ATOMIZER ASSEMBLY, ATOMIZER, AND INHALER

An atomizer assembly, an atomizer, and an inhaler are provided. The atomizer assembly includes a core shell and a liquid guiding member. The core shell defines a receiving cavity and also a first groove communicated with the receiving cavity. The liquid guiding member comprises a first liquid guiding portion and a second liquid guiding portion. The first liquid guiding portion is disposed in the receiving cavity. The second liquid guiding portion is integrally connected to the first liquid guiding portion, extends out of the receiving cavity through the first groove, and is used to connect a liquid storage member.

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Description
FIELD

The subject matter herein generally relates to the field of introducing an atomized base material by inhalation into a human body, and more particularly, to an atomizer assembly, an atomizer having the atomizer assembly, and an inhaler having the atomizer.

BACKGROUND

Inhalers usually include atomizers and power supply devices. The atomizer heats an atomizable liquid base material by atomization, thus providing smoke/gas for a user. The power supply device can supply power to the atomizer. An atomization core of the existing atomizer usually includes a heating wire and a liquid absorbing element outside the heating wire. When a liquid reservoir supplies a liquid to the liquid absorbing element, the heating wire heats the liquid in the liquid absorbing element.

However, the rate of utilization of the liquid in the liquid absorbing element is low after the liquid reservoir supplies the liquid to the liquid absorbing element. Furthermore, the liquid may leak from the liquid reservoir, damaging a circuit board, a battery, and other electronic elements inside the atomizer. The leakage also reduces a storage volume of the liquid reservoir, thus affecting a maximum number of puffs (maximum puff number) that can be used. Moreover, when the liquid supply volume and the liquid supply rate of the liquid reservoir are less than a match for the heating efficiency, the heating wire will directly heat the dry liquid absorbing element. Thus, the liquid absorbing element may suffer from dry-burning, and the flavor and taste of the smoke are then affected.

SUMMARY

To overcome the above shortcomings, an atomizer assembly, an atomizer, and an inhaler are needed.

The present disclosure provides an atomizer assembly, including a core shell and a liquid guiding member. The core shell defines a receiving cavity and a first groove communicating with the receiving cavity. The liquid guiding member includes a first liquid guiding portion and at least one second liquid guiding portion. The first liquid guiding portion is disposed in the receiving cavity. The at least one second liquid guiding portion is integrally connected to the first liquid guiding portion. The at least one second liquid guiding portion extends out of the receiving cavity through the first groove, and is configured to connect to a liquid storage member.

In one possible implementation, the first liquid guiding portion defines a first channel. The liquid guiding member is a multi-layer structure, and includes one or more first layers and one or more second layers stacked together. A quantity of the one or more first layers is one or two, a grain direction of each of the one or more first layers is parallel to a central axis of the first channel. A quantity of the one or more second layers is one to three, a grain direction of each of the one or more second layers is perpendicular to the grain direction of the first layer. One of the one or more first layers is an innermost layer of the liquid guiding member close to the central axis of the first channel.

In one possible implementation, one of the one or more second layers is an outermost layer of the liquid guiding member away from the central axis of the first channel.

In one possible implementation, the liquid guiding member includes two second liquid guiding portions. The first liquid guiding portion is arc-shaped, and includes a first side and a second side opposite to each other. The two second liquid guiding portions are integrally connected to the first side and the second side, and the two second liquid guiding portions are stacked with each other. A surface of one of the two second liquid guiding portions away from the other one of the two second liquid guiding portions serves as a contact surface between the one of the two second liquid guiding portions and the liquid storage member.

In one possible implementation, the core shell further defines a second groove communicating with the receiving cavity. The first liquid guiding portion is configured to communicate with the liquid storage member through the second groove.

In one possible implementation, the atomizer assembly further includes a heating member. The heating member includes the core shell, the liquid guiding member, and a heater. The heater is disposed in the receiving cavity, and in contact with the one of the one or more first layers of the liquid guiding member close to the central axis of the first channel.

In one possible implementation, the heater includes one or more heating nets.

In one possible implementation, the heater includes two heating nets, and the two heating nets are stacked along a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the first channel.

In one possible implementation, the atomizer assembly further includes a base member and a smoke guiding member. The heating member is fixed between the base member and the smoke guiding member.

In one possible implementation, the smoke guiding member includes a smoke guiding tube and a first sealing element. The smoke guiding tube defines a second channel. The smoke guiding tube is hermetically connected to an upper end of the core shell away from the base member through the first sealing element. The first sealing element is configured to seal a gap between the upper end of the core shell and the smoke guiding member.

In one possible implementation, the base member includes a base and a second sealing element. A lower end of the core shell close to the base member is hermetically connected to the base through the second sealing element.

The present disclosure further provides an atomizer, including a liquid storage member and the above atomizer assembly. The liquid storage member surrounds the core shell of the atomizer assembly.

In one possible implementation, the liquid storage member is a liquid storage cotton.

In one possible implementation, an outer diameter of the liquid storage member is 17 mm to 25 mm; an inner diameter of the liquid storage member is 4 mm to 5 mm; a height of the liquid storage member is 20 mm to 40 mm; a porosity of the liquid storage member is 3.5% to 8%; a density of the liquid guiding member is 60 g/cm3 to 85 g/cm3.

The present disclosure further provides an inhaler, including a housing and the above atomizer disposed in the housing.

