EP4079170B1

EP4079170B1 - Electronic cigarette

Info

Publication number: EP4079170B1
Application number: EP21000267.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tuanfang Liu
Original assignee: Shenzhen Eigate Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen Eigate Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-04-19
Filing date: 2021-09-22
Publication date: 2024-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2041-09-22
Also published as: CA3132234A1; US20220330618A1; EP4079170A1

Description

The disclosure relates to an electronic cigarette.
The airflow channel of the atomizer of a conventional electronic cigarette tends to be blocked over time by condensed e-liquid. As a result, the pneumatic switch that turns on the heating element malfunctions. US 2018/303162 A1 recites an electronic cigarette. The electronic cigarette includes a battery component, an atomization component, a pneumatic switch which controls the atomization component to operate, a mouthpiece, and an airflow channel unit. The airflow channel unit includes a vapor channel and an actuator airflow channel. The vapor channel is connected with an atomization chamber of the atomization component and the mouthpiece, and communicates with outside atmosphere through the mouthpiece. The actuator airflow channel is connected to the mouthpiece and communicates with the outside atmosphere. The pneumatic switch is disposed in the actuator airflow channel. EP 3 574 777 A1 recites an atomizer. The atomizer includes a storage member and a cigarette holder detachably connected to the storage member. An inductive chamber and an airflow passage are positioned in the storage member and isolated from each other. An air suction port is defined on the cigarette holder. The air suction port communicates with the inductive chamber and the airflow passage. WO 2019140810 A1 recites a mouthpiece assembly. The mouthpiece assembly includes a lower mouthpiece cover and an upper mouthpiece cover. The lower mouthpiece cover is provided with a first gas inlet passage and a first gas outlet passage. The upper mouthpiece cover is provided with a gas outlet. The upper mouthpiece cover is movable with respect to the lower mouthpiece cover. When the upper mouthpiece cover is in a first connection state with respect to the lower mouthpiece cover, the first gas inlet passage is in communication with the outside air, and the first gas outlet passage is in communication with the gas outlet. When the upper mouthpiece cover is in a second connection state with respect to the lower mouthpiece cover, the first gas inlet passage and the first gas outlet passage are closed by the upper mouthpiece cover.
In order to overcome the above-mentioned defects in the prior art, the present invention provides an electronic cigarette as defined in claim 1; said electronic cigarette comprising an airflow sensing part, a first pressure change unit, a second pressure change unit, an outlet assembly, a pneumatic switch, and a heating element; the heating element is disposed in the first pressure change unit; the pneumatic switch is disposed in the airflow sensing part to activate the heating element to work; the airflow sensing part communicates with the second pressure change unit; and the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit separately communicate with the outlet assembly.
The airflow sensing part further communicates with the first pressure change unit.
In a class of this embodiment, the electronic cigarette comprises one outlet assembly, and the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit separately communicate with the one outlet assembly; or the electronic cigarette comprises two outlet assemblies independent of each other, and the two outlet assemblies communicate with the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit, respectively.
In a class of this embodiment, both the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit comprise hollow channels; the first pressure change unit comprises a first outlet communicating with the outlet assembly and the second pressure change unit comprises a second outlet communicating with the outlet assembly; and the cross-sectional area of the first outlet is 3-200 times that of the second outlet.
The electronic cigarette comprises a housing and an atomizer; the atomizer comprises an e-liquid tank dispose in the housing; a first channel is formed between an inner wall of the housing and an outer wall of the e-liquid tank.
The e-liquid tank is hollow; and two ends of the e-liquid tank are provided with a first seal and a second seal, respectively.
The e-liquid tank comprises a first cavity for storing e-liquid; a mouthpiece cover is disposed on one side of the first seal away from the first cavity; a second channel is formed between the mouthpiece cover and the first seal; the second channel communicates with the first channel, thereby forming the second pressure change unit.
In a class of this embodiment, an air tube is inserted in the e-liquid tank; the first cavity is formed by an outer wall of the air tube, an inner wall of the e-liquid tank, the first seal, and the second seal; and the heating element is disposed in the air tube.
In a class of this embodiment, the first seal and the second seal each comprise a through hole; one end of the air tube is inserted into the through hole of the first seal and the other end of the air tube is inserted into the through hole of the second seal; a third channel is formed by the through hole of the first seal, the through hole of the second seal, and an inner passage of the air tube.
In a class of this embodiment, the mouthpiece cover is disposed on one end of the housing and comprises an inhaling port disposed opposite to the third channel; and the outlet assembly comprises the inhaling port communicating with the second channel and the third channel.
In a class of this embodiment, a battery is disposed one side of the second seal away from the first cavity; a fourth channel is formed between the battery and the second seal; the third channel communicates with the fourth channel to form the first pressure change unit.
In a class of this embodiment, the battery is disposed in the housing; a fifth channel is formed between an outer wall of the battery and the inner wall of the housing; both the first channel and the fourth channel communicate with the fifth channel; the fifth channel is disposed opposite to the first channel.
In a class of this embodiment, the housing comprises a bottom end and an air inlet disposed on the bottom end; a sixth channel is formed between the air inlet and the fifth channel; the pneumatic switch is disposed in the fifth channel or the sixth channel; the fifth channel, the sixth channel, and the air inlet are connected one by one to form the airflow sensing part.
The following advantages are associated with the electronic cigarette of the disclosure: the first pressure change unit communicates with the second pressure change unit to ensure that the pneumatic switch triggers the heating element to work, which prevents the electronic cigarette from being unusable.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an electronic cigarette according to one embodiment of the disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electronic cigarette according to one embodiment of the disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic cigarette according to one embodiment of the disclosure; and
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view including arrows to show air flow direction in an electronic cigarette according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

