HEATING ELEMENT, ATOMIZATION DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE

Abstract

A heating element, including: a main body and a heating part. The main body includes a central passage and an inner wall defining the central passage. The main body includes a first body and a second body connected to each other. The central passage extends through the first body and the second body. The second body has an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the first body. The heating part is disposed on the inner wall defining the central passage and is a mesh structure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119 and the Paris Convention Treaty, this application claims foreign priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202420050979.2 filed Jan. 9, 2024, the contents of which, including any intervening amendments thereto, are incorporated herein by reference. Inquiries from the public to applicants or assignees concerning this document or the related applications should be directed to: Matthias Scholl P.C., Attn.: Dr. Matthias Scholl Esq., 245 First Street, 18th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to the field of atomization technology, and more particularly to a heating element, atomization device, and an electronic cigarette.

The heating elements of conventional e-cigarettes or atomization devices are ceramic, including a hollow cylindrical ceramic body and heating wires embedded on the inner wall of the ceramic body. The hollow space serves as a central passage for vapor circulation, and the ceramic body is used to absorb the atomizing substance (such as e-liquid). The heating wire heats and atomizes the aerosol, which flows out from the central passage. However, some aerosols are easily condensed when the aerosols are sucked by a user to the outlet end of the central passage, and accumulate in the central passage to form a viscous film, blocking the central passage and affecting the use of the entire electronic cigarette. In addition, the heating wire is coiled in a spiral shape on the inner wall of the ceramic body, and its heating area is very limited, resulting in low heat production, which leads to the problem of aerosol cooling or even condensing before being discharged from the central passage of the heating element.

SUMMARY

To solve the aforesaid problems, one objective of the disclosure is to provide a heating element, the heating element comprising:

• • a main body, the main body comprising a central passage and an inner wall defining the central passage, the main body comprising a first body and a second body connected to each other, the central passage extending through the first body and the second body, the second body having an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the first body; and
  • a heating part, the heating part being disposed on the inner wall defining the central passage and being a mesh structure.

In a class of this embodiment, the main body comprises an airflow inlet and an airflow outlet both communicating with the central passage; the airflow inlet is disposed at one end of the first main body, and the airflow outlet is disposed at one end of the second main body; the heating part extends circumferentially along the central passage on an inner wall of the first body.

In a class of this embodiment, the heating part comprises an electrically conductive metal and is at least partially embedded in the inner wall of the first body; or the heating part comprises an electrically conductive ink printed or coated on the inner wall of the first body.

In a class of this embodiment, the heating part comprises a conductive heating unit; the conductive heating unit comprises a plurality of polygonal grids arrayed to form a circuit loop.

In a class of this embodiment, the heating part further comprises a first heat conductive portion and/or a second heat conductive portion; the first heat conductive portion is attached to a first side of the conductive heating unit and extends in a direction away from the conductive heating unit; the second heat conductive portion is attached to a second side of the conductive heating unit and extends in a direction away from the conductive heating unit.

In a class of this embodiment, the heating part further comprises a first electrical joint and a second electrical joint; the first electrical joint and the second electrical joint are electrically connected to both ends of the conductive heating unit, respectively.

In a class of this embodiment, the first electrical joint and the second electrical joint are integrated with the conductive heating unit.

In a class of this embodiment, the first body comprises a first axis, the second body comprises a second axis, and the first axis coincides with the second axis; the central passage comprises a third axis; the third axis coincides with the first axis and the second axis.

In a class of this embodiment, two pins are respectively connected to edges of the first electrical joint and the second electrical joint close to the conductive heating unit.

In a class of this embodiment, the main body comprises porous ceramics.

In a class of this embodiment, an arc-shaped transition section is provided at a joint between the first body and the second body.

In a second aspect, the disclosure provides an atomization device comprising the abovementioned heating element.

