US20140216450A1

US20140216450A1 - Electronic cigarette

Info

Publication number: US20140216450A1
Application number: US13/997,272
Authority: US
Inventors: Qiuming Liu
Original assignee: Qiuming Liu
Current assignee: Kimree Hi-Tech Inc
Priority date: 2013-02-02
Filing date: 2013-02-02
Publication date: 2014-08-07
Also published as: WO2014117397A1

Abstract

An electronic cigarette includes an absorption stem one end of which forms a mouthpiece end for smoking the electronic cigarette, wherein a filter tip is provided on the mouthpiece end. The present invention has the following advantages. Interference-fitting between the filter tip disposed on the mouthpiece end and absorption stem enhances the entire hand feeling and emulation of the electronic cigarette.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to field of electronic cigarette and more particularly, relates to an electronic cigarette with a filter tip disposed at its mouthpiece end.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A prior art electronic cigarette contains a mouthpiece at one end of its absorption stem so as to form a mouthpiece end of the electronic cigarette for use by a user. As the mouthpiece of a prior art electronic cigarette is generally constructed of plastic material, this certainly will have influence on mouth feel during use. In addition, there is no real hand feeling like a traditional cigar and emulation is not enough.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem to be solved by the invention is to provide an electronic cigarette effectively enhancing mouth feel of the electronic cigarette.
To resolve the above problem, the present invention discloses an electronic cigarette including an absorption stem one end of which forms a mouthpiece end for smoking the electronic cigarette. Here, a filter tip is provided on the mouthpiece end.
Preferably, the absorption stem is of a hollow tubular construction, the filter tip is received in the absorption stem and is interference-fitted with the absorption stem.
Preferably, the filter tip is made of acetate fiber.
Preferably, the electronic cigarette further includes an atomization device disposed at a side of the filter tip and a battery electrically connected to the atomization device for providing power to the atomization device.
Preferably, the atomization device and battery are contained and held in the absorption stem.
Preferably, paper is attached onto an outer surface of the absorption stem.
Preferably, the electronic cigarette further includes a battery stem connected with the absorption stem. The atomization device is located in the absorption stem, while the battery is located in the battery stem.
Preferably, one end of the absorption stem facing the battery stem is provided with a first and second connection portions for electrically connecting the atomization device and battery and bringing stable connection between the absorption stem and battery stem.
Preferably, the first connection portion includes a first connection member and a first electrode member insulated with the first connection member both of which are electrically connected with the atomization device for constituting a positive and negative electrodes of the atomization device. The second connection portion includes a second connection member and a second electrode member insulated with the second connection member both of which are electrically connected with a positive and negative electrodes of the battery. When the absorption stem is connected with the battery stem, the first connection member and first electrode member are electrically coupled with the second connection member and second electrode member respectively.
Preferably, the atomization device includes a liquid storage component for storing cigar liquid, an atomizer pressed against the liquid storage component, and an atomization base and atomization case disposed at two ends of the liquid storage component respectively for sealing the liquid storage component.
Preferably, both of the atomization base and atomization case are interference-fitted with the absorption stem.
Preferably, first and second holding grooves are defined on the atomization base and atomization case at a corresponding side facing the liquid storage component respectively for holding the liquid storage component therein.
Preferably, the liquid storage component is supported by and held between the atomization base and atomization case through a supporting tube.
Preferably, the electronic cigarette further includes an atomization control unit electrically coupled with the battery for switching on and off of the atomization device. The atomization control unit is located between the atomization device and battery, or the atomization control unit is disposed on the battery at a side far away from the atomization device.
Preferably, the atomization control unit includes an atomization control circuit and an atomization control switch connected to the atomization control circuit. The atomization control switch is a capacitive sensor switch or gas sensor, or button switch. The atomization control circuit is integrated into the atomization control switch. Or, the atomization control unit further includes an atomization control circuit board coupled respectively with the battery and atomization control switch. The atomization control circuit is integrated into the atomization control circuit board.
The present invention has the following advantages. By providing a filter tip on the mouthpiece end of the absorption stem, cigar liquid is effectively filtered out and mouth feel is better. In addition, interference-fitting between the filter tip and absorption stem makes the structure simple. Moreover, as paper is attached onto the outer periphery of the absorption stem, the entire hand feeling of the electronic cigarette is enhanced and emulation of the electronic cigarette is also improved.
