CN220109154U - Aerosol generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present utility model relates to an aerosol-generating device comprising: the cartridge clip assembly comprises a shell and a plurality of cartridge clips, wherein the opposite ends of the shell in the longitudinal direction are respectively a proximal end and a distal end, the plurality of cartridge clips are accommodated in the shell, and each cartridge clip is provided with a first channel for air flow to pass through and an accommodating cavity for accommodating liquid matrixes; an end cap coupled to the proximal end of the housing, the end cap having a plurality of second channels, the first channel of each clip being in exclusive fluid communication with a second channel, the end cap having a first rotary portion disposed thereon; and a mouthpiece provided with a second rotating portion configured to be in rotational connection with the first rotating portion to place the mouthpiece in fluid communication with a second channel therein; wherein an elastic member is secured to at least one of the mouthpiece and the end cap, the elastic member being configured to provide resistance against rotation of the mouthpiece relative to the end cap.

Description

Aerosol generating device

Technical Field

The embodiment of the utility model relates to the technical field of aerosol generation, in particular to an aerosol generating device.

Background

An aerosol-generating device is a device capable of atomizing a liquid formulation to form an aerosol. However, in some exemplary prior art aerosol-generating devices often have only one cartridge for storing the liquid formulation, subject to the limitations of a single cartridge volume, such that the volume and type of liquid matrix stored by the aerosol-generating device is limited, thereby affecting the user experience.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present utility model is to provide an aerosol-generating device with a large storage volume for a liquid matrix.

An aerosol-generating device provided by an embodiment of the present utility model includes:

a cartridge assembly comprising a housing having longitudinally opposed proximal and distal ends and a plurality of cartridges received in the housing, each of the cartridges having a first passage for passage of a gas stream and a receiving cavity for receiving a liquid matrix;

an end cap coupled to the proximal end of the housing, the end cap having a plurality of second channels thereon, the first channel of each clip being in exclusive fluid communication with one of the second channels, the end cap having a first rotary portion disposed thereon; and

a mouthpiece is provided with a second rotating portion configured to be rotatably connected with the first rotating portion so that the mouthpiece can selectively be in fluid communication with one of the second channels.

In one example, a resilient member is secured to at least one of the mouthpiece and the end cap, the resilient member being configured to provide resistance against rotation of the mouthpiece relative to the end cap.

In one example, the elastic member is disposed around the second rotating portion.

In one example, at least a portion of the resilient member is longitudinally compressed by the mouthpiece and the end cap.

In an example, the elastic member is provided with a through hole, and the end cover is provided with a convex column, and at least part of the convex column is embedded into the through hole to fix the elastic member.

In an example, the convex columns are provided with a plurality of second channels, and the second channels are respectively distributed in different convex columns;

the through holes are multiple, the convex columns are respectively embedded into different through holes, and the elastic piece is elastically abutted against the mouth piece, so that the second channels are isolated from each other.

In one example, the elastic member has a plurality of annular ribs thereon, each of the annular ribs surrounds one of the through holes, and the annular ribs elastically abut against the mouth member.

In one example, the end cap has a support stand thereon that is always in abutment with the mouthpiece and slidably coupled thereto as the mouthpiece rotates relative to the end cap.

In one example, the end cap has a recess in a side thereof facing the mouthpiece that is recessed relative to the support base, and at least part of the resilient member is received in the recess.

In one example, the aerosol-generating device is provided with a cue mechanism configured to provide tactile feedback when the mouthpiece is rotated to a position in airflow communication with one of the second channels.

In one example, the end cap has a support land thereon, one of the support land and the mouthpiece has a convex point thereon in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of second air passages, the other has at least one concave point thereon, and at least one of the convex points is embedded in one of the concave points when the mouthpiece is rotated into fluid communication with one of the second air passages to generate tactile feedback.

In an example, the first rotating portion includes a rotating hole, the second rotating portion includes a spring and a claw connected to the spring, at least part of the spring is located in the rotating hole, an outer diameter of the claw is larger than an aperture of at least part of the rotating hole, and the claw is configured to snap-grip the first rotating portion.

In one example, each of the cartridges includes an atomizer in fluid communication with a receiving cavity in the cartridge for atomizing the liquid matrix to produce an aerosol, and a first gas passage within the cartridge is in fluid communication with the atomizer corresponding to the cartridge for delivering the aerosol.

In an example, the aerosol-generating device further comprises a power supply assembly having a second electrode set disposed thereon, the cartridge assembly comprising a plurality of first electrode sets, the atomizer of each cartridge being electrically connected to a different one of the first electrode sets;

the cartridge clip assembly is rotatably connected to the power assembly, and the second electrode set is configured to be in electrical communication with the first electrode set rotated into abutment therewith.

