Patent Description:
In recent years, there is increasing demand for an apparatus (i.e., an aerosol generating apparatus) for heating a cigarette to generate an aerosol from components in the cigarette. In an aerosol generating apparatus including a heater for heating a cigarette, the cigarette may be separated from the aerosol generating apparatus after use of the cigarette and a new cigarette may be inserted into the aerosol generating apparatus.

The aerosol generating apparatus has to be kept clean in order to generate a high-quality aerosol even after the aerosol generating apparatus is repeatedly used. However, debris may accumulate inside the aerosol generating apparatus while the cigarette is heated to generate the aerosol. The accumulated debris may contaminate the aerosol generating apparatus, thus degrading its performance and causing discomfort and inconvenience for a user.

In general, the cleaning of the inside of the aerosol generating apparatus is performed in a manner in which, while holding the aerosol generating apparatus by hand, the user points a cigarette insertion hole toward the ground and shakes the aerosol generating apparatus. However, since debris stuck inside the aerosol generating apparatus are not easily discharged from the aerosol generating apparatus, the user has to tap the cigarette insertion hole of the aerosol generating apparatus against a hard surface such as a table to remove the debris, and thus, cleaning is inconvenient and there is a risk of breaking a case.

In addition, when the aerosol generating apparatus is repeatedly used for a long time, debris may get stuck to an inner area of the aerosol generating apparatus which is not exposed to the outside through the cigarette insertion hole. In order to clean the inner area which is not exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating apparatus, only a special tool such as a screwdriver can be used to forcibly disassemble some parts thereof. In this light, it is difficult to clean the aerosol generating apparatus. <CIT> relates to an aromatherapy vaporization device having a heating chamber first portion for receiving of phyto material and a heating chamber second portion. In a first mode of operation phyto material is loaded into the heating chamber first portion having a first conductive heating element disposed therein and in a second mode of operation an angle of a hinge is varied that brings the heating chamber second portion in proximity to the heating chamber first portion. In the second mode of operation electrical current flows from a first battery to a first conductive heating element and the phyto material is heated to a predetermined temperature and vapor is emitted from the heating of the phyto material and is captured in the heating chamber second portion and flows through a heating chamber first portion aperture and propagates through a fluid pathway for inhalation from an inhalation aperture.

Provided are an aerosol generating source support assembly that is convenient to use and easy to clean and an aerosol generating apparatus including the aerosol generating source support assembly.

In addition, provided is an aerosol generating apparatus that has improved durability and stability, maintains a clean interior, and is easy to manage.

In addition, provided are an aerosol generating source support assembly that is easy to clean because some components thereof are movable and thus a space for cleaning may be easily exposed to the outside, and an aerosol generating apparatus with the aerosol generating source support assembly detachably coupled thereto.

An aerosol generating source support assembly according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: an inner cylinder which is hollow, having a support space, and arranged to surround and support at least a portion of an aerosol generating source; and an outer cylinder connected to the inner cylinder and arranged to movably support the inner cylinder such that the inner cylinder moves between a coupling position in which the outer cylinder is coupled with the inner cylinder and a separation position in which at least a portion of the inner cylinder is separated from the outer cylinder.

The inner cylinder may be rotatably coupled to the outer cylinder such that the inner cylinder rotates between the coupling position and the separation position, and wherein the inner cylinder is accommodated in the outer cylinder in the coupling position and at least a portion of the inner cylinder protrudes out of the outer cylinder in the separation position.

The outer cylinder may be hollow and have an accommodation space having an empty interior, and may include one side opening at one end of the accommodation space, another side opening at the other end of the accommodation space, and an open passage extending from the other side opening toward the one side opening to open a portion of the accommodation space to the outside.

The inner cylinder may be rotatably coupled to the outer cylinder such that the inner cylinder rotates about an axis crossing an extension direction of the outer cylinder toward the other side opening from the one side opening.

At least a portion of the inner cylinder may protrude to the outside of the accommodation space through the open passage when the inner cylinder rotates from the coupling position to the separation position.

The inner cylinder may further include, at one end portion thereof, an insertion opening for opening the support space to the outside, wherein the insertion opening of the inner cylinder may be aligned with the one side opening of the outer cylinder at the coupling position.

The inner cylinder may further include a shaft protruding toward the outer cylinder, and the outer cylinder may further include a rotation hole through which the shaft is inserted and rotated.

The inner cylinder may further include a pressing knob on an outer surface thereof to enable a user to operate the inner cylinder.

The inner cylinder further includes a stopper protruding outward from the shaft, wherein the outer cylinder may include a top plate extending outward from the one side opening, the top plate contacting and supporting the stopper when the inner cylinder rotates toward the separation position.

The inner cylinder may further include an inner top plate extending to the outside of the insertion opening, and a handle arranged on the inner top plate to face the one side opening of the outer cylinder, wherein the one side opening of the outer cylinder may extend outward from a center of the one side opening to expose the handle to the outside.

The inner cylinder may further include, at the other end thereof, a heater insertion opening.

The inner cylinder may further include a cut-out hole to open a portion of the support space to the outside for cleaning, and the outer cylinder may further include an extended support surface, and, in the coupling position, the extended support surface is coupled to the cut-out hole of the inner cylinder and connected to an inner wall surface of the inner cylinder, thereby surrounding and supporting at least a portion of the aerosol generating source.

One of the cut-out hole of the inner cylinder and the extended support surface of the outer cylinder may be provided with a groove extending along an edge of the cut-out hole or the extended support surface, and the other of the cut-out hole of the inner cylinder and the extended support surface of the outer cylinder may be provided with a protruding border extending along the edge of the cut-out hole or the extended support surface and inserted into the groove.

Each of the groove and the protruding border may include a straight portion extending in an extension direction of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, and a curved portion which is connected to the straight portion near the other end of the inner cylinder, and extending in a circumferential direction of the inner cylinder, wherein a connection portion between the straight portion and the curved portion may be curved.

The rotation hole may extend along the extension direction of the outer cylinder to guide the shaft to move along the extension direction of the outer cylinder.

The rotation hole may include a protruding jaw protruding from the rotation hole to support the shaft, wherein the inner cylinder is movable between a release position and a close-contact position corresponding to the coupling position, wherein when the inner cylinder moves from the release position to the close-contact position, the shaft moves beyond the protruding jaw toward the one side opening of the outer cylinder, wherein when moving from the close-contact position to the release position, the shaft moves beyond the protruding jaw toward the other side opening of the outer cylinder, and wherein the inner cylinder is able to rotate with respect to the outer cylinder when the shaft is in the release position.

