US20120111347A1 - Atomizing electronic cigarette - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic cigarette has a power device (1), a sensor (2), an atomizing core component and a liquid storage component (3). The atomizing core component includes an electric heater (5) and a liquid permeating component (6). The electric heater (5) has a through hole (51), the liquid storage component (3) has a channel (31), and the sensor (2) is connected with the through hole (51) and the channel (31) to form an airflow loop by the auxiliary air inlet. The liquid permeating component (6) is directly sleeved on the electric heater (5), so that the cigarette can adequately heat gasified smoke with uniform small drops. The electric heater (5) and the liquid storage component (3) are connected with the through hole (51) and the channel (31), so that the vapor generated by the atomizing process can be cooled.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2010/000125, filed Jan. 28, 2010, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 200920001296.3, filed Feb. 11, 2009, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The invention relates to an atomizing electric cigarette, in particular to an improved atomizing electric cigarette.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• As a cigarette substitute, atomizing electronic cigarettes have occupied a large percentage of the market for smoking substitute products, meanwhile, the improvement and maturity of atomizing electronic cigarette technology is a prerequisite for widespread application and acceptance of electronic cigarettes.
• At present, the existing atomizing electronic cigarettes still have many problems and shortcomings, for example, poor atomization, large liquid drops in the final atomized smoke, nonuniform smoke caused by different sizes of liquid drops, too much moisture in the smoke, poor mouthfeel, etc. In some conditions, the smoke is at a high temperature because of insufficient cool-down and will cause discomfort.
• The above problems cause significant differences between real cigarettes and electronic cigarettes for smokers, which is not conducive for smokers to select electronic cigarettes in place of real ones.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• In order to overcome various shortcomings in the prior art, some embodiments of the invention provide an improved atomizing electronic cigarette having a liquid permeating component in an atomizer that is directly sleeved on an electric heater. Cigarette liquid stored in a liquid storage component permeates into the liquid permeating component. The electric heater directly interacts with the liquid permeating component, such that the cigarette liquid is atomized more sufficiently with smaller and more uniform atomized or vaporized droplets. In another aspect, by communicating through holes and channels provided and arranged in the electric heater and the liquid storage component, the atomized large drops can adhere to the liquid storage component under the pressure of airflow, such that the inhaled smoke is more similar to the feel a real cigarettes to more suitable meet the taste of smoker.
• The main technical solution of an embodiment of the invention is as follows: an improved atomizing electronic cigarette is provided, comprising a power supply unit, a sensor, an atomizing core component and a liquid storage component, further comprising a housing containing above components. An auxiliary air inlet is arranged on the housing. One end of the housing is provided with an air suction port. The atomizing core component comprises an electric heater that can atomize liquid from the liquid storage component. The liquid storage component can have an internal channel through which the atomized gas can flow, and the auxiliary air inlet, the sensor and the suction nozzle can form an airflow loop. The through hole through which gas flows can be formed from an internal channel having channel walls in the liquid storage component such that the atomized gas is directly contacted with the core of the liquid storage component through the channel walls, and large particles of atomized gas can be absorbed due to contact with the liquid storage container. Also, the sensor can communicate with the channel to form an airflow loop with the auxiliary air inlet.
• The invention also employs the following affiliated technical solution: the atomizing core component comprises a liquid permeating component that is sleeved on an electric heater, a channel or through hole through which gas flows is arranged in the atomizing core component, and the channel or through hole is made up of the structure of the electric heater and liquid permeating component.
• The electric heater of the atomizing core component can be directly inserted or stretch directly into the channel of the liquid storage component, such that the atomized gas directly flows through the channel.
• The liquid storage component can be internally provided with a hollow channel, a through-hole channel, an annular channel or a cross section of sparse mesh channels or combinations thereof, through which gas flows.
• The atomizing core component can further comprise a liquid conduction or transportation component in contact with the liquid permeating component and the liquid storage component.
• The liquid conduction or transportation component can be sleeved on the liquid permeating component, and include a conduction part that extends from one end of the liquid conduction component in the radial direction to contact with the liquid storage component.
• The sensor can be an air pressure sensor or air flow sensor. The housing can comprise a first housing and a second housing, the power device and the sensor are located in the first housing, the atomizing core component and the liquid storage component are located in the second housing, and the auxiliary air inlet is arranged in an area of the first housing and/or the second housing close to the sensor.
• A bracket is arranged in the second housing, where the atomizing core component is fixed on the bracket. The electric heater is connected with the power supply unit and the sensor, and starts to heat or stops heating according to the flow situation of gas through the sensor.
• An air-intake connection component and an electrode ring are arranged on the bracket, the air-intake connection component and the electrode ring are electrically connected with two leads of the electric heater respectively. The air-intake connection component achieves electric connection through connection with the sensor. The electrode ring is electrically connected with the power device through the connection of the air-intake connection component and the sensor. The air-intake connection component also has an air vent, and the sensor communicates with the air vent. The through hole and the channel and forms an airflow loop with the auxiliary air inlet.