In an example, the aerosol-generating device further comprises a power supply assembly and a control switch electrically connected to the power supply assembly, the control switch being configured to control the power supply assembly to be in electrical communication with the atomizer of one of the cartridges.

In one example, the aerosol-generating device further comprises a plurality of airflow channels in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of cartridges, each of the airflow channels being in fluid communication with a first channel within its corresponding cartridge, the control switch being disposed in each of the airflow channels, the control switch being configured to control the cartridge corresponding to that airflow channel to be in electrical communication with the power supply assembly in dependence on the airflow velocity or air pressure in the airflow channel.

In an example, the aerosol-generating device further comprises a power supply assembly comprising a plurality of electrical cells each correspondingly electrically connected with the atomizer in a different cartridge.

An aerosol-generating device provided by an embodiment of the present utility model includes:

a cartridge assembly comprising a housing having longitudinally opposed proximal and distal ends, and a plurality of cartridges received in the housing, each of the cartridges having a first passage for a gas stream therethrough and a receiving cavity for receiving a liquid matrix;

an end cover connected with the proximal end of the housing, the end cover being provided with a first rotating portion; and

a mouthpiece provided with a second rotating portion configured to be rotatably connected with the first rotating portion;

the first rotating part comprises a rotating hole, the second rotating part comprises a spring plate and a claw connected with the spring plate, at least part of the spring plate is located in the rotating hole, the outer diameter of the claw is larger than the aperture of at least part of the rotating hole, and the claw is configured to clamp the first rotating part.

The above aerosol-generating device having a cartridge assembly comprising a plurality of cartridges, each cartridge having a receiving cavity for receiving a liquid matrix and a first air passage for allowing an air flow therethrough, the mouthpiece being rotatably connected to an end cap attached to the cartridge assembly such that the mouthpiece may be placed in fluid communication with one of the second passages on the end cap and, in turn, with the first passage in one of the cartridges by rotating the mouthpiece relative to the cartridge assembly. Therefore, the cartridge clip communicated with the suction nozzle can be selected by enabling the suction nozzle to rotate relative to the cartridge clip assembly, so that the volume limitation of a single cartridge clip is broken through, different cartridge clips are not required to be switched by disassembling the cartridge clip, and the liquid matrix storage capacity is increased, and meanwhile user experience is improved and convenience is brought to users.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly described below. Like elements or portions are generally identified by like reference numerals throughout the several figures. In the drawings, elements or portions thereof are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

fig. 2 is an exploded view of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

fig. 4 is an exploded view of an aerosol-generating device provided by another embodiment of the utility model;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a power supply assembly according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

fig. 6 is another cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a mouthpiece provided by an embodiment of the present utility model;

in the figure:

1. a mouthpiece; 11. a second rotating part; 111. a spring plate; 112. a claw; 12. a substrate; 13. a suction nozzle;

A. a cartridge clip assembly;

2. a cartridge clip; 21. a receiving chamber; 22. a first airway; 23. an atomizer; 24. a first electrode group;

3. a housing;

4. a power supply assembly; 41. a battery cell; 42. a second electrode group;

5. a connecting bracket;

6. an air flow channel;

7. an end cap; 71. a second channel; 72. a first rotating part; 721. a rotation hole; 73. a convex column; 74. a groove; 75. a support table;

8. an elastic member; 81. a through hole; 82. annular ribs; 83. positioning holes;

B. a control switch; C. an impact part; D. and an impact member.

Detailed Description

The following description of the embodiments of the present utility model will be made clearly and fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which it is evident that the embodiments described are only some, but not all embodiments of the utility model. All other embodiments, which can be made by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the utility model without making any inventive effort, are intended to be within the scope of the utility model.

The terms "first," "second," "third," and the like in this disclosure are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying a relative importance or implying a number or order of features in which such is indicated. All directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, rear … …) in the embodiments of the present utility model are merely used to explain the relative positional relationship or movement of the components under a particular posture (as shown in the drawings), and if the particular posture is changed, the directional indication is changed accordingly. Furthermore, the terms "comprise" and "have," as well as any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not limited to only those listed steps or elements but may include other steps or elements not listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

Reference herein to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the utility model. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Those of skill in the art will explicitly and implicitly appreciate that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. When an element is referred to as being "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or one or more intervening elements may also be present therebetween. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and the like are used herein for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to be the only embodiment.