Embodiments of the present invention are further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic cigarette according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an electronic cigarette according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic cigarette according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an absorption stem of an electronic cigarette according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an absorption stem of an electronic cigarette according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a battery stem of an electronic cigarette according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an atomization case of an electronic cigarette; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an atomization base of an electronic cigarette.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-8, the present invention provides an electronic cigarette including an absorption stem 101. One end of the absorption stem 101 forms a mouthpiece end for smoking the electronic cigarette by a user. A filter tip 10 is disposed on the mouthpiece end.
The absorption stem 101 is of a hollow tubular construction, and may be made of metal, plastic, paper and wood. In this embodiment, the absorption stem 101 is preferably configured to have a tubular construction with circular cross section just like a traditional cigar so as to enhance simulation effect of the electronic cigarette. Of course, according to design requirement, the absorption stem 101 may also be configured to have a tubular construction with other polygonal or combined cross section such that the electronic cigarette will have much more designs.
Please refer to FIGS. 1-6, the filter tip 10 is disposed and held in the absorption stem 101 and is of a cylindrical shape corresponding to the absorption stem 101. The outer diameter of the filter tip 10 is slightly larger than inner diameter of the absorption stem 101 so as to form interference-fit with the latter and further be secured into the absorption stem 101 by pressing of its outer wall against the inner wall of the absorption stem 101.
In this embodiment, the filter tip 10 is preferably constructed of nontoxic tasteless acetate fiber material with small absorptive resistance and strong absorbability and high stiffness. As an embodiment, the filter tip 10 may also be constructed of other material having smoke adsorptive capability and filtering performance such as polypropylene strand, active carbon or inorganic mineral fiber.
The filter tip 10 is provided on the mouthpiece end of the absorption stem 101 to effectively filter smoke which otherwise would have flowed into the mouth of the user, absorb cigar oil contained in smoke, and prevent absorption of cigar oil by the user when using the electronic cigarette, thus effectively improving mouth feeling of the electronic cigarette while maintaining health of the user. In addition, interference fitting between the filter tip 10 and absorption stem 101 effectively simplifies structure of the electronic cigarette, keeps consistency of the external design of the absorption stem 101, and avoids formation of a connection portion between the absorption stem and mouthpiece as traditionally, hence effectively enhancing mouth feeling of the mouthpiece end of the electronic cigarette.
Reference is made to FIGS. 1-3. An atomization device 20 and battery 30 are received in the electronic cigarette. The atomization device 20 is intended for converting cigar liquid into smoke for absorption by the user. The battery 30 is electrically coupled with the atomization device 20 to provide electric power to the atomization device 20.
As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the atomization device 20 includes a liquid storage component 21, an atomizer 22, an atomization base 23 and an atomization case 24.
The atomization device 20 is disposed adjacent the filter tip 10 and is received and secured in the absorption stem 101. In present embodiment, the absorption stem 101 directly functions as an atomization bushing of the atomization device 20 for accommodating and sealing the liquid storage component 21, thus further simplifying the entire construction of the electronic cigarette. Of course, as an embodiment, the atomization device 20 may also have independent atomization bushing
The liquid storage component 21 has liquid absorption and storage capability and is used for absorbing and storing cigar liquid to be later atomized by the atomizer 22. In this embodiment, the liquid storage component 21 may be made of material with liquid absorption and storage ability such as glass fiber, non-woven fabrics, wood pulp fiber, chemical fiber, polyvinyl alcohol, high temperature resistant cotton, chemical fiber cotton, mixed cotton, liquid absorption cotton, foam nickel or the like.
In this embodiment, the liquid storage component 21 is disposed to be of a hollow tubular construction matched with the absorption stem 101, and is disposed coaxially with the absorption stem 101.
The atomizer 22 is used to convert cigar liquid into smoke and, in this embodiment, the atomizer 22 is composed of an electric heater coil 221 and an atomization base stem 222. The electric heater coil 221 is enwound on the atomization base stem 222. The atomization stem 222 is supported and secured inside the liquid storage component 21 to absorb cigar liquid inside the liquid storage component 21 such that the cigar liquid will be heated by the electric heater coil 221 to be atomized. In this embodiment, the atomization stem is configured to be of a cylindrical shape, and is made of glass fiber or other fiber material capable of resisting high temperature and absorbing liquid.
The atomization base 23 and atomization base 24 are disposed at two ends of the liquid storage component 21 respectively, for sealing and securing the liquid storage component 21 into the absorption stem 101. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a first holding groove 213 for holding the liquid storage component 21 is disposed on the atomization base 23 at one side facing the liquid storage component 21. The middle portion of the first holding groove 231 corresponds to the middle portion of the liquid storage component 21 and is provided with a first venting hole 232 for helping flowing of gas along the gas path. A second holding groove 241 for holding the liquid storage component 21 is disposed on the atomization base 24 at one side facing the liquid storage component 21. The middle portion of the second holding groove 241 corresponds to the middle portion of the liquid storage component 21 and is provided with a second venting hole for helping flowing of gas along the gas path. In this embodiment, both of the atomization base 23 and atomization case 24 are constructed of rubber material with certain resilient deformation ability such as silica gel, and their external contours are preferably matched with and interference-fitted with the internal contour of the absorption stem 101. Both of the atomization base 23 and atomization case 24 are pressed against and held in the absorption stem 101 by their outer walls for sealing the liquid storage component 21.
