NUM> extends in the vertical direction. The top cover assembly <NUM> has a first inner surface 211a that defines a boundary of the air guiding hole <NUM>. The other portion of the central post <NUM> abuts against the first inner surface 211a, such that the central post <NUM> and the air guiding hole <NUM> are in an interference fit. The tip portion <NUM> of the center post <NUM> and the first inner surface 211a are spaced apart from each other along a direction perpendicular to a central axis of the air guiding hole <NUM>, such that an annular gap <NUM> is formed between the tip portion <NUM> and the first inner surface 211a.

Referring to <FIG>, and <FIG>, the heating top cover <NUM> has an inner wall surface <NUM> and an outer wall surface <NUM>. The blocking portion <NUM> is sleeved on the outer wall surface <NUM>. The inner wall surface <NUM> defines the boundary of the guiding passage <NUM>. The guiding passage <NUM> extends through the outer wall surface <NUM> and the first inner surface 211a, such that the guiding passage <NUM> is in a direct fluid communication with the air guiding hole <NUM>. That is, the air guiding hole <NUM> is in fluid communication between the guiding passage <NUM> and the inhaling hole <NUM>. The inner wall surface <NUM> includes an inner sidewall surface 213a and an inner top wall surface 213b. Two inner sidewall surfaces 213a are provided, which are arranged opposite to each other. The inner top wall surface 213b is connected between the two inner sidewall surfaces 213a, such that the two inner sidewall surfaces 213a are both located on the same side (i.e., the lower side) of the inner top wall surface 213b. The inner sidewall surface 213a is parallel to the central axis of the inhaling passage <NUM>, and the inner top wall surface 213b is perpendicular to the central axis of the inhaling passage <NUM>. In other words, the inner sidewall surface 213a extends in a vertical direction, and the inner top wall surface 213b extends in a horizontal direction. The central axis of the guiding passage <NUM> and the central axis of the inhaling passage <NUM> intersect to form a certain angle. For example, the angle may be <NUM>°. In this case, the inhaling passage <NUM> extends in the vertical direction, and the guiding passage <NUM> extends in the horizontal direction.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a part of the inner sidewall surface 213a away from the air guiding hole <NUM> is recessed in a left-and-right direction to form a first groove 213c, which extends through the outer wall surface <NUM>. The heating top cover <NUM> further has a first inner bottom wall surface <NUM>, which can define a part of a boundary of the first groove 213c. The first inner bottom wall surface <NUM> is connected to a portion of the inner sidewall surface 213a that is not recessed and adjacent to the air guiding hole <NUM>. The first inner bottom wall surface <NUM> is recessed in a front-and-rear direction to form a second groove 215a. The first groove 213c and the second groove 215a are in fluid communication with each other, and the extending directions of the two can form a certain angle, for example, <NUM>°. The heating top cover <NUM> further has a second inner bottom wall surface <NUM>. The second inner surface <NUM> defines a part of a boundary of the second groove 215a. The second inner bottom wall surface <NUM> is recessed in the front-and-rear direction to form a micro-groove 216a. A width of the micro-groove 216a is less than a width of the second groove 215a. An extending direction of the micro-groove 216a forms an angle with the central axis of the inhaling passage <NUM>. For example, referring to <FIG>, the extending direction of the micro-groove 216a and the central axis of the inhaling passage <NUM> are perpendicular to each other. In this case, the extending direction of the micro-groove 216a is the horizontal direction. In other embodiments, the extending direction of the micro-groove 216a can form an acute angle with the central axis of the inhaling passage <NUM>. In this case, the extending direction of the micro-groove 216a forms a certain inclined angle with the horizontal direction. A plurality of micro-grooves 216a may be provided. The plurality of micro-grooves 216a are arranged on the second inner bottom wall surface <NUM> at intervals. A part of the inner top wall surface 213b away from the air guiding hole <NUM> is recessed upward to form a third groove 213d. The third groove 213d also extends through the outer wall surface <NUM>.

