Aerosol generating device having a two-piece inner housing

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device comprising internal components. The aerosol generating device further comprises an internal housing. The internal housing comprises a first housing shell and a second housing shell. The first housing shell and the second housing shell are configured to be laterally attachable to each other. The first housing shell and the second housing shell are configured to provide an internal enclosure when attached to each other. The internal enclosure is configured to house the internal components of the aerosol generating device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known to provide aerosol-generating devices for producing inhalable vapors. Such devices may heat an aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate volatilize without burning the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be provided as part of an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may have a rod shape for insertion of the aerosol-generating article into a cavity (such as a heating chamber) of the aerosol-generating device. A heating element may be disposed in or around the heating chamber to heat the aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may include additional components such as a battery, a PCB, and a heater casing. It is necessary to protect these elements from damage, such as that resulting from a potential drop of the device.

[0003] It would be desirable to have an aerosol generating device with improved protection of the device's internal components. It would be desirable to have an aerosol generating device with simplified protection of the device's internal components. It would be desirable to have an aerosol generating device with cost-effective protection of the device's internal components. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising internal components. The aerosol generating device may further comprise an internal housing. The internal housing may comprise a first housing shell and a second housing shell. The first housing shell and the second housing shell may be configured to be laterally attachable to one another. The first housing shell and the second housing shell may be configured to provide an internal enclosure when attached to one another. The internal enclosure may be configured to house the internal components of the aerosol generating device.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generation device comprising internal components. The aerosol generation device further comprises an internal housing. The internal housing comprises a first housing shell and a second housing shell. The first housing shell and the second housing shell are configured to be laterally attachable to each other. The first housing shell and the second housing shell are configured to provide an internal enclosure when attached to each other. The internal enclosure is configured to house the internal components of the aerosol generation device.

[0006] The inner housing reliably protects the internal components of the aerosol generating device, for example, in the event of an accidental drop of the aerosol generating device, due to the provision of the inner housing, damage to the internal components of the aerosol generating device can be prevented.

[0007] Providing the inner housing as a two-piece housing comprising a first housing shell and a second housing shell improves the manufacture of the aerosol generating device. The internal components of the aerosol generating device may be housed within the inner housing. The inner housing may be easily assembled in that the internal components of the aerosol generating device can be assembled together and then enclosed by the inner housing. Alternatively, or additionally, the internal components of the aerosol generating device may be assembled into one or both of the first and second housing shells. The other housing shell may then be attached such that the inner housing is formed and the internal components of the aerosol generating device are housed within the internal enclosure of the inner housing.

[0008] The inner enclosure of the inner housing may be sized so that all of the internal components of the aerosol generating device fit within the inner enclosure, specifically, the inner enclosure may be sized so that the heater casing, electrical circuitry such as a PCB, and a power source such as a battery of the aerosol generating device fit within the inner enclosure.

[0009] One or more of the first housing shell and the second housing shell may directly abut one or more of the internal components of the aerosol generation device, thereby preventing movement of the internal components within the internal housing of the aerosol generation device.

[0010] One or more of the first housing shell and the second housing shell may be made from a thermally insulating material, so that the internal components of the aerosol generating device may be protected from the outside environment.

[0011] One or more of the first housing shell and the second housing shell may be made from a plastic or polymeric material.

[0012] The aerosol generating device may further include an outer housing. The outer housing may be configured to be disposed around the inner housing. The outer housing may be in direct contact with the inner housing. The outer housing may provide a visually appealing aerosol generating device. The inner housing may protect the internal components of the aerosol generating device. The inner housing, particularly the first housing shell and the second housing shell, may promote dimensional stability of the aerosol generating device.

[0013] The outer housing may include a first outer housing shell and a second outer housing shell.

[0014] The first and second outer housing shells may be configured to be axially attachable to one another. In other words, the first outer housing shell may be the upper housing shell and the second outer housing shell may be the lower housing shell, or vice versa. The outer housing may completely surround the inner housing.

[0015] The first housing shell may include a first connecting element and the second housing shell may include a second connecting element, and the first connecting element and the second connecting element may be configured to be connected to each other to facilitate attachment between the first housing shell and the second housing shell.

[0016] The first connection element may be configured as a male connection element and the second connection element may be configured as a female connection element, or vice versa.