In the drawings, the following reference numbers are used: 1. E-liquid tank; 3. Silicone member; 4. Heating element; 5. Second seal; 7. Second conductive member; 10. First conductive member; 14. Housing; 15. Battery; 16. Fixing member; 17. Pneumatic switch; 18. Control board; 19. Bottom cover; 20. First seal; 101. Inhaling port; 102. Mouthpiece cover; 103. Air tube; 104. Hollow passage; 105. First cavity; 106. Connecting member; 107. First groove; 110. First outlet; 120. Second outlet; 200. Second channel; 301. Third channel; 400. Fourth channel; 500. Fifth channel; 501. Through hole; 600. Sixth channel; 901. First channel; 1401. Second cavity; 1601. Hole; and 1901. Air inlet.
To further illustrate the disclosure, embodiments detailing an electronic cigarette are described below. It should be noted that the following embodiments are intended to describe and not to limit the disclosure.
An electronic cigarette comprises an airflow sensing part, a first pressure change unit, a second pressure change unit, an outlet assembly, and a pneumatic switch 17. Both the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit comprise hollow channels in which air pressure changes with airflow. A heating element 4 is disposed in the first pressure change unit. The pneumatic switch is disposed in the airflow sensing part to activate the heating element 4 to work.
In certain embodiments, both the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit separately communicate with the airflow sensing part. In certain embodiments, the airflow sensing part communicates with the second pressure change unit rather than the first pressure change unit. An air inlet port is disposed in the first pressure change unit to introduce outside air into electronic cigarette. The air inlet port is independent with respect to the airflow sensing part. The pneumatic switch may be optionally disposed in the air inlet port as long as the air flows into the first pressure change unit. In certain embodiments, the number of the outlet assembly may be 1, and the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit separately communicate with the outlet assembly. In certain embodiments, the electronic cigarette comprises two outlet assemblies independent of each other; one of the two outlet assemblies communicates with the first pressure change unit and the other communicates with the second pressure change unit.
The pneumatic switch 17 primarily refers to an airflow sensor. When sensing a change in airflow or air pressure, the airflow sensor activates the heating element 4. The airflow sensing part and the air inlet port comprise hollow channels or air inlets. One end of the airflow sensing part and one end of the air inlet port directly communicates with the outside of the electronic cigarette to introduce airflow into the electronic cigarette. The outlet assembly is a hollow channel or an air outlet. One end of the outlet assembly directly communicates with the outside of the electronic cigarette and is disposed near a mouthpiece so that the airflow is drawn out from the electronic cigarette and inhaled by a user.
When the user smokes the electronic cigarette, the pneumatic switch is turned on due to a ventilation in the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit. After smoking is completed, the first pressure change unit is clogged by the leaked e-liquid or condensed e-liquid. At this time, the ventilation in the first pressure change unit drives the pneumatic switch 17 to work, and the heating element 4 is activated to generate heat. The heat melts the e-liquid narrowing the first pressure change unit to unclog the first pressure change unit and to maintain normal atomization and smoking.
The electronic cigarette comprises an atomizer and a battery assembly secured or detachably connected to the atomizer. For example, the battery assembly comprises a housing 14, and the housing 14 comprises a battery 15 and a plurality of electronic components. The atomizer is inserted into one end of the housing 14, and the atomizer is secured or detachably connected to the housing 14 by magnetic attraction or screw threads.
Referring to FIG. 3, the atomizer comprises an e-liquid tank 1, a first seal 20, a second seal 5, an air tube 103, a heating element 4, and a mouthpiece cover 102. The e-liquid tank 1 is hollow. The first seal 20 and the second seal 5 are separately disposed on both ends of the e-liquid tank 1. The air tube 103 is inserted in the e-liquid tank 1. A first cavity 105 is formed by an outer wall of the air tube 103, an inner wall of the e-liquid tank 1, the first seal 20, and the second seal 5. The heating element 4 is disposed in the air tube 103.
The mouthpiece cover 102 is disposed on one side of the first seal 20 away from the first cavity 105. A plurality of female parts is disposed on the other side of the first seal 20 that faces the mouthpiece cover 102. One side of the mouthpiece cover 102 that faces the first seal 20 comprises a plurality of male parts matched with the plurality of corresponding female parts, which results in a stable structure preventing the mouthpiece cover 102 from falling off.