• The first housing and the second housing are joined through the connection of the air-intake connection component and the sensor, and the air-intake connection component and the sensor are connected by means of splicing or plugging, threads, or clamping.
• An air suction port is arranged on the second housing, and the sensor communicates with the air vent, the through hole, the channel and the air suction port, and forms an airflow loop with the auxiliary air inlet.
• The housing can be an integrated or whole, the front end of which is provided with the auxiliary air inlet, and the sensor communicates with the air vent, the through hole, the channel and the air suction port and forms an airflow loop with the auxiliary air inlet.
• The liquid permeating component can be in contact with the liquid storage component. The atomizing core component can be sleeved in the channel of the liquid storage component. The peripheral surface of the liquid permeating component can be mated with the inner wall of the channel.
• The liquid storage component can be made of micro-hole ceramic, foamed ceramic, natural fiber, artificial fiber or foam metal material. The liquid permeating component can be made of ceramic fiber, quartz fiber, glass fiber, aramid fiber, common fiber, paper, fabric or non-woven fabric material. The electric heater can be formed by spirally winding electric heating wires or made up of electric heating film arranged on the inner surface of the liquid permeating component, and the electric heater formed by spirally winding or electric heating film on the inner surface of the liquid permeating component can be hollow to form the through hole.
• The thickness of the liquid permeating component can be from 0.5 to 5 mm, and the diameter of the through hole can be from 0.5 to 4 mm.
• Zeolite particles can be added in the liquid permeating component.
• Aspects of the invention can have the following beneficial effects:
• (1) the liquid permeating component in the atomizing core component can be directly sleeved on the electric heater such that cigarette liquid in the liquid storage component can permeate into the liquid permeating component. The thickness of the liquid permeating component can be designed to be only 1 mm, such that cigarette liquid permeated in the liquid permeating component can be completely atomized, vaporized or gasified by the electric heater more easily, by for example, when the cigarette liquid in the liquid permeating component is gasified after reaching the boiling point when the electric heater heats. As a result, the gasification of the liquid is more efficient. For example, the drops are smaller and more uniform, having a diameter between 0.04 micrometers to 0.8 micrometers. Such vapor is much more like real cigarette smoke in terms of dispersion degree and appearance. Such vapor is more easily accepted by the pulmonary aveoli and can be absorbed conveniently. Meanwhile, as through holes and channels that are communicated together are arranged in the electric heater and the liquid storage component, atomized gas can pass through the liquid storage component smoothly. And atomized large drops can be absorbed at, or adhere to, the liquid storage component under the pressure of airflow, a common problem in the prior art where vapor having large particles is passed directly to the user. Thus current embodiments produce inhaled smoke that more closely meets the taste of smoker.
• (2) In another solution of the some embodiments of the invention, the atomized core component is sleeved in the channel of the liquid storage component, such that the liquid permeating component is directly contacted with the liquid storage component. The cigarette liquid can permeate and conduct more sufficiently and rapidly, to more efficiently produce vapor or atomized smoke. In addition, the structure is simple and saves space, such that the volume of the whole atomizing electronic cigarette can be smaller.
• (3) In another embodiment of the invention, the electronic cigarette is designed to be detachable and changeable, such that change of components can be simply achieved by detaching and reassembling the first and second housings. Such an electronic cigarette is more convenient to carry as it is also more portable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an electronic cigarette according to the invention, showing the first housing separate from the second housing;
• FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of an electronic cigarette according to the invention, showing the first housing connected to the second housing;
• FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of an atomizing core component in an electronic cigarette according to the invention;
• FIG. 4 is a top view of an atomizing core component in an electronic cigarette according to the invention;
• FIG. 5 is an electrical connection block diagram for forming a closed loop among components of an electronic cigarette according to the invention, and
• FIG. 6 is a side cutaway view of an electronic cigarette according to another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• The invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings.
• As shown inFIG. 1 toFIG. 5, the invention provides an improved atomizing electronic cigarette, comprising a power device1, a sensor2, an atomizing core component and a liquid storage component3, further comprising a housing containing the above components. An auxiliary air inlet4 is arranged on an area of the housing close to the sensor2. The atomizing core component comprises anelectric heater5 and a liquid permeating component6 sleeved on theelectric heater5. Theelectric heater5 is of a hollow structure and has a throughhole51 through which gas flows. The liquid storage component3 internally has achannel31 through which the gas flows. The channel can be a hollow channel, a through-hole channel, an annular channel or a channel with local sparse mesh in cross section or combinations thereof, the purpose of which is to make the atomized gas that passes through the channel contact with the liquid storage core of the liquid storage component, and to make the liquid storage component3 coordinate with the liquid permeating component6 to permeate cigarette liquid to the liquid permeating component6. In addition, the sensor2 communicates with the throughhole51 and thechannel31 and forms an airflow loop with the auxiliary air inlet4.