[0017] One or both of the first connecting element and the second connecting element may be configured as a snap-fit ​​connecting element.

[0018] One or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell may include a third connecting element, which may be configured to connect one or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell to at least one of the internal components of the aerosol generating device or to facilitate attachment between the first housing shell and the second housing shell.

[0019] The third connecting element may secure an internal component of the aerosol generating device to the inside of the internal housing, and at least one of the internal components of the aerosol generating device may be provided with a corresponding connecting element such that the third connecting element is securely connected to that internal component.

[0020] The third connecting element may have a lateral extension. The third connecting element may be disposed on a side surface of one or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell. The side surface may be a major side. One or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell may include a single corresponding major side surface and one or more minor side surfaces.

[0021] The third connecting element may be spaced apart from a distal end of one or more of the first and second housing shells. The third connecting element may be spaced apart from the distal end by at least 30% of a longitudinal length of one or more of the first and second housing shells.

[0022] The third connecting element may be spaced apart from a proximal end of one or more of the first and second housing shells. The third connecting element may be spaced apart from the proximal end by at least 30% of a longitudinal length of one or more of the first and second housing shells.

[0023] The third connecting element may be spaced apart from a radial edge of one or more of the first and second housing shells. The third connecting element may be spaced apart from the radial edge by at least 30% of a radial extension of one or more of the first and second housing shells.

[0024] In other words, the third connecting element may be disposed in the second housing shell within a central portion of one or more large sides of the first housing shell.

[0025] The third connecting element may include a threaded segment to facilitate a threaded connection. Threads may be used to connect the third connecting element of one of the first and second housing shells to at least one of an internal component of the aerosol generating device or the other housing shell.

[0026] The internal components may include one or both of a heater casing and an airflow tube. The heater casing and airflow tube may be configured as described in WO 2022 / 090154 A1, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0027] The third connecting element may be configured to connect one or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell to the heater casing.

[0028] One or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell may include a side opening.

[0029] The side opening may extend over at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, and most preferably at least 50% of the axial length of one or both of the first and second housing shells.

[0030] The side openings may be sized to allow a power source, preferably in the form of a battery, to be received within the inner housing. The outer diameter of the power source may be larger than the small inner diameter of the inner housing. Due to the provision of the side openings, the power source may still fit inside the inner housing. Thus, the side openings may allow for a relatively compact device that can still fit a relatively large power source. The power source received within the side openings may partially form the outer periphery of the inner housing.

[0031] The side opening may extend over at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, and most preferably at least 50% of the circumference around one or both of the first and second housing shells.

[0032] One or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell may extend axially over at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 95% of the axial length of the aerosol generating device.

[0033] As used herein, the terms "proximal" and "distal" are used to describe the relative position of a component or portion of a component of an aerosol generating device with respect to the direction in which a user draws on the aerosol generating device during use.

[0034] The aerosol generating device may have a mouth end through which the aerosol exits the aerosol generating device and is delivered to the user during use. The mouth end may also be referred to as the proximal end. During use, a user draws on the proximal or mouth end of the aerosol generating device to inhale the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device. Alternatively, the user may directly draw on an aerosol-generating article inserted into an opening at the proximal end of the aerosol generating device. The opening at the proximal end may be the opening of a cavity. The cavity may be configured to receive the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol generating device has a distal end opposite the proximal or mouth end. The proximal or mouth end of the aerosol generating device may also be referred to as the downstream end, and the distal end of the aerosol generating device may also be referred to as the upstream end. Components, or portions of components, of an aerosol generating device may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative positions between the proximal, downstream, or mouth end of the aerosol generating device and the distal or upstream end of the aerosol generating device.

[0035] As used herein, "aerosol-generating device" refers to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article, for example, part of a smoking article. The aerosol-generating device may be a smoking device that interacts with the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol that is inhalable directly into the user's lungs through the user's mouth. The aerosol-generating device may be a holder. The device may be an electrically heated smoking device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing, an electrical circuit, a power source, a heating chamber, and a heating element, all of which may be internal components of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a self-supporting component by mounting one or more of the internal components of the aerosol-generating device relative to one another. Self-supporting components are described in WO 2022 / 090154 A1, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0036] As used herein in relation to the present invention, the term "smoking", in relation to a device, article, system, substrate or otherwise, does not refer to conventional smoking, in which the aerosol-forming substrate is completely or at least partially combusted. The aerosol-generating device of the present invention is arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature below the combustion temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate but above the temperature at which one or more volatile compounds of the aerosol-forming substrate are released, in order to form an inhalable aerosol.