At the same time, a first and second wire guiding holes 233 and 234 through which the two ends of the electric heater coil 221 pass are axially defined in the side wall of the atomization base 23. The two ends of the electric heater coil 221 passes through the first and second wire guiding holes 233 and 234 respectively for realizing electrical connection with the battery 30.
In this embodiment, the liquid storage component 21 is supported and held between the atomization base 23 and atomization case 24 by a supporting tube 25. A through hole 251 communicated with the first and second venting holes 232 and 242 for conducting gas path is defined in the middle portion of the supporting tube 25.
In this embodiment, the atomization stem 222 is radially disposed in the supporting tube 25. A radially extended holding slot 252 is correspondingly defined in the side wall of the supporting tube 25. The two ends of the atomization stem 222 extend out of the supporting tube 25 from the holding slot 252 and are pressed against the inner wall of the liquid storage component 21 for absorbing cigar liquid inside the liquid storage component 21 so that the cigar liquid will be heated and atomized by the electric heater coil 221. With regard to detailed configuration, to avoid axial movement of the atomization stem 222 in the supporting tube 25, a locating tube is sleeved on the outer portion of the supporting tube 25 above or below the atomization stem 222.
As an embodiment, the atomization stem 222 may also be axially disposed in the supporting tube 25. When the atomization stem 222 is axially disposed, it must be ensured that interior of the supporting tube 25 will communicate with the gas path while ensuring that the electric heater coil 221 will be sufficiently pressed against the inner wall of the supporting tube 25 for realizing atomization. It is understandable that when atomization stem 222 and electric heater coil 221 are axially disposed in the liquid storage component 21, the liquid storage component 21 also be supported and secured between the atomization base 23 and atomization case 24 without help of the supporting tube 25. Alternatively, in case that the axially located electric heater coil 221 has sufficient supporting force, the atomizer 22 may also not be provided with the atomization stem 222. Rather, the electric heater coil 221 supports and holds the liquid storage component 21 inside the absorption stem 101 by its own supporting force.
As the temperature is high when the electric heater coil 221 is powered and begin to atomize the cigar liquid, to enhance the lifespan and heat resistance of the liquid storage component 21, in this embodiment, a heat insulation member made of high temperature resistant and liquid absorptive baby disposed between the liquid storage component 21 and supporting tube 25 for protection of the liquid storage component 21.
Reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2. In this embodiment, the battery 30 is disposed on the atomization device 20 at one side away from the filter tip 10, and is received and held in the absorption stem 101 by a battery holding base 31. To further improve simulation and hand feeling of the electronic cigarette 100, paper 102 may be adhered onto the outer surface of the absorption stem 101. One side of the paper 102 facing the outer side may be printed with patterns same as or similar to the true cigar appearance, while the other side of the paper 102 pressed against the absorption stem 101 may be provided with adhesive for adhering the paper 102 and absorption stem 101 together.
As shown in FIGS. 3-6, as an embodiment, the electronic cigarette may be further provided with a battery stem 103 connected with the absorption stem 101 so as to hold the battery 30 inside the battery stem 103. When the atomization device 20 and battery 30 are located in the absorption stem 101 and battery stem 103 respectively, corresponding ends of the absorption stem 101 and battery stem 103 are provided with a first connection portion 40 and a second connection portion 50 respectively for achieving stable connection between the two. The electrical connection between the atomization device 20 and battery 30 are obtained by the first connection portion 40 and second connection portion 50.
Please refer to FIG. 4. The first connection portion 40 includes a first connection member 41 and a first electrode member 42 insulated with the first connection member 41. The first connection member 41 and first electrode member 42 are coupled with the two ends of the electric heater coil 221 so as to form the positive and negative electrodes of the atomizer 22. In present embodiment, the first electrode member 42 is held in the middle portion of the first connection member 41 by a first insulation member 43 and is insulated from the first connection member 41. A first intake hole 421 is defined in the middle portion of the first electrode member 42 for allowing entrance of external air into the atomization device 20.
Referring to FIG. 6, the second connection portion 50 includes a second connection member 51 and a second electrode member 52 insulated with the second connection member 51. The second connection member 51 and the second electrode member 52 are electrically connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the battery 30 respectively. In present embodiment, the second electrode member 52 is held in the middle portion of the second connection member 51 by a second insulation member 53, and is insulated from the second connection member 51. A middle portion of the second electrode member 52 is correspondingly provided with a second intake hole 521 communicating with the first intake hole 421 for conducting gas path.
