DE202015009813U1 - Electronic smoking device - Google Patents

Abstract

An atomizer (26) for an electronic smoking device (10) comprising at least a first heating wire (40) and a second heating wire (50), the first and second heating wires (40, 50) being wound together to form a common heating coil (28) , and wherein the first and second heating wire (40, 50) differ in at least one physical parameter, which results in different thermal properties of the first and second heating wire (40, 50).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to electronic smoking devices and, more particularly, to electronic cigarettes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An electronic smoking device, such as an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette), typically has a housing in which an electrical power source (e.g., a disposable or rechargeable battery, an electrical plug, or other power source) and an electrically operated atomizer are accommodated. The atomizer vaporizes or atomizes liquid supplied from a container and provides vaporized or atomized liquid as an aerosol. Control electronics control the activation of the atomizer. In some electronic cigarettes, an airflow sensor is provided within the electronic smoking device that detects a user pulling on the device (e.g., by sensing a vacuum or an airflow pattern through the device). The airflow sensor reports or signals smoking to the control electronics to turn on the device and generate steam. Other e-cigarettes use a switch to turn the e-cigarette on to create a vapor train.

An electronic smoking device according to the prior art is in the EP 0 430 559 A2 disclosed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, an atomizer for an electronic smoking device is provided which comprises at least a first heating wire and a second heating wire. The first and second heating wires are wound together to form a common heating coil. Furthermore, the first and second heating wire differ in at least one physical parameter, which leads to different thermal properties of the first and second heating wire.

Different physical parameters of the first and second heating wires can refer to at least one of the following non-exclusive list of physical parameters of the heating wires: material; Structure; Wire positions or winding axis position within the common heating coil; Wire diameter, diameter of a turn of the first and second heating wires; Sizes and structures of cross-sectional areas, surface profiles, length and others.

Furthermore, an electronic smoking device with the atomizer according to the invention is provided.

The characteristics, features, and advantages of the present invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved as described above, will become more apparent and clearly understood in connection with the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure list

• 1 ist eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung einer beispielhaften E-Zigarette;
• 2 ist eine schematische Ansicht eines Zerstäubers in einer ersten Ausführungsform;
• 3 ist eine Schnittansicht durch einen Zerstäuber aus 2;
• 4 ist eine Schnittansicht durch einen Zerstäuber in einer zweiten Ausführungsform;
• 5 ist eine Ansicht einer Heizspirale senkrecht zu ihrer Wicklungsachse in einer dritten Ausführungsform;
• 6 ist eine Ansicht einer Heizspirale senkrecht zu ihrer Wicklungsachse in einer vierten Ausführungsform;
• 7 ist eine schematische Ansicht eines Zerstäubers in einer fünften Ausführungsform;
• 8 ist ein vertikaler Schnitt durch einen Zerstäuber in einer sechsten Ausführungsform;
• 9 zeigt einen vertikalen Schnitt durch einen Zerstäuber in einer siebenten Ausführungsform; und
• 10 zeigt einen Cartomizer mit einem Zerstäuber in einer achten Ausführungsform.

In the drawings, the same number of elements in each of the views indicate the same elements:

• 1 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of an exemplary e-cigarette;
• 2nd is a schematic view of an atomizer in a first embodiment;
• 3rd is a sectional view through an atomizer 2nd ;
• 4th is a sectional view through an atomizer in a second embodiment;
• 5 is a view of a heating coil perpendicular to its winding axis in a third embodiment;
• 6 is a view of a heating coil perpendicular to its winding axis in a fourth embodiment;
• 7 Fig. 10 is a schematic view of an atomizer in a fifth embodiment;
• 8th Fig. 12 is a vertical section through an atomizer in a sixth embodiment;
• 9 shows a vertical section through an atomizer in a seventh embodiment; and
• 10th shows a cartomizer with an atomizer in an eighth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An electronic smoking device is described below by way of example with reference to an e-cigarette. As in 1 shown shows an e-cigarette 10th typically a housing that has a cylindrical hollow tube with an end cap 16 includes. The cylindrical hollow tube can be in one piece or a multi-piece tube. In 1 is the cylindrical hollow tube as a two-part structure with a battery section 12th and one Atomizer / liquid container section 14 shown. The battery section 12th and the nebulizer / liquid container section 14 together form a cylindrical tube that is about the same size and shape as a conventional cigarette, typically about 100 mm with a diameter of 7.5 mm, although lengths range from 70 to 150 or 180 mm and diameters from 5 to 20 mm can.

