EP4674288A1

EP4674288A1 - Atomizer and aerosol generation device

Info

Publication number: EP4674288A1
Application number: EP24777916.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pengxin DAI; Linhai LU; Zhongli XU; Yonghai LI
Original assignee: Shenzhen FirstUnion Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen FirstUnion Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-03-24
Filing date: 2024-03-22
Publication date: 2026-01-07
Also published as: CN220458611U; WO2024199127A1

Abstract

An atomizer (1) and an aerosol generation device. The atomizer (1) comprises: a housing (14), inside of which a liquid storage cavity (15) is defined, the liquid storage cavity (15) being configured to store a liquid substrate; a mouthpiece (141); an atomization assembly (11), which is configured to atomize the liquid substrate to generate an aerosol; a support assembly (13), which is configured to support the atomization assembly (11), the support assembly (13) comprising an air intake channel; an airflow channel, which provides a path for airflow communication between the air intake channel and the mouthpiece (141); and a first liquid suction element (12), which surrounds the airflow channel, a partial boundary of the liquid storage cavity (15) being defined by an outer side surface of the first liquid suction element (12). The atomization assembly (11) is arranged in the airflow channel, and the atomization assembly (11) comprises a second liquid suction element (111) and a heat generating assembly (112) combined with the second liquid suction element (111); and the first liquid suction element (12) is configured to suction the liquid substrate and transfer same to the second liquid suction element (111). Not only can the first liquid suction element (12) be effectively prevented from sucking too many liquid substrates, but also the liquid substrate is prevented from overflowing and leaking from the liquid storage cavity (15).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202320620209.2, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on March 24, 2023 and entitled "ATOMIZER AND AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of this application relate to the field of aerosol generation technologies, and in particular, to an atomizer and an aerosol generation device.

BACKGROUND

An aerosol generation device includes parts such as an atomizer and a power supply assembly. The atomizer includes a liquid storage cavity configured to store a liquid substrate and a liquid suction element configured to suction the liquid substrate. In some exemplary existing technologies, the liquid suction element is substantially filled in the entire liquid storage cavity, to keep the liquid substrate in the liquid storage cavity. This helps to avoid leakage of the liquid substrate. To increase a liquid storage amount of the liquid storage cavity, a liquid storage space that can directly accommodate a liquid substrate is usually designed in the atomizer, and these liquid storage spaces are not filled or occupied by a liquid suction element. That is, when the liquid substrate is not entirely held in the liquid suction element, the liquid substrate is apt to leaking from the liquid storage cavity, affecting the user experience.

SUMMARY

An objective of this application aims at providing an atomizer and an aerosol generation device, which can prevent a liquid substrate from leaking.
An embodiment of this application provides an atomizer, including:

a housing, inside of which a liquid storage cavity is defined, the liquid storage cavity being configured to store a liquid substrate;
a mouthpiece;
an atomization assembly, configured to atomize the liquid substrate to generate an aerosol;
a support assembly, configured to support the atomization assembly, the support assembly including an air intake channel;
an airflow channel, providing a path for airflow communication between the air intake channel and the mouthpiece; and
a first liquid suction element, surrounding the airflow channel and a partial boundary of the liquid storage cavity being defined by an outer side surface of the first liquid suction element,
where the atomization assembly is arranged in the airflow channel, and the atomization assembly includes a second liquid suction element and a heat generating assembly combined with the second liquid suction element; the first liquid suction element is configured to suction the liquid substrate and transfer the liquid substrate to the second liquid suction element.

An embodiment of this application provides an aerosol generation device, including an atomizer, and further including a power supply assembly, and the power supply assembly controls the atomizer to operate.
According to the foregoing atomizer and the aerosol generation device, the first liquid suction element suctions the liquid substrate and transfers the liquid substrate to the second liquid suction element in the atomization assembly, helping to prevent the liquid substrate from entering the airflow channel from the liquid storage cavity and helping to slow down the speed at which the liquid substrate enters the second liquid suction element, so as to effectively prevent the first liquid suction element from excessively suctioning the liquid substrate, and also prevent the liquid substrate from overflowing and leaking from the liquid storage cavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To describe the technical solutions of specific embodiments of this application or in the existing technologies more clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings required for describing the specific embodiments or the existing technologies. In all the accompanying drawings, similar elements or parts are generally identified by using similar reference numerals. In the accompanying drawings, various elements or parts are not necessarily drawn to actual scale.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generation device according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an atomizer according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an atomizer according to an embodiment of this application; and
FIG. 4 is another exploded view of an atomizer according to an embodiment of this application.