The inner cylinder may further include an inner top plate extending outside the insertion opening, and the outer cylinder may further include a top plate that extends outward from the one side opening and thus contacts an end portion of the inner top plate to hold the inner cylinder in the separation position when the inner cylinder rotates with respect to the outer cylinder.

The inner cylinder may be movably coupled to the outer cylinder such that the inner cylinder moves with respect to the outer cylinder in a direction in which the outer cylinder extends.

The outer cylinder may include an outer cylinder cut-out hole for exposing at least a portion of the accommodation space having an empty interior, and the inner cylinder may include an inner cylinder cut-out hole that exposes the support space to the outside and has a shape corresponding to the outer cylinder cut-out hole.

Both the outer cylinder cut-out hole and the inner cylinder cut-out hole may be closed at the coupling position to form an aerosol generating source insertion space for accommodating the aerosol generating source, and the outer cylinder cut-out hole and the inner cylinder cut-out hole may be exposed to the outside at the separation position.

A rail for guiding linear movement of the inner cylinder may be installed between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder, in an area where the outer cylinder cut-out hole and the inner cylinder cut-out hole are engaged with each other.

A stopper for maintaining a position may be installed in one of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, and an accommodation groove coupled to the stopper may be installed in the other of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder.

The outer cylinder may further include, at one end thereof, an insertion opening which extends in a circumferential direction and into which the aerosol generating source is inserted, and the inner cylinder may further include a heater insertion opening at an opposite end of the inner cylinder which is opposite to the insertion opening.

An aerosol generating apparatus according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes: a case, a hollow protrusion tube protruding from one end of the case and open to the outside, a heater installed in the case such that an end portion of the heater is positioned inside the protrusion tube, and configured to generate heat when an electric signal is applied.

The aerosol generating apparatus may include an aerosol generating source support assembly including: an inner cylinder which is hollow, having a support space, and arranged to surround and support at least a portion of an aerosol generating source; and an outer cylinder connected to the inner cylinder and arranged to movably support the inner cylinder such that the inner cylinder moves between a coupling position in which the outer cylinder is coupled with the inner cylinder and a separation position in which at least a portion of the inner cylinder is separated from the outer cylinder, wherein the outer cylinder is detachably coupled to the hollow protrusion tube.

In an aerosol generating source support assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and an the aerosol generating apparatus including the aerosol generating source support assembly, the relative positions of an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder are changed between a coupling position in which the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are coupled to each other and a separation position in which a portion of the inner cylinder is separated from the outer cylinder, and thus, an aerosol generating source may be stably supported while the aerosol generating source is in use, and a cleaning operation may be simply and reliably performed after the aerosol generating source is used.

In addition, since the relative positions of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder may be fixed at the separation position in which at least a portion of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are separated from each other, the cleaning operation may be quickly and safely performed.

The present disclosure will be more clearly understood by referring to the exemplary embodiments described below in detail with accompanying drawings. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein; rather these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will thorough and complete, and will fully convey the inventive concept to one of ordinary skill in the art. The present disclosure is defined by the scope of the claims. Meanwhile, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be further understood that when a part and/or an operation "includes" or "comprises" an element, unless otherwise defined, the part and/or the operation may further include other elements, not excluding the other elements. Terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are only used to distinguish one component from another.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an aerosol generating apparatus with an aerosol generating source support assembly according an exemplary embodiment.

The aerosol generating source support assembly and aerosol generating apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG> may include a case <NUM> and a cover <NUM>. The cover <NUM> is coupled with a first end of the case <NUM>, and thus the cover <NUM> constitutes the outer appearance of the aerosol generating apparatus together with the case <NUM>.

The case <NUM> constitutes the outer appearance of the aerosol generating apparatus <NUM> and functions to accommodate various components in a space formed therein, thereby protecting them.

The cover <NUM> and the case <NUM> may include a plastic material with low heat conductivity or a metal coated with a heat barrier material on its surface. The cover <NUM> and the case <NUM> may be fabricated through, for example, an injection molding method, a 3D printing method, or a method of assembling small parts fabricated through injection molding.

A locking device may be installed between the cover <NUM> and the case <NUM> to maintain the coupling between the cover <NUM> and the case <NUM>. The locking device may include, for example, a protrusion and a groove. The coupling between the cover <NUM> and the case <NUM> may be maintained while the protrusion is inserted in the groove. The protrusion may be moved separated from the groove when a use presses a manipulation button.

The locking device may also include, for example, a magnet and a metal member that is attracted to the magnet. When a magnet is used for the locking device, a magnet may be installed on either the cover <NUM> or the case <NUM> and a metal that is attracted to the magnet may be attached to the other one. Alternatively, magnets may be installed on both the cover <NUM> and the case <NUM>.

In the aerosol generating apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, the cover <NUM> is not an essential configuration. Thus, the cover <NUM> may not be installed as necessary.

An outside hole 1002p through which the cigarette <NUM> may be inserted is formed on the top surface of the cover <NUM> coupled with the case <NUM>. Also, a rail 1003r is formed on the top surface of the cover <NUM> at a position adjacent to the outside hole 1002p. A door <NUM> that is capable of sliding along the top surface of the cover <NUM> is installed on the rail 1003r. The door <NUM> may slide in a straight line along the rail 1003r.

As the door <NUM> moves along the rail 1003r in the direction indicated by the arrow in <FIG>, the outside hole 1002p and an insertion hole 1004p that enable the cigarette <NUM> to be inserted into the case <NUM> through the cover <NUM> are exposed to the outside. The outside hole 1002p of the cover <NUM> exposes the insertion hole 1004p of an accommodating path <NUM> for accommodating the cigarette <NUM> to the outside.

When the outside hole 1002p is exposed to the outside by the door <NUM>, a user may insert an end portion 3b of the cigarette <NUM> into the outside hole 1002p and the insertion hole 1004p, thereby placing the cigarette <NUM> in the accommodating path <NUM> formed inside the cover <NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiment, the door <NUM> is installed to move in a straight line with respect to the cover <NUM>. However, the exemplary embodiment is not limited by the structure in which the door <NUM> is coupled with the cover <NUM>. For example, the door <NUM> may be rotatably mounted on the cover <NUM> through a hinge assembly. In case of employing a hinge assembly, the door <NUM> may be rotated toward a side of the outside hole 1002p along an extension of the top surface of the cover <NUM>. Otherwise, the door <NUM> may be rotated in a direction away from the top surface of the cover <NUM>.

The rail 1003r has a concave groove shape, but the exemplary embodiment is not limited to the shape of the rail 1003r. For example, the rail 1003r may have a convex shape or may extend in a curved line instead of a straight line.

