Patent ID: 12193510

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely with reference to the figures in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without any creative work are within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG.1is a perspective structural schematic view of an embodiment of an atomizer of the present disclosure.FIG.2is a cross-sectional structural schematic view of an embodiment of an atomizer of the present disclosure.FIG.3is an enlarged schematic view of portion A ofFIG.2.FIG.4is an exploded structural schematic view of part of an embodiment of an atomizer of the present disclosure.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an atomizer100. The atomizer100includes a housing110, a liquid storage chamber120, an atomizing assembly130, and a sealing element140. Wherein, the housing110includes an inlet end112used for air inflow and an outlet end111used for air outflow. The housing110defines a first airflow passage113through the inlet end112and the outlet end111. The liquid storage chamber120is disposed within the housing110, and configured to store aerosol generating material. The atomizing assembly130is disposed in the path of the first airflow passage113. The atomizing assembly130is in fluid connection with the liquid storage chamber120. The atomizing assembly130is configured to atomize the aerosol generating material. The sealing element140includes a sealing body141and an air compensating valve142. The sealing element140is configured to form a seal between the housing110and the atomizing assembly130, to improve air impermeability of an assembly of the atomizing assembly130and the housing110. The air compensating valve142is a one-way valve. The air compensating valve142includes a first side1421and a second side1422opposite to each other. The first side1421communicates with the liquid storage chamber120. The second side1422communicates with external air directly or indirectly.

During operation of the atomizer100described above, when a pressure of the external air on the second side1422is greater than a pressure in the liquid storage chamber120on the first side1421, and a differential-pressure reaches a threshold which can push the air compensating valve142to rotate, the air compensating valve142is opened, the external air enters the liquid storage chamber120through the air compensating valve142, to supply an air pressure in the liquid storage chamber120, thus a situation that the air pressure in the liquid storage chamber120is too low can be avoided, a situation that the liquid cannot penetrate to the atomizing assembly130for atomization can be avoided, a fluency of atomizing liquid supply is improved, and a situation that the atomizing assembly130is overheated due to an unsmooth liquid supply is avoided. It should be noted that the air compensating valve142is a one-way valve. In a normal situation, the pressure in the liquid storage chamber120is greater than or equal to the pressure of the external air, the liquid storage chamber120supplies liquid smoothly, and the air compensating valve142is in a closed state, thus, the aerosol generating material inside the liquid storage chamber120is prevented from leaking through the air compensating valve142.

Wherein the sealing body141is a sealing silicone element144, the air compensating valve142is an elastic element143. The air compensating valve142and the sealing body141are integrally formed, so that an assembly of the sealing body141and the atomizing assembly130is more convenient.

Specifically, when the pressure of the external air on the second side1422of the air compensating valve142is 200-2000 pa greater than the pressure in the liquid storage chamber120on the first side1421of the air compensating valve142, the air compensating valve142is opened, such as 200 pa, 600 pa, 1000 pa, 1500 pa or 2000 pa etc. In an embodiment, when the pressure of the external air on the second side1422of the air compensating valve142is 600-1500 pa greater than the pressure in the liquid storage chamber120on the first side1421of the air compensating valve142, the air compensating valve142is opened, such as 600 pa, 900 pa, 1000 pa or 1500 pa etc.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIGS.2-4, the atomizing assembly130includes an atomizing base131. An outer surface of the atomizing base131defines a groove1315. The groove1315communicates with the external air and extends into the liquid storage chamber120, so that the external air to enter the liquid storage chamber120. The sealing body141is the sealing silicone element144. The sealing silicone element144sheathes on the outer surface of the atomizing base131. The sealing silicone element144defines an air exchange passage150together with the groove1315, so that the external air enters the liquid storage chamber120. An end of the air exchange passage150near the liquid storage120chamber severs as an air outlet151. The elastic element143is located at a side of the atomizing base131near the liquid storage chamber120, and covers the air outlet151. The elastic element143includes a first end1431connected to the sealing silicone element144and a second end1432opposite to the first end1431. When a pressure of one side of the elastic element143away from the liquid storage chamber120is greater than a pressure of the other side of the elastic element143facing the liquid storage chamber120, and a differential-pressure reaches a threshold which can push the elastic element143to rotate, the second end1432of the elastic element143rotates toward the liquid storage chamber120, so that the external air can enter the liquid storage chamber120from the air outlet151.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.2, the atomizing assembly130further includes an atomizing element132and an atomizing chamber133. The atomizing element132is disposed in the atomizing base131. The atomizing chamber133is disposed within the atomizing element132. The atomizing element132atomizes the aerosol generating material which is stored within the liquid storage chamber120in the atomizing chamber133.

