Patent Description:
In conventional atomizers, negative pressure is generated in the e-liquid tank after each puff. If external air is not supplied quickly enough, the e-liquid doesn't flow to the heating element. As a result, the heating element may experience a burn-out during the subsequent puff. In addition, when the cigarette is not in use, the atomized e-liquid tends to condense and may flow outside of the atomizer via the air passage, thus staining the atomizer. For example, <CIT> recites an atomizer that includes a liquid tank having a liquid chamber and an air vent communicating with the liquid chamber.

An objective of the invention is to provide an atomizer comprising an e-liquid tank; the e-liquid tank comprises an e-liquid chamber and an air vent communicating with the e-liquid chamber. The air vent is in the form of an air channel or a hole. The atomizer further comprises an airflow channel communicating with the air vent. The e-liquid tank comprises a main body and a sealing member; the e-liquid chamber is disposed in the main body; the sealing member is disposed on one end of the main body to seal the e-liquid chamber; a junction between the sealing member and the main body comprises the air channel functioning as the air vent. The main body comprises at least one groove at the junction between the main body and sealing member, and/or the sealing member comprises at least one groove at the junction between the main body and sealing member; and the at least one groove is a part of the air channel.

In a class of this embodiment, a diameter of the air channel or the hole is <NUM>-<NUM>.

In a class of this embodiment, the groove has a depth of <NUM>-<NUM> and a width of ≤ <NUM>.

In a class of this embodiment, the sealing member comprises plastic material.

In a class of this embodiment, the main body comprises an air duct disposed in the e-liquid chamber; the sealing member comprises an inner passage; the air duct is disposed into the inner passage; the sealing member is disposed through the air duct to seal the e-liquid chamber; the air duct comprises a peripheral wall and at least one first groove disposed on the peripheral wall; the at least one first groove communicates with the e-liquid chamber and the inner passage.

In a class of this embodiment, the sealing member comprises an inner wall comprising a step abutting against the air duct; one end of the air duct abutting against the step comprises a second groove corresponding to the at least one first groove; a first end of the at least one first groove is connected to a first end of the second groove; a second end of the at least one first groove communicates with the e-liquid chamber; and a second end of the second groove communicates with the air duct.

In a class of this embodiment, the atomizer further comprises a heating element disposed in the inner passage.

In a class of this embodiment, the atomizer further comprises an e-liquid collector disposed below the sealing member; the e-liquid collector comprises an e-liquid collection chamber communicating with the inner passage of the sealing member; the e-liquid collector comprises an outer wall comprising an air groove, at least one first air inlet and at least one second air inlet which communicate with the air groove; the air groove is disposed into the main body, so that an air conduction space is formed between an inner wall of the main body and the outer wall of the e-liquid collector; the at least one first air inlet communicates with the e-liquid collection chamber; the at least one second air inlet communicates with atmosphere; and the at least one first air inlet communicates with the at least one second air inlet via the air conduction space.

In a class of this embodiment, the sealing member comprises at least one baffle extending into the e-liquid collection chamber; the at least one baffle is configured to cover the at least one first air inlet.

In a class of this embodiment, the e-liquid collector comprises a closed bottom end and an air passage formed on the closed bottom end and isolated from the e-liquid collection chamber; the at least one second air inlet is disposed on a top wall of the air passage and communicates with atmosphere through the air passage.

Another objective of invention is to provide an electronic cigarette; the electronic cigarette comprises the atomizer and a power supply configured to supply power to the atomizer; the power supply includes, but is not limited to, a battery, a USB interface, a control board, and a button.

The following advantages are associated with the atomizer and the electronic cigarette of the disclosure: the atomizer comprises the air vent configured to supply air into the e-liquid tank, which provides an adequate and stable supply of e-liquid airflow to prevent the heating element from burning out, thereby prolonging the life of the heating element and enhancing user experience.

