Patent Description:
Tobacco products (such as cigarettes, cigars, and the like) burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts are made to replace these tobacco-burning products by manufacturing products that release compounds without burning tobacco.

An example of this type of products is a heating device that releases compounds by heating rather than burning materials. For example, the materials may be tobacco or other non-tobacco products, where the non-tobacco products may or may not include nicotine. As another example, there are aerosol-providing products, for example, electronic vaporization devices. These devices usually contain vaporizable liquid, and the liquid is heated to be vaporized, so as to generate an inhalable aerosol. <CIT> (describing the preamble of claim <NUM>) shows an aerosol delivery device. <CIT> discloses an atomizer and an electronic cigarette. <CIT> discloses an assembly for a vapor provision device.

The present invention provides a vaporizer configured to vaporize a liquid substrate to generate an aerosol as defined in claim <NUM>, and an electronic vaporization device comprising such vaporizer as defined in claim <NUM>. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims, the following description and the drawings. Embodiments of this invention inter alia provide a vaporizer, configured to vaporize a liquid substrate to generate an aerosol. including an outer housing, where the outer housing is internally provided with:.

In a preferred embodiment, the first liquid guide element is made from an organic porous material with elasticity.

According to present invention, the first liquid guide element has an elastic modulus or a stiffness smaller than an elastic modulus or a stiffness of the material of the liquid storage chamber and larger than an elastic modulus or a stiffness of the material of the second liquid guide element.

In a preferred embodiment, the first liquid guide element directly contacts with and covers the opening of the liquid storage chamber.

In a preferred embodiment, the first liquid guide element is configured as a sheet or block perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the outer housing.

In a preferred embodiment, the first liquid guide element has a length direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the outer housing and a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the length direction of the outer housing; and a length dimension of the first liquid guide element is greater than a width dimension of the same.

In a preferred embodiment, the first liquid guide element is anisotropic; and preferably, a flexural strength in a length direction is greater than a flexural strength in a width direction; more preferably, a liquid guide rate in a length direction is greater than a liquid guide rate in a width direction; and further preferably, the first liquid guide element includes fibers arranged and oriented substantially in the length direction.

In a preferred embodiment, the first liquid guide element has a shore hardness of <NUM>-<NUM> A. More preferably, the first liquid guide element has a shore hardness of <NUM>-<NUM> A.

In a preferred embodiment, the second liquid guide element is flexible and has a shore hardness less than a shore hardness of the first liquid guide element.

In a preferred embodiment, there is no flexible sealing material between the first liquid guide element and the liquid storage chamber.

In a preferred embodiment, the first liquid guide element is configured to be in a substantially elliptic cylindrical shape.

In a preferred embodiment, the first surface and/or the second surface of the first liquid guide element has a line extending substantially in the length direction.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer housing is internally provided with a smoke output tube extending longitudinally for outputting an aerosol; and the first liquid guide element is provided with a first insertion hole for the smoke output tube to run through.

In a preferred embodiment, the first insertion hole has an oval cross section; and a length direction of the cross section of the first insertion hole is parallel to a length direction of the first liquid guide element.

In a preferred embodiment, the vaporizer further includes:
a first support arranged close to the second surface of the first liquid guide element in the longitudinal direction of the outer housing, and configured to at least partially accommodate and retain the second liquid guide element.

In a preferred embodiment, the second liquid guide element includes a first portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the outer housing, and a second portion extending from the first portion to the first liquid guide element, where.

In a preferred embodiment, the vaporizer further includes:
a first support, configured to at least partially define a vaporization chamber surrounding the first portion and/or the heating element.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer housing is internally provided with a smoke output tube extending longitudinally for outputting an aerosol; and the smoke output tube has an air inlet end in airflow communication with the vaporization chamber, and at least part of the smoke output tube close to the air inlet end is exposed to the vaporization chamber.

In a preferred embodiment, the first support is further configured to at least partially retain the first liquid guide element by abutting against the second surface.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer housing has an inner wall at least partially defining the liquid storage chamber;.

In a preferred embodiment, the vaporizer further includes:
a second support, accommodated in the first support, and at least partially supporting the second liquid guide element accommodated and retained in the first support.

In a preferred embodiment, the heating element includes a heating portion and an electrical pin for supplying power to the heating portion, where.

In a preferred embodiment, the heating element includes a heating portion and an electrical pin for supplying power to the heating portion, where
the electrical pin includes an annular supporting portion having at least one turn, the annular supporting portion being configured to at least partially support the second liquid guide element by surrounding the first portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the heating portion includes a first heating coil and a second heating coil at least partially surrounding the first portion, where
in the extension direction of the first portion, a position of the first heating coil relative to the first portion is different from a position of the second heating coil relative to the first portion.

In a preferred embodiment, a wire material of the first heating coil and/or the second heating coil has a diameter less than a diameter of a wire material of the electrical pin.

In a preferred embodiment, the first heating coil and the second heating coil of the heating portion are connected in parallel.

In a preferred embodiment, the vaporizer further includes:.

In a preferred embodiment, the air inlet end of the smoke output tube is provided with a first notch; and
the first support is provided with a first convex edge at least partially extending into the first notch, and a capillary channel is defined between the first convex edge and the first notch to introduce an aerosol condensate in the first notch out of the smoke output tube.