The elastic element143may be set in a variety of ways. The elastic element143may be disposed perpendicular to a central axis of the atomizer100, or the elastic element143is disposed parallel to the central axis of the atomizer100. In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.4, the air outlet151is disposed on a top of the atomizing base131, that is, a side of the atomizing base131near the liquid storage chamber120. The air outlet151is located at a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the atomizer100. The air outlet151may be a slit. In a natural state, the elastic element143horizontally abuts against the top of the atomizing base131corresponding to the air outlet151; a width wl of the elastic element143is greater than a width of the air outlet151to completely cover the air outlet151, the elastic element143abuts against the top of the atomizing base131. When a pressure of the external air within the air exchange passage150is greater than a pressure in the liquid storage chamber120, and the differential-pressure reaches a threshold which can push the elastic element143to rotate, the elastic element143rotates upward, and the external air within the air exchange passage150passes through the air outlet151and enters the liquid storage chamber120, to supply the air pressure in the liquid storage chamber120. When the pressure in the liquid storage chamber120is greater than or equal to the pressure of the external air within the air exchange passage150, the elastic element143abuts against the top of the atomizing base131corresponding to the air outlet151under an effect of air pressure from top to bottom, to prevent a leakage of the aerosol generating material within the liquid storage chamber120.

In order to control a range of elastic force of the elastic element143, to make it easier to rotate upward when the pressure of the external air within the air exchange passage150is greater than the pressure in the liquid storage chamber120, as shown inFIG.3, a thickness of the first end1431of the elastic element143is less than a thickness of the second end1432of the elastic element143, and a width of the first end1431of the elastic element143is less than a width of the second end1432of the elastic element143, so that the elastic element143is more sensitive to a pressure change on both sides, and easier to rotate toward the side of the liquid storage chamber120when the pressure in the liquid storage chamber120is too low, to replenish the external air to the liquid storage chamber120. In particular, the range of elastic force of the elastic element143can be considered comprehensively according to a density of the aerosol generating material within the liquid storage chamber120, a liquid absorption capacity of the atomizing assembly130, and etc, and then adjust the thickness and the width of the first end1431of the elastic element143, to make its range of elastic force suitable.

FIG.5is a cross-sectional structural schematic view of another embodiment of an atomizer of the present disclosure.FIG.6is an enlarged schematic view of portion B ofFIG.5.FIG.7is an exploded structural schematic view of part of another embodiment of an atomizer of the present disclosure.

In this embodiment, a structure of the atomizer100and a path of the external air into the liquid storage chamber120are approximately the same as the embodiment shown inFIGS.1-3. As shown inFIGS.5-7, the air outlet151is located on the top of the atomizing base131, in a natural state, the elastic element143horizontally abuts against the top of the atomizing base131corresponding to the air outlet151. The difference is that, the elastic element143is a rubber elastic element; the atomizer100further includes a blocking element160to limit opening amplitude of the elastic element143. Specifically, the blocking element160includes a first step surface114disposed on an inner surface of the housing110, the first step surface114abuts against an upper surface of the first end1431of the elastic element143, the first end1431of the elastic element143is located between the atomizing base131and the first step surface114. Since the elastic element143is an elastic material, such as a silicone material, the elastic element143is prone to warp. The first end1431of the elastic element143of the present disclosure is located between the atomizing base131and the first step surface114; the first step surface114may apply pressure to the first end1431of the elastic element143. The first step surface114does not affect a rotation of the elastic element143in the liquid storage chamber120, meanwhile, the first step surface114may limit opening range of the elastic element143, so that an excessive rotation of the elastic element143in a vertical direction is avoided, and the elastic element143is prevented from deforming or warping. Further, the first step surface114may improve an installation convenience of the sealing silicone element144, and facilitate rapid positioning and installation of the sealing silicone element144.