The present disclosure removes an existing circle of oil guiding cotton arranged outside the core shell. Thus, the liquid guiding path is shortened, which increases a utilization rate of the atomizable base material in the liquid guiding member and a maximum number of puffs that can be used. The liquid storage member is cotton as a liquid storage medium with an integrated structure. The liquid storage cotton can store a large amount of the atomizable base material, so that the liquid storage member can meet the user's demand for a large dose of the target active ingredient. Also, the atomizable base material can be stably adsorbed and stored in the liquid storage cotton to reduce fluidity of the atomizable base material. Thus, a risk of leakage is reduced, so as to meet the need to carry the product around and improve a service life of the atomizer assembly. Moreover, the design of the device in terms of the size and porosity of the liquid storage member is such as to match the density and structural composition of the matched liquid guiding member to achieve a balance between the liquid locking function and the liquid transporting function, which avoids dry-burning of the atomizer assembly due to an insufficient liquid supply. Atomization by overheating or even dry-burning or generating burnt flavor is also avoided. Thus, a high maximum number of puffs can be obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an atomizer assembly according to the present application.

FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the atomizer assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the atomizer assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the atomizer assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is another cross-sectional view of the atomizer assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a front view of an embodiment of an atomizer according to the present application.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the atomizer of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the atomizer of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a front view of an embodiment of an inhaler according to the present application.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the inhaler of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the inhaler of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the inhaler of FIG. 9.

Symbol description for main components:

    • Base member 10; base 11; second sealing element 12; second liquid absorbing cotton 13; control board 14; heating member 20; core shell 21; liquid guiding member 22; heater 23; smoke guiding member 30; smoke guiding tube 31; first sealing element 32; liquid storage member 40; notch 41; mouth piece 50; mounting portion 51; suction portion 52; first liquid absorbing cotton 53; third sealing element 54; fourth sealing element 55; liquid storage pipe 60; housing 70; air inlet 71; hanging ring 72; power supply member 80; airflow sensor 81; mounting seat 82; aluminum foil 90; reflective paper 91; light guiding bracket 92; atomizer assembly 100; base body 111; second flange 112; hook 113; atomizer 200; first groove 211; second groove 212; first liquid guiding portion 221; second liquid guiding portion 222; pin 230; inhaler 300; second channel 310; first sealing portion 321; second sealing portion 322; first flange 323; suction port 500; clamping groove 510; ear 721; blind groove 1110; first layer 2201; second layer 2202; first channel 2210; first side 2211; second side 2212; contact surface 2220; first smoke guiding hole 3210; through hole 7210; receiving cavity S; central axis O.

Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by way of embodiment, with reference to the attached figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present technology in the application will now be described by way of embodiments as follows. Obviously, the described embodiments are a portion of the embodiments of the application, not all of them. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms herein have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art. The terms used in the detail description are only for describing specific embodiments, but not intended to limit the present application.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in detail. However, the present application may be embodied in many different forms, and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments explained herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that the present application can be clearly and specifically conveyed to those skilled in the art.

In addition, for simplicity and clarity, the size or thickness of various components and layers as shown in the drawings can be enlarged in practice. Throughout the whole application, the same symbols refer to the same elements. As used herein, the terms “and/or” include any combination of one or more related items. In addition, it should be understood that when an element A is referred to as “being connected” to an element B, the element A may be directly connected to the element B, or there may be an intermediate element C, so that the element A and the element B may be indirectly connected to each other by the element C.

Furthermore, when describing the embodiments of the present application, “may” signifies the same or similar concepts used in one or more embodiments of the present application.

The technical terms used herein are for describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form, unless the context expressly indicates otherwise. It should be further understood that the term “including”, when used in this specification, refers to the existence of the features, values, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but does not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, values, steps, operations, elements, components and/or combinations thereof.

Terms related to space, such as “on”, can be used in this application for convenient description to describe the relationship between one element or feature and another element (multiple elements) or feature (multiple features) shown in the drawings. It should be understood that in addition to the directions shown in the drawings, the terms related to space are also intended to include different directions of the equipment or devices in use or in operation. For example, if the equipment in the drawings is flipped over, the features described as “above” or “on” other elements or features will be then “below” or “under” other elements or features. Therefore, the terms “on” may include upper and lower directions. It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or parts, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or parts should not be limited. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or part from another element, component, region, layer, or part. Therefore, a first element, component, region, layer, or part discussed below may also be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or part within the principles of the present embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, an embodiment of an atomizer assembly 100 is provided, which includes a base member 10, a heating member 20, and a smoke guiding member 30. The heating member 20 is disposed between the base member 10 and the smoke guiding member 30. The heating member 20 includes a core shell 21, a liquid guiding member 22, and a heater 23. The liquid guiding member 22 is used to guide or transport an atomizable base material stored in a liquid storage member 40 (shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) into the core shell 21. The atomizable base material includes a target active ingredient. The heater 23 is disposed in the core shell 21, and in contact with the liquid guiding member 22. The heater 23 is used to heat the atomizable base material in the liquid guiding member 22 to create aerosol. The smoke guiding member 30 is used to guide the aerosol out for a user to inhale.

In some embodiments, the liquid storage member 40 is cotton as a liquid storage medium with an integrated structure. The liquid storage cotton can store a large amount of the atomizable base material (more than 10 ml), so that the liquid storage member 40 can meet the user's demand for a large dose of the target active ingredient. Also, the atomizable base material can be stably adsorbed and stored in the liquid storage cotton to reduce fluidity of the atomizable base material. Thus, a risk of leakage is reduced, so as to meet the need to carry the product around and improve a service life of the atomizer assembly 100.

