Patent Description:
Recently, the demand for alternative methods to overcome the shortcomings of general cigarettes has increased. For example, there is a growing demand for a method of generating aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material, rather than burning cigarettes. Accordingly, studies on a heating-type cigarette or a heating-type aerosol generating device have been actively conducted.

When a heating-type aerosol generation device is used, a fastening structure that fastens components of the heating-type aerosol generation device may be exposed to the outside and damaged by an external pressure or stimulation. In addition, when a user arbitrarily disassembles or releases the exposed fastening structure of the aerosol generation device, the aerosol generation device may fail to operate properly.

A fastening structure according to the related art is formed on an outer portion of the aerosol generation device and is exposed to the outside, or even if a fastening structure is concealed, the concealed fastening structure is a simple structure that the user may arbitrarily and easily disassemble. In order to improve durability by preventing breakage or damage to the aerosol generation device, it is necessary to conceal the fastening structure such that the fastening structure of the aerosol generation device is not exposed to the outside.

In addition, in the structure of the aerosol generation device, it was difficult to discern whether the aerosol generation device was arbitrarily disassembled when the aerosol generation device was broken or damaged due to the arbitrary disassembly of the aerosol generation device by the user. <CIT> relates to a smoke inhalation device which is suitable for heating and baking a tobacco rod to generate smoke for people to suck in. The smoke inhalation device comprises a shell, an atomizing cavity formed in the shell, an end cover arranged at one end of the shell and a heating component. A filling opening is formed in the end cover, the tobacco rod is inserted in the atomizing cavity from the filling opening, the heating component comprises a heating seat and heating sheets arranged on the heating seat, the heating sheets are arranged in the atomizing cavity, and the heating sheets are suitable for cutting into the tobacco rod so as to cut the tobacco rod into at least two parts when the tobacco rod is inserted in the atomizing cavity. <CIT> relates to an electrically heated smoking system comprising a secondary unit capable of receiving a smoking article having an aerosol-forming substrate. The secondary unit comprises at least one heating element and an interface for connection to a primary power supply for supplying electrical power to the at least one heating element during a pre-heating mode, to increase the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate to an operating temperature. The secondary unit further comprises a secondary power supply arranged to supply electrical power to the at least one heating element during a smoking mode, to maintain the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate at substantially the operating temperature. The secondary unit further comprises secondary circuitry. <CIT> relates to a container for housing a product such as an electronic cigarette. The container is in the form of a shell to receive the product, and may include a cover, lid, or carton for closing or enclosing the shell.

Provided is an aerosol generation device in which a fastening structure is concealed from exposure to the outside. The technical problem of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described technical problems, and other technical problems may be deduced from the following embodiments.

An aerosol generation device according to the invention is defined in appended claim <NUM> and includes a first housing comprising an opening at one side, an inner space accommodating a cigarette inserted through the opening, and a heater disposed in the inner space; a second housing coupled to other side of the first housing and including a controller; a fastening portion configured to couple the first housing and the second housing; a battery coupled to the second housing; and a case coupled to the second housing for accommodating the second housing, the fastening portion, and the battery therein, wherein the fastening portion is prevented, by the case, from being exposed to outside.

The aerosol generation device may further include a coupling portion configured to couple the second housing and the case, and a cover mounted on one surface of the case to cover the coupling portion.

The aerosol generation device may further include an adhesive portion disposed between the case and the cover, and an adhesive material may be applied to both sides of the adhesive portion.

Based on the cover coupled to the case by the adhesive portion being separated from the case, a predetermined marking may occur on the adhesive portion.

The first housing may further include a flange formed at an end portion of the first housing, and the fastening portion may include a first groove portion extending from the flange toward the second housing, a second groove portion corresponding to the first groove portion and formed in the second housing, and a fastening means configured to fasten the first groove portion and the second groove portion.

The fastening means may include a pin, a screw, or a rivet.

The fastening portion of the aerosol generation device according to exemplary embodiments may include a hook portion extending from the first housing toward the second housing and an accommodation portion formed in the second housing to accommodate the hook portion.

The coupling portion may include a first coupling hole formed on one surface of the second housing, a second coupling hole corresponding to the first coupling hole and formed on the case, and a coupling means configured to couple the first coupling hole and the second coupling hole.