At the case <NUM>, a button <NUM> is provided. As the button <NUM> is manipulated, the operation of the aerosol generating apparatus may be controlled.

An outside air introduction gap <NUM> that allows air to flow into the interior of the cover <NUM> is formed at a portion between the cover <NUM> and the case <NUM> when the cover <NUM> is coupled with the case <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an operating state in which some components are separated from the aerosol generating apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an operating state in which some components are separated from the aerosol generating apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is a side cross-sectional view illustrating some components in the aerosol generating apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, in a state where the cigarette <NUM> is inserted in the aerosol generating apparatus, the user may hold the cigarette <NUM> by mouth and inhale aerosol.

When the use of the cigarette <NUM> is terminated, the user may perform a cleaning operation for removing a tobacco material, which may remain in the aerosol generating apparatus, after separating the cigarette <NUM> from the aerosol generating apparatus.

The cleaning of the aerosol generating apparatus may be performed in a manner that the user separates the cover <NUM> from the case <NUM> of the aerosol generating apparatus, separates an aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> from the case <NUM> to expose an internal space of the aerosol generating apparatus and the heater to the outside, and removes the tobacco material.

Referring to <FIG>, the cover <NUM> may be coupled to an end portion 1001a of the case <NUM> to cover the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> coupled to the end portion 1001a of the case <NUM>. In addition, the cover <NUM> may be separated from the case <NUM> as necessary.

In order to remove the cigarette <NUM> from the aerosol generating apparatus after the use of the cigarette <NUM>, the user may pull out the cigarette <NUM> from the case <NUM> while or after rotating the cigarette <NUM> by hand.

When the cigarette <NUM> is separated from the case <NUM> while or after being rotated, an coupling between the cigarette <NUM> and the heater may be released, and at the same time, the tobacco material attached to the cigarette <NUM> may be discharged to the outside of the case <NUM> together with the cigarette <NUM>.

When the cigarette <NUM> is pulled without rotating the cigarette <NUM> (or even when the cigarette <NUM> is pulled while the cigarette <NUM> is being rotated), the cigarette <NUM> may be separated from the case <NUM>. However, a portion of the cigarette <NUM>, for example, a tobacco portion, may remain on the heater side without being discharged from the case <NUM>. In this case, the user may separate the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> from the case <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, after removing the cover <NUM> from the case <NUM>. In this case, the tobacco portion remaining on the heater side is separated from the case <NUM> together with the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM>. Thereafter, the user may remove the tobacco portion remaining in the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> separated from the case <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating apparatus includes a case <NUM>, a protrusion tube <NUM> which is hollow and protrudes from the end portion 1001a of the case <NUM> and has an opening open to the outside, a heater <NUM> installed in the case <NUM> and positioned inside the protrusion tube <NUM>, and an aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> that may be coupled to the protrusion tube <NUM> and be separated from the protrusion tube <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when the user grasps and pulls the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> upward while the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> is coupled to the case <NUM>, the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> may be separated from the case <NUM>.

The aerosol-generating source support assembly <NUM> has a pressing knob 20x on the outer side surface of the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM>, which helps the user lift up the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM>. In the drawings, the pressing knob 20x protrudes from the outer surface of the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> and has a shape extending by a predetermined distance along the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM>.

However, the configuration of the pressing knob 20x is not limited thereto. For example, the pressing knob 20x may have a groove shape recessed from the outer surface of the aerosol-generating source support assembly <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the protrusion tube <NUM> surrounds and protects the heater <NUM>, and serves to support the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> when the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> is coupled to the protrusion tube <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the protrusion tube <NUM> has an inclined protrusion 1020y protruding from the outer surface thereof and extending in an up and down direction, that is, in a moving direction of the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM>. The inclined protrusion 1020y has an inclination. The aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> has an inclined groove 20y that may accommodate the inclined protrusion 1020y to support the inclined protrusion 1020y. At least portions of the surfaces of the inclined protrusion 1020y and the inclined groove 20y may form curved surfaces curved along the moving direction of the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM>. As the inclined protrusions 1020y and the inclined grooves 20y have the curved surfaces, the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> may be smoothly mounted or separated from the protrusion tube <NUM>.

Since a state in which the inclined protrusion 1020y is inserted in the inclined groove 20y is stably maintained while the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> is mounted on the protrusion tube <NUM>, the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> is not easily separated from the protrusion tube <NUM> until the user pulls the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM>.

The installed positions of the inclined groove 20y and the inclined protrusion 1020y are not limited thereto. For example, the inclined groove 20y may be installed in the protrusion tube <NUM> and the inclined protrusion 1020y may be installed in the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM>.

Since the protrusion tube <NUM> is hollow and has a coupling passage <NUM> into which at least a portion of the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> may be inserted. The upper end of the coupling passage <NUM> is open to the outside in the upward direction of the aerosol generating apparatus.

The case <NUM> is provided with a heater <NUM> for heating the cigarette <NUM>. The heater <NUM> is installed in the case <NUM> such that an upper end portion of the heater <NUM> is positioned inside the protrusion tube <NUM>. When the cigarette <NUM> is accommodated in the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> in a state in which the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> is coupled to the protrusion tube <NUM>, the upper end portion of the heater <NUM> is inserted into the bottom of an end portion of the cigarette <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> is electrically connected to a power supply device arranged inside the case <NUM>. When power is supplied from the power supply device to the heater <NUM> in a state in which the cigarette <NUM> is inserted in the end portion of the heater <NUM>, the heater <NUM> is heated and heats the cigarette <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> may be inserted into the coupling passage <NUM> inside the protrusion tube <NUM> through the opening of the protrusion tube <NUM>. The aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> has an inner cylinder <NUM> and an outer cylinder <NUM> for movably supporting the inner cylinder <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the outer cylinder <NUM> of the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> has an extended support surface <NUM> protruding inward and spaced apart from an outer wall 20t having a substantially semi-cylindrical shape. When the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> is coupled to the protrusion tube <NUM>, the protrusion tube <NUM> is inserted between the outer wall 20t and the extended support surface <NUM>, and thus, a coupling state between the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> and the protrusion tube <NUM> may be stably maintained.

According to the stable coupling structure between the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> and the protrusion tube <NUM> as described above, even if external vibration due to an impact is applied to the aerosol generating apparatus, the separation or breakage of the components of the aerosol generating apparatus may be reduced. This may ensure good durability and stability even if the aerosol generating apparatus is used for a long time.

In addition, since the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> may be easily separated from the case <NUM> when a cleaning operation is performed, the cleaning operation may be reliably and conveniently performed.