The battery section 12th and the nebulizer / liquid container section 14 are typically made of steel or wear-resistant plastic and work with the end cap 16 together to provide a housing that contains the components of the e-cigarette 10th contains. The battery section 12th and an atomizer / liquid container section 14 can be designed to fit together by means of a friction plug-in seat, a snap fit or a bayonet mount, a magnetic seat or screw thread. The end cap 16 is at the front end of the battery section 12th intended. The end cap 16 can be made of clear plastic or other clear material to form an LED 20th positioned near the end cap to allow light to be emitted through the end cap. The end cap can be made of metal or other materials that do not allow light to pass through.

An air inlet can be in the end cap, at the edge of the inlet next to the cylindrical hollow tube, anywhere along the length of the cylindrical hollow tube or at the connection of the battery section 12th and the atomizer / liquid container section 14 be provided. 1 shows a pair of air intakes 38 that are at the intersection between the battery section 12th and the atomizer / liquid container section 14 are provided.

A battery 18th , a light emitting diode (LED) 20th , control electronics 22 and optionally an airflow sensor 24th are inside the cylindrical hollow tube battery section 12th intended. The battery 18th is electrical with the control electronics 22 connected electrically to the LED 20th and the airflow sensor 24th connected is. In this example there is the LED 20th at the front end of the battery section 12th , adjacent to the end cap 16 , and the control electronics 22 and the airflow sensor 24th are in the central cavity at the other end of the battery 18th adjacent to the nebulizer / liquid container section 14 intended.

The airflow sensor 24th acts as a train detector that detects that a user is at the nebulizer / liquid container section 14 the e-cigarette 10th smokes or sucks. The airflow sensor 24th can be any suitable sensor for detecting changes in air flow or pressure, such as a microphone switch that includes a deformable membrane that is caused to move by variations in air pressure. Alternatively, the sensor can be a Hall element or an electromechanical sensor.

The control electronics 22 is also with an atomizer 26 connected. In the example shown, the atomizer includes 26 a heating coil 28 that around a wick 30th is wrapped over a central passage 32 of the atomizer / liquid container section 14 extends. The spiral 28 can be anywhere in the atomizer 26 be positioned and can be transverse or parallel to the liquid container 34 be. The wick 30th and the heating coil 28 block the central passage 32 not completely. Instead, the heating coil is on both sides 28 an air gap is provided that allows air to flow to the heating coil 28 and the wick 30th flows past.

The central passage 32 is from a cylindrical liquid container 34 surround the ends of the wick 30th on the liquid container 34 concern or extend in this. The wick 30th can be a porous material, such as a bundle of fiberglass fibers, with liquid in the liquid container 34 by capillary action from the ends of the wick 30th towards the central section of the wick 30th pulled by the heating coil 28 is surrounded.

The liquid container 34 alternatively, may include cotton wool soaked in liquid that runs through the central passage 32 surrounds the ends of the wick 30th lie against the cotton wool. In other embodiments, the liquid container 34 comprise a toroidal cavity arranged to be filled with liquid and the ends of the wick 30th extend into the toroidal cavity.

At the end cap 16 distal rear end of the nebulizer / liquid container section 14 is an air inhalation connector 36 intended. The inhalation port 36 can from the cylindrical hollow tube atomizer / liquid container section 14 be formed or can be formed in an end cap.

