CN110754691A - Fixing member for electronic cigarette and fixing method of electronic cigarette component - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a fixing component for an electronic cigarette and a fixing method thereof. The electronic cigarette component provided by the invention comprises: a housing having a hollow space; a structural module disposed at a predetermined position of the hollow space of the housing; a fixing member assembled to the structural module and fixing the structural module at the predetermined position in the hollow space of the housing.

Description

Fixing member for electronic cigarette and fixing method of electronic cigarette component

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a fastening device, and more particularly to a fastening member for an e-cigarette providing an inhalable aerosol (aerosol) and a method of fastening an e-cigarette component.

Background

An electronic cigarette is an electronic product that heats and atomizes a volatile solution and generates an aerosol for a user to inhale. In recent years, various electronic cigarette products have been produced by large manufacturers. Generally, an electronic cigarette product includes a housing, an oil chamber, an atomizing chamber, a heating element, an air inlet, an air flow channel, an air outlet, a power supply device, a sensing device and a control device. The oil storage chamber is used for storing the volatile solution, and the heating assembly is used for heating and atomizing the volatile solution and generating the aerosol. The air inlet and the aerosolizing chamber communicate with one another to provide air to the heating assembly when a user inhales. The aerosol generated by the heating element is first generated in the aerosolizing chamber and then inhaled by the user via the air flow passage and the air outlet. The power supply device provides the electric power required by the heating component, and the control device controls the heating time of the heating component according to the user inspiration action detected by the sensing device. The shell covers the above components.

The existing electronic cigarette products have different defects. For example, if it is necessary to fix the structural module formed by the aforementioned components, such as the power supply device, the sensing device and the control device, at a specific position in the housing, the structural module is usually fixed at the predetermined position in the housing by using an adhesive, or by punching more than one through hole on the housing and inserting the pin member through the through hole on the housing to engage or insert the pin member into the corresponding position of the internal component to be fixed, so as to fix the internal component at the predetermined position in the housing, and the internal component to be fixed will not move relative to the housing in any use state after being fixed. However, the conventional fixing method has a drawback in that if the fixing method using an adhesive is used, the fixing position of the component to be fixed is difficult to be precisely uniform or the problem of glue overflow is easily caused due to improper operation of the adhesion process. In addition, the fixing method using the adhesive may also affect the fixing effect due to the adhesive being deteriorated due to the usage temperature of the electronic cigarette after the electronic cigarette is used for a long time.

As for the way of fixing the internal components to the housing by punching more than one through hole in the housing of the electronic cigarette and inserting the pin member, the processes of drilling the housing and inserting the pin member for fixing must be added. Such a process would increase the time for product manufacture. In addition, because the housing of the electronic cigarette is relatively thin and light, the difficulty of drilling is high, the housing is easily damaged to reduce the yield, and the fixing method also requires the close fit precision between the pin and the hole, which leads to the increase of the manufacturing cost.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a fixing member for quickly fixing an internal component or a structural module of an electronic cigarette and a fixing method thereof.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a fixing member for fixing an electronic cigarette internal structure module, so that the electronic cigarette internal structure module does not slide or move relative to an electronic cigarette outer casing in any use state.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method for fixing an internal structure of an electronic cigarette, so that the internal structure module of the electronic cigarette will not slide or move relative to the housing of the electronic cigarette in any use state.

In view of the above, the present invention provides an electronic cigarette component, which includes: a housing having a hollow space; a structural module disposed at a predetermined position of the hollow space of the housing; a fixing member assembled to the structural module and fixing the structural module at the predetermined position in the hollow space of the housing.

Based on the above object, the present invention further provides a method for fixing a part of an electronic cigarette component, comprising the following steps: (a) providing a shell with a hollow space; (b) providing a structural module and inserting the structural module into the hollow space at a predetermined position along a longitudinal direction of the housing; (c) providing a fixing member, inserting the fixing member into the hollow space in the longitudinal direction of the housing, and assembling the fixing member to the structural module to fix the structural module at the predetermined position in the hollow space of the housing.

Drawings

Aspects of the invention are readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the various features may not be drawn to scale and that the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an electronic cigarette according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2A shows an assembly diagram of the components of the body of an electronic cigarette according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the components in FIG. 2A are assembled into a body.

Fig. 3A and 3B show component diagrams of the structural module shown in fig. 2A.

Fig. 4 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the structural module in the housing.

Fig. 5 shows a partially enlarged sectional view of the fixing member inserted into the gap to fix the structural module.

Fig. 6 shows a fixation member according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the fixing member beginning to enter the gap between the inner wall of the housing and the annular wall.

Fig. 8 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the fixing member assembled to the annular wall of the structural module.

Fig. 9 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing the size of the gap between the inner wall of the housing and the annular wall.

Fig. 10 shows a partial enlarged view of the fixing structure of fig. 6.

