US20220330618A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20220330618A1
Application number: US17/478,868
Authority: US
Inventors: Tuanfang Liu
Original assignee: Aspire North America LLC
Current assignee: Aspire North America LLC
Priority date: 2021-04-19
Filing date: 2021-09-17
Publication date: 2022-10-20
Also published as: EP4079170B1; CA3132234A1; EP4079170A1

Abstract

An electronic cigarette includes an airflow sensing part, a first pressure change unit, a second pressure change unit, an outlet assembly, a pneumatic switch, and a heating element. The heating element is disposed in the first pressure change unit. The pneumatic switch is disposed in the airflow sensing part to activate the heating element to work. The airflow sensing part communicates with the second pressure change unit. The first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit separately communicate with the outlet assembly.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119 and the Paris Convention Treaty, this application claims foreign priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202110417574.9 filed Apr. 19, 2021, and to Chinese Patent Application No. 202120795870.8 filed Apr. 19, 2021. The contents of all of the aforementioned applications, including any intervening amendments thereto, are incorporated herein by reference. Inquiries from the public to applicants or assignees concerning this document or the related applications should be directed to: Matthias Scholl P.C., Attn.: Dr. Matthias Scholl Esq., 245 First Street, 18th Floor, Cambridge, Mass. 02142.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to an electronic cigarette.

The airflow channel of the atomizer of a conventional electronic cigarette tends to be blocked over time by condensed e-liquid. As a result, the pneumatic switch that turns on the heating element malfunctions.

SUMMARY

The disclosure provides an electronic cigarette comprising an airflow sensing part, a first pressure change unit, a second pressure change unit, an outlet assembly, a pneumatic switch, and a heating element; the heating element is disposed in the first pressure change unit; the pneumatic switch is disposed in the airflow sensing part to activate the heating element to work; the airflow sensing part communicates with the second pressure change unit; and the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit separately communicate with the outlet assembly.

In a class of this embodiment, the airflow sensing part further communicates with the first pressure change unit.

In a class of this embodiment, the electronic cigarette comprises one outlet assembly, and the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit separately communicate with the one outlet assembly; or the electronic cigarette comprises two outlet assemblies independent of each other, and the two outlet assemblies communicate with the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit, respectively.

In a class of this embodiment, both the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit comprise hollow channels; the first pressure change unit comprises a first outlet communicating with the outlet assembly and the second pressure change unit comprises a second outlet communicating with the outlet assembly; and the cross-sectional area of the first outlet is 3-200 times that of the second outlet.

In a class of this embodiment, the electronic cigarette comprises a housing and an atomizer; the atomizer comprises an e-liquid tank dispose in the housing; a first channel is formed between an inner wall of the housing and an outer wall of the e-liquid tank.

In a class of this embodiment, the e-liquid tank is hollow; and two ends of the e-liquid tank are provided with a first seal and a second seal, respectively.

In a class of this embodiment, the e-liquid tank comprises a first cavity for storing e-liquid; a mouthpiece cover is disposed on one side of the first seal away from the first cavity; a second channel is formed between the mouthpiece cover and the first seal; the second channel communicates with the first channel, thereby forming the second pressure change unit.

In a class of this embodiment, an air tube is inserted in the e-liquid tank; the first cavity is formed by an outer wall of the air tube, an inner wall of the e-liquid tank, the first seal, and the second seal; and the heating element is disposed in the air tube.

In a class of this embodiment, the first seal and the second seal each comprise a through hole; one end of the air tube is inserted into the through hole of the first seal and the other end of the air tube is inserted into the through hole of the second seal; a third channel is formed by the through hole of the first seal, the through hole of the second seal, and an inner passage of the air tube.

In a class of this embodiment, the mouthpiece cover is disposed on one end of the housing and comprises an inhaling port disposed opposite to the third channel; and the outlet assembly comprises the inhaling port communicating with the second channel and the third channel.

In a class of this embodiment, a battery is disposed one side of the second seal away from the first cavity; a fourth channel is formed between the battery and the second seal; the third channel communicates with the fourth channel to form the first pressure change unit.

In a class of this embodiment, the battery is disposed in the housing; a fifth channel is formed between an outer wall of the battery and the inner wall of the housing; both the first channel and the fourth channel communicate with the fifth channel; the fifth channel is disposed opposite to the first channel.