In a class of this embodiment, the atomization device further comprises a storage tank, a seal base, and an atomization tube; the storage tank comprises a storage chamber; a first end of the storage tank comprises a mouthpiece, and the seal base is disposed on a second end of the storage tank; the mouthpiece comprises an inhaling opening; the main body comprises an airflow inlet and an airflow outlet both communicating with the central passage; the airflow inlet is disposed at one end of the first main body, and the airflow outlet is disposed at one end of the second main body; the airflow outlet faces the inhaling opening and communicates with the inhaling opening; the heating element is disposed in the atomization tube; the atomization tube comprises a liquid inlet facing the first body; and two ends of the atomization tube are respectively connected to the mouthpiece and the seal base.

In a third aspect, the disclosure provides an electronic cigarette, comprising the atomization device and a battery module for supplying power to the heating element of the atomization device.

The following advantages are associated with the heating element and the atomization device of the disclosure. By designing the outer diameter of the second body to be smaller than the outer diameter of the first body, the wall of the second body is thinner. When flowing out from the airflow outlet of the second body, the aerosol condenses, and the condensate will flow out from the end of the second body, reducing the backflow to the central passage, avoiding blockage of the central passage, thus ensuring the normal use of electronic cigarettes. In addition, the mesh heating part can increase the heating area, increase the temperature of the main body itself, so that the temperature of the aerosol vapor will not be cooled too quickly, reducing the formation of the condensate, increasing the amount of vapor generated by the heated e-liquid, and improving the taste.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a stereograph of a heating element according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the heating element in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the heating element in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an expanded view of a heating part of the heating element in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a stereograph of a heating element according to another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the heating element in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the heating element in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an expanded view of a heating part of the heating element in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an expanded view of a heating part of the heating element according to still another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of an electronic cigarette according to one embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of an electronic cigarette according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

In the drawings, the following reference numbers are used: 10. Heating element; 100. Main body; 53. Central passage; 101. First body; 102. Second body; 103. Arc-shaped transition section; 110. Heating part; 111. Pin; 113. Conductive heating unit; 114. First heat conductive portion; 115. Second heat conductive portion; 116. First electrical joint; 117. Second electrical joint; H1. First axis; H2. Second axis; H3. Third axis; 201. Storage tank; 202. Atomization tube; 203. Seal base; 204. Bottom cover; 205. First electrode component; 206. First magnetic part; 207. Second electrode component; 208. Second magnetic part; 209. Battery base; 210. Battery bracket; 211. Battery; 212. Battery housing; 213. PCB board; 214. Power supply interface; 2011. Mouthpiece; 51. Airflow inlet; 52. Airflow outlet; 54. Storage chamber; 55. Inhaling opening; 56. Liquid inlet;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To further illustrate the disclosure, embodiments detailing a heating element, atomization device, and an electronic cigarette are described below. It should be noted that the following embodiments are intended to describe and not to limit the disclosure.

In this disclosure, unless otherwise specified, the terms “connected”, “fixed”, etc. are to be understood in a broad sense, e.g., either directly or indirectly through an intermediate medium, or as a connection within two elements or an interaction between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the disclosure may be understood in actual need.

As used herein, “communication” refers to fluid communication, i.e., a fluid (including a liquid and/or a gas) can flow from one component to another. In addition, as used herein, communication between two components may refer to direct connectivity between two components, e.g., at least partial alignment between two holes, or connectivity through an intermediate medium.

“Atomizing substance” means a mixture or auxiliary substance that can be atomized, in whole or in part, into an aerosol by an electronic or similar device.

The term “aerosol” refers to a colloidal dispersion system comprising small solid or liquid particles dispersed and suspended in a gaseous medium.

“Atomizing device” means a device in which a stored atomization substance, i.e., an atomizing substance, is heated or sonicated to form an aerosol. A heating element 10 is one of main parts of an atomization device.

Conventional e-cigarettes primarily include a cartridge that stores an atomizing substance and a power supply; the cartridge is provided with a heating or vaporizing device, such as an atomizer including a heating element 10, and the power supply supplies power to the heating element 10 so that the atomizing substance in the cartridge is converted into an aerosol for the user to inhale.

