CN218605066U - Nebulizer and aerosol-generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

The application discloses atomizer and aerosol-generating device, the atomizer includes three electrode that mutual interval set up, is first electrode, second electrode and third electrode respectively, wherein the second electrode is located between first electrode and the third electrode, the second electrode is located on the axis of ordinates of atomizer, interval between first electrode and the second electrode with interval between third electrode and the second electrode is basically the same. The above atomizer is selectively engageable with the power supply assembly in different orientations such that two of the three electrodes of the atomizer engage two electrodes on the power supply assembly.

Description

Nebulizer and aerosol-generating device

Technical Field

The embodiment of the application relates to the field of aerosol generating devices, in particular to an atomizer and an aerosol generating device.

Background

The aerosol-generating device comprises a nebulizer and a power supply component, the nebulizer and the power supply component being configured for electrical connection therebetween. In the first type of aerosol generating device, referring to fig. 1 and 2, an atomizer 100 is provided with a ring electrode 101 having integrally formed positive and negative electrodes, and a power module 200 is generally provided with two elastic electrode posts 50, and since the inner and outer electrodes of the ring electrode 101 are relatively closely spaced, the two elastic electrode posts 50 on the power module 200 are generally closely spaced, so as to be capable of matching with the ring electrode on the atomizer.

In a second type of aerosol-generating device, and with reference to fig. 3, two mutually spaced electrode posts 103 are provided on the nebulizer 100, the two electrode posts 103 being symmetrically distributed about the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device and the two electrode posts 103 of the nebulizer 100 being relatively far apart, and the corresponding two electrode posts also being provided on the power supply component and symmetrically distributed about the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device.

In both types of split aerosol-generating devices, the atomiser without the annular electrode structure is difficult to use with the power module of the first type of aerosol-generating device due to differences in the positioning and spacing of the two electrode posts on the power modules of the different types of aerosol-generating devices. Further, in detachable aerosol generating devices it is often desirable that the atomizer has a positive and negative insertion function, and the ring electrode is coaxial with the inner and outer electrodes, so that after being rotated 180 degrees, the ring electrode can still match with the two electrodes on the power supply assembly, while the atomizer of the second type of aerosol generating device cannot be combined with the first type of power supply assembly in a positive and negative insertion manner because only two electrodes are provided, and it is understood that the atomizer can be combined with the power supply assembly in a positive and negative insertion manner is very important for users, while the second type of atomizer without the ring electrode cannot achieve positive and negative insertion. Further, as the power supply assembly is a component that can be used continuously, users or manufacturers often expect more types of nebulizers to be used with the same power supply assembly,

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In order to solve the problem that the flexible matching use of the atomizer and a power supply assembly is affected due to the fact that the electrode arrangement mode of the atomizer in the prior art is relatively solidified, an embodiment of the application provides an atomizer which comprises three electrodes arranged at intervals, namely a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode, wherein the second electrode is located on the central line of the longitudinal axis of the atomizer, and the interval between the first electrode and the second electrode is basically the same as the interval between the third electrode and the second electrode.

In some embodiments, the first electrode and the third electrode are symmetrically disposed about the second electrode.

In some embodiments, the atomizer includes an end cap, and at least a portion of an end face of the first electrode, an end face of the second electrode, and an end face of the third electrode are exposed on an end face of the bottom cover.

In some embodiments, the atomizer further comprises a heating element, the first electrode and the third electrode each being electrically connected to one end of the heating element, the second electrode being electrically connected to the other end of the heating element.

In some embodiments, the atomizer further comprises a conductive element through which the first electrode and the third electrode communicate.

In some embodiments, the conductive element comprises a conductive strip.

In some embodiments, the conductive sheet is provided with a through hole, and the second electrode is disposed through the through hole and is in non-contact with the conductive sheet.

In some embodiments, the nebulizer further comprises a vent disposed on a side of the first electrode or the third electrode away from the second electrode.

An aerosol-generating device is also provided in an embodiment of the present application, comprising the above atomizer and a power supply assembly, the power supply assembly providing an electric drive for the atomizer; the atomizer is configured to be combinable with the power supply assembly in different first orientations or second orientations, wherein the first orientation is rotated 180 degrees along a longitudinal axis of the atomizer relative to the second orientation.

In some embodiments, the power supply component comprises a fourth electrode and a fifth electrode arranged at a distance from each other, the fourth electrode being arranged on a longitudinal axis of the power supply component.