The first groove 213c, the second groove 215a, the third groove 213d, and the micro-groove 216a are recessed structures formed on the inner wall surface <NUM>. The abovementioned recessed structures are located between the guiding passage <NUM> and the air guiding hole <NUM>. In other embodiments, protrusions can also be provided on the inner wall surface <NUM> to form a protruding structure.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the sealing member <NUM> is connected to the heating top cover <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM>, the heating top cover <NUM>, and the shell <NUM> cooperatively enclose a liquid directing passage <NUM>. The liquid directing passage <NUM> is in fluid communication with the guiding passage <NUM>, and the atomizing core <NUM> is at least partially located in the liquid directing passage <NUM>. The atomizing core <NUM> is located outside the inhaling passage <NUM> and the guiding passage <NUM>. The atomizing core <NUM> may include a liquid guiding element and a heating element. The liquid guiding element may be a columnar structure made of cotton material. The heating element may be made of metal material. The heating element is electrically connected to the power supply. When the power supply supplies power to the heating element, the heating element can convert the electrical energy into the heat. The heating element can be in a spiral shape, and the heating element is spirally wound on the liquid guiding element. The liquid guiding element is used to absorb the liquid in the liquid reservoir. When the heating element is energized, the generated heat can atomize the liquid on the liquid guiding element to form the aerosol. The aerosol can be discharged into the liquid directing passage <NUM>. In other embodiments, the liquid guiding element can be made of porous ceramic, and the heating element is attached to a surface of the porous ceramic. The porous ceramic can absorb the liquid in the liquid reservoir through the capillary action of the micropores. When the heating element is energized, the liquid on the porous ceramic can be atomized to generate the aerosol.

The liquid directing passage <NUM> includes an atomizing cavity <NUM> and a directing hole <NUM>. The atomizing cavity <NUM> is formed by the sealing member <NUM>, the heating top cover <NUM>, and the shell <NUM>. The atomizing core <NUM> is at least partially located in the atomizing cavity <NUM>. The aerosol generated by the atomizing core <NUM> is discharged into the atomizing cavity <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the directing hole <NUM> is provided on the sealing member <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> has a mounting surface <NUM> and a connecting surface <NUM>. The mounting surface <NUM> faces upward, and the mounting surface <NUM> faces downward. That is, the connecting surface <NUM> faces away from the mounting surface <NUM>. The connecting surface <NUM> defines a part of the boundary of the atomizing cavity <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> includes a boss <NUM> located in the atomizing cavity <NUM>. A lower end of the boss <NUM> is fixed to the connecting surface <NUM>. An upper end of the boss <NUM> protrudes from the connecting surface <NUM> by a certain height. The boss <NUM> has a free end surface <NUM> at the upper end thereof. The free end surface <NUM> and the connecting surface <NUM> are spaced apart in the vertical direction. In other words, the free end surface <NUM> is higher than the connecting surface <NUM> in the vertical direction. The upper end of the directing hole <NUM> extends upwardly through the free end surface <NUM>, such that the directing hole <NUM> is in fluid communication with the atomizing cavity <NUM>. The lower end of the directing hole <NUM> extends laterally through the mounting surface <NUM> to form an input port <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, at least a part of the base <NUM> is received in the cavity enclosed by the shell <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> is provided on the base <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> and the base <NUM> cooperatively enclose an air guiding cavity <NUM>. The mounting surface <NUM> define a part of the boundary of the air guiding cavity <NUM>. Since the input port <NUM> is located on the mounting surface <NUM>, the directing hole <NUM> is in a direct fluid communication with the air guiding cavity <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the flow guiding member <NUM> is substantially plate-shaped. The flow guiding member <NUM> is connected to the mounting surface <NUM> and is located on an edge of the input port <NUM>. The flow guiding member <NUM> is used to transfer the liquid from the input port <NUM>, and transfer the liquid into the air guiding cavity <NUM>. The liquid absorbing member <NUM> is located in the air guiding cavity <NUM>. The liquid output by the flow guiding member <NUM> can be absorbed by the liquid absorbing member <NUM>, so as to prevent the liquid from flowing freely in the air guiding cavity <NUM>. The base <NUM> is provided with an air inlet <NUM>. The air inlet <NUM> is in fluid communication with the outside atmosphere and the air guiding cavity <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, and <FIG>, the base <NUM> has a fixing surface <NUM> facing the mounting surface <NUM>. The fixing surface <NUM> defines a part of the boundary of the air guiding cavity <NUM>. The base <NUM> further includes a protruding post <NUM> located in the air guiding cavity <NUM>. A lower end of the protruding post <NUM> is a fixed end and is fixed to the fixing surface <NUM>. An upper end of the protruding post <NUM> is a free end and protrudes from the fixing surface <NUM> by a certain height. The base <NUM> is provided with an air inlet channel <NUM>. At least a part of the air inlet channel <NUM> is located in the boss <NUM>. The air inlet channel <NUM> has an output port 442a allowing the air to flow out. The output port 442a is located on the boss <NUM>. The air inlet channel <NUM> is in a direct fluid communication with the air guiding cavity <NUM> via the output port 442a. A certain distance is kept between the output port 442a and the fixing surface <NUM>. In other words, the output port 442a is higher than the fixing surface <NUM> in the vertical direction.

