Patent Description:
In the atomizer structure of a conventional electronic cigarette, the e-cigarette liquid is transferred to the heating member by the liquid guiding member, and under the heating by the heating member, the e-cigarette liquid is atomized to form aerosol. When the user inhales, external air flows into the atomizer via the air intake hole, and carries the aerosol into the user's mouth. However, in the actual implementation, the e-cigarette liquid often splashes due to insufficient atomization of the e-cigarette liquid, i.e., the e-cigarette liquid splashes everywhere in the form of tiny liquid droplets, and some droplets may be attached to the bottom seat having a ventilation hole. After a long time in use, the tiny liquid droplets may aggregate to form a relative larger liquid particle, and leak from the atomizer via the ventilation hole, not only a pollution is caused, but also a cleaning workload is increased, and the user experience is poor.

Documents of <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> have disclosed an atomizer or electronic cigarette according to the state of the art.

Accordingly, it is necessary to provide a leak-proof atomizer and an electronic cigarette having the atomizer.

The technical solution adopted by the present application to solve the problem is as follows.

An atomizer includes an atomizing head and a bottom seat assembly provided at one end of the atomizing head. The atomizing head is provided with an atomizing chamber. The bottom seat assembly includes a bottom seat. The bottom seat is provided with a liquid storage groove. The liquid storage groove is in communication with the atomizing chamber. A protrusion body is provided in the liquid storage groove. The protrusion body is provided with at least one ventilation hole. When e-cigarette liquid in the atomizing chamber splashes, the e-cigarette liquid splashed onto the protrusion body is capable of flowing into the liquid storage groove along the protrusion body.

Further, at least a portion of the protrusion body is configured to form a convex curved surface. The ventilation hole is provided in the convex curved surface.

Further, the atomizing head includes an atomizing sleeve and an atomizing end cover provided at one end of the atomizing sleeve. The atomizing chamber is formed by a space between the atomizing sleeve and the atomizing end cover. One end of the atomizing sleeve away from the atomizing end cover is received in the liquid storage groove. An external circumferential surface of the atomizing sleeve tightly contacts a sidewall of the liquid storage groove.

Further, the bottom seat assembly further includes a sealing member. The bottom seat is provided with a fixing groove. The sealing member is provided with a fixing post corresponding to the fixing groove. The sealing member is fixedly connected to the bottom seat via an engagement between the fixing groove and the fixing post.

Further, the atomizer further includes a liquid storage assembly and a mouthpiece assembly. The liquid storage assembly includes a liquid storage tube. The mouthpiece assembly includes a mouthpiece. The bottom seat is fixedly mounted at one end of the liquid storage tube, and the mouthpiece is fixedly mounted at the other end of the liquid storage tube. An interior space of the liquid storage tube forms a liquid storage chamber. The atomizing head is fixedly received in the liquid storage chamber.

Further, the atomizing head includes a liquid guiding member and a heating member which are wrapped around each other. The liquid storage chamber and the atomizing chamber are in communication with each other via the liquid guiding member.

Further, a portion of the liquid guiding member extends into the liquid storage groove.

Further, the liquid storage assembly further includes a ventilation tube received in the liquid storage chamber. One end of the ventilation tube is connected to the liquid storage tube, and the other end of the ventilation tube is connected to the atomizing head. An interior space of the ventilation tube forms an air exhaust passage. The mouthpiece is provided with an air exhaust hole. The air exhaust passage is in communication with the atomizing chamber and the air exhaust hole.

Further, a liquid absorbing member is fixedly provided in the air exhaust hole of the mouthpiece.

Another atomizer includes an atomizing head and a bottom seat assembly provided at one end of the atomizing head. The atomizing head includes an atomizing chamber and a liquid guiding member provided in the atomizing chamber. The bottom seat assembly includes a bottom seat. The bottom seat is provided with a liquid storage groove. The liquid storage groove is in communication with the atomizing chamber. When the atomizer is placed in a horizontal position or in an inversed position, e-cigarette liquid in the liquid storage groove flows into the atomizing chamber and is absorbed by the liquid guiding member.