Please continue referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, in this embodiment, the second connection member 51 is provided with a fixing groove 511 for insertion of a corresponding end of the first connection member 41. One end of the first connection member 41 in which the second connection member 51 is inserted is correspondingly provided with a boss 411 conforming to the inner contour of the fixing groove 511. Matched threads are formed on the inner wall of the fixing groove 511 and outer wall of the boss 411 respectively for connecting the absorption stem 101 and battery stem 103 by screwing. As an embodiment, the fixing groove 511 may also be defined in a corresponding end of the first connection member 41, and a corresponding end of the second connection member 51 may be provided with a boss 411 inserted into the fixing groove 511. At the same time, the connection between the first and second connection members 41 and 51 may be achieved by clasping, insertion, magnetic adsorption or the like.
When assembling the electronic cigarette, the boss 411 of the first connection member 41 is inserted into the fixing groove 511 of the second connection member 51. The first connection member 41 is pressed against the second connection member 51. The first electrode member 42 is pressed against the second electrode member 52, thus realizing electrical connection between the battery 30 and atomization device 20.
As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the electronic cigarette may also have an atomization control unit electrically connected with the battery 30 and atomization device 20 respectively for powering on or off the atomization device 20. The atomization control unit may be disposed between the atomization device 20 and battery 30. Alternatively, it may also be disposed on the battery 30 at a side away from the atomization device 20.
In present embodiment, the atomization control unit is preferably disposed on the battery 30 at one end away from the atomization device 20. The atomization control unit includes an atomization control unit circuit and an atomizer control switch coupled with the atomization control unit circuit.
In present embodiment, the atomization control unit is preferably configured as a sensor switch 61 which is held in the battery stem 103 by a switch holding base 62. Specifically, in this embodiment, the sensor switch 61 is a capacitive sensor switch. When the electronic cigarette is used by a user, the capacitive sensor switch senses the capacitance change due to gas flow and then controls the atomization control circuit to power on the power source such that the electronic cigarette begins working. As an embodiment, the sensor switch 61 may also be configured as a gas sensor. That is, when the user inhales gas via the mouthpiece end of the absorption stem 101, negative pressure is generated in the cavity of the electronic cigarette and therefore the gas sensor produces pulse signals to control the atomization control circuit to power on the power source.
As the sensor switch 61 in itself is precisely fabricated and generally, a dedicated controller is built therein, the atomization control circuit of this embodiment may be directly integrated into the controller of the sensor switch 61. As an implementation manner, the atomization control circuit may also be integrated into an atomization control circuit board separately disposed outside of the sensor switch 61 and electrically connected to both of the sensor switch 61 and battery 30.
As an implementation manner, the atomization control switch may also be a conventional switch of button type. The button switch is electrically connected to the battery 30 through a button control circuit board such that the atomization control circuit is controlled by pressing the button, thus realizing switching on and off of the atomization device 20.
In this embodiment, a light emitting device is disposed on the electronic cigarette at the other end away from the mouthpiece end. The light emitting device is used as a working indicator light of the electronic cigarette, and includes a light emitting unit electrically connected to the battery 30 and a light cap 71 disposed at a corresponding end of the battery stem 103. The light cap 71 helps to radiate light generated by the light emitting unit. In this embodiment, the light emitting unit is configured to be a red lamp such that when the smoker smokes the electronic cigarette, one end of the electronic cigarette away from the mouthpiece end will generate red smoke circles like those produced when a cigar is burned, hence enhancing visual effects of the smoker.
Below, the electronic cigarette is composed of the absorption stem 101 and battery stem 3 10 connected to the absorption stem 101. One end of the battery 30 electrically connected to the second electrode member 52 is defined as a positive electrode, while the other end thereof electrically connected to the second connection member 51 is defined as a negative electrode. In addition, the atomization control switch is configured to be a sensor switch 61. The current flow routing of the electronic cigarette is described in detail.
When the smoker smokes the electronic cigarette, the sensor switch 61 will sense and switch on the atomization control circuit. The detailed current flowing path is as below: the current arrives at the second electrode member 52 from the positive electrode of the battery 30, then travels to the positive electrode of the electric heater coil 221 via the first electrode member 42, next flows to the first connection member 41 via the negative electrode of the electric heater coil 221 and finally, comes back to the negative electrode of the battery 30 through the second connection member 51.
Understandingly, the electronic cigarette is not limited to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-8. Rather, individual features of these embodiments may be combined with each other to form new embodiments.
Though various embodiments of the invention have been illustrated above, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that, variations and improvements made upon the illustrative embodiments fall within the scope of the invention, and the scope of the invention is only limited by the accompanying claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An electronic cigarette, comprising an absorption stem one end of which forms a mouthpiece end for smoking the electronic cigarette, wherein a filter tip is provided on the mouthpiece end.