One side of the e-liquid tank 1 that faces the first seal 20 comprises a connecting member 106 having a diameter smaller than that of the e-liquid tank 1. The connecting member 106 comprises a first area, a second area, and a third area. The other side of the first seal 20 that faces the mouthpiece cover 102 comprises a plug protruding into the first area and the third area. The air tube 103 is disposed in the second area.
The first seal 20 and the second seal 5 comprise colloidal materials such as rubber, plastic, and silica gel.
In certain embodiments, the mouthpiece cover 102 is detachably connected or secured to the e-liquid tank 1. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece cover 102 is disposed on one end of the housing 14 and is detachably connected to the housing 14. Such a detachable connection includes, but is not limited to, a snap-fit, an interference fit, and a screw thread.
The first seal 20 and the second seal 5 each comprise a through hole 501. One end of the air tube 103 is inserted into the through hole 501 of the first seal 20 and the other end of the air tube 103 is inserted into the through hole 501 of the second seal 5.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a first channel 901 is formed between an inner wall of the housing 14 and an outer wall of the e-liquid tank 1. Referring to FIG. 1, the outer wall of the e-liquid comprises at least one first groove 107 extending in a length direction of the electronic cigarette. The first channel is formed by the at least one first groove 107. In other embodiments, the inner wall of housing 14 comprises at least one second groove extending in a length direction of the electronic cigarette. The first channel 901 is formed by the at least one second groove and is formed between the inner wall of the housing 14 and the outer wall of the e-liquid tank 1. In other embodiments, a gap is formed between the outer wall of the e-liquid tank 1 and the inner wall of the housing 14 to communicate with the first channel 901.
Referring to FIG. 4, a second channel 200 is formed between the mouthpiece cover 102 and the first seal 20. The second channel 200 communicates with the first channel, thereby forming the second pressure change unit. The second channel 200 may be formed by a gap or a strip groove. Referring to FIG. 4, the gap is formed between the mouthpiece cover 102 and the first seal 20. The height of the plurality of the male parts is greater than the depth of the plurality of the female parts, thereby forming the gap.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, a third channel 301 is formed by the through hole 501 of the first seal 20, the through hole 501 of the second seal 5, and an inner passage of the air tube 103. The heating element 4 is in the shape of a hollow tube. A hollow portion of the heating element 4 is a part of the third channel 301. The heating element 4 is in the shape of a sheet, a rod, etc.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the mouthpiece cover 102 comprises an inhaling port 101 disposed opposite to the third channel 301. The inhaling port 101 is a part of the outlet assembly and communicates with the second channel 200 and the third channel 301. The inner passage of the air tube 103 is a part of the first pressure change unit. The inhaling port 101 is disposed opposite to the third channel 301, which prevents the aerosol in the air tube 103 from being diluted by the airflow in the second pressure change unit, thereby allowing the user to inhale the maximum amount of the aerosol obtained by atomization and avoiding affecting the taste of the smoke.
The battery 15 is disposed in the housing 14 and is further disposed on one side of the second seal 5 away from the first cavity 105. Referring to FIG. 4, a fourth channel 400 is formed between the battery 15 and the second seal 5. The third channel 301 communicates with the fourth channel 400 to form the first pressure change unit. The fourth channel 400 may be formed by a gap, a strip groove, or a hollow tube.
The first pressure change unit comprises a first outlet 110 communicating with the outlet assembly and the second pressure change unit comprises a second outlet 120 communicating with the outlet assembly. The cross-sectional area of the first outlet 110 is 3-200 times that of the second outlet 120, preferably 10-100 times, and more preferably 10-50 times. Referring to FIG. 4, the first outlet 110 is disposed on one end of the third channel 301 and the second outlet 120 is disposed on one end of the second channel 200. The first outlet 110 has greater diameter than the second outlet 120, which causes more aerosol flow out the first outlet 110, prevents the aerosol from being diluted by the air flowing out of the second outlet, and maintains a satisfactory taste.
A fifth channel 500 is formed between an outer wall of the battery 15 and the inner wall of the housing 14. The fifth channel 500 may be formed by a gap or a strip groove. Both the first channel 901 and the fourth channel 400 separately communicate with the fifth channel 500. The fifth channel 500 is disposed opposite to the first channel 901. Specifically, the first channel 901 and the fifth channel 500 are disposed in one straight line to reduce air resistance, so that the air flows in an upward direction along the straight line. When the first pressure change unit is blocked, the first channel is disposed opposite the fifth channel 500 to ensure that the air quickly passes through the second pressure change unit, which avoids feeling blocked in the first puff.