In the illustrated embodiment, the boss <NUM> has a top surface <NUM> and a side surface <NUM>. The side surface <NUM> extends vertically and is connected to the top surface <NUM>. The top surface <NUM> and the fixing surface <NUM> are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. The top surface <NUM> faces upward. The side surface <NUM> is connected between the top surface <NUM> and the fixing surface <NUM>. The air inlet channel <NUM> includes the air inlet <NUM> and an output groove <NUM>. The air inlet <NUM> is in fluid communication with the outside atmosphere. The output groove <NUM> is in fluid communication with the air guiding cavity <NUM> and the air inlet <NUM>. The output groove <NUM> extends through the side surface <NUM> and the top surface <NUM>. The output port 442a is located on the output groove <NUM>. Specifically, when the sealing member <NUM> is provided on the base <NUM>, the mounting surface <NUM> of the sealing member <NUM> is attached to and abuts against the top surface <NUM> of the protruding post <NUM>, such that the mounting surface <NUM> blocks an opening of the output groove <NUM> on the top surface <NUM>. In this case, the opening of the output groove <NUM> on the side surface <NUM> can form the output port 442a.

In other embodiments, for example, the mounting surface <NUM> may be spaced apart from the top surface <NUM>. That is, the mounting surface <NUM> does not cover the opening of the output groove <NUM> on the top surface <NUM>. In this case, the openings of the output groove <NUM> on the top surface <NUM> and on the side surface <NUM> cooperatively form the output port 442a. For another example, the output groove <NUM> may only extend through the top surface <NUM>. The opening of the output groove <NUM> on the top surface <NUM> forms the output port 442a. Since the top surface <NUM> is a horizontal surface, the output port 442a is arranged horizontally. For another example, the output groove <NUM> may only extend through the side surface <NUM>, and the opening of the output groove <NUM> on the side surface <NUM> forms the output port 442a. Since the side surface <NUM> is a vertical surface, the output port 442a is arranged vertically.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in some embodiments, a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the atomizer <NUM> is referred as a reference plane. The reference plane is perpendicular to the central axis of the inhaling passage <NUM>. That is, the reference plane is a horizontal plane. A distance between the orthographic projections of the input port <NUM> and the output port 442a on the reference plane is greater than zero. In other words, the input port <NUM> is offset from the output port 442a in the horizontal direction. Similarly, a distance between the orthographic projections of the flow guiding member <NUM> and the output port 442a on the reference plane is greater than zero. In other words, the flow guiding member <NUM> is offset from the output port 442a in the horizontal direction. Two dashed lines in <FIG> are the projections' trajectories of the input port <NUM> and the flow guiding member <NUM> on the reference plane, respectively. A distance between the orthographic projections of the flow guiding member <NUM> and the directing hole <NUM> on the reference plane is greater than zero, such that the flow guiding member <NUM> is offset from the directing hole <NUM>.