• In the embodiment, as shown inFIG. 1 toFIG. 3, the atomizing core component further comprises a liquid conduction component7 that is contacted with the liquid permeating component6 and with the liquid storage component3. The liquid conduction component7 is sleeved on the liquid permeating component6, with aconduction part71 that extends from one end of the liquid conduction component in the radial direction, and is contacted with the liquid storage component3. As a result, cigarette liquid on the liquid storage component3 is absorbed and permeated to the liquid permeating component. In order to make the liquid conduction component7 mate with the liquid permeating component6 more tightly to improve the liquid conductivity, afastening sleeve12 can be sleeved on the liquid conduction component7.
• As shown inFIG. 1, the sensor2 can be an air pressure sensor or airflow sensor. In the embodiment, an airflow sensor is used. The housing comprises afirst housing8 and asecond housing8′, the power supply unit1 and the sensor2 are located in thefirst housing8, the atomizing core component and the liquid storage component3 are located in thesecond housing8′, and the auxiliary air inlet4 is arranged in an area of thefirst housing8 and/or thesecond housing8′ close to the sensor2. In the embodiment, the auxiliary air inlet4 is arranged on thefirst housing8 and located in an area close to the sensor2. The power supply unit1 is a battery that can be a rechargeable battery or disposable battery.
• Abracket9 is arranged in thesecond housing8′, the atomizing core component is fixed on thebracket9, and theelectric heater5 is connected with the power device1 and the sensor2 and starts to heat or stops heating according to the flow situation of gas detected by the sensor2. An air-intake connection component10 and anelectrode ring11 are arranged on thebracket9. The air-intake connection component10 and theelectrode ring11 are electrically connected with two leads of theelectric heater5, respectively. The air-intake connection component10 achieves an electrical connection through connection with the sensor2. Theelectrode ring11 is electrically connected with the power device1 through the connection of the air-intake connection component10 and the sensor2. A complete closed loop is formed, as shown inFIG. 4. The function of the sensor is to switch on or off the whole circuit according to the gas flow. When user inhales, gas inside the electronic cigarette flows. At this time, the sensor switches the circuit on to start theelectric heater5 to heat. When the user stops inhaling, gas stops flowing, and the sensor switches the circuit off to make theelectric heater5 stop heating. An electrode ring post13 corresponding to theelectrode ring10 is arranged at the opening of thefirst housing8. A contact part131 extends from the electrode ring post13 in the axial direction. Theelectrode ring post13 is connected with the power device1. When thefirst housing8 and thesecond housing8′ are connected, the contact part131 is inserted into thesecond housing8′ and contacted with theelectrode ring11, thereby to form a complete closed loop.
• In this embodiment, thefirst housing8 and thesecond housing8′ are connected through the connection of the air-intake connection component10 and the sensor2, and the air-intake connection component10 and the sensor2 are connected by means of splicing or plugging, threads, or clamping. Through such a detachable and changeable split structure, the change of components can be simply achieved by detaching and reassembling thefirst housing8 and thesecond housing8′, such that it is convenient to carry and use the electronic cigarette. This embodiment discloses a connection structure by means of threads.
• As shown inFIG. 1, the air-intake connection component10 also has anair vent101, the sensor2 communicates with theair vent101, the throughhole51 and thechannel31 and forms an airflow loop with the auxiliary air inlet4. An air suction port a is arranged on thesecond housing8′, and the sensor2 communicates with theair vent101, the throughhole51, thechannel31 and the air suction port a and forms an airflow loop with the auxiliary air inlet4.
• The liquid storage component3 is made of liquid storage core materials such as micro-hole ceramic, foamed ceramic, natural fiber, artificial fiber or foam metal material. The liquid permeating component6 is made of ceramic fiber, quartz fiber, glass fiber, aramid fiber, common fiber, paper, fabric or non-woven fabric material. The thickness of the liquid permeating component6 is from 0.5 to 5 mm. Theelectric heater5 is formed by spirally winding electric heating wires, which forms the throughhole51. The diameter of the throughhole51 can be from 0.5 to 4 mm. In this embodiment, the thickness of the liquid permeating component6 is 1 mm, and the diameter of the throughhole51 is 1 mm.
• The liquid permeating component6 in the atomizing core component is directly sleeved on theelectric heater5. Cigarette liquid in the liquid storage component3 is conducted and permeated to the liquid permeating component6 by the liquid conduction component7. The thickness of the liquid permeating component6 is 1 mm. As a result, the permeated cigarette liquid can be completely gasified by theelectric heater5 more easily. When the user inhales, as the sensor2 communicates with theair vent101, the throughhole51, thechannel31 and the air suction port a and forms an airflow loop with the auxiliary air inlet4. When gas flow is generated inside the electronic cigarette, the sensor3 switches the circuit on, theelectric heater5 starts to heat to make the cigarette liquid in the liquid permeating component6 be gasified after reaching the boiling point. At the same time, because the throughhole51 and thechannel31 of theelectric heater5 and the liquid storage component3 are in communication, smoke generated during atomizing process can be further cooled under the push of airflow and finally inhaled to the mouth cavity of the user through the air suction port a.
• In another preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown inFIG. 6, the liquid permeating component6 is contacted with the liquid storage component3. The atomizing core component is sleeved in thechannel31 of the liquid storage component3, and the peripheral surface of the liquid permeating component6 is mated with the inner wall of thechannel31.
• The liquid storage component3 can be made of micro-hole ceramic, foamed ceramic, natural fiber, artificial fiber or foam metal material. The liquid permeating component6 can be made of ceramic fiber, quartz fiber, glass fiber, aramid fiber, common fiber, paper, fabric or non-woven fabric material. The thickness of the liquid permeating component6 ranks from 0.5 to 5 mm. Theelectric heater5 is formed by spirally winding electric heating wires to form a throughhole51. The diameter of the throughhole51 can be from 0.5 to 4 mm. In this embodiment, the thickness of the liquid permeating component6 is 1 mm and the diameter of the throughhole51 is 1 mm.