In addition, the protrusion tube <NUM> may perform a function of directly supplying outside air to an end portion of the cigarette <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the protrusion tube <NUM> has an air hole <NUM> connecting the inside and the outside of the protrusion tube <NUM>, and an air flow path 1020n extending along a surface of the protrusion tube <NUM> to guide the flow of air to the air hole <NUM>.

A plurality of air holes <NUM> may be provided spaced apart in the circumferential direction with respect to the center of the longitudinal direction of the protrusion tube <NUM>. The air hole <NUM> and the air flow path 1020n form a flow passage of air for allowing air outside the protrusion tube <NUM> to flow into the protrusion tube <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, when the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> is coupled to the protrusion tube <NUM>, the extended support surface <NUM> of the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> is inserted into the protrusion tube <NUM>. While the extended support surface <NUM> of the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> moves downward along the protrusion tube <NUM>, the heater <NUM> located inside the protrusion tube <NUM> passes through a heater insertion opening 10b of the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM>.

With the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> coupled to the protrusion tube <NUM>, an end portion of the heater <NUM> passes through the heater insertion opening 10b of the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> and is located inside the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM>. Therefore, when the cigarette <NUM> is accommodated in the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> in a state in which the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> is coupled to the protrusion tube <NUM>, the end portion of the heater <NUM> is inserted into the cigarette <NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, a heater inserted into a cigarette is shown. However, the configuration of the heater is not limited thereto. For example, the heater may be made of a cylindrical film heater that may surround at least a portion of the outer surface of the cigarette. In the case of using a cylindrical film heater, the cylindrical film heater may be installed on the inner wall surface or the outer wall surface of the protrusion tube <NUM>.

When the user of the aerosol generating apparatus inserts the cigarette <NUM> into the receiving passage <NUM>, the cigarette <NUM> moves along the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM>. When the end portion of the cigarette <NUM> reaches the bottom of the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM>, a feeling of contact between the bottom and the end portion of the cigarette <NUM> is transmitted to the user's hand holding the cigarette <NUM>. Therefore, the user may easily mount the cigarette <NUM> to the aerosol generating apparatus by performing a simple operation of holding the cigarette <NUM> in the hand and pushing the cigarette <NUM> into the aerosol generating apparatus.

When the user separates the cigarette <NUM> from the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM>, the user may hold the cigarette <NUM> by hand and rotate it and pull the cigarette <NUM> out of the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM>. While the user holds and rotates the cigarette <NUM> by hand, the cigarette <NUM> and the heater <NUM> attached to each other by the tobacco material may be completely separated.

After separating the cigarette <NUM> from the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM>, the user may clean the inside of the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM>. When the user separates the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> from the case <NUM> to perform a cleaning operation, the user may grasp the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> by hand and pull the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> out of the case <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the back of an aerosol generating source support assembly separated from the aerosol generating apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating some components of the aerosol generating source support assembly according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an operating state of the aerosol generating source support assembly according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>.

The inner cylinder <NUM> and the outer cylinder <NUM> may include a material such as plastic, metal or rubber that is capable of withstanding heat well, or a combination of these materials.

The inner cylinder <NUM> is hollow and has a support space <NUM>, and has an inner wall surface 11a capable of contacting, surrounding, and supporting at least a portion of the cigarette <NUM> that is an aerosol generating source.

The outer cylinder <NUM> is connected to the inner cylinder <NUM> and rotatably supports the inner cylinder <NUM>. The position of the inner cylinder <NUM> may be changed between a coupling position in which the inner cylinder <NUM> is coupled to the outer cylinder <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, and a separation position in which at least a portion of the inner cylinder <NUM> is separated from the outer cylinder <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The inner cylinder <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the outer cylinder <NUM> to rotate between the coupling position and the separation position. In the coupling position shown in <FIG>, the inner cylinder <NUM> is accommodated inside the outer cylinder <NUM>. In the separation position shown in <FIG>, a portion of the inner cylinder <NUM> protrudes to the outside of the outer cylinder <NUM>.

The outer cylinder <NUM> is hollow and has an accommodation space <NUM> having an empty interior so as to accommodate the inner cylinder <NUM> in the coupling position. The outer cylinder <NUM> includes one side opening 20a for opening one end of the accommodation space <NUM> to the outside in an upward direction, the other side opening 20b for opening the other end of the accommodation space <NUM> to the outside in a downward direction, and an open passage <NUM> extending from the other side opening 20b toward the one side opening 20a so as to open a portion of the accommodation space <NUM> to the outside in a lateral direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the outer cylinder <NUM> may include an inclined groove 20y on an inner side surface thereof. The inclined groove 20y serves to accommodate and support the inclined protrusion 1020y of the protrusion tube <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The inner cylinder <NUM> has a shaft <NUM> protruding toward the outer cylinder <NUM>. The outer cylinder <NUM> has a rotation hole <NUM> for accommodating the shaft <NUM> and rotatably supporting the shaft <NUM>.

The inner cylinder <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the outer cylinder <NUM> such that the inner cylinder <NUM> is capable of rotating about the axis L which crosses the extending direction of the outer cylinder <NUM> toward the other side opening 20b from the one side opening 20a of the outer cylinder <NUM>. When the inner cylinder <NUM> rotates from the separation position toward the coupling position, at least a portion of the inner cylinder <NUM> protrudes to the outside of the accommodation space <NUM> through the open passage <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the inner cylinder <NUM> has an insertion opening 10a, which opens the support space <NUM> to the outside in the upward direction, at one end portion of the inner cylinder <NUM>. When the inner cylinder <NUM> and the outer cylinder <NUM> are in the coupling position shown in <FIG>, the insertion opening 10a of the inner cylinder <NUM> is aligned with the one side opening 20a of the outer cylinder <NUM>, and thus, the insertion opening 10a of the inner cylinder <NUM> and the one side opening 20a of the outer cylinder <NUM> form the insertion hole 1004p shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the inner cylinder <NUM> has a heater insertion opening 10b opened to the outside from the other end portion in the downward direction. In <FIG>, when the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> is coupled to the case <NUM>, an upper end portion of the heater <NUM> passes through the heater insertion opening 10b and is positioned inside the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM>. Therefore, when the cigarette <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> through the insertion hole 1004p as shown in <FIG>, the upper end portion of the heater <NUM> is inserted into the bottom of an end portion of the cigarette <NUM>.

The size of the heater insertion opening 10b of the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> may correspond to the thickness of the heater <NUM>. For example, when the heater <NUM> has a circular cross section, the heater insertion opening 10b also has a circular cross-sectional shape, and the inner diameter of the heater insertion opening 10b is formed to correspond to the outer diameter of the heater <NUM>.

