CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
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This application claims priority to
Chinese Patent Application No. 202310811001.3, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on July 3, 2023 and entitled "ATOMIZER AND ELECTRONIC ATOMIZATION DEVICE", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
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Embodiments of this application relate to the field of electronic atomization technologies, and in particular, to an atomizer and an electronic atomization device.
BACKGROUND
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During use of smoking articles (such as cigarettes and cigars), tobacco is burnt to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to replace these tobacco-burning articles by manufacturing a product that releases compounds without burning.
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An example of such a product is a heating device that releases compounds by heating rather than burning materials. For example, the materials may be tobacco or other non-tobacco products. The non-tobacco products may or may not include nicotine. In another example, there are aerosol-providing articles, such as so-called electronic atomization devices. These electronic atomization devices usually include a liquid, and the liquid is heated to vaporize, to generate an inhalable aerosol. In a known electronic atomization device, for example, in the
CN202220773164.8 patent technology, a liquid storage cavity is separated by a tubular element arranged in the liquid storage cavity, a liquid substrate is absorbed by an annular liquid guide element arranged in the tubular element, and an aerosol is generated through heating of the liquid substrate by a cylindrical heating mesh, that is externally wrapped by the annular liquid guide element.
SUMMARY
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An embodiment of this application provides an atomizer, including:
- a liquid storage cavity, configured to store a liquid substrate, where the liquid storage cavity has an opening;
- a first liquid guide element, arranged to cover the opening, and absorb and store the liquid substrate sourced from the liquid storage cavity;
- a second liquid guide element, arranged to extend in a longitudinal direction of the atomizer and partially surrounded by the first liquid guide element to be located in the first liquid guide element, where the second liquid guide element includes an outer side surface and an inner side surface that are opposite to each other, and the outer side surface is arranged to indirectly absorb the liquid substrate sourced from the liquid storage cavity from the first liquid guide element; and
- a heating element, coupled to the second liquid guide element and adjacent to the inner side surface, and configured to heat at least a part of the liquid substrate in the second liquid guide element to generate an aerosol.
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In some embodiments, the atomizer further includes:
- a tubular element, penetrating the first liquid guide element, where a perforation or a notch is arranged on a tube wall of the tubular element, opposite to the first liquid guide element; and
- the second liquid guide element is located in the tubular element, and indirectly absorbs the liquid substrate from the first liquid guide element through the perforation or the notch.
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In some embodiments, the first liquid guide element is configured as a sheet-like or block-like element perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the atomizer.
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In some embodiments, the atomizer further includes:
a holder, surrounding and accommodating a part of the second liquid guide element, and supporting the first liquid guide element.
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In some embodiments, the first liquid guide element includes a first surface facing the liquid storage cavity, and a second surface facing away from the first surface, where the first surface is configured to be in fluid communication with the liquid storage cavity to absorb the liquid substrate sourced from the liquid storage cavity; and
the holder is configured to provide support for the first liquid guide element by abutting against the second surface.
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In some embodiments, the atomizer further includes:
- a proximal end and a distal end opposite to each other;
- an air outlet, located at the proximal end; and
- an aerosol output tube, extending from the air outlet to the first surface of the first liquid guide element, and at least partially defining a channel for outputting the aerosol.
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In some embodiments, the atomizer further includes:
an air exchange channel, at least partially defined on the holder, to provide a flow path for air to enter the liquid storage cavity.
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In some embodiments, the air exchange channel includes a vent hole located on the holder or a vent slot located on a surface of the holder.
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In some embodiments, the atomizer further includes:
a housing, defining at least a part of an external surface of the atomizer, where at least a part of the housing is transparent, such that a part of the tubular element is visible through the housing.
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In some embodiments, the housing includes the proximal end and the distal end opposite to each other;
- the air outlet is located at the proximal end;
- the aerosol output tube extends from the air outlet toward the distal end, and at least partially defines the channel for outputting the aerosol; and the tubular element partially extends into the aerosol output tube, and forms a seal with the aerosol output tube through an interference fit or a tight fit.
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In some embodiments, the holder includes an upper surface facing the first liquid guide element; and several recessed structures are arranged on the upper surface of the holder, to define, between the holder and the first liquid guide element, a buffer space for buffering the liquid substrate.
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In some embodiments, the atomizer further includes:
a porous absorbing element, arranged around a part of the holder.
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In some embodiments, the absorbing element has a notch, such that the absorbing element is not closed in a circumferential direction.
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In some embodiments, the atomizer further includes:
an air exchange channel, at least partially defined on the holder, to provide a flow path for air to enter the liquid storage cavity, where an inlet of the air exchange channel is arranged opposite to the notch.