Referring to fig. 1-3, an embodiment of the present utility model provides an aerosol-generating device comprising a mouthpiece 1 and a cartridge assembly a having a plurality of cartridges 2. Wherein each cartridge 2 may have a receiving chamber 21 therein, the receiving chamber 21 being adapted to receive a liquid matrix capable of being atomized to generate an aerosol, the receiving chamber 21 may have a volume of no more than 5ml. Each clip 2 has a first air passage 22 therein. The mouthpiece 1 is rotatable relative to the cartridge assembly in order to put the mouthpiece 1 in communication with a first air passage 22 in one of the cartridges 2 by rotating the mouthpiece 1 relative to the cartridge assembly, the first air passage 22 being for delivering aerosol to the mouthpiece 1, and at least part of the mouthpiece 1 being adapted to be held in the mouth by a user so that the user can draw aerosol through the mouthpiece 1.

Referring to fig. 2, the clip assembly a further includes a housing 3, where the plurality of clips 2 may be held in parallel with each other in the housing 3, and the "plurality" refers to two or more, and in the embodiment shown in fig. 2, the number of clips 2 is 4, but not limited to this. At least two cartridges 2 of the plurality of cartridges 2 may be adapted to hold different liquid matrices, including different flavours or different composition, proportions of liquid matrices, so that by switching the cartridges 2 in communication with the mouthpiece 1, different sensory experiences may be provided to the user. Of course, in one embodiment, all cartridges 2 may contain the same liquid matrix.

The liquid matrix may comprise a tobacco material-containing liquid containing volatile tobacco flavor components, or may comprise a non-tobacco material-containing liquid. The liquid base may include water, a medicinal liquid, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, a spice, a flavoring agent, or a vitamin mixture, etc., and the spice may include betel nut extract, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavor components, etc., but is not limited thereto. The flavoring agent may comprise ingredients that may provide various aromas or flavors to the user. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture mixed with at least one of vitamin a, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. Based on the different properties of the liquid matrix, the aerosol-generating device may be used in different fields, such as medical treatment, electronic aerosol nebulization, etc.

At least part of the housing 3 arranged at the periphery of the plurality of cartridges 2 may be transparent so that the cartridges 2 therein may be visually observed through the housing 3, and at least part of the walls of the cartridges 2 defining the accommodation chamber 21 may also be transparent so that the vision may be sequentially observed through the housing 3 and the walls defining the accommodation chamber 21 to observe the interior of the cartridges 2, for example, to observe the remaining amount of liquid matrix in the cartridges 2, to provide a basis for a user to switch the cartridges 2 in communication with the mouthpiece 1.

In an embodiment, referring to fig. 3, each clip 2 further comprises an atomizer 23, the atomizers 23 being in fluid communication with the receiving chamber 21, the atomizers 23 being adapted to atomize the liquid matrix. The atomizer 23 may comprise a wick element, which may be a porous body or a fiber, capable of absorbing a liquid matrix and of directing the liquid matrix into an atomization zone of the heat generating element; the heating element is used for atomizing at least part of the liquid matrix on the liquid absorbing element to form aerosol. The heating element may be bonded to the wicking element such that the heating element can be integral with the heating element. In one example, the cartridge 2 may have an aerosolization compartment therein in fluid communication with the receiving cavity 21, the aerosolizer 23 being received in the aerosolization compartment, and the first channel 22 being in fluid communication with the aerosolization compartment; alternatively, in another example, reference may be made to fig. 3, at least a part of the atomizer 23 being arranged in the first channel 22.

The aerosol-generating device further comprises a power supply assembly 4.

The power supply assembly 4 may comprise any suitable electrical core. In one embodiment, the battery cell 41 is a lithium ion battery. Alternatively, the cell 41 may be a nickel metal hydride battery, nickel cadmium battery, or a lithium-based battery, such as a lithium cobalt, lithium iron phosphate, lithium titanate, or lithium polymer battery. The power supply assembly 4 may include a circuit board and one or more control circuits disposed on the circuit board that may control the output of the battery cells 41, for example, to cause the battery cells 41 to output alternating current or direct current, or the like, or to cause the battery cells 41 to output current or voltage, or the like, for example, in the form of pulses.

The control circuit may have one or more controllers thereon. The controller may control the overall operation of the aerosol-generating device. In detail, the controller controls not only the operation of the battery cells and the cartridge, but also the operation of other elements in the aerosol-generating device. Furthermore, the controller may determine whether the aerosol-generating device is operable by checking the status of the elements of the aerosol-generating device.