A cross section of the core shell 21 can be substantially circular and define a receiving cavity S. The core shell 21 also defines a first groove 211 communicating with the receiving cavity S. The liquid guiding member 22 has an integrated structure, which includes a first liquid guiding portion 221 and two second liquid guiding portions 222. The first liquid guiding portion 221 is disposed in the receiving cavity S. The cross section of the first liquid guiding portion 221 is substantially arc-shaped and defines a first channel 2210. The first liquid guiding portion 221 includes a first side 2211 and a second side 2212 opposite to each other. The two second liquid guiding portions 222 are connected to the first side 2211 and the second side 2212 of the first liquid guiding portion 221. The two second liquid guiding portions 222 further protrude out of the receiving cavity S through the first groove 211, and then connect to the liquid storage member 40. The two second liquid guiding portions 222 are stacked with each other, and a surface of one of the two second liquid guiding portions 222 away from the other one of the two second liquid guiding portions 222 is a contact surface 2220 between the second liquid guiding portion 222 and the liquid storage member 40. As such, the atomizable base material stored in the liquid storage member 40 can be guided or transported to the first liquid guiding portion 221 in the core shell 21 through the contact surface 2220. The heater 23 is disposed in the receiving cavity S, and is in contact with an inner surface of the first liquid guiding portion 221. In some embodiments, the core shell 21 may be made of polycarbonate (PC) that has good impact resistance.

Thus, when the atomizable base material stored in the liquid storage member 40 is guided or transported to the first liquid guiding portion 221 inside the core shell 21 through the second liquid guiding portion 222 of the liquid guiding member 22, the heater 23 on the inner surface of the first liquid guiding portion 221 can start heating the atomizable base material in the first liquid guiding portion 221 to obtain the aerosol. The aerosol then can be inhaled by the user. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a flat liquid guiding member 22 can first be bent at the middle position to obtain the first liquid guiding portion 221, and two end portions form the two second liquid guiding portions 222. In some embodiments, the first groove 211 may be defined from an upper end of the core shell 21 away from the base member 10 towards a lower end of the core shell 21. The first groove 211 does not penetrate the lower end of the core shell 21.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in some embodiments, the core shell 21 may also define a second groove 212 communicating with the receiving cavity S. The first liquid guiding portion 221 is also connected to the liquid storage member 40 through the second groove 212, so that the atomizable base material stored in the liquid storage member 40 can also be transported to the first liquid guiding portion 221 through the second groove 212. That is, the first groove 211 is not the only means of transporting the atomizable base material stored in the liquid storage member 40 to the first liquid guiding portion 221 in the core shell 21. The second groove 212 can also function as a liquid inlet groove, so that the atomizable base material stored in the liquid storage member 40 can be transported to the first liquid guiding portion 221 through the second groove 212 also. In some embodiments, the second groove 212 may be disposed between the upper end and the lower end of the core shell 21. A surface area of the second groove 212 is less than that of the first groove 211.

A conventional liquid guiding member comprises a first circle of liquid guiding cotton disposed in a core shell and a second circle of liquid guiding cotton wrapped outside the core shell. The second circle of liquid guiding cotton is connected to a liquid storage member, so the liquid in the liquid storage member is transported successively along the second circle of oil guiding cotton, a liquid inlet groove defined on the core shell, and into the first circle of oil guiding cotton. The present disclosure removes the second circle of oil guiding cotton arranged outside the core shell. Furthermore, in the present disclosure, the liquid guiding member 22 is designed to include the first liquid guiding portion 221 and the second liquid guiding portions 222, and the second liquid guiding portion 222 extends out of the core shell 21 through the first groove 211 and connects to the liquid storage member 40. As such, the atomizable base material stored in the liquid storage member 40 can be transported to the first liquid guiding portion 221 in the core shell 21 through the second liquid guiding portion 222. Moreover, since the second circle of liquid guiding cotton outside the core shell is removed, the liquid guiding path is shortened, which increases a utilization rate of the atomizable base material in the liquid guiding member 22 and a maximum number of puffs that can be used. It can be understood that, since the liquid storage member 40 can store a large amount of the atomizable base material, even if the liquid storage member 40 adopts a single liquid transporting mode (which transports the liquid to the first liquid guiding portion 221 through the second liquid guiding portion 222 only), the liquid guiding member 22 will always have a continuous and sufficient amount of liquid.

Moreover, when the core shell 21 also defines the second groove 212, the atomizable base material stored in the liquid storage member 40 can also be transported to the first liquid guiding portion 221 through the second groove 212, which further ensures a full amount of guided liquid from the liquid storage member 40 to the first liquid guiding portion 221. Thus, the liquid guiding member 22 can continuously have a sufficient amount of liquid, which allows the liquid guiding member 22 to withstand a high temperature from the heater 23 during atomization (usually more than 300 degrees Celsius).

The liquid storage member 40 is a hollow structure, and is sleeved on the outer wall of the heating member 20. In some embodiments, the liquid storage member 40 has an outer diameter of 17 mm to 25 mm, an inner diameter of 4 mm to 5 mm, and a height of 20 mm to 40 mm. A porosity of the liquid storage member 40 is 3.5% to 8%. A density of the liquid guiding member 22 is 60 g/cm3 to 85 g/cm3. Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the liquid guiding member 22 is a multi-layer structure, which includes at least one first layer 2201 and at least one second layer 2202. The number of the first layer(s) 2201 is 1 or 2, and a grain direction of grain-structure of each first layer 2201 is parallel to a central axis O of the first channel 2210 (so the first layer 2201 can have a vertical grain-structure). The number of the second layer(s) 2202 is 1 to 3, and a grain direction of each second layer 2202 is perpendicular to the grain direction of the first layer 2201 (so the second layer 2202 can be called to have a transverse grain-structure). The first layer 2201 is the innermost layer of the liquid guiding member 22 close to the heater 23, that is, a longitudinal flow speed of the atomized base material is greater than a transverse flow speed therein, so as to increase the amount of the atomizable base material in the first layer 2201. Thus, the portion of the liquid guiding member 22 which is closest to the heater 23 always has a sufficient amount of liquid, which can withstand a high temperature from the heater 23 during atomization.