The coupling means may include a pin, a screw, or a rivet.

The first housing may further include a switch connected to the controller on an outer surface of the first housing, and the case may include a through hole exposing the switch to an outside.

The aerosol generation device may further include a cap portion accommodating the first housing therein.

A method of assembling an aerosol generation device according to the invention is defined in appended claim <NUM> and includes providing a first housing comprising an opening in an upper portion, an inner space into which a cigarette may be inserted through the opening, and a heater disposed in the inner space; coupling a second housing comprising a controller to a lower portion of the first housing; coupling the first housing and the second housing through a fastening portion; coupling a battery to the second housing, and coupling a case to the second housing to accommodate the second housing, the fastening portion, and the battery therein, wherein an exposure of the fastening portion to an outside is prevented by the case.

A case may include a cavity therein to accommodate a second housing, a battery, and a fastening portion. The second housing, the battery, and the fastening portion may be accommodated in the cavity therein to prevent exposure of the second housing, the battery, and the fastening portion.

Because the exposure of the fastening portion is prevented, a general access to the fastening portion by a user of an aerosol generation device may be prevented. Accordingly, the user of the aerosol generation device may not release or disassemble the aerosol generation device using a general method, and thus an arbitrary disassembly of the aerosol generation device may be prevented.

An aerosol generation device according to an embodiment includes a first housing comprising an opening opened at one side, an inner space accommodating a cigarette inserted through the opening, and a heater positioned in the inner space; a second housing comprising a controller and coupled to other side of the first housing; a fastening portion configured to couple the first housing and the second housing; a battery coupled to the second housing; and a case accommodating the second housing, the fastening portion, and the battery therein and coupled to the second housing.

With respect to the terms in the various embodiments, the general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, an appearance of a new technology, and the like. In such a case, the meaning of the term will be described in detail in the description of the present disclosure.

In addition, unless explicitly described otherwise, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms "-er", "-or", and "module" described in the disclosure mean units for processing at least one function and operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the present disclosure are shown such that one of ordinary skill in the art may easily understand the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> includes a battery <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and a heater <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may further include a vaporizer <NUM>. Also, the cigarette <NUM> may be inserted into an inner space of the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate components of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, which are related to the present embodiments.

Also, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate that the aerosol generating device <NUM> includes the heater <NUM>.

When the cigarette <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may operate the heater <NUM> and/or the vaporizer <NUM> to generate an aerosol from the cigarette <NUM> and/or the vaporizer <NUM>. The aerosol generated by the heater <NUM> and/or the vaporizer <NUM> is delivered to a user by passing through the cigarette <NUM>.

According to necessity, even when the cigarette <NUM> is not inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may heat the heater <NUM>.

Specifically, the controller <NUM> may control not only operations of the battery <NUM>, the heater <NUM>, and the vaporizer <NUM>, but also operations of other components included in the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

A processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the processor may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

Thus, the heated heater <NUM> may increase temperature of an aerosol generating material in the cigarette <NUM>.

However, the heater <NUM> is not limited to the examples described above and may include all heaters which may be heated to a desired temperature.

Specifically, the heater <NUM> may include an electrically conductive coil for heating a cigarette in an induction heating method, and the cigarette may include a susceptor which may be heated by the induction heater.

The vaporizer <NUM> may generate an aerosol by heating a liquid composition and the generated aerosol may pass through the cigarette <NUM> to be delivered to a user. In other words, the aerosol generated via the vaporizer <NUM> may move along an air flow passage of the aerosol generating device <NUM> and the air flow passage may be configured such that the aerosol generated via the vaporizer <NUM> passes through the cigarette <NUM> to be delivered to the user.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, the heater <NUM>, and the vaporizer <NUM>. For example, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting haptic information. Also, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include at least one sensor (a puff detecting sensor, a temperature detecting sensor, a cigarette insertion detecting sensor, etc.). Also, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be formed as a structure where, even when the cigarette <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged.

The cigarette <NUM> may be similar as a general combustive cigarette. For example, the cigarette <NUM> may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter, etc. Alternatively, the second portion of the cigarette <NUM> may also include an aerosol generating material. For example, an aerosol generating material made in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion.