In some embodiments, when the nebulizer is engaged with the power supply component in a first orientation, the second electrode is in communication with a fourth electrode, and the first electrode is in communication with the fifth electrode; the second electrode is in communication with the fourth electrode and the third electrode is in communication with the fifth electrode when the atomizer is engaged with the power supply assembly in a second orientation.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating device has a different resistance to draw when the nebulizer is combined with the power supply component in different first and second orientations.

Embodiments of the present application further provide an aerosol-generating device comprising a power supply component and an atomizer electrically connected, the power supply component comprising a fourth electrode and a fifth electrode arranged at an interval from each other, the fourth electrode being arranged on a longitudinal axis of the power supply component.

In some embodiments, the atomizer comprises an annular electrode.

In some embodiments, the atomizer comprises a housing having a liquid substrate stored therein and an atomizing assembly for atomizing the liquid substrate, wherein the atomizing assembly is configured to be removably received within an interior of the housing.

In some embodiments, the nebulizer comprises three electrodes spaced apart from each other.

In some embodiments, the atomizer comprises a housing having a liquid substrate stored therein and an atomizing assembly for atomizing the liquid substrate, wherein the atomizing assembly is configured to be fixedly received within an interior of the housing.

The beneficial effect of this application is through setting up three electrode on the atomizer, and the second electrode wherein is located the central line of the axis of ordinates of atomizer, and the interval between first electrode and the second electrode is the same with the interval between third electrode and the second electrode. The nebulizer can thus be selectively coupled to the power supply assembly in different orientations such that two of the three electrodes of the nebulizer are coupled to two electrodes on the power supply assembly, providing the user with more flexibility in connecting the nebulizer to the power supply assembly.

Drawings

One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, which correspond to the figures in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and which are not to scale unless otherwise specified.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first type of atomizer provided by an embodiment of the present application;

figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first type of aerosol-generating device provided by embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a prior art atomizer;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a power module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of another perspective of a power module according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a power module provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a first type of atomizer provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a separation structure of atomizing components of a first type of atomizer provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an atomizer provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an atomizer provided in an embodiment of the present application;

figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an electrical connection within an atomizer in accordance with an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 13 is a perspective view of a conductive element provided in an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

To facilitate an understanding of the present application, the present application is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and detailed description.

It should be noted that all directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, horizontal, vertical, etc.) in the embodiments of the present application are only used to explain the relative position relationship between the components, the motion situation, etc. in a specific posture (as shown in the drawings), and if the specific posture is changed, the directional indicators are changed accordingly, the "connection" may be a direct connection or an indirect connection, and the "setting", and "setting" may be directly or indirectly set.

In addition, descriptions in this application as to "first", "second", etc. are for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicit to the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature.

An aerosol-generating device configured to be electrically driven comprises a nebulizer and a power supply assembly. The power supply assembly primarily includes a battery, and the atomizer atomizes the liquid substrate to generate the aerosol under the condition that the power supply assembly provides the electric drive. The atomizer and the power supply assembly are configured as two components, and the two components are detachably connected with each other, and the detachable connection manner between the two components can be any one of the prior art, such as a magnetic-type connection, a snap-fit connection, and a screw-thread connection. Magnetic and snap connections are often used in aerosol-generating devices because of their relatively simple operation, since the user often needs to disconnect and connect the atomizer and the power supply assembly during use of the aerosol-generating device.

In the detachable aerosol-generating device, it is necessary to provide electrode assemblies on the atomizer and the power supply module, respectively, and when the atomizer and the power supply module are connected together, the electrode assemblies of the atomizer and the power supply module are kept in a communicating state. Further, when a non-threaded connection structure is provided between the atomizer and the power module, the atomizer generally has a connection end surface that is mostly flat, the end of the electrode of the atomizer is exposed on the connection end surface, the corresponding power module is also correspondingly provided with a joint surface that matches the connection end surface of the atomizer, the end of the electrode module of the power module is exposed on the joint surface, and the position of the electrode module of the atomizer on the connection end surface and the position of the electrode module of the power module on the joint surface are maintained to correspond, so that stable electrical contact connection between the atomizer and the power module is enabled.

It will be appreciated that although the nebulizer and power supply assembly are configured as a detachable connection, the combination of the nebulizer and power supply assembly can provide a complete and smooth three-dimensional configuration, taking into account the aesthetic appeal of the overall aerosol-generating device, such that the overall external profile of the nebulizer is close to the external profile of the power supply assembly, thereby limiting the use of nebulizers of different shapes in combination with power supply assemblies. Because the liquid matrix is stored inside the nebulizer, the nebulizer is generally configured as a consumable, while the rechargeable power module has a long service life, and therefore the power module is used as a main body component, and users expect more types of nebulizers to be used with the same power module.