In the drawings, the following reference numbers are used: <NUM>. Main body; <NUM>. Heating element; <NUM>. Sealing member; <NUM>. E-liquid collector; <NUM>. Seal ring; <NUM>. Electrode; <NUM>. Iron housing; <NUM>. Air duct; <NUM>. First groove; <NUM>. E-liquid chamber; <NUM>. Airflow channel; <NUM>. Second groove; <NUM>. Inner passage; <NUM>. First air inlet; <NUM>. Second air inlet; <NUM>. Air passage; and <NUM>. E-liquid collection chamber.

To further illustrate, embodiments detailing an atomizer are described below. It should be noted that the following embodiments are intended to describe and not to limit the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic cigarette comprises an atomizer and a power supply. The atomizer comprises an e-liquid tank comprising an e-liquid chamber <NUM> for storage of volatile materials, such as e-liquid and aromatic oil. The e-liquid tank further comprises an air vent communicating with the e-liquid chamber <NUM>.

The atomizer further comprises an airflow channel <NUM> communicating with the air vent. The atomizer communicates with atmosphere through the airflow channel <NUM>, thereby allowing air and smoke to flow through. The term "airflow channel" as used herein refer to an entire channel through which airflow enters the electronic cigarette and passes through a heating element <NUM> to drives smoke and vapor to flow out of the electronic cigarette.

External air flows along the airflow channel, through the air vent, and into the e-liquid chamber, to supply air into the e-liquid tank. The air vent allows only air to flow through while preventing the passage of the e-liquid. Preferably, the air vent communicates with atmosphere. Negative pressure is generated in the e-liquid chamber due to a gradual decrease in amount of the volatile materials during smoking. The negative pressure results in unstable supply of e-liquid, thereby affecting atomization process, and diminishing user experience. External air is supplied into the e-liquid tank via the air vent to balance the air pressure inside and outside the e-liquid chamber, thereby providing smooth airflow, preventing the heating element <NUM> from burning out, and prolonging atomizer life.

The air vent is in the form of an air channel or a hole. A diameter of the air channel or the hole is <NUM>-<NUM>, preferably <NUM>-<NUM>, and more preferably <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, the diameter of the air channel or the hole is <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>.

The e-liquid tank comprises a main body <NUM> and a sealing member <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> is disposed into the main body <NUM> to seal the e-liquid chamber <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> abuts against the main body <NUM> to form a junction comprising the air channel. The air channel is disposed at the junction of any two components of the e-liquid tank, but is not limited to, the junction between the sealing member <NUM> and the main body <NUM>. The hole is disposed on the side wall, the top wall, or the bottom wall of the e-liquid tank.

The main body <NUM> comprises at least one groove at the junction between the main body <NUM> and the sealing member <NUM>, and/or the sealing member <NUM> comprises at least one groove at the junction between the main body <NUM> and sealing member <NUM>; and the at least one groove is a part of the air channel. That is, the at least one groove is disposed on the main body <NUM>, or on the sealing member <NUM>, or on both and merge into the air channel. The at least one groove has a depth of <NUM>-<NUM> and a width of ≤ <NUM>; and/or the sealing member <NUM> comprises plastic material. Preferably, the depth of the at least one groove is, preferably, <NUM>-<NUM>, or more preferably <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, the depth of the at least one groove may be <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. Preferably, the width of the at least one groove is ≤ <NUM>, which prevents the sealing member from falling into the at least one groove, allowing air to flow through the air vent. The plastic material includes, but is not limited to, plastics and rubber.

The main body <NUM> comprises a housing and a through hole is disposed on one end of the housing. The main body further comprises an air duct <NUM> extending from the through hole toward a second end of the inside of the housing. The air duct <NUM> is disposed in the e-liquid chamber <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, both ends of the air duct <NUM> are disposed in the housing.