Fig. 11A to 11C show fixing members of other embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing the structure of a housing of a main body according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13A shows a cross-sectional view of a structural module and a structural configuration of a fixing member according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the structure of fig. 13A.

Fig. 14 shows a fixing member according to other embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 15 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a fixation member assembled to an annular wall according to another embodiment of the invention.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and the detailed description to refer to the same or like components. The features of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings.

Detailed Description

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. Of course, these are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In the present disclosure, references in the following description to the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature may include embodiments in which the first feature is formed in direct contact with the second feature, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the present invention provides many applicable concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The particular embodiments discussed are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an electronic cigarette according to some embodiments of the invention.

The electronic cigarette 1 may be composed of a cartridge (cartridge)2 and amain body 3. In one embodiment, both the cartridge 2 and thebody 3 can be designed as one piece. In another embodiment, the cartridge 2 and thebody 3 may be designed as two separate components, and the cartridge 2 may be designed to be removably coupled to thebody 3. In addition, in other embodiments, when the cartridge 2 is combined with thebody 3, the cartridge 2 may be designed in a configuration in which a portion thereof is received in thebody 3. For example, in the structure of the electronic cigarette 1 shown in fig. 1, the cartridge 2 is composed of amouthpiece cover 21, acartridge housing 22, and aninternal module 23 disposed inside thecartridge housing 22. Thecartridge housing 22 and theinternal module 23 of the cartridge 2 may form or include a storage compartment for a volatile solution, a sealing assembly, an atomization chamber, a heating assembly top cover, a heating assembly base, and a cartridge base, among other components (not shown). The volatile solution is heat atomized and an aerosol is generated by a cartridge 2 having an air inlet in communication with the atomizing chamber for providing air to the heating element when a user inhales. The aerosol generated by the heating element is first generated in the aerosolizing chamber and then inhaled by the user via the air flow passage and the air outlet.

According to the structure disclosed in fig. 1, thehousing 22 of the cartridge 2 can be inserted into thehollow space 32 of thehousing 31 of themain body 3 along the longitudinal direction of themain body 3, so that the cartridge 2 can be removably assembled and received in themain body 3 to form the integral structure of the electronic cigarette 1.

Fig. 2A illustrates an assembly view of components of abody 3 of an electronic cigarette component according to some embodiments of the invention, and fig. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the assembly in fig. 2A in a state of thebody 3. As shown in fig. 2A and 2B, the components of themain body 3 include ahousing 31, astructural module 4, and a fixingmember 5. Thehousing 31 is a thin case defining ahollow space 32 therein, and as shown in fig. 2A and 2B, thehousing 31 defines anopening 33 communicating with thehollow space 32 at a lower end thereof in the longitudinal direction. The thin housing of thehousing 31 can be made of, but not limited to, metal material such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, etc.

Fig. 3A and 3B show a part view of thestructural module 4 shown in fig. 2A. It should be understood that thestructural module 4 shown in fig. 2A-3B is only an exemplary structure and is not intended to limit the detailed components of similar structural modules in an electronic cigarette. As shown in fig. 3A and 3B, thestructural module 4 includes astructural module support 41, asensor module 42, a sealingcomponent 43, aconductive component 44, amagnetic component 45, apower sub-module 46, and acircuit board support 47. Thesensor module 42 includes asensor cover 421 and asensor 422. The power sub-module 46 includes acircuit board 461, aflat cable 462, avibrator 463, a chargingassembly 464, abattery assembly 465, and acushioning assembly 466.

The top of thestructural module holder 41 has a portion of anannular wall 411, theannular wall 411 being recessed in the middle to define acavity 412 for receiving thesensor top 421 therein, and thestructural module holder 41 being formed with agroove 413 in the circumferential direction below theannular wall 411 for receiving theseal member 43 therein. The top surface of theannular wall 411 is provided with a hole h1 for receiving themagnetic element 45 therein. Themagnetic assembly 45 may be a permanent magnet that is magnetic in nature, or an electromagnet that is only magnetic after power is applied. Themagnetic element 45 is used to attract themetal element 24, for example, in a position corresponding to the lower end of theinner module 23 of the cartridge 2, so as to removably couple the cartridge 2 with thebody 3.

The sensorupper lid 421 has holes h2 andh 3. The hole h2 may receive theconductive member 44. Aperture h3 is in fluid communication withsensor 422. Thesensor 422 can detect changes in properties such as airflow generation, pressure changes, or sound waves via thehole h 3.

Thecircuit board 461 is disposed between thecircuit board support 47 and thestructure module support 41. Thecircuit board 461 includes a controller C thereon. The controller C may be a microprocessor, programmable integrated circuit, or programmable logic circuit. In some embodiments, the arithmetic logic within the controller C cannot be changed after the controller C is manufactured. In some embodiments, the operational logic within the controller C may be programmatically altered after manufacture of the controller C.

Thecircuit board 461 may also include a memory (not shown). In some embodiments, the memory may be integrated within the controller C. In some embodiments, the memory may be provided separately from the controller C.