[0037] The aerosol generating device may comprise an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit may comprise a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The microprocessor may be part of a controller. The electrical circuit may comprise further electronic components.

[0038] The aerosol generating device may include a power source, typically a battery, within the main body of the aerosol generating device. In one embodiment, the power source is a lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power source may be a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, or a lithium-based battery (e.g., a lithium-cobalt battery, a lithium iron phosphate battery, a lithium titanate battery, or a lithium polymer battery). Alternatively, the power source may be another form of charge storage device, such as a capacitor. The power source may require recharging and may have a capacity that allows for storage of energy sufficient for one or more use experiences; for example, the power source may have a capacity sufficient to continuously generate aerosol for approximately a six-minute period, or a multiple of six minutes. In another example, the power source may have a capacity sufficient to provide a predetermined number of puffs or discontinuous activation of the heating element.

[0039] The aerosol generating device may include a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article including an aerosol-forming substrate. The cavity of the aerosol generating device may have an open end or opening into which the aerosol-generating article is inserted. The open end may be formed in the outer housing and the inner housing. The open end may be the proximal end. The cavity may have a closed end opposite the open end. The closed end may be the base of the cavity. The closed end may be closed except for an air opening disposed in the base. The base of the cavity may be flat. The base of the cavity may be circular. The base of the cavity may be disposed upstream of the cavity. The open end may be disposed downstream of the cavity. The cavity may have an elongated extension. The cavity may have a longitudinal central axis. The longitudinal axis may extend along the longitudinal central axis between the open end and the closed end. The longitudinal central axis of the cavity may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device.

[0040] The cavity may be configured as a heating chamber. The heating chamber may be configured as described in WO 2022 / 090154 A1, the respective contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The cavity may have a cylindrical shape. The cavity may have a hollow cylindrical shape. The cavity may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the aerosol-generating article to be received within the cavity. The cavity may have a circular cross-section. The cavity may have an elliptical or rectangular cross-section. The cavity may have an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

[0041] An airflow channel may extend through the cavity. Ambient air may be drawn through the airflow channel into the aerosol-generating device, into the cavity, and toward the user. Downstream of the cavity, a mouthpiece may be disposed, or the user may inhale the aerosol-generating article directly. The airflow channel may extend through the mouthpiece.

[0042] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating article" refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate capable of emitting a volatile compound capable of forming an aerosol. For example, the aerosol-generating article may be a smoking article that generates an aerosol that can be inhaled directly through the user's mouth into the user's lungs. The aerosol-generating article may be disposable.

[0043] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming substrate" relates to a substrate capable of emitting one or more volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. Such volatile compounds may be emitted by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may conveniently be part of an aerosol-generating article or a smoking article.

[0044] The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the substrate upon heating. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may further comprise an aerosol former that facilitates the formation of a dense and stable aerosol. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0045] When the aerosol-forming substrate is a solid aerosol-forming substrate, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise, for example, one or more of powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghetti, strips, or sheets containing one or more of herb leaves, tobacco leaves, tobacco vein fragments, reconstituted tobacco, homogenized tobacco, extruded tobacco, cast leaf tobacco, and expanded tobacco. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may be in loose form or may be provided in a suitable container or cartridge. Optionally, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds that are released upon heating of the substrate. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may also contain capsules containing, for example, additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds, and such capsules may melt during heating of the solid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0046] As used herein, "homogenized tobacco" refers to a material formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco. The homogenized tobacco may be in the form of a sheet. The homogenized tobacco material may have an aerosol former content of greater than 5% on a dry weight basis. Alternatively, the homogenized tobacco material may have an aerosol former content of between 5% and 30% by weight on a dry weight basis. A sheet of homogenized tobacco material may be formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco obtained by grinding or otherwise combining one or both of tobacco lamina and tobacco stem. Alternatively, or additionally, the sheet of homogenized tobacco material may include one or more of tobacco dust, tobacco fines, and other particulate tobacco by-products formed, for example, during tobacco processing, handling, and shipping. The homogenized tobacco material sheet may include one or more inherent binders (i.e., tobacco intrinsic binders), one or more exogenous binders (i.e., tobacco extrinsic binders), or combinations thereof to aid in the cohesion of the particulate tobacco, although alternatively or additionally, the homogenized tobacco material sheet may include other additives, including, but not limited to, tobacco and non-tobacco fibers, aerosol formers, humectants, plasticizers, flavorants, fillers, aqueous and non-aqueous solvents, and combinations thereof.