The disclosure provides a heating element, comprising a main body 100 and a heating part 110. The main body comprises a central passage 53 and an inner wall defining the central passage 53; the heating part 110 is disposed in the central passage 53. The main body comprises a first body 101 and a second body 102 connected to each other. The second body 102 has an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the first body 101. After the heating part 110 is energized, the tobacco liquid entering the heating element 10 is heated and atomized to form an aerosol. After the aerosol flows to the end of the second body, it condenses to form a condensate. The condensate flows outwardly along the edges of the second body 102, and converges at the junction end surface 61 of the first body 101 and the second body 102. The converged condensate can be inhaled into the main body 100 again for reuse, avoiding the condensate from flowing back into the central passage 53, causing the central passage 53 to be blocked and affecting the normal use of the electronic cigarette.

The heating element 10 of the disclosure is described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1-9.

In certain embodiments, the heating element 10 is used to heat the atomizing substance (e.g., tobacco tar, tobacco liquid, etc.) so that the atomizing substance is atomized to form an aerosol. The heating element comprises a main body 100 and a heating part 110. The main body comprises a central passage 53 and an inner wall defining the central passage 53; the main body comprises a first body 101 and a second body 102 connected to each other; the central passage extends through the first body and the second body; the second body has an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the first body. The heating part 110 is disposed on the inner wall defining the central passage 53 and is a mesh structure. The heating element 10 comprises an airflow inlet 51 and an airflow outlet 52. The central passage 53 is configured to provide a path for discharging the aerosol. The airflow inlet 51 is disposed on one end of the first body 101 back from the second body 102. The airflow outlet 52 is disposed on one end of the second body 102 back from the first body 101. Thus, the air at the airflow inlet 51 of the main body 100 can flow out of the airflow outlet 52 via the central passage 53. By designing the outer diameter of the second body 102 to be smaller than the outer diameter of the first body 101, the wall of the second body 102 is thinner. When flowing out from the airflow outlet 52 of the second body 102, the aerosol condenses, and the condensate will flow out from the end of the second body 102, reducing the backflow to the central passage 53, avoiding blockage of the central passage 53, thus ensuring the normal use of electronic cigarettes. In addition, the mesh heating part 110 can increase the heating area, increase the temperature of the main body 100 itself, so that the temperature of the aerosol vapor will not be cooled too quickly, reducing the formation of the condensate, increasing the amount of vapor generated by the heated tobacco tar, and improving the taste.

The first body 101 is integrated with the second body 102 to form the main body 100, or both of them can be die-cast and sintered to form the main body 100. Referring to FIGS. 1-2 and FIGS. 5-6, an arc-shaped transition section 103 is disposed at the junction between the first body 101 and the second body 102, thus increasing the structural strength of the first body 101 and the second body 102, and preventing the first body 101 and second body 102 from fracturing. In some embodiments, see FIGS. 1-2, the arc-shaped transition section 103 is smooth transition from the sidewall of the second body 102 to the sidewall of the first body 101. In other embodiments, see FIGS. 5-6, the arc-shaped transition section 103 is smooth transition from the sidewall of the second body 102 to the junction end surface 61 and does not reach the sidewall of the first body 101.

The first body 101 comprises a first axis H1, the second body 102 comprises a second axis H2, and the first axis H1 coincides with the second axis H2; the central passage 53 comprises a third axis H3; the third axis H3 coincides with the first axis H1 and the second axis H2. That is, the entire main body 100 is symmetrically structured with respect to a central axis. The main body 100 is preferably made of ceramic, but is not limited to ceramic, may also be sintered from mica, diatomaceous earth, and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 2-3 and 6-7, the heating part 110 is disposed on the inner wall of the first body 101 corresponding to the central passage 53, and the heating part 110 extends along the circumference of the central passage 53. In some examples, the heating part 110 is made of an electrically conductive metal, at least partially embedded within the inner wall of the main body 100. In other examples, the heating part 110 is made of conductive ink and is printed or coated on the inner wall.

The heating part 110 is a mesh structure, and compared to traditional horizontal, vertical, or spiral heating wires, the tobacco tar is heated more evenly, the heating area is increased, carbon is not easily accumulated, the amount of vapor produced is increased, and the taste is better. In addition, the heating area and the overall temperature of the heating part are increased, thus preventing the end of the heating part from cooling down quickly, and improving the problem of condensation of the vapor when it encounters cold air. In some examples, as shown in FIG. 4, the heating part 110 comprises a conductive heating unit 113, The conductive heating unit 113 is formed by a plurality of polygonal grid lines arrayed into a circuit loop. The polygons include but are not limited to triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, etc. The plurality of polygons are arrayed to form a circuit loop to realize the purpose of energized heating.