The size of the inner diameter of the heater insertion opening 10b is not limited thereto. For example, the inner diameter of the heater insertion opening 10b may be formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the heater <NUM>, and thus, the inner surface of the heater insertion opening 10b may be spaced apart from the outer side of the heater <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a bottom of the aerosol generating source support assembly according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>.

The inner cylinder <NUM> has a cut-out hole <NUM> to open a portion of the support space <NUM> to the outside for easy cleaning.

In addition, the outer cylinder <NUM> has the extended support surface <NUM> protruding from the inner wall surface of the outer cylinder <NUM> so as to be coupled to the cut-out hole <NUM> of the inner cylinder <NUM> in the coupling position where the outer cylinder <NUM> is coupled to the inner cylinder <NUM>.

When the outer cylinder <NUM> and the inner cylinder <NUM> are in the coupling position, the extended support surface <NUM> may be connected to the inner wall surface 11a of the inner cylinder <NUM>, thereby extending in the circumferential direction in order to contact, surround, and support at least a portion of the cigarette <NUM>. In the coupling position, the extended support surface <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM> and the inner wall surface 11a of the inner cylinder <NUM> may form a circular shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the cigarette <NUM>.

The extended support surface <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM> has a groove <NUM> extending along the edge of the extended support surface <NUM>. In addition, the cut-out hole <NUM> of the inner cylinder <NUM> has a protruding border <NUM> protruding toward the outer cylinder <NUM> and extending along the edge of the cut-out hole <NUM>.

When the inner cylinder <NUM> rotates to the coupling position and is accommodated in the outer cylinder <NUM>, the protruding border <NUM> of the inner cylinder <NUM> may be inserted into the groove <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM>, and thus, the coupling position in which the inner cylinder <NUM> and the outer cylinder <NUM> are coupled to each other may be stably maintained.

In the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, the inner cylinder <NUM> has the protruding border <NUM> and the outer cylinder <NUM> has the groove <NUM>. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited by such a configuration. That is, the inner cylinder <NUM> may have a groove, and the outer cylinder <NUM> may have a protruding border.

When the cut-out hole <NUM> of the inner cylinder <NUM> rotates in a direction to be separated from the extended support surface <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM> and rotates to a separation position as shown in <FIG>, the support space <NUM> of the inner cylinder <NUM> and the accommodation space <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM> are exposed to the outside. As such, when the support space <NUM> and the accommodation space <NUM> are exposed to the outside, it is possible to reliably and easily remove debris generated while the cigarette <NUM> generates aerosol and attached to the interior of the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM>.

The shaft <NUM> of the inner cylinder <NUM> has a stopper <NUM> protruding outward. The outer cylinder <NUM> has a top plate <NUM> extending outward from the one side opening 20a.

When the inner cylinder <NUM> rotates toward the separation position, the top plate <NUM> may come into contact with the stopper <NUM>, thereby supporting the stopper <NUM> to fix a rotation position of the stopper <NUM>. In other words, when the inner cylinder <NUM> rotates toward the separation position, the stopper <NUM> is tightly fitted to the lower surface of the top plate <NUM>, and thus, the top plate <NUM> and the stopper <NUM> are in tight contact with each other. Therefore, when the inner cylinder <NUM> has rotated to the separation position shown in <FIG>, the rotated inner cylinder <NUM> at the separation position may be stably maintained due to the close contact between the stopper <NUM> and the top plate <NUM>.

As described above, since the inner cylinder <NUM> may rotate between the coupling position, in which the inner cylinder <NUM> is coupled to the outer cylinder <NUM>, and the separation position, in which the inner cylinder <NUM> rotates with respect to the outer cylinder <NUM> to be separated from the outer cylinder <NUM>, a cleaning operation may be easily performed. In particular, since the inner cylinder <NUM> is fixed in the separation position by the action of the stopper <NUM>, the user may easily perform a cleaning operation in a state where the aerosol generating source support assembly is maintained in the separation position as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an aerosol generating source support assembly according to another exemplary embodiment.

The aerosol generating source support assembly according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG> includes an inner cylinder <NUM> which is hollow and has an empty interior, and an outer cylinder <NUM> rotatably supporting the inner cylinder <NUM>.

The inner cylinder <NUM> includes a shaft <NUM>, and the outer cylinder <NUM> includes a rotation hole <NUM> that rotatably supports the shaft <NUM>.

The rotation hole <NUM> is formed to extend in the extending direction of the outer cylinder <NUM>. The rotation hole <NUM> may serve to guide the shaft <NUM> to move in the extension direction of the outer cylinder <NUM> while the shaft <NUM> is inserted into the rotation hole <NUM>. Therefore, the inner cylinder <NUM> and the shaft <NUM> may linearly move in the extending direction of the rotation hole <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view of the aerosol generating source support assembly according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>.

The outer cylinder <NUM> has a top plate <NUM> extending outward from one side opening of the upper side. As shown in <FIG>, when the inner cylinder <NUM> is accommodated in the outer cylinder <NUM> and is in a coupling position in which the inner cylinder <NUM> is coupled to the outer cylinder <NUM>, the inner cylinder <NUM> may linearly move in an upward direction toward the top plate <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM> and a downward direction away from the top plate <NUM>.

The rotation hole <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM> has an upper hole 22a that is adjacent to the top plate <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM> and accommodates the shaft <NUM>, and a lower hole 22b that is connected to the upper hole 22a and extends downward from the upper hole 22a to accommodate the shaft <NUM>. The rotation hole <NUM> also has a protruding jaw 22t for supporting the shaft <NUM> by protruding inwardly between the upper hole 22a and the lower hole 22b.

Referring to <FIG>, the inner cylinder <NUM> has a pressing knob <NUM> formed concave on the outer surface thereof. The user may move the inner cylinder <NUM> with respect to the outer cylinder <NUM> by operating the pressing knob <NUM> with a finger while holding the outer cylinder <NUM> by hand.

Exemplary embodiments are not limited by the configuration of the pressing knob <NUM>. For example, the pressing knob <NUM> may have a protrusion shape protruding from the outer wall surface of the inner cylinder <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when the inner cylinder <NUM> is in a coupling position in which the inner cylinder <NUM> is coupled to the outer cylinder <NUM>, the shaft <NUM> may pass above the protruding jaw 22t and thus the inner cylinder <NUM> may move toward the top plate <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM> to move to a close contact position in which the inner cylinder <NUM> is in close contact with the outer cylinder <NUM>. Alternatively, the shaft <NUM> may pass below the protruding jaw 22t and thus the inner cylinder <NUM> may move toward a lower side away from the top plate <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM> to move to a release position.