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In some embodiments, an air inlet channel is further arranged on the holder, to provide a channel path for delivering external air to the second liquid guide element, where a part of the air inlet channel is defined between the absorbing element and the holder.
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In some embodiments, several flanges surrounding the holder in a circumferential direction are arranged on the holder, and the absorbing element surrounds and abuts against the flanges; and the air inlet channel includes an air groove located between adjacent flanges.
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In some embodiments, the atomizer further includes an air inlet; and
the air inlet channel further includes:
- a first channel part, extending from the air inlet to the air groove; and
- a second channel part, extending from the air groove to the second liquid guide element.
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In some embodiments, the first channel part has a first communication port in communication with the air groove; and the second channel part has a second communication port in communication with the air groove, where the first communication port is closer to the first liquid guide element than the second communication port.
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In some embodiments, the holder includes:
a first support part, a second support part, and a third support part that are arranged in the longitudinal direction, where an outer diameter of the second support part is less than outer diameters of the first support part and the third support part; the first support part abuts against the first liquid guide element to provide support for the first liquid guide element; and the absorbing element is arranged around the second support part.
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In some embodiments, the holder further includes:
- a housing, defining at least a part of a surface of the atomizer and a part of a boundary of the liquid storage cavity, where the housing includes a proximal end and a distal end opposite to each other; and
- a part of the holder is coupled to the distal end of the housing and closes the distal end of the housing.
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Another embodiment of this application further provides an atomizer, including a housing, where the housing is arranged with:
- a liquid storage cavity, configured to store a liquid substrate;
- a tubular element at least partially extending in the liquid storage cavity, where a perforation is provided on a tube wall of the tubular element through which the liquid substrate is flowable;
- a second liquid guide element, located in the tubular element and receiving the liquid substrate from the liquid storage cavity through the perforation;
- a heating element, coupled to the liquid guide element, and configured to heat at least a part of the liquid substrate in the second liquid guide element to generate an aerosol;
- a rigid holder, at least partially surrounding and supporting the tubular element; and
- a flexible absorbing element, located between the housing and the holder, and partially arranged around the holder, to absorb and hold the liquid substrate between the holder and the housing.
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Another embodiment of this application further provides an atomizer, including a housing, where the housing is arranged with:
- a liquid storage cavity, configured to store a liquid substrate;
- a tubular element at least partially extending in the liquid storage cavity, where a perforation is provided on a tube wall of the tubular element through which the liquid substrate is flowable;
- an atomization assembly, located in the tubular element, and receiving the liquid substrate from the liquid storage cavity through the perforation for atomization to generate an aerosol; and
- a holder, surrounding and holding a part of the tubular element and avoiding the perforation, where when the tubular element is held in the holder, the tubular element has an exposed part located outside the holder; and
- at least a part of the housing is transparent, such that the exposed part of the tubular element is visible through the housing.
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Still another embodiment of this application further provides an electronic atomization device, including the foregoing atomizer and a power supply mechanism configured to supply power to the atomizer.
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An embodiment of this application provides an atomizer, including:
- a liquid storage cavity, configured to store a liquid substrate;
- a tubular element at least partially extending in the liquid storage cavity, where a perforation is provided on a tube wall of the tubular element through which the liquid substrate is flowable;
- an atomization assembly, located in the tubular element, and receiving the liquid substrate from the liquid storage cavity through the perforation for atomization to generate an aerosol; and
- a holder having an accommodating cavity, configured to accommodate and hold a part of the tubular element, where an air inlet channel is arranged on the holder, to deliver external air to the atomization assembly; and
- the air inlet channel includes an air groove arranged around the holder in a circumferential direction.
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In some embodiments, several flanges surrounding the holder in the circumferential direction are arranged on the holder, and the air groove is defined between adjacent flanges.
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In some embodiments, the holder is further arranged with: an air inlet; and
the air inlet channel further includes:
- a first channel part, extending from the air inlet to the air groove; and
- a second channel part, extending from the air groove to the accommodating cavity.
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In some embodiments, the first channel part has a first communication port in communication with the air groove; and the second channel part has a second communication port in communication with the air groove, where
the first communication port is closer to the liquid storage cavity than the second communication port.
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In some embodiments, the atomizer further includes:
- a housing, defining at least a part of an external surface of the atomizer; and
- an absorbing element, located between the housing and the holder and surrounding the air groove, to absorb the liquid substrate between the holder and the housing.