For example, the external air may flow into at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device <NUM>. For example, the opening and closing and/or a size of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, the amount of smoke and a smoking satisfaction may be adjusted by the user. As another example, the external air may flow into the cigarette <NUM> through at least one hole formed in a surface of the cigarette <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a cigarette.

Referring to <FIG>, the cigarette <NUM> may include a tobacco rod <NUM> and a filter rod <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG> may include the tobacco rod, and the second portion may include the filter rod <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates that the filter rod <NUM> includes a single segment. However, the filter rod <NUM> is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod <NUM> may include a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod <NUM> may include a first segment configured to cool an aerosol and a second segment configured to filter a certain component included in the aerosol. Also, according to necessity, the filter rod <NUM> may further include at least one segment configured to perform other functions.

The cigarette <NUM> may be packaged via at least one wrapper <NUM>. The wrapper <NUM> may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. For example, the cigarette <NUM> may be packaged via one wrapper <NUM>. As another example, the cigarette <NUM> may be double-packaged via at least two wrappers <NUM>. For example, the tobacco rod <NUM> may be packaged via a first wrapper, and the filter rod <NUM> may be packaged via a second wrapper. Also, the tobacco rod <NUM> and the filter rod <NUM>, which are respectively packaged via separate wrappers, may be coupled to each other, and the entire cigarette <NUM> may be packaged via a third wrapper. When each of the tobacco rod <NUM> and the filter rod <NUM> includes a plurality of segments, each segment may be packaged via a separate wrapper. Also, the entire cigarette <NUM> including the plurality of segments, which are respectively packaged via the separate wrappers and which are coupled to each other, may be re-packaged via another wrapper.

Also, the shapes of the filter rod <NUM> are not limited.

For example, a flavoring liquid may be injected into the filter rod <NUM>, or an additional fiber coated with a flavoring liquid may be inserted into the filter rod <NUM>.

When the filter rod <NUM> includes a segment configured to cool the aerosol, the cooling segment may include a polymer material or a biodegradable polymer material. For example, the cooling segment may include pure polylactic acid alone, but the material for forming the cooling segment is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the cooling segment may include a cellulose acetate filter having a plurality of holes. However, the cooling segment is not limited to the above-described example and is not limited as long as the cooling segment cools the aerosol.

Although not illustrated in <FIG>, the cigarette <NUM> according to an embodiment may further include a front-end filter. The front-end filter may be located on a side of the tobacco rod <NUM>, the side facing the filter rod <NUM>. The front-end filter may prevent the tobacco rod <NUM> from being detached outwards and prevent a liquefied aerosol from flowing into the aerosol generating device <NUM> (<FIG>) from the tobacco rod <NUM>, during smoking.

<FIG> is an exploded view of an aerosol generation device <NUM> according to an embodiment, and <FIG> is a perspective view of the aerosol generation device <NUM> according to an embodiment shown in <FIG>.

The aerosol generation device <NUM> according to an embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG> includes a first housing <NUM>, a second housing <NUM>, a fastening portion <NUM>, and a case <NUM>.

The first housing <NUM> of the aerosol generation device <NUM> includes an opening <NUM> at one side and accommodate the cigarette <NUM> (see <FIG>) inserted through the opening <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> also includes an inner space in which the inserted cigarette is accommodated and the heater <NUM> (see <FIG>) which heats the cigarette in the inner space.

The aerosol generation device <NUM> includes a second housing <NUM> coupled to other side of the first housing <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> is coupled to the other side of the first housing <NUM> opposite to the one side of the first housing <NUM> into which the cigarette is inserted.

The second housing <NUM> may include the controller <NUM> (see <FIG>) inside the second housing <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> may also include, in one side of the second housing <NUM>, a switch <NUM> connected to the controller to transmit a signal to the controller <NUM>.

The aerosol generation device <NUM> includes the fastening portion <NUM> coupling the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> may be coupled to the other side of the first housing <NUM> through the fastening portion <NUM> and may be in contact with at least part of the first housing <NUM>.

The aerosol generation device <NUM> further includes a battery <NUM> coupled to the second housing <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may be coupled to one surface of the second housing <NUM> and may be positioned at the other side of the first housing <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may have, for example, a shape surrounding one side of the second housing <NUM>, but is not limited thereto. The battery <NUM> may also be integrally coupled to the second housing <NUM> and may provide power to the second housing <NUM> to operate the controller inside the second housing <NUM>.