Controller C may be electrically connected tosensor 422 and may be electrically connected toconductive member 44. Controller C is also electrically connected tobattery assembly 465. Whensensor 422 detects an airflow, a change in air pressure, or a sound wave, controller C may controlbattery assembly 465 to output power toconductive element 44. For example, whensensor 422 detects a negative pressure, controller C may controlbattery element 465 to output power toconductive element 44. Also, when the controller C determines that the air pressure detected by thesensor 422 is below a threshold value, the controller C may control thebattery element 465 to output power to theconductive element 44. Also, when the controller C determines that the amplitude of the sound wave detected by thesensor 422 is higher than a threshold value, the controller C may control thebattery element 465 to output power to theconductive element 44.

Thevibrator 463 may be electrically connected to the controller C. In some embodiments, thevibrator 463 is electrically connected to the controller C on thecircuit board 461 via aflat cable 462. The controller C may control thevibrator 463 to generate different somatosensory effects according to different operation states of the electronic cigarette 1. In some embodiments, controller C may controlvibrator 463 to vibrate to alert the user to stop inhaling when the user inhales for more than a certain length of time. In some embodiments, when the user charges the e-cigarette 1, the controller C may control thevibrator 463 to vibrate to indicate that charging has begun. In some embodiments, when the charging of the e-cigarette 1 has been completed, the controller C may control thevibrator 463 to vibrate to indicate that the charging has been completed.

The chargingassembly 464 is used to charge thebattery assembly 465. One end of the chargingmember 464 is exposed through a throughhole 33 at the lower end of thehousing 31 of themain body 3, whereby the user can charge thebattery member 465 by connecting the power supply connector to the chargingmember 464. In certain embodiments, thecharging component 464 comprises a USB interface. In certain embodiments, thecharging component 464 comprises a USB Type-C interface.

Referring to fig. 3A, thestructural module support 41 further includes afirst receiving space 414, asecond receiving space 415, athird receiving space 416 and afourth receiving space 417 in sequence along the longitudinal direction. Thefirst receiving space 414 is located below thegroove 413. Thefirst receiving space 414 can receive thesensor 422, thecircuit board 462 and theconductive member 44. In particular, thestructure module support 41 may be combined with thecircuit board support 47 to form the firstaccommodating space 414 and to cover thesensor 422, thecircuit board 462 and theconductive member 44. Thebattery pack 465 may be mounted on thestructural module support 41 and disposed in thesecond receiving space 415, thevibrator 463 may be mounted on thestructural module support 41 and disposed in thethird receiving space 416, and the chargingpack 464 may be mounted on thestructural module support 41 and disposed in thefourth receiving space 417. As shown in fig. 3A, the receivingspaces 414, 415, 416 and 417 are defined by ribs or partitions. In addition, abuffer member 466 may be provided on thesurface 465S of thebattery module 465, and when thebattery module 465 is mounted in thesecond receiving space 415 of thestructural module support 41, thebuffer member 466 is located between thebattery module 465 and the inner wall of thehousing 31 of themain body 3. The cushioningmember 466 directly contacts theinner wall 34 of thehousing 31 of themain body 3. Although not shown, it is contemplated that an additional cushioning element may be disposed betweenbattery element 465 andstructural element support 41.

In addition, thehousing 31 of themain body 3 includes a light-transmittinghole 311. The light-transmissive holes 311 may include one or more holes that penetrate thehousing 31. In some embodiments, thelight hole 311 may be a substantially circular hole. In some embodiments, thelight hole 311 may be a substantially rectangular through hole. In some embodiments, thelight hole 311 may be a through hole with a symmetrical shape. In some embodiments, thelight hole 311 may be a through hole with an asymmetric shape. One or more light emitting elements may be disposed on thecircuit board 461, and light emitted from the light emitting elements is emitted through thelight hole 311 and is visible (visible) to the naked eye of the user.

As can be seen from fig. 2A and 2B, the assembledstructure module 4 is inserted into thehollow space 32 of thehousing 31 along the longitudinal direction of thehousing 31 of themain body 3 until the chargingassembly 464 is located at the position of theopening 33 at the bottom end of thehousing 31 for the user to perform the charging operation. At this time, thestructural module 4 is located in a predetermined assembly position in thehousing 31, and as shown in fig. 2B, the outer side of the sealingmember 43 located in thegroove 413 of the structural module support contacts theinner wall 34 forming thehollow space 32 of thehousing 31.

After thestructure module 4 is inserted into thehousing 31 and placed at the predetermined assembly position, the fixingmember 5 is inserted into thehollow space 32 of thehousing 31 along the longitudinal direction of thehousing 31 of themain body 3 until the fixingmember 5 is finally located between theannular wall 411 above thestructure module bracket 41 and theinner wall 34 of thehousing 31 and abuts against between theannular wall 411 and theinner wall 34, thereby fixing thestructure module 4 at the predetermined assembly position.