Further, a bottom of the liquid storage groove is provided with a protrusion body. The protrusion body is provided with a ventilation hole in communication with the atomizing chamber.

Further, the atomizing head further includes a heating member provided in the atomizing chamber. The bottom seat assembly further includes electrodes electrically connected to the heating member. The protrusion body is provided with electrode mounting holes. The electrodes are mounted in the electrode mounting holes.

Further, the atomizing head further includes an atomizing sleeve and an atomizing end cover provided at one end of the atomizing sleeve. The atomizing chamber is formed by a space between the atomizing sleeve and the atomizing end cover. One end of the atomizing sleeve away from the atomizing end cover is received in the liquid storage groove. An external circumferential surface of the atomizing sleeve tightly contacts a sidewall of the liquid storage groove.

Further, the atomizer further includes a liquid storage assembly. The liquid storage assembly includes a liquid storage tube. An interior space of the liquid storage tube forms a liquid storage chamber. The atomizing head is received in the liquid storage chamber. The bottom seat is provided at one end of the liquid storage tube.

Further, the bottom seat assembly further includes a sealing member. The sealing member is provided on the bottom seat. An external circumferential surface of the sealing member contacts an internal circumferential surface of the liquid storage tube.

Further, the atomizer further includes a mouthpiece assembly. The mouthpiece assembly includes a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is provided at one end of the liquid storage tube away from the bottom seat. The mouthpiece is provided with an air exhaust hole. The liquid storage assembly further includes a ventilation tube received in the liquid storage chamber. An interior space of the ventilation tube forms an air exhaust passage. The air exhaust passage is in communication with the atomizing chamber and the air exhaust hole.

Further, a liquid absorbing member is provided in the air exhaust hole.

An electronic cigarette includes any one of the aforementioned atomizer.

The technical effects of the present application are described as follows: in the atomizer of the present application, when the e-cigarette liquid splashes, the e-cigarette liquid splashes everywhere onto the bottom seat, the e-cigarette liquid is capable of flowing into the liquid storage groove along the protrusion body, such that the e-cigarette liquid is prevented from leaking through the ventilation hole. The atomizer has a simple structure with outstanding effects, reduces the cleaning workload for the user, and improves the user experience.

Exemplary embodiments of the present application are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The following table lists the various components and reference numerals in the figures.

The present application is specifically illustrated with reference to accompanying drawings. The drawings are simplified schematic views which show fundamental structures of exemplary embodiments of the present application. Thus, merely the constructions related to the present application are shown.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic cigarette <NUM> is provided by the first embodiment of the present application. The electronic cigarette <NUM> includes an atomizer <NUM> and a battery assembly <NUM> electrically connected to the atomizer <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the atomizer <NUM> includes a liquid storage assembly <NUM>, a mouthpiece assembly <NUM> provided at one end of the liquid storage assembly <NUM>, a bottom seat assembly <NUM> provided at the other end of the liquid storage assembly <NUM>, and an atomizing head <NUM> received in the liquid storage assembly <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the liquid storage assembly <NUM> includes a liquid storage tube <NUM> and a ventilation tube <NUM> fixedly provided in the liquid storage tube <NUM>.

The liquid storage tube <NUM> substantially has a hollow cylindrical structure with an opening at a lower end. The interior space of the liquid storage tube <NUM> forms a liquid storage chamber <NUM> for storing e-cigarette liquid. The liquid storage tube <NUM> is provided with a communication tube <NUM> at a center of an upper end of the liquid storage tube <NUM>. The communication tube <NUM> is in communication with the liquid storage chamber <NUM>.