When the user inhales at the nozzle 121a, the outside air flows through the air inlet channel <NUM>, the air guiding cavity <NUM>, and the directing hole <NUM> successively and enters the atomizing cavity <NUM> to carry the aerosol. Then, the air carrying the aerosol can flow through the guiding passage <NUM>, the air guiding hole <NUM>, and the inhaling hole <NUM> successively and reaches the nozzle 121a, such that the aerosol is inhaled by the user. The dashed arrows in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> indicate the flow trajectory of the air.

Generally, when the atomizer <NUM> is out of use, the aerosol remained in the atomizing cavity <NUM> can be liquefied to form a condensate. While a seeping liquid can be formed on the atomizing core <NUM>, and the seeping liquid can drop from the atomizing core <NUM>. The seeping liquid and the condensate together form the leakage liquid. Since the sealing member <NUM> includes a boss <NUM> located in the atomizing cavity <NUM>, and the boss <NUM> protrudes from the connecting surface <NUM>. A part of the leakage liquid can be attached to the connecting surface <NUM>. That is, the leakage liquid can be stored in a recessed space of the atomizing cavity <NUM> located on the edge of the boss <NUM>. The directing hole <NUM> extends through the free end surface <NUM> of the boss <NUM> and is in fluid communication with the atomizing cavity <NUM>, such that the leakage liquid stored in the recessed space is difficult to reach the free end surface <NUM>, thus preventing the leakage liquid from entering the directing hole <NUM>, and ensuring that the recessed space in the atomizing cavity <NUM> can effectively store the leakage liquid.

Sometimes a part of the seeping liquid will drop directly into the directing hole <NUM>, and some aerosol can enter the directing hole <NUM> from the atomizing cavity <NUM>. This part of the aerosol can also be liquefied in the directing hole <NUM> to form the condensate. In short, a part of the leakage liquid cannot be stored in the recessed space, but can be transferred from the directing hole <NUM> to the flow guiding member <NUM> via the input port <NUM>, such that the leakage liquid on the flow guiding member <NUM> can eventually drop onto the liquid absorbing member <NUM>. Since the flow guiding member <NUM> is offset from the output port 442a in the horizontal direction, the leakage liquid dropped from the flow guiding member <NUM> cannot fall into the output port 442a. As such, the leakage liquid is prevented from leaking out from the atomizer <NUM> via the air inlet channel <NUM> to enter the power supply, thus preventing the leakage liquid from corroding the power supply or even causing the power supply to explode, thereby improving the service life and safety of the power supply. In addition, the input port <NUM> is also offset from the output port 442a in the horizontal direction. Even if a part of the leakage liquid cannot enter the flow guiding member <NUM> and drops directly from the input port <NUM>, it can effectively prevent the leakage liquid dropped from the input port <NUM> from directly entering the output port 442a, thereby effectively avoiding the leakage liquid from leaking out of the atomizer <NUM> via the air inlet channel <NUM>. Since the side surface <NUM> can be vertically connected to the top surface <NUM>, when the output port 442a is located above the side surface <NUM> that is vertically arranged, the output port 442a can be arranged vertically. Even if the output port 442a is not offset from the input port <NUM>, when the leakage liquid drops from the input port <NUM>, the dropped leakage liquid is difficult to enter the output port 442a.

After the flow guiding member <NUM> guides the leakage liquid into the air guiding cavity <NUM>, the leakage liquid can be stored in the recessed space at the edge of the protruding post <NUM>. Since a certain distance is kept between the output port 442a and the fixing surface <NUM>, that is, the height of the output port 442a is higher than that of the fixing surface <NUM>, it can ensure that the leakage liquid in the recessed space cannot reach the output port 442a, thus avoiding the leakage liquid from leaking via the air inlet channel <NUM>. Further, the liquid absorbing member <NUM> can be fixed on the fixing surface <NUM> of the base <NUM>. The leakage liquid on the flow guiding member <NUM> can be directly input to the liquid absorbing member <NUM>. Due to the absorption and restraining effect of the liquid absorbing member <NUM>, it can effectively prevent the liquid from flowing freely in the air guiding cavity <NUM>, thereby preventing the liquid level in the recessed space in the air guiding cavity <NUM> from reaching the output port 442a.