In a class of this embodiment, the housing comprises a bottom end and an air inlet disposed on the bottom end; a sixth channel is formed between the air inlet and the fifth channel; the pneumatic switch is disposed in the fifth channel or the sixth channel; the fifth channel, the sixth channel, and the air inlet are connected one by one to form the airflow sensing part.

The following advantages are associated with the electronic cigarette of the disclosure: the first pressure change unit communicates with the second pressure change unit to ensure that the pneumatic switch triggers the heating element to work, which prevents the electronic cigarette from being unusable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an electronic cigarette according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electronic cigarette according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic cigarette according to one embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view including arrows to show air flow direction in an electronic cigarette according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

In the drawings, the following reference numbers are used:1. E-liquid tank;3. Silicone member;4. Heating element;5. Second seal;7. Second conductive member;10. First conductive member;14. Housing;15. Battery;16. Fixing member;17. Pneumatic switch;18. Control board;19. Bottom cover;20. First seal;101. Inhaling port;102. Mouthpiece cover;103. Air tube;104. Hollow passage;105. First cavity;106. Connecting member;107. First groove;110. First outlet;120. Second outlet;200. Second channel;301. Third channel;400. Fourth channel;500. Fifth channel;501. Through hole;600. Sixth channel;901. First channel;1401. Second cavity;1601. Hole; and1901. Air inlet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To further illustrate the disclosure, embodiments detailing an electronic cigarette are described below. It should be noted that the following embodiments are intended to describe and not to limit the disclosure.

An electronic cigarette comprises an airflow sensing part, a first pressure change unit, a second pressure change unit, an outlet assembly, and apneumatic switch17. Both the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit comprise hollow channels in which air pressure changes with airflow. Aheating element4 is disposed in the first pressure change unit. The pneumatic switch is disposed in the airflow sensing part to activate theheating element4 to work.

In certain embodiments, both the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit separately communicate with the airflow sensing part. In certain embodiments, the airflow sensing part communicates with the second pressure change unit rather than the first pressure change unit. An air inlet port is disposed in the first pressure change unit to introduce outside air into electronic cigarette. The air inlet port is independent with respect to the airflow sensing part. The pneumatic switch may be optionally disposed in the air inlet port as long as the air flows into the first pressure change unit. In certain embodiments, the number of the outlet assembly may be 1, and the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit separately communicate with the outlet assembly. In certain embodiments, the electronic cigarette comprises two outlet assemblies independent of each other; one of the two outlet assemblies communicates with the first pressure change unit and the other communicates with the second pressure change unit.

Thepneumatic switch17 primarily refers to an airflow sensor. When sensing a change in airflow or air pressure, the airflow sensor activates theheating element4. The airflow sensing part and the air inlet port comprise hollow channels or air inlets. One end of the airflow sensing part and one end of the air inlet port directly communicates with the outside of the electronic cigarette to introduce airflow into the electronic cigarette. The outlet assembly is a hollow channel or an air outlet. One end of the outlet assembly directly communicates with the outside of the electronic cigarette and is disposed near a mouthpiece so that the airflow is drawn out from the electronic cigarette and inhaled by a user.

When the user smokes the electronic cigarette, the pneumatic switch is turned on due to a ventilation in the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit. After smoking is completed, the first pressure change unit is clogged by the leaked e-liquid or condensed e-liquid. At this time, the ventilation in the first pressure change unit drives thepneumatic switch17 to work, and theheating element4 is activated to generate heat. The heat melts the e-liquid narrowing the first pressure change unit to unclog the first pressure change unit and to maintain normal atomization and smoking.

The electronic cigarette comprises an atomizer and a battery assembly secured or detachably connected to the atomizer. For example, the battery assembly comprises ahousing14, and thehousing14 comprises abattery15 and a plurality of electronic components. The atomizer is inserted into one end of thehousing14, and the atomizer is secured or detachably connected to thehousing14 by magnetic attraction or screw threads.

