EP4684666A1

EP4684666A1 - Electronic atomization device

Info

Publication number: EP4684666A1
Application number: EP24791825.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Biao Wang; Zhongyuan SUN; Zhongli XU; Yonghai LI
Original assignee: Shenzhen FirstUnion Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen FirstUnion Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-04-17
Filing date: 2024-03-27
Publication date: 2026-01-28
Also published as: CN220274916U; WO2024217239A1

Abstract

Disclosed in the present application is an electronic atomization device. The electronic atomization device comprises: a liquid storage cavity; a heating element; a battery cell; an airflow channel; an airflow sensor comprising a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is configured to be in airflow communication with the airflow channel, and the second side is configured to be in communication with the outside atmosphere; a communication port for providing a channel for communicating the second side with the outside atmosphere; a movable blocking element, by means of which the communication port is selectively open or closed; a locking mechanism, wherein when the blocking element is located at a closed position, the locking mechanism is in a locking state so as to prevent the blocking element from being moved to an open position, and the locking mechanism in an unlocking state allows the blocking element to be moved to the open position; and a circuit, which controls the battery cell to provide electric power according to a sensing result of the airflow sensor. In the electronic atomization device, the blocking element is locked at the closed position by means of the locking mechanism, thereby preventing the blocking element, before same is unlocked, from being moved from the closed position to the open position so as to obtain aerosol.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202320957642.5, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on April 17, 2023 and entitled "ELECTRONIC ATOMIZATION DEVICE", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of this application relate to the field of electronic atomization technologies, and in particular, to an electronic atomization device.

BACKGROUND

During use of tobacco products (for example, cigarettes and cigars), tobaccos are burnt to generate tobacco vapor. Attempts are made to replace these tobacco-burning products by manufacturing products that release compounds without burning tobacco.
An example of such products is a heating device, which releases compounds by heating rather than burning materials. For example, the materials may be tobacco or other non-tobacco products, where the non-tobacco products may or may not include nicotine. In another example, aerosol providing products exist, for example, the so-called electronic atomization devices. The devices usually include liquid. The liquid is heated to be atomized, so as to generate an inhalable aerosol. The liquid may contain nicotine and/or aromatics and/or aerosol-generation substances (such as glycerin). In an existing electronic atomization device, an airflow sensor senses an inhalation action of a user, and controls, based on the sensing of the airflow sensor, liquid to be vaporized to generate an aerosol.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of this application provides an electronic atomization device, including:

a liquid storage cavity, configured to store a liquid substrate;
a heating element, configured to heat the liquid substrate to generate an aerosol;
a battery cell, configured to provide electric power to the heating element;
an air inlet, an air outlet, and an airflow channel located between the air inlet and the air outlet;
an airflow sensor, configured to sense an airflow change in the airflow channel, where the airflow sensor includes a first side and a second side that are in airflow isolation from each other; the first side is configured to be in airflow communication with the airflow channel, and the second side is configured to be in communication with an external atmosphere;
a communication port, configured to provide a channel for communication between the second side and the external atmosphere;
a movable occluding element, arranged to selectively move between a closed position and an open position, where the occluding element closes the communication port in the closed position, and at least partially opens the communication port in the open position;
a locking mechanism, convertible between a locked state and an unlocked state, where when the occluding element is located in the closed position, the locking mechanism prevents the occluding element from moving from the closed position to the open position in the locked state, and the locking mechanism allows the occluding element to move from the closed position to the open position in the unlocked state; and
a circuit, configured to control, based on a sensing result of the airflow sensor, the battery cell to provide electric power to the heating element.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism includes a first locking structure and a second locking structure; the first locking structure is engaged with the second locking structure when the locking mechanism is in the locked state; and the first locking structure is not engaged with the second locking structure when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked state.
In some embodiments, the electronic atomization device further includes:

an operation element, configured for a user to perform an operation in a first direction, and then drive the occluding element to move between the closed position and the open position along the first direction; and
configured for the user to perform an operation in a second direction, so as to drive the locking mechanism to change from the locked state to the unlocked state when the occluding element is in the closed position.