In the accompanying drawings:

1. atomizer;
11. atomization assembly; 111. a second liquid suction element; B. positioning portion; 112. heat generating assembly; 113. lead;
12. first liquid suction element;
13. support assembly; 131. support seat; 1311. first protruding post; 1312. first hollow cavity; 1313. nick; 1314. wire groove; 1315. second protruding post; 1316. first insertion hole; 132. sealing member; 1321. first through hole; 133. base; 1331. second insertion hole; 1332. third protruding post; 1333. second hollow cavity; 1334. liquid collection tank; 134. electrode;
14. housing; 141. mouthpiece. 142. connection pipe;
15. liquid storage cavity;
16. support pipe; 161. window; A. positioning window;
C. ventilation channel; C1. air guide recess;
2. power supply assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The technical solutions in embodiments of this application are clearly and completely described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application. Apparently, the described embodiments are merely some rather than all of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of this application.
The terms "first", "second", and "third" in this application are merely intended for a purpose of description, and shall not be understood as indicating or implying relative significance or implicitly indicating the number or order of indicated technical features. All directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear) in the embodiments of this application are only used for explaining relative position relationships, or movement situations, or the like between components in a specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indications correspondingly change. In addition, the terms "include", "have", and any variant thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, and instead, further optionally includes a step or unit that is not listed, or further optionally includes another step or unit that is intrinsic to the process, method, product, or device.
"Embodiment" mentioned in the specification means that particular features, structures, or characteristics described with reference to the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The phrase appearing at various locations in the specification unnecessarily indicates a same embodiment or an independent or alternative embodiment exclusive to another embodiment. A person skilled in the art explicitly or implicitly understands that the embodiments described in the specification may be combined with other embodiments.
It should be noted that, when an element is referred to as "being fixed to" another element, the element may be directly on the another element, or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, the element may be directly connected to the another element, or one or more intervening elements may exist simultaneously. The terms "perpendicular", "horizontal", "left", and "right", and similar expressions used herein are only for the purpose of description but not indicate a unique implementation.
Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an embodiment of this application provides an atomizer 1. The atomizer 1 includes a housing 14, a liquid storage cavity 15, a mouthpiece 141, a first liquid suction element 12, and an atomization assembly 11.
The liquid storage cavity 15 is defined inside the housing 14. The liquid storage cavity 15 is configured to store a liquid substrate. The liquid substrate may be a liquid substrate in a liquid state, including a liquid containing a tobacco substance containing a volatile tobacco flavor ingredient, and may alternatively be a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance. The liquid substrate in a liquid state may include water, a medicinal solution, a solvent, anhydrous alcohol, a plant extract, a flavoring agent, an aromatic agent, a vitamin mixture, or the like. The flavoring agent may include an areca nut extract, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruity aroma ingredients, and the like, but is not limited thereto. The aromatic agent may include ingredients that can provide various scents or flavors to the user. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture in which at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E is mixed, but is not limited thereto. The atomizer 1 may be applied to different fields such as medical care and electronic aerosol atomization.
In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 2, the mouthpiece 141 is a component of the housing 14. The mouthpiece 141 may be integrally formed with the housing 14. The mouthpiece 141 is provided for a user to hold in the mouth. Referring to FIG. 2, the atomizer 1 further includes a connection pipe 142 connected to the mouthpiece 141. The connection pipe 142 is located inside the housing 14 and extends downward from the mouthpiece 141. Aerosol generated by the atomizer 1 enters the connection pipe 142, and is then guided by the connection pipe 142 to a mouth of a user. In another embodiment, not shown in the figure, the housing and the mouthpiece are independent of each other, and form part of the atomizer in an assembled manner. The liquid injection hole may be provided at a top portion of the liquid storage cavity. When the housing and the mouthpiece are assembled, a forming part of the mouthpiece may seal the liquid injection hole, thereby sealing the top portion of the liquid storage cavity.
In an embodiment, at least part of the housing 14 is transparent or translucent, so that at least part of the liquid storage cavity 15 can be visually seen through the housing 14, to observe the storage amount of the liquid substrate in the liquid storage cavity 15, or the first liquid suction element 12 is visible.
The atomization assembly 11 includes a second liquid suction element 111 and a heat generating assembly 112. The second liquid suction element 111 is a cellular body, which can suction the liquid substrate and can guide the liquid substrate into an atomization range of the heat generating assembly 112. The heat generating assembly 112 is configured to enable at least part of the liquid substrate on the second liquid suction element 111 to be atomized, to form an aerosol.
The second liquid suction element 111 may be flexible, for example, may be made of a flexible strip-shaped or rod-shaped or pipe-shaped fiber material, for example, cotton fiber, a non-woven fiber, or a sponge.
