Electronic cigarette with coil-less atomizer
An electronic cigarette includes an atomizer having a coil-less heating element. The coil-less heating element may include a heating section and two leads electrically connected to the heating section. The heating section is made of one or more fiber materials. The two leads may be made of conductive materials that can conduct liquid to the heating section. Alternatively, the heating element may include one or more fiber materials with two conductive sections, and a heating section between the conductive sections. The heating section has a significantly higher electrical resistance than the conductive sections. The different electrical resistances may be achieved by modifying the fiber materials with a material (e.g. metals) having higher electronic conductivity. Different electrical resistances may also be achieved by modifying the shape of the fiber materials to provide the conductive sections with a larger cross-section, and the heating section with a smaller cross-section.
1. An electronic cigarette having a battery, and a liquid supply unit, comprising:
an atomizer having a heating element including a first conductive section, a second conductive section, and a heating section between the first conductive section and the second conductive sections, with the heating section and the first conductive section comprising fibers, the first and second conductive sections electrically connected to the battery for conducting electrical current from the battery through the heating section, at least the first conductive section contacted by liquid from the liquid supply unit, and at least first conductive section moving the liquid to the heating section;
with the heating element treated so that the heating section has an electrical resistance 3 to 7 times higher than the first conductive section or the second conductive section; and
an air flow passage through the atomizer, with the heating section oriented perpendicular to the air flow passage.
2. The electronic cigarette of claim 1 wherein the conductive sections are integrally formed with the heating section from a single piece of material.
3. The electronic cigarette of claim 1 wherein both conductive sections are in direct or indirect contact with liquid in the liquid supply unit.
4. The electronic cigarette of claim 1 wherein the heating section is impermeable to air flow, with air in the air flow passage flowing around the sides of the heating section.
5. The electronic cigarette of claim 1 wherein the first conductive section has a cross section area greater than the heating section.
6. An electronic cigarette, comprising:
a battery;
a liquid supply unit;
an atomizer having a heating element including a first conductive section, a second conductive section, and a heating section, the heating section and the first conductive section comprising fibers;
the first and second conductive sections electrically connected to the battery, and with the first conductive section contacted by liquid from the liquid supply unit; and
the heating section having an electrical resistance higher than the first and second conductive sections, the heating section impermeable to air flow, and the first and second conductive sections and the heating section having different cross-section areas.
7. The electronic cigarette of claim 6 with the second conductive section comprising fibers and with the second conductive section in contact with liquid from the liquid supply unit.
8. The electronic cigarette of claim 6 further including a wick contacting the heating element and the liquid supply unit.
9. The electronic cigarette of claim 6 wherein the heating element has a total electrical resistance of 1 to 8 ohms, and each of the first conductive section and the second conductive section has an electrical resistance of 1 ohm or less.
10. The electronic cigarette of claim 6 wherein the liquid from the liquid supply unit flows continuously via capillary action through at least the first conductive section to the heating section, as the liquid is vaporized at the heating section.
11. The electronic cigarette of claim 6 further including an air flow passage through the atomizer, with the heating section oriented perpendicular to the air flow passage.
12. The electronic cigarette of claim 6 wherein the heating section has an electrical resistance 3 to 7 times higher than the second conductive section.
13. The electronic cigarette of claim 6 wherein the first conductive section has an electrical resistance of 1 ohm or less and wherein the heating section has an electrical resistance of 3 to 8 ohms.
14. The electronic cigarette of claim 6 wherein the heating element has a total electrical resistance of 1 to 8 ohms.
15. An electronic cigarette, comprising:
a battery;
a liquid supply unit;
an atomizer having a heating element comprising a fiber pad including a heating section between a first conductive section and a second conductive section;
an air flow passage through the atomizer, with the heating section oriented perpendicular to the air flow passage;
the first and second conductive sections electrically connected to the battery, and the first conductive section provided with liquid from the liquid supply unit;
the heating section having an electrical resistance higher than the first and second conductive sections; and
wherein the heating section is impermeable to air flow, with air in the air flow passage flowing around the sides of the heating section.
16. The electronic cigarette of claim 15 wherein the first conductive section has an electrical resistance of 1 ohm or less and wherein the heating section has an electrical resistance of 3 to 8 ohms.
17. The electronic cigarette of claim 15 wherein the heating element has a total electrical resistance of 1 to 8 ohms.
18. The electronic cigarette of claim 15 wherein the heating section has an electrical resistance 3 to 7 times higher than the second conductive section.
19. The electronic cigarette of claim 15 wherein the first conductive section has an electrical resistance of about 1 ohm or less and wherein the heating section has an electrical resistance of about 3 to 8 ohms.
20. The electronic cigarette of claim 15 wherein the heating section has a total electrical resistance of 1 to 8 ohms.
21. The electronic cigarette of claim 15 wherein the first conductive section has a cross section area greater than the heating section.