Since the flat aerosol-generating device is easy to handle as a whole, most detachable aerosol-generating devices are configured to be flat. The mode of connection between the atomizer 100 and the power supply unit 200 will be described below with reference to the power supply unit 200 and the internal structure of the atomizer 100, taking a substantially flat aerosol-generating device as an example.

Referring to fig. 4 and 5, the flat chargeable power module 200 includes a battery case 10, a battery 11, a control module, a switch module 14, and the like. The core component of the control module is an MCU (micro control unit), the control module component of the power supply module 200 is mainly determined according to the function of the aerosol generating device, when the aerosol generating device has a flashing function, the power supply module 200 is also provided with an LED lamp group, and the electric control part of the LED lamp group is connected to the control panel where the MCU is located; when the battery of the aerosol-generating device is configured in a chargeable mode, a charging module 12 is also provided on the power supply assembly 200, the electronic control part of the charging module 12 being connected to the control board 13 where the MCU is located. When the switch assembly of the aerosol-generating device is configured for push-button or touch actuation, as shown with reference to figure 5, the switch assembly 14 is provided on the power supply assembly 200, the operable portion of the switch assembly 14 is exposed on the outer surface of the battery pack 10, and the electrically controlled portion of the switch assembly 14 is connected to the control board 13 on which the MCU is located.

An airflow sensing switch assembly 15 is further disposed on the power module 200, and the airflow sensing switch assembly 15 mainly includes an airflow sensing switch and a sealing sleeve for sealing and fixing the airflow sensing switch. The electrical control part of the airflow inductive switch assembly 15 is connected to the control board where the MCU is located, and when the user performs a pumping operation, the inductive end of the airflow inductive switch senses a change in pressure of the airflow generated inside the aerosol generating device, and converts the change in pressure of the airflow into a change in electrical signal, which is transmitted to the MCU, so that the power supply assembly 200 provides an electrical drive for the atomizer 100. It will be appreciated that the switch assembly 14 of the aerosol-generating device may be configured with both the airflow-sensing switch in combination with one of the push-button switches or the touch switch to meet the preferences of different users.

When the aerosol generating device has a display function, the power supply module 200 is further provided with a display module 16, an electric control part of the display module 16 is connected to a control board where the MCU is located, and the contents displayable by the display module 16 include, but are not limited to, the electric quantity of the battery, a charging state display, the resistance of the atomizing core assembly of the atomizer 100, the suction time, and the like. The display screen of the display module 16 is exposed on the outer surface of the battery case 10. Referring to fig. 5, in a preferred embodiment, the operable portion of the switch assembly 14 is surrounded by the display screen of the display module 16 to thereby alert the user to the presence of the switch assembly. Further, this switch assembly may also be configured to have an adjustment function, such as adjusting the heating power of the atomizer 100 or adjusting the light pattern, etc.

When the number of components disposed inside the power module 200 is large, the bracket 17 is further disposed inside the battery pack 10 of the power module 200 so that the components of the power module 200 can be stably and firmly accommodated in the inner cavity of the battery pack 10. The rack 17 is provided with a plurality of compartments, and the battery 11, the airflow sensitive switch assembly 15, the control module, and the like are housed in different compartments of the rack 17. In one example, the boards of the airflow sensing switch assembly 15 and the charging module 12 are respectively fixed on the upper and lower sides of the battery 11, and the control board 13 of the control module is fixed on the other side opposite to the battery 11.

The bracket 17 is configured to fill most of the inner cavity of the battery case 10, and the remaining part of the inner cavity of the battery case 10 is configured as an open receiving chamber 110, the receiving chamber 110 is capable of accommodating at least a part of the atomizer 100, so that the atomizer 100 can form a stable fit with the power module 200, the top end of the receiving chamber 110 is open, and the bottom end of the receiving chamber 110 is defined by at least a part of the top end of the bracket 17.

In a preferred implementation, the flat nebulizer 100 is configured to be inserted into the receiving chamber 110 at different orientations through the opening of the receiving chamber 110 for ease of user manipulation. In one example thereof, the nebulizer 100 can be inserted into the receiving cavity 110 in a first orientation and the nebulizer 100 can also be inserted into the receiving cavity 110 in a second orientation, the second orientation being 180 degrees rotated along the longitudinal axis of the nebulizer 100 relative to the first orientation for a flat nebulizer 100. This function of the atomizer 100 is generally referred to as a positive and negative insertion function, and is widely used in flat atomizers 100.