The sealing member <NUM> comprises an inner passage <NUM>, a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is integrated with the second portion to form a shape of a Chinese character tu. The air duct <NUM> is disposed into the inner passage <NUM> and the second portion abuts against the air duct <NUM> to seal the e-liquid chamber <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the air duct <NUM> comprises a peripheral wall and at least one first groove <NUM> disposed on the peripheral wall. The at least one first groove <NUM> communicates with the e-liquid chamber <NUM> and the inner passage <NUM>, respectively. The airflow channel comprises the inner passage <NUM> and the air duct <NUM>. External air flows into the inner passage for atomization. The vapor and smoke generated passes through the air duct <NUM> and is inhaled by a user. When the air vent comprises only the at least one first groove <NUM>, the at least one first groove <NUM> communicates with atmosphere through the inner passage <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in certain embodiments, the inner passage <NUM> abuts against the first end of the air duct <NUM> to form a step inside the sealing member <NUM>. The first end of the air duct <NUM> comprises a second groove <NUM>. A first end of the at least one first groove <NUM> is connected to a first end of the second groove <NUM>; a second end of the at least one first groove <NUM> communicates with the e-liquid chamber <NUM>; a second end of the second groove <NUM> communicates with the air duct <NUM>. The at least one first groove <NUM> communicates with the second groove <NUM> to form the air channel that communicates with atmosphere through the air duct <NUM>.

The air vent comprises the air channel formed by the at least one first groove <NUM> and the second groove <NUM>. External air flows through the air duct <NUM>, the second groove <NUM>, the at least one first groove <NUM>, and into the e-liquid chamber <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the at least one first groove <NUM> is disposed on a middle or top portion of an outer wall of the air duct <NUM>. The e-liquid tank further comprises a ring and the at least one first groove <NUM> comprises a first opening and a second opening. The first opening communicates with the air duct <NUM>. The ring is disposed around an edge of the second opening. The ring is configured to prevent the e-liquid from flowing out of the at least one first groove <NUM>. Outside air flows through the air duct <NUM>, the first opening, the at least one first groove <NUM>, the ring, and into the e-liquid chamber <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the at least one first groove <NUM> is disposed on a middle or top portion of an inner wall of the air duct <NUM>. The second opening communicates with the air duct <NUM>. The ring is disposed around an edge of the first opening. Outside air flows through the air duct <NUM>, the ring, the at least one first groove <NUM>, the second opening, and into the e-liquid chamber <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic cigarette further comprises an e-liquid collector <NUM> disposed below the sealing member <NUM>; the e-liquid collector <NUM> abuts against a bottom portion of the main body <NUM> to form an air conduction space; the e-liquid collector <NUM> comprises an e-liquid collection chamber <NUM>, at least one first air inlet <NUM>, and at least one second air inlet <NUM>; the at least one first air inlet <NUM> and the at least one second air inlet <NUM> are disposed in the air conduction space; the at least one first air inlet <NUM> is disposed above the at least one second air inlet <NUM> and communicates with the at least one second air inlet <NUM> and the e-liquid collection chamber <NUM>. Specifically, the e-liquid collector <NUM> is disposed below the sealing member <NUM>; the e-liquid collector <NUM> comprises the e-liquid collection chamber <NUM> communicating with the an inner passage <NUM>; the e-liquid collector <NUM> comprises an outer wall provided with an air groove; the air groove comprises the at least one first air inlet <NUM> and the at least one second air inlet <NUM>; the air groove is disposed into the main body <NUM> to form the air conduction space between the main body <NUM> and the air groove; the e-liquid collection chamber <NUM> communicates with the at least one first air inlet <NUM>; the at least one first air inlet <NUM> communicates with the at least one second air inlet <NUM> through the air conduction space; and the at least one second air inlet <NUM> communicates with atmosphere. The airflow channel <NUM> further comprises the air conduction space. External air flows through the at least one second air inlet <NUM>, the air conduction space, the at least one first air inlet <NUM>, the e-liquid collection chamber <NUM>, the sealing member <NUM>, and the heating element <NUM> successively, and is discharged out of the air duct <NUM>.