In use, a user sucks on the e-cigarette 10th . This causes air to pass through one or more air intakes, such as air intakes 38 , in the e-cigarette 10th pulled and through the central passage 32 towards the air inhalation connection 36 is pulled. The air pressure sensor detects the resulting change in air pressure 24th recognized, which generates an electrical signal that is sent to the control electronics 22 is forwarded. As reaction the control electronics activates the signal 22 the heating coil 28 that causes the wick 30th existing liquid is evaporated, thereby creating an aerosol (which may include gaseous and liquid components) within the central passage 32 is produced. While the user continues on the e-cigarette 10th sucks, this aerosol passes through the central passage 32 pulled and inhaled by the user. At the same time, the control electronics are activated 22 also the LED 20th , causing the LED 20th lights up what about the translucent end cap 16 is visible and mimics the appearance of glowing ash at the end of a conventional cigarette. There in the wick 30th Existing liquid is converted into an aerosol, more liquid is released from the liquid container 34 by capillary action in the wick 30th is drawn and is thus converted into an aerosol by subsequent activation of the heating coil 28 to disposal.

Some e-cigarettes are said to be disposable, and the electrical energy in the battery 18th should be sufficient to the in the liquid container 34 contained liquid to evaporate, after which the e-cigarette 10th is thrown away. In other embodiments, the battery is 18th rechargeable and the liquid container 34 refillable. In cases where the liquid container 34 is a toroidal cavity, this can be done by refilling the liquid container 34 can be reached via a refill connection. In other embodiments, the nebulizer / liquid container section 14 the e-cigarette 10th from the battery section 12th removable and a new atomizer / liquid container section 14 can with a new liquid container 34 be equipped, which replenishes the fluid supply. In some cases, the replacement of the liquid container 34 a replacement of the heating coil 28 and the wick 30th along with the replacement of the liquid container 34 include. A replaceable unit that includes the atomizer 26 and the liquid container 34 , is referred to as a cartomizer.

The new liquid container 34 can be in the form of a cartridge with a central passage 32 are present, through which a user inhales aerosol. In other embodiments, aerosol can be applied to the exterior of the cartridge 32 to an air inhalation port 36 stream.

Of course, in addition to the above description of the structure and function of a typical e-cigarette 10th also variants. For example, the LED 20th be omitted. The airflow sensor 24th can the end cap 16 adjacent and not in the middle of the e-cigarette. The airflow sensor 24th can be replaced with a switch that allows a user to activate the e-cigarette manually and not in response to the detection of a change in air flow or pressure.

Different types of atomizers can be used. For example, the atomizer can have a heating coil in a cavity inside a porous body soaked in liquid. In this design, aerosol is generated by vaporizing the liquid within the porous body either by activating the spiral heating the porous body or alternatively by the heated air that flows over or through the porous body. Alternatively, the atomizer can use a piezoelectric atomizer to generate an aerosol either in combination or in the absence of a heater.

2nd shows a schematic view of an atomizer 26 in a first embodiment. 3rd shows a section through the atomizer according to the invention 26 out 2nd in a plane through a central or winding axis 43 , 53 of the first and second heating wire 40 , 50 runs. The atomizer 26 , as in 2nd shown can in the e-cigarette 10th out 1 or other e-cigarettes that use an atomizer 26 use, be integrated. An atomizer 26 atomizes or vaporizes those in the e-cigarette 10th out 1 stored liquid. The atomizer 26 in the in 2nd Embodiment shown includes a heating coil 28 . The heating coil 28 comprises at least a first heating wire 40 and a second heating wire 50 . The first and second heating wire 40 , 50 are wrapped around the common heating coil 28 to train. The first and second heating wire 40 , 50 are parallel to each other. Each of the heating wires 40 , 50 that the common heating coil 28 form is wrapped around a first heating coil 41 or a second heating coil 51 to train. Every loop of a heating wire 40 , 50 is subsequently called a turn 42 , 52 designated. In 2nd extend the first and second heating coil 41 , 51 from left to right with a horizontal center or winding axis 43 , 53 . The first heating wire 40 has two end sections 47 on (one on the left, shown in 2nd ; one on the right, not shown), which used to be the first heating wire 40 to contact electrically. Similarly, the second heater wire 50 two end sections 57 on that used to be the second heating wire 50 to contact electrically. The first and second heating wire 40 , 50 are contacted electrically in parallel.