• In this embodiment, the atomizing core component is integrally sleeved in thechannel31 of the liquid storage component3, such that the spherical surface of the liquid permeating component6 is directly contacted with the inner wall of thechannel31 of the liquid storage component3. Because the contact area is larger, the permeation and conduction of cigarette liquid is more sufficient and rapid, and the atomized smoke efficiently generated. At the same time, the structure is simple and saves space, so as to minimize the size of the atomizing electronic cigarette.
• In other embodiments, an improved atomizing electronic cigarette is provided comprising a power device (1), a sensor (2), an atomizing core component and a liquid storage component (3), further comprising a housing containing the above components, an auxiliary air inlet (4) being arranged on the housing. One end of the housing is provided with an air suction port, characterized in that the atomizing core component comprises an electric heater (5), the electric heater (5) atomizes liquid in a liquid storage component (3). The liquid storage component (3) internally has a channel (31) through which the atomized gas flows, and the auxiliary air inlet (4), the sensor (2) and the suction nozzle form an airflow loop.
• In other aspects the atomizing electronic cigarette can be characterized in that the atomizing core component comprises a liquid permeating component (6) that is sleeved on the electric heater (5), a channel (51) through which gas flows is arranged in the atomizing core component, and the channel (51) is made up of the structure of the electric heater (5).
• In other aspects the atomizing electronic cigarette can be characterized in that the electric heater (5) of the atomizing core component is directly inserted into the channel (31) of the liquid storage component (3), and the atomized gas directly flows through the channel (31).
• In other aspects the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that the liquid storage component (3) is internally provided with the channel (31) which is a hollow channel, a through-hole channel, an annular channel or a channel with local sparse mesh in cross section or combinations thereof, through which gas flows.
• In other aspects the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that the atomizing core component further comprises a liquid conduction component (7) that is contacted with the liquid permeating component (6), and with the liquid storage component (3).
• In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that the liquid conduction component (7) is sleeved on the liquid permeating component (6), a conduction part (71) extends from one end of the liquid conduction component in the radial direction, and the conduction part (71) is contacted with the liquid storage component (3).
• In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that the sensor (2) is an air pressure sensor or airflow sensor, the housing comprises a first housing (8) and a second housing (8′), the power device (1) and the sensor (2) are located in the first housing (8), the atomizing core component and the liquid storage component (3) are located in the second housing (8′), and the auxiliary air inlet (4) is arranged in an area of the first housing (8) and/or the second housing (8′) close to the sensor.
• In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that a bracket (9) is arranged in the second housing (8′), the atomizing core component is fixed on the bracket (9), and the electric heater (5) is connected with the power device (1) and the sensor (2) and starts to heat or stops heating according to the flow situation of gas through the sensor (2).
• In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that an air-intake connection component (10) and an electrode ring (11) are arranged on the bracket (9), the air-intake connection component (10) and the electrode ring (11) are electrically connected with two leads of the electric heater (5) respectively, the air-intake connection component (10) achieves electric connection through connection with the sensor (2), the electrode ring (11) is electrically connected with the power device (1) through the connection of the air-intake connection component (10) and the sensor (2), the air-intake connection component (10) also has an air vent (101), the sensor (2) communicates with the air vent (101), the through hole (51) and the channel (31) and forms an airflow loop with the auxiliary air inlet (4).
• In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that the first housing (8) and the second housing (8′) are connected through the connection of the air-intake connection component (10) and the sensor (2), and the air-intake connection component (10) and the sensor (2) are connected by means of splicing or plugging, threads or clamping.
• In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that an air suction port (a) is arranged on the second housing (8′), and the sensor (2) communicates with the air vent (101), the through hole (51), the channel (31) and the air suction port (a) and forms an airflow loop with the auxiliary air inlet (4).
• In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that the housing is an integrated whole, the front end of which is provided with the auxiliary air inlet (4), and the sensor (2) communicates with the air vent (101), the through hole (51), the channel (31) and the air suction port (a) and forms an airflow loop with the auxiliary air inlet (4).
• In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that the liquid permeating component (6) is contacted with the liquid storage component (3), the atomizing core component is sleeved in the channel (31) of the liquid storage component (3), and the peripheral surface of the liquid permeating component (6) is mated with the inner wall of the channel (31).
• In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that the liquid storage component (3) is made of micro-hole ceramic, foamed ceramic, natural fiber, artificial fiber or foam metal material, the liquid permeating component (6) is made of ceramic fiber, quartz fiber, glass fiber, aramid fiber, common fiber, paper, fabric or non-woven fabric material, the electric heater (5) is formed by spirally winding electric heating wires or made up of electric heating film arranged on the inner surface of the liquid permeating component, and the electric heater formed by spirally winding or electric heating film on the inner surface of the liquid permeating component is hollow to form the through hole (51).
• In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that the thickness of the liquid permeating component (6) ranks from 0.5 to 5 mm, and the diameter of the through hole (51) ranks from 0.5 to 4 mm.
• In other aspects, the atomizing electronic cigarette is characterized in that zeolite particles are added in the liquid permeating component (6).