Fig. 4 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of thestructural module 4 in a predetermined assembly position in thehousing 31. As can be seen from fig. 4, the outer side of the sealingmember 43 contacts theinner wall 34 of thehousing 31 of themain body 3 when thestructural module 4 is in the predetermined position, separating thehollow space 32 in the longitudinal direction. The sealingmember 43 may be made of natural rubber or synthetic rubber to provide a seal between thegroove 413 of thestructural module support 41 and theinner wall 34 of thehousing 31 of themain body 3. In addition, a gap g having a substantially rectangular cross section is formed between the peripheral surface of theannular wall 411 at the top end of thestructural module holder 41 and theinner wall 34 of thehousing 31. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the gap g extends along the circumferential direction of theannular wall 411 or theinner wall 34, and preferably extends to form an annular gap. The lower portion of theannular wall 411 extends radially outward to form a stoppingportion 4111, the stoppingportion 4111 and theannular wall 411 form a step-like structure, and a stopping surface S is formed on the stoppingportion 4111.

Fig. 5 shows a partially enlarged sectional view of the fixingmember 5 inserted into the gap g along the longitudinal direction of thehousing 31 to fix thestructural module 4 at a predetermined position. As can be seen from fig. 5, the fixingmember 5 is assembled and connected to theannular wall 411 at the top end of thestructural module 4 to fill the gap g between theannular wall 411 and theinner wall 34 of thehousing 31, and the whole or part of each of theinner surface 51 and theouter surface 52 of the fixingmember 5 is used to contact and abut against the outer surface of theannular wall 411 and theinner wall 34 of thehousing 31, respectively, thereby fixing thestructural module 4 at a predetermined position, so that when a user inserts a charging plug into the chargingassembly 464 for charging or in other use states, the assembledstructural module 4 and thehousing 31 will not slide or move relative to each other to cause thestructural module 4 to leave the predetermined fixed position.

Furthermore, since the stoppingportion 4111 is disposed below theannular wall 411 of thestructure module holder 4, when the fixingmember 5 enters the gap g downward in thehollow space 32 of thehousing 31 along the longitudinal direction, thelower surface 53 of the fixingmember 5 will finally abut against the stopping surface S of the stoppingportion 4111, in addition to abutting against the outer surface of theannular wall 411 and theinner wall 34 of thehousing 31, respectively, and reaches a parking position shown in fig. 5. By the structure that thelower surface 53 of the fixingmember 5 abuts against the stopping surface S of the stoppingportion 4111, when a user inserts the charging plug into the chargingassembly 464 of thestructure module 4 from below themain body 3, thelower surface 53 of the fixingmember 5 can help bear the upward force from the stoppingportion 4111, and further prevent thestructure module 4 from sliding on theinner wall 34 of thehousing 31 and leaving the predetermined fixing position.

Fig. 6 shows a fixingmember 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 6, the fixingmember 5 has an annular structure corresponding to the contour or shape of theinner wall 34 or the gap g so as to be capable of being inserted between theinner wall 34 of thehousing 31 and theannular wall 411 of thestructural module support 41 to fix thestructural module 4. In other embodiments, the fixingmember 5 may also have an arc-shaped structure with a contour or shape corresponding to theinner wall 34 or the gap g, instead of a closed ring-shaped structure. Fig. 6 shows a fixingmember 5 having aninner surface 51, anouter surface 52, alower surface 53 and anupper surface 54.

In addition, the upper portion of the fixingmember 5 may have at least one or a plurality of tab portions 55 (in fig. 6, the fixingmember 5 has four tab portions 55), which are bent radially inward by an angle a (see fig. 7), andvertical gaps 56 are formed at both sides of thetab portions 55. In addition, eachtab portion 55 may also have aprotrusion 551 thereon. Thetab portion 55 is bent radially inward and thegaps 56 on both sides of thetab portion 55 are formed so that thetab portion 55 is flexible and can be folded back in a radially outward direction. In fig. 6, the bottom of thegap 56 defines the boundary between the upper and lower portions of the fixingmember 5, and the lower portion assumes a ring-like structure. The fixingmember 5 may be made of metal, such as aluminum alloy, stainless steel or copper, or plastic, and the invention is not limited to the material of the fixingstructure 5 as long as the material used makes thetab portion 55 flexible.

Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of the fixingmember 5 starting to enter the gap g between theinner wall 34 and theannular wall 411 of thestructural module support 41. Fig. 8 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the relative positions of the fixingmember 5 and thehousing 31 and thestructural module 41 when the fixingmember 5 enters the gap g and reaches the final position abutting against the stop surface S of thestop portion 4111 of theannular wall 411. As can be seen from fig. 7 and 8, when manufacturing the electronic cigarette, after thestructural module 4 is inserted into thehollow space 34 of thehousing 31 and placed in a predetermined assembly position, the fixingstructure 5 will then be inserted into thehollow space 34 of thehousing 31 in the longitudinal direction, so that the annular lower portion of the fixingmember 5 starts to enter the gap g. Fig. 7 shows the condition that the annular lower portion of the fixingmember 5 enters the gap g, and thetab 55 bent radially inward of the fixingmember 5 has not yet contacted the top end periphery of theannular wall 411, and thus is not pushed by the top end periphery of theannular wall 411 to be folded back radially outward. As the fixingmember 5 continues to move downward in the longitudinal direction, the top end periphery and the peripheral outer surface of theannular wall 411 of thestructural module support 41 start to abut against the upper portion of the fixingmember 5, and the radially inwardlybent tab 55 of the fixingmember 5 starts to be radially outwardly abutted and folded back by the top end periphery and the peripheral outer surface of theannular wall 411 until thelower surface 53 of the fixingmember 5 is stopped by the surface S of thestopper 4111 to reach the final position. At this time, the fixingmember 5 completely enters the gap g, and thetab 55 is completely folded back into a substantially vertical form in the gap g by being abutted by theannular wall 411, and theinner side surface 51 of the fixingmember 5 contacts the outer surface of the abuttingannular wall 411, and theprojection 551 of thetab 55 of the fixingmember 5 is deformed by being pressed by theinner wall 34 of thehousing 31, so that theprojection 551 of the fixingmember 5 contacts theinner wall 34 of the housing 315. Due to the flexibility of thetab 55, the outer surface of theannular wall 411 is clamped, and theprotrusion 551 of thetab 55 is deformed to generate a pressing force on theinner wall 34, so that the fixingmember 5 can firmly fix the position of thestructural module 4, and prevent the relative movement or sliding between thestructural module 4 and thehousing 31 from moving away from the correct predetermined assembly position. In the embodiment shown in fig. 7 and 8, it can be seen that the radial thickness of the fixingmember 5 is slightly smaller than the width of the gap g, and then by the pressing deformation of the structure of theprotrusion 551, a part of the inner surface of the fixingmember 5 is abutted against the outer surface of theannular wall 411, and a part of the outer surface of the fixing member 5 (i.e. the deformed surface of theprotrusion 551 in fig. 8) is abutted against theinner wall 34 of thehousing 31, so as to firmly fix the position of thestructural module 4. However, in other embodiments, the radial thickness of the fixingmember 5 may be set to be equal to the width of the gap g, so that after the fixingmember 5 is inserted into the gap g and theprotrusion 551 is deformed, the whole of theinner surface 51 of the fixingmember 5 completely abuts against the outer surface of theannular wall 411, and the whole of theouter surface 52 of the fixingmember 5 also completely abuts against theinner wall 34 of thehousing 31, thereby firmly fixing the position of thestructural module 4.

Fig. 9 shows the structural dimensions of the gap g between theinner wall 34 of thehousing 31 and theannular wall 411 of thestructural module 4. Fig. 10 is a partially enlarged view of the fixingstructure 5 shown in fig. 6 to show the structural size thereof. As shown in fig. 9, the gap g has a width W1 and a depth D1, the width W1 matching the thickness of the fixingmember 5 such that all or part of theinner side surface 51 of the fixingmember 5 contacts and abuts against the outer circumferential surface of theannular wall 411 of thestructural module 4 and all or part of the outer side surface 52 contacts and abuts against theinner wall 34 of thehousing 31. For example, the fixingmember 5 can be tightly clamped in the gap g by means of interference fit or tight fit, so that thestructural module 4 is tightly fixed at a predetermined position in thehollow space 32 of thehousing 31.

The width W1 of the gap g may have a dimension of between 0.3mm and 1.0mm, preferably between 0.4mm and 0.6mm, and the depth D1 may be between 1mm and 10mm, preferably between 3mm and 5 mm. As further shown in FIG. 10, the overall height H1 of the fixingmember 5 may be approximately 2mm to 5mm, preferably 2.5mm to 3.5mm, the width W2 of thegap 56 may be approximately 0.1mm to 0.6mm, preferably 0.3mm to 0.5mm, and the depth of thegap 56 is approximately 1/2 to 3/4 of the height H1 of the fixingmember 5. The diameter of the bottom of the dome-shapedprojection 551 is preferably 0.9mm, and theprojection 551 preferably protrudes from theouter surface 52 of the fixingmember 5 by a height of about 0.2 mm. Further, the distance D3 from the top edge of thetab 55 to the uppermost edge of the bottom of theprotrusion 55 may be about 0.3 mm.

The fixingmember 5 is not limited to the form shown in fig. 6. FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C show alternative embodiments of retaining member configurations. In FIG. 11A, the retaining member 5 'is substantially the same as the retainingmember 5 shown in FIG. 6, except that the annular body has a break-off gap g1 such that the retaining member 5' does not assume a closed annular body. The spacing g1 must be dimensioned such that the fixing members 5' serve the purpose of fixing thestructural module 4 in thehollow space 32 of thehousing 31. The fixing structure 5' shown in fig. 11A can be directly manufactured from raw material in a stamping mode, which has the advantages of fast and cost-effective part manufacturing.