The aerosol generation device <NUM> includes the case <NUM> that accommodates the second housing <NUM>, the fastening portion <NUM>, and the battery <NUM> therein and coupled to the second housing <NUM>. Because the case <NUM> accommodates all of the second housing <NUM>, the fastening portion <NUM>, and the battery <NUM> therein, the second housing <NUM>, the fastening portion <NUM>, and the battery <NUM> may be prevented from being exposed to the outside and may be concealed by the case <NUM>.

Because the fastening portion <NUM> coupling the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> is concealed by the case <NUM>, a user of the aerosol generation device <NUM> may not release or separate coupling of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> by a general access, thereby preventing breakage of the aerosol generation device <NUM>.

The fastening portion <NUM> of the aerosol generation device <NUM> according to exemplary embodiments may be described in more detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The first housing <NUM> of the aerosol generation device <NUM> may include a flange <NUM> formed at other end portion of the first housing <NUM>. The flange <NUM> may extend in the circumferential direction at the other end portion of the first housing <NUM> and may protrude in the circumferential direction at the other end portion of the first housing <NUM> to form a stepped portion.

The fastening portion <NUM> may include a first groove portion <NUM> protruding from the flange <NUM> toward the second housing <NUM>, a second groove portion <NUM> corresponding to the first groove portion <NUM> and formed in the second housing <NUM>, and a fastening means <NUM> fastening the first groove portion <NUM> and the second groove portion <NUM>.

When the first groove portion <NUM> protrudes from the flange <NUM> toward the second housing <NUM> and when the first housing10 and the second housing <NUM> are coupled, the first groove portion <NUM> may be position on an outer surface of the second housing <NUM>.

The second groove portion <NUM> may be formed in the second housing <NUM> to correspond to a position of the first groove portion <NUM>. For example, the first groove portion <NUM> and the second groove portion <NUM> may have the same central axis when coupled such that the fastening means <NUM> may pass through the first groove portion <NUM> and the second groove portion <NUM> together.

The first groove portion <NUM> may be plural. For example, the first groove portions <NUM> may be symmetrically formed on the flange <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> with respect to the center of the flange <NUM> in the circumferential direction of the first housing <NUM>. The second groove portion <NUM> may be plural so as to correspond to the first groove portion <NUM>, and may be formed at a position in the second housing where the first groove portion <NUM> extends. When a plurality of first groove portions <NUM> and a plurality of second groove portions <NUM> are installed, the first groove portions <NUM> and the second groove portions <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other along the extending direction of the flange <NUM>.

The fastening means <NUM> may pass through the first groove portion <NUM> and the second groove portion <NUM> to fasten the first groove portion <NUM> and the second groove portion <NUM>, and the fastening means <NUM> may be, for example, a pin, a screw, or a rivet. The first groove portion <NUM> and the second groove portion <NUM> may be coupled by the fastening means <NUM> and may vary in size or shape according to the fastening means <NUM>.

For example, when the fastening means <NUM> is the screw, the first groove portion <NUM> and the second groove portion <NUM> may have a shape including a screw thread inside the first groove portion <NUM> and the second groove portion <NUM>, respectively, so as to accommodate the screw that is the fastening means <NUM>.

When the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> are coupled by the fastening means <NUM> fastening the first groove portion <NUM> and the second groove portion <NUM>, the heater <NUM> in the first housing <NUM> may be electrically connected to the controller <NUM> in the second housing <NUM>. Accordingly, the heater <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> may be controlled by the controller <NUM> of the second housing <NUM>.

When smoking, the user may operate the aerosol generation device <NUM> by pressing the switch <NUM> formed on one surface of the second housing <NUM> to transmit the signal to the controller <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded view of the aerosol generation device <NUM> according to an embodiment, and <FIG> is a perspective view of the aerosol generation device <NUM> according to an embodiment shown in <FIG>.

The fastening portion <NUM> of the aerosol generation device <NUM> according to an embodiment may be described in more detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The first housing <NUM> of the aerosol generation device <NUM> may include the flange <NUM> formed at the other end portion of the first housing <NUM>. The fastening portion <NUM> may include a hook portion <NUM> extending from the flange <NUM> and extending toward the second housing <NUM>, and an accommodation portion <NUM> formed in the second housing <NUM> to accommodate the hook portion <NUM>.