The ventilation tube <NUM> substantially has a hollow cylindrical structure with two openings at opposite ends. The interior space of the ventilation tube <NUM> forms an air exhaust passage <NUM>. The upper end of the ventilation tube <NUM> is fixedly sleeved around the communication tube <NUM> for connecting the ventilation tube <NUM> and the liquid storage tube <NUM>.

It can be understood that, in alternative embodiments not shown, the ventilation tube <NUM> and the communication tube <NUM> are provided with threads, respectively. The ventilation tube <NUM> is threadedly connected to the liquid storage tube <NUM> via an engagement between the threads, or, the ventilation tube <NUM> is provided with a latching tab, the communication tube <NUM> is provided with a latching groove, the ventilation tube <NUM> is connected to the liquid storage tube <NUM> via an engagement between the latching tab and the latching groove.

Referring to <FIG>, the mouthpiece assembly <NUM> includes a mouthpiece <NUM> mounted on an upper end of the liquid storage tube <NUM> and a liquid absorbing member <NUM> fixedly provided in the mouthpiece <NUM>.

The mouthpiece <NUM> substantially has a hollow cylindrical structure with an opening at a lower end. The mouthpiece <NUM> is provided with an air exhaust hole <NUM> corresponding to the communication tube <NUM>. The air exhaust hole <NUM> is in communication with the air exhaust passage <NUM>. The liquid absorbing member <NUM> is fixedly mounted within the air exhaust hole <NUM>, for preventing the tiny particles of the e-cigarette liquid from passing through the air exhaust hole <NUM> to enter the user's mouth when the e-cigarette liquid splashes.

In use, the user can suck the aerosol by directly aligning the mouth to the air exhaust hole <NUM>. It can be understood that, a connecting member may be assembled to the air exhaust hole <NUM>, and the user can suck the aerosol by holding the connecting member in mouth.

In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid absorbing member <NUM> is cotton. It can be understood that, in alternative embodiments not shown, the liquid absorbing member <NUM> can also be one of fiber rope or non-woven fabric.

In the illustrated embodiment, the mouthpiece <NUM> is provided with a latching groove (not shown), the liquid storage tube <NUM> is provided with a latching tab (not shown) corresponding to the latching groove, the mouthpiece <NUM> is latched to the liquid storage tube <NUM> via an engagement between the latching tab and the latching groove. It can be understood that, in alternative embodiments not shown, the mouthpiece <NUM> can be fixedly connected to the liquid storage tube <NUM> by plugging or threads.

In order to improve an air-tightness between the mouthpiece <NUM> and the liquid storage tube <NUM>, sealing members (not labeled) such as sealing ring or silicone ring are further provided between the mouthpiece <NUM> and the liquid storage tube <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the bottom seat assembly <NUM> includes a bottom seat <NUM> mounted on the lower end of the liquid storage tube <NUM>, and an electrode <NUM> and a sealing member <NUM> that are mounted on the bottom seat <NUM>.

Referring also to <FIG>, the bottom seat <NUM> substantially has a columnar structure. The bottom seat <NUM> is provided with a liquid storage groove <NUM> recessed from a center of an upper end surface of the bottom seat <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid storage groove <NUM> has an elliptical shape. The liquid storage groove <NUM> is provided with a protrusion body <NUM> protruding from a bottom of the liquid storage groove <NUM>. The protrusion body <NUM> is provided with a plurality of ventilation holes <NUM> on an upper end surface of the protrusion body <NUM>. The ventilation holes <NUM> extend through the bottom seat <NUM>. The number of the electrodes <NUM> is two, and correspondingly, the protrusion body <NUM> is provided with two electrode mounting holes <NUM> that are disposed oppositely to each other. One of the electrodes <NUM> is fixedly mounted in one of the electrode mounting holes <NUM>, the other one of the electrodes <NUM> is fixedly mounted in the other one of the electrode mounting holes <NUM>. The lower ends of the electrodes <NUM> are electrically connected to the battery assembly <NUM>. In use, when the e-cigarette liquid splashes, the e-cigarette liquid splashes and flows into the liquid storage groove <NUM> along the protrusion body <NUM>. Therefore, the e-cigarette liquid will not be accumulated on the protrusion body <NUM>, such that the electrodes <NUM> mounted on the protrusion body <NUM> by the electrode mounting holes <NUM> will not be soaked in the e-cigarette liquid. A corrosion damage of the electrodes <NUM> soaked in the e-cigarette liquid can be avoided. It can be understood that, the ventilation holes <NUM> can be only one.