Referring toFIG. 3, the atomizer comprises ane-liquid tank1, afirst seal20, asecond seal5, anair tube103, aheating element4, and amouthpiece cover102. Thee-liquid tank1 is hollow. Thefirst seal20 and thesecond seal5 are separately disposed on both ends of thee-liquid tank1. Theair tube103 is inserted in thee-liquid tank1. Afirst cavity105 is formed by an outer wall of theair tube103, an inner wall of thee-liquid tank1, thefirst seal20, and thesecond seal5. Theheating element4 is disposed in theair tube103.

Themouthpiece cover102 is disposed on one side of thefirst seal20 away from thefirst cavity105. A plurality of female parts is disposed on the other side of thefirst seal20 that faces themouthpiece cover102. One side of themouthpiece cover102 that faces thefirst seal20 comprises a plurality of male parts matched with the plurality of corresponding female parts, which results in a stable structure preventing themouthpiece cover102 from falling off.

One side of thee-liquid tank1 that faces thefirst seal20 comprises a connectingmember106 having a diameter smaller than that of thee-liquid tank1. The connectingmember106 comprises a first area, a second area, and a third area. The other side of thefirst seal20 that faces themouthpiece cover102 comprises a plug protruding into the first area and the third area. Theair tube103 is disposed in the second area.

Thefirst seal20 and thesecond seal5 comprise colloidal materials such as rubber, plastic, and silica gel.

In certain embodiments, themouthpiece cover102 is detachably connected or secured to thee-liquid tank1. In other embodiments, themouthpiece cover102 is disposed on one end of thehousing14 and is detachably connected to thehousing14. Such a detachable connection includes, but is not limited to, a snap-fit, an interference fit, and a screw thread.

Thefirst seal20 and thesecond seal5 each comprise a throughhole501. One end of theair tube103 is inserted into the throughhole501 of thefirst seal20 and the other end of theair tube103 is inserted into the throughhole501 of thesecond seal5.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, afirst channel901 is formed between an inner wall of thehousing14 and an outer wall of thee-liquid tank1. Referring toFIG. 1, the outer wall of the e-liquid comprises at least onefirst groove107 extending in a length direction of the electronic cigarette. The first channel is formed by the at least onefirst groove107. In other embodiments, the inner wall ofhousing14 comprises at least one second groove extending in a length direction of the electronic cigarette. Thefirst channel901 is formed by the at least one second groove and is formed between the inner wall of thehousing14 and the outer wall of thee-liquid tank1. In other embodiments, a gap is formed between the outer wall of thee-liquid tank1 and the inner wall of thehousing14 to communicate with thefirst channel901.

Referring toFIG. 4, asecond channel200 is formed between themouthpiece cover102 and thefirst seal20. Thesecond channel200 communicates with the first channel, thereby forming the second pressure change unit. Thesecond channel200 may be formed by a gap or a strip groove. Referring toFIG. 4, the gap is formed between themouthpiece cover102 and thefirst seal20. The height of the plurality of the male parts is greater than the depth of the plurality of the female parts, thereby forming the gap.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 4, athird channel301 is formed by the throughhole501 of thefirst seal20, the throughhole501 of thesecond seal5, and an inner passage of theair tube103. Theheating element4 is in the shape of a hollow tube. A hollow portion of theheating element4 is a part of thethird channel301. Theheating element4 is in the shape of a sheet, a rod, etc.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, themouthpiece cover102 comprises an inhalingport101 disposed opposite to thethird channel301. The inhalingport101 is a part of the outlet assembly and communicates with thesecond channel200 and thethird channel301. The inner passage of theair tube103 is a part of the first pressure change unit. The inhalingport101 is disposed opposite to thethird channel301, which prevents the aerosol in theair tube103 from being diluted by the airflow in the second pressure change unit, thereby allowing the user to inhale the maximum amount of the aerosol obtained by atomization and avoiding affecting the taste of the smoke.

Thebattery15 is disposed in thehousing14 and is further disposed on one side of thesecond seal5 away from thefirst cavity105. Referring toFIG. 4, afourth channel400 is formed between thebattery15 and thesecond seal5. Thethird channel301 communicates with thefourth channel400 to form the first pressure change unit. Thefourth channel400 may be formed by a gap, a strip groove, or a hollow tube.