The housing 14 comprises a bottom end and an air inlet 1901 disposed on the bottom end. A sixth channel 600 is formed between the air inlet 1901 and the fifth channel 500. The pneumatic switch 17 is disposed in the fifth channel 500 or the sixth channel 600. The fifth channel 500, the sixth channel 600, and the air inlet 1901 are connected one by one to form the airflow sensing part. The sixth channel 600 is formed by a gap or a hole. The pneumatic switch 17 is fixed by a fixing member 16 comprising a hole 1601, The pneumatic switch 17 is secured in the hole 1601. The hole 1601 is a part of the sixth channel 600. The fixing member 16 comprises colloidal materials such as rubber, plastic, and silica gel.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the electronic cigarette comprises the e-liquid tank 1, the first seal 20, the mouthpiece cover 102, the air tube 103, a silicone member 3, the heating element 4, the second seal 5, a first conductive member 10, a second conductive member 7, the housing 14, the battery 15, the fixing member 16, the pneumatic switch 17, a control board 18, and a bottom cover 19. The first cavity 105 is formed in the e-liquid tank 1. The connecting member 106 protrudes vertically from one side of the e-liquid tank 1 and has diameter smaller than that of the e-liquid tank 1, so that the connecting member 106 is connected to the mouthpiece cover 102. The connecting member 106 comprises a first surface and the e-liquid tank 1 comprises an injection hole. The first seal 20 is disposed on the first surface to seal the injection hole. The mouthpiece cover 102 is disposed on the connecting member 106 by a snap-fit for smoking. The air tube 103 is disposed in the first cavity 105 and a first end of the air tube 103 is secured within the connecting member 106. The air tube 103 comprises a hollow passage 104. The heating element 4 and the silicone member 3 is disposed in the hollow passage 104. The silicone member 3 is disposed on the heating element 4 for air guiding and location limiting. The e-liquid tank 1 comprises a bottom port and the second seal 5 is disposed in the bottom port to seal the e-liquid tank 1, thereby forming the first cavity 105. The through hole of the second seal 5 is configured to guide air. A second end of the air tube 103 is inserted into the through hole of the second seal 5 to seal the hollow passage 104. The first conductive member 10 is disposed apart from the second conductive member 7, both of which are disposed in the bottom of second seal 5 so as to connect a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the heating element, thereby conducting electrical current. The outer wall of the e-liquid tank 1 comprises two first grooves 107 and each first groove is disposed symmetrically on the outer wall of the e-liquid tank 1 for air guiding. The battery 15 is secured within the housing 14. An output terminal of the battery 15 is secured to the pneumatic switch 17 and the control board 18 for energization. The pneumatic switch 17 is secured within the fixing member 16. The fixing member 16 comprises the hole 1601 for air guiding. The fixing member 16 is disposed in the housing 14. The control board 18 is secured to the bottom cover 19. The bottom cover 19 comprises the air inlet 1901 and is secured to the bottom of the housing 14. The housing 14 comprises a top portion and an opening disposed on the top portion. A second cavity 1401 is formed in the opening. The atomizer is disposed in the second cavity. The first channel 901 is formed by the first groove 107 and the inner wall of the housing 14 to guide air. A positive electrode of an output terminal of the control board 18 is connected to the first conductive member 10 and a negative electrode of the control board 18 is connected to the second conductive member 7 for energization.
Referring to FIG. 4, the operating principle of the electronic cigarette is as follows: the external air flows through the air inlet 1901, into the housing 14, and through the pneumatic switch 17 to turn on a power supply of the electronic cigarette. E-liquid is heated by the heating element 4 to create the aerosol. The airflow continues to flow through the fifth channel 500. Then a part of the airflow flows through the first channel 901 and the second channel 200 beneath the mouthpiece cover 102, and flows out from the inhaling port 101. Another part of the airflow flows through the fourth channel 400 and the second seal 5, and into the hollow passage 104 (namely the third channel 301) to activate the heating element 4. The e-liquid is heated by the heating element 4 to create the aerosol that is then inhaled through the inhaling port 101 above the mouthpiece cover 102. After smoking is completed, the air tube 103 in the second pressure change unit may be clogged by the condensed e-liquid, resulting in inability to ventilate. At this time, the first channel 901 remains unobstructed, which allows the pneumatic switch 17 to be turned on. The condensed e-liquid is heated by the heating element so that airflow continues to pass through the air tube 103.