In addition, after installation, the elastic element143is prone to migrate in a horizontal direction. As a result, the elastic element143cannot completely cover the air outlet151, which may cause a failure of sealing function of the elastic element143. Thus, as shown inFIG.5, a supporting part1313is disposed on the top of the atomizing base131. A center of the supporting part1313recesses to form a receiving chamber1314to receive the elastic element143. The receiving chamber1314limits the elastic element143, prevents the elastic element143from migrating in a horizontal direction, and maintains the sealing function of the elastic element143.

Further, a width of the receiving chamber1314is greater than a width of the elastic element143. That is, there is an interval between the supporting part1313and the elastic element143, which may avoid a friction between the supporting part1313and the elastic element143, so as to ensure that the elastic element143rotates smoothly to the liquid storage chamber120when the pressure of the external air within the air exchange passage150is greater than the pressure in the liquid storage chamber120.

Please refer toFIGS.8-12,FIG.8is a cross-sectional structural schematic view of another embodiment of an atomizer of the present disclosure;FIG.9is an exploded structural schematic view of part of another embodiment of an atomizer of the present disclosure;FIG.10is a cross-sectional structural schematic view of part of another embodiment of an atomizer of the present disclosure;FIG.11is a perspective structural schematic view of an atomizing base of an embodiment of an atomizer of the present disclosure;FIG.12is another perspective structural schematic view of an atomizing base of an embodiment of an atomizer of the present disclosure.

In this embodiment, the structure of the atomizer100and the path of the external air into the liquid storage chamber120are approximately the same as the embodiment shown inFIGS.1-5. The difference is that, the elastic element143is disposed parallel to the central axis of the atomizer100. Specifically, as shown inFIGS.8-11, the air outlet151is disposed within the atomizing base131vertically. In a natural state, the elastic element143vertically abuts against an inner surface of the atomizing base corresponding to the air outlet151.

Specifically, as shown inFIGS.8and11, the atomizing base131defines a vertical groove1311along a direction parallel to the central axis of the atomizer100inside the atomizing base131. A top of the vertical groove1311communicates with the liquid storage chamber120. The vertical groove1311includes a first side wall1312and a second side wall1313opposite to the first side wall1312, and the air outlet151of the air exchange passage150is located at the first side wall1312. When the pressure of the external air within the air exchange passage150is greater than the pressure in the liquid storage chamber120, and the differential-pressure reaches a threshold which can push the elastic element143to rotate, the elastic element143rotates in the vertical groove1311, the external air within the air exchange passage150enter the vertical groove1311through the air outlet151, and then enter the liquid storage chamber120, to supply the air pressure in the liquid storage chamber120. When the pressure in the liquid storage chamber120is greater than or equal to the pressure of the external air within the air exchange passage150, the elastic element143closely abut against the vertical groove1311corresponding to the air outlet151under an effect of a high pressure in the liquid storage chamber120, to prevent the leakage of the aerosol generating material within the liquid storage chamber120.

Since the elastic element143is disposed within the vertical groove1311, the vertical groove1311may limit the elastic element143, and avoids a migration of elastic element143which result in the condition that the elastic element143cannot completely cover the air outlet151, so as to maintain the sealing function of the elastic element143. Further, the blocking element160in this embodiment is the second side wall1313. The elastic element143abuts against the first side wall1312, a distance between the first side wall1312and the second side wall1313is greater than a thickness of the elastic element143, and less than a length of the elastic element143. The thickness of the elastic element143refers to a thickness in a direction from the first side wall1312to the second side wall1313. The length of the elastic element143refers to a length in a direction from the first end1431to the second end1432. Rotation amplitude of the elastic element143toward the second side wall1313is related to the differential-pressure between the external air within the air exchange passage150and the liquid storage chamber120. The greater the differential-pressure, the greater is the rotation amplitude of the elastic element143. The second side wall1313may limit the opening amplitude of the elastic element143, to avoid an excessive rotation of the elastic element143in a vertical direction, so as to prevent the elastic element143from deforming or warping.