In the liquid guiding member 22, except for the first layer 2201 which is closest to the heater 23, other layers in the liquid guiding member 22 can be stacked in any order. In some embodiments, the second layer 2202 is an outermost layer of the liquid guiding member 22 away from the heater 23, which has the grain direction perpendicular to the central axis O of the first channel 2210, so that the portion of the liquid guiding member 22 away from the heater 23 acts to gather and lock the liquid along the longitudinal direction. Thus, the risk of leakage due to the downward flow of the atomizable base material is avoided.

In some embodiments, the liquid guiding member 22 may be a liquid guiding cotton. The first layer 2201 of the liquid guiding member 22 is made of a flax cotton, and the second layer 2202 is made of a wood pulp cotton.

During atomization, the liquid storage member 40 mainly stores the atomizable base material (i.e., “liquid locking function”), and the liquid guiding member 22 mainly transports the atomizable base material (i.e., “liquid transporting function”). The design of the device herein disclosed in terms of the size and porosity of the liquid storage member 40 is such as to match the density and structural composition of the matched liquid guiding member 22 to achieve a balance between the liquid locking function and the liquid transporting function, which avoids dry-burning of the atomizer assembly 100 due to an insufficient liquid supply. Atomization by overheating or even dry-burning or generating burnt flavor is also avoided. Thus, a high maximum number of puffs can be obtained. Moreover, the innermost layer of the liquid guiding member 22 close to the heater 23 is designed to be the first layer 2201, with the grain direction parallel to the central axis O of the first channel 2210. Thus, the portion of the liquid guiding member 22 close to the heater 23 can withstand the high temperature from the heater 23 during atomization, which can further avoid dry-burning.

In some embodiments, the heater 23 may be a heating device resembling a net. Compared with a heating wire, a larger contact area can be formed between the heating net and the atomizable base material, which makes the heating more uniform. Moreover, compared with the heating wire, the heating net has a smaller change of resistance. In some specific embodiments, the heating net may be made of stainless steel.

In other embodiments, the heater 23 may also include two heating nets, which are stacked in a direction perpendicular to the central axis O of the first channel 2210. The two heating nets further make the heating even more uniform.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, in some embodiments, the smoke guiding member 30 includes a smoke guiding tube 31 and a first sealing element 32. The smoke guiding tube 31 is used to define a second channel 310 communicating with the first channel 2210. The smoke guiding tube 31 is hermetically connected to the upper end of the core shell 21 through the first sealing element 32. The first sealing element 32 is used to seal a gap between the upper end of the core shell 21 and the smoke guiding tube 31, to prevent the aerosol from leaking outward through the gap between the upper end of the core shell 21 and the smoke guiding tube 31. In some specific embodiments, the first sealing element 32 includes a first sealing portion 321, a second sealing portion 322 connecting the first sealing portion 321, and a first flange 323 protruding outward from an interconnected region between the first sealing portion 321 and the second sealing portion 322. The first sealing portion 321 is hermetically connected to a lower end of the smoke guiding tube 31 facing the base member 10, and the lower end of the smoke guiding tube 31 abuts against a surface of the first flange 323. The second sealing portion 322 is hermetically connected to the upper end of the core shell 21, and the upper end of the core shell 21 abuts against the other surface of the first flange 323. The first sealing portion 321 and the second sealing portion 322 cooperatively define a first smoke guiding hole 3210, so that the aerosol generated by heating can be exported successively through the first channel 2210, the first smoke guiding hole 3210 of the second sealing portion 322 and the first sealing portion 321, and then the second channel 310 of the smoke guiding tube 31. In some specific embodiments, the smoke guiding tube 31 may be a glass fiber tube with high heat-resistance, for example, the smoke guiding tube 31 may be a silicone glass fiber tube.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the base member 10 includes a base 11 and a second sealing element 12. The lower end of the core shell 21 is hermetically connected to the base 11 through the second sealing element 12. In some specific embodiments, the base 11 includes a base body 111 and a second flange 112 protruding outward from an outer wall of the base body 111. The second sealing element 12 is sleeved on the top surface and the outer wall of the base body 111, and abuts against a surface of the second flange 112. The top surface of the base body 111 defines a blind groove 1110, and the lower end of the core shell 21 passes through the second sealing element 12 and then extends into the blind groove 1110. The second sealing element 12 is used to seal a gap between the lower end of the core shell 21 and the base body 111, to prevent the aerosol generated by heating from leaking outward through the gap between the lower end of the core shell 21 and the base body 111. In some specific embodiments, each of the first sealing element 32 and the second sealing element 12 may be made of a silica gel.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, another embodiment of an atomizer 200 is also provided according to the present disclosure, which includes the liquid storage member 40, a mouth piece 50, a liquid storage pipe 60, and the atomizer assembly 100 of any embodiment or a combination of the above embodiments.