Claims

An electronic cigarette, comprising:
an airflow sensing part;

a first pressure change unit;

a second pressure change unit;

an outlet assembly;

a pneumatic switch (17);

a heating element (4);

a housing (14); and

an atomizer;
wherein:
the heating element (4) is disposed in the first pressure change unit;

the pneumatic switch (17) is disposed in the airflow sensing part to activate the heating element (4) to work;

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

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

the atomizer comprises an e-liquid tank (1) disposed in the housing (14);

a first channel (901) is formed between an inner wall of the housing (14) and an outer wall of the e-liquid tank (1);

the e-liquid tank (1) is hollow, and two ends of the e-liquid tank (1) are provided with a first seal (20) and a second seal (5), respectively;
characterised in that:
the e-liquid tank (1) comprises a first cavity (105) for storing e-liquid;

a mouthpiece cover (102) is disposed on one side of the first seal (20) away from the first cavity (105);

a second channel (200) is formed between the mouthpiece cover (102) and the first seal (20); and

the second channel (200) communicates with the first channel (901), thereby forming the second pressure change unit.
The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the electronic cigarette comprises two outlet assemblies independent of each other, and the two outlet assemblies communicate with the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit, respectively.
The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein both the first pressure change unit and the second pressure change unit comprise hollow channels; the first pressure change unit comprises a first outlet (110) communicating with the outlet assembly and the second pressure change unit comprises a second outlet (120) communicating with the outlet assembly; and a cross-sectional area of the first outlet (110) is 3-200 times that of the second outlet (120).
The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein:
an air tube (103) is inserted in the e-liquid tank (1); the first cavity (105) is formed by an outer wall of the air tube (103), an inner wall of the e-liquid tank (1), the first seal (20), and the second seal (5); and the heating element (4) is disposed in the air tube (103); and

the first seal (20) and the second seal (5) each comprise a through hole (501); one end of the air tube (103) is inserted into the through hole (501) of the first seal (20) and the other end of the air tube (103) is inserted into the through hole (501) of the second seal (5); and a third channel (301) is formed by the through hole (501) of the first seal (20), the through hole (501) of the second seal (5), and an inner passage of the air tube (103).
The electronic cigarette of claim 4, wherein the mouthpiece cover (102) is disposed on one end of the housing (14) and comprises an inhaling port (101) disposed opposite to the third channel (301); and the outlet assembly comprises the inhaling port (101) communicating with the second channel (200) and the third channel (301).
The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein a battery (15) is disposed one side of the second seal (5) away from the first cavity (105); a fourth channel (400) is formed between the battery (15) and the second seal (5); the third channel (301) communicates with the fourth channel (400) to form the first pressure change unit.
The electronic cigarette of claim 6, wherein the battery (15) is disposed in the housing (14); a fifth channel (500) is formed between an outer wall of the battery (15) and the inner wall of the housing (14); both the first channel (901) and the fourth channel (400) communicate with the fifth channel (500); the fifth channel (500) is disposed opposite to the first channel (901).
The electronic cigarette of claim 7, wherein the housing (14) comprises a bottom end and an air inlet (1901) disposed on the bottom end; a sixth channel (600) is formed between the air inlet (1901) and the fifth channel (500); the pneumatic switch (17) is disposed in the fifth channel (500) or the sixth channel (600); the fifth channel (500), the sixth channel (600), and the air inlet (1901) are connected one by one to form the airflow sensing part.