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In some embodiments, the holder includes:
- a first support part, a second support part, and a third support part that are arranged in the longitudinal direction, where
- an outer diameter of the second support part is less than outer diameters of the first support part and the third support part; and the air groove is defined in the second support part.
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In some embodiments, the first support part is further arranged with: an air exchange channel, to provide a flow path for air to enter the liquid storage cavity.
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In some embodiments, the air exchange channel includes a vent hole located on the first support part or a vent slot located on a surface of the first support part.
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In some embodiments, the atomizer further includes:
- a housing, defining at least a part of an external surface of the atomizer, where the housing includes a proximal end and a distal end opposite to each other; and
- a part of the third support part is coupled to the distal end of the housing and closes the distal end of the housing.
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In some embodiments, the holder has an upper surface facing or adjacent to the liquid storage cavity, and several recessed structures are arranged on the upper surface.
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Another embodiment of this application further provides an atomizer, including a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, where the housing is arranged with:
- a liquid storage cavity, configured to store a liquid substrate;
- a tubular element at least partially extending in the liquid storage cavity, where a perforation is provided on a tube wall of the tubular element through which the liquid substrate is flowable;
- an atomization assembly, located in the tubular element, and receiving the liquid substrate from the liquid storage cavity through the perforation for atomization to generate an aerosol; and
- a holder, including a first support part, a second support part, and a third support part that are arranged in a longitudinal direction, where an outer diameter of the second support part is less than outer diameters of the first support part and the third support part; a part of the third support part is coupled to the distal end of the housing and closes the distal end of the housing; and
- an accommodating cavity extending from the first support part to the second support part is further arranged in the holder, to accommodate and hold a part of the tubular element.
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Another embodiment of this application further provides a holder for an atomizer, including a first end and a second end that are opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction, and:
- a first support part, a second support part, and a third support part that are sequentially arranged in the longitudinal direction, where the first support part is close to the first end, and the third support part is close to the second end; an outer diameter of the second support part is less than outer diameters of the first support part and the third support part; several flanges extending in a circumferential direction are arranged on an outer surface of the second support part; and
- the holder further defines an accommodating cavity located at the first end.
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In some embodiments, the holder further includes:
- an air groove, defined between adjacent flanges;
- an air inlet, located at the second end;
- a first channel part, extending from the air inlet to the air groove and having a first communication port in communication with the air groove; and
- a second channel part, extending from the air groove to the accommodating cavity and having a second communication port in communication with the air groove, where
- the first communication port is closer to the first end than the second communication port.
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According to the foregoing atomizers, the opening of the liquid storage cavity is covered by the first liquid guide element, and the liquid substrate is absorbed by the first liquid guide element. Then, the second liquid guide element partially located in the first liquid guide element indirectly absorbs the liquid substrate in the liquid storage cavity from the first liquid guide element before the liquid substrate is heated and atomized to generate the aerosol.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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One or more embodiments are exemplarily described with reference to corresponding figures in accompanying drawings, and the exemplary descriptions are not to be construed as limiting the embodiments. Elements in the accompanying drawings denoted by the same reference numerals represent similar elements, and unless otherwise particularly stated, the figures in the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic atomization device according to an embodiment;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of an atomizer in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the atomizer in FIG. 2 from another perspective;
- FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded view of a housing and a module in FIG. 2 before assembly;
- FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded view of parts of the atomizer in FIG. 2 from a perspective;
- FIG. 6 is a schematic exploded view of parts of the atomizer in FIG. 2 from another perspective;
- FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the atomizer in FIG. 2 from a perspective;
- FIG. 8 is a schematic exploded view of an atomization assembly in FIG. 3 from another perspective;
- FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a holder in FIG. 3 from another perspective;
- FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a holder in FIG. 3 from another perspective;
- FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a holder in FIG. 3 from a perspective;
- FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a holder in FIG. 3 from another perspective;
- FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a first liquid guide element and a holder in the module in FIG. 4 before assembly;
- FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of winding a sheet-like fiber material precursor around a heating element; and
- FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of assembling the wound sheet-like fiber material precursor in FIG. 14 into a tubular element in alignment with a notch of the tubular element.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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For ease of understanding of this application, this application is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementations.
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An embodiment of this application provides an electronic atomization device. Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic atomization device includes an atomizer 100 configured to store a liquid substrate and atomize the liquid substrate to generate an aerosol, and a power supply mechanism 200 configured to supply power to the atomizer 100.