2. The electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the absorption stem is of a hollow tubular construction, the filter tip is received in the absorption stem and is interference-fitted with the absorption stem.

3. The electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the filter tip is made of acetate fiber.

4. The electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the electronic cigarette further comprises an atomization device disposed at a side of the filter tip and a battery electrically connected to the atomization device for providing power to the atomization device.

5. The electronic cigarette according to claim 4, wherein the atomization device and battery are contained and held in the absorption stem.

6. The electronic cigarette according to claim 5, wherein paper is attached onto an outer surface of the absorption stem.

7. The electronic cigarette according to claim 4, wherein the electronic cigarette further comprises a battery stem connected with the absorption stem; the atomization device is located in the absorption stem, while the battery is located in the battery stem.

8. The electronic cigarette according to claim 7, wherein one end of the absorption stem facing the battery stem is provided with a first and second connection portions for electrically connecting the atomization device and battery and bringing stable connection between the absorption stem and battery stem.

9. The electronic cigarette according to claim 8, wherein the first connection portion includes a first connection member and a first electrode member insulated with the first connection member both of which are electrically connected with the atomization device for constituting a positive and negative electrodes of the atomization device; the second connection portion includes a second connection member and a second electrode member insulated with the second connection member both of which are electrically connected with a positive and negative electrodes of the battery; when the absorption stem is connected with the battery stem, the first connection member and first electrode member are electrically coupled with the second connection member and second electrode member respectively.

10. The electronic cigarette according to claim 4, wherein the atomization device includes a liquid storage component for storing cigar liquid, an atomizer pressed against the liquid storage component, and an atomization base and atomization case disposed at two ends of the liquid storage component respectively for sealing the liquid storage component.

11. The electronic cigarette according to claim 10, wherein both of the atomization base and atomization case are interference-fitted with the absorption stem.

12. The electronic cigarette according to claim 10, wherein a first and second holding grooves are defined on the atomization base and atomization case at a corresponding side facing the liquid storage component respectively for holding the liquid storage component therein.

13. The electronic cigarette according to claim 10, wherein the liquid storage component is supported by and held between the atomization base and atomization case through a supporting tube.

14. The electronic cigarette according to claim 4, wherein the electronic cigarette further comprises an atomization control unit electrically coupled with the battery for switching on and off of the atomization device; the atomization control unit is located between the atomization device and battery, or the atomization control unit is disposed on the battery at a side far away from the atomization device.

15. The electronic cigarette according to claim 14, wherein the atomization control unit includes an atomization control circuit and an atomization control switch connected to the atomization control circuit; the atomization control switch is a capacitive sensor switch or gas sensor, or button switch; the atomization control circuit is integrated into the atomization control switch; or, the atomization control unit further includes an atomization control circuit board coupled respectively with the battery and atomization control switch; the atomization control circuit is integrated into the atomization control circuit board.