The first pressure change unit comprises afirst outlet110 communicating with the outlet assembly and the second pressure change unit comprises asecond outlet120 communicating with the outlet assembly. The cross-sectional area of thefirst outlet110 is 3-200 times that of thesecond outlet120, preferably 10-100 times, and more preferably 10-50 times. Referring toFIG. 4, thefirst outlet110 is disposed on one end of thethird channel301 and thesecond outlet120 is disposed on one end of thesecond channel200. Thefirst outlet110 has greater diameter than thesecond outlet120, which causes more aerosol flow out thefirst outlet110, prevents the aerosol from being diluted by the air flowing out of the second outlet, and maintains a satisfactory taste.

Afifth channel500 is formed between an outer wall of thebattery15 and the inner wall of thehousing14. Thefifth channel500 may be formed by a gap or a strip groove. Both thefirst channel901 and thefourth channel400 separately communicate with thefifth channel500. Thefifth channel500 is disposed opposite to thefirst channel901. Specifically, thefirst channel901 and thefifth channel500 are disposed in one straight line to reduce air resistance, so that the air flows in an upward direction along the straight line. When the first pressure change unit is blocked, the first channel is disposed opposite thefifth channel500 to ensure that the air quickly passes through the second pressure change unit, which avoids feeling blocked in the first puff.

Thehousing14 comprises a bottom end and anair inlet1901 disposed on the bottom end. Asixth channel600 is formed between theair inlet1901 and thefifth channel500. Thepneumatic switch17 is disposed in thefifth channel500 or thesixth channel600. Thefifth channel500, thesixth channel600, and theair inlet1901 are connected one by one to form the airflow sensing part. Thesixth channel600 is formed by a gap or a hole. Thepneumatic switch17 is fixed by a fixingmember16 comprising ahole1601, Thepneumatic switch17 is secured in thehole1601. Thehole1601 is a part of thesixth channel600. The fixingmember16 comprises colloidal materials such as rubber, plastic, and silica gel.

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, the electronic cigarette comprises thee-liquid tank1, thefirst seal20, themouthpiece cover102, theair tube103, asilicone member3, theheating element4, thesecond seal5, a firstconductive member10, a secondconductive member7, thehousing14, thebattery15, the fixingmember16, thepneumatic switch17, acontrol board18, and abottom cover19. Thefirst cavity105 is formed in thee-liquid tank1. The connectingmember106 protrudes vertically from one side of thee-liquid tank1 and has diameter smaller than that of thee-liquid tank1, so that the connectingmember106 is connected to themouthpiece cover102. The connectingmember106 comprises a first surface and thee-liquid tank1 comprises an injection hole. Thefirst seal20 is disposed on the first surface to seal the injection hole. Themouthpiece cover102 is disposed on the connectingmember106 by a snap-fit for smoking. Theair tube103 is disposed in thefirst cavity105 and a first end of theair tube103 is secured within the connectingmember106. Theair tube103 comprises ahollow passage104. Theheating element4 and thesilicone member3 is disposed in thehollow passage104. Thesilicone member3 is disposed on theheating element4 for air guiding and location limiting. Thee-liquid tank1 comprises a bottom port and thesecond seal5 is disposed in the bottom port to seal thee-liquid tank1, thereby forming thefirst cavity105. The through hole of thesecond seal5 is configured to guide air. A second end of theair tube103 is inserted into the through hole of thesecond seal5 to seal thehollow passage104. The firstconductive member10 is disposed apart from the secondconductive member7, both of which are disposed in the bottom ofsecond seal5 so as to connect a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the heating element, thereby conducting electrical current. The outer wall of thee-liquid tank1 comprises twofirst grooves107 and each first groove is disposed symmetrically on the outer wall of thee-liquid tank1 for air guiding. Thebattery15 is secured within thehousing14. An output terminal of thebattery15 is secured to thepneumatic switch17 and thecontrol board18 for energization. Thepneumatic switch17 is secured within the fixingmember16. The fixingmember16 comprises thehole1601 for air guiding. The fixingmember16 is disposed in thehousing14. Thecontrol board18 is secured to thebottom cover19. Thebottom cover19 comprises theair inlet1901 and is secured to the bottom of thehousing14. Thehousing14 comprises a top portion and an opening disposed on the top portion. Asecond cavity1401 is formed in the opening. The atomizer is disposed in the second cavity. Thefirst channel901 is formed by thefirst groove107 and the inner wall of thehousing14 to guide air. A positive electrode of an output terminal of thecontrol board18 is connected to the firstconductive member10 and a negative electrode of thecontrol board18 is connected to the secondconductive member7 for energization.