[0047] Optionally, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may be provided on or embedded in a thermally stable carrier. The carrier may take the form of a powder, granules, pellets, pieces, spaghetti, strips, or sheets. Alternatively, the carrier may be a tubular carrier having a thin layer of the solid substrate deposited on its inner surface, on its outer surface, or on both its inner and outer surfaces. Such a tubular carrier may be formed, for example, of paper or paper-like material, nonwoven carbon fiber mat, low-mass open-mesh metal screen, or perforated metal foil, or any other thermally stable polymeric matrix.

[0048] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises an assembly of crimped sheets of homogenized tobacco material. As used herein, the term "crimped sheet" refers to a sheet having a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations. Preferably, when the aerosol-generating article is assembled, the substantially parallel ridges or corrugations extend along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article. This advantageously facilitates assembling the crimped sheets of homogenized tobacco material to form the aerosol-forming substrate. However, it will be appreciated that a crimped sheet of homogenized tobacco material for inclusion in an aerosol-generating article may alternatively or additionally have a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations that are disposed at an acute or obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is assembled. In certain embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise an assembly of sheets of homogenized tobacco material that are substantially evenly textured across substantially its entire surface. For example, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise an assemblage of a crimped sheet of homogenized tobacco material that includes a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations that are substantially evenly spaced across the width of the sheet.

[0049] The solid aerosol-forming substrate may be deposited on the surface of the carrier in the form of, for example, a sheet, foam, gel, or slurry. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may be deposited over the entire surface of the carrier, or alternatively, may be deposited in a pattern to provide a non-uniform flavor delivery during use.

[0050] The aerosol-generating device may include a heater assembly. The heater assembly may be configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate received within the cavity during use. A controller may be configured to control the heater assembly. The controller of the heater assembly may be based on the type of aerosol-forming substrate determined by the controller. Preferably, the controller may be configured to control the heater assembly according to a heating profile. The heating profile may be selected or modified according to the type of aerosol-forming substrate at least partially received within the cavity.

[0051] The heater assembly may include a heating element. In use, power may be supplied to the heating element, causing it to heat. Heat may then be transferred to the received aerosol-forming substrate, for example, by conduction through the device housing that forms the chamber.

[0052] The heating element may be a resistive heating element. The heating element may include an electrically resistive material. Suitable electrically resistive materials include, but are not limited to, semiconductors such as doped ceramics, "conductive" ceramics (e.g., molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, alloys, and composites made of ceramic and metallic materials. Such composites may include doped and undoped ceramics.

[0053] In another embodiment, the heater assembly may include one or more inductor coils and the heating element may include one or more susceptor elements.

[0054] One or more susceptor elements may be configured to be heatable by an alternating magnetic field generated by an inductor coil. In use, power supplied to the inductor coil (e.g., by the apparatus's power supply) may result in the inductor coil inducing eddy currents in the susceptor elements. These eddy currents, in turn, cause the susceptor elements to generate heat. Power is supplied to the inductor coil as an alternating magnetic field. The alternating current may have any suitable frequency. The alternating current may preferably be a high-frequency alternating current. The alternating current may have a frequency between 100 kilohertz (kHz) and 30 megahertz (MHz). When an aerosol-forming substrate is received in the chamber, the heat generated by the susceptor elements may heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature sufficient to cause the substrate to emit an aerosol. The susceptor elements may be formed of a material capable of absorbing electromagnetic energy and converting it into heat. By way of example and not limitation, the susceptor elements may be formed of a ferromagnetic material such as steel.

[0055] The power supply may be configured to provide current to the inductor coil or resistive heating element.