The sealing member <NUM> comprises at least one baffle <NUM> protruding from the bottom surface of the second portion. The sealing member <NUM> is disposed on the e-liquid collector <NUM> to form the e-liquid collection chamber <NUM>; the e-liquid collection chamber <NUM> communicates with the inner passage <NUM> of the sealing member <NUM>; the at least one baffle <NUM> is disposed in the e-liquid collection chamber <NUM> to protect the at least one first air inlet <NUM> from the condensed e-liquid. The word "covering" refers to enclosing the at least one first air inlet <NUM> at front, top, left, and right sides to prevent excess vapor from condensing into liquid, except for the bottom side for smoke emission. In the airflow channel <NUM>, the excess vapor is condensed into the e-liquid, flows into the e-liquid collection chamber <NUM>, and is diverted by the at least one baffle <NUM>, which prevent the condensing vapor from flowing into the at least one air inlet <NUM> and/or other outlets, thereby avoiding leakage around the outside of the atomizer.

Referring to <FIG>, the e-liquid collector <NUM> comprises a closed bottom end and an air passage <NUM> formed on the closed bottom end and isolated from the e-liquid collection chamber <NUM>; the at least one second air inlet <NUM> is disposed on a top portion of a side wall of the air passage <NUM> and communicates with atmosphere through the air passage <NUM>. External air passes through the air passage <NUM>, the at least one second air inlet <NUM>, the air conduction space, the at least one first air inlet <NUM>, the inner passage <NUM>, and the air duct <NUM>. The e-liquid collector <NUM> is sealed at the bottom and the air passage is recessed into the bottom, so that the air passage <NUM> and the e-liquid collection chamber <NUM> are separated by an inner wall and are independent of each other. The inner wall is a part of a wall of the e-liquid collection chamber <NUM>. Outside air flows through the air passage <NUM> and enters the at least one second air inlet <NUM> into the air conduction space.

The heating element <NUM> is disposed in the inner passage <NUM> to atomize the e-liquid. The heating element <NUM> comprises a cotton, as well as a metal heating component and/or a ceramic heating component wrapped with the cotton. The heating element <NUM> is horizontally disposed in the inner passage <NUM>. A central part of the heating element <NUM> is disposed through the air duct and is configured to heat the e-liquid. Both ends of the heating element <NUM> are disposed in the e-liquid chamber <NUM> to receive the e-liquid.

The cotton is configured to absorb the e-liquid, includes but is not limited to, an e-liquid absorbing cotton, a linen cotton, an organic cotton, and a composite cotton. The metal heating component is configured to atomize the e-liquid and comprises iron, chromium, nickel, alloy metal, or ceramic. The e-liquid flows through both ends of the heating element <NUM> to the central part and is atomized therein to produce smoke or vapor. The smoke or vapor generated flows through the inner passage <NUM> into the air duct <NUM> and is inhaled by a user.