How out 2nd can be seen, the first and second heating coil extend 41 , 51 in the same direction and are along the winding or central axis 43 , 53 offset from each other so that one Swirl 42 of the first heating wire 40 a swirl 52 of the second heating wire 50 is adjacent. In the middle region of the heating coil 28 are one turn 42 of the first heating wire 40 two turns 52 of the second heating wire 50 adjacent. The two heating coils 41 , 51 are wrapped around a single or common heating coil 28 to train. In other words, the first and second heating coils 41 , 51 are along the central axis 43 , 53 arranged such that at least one turn 42 the first heating coil 41 between two turns 52 the second heating coil 51 is arranged, and vice versa. The central axis 43 the first heating coil 41 is with a central axis 53 the second heating coil 51 identical. A swirl 42 of the first heating wire 40 contacts two turns 52 of the second heating wire 50 directly. This can cause the heating coil 28 Warm up quickly and reduce the delay until an aerosol is generated from the liquid.

The first and second heating wire 40 , 50 or the first and second heating coil 41 , 51 have at least one different physical parameter according to all embodiments according to the invention, which results in different thermal properties of the heating wires 40 , 50 and heating coils 41 , 51 results. In the in 2nd and 3rd The embodiment shown is the diameter 44 of the first heating wire 40 larger than the diameter 54 of the second heating wire 50 . Both heating wires 40 , 50 are solid wires with a constant cross-section 46 , 56 and flat outer surfaces. Due to the different physical parameters, here different wire thicknesses, the first and second heating wires heat up 40 , 50 differently. The first and the second heating wire 40 , 50 have different heating profiles or heat transfer properties and heat up at different speeds and cool down at different speeds. Thin wires like the second heating wire 50 warm up very quickly and cool down very quickly, which reduces the delay until an aerosol is sprayed through the atomizer 26 in contact with a liquid of an e-cigarette 10th is produced. Also, thin wires generally reach a maximum temperature faster, while thick wires take longer to warm up, but also keep their heat longer.

The combination of at least two heating wires 40 , 50 with different physical parameters provides a more complex heat transfer characteristic of an atomizer compared to a heating coil consisting of a single heating wire 26 in an e-cigarette 10th and thus more complex aerosol generation when in contact with that in the e-cigarette 10th stored liquid ready. The steam experience can be achieved using the different thermal properties of different heating wires 40 , 50 leading to a common heating coil 28 are combined, become multidimensional. In the prior art, this has been accomplished with staggered power delivery to a single wire, while in one embodiment such electronics could be omitted or less complexly structured, resulting in a cheaper and easier way to achieve a similar goal with improved atomizer performance results 26 and consequently the e-cigarette 10th to reach.

By using two different heating wires 40 , 50 with different thermal properties, e.g. B. by using two different heating wire thicknesses together in a single heating coil 28 , is the surface of the heating coil 28 for fluid contact compared to a heating coil made from a single heating wire 28 greater. This improves aerosol generation in an electronic smoking device 10th which is the atomizer according to the invention 26 is fed.

3rd shows the different diameters 44 , 54 of the first and second heating wire 40 , 50 that lead to different sizes of their cross-sectional areas 46 , 56 to lead. The first heating wire 40 has a larger diameter 44 and thus a larger cross-sectional area 46 than the second heating wire 50 on. The thicker first heating wire 40 has less resistance and provides more heat than the second heating wire 50 . The turns 42 of the first heating wire 40 directly touch the adjacent turns 52 of the second heating wire 50 , resulting in a dense heat transfer characteristic of the common heating coil 28 leads.

The first and the second heating wire 40 , 50 the one in the 2nd and 3rd shown first embodiment differ in a single physical parameter, its wire thickness. However, the invention is not so limited. The heating wires 40 , 50 can differ in a physical parameter, such as the structure or size of cross sections, surface profiles, materials, etc. Some examples are described in the following embodiments. The various embodiments can also be combined with one another in such a way that the heating wires 40 , 50 differ in two, three or a larger number of physical parameters, resulting in a complex heating profile of the common heating coil 28 leads.