A fluid path is also provided between the nebulizer 100 and the power module 200 so that a user can sense a change in the airflow generated within the aerosol-generating device when the user performs a pumping action by an airflow sensing switch provided on the power module 200. Further, the air inlet 18 is provided on the battery pack 10 of the power module 200, and the air inlet 18 is provided near the mating surface of the atomizer 100 and the power module 200, so that the external air flow introduced through the air inlet 18 can enter the inside of the atomizer 100 through the fluid passage between the atomizer 100 and the power module 200 in a short time.

In one example thereof, and as shown with reference to fig. 4-6, the fluid passageway in power module 200 is defined by support 17 and is configured as a substantially sealed cavity. Specifically, a groove 171 is provided at the top end of the bracket 17, two protruding hollow fixing posts 172 are provided in the groove 171, and the two electrode posts 50 of the power module 200 are fixed in fixing holes on the fixing posts 172.

The bracket 17 is further provided with a receiving cavity for receiving the airflow sensing switch assembly 15, the receiving cavity is arranged close to the groove 171 at the top end of the bracket 17, the groove 171 is further provided with a protruded hollow ventilation column 173, and one end of a ventilation hole on the ventilation column 173 is communicated with the receiving cavity of the airflow sensing switch.

The groove 171 of the holder 17 is further filled with a sealing element 19, and the sealing element 19 is provided with three through holes for passing through the two electrode columns 50 and the ventilation column 173. A surrounding wall 191 is also provided on the sealing element 19, and the top end face of the surrounding wall 191 is provided to protrude with respect to the top end face of the holder 17. When the atomizer 100 is mated with the power supply module 200, the end face of the connection end of the atomizer 100 preferentially comes into contact with the top end face of the surrounding wall 191 of the sealing member 19, while the portion of the surrounding wall 191 of the sealing member 19 in abutment with the end face of the connection end of the atomizer 100 and the bottom wall of the sealing member 19 together define a sealed air guide chamber 193.

When the air inlet 18 of the power module 200 is disposed at one side of the battery case 10, notches are correspondingly disposed on the top side wall of the bracket 17 and the side wall of the sealing element 19, external air flows into the air guide chamber 193 through the air inlet 18 of the battery case 10, the first notch of the bracket 17 and the second notch of the sealing element 19 in sequence, the other end of the air vent column 173 of the bracket 17 is communicated with the air guide chamber 193, and the air inlet 18 of the atomizer 100 is disposed in the region where the air guide chamber 193 extends.

The structure inside the atomizer 100 will be explained as follows. Referring to fig. 9 and 10, the atomizer 100 includes a housing 20, atomizing core assembly, and other support and seal assemblies. The housing 20 of the nebulizer 100 has longitudinally opposite suction and connection ends, the housing 20 is provided with a stepped surface 211 on an outer surface, and when a portion of the nebulizer 100 is received on a top end surface of the battery housing 10 while a portion of the housing 20 is exposed outside the receiving cavity 110, the exposed portion of the housing 20 is generally referred to as a suction nozzle 21, and a user's mouth is generally in contact with the suction nozzle 21 during use of the aerosol-generating device. The suction end of the housing 20 is provided with a mouthpiece 210 through which the aerosol passes into the user's mouth, and a dust cap is generally provided at the mouthpiece 210. When the atomiser 100 is not in use, the mouthpiece 210 of the atomiser 100 is covered by the dust cap to prevent dust from entering the interior of the atomiser 100.

When the atomizer 100 and the power module 200 are detachably connected by a snap fit, a plurality of snap fit structures are provided outside the housing 20 of the atomizer 100, and the snap fit structures are provided near the step surface 211 of the housing 20 and symmetrically arranged on the front and rear surfaces of the housing 20 of the atomizer 100. A groove or notch structure is correspondingly formed on the inner wall of the battery pack 10 of the power module 200, and the groove or notch structure cooperates with the snap structure on the atomizer 100, so that the atomizer 100 can be stably accommodated in the receiving cavity 110 of the power module 200. A portion of the interior cavity of the housing 20 defines a reservoir 22 for storing a liquid substrate, and the reservoir 22 is generally configured to be non-fillable after shipment of the nebulizer 100.

Referring to fig. 10, atomizing core assembly 31 generally includes a heating element 311 for atomizing a liquid substrate to generate an aerosol, and a liquid-conducting element 312, a portion of liquid-conducting element 312 configured to be in fluid communication with reservoir 22, a portion of liquid-conducting element 312 being coupled to heating element 311, thereby enabling liquid substrate within reservoir 22 to be provided to heating element 311. In a detachable aerosol-generating device, the atomizer 100 generally has three forms due to the different structure of the atomizing core assembly inside it, as described in detail below.