In some embodiments, the electronic atomization device further includes:

a housing, defining an outer surface of the electronic atomization device, where
the operation element is at least partially located outside the housing; and/or the occluding element is located inside the housing.

In some embodiments, the first direction includes a width direction of the electronic atomization device; and/or
the second direction includes a longitudinal direction of the electronic atomization device.
In some embodiments, the electronic atomization device further includes:
an operation element, configured for a user to perform a pressing operation, so as to drive the locking mechanism to change from the locked state to the unlocked state when the occluding element is in the closed position.
In some embodiments, the operation element is configured for the user to perform a movement operation, to drive the occluding element to move between the closed position and the open position.
In some embodiments, the electronic atomization device further includes:

a housing, defining an outer surface of the electronic atomization device, where
one of the first locking structure and the second locking structure is arranged on the occluding element, and the other is arranged on the housing.

In some embodiments, the first locking structure includes a pin arranged on the occluding element; and
the second locking structure includes an insertion hole provided on the housing for the pin to be inserted to form engagement.
In some embodiments, the electronic atomization device further includes:
a biasing element, arranged to bias the locking mechanism toward the locked state when the occluding element is in the closed position.
In some embodiments, the occluding element is in the closed position and the open position, the airflow channel is unobstructed for airflow or allows airflow to pass through.
In the foregoing electronic atomization device, the occluding element is locked in the closed position through the locking mechanism, to prevent the occluding element from being moved from the closed position to the open position to obtain an aerosol before being unlocked.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments are illustratively described with reference to the figures in the corresponding accompanying drawings, and these illustrative descriptions are not to limit the embodiments. Elements having same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are denoted as similar elements, and the figures in the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale, unless particularly stated otherwise.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic atomization device according to an embodiment from a perspective.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the electronic atomization device in FIG. 1 from another perspective.
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic atomization device in FIG. 1 from a perspective.
FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded view of some components of the electronic atomization device in FIG. 1 from a perspective.
FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded view of some components of the electronic atomization device in FIG. 4 from another perspective.
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an operation assembly in FIG. 3 in a closed position.
FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an inward pressing operation of the operation assembly in FIG. 6 for unlocking in a closed position.
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the operation assembly in FIG. 7 moving to an open position.
FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an elastic element in FIG. 8 returning to an extended state to hold an operation element in an open position.
FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of an airflow sensor according to an embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a change of a deformable electrode film in FIG. 10 in response to an inhalation airflow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For ease of understanding of this application, this application is described below in more detail with reference to accompanying drawings and specific implementations.
This application provides an electronic atomization device, which is configured to atomize a liquid substrate to generate an aerosol.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic atomization device 100 according to a specific embodiment, including a housing 10 and a plurality of components arranged inside the housing 10. An overall design of the housing may change, and may limit an overall dimension and an external shape of the electronic atomization device 100. Generally, the housing 10 has an elongated shape, which may be formed by a single integrated housing, or may be formed by two or more separable bodies.
For example, the electronic atomization device 100 may provide a control body at one end of the housing 10, where the control body includes one or more reusable components (for example, a rechargeable battery and/or a rechargeable supercapacitor, and various electronic devices for controlling an operation of the device), and provide a suction nozzle portion for a user to inhale at the other end of the housing 10. In some examples, the suction nozzle portion may be a portion of the housing 10.
Further, in the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the electronic atomization device 100 includes:
a housing 10, substantially defining an outer surface of the electronic atomization device 100 and having a proximal end 110 and a distal end 120 arranged opposite to each other along a longitudinal direction, where in use, the proximal end 110 is one end close to a user for inhalation by the user, and the distal end 120 is an end away from the user.
In some examples, the housing 10 may be formed by metal or an alloy such as stainless steel or aluminum. Another suitable material includes various plastic (for example, polycarbonate), metal-plating over plastic, ceramic, and the like.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the electronic atomization device 100 further includes:

an air outlet 113, configured for inhalation by a user, and located at the proximal end 110 of the housing 10; and
an air inlet 121, defined at the distal end 120 of the housing 10, and configured for external air to enter.

