Patent Description:
Porous ceramic, as a mainstream liquid transfer material of atomization cores of existing atomization assemblies in this field, is widely used because of its advantages of good structural strength, uniform temperature of micro-pore structures, and high-temperature resistance. Porous ceramic atomization cores usually comprise a heating assembly and a porous ceramic liquid transfer assembly. In use, the heating assembly generates heat, the porous ceramic liquid transfer assembly atomizes liquid under high temperature of the heating assembly to generate a certain amount of gas, and when users inhale, an airflow will be generated to drive the gas to flow out, thus realizing a smoking effect.

However, existing porous ceramic atomization cores have the following defects: most existing porous ceramic atomization cores are provided with a porous ceramic body formed with one liquid transfer channel, a heating assembly is attached to the bottom of the porous ceramic body, and atomizing liquid is fed and transferred by means of one liquid transfer channel, so the liquid transfer rate is low, compromising the atomization effect of the porous atomization core. Since the heating assembly generally has a high temperature, cracks are probably formed in the contact surface between porous ceramic and the heating assembly, thus affecting the use of the porous ceramic atomization core. In addition, the atomized steam may encounter cold air at an air inlet (i.e., below the porous ceramic atomization core) to form condensate, leading to a waste of atomizing liquid and probably causing damage to electronic elements.

Publication <CIT> is considered to be relevant to the present application.

The technical issue to be settled by the invention is to overcome the defects in the prior art by providing a porous ceramic atomization core and an electronic atomization device using the same. Multiple protruding portions with liquid feeding and transfer channels are arranged, and liquid can be fed and transferred all over porous ceramic to increase the liquid feed and transfer rate of the porous ceramic, thus optimizing the atomization effect; and a support portion is arranged to support a ceramic body and recycle condensate. The problem underlying the present application is solved by a porous ceramic atomization core having the features of claim <NUM> and by an electronic atomization device having the features of claim <NUM>.

The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the technical issue is to provide a porous ceramic atomization core which comprises a heating unit and a porous ceramic liquid transfer unit. The porous ceramic liquid transfer unit comprises a ceramic body and a support portion extending downward from the ceramic body. The ceramic body comprises at least two protruding portions which are connected into a whole through a connecting portion. A liquid transfer channel is arranged in each of the protruding portions, and the heating unit is attached to bottoms of the liquid transfer channels.

Preferably, in said porous ceramic atomization core, a notch is formed in a side face of the connecting portion or/and surfaces of side walls of the protruding portions to form an air passage.

Preferably, in said porous ceramic atomization core, the connecting portion is configured as a slope structure which inclines from one of the protruding portions to the other of the protruding portions; or, the connecting portion is configured as a ridge structure; or, the connecting portion is configured as an umbrella-shaped structure.

In said porous ceramic atomization core, a convex rim extends outward from a top surface of each of the protrusion portions.

Preferably, in said porous ceramic atomization core, the support portion is configured as a hollow structure, a solid structure, or a cylindrical structure with a closed lower end.

Preferably, in said porous ceramic atomization core, grooves are formed in an outer surface of the support portion, or holes are formed in a side wall of the support portion, or the outer surface of the support portion is configured as an uneven coarse structure.

Preferably, in said porous ceramic atomization core, grooves are formed in an outer surface of the ceramic body, or holes are formed in a side wall of the ceramic body, or the outer surface of the ceramic body is configured as an uneven coarse structure.

Preferably, in said porous ceramic atomization core, the heating unit comprises a heating wire arranged in a middle thereof and electrodes arranged at two ends of the heating wire.

An electronic atomization device comprises an atomizer housing. The porous ceramic atomization core described above is arranged in the atomizer housing, top and bottom of the porous ceramic atomization core are clamped by a sealing element and a base respectively, and a liquid chamber is arranged between the atomizer housing and the porous ceramic atomization core.

Preferably, in said electronic atomization device, the sealing element is provided with a socket, and the porous ceramic atomization core is inlaid and fixed in the socket.

Preferably, in said electronic atomization device, the sealing element is provided with liquid transfer ports communicated with the liquid transfer channels and an air vent communicated with the air passage.

Preferably, in said electronic atomization device, the base is provided with a receiving cavity, the porous ceramic atomization core is arranged in the receiving cavity of the base, and the base is provided with an air inlet.

Preferably, in said electronic atomization device, an air inlet of the base is correspondingly communicated with the notch of the porous ceramic atomization core.