The atomizer 100 of the first structure, referring to fig. 1, 2, 7 and 8, has a liquid guiding element 312 configured as a tubular porous body made of a porous ceramic material, a heating element 311 configured as a spirally extending heating wire or a heating sheet with a grid structure, and the heating element 311 disposed on an inner wall of the tubular porous body, and in some examples, in order to promote the liquid guiding capability of the liquid guiding element 312, a liquid guiding cotton is further disposed on the outer periphery of the tubular porous body. The atomizing core assembly 31 of the first structure is generally configured in a circular tube shape, and the atomizing core assembly is generally fixed in the casing by means of a tubular support seat, as shown in fig. 7, the support seat includes an upper support seat 331 and a lower support seat 332, the atomizing core assembly is generally fixedly arranged in an open inner cavity of the lower support seat 332, the atomizing core assembly is fixed in an inner cavity of the lower support seat, the lower support seat 332 is fixed in an inner cavity of the upper support seat 331, a liquid guide cotton is further clamped between the upper support seat 331 and the lower support seat 332, a liquid inlet hole 333 is formed in the upper support seat 331, and a liquid matrix in the liquid storage cavity 22 enters the atomizing core assembly through the liquid inlet hole 333. The atomizing core assembly 31, the upper support base 331 and the lower support base 332 are assembled together to form the atomizing assembly 30. The atomizing assembly 30 of this construction is generally vertically fixed within the interior of the housing 20.

The atomizing core assembly 31 of the second structure, as shown in fig. 9 and 10, has a liquid guiding element 312 made of a fiber cotton material and configured in a rod shape, a heating element 311 made of a spiral heating wire made of one or more materials selected from iron, chromium and nickel or a heating plate with a grid structure, the heating element 311 is fixed on the outer periphery of the liquid guiding element, and the atomizing core assembly 31 of this structure is fixed in the inner cavity of the housing 20 in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 20.

In one example thereof, the liquid guiding member 311 is configured in a U-shape, which is fixed inside the housing 20 by means of a support base 33. Specifically, support base 33 has a receiving cavity 334 capable of receiving atomizing core assembly 31, liquid guiding element 312 includes two longitudinally extending sections and a transverse line extending section connected to the two longitudinally extending sections, and heating element 311 is fixed on the transverse line extending section of liquid guiding element 312. The liquid guiding element 312 with the structure has certain strength, and thus can be relatively stably placed in the inner cavity of the supporting seat 33.

At one end of the support base 33 close to the reservoir 22, a sheet-like body 34 is provided, the upper surface of the sheet-like body 34 defining the bottom end surface of the reservoir 22, the lower surface of the sheet-like body 34 being in contact with two longitudinally extending sections of the liquid guiding element 312, respectively, the sheet-like body 34 being configured to have a liquid guiding capability, thereby transferring the liquid medium to the liquid guiding element 312. The lamina 34 covers the open end of the interior cavity of the support shoe 33, thereby configuring the interior cavity of the support shoe 33 as a substantially sealed cavity.

An outlet pipe 23 is provided at an upper end of the support base 33, and the outlet pipe 23 may be defined by an inner pipe of the case 20. One end of the vent pipe 23 is communicated with the suction nozzle 210, the other end of the vent pipe 23 extends into the inner cavity of the support seat 33, a plurality of protruding fin structures are arranged on the inner wall of the support seat 33, and fins close to the air outlet pipe 23 are arranged in a protruding mode relative to other fins, so that longitudinal support is provided for the bottom end of the air outlet pipe 23.

Atomizer 100 still includes end cover 24, and casing 20 deviates from the open setting of one end of nozzle 210, is provided with end cover 24 at this open end, and supporting seat 33 can adopt flexible silica gel material preparation to promote atomizer 100's sealing performance, end cover 24 adopt the plastic material preparation of stereoplasm, and some wall gomphosis of end cover 24 are on supporting seat 33, thereby strengthen supporting seat 33 to atomizing core subassembly 31's supporting role. In the atomizer 100 having such a structure, the electrode assembly 40 of the atomizer 100 is fixed to the end cap 24 and the support base 33 at the same time, one end of the electrode assembly of the atomizer 100 is exposed through the end face of the end cap 24, and the other end of the electrode assembly 40 of the atomizer 100 is fixed to the support base 33, so that the conductive pins 313 connected to the two ends of the heating element 311 penetrate through the bottom wall of the support base 33 to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly 40.