Based thereon, in one embodiment, referring to fig. 4 and 5, the cartridge clip assembly includes a first electrode set 24 and a second electrode set 42 is provided on the power supply assembly 4. The first electrode groups 24 have a plurality of atomizers 23 in each cartridge 2 are electrically connected exclusively to one of the first electrode groups 24, i.e. one atomizer 23 is electrically connected only to one first electrode group 24, while one first electrode group 24 is electrically connected only to one atomizer 23, so that a plurality of atomizers 23 are electrically connected respectively to different first electrode groups 24. The number of second electrode sets 42 is less than the number of first electrode sets 24, the cartridge clip assembly a is rotatably connected to the power supply assembly 4, the first electrode sets 24 rotate relative to the second electrode sets 42 when the cartridge clip assembly a rotates relative to the power supply assembly 4, and at least one second electrode set 42 may be configured to alternately electrically abut a different first electrode set 24 during rotation of the cartridge clip assembly a relative to the power supply assembly 4.

In one example, there is one and only one second electrode set 42, the second electrode set 42 being configured to be in electrical communication with the first electrode set 24 rotated into abutment therewith, such that the power supply assembly 4 can only power the atomizer 23 of one of the cartridges 2 at the same time. It should be noted that, in other examples, the second electrode set may have a plurality of the second electrode sets, and the mouthpiece may be in fluid communication with the first air passages of the plurality of cartridges at the same time, so that the power supply assembly may be capable of simultaneously supplying electric power to the atomizers of the plurality of cartridges, and the user may be capable of simultaneously sucking the aerosols supplied from the plurality of cartridges from the mouthpiece; for example, where the second electrode sets have two, then the two second electrode sets may be respectively electrically abutted against the two first electrode sets such that the power assembly simultaneously provides power to the atomizers in the two cartridges, in this example, the mouthpiece can be in fluid communication with the first passages of the two cartridges simultaneously so that a user can simultaneously aspirate aerosols generated by the two cartridges from the mouthpiece.

Wherein, each of the first electrode set 24 and the second electrode set 42 includes at least two electrodes, for example, an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, respectively.

In an embodiment, the aerosol-generating device further comprises a power supply assembly 4 and a control switch electrically connected to the power supply assembly 4. The control switch is configured to control the power assembly 4 to be in electrical communication with the atomizer 23 of one of the cartridges 2, such that the atomizer 23 in the cartridge 2 in electrical communication with the power assembly 4 is operable to atomize the liquid matrix in that cartridge 2, and the generated aerosol is then delivered to the mouthpiece 1 via the first passageway 22 in that cartridge 2. While the other clips 2 in the clip assembly are in an electrically disconnected state from the power supply assembly 4.

Based on this, in an example, referring to fig. 3, the power supply assembly 4 may include a plurality of electric cells 41, and the number of electric cells 41 may be identical to that of the cartridges 2, and the plurality of electric cells 41 are electrically connected to the atomizers 23 in different cartridges 2, respectively, so that the plurality of electric cells 41 can individually supply power to the plurality of atomizers 23 in a one-to-one correspondence. The control switch thus has a plurality of or is a selection switch capable of controlling one of the electrical cores 41 to supply power to the atomizer 23 electrically connected thereto, while the other electrical cores 41 and the atomizer 23 electrically connected thereto, respectively, are in an open state. On the basis of this example, the aerosol-generating device may further comprise a plurality of connection brackets 5, each connection bracket 5 holding a battery cell 41 and a clip 2 corresponding to the battery cell 41, and the battery cell 41 and the clip 2 corresponding to the battery cell 41 being formed as a whole under the action of the connection bracket 5. For example, an aerosol-generating device having 4 cartridges 2 and 4 cells 41 may have 4 connecting holders 5, forming 4 of the above-mentioned integers. The battery cell 41 and the cartridge clip 2 are assembled in the housing 3 in an integrated form, contributing to an improvement in the assembly efficiency of the aerosol-generating device. It should be noted that in some embodiments, clip assembly a may be configured to be non-rotatable relative to power supply assembly 4. For example, referring to fig. 3, the housing 3 of cartridge clip assembly a has oppositely disposed proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being disposed adjacent or proximate to the mouthpiece 1, the distal end continuing to extend in a direction away from the proximal end thereof such that the power source assembly 4 is also housed within the housing 3.