It should be noted that, the distance between the first side wall1312and the second side wall1313may be adjusted according to an elastic capability of the elastic element143, and the length of the first end1431to the second end1432of the elastic element143, so that the elastic element143can rotate toward the second side wall1313for the external air to enter the vertical groove1311through the air outlet151. At the same time, the excessive rotation of the elastic element143in a vertical direction is avoided, so as to prevent the elastic element143from deforming or warping.

In an embodiment, the air exchange passage150communicates with the atomizing chamber133. Specifically, as shown inFIGS.11and12, the outer surface of the atomizing base131is provided with a plurality of fins1316. The plurality of fins1316are arranged with parallel intervals. Adjacent fins1316define horizontal capillary grooves1317. The atomizing base131further includes at least one vertical vent groove1318. The at least one vertical vent groove1318communicates with the horizontal capillary grooves1317. The atomizing base131further defines at least one air vent1319communicating with the atomizing chamber133. The horizontal capillary grooves1317have a function of absorbing liquid and ventilation.

The air of the atomizing chamber133enters the horizontal capillary grooves1317or the vertical vent groove1318through the air vent1319, and then converges into the air exchange passage150, and enters the liquid storage chamber120through the air outlet151opened by the air compensating valve142, to supply the pressure in the liquid storage chamber120.

During the process of opening and closing of the air compensating valve142, liquid may overflow from the air outlet151on the top of the atomizing base131, and the horizontal capillary grooves can absorb the spilled liquid and lock it in.

In other embodiments, the air exchange passage150may communicate with the external air directly. For example, a scavenge port may be disposed on the housing110, the air exchange passage150communicates with the external air directly through the scavenge port, the external air enters the air exchange passage150through the scavenge port, and then enters the liquid storage chamber120through the air outlet151opened by the air compensating valve142, to supply the pressure in the liquid storage chamber120.

Of course, in other embodiments, the air exchange passage150may communicate with the atomizing chamber133, and communicate with the external air directly at the same time, to supply the pressure in the liquid storage chamber120.

It should be noted that, the details of a communication between the external air and the liquid storage chamber120are also applicable in any one of the embodiments described above. Please refer toFIG.13, which is a perspective structural schematic view of an embodiment of an electronic atomizing device of the present disclosure.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides an electronic atomizing device200. The electronic atomizing device200includes a power supply assembly (the power supply assembly is disposed within the electronic atomizing device200, and is not shown in the FIGS) and an atomizer100of any one of the embodiments described above. The electronic atomizing device200further includes the power supply assembly; the power supply assembly210is configured to power the atomizer100, to enable the atomizer100to atomize the aerosol generating material into smoke.

In summary, during operation of the electronic atomizing device200of the present disclosure, when the pressure of the external air on the second side1422is greater than the pressure in the liquid storage chamber120on the first side1421, and the differential-pressure reaches a threshold which can push the air compensating valve142to rotate, the air compensating valve142is opened, the external air enters the liquid storage chamber120through the air compensating valve142, to supply the air pressure in the liquid storage chamber120, and avoid a situation that the air pressure in the liquid storage chamber120being too low, liquid cannot penetrate to the atomizing assembly130for atomization, so as to improve a fluency of atomizing liquid supply, and avoid a situation that the atomizing assembly130is overheated due to an unsmooth liquid supply. In a normal situation, the pressure in the liquid storage chamber120is greater than or equal to the pressure of the external air, the liquid storage chamber120supplies liquid smoothly, and the air compensating valve142is in a closed state, to prevent the aerosol generating material inside the liquid storage chamber120from leaking from the air compensating valve142.

The above description are only embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation made by using the contents of the description and drawings of the present disclosure, or directly or indirectly used in other related technical fields, are similarly included in the scope of patent protection of the present disclosure.