Preferably, in said electronic atomization device, a convex rim extends outward from a top surface of the porous ceramic atomization core, and all portions, other than the convex rim, of the porous ceramic atomization core are received in a receiving cavity of the base, and the convex rim abuts against a top surface of a side wall of the base.

Preferably, in said electronic atomization device, the porous ceramic atomization core is entirely received in a receiving cavity of the base.

The invention has the following beneficial effects: according to the porous ceramic atomization core and an electronic atomization device using the same, at least two protruding portions are arranged on a ceramic body and are connected into a whole through a connecting portion, a liquid transfer channel is arranged in each protruding portion, and a heating unit is attached to bottoms of the liquid transfer channels, such that multiple liquid inlets and liquid transfer channels are formed in the porous ceramic atomization core to feed liquid quickly to improve the liquid transfer efficiency, thus optimizing the atomization effect. A support portion extends downward from the ceramic body to support the ceramic body, thus preventing the ceramic body from being fractured; and condensate formed on the support portion can be absorbed to be recycled and prevented being inhaled by users, so the smoking experience will not be affected.

The invention will be further described below in conjunction with accompanying drawings and embodiments. In the drawings:.

To gain a better understanding of the technical features, objectives and effects of the invention, specific implementations of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

When one element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "arranged on" the other element, it may be directly or indirectly located on the other element. When one element is referred to as being "connected to" the other element, it may be directly or indirectly connected to the other element.

Terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "back", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner" and "outer" are used to indicate directions or positions based on the accompanying drawings merely for the purpose of facilitating the description, and should not be construed as limitations of the technical solutions of the invention. Terms such as "first" and "second" are merely for the purpose description, and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features referred to. Unless otherwise expressly defined, "multiple" means two or more.

Embodiment <NUM>: As shown in <FIG>, a porous ceramic atomization core <NUM> comprises a heating unit <NUM> and a porous ceramic liquid transfer unit <NUM>. The porous ceramic liquid transfer body <NUM> comprises a ceramic body <NUM> and a support portion <NUM> extending downward from the ceramic body <NUM>. The ceramic body <NUM> comprises at least two protruding portions <NUM>, the number of the protruding portions <NUM> is not specifically limited and may be set as actually needed, preferably <NUM>-<NUM>, the protruding portions <NUM> may be arranged in a linear shape, a triangular shape or a quadrilateral shape, the protruding portions <NUM> are connected into a whole through a connecting portion <NUM>. A liquid transfer channel <NUM> is arranged in each protruding portion <NUM>, and the heating unit <NUM> is attached to bottoms of the liquid transfer channels <NUM>. Since multiple protruding portions <NUM> are arranged on the porous ceramic atomization core <NUM>, that is, the porous ceramic atomization core <NUM> has multiple liquid inlets and liquid transfer channels <NUM>, liquid can be fed quickly by means of porous ceramic and the liquid transfer efficiency is improved, thus optimizing the atomization effect. The support portion <NUM> extends from a bottom surface of the ceramic body <NUM> to support the porous ceramic body <NUM>, thus preventing the ceramic body <NUM> from being fractured. The support portion <NUM> is made from porous ceramic and can absorb condensate formed thereon, thus recycling the condensate. When the porous ceramic atomization core <NUM> works, atomizing liquid enters the multiple protruding portions <NUM> and is quickly transferred to the bottoms, in contact with the heating unit <NUM>, of the liquid transfer channels <NUM> arranged in the protruding portions <NUM>, the heating unit <NUM> generates heat to atomize the atomizing liquid to form atomized steam, at the same time, the support portion <NUM> absorbs condensate formed thereon, and the condensate is atomized again by the heating unit <NUM> to form atomized steam.

A notch <NUM> is formed in a side face of the connecting portion <NUM> to form an air passage or/and notches <NUM> are formed in surfaces of side walls of the protruding portions <NUM> to form air passages. One or two notches <NUM> may be arranged, that is, one or two air passages may be formed. The size and shape of the notch <NUM> are not limited. In addition to the notch <NUM> formed in the side face of the connecting portion <NUM> or/and the notches <NUM> formed in the surfaces of the side walls of the protruding portions <NUM>, the notch may also be formed due to the difference in shape between the side face of the connecting portion <NUM> and an inner wall of a base or/and the notches may also be formed due to the difference between the side walls of the protruding portions <NUM> and the inner wall of the base; or, a reflux hole penetrates through the connecting portion <NUM> to form an air passage, and the size and shape of the reflux hole are not limited. Atomized steam is mixed with air in the air passage to form aerosol, which is eventually inhaled by users.