Alternatively, in another example, referring to fig. 3, the aerosol-generating device further comprises a plurality of air flow channels 6 in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of cartridges 2, each first air channel 22 being in exclusive fluid communication with one of the air flow channels 6. The first air passage 22 communicating with the mouthpiece 1 allows a larger air flow rate or negative pressure to be formed in the air flow passage 6 in fluid communication with the first air passage 22 when the mouthpiece 1 is drawn by a user. A control switch B is provided in each air flow channel 6, which may be configured to be able to detect the air flow rate or the negative pressure of the air flow channel 6, for example, the control switch B may be an air pressure sensor or an air flow sensor, and the control switch B may be configured to be able to control the cartridge clip 2 in fluid communication with the air flow channel 6 to be electrically conductive with the power supply assembly 4 based on the air flow rate or the negative pressure in the air flow channel 6. Thus, after having placed the mouthpiece 1 in fluid communication with the first air passage 22 in one of the cartridges 2, through the suction nozzle 1, the control switch B is able to automatically control the power supply assembly 4 to supply the cartridge 2 in fluid communication with the mouthpiece 1 with electric power when there is a relatively rapid air flow in the corresponding air flow passage 6 or a relatively large negative pressure is formed, so that the atomizer 23 in that cartridge 2 atomizes the liquid matrix in that cartridge 2. It should be noted that, in this example, the clip assembly a may be configured not to rotate relative to the power supply assembly 4.

Referring to fig. 1-3, the aerosol-generating device further comprises an end cap 7, the end cap 7 being connected to the proximal end of the housing 3, the mouthpiece 1 being rotatably connected to the end cap 7, the mouthpiece 1 being rotatable relative to the cartridge holder assembly a by rotation relative to the end cap 7.

The end cap 7 has a plurality of second channels 71 thereon, the first channel 22 of each clip 2 being in exclusive fluid communication with a second channel 71, the mouthpiece 1 being in fluid communication with one of the second channels 71 on the end cap 7 by rotation relative to the end cap 7, and the mouthpiece 1 being in fluid communication with the first channel 22 in fluid communication with that second channel 71.

More specifically, referring to fig. 3 and 6, the end cap 7 is provided with a first rotating portion 72, and the mouthpiece 1 is provided with a second rotating portion 11, and the second rotating portion 11 is configured to be rotatably connected to the first rotating portion 72, so that the mouthpiece 1 can rotate relative to the end cap 7.

In an embodiment, referring to fig. 3 and 6, the first rotating part 72 includes a rotating hole 721, and the second rotating part 11 includes a spring piece 111 and a jaw 112 connected to the spring piece 111. The elastic piece 111 is at least partially located in the rotation hole 721 and is rotatable in the rotation hole 721 around the central axis of the rotation hole 721. The outer diameter of the pawl 112 is larger than the aperture of at least part of the rotation hole 721, and the pawl 112 is configured to catch the first rotation portion 72, so that the second rotation portion 11 can be prevented from coming out of the rotation hole 721. The elastic piece 111 on the second rotating part 11 can be folded towards the direction of the central axis of the rotating hole 721 in the process of inserting the second rotating part 11 into the rotating hole 721, and the claw 112 arranged on the elastic piece 111 approaches to the central axis of the rotating hole 721 along with the second rotating part, so that the second rotating part 72 is facilitated to be inserted into the rotating hole 721, and the mouth piece 1 and the end cover 7 are assembled into a whole conveniently. After the second rotating portion 11 is inserted in place, the claws 112 provided on the elastic piece 111 are spread by the elastic piece 111 under the elastic force to abut against the first rotating portion 72, and catch the first rotating portion 72. The elastic piece 111 and the claw 112 on the second rotating portion 11 can limit the displacement amount of the second rotating portion 11 in the up-down direction along the central axis of the rotating hole 721. In one example, the pawl 112 may remain engaged with the first rotary part 72 at all times; for example, referring to fig. 7, an angle θ between an outer side surface of the elastic piece 111 and a proximal end surface of the claw 112 is an acute angle or a right angle; for another example, the extension length of the spring plate 111 along the central axis of the rotation hole 721 is less than or equal to the hole depth of the rotation hole 721 on the central axis thereof.

Based on this, in an example, the rotation hole is a through hole, the claw passes through the rotation hole and catches the distal end of the first rotation part outside the rotation hole, that is, the outer diameter of the claw is larger than the aperture of any place of the rotation hole; in this example, the extension length of the spring plate along the central axis of the rotation hole may be equal to the hole depth of the rotation hole on the central axis thereof. In an example, the rotation hole is a through hole or a blind hole, and the claw grips the first rotation part in the rotation hole, namely, the outer diameter of the claw is only larger than the aperture of the rotation Kong Jin end area or the proximal end area and the middle area; in this example, the length of extension of the dome along the central axis of the rotation hole may be less than or equal to the hole depth of the rotation hole on its central axis.