<FIG> shows a close contact position in which the inner cylinder <NUM> comes into close contact with the top plate <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM> and a cut-out hole <NUM> of the inner cylinder <NUM> contacts an extended support surface <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view illustrating an operating state of the aerosol generating source support assembly according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>.

The inner cylinder <NUM> shown by the dashed line in <FIG> shows that the inner cylinder <NUM> has moved downward away from the top plate <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM> to a release position. Thus, the cut-out hole <NUM> of the inner cylinder <NUM> is spaced apart from the extended support surface <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM>. As such, the inner cylinder <NUM> may rotate with respect to the outer cylinder <NUM> in the release position.

The inner cylinder <NUM> shown by the solid line in <FIG> shows the inner cylinder <NUM> that has moved to a separation position after rotating with respect to the outer cylinder <NUM>. A portion of the inner cylinder <NUM> in the separation position may protrude to the outside of the outer cylinder <NUM> to maintain a posture for cleaning.

<FIG> is an enlarged side view of a portion of the aerosol generating source support assembly according to the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the inner cylinder <NUM> further includes an inner top plate <NUM> extending outward from an insertion opening of an upper end portion of the inner cylinder <NUM>. When the inner cylinder <NUM> reaches the separation position shown in <FIG> by rotating with respect to the outer cylinder <NUM>, an end portion of the edge of the inner top plate <NUM> comes into contact with the lower surface of the top plate <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM>. That is, in the separation position in which the inner cylinder <NUM> has rotated with respect to the outer cylinder <NUM>, the end portion of the edge of the inner top plate <NUM> of the inner cylinder <NUM> is strongly stuck to the lower surface of the top plate <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM>, and thus, the position of the inner cylinder <NUM> with respect to the outer cylinder <NUM> may be fixed to the separation position.

As described above, since the inner cylinder <NUM> may rotate between the coupling position, in which the inner cylinder <NUM> is coupled to the outer cylinder <NUM>, and the separation position, in which the inner cylinder <NUM> rotates with respect to the outer cylinder <NUM> to be separated from the outer cylinder <NUM>, a cleaning operation may be easily performed. In particular, since the inner cylinder <NUM> is fixed in the separation position in which the inner cylinder <NUM> has been rotated with respect to the outer cylinder <NUM> as indicted by the solid line in <FIG>, the user may easily clean the aerosol generating source support assembly.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an aerosol generating source support assembly according to another exemplary embodiment. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating some components of the aerosol generating source support assembly according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating, at a different angle, some components of the aerosol generating source support assembly shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating some other components of the aerosol generating source support assembly according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>.

The aerosol generating source support assembly according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG> includes an inner cylinder <NUM> which is hollow and has an empty interior, and an outer cylinder <NUM> having a rotation hole <NUM> connected to a shaft <NUM> of the inner cylinder <NUM> and rotatably supporting the inner cylinder <NUM> about an axis L.

The inner cylinder <NUM> includes an inner top plate <NUM> extending outward from an insertion opening 10a of an upper end portion of the inner cylinder <NUM>, and a handle <NUM> protruding from the inner top plate <NUM> toward one side opening 20a of the outer cylinder <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the handle <NUM> has a groove grip 19f formed to be concave on the back of the handle <NUM> so that the user may grip with a nail. The groove grip19f serves to prevent slippage when the user grips and operates the handle <NUM>. In addition, the inner top plate <NUM> has an entry portion <NUM> that provides a hole at a portion in contact with the groove grip 19f of the handle <NUM>. When the user's finger grips the handle <NUM>, the end of the finger may enter the entry portion <NUM>, and thus, the gripping operation of the groove grip 19f using the nail may be stably performed.

In <FIG>, the entry portion <NUM> is formed as a hole penetrated in the vertical direction, but exemplary embodiments are not limited by the configuration of the entry portion <NUM>. For example, the entry portion <NUM> may have the shape of a concave groove.

Referring to <FIG>, the one side opening 20a of the outer cylinder <NUM> is enlarged outward from the center of the one side opening 20a to expose the handle <NUM> of the inner cylinder <NUM> to the outside.

When the inner cylinder <NUM> is in a coupling position in which the inner cylinder <NUM> is coupled to the outer cylinder <NUM> and accommodated in the outer cylinder <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the handle <NUM> on the upper side of the inner cylinder <NUM> is exposed to the outside. Therefore, the user may rotate the inner cylinder <NUM> with respect to the outer cylinder <NUM> by operating the handle <NUM> using a finger while holding the outer cylinder <NUM> by hand.

A concave portion 20w to facilitate the insertion of the user's finger is formed adjacent to the handle <NUM>, at the edge of the one side opening 20a of the outer cylinder <NUM>.

Exemplary embodiment are not limited by the configuration of the handle <NUM>. For example, the handle <NUM> may have a concave shape on the inner top plate <NUM> of the inner cylinder <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the inner cylinder <NUM> includes a cut-out hole <NUM> to open a portion of a support space <NUM> to the outside for easy cleaning.

Referring to <FIG>, the outer cylinder <NUM> is hollow and has an accommodation space <NUM> to accommodate the inner cylinder <NUM> in the coupling position. The outer cylinder <NUM> includes one side opening 20a for opening one end of the accommodation space <NUM> to the outside, a lower side opening 26b for opening the other end of the accommodation space <NUM> to the outside, and an open passage <NUM> for opening the accommodation space <NUM> in the lateral direction.

When the outer cylinder <NUM> and the inner cylinder <NUM> is coupled to each other to be in the coupling position, the extended support surface <NUM> may be connected to the inner wall surface 11a of the inner cylinder <NUM>, thereby extending in the circumferential direction in order to contact, surround, and support at least a portion of a cigarette. The extended support surface <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM> in the coupling position and the inner wall surface 11a of the inner cylinder <NUM> may form a circular shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the cigarette.

The extended support surface <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM> has a protruding border 27f protruding and extending along the edge of the extended support surface <NUM>. In addition, the cut-out hole <NUM> of the inner cylinder <NUM> has a groove <NUM> extending along the edge of the cut-out hole <NUM>.

When the inner cylinder <NUM> rotates to the coupling position and is accommodated in the outer cylinder <NUM>, the protruding border 27f of the outer cylinder <NUM> may be inserted into the groove <NUM> of the inner cylinder <NUM>, and thus, the coupling position in which the inner cylinder <NUM> and the outer cylinder <NUM> are coupled to each other may be stably maintained.