The second liquid suction element 111 may have a relatively high hardness, for example, may be cellular ceramics. The cellular ceramics have stable chemical properties and do not react with the liquid substrate, are resistant to a high temperature, and do not deform due to an excessively high heating temperature. In a more specific embodiment, the second liquid suction element 111 may include at least one of cellular alumina ceramics, cellular silica ceramics, cellular silicon carbide ceramics, cellular cordierite ceramics, cellular mullite ceramics, cellular meerschaum ceramics, and cellular diatomite ceramics. The second liquid suction element 111 is not limited to the cellular ceramics, and may alternatively be another cellular material. For example, the second liquid suction element 111 may alternatively be a cellular glass matrix, a cellular plastic matrix, a cellular metal matrix, or the like.
The second liquid suction element 111 has voids. The second liquid suction element 111 suctions and transfers the liquid substrate through the voids. The second liquid suction element 111 may have a void ratio of 25% to 75%. In a more specific embodiment, the void ratio of the second liquid suction element 111 has a ratio of 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75% or a range formed by any two of these values. The value of the void ratio of the second liquid suction element 111 may further be adjusted according to compositions of the liquid substrate. For example, when the liquid substrate to be atomized has a relatively large viscosity, a relatively high void is selected, to ensure the liquid guide effect of the second liquid suction element 111.
An average aperture of the second liquid suction element 111 may be 5 µm to 40 µm. In a more specific embodiment, the average aperture of the second liquid suction element 111 is 5 µm, 10 µm, 15 µm, 20 µm, 25 µm, 30 µm, 35 µm, 40 µm, or a range formed by any two of these values.
In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, the second liquid suction element 111 is hollow and pipe-shaped, and extends in a longitudinal direction. An airflow entering the mouthpiece 141 flows through a hollow interior of the second liquid suction element 111. The heat generating assembly 112 is combined with the second liquid suction element 111, which includes, but is not limited to, that the heat generating assembly 112 is at least partially embedded in an inner wall of the second liquid suction element 111, or that the heat generating assembly 112 is in an interference fit with an inner wall of the second liquid suction element 111, or that the heat generating assembly 112 is clinging to an inner wall of the second liquid suction element 111, or that the heat generating assembly 112 is buried in the second liquid suction element 111. In another embodiment, not shown in the figure, the second liquid suction element is approximately rod-shaped or strip-shaped, and extends in a transverse direction. An airflow entering the mouthpiece flows through an outer part of the second liquid suction element. The heat generating assembly being combined with the second liquid suction element includes, but is not limited to: the heat generating assembly being covered on or wrapped around peripheries of the second liquid suction element, or the heat generating assembly being at least partially embedded on a surface of the second liquid suction element, or the heat generating assembly being adhered to a surface of the second liquid suction element, or the heat generating assembly being buried in the second liquid suction element.
When the second liquid suction element 111 is flexible, the heat generating assembly 112 may be a heat generating circuit, a heat generating sheet, or a heat generating mesh. When the second liquid suction element 111 has a relatively large hardness, the heat generating assembly 112 may be a heat generating film, a heat generating circuit, a heat generating sheet, or a heat generating mesh.
In an embodiment, the heat generating assembly 112 may include a resistance material. A suitable resistance material includes, but is not limited to, a semiconductor such as a doped ceramic, a conductive ceramic (for example, molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, a metal, a metal alloy, and a composite material made of a ceramic material and a metal material. This type of composite material may include a doped or non-doped ceramic. An example of a suitable doped ceramic includes doped silicon carbide. Examples of a suitable metal include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and platinum-group metals. Examples of a suitable metal alloy include stainless steel, constantan, a nickel-containing alloy, a cobalt-containing alloy, a chromium-containing alloy, an aluminum-containing alloy, a titanium-containing alloy, a zirconium-containing alloy, a hafnium-containing alloy, a niobium-containing alloy, a molybdenum-containing alloy, a tantalum-containing alloy, a tungsten-containing alloy, a tin-containing alloy, a gallium-containing alloy, a manganese-containing alloy, an iron-containing alloy, a nickel-iron-cobalt-based super alloy, stainless steel, an iron-aluminum-based alloy, and an iron-manganese-aluminum-based alloy. In the composite material, the resistance material may be embedded in an insulation material, encapsulated or applied by an insulation material, or vice versa as required, depending on the energy transfer dynamics and the required external physicochemical properties. The heat generating assembly 112 may include a metal etched foil that performs an isolating function between two layers of an inactive material. In this case, the inactive material may include all-polyimides, mica foils, or the like.
Based on this, the atomization assembly 11 further includes a lead 113 electrically connected to the heat generating assembly 112, and the lead 113 is configured to provide electric power to the resistance material, so that the resistance material generates Joule heat. Therefore, there are at least two leads 113. One lead 113 is used as a positive lead and is electrically connected to one end of the resistance material, and the other lead 113 is used as a negative lead and is electrically connected to the other end of the resistance material.
The atomizer 1 further includes a support assembly 13 and an airflow channel. The support assembly 13 is configured to seal the bottom of the liquid storage cavity 15. The support assembly 13 includes an air intake channel. The airflow channel is configured to provide a path of airflow communication between the air intake channel and the mouthpiece. The airflow channel may be surrounded by the liquid storage cavity 15. At least part of the atomization assembly 11 is arranged in the airflow channel, and at least part of the aerosol may be formed in the airflow channel.