As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic atomization device 100 further includes:
a liquid storage cavity 12, configured to store the liquid substrate and an atomization assembly configured to absorb the liquid substrate from the liquid storage cavity 12 and heat and atomize the liquid substrate. For ease of being vaporized and outputted, the liquid storage cavity 12 and the atomization assembly are both arranged close to the proximal end 110. The electronic atomization device 100 further includes an aerosol output tube 11 arranged along the longitudinal direction. The aerosol output tube 11 at least partially extends in the liquid storage cavity 12, and a space between an outer wall of the aerosol output tube 11 and an inner wall of the housing 10 forms the foregoing liquid storage cavity 12. An end portion of the aerosol output tube 11 close to the proximal end 110 is in communication with the air outlet 113, to output the aerosol atomized and generated by the atomization assembly to the air outlet 113 for inhalation.
According to an embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the foregoing atomization assembly includes a liquid guide element 13 and a heating element 14.
The liquid guide element 13 is made of a capillary material or a porous material, for example, a sponge, a cotton fiber, or a porous body such as a porous ceramic body. The liquid guide element 13 is arranged to extend along the longitudinal direction in the aerosol output tube 11. In addition, the liquid guide element 13 is constructed in a tubular shape. An outer surface of the liquid guide element 13 can absorb a liquid substrate and store part of the liquid substrate through an eyelet or the like on the aerosol output tube 11. A liquid transmission direction is shown by an arrow R1 in FIG. 3.
The heating element 14 is located in the aerosol output tube 11 and is coupled to an inner surface of the liquid guide element 13. The heating element 14 is configured to heat at least part of the liquid substrate in the liquid guide element 13, to generate an aerosol and release the aerosol to the aerosol output tube 11. In the preferred implementation, the heating element 14 is a cylindrical heating mesh, a spiral coil, or the like.
Alternatively, in some other variant implementations, the liquid guide element 13 may further be constructed in various regular or irregular shapes, and partially in fluid communication with the liquid storage cavity 12 to receive the liquid substrate. Alternatively, in another variant implementation, the liquid guide element 13 may have more regular or irregular shapes, such as a polygonal block shape, a channel shape having a groove on a surface, or an arch shape having a hollow channel inside.
Alternatively, in some other variant implementations, the heating element 14 may be coupled to the liquid guide element 13 through printing, deposition, sintering, physical assembly, or the like. In some other variant implementations, the liquid guide element 13 may have a plane or curved surface for supporting the heating element 14, and the heating element 14 is formed on the plane or the curved surface of the porous body through mounting, printing, deposition, and the like. Alternatively, in some other variant implementations, the heating element 14 is a conductive trajectory formed on a surface of the liquid guide element 13. In some implementations, the conductive trajectory of the heating element 14 may be in a form of a printed circuit formed by printing. In some implementations, the heating element 14 is a patterned conductive trajectory. In some other implementations, the heating element 14 is planar. In some implementations, the heating element 14 is a conductive trajectory extending in a circuitous, meandering, reciprocal, or zigzagging manner.
Referring to FIG. 3, a flexible sealing base 15 is further arranged inside the housing 10. The sealing base 15 at least partially supports the aerosol output tube 11, and seals the liquid storage cavity 12. After being assembled, the liquid storage cavity 12 defined between the outer wall of the aerosol output tube 11 and the inner wall of the housing 10 is closed at an end portion close to the proximal end 110. Moreover, an opening of the liquid storage cavity 12 toward the distal end 120 is sealed by the sealing base 15.
A shape of the sealing base 15 is substantially adapted to the opening of the liquid storage cavity 12 toward the distal end 120. The foregoing sealing base 15 further defines an air channel 151 that extends through the sealing base 15 along the longitudinal direction of the electronic atomization device 100, so that the external air enters the aerosol output tube 11 through the sealing base 15 during inhalation.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the electronic atomization device 100 further includes:
a battery cell 16, at least partially accommodated and held inside the housing 10 and configured to supply power to the heating element 14, where the battery cell 16 is located between the sealing base 15 and the distal end 120. Specifically, a lead 141 is soldered at two ends of the heating element 14, and the lead 141 extends through the sealing base 15, and then establishes a conductive connection with the battery cell 16. In some specific implementations, the electronic atomization device 100 further includes a circuit board (not shown in the figure). A related functional circuit is integrated on the circuit board. In addition, the circuit board is arranged to abut or be parallel to the battery cell 16. The circuit board, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB), extending along the longitudinal direction of the electronic atomization device 100, is substantially parallel to the battery cell 16, and is abutted against or attached to the battery cell 16. In addition, the circuit board is conductively connected to the battery cell 16. Two ends of the heating element 14 are soldered with the lead 141, and then are connected to the circuit board after the lead 141 extend through the sealing base 15. Further, the circuit board guides current between the battery cell 16 and the heating element 14.
Referring to FIG. 3, for an airflow path of the electronic atomization device 100 during inhalation, reference is made to an arrow R2. The air inlet 121 is provided at the distal end 120 of the electronic atomization device 100, to allow external air to enter the housing 10 during inhalation. A gap is defined between the battery cell 16 and the housing 10, so that air entering the air inlet 121 can enter the air channel 151 of the sealing base 15 through the gap between the battery cell 16 and the housing 10, and then pass through the aerosol output tube 11, carry the aerosol generated by the heating element 14 through heating, and output the aerosol to the air outlet 113.