In a preferred embodiment, the smoke output tube is configured to have a substantially oval cross section; the smoke output tube has a width direction parallel to an extension direction of the first portion and a thickness direction perpendicular to the width direction, and a width dimension of the smoke output tube is greater than a thickness dimension of the same; and
the first notch is located on at least one side in the thickness direction of the smoke output tube.

In a preferred embodiment, the air inlet end of the smoke output tube is further provided with a second notch located in the width direction of the smoke output tube.

In a preferred embodiment, a width of the second notch is less than a width of the first notch.

In a preferred embodiment, the vaporizer further includes:
an air channel providing a flowing path for air to enter the liquid storage chamber.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer housing is internally provided with: an inner wall defining the liquid storage chamber configured to store a liquid substrate; and
the air channel includes a first channel portion formed between the first liquid guide element and the inner wall.

In a preferred embodiment, the first liquid guide element has a peripheral side wall extending between the first surface and the second surface, the peripheral side wall has a straight portion adjacent to the inner wall, and a gap is retained between the straight portion and the inner wall to form the first channel portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner wall is provided with a second convex edge extending in the longitudinal direction of the outer housing, and a gap is retained between the first liquid guide element and the inner wall by abutting the second convex edge against the first liquid guide element to form the first channel portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the first liquid guide element has a peripheral side wall extending between the first surface and the second surface; and the peripheral side wall has a straight portion close to the second convex edge, and a gap is retained between the first liquid guide element and the inner wall by making the straight portion abut against the second convex edge to form the first channel portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the first channel portion substantially extends in the longitudinal direction of the outer housing.

In a preferred embodiment, the second liquid guide element is at least partially exposed to the second channel portion to allow the liquid substrate seeping out via the air channel to be sucked by the second liquid guide element.

In a preferred embodiment, the second channel portion extends in an extension direction different from the first channel portion, and preferably, the second channel portion is substantially perpendicular to the first channel portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the second channel portion is substantially perpendicular to the first channel portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the first support is provided with a groove adjacent to the second surface of the first liquid guide element, and the second channel portion is defined by the groove.

In a preferred embodiment, the groove is at least partially curved.

In a preferred embodiment, the groove at least partially surrounds the second liquid guide element.

In a preferred embodiment, the vaporizer further includes: a liquid buffer space configured to buffer the liquid substrate to adjust the efficiency of transferring the liquid substrate to the heating element.

In a preferred embodiment, the vaporizer further includes:
a liquid buffer space, at least partly surrounding the second liquid guide element and avoiding the portion of the first portion surrounded by the heating element, configured to store the liquid substrate to adjust the efficiency of transferring the liquid substrate to the portion of the first portion surrounded by the heating element.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid buffer space includes at least one first capillary groove; and
the first capillary groove is arranged to at least partially contact with the first portion, and is positioned on at least one side of the heating element in the extension direction of the first portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the first capillary groove is arranged to be perpendicular to the extension direction of the first portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid buffer space includes a barrier chamber extending in the longitudinal direction of the outer housing, the barrier chamber being configured to at least partially surround the second portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the vaporizer further includes:
a first support configured to at least partially accommodate and retain the second portion; and the first support is provided with a window or hollow part adjacent to the second portion, and the barrier chamber is defined by the window or the hollow part.

In a preferred embodiment, a length of the barrier chamber extending in the longitudinal direction of the outer housing is less than <NUM>/<NUM> the extension length of the second portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid buffer space further includes a second capillary groove arranged surrounding the second portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the second capillary groove is arranged to be parallel to the extension direction of the second portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the second portion has a liquid suction end close to the liquid storage chamber, and the second capillary groove is close to the liquid suction end.

Another embodiment of this invention further provides an electronic vaporization device, see claim <NUM>, including a vaporizer configured to vaporize a liquid substrate to generate an aerosol, and a power supply assembly configured to supply power to the vaporizer. The vaporizer includes the vaporizer described above.

One or more embodiments are exemplarily described with reference to the corresponding figures in the accompanying drawings, and the descriptions are not to be construed as limiting the embodiments. Elements in the accompanying drawings that have same reference numerals are represented as similar elements, and unless otherwise particularly stated, the figures in the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale.

For ease of understanding of this invention, this invention is described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementations.

An embodiment of this invention provides an electronic vaporization device. Referring to <FIG>, the electronic vaporization device includes: a vaporizer <NUM>, configured to store a liquid substrate and vaporize the liquid substrate to generate an aerosol; and a power supply assembly <NUM>, configured to supply power to the vaporizer <NUM>.

In an optional embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the power supply assembly <NUM> includes: a receiving chamber <NUM>, provided at an end in a length direction and configured to receive and accommodate at least part of the vaporizer <NUM>; and a first electrical contact <NUM>, at least partially exposed on a surface of the receiving chamber <NUM>, and configured to be electrically connected to the vaporizer <NUM> when at least part of the vaporizer <NUM> is received and accommodated in the power supply assembly <NUM>, to supply power to the vaporizer <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment shown in <FIG>, a second electrical contact <NUM> is provided on an end portion of the vaporizer <NUM> opposite to the power supply assembly <NUM> in the length direction, so that when at least part of the vaporizer <NUM> is received in the receiving chamber <NUM>, the second electrical contact <NUM> contacts with and abuts against the first electrical contact <NUM> to form conductivity.