At least a portion of the upper end surface of the protrusion body <NUM> is configured to be a convex curved surface <NUM>, the ventilation hole <NUM> is provided in the convex curved surface <NUM>, the convex curved surface <NUM> can provide a guiding function, for facilitating the e-cigarette liquid to flow into the liquid storage groove <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the convex curved surface <NUM> is a convex arced surface.

In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom seat <NUM> is connected to the liquid storage tube <NUM> by an interference fit, the external circumferential surface of the bottom seat <NUM> contacts the internal circumferential surface of the liquid storage tube <NUM>. The bottom seat <NUM> forms two positioning protrusions <NUM> extending outwardly from the external circumferential surface of the bottom seat <NUM>, and the two positioning protrusions <NUM> are disposed oppositely to each other. The liquid storage tube <NUM> is provided with two positioning grooves (not labeled) corresponding to the positioning protrusions <NUM>. In assembly, by virtue of an engagement between the positioning protrusions <NUM> and the positioning grooves, it facilitates the connection between the bottom seat <NUM> and the liquid storage tube <NUM>. It can be understood that, in alternative embodiments not shown, the bottom seat <NUM> can be connected to the liquid storage tube <NUM> by threads or latching.

The bottom seat <NUM> is provided with two fixing grooves <NUM> on an upper end surface of the bottom seat <NUM>. The two fixing grooves <NUM> are provided on opposite sides of the liquid storage groove <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the sealing member <NUM> substantially has an annular structure, two fixing posts <NUM> corresponding to the two fixing grooves <NUM> are protruded from a lower end surface of the sealing member <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> is fixedly connected to the bottom seat <NUM> by an engagement between the fixing posts <NUM> and the fixing grooves <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> is provided with a fixing hole <NUM> having an elliptical shape at a center position. When the sealing member <NUM> is mounted in place, the external circumferential surface of the sealing member <NUM> tightly contacts the internal circumferential surface of the liquid storage tube <NUM>, such that a leakage of the e-cigarette liquid in the liquid storage chamber <NUM> leaking out from the connecting position between the liquid storage tube <NUM> and the bottom seat <NUM> can be avoided.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing member <NUM> can be silicone ring. It can be understood that, in alternative embodiments not shown, the sealing member <NUM> can be made of rubber, for providing a sealing function.

Referring also to <FIG>, <FIG>, the atomizing head <NUM> includes an atomizing sleeve <NUM>, an atomizing end cover <NUM> provided on an upper end of the atomizing sleeve <NUM>, a liquid guiding member <NUM> and a heating member <NUM>. The liquid guiding member <NUM> and the heating member <NUM> are provided on the atomizing sleeve <NUM>.