Referring to FIG. 3, the electronic atomization device 100 includes a sensing assembly, which is configured to sense a change of the airflow flowing through the electronic atomization device 100 during inhalation. A control device on the circuit board controls, based on a sensing result of the sensing assembly, the battery cell 16 to provide power to the heating element 14, to heat the liquid substrate in the liquid guide element 13 to generate the aerosol. The foregoing sensing assembly includes an airflow sensor 40, such as a microphone or a pressure difference sensor, having a first side 410 and a second side 420 that face away from each other along the longitudinal direction of the electronic atomization device 100. After being assembled, along a longitudinal direction of the electronic atomization device 100, the airflow sensor 40 is located between the battery cell 16 and the distal end 120. The airflow sensor 40 and the battery cell 16 are arranged at intervals. A first side 410 of the airflow sensor 40 is oriented to or is adjacent to the battery cell 16, and a second side 420 faces away from the battery cell 16 and faces the distal end 120. The airflow sensor 40 maintains a spacing with the battery cell 16 through the first side 410, and the spacing is in communication with the gap between the battery cell 16 and the housing 10, or the spacing provides part of the airflow path, so that the airflow sensor 40 can sense the change of the airflow flowing through the electronic atomization device 100 during inhalation.
In this embodiment, the second side 420 of the airflow sensor 40 is configured to sense a pressure of an external atmosphere. Further, the airflow sensor 40 can determine an inhalation action of the user and output a high-level signal based on that a pressure difference between the first side 410 and the second side 420 is greater than a preset threshold. Further, the control device on the circuit board controls, based on the high-level signal outputted by the airflow sensor 40, the battery cell 16 to output electric power to the heating element 14, to atomize the liquid to generate the aerosol.
Referring to FIG. 3, in an optional example, the foregoing sensing assembly further includes a flexible sealing element 50, for example, made of a material such as silica gel or a thermoplastic elastomer. The sealing element 50 surrounds or wraps the airflow sensor 40, so that the first side 410 and the second side 420 of the airflow sensor 40 are in a state of airflow isolation, and a pressure on the second side 420 during sensing is not affected by a pressure on the first side 410. Specifically, the flexible sealing element 50 is arranged around the airflow sensor 40 and has an upper end and a lower end facing away from each other. The upper end of the sealing element 50 is located on the first side 410 of the airflow sensor 40, and the upper end of the sealing element 50 is open. In other words, the first side 410 of the airflow sensor 40 is exposed or substantially exposed. The lower end of the sealing element 50 is located on the second side 420 of the airflow sensor 40, and the lower end of the sealing element 50 substantially wraps the second side 420 of the airflow sensor 40. In addition, a through hole 51 is provided at the lower end of the sealing element 50. The through hole 51 is configured to at least partially expose the second side 420 of the airflow sensor 40, and is configured to cause the second side 420 of the airflow sensor 40 to be in communication with the external atmosphere through the through hole 51.
As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the housing 10 of the electronic atomization device 100 further includes:
a main housing 1100, closing to and defining the proximal end 110; and an end cap 1200, closing to and defining the distal end 120. The main housing 1100 has an opening facing the distal end 120. During assembly, the end cap 1200 is coupled to the main housing 1100 and seals the opening of the main housing 1100. In addition, after assembly, the main housing 1100 and the end cap 1200 jointly form the housing 10 of the electronic atomization device 100.
As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the electronic atomization device 100 further includes:
an operation assembly, arranged at the distal end 120 defined by the end cap 1200, and arranged to be movable along a width direction of the housing 10. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the operation assembly includes:
an operation element 20, arranged at the distal end 120, and arranged to be movable along the width direction of the housing 10. Specifically, the end cap 1200 defined at the distal end 120 is provided with a sliding groove 122 extending along the width direction. At least part of the operation element 20 moves in the sliding groove 122. The operation element 20 is constructed in a form of a sliding button.
As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the operation element 20 is constructed to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 10. The operation element 20 has an upper side surface and a lower side surface that are opposite to each other along a thickness direction. After being assembled, a lower side surface of the operation element 20 is exposed outside the housing 10, and is further configured for the user to perform a movement operation. In some examples, the lower side surface of the operation element 20 is uneven or bumpy, so as to provide friction, which is convenient for helping the user press the operation element 20 to perform the movement operation.
A communication port 124 is provided on the end cap 1200, and the communication port 124 extends through the end cap 1200. In addition, during use, the communication port 124 is in communication with the through hole 51 of the sealing element 50, thereby providing a channel for communication between the through hole 51 of the sealing element 50 and the external atmosphere. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the communication port 124 and the air inlet 121 are isolated from each other. Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, at least part of the operation element 20 extends into or protrudes into the main housing 1100 from the communication port 124.
As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the operation assembly further includes:

an occluding element 60, located in the main housing 1100, and located between the second side 420 of the airflow sensor 40 and the end cap 1200; and
a connection element 30, for example, a countersunk screw, configured to connect the occluding element 60 to the operation element 20, so that when the user performs an operation on the operation element 20 to move the operation element, the occluding element 60 can move as the operation element 20 moves, to selectively block the communication port 124 or partially open the communication port 124.

Correspondingly, the operation element 20 is provided with a screw hole for the connection element 30 to be connected to, for example, a countersunk screwdriver. During assembly, the connection element 30 is partially inserted into the operation element 20 to form a connection.
As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the operation assembly further includes:
an elastic biasing element 21, for example, a spring, where the biasing element 21 is arranged between the operation element 20 and the end cap 1200. After assembly, the biasing element 21, for example, a spring, provides an elastic force toward the distal end 120, so that the operation element 20 is biased toward the distal end 120.
As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a dimension of the occluding element 60 is greater than a dimension of the communication port 124. Therefore, the occluding element 60 can substantially completely cover the communication port 124 after assembly. In addition, the occluding element 60 includes a rigid portion 61 that is rigid and a flexible portion 62 that is fastened or accommodated in the rigid portion 61. For example, in some embodiments, the rigid portion 61 is made of plastic, an organic polymer plastic, or the like. The flexible portion 62 is made of silica gel or a thermoplastic elastomer. After the providing, the rigid portion 61 and the flexible portion 62 may be directly prepared into an integral through two-color injection molding. Alternatively, the rigid portion and the flexible portion are separately prepared, and then are firmly coupled through assembly. The flexible portion 62 is oriented to or adjacent to the communication port 124, and further is advantageous for blocking the communication port 124 to form air-proof isolation. A pin 611 is arranged on the rigid portion 61, and extends toward the end cap 1200. An insertion hole 125 into which the pin 611 is inserted is provided on the end cap 1200. As shown in FIG. 3, when the occluding element 60 covers or blocks the communication port 124, the pin 611 of the occluding element 60 is inserted into the insertion hole 125 of the end cap 1200, so as to prevent the operation element 20 from operating the occluding element 60 to move, so that the occluding element 60 keeps blocking or occluding the communication port 124.
During implementation, when the occluding element 60 blocks or occludes the communication port 124, as shown in FIG. 6, the second side 420 of the airflow sensor 40 is isolated from the external atmosphere, so as to prevent the airflow sensor 40 from being triggered. Therefore, the airflow sensor 40 cannot sense the airflow flowing through the electronic atomization device 100 during inhalation. However, when the user drives the occluding element 60 through the operation element 20 to at least partially open the communication port 124, the second side 420 of the airflow sensor 40 is in communication with the external atmosphere through the communication port 124, for example, as shown by an arrow R3 in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9, so that the airflow sensor 40 can be triggered based on a pressure difference between the first side 410 and the second side 420 when the user inhales.
The operation element 20 can be pressed and operated by the user to drive the occluding element 60 to move along the width direction of the housing 10. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 10, the occluding element 60 has a closed position and an open position. Moreover, the occluding element 60 blocks or occludes the communication port 124 in the closed position, and the occluding element 60 at least partially opens the communication port 124 in the open position.
Specifically, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the occluding element 60 in the closed position. In the closed position, the occluding element 60 closes or blocks the communication port 124. In this case, in the closed position, the second side 420 of the airflow sensor 40 is closed or is isolated from the external air. Therefore, the airflow sensor 40, such as a microphone or a pressure difference sensor, cannot be triggered, and further cannot sense a change of airflow flowing through the electronic atomization device 100 during inhalation. Therefore, in the closed position, the heating element 14 cannot respond to the inhalation of the user to heat the liquid substrate to generate the aerosol. In addition, in this implementation, the sliding groove 122 and/or the operation element 20 are/is isolated from the air inlet 121, so that the air inlet 121 is open in the closed position. When the user inhales on the air outlet 113, an airflow that passes through the electronic atomization device 100 can be formed between the air inlet 121 and the air outlet 113. An airflow direction is shown by an arrow R2 in the figure, but no aerosol is generated and outputted.
In the closed position shown in FIG. 6, the pin 611 of the occluding element 60 is inserted into the insertion hole 125 of the end cap 1200. The occluding element 60 is locked after being fastened in the closed position through cooperation of the pin 611 and the insertion hole 125, so that the occluding element 60 is locked in the closed position, and the user cannot directly slide the operation element 20 to drive the occluding element 60 to move to open the communication port 124.