The liquid storage member 40 and the atomizer assembly 100 are disposed in the liquid storage pipe 60, that is, the liquid storage pipe 60 can play the role of packing and fixing the whole structure. The liquid storage member 40 is sleeved on an outer wall of the heating member 20 of the atomizer assembly 100, and abuts against an upper surface of the base member 10. The liquid storage member 40 defines a notch 41 (shown in FIG. 10), and the second liquid guiding portion 222 of the liquid guiding member 22 can be disposed in the notch 41. The mouth piece 50 is fixed to an upper end of the liquid storage pipe 60. The mouth piece 50 defines a suction port 500, which is connected to the second channel 310 of the smoke guiding tube 31. In some specific embodiments, the mouth piece 50 includes a mounting portion 51 and a suction portion 52. The mounting portion 51 is mounted on the outer wall of the upper end of the liquid storage pipe 60. The suction portion 52 is connected to the mounting portion 51, and disposed at one end of the liquid storage member 40 away from the base member 10. The user can inhale the aerosol at the suction portion 52, that is, the aerosol is exported through the smoke guiding tube 31 and inhaled by the user at the suction port 500. In some specific embodiments, the liquid storage pipe 60 is made of impact-resistant polycarbonate. The shape of the suction portion 52 can be round, oval, or a duckbill shape to meet ergonomics.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in some embodiments, a first liquid absorbing cotton 53 may be received in the mouth piece 50. The first liquid absorbing cotton 53 is disposed between the suction portion 52 and the liquid storage member 40. The second liquid absorbing cotton is used to absorb any atomizable base material overflowing from the liquid storage member 40, thereby reducing the risk of leakage.

Furthermore, a third sealing element 54 may also be received in the mouth piece 50. The third sealing element 54 is disposed between the first liquid absorbing cotton 53 and the liquid storage member 40. The third sealing element 54 is used to seal a gap between the liquid storage pipe 60 and the mouth piece 50, to prevent any atomizable base material overflowing from the liquid storage member 40 from leaking through the gap between the liquid storage pipe 60 and the mouth piece 50.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in some embodiments, a fourth sealing element 55 may also be received in the mouth piece 50. The fourth sealing element 55 is detachably disposed in the suction port 500, to prevent ingress of external dust or water vapor through the suction port 500 when the atomizer 200 is not in use.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in some embodiments, the atomizer 200 may also include a second liquid absorbing cotton 13 and a control board 14. The second liquid absorbing cotton 13 is disposed on the lower surface of the base body 111 of the base member 10. The second flange 112 of the base member 10 surrounds an outer wall of the second liquid absorbing cotton 13. The second liquid absorbing cotton 13 is used to absorb any atomizable base material that overflows from the liquid storage member 40 or the liquid guiding member 22, so as to reduce the risk of leakage. The control board 14 is disposed on a surface of the second liquid absorbing cotton 13 away from the base body 111, and electrically connected to the heater 23. Apin 230 of the heater 23 passes through the base member 10, and is electrically connected to the control board 14. Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 8, in some specific embodiments, a bottom surface of the second flange 112 of the base member 10 is provided with at least two hooks 113 facing inwards. The hooks 113 are used to clamp and fix the control board 14 in the base member 10.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 12, an embodiment of an inhaler 300 is also provided according to the present disclosure, which includes a housing 70, a power supply member 80, and the atomizer 200 of any embodiment or a combination of the above embodiments. In some embodiments, the inhaler 300 may be an electronic cigarette, that is, the atomizable base material is a tobacco oil. In other embodiments, the inhaler 300 is not limited to an electronic cigarette, but may also be other atomizers capable of atomizing the atomizable base material into aerosol for the user to inhale. For example, the inhaler 300 may also be a device that atomizes the liquid for human ingestion, such as a medical inhaler for treating upper respiratory tract diseases. At this time, the atomizable base material can be a drug solution for treating the upper respiratory tract diseases. When the patient breathes, the drug aerosol formed after atomization of the drug solution is inhaled by the patient into the respiratory tract and then to the alveoli, so that the atomizable base material can be used for local treatment of the upper respiratory tract.

Both the atomizer 200 and the power supply member 80 are disposed in the housing 70. The mouth piece 50 of the atomizer 200 protrudes from the housing 70. The housing 70 is fixed to the mouth piece 50 of the atomizer 200. Specifically, the housing 70 is fixed to the mounting portion 51 of the mouth piece 50. The power supply member 80 is disposed on a side of the atomizer 200 which has the control board 14, and is electrically connected to the control board 14. Therefore, the control board 14 can control the power supply member 80 to supply electric power to the heater 23, so that the heater 23 can heat the atomizable base material. In some embodiments, the lower end of the mounting portion 51 of the mouth piece 50 away from the suction portion 52 defines a ring-shaped clamping groove 510. The upper end of the housing 70 can be fixed in the clamping groove 510 by an adhesive (not shown). In other embodiments, the housing 70 and the mouth piece 50 can also be fixed to each other by magnetic adsorption or interference fit. In some specific embodiments, each of the housing 70 and the mounting portion 51 of the mouth piece 50 is octagonal in cross section. It can be understood that in other embodiments, the specific shapes of the housing 70 and the mounting portion 51 of the mouth piece 50 can also be set according to actual needs. In some embodiments, the power supply member 80 may be a cylindrical battery.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, in some embodiments, the inhaler 300 may also include an airflow sensor 81 and a mounting seat 82. The airflow sensor 81 and the mounting seat 82 are disposed in the housing 70, and the airflow sensor is disposed at a surface of the power supply member 80 away from the atomizer 200. A bottom end of the housing 70 away from the mouth piece 50 defines an air inlet 71, and the airflow sensor 81 is connected to the air inlet 71 (for example, there can be a gap between the power supply member 80 and the housing 70, so that the airflow sensor 81 is connected to the air inlet 71 through the gap). The mounting seat 82 is sleeved on an outer wall of the airflow sensor 81 for installing the airflow sensor 81 in the housing 70. When the user inhales through the mouth piece 50, the air flow in the air inlet 71 activates the airflow sensor 81. At this time, the control board 14 controls the power supply member 80 to supply electric power to the heater 23. In some specific embodiments, the airflow sensor 81 can be a microphone. The mounting seat 82 can be made of a silica gel.