The connecting portion <NUM> may be of various shapes. The ceramic body <NUM> comprises two protruding portions <NUM>, the connecting portion <NUM> is configured as a slope structure inclining from one protruding portion <NUM> to the other protruding portion <NUM>, or the connecting portion <NUM> is configured as a ridge structure formed by two slopes which gather together to the centre. Alternatively, the ceramic body <NUM> comprises multiple protruding portions <NUM>, the connecting portion <NUM> is configured as an umbrella-shaped structure, and the multiple protruding portions <NUM> are connected by means of the umbrella-shaped connecting portion <NUM>. The heating unit <NUM> generates heat to atomize atomizing liquid into atomized steam, and the atomized steam flows upwards and will turn into condensate when encountering cold air. Since the air passage is located near the connecting portion <NUM> and air will pass through the air passage, condensate is easily formed in the vicinity of the connecting portion <NUM>, and when the condensate is accumulated to a certain extent, the atomizing liquid will not be sufficiently used, leading to a waste of the atomizing liquid; and the condensate may drip downward, leading to damage to electronic elements. By designing the connecting portion <NUM> into the slope structure which inclines from one protruding portion <NUM> toward the other protruding portion <NUM>, condensate can flow from the protruding portion <NUM> on one side to the protruding portion <NUM> on the other side to be collected into the liquid transfer channel <NUM> of the protruding portion <NUM> on the other side, thus recycling the condensate. Or, by designing the connecting portion <NUM> into the ridge structure or the umbrella-shaped structure, the condensate is unlikely to be accumulated and can directly flow to the bottom of porous ceramic body along the slopes of the ridge structure or the slopes of the umbrella-shaped structure to be heated and atomized again by the heating unit <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a convex rim <NUM> extends outward from a top surface of each protruding portion <NUM> of the porous ceramic liquid transfer unit <NUM>. When the porous ceramic atomization core is assembled, all portions, other than the convex rims <NUM> on the top surfaces of the protruding portions <NUM>, of the porous ceramic liquid transfer unit <NUM> are received in the base, and bottom surfaces of the convex rims <NUM> abut against a top surface of a side wall of the base, such that the porous ceramic liquid transfer unit <NUM> has a better sealing effect. In addition, the convex rims <NUM> can be used as force application points to facilitate maintenance, assembly and disassembly.

The support portion <NUM> may be of different shapes and structures. The support portion <NUM> may be configured as a hollow structure, in this case, a hole is formed in a corresponding position of the connecting portion <NUM> to form an air passage. Completely atomized steam is mixed with air in the air passage to form aerosol which will be eventually inhaled by users, and atomizing liquid that is not completely atomized and mixed in atomized gas will turn into condensate when encountering cold air in the air passage; since the support portion <NUM> is made from porous ceramic, the condensate can be absorbed by the inner wall of the support portion <NUM> and transferred to the bottom of the ceramic body <NUM> to be atomized again. Or, the support portion <NUM> may be configured as a solid structure, such that the support <NUM> has better structural strength and can better support the ceramic body <NUM> and prevent the ceramic body <NUM> from being fractured. Or, the support portion <NUM> is configured as a cylindrical structure with a closed lower end, in this case, a cavity is formed in the support portion <NUM>, condensate absorbed by the outer wall of the support portion <NUM> can be stored in the cavity, and the condensate in the cavity is then transported to the ceramic body <NUM>, such that the condensate can be better absorbed and recycled.

Grooves are formed in an outer surface of the support portion <NUM>, or holes are formed in a side wall of the support portion <NUM>, or the outer surface of the support portion <NUM> is configured as an uneven coarse structure. In this way, the surface area of the support portion <NUM> (i.e., the contact area between the support portion <NUM> and condensate) is enlarged, thus bettering the condensate.

Grooves are formed in an outer surface of the ceramic body <NUM>, or holes are formed in a side wall of the ceramic body <NUM>, or the outer surface of the ceramic body <NUM> is configured as an uneven coarse structure. In this way, the surface area of the ceramic body <NUM> is enlarged. Condensate is probability formed where air passes, that is, condensate is probability formed on the outer surface of the ceramic body <NUM>. The contact area between the outer surface of the ceramic body <NUM> and condensate is added, thus better recycling the condensate and avoiding a waste of atomizing liquid.