In certain embodiments, the heating part 110 further comprises a first heat conductive portion 114 and/or a second heat conductive portion 115. The first heat conductive portion 114 is attached to one side of the conductive heating unit 113 and extends in a direction away from the conductive heating unit 113; and the second heat conductive portion 115 is attached to the other side of the conductive heating unit 113 and extends in a direction away from the conductive heating unit 113. Understandably, the conductive heating section 113 may be connected to the first heat conductive portion 114, or to the second heat conductive portion 115, or to both the first heat conductive portion 114 and the second heat conductive portion 115. The first heat conductive portion 114 and the second heat conductive portion 115 further expand the heating area and extend towards the end of the main body 100 to avoid the end part of the heating part 110 from cooling down quickly and avoiding rapid condensation of the vapor at the end part of the heating part 110. In some examples, see FIGS. 4 and 8, the first heat conductive portion 114 and the second heat conductive portion 115 extend axially from the tips of the polygons of the conductive heating unit 113 toward the ends, respectively. In other examples, see FIG. 9, the first heat conductive portion 114 and the second heat conductive portion 115 extend along the edges of the polygon of the conductive heating unit 113.

In certain embodiments, the heating part 110 further comprises a first electrical joint 116 and a second electrical joint 117; the first electrical joint 116 and the second electrical joint 11 are electrically connected to both ends of the conductive heating unit 113 for acting as conductive electrodes.

Optionally, the conductive heating unit, the first heat conductive portion, the second heat conductive portion, the first electrical joint, and the second electrical joint may be made of the same metal, or may be made of different metals, as needed, including but not limited to copper, tungsten, gold, silver, aluminum, nickel or nickel-chromium alloys, iron-chromium-aluminum alloys, and other alloy materials. The first electrical joint 116, the second electrical joint 117, the conductive heating unit 113, the first heat conductive portion 114, and the second heat conductive portion 115 may be integrally molded or welded to each other.

The first electrical joint 116 and second electrical joint 117 are each connected with a pin 111, and two pins 111 are respectively connected to edges of the first electrical joint 116 and the second electrical joint 117 close to the conductive heating unit 113.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a first embodiment; specifically, the conductive heating unit 113 comprises a plurality of hexagons which are combined with each other. The first heat conductive portion 114 and the second heat conductive portion 115 are provided on opposite vertices of the hexagons, and the first heat conductive portion 114 and second heat conductive portion 115 are in parallel with the first electrical joint 116 and second electrical joint 117.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate a second embodiment of the heating element 10; specifically, the conductive heating unit 113 comprises a plurality of quadrangles which are combined with each other. The first heat conductive portion 114 and the second heat conductive portion 115 are provided on opposite vertices of the quadrangles, and the first heat conductive portion 114 and second heat conductive portion 115 are in parallel with the first electrical joint 116 and second electrical joint 117.

FIG. 9 illustrates a third embodiment of the heating element 10. The conductive heating unit 113 comprises a plurality of quadrangles which are combined with each other. The first heat conductive portion 114 and second heat conductive portion 115 extend along the edges of the quadrangles.

As shown in FIGS. 10-11, according to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an atomization device comprising: a storage tank 201, an atomization tube 202, a seal base 203, a bottom cover 204, a first electrode component 205, and a first magnetic part 206.

The storage tank 201 and the seal base 203 enclose a storage chamber 54; the storage tank 201 comprises a mouthpiece 2011 at one end; the mouthpiece 2011 is provided with an inhaling opening 55; the storage tank 201 is provided with a vapor conduction tube extending from the inhaling opening 55 to the storage chamber 54. The inhaling opening 55 is connected to the vapor conduction tube. The heating element 10 is disposed on the seal base 203. The atomization tube 202 is disposed on the periphery of the heating element 10. The atomization tube 202 is connected to the vapor conduction tube; the bottom cover 204 is disposed on the side of the seal base 203 away from the storage tank 201. The first electrode component 205 and the first magnetic part 206 are embedded in the bottom cover 204 and the ends of the first electrode component 205 and the first magnetic part 206 back away from the storage tank 54 are exposed.