Claims (20)

1. An electronic cigarette comprising:

a power supply;

an sensor;

a liquid storage area;

a suction nozzle; and

an atomizing component, including an electric heater, and a liquid permeating component, wherein at least a portion of the electric heater and at least a portion of the liquid permeating component, in combination, form a first channel through which gas can flow.

2. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 1, wherein the electric heater comprises a coiled wire, and the first channel is formed in the direction of the axis of the coiled wire.

3. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 1, wherein the liquid permeating component is sleeved on the electric heater.

4. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 1, further comprising a liquid conducting component in fluidic contact with the liquid storage area and the liquid permeating component.

5. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 1, further comprising a second channel through the liquid storage area and through which gas can flow.

6. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 5, wherein the first channel and the second channel are in direct communication.

7. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 5, wherein at least a portion of the atomizing component is in at least a portion of the second channel.

8. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 5, wherein at least a portion of the electric heater and the liquid permeating component is in at least a portion of the second channel.

9. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 5, wherein the electric heater and the liquid permeating component is in at least a portion of the second channel.

10. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 5, wherein the electric heater and the liquid permeating component are not in the second channel.

11. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 1, wherein the first channel has a substantially circular cross-section having a diameter between 0.5 and 4 mm.

12. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 4, wherein the liquid conduction component is sleeved on the liquid permeating component,

13. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 12, wherein the liquid conduction component further comprises a conduction extension that extends from one end of the liquid conduction component to the liquid storage area.

14. (canceled)

15. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 1 further including a housing having a first housing part and a second housing part, and wherein the first housing part includes the power supply and the sensor, and the second housing part includes the atomizing component and the liquid storage area.

16. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 15, where in the first housing part and the second housing part are selectively detachable.

17. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 1, with the atomizing component mounted on a bracket.

18. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 1, wherein the liquid storage area comprises porous ceramic, foamed ceramic, natural fiber, artificial fiber or foam metal material.

19. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 1, wherein the liquid permeating component comprises ceramic fiber, quartz fiber, glass fiber, aramid fiber, common fiber, paper, fabric or non-woven fabric material,

20. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 1, wherein the liquid permeating component comprises zeolite particles.

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