In some embodiments, a surface of the control board 14 facing the power supply member 80 is provided with an illuminator (such as an LED, etc.). When the airflow sensor 81 senses the user inhaling through the mouth piece 50, the illuminator emits light. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the inhaler 300 may also include an aluminum foil 90, a reflective paper 91, and a light guiding bracket 92. Each of the aluminum foil 90, the reflective paper 91, and the light guiding bracket 92 can be annular in cross section. A lower end of the light guiding bracket 92 is fixed on the mounting seat 82. The light guiding bracket 92 can be sleeved outside the power supply member 80. The aluminum foil 90 is fixed to an upper end of the light guiding bracket 92, and arranged around the control board 14. The reflective paper 91 is disposed between the power supply member 80 and the light guiding bracket 92. The housing 70 may be made of a transparent material. When the illuminator emits light, such light is diffused by the aluminum foil 90, the reflective paper 91, and the light guiding bracket 92, so that the housing 70 appears to be luminous and improves the user experience.

In some embodiments, the inhaler 300 may also include a hanging ring 72 sleeved on the outer wall of the housing 70. The hanging ring 72 includes an ear 721. A lanyard (not shown) can pass through a through hole 7210 of the ear 721, so that the user can wear the inhaler 300 at a specific position through the lanyard (such as hanging it on the neck, making the inhaler 300 easy to carry around).

The present disclosure is described in detail below through specific examples and comparative examples. The inhaler can be an electronic cigarette, and the liquid storage member and liquid guiding member are made of oil storage cotton and oil guiding cotton respectively. Those skilled in the art should understand that the specific type of inhaler and the specific material of liquid storage member and liquid guiding member described below are only examples, and any other suitable type and material are within the scope of this application. For example, the inhaler can also be a device that enables human ingestion of the liquid after atomization, such as a medical inhaler for treating upper respiratory tract diseases.

Example 1

The outer diameter of the liquid storage cotton is 17 mm, the inner diameter is 5 mm, and the height is 36.5 mm. The porosity of the liquid storage member is 4.5%. The density of the liquid guiding cotton is 70 g/cm3. The liquid guiding cotton includes a flax cotton layer with vertical grain-structure and a density of 70 g/cm3 and a wood pulp cotton layer with transverse grain-structure and a density of 70 g/cm3 (the structure of such liquid guiding cotton is called 1+1 for simplicity). The flax cotton is close to the heater.

Examples 2-3 and Comparative Examples 1-2

The differences from example 1 are in the quantities of wood pulp cotton layers with transverse grain-structure, referring to Table 1.

The atomizers of examples 1-3 and comparative examples 1-2 are assembled into electronic cigarette samples. The target puff number and the maximum puff number are tested for each sample, using a test instrument of zz-dz11 electronic cigarette smoking machine (in accordance with Standard UL8139, manufactured by Zhongzhou measurement and control (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.). The standard to-be-tested is the puff number, and the test standard is that the instrument sucks for 2 seconds and stops for 20 seconds, which can then be recorded as one inhalation (one puff). The test results are recorded in Table 1. In detail, the testing procedure of the target puff number is carried out by assuming that the preset puff number (i.e., the service life) of the electronic cigarette is 500, that is, the user can smoke the electronic cigarette 500 times without dry-burning; setting the target puff number to be 500, and then using the above instrument to test the sample. When the instrument completes 500 puffs, the sample is removed from the instrument, the appearance of the sample is checked, and whether the interior of the sample suffers from dry-burning is determined. When the sample does not suffer from dry-burning, the sample is determined to be qualified, otherwise, the sample is determined to be unqualified. The testing procedure of the maximum puff number is basically the same as that of the target puff number. The difference is that the testing procedure of the maximum puff number does not need to set the target puff number, but the test does not stop until the sample has suffered from dry-burning or other faults, which makes the sample unable to continue to complete the suction operation. At this time, the recorded puff number is the maximum puff number of the sample.

TABLE 1 Quantity of wood Quantity of flax pulp cotton layer Testing result of cotton layer with with transverse Testing result of target puff maximum puff Sample vertical grains grains number number Conclusion Example 1 1 1 500, without dry-burning 525 qualified Example 2 1 2 500, without dry-burning 536 qualified Example 3 1 3 500, without dry-burning 560 qualified Example 4 1 4 500, suffer from dry-burning — unqualified Example 5 1 5 500, suffer from dry-burning — unqualified

From Table 1, when the size and porosity of the oil storage cotton and the density of the oil guiding cotton meet specific conditions, dry-burning of the sample can be avoided when the oil guiding cotton has an appropriate quantity of wood pulp cotton layer(s) with transverse grains. Compared with examples 1-3, since the comparative examples 1-2 have an excess number of layers of wood pulp cotton with transverse grains, dry-burning is easy to occur when the sample completes 500 puffs. Example 3 has three wood pulp cotton layers with transverse grains, so the sample has the maximum puff number.