A seal member <NUM> is arranged in the power supply assembly <NUM>, and at least part of an internal space of the power supply assembly <NUM> is separated by the seal member <NUM> to form the foregoing receiving chamber <NUM>. In the preferred embodiment shown in <FIG>, the seal member <NUM> is configured to extend along a cross section of the power supply assembly <NUM>, and is preferably prepared by a flexible material, to prevent the liquid substrate seeping from the vaporizer <NUM> to the receiving chamber <NUM> from flowing to components such as a controller <NUM> and a sensor <NUM> inside the power supply assembly <NUM>.

In the preferred embodiment shown in <FIG>, the power supply assembly <NUM> further includes: a battery cell <NUM>, located at the other end facing away from the receiving chamber <NUM> in the length direction, and configured to supply power; and a controller <NUM>, arranged between the battery cell <NUM> and an accommodating chamber, and operably guiding a current between the battery cell <NUM> and the first electrical contact <NUM>.

During use, the power supply assembly <NUM> includes a sensor <NUM>, configured to sense an inhalation airflow generated by a suction nozzle cap <NUM> of the vaporizer <NUM> during inhalation, so that the controller <NUM> controls, according to a detection signal of the sensor <NUM>, the battery cell <NUM> to output the current to the vaporizer <NUM>.

Further, in the preferred embodiment shown in <FIG>, a charging interface <NUM> is provided on the other end of the power supply assembly <NUM> facing away from the receiving chamber <NUM>, and is configured to charge the battery cell <NUM>.

The embodiments in <FIG> are schematic structural diagrams of the vaporizer <NUM> in <FIG> according to an embodiment. The vaporizer includes:
a main housing <NUM>; As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the main housing <NUM> is substantially in a flat cylindrical shape, and certainly, the main housing is hollow inside to accommodate necessary functional components configured to store and vaporize the liquid substrate. The main housing <NUM> has a near end <NUM> and a far end <NUM> opposite to each other in the length direction. According to requirements for common use, the near end <NUM> is configured as an end for a user to inhale the aerosol, and a suction nozzle A for the user to inhale is arranged at the near end <NUM>; and the far end <NUM> is used as an end combined with the power supply assembly <NUM>, and the far end <NUM> of the main housing <NUM> is an opening on which a detachable end cap <NUM> is mounted. The opening is configured to mount necessary functional components inside the main housing <NUM>.

Further, in a specific embodiment shown in <FIG>, the second electrical contact <NUM> runs through the surface of the end cap <NUM> into the vaporizer <NUM>, so that at least part of the second electrical contact is exposed outside the vaporizer <NUM>, so as to form conductivity through contact with the first electrical contact <NUM>. In addition, the end cap <NUM> is further provided with a first air inlet <NUM>, configured to supply external air into the vaporizer <NUM> during inhalation. Further referring to <FIG>, certainly, the second electrical contact <NUM> is flush with the surface of the end cap <NUM> after assembly.

Further referring to <FIG>, the main housing <NUM> is internally provided with a liquid storage chamber <NUM> for storing the liquid substrate, and a vaporization assembly for sucking the liquid substrate from the liquid storage chamber <NUM>, and heating and vaporizing the liquid substrate. In a cross-sectional structural diagram shown in <FIG>, a smoke transfer tube <NUM> in an axial direction is arranged inside the main housing <NUM>, and the liquid storage chamber <NUM> configured to store the liquid substrate is formed in a space between an outer wall of the smoke transfer tube <NUM> and an inner wall of the main housing <NUM>. A first end of the smoke transfer tube <NUM> opposite to the near end <NUM> is in communication with the suction nozzle A, so that an aerosol generated is transferred to the suction nozzle A for inhalation.

Further, as shown in the figure, the smoke transfer tube <NUM> and the main housing <NUM> are molded integrally with a moldable material, and the liquid storage chamber <NUM> formed after preparation is open or opened towards the far end <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the vaporization assembly includes: a second liquid guide element <NUM>, and a heating element <NUM> configured to heat and vaporize the liquid substrate sucked by the second liquid guide element <NUM>. Specifically,
the second liquid guide element <NUM> is made from flexible strip-shaped or rod-shaped fiber materials, such as cotton fibers, non-woven fibers, sponge, etc. During assembly, the second liquid guide element <NUM> is configured to be in a U shape, including a first portion <NUM> extending in a width direction of the main housing <NUM>, and a second portion <NUM> extending from the two side ends of the first portion <NUM> to the liquid storage chamber <NUM> in the longitudinal direction of the outer housing <NUM>. During use, the second portion <NUM> is configured to suck the liquid substrate and transfer the liquid substrate to the first portion <NUM> after the liquid substrate is infiltrated by capillaries. The heating element <NUM> is configured to at least partially surround the first portion <NUM>, and to heat at least part of the liquid substrate in the first portion <NUM> to generate an aerosol. As shown in <FIG>, the heating element <NUM> is of a structure of a spiral heating wire and may be made from resistive metals such as Fe-Cr-Al alloy, Ni-Cr alloy, etc..

In an optional embodiment, the second liquid guide element <NUM> in <FIG> has a first portion <NUM> with an extension length d1 of about <NUM>, and a second portion <NUM> with an extension length d2 of about <NUM>. The inner diameter of the heating element <NUM> is approximately within a range of <NUM>-<NUM>.