In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the atomizer 1 further includes a support pipe 16. The hardness of the support pipe 16 is greater than that of the second liquid suction element 111, so that the support pipe 16 may be a carrier of the second liquid suction element 111, and may be connected to the connection pipe 142 and the support assembly 13. Specifically, an upper end of the support pipe 16 may be connected to the connection pipe 142, and a lower end thereof may be connected to the support assembly 13. The second liquid suction element 111 is accommodated inside the support pipe 16, and at least one window 161 is disposed on a side wall of the support pipe 16. At least part of the liquid substrate suctioned by the second liquid suction element 111 flows through the window 161.
At least part of the airflow channel may be defined by the support pipe 16, and the second liquid suction element 111 may be held in the support pipe 16 by means of an interference fit with the support pipe 16.
When the second liquid suction element 111 is flexible and extends longitudinally, there is the following problem in assembling the support pipe 16 and the atomization assembly 11: If the second liquid suction element 111 has an insufficient hardness due to a relatively small thickness, the liquid substrate that can freely flow in the liquid storage cavity 15 leaks through the window 161. If the second liquid suction element 111 has a relatively large thickness or has a relatively large hardness, although the problem that the liquid substrate leaks along an inner side wall of the support pipe 16 can be resolved, it is difficult to load the second liquid suction element 111 into the support pipe 16.
To resolve the foregoing problem, in an embodiment of this application, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the atomizer 1 further includes a first liquid suction element 12. The first liquid suction element 12 is disposed at peripheries of the airflow channel and a partial boundary of the liquid storage cavity 15 is defined by an outer side surface of the first liquid suction element 12. The first liquid suction element 12 is configured to suction the liquid substrate and transfer the liquid substrate to the second liquid suction element 111, so that the heat generating assembly 112 combined with the second liquid suction element 111 is atomized.
The partial boundary of the liquid storage cavity 15 is defined by the outer side surface of the first liquid suction element 12, and the first liquid suction element 12 does not occupy a space of the liquid storage cavity 15, so that the liquid storage cavity 15 can have a relatively large amount of stored liquid substrate.
The liquid substrate in the liquid storage cavity 15 is transferred to the second liquid suction element 111 through the first liquid suction element 12, helping to reduce the speed at which the liquid substrate enters the second liquid suction element 111, so as to effectively prevent the first liquid suction element 12 from excessively suction the liquid substrate to affect an atomization quality of the atomization assembly 11, and also prevent the liquid substrate from leaking through the atomization assembly 11.
Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the first liquid suction element 12 is disposed on peripheries of the support pipe 16, is located on an outer side of the window 161, and covers the window 161, to prevent the liquid substrate from leaking out of the liquid storage cavity 15 through the window 161.
The first liquid suction element 12 may be a cellular fiber. A main component of the cellular fiber may be high polymer cotton. The cellular fiber may be a rigid rayon including a polymer fiber, or the cellular fiber may be a rigid rayon or an artificial sponge including a polyurethane.
The first liquid suction element 12 may have a hardness or flexibility between that of flexible plant cotton/non-woven fabric and that of rigid cellular ceramics/micro-cellular metal. For example, in some embodiments, the first liquid suction element 12 has a Shore hardness between 20A to 80A, so that the first liquid suction element 12 has a stable structure, and has very low expansion after suctioning and imbibing an oil liquid. On one hand, the first liquid suction element 12 can independently seal the window 161 by using the flexibility of the first liquid suction element 12, to prevent the liquid substrate from excessively overflowing and leaking through the window 161. On the other hand, the first liquid suction element 12 has a specific degree of hardness, so that the first liquid suction element 12 can be easily fixed and maintained at the peripheries of the support pipe 16.
The second liquid suction element 111 may alternatively have a hardness or flexibility between that of a generally flexible plant cotton/non-woven fabric (having a Shore hardness lower than 20A) and that of a rigid cellular ceramics/micro-cellular metal (having a Shore hardness higher than 80A). Therefore, the contact between the second liquid suction element 111 and the inner wall of the support pipe 16 is contact between flexible contact and rigid contact, helping the second liquid suction element 111 be more easily kept in the support pipe 16. In some embodiments, the second liquid suction element 111 has a Shore hardness of 50A to 70A, which is approximately equal to the hardness equivalent to that of a thermoelastomer or a silicon. In some embodiments, the hardness of the first liquid suction element 12 may be greater than the hardness of the second liquid suction element 111. In some embodiments, the first liquid suction element 12 and the second liquid suction element 111 may be made of the same material.
In the embodiments shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the first liquid suction element 12 is pipe-shaped and is wrapped around the peripheries of the support pipe 16. The hardness of the support pipe 16 is greater than that of the first liquid suction element 12, so as to support the first liquid suction element 12 and have an interference fit with the pipe-shaped first liquid suction element 12, to prevent the liquid substrate from leaking through the window 161.
In an embodiment, the longitudinal length of the first liquid suction element 12 is less than the longitudinal extension length of the support pipe 16, and the first liquid suction element 12 may be wrapped around only partial peripheries of the support pipe 16, to cover and seal the window 161 facing the liquid storage cavity 15.