For example, the heating wires 40 , 50 out 2nd and 3rd also be made of a different material. A heating wire 40 , 50 can be made of a metal, one of a ceramic. Or both can be made of different metals. A heating wire 40 , 50 can be made of a composite material or a Alloy can be formed, the other can be formed from a single material. The group of possible heating wire materials can include, for example, nickel, chromium, iron, aluminum, copper and their alloys as well as ceramics. Different heating wire materials lead to different thermal properties and thermal properties of the different heating spirals 41 , 51 , resulting in a complex heat transfer pattern from the common heating coil formed therefrom 28 leads.

4th is a vertical section through an atomizer 126 with a common heating coil 128 in a second embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment of FIG 2nd and 3rd in that the turns 142 , 152 the first and second heating coil 141 , 151 do not touch each other directly, but along the central axis 143 , 153 of the heating coils 141 , 151 are spaced from each other. Furthermore are in one of the outer turns 142 the heating coil 128 spaced region of a turn 142 of the first heating wire 140 two turns 152 of the second heating wire 150 adjacent, and vice versa. Nevertheless, the turns contact 142 of the first heating wire 140 and the turns 152 of the second heating wire 150 not directly to each other, but are spaced apart. This can be achieved by using the first and second heating coils 41 , 51 are rigid, z. B. by using a ceramic or metallic material. The spacing of the two heating coils 141 , 151 results in a larger wire surface that can be used for liquid contact, but also results in a less dense heating profile of the common heating coil 128 .

5 is a cut through an atomizer 226 with a common heating coil 228 perpendicular to its winding axis in a third embodiment. So the view is through the heating coil 228 along their length. Here show the first heating coil 241 and the second heating coil 251 the same diameter 249 , 259 one turn 242 , 252 on, their central axes 243 , 253 are offset from each other. Transfer of heating coils 241 , 251 increases the complexity of the heating profiles of the common heating coil 228 . Transfer of heating coils 241 , 251 relative to each other, however, does not lead to another thermal property of the first heating coil 241 in relation to the second heating coil 251 . In order to have different thermal properties, they have to differ in another physical parameter. In the embodiment shown, the first and second heating coils are 241 , 251 made of different materials. A relative shift in the second heating coil 251 can be limited such that the cross sections of the turns 242 , 252 the first and second heating coil 241 , 251 overlap each other. Preferably, the offset of the central axis 253 the second heating coil 251 from the central axis of the first heating coil 241 smaller than a radius of a turn 42 the first heating coil 241 be.

6 is a view of an atomizer perpendicular to its winding axis in a fourth embodiment. Compared to the third embodiment in 5 point the heating coils 341 , 351 a common central axis 343 , 353 on, but the diameter of a turn 342 the first heating coil 341 is larger than the diameter of a turn 352 the second heating coil 351 . Thus, their surface profile exists along the length of the common heating coil 328 from valleys and peaks, resulting in a complexity of a heat profile of the common heating coil 328 leads. The two heating wires 340 , 350 This embodiment can have the same wire thicknesses, but due to their different winding diameters 349 , 359 shows the resulting heating coil 328 a complex shape. In the preferred embodiment shown, the size of the winding diameter is 359 the second heating coil 351 such that the cross sections of the heating wires 340 , 350 in the in 6 shown section would still overlap.

7 is a schematic view of an atomizer 426 in a fifth embodiment. The fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in FIG 2nd in that the structure of the two heating wires 440 , 450 differs. The first heating wire 440 is a twisted ribbon wire that is formed from a spiral helix before being joined to the second heating wire 450 is wrapped around the heating coil 428 to train. The first heating wire thus has 440 has a through hole in its center that extends along its length and has different cross sections along its length 446 on. The second heating wire 450 is a solid wire with a non-varying circular cross-section 456 and a flat surface. Due to their different structure, the first and second heating wire have 440 , 450 , in the 2nd different surface profiles are shown. The surface profile of the first heating wire 440 before winding to a heating coil 441 consists of alternating valleys and peaks, while the surface profile of the second heating wire 450 is just. The valleys of the first heating wire 440 increase the wire area that can be used for liquid contact and therefore improve aerosol formation, while the massive second heating wire 450 provides more heat because it has less resistance than the first heating wire 440 having.