Further, in a preferred embodiment shown in <FIG>, the main housing <NUM> is further internally provided with a first liquid guide element <NUM>; and the first liquid guide element <NUM> is a layer of flaky or blocky organic porous fiber extending along the cross section of the main housing <NUM>. After assembly, the upper surface of the first liquid guide element <NUM> close to the liquid storage chamber <NUM> is opposite to the liquid storage chamber <NUM> and is configured to suck the liquid substrate, and the lower surface of the first liquid guide element facing away from the liquid storage chamber <NUM> is configured to transfer the liquid substrate to the second portion <NUM> of the second liquid guide element <NUM> in contact with the lower surface, as indicated by arrow R1 in <FIG>. The first liquid guide element <NUM> is provided with a first insertion hole <NUM> for the smoke transfer tube <NUM> to run through.

Based on the assembly and fixation of the second liquid guide element <NUM> and the first liquid guide element <NUM>, in the embodiments shown in <FIG>, the main housing <NUM> is further internally provided with an inner support <NUM> and an outer support <NUM>. Specifically,
the outer support <NUM> is generally in a hollow cup shape or barrel shape, and the inner support <NUM> is accommodated and assembled in a hollow part of the outer support <NUM>. Specifically, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the outer support <NUM> includes a first supporting portion <NUM> and a second supporting portion <NUM> opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction of the main housing <NUM>, and a window or hollow part <NUM> between the two, where the first supporting portion <NUM> is close to the liquid storage chamber <NUM>, and the second supporting portion <NUM> is close to the end cap <NUM>. The inner support <NUM> has a first retaining portion <NUM> and a second retaining portion <NUM> opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction of the main housing <NUM>, where the first retaining portion <NUM> is close to the liquid storage chamber <NUM>, and the second retaining portion <NUM> is close to the end cap <NUM>.

After assembly, the upper ends of the inner support <NUM> and the outer support <NUM> close to the liquid storage chamber <NUM> abut against or support the first liquid guide element <NUM>; and the second liquid guide element <NUM> is clamped and held by the inner support <NUM> and the outer support <NUM> from the inner and outer sides, and the second liquid guide element <NUM> is held between the inner support <NUM> and the outer support <NUM>.

Specifically, after assembly, in the longitudinal direction of the outer housing <NUM>, the second retaining portion <NUM> and the second supporting portion <NUM> of the inner support <NUM> clamp the first portion <NUM> of the second liquid guide element <NUM> from the upper and lower sides, respectively. In addition, in the width direction of the outer housing <NUM>, the first retaining portion <NUM> and the first supporting portion <NUM> of the inner support <NUM> clamp the second portion <NUM> of the second liquid guide element <NUM> from the inner and outer sides, respectively.

In the preferred embodiment shown in <FIG>, the outer support <NUM> is preferably made from flexible materials such as silica gel and thermoplastic elastomers, and a first convex rib <NUM> extending in the circumferential direction is provided on the outer wall of the first supporting portion <NUM>; and/or a second convex rib <NUM> extending axially is provided on the outer wall of the second supporting section <NUM>. During implementation, the first convex rib <NUM> and the second convex rib <NUM> are configured to seal the gap between the outer support <NUM> and the main housing <NUM>. The inner support <NUM> is made from flexible or rigid materials.

Further, according to the preferred embodiment shown in <FIG>, the inner support <NUM> has a first clamping port <NUM> located on both sides in the width direction, and the first supporting portion <NUM> of the outer bracket <NUM> has a second clamping portion <NUM>; and after assembly, the second portion <NUM> of the second liquid guide element <NUM> is clamped by the first clamping port <NUM> and the second clamping port <NUM> respectively from both sides.

Referring also to <FIG>, the lower end of the second retaining portion <NUM> of the inner support <NUM> is provided with a U-shaped third clamping port <NUM>, which in turn presses the first portion <NUM> against the inner bottom wall of the second supporting portion <NUM>.

The state after assembly is shown in <FIG>. The window or hollow part <NUM> is arranged close to both sides of the outer support <NUM> in the width direction, and at least partly surrounds the second portion <NUM>, so that at least part of the second portion <NUM> is exposed to the outer support <NUM>. Furthermore, the exposed portion of the second portion <NUM> is a suspension portion <NUM> that is out of contact with both the outer support <NUM> and the inner support <NUM>. A barrier space is formed on the periphery of the suspension portion <NUM>, thereby preventing the liquid substrate from flowing or transferring rapidly to the first portion <NUM> along the surface of the suspension portion <NUM>. In an optional embodiment, the dimension or distance d3 of the window or hollow part <NUM> in <FIG> in the longitudinal direction is designed to be <NUM>-<NUM>, preferably <NUM>; and does not exceed <NUM>/<NUM> the length of the second portion <NUM> of the second liquid guide element <NUM>.

Further, according to <FIG>, a plurality of first capillary grooves <NUM> extending in the longitudinal direction are provided on the surface of the first clamping port <NUM>. Similarly, a second capillary groove <NUM> is provided on the outer side wall of the second retaining portion <NUM> of the inner support <NUM> adjacent to the second portion <NUM>, especially the suspension portion <NUM>. After assembly, the first capillary groove <NUM> and/or the second capillary groove <NUM> are configured to suck and buffer the liquid substrate, which can also adjust the efficiency of the liquid substrate flowing on the surface of the second portion <NUM>.