[0056] The heating element may comprise a substrate layer of flexible material. The substrate layer may comprise a thermally stable polymer, preferably a polyimide.

[0057] The heating element may be disposed on the substrate layer. The heating element may include a wired connection configured to connect to a controller of the aerosol generating device. The heating element may comprise a heating track disposed on the substrate layer. The heating track may comprise a thermally conductive material, preferably a metal such as stainless steel. The heating track may be electrically connected to the wired connection.

[0058] The heating element may take other forms, such as a metal grid, a flexible printed circuit board, a molded circuit component (MID), a ceramic heater, a flexible carbon fiber heater, or may be formed using coating techniques such as plasma deposition onto a suitably shaped substrate.

[0059] Features described with respect to one embodiment may be equally applied to other embodiments of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0060] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows the outer housing of the aerosol generating device. [Figure 2] 2A and 2B show a first housing shell and a second housing shell of the inner housing of an aerosol generating device. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B show a first connecting element, a second connecting element, and a third connecting element. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the attachment of a third connecting element to an internal component of the aerosol generating device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows the power supply for the aerosol generator disposed within the side opening of the inner housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0061] The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0062] 1 shows an aerosol generating device 10. The aerosol generating device 10 comprises an outer housing. The outer housing is the outermost layer of the aerosol generating device 10. The outer housing comprises two shells, a first outer housing shell 12 and a second outer housing shell 14.

[0063] The first outer housing shell 12 is an upper shell. The first outer housing shell 12 covers the proximal half of the aerosol generation device 10. The second outer housing shell 14 is a lower shell. The second outer housing shell 14 covers the distal half of the aerosol generation device 10. The first outer housing shell 12 can be attached to the second outer housing shell 14 such that the internal housing and internal components of the aerosol generation device 10 (both described below with reference to Figures 2-5) are housed inside the outer housing.

[0064] 1 further shows an opening 16 in the outer housing. The opening 16 opens the outer housing to a cavity. The cavity is configured as a heating chamber. The heating chamber is used to heat an aerosol-generating article, including an aerosol-forming substrate, that can be received in the cavity through the opening 16. The opening 16 can be covered by a slider 18 to prevent unwanted contamination of the opening 16 and the cavity when the aerosol generating device 10 is not in use.

[0065] 1 further shows a button 20 that a user can press to activate the device. Activation of the device results in activation of a heating element disposed at least partially surrounding the cavity to heat an aerosol-generating article received within the cavity and generate an inhalable aerosol.

[0066] FIG. 2A shows a first housing shell 22 and FIG. 2B shows a second housing shell 24 which together form an inner housing.

[0067] The inner housing is disposed inside the outer housing as the next layer of the aerosol generating device 10. The inner housing contains and protects the internal components of the aerosol generating device 10. The inner housing also improves the dimensional stability of the aerosol generating device 10.

[0068] The first housing shell 22 can be attached to the second housing shell 24 to create an internal enclosure. The internal components of the aerosol generation device 10 are then housed within the internal enclosure.

[0069] 2 shows side openings 26 in both the first housing shell 22 and the second housing shell 24. The side openings 26 are used to accommodate the power supply 36 of the aerosol generating device 10, which has an outer diameter larger than the smaller inner diameter of the inner housing when the first housing shell 22 is attached to the second housing shell 24. This is described in more detail below with reference to FIG.

[0070] FIG. 3A shows the first and second housing shells 22, 24 after they have been attached to one another. The first and second housing shells 22, 24 thus form an internal housing. The first and second housing shells 22, 24 are attached to one another using a first connecting element 28 and a second connecting element 30. The first connecting element 28 includes three male snap-fit ​​connecting elements, and the second connecting element 30 includes three corresponding female snap-fit ​​connecting elements. However, this number can vary depending on the specific needs of a particular device. After the first and second housing shells 22, 24 are attached to one another, they cannot be removed from one another. The first and second housing shells 22, 24 are then secured together to form a stable internal housing. This connection establishes a secure mechanical connection.

[0071] 3B shows the third connecting element 32. The third connecting element 32 is a threaded connecting element that allows a secure connection between the first housing shell 22 and the internal components of the aerosol generation device 10.