The heating unit <NUM> comprises a heating wire in the middle and electrodes at two ends of the heating wire. The heating unit <NUM> may be a metal heating sheet, and the heating wire of the heating unit <NUM> is attached to the bottom of the ceramic body <NUM>. The heating unit <NUM> is generally made from an alloy with a high electrical resistivity such as a stainless steel alloy, a nickel-chromium alloy, a ferrum-chromium-aluminum alloy, or a ferrum-nickel alloy. The thickness of the heating body <NUM> may be <NUM>-<NUM>, and the specific thickness of the heating unit <NUM> is not limited. The heating wire and the electrodes may be formed by a cutting or corrosion process, and the electrodes are in contact with external electrodes.

Embodiment <NUM>: As shown in <FIG>, an electronic atomization device comprises an atomizer housing <NUM>, wherein the porous ceramic atomization core <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM> is arranged in the atomizer housing <NUM>, the top and bottom of the porous ceramic atomization core <NUM> are clamped by a sealing element <NUM> and a base <NUM> respectively, and a liquid chamber <NUM> is arranged between the atomizer housing <NUM> and the porous ceramic atomization core <NUM>. The sealing element <NUM> is provided with a socket, the porous ceramic atomization core <NUM> is inlaid in the socket to be fixed, and liquid transfer ports <NUM> communicated with the liquid transfer channels <NUM> and an air vent <NUM> communicated with the air passage are formed in the sealing element <NUM>. The base <NUM> is provided with a receiving cavity, the porous ceramic atomization core <NUM> is arranged in the receiving cavity of the base <NUM>, an air inlet <NUM> is formed in the base <NUM> and is correspondingly communicated with the notch <NUM> of the porous ceramic atomization core <NUM> to form an air passage. By means of the design of the sealing element <NUM> and the base <NUM>, the atomization core is easy and convenient to assemble and high in reliability. When the electronic atomization device works, liquid in the liquid chamber enters the liquid transfer channels <NUM> of the porous ceramic atomization core <NUM> via the liquid transfer ports <NUM> of the sealing element <NUM>, air enters the porous ceramic atomization core <NUM> via the air inlet <NUM> of the base <NUM>, the heating unit <NUM> of the porous ceramic atomization core <NUM> heats and atomizes the liquid into atomized steam, the atomized steam is mixed with the air entering the porous ceramic atomization core <NUM> via the air inlet <NUM> to form aerosol, and the aerosol flows out via the air vent <NUM> of the sealing element <NUM> to be inhaled by users eventually.

As shown in <FIG>, a convex rim <NUM> extends outward from a top surface of each protruding portion <NUM> of the porous ceramic atomization core <NUM>, all portions, other than the convex rims <NUM>, of the porous ceramic atomization core <NUM> are received in the receiving cavity of the base <NUM>, and the convex rims <NUM> abut against a top surface of a side wall of the base <NUM>, such that the porous ceramic atomization core has a better sealing effect. Because it is difficult to accurately control the size tolerance of the porous ceramic due to the limitation of the production process of the porous ceramic, a large void space exits between the porous ceramic atomization core <NUM> and the base <NUM> after the porous ceramic atomization core <NUM> is assembled in the base <NUM>. By arranging the convex rims <NUM> on the top surface of the porous atomization core, the top surface of the porous atomization core is higher than the top surface of the base <NUM>, such that the space between the base <NUM> and the porous ceramic atomization core <NUM> is sealed by the sealing element <NUM>. When the air pressure in the electronic atomization device becomes low with the consumption of liquid, air can eject sealing silicon open under pressure to enter the liquid chamber, thus realizing a ventilation effect.

Claim 1:
A porous ceramic atomization core comprising a heating unit (<NUM>) and a porous ceramic liquid transfer unit (<NUM>), wherein the porous ceramic liquid transfer unit (<NUM>) comprises a ceramic body (<NUM>),
the ceramic body (<NUM>) comprises at least two protruding portions (<NUM>) which are connected into a whole through a connecting portion (<NUM>), a liquid transfer channel (<NUM>) is arranged in each of the protruding portions (<NUM>), and the heating unit (<NUM>) is attached to bottoms of the liquid transfer channels (<NUM>),
characterized in that a support portion extends downward from the ceramic body (<NUM>) and further characterized in that a convex rim (<NUM>) extends outward from a top surface of each of the protrusion portions (<NUM>).