In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 2, the support pipe 16 and the connection pipe 142 are in a nested connection. Specifically, in FIG. 2, part of the connection pipe 142 is inserted into the support pipe 16. It should be noted that, in other embodiments, a base portion of the support pipe 16 may be inserted into the connection pipe 142. To prevent the liquid substrate from entering the inner side of the support pipe 16 from a connection boundary between the support pipe 16 and the connection pipe 142, the first liquid suction element 12 may be made to extend upwards and cover the connection boundary between the support pipe 16 and the connection pipe 142, so as to prevent, by using the first liquid suction element 12, the liquid substrate from entering the inner side of the support pipe 16 from the connection boundary between the support pipe 16 and the connection pipe 142, so that no other sealing processing needs to be performed on the connection between the support pipe 16 and the connection pipe 142, that is, the liquid substrate can be prevented from leaking through the connection boundary between the support pipe 16 and the connection pipe 142. In addition, the assembling efficiency of the atomizer 1 can be improved and the manufacturing costs of the atomizer 1 can be reduced.
In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, the at least one window 161 on the support pipe 16 is a positioning window A. The positioning window A extends to an end portion of the support pipe 16, so that one end of the positioning window A is open. For example, the positioning window A extends to a lower end portion of the support pipe 16, so that the lower end of the positioning window A is open. A positioning portion B is provided on the second liquid suction element 111 corresponding to the positioning window A. When the second liquid suction element 111 and the support pipe 16 are assembled, the positioning portion B is pushed from an open position of the positioning window A into the positioning window A, and the positioning portion B and the positioning window A are sized so that the positioning portion B can be engaged with the positioning window A, thereby implementing a close fitting relationship between the positioning portion B and the positioning window A, and helping the second liquid suction element 111 to be better kept in the support pipe 16. When the positioning portion B is assembled in position, the positioning portion B is abutted against the first liquid suction element 12, so as to transfer the liquid substrate between the first liquid suction element 12 and the second liquid suction element 111.
In an embodiment, the at least one window 161 on the support pipe 16 may be a conventional window, and an end portion of the conventional window is closed. The first liquid suction element 12 and the second liquid suction element 111 can contact each other in the conventional window, to implement transfer of the liquid substrate between the first liquid suction element 12 and the second liquid suction element 111.
In an embodiment, an inner surface of the support pipe 16 may be smoother than an outer surface of the second liquid suction element 111, so as to facilitate pushing of the second liquid suction element 111 into the support pipe 16. An outer surface of the support pipe 16 may be smoother than an inner surface of the first liquid suction element 12, so as to facilitate nesting of the first liquid suction element 12 around the peripheries of the support pipe 16. In an embodiment, the support pipe 16 may be a metal pipe.
After the first liquid suction element 12 is disposed around peripheries of the window 161, the first liquid suction element 12 prevents the liquid substrate from leaking through the window 161, so that requirements on the thickness and the hardness of the second liquid suction element 111 can be lowered. Therefore, leakage of the liquid substrate can be effectively prevented, and assembling of the second liquid suction element 111 into the support pipe 16 is facilitated.
Alternatively, in an embodiment, not shown in the figure, the second liquid suction element is flexible and extends transversely, the support pipe has two oppositely disposed windows, and two opposite ends of the second liquid suction element respectively pass through the corresponding windows and are abutted against the first liquid suction element.
Alternatively, in an embodiment, the first liquid suction element 12 has a sufficient hardness, so that the atomizer 1 may not have the support pipe 16 described above. Instead, the pipe-shaped first liquid suction element 12 is directly connected to the connection pipe 142 of the housing 14 and the support assembly 13. The first liquid suction element 12 is disposed at the peripheries of the airflow channel and defines at least a partial boundary of the liquid storage cavity 15, so that the first liquid suction element 12 can be in direct contact with the liquid substrate in the liquid storage cavity 15, at least part of the second liquid suction element 111 is disposed inside the pipe-shaped first liquid suction element 12, and the second liquid suction element 111 suctions the liquid substrate from the first liquid suction element 12 and transfers at least part of the suctioned matrix to the heat generating assembly 112 for atomizing.
In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a first protruding post 1311 is provided on the support assembly 13. The first protruding post 1311 is hollow and has a first hollow cavity 1312 running through the first protruding post 1311 up and down. The first hollow cavity 1312 defines at least part of the air intake channel.
The support pipe 16 or the first liquid suction element 12 is in a nested connection with the first protruding post 1311, so as to implement communication between the air intake channel and the airflow channel. A nick 1313 is provided on a side wall of the first protruding post 1311, and the lead 113 electrically connected to the heat generating assembly 112 extends out of the first protruding post 1311 through the nick 1313, so as to be electrically connected to the electrode 134 or the power supply assembly 2. The lower end of the lead 113 is located out of the air intake channel by passing the lead 113 out of the first protruding post 1311, so as to prevent a back-flowed aerosol from concentrating on the lead 113 to form a liquid and leaking through the air intake channel.
In embodiments shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the support assembly 13 further includes an electrode 134. The electrode 134 is configured to be electrically connected to the heat generating assembly 112, to provide electric power for the heat generating assembly 112 to generate heat. Specifically, the heat generating assembly 112 may be electrically connected to the electrode 134 by using the lead 113. The atomizer 1 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 includes a support pipe 16. The first protruding post 1311 is embedded in the inside of the support pipe 16. A top portion of the first protruding post 1311 is abutted against the atomization assembly 11, to keep the atomization assembly 11 in the support pipe 16. The wire groove 1314 is provided on an outer side wall of the first protruding post 1311. At least partial outer side of the wire groove 1314 is covered by the support pipe 16. The lead 113 passing through the first hollow cavity 1312 in the first protruding post 1311 from the nick 1313 extends along the wire groove 1314, to extend out of a position between the support pipe 16 and the first protruding post 1311, to be electrically connected to an electrode 134.