[0072] The third connecting element 32 may additionally or alternatively facilitate connection between the first housing shell 22 and the second housing shell 24. In this case, a screw threaded into the threads of the third connecting element 32 would connect the first housing shell 22 and the second housing shell 24. In this case, the third connecting element 32 would encompass corresponding threads in the first housing shell 22 and the second housing shell 24. In this case, a through-hole may be provided in the internal component to allow the third connecting element 32 or the screw to pass through the internal component and connect the first housing shell 22 and the second housing shell 24 to each other.

[0073] To connect the first housing shell 22 to an internal component of the aerosol generation device 10 via the third connecting element 32, the third connecting element 32 has threads that correspond to the first housing shell 22 and the internal component. Alternatively, the second housing shell 24 may have threads that correspond to the third connecting element 32 to allow the internal component to be secured to the second housing shell 24.

[0074] As a further option, the third connecting element 32 may be configured to interconnect the first housing shell 22, the internal component, and the second housing shell 24. In this case, all three components include matching threads such that threads can be utilized to interconnect all three components.

[0075] FIG. 4 illustrates the internal components of the aerosol generation device 10. Reference numeral 34 designates an internal component configured as a heater casing or airflow tube, as described in International Patent Publication No. WO 2022 / 090154 A1 (the respective contents of which are incorporated herein by reference). Other internal components shown in FIG. 5 are a power supply 36 and a PCB 38 disposed between the power supply 36 and the heater casing. A third connection element 32 is also shown connected to the heater casing. In the presence of one or both of the first and second heater shells, the heater casing, and therefore the internal components of the aerosol generation device 10, are connected to the internal housing via the third connection element 32. This connection establishes a secure mechanical connection.

[0076] Figure 5 shows the inner housing when assembled, with the internal components surrounded by the first housing shell 22 and the second housing shell 24, which form the inner housing. The power source 36 is disposed within the side opening 26. Assembly of the aerosol generating device 10 is completed after these components are enclosed within the outer housing, as shown in Figure 1. The main focus of Figure 5 is to show the optimized placement of the power source 36 within the side opening 26, which allows a relatively large power source 36 to be disposed within the aerosol generating device 10. In the area of ​​the side opening 26, the perimeter is partially relative to the perimeter of the inner housing.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, comprising: Internal components; an inner housing, a first housing shell; an inner housing comprising a second housing shell; An aerosol generating device, wherein the first housing shell and the second housing shell are configured to be laterally attachable to each other, the first housing shell and the second housing shell are configured to provide an internal enclosure when attached to each other, and the internal enclosure is configured to house the internal components of the aerosol generating device, the first housing shell has a first connecting element and the second housing shell has a second connecting element, the first connecting element and the second connecting element are configured to be connected to each other to facilitate the attachment between the first housing shell and the second housing shell, and one or both of the first connecting element and the second connecting element are configured as snap-fit ​​connecting elements.

2. 10. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising an outer housing, the outer housing configured to be disposed around the inner housing.

3. 3. The aerosol generating device of claim 2, wherein the outer housing comprises a first outer housing shell and a second outer housing shell.

4. 4. The aerosol generating device of claim 3, wherein the first outer housing shell and the second outer housing shell are configured to be axially attachable to one another.

5. 5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting element is configured as a male connecting element and the second connecting element is configured as a female connecting element, or vice versa.

6. 2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein one or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell comprises a third connecting element, the third connecting element being configured to connect one or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell to at least one of the internal components of the aerosol generating device or to facilitate the attachment between the first housing shell and the second housing shell.

7. 7. The aerosol generating device of claim 6, wherein the third connecting element comprises a threaded segment to facilitate a threaded connection.

8. 10. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the internal components comprise a heater casing.

9. 9. The aerosol generating device of claim 8, wherein the third connecting element is configured to connect one or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell to the heater casing.

10. 2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein one or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell comprises a side opening.

11. 11. The aerosol generating device of claim 10, wherein the side opening extends over at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, and most preferably at least 50% of the axial length of one or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell.

12. 12. An aerosol generating device as described in claim 10 or 11, wherein the side opening extends over at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, and most preferably at least 50% of the circumference around one or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell.

13. 2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein one or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell extend axially over at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 95% of the axial length of the aerosol generating device.

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