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In an optional embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the power supply mechanism 200 includes: a receiving cavity 2170, arranged at an end in a length direction and configured to receive and accommodate at least a part of the atomizer 100; and an electrical contact 2130, at least partially exposed in the receiving cavity 2170 and configured to be electrically connected to the atomizer 100 to supply power to the atomizer 100 when the at least a part of the atomizer 100 is received and accommodated in the power supply mechanism 200.
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According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an electrical contact 21 is arranged on an end portion of the atomizer 100 that is opposite to the power supply mechanism 200 in the length direction, so that when the at least a part of the atomizer 100 is received in the receiving cavity 2170, the electrical contact 21 contacts and abuts against the electrical contact 2130, thereby forming electrical conduction.
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A sealing member 2160 is arranged in the power supply mechanism 200, and at least a part of an internal space of the power supply mechanism 200 is separated through the sealing member 2160 to form the receiving cavity 2170. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the sealing member 2160 is configured to extend in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the power supply mechanism 200, and is preferably made of a flexible material such as silicone, to prevent the liquid substrate permeating from the atomizer 100 to the receiving cavity 2170 from flowing to components such as a controller 2120 and a sensor 2150 inside the power supply mechanism 200.
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In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the power supply mechanism 200 further includes: a battery core 2110 at another end that faces away from the receiving cavity 2170 in the length direction and that is configured to supply power; and the controller 2120 arranged between the battery core 2110 and the receiving cavity 2170, where the controller 2120 is operable to direct a current between the battery core 2110 and the electrical contact 2130.
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During use, the power supply mechanism 200 includes the sensor 2150, configured to sense an inhalation airflow generated by the atomizer 100 during inhalation, so that the controller 2120 controls, based on a detection signal of the sensor 2150, the battery core 2110 to supply power to the atomizer 100.
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In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a charging interface 2140 is arranged on the power supply mechanism 200 at the another end that faces away from the receiving cavity 2170, and is configured to charge the battery core 2110.
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Embodiments in FIG. 2 to FIG. 7 show schematic structural diagrams of an embodiment of the atomizer 100 in FIG. 1. The atomizer 100 includes:
a housing 10, which is a hollow cylinder with approximately a flattened shape, where an inside of the housing is configured to store necessary functional components for atomizing the liquid substrate. The housing 10 has a proximal end 110 and a distal end 120 opposite to each other in the length direction. According to common usage requirements, the proximal end 110 is configured as an end for a user to inhale the aerosol, and an air outlet 113 for the user to inhale is provided at the proximal end 110. The distal end 120 is used as an end coupled to the power supply mechanism 200, and the distal end 120 of the housing 10 is an opening on which a detachable holder 20 is mounted. The opening structure is configured to mount the functional components inside the housing 10.
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In the specific implementations shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 7, the electrical contact 21 penetrates a surface of the holder 20 into the atomizer 100, so that the electrical contact 21 is at least partially exposed outside the atomizer 100, and is in contact with the electrical contact 2130 to form electrical conduction. In addition, an air inlet 22 is further provided on the holder 20, and is configured to allow external air to enter the atomizer 100 during inhalation. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 7, after assembly, the electrical contact 21 is flush with the surface of the holder 20.
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According to the embodiments shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 7, the housing 10 includes:
a first housing part 111 and a second housing part 112, where the first housing part 111 is close to or defines the proximal end 110, and the second housing part 112 is close to or defines the distal end 120. Moreover, a width of the first housing part 111 is greater than a width of the second housing part 112; and/or a thickness of the first housing part 111 is greater than a thickness of the second housing part 112. Further, a step is formed between the first housing part 111 and the second housing part 112. During use, the second housing part 112 of the housing 10 can be received in the receiving cavity 2170 of the power supply mechanism 200, to establish a conduction connection to the power supply mechanism 200. Moreover, the first housing part 111 is exposed outside the receiving cavity 2170. In addition, the step defined between the first housing part 111 and the second housing part 112 abuts against the power supply mechanism 200, to provide a stop for the atomizer 100 received in the receiving cavity 2170.
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As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 7, a first snap protrusion 13 is arranged on the second housing part 112, to form a connection with an adapting structure such as a snap hole on the power supply mechanism 200 when the atomizer 100 is received in the receiving cavity 2170 of the power supply mechanism 200, so that the atomizer 100 is stably held in the receiving cavity 2170 of the power supply mechanism 200.