The atomizer with the third structure is characterized in that a liquid guide element is made of porous ceramic materials, the liquid guide element is roughly in a block shape or a flat plate shape, a heating element is configured to be a resistance heating track, or a heating film, or a heating coating, or is combined on a part of the surface of the liquid guide element in the form of a heating disc with a grid structure, and an atomizing core assembly can be fixed in the shell along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the shell or parallel to the longitudinal direction of the shell; when the atomizing core assembly is fixed inside the housing in the longitudinal direction of the housing, or in other words, vertically, it can be fixed inside the housing by means of the tubular support seat, and when the atomizing core assembly is fixed inside the housing in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing, or in other words, transversely, the atomizing core assembly is usually fixed by means of the upper and lower support seats, which are relatively bulky, or by means of the support seats and the electrode assembly fixed in the atomizer 100.

Referring to fig. 7 and 8, when the atomizing core assembly 31 is vertically arranged inside the housing 20, the support base 33 for supporting the atomizing core assembly 31 is generally configured to be tubular, so that the entire atomizing assembly 30 is generally tubular, and under the condition that the two ends of the atomizing assembly 30 are subjected to an external force, the atomizing assembly 30 is easily displaced relative to the housing 20 along the longitudinal direction of the housing 20, so that the atomizing assembly 30 of this structure is generally configured to be removably mounted in the inner cavity of the housing 20, and thus the atomizing assembly 30 of the atomizer 100 of this structure is configured to be replaceable, or the atomizing assembly 30 of the atomizer 100 can be matched to a main body part of the atomizer 100 of the same specification for repeated use, thereby reducing the replacement cost of the atomizer 100.

Further, a ring electrode 101 is disposed on the removable atomizing assembly 30, the ring electrode 101 is disposed in the inner cavity of the lower support base 332, and the conductive leads disposed at the two ends of the heating element 312 are electrically connected to the inner electrode 1011 and the outer electrode 1012 of the ring electrode 101, respectively. Meanwhile, the inner electrode 1011 of the ring electrode 101 is located on the center line of the longitudinal axis of the nebulizer 100, and the corresponding one of the two electrode columns 50 of the power module 200 is also located on the longitudinal axis of the power module 200. And the inner electrode 1011 and the outer electrode 1012 of the ring electrode 101 are relatively close together, so that the two electrode columns 50 on the power module 200 are also relatively close together, as shown in fig. 2, the power module 200 of this configuration is referred to as the power module 200 of the first type.

When the atomizing core assembly 31 is transversely arranged inside the housing, the supporting seat 33 for supporting the atomizing core assembly is relatively bulky, and the difficulty in setting the atomizing assembly 30 as a movable assembly is high, so that the atomizing assembly 30 with such a structure is generally configured to be non-removable, as shown in fig. 10. In the prior art, the atomizer 100 provided with the atomizing assembly 30 having such a structure is generally provided with two electrodes 103, and the two electrodes 103 are generally symmetrically arranged about the central axis of the housing, as shown in fig. 3. Therefore, the two electrodes 103 of the atomizer 100 with the non-removable atomizing assembly 30 in the prior art cannot be coupled with the first type power module 200 instead of the atomizer 100 with the ring electrode structure, thereby limiting the range of applications of the first type power module 200.

The power module 200 of the first type can be used in conjunction with the atomizer 100 of the replaceable atomizing unit 30 and the atomizer 100 of the non-replaceable atomizing unit 30, and can keep the flat atomizer 100 to have the function of forward and reverse insertion. An embodiment of the present application provides an atomizer 100 having a novel structure, and referring to fig. 9, 11 to 13, the atomizer 100 includes three electrodes 40, namely a first electrode 41, a second electrode 42 and a third electrode 43, which are arranged at intervals. Wherein the second electrode 42 is arranged between the first electrode 41 and the third electrode 43, while the second electrode 42 is substantially located on the longitudinal axis of the housing 20. The interval between the first electrode 41 and the third electrode 43 and the interval between the second electrode 42 and the third electrode 43 are substantially the same. Wherein the first electrode 41 and the third electrode 43 may be configured to have the same structure, when the first electrode 41 and the third electrode 43 are symmetrically disposed with respect to the second electrode 42; the first electrode 41 and the third electrode 43 may also be configured to have different structures as long as the first electrode 41 and the third electrode 43 are kept to have the same electrical contact area.