In other embodiments, the second rotating portion may include a rotating hole, and the first rotating portion includes a spring and a claw connected to the spring. The elastic piece is at least partially positioned in the rotating hole and can rotate around the central axis of the rotating hole in the rotating hole. The outer diameter of the claw is larger than the aperture of at least part of the rotation hole, and the claw is configured to catch the second rotation portion, so that the first rotation portion can be prevented from being separated from the rotation hole.

It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the length of the spring extending along the central axis of the rotation aperture may be greater than the depth of the aperture in the central axis thereof, such that the mouthpiece may be displaced a certain amount up and down relative to the end cap along the central axis of the rotation aperture.

Referring to fig. 7, the mouthpiece 1 includes a base plate 12 and a suction nozzle 13, the suction nozzle 13 and the second rotating portion 11 are respectively disposed on two opposite sides of the base plate 12, at least part of the suction nozzle 13 can be attached to the mouth by a user, and the base plate 12, the suction nozzle 14 and the second rotating portion 11 can be integrally injection molded. Wherein the suction nozzle 13 is arranged away from the central area of the base plate 12 to ensure that the suction nozzle 13 is in fluid communication with only the first air passage 22 in one of the cartridges 2 by rotating the mouthpiece 1 relative to the cartridge assembly. The second rotating part 11 may be disposed at a central region of the substrate 12.

The thickness of the base plate 12, i.e. the minimum distance between the surface of the base plate 12 adjacent the mouthpiece 13 and the surface of the base plate 12 adjacent the second rotatable portion 11, may be between 0.5mm and 3mm, for example may be about 1.5mm, so that the base plate 12 has a smaller thickness, so that the damage to the consistency of the surfaces of the aerosol generating device is reduced after the mouthpiece 1 is coupled to the cartridge clip assembly.

Referring to fig. 2, the aerosol-generating device further comprises an elastic member 8, at least a part of the elastic member 8 being arranged between the end cap 7 and the mouthpiece 1, the elastic member 8 being operable to provide a resistance to rotation of the mouthpiece 1 relative to the end cap 7 to avoid rotation of the mouthpiece 1 relative to the end cap 7 when rotation relative to the end cap 7 is not required.

In an embodiment, referring to fig. 6, the elastic member 8 is disposed around the second rotating portion 11 and elastically presses the second rotating portion 11 in a lateral direction. Specifically, the elastic member 8 is fixed to the end cap 7, and the elastic member 8 is rubbed while the second rotating portion 11 rotates relative to the first rotating portion 72, or the elastic member 8 is fixed to the mouthpiece 1, and the first rotating portion 72 rubs the elastic member 8 while the second rotating portion 11 rotates relative to the first rotating portion 72. The elastic member 8 has a larger friction coefficient than the first rotating portion 72 and the second rotating portion 11, so that the elastic member 8 can provide resistance to the rotation of the second rotating portion 11 relative to the first rotating portion 72.

In an embodiment, reference may be made to fig. 6, wherein at least part of the elastic member 8 is longitudinally compressed by the mouthpiece 1 and the end cap 7. Specifically, the elastic member 8 is fixed to the end cap 7, and the elastic member 8 is rubbed while the mouthpiece 1 is rotated relative to the end cap 7, or the elastic member 8 is fixed to the mouthpiece 1, and the end cap 7 rubs the elastic member 8 while the mouthpiece 1 is rotated relative to the end cap 7.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 2, the end cover 7 is provided with a boss 73, the elastic member 8 is provided with a through hole 81 corresponding to the boss 73, at least part of the boss 73 is embedded into the through hole 81, and the elastic member 8 is fixed on the end cover 7 through interference fit between the through hole 81 and the boss 73.

The number of the bosses 73 may be equal to or greater than the number of the second passages 71, and the plurality of second passages 71 are respectively distributed in the different bosses 73. The through holes 81 may also have a plurality of corresponding protrusions 73, the protrusions 73 are respectively embedded in different through holes 81, and the elastic member 8 surrounding the protrusions 73 elastically abuts against the mouthpiece 1, for example, against the base plate 12 of the mouthpiece 1, so that the elastic member 8 rubs against the base plate 12 when the mouthpiece 1 rotates relative to the end cap 7, thereby providing resistance against the relative rotation of the mouthpiece 1 and the end cap 7, and simultaneously isolating the plurality of second channels 71 from each other, so as to ensure that the suction nozzle 13 on the mouthpiece 1 can only be in fluid communication with one of the second channels 71 at the same time.