The design of a gas path for the release and output of aerosols is shown in <FIG>. A first cavity <NUM> of the second supporting portion <NUM> facing the outer support <NUM> in the longitudinal direction is formed in the second retaining portion <NUM> of the inner support <NUM>, and a second cavity <NUM> of the second retaining portion <NUM> facing the inner support <NUM> is correspondingly provided on the second supporting portion <NUM> of the outer bracket <NUM>. After assembly, the first cavity <NUM> and the second cavity <NUM> cooperate with each other to define a vaporization chamber surrounding the heating element <NUM> and/or the first portion <NUM>, and the aerosol generated by the heating element <NUM> is released into the vaporization chamber.

A second air inlet <NUM> is provided on the wall of the outer support <NUM> facing the end cap <NUM>, thereby allowing external air to enter the vaporization chamber via the first air inlet <NUM> of the end cap <NUM> during inhalation. In addition, the first retaining portion <NUM> of the inner support <NUM> is provided with a second insertion hole <NUM> for connection and assembly of the smoke transfer tube <NUM>. After assembly, the aerosol generated in the vaporization chamber is carried by air entering the vaporization chamber via the second air inlet <NUM> is output by the smoke transfer tube <NUM>, as indicated by arrow R2 in <FIG>.

In order to facilitate power supply of the heating element <NUM>, the side of the outer support <NUM> facing the end cap <NUM> is also provided with a contact hole <NUM> for at least partially accommodating and retaining the second electrical contact <NUM>; and pins <NUM> on both ends of the heating element <NUM> run into the contact hole <NUM>, and then achieve conduction with the second electrical contact <NUM> by abutting or welding.

A capillary structure for sucking aerosol condensate is further provided in the vaporization chamber. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the capillary structure includes a third capillary groove <NUM> positioned on the inner wall of the second cavity <NUM>, and configured to suck and retain the aerosol condensate in the vaporization chamber under capillary action. Alternately, in other variable embodiments, the capillary structure further includes a fourth capillary groove <NUM> formed on the inner wall of the first cavity <NUM>.

In the foregoing embodiments, the first capillary groove <NUM> and/or the second capillary groove <NUM> and/or the third capillary groove <NUM> and/or the fourth capillary groove <NUM> each have a width of about <NUM> and a depth of about <NUM>.

In a still more preferred embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the second supporting portion <NUM> of the outer support <NUM> is internally provided with an assembly chamber <NUM> adapted to the shape of the first portion <NUM> of the second liquid guide element <NUM>, which is configured to assist the positioning of the second liquid guide element <NUM> in the outer support <NUM>. In the meanwhile, a fifth capillary groove <NUM> extending in the thickness direction of the main housing <NUM> is arranged on the wall of the assembly chamber <NUM>. The fifth capillary groove <NUM> is located on both sides of the heating element <NUM> or the portion of the first portion <NUM> surrounded by the heating element <NUM> in the width direction of the main housing <NUM>. Finally, a gap or space is formed between the part close to the vaporization area heated by the heating element 40a and the first portion <NUM>, which is configured to suck and buffer the liquid substrate and prevent the liquid substrate from being transferred directly and quickly to the portion surrounded by the heating element 40a to alleviate the situation that E-liquid is suddenly blown off.

In an optional embodiment, the fifth capillary groove <NUM> is designed to have a width of <NUM> and a depth of <NUM>.

In still another preferred embodiment, the first liquid guide element <NUM> is made from an organic porous material with elasticity, which shows moderate flexibility and rigidity. According to present invention, the first liquid guide element <NUM> has an elastic modulus or stiffness of a material smaller than that of the material of the main housing <NUM> or a defined liquid storage chamber <NUM> and larger than that of the material of the second liquid guide element <NUM>. Specifically, the material is hard staple rayon with a Shore hardness of <NUM>-<NUM> A. In an optional embodiment, the first liquid guide element <NUM> is made from hard staple rayon including oriented polyester fibers or hard artificial or artificial foam made from filamentous polyurethane. The above first liquid guide element <NUM> has hardness or flexibility between the common flexible vegetable cotton/non-woven fabric (shore hardness less than 20A) and rigid porous ceramics/microporous metals (shore hardness greater than 80A), so that the structure is stable and expands little after sucking and infiltrating itself with the liquid substrate. After assembly, the first liquid guide element <NUM> is in contact (between flexible contact and rigid contact) with the inner wall of the outer housing <NUM> and/or the tube wall of the smoke output tube <NUM>. On one hand, it can independently seal the liquid storage chamber <NUM> by its own flexibility, on the other hand, it has a certain hardness, which allows the first liquid guide element to be easily fixed and retained. Specifically, according to the foregoing figure, the shape of the first liquid guide element <NUM> is substantially matched with the opening in the lower end of the liquid storage chamber <NUM>, so as to cover, block and seal the liquid storage chamber <NUM>.

In a more preferred embodiment, the first liquid guide element <NUM> has a Shore hardness <NUM>-<NUM> A, which is approximately equal to that of a thermoplastic elastomer or silica gel.