The difference between the securingmember 5 "shown in fig. 11B and the securingmember 5 shown in fig. 6 is that thetabs 55" are not bent radially inwardly at an angle. However, the fixingmember 5 ″ shown in fig. 11B still has theprotrusion 551", and the remaining dimensional features of the fixingmember 5 ″ can be the same as those of the fixingmember 5 shown in fig. 6, so that the inner side surface and the outer side surface of the fixingmember 5 ″ can still contact and abut against the outer peripheral surface of theannular wall 411 of thestructure module 4 and theinner wall 34 of thehousing 31, respectively, so that the fixingmember 5 ″ is tightly clamped in the gap g, and thestructure module 4 can be fixed at a predetermined position in thehollow space 32 of thehousing 31.

The difference between the fasteningmember 5"' shown in fig. 11C and thefastening member 5 shown in fig. 6 is that thetabs 55" ' are not bent radially inward at an angle, and thetabs 55 "' also do not have a protruding structure. Thus, the radial thickness of the fixing member 5 '"is set to be substantially the same as the width W1 of the gap g (e.g. by a tight-fitting dimensioning), and the remaining dimensional characteristics of the fixingmember 5 can be the same as the fixingmember 5 shown in fig. 6, so that the inner and outer side surfaces of the fixing member 5'" can still respectively tightly contact and abut against the outer circumferential surface of theannular wall 411 of thestructure module 4 and theinner wall 34 of thehousing 31, so that the fixingmember 5 "is tightly clamped in the gap g, and thestructure module 4 can be fixed at a predetermined position in thehollow space 32 of thehousing 31.

It should be noted that the height of the fixing means may be such that the upper surface of the fixing means is flush or coplanar with the upper surface of theannular wall 411 of thestructural module 4 when the fixing means are inserted into the final position in the gap g of thehollow space 32 of thecasing 31. However, the height of the fixing element can also be such that, in the final position, the upper surface of the fixing element is higher or lower than the upper surface of theannular wall 411 of thestructural module 4, without affecting the fixing action of the fixing element.

The present invention fig. 12 shows the structure of thehousing 31 of themain body 3 according to another embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen from fig. 12, at least onegroove 35 is formed oninner side wall 34 ofhousing 31 ofmain body 3, andgroove 35 is formed oninner side wall 34 at a position corresponding to the position ofprotrusion 551 oftab 55 of fixingstructure 5 when fixingstructure 5 is inserted into gap g and contacts stop surface S ofannular step 411 abutting againststructure module holder 41, so that at least a portion ofprotrusion 551 entersgroove 35 to further fixstructure module 4 at a predetermined position inhollow space 32 ofhousing 31. Alternatively, thegroove 35 may be an annular groove extending in the circumferential direction of theinner wall 34 of thehousing 31 to receive at least a portion of theprojection 551 of thefastener 5 to secure thestructural module 4. The recess depth of thegroove 35 is preferably not more than one-half the thickness of thehousing 31.

The fixing member of the present invention is not limited to the type of the fixing member disclosed above. FIG. 13A discloses a structural configuration of a structural module and a fastening member according to another embodiment of the present invention. In fig. 13A, the structure of the body of the electronic cigarette is the same except that the structure of the ring-shaped wall and the fixing member at the top end of the structural module support is different from the previously disclosed structure. FIG. 13B is a partial enlarged view of the structure of FIG. 13A, wherein theannular wall 411 of thestructure module holder 41 in FIG. 13B is inclined and extended from the top end to the stoppingportion 4111 along the longitudinal direction, so as to form a structure in which the radial dimension and the peripheral dimension of the top end are small and the radial dimension and the peripheral dimension of the bottom end are large, so that the cross section of the gap g between theannular wall 411 and theinner wall 34 of thehousing 31 is formed into a wedge shape, and in order to match the profile of the gap g and the cross section of the wedge shape, the fixingmember 5 is correspondingly formed into a ring-shaped or arc-shaped structure (as shown in FIG. 13B and FIG. 14) having a cross section conforming to the profile and the wedge-shaped cross section of theinner wall 34 and the gap g, so that when the fixingmember 5 is inserted into the gap g to fix thestructure module 4, the outer side surface of the fixingmember 5 contacts theinner wall 34 of the abutting against the housing, the lower surface of the fixingmember 5 abuts against the surface S of the blockingportion 4111. The dimensions of the fixingmember 5 and the gap g may be designed to be, for example, dimensions that are closely fitted to each other so that, when the fixingmember 5 is inserted into the gap g in the longitudinal direction to its parking position after thestructural module 41 is inserted into thehollow space 32 of thehousing 31 in the longitudinal direction and reaches a predetermined position, the structural module can be tightly fixed to the predetermined position of thehollow space 32 of thehousing 31, as shown in fig. 15. In this embodiment, the fixingmember 5 has a wedge shape with an upper surface having a larger radial thickness or dimension than a lower surface having a larger radial thickness or dimension, and when a user performs an operation to charge thebattery assembly 465 by inserting the connector into the chargingassembly 464, the user pushes thestructure module 4 upward in the longitudinal direction, and the wedge shape of the fixingmember 5 can prevent thestructure module 4 from sliding upward relative to theinner wall 32 of thehousing 3, so as to fix thestructure module 4 under any use condition.