The atomizing sleeve <NUM> substantially has a hollow cylindrical structure with two openings at opposite ends. The outer shape of the atomizing sleeve <NUM> matches with the fixing hole <NUM>. The atomizing sleeve <NUM> extends through and is fixedly mounted in the fixing hole <NUM>, and the lower end of the atomizing sleeve <NUM> is received in the liquid storage groove <NUM>. The external circumferential surface of the atomizing sleeve <NUM> tightly contacts the sidewall of the liquid storage groove <NUM>. Because the sealing member <NUM> is tightly sleeved around the atomizing sleeve <NUM>, the sealing member <NUM> can provide a fixing function for the atomizing sleeve <NUM>, for preventing misalignment of the atomizing sleeve <NUM>. Thus, the e-cigarette liquid in the liquid storage groove <NUM> cannot flow out of the liquid storage groove <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the sidewall of the atomizing sleeve <NUM> is provided with two mounting grooves <NUM> opposite to each other. The mounting groove <NUM> has a U-shaped structure and is in communication with the upper end of the atomizing sleeve <NUM>. Opposite ends of the liquid guiding member <NUM> are respectively supported in the mounting grooves <NUM>, for absorbing the e-cigarette liquid in the liquid storage chamber <NUM>. The heating member <NUM> is wrapped around the liquid guiding member <NUM>, and opposite ends of the heating member <NUM> are electrically connected to the electrodes <NUM>, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid guiding member <NUM> is cotton, the heating member <NUM> is a heating wire. It can be understood that, the liquid guiding member <NUM> can also be a combination of two or more than two materials selected from a porous ceramic, a fiber rope, a foam metal, and a foam graphite. The liquid guiding member <NUM> can also be wrapped around the heating member <NUM>.

The atomizing end cover <NUM> substantially has an annular structure, the lower end of the atomizing end cover <NUM> is fixedly connected to the atomizing sleeve <NUM> by an interference fit. Referring to <FIG>, a space between the atomizing sleeve <NUM> and the atomizing end cover <NUM> forms an atomizing chamber <NUM> in communication with the liquid storage groove <NUM>. Referring also to <FIG>, the upper end of the atomizing end cover <NUM> extends upwards to form a connecting tube <NUM> in communication with the atomizing chamber <NUM>. The connecting tube <NUM> is fixedly sleeved around the lower end of the ventilation tube <NUM>, for allowing the air exhaust passage <NUM> to be in communication with the atomizing chamber <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the battery assembly <NUM> includes a battery housing <NUM> connected to the liquid storage tube <NUM> and a battery <NUM> fixedly mounted in the battery housing <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner sidewall of the battery housing <NUM> is provided with a latching tab (not labeled), and the outer sidewall of the liquid storage tube <NUM> is provided with a latching groove (not labeled) for engaging with the latching tab (not labeled). The battery housing <NUM> is fixedly latched to the liquid storage tube <NUM> by an engagement between the latching tab and the latching groove. The battery <NUM> is electrically connected to the electrodes <NUM>, for providing electric driving for the heating member <NUM>. The e-cigarette liquid absorbed by the liquid guiding member <NUM> is heated and atomized by the heating member <NUM> to form aerosol, the aerosol fills up the atomizing chamber <NUM>.

In order to facilitate the air to flow into the atomizer <NUM>, the sidewall of the battery housing <NUM> is provided with an air intake hole (not shown) in communication with the ventilation hole <NUM>.

The use of the atomizer <NUM> of the present application is described below with reference to the companying drawings.

Referring to <FIG>, when the user inhales, external air flows through the air intake hole and the ventilation hole <NUM>, and enters the atomizing chamber <NUM> to mix with the aerosol, the mixed aerosol flows through the air exhaust passage <NUM> and the air exhaust hole <NUM> successively, and finally enters into the user's mouth.

When the e-cigarette liquid splashes due to insufficient atomization, the e-cigarette liquid splashes in the form of tiny liquid droplets everywhere. Referring to <FIG>, when the e-cigarette liquid splashes to the protrusion body <NUM> of the bottom seat <NUM>, under the guidance of the convex curved surface <NUM>, the e-cigarette liquid flows into the liquid storage groove <NUM>, the e-cigarette liquid is effectively prevented from flowing out of the atomizer <NUM> via the ventilation hole <NUM>. When the e-cigarette liquid splashes to the internal wall of the atomizing sleeve <NUM> and the internal wall of the atomizing end cover <NUM>, the e-cigarette liquid flows into the liquid storage groove <NUM> along the internal wall of the atomizing sleeve <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, when the e-cigarette liquid splashes towards the mouthpiece <NUM>, it is finally blocked and absorbed by the liquid absorbing member <NUM> provided within the air exhaust hole <NUM>.