<FIG> shows a schematic diagram of the shape of the surface or cross section of the first liquid guide element <NUM> with the above hardness. The first liquid guide element <NUM> is roughly in an oval shape, and the first insertion hole <NUM> matched with the smoke transfer tube <NUM> is also in an oval shape. The first liquid guide element <NUM> is made from oriented fibers such as polyethylene and/or polypropylene fibers substantially arranged in a length direction. For example, <FIG> shows a micrograph of polypropylene fibers with an oriented arrangement in one embodiment. Through the arrangement of the oriented fibers in the length direction of the first liquid guide element <NUM>, the first liquid guide element <NUM> shows strong bending resistance and then high rigidness. The first liquid guide element <NUM> is prepared from the above organic fibers. In the preparation process, sufficient gaps are retained between the fiber materials, which can not only transfer the liquid substrate, but also give the first liquid guide element <NUM> appropriate flexibility. The first liquid guide element <NUM> having the foregoing oriented fibers is anisotropic. Specifically, in one aspect, the flexural strength in the length direction is greater than the flexural strength in the width direction. Alternatively, in another aspect, the liquid guide rate in the length direction is greater than the liquid guide rate in the width direction.

In the meanwhile, in <FIG>, a line <NUM> extending in the length direction is provided on the surface or in the first liquid guide element <NUM>. Specifically, the line <NUM> is made from the foregoing oriented fibers by a textile process such as roller pressing, and during the preparation process, the spacing between some fibers is increased by roller pressing or hydroentanglement process, so as to form a dent visible to the naked eye at the position where the spacing is increased, and the width is less than <NUM>, and is about <NUM>-<NUM>. Furthermore, a line <NUM> is formed on the surface or inside of the first liquid guide element <NUM> by the above dents, which is beneficial for transmitting and retaining the liquid substrate and improving hardness.

In the first liquid guide element <NUM> shown in <FIG> of the above embodiment, the first liquid guide element <NUM> has a length d4 of <NUM>, a width d5 of <NUM>, and a thickness of <NUM>.

Further referring to <FIG>, the vaporizer <NUM> also includes an air pressure balance channel for air to enter the liquid storage chamber <NUM>, to supplement air into the liquid storage chamber <NUM> and thereby alleviate the negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber <NUM> caused by the consumption of the liquid substrate. Specifically, in an embodiment, in <FIG>, a sunken structure <NUM> is provided on the side wall of the first supporting portion <NUM>, thereby retaining a gap between the first supporting portion <NUM> and the inner wall of the outer housing <NUM>. In addition, the two sides of the peripheral side wall of the first liquid guide element <NUM> are provided with a straight portion <NUM>, so as to also retain a gap between the straight portion <NUM> of the first liquid guide element <NUM> and the inner wall of the outer housing <NUM>. Furthermore, when the negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber <NUM> exceeds a certain threshold, the air in the window or hollow part <NUM> can, according to the arrow R3 in <FIG>, run through the gap defined by the sunken structure <NUM> and the gap defined by the straight portion <NUM>, and then enters the liquid storage chamber <NUM>. Certainly, in the above embodiments, on one hand, the space in the window or hollow part <NUM> is communicated with the vaporization chamber through the gap between the second portion <NUM> and the inner support <NUM>. On the other hand, the space in the window or hollow part <NUM> is communicated with the external atmosphere through the gap between the outer support <NUM> and the outer housing <NUM>.

<FIG> show a schematic diagram of a vaporizer 100a according to still another embodiment. The vaporizer includes:.

Further referring to <FIG>, the retaining structure inside the outer support 70a for retaining the second liquid guide element 30a includes:
a first retaining cavity 71a disposed on the inner bottom wall extending in the width direction of the main housing 10a for retaining the first portion 31a of the second liquid guide element 30a; and a second retaining cavity 72a extending in the longitudinal direction of the main housing 10a and configured to retain the second portion 32a of the second liquid guide element 30a.

In the meanwhile, a fifth capillary groove 711a extending in the thickness direction of the main housing 10a is arranged on the wall of the first retaining cavity 71a. The fifth capillary groove 711a is located on both sides of the heating element 40a or the portion of the first portion 31a surrounded by the heating element 40a in the width direction of the main housing <NUM>. Finally, a gap or space is formed between the part close to the vaporization area heated by the heating element 40a and the first portion <NUM>, which is configured to buffer the liquid substrate to prevent the liquid substrate from directly and quickly flowing to or being transferred to the portion surrounded by the heating element 40a to alleviate the situation that E-liquid is suddenly blown off.

After assembly, as shown in <FIG>, the distance d6 between the fifth capillary groove 711a and the heating portion of the heating element 40a, namely the first spiral coil 410a and/or the second spiral coil 420a, in the width direction of the outer housing 10a is about <NUM>.

The first convex rib 75a and the second convex rib 76a extending in the circumferential direction are also arranged on the outer wall of the outer support 70a and configured to seal the gap between the outer support 70a and the main housing 10a. The first convex rib 75a is close to the end cap 20a, and the second rib 76a is close to the first liquid guide element 50a.

The outer support 70a is further provided with a second air inlet 77a facing the end cap 20a, which is configured to allow external air to enter the vaporization chamber inside the outer support 70a via the first air inlet 22a. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, a plurality of first convex edges 73a extending longitudinally are arranged on the inner wall of the outer support 70a, and a capillary groove 731a capable of sucking and retaining aerosol condensate in the vaporization chamber is formed between the first convex edges 73a. In this embodiment, the first convex edge 73a has a width of approximately <NUM>-<NUM>, and the capillary groove 731a has a width less than <NUM>.