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Referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 8, the housing 10 is internally provided with a liquid storage cavity 12 for storing the liquid substrate, and an atomization assembly for absorbing the liquid substrate from the liquid storage cavity 12, and heating and atomizing the liquid substrate. In the schematic cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 7, an aerosol output tube 11 is arranged in the housing 10 in an axial direction, and the liquid storage cavity 12 for storing the liquid substrate is formed in a space between an outer surface of the aerosol output tube 11 and an inner surface of the housing 10. A first end of the aerosol output tube 11 that is close to the proximal end 110 communicates with the air outlet 113, to convey the generated aerosol to the air outlet 113 for inhalation. As shown in FIG. 7, the aerosol output tube 11 and the housing 10 are integrally molded using a moldable material, so that the liquid storage cavity 12 formed through preparation has an open or opening toward a side of the distal end 120.
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Referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 7, a first liquid guide element is further arranged in the housing 10.
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The first liquid guide element 50 is a layer of sheet-like or block-like fiber arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the housing 10. The first liquid guide element 50 is configured to close the open or opening of the liquid storage cavity 12 toward the distal end 120, so that the liquid substrate in the liquid storage cavity 12 can exit the liquid storage cavity 12 basically only by being absorbed by the first liquid guide element 50.
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In some embodiments, the first liquid guide element 50 is made of a flexible capillary fiber material, such as a natural cotton fiber or a non-woven fiber. Specifically, the first liquid guide element 50 includes a sheet-like liquid guide cotton.
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Alternatively, in some other variant embodiments, the first liquid guide element 50 includes an artificial cotton, a hard artificial cotton or artificial foam made of filamentous polyurethane, or the like. For example, the first liquid guide element 50 is made of a No. 138 hard synthetic organic polymer fiber with a density of 0.1 mg/mm3 to 0.9 mg/mm3. A weight of the entire first liquid guide element 50 is approximately 0.04 to 0.06 g. The first liquid guide element 50 is made of oriented fibers that are basically oriented and aligned in a length direction. By arranging the oriented fibers in the length direction of the first liquid guide element 50, the first liquid guide element 50 exhibits strong resistance to bending, thereby presenting a hard characteristic. Specifically, for example, the first liquid guide element 50 is made of a hard artificial cotton including an oriented polyester fiber, a hard artificial cotton or artificial foam made of filamentous polyurethane, or the like.
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Referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 7, a first surface 510 of the first liquid guide element 50 that is adjacent to the liquid storage cavity 12 is in fluid communication with the liquid storage cavity 12, to absorb the liquid substrate. Moreover, after assembly, a lower end of the aerosol output tube 11 that faces away from the air outlet 113 abuts against the first surface 510 of the first liquid guide element 50. Further, after assembly, the first liquid guide element 50 closes and defines a part of a boundary of the liquid storage cavity 12.
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As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 7, the first liquid guide element 50 is configured as an annular element with an insertion hole 51.
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As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 7, a tubular element 14 is further arranged in the housing 10.
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The tubular element 14 is an independent component, and is preferably made of a thin rigid material. The tubular element 14 is, for example, a ceramic tube or a stainless steel tube. After penetrating the insertion hole 51 of the first liquid guide element 50 in the axial direction, the tubular element 14 extends into the aerosol output tube 11 and is connected to the aerosol output tube 11 with an interference fit or a tight fit, and a seal is further formed between the tubular element 14 and the aerosol output tube 11 while in a secure connection.
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Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 7, the atomization assembly is accommodated and assembled in the tubular element 14. Moreover, a notch 141 extending in a longitudinal direction and several perforations 142 arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction are arranged on the tubular element 11, and the atomization assembly is in fluid communication with the first liquid guide element 50 through the notch 141 and/or the perforation 142 to receive the liquid substrate.
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Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 8, the atomization assembly includes:
a second liquid guide element 30, which is flexible in this embodiment. For example, the second liquid guide element 30 is made of a flexible fiber such as a cotton fiber, a non-woven fiber, or a sponge; and the second liquid guide element 30 is configured as a tubular or cylindrical element arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10. The second liquid guide element 30 is coaxial with the tubular element 14 and is located in the tubular element 14. Alternatively, in some other variant embodiments, the second liquid guide element 30 may further include a rigid porous element or the like, for example, porous ceramics or porous glass.
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In an embodiment, an outer side surface of the second liquid guide element 30 in a radial direction covers or communicates with the perforation 142, so that the outer side surface of the second liquid guide element 30 is configured as a liquid-absorbing surface, to receive and absorb the liquid substrate from the first liquid guide element 50 through the perforation 142, as shown by an arrow R1 in FIG. 7. An inner side surface of the second liquid guide element 30 in the radial direction is configured as an atomization surface, and the atomization surface is coupled to/adhered to/abuts against a heating element 40. Further, after the liquid substrate is delivered to the atomization surface, the liquid substrate is heated and atomized by the heating element 40 to generate an aerosol, and the aerosol is released.