Examples 4-16 and Comparative Examples 3-4

The differences from example 1 are in the porosity of the oil storage cotton, referring to Table 2.

TABLE 2 Structure of oil Porosity of Testing result of guiding oil storage Testing result of target maximum puff Sample cotton cotton puff number number Conclusion Comparative 1 + 3 3.0 500, suffer from 516, large draw unqualified Example 3 dry-burning resistance Example 4 1 + 3 3.5 500, without 532 qualified dry-burning Example 5 1 + 3 4.0 500, without 550 qualified dry-burning Example 6 1 + 3 4.1 500, without 558 qualified dry-burning Example 7 1 + 3 4.2 500, without 565 qualified dry-burning Example 8 1 + 3 4.3 500, without 560 qualified dry-burning Example 9 1 + 3 4.4 500, without 559 qualified dry-burning Example 1 1 + 3 4.5 500, without 560 qualified dry-burning Example 10 1 + 3 5.0 500, without 552 qualified dry-burning Example 11 1 + 3 5.5 500, without 546 qualified dry-burning Example 12 1 + 3 6.0 500, without 542 qualified dry-burning Example 13 1 + 3 6.5 500, without 545 qualified dry-burning Example 14 1 + 3 7.0 500, without 536 qualified dry-burning Example 15 1 + 3 7.5 500, without 531 qualified dry-burning Example 16 1 + 3 8.0 500, without 525 qualified dry-burning Comparative 1 + 3 8.5 500, without  520, qualified Example 4 dry-burning oil before atomization is smoked

From Table 2, when the size of the oil storage cotton and the density and structure of the oil guiding cotton meet specific conditions, the sample does not suffer from dry-burning and also has a largest maximum puff number when the oil storage cotton has an appropriate porosity. Compared with examples 1 and 4-16, the oil storage cotton of the comparative example 3 has a low porosity, so the oil locking happens faster than the oil is transported. Thus, the sample suffers from dry-burning when 500 puffs is completed. The draw resistance (resistance against inhalations) of the sample of comparative example 3 is too large, resulting in a decrease of the maximum puff number. The porosity of the oil storage cotton of comparative example 4 is too large, so that the oil locking speed is slower than the oil mobility (oil transporting speed). Thus, the oil is rendered into smoke before effective atomization, and the maximum puff number is small. The porosity of oil storage cotton of examples 1 and 5-10 is 4% to 5%, so the maximum puff number of the sample is high.

Example 17 and Comparative Examples 5-8

The differences from example 1 are in the density of the oil guiding cotton, referring to Table 3.

TABLE 3 Structure of oil Density of Testing result of storage oil guiding Testing result of maximum puff Sample cotton cotton target puff number number Conclusion Comparative 1 + 3 50 500, without  532, unqualified example 5 dry-burning gurgling sound Comparative 1 + 3 55 500, without  545, unqualified example 6 dry-burning slight gurgling sound Example 17 1 + 3 60 500, without 552 qualified dry-burning Example 18 1 + 3 65 500, without 555 qualified dry-burning Example 7 1 + 3 70 500, without 565 qualified dry-burning Example 19 1 + 3 75 500, without 568 qualified dry-burning Example 20 1 + 3 80 500, without 564 qualified dry-burning Example 21 1 + 3 85 500, without 560 qualified dry-burning Comparative 1 + 3 90 500, without  526, unqualified Example 7 dry-burning large draw resistance Comparative 1 + 3 95 500, suffer from  488, unqualified Example 8 dry-burning large draw resistance

From Table 3, when the size and porosity of the oil storage cotton and the structure of the oil guiding cotton meet specific conditions, the sample does not suffer from dry-burning and also has a largest maximum puff number when the oil guiding cotton has an appropriate density. Compared with examples 1 and 4-16, the density of the oil guiding cotton of comparative examples 5-6 is too low, so that the oil locking speed is less than the oil transporting speed. Thus, the sound of gurgling will be heard during suction, and the maximum puff number is small. The density of the oil storage cotton of comparative examples 7 and 8 is low, so the oil locking speed is greater than the oil transporting speed. Thus, the draw resistance of the sample is too high, and the maximum puff number is smaller.

Even though information and advantages of the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structures and functions of the present embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present embodiments to the full extent indicated by the plain meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. An atomizer assembly, comprising:

a core shell defining a receiving cavity and a first groove communicating with the receiving cavity; and
a liquid guiding member comprising a first liquid guiding portion and at least one second liquid guiding portion, the first liquid guiding portion disposed in the receiving cavity, the at least one second liquid guiding portion integrally connected to the first liquid guiding portion, the at least one second liquid guiding portion extending out of the receiving cavity through the first groove and configured to connect to a liquid storage member.

2. The atomizer assembly of claim 1, wherein the first liquid guiding portion defines a first channel; the liquid guiding member is a multi-layer structure, and comprises one or more first layers and one or more second layers stacked together; a quantity of the one or more first layers is one or two, a grain direction of each of the one or more first layers is parallel to a central axis of the first channel; a quantity of the one or more second layers is one to three, a grain direction of each of the one or more second layers is perpendicular to the grain direction of the first layer; one of the one or more first layers is an innermost layer of the liquid guiding member close to the central axis of the first channel.

3. The atomizer assembly of claim 2, wherein one of the one or more second layers is an outermost layer of the liquid guiding member away from the central axis of the first channel.