In an embodiment, the support assembly 13 includes a liquid injection hole (not shown), and the liquid substrate is injected into the liquid storage cavity 15 through the liquid injection hole. The support assembly 13 further includes an electrode 134 electrically connected to the heat generating assembly 112. At least part of the electrode 134 is disposed in the liquid injection hole, to block the liquid injection hole and prevent the liquid substrate from leaking from the liquid injection hole.
Further, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the support assembly 13 includes a support seat 131 and a sealing member 132. The support seat 131 may be assembled inside the housing 14, and the sealing member 132 may provide a sealing connection between the support seat 131 and the housing 14. In addition, a first through hole 1321 is provided on a portion of the sealing member 132 that faces the liquid storage cavity 15, a second protruding post 1315 is disposed on the support seat 131, and at least part of the second protruding post 1315 is located in the first through hole 1321 and is in an interference fit with the first through hole 1321, to prevent the liquid substrate from leaking. The second protruding post 1315 is hollow and has a first insertion hole 1316 running through the second protruding post 1315 up and down. The first insertion hole 1316 defines at least part of the liquid injection hole. At least part of the electrode 134 is located in the second protruding post 1315, and blocks the first insertion hole 1316 in the second protruding post 1315, to prevent the liquid substrate from leaking. In an embodiment, at least part of the hole wall of the first insertion hole 1316 may be inclined, so that the at least part of the aperture of the first insertion hole 1316 gradually decreases from bottom to top, thereby helping the electrode 134 to be inserted into the first insertion hole 1316 and also helping to prevent the liquid substrate from leaking. In an embodiment, the electrode 134 is cylindrical and may be a copper column. A side wall of the cylindrical electrode 134 is inclined, so that an outer diameter of at least part of the side wall of the electrode 134 gradually increases from top to bottom, thereby helping the electrode 134 to be inserted into the first insertion hole 1316 and also helping to prevent the liquid substrate from leaking. It should be noted that the support assembly 13 includes a liquid injection hole is optional rather than mandatory.
Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the support assembly 13 may further include a base 133, and at least part of the base 133 may be assembled inside the housing 14. The base 133 may be in sealing connection with an inner surface of the housing 14, to prevent the liquid substrate from leaking. The sealing member 132 described above may extend downward, and a part of the sealing member 132 is located between the base 133 and the housing 14, to provide a sealing connection between the base 133 and the housing 14. It may be understood that the sealing connection between the base 133 and the housing 14 by using the sealing member 132 providing a sealing connection between the support seat 131 and the housing 14 is optional rather than mandatory. The base 133 may alternatively be in a sealing connection with the housing 14 in another manner.
The base 133 may be abutted against the support seat 131, to hold the support seat 131 in the housing 14. The base 133 may be in a snapping connection with the housing 14, to be mutually fixed to the housing 14.
Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the base 133 is provided with a second insertion hole 1331. The second insertion hole 1331 corresponds to the first insertion hole 1316 in the support seat 131. One end of the electrode 134 is exposed out of the second insertion hole 1331, and is configured to be electrically connected to the power supply assembly 2. The other end passes through the second insertion hole 1331 and is inserted into the first insertion hole 1316. One end of the lead 113 is electrically abutted against the corresponding electrode 134 in the first insertion hole 1316. Specifically, one end of the lead 113 is first inserted into the first insertion hole 1316 from a lower end of the first insertion hole 1316. Then, the base 133 and the support seat 131 are assembled, so that the first insertion hole 1316 is aligned with the corresponding second insertion hole 1331. In this case, a part of the lead 113 is located between the base 133 and the support seat 131. Then, the corresponding electrode 134 is inserted into the second insertion hole 1331, and the lead 113 is pushed and pressed in a process of inserting the electrode 134 into the first insertion hole 1316. When the electrode 134 is inserted in position, the lead 113 is electrically abutted against a side wall of the electrode 134 in the first insertion hole 1316. The base 133 and the support seat 131 are disposed independent of and separable from each other, so that one end of the lead 113 can be easily inserted into the first insertion hole 1316, or the electrode 134 can be easily electrically abutted against the corresponding lead 113.
To make the electrode 134 more stable, the second insertion hole 1331 has an interference fit with the corresponding electrode 134.
It should be noted that when the support assembly 13 includes the liquid injection hole, the first insertion hole 1316 and the second insertion hole 1331 both define a part of the liquid injection hole, and the first insertion hole 1316 and the second insertion hole 1331 are both through holes running therethrough up and down. A liquid injection pin may sequentially extend into the liquid storage cavity 15 through the second insertion hole 1331 and the first insertion hole 1316, and then inject the liquid substrate into the liquid storage cavity 15. In an embodiment in which the support assembly 13 does not have a liquid injection hole, the first insertion hole 1316 may be a blind hole, a top portion of which is closed. In another embodiment in which the support assembly 13 does not have a liquid injection hole, there is no first insertion hole 1316, one end of the lead 113 is located at the bottom of the support seat 131, and after the electrode 134 passes through the corresponding second insertion hole 1331, a top portion of the electrode 134 is electrically abutted against the lead 113.
Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the first protruding post 1311 is a constituent part of the support seat 131. In an embodiment in which the support assembly 13 includes the base 133, the base 133 has a third protruding post 1332, the third protruding post 1332 is hollow, and has a second hollow cavity 1333 running therethrough up and down, both the first hollow cavity 1312 and the second hollow cavity 1333 define a part of the air intake channel, and the second hollow cavity 1333 is located upstream of an airflow of the first hollow cavity 1312.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first protruding post 1311 and the third protruding post 1332 are disconnected and are spaced from each other, so that the liquid substrate leaked from the airflow channel and back-flowed aerosol form a condensate on the wall of the first hollow cavity 1312, cannot directly flow into the second hollow cavity 1333, and further cannot leak through the second hollow cavity 1333, thereby helping to prevent liquid leakage of the atomizer 1.
Referring to FIG. 2, the first hollow cavity 1312 and the second hollow cavity 1333 have a common center axis, and the inner diameter of the third protruding post 1332 is less than the inner diameter of the first protruding post 1311, so that the liquid on the first protruding post 1311 cannot fall into the second hollow cavity 1333.
Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the base 133 may further include a liquid collection tank 1334. The liquid collection tank 1334 is located between the second insertion hole 1331 and the third protruding post 1332. Top portions of the second insertion hole 1331 and the third protruding post 1332 are both higher than a tank bottom of the liquid collection tank 1334. Some tank walls of the liquid collection tank 1334 are abutted against a bottom portion of the first protruding post 1311, so that the liquid on the first protruding post 1311 may spread along a corresponding side wall of the liquid collection tank 1334 to the liquid collection tank 1334, to be collected without leakage.
In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the support assembly 13 is provided with a ventilation channel C, and the ventilation channel C provides an air path for airflow communication between the liquid storage cavity 15 and the air intake channel. When a negative pressure occurs in the liquid storage cavity 15 due to consumption of the liquid substrate, some air in the air intake channel may enter the liquid storage cavity 15 through the ventilation channel C, so that air pressures inside and outside the liquid storage cavity 15 are balanced.
Specifically, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a gap is provided between an outer side wall of the second protruding post 1315 and a hole wall of the first through hole 1321, and the gap forms at least part of the ventilation channel C, that is, forms a first ventilation channel. Formation of the first ventilation channel includes, but is not limited to, that an air guide recess C1 is provided on an outer side wall of the second protruding post 1315, or an air guide recess is provided on a hole wall of the first through hole 1321, or a strip-shaped protrusion is provided on an outer side wall of the second protruding post 1315, or a strip-shaped protrusion is provided on a hole wall of the first through hole 1321, or a bone strip such as a metal wire or a plastic strip is sandwiched between an outer side wall of the second protruding post 1315 and a hole wall of the first through hole 1321. Therefore, when the second protruding post 1315 is in interference fit with the first through hole 1321, a gap for air to pass through is reserved. The first ventilation channel is communicated with the air intake channel, and a part of air in the air intake channel may enter the liquid storage cavity 15 through the first ventilation channel.
The support assembly 13 further includes a second ventilation channel communicated with the first ventilation channel and the air intake channel. Specifically, an air hole is provided in a wall defining the air intake channel or part of the wall defining the air intake channel is disconnected, so that some air in the air intake channel may enter the second ventilation channel, and further may enter the liquid storage cavity 15 through the first air intake channel.
Referring to FIG. 1, this application further provides an aerosol generation device, including the atomizer 1 according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, and further including a power supply assembly 2. The power supply assembly 2 may include any suitable power supply. In an embodiment, the power supply is a lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the battery may be a nickel metal hydride battery, a 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 2 may include a circuit board and one or more control circuits disposed on the circuit board. The control circuit may control an output of the power supply, for example, enable the power supply to output an alternating current or a direct current, or enable the power supply to output a current or a voltage in a form of a pulse.
The control circuit may be provided with one or more controllers. The controller may control an entire operation of the aerosol generation device. In details, the controller not only controls operations of the battery and the heating assembly, but also controls an operation of another element in the aerosol generation device. In addition, the controller may determine, by checking a state of an element of the aerosol generation device, whether the aerosol generation device may perform an operation. The controller includes at least one processor. The processor may include a logic gate array, or may include a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory that stores a program executable in the microprocessor. In addition, a person skilled in the art should understand that the controller may include another type of hardware.
It should be noted that the preferred embodiments of this application are provided in the specification and the accompanying drawings of this application, but are not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. Further, a person of ordinary skill in the art may make improvements or modifications according to the foregoing descriptions, and all of the improvements and modifications shall fall within the protection scope of the appended claims of this application.