When the user inhales at the nozzle 121a, subjected to the negative pressure, the condensate and non-liquefied suspended droplets in the atomizing cavity <NUM> can flow into the guiding passage <NUM>. In this case, due to the recessed structures such as the first groove 213c, the second groove 215a, the third groove 213d and the micro-groove 216a, the recessed structures can obstruct and adsorb the leakage liquid formed by the condensate and suspended droplets, such that the leakage liquid is received in the recessed structures and is difficult to enter the inhaling passage <NUM>, thus preventing the user from inhaling the leakage liquid into the mouth. In addition, since the annular gap <NUM> is formed between the tip portion <NUM> of the central post <NUM> and the first inner surface 211a, even if the leakage liquid enters the air guiding hole <NUM> from the guiding passage <NUM>, the annular gap <NUM> can receive and obstruct the leakage liquid, thus preventing the leakage liquid from entering the nozzle 121a to be inhaled by the user. Furthermore, since the receiving groove 122a is formed on the second surface of the center post <NUM>, even if the leakage liquid enters the air inlet <NUM> via the air guiding hole <NUM>, the receiving groove 122a can receive and obstruct the leakage liquid to prevent the leakage liquid from entering the nozzle 121a to be inhaled by the user. Therefore, due to the triple obstruction of the recessed structures on the inner wall surface <NUM>, the annular gap <NUM>, and the receiving groove 122a, the leakage liquid can be effectively prevented from being inhaled by the user.

When the atomizer <NUM> is tilted or inverted, the nozzle 121a faces downward, and the condensate in the atomizing cavity <NUM> and the seeping liquid dropping from the atomizing core <NUM> into the atomizing cavity <NUM> will form the leakage liquid. Under the action of gravity, the leakage liquid will flow from the atomizing cavity <NUM> into the guiding passage <NUM>. Based on the similar principle, due to the triple obstruction of the recessed structures on the inner wall surface <NUM>, the annular gap <NUM>, and the receiving groove 122a, the leakage liquid can be effectively prevented from flowing out of the atomizer <NUM> via the nozzle 121a.

Accordingly, the atomizer <NUM> can not only effectively prevent the leakage liquid from leaking out of the atomizer <NUM> via the air inlet channel <NUM>, preventing the leakage liquid from corroding the power supply or causing the power supply to explode, but also can effectively prevent the leakage liquid from leaking out of the atomizer <NUM> via the nozzle 121a of the air inlet channel <NUM>. If the air inlet channel <NUM>, the air guiding cavity <NUM>, the liquid directing passage <NUM>, the guiding passage <NUM>, and the inhaling passage <NUM> are regarded as an airflow passage through which the outside air flows, the atomizer <NUM> can prevent the leakage liquid from leaking out of the atomizer <NUM> via the upper and lower ends of the airflow passage. In addition, it can prevent the condensate and suspended droplets from being inhaled by the user during inhalation, which can improve the user's inhaling experience.

The technical features of the above described embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. To simplify the description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, all of the combinations of these technical features should be considered as being fallen within the scope of the present application, as long as such combinations do not contradict with each other.

Claim 1:
An atomizer (<NUM>), comprising:
a top cover assembly (<NUM>) provided with a guiding passage (<NUM>) and an air guiding hole (<NUM>) therein, the top cover assembly (<NUM>) comprising a protruding or recessed structure between the guiding passage (<NUM>) and the air guiding hole (<NUM>); and
an atomizing core (<NUM>) at least partially received in the top cover assembly (<NUM>),
wherein the atomizing core (<NUM>) is configured to discharge an aerosol formed by atomizing a liquid into the air guiding hole (<NUM>) via the guiding passage (<NUM>);
wherein the top cover assembly (<NUM>) has an inner wall surface (<NUM>) defining a boundary of the guiding passage (<NUM>), the protruding or recessed structure is located on the inner wall surface (<NUM>).