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Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the heating element 40 is configured to extend in a longitudinal direction of the housing 10/the second liquid guide element 30. The heating element 40 is coaxially arranged with the second liquid guide element 30. In some optional embodiments, the heating element 40 is a resistive heating mesh, a resistive heating coil, or the like. In this embodiment, the heating element 40 is a heating element wound from a sheet-like or mesh-like substrate. The wound heating element 40 is a tubular element not closed in a circumferential direction, and is a cylindrical element having a side opening in a longitudinal direction. The heating element 40 has a conductive pin 41 and a conductive pin 42 that are located at two sides of the side opening, and a mesh-like resistive heating part 43 that is located between the conductive pin 41 and the conductive pin 42 and extends. The resistive heating part 43 is in a mesh shape with apertures.
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Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 to FIG. 12, the holder 20 extends into the housing 10 from the distal end 120, thereby providing support and fixing for the first liquid guide element 50 and the tubular element 14. The holder 20 is generally cylindrical in shape. Moreover, the holder 70 abuts against a second surface 520 of the first liquid guide element 50 that faces away from the liquid storage cavity 12, thereby providing support or holding for the first liquid guide element 50. Moreover, the holder 20 is rigid. For example, the holder 20 is made of a hard polymer plastic.
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As shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 13, the holder 20 includes:
a first support part 210, a second support part 220, and a third support part 230 that are arranged sequentially in a longitudinal direction, where the third support part 230 is coupled to and closes the distal end 120 of the housing 10, and a part of the third support part 230 after assembly is exposed outside the distal end 120 of the housing 10; and the first support part 210, the second support part 220, and a part of the third support part 230 are located in the housing 10. Moreover, the air inlet 22 is also provided on an exposed surface of the third support part 230 that is exposed outside the housing 10.
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An outer diameter of the second support part 220 is less than outer diameters of the first support part 210 and the third support part 230, so that the second support part 220 is arranged in a recessed manner relative to the first support part 210 and the third support part 230.
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After assembly, the first support part 210 abuts against and supports the first liquid guide element 50. The second support part 220 is externally wrapped or surrounded by an absorbing element 60, and the second support part 220 supports the absorbing element 60 from an inner side. The third support part 230 establishes a mechanical connection and an interference fit with the housing 10 close to the distal end 120. Specifically, a connection structure 232 such as a snap groove or a snap protrusion may be arranged on the third support part 230, to establish a mechanical connection to the housing 10.
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As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 to FIG. 12, several recessed structures 271 are arranged on an upper surface of the first support part 210 of the holder 20 that is adjacent to or supports the first liquid guide element 50; and the recessed structures 271 define and form a buffer space between the first support part 210 and the second surface 520 of the first liquid guide element 50, to buffer the liquid substrate permeated from the second surface 520 of the first liquid guide element 50. The buffer space defined through the several recessed structures 271 prevents a large amount of the liquid substrate from permeating between the first liquid guide element 50 and the first support part 210, and helps to stabilize a rate at which the liquid substrate is delivered to the atomization assembly in the tubular element 14 through the first liquid guide element 50.
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As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 to FIG. 12, the holder 20 is further defined with:
an accommodating cavity 250, extending from the first support part 210 to the second support part 220, where the accommodating cavity 250 is configured to accommodate and mount at least a part of the tubular element 14 and/or the atomization assembly. Specifically, after assembly, the tubular element 14 is at least partially inserted into the accommodating cavity 250 of the holder 20. In addition, an interference fit is formed between the tubular element 14 and the holder 20, so that a seal is formed therebetween. In addition, there is no flexible sealing element between the tubular element 14 and the holder 20.
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As shown in FIG. 13, after assembly, a part of the tubular element 14 extends into the holder 20, and a part of the tubular element 14 is located outside the holder 20. In addition, the part of the tubular element 14 that is located outside the holder 20 is inserted into the aerosol output tube 11, to form a tight-fit connection.
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In the embodiments shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 13, at least a part of the perforation 142 and/or the notch 141 of the tubular element 14 after assembly is located outside the holder 20. Moreover, the first liquid guide element 50 surrounds and covers at least a part of the perforation 142 and/or the notch 141 of the tubular element 14, so that the liquid substrate is delivered from an inner surface of the insertion hole 51 of the first liquid guide element 50 to the atomization assembly located in the tubular element 14. In some embodiments, the perforation 142 may have a diameter of approximately 2 mm to 8 mm.
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As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 to FIG. 12, for sealing arrangement between the holder 20 and the housing 10, a first sealing element mounting groove 211 that surrounds the first support part 210 in a circumferential direction is arranged on the first support part 210; the second support part 220 is externally wrapped by a flexible absorbing element 60; a second sealing element mounting groove 231 that surrounds the third support part 210 in a circumferential direction is arranged on the third support part 230; and further, the liquid substrate permeated from a gap between the housing 10 and the holder 20 is gradually prevented by a sealing element such as an O-shaped ring mounted in the first sealing element mounting groove 211, the absorbing element 60, and a sealing member such as an O-shaped ring mounted in the second sealing element mounting groove 231, thereby achieving a sealing effect of preventing the liquid substrate from flowing out.
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In some embodiments, the absorbing element 60 is flexible. In addition, the absorbing element 60 is porous, for example, the absorbing element 60 is made of a flexible and porous capillary fiber material, for example, a sponge or a fiber cotton with internal microporous pores.
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As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 to FIG. 12, a plurality of air grooves 221 that surround the second support part 220 in a circumferential direction, and a flange 222 that is located between adjacent air grooves 221 are further arranged outside the second support part 220 of the holder 20. After assembly, the flange 222 abuts against and supports the absorbing element 60; and a spacing or a gap is maintained between the absorbing element 60 and the second support part 220 through the air grooves 221, to hold the liquid substrate excessively absorbed on the absorbing element 60.
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As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 to FIG. 12, an air inlet channel is arranged on the holder 20, to provide a channel for air in the air inlet 22 to enter the accommodating cavity 250. The complete air inlet channel includes:
- a first channel part 23, extending or penetrating from the air inlet 22 in a longitudinal direction of the holder 20 to the air groove 221 on a surface of the second support part 220, where the first channel part 23 further defines a first communication port 24 of the air groove 221 that is located on the surface of the second support part 220; and after passing through the first channel part 23, external air entering from the air inlet 22 is released into the air groove 221 from the first communication port 24;
- the air groove 221; and
- a second channel part 25, extending or penetrating from the air groove 221 on the surface of the second support part 220 to the accommodating cavity 250, to deliver air to the atomization assembly in the accommodating cavity 250, where the second channel part 25 may include a plurality of bent segments, for example, in FIG. 11, the second channel part 25 includes a first segment 252 penetrating from a second communication port 251 to the second support part 220 in the radial direction through the surface of the second support part 220, and a second segment 253 extending from the first segment 252 to the accommodating cavity 250 in the longitudinal direction; and the second channel part 25 has the second communication port 251 located in the air groove 221 on the surface of the second support part 220.
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For a flow path of an airflow during inhalation, refer to an arrow R2 in FIG. 7 to FIG. 12. The external air entering from the air inlet 22 flows into the air groove 221 on the surface of the second support part 220 through the first channel part 23, and then flows to the second channel part 25 through a second trench 22. Finally, the external air enters the tubular element 14 from the second channel part 25, and is delivered from the aerosol output tube 11 to the air outlet 113 with the aerosol generated by the atomization assembly.
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As shown in FIG. 11, in a radial direction of the holder 20, the first communication port 24 of the first channel part 23 and the second communication port 251 of the second channel part 25 are arranged in opposite directions. Moreover, in a longitudinal direction of the holder 20, the first communication port 24 of the first channel part 23 and the second communication port 251 of the second channel part 25 are at different longitudinal heights. Specifically, in FIG. 11, a longitudinal distance d1 between the first communication port 24 and a lower end of the holder 20 is greater than a longitudinal distance d2 between the second communication port 251 and the lower end of the holder 20, which is advantageous for preventing aerosol condensate in the accommodating cavity 250 from flowing against the airflow path toward the air inlet 22. Alternatively, the first communication port 24 is closer to an upper end of the holder 20 and/or the first liquid guide element 50 and/or the liquid storage cavity 12 than the second communication port 251.
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As shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 12, the holder 20 is further defined with:
an air exchange channel, to provide a flow path for air to enter the liquid storage cavity 12. Therefore, when a negative pressure in the liquid storage cavity 12 is lower than a preset threshold due to gradual consumption of the liquid substrate in the liquid storage cavity 12, air can enter the liquid storage cavity 12 through the air exchange channel to relieve or eliminate the negative pressure in the liquid storage cavity 12. Specifically, the air exchange channel includes:
- a vent hole 261, penetrating the first support part 210 in the longitudinal direction, where specifically, the through hole 261 avoids the second support part 220; and
- a vent slot 262, arranged on an upper surface of the first support part 210 that is adjacent to the first liquid guide element 50, where the vent slot 262 extends from the vent hole 261 to an edge of the first support part 210.
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In some embodiments, the vent hole 261 has a diameter of approximately 0.3 mm to 2.0 mm. Moreover, the vent slot 262 has a width and/or a depth of approximately 0.3 mm to 2.0 mm. When the negative pressure in the liquid storage cavity 12 is lower than the preset threshold, as shown by an arrow R3 in FIG. 7 and FIG. 11, air enters the liquid storage cavity 12 through the vent hole 261, the vent slot 262, and a gap between the first liquid guide element 50 and the housing 10 sequentially, thereby eliminating or relieving the negative pressure in the liquid storage cavity 12.
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As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 12, the absorbing element 60 is non-closed in a circumferential direction. Further, the absorbing element 60 wrapping or surrounding the second support part 220 has a notch 61 longitudinally passing through the absorbing element 60. Moreover, an inlet of the vent hole 261 is opposite to the notch 61, so that air in the notch 61 enters the liquid storage cavity 12.
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As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 12, the holder 20 is further provided with:
a contact hole 241, penetrating from an exposed surface in the third support part 230 to the third support part 230, to accommodate and hold the electrical contact 21. Correspondingly, the holder 20 is further provided with a wire hole 281 that penetrates from the accommodating cavity 250 to the contact hole 241. After assembly, the conductive pin 41 and the conductive pin 42 of the heating element 40 extend into the contact hole 241 after penetrating the wire hole 281, to be in contact with or welded to the electrical contact 21 to form electrical conduction.
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As shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 7, and FIG. 13, the atomizer 100 having the foregoing structures is advantageous for modular assembly. Specifically, during modular preparation and assembly, the absorbing element 60 may be first wrapped around and coupled to the holder 20, and the tubular element 14 in which the atomization assembly is accommodated is then inserted into the accommodating cavity 250 of the holder 20, to obtain an assembly state shown in FIG. 13. Then, as shown by an arrow P2 in FIG. 13, the first liquid guide element 50 passes through the tubular element 14 and then abuts against an upper surface of the holder 20, to obtain a module 300 shown in FIG. 4. Finally, as shown by an arrow P1 in FIG. 4, the module 300 is inserted into the housing 10 from the distal end 120 of the housing 10, and the tubular element 14 is tightly coupled to the aerosol output tube 11 in the housing 10, so that the assembled atomizer 100 in FIG. 7 can be obtained.
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In some embodiments, the aerosol output tube 11 is integrally formed with the housing 10 through the moldable material; and in this embodiment, the aerosol output tube 11 and the housing 10 are molded through a transparent polymer material, so that the aerosol output tube 11 and the housing 10 are both transparent. In addition, during assembly or after assembly, a part 14a of the tubular element 14 that extends out of the first liquid guide element 50 is visible through the surface of the housing 10 after the tubular element 14 is inserted into the aerosol output tube 11. Further, during assembly, it is advantageous to check or monitor whether the tubular element 14 is correctly inserted into the aerosol output tube 11 and securely connected to the aerosol output tube 11.
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Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 13, the notch 141 and the perforation 142 of the tubular element 14 are not exposed outside the first liquid guide element 50. After assembly, the notch 141 and the perforation 142 of the tubular element 14 are basically surrounded and sealed by the first liquid guide element 50.
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In some embodiments, the notch 141 of the tubular element 14 is an operation space used for mounting the atomization assembly in the tubular element 14 during preparation. Specifically, FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are schematic diagrams of mounting and assembling the atomization assembly in the tubular element 14. As shown by an arrow P3 in FIG. 14, a sheet-like precursor, for example, a sheet-like fiber material precursor 30a, from which the second liquid guide element 30 is prepared is first wound around the heating element 40 to form a state shown in FIG. 15, and the wound precursor 30a further has a redundant part 310a. Then, as shown by an arrow P4 in FIG. 15, the precursor 30a wrapping the heating element 40 after being wound is inserted into the tubular element 14, and the redundant part 310a is assembled in alignment with the notch 141 of the tubular element 14, so that the redundant part 310a extends out of the tubular element 14 from the notch 141. Finally, the redundant part 310a is cut off by using a tool such as a scissor, thereby forming the atomization assembly that is completely accommodated and assembled in the tubular element 14.
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It should be noted that, the specification and the accompanying drawings of this application provide the preferred embodiments of this application, but this application is not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. Further, a person of ordinary skill in the art may make improvements or modifications based on the above descriptions, and all of the improvements and modifications shall fall within the protection scope of the appended claims of this application.