The two electrodes 50 arranged on the power module 200 of the first type of structure are a fourth electrode 51 and a fifth electrode 52, respectively, wherein the fourth electrode 51 is located on the longitudinal axis of the power module 200. When the nebulizer 100 is connected to the power module 200, the second electrode 42 is connected to the fourth electrode 51. When the nebulizer 100 is mated with the power module 200 in the first orientation, the first electrode 41 of the nebulizer 100 is in contact with the fifth electrode 52 of the power module 200, and when the nebulizer 100 is mated with the power module 200 in the second orientation, the third electrode 43 of the nebulizer 100 is in contact with the fifth electrode 52 of the power module 200. In the flat atomizer 100, in order to keep the atomizer 100 rotated by 180 degrees, both the first electrode 41 and the third electrode 43 of the atomizer 100 can be connected to the fifth electrode 52 of the power module 200, the first electrode 41 and the third electrode 43 of the atomizer 100 are symmetrically disposed with respect to the second electrode 42 of the atomizer 100, and the first electrode 41 and the third electrode 43 of the atomizer 100 are also symmetrically disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the atomizer 100 because the second electrode 42 is located on the longitudinal axis of the atomizer 100.

When the atomizer 100 has three electrodes, and is configured as a flat atomizer 100 and has a function of forward and reverse insertion, the polarities of the first electrode 41 and the third electrode 43 are the same, and the polarity of the second electrode 42 of the atomizer 100 is opposite to the polarities of the first electrode 41 and the third electrode 43. Therefore, two conductive pins 213 are connected to two ends of the heating element 211 of the atomizing assembly 30, one of the conductive pins 213 is connected to the second electrode 42, and the other conductive pin 313 is connected to one of the first electrode 41 or the third electrode 43.

The first electrode 41 and the third electrode 43 are configured in a conductive state, specifically, the first electrode 41 and the third electrode 43 are communicated through a conductive element 44, the conductive element 44 may be a conductive wire, and in a preferred implementation, the conductive element 44 is made of a metal material and configured in a conductive sheet structure.

The internal structure of the atomizer 100 according to the third configuration will now be described in detail. The first electrode 41, the second electrode 42 and the third electrode 43 have the same shape and size, and the three electrodes 40 are all fixed on the end cap 24 and the support base 33 at the same time, the end surfaces of one ends of the three electrodes 40 are all exposed on the end surface of the end cap 24, and the other ends of the three electrodes 40 are all embedded on the bottom wall of the support base 33.

The vent 25 provided in the nebulizer 100 is provided on the side of the first electrode 41 or the third electrode 43 away from the second electrode 42, and the vent 25 communicates with the external air flow through the air-guide chamber 193 and the air inlet 18 of the power module 200.

A through hole 441 is provided in the conductive sheet, the through hole 441 being configured to allow the second electrode 42 of the atomizer 100 to pass through, and the size of the through hole 441 being large enough so that the second electrode 42 cannot come into contact with the conductive sheet under any conditions. Two fixing holes 442 are further formed on the conductive sheet, the first electrode 41 is disposed through one of the fixing holes 442 of the conductive sheet and the first electrode 41 is in stable contact with the conductive sheet, the third electrode 43 is disposed through the other fixing hole 442 of the conductive sheet and the third electrode 43 is in stable contact with the conductive sheet.

Three hollow bosses are arranged in the inner cavity of the end cover 24, the three electrodes 40 are respectively fixed in through holes on the three bosses, the heights of the three bosses are kept basically the same, the conducting strips can be stably placed on the top end faces of the three bosses, and meanwhile the conducting strips respectively penetrate through the first electrode 41 and the third electrode 43 under the tight-fitting condition, so that the conducting strips are difficult to shake in the inner cavity of the end cover 24. Furthermore, a bump structure can be arranged on the bottom end face of the supporting seat, and the bump structure is close to or in contact with the conducting strip, so that the conducting strip is further prevented from generating longitudinal displacement.

It will be appreciated that the third configuration of the atomiser 100 with three electrodes 40 can also be used with the first type of power module 200. Therefore, by arranging three electrodes 40 on the flat atomizer 100 and centering the second electrode 42, the power module 200 of the first type can be used. The nebulizer 100 having three electrodes 40 can be combined with the power module 200 in such a manner that the forward insertion or the reverse insertion is selected.

Further, the configuration of the electrode assembly of the atomizer 100 may be reversed with respect to the configuration of the electrode assembly of the power module 200, i.e., three electrodes 40 may be provided on the power module 200, one of which is centrally disposed, and two electrodes may be provided on the atomizer 100, the ring electrodes cooperating with the middle electrode and one of the side electrodes on the power module 200 when the atomizer 100 having the ring electrode configuration is coupled to the power module 200 in the first orientation; when atomizer 100 with the ring electrode configuration is coupled to power module 200 in the second orientation, the ring electrode mates with more of the center electrodes and the other side electrodes on power module 200. One of the two electrodes on the atomizer 100 is centrally located and the spacing of the two electrodes is the same as the spacing of two of the three electrodes of the power module 200, and when the atomizer 100 is coupled to the power module 200 in a first orientation, the two electrodes on the atomizer 100 mate with the middle electrode and one of the side electrodes on the power module 200, respectively; when nebulizer 100 is coupled to power module 200 in the second orientation, the two electrodes on nebulizer 100 mate with the middle electrode and the other side electrode on power module 200. Specifically, the polarity of the three electrodes of the power module 200 and the electrical connections to the battery or circuit board of the power supply may be referenced to the polarity of the three electrodes of the atomizer 100 and the electrical connections to the heating element.