The examples of a strip heating wire 440 and a round heating wire 450 are not restrictive. There can be any physical shape or structure of the heating wires 440 , 450 be provided, e.g. B. a stranded wire, an oval wire, a wire with a surface structure, etc.

8th is a vertical section through an atomizer 526 in a sixth embodiment. Here the first and the second heating wire point 540 , 550 have a different length and consequently bear with a different number of turns 542 , 552 to the common heating coil 528 at. As shown by way of example, the first heating wire carries 540 with six turns 542 to the common heating coil 528 at while the second heating wire 550 is shorter and only with three turns 552 to the common heating coil 528 contributes.

9 shows a vertical section through an atomizer 626 in a seventh embodiment. In this embodiment there is also a third heating wire 660 provided, the first, second and third heating wire 640 , 650 , 660 are wrapped around the heating coil 628 to train. A swirl 642 of the first heating wire 640 contacts a turn on one side 652 of a second heating wire 650 and a turn on the other side 662 of the third heating wire 660 . The first, second and third heating wire 640 , 650 , 660 in 9 are made of different materials. During the first heating wire 640 is formed from a nickel-chromium alloy, the second heating wire 650 formed from an iron-chromium-aluminum alloy, and the third heating wire 660 is made of a nickel-iron alloy. Due to their different materials, the heating wires have 640 , 650 , 660 have a different specific resistance and therefore heat up differently. Apart from their materials, the heating wires differ 640 , 650 , 660 not in the embodiment shown. However, the third heating wire could be 660 from the first and second heating wires 640 respectively. 650 also differ in any other physical parameter besides its material.

More than three heating wires could also be provided to form the common heating coil of the atomizer. At least two of the group of heating wires preferably differ in at least one physical parameter. In another embodiment, none of the heating wires provided would have an identical set of physical parameters as any other of the group of heating wires in the common heating coil.

Electronic smoking devices can be structured so that the liquid container along with the atomizer is removed from an electronic cigarette and through a new, refilled atomizer / liquid container section 14 can be replaced, which is referred to as a cartomizer. 10th shows a cartomizer 700 for an electronic smoking device 10th according to one embodiment. The cartomizer 700 includes a liquid container 34 as in the context of 1 with an atomizer 26 out 2nd described. However, all other embodiments of the atomizer described in the context of this invention can be used as an atomizer in 10th be used. The atomizer / liquid container section 14 can from the battery section 12th be separated, and the cartomizer 700 can be removed and replaced. The first and second heating wire 40 , 50 or the first and second heating coil 41 , 51 of the atomizer 26 assign electronic contacts 710 on when the atomizer / liquid container section is fixed 14 on the battery section 12th electrical contact to the battery 18th provide. However, the electronic smoking device can also be designed differently, for example with an opening in its housing through which the cartomizer can be removed or exchanged.

• - der erste und zweite Heizdraht sind aus einem unterschiedlichen Material ausgebildet,
• - der erste und der zweite Heizdraht weisen eine unterschiedliche Struktur auf,
• - die Positionen des ersten und zweiten Heizdrahts innerhalb der gemeinsamen Heizspirale 28 sind unterschiedlich,
• - der Durchmesser des ersten und zweiten Heizdrahts ist unterschiedlich,
• - die Durchmesser einer Windung des ersten und zweiten Heizdrahts sind unterschiedlich,
• - der erste und der zweite Heizdraht weisen unterschiedliche Größen oder Strukturen von Querschnittsflächen in einem gemeinsamen Schnitt durch die Heizspirale auf,
• - einer von dem ersten und zweiten Heizdraht weist einen variierenden Querschnitt auf, während der andere einen anders variierenden Querschnitt oder einen konstanten Querschnitt aufweist,
• - der erste und zweite Heizdraht weisen unterschiedliche Oberflächenprofile, Oberflächenbehandlungen oder Oberflächenbeschichtungen auf, und
• - der erste und der zweite Heizdraht weisen eine unterschiedliche Länge auf.