4. The atomizer assembly of claim 1, wherein the liquid guiding member comprises two second liquid guiding portions; the first liquid guiding portion is arc-shaped, and includes a first side and a second side opposite to each other; the two second liquid guiding portions are integrally connected to the first side and the second side, and the two second liquid guiding portions are stacked with each other; a surface of one of the two second liquid guiding portions away from the other one of the two second liquid guiding portions serves as a contact surface between the one of the two second liquid guiding portions and the liquid storage member.

5. The atomizer assembly of claim 1, wherein the core shell further defines a second groove communicating with the receiving cavity; the first liquid guiding portion is configured to communicate with the liquid storage member through the second groove.

6. The atomizer assembly of claim 2, further comprising a heating member, wherein the heating member comprises the core shell, the liquid guiding member, and a heater; the heater is disposed in the receiving cavity, and in contact with the one of the one or more first layers of the liquid guiding member close to the central axis of the first channel.

7. The atomizer assembly of claim 6, wherein the heater comprises one or more heating nets.

8. The atomizer assembly of claim 7, wherein the heater comprises two heating nets, and the two heating nets are stacked along a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the first channel.

9. The atomizer assembly of claim 6, further comprising a base member and a smoke guiding member, wherein the heating member is fixed between the base member and the smoke guiding member.

10. The atomizer assembly of claim 9, wherein the smoke guiding member comprises a smoke guiding tube and a first sealing element; the smoke guiding tube defines a second channel; the smoke guiding tube is hermetically connected to an upper end of the core shell away from the base member through the first sealing element; the first sealing element is configured to seal a gap between the upper end of the core shell and the smoke guiding member.

11. The atomizer assembly of claim 9, wherein the base member comprises a base and a second sealing element; a lower end of the core shell close to the base member is hermetically connected to the base through the second sealing element.

12. An atomizer, comprising:

a liquid storage member; and
an atomizer assembly, the liquid storage member surrounding a core shell of the atomizer assembly, the atomizer assembly comprising: the core shell defining a receiving cavity and a first groove communicating with the receiving cavity; and a liquid guiding member comprising a first liquid guiding portion and one or more second liquid guiding portion, the first liquid guiding portion disposed in the receiving cavity, the one or more second liquid guiding portion integrally connected to the first liquid guiding portion, the one or more second liquid guiding portion extending out of the receiving cavity through the first groove and configured to connect to the liquid storage member.

13. The atomizer of claim 12, wherein the liquid storage member is a liquid storage cotton.

14. The atomizer of claim 12, wherein an outer diameter of the liquid storage member is 17 mm to 25 mm; an inner diameter of the liquid storage member is 4 mm to 5 mm; a height of the liquid storage member is 20 mm to 40 mm; a porosity of the liquid storage member is 3.5% to 8%; a density of the liquid guiding member is 60 g/cm3 to 85 g/cm3.

15. An inhaler comprising:

a housing; and
an atomizer, the atomizer disposed in the housing, the atomizer comprising: a liquid storage member; and an atomizer assembly, the liquid storage member surrounding a core shell of the atomizer assembly, the atomizer assembly comprising: the core shell defining a receiving cavity and a first groove communicating with the receiving cavity; and a liquid guiding member comprising a first liquid guiding portion and one or more second liquid guiding portion, the first liquid guiding portion disposed in the receiving cavity, the one or more second liquid guiding portion integrally connected to the first liquid guiding portion, the one or more second liquid guiding portion extending out of the receiving cavity through the first groove and configured to connect to the liquid storage member.

16. The atomizer of claim 12, wherein the first liquid guiding portion defines a first channel; the liquid guiding member is a multi-layer structure, and comprises one or more first layers and one or more second layers stacked together; a quantity of the one or more first layers is one or two, a grain direction of each of the one or more first layers is parallel to a central axis of the first channel; a quantity of the one or more second layers is one to three, a grain direction of each of the one or more second layers is perpendicular to the grain direction of the first layer; one of the one or more first layers is an innermost layer of the liquid guiding member close to the central axis of the first channel.

17. The atomizer of claim 16, wherein one of the one or more second layers is an outermost layer of the liquid guiding member away from the central axis of the first channel.

18. The atomizer of claim 12, wherein the liquid guiding member comprises two second liquid guiding portions; the first liquid guiding portion is arc-shaped, and includes a first side and a second side opposite to each other; the two second liquid guiding portions are integrally connected to the first side and the second side, and the two second liquid guiding portions are stacked with each other; a surface of one of the two second liquid guiding portions away from the other one of the two second liquid guiding portions serves as a contact surface between one of the two second liquid guiding portions and the liquid storage member.

19. The atomizer of claim 12, wherein the core shell further defines a second groove communicating with the receiving cavity; the first liquid guiding portion is configured to communicate with the liquid storage member through the second groove.

20. The atomizer of claim 16, wherein the atomizer assembly further comprises a heating member, the heating member comprises the core shell, the liquid guiding member, and a heater; the heater is disposed in the receiving cavity, and in contact with the one of the one or more first layers of the liquid guiding member close to the central axis of the first channel.

Patent History
Publication number: 20240049798
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 20, 2021
Publication Date: Feb 15, 2024
Inventors: MIAOWEN YANG (Shenzhen), SHIMEI PAN (Shenzhen), YONGHUI LIN (Shenzhen), HUIFU SHUAI (Shenzhen), SHAOQING YAN (Shenzhen), HONG ZHANG (Shenzhen), YUNYUN DUAN (Shenzhen)
Application Number: 17/765,535
Classifications
International Classification: A24F 40/485 (20060101); A24F 40/10 (20060101); A24F 40/46 (20060101); A24F 40/44 (20060101);