Claims

An atomizer, comprising:
a housing, inside of which a liquid storage cavity is defined, the liquid storage cavity being configured to store a liquid substrate;

a mouthpiece;

an atomization assembly, configured to atomize the liquid substrate to generate an aerosol;

a support assembly, configured to support the atomization assembly, the support assembly comprising an air intake channel;

an airflow channel, providing a path for airflow communication between the air intake channel and the mouthpiece; and

a first liquid suction element, surrounding the airflow channel, and a partial boundary of the liquid storage cavity being defined by an outer side surface of the first liquid suction element,

wherein:
the atomization assembly is arranged in the airflow channel, and the atomization assembly comprises a second liquid suction element and a heat generating assembly combined with the second liquid suction element; and

the first liquid suction element is configured to suction the liquid substrate and transfer the liquid substrate to the second liquid suction element.
The atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the atomization assembly further comprises a support pipe,
the support pipe having at least one window, the first liquid suction element surrounding peripheries of the support pipe and covering the window, the second liquid suction element being accommodated in the support pipe, and the second liquid suction element receiving the liquid substrate from the first liquid suction element through the window.
The atomizer according to claim 2, wherein:
the at least one window is a positioning window, and the positioning window extends to an end portion of the support pipe; and

the second liquid suction element is provided with a positioning portion engaged with the positioning window, and the positioning portion extends out from the positioning window to an outer side of the support pipe and is abutted against the first liquid suction element.
The atomizer according to claim 2, wherein:
the atomization assembly further comprises a lead electrically connected to the heat generating assembly, the support assembly comprises a first protruding post and an electrode, the first protruding post is hollow and defines at least part of the air intake channel, and the at least part of the first protruding post is nested in the support pipe; and

a nick is provided on a side wall of the first protruding post, and the lead extends out of the first protruding post through the nick and is electrically connected to the electrode.
The atomizer according to claim 2, wherein the atomizer comprises a connection pipe, the connection pipe connecting the support pipe to the mouthpiece, and the first liquid suction element covers a connection boundary between the support pipe and the connection pipe.
The atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid suction element is constructed into a pipe-like shape.
The atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the support assembly comprises a liquid injection hole and an electrode electrically connected to the heat generating assembly, and at least part of the electrode blocks the liquid injection hole.
The atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the support assembly has a ventilation channel, and the ventilation channel provides an air path for airflow communication between the liquid storage cavity and the air intake channel.
The atomizer according to claim 8, wherein:
the support assembly comprises a support seat and a sealing member; and

the support seat is provided with a second protruding post, a first through hole that is at least in partial interference fit with the second protruding post is disposed on the sealing member, and the ventilation channel is arranged between an outer side of the second protruding post and a hole wall of the first through hole.
The atomizer according to claim 1, wherein:
the support assembly further comprises an electrode, a support seat having a first insertion port, and a base having a second insertion hole, the base is detachably connected to the support seat, one end of the electrode is exposed out of the second insertion hole, and the other end of the electrode passes through the second insertion hole and is inserted into the first insertion hole; and

the atomization assembly further comprises a lead electrically connected to the heat generating assembly, and part of the lead is accommodated into the first insertion port from a position between the base and the support seat and is abutted against with the electrode.
The atomizer according to claim 1, wherein both the first liquid suction element and the second liquid suction element extend longitudinally, and a longitudinal extension length of the first liquid suction element is greater than a longitudinal extension length of the second liquid suction element.
The atomizer according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the housing is transparent or translucent, to enable the first liquid suction element to be visible.
An aerosol generation device, comprising:
the atomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 12; and

a power supply assembly, configured to control the atomizer to operate.