Referring to <FIG>, the atomizer comprises the main body <NUM>, the heating element <NUM>, the sealing member <NUM>, the e-liquid collector <NUM>, a seal ring <NUM>, two electrodes <NUM>, and an iron housing <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> is disposed on the e-liquid collector <NUM> to prevent leakage of the e-liquid in the e-liquid chamber. The main body <NUM> comprises the air duct <NUM> that allows air and smoke to flow through. The air duct <NUM> comprises the at least one first groove <NUM> and the at least one second groove <NUM>. The first end of the at least one first groove <NUM> is connected to the first end of the at least one second groove <NUM>. The second ends of the at least one first groove <NUM> communicates with the e-liquid chamber <NUM>. The second end of the second groove <NUM> communicates with the air duct <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> comprises the inner passage <NUM> communicating with the air duct <NUM> and the at least one second groove <NUM>. The inner passage <NUM> is configured to allow smoke, vapor, and air to flow through. The sealing member <NUM> is disposed into the main body <NUM>. The inner passage <NUM> communicates with the second groove <NUM> to form the air channel that allows air to flow through. External air flows through the air duct <NUM>, the air channel, and into the e-liquid chamber, to supply air into the e-liquid tank. The air channel allows only air to flow through while preventing the passage of the e-liquid, so that air is supplied to the e-liquid chamber <NUM> to balance the air pressure inside and outside the e-liquid chamber <NUM>, thus increasing a flow rate of the e-liquid in the e-liquid chamber <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> is disposed on the e-liquid collector <NUM> to form the e-liquid collection chamber <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> comprises at least one baffle <NUM> protruding into the e-liquid collection chamber <NUM>. The e-liquid collector <NUM> abuts against a bottom portion of the main body <NUM> to form an air conduction space. The e-liquid collector <NUM> comprises the outer wall provided with the at least one first air inlet <NUM> and the at least one second air inlet <NUM>. The at least one first air inlet <NUM> and the at least one second air inlet <NUM> are disposed in the air conduction space for air flow. The at least one first air inlet <NUM> is disposed above the at least one second air inlet <NUM> and communicates with the at least one second air inlet <NUM>. The at least one baffle <NUM> is disposed in the e-liquid collection chamber <NUM> to protect the at least one first air inlet <NUM> from the condensed e-liquid and prevent the condensed e-liquid from flowing into the at least one air inlet <NUM>, thereby avoiding leakage around the outside of the atomizer. The e-liquid collector <NUM> comprises a closed bottom end and an air passage <NUM> formed on the closed bottom end. The at least one second air inlet <NUM> communicates with atmosphere through the air passage <NUM>. The heating element <NUM> is disposed in the sealing member <NUM> and the e-liquid is atomized on the central part of the heating element <NUM>. The central part of the heating element <NUM> is disposed through the air duct <NUM> and in the inner passage <NUM>. The at least one second air inlet <NUM> communicates with the air duct <NUM>. Both ends of the heating element <NUM> are disposed in the e-liquid chamber <NUM>, so that the e-liquid in the e-liquid chamber <NUM> flows through the both ends to the central part of the heating element and is atomized therein to produce smoke and vapor. The seal ring <NUM> is disposed between an outer wall of the e-liquid collector <NUM> and an inner wall of the main body <NUM> to seal the air conduction space. The heating element <NUM> comprises two pins and the two electrodes <NUM> are disposed on a bottom surface of the inside of the e-liquid collector <NUM> to secure to the two pins. The iron housing <NUM> abuts against the bottom portion of the main body <NUM>, thus preventing damage to the bottom portion of the main body <NUM> through thermal expansion.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the specific positions where the at least one first air inlet <NUM>, the at least one second air inlet <NUM>, and the air passage <NUM> are disposed on the e-liquid collector <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view including arrows showing the direction of airflow in the atomizer according to one embodiment of the disclosure. External air flows through the air passage <NUM>, the at least one second air inlet <NUM>, the air conduction space, the at least one first air inlet <NUM> and the inner passage <NUM>, causing the heating element <NUM> to atomize the e-liquid. The smoke and vapor flows through the air duct <NUM> and is inhaled by a user.

Claim 1:
An atomizer, comprising an e-liquid tank; the e-liquid tank comprising an e-liquid chamber (<NUM>) and an air vent communicating with the e-liquid chamber (<NUM>);
wherein:
the air vent is in the form of an air channel or a hole;the atomizer further comprises an airflow channel (<NUM>) communicating with the air vent;
the e-liquid tank comprises a main body (<NUM>) and a sealing member (<NUM>); the e-liquid chamber (<NUM>) is disposed in the main body (<NUM>); the sealing member (<NUM>) is disposed on one end of the main body (<NUM>) to seal the e-liquid chamber (<NUM>); a junction between the sealing member (<NUM>) and the main body (<NUM>) comprises the air channel functioning as the air vent;
characterised in that:
the main body (<NUM>) comprises at least one groove (<NUM>, <NUM>) at the junction between the main body (<NUM>) and sealing member (<NUM>), and/or the sealing member (<NUM>) comprises at least one groove at the junction between the main body (<NUM>) and sealing member (<NUM>); and the at least one groove (<NUM>, <NUM>) is a part of the air channel.