Referring to <FIG>, the groove <NUM> has a straight portion <NUM> extending linearly in the extending direction of the inner cylinder <NUM>, and a curved portion 17r connected to the straight portion <NUM> near a lower end portion of the inner cylinder <NUM> and extending in the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder <NUM>. A connection portion 17d between the straight portion <NUM> and the curved portion 17r is formed to be curved.

Referring to <FIG>, the protruding border 27f of the outer cylinder <NUM> also includes a straight portion <NUM> extending in the extending direction of the outer cylinder <NUM>, a curved portion 27r, and a connection portion 27d so as to correspond to the shape of the groove <NUM> of the inner cylinder <NUM>.

When the inserting direction of a cigarette does not coincide with the center of the inner cylinder <NUM> when the cigarette is inserted into the inner cylinder <NUM> from the outside, and forms an inclined state, the cigarette may not be easily inserted in the inner cylinder <NUM>.

According to the configuration of the aerosol generating source support assembly according to the exemplary embodiment described above, the connection portion 17d between the straight portion <NUM> and the curved portion 17r is formed to be curved, and thus, the connection portion 17d may smoothly guide an end portion of the cigarette inserted into the inner cylinder <NUM> in the inclined state. Therefore, the cigarette may be inserted in a correct posture into the inner cylinder <NUM> as the posture of the cigarette is modified by the connection portion 17d.

<FIG> includes an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a cross section of a portion of the straight portion <NUM> of the groove <NUM>. Referring to the cross-sectional view of <FIG>, the inner surface of the straight portion <NUM> includes curved areas <NUM> and 17n. The curved areas <NUM> and 17n may be formed over the entire area of the groove <NUM> that extends from the straight portion <NUM> to the connection portion 17d and the curved portion 17r.

When the cross-sectional shape of the corner of the groove <NUM> is a rectangular shape, debris generated in an aerosol generation process of the cigarette may accumulate in the corner. Thus, a cleaning operation may be difficult. However, in the aerosol generating source support assembly according to the exemplary embodiment described above, the cross section of the groove <NUM> of the cut-out hole <NUM> of the inner cylinder <NUM> includes the curved areas <NUM> and 17n, and thus, debris generated in the aerosol generation process of the cigarette may be easily removed from the groove <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating source support assembly according to another exemplary embodiment.

The aerosol generating source support assembly according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG> includes an inner cylinder <NUM> and an outer cylinder <NUM> that supports the inner cylinder <NUM> such that the inner cylinder <NUM> may rotate between a coupling position and a separation position.

The inner cylinder <NUM> has a pressing knob <NUM> formed concave on the outer surface of the inner cylinder <NUM>. In addition, the inner cylinder <NUM> has a handle 19j protruding upward through one side opening 20a of the outer cylinder <NUM> at an upper end portion of the inner cylinder <NUM>. The handle 19j protrudes upward from the upper end of the one side opening 20a of the outer cylinder <NUM>, and an end portion of the handle 19j has a shape bent outward.

According to the structure of the handle 19j, the area of the handle 19j that may be gripped by the user is large, and thus, the user may grip the handle 19j more easily and reliably. In addition, when the user moves the inner cylinder <NUM> with respect to the outer cylinder <NUM>, the handle 19j and the pressing knob <NUM> of the inner cylinder <NUM> may be simultaneously gripped to apply force to the inner cylinder <NUM>, and thus, an operation of changing the positions of the inner cylinder <NUM> and the outer cylinder <NUM> to the coupling position and a rotation position may be conveniently and stably performed.

When the inner cylinder <NUM> and the outer cylinder <NUM> are in the coupling position as shown in <FIG>, a cut-out hole <NUM> of the inner cylinder <NUM> and an extended support surface <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM> are coupled to each other, and thus, the outer cylinder <NUM> and the inner cylinder <NUM> form a space that may support the cigarette.

The inner cylinder <NUM> has a jaw <NUM> having a stepped shape at a lower portion of the cut-out hole <NUM> coupled with the extended support surface <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM>. The jaw <NUM> having a stepped shape forms a height S from the bottom surface of the inner cylinder <NUM>.

Therefore, when the aerosol generating source support assembly according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG> is coupled to the protrusion tube <NUM>, the movement of a substance generated in an inner space formed by the inner cylinder <NUM> and the outer cylinder <NUM> to surround the cigarette is blocked by the jaw <NUM> having a stepped shape. That is, a substance in the inner space formed by the inner cylinder <NUM> and the outer cylinder <NUM> may be effectively blocked by the jaw <NUM> having a stepped shape so as not to leak toward the coupling passage <NUM> of the protrusion tube <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the jaw <NUM> is shown as a stepped shape with two steps, but the exemplary embodiment is not limited by the specific shape of the jaw <NUM> and the jaw <NUM> may have a stepped shape with three or more steps.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an aerosol generating source support assembly according to another exemplary embodiment. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an operating state of the aerosol generating source support assembly according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG> is a perspective view of the back of the aerosol generating source support assembly according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>.

The aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG> has an inner cylinder <NUM>, which is hollow and may surround and support at least a portion of an aerosol generating source, and an outer cylinder <NUM> for movably supporting the inner cylinder <NUM> such that the inner cylinder <NUM> may move between a coupling position and a separation position.

In the aerosol generating source support assembly <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, the inner cylinder <NUM> is modified to move linearly with respect to the outer cylinder <NUM>. The inner cylinder <NUM> is coupled to the outer cylinder <NUM> to move linearly with respect to the outer cylinder <NUM> in a direction in which the outer cylinder <NUM> extends.

Referring to <FIG>, the outer cylinder <NUM> is hollow and has an accommodation space <NUM> having an empty interior. The outer cylinder <NUM> is manufactured in a substantially semi-cylindrical shape so as to surround and support at least another portion of the aerosol generating source, i.e. a cigarette. The outer cylinder <NUM> has an outer cylinder cut-out hole <NUM> for exposing at least a portion of the accommodation space <NUM> to the outside.

Referring to <FIG>, the inner cylinder <NUM> is hollow and has a support space <NUM>. The inner cylinder <NUM> is manufactured in a substantially semi-cylindrical shape so as to surround and support at least a portion of a cigarette which is an aerosol generating source. The inner cylinder <NUM> exposes the support space <NUM> to the outside and has an inner cylinder cut-out hole <NUM> with a shape corresponding to the outer cylinder cut-out hole <NUM> of the outer cylinder <NUM>.

The exemplary embodiment is not limited by the configurations of the inner cylinder <NUM> and the outer cylinder <NUM> shown as having semi-cylindrical shapes. For example, one of the inner cylinder <NUM> and the outer cylinder <NUM> may have an acute arc-shaped cross section, and the other of the inner cylinder <NUM> and the outer cylinder <NUM> may have an obtuse arc-shaped cross section corresponding to the acute arc-shaped cross section.