In an example, referring to fig. 2 and 3, the elastic member 8 may have a plurality of annular ribs 82, each annular rib 82 surrounds a through hole 81, the elastic member 8 mainly elastically abuts against the mouth member 1 through the annular ribs 82, for example, elastically abuts against the base plate 12 of the mouth member 1, the base plate 12 may have a flat abutting surface, the plurality of annular ribs 82 simultaneously elastically abut against the abutting surface, and the plurality of annular ribs 82 are slidably connected with the abutting surface, so that the plurality of annular ribs 82 simultaneously rub against the abutting surface when the mouth member 1 and the end cap 7 relatively rotate. The plurality of second passages 71 are isolated from each other on the side facing the mouthpiece 1 by the action of the plurality of annular ribs 82 both resiliently abutting the abutment surface.

The elastic member 8 may further be provided with a positioning hole 83, and the second rotating portion 11 may pass through the positioning hole 83 and then be rotationally matched with the first rotating portion 72. Therefore, the second rotating portion 11 can rotate around the central axis of the positioning hole 83, and the positioning hole 83 can be in interference fit with the second rotating portion 11, so that the elastic member 8 can provide elastic abutment force to the second rotating portion 11 transversely.

The end cap 7 may be provided with a recess 74, the recess 74 being adapted to receive at least part of the resilient member 8, the recess 74 also helping to secure the resilient member 8 to the end cap 7. The end cover 7 may be provided with a support table 75 protruding relative to the recess 74, the support table 75 being disposed at the periphery of the recess 74, the support table 75 may define at least a partial boundary of the recess 74, and an inner side surface of the support table 75 may be elastically abutted with the elastic member 8.

The proximal end of the support stand 75 may support and abut the base plate 12 of the mouthpiece 1, and during rotation of the mouthpiece 1 relative to the end cap 7 and during rest of the mouthpiece 1 relative to the end cap 7, the interaction between the first and second rotating portions 72, 11 may cause the support stand 75 to remain in abutment against the base plate 12 of the mouthpiece 1 at all times, and the interaction between the first and second rotating portions 72, 11 may also cause the resilient member 8 to resiliently abut against the base plate 12 of the mouthpiece 1 at all times.

In an example, referring to fig. 2, the support stand 75 may be annular around the periphery of the elastic member 8, the support stand 75 may conceal the elastic member 8, prevent the elastic member 8 from being exposed to the surface layer of the aerosol-generating device, and may make the elastic member 8 invisible.

The aerosol-generating device may be provided with a prompting mechanism capable of issuing a prompting signal when the mouthpiece 1 is rotated relative to the end cap 7 into airflow communication with a second channel 71 on the end cap 7. The cue signal may comprise an audible signal, a light signal, or a vibration signal, etc.

In an embodiment, the prompting mechanism can provide tactile feedback, and referring to fig. 2 and 7, one of the supporting platform 75 of the end cover 7 and the base plate 12 on the mouthpiece 1 has the impact portions C corresponding to the second air passages 71 one by one, and the other has at least one impact member D. One of the impact portion C and the impact piece D corresponds in number to the second air passage 71, and the other corresponds in number to at least one. During the relative rotation of the mouthpiece 1 and the end cap 7, at least one striking member D is able to strike at least one striking portion C, thereby producing sound (audible feedback) and/or vibration (tactile feedback), based on which the user can determine the rotational position of the mouthpiece 1 relative to the end cap 7, and whether the suction nozzle 13 on the mouthpiece 1 is in fluid communication with one of the second air passages 71, so that the user can stop continuing to rotate the mouthpiece 1 relative to the end cap 7 after sensing the cue signal.

Based on this, in an example, referring to fig. 2 and 7, the striking member D may be a hemispherical convex point or an elastic steel ball, the striking portion C may be a hemispherical concave point, and when at least a part of the convex point or the elastic steel ball is embedded in the concave point by rotation, the striking between the convex point and the concave point may generate a clicking sound, and the mouthpiece 1 and/or the cap 7 may generate a perceptible vibration.

It will be appreciated that in other examples, the prompting mechanism may be capable of generating a change in an electrical or magnetic parameter upon rotation of the mouthpiece relative to the end cap into airflow communication with a second channel on the end cap, and the circuit board may control the buzzer, player, LED lamp, vibrator, etc. to issue a prompt upon detection of the change in the electrical or magnetic parameter.