As shown in FIG. 6, the elastic biasing element 21 such as a spring is in an extended state. Further, the occluding element 60 is biased toward a locking direction through the elastic force of the spring, to stably maintain the occluding element 60 in the locked state in the closed position. In addition, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a spacing d11 is defined between the operation element 20 and the end cap 1200, so that the operation element 20 is non-abutted. In some embodiments, the spacing d11 is in a range of about 3 mm to 5 mm.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram in which a user drives an occluding element 60 to be unlocked in a closed position by pressing an operation element 20 inward. As shown by an arrow R41 in FIG. 7, the user presses the operation element 20, overcoming an elastic force of an elastic biasing element 21, to drive the occluding element 60 to abut against a sealing element 50 and block a through hole 51 of the sealing element 50. In this case, in a state shown in FIG. 7, because the through hole 51 of the sealing element 50 is blocked, a second side 420 of an airflow sensor 40 still cannot be in communication with an external atmosphere. In addition, in the state in FIG. 7, the user presses the operation element 20 to abut against an end cap 1200. As shown in FIG. 7, a pin 611 of the occluding element 60 is released from an insertion hole 125 of the end cap 1200 through a pressing operation of the user, thereby releasing a lock formed by cooperation between the pin 611 and the insertion hole 125, so that the user can further move the occluding element 60 by driving the operation element 20. In addition, in an unlocked state shown in FIG. 7, the biasing element 21 located between the operation element 20 and the end cap 1200, such as a spring, is pressed by the user to be in a compressed state.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing that a user performs an operation by moving an operation element 20, to drive an occluding element 60 to move from a closed position to an open position in FIG. 7, as shown by an arrow R42 in FIG. 8. In the open position shown in FIG. 8, the occluding element 60 at least partially opens a through hole 51 of a sealing element 50 and a communication port 124 on an end cap 1200 simultaneously, so that a second side 420 of an airflow sensor 40 forms a communication with an external atmosphere, as shown by an arrow R3 in FIG. 8. In addition, in FIG. 8, the occluding element 60 is pressed by a user to abut against the sealing element 50. Moreover, the operation element 20 is pressed by the user to abut against the end cap 1200. In addition, in FIG. 8, the biasing element 21 is, for example, a spring, and is pressed by the user to be in a compressed state.
In a state shown in FIG. 8, after the user contacts and presses the operation element 20, as shown by an arrow R3 in FIG. 9, the biasing element 21 such as the spring returns to an extended state through an elastic restoring force, to bias the occluding element 60 and the operation element 20 toward the distal end 1200, thereby causing the occluding element 60 to abut against the end cap 1200. Further, the occluding element 60 can be stably maintained in the open position after contact and pressing of the user in the open position through the elastic force of the biasing element 21. In the open position shown in FIG. 9, the operation element 20 and the occluding element 60 at least partially open or expose the communication port 124. In this case, the second side 420 of the airflow sensor 40 is in communication with the external air through the communication port 124. Therefore, in the open position, when the user inhales the air outlet 113, external air can enter through the air inlet 121 and form an inhalation airflow extends through the electronic atomization device 100. The airflow sensor 40 can be further triggered based on a pressure difference between the first side 410 and the second side 420, so that the circuit board controls the battery cell 16 to supply power to the heating element 14 to generate an aerosol.
When the user needs to further move the occluding element 60 to the closed position and lock the occluding element after completing the inhalation, the user may move the occluding element 60 to the closed position and lock the occluding element through an operation opposite to the foregoing operation in the states shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 6, thereby preventing another person, especially a juvenile, from obtaining the aerosol.
In the foregoing embodiments, the user moves the occluding element 60 between the closed position and the open position through the operation element 20, so as to selectively open or close the communication port 124. Therefore, the foregoing electronic atomization device 100 may selectively allow or prevent the user from obtaining the aerosol.
In the foregoing implementations, the operation element 20 avoids the air inlet 121 in both the closed position and the open position. Further, during implementation, when the operation element 20 is in the closed position and the open position, the air inlet 121 is always open or opened. Alternatively, when the operation element 20 is in the closed position and the open position, an airflow channel from the air inlet 121 to the air outlet 113 can be formed when the user inhales.
Alternatively, in some other variant implementations, the operation element 20 may be coupled to the housing 10 in a rotatable manner, such as rotation. Further, the communication port 124 can be selectively closed or opened through rotation. Alternatively, in some other variant implementations, the operation element is detachably coupled to the housing 10. For example, the operation element includes a detachable cover. The communication port 124 can be closed when the operation element is coupled to the housing 10. Moreover, when the operation element is detached from the housing 10, the communication port 124 may be opened.
Specifically, for example, FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of sensing an inhalation airflow by an airflow sensor 40 according to an embodiment. The airflow sensor 40 includes:

a deformable electrode film 41, arranged close to a first side 410; and
an electrode plate 42, arranged close to a second side 420, where the deformable electrode film 41 and the electrode plate 42 are arranged opposite and spaced apart from each other along an axial direction of the airflow sensor 40. The airflow sensor 40 further determines a pressure difference on the first side 410 and the second side 420 based on a capacitance value between the deformable electrode film 41 and the electrode plate 42.

For example, FIG. 11 shows a state of an airflow sensor 40 during inhalation. Because a first side 410 is at a negative pressure when an inhalation airflow passes through the first side 410, a deformable electrode film 41 can be bent or deformed to a state shown in FIG. 11 toward the first side 410 if air pressure on a side of the deformable electrode film 41 that faces the electrode plate 42 is in communication with external atmosphere. Certainly, a larger inhalation force of the user indicates a larger negative pressure on the first side 410, and a corresponding larger deformation of the deformable electrode film 41. In this case, a capacitance value defined between the deformable electrode film 41 and the electrode plate 42 also changes to a larger extent. Further, the airflow sensor 40 determines a pressure difference on the first side 410 and the second side 420 based on the change of the foregoing capacitance value. However, when the communication between the second side 420 and the external atmosphere is sealed or blocked by the occluding element 60, because the air pressure on the side of the deformable electrode film 41 that faces the electrode plate 42 is isolated from the external atmosphere, the deformable electrode film 41 cannot be deformed to a corresponding degree in response to the negative pressure that is inhaled when the user inhales. Further, a capacitance change between the deformable electrode film 41 and the electrode plate 42 fails to reach a corresponding degree, and the airflow sensor 40 cannot be triggered in response to the inhalation of the user.
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 electronic atomization device, comprising:
a liquid storage cavity, configured to store a liquid substrate;