The hook portion <NUM> may protrude from the flange <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> toward the second housing <NUM> such that the hook portion <NUM> is positioned on an outer surface of the second housing <NUM> when the first housing <NUM> is coupled to the second housing <NUM>.

Alternatively, the hook portion <NUM> may protrude toward the inside of the second housing <NUM> such that the hook portion <NUM> is positioned on an inner surface of the second housing <NUM> when the first housing <NUM> is coupled to the second housing <NUM>.

The hook portion <NUM> may include a protrusion portion having a ring shape at the end of the hook portion <NUM>, but the embodiments are not limited by a specific configuration of the hook portion <NUM>.

For example, the end of the hook portion <NUM> may be positioned on the outer surface of the second housing <NUM> and the protrusion portion of the hook portion <NUM> may be the protrusion portion having the ring shape extending in a direction of the outer surface of the second housing <NUM>. The hook portion <NUM> may be coupled to the accommodation portion <NUM> formed on the outer surface of the second housing <NUM> through the protrusion portion having the ring shape.

As another example, the hook portion <NUM> may extend into the second housing <NUM> to engage with the inner surface of the second housing <NUM>. The protrusion portion formed at the end of the hook portion <NUM> may have the ring shape and extend in a direction of the inner surface of the second housing <NUM>.

The protrusion portion formed at the end of the hook portion <NUM> may be directly fastened with the accommodation portion <NUM> formed in the second housing <NUM>. The hook portion <NUM> accommodated in the accommodation portion <NUM> of the second housing <NUM> may be decoupled from the second housing <NUM> when a force greater than a predetermined range is applied.

The accommodating portion <NUM> formed in the second housing <NUM> may be formed in the outer surface or the inner surface of the second housing <NUM> to correspond to the hook portion <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>. The accommodating portion <NUM> may have a shape that may accommodate the protrusion portion of the end of the hook portion <NUM>. For example, when the shape of the protruding portion of the end of the hook portion <NUM> has the ring shape, the accommodating portion <NUM> may have the shape that may be engaged with the ring shape. In addition, when the hook portion <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> and the accommodation portion <NUM> of the second housing <NUM> are coupled inside the second housing <NUM>, the hook portion <NUM> and the accommodation portion <NUM> may be concealed from the outside.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the aerosol generation device <NUM> to which the case <NUM> is coupled according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generation device <NUM> includes the case <NUM> that accommodates the second housing <NUM>, the battery <NUM>, and the fastening portion <NUM> of the aerosol generation device <NUM> therein and coupled to the second housing <NUM>.

The case <NUM> may include a cavity therein to accommodate the second housing <NUM>, the battery <NUM>, and the fastening portion <NUM>. The second housing <NUM>, the battery <NUM>, and the fastening portion <NUM> may be accommodated in the cavity therein to prevent exposure of the second housing <NUM>, the battery <NUM>, and the fastening portion <NUM>.

Because the exposure of the fastening portion <NUM> is prevented, a general access to the fastening portion <NUM> by a user of the aerosol generation device <NUM> may be prevented. Accordingly, the user of the aerosol generation device <NUM> may not release or disassemble the aerosol generation device <NUM> using a general method, and thus an arbitrary disassembly of the aerosol generation device <NUM> may be prevented.

The case <NUM> may be coupled to the second housing <NUM> through a coupling portion <NUM>. Here, the coupling portion <NUM> may include a first coupling hole <NUM> formed in one surface of the second housing <NUM>, a second coupling hole <NUM> corresponding to the first coupling hole <NUM> and formed in the case <NUM>, and coupling means <NUM> coupling the first coupling hole <NUM> and the second coupling hole <NUM>.

The first coupling hole <NUM> may be formed in the other side of the second housing <NUM>. The first coupling hole <NUM> may be formed in plural in the other side of the second housing <NUM> and may be, for example, two symmetrical grooves disposed to be symmetrical with respect to the center of the other side of the second housing <NUM>.

The second coupling hole <NUM> may be formed in the other side of the case <NUM>, and may be formed at a position corresponding to the first coupling hole <NUM> of the second housing <NUM> when the case <NUM> is coupled to the housing <NUM> while accommodating the second housing <NUM>, the fastening portion <NUM>, and the battery <NUM>. For example, when the case <NUM> is coupled, the first coupling hole <NUM> and the second coupling hole <NUM> may have the same central axis such that the coupling means <NUM> may pass through the first coupling hole <NUM> and the second coupling hole <NUM> together.