It can be understood that, in addition to gather the splashed tiny droplets of the e-cigarette liquid when the e-cigarette liquid splashes, because the liquid storage groove <NUM> is in communication with the atomizing chamber <NUM>, all the e-cigarette liquid entering into the atomizing chamber <NUM>, if it does not flow out via the air exhaust passage <NUM> and the air exhaust hole <NUM> in the form of aerosol, can finally be gathered in the liquid storage groove <NUM>. For example, after use, the aerosol not flowing out is condensed to form tiny liquid droplets, such tiny liquid droplets can be gathered by the liquid storage groove <NUM>. For another example, after the e-cigarette liquid in the liquid storage chamber <NUM> is leaked into the atomizing chamber <NUM>, the leaked e-cigarette liquid can also be gathered by the liquid storage groove <NUM>.

At the same time, because the air is sucked to enter via the ventilation hole <NUM>, the e-cigarette liquid splashed onto the protrusion body <NUM> will be driven by the air to fly upward, and flows into the liquid storage groove <NUM> along the protrusion body <NUM>.

After use, the user places the atomizer <NUM> in a horizontal position or in an inversed position, the e-cigarette liquid in the liquid storage groove <NUM> will flow to the liquid guiding member <NUM> along the atomizing sleeve <NUM>, to be absorbed by the liquid guiding member <NUM> for use in the next atomization. Therefore, the e-cigarette liquid in the liquid storage groove <NUM> is fully used, a leakage of excessive e-cigarette liquid in the liquid storage groove <NUM> via the ventilation hole <NUM> can be avoided.

In the atomizer <NUM> of the present application, when the e-cigarette liquid splashes, the e-cigarette liquid splashes everywhere onto the bottom seat <NUM>. Under the guidance of the convex curved surface <NUM> of the protrusion body <NUM>, the e-cigarette liquid flows into the liquid storage groove <NUM>, and the e-cigarette liquid is prevented from leaking through the ventilation hole <NUM> of the protrusion body <NUM>. The atomizer <NUM> has a simple structure with outstanding effects, reduces the cleaning workload for the user, and improves the user experience.

In the electronic cigarette <NUM> provided by the present application, because the electronic cigarette <NUM> includes all technical features of the above atomizer <NUM>, thus the electronic cigarette <NUM> has technical effects the same as the above atomizer <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An atomizer (<NUM>) comprising an atomizing head (<NUM>) and a bottom seat assembly (<NUM>) provided at one end of the atomizing head (<NUM>), wherein the atomizing head (<NUM>) is provided with an atomizing chamber (<NUM>), the bottom seat assembly (<NUM>) comprises a bottom seat (<NUM>), the bottom seat (<NUM>) is provided with a liquid storage groove (<NUM>), the liquid storage groove (<NUM>) is in communication with the atomizing chamber (<NUM>), a protrusion body (<NUM>) is provided in the liquid storage groove (<NUM>), the protrusion body (<NUM>) is provided with at least one ventilation hole (<NUM>), the atomizer (<NUM>) is configured such that when e-cigarette liquid in the atomizing chamber (<NUM>) splashes, the e-cigarette liquid splashed onto the protrusion body (<NUM>) flows into the liquid storage groove (<NUM>) along the protrusion body (<NUM>);
characterized in that at least a portion of the protrusion body (<NUM>) is configured to form a convex curved surface (<NUM>), the ventilation hole (<NUM>) is provided in the convex curved surface (<NUM>);
the protrusion body (<NUM>) is provided with a plurality of ventilation holes (<NUM>) on an upper end surface of the protrusion body (<NUM>) and the ventilation holes (<NUM>) extend through the bottom seat (<NUM>).