Further, the nebulizer 100 is configured to be engageable with the power supply assembly 200 in different orientations, and in addition to facilitating an unobstructed engagement operation by a user, may be configured to change the operating mode of the aerosol-generating device in different engagement modes, including different draw resistance modes, heating power modes, and the like. For example, when the nebulizer 100 is engaged with the power module 200 in a first orientation, the cross-sectional area of the passage between the nebulizer 100 and the power module 200 that allows airflow into the interior of the nebulizer 100 is different from the cross-sectional area of the passage between the nebulizer 100 and the power module 200 that allows airflow into the interior of the nebulizer 100 when the nebulizer 100 is engaged with the power module 200 in a second orientation, thereby affecting the draw resistance of the overall aerosol-generating device.

It should be noted that the description and drawings of the present application illustrate preferred embodiments of the present application, but are not limited to the embodiments described in the present application, and further, those skilled in the art can make modifications or changes according to the above description, and all such modifications and changes should fall within the scope of the claims appended to the present application.

Claims (17)

1. An atomizer, comprising: the atomizer comprises three electrodes which are arranged at intervals, namely a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode, wherein the second electrode is positioned between the first electrode and the third electrode, the second electrode is positioned on the central line of the longitudinal axis of the atomizer, and the interval between the first electrode and the second electrode is basically the same as the interval between the third electrode and the second electrode.

2. The nebulizer of claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the third electrode are symmetrically disposed about the second electrode.

3. The atomizer of claim 1, wherein said atomizer comprises an end cap, and wherein at least portions of said end faces of said first electrode, said second electrode, and said third electrode are exposed at said end cap.

4. The atomizer of claim 1, further comprising a heating element, wherein said first electrode and said third electrode are each electrically connected to one end of said heating element, and wherein said second electrode is electrically connected to another end of said heating element.

5. The nebulizer of claim 4, further comprising a conductive element, wherein the first electrode and the third electrode are in electrical communication through the conductive element.

6. A nebulizer as claimed in claim 5, wherein the conductive element comprises a conductive sheet.

7. A nebulizer as claimed in claim 6, wherein the conducting strip is provided with a through hole, and the second electrode is provided through the through hole and is held out of contact with the conducting strip.

8. The nebulizer of claim 1, further comprising a vent disposed on a side of the first electrode or the third electrode away from the second electrode.

9. An aerosol-generating device comprising an atomiser as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 and a power supply component for providing electrical drive to the atomiser; the atomizer is configured to be combinable with the power supply assembly in different first and second orientations, wherein the first orientation is rotated 180 degrees along a longitudinal axis of the atomizer relative to the second orientation.

10. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 9, wherein the power supply component comprises a fourth electrode and a fifth electrode arranged at a distance from each other, the fourth electrode being arranged on a longitudinal axis of the power supply component.

11. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 10, wherein the second electrode is in communication with a fourth electrode and the first electrode is in communication with the fifth electrode when the nebulizer is engaged with the power supply component in a first orientation; the second electrode is in communication with the fourth electrode and the third electrode is in communication with the fifth electrode when the atomizer is engaged with the power supply assembly in a second orientation.

12. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 9, wherein the aerosol-generating device has a different resistance to draw when the atomiser is combined with the power supply component in different first and second orientations.

13. An aerosol-generating device comprising a power supply component and an atomiser which are electrically connected, the power supply component comprising a fourth electrode and a fifth electrode arranged at a distance from each other, the fourth electrode being arranged on a longitudinal axis of the power supply component.

14. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 13, wherein the atomiser is provided with an annular electrode thereon.

15. The aerosol-generating device of claim 14, wherein the atomizer comprises a housing having a liquid substrate stored therein and an atomizing assembly for atomizing the liquid substrate, wherein the atomizing assembly is configured to be removably received within an interior of the housing.

16. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 13, wherein the nebuliser comprises three electrodes arranged at a distance from one another.

17. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 16, wherein the atomizer comprises a housing having a liquid substrate stored therein and an atomizing assembly for atomizing the liquid substrate, wherein the atomizing assembly is configured to be fixedly received within an interior of the housing.

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