The coupling means <NUM> may pass through the first coupling hole <NUM> and the second coupling hole <NUM> to fasten the first coupling hole <NUM> and the second coupling hole <NUM>, and the coupling means <NUM> may be, for example, a pin, a screw, or a rivet. The first coupling hole <NUM> and the second coupling hole <NUM> may be coupled by the coupling means <NUM> and may vary in size or shape according to the coupling means <NUM>.

For example, when the coupling means <NUM> is the screw, the first coupling hole <NUM> and the second coupling hole <NUM> may have a shape including a screw thread inside the first coupling hole <NUM> and the second coupling hole <NUM>, respectively, so as to accommodate the screw that is the coupling means <NUM>.

The case <NUM> may include a through hole <NUM> to expose the switch <NUM> formed on one side of the second housing <NUM> to the outside. The through hole <NUM> may be formed to correspond to the position and shape of the switch <NUM> and may be formed on one side of the case <NUM>.

The switch <NUM> may be exposed to the outside through the through hole <NUM> such that a general access of the user may be easy. The switch <NUM> may be electrically connected to the controller <NUM> inside the second housing <NUM> to operate the controller <NUM>. Therefore, when smoking, the user may operate the aerosol generation device <NUM> through the switch <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating the aerosol generation device <NUM> further including a cover <NUM> and a cap portion <NUM> according to an embodiment.

The aerosol generation device <NUM> may further include the cap portion <NUM> disposed outside the first housing <NUM> of the aerosol generation device <NUM>, surrounding the first housing <NUM> and having an end portion contacting the flange <NUM>. The cap portion <NUM> may have an inner cavity that accommodates the first housing <NUM> therein. When the cap portion <NUM> is coupled to the aerosol generation device <NUM> surrounding the first housing <NUM>, the end portion of the cap portion <NUM> may contact the flange <NUM> of the aerosol generation device <NUM>.

The cap portion <NUM> accommodates the first housing <NUM> therein and is coupled to the flange <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> so as to be separable by an external force of the user of the aerosol generation device <NUM>. Here, the cap portion <NUM> may be easily separated from the first housing <NUM> by the external force of the user. The first housing <NUM> and the cap portion <NUM> may include a binding means in which attraction is applied to each other.

The binding means may provide attraction more than a predetermined range between the first housing <NUM> and the cap portion <NUM> such that the first housing <NUM> and the cap portion <NUM> are easily separated by the external force of the user of the aerosol generation device <NUM>, but are not separated by a general external force. The binding means may be, for example, a magnetic material, but is not limited thereto.

The cap portion <NUM> may accommodate the first housing <NUM> therein to prevent foreign substances from being inserted into the first housing <NUM> and to prevent breakage or damage of the first housing <NUM>. When the cap portion <NUM> is coupled to the aerosol generation device <NUM>, the outer surface of the cap portion <NUM> and the outer surface of the case <NUM> may be continuously connected to each other to form an appearance of the aerosol generation device <NUM>. As a result, the aerosol generation device <NUM> may have an integral smooth appearance, thereby improving portability of the aerosol generation device <NUM>.

The aerosol generation device <NUM> may further include the cover <NUM> mounted on one surface of the case <NUM> to cover the coupling portion <NUM> that couples the second housing <NUM> and the case <NUM>. The cover <NUM> may cover the coupling portion <NUM> coupling the second housing <NUM> and the case <NUM> to prevent the coupling portion <NUM> from being exposed to the outside. Accordingly, the general access to the coupling portion <NUM> by the user of the aerosol generation device <NUM> may be prevented. Because the general access to the coupling portion <NUM> is prevented, arbitrary release or disassembly of the user of the aerosol generation device <NUM> may be prevented.

In addition, the aerosol generation device <NUM> may further include an adhesive portion <NUM> between one surface of the case <NUM> and the cover <NUM>. An adhesive material may be applied to both surfaces of the adhesive portion <NUM> such that the cover <NUM> may be coupled to the case <NUM> through the adhesive portion <NUM>.