According to the fixing member for the electronic cigarette provided by the invention, the position of the structural module positioned in the shell of the electronic cigarette can be effectively fixed by a simple assembly method, and the structural module and the inner wall of the shell of the electronic cigarette are prevented from sliding relatively under any use condition. The fixing member of the present invention has a simple structure, and the assembling method is simpler than the conventional structure, so as to effectively save the production cost and increase the production efficiency.

As used herein, the terms "approximately," "substantially," "essentially," and "about" are used to describe and account for minor variations. When used in conjunction with an event or circumstance, the terms can refer to an instance in which the event or circumstance occurs precisely as well as an instance in which the event or circumstance occurs in close proximity. As used herein with respect to a given value or range, the term "about" generally means within ± 10%, ± 5%, ± 1%, or ± 0.5% of the given value or range. Ranges may be expressed herein as from one end point to another end point or between two end points. Unless otherwise specified, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints. The term "substantially coplanar" may refer to two surfaces located within a few micrometers (μm) along the same plane, e.g., within 10 μm, within 5 μm, within 1 μm, or within 0.5 μm located along the same plane. When referring to "substantially" the same numerical value or property, the term can refer to values that are within ± 10%, ± 5%, ± 1%, or ± 0.5% of the mean of the stated values.

As used herein, the terms "approximately," "substantially," "essentially," and "about" are used to describe and explain minor variations. When used in conjunction with an event or circumstance, the terms can refer to an instance in which the event or circumstance occurs precisely as well as an instance in which the event or circumstance occurs in close proximity. For example, when used in conjunction with numerical values, the terms can refer to a range of variation that is less than or equal to ± 10% of the stated numerical value, e.g., less than or equal to ± 5%, less than or equal to ± 4%, less than or equal to ± 3%, less than or equal to ± 2%, less than or equal to ± 1%, less than or equal to ± 0.5%, less than or equal to ± 0.1%, or less than or equal to ± 0.05%. For example, two numerical values are considered to be "substantially" or "about" the same if the difference between the two numerical values is less than or equal to ± 10% (e.g., less than or equal to ± 5%, less than or equal to ± 4%, less than or equal to ± 3%, less than or equal to ± 2%, less than or equal to ± 1%, less than or equal to ± 0.5%, less than or equal to ± 0.1%, or less than or equal to ± 0.05%) of the mean of the values. For example, "substantially" parallel may refer to a range of angular variation of less than or equal to ± 10 ° from 0 °, e.g., less than or equal to ± 5 °, less than or equal to ± 4 °, less than or equal to ± 3 °, less than or equal to ± 2 °, less than or equal to ± 1 °, less than or equal to ± 0.5 °, less than or equal to ± 0.1 °, or less than or equal to ± 0.05 °. For example, "substantially" perpendicular may refer to a range of angular variation of less than or equal to ± 10 ° from 90 °, e.g., less than or equal to ± 5 °, less than or equal to ± 4 °, less than or equal to ± 3 °, less than or equal to ± 2 °, less than or equal to ± 1 °, less than or equal to ± 0.5 °, less than or equal to ± 0.1 °, or less than or equal to ± 0.05 °.

For example, two surfaces may be considered coplanar or substantially coplanar if the displacement between the two surfaces is equal to or less than 5 μm, equal to or less than 2 μm, equal to or less than 1 μm, or equal to or less than 0.5 μm. A surface may be considered planar or substantially planar if the displacement of the surface relative to the plane between any two points on the surface is equal to or less than 5 μm, equal to or less than 2 μm, equal to or less than 1 μm, or equal to or less than 0.5 μm.

As used herein, the singular terms "a" and "the" may include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the description of some embodiments, a component provided "on" or "over" another component may encompass the case where the preceding component is directly on (e.g., in physical contact with) the succeeding component, as well as the case where one or more intervening components are located between the preceding and succeeding components.

As used herein, spatially relative terms, such as "below," "lower," "above," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one component or feature's relationship to another component or feature as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present.

As used herein, the terms "about," "substantially," "generally," and "about" are used to describe and account for minor variations. When used in conjunction with an event or circumstance, the terms can refer to the situation in which the event or circumstance occurs explicitly, as well as the situation in which the event or circumstance occurs in close proximity. As used herein with respect to a given value or range, the term "about" generally means within ± 10%, ± 5%, ± 1%, or ± 0.5% of the given value or range. Ranges may be expressed herein as from one end point to another end point or between two end points. Unless otherwise specified, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints. The term "substantially coplanar" may refer to two surfaces located along the same plane within a few microns (μm), such as within 10 μm, within 5 μm, within 1 μm, or within 0.5 μm. When referring to "substantially" the same numerical value or characteristic, the term can refer to a value that is within ± 10%, ± 5%, ± 1% or ± 0.5% of the mean of the stated values.