In summary, an atomizer for an electronic smoking device is provided which comprises at least a first heating wire and a second heating wire. The first and second heating wires differ in at least one physical parameter and are wound together to form a common heating coil. Because of the at least one different physical parameter, the first and second heating wires have different thermal properties and heat up differently. The first and the second heating wire have different heating profiles or heat transfer properties. The first and second heating wires heat up at different speeds and cool down at different speeds. In one aspect, a larger surface area for fluid contact can be provided. Different physical parameters of the first and second heating wire can relate to at least one of the following features:

• the first and second heating wires are made of a different material,
• - the first and the second heating wire have a different structure,
• - The positions of the first and second heating wire within the common heating coil 28 are different,
• - the diameter of the first and second heating wire is different,
• the diameters of one turn of the first and second heating wire are different,
• the first and the second heating wire have different sizes or structures of cross-sectional areas in a common section through the heating coil,
• one of the first and second heating wires has a varying cross section, while the other has a differently varying cross section or a constant cross section,
• - The first and second heating wire have different surface profiles, surface treatments or surface coatings, and
• - The first and the second heating wire have a different length.

In one embodiment of the invention, only one, a group, or all of the above features may be present.

Preferably, the first heating wire is wound into a first heating spiral, the second heating wire is wound into a second heating spiral, the first and second spirals extending in the same direction and being offset with respect to one another along the winding axis, so that at least one turn of the first heating wire one turn, preferably two turns, of the second heating wire is or are adjacent. The two heating coils are wound together to form a single heating coil. The turns of the two heating spirals are preferably arranged along the winding axis with such an offset that one turn of the first heating spiral is arranged between two turns of the second heating spiral, and vice versa. The central axis of the first heating coil is preferably identical to a central axis of the second heating coil. In one aspect, the central axis of the first heating coil is identical to a central axis of the second heating coil. This saves space and increases the heating output of the heating coil.

In one aspect, one turn of the first heating wire directly contacts two turns of the second heating wire. This would allow the heating coil to warm up quickly and reduce the delay until an aerosol is produced. In one aspect, a diameter of the first heating wire differs from the diameter of the second heating wire. In this way, different heating profiles can be provided in a simple manner. In one aspect, the first heating wire and the second heating wire are made of different materials. In a further aspect, the surface profile of the first heating wire differs from a surface profile of the second heating wire. A cross section of a first heating wire preferably varies differently along its length compared to a cross section of the second heating wire. A cross section of a first heating wire can vary along its length, the cross section of the second heating wire can be constant. A cross section of a first heating wire can be seen in a vertical section through the heating coil 40 differ from a cross section of the second heating wire. For example, although wires with a round cross-section are generally available in different materials and diameters, one or more of the heating wires or parts thereof may have a non-circular cross-section, such as a flatter ribbon-like wire.

The number of end sections of the heating coil is twice as large as the number of heating wires. The first end section of the first heating wire and the end section of the second heating wire are preferably coupled together to form a first common contact section, or the second end sections of the first and second heating wire are coupled together to form a second common contact section.

In yet another embodiment, a third heating wire is additionally provided, the first, second and third heating wire being wound together to form the heating coil. A turn of the first heating wires preferably contacts a turn of a second heating wire on one side and a turn of the third heating wire on the other side. The third heating wire differs from the first and / or second heating wire in at least one physical parameter, e.g. B. its material; its cross section; its change in its cross-section along its length; its length; and its surface profile such that the third heating wire has a different thermal property than the first and second heating wire.

In one embodiment, an electronic smoking device is provided, comprising: a housing, a liquid container provided within the housing, and an atomizer as described above. The invention is not limited to a heating wire with a wick, but can be used with any other element for providing the liquid to the heating wire.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is currently considered to be practical embodiments, it is to be understood that it is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the scope of the appended claims .