When a component of the aerosol generation device <NUM> such as the cover <NUM> is coupled to the adhesive portion <NUM> and then separated from the adhesive portion <NUM>, at least part of the adhesive portion <NUM> may be deformed to indicate that the cover <NUM> is separated from the case <NUM>.

For example, when the user arbitrarily separates the cover <NUM> of the aerosol generation device <NUM> from the aerosol generation device <NUM>, a predetermined mark may be remained on the adhesive portion <NUM> to indicate that the cover <NUM> is separated from the aerosol generation device <NUM>.

Marking of the adhesive portion <NUM> may occur due to the deformation of at least part of the adhesive portion <NUM> when the cover <NUM> is separated. For example, when the cover <NUM> is separated, the adhesive material of the adhesive portion <NUM> is deformed, or a part or the whole of the adhesive portion <NUM> may be wrinkled or torn together with the adhesive material, which may cause the marking of the adhesive portion <NUM> to occur.

The mark remaining on the adhesive portion <NUM> is irreversible, and thus when the marking occurs on the adhesive portion <NUM>, it is impossible to remove the mark from the adhesive portion <NUM>. Therefore, information about the separation of the cover <NUM> of the aerosol generation device <NUM> may be provided through the adhesive portion <NUM>.

Information about the separation of at least one of the first housing <NUM>, the second housing <NUM>, and the battery <NUM> of the aerosol generation device <NUM> may be provided through the information about the arbitrary separation of the cover <NUM> of the aerosol generation device <NUM>.

The aerosol generation device <NUM> has a structure in which a fastening structure for fastening components of the aerosol generation device <NUM> is concealed, thereby preventing the fastening structure from being exposed to the outside and damaged by an external pressure or stimulation.

In addition, the aerosol generation device <NUM> may prevent breakage or damage of the aerosol generation device <NUM> that may occur when the user arbitrarily disassembles or releases the exposed fastening structure of the aerosol generation device <NUM>.

An irreversible mark remains on the adhesive portion <NUM> that couples the cover <NUM> of the aerosol generation device <NUM> when the cover <NUM> is separated from the adhesive portion <NUM>. After the mark remains on the adhesive portion <NUM>, it is impossible to remove the mark from the adhesive portion <NUM> and thus, the information about the arbitrary separation of the cover <NUM> of the aerosol generation device <NUM> may be provided through the adhesive portion <NUM>.

The information about the separation of at least one of the first housing <NUM>, the second housing <NUM>, and the battery <NUM> of the aerosol generation device <NUM> may be provided through the information about the arbitrary separation of the cover <NUM> of the aerosol generation device <NUM>.

A method of assembling the aerosol generation device <NUM> according to exemplary embodiments may include providing the first housing <NUM> including the opening <NUM> in an upper portion, an inner space into which the cigarette <NUM> may be inserted through the opening <NUM>, and the heater <NUM> positioned in the inner space; coupling the second housing <NUM> including the controller <NUM> to a lower portion of the first housing <NUM>; coupling the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> through the fastening portion <NUM>; coupling the battery <NUM> to the second housing <NUM>, and coupling the case <NUM> to the second housing <NUM> to accommodate the second housing <NUM>, the fastening portion <NUM>, and the battery <NUM> therein.

As such, the fastening portion <NUM> may be prevented, by the case <NUM>, from being exposed to the outside.

The configuration and effects of the method of assembling the aerosol generation device <NUM> according to exemplary embodiments are the same as those described above with respect to the aerosol generation device <NUM>, and thus a redundant detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Claim 1:
An aerosol generation device (<NUM>) comprising:
a first housing (<NUM>) comprising an opening (<NUM>) at one side, an inner space for accommodating a cigarette (<NUM>) inserted through the opening (<NUM>), and a heater (<NUM>) disposed in the inner space;
a second housing (<NUM>) coupled to other side of the first housing (<NUM>) and including a controller (<NUM>);
a fastening portion (<NUM>) configured to couple the first housing (<NUM>) to the second housing (<NUM>);
a battery (<NUM>) coupled to the second housing (<NUM>); and
a case (<NUM>) coupled to the second housing (<NUM>) for accommodating the second housing (<NUM>), the fastening portion (<NUM>), and the battery (<NUM>) therein, and
wherein the fastening portion (<NUM>) is prevented, by the case (<NUM>), from being exposed to outside.