The outer cylinder <NUM> has an insertion opening 120a that allows the aerosol generating source to be inserted, at one end portion of the outer cylinder <NUM>.

The inner cylinder <NUM> may include a heater insertion opening 10b provided at an opposite end portion of the inner cylinder <NUM> which is opposite to the insertion opening 120a of the outer cylinder <NUM>.

The position of the inner cylinder <NUM> may be changed to a coupling position in which the inner cylinder <NUM> and the outer cylinder <NUM> are coupled to each other, as shown in <FIG>, or may be changed to a separation position in which at least a portion of the inner cylinder <NUM> is separated from the outer cylinder <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

When the inner cylinder <NUM> and the outer cylinder <NUM> are in the coupling position shown in <FIG>, both the outer cylinder cut-out hole <NUM> and the inner cylinder cut-out hole <NUM> are closed, and thus, the inner cylinder <NUM> and the outer cylinder <NUM> may form an aerosol generating source insertion space to accommodate an aerosol generating source therein.

Since the outer cylinder cut-out hole <NUM> and the inner cylinder cut-out hole <NUM> are exposed to the outside when the inner cylinder <NUM> and the outer cylinder <NUM> are in the separation position shown in <FIG>, a cleaning operation may be conveniently performed.

Referring to <FIG>, rails 127a, <NUM> for guiding the linear movement of the inner cylinder <NUM> are installed in an area between the outer cylinder <NUM> and the inner cylinder <NUM>, in which the outer cylinder cut-out hole <NUM> and the inner cylinder cut-out hole <NUM> are engaged with each other. The rail 127a, <NUM> may include a straight protruding portion 127a and a straight groove <NUM> to accommodate the straight protruding portion, which extend in a direction in which the outer cylinder <NUM> and the inner cylinder <NUM> extend. The straight protruding portion 127a may be installed in either the outer cylinder <NUM> or the inner cylinder <NUM>, and the straight groove <NUM> may be installed in the other.

Each of the outer cylinder cut-out hole <NUM>, the inner cylinder cut-out hole <NUM>, and the rails 127a, <NUM> includes curved areas 127r, 110r. The curved areas 127r, 110r may be formed over the entire area where the rails 127a, <NUM> extend.

When the cross-sectional shapes of the corners of the rails 127a and <NUM> are rectangular shapes, debris generated in an aerosol generation process of the cigarette may accumulate in the corners and thus, a cleaning operation may be difficult. However, in the aerosol generating source support assembly according to the exemplary embodiment described above, each of the rails 127a, <NUM> includes the curved areas 127r, 11Or, and thus, debris generated during the aerosol generation process of the cigarette may be easily removed.

A fixing device for fixing the positions of the outer cylinder <NUM> and the inner cylinder <NUM> is installed between the outer cylinder <NUM> and the inner cylinder <NUM>. The fixing device includes a first stopper <NUM> and a second stopper 120t arranged to protrude on an outer surface of the outer cylinder <NUM>, and an accommodation groove <NUM> installed in the inner cylinder <NUM> to support the first stopper <NUM> and the second stopper 120t.

The first stopper <NUM> and the second stopper 120t have a substantially hemispherical shape having a substantially arc-shaped cross-sectional shape. Therefore, the outer surface of each of the first stopper <NUM> and the second stopper 120t is curved. Due to the structures of the first stopper <NUM> and the second stopper 120t, an operation in which the first stopper <NUM> and the second stopper 120t enter the accommodation groove <NUM> may be smoothly performed.

The inner cylinder <NUM> has a grip handle 110y having a concave groove shape and extending in the circumferential direction so that a user may grip and operate it by hand. The user may easily and conveniently change the positions of the inner cylinder <NUM> and the outer cylinder <NUM> in a state of gripping the grip handle 110y. The exemplary embodiment is not limited by the shape of the grip handle 110y. For example, the grip handle 110y may have a shape protruding outward from the inner cylinder <NUM>.

In the coupling position of <FIG>, the accommodation groove <NUM> accommodates the first stopper <NUM>, thereby stably maintaining a state in which the outer cylinder <NUM> and the inner cylinder <NUM> are coupled to each other.

In the separation position shown in <FIG>, the accommodation groove <NUM> accommodates the second stopper 120t, thereby stably maintaining a state in which the outer cylinder <NUM> and the inner cylinder <NUM> are separated from each other.

As described above, since the inner cylinder <NUM> may linearly moves between a coupling position, in which the inner cylinder <NUM> is coupled to the outer cylinder <NUM>, and a separation position, in which the inner cylinder <NUM> is separated from the outer cylinder <NUM>, a cleaning operation may be conveniently performed. In particular, since the outer cylinder <NUM> and the inner cylinder <NUM> are fixed in the separation position by the action of the fixing device, the user may conveniently perform the cleaning of the aerosol generating source support assembly which is maintained in the state shown in <FIG>.

Claim 1:
An aerosol generating source support assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
an inner cylinder (<NUM>, <NUM>) which is hollow, having a support space (<NUM>) and an insertion opening (10a) which opens the support space (<NUM>) to the outside, and arranged to surround and support at least a portion of an aerosol generating source; and
an outer cylinder (<NUM>, <NUM>) which is hollow, having an accommodation space (<NUM>) and a side opening (20a) for opening the accommodation space (<NUM>) to the outside, connected to the inner cylinder (<NUM>, <NUM>), and arranged to movably support the inner cylinder (<NUM>, <NUM>) such that the inner cylinder (<NUM>, <NUM>) moves between a coupling position in which the outer cylinder (<NUM>, <NUM>) is coupled with the inner cylinder (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a separation position in which at least a portion of the inner cylinder (<NUM>, <NUM>) is separated from the outer cylinder (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the inner cylinder (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the outer cylinder (<NUM>, <NUM>) are in the coupling position such that the insertion opening (10a) of the inner cylinder (<NUM>, <NUM>) is aligned with the side opening (20a) of the outer cylinder (<NUM>, <NUM>), and the insertion opening (10a) of the inner cylinder (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the side opening (20a) of the outer cylinder (<NUM>, <NUM>) form an insertion hole (1004p) through which the aerosol generating source is inserted into the aerosol generating source support assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>), and
in a state that the aerosol generating source is inserted into the insertion opening (20a), a part of the aerosol generating source is projected to the outside of the aerosol generating source support assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>) such that a user may hold the projected part of the aerosol generating source to inhale aerosol, and
wherein the inner cylinder (<