It should be noted that the description of the utility model and the accompanying drawings show preferred embodiments of the utility model, but are not limited to the embodiments described in the description, and further, that modifications or variations can be made by a person skilled in the art from the above description, and all such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (18)

1. An aerosol-generating device, comprising:

a cartridge assembly comprising a housing having longitudinally opposed proximal and distal ends and a plurality of cartridges received in the housing, each of the cartridges having a first passage for passage of a gas stream and a receiving cavity for receiving a liquid matrix;

an end cap coupled to the proximal end of the housing, the end cap having a plurality of second channels thereon, the first channel of each clip being in exclusive fluid communication with one of the second channels, the end cap having a first rotary portion disposed thereon; and

a mouthpiece is provided with a second rotating portion configured to be rotatably connected with the first rotating portion so that the mouthpiece can selectively be in fluid communication with one of the second channels.

2. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein a resilient member is secured to at least one of the mouthpiece and the end cap, the resilient member being configured to provide resistance against rotation of the mouthpiece relative to the end cap.

3. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 2, wherein the resilient member is arranged around the second rotating portion.

4. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 2, wherein at least part of the resilient member is longitudinally compressed by the mouthpiece and the end cap.

5. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 2, wherein the elastic member is provided with a through hole, and the end cap is provided with a boss, at least part of the boss being embedded in the through hole to fix the elastic member.

6. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 5, wherein the boss has a plurality of second channels, each of the plurality of second channels being distributed in a different boss;

the through holes are multiple, the convex columns are respectively embedded into different through holes, and the elastic piece is elastically abutted against the mouth piece, so that the second channels are isolated from each other.

7. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 5, wherein the resilient member has a plurality of annular ribs thereon, each of the annular ribs surrounding one of the through holes, the annular ribs resiliently abutting the mouthpiece.

8. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 2 in which the end cap has a support abutment thereon which is in constant abutment with the mouthpiece and is in sliding connection with the mouthpiece as the mouthpiece rotates relative to the end cap.

9. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 8, wherein the end cap has a recess in a side thereof facing the mouthpiece, the recess being recessed relative to the support base, at least part of the resilient member being received in the recess.

10. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol-generating device is provided with a cue mechanism configured to provide tactile feedback when the mouthpiece is rotated to a position in which it is in airflow communication with one of the second channels.

11. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 10 wherein the end cap has a support platform and a plurality of second air passages thereon, one of the support platform and the mouthpiece having a convex point in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of second air passages, the other having at least one concave point thereon, at least one of the convex points being embedded in one of the concave points to produce tactile feedback when the mouthpiece is rotated into fluid communication with one of the second air passages.

12. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the first rotating part comprises a rotating hole, the second rotating part comprises a spring and a claw connected to the spring, at least part of the spring is located in the rotating hole, the outer diameter of the claw is larger than the aperture of at least part of the rotating hole, and the claw is configured to grip the first rotating part.

13. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein each cartridge clip comprises an atomizer in fluid communication with a receiving chamber in the cartridge clip, the atomizers being for atomizing the liquid matrix to produce an aerosol, and the first air passage within the cartridge clip being in fluid communication with the atomizer corresponding to the cartridge clip for delivering the aerosol.

14. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 13, further comprising a power supply assembly having a second electrode set disposed thereon, the cartridge assembly comprising a plurality of first electrode sets, the atomizer of each cartridge being electrically connected to a different one of the first electrode sets;

the cartridge clip assembly is rotatably connected to the power assembly, and the second electrode set is configured to be in electrical communication with the first electrode set rotated into abutment therewith.

15. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 13, further comprising a power supply assembly and a control switch electrically connected to the power supply assembly, the control switch being configured to control the power supply assembly to be in electrical communication with the atomizer of one of the cartridges.

16. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 15, further comprising a plurality of air flow channels in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of cartridges, each air flow channel being in fluid communication with a first channel within its corresponding cartridge, the control switch being disposed in each air flow channel, the control switch being configured to control the cartridge corresponding to that air flow channel to be in electrical communication with the power supply assembly in dependence on the air flow velocity or air pressure in the air flow channel.

17. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 13, further comprising a power supply assembly comprising a plurality of electrical cells each correspondingly electrically connected to the atomizer in a different cartridge.

18. An aerosol-generating device, comprising:

a cartridge assembly comprising a housing having longitudinally opposed proximal and distal ends, and a plurality of cartridges received in the housing, each of the cartridges having a first passage for a gas stream therethrough and a receiving cavity for receiving a liquid matrix;

an end cover connected with the proximal end of the housing, the end cover being provided with a first rotating portion; and a mouthpiece provided with a second rotating portion configured to be rotatably connected with the first rotating portion;

the first rotating part comprises a rotating hole, the second rotating part comprises a spring plate and a claw connected with the spring plate, at least part of the spring plate is located in the rotating hole, the outer diameter of the claw is larger than the aperture of at least part of the rotating hole, and the claw is configured to clamp the first rotating part.