The foregoing summarizes features of several embodiments and detailed aspects of the present disclosure. The embodiments described in this disclosure may be readily used as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same or similar purposes and/or obtaining the same or similar advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims (24)

1. An electronic cigarette component, comprising:

a housing having a hollow space;

a structural module disposed at a predetermined position of the hollow space of the housing;

a fixing member assembled to the structural module and fixing the structural module at the predetermined position in the hollow space of the housing.

2. The electronic cigarette component of claim 1, wherein when the structural module is disposed at the predetermined position in the hollow space of the housing, a gap is provided between a portion of the structural module and an inner wall forming the hollow space of the housing, and the fixing member is inserted into the gap to assemble to the structural module and fix the structural module at the predetermined position of the housing.

3. The electronic cigarette component of claim 2, wherein part or all of an outside surface of the securing member contacts against the inner wall of the housing and part or all of an inside surface of the securing member contacts against a surrounding surface of the portion of the structural module.

4. The electronic vaping component of claim 2, wherein the gap formed between the portion of the structural module and the inner wall of the housing extends along a circumferential direction of the inner wall to form an annular gap.

5. The e-vapor component of claim 2, wherein the portion of the structural module is located at a top end of the structural module, the securing member having an annular structure or an arc-like structure corresponding to a contour shape of the gap.

6. The electronic cigarette component of claim 5, wherein the portion of the structural module has a stop that stops against the securing member when the securing member is inserted into the gap.

7. The electronic cigarette component of claim 6, wherein a lower surface of the securing member contacts a stop surface of the stop against the portion of the structural module.

8. The electronic smoking component according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the securing member has at least one tab bent radially inwardly at an angle, the at least one tab being folded back radially outwardly against a surrounding surface of the portion of the structural module when the securing member is inserted into the gap, such that after insertion of the securing member into the gap, the at least one tab enters the gap to secure the structural module.

9. The electronic smoke component of claim 8, wherein a surface of the at least one tab has a protrusion that abuts against the inner wall of the housing when the at least one tab enters the gap.

10. The electronic vaping component of claim 9, wherein the inner wall of the housing has at least one groove to receive the protrusion of the at least one tab.

11. The electronic cigarette component of any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the gap has a wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape, and wherein a cross-sectional shape of the securing member corresponds to the wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape of the gap.

12. The electronic smoke component of any one of claims 2-7 and 11, wherein an upper surface of the securing member is flush with the top end of the structural module when the securing member is inserted into the gap.

13. A method of securing an assembly of electronic cigarette components, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a housing having a hollow space;

(b) providing a structural module and inserting the structural module into the hollow space at a predetermined position in a longitudinal direction of the housing;

(c) providing a fixing member, inserting the fixing member into the hollow space in a longitudinal direction of the housing, and assembling the fixing member to the structural module to fix the structural module at the predetermined position in the hollow space of the housing.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein in step (b) a gap is formed between a portion of the structural module and an inner wall forming the hollow space of the housing, and in step (c) the securing member is assembled to the structural module with the member inserted into the gap to secure the structural module at the predetermined location of the housing.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein in step (c), when the securing member is assembled to the structural module, a portion or all of an outside surface of the securing member contacts against the inner wall of the housing and a portion or all of an inside surface of the securing member contacts against a surrounding surface of the portion of the structural module.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the gap formed between the portion of the structural module and the inner wall of the housing extends along a circumferential direction of the inner wall to form an annular gap.

17. The e-vapor component of claim 14, wherein the portion of the structural module is located at a top end of the structural module, the securing member having an annular structure or an arc-like structure corresponding to a contour shape of the gap.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the portion of the structural module has a stop, and in step (c) the stop stops against the securing member when the securing member is inserted into the gap.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein a lower surface of the securing member contacts a stop surface of the stop against the portion of the structural module.

20. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the fixing member has at least one tab bent radially inwardly at an angle, and in step (c) the at least one tab is folded back radially outwardly against the peripheral surface of the portion of the structural module when the fixing member is inserted into the gap, such that after insertion of the fixing member into the gap, the at least one tab enters the gap to fix the structural module.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein a surface of the at least one tab has a protrusion that abuts the inner wall of the housing after the at least one tab enters the gap.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the inner wall of the housing has at least one groove to receive the protrusion of the at least one tab.

23. The method of any of claims 14 to 18, wherein the gap has a wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape, and wherein the cross-sectional shape of the fixation member corresponds to the wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape of the gap.

24. The method of any of claims 14 to 18 and 23, wherein an upper surface of the securing member is flush with the top end of the structural module when the securing member is inserted into the gap.

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