In preferred embodiments shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the air inlet end of the smoke output tube 11a facing away from the suction nozzles A is provided with first notches 111a. Preferably, two first notches 111a are arranged opposite to each other in the thickness direction of the main housing 10a. Second convex edges 74a at least partially extending in the first notches 111a are arranged in the outer support 70a in cooperation with the first notches 111a. After assembly, the two side surfaces of the second convex edge 74a are not in contact with the two side surfaces of the first notch 111a, and as shown in <FIG>, a certain distance is kept between the second convex edge 74a and the two side surfaces of the first notch 111a. Furthermore, the space is controlled to be lower than <NUM>, so that a capillary channel with capillary action is formed between the second convex edge and the first notch. Under the capillary force of the capillary channel, the condensate in the smoke output tube 11a falling or flowing to the air inlet end is sucked and guided to the vaporization chamber of the outer support 70a, so as to prevent the situation that condensate is accumulated in the smoke output tube 11a to form a liquid column, and alleviate or eliminate the problem that the condensate is sucked.

According to <FIG>, in order to ensure that the second convex edge 74a can extend into the first notch 111a of the smoke output tube 11a, the second convex edge 74a has a projection height greater than that of the first convex edge 73a, and a width the same as that of the first convex edge 73a.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the cross section of the smoke output tube 11a is in an oval shape; and the oval shape takes the width direction of the main housing 10a as the long axis B1 and the thickness direction of the main housing 10a as the short axis B2, so that the condensate in the smoke output tube 11a tends to aggregate at the end of the long axis B1 with a greater curvature. Furthermore, the end of the smoke output tube 11a is provided with a second notch 112a close to at least one side of the main housing 10a in the width direction. Through the second notch 112a, the end of the long shaft B1 with a large curvature is hollowed out, thereby eliminating the accumulation of condensate at the end and making more condensates accumulate to the position close to the first notch 111a, so as to make it convenient to guide the condensate to the vaporization chamber under the cooperation of the second convex edge 74a.

In a preferred embodiment shown in <FIG>, a width of the first notch 111a is less than a width of the second notch 112a. In the embodiment, the width of the first notch 111a is about <NUM>, and the width of the second notch 112a is about <NUM>.

In the embodiments shown in <FIG>, the smoke output tube 11a has an inclined tube wall 113a close to the first notch 111a. During use, as indicated by arrow R4 in <FIG>, the aerosol condensate on the inner wall of the smoke output tube 11a is drained from the inclined tube wall 113a to the first notch 111a, then sucked to the surface of the second convex edge 74a by a capillary channel formed by the second convex edge 74a and the first notch 111a, and then flows downward to the vaporization chamber in the outer support 70a. Moreover, as can be shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second convex edge 74a is not in contact with the surface of the first notch 111a.

During use, with the consumption of the liquid substrate, the negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber 12a gradually increases, which affects the smooth transfer of the liquid substrate from the liquid storage chamber 12a to the second liquid guide element 30a. Furthermore, the vaporizer 100a is internally provided with an air pressure balance channel for replenishing air into the liquid storage chamber 12a, which alleviates the negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber 12a and ensures the smooth transfer of the liquid substrate. Referring to <FIG>, the air pressure balance channel includes two channel portions communicated with each other in sequence, namely, the first channel portion indicated by arrow R31 in <FIG> and the second channel portion indicated by arrow R32 in <FIG>. Specifically,
at least one third convex edge 14a is arranged on the inner walls close to both sides of the main housing 10a in the width direction. Specifically, in <FIG>, there are two third convex edges 14a, and a certain space 141a is retained between them. In conjunction with the space 141a, the peripheral side wall of the rigid first liquid guide element 50a in <FIG> has a straight portion 52a in structural arrangement. After assembly, the straight portion 52a abuts against the third convex edge 14a, thereby defining the space 141a and keeping the space from being filled or blocked.

Furthermore, an air groove 79a is provided on the surface of the outer support 70a close to the first liquid guide element 50a. In <FIG>, an air groove 79a is located at both ends of the outer support 70a near the width direction. One side of the air groove 79a is communicated with the space inside the outer bracket 70a, namely, the vaporization chamber, and the other side is communicated with the above space 141a, so that the air in the vaporization chamber passes through the air groove 79a along the arrow R31 in <FIG>, and then enters the liquid storage chamber 12a from the spacing 141a to the main housing 10a as indicated by the arrow R32 in <FIG>, thereby alleviating or eliminating negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber 12a.

In the preferred embodiments shown in <FIG>, the main housing 10a is also internally provided with a fourth convex edge 13a for abutting against and clamping the first liquid guide element 50a after assembly.

<FIG> shows a schematic diagram of a heating element 40a from still another perspective. The heating element includes a first electrical pin 41a and a second electrical pin 42a arranged opposite to each other in the length direction, and a first spiral coil 410a and a second spiral coil 420a extending between the first electrical pin 41a and the second electrical pin 42a. In this embodiment, the first spiral coil 410a and the second spiral coil 420a are connected in parallel after being powered by the first electrical pin 41a and the second electrical pin 42a at the same time. Structurally, the first spiral coil 410a and the second spiral coil 420a are closely connected in parallel. In an optional embodiment, the first spiral coil 410a and the second spiral coil 420a each have approximately <NUM>-<NUM> turns or windings, and an extension length of approximately <NUM>-<NUM>, and in <FIG>, the first spiral coil and the second spiral coil each have <NUM> turns or windings, and a design length of <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the first spiral coil 410a and the second spiral coil 420a are parallel or staggered in the axial direction, rather than overlapped in the radial direction, and are at different positions with respect to the first portion 31a in the extension direction of the first portion 31a after assembly, so that the heating efficiency of the contact area with the first portion 31a is greater.