Referring toFIG. 4, the operating principle of the electronic cigarette is as follows: the external air flows through theair inlet1901, into thehousing14, and through thepneumatic switch17 to turn on a power supply of the electronic cigarette. E-liquid is heated by theheating element4 to create the aerosol. The airflow continues to flow through thefifth channel500. Then a part of the airflow flows through thefirst channel901 and thesecond channel200 beneath themouthpiece cover102, and flows out from the inhalingport101. Another part of the airflow flows through thefourth channel400 and thesecond seal5, and into the hollow passage104 (namely the third channel301) to activate theheating element4. The e-liquid is heated by theheating element4 to create the aerosol that is then inhaled through the inhalingport101 above themouthpiece cover102. After smoking is completed, theair tube103 in the second pressure change unit may be clogged by the condensed e-liquid, resulting in inability to ventilate. At this time, thefirst channel901 remains unobstructed, which allows thepneumatic switch17 to be turned on. The condensed e-liquid is heated by the heating element so that airflow continues to pass through theair tube103.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic cigarette, comprising:

an airflow sensing part;

a first pressure change unit;

a second pressure change unit;

an outlet assembly;

a pneumatic switch; and

a heating element;

wherein:

the heating element is disposed in the first pressure change unit;

the pneumatic switch is disposed in the airflow sensing part to activate the heating element to work;

the airflow sensing part communicates with the second pressure change unit; and

the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit separately communicate with the outlet assembly.

2. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 1, wherein the airflow sensing part further communicates with the first pressure change unit.

3. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 1, wherein the electronic cigarette comprises one outlet assembly, and the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit separately communicate with the one outlet assembly; or the electronic cigarette comprises two outlet assemblies independent of each other, and the two outlet assemblies communicate with the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit, respectively.

4. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 1, wherein both the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit comprise hollow channels; the first pressure change unit comprises a first outlet communicating with the outlet assembly and the second pressure change unit comprises a second outlet communicating with the outlet assembly; and a cross-sectional area of the first outlet is 3-200 times that of the second outlet.

5. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 2, wherein the electronic cigarette further comprises a housing and an atomizer; the atomizer comprises an e-liquid tank dispose in the housing; a first channel is formed between an inner wall of the housing and an outer wall of the e-liquid tank.

6. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 5, wherein the e-liquid tank is hollow; and two ends of the e-liquid tank are provided with a first seal and a second seal, respectively.

7. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 6, wherein the e-liquid tank comprises a first cavity for storing e-liquid; a mouthpiece cover is disposed on one side of the first seal away from the first cavity; a second channel is formed between the mouthpiece cover and the first seal; the second channel communicates with the first channel, thereby forming the second pressure change unit.

8. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 7, wherein

an air tube is inserted in the e-liquid tank; the first cavity is formed by an outer wall of the air tube, an inner wall of the e-liquid tank, the first seal, and the second seal; and the heating element is disposed in the air tube; and

the first seal and the second seal each comprise a through hole; one end of the air tube is inserted into the through hole of the first seal and the other end of the air tube is inserted into the through hole of the second seal; and a third channel is formed by the through hole of the first seal, the through hole of the second seal, and an inner passage of the air tube.

9. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 8, wherein the mouthpiece cover is disposed on one end of the housing and comprises an inhaling port disposed opposite to the third channel; and the outlet assembly comprises the inhaling port communicating with the second channel and the third channel.

10. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 7, wherein a battery is disposed one side of the second seal away from the first cavity; a fourth channel is formed between the battery and the second seal; the third channel communicates with the fourth channel to form the first pressure change unit.

11. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 10, wherein the battery is disposed in the housing; a fifth channel is formed between an outer wall of the battery and the inner wall of the housing; both the first channel and the fourth channel communicate with the fifth channel; the fifth channel is disposed opposite to the first channel.

12. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 11, wherein the housing comprises a bottom end and an air inlet disposed on the bottom end; a sixth channel is formed between the air inlet and the fifth channel; the pneumatic switch is disposed in the fifth channel or the sixth channel; the fifth channel, the sixth channel, and the air inlet are connected one by one to form the airflow sensing part.