Reference symbol list

10th

E cigarette

12

Battery section

14

Atomizer / liquid container section

16

End cap

18th

battery

20th

light emitting diode (LED)

22

Control electronics

24th

Airflow sensor

26

Atomizer

28

Heating coil

30th

wick

32

central passage

34

Liquid container

36

Air inhalation connector

38

Air intakes

40

first heating wire

41

first heating coil

42

Turn of the first heating wire

43

Central axis of the first heating wire

44

Diameter of the first heating wire

45

Surface profile of the first heating wire

46

Cross section of the first heating wire

47

first end portion of the first heating wire

48

second end section of the first heating wire

49

Diameter of the winding of a first heating wire

50

second heating wire

51

second heating coil

52

Turn of the second heating wire

53

Central axis of the second heating wire

54

Diameter of the second heating wire

55

Surface profile of the second heating wire

56

Cross section of the second heating wire

57

first end portion of the second heating wire

58

second end portion of the second heating wire

59

Diameter of the turn of a second heating wire

660

third heating coil

662

Turn of the third heating wire

700

Cartomizer

710

electrical contacts of heating wires

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• EP 0430559 A2 [0003]

Claims (16)

An atomizer (26) for an electronic smoking device (10) comprising at least a first heating wire (40) and a second heating wire (50), the first and second heating wires (40, 50) being wound together to form a common heating coil (28) , and wherein the first and second heating wire (40, 50) differ in at least one physical parameter, which results in different thermal properties of the first and second heating wire (40, 50). Atomizer after Claim 1 , wherein the first heating wire (40) is wound to a first heating spiral (41), the second heating wire (50) is wound to a second heating spiral (51), the first and second spiral (41, 51) being in the same direction extend and are offset with respect to one another, so that at least one turn (52) of the second heating wire (50) is adjacent to one turn (42) of the first heating wire (40). Atomizer after Claim 2 , wherein a central axis (43) of the first heating coil (41) is parallel to a central axis (53) of the second heating coil (51). Atomizer after Claim 2 , wherein a central axis (43) of the first heating coil (41) is identical to a central axis (53) of the second heating coil (51). Atomizer according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one turn (42) of the first heating wire (40) is in direct contact with two turns (52) of the second heating wire (50). Atomizer according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a diameter (44) of the first heating wire (40) differs from the diameter (54) of the second heating wire (50). Atomizer according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first heating wire (40) and the second heating wire (50) are made of different materials. Atomizer according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a surface profile (445) of the first heating wire (440) differs from a surface profile (455) of the second heating wire (450). Atomizer according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a cross section (46) of the first heating wire (40) varies along its length differently than a cross section (56) of the second heating wire (50). Atomizer according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th , wherein a cross section of a first heating wire (440) varies along its length, the cross section of the second heating wire (450) being constant. Atomizer according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a cross section (46) of a first heating wire (40) differs from a cross section (56) of the second heating wire (42) in a vertical section through the heating coil (28). Atomizer according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the diameter (349) of a turn (342) of the first heating wire (340) differs from a diameter (359) of a turn (352) of the second heating wire (350). Atomizer according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the first heating wire (540) differs from the length of the second heating wire (550). An atomizer according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a third heater wire (660), the first, second and third heater wires (640, 650, 660) being wound together to form the heater coil (628), and wherein the third heater wire (660) differs from the first and the second heating wire (640, 650) in at least one physical parameter, which results in different thermal properties of the first and second heating wire (640, 650). A cartomizer (700) for an electronic smoking device (10) comprising: - A liquid container (34), and - An atomizer (26) according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed to atomize a liquid stored in the liquid container (34). An electronic smoking device (10) comprising: - a housing (12, 14); - A liquid container (34) which is provided within the housing (12, 14), and - An atomizer (26) according to one of the preceding Claims 1 to 14 which is provided to atomize a liquid stored in the liquid container (34).

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