The wire material used in the first electrical pin 41a and the second electrical pin 42a has a diameter greater than that of the wire material used in the first spiral coil 410a and the second spiral coil 420a. That is, the first electrical pin 41a and the second electrical pin 42a are made from relatively thick wires, and the first spiral coil 410a and the second spiral coil 420a are made from relatively thin wires, so as to facilitate connection between the two ends of the first and second spiral coils and the first electrical pin 41a and the second electrical pin 42a. In a specific embodiment, the first electrical pin 41a and the second electrical pin 42a are made from wires with a diameter of about <NUM>, and the first spiral coil 410a and the second spiral coil 420a are made from wires of <NUM>.

In an optional embodiment, the first spiral coil 410a and the second spiral coil 420a are made from suitable resistive metals or alloys, such as Fe-Cr-Al, Ni-Cr alloy, etc., which have a relatively large temperature coefficient of resistance. The first electrical pin 41a and the second electrical pin 42a provide the function of electrical pins and are made from metals or alloys with high electrical conductivity and low resistivity, such as gold, silver, copper, etc., or the electrical pin may be a slender pin prepared by forming the above-mentioned metal coating on the outer surface of the filamentous substrate.

Further referring to <FIG>, the first electrical pin 41a includes an annular supporting portion 411a and an electric connection portion 412a, where.

the annular supporting portion 411a is connected to the first spiral coil 410a and the second spiral coil 420a, and their spiral dimensions, such as outer or inner diameters, are substantially the same; and furthermore, during assembly, the annular supporting portion 411a can also surround the first portion 31a of the second liquid guide element 30a, so that after assembly, the first portion 31a of the second liquid guide element 30a is supported by the annular supporting portion 411a of the first electrical pin 41a. The electric connection portion 412a runs through the outer bracket 70a, so as to be abutted against or welded to the second electrical contact 21a.

Further referring to <FIG>, after assembly, the first spiral coil 410a and the second spiral coil 420a of the heating element <NUM>, instead of being in contact with the inner wall of the outer support 70a and/or the wall of a first retaining cavity 71a, are retained on the inner wall of the outer support 70a and/or the wall of the first retaining cavity 71a through the annular supporting portion 411a of the first electrical pin 41a, thereby supporting the heating element 40a. In operation, the first electrical pin 41a and the second electrical pin 42a have a lower temperature than the first spiral coil 410a and the second spiral coil 420a, so as to avoid thermal damage to the outer support 70a.

Further referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, the electric connection portion 412a of the first electrical pin 41a is in a bent hook shape; and in an assembled structure, the outer support 70a has a lead hole 781a that runs through the inner wall to the surface facing the end cap 20a, and a contact hole 782a arranged toward the end cap 20a and configured to at least partially accommodate the second electrical contact 21a. After assembly, the electric connection portion 412a runs through the lead hole 781a and then extends or bends into the contact hole 782a to achieve electric conduction with the second electrical contact 21a.

Certainly, the second electrical pin 42a has a structure, connection and assembly the same as the first electrical pin 41a.

In an optional embodiment, the above heating element 40a has an inner diameter of about <NUM>-<NUM>, preferably <NUM>-<NUM>; and the heating element 40a has a resistance of about <NUM>-<NUM> Ohm.

In other alternate embodiments, the heating element 40a may alternatively be formed by a mesh substrate wound around the first portion 31a. Alternatively, furthermore, <FIG> shows a schematic diagram of a heating element 40b according to an embodiment, the heating element being formed by means such as cutting a tubular substrate 41b to form square notches or hollow holes 42b; and during use, heating is performed around the first portion 31a to generate an aerosol for inhalation.

Claim 1:
A vaporizer (<NUM>, 100a), configured to vaporize a liquid substrate to generate an aerosol, comprising an outer housing (<NUM>, 10a), wherein the outer housing (<NUM>, 10a) is internally provided with:
a liquid storage chamber (<NUM>, 12a), configured to store a liquid substrate; the liquid storage chamber (<NUM>, 12a) having an opening;
a first liquid guide element (<NUM>, 50a) having a first surface close to the liquid storage chamber (<NUM>, 12a) in a longitudinal direction of the outer housing (<NUM>, 10a), and a second surface away from the first surface, wherein the first surface is configured to be in fluid communication with the liquid storage chamber (<NUM>, 12a) to suck and buffer the liquid substrate in the liquid storage chamber (<NUM>, 12a); and the first liquid guide element (<NUM>, 50a) is made from an organic porous material and is configured to cover the opening to seal the liquid storage chamber (<NUM>, 12a), such that the liquid substrate in the liquid storage chamber (<NUM>, 12a) is substantially removed through the first liquid guide element (<NUM>, 50a);
a second liquid guide element (<NUM>, 30a), configured to at least partially contact with the second surface to suck the liquid substrate; and
a heating element (<NUM>, 40a), configured to heat at least part of the liquid substrate in the second liquid guide element (<NUM>, 30a) to generate an aerosol,
characterized in that, the first liquid guide element (<NUM>, 50a) has an elastic modulus or a stiffness smaller than an elastic modulus or a stiffness of the material of the liquid storage chamber (<NUM>, 12a) and larger than an elastic modulus or a stiffness of the material of the second liquid guide element (<NUM>, 30a).