a heating element, configured to heat the liquid substrate to generate an aerosol;

a battery cell, configured to provide electric power to the heating element;

an air inlet, an air outlet, and an airflow channel located between the air inlet and the air outlet;

an airflow sensor, configured to sense an airflow change in the airflow channel, wherein the airflow sensor comprises a first side and a second side that are in airflow isolation from each other; the first side is configured to be in airflow communication with the airflow channel, and the second side is configured to be in communication with an external atmosphere;

a communication port, configured to provide a channel for communication between the second side and the external atmosphere;

a movable occluding element, arranged to selectively move between a closed position and an open position, wherein the occluding element closes the communication port in the closed position, and at least partially opens the communication port in the open position;

a locking mechanism, convertible between a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein when the occluding element is located in the closed position, the locking mechanism prevents the occluding element from moving from the closed position to the open position in the locked state, and the locking mechanism allows the occluding element to move from the closed position to the open position in the unlocked state; and

a circuit, configured to control, based on a sensing result of the airflow sensor, the battery cell to provide electric power to the heating element.
The electronic atomization device according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first locking structure and a second locking structure; the first locking structure is engaged with the second locking structure when the locking mechanism is in the locked state; and the first locking structure is not engaged with the second locking structure when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked state.
The electronic atomization device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
an operation element, configured for a user to perform an operation in a first direction, and then drive the occluding element to move between the closed position and the open position along the first direction; and

configured for the user to perform an operation in a second direction, so as to drive the locking mechanism to change from the locked state to the unlocked state when the occluding element is in the closed position.
The electronic atomization device according to claim 3, further comprising:
a housing, defining an outer surface of the electronic atomization device, wherein

the operation element is at least partially located outside the housing; and/or the occluding element is located inside the housing.
The electronic atomization device according to claim 3, wherein the first direction comprises a width direction of the electronic atomization device; and/or
the second direction comprises a longitudinal direction of the electronic atomization device.
The electronic atomization device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
an operation element, configured for a user to perform a pressing operation, so as to drive the locking mechanism to change from the locked state to the unlocked state when the occluding element is in the closed position.
The electronic atomization device according to claim 6, wherein the operation element is configured for the user to perform a movement operation, to drive the occluding element to move between the closed position and the open position.
The electronic atomization device according to claim 2, further comprising:
a housing, defining an outer surface of the electronic atomization device, wherein

one of the first locking structure and the second locking structure is provided on the occluding element, and the other is provided on the housing.
The electronic atomization device according to claim 8, wherein the first locking structure comprises a pin arranged on the occluding element; and
the second locking structure comprises an insertion hole provided on the housing for the pin to be inserted to form engagement.
The electronic atomization device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
a biasing element, arranged to bias the locking mechanism toward the locked state when the occluding element is in the closed position.
The electronic atomization device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the occluding element is in the closed position and the open position, the airflow channel is unobstructed for airflow or allows airflow to pass through.