The seal base 203 is disposed on the other end of the storage tank 201. The main body 10 comprises an airflow inlet 52 and an airflow outlet 51 both communicating with the central passage; the airflow inlet 51 is disposed at one end of the first main body 101, and the airflow outlet 52 is disposed at one end of the second main body 102. The airflow outlet 52 faces the inhaling opening 55 and communicates with the inhaling opening; the heating element 10 is disposed in the atomization tube 202; the atomization tube 202 comprises a liquid inlet 56 facing the first body 101; and two ends of the atomization tube 202 are respectively connected to the mouthpiece 2011 and the seal base 203.

As shown in FIGS. 10-11, the disclosure provides an electronic cigarette comprising the atomization device and a battery module for supplying power to the atomization device.

The battery module comprises a second electrode component 207, a second magnetic part 208, a battery base 209, a battery bracket 210, a battery 211, a battery housing 212, a PCB board 213, and a power supply interface 214.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications.

Claims

1. A heating element, comprising: a main body, the main body comprising a central passage and an inner wall defining the central passage, the main body comprising a first body and a second body connected to each other, the central passage extending through the first body and the second body, the second body having an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the first body; anda heating part, the heating part being disposed on the inner wall defining the central passage and being a mesh structure.

2. The heating element of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises an airflow inlet and an airflow outlet both communicating with the central passage; the airflow inlet is disposed at one end of the first main body, and the airflow outlet is disposed at one end of the second main body; the heating part extends circumferentially along the central passage on an inner wall of the first body.

3. The heating element of claim 2, wherein the heating part comprises an electrically conductive metal and is at least partially embedded in the inner wall of the first body; or the heating part comprises an electrically conductive ink printed or coated on the inner wall of the first body.

4. The heating element of claim 3, wherein the heating part comprises a conductive heating unit; the conductive heating unit comprises a plurality of polygonal grids arrayed to form a circuit loop.

5. The heating element of claim 4, wherein the heating part further comprises a first heat conductive portion and/or a second heat conductive portion; the first heat conductive portion is attached to a first side of the conductive heating unit and extends in a direction away from the conductive heating unit; the second heat conductive portion is attached to a second side of the conductive heating unit and extends in a direction away from the conductive heating unit.

6. The heating element of claim 4, wherein the heating part further comprises a first electrical joint and a second electrical joint; the first electrical joint and the second electrical joint are electrically connected to both ends of the conductive heating unit, respectively.

7. The heating element of claim 6, wherein the first electrical joint and the second electrical joint are integrated with the conductive heating unit.

8. The heating element of claim 1, wherein the first body comprises a first axis, the second body comprises a second axis, and the first axis coincides with the second axis; the central passage comprises a third axis; the third axis coincides with the first axis and the second axis.

9. The heating element of claim 6, wherein two pins are respectively connected to edges of the first electrical joint and the second electrical joint close to the conductive heating unit.

10. The heating element of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises porous ceramics.

11. The heating element of claim 1, wherein an arc-shaped transition section is provided at a joint between the first body and the second body.

12. An atomization device, comprising the heating element of claim 1.

13. The atomization device of claim 12, further comprising a storage tank, a seal base, and an atomization tube; wherein the storage tank comprises a storage chamber; a first end of the storage tank comprises a mouthpiece, and the seal base is disposed on a second end of the storage tank; the mouthpiece comprises an inhaling opening; the main body comprises an airflow inlet and an airflow outlet both communicating with the central passage; the airflow inlet is disposed at one end of the first main body, and the airflow outlet is disposed at one end of the second main body; the airflow outlet faces the inhaling opening and communicates with the inhaling opening; the heating element is disposed in the atomization tube; the atomization tube comprises a liquid inlet facing the first body; and two ends of the atomization tube are respectively connected to the mouthpiece and the seal base.

14. An electronic cigarette, comprising the atomization device of claim 12 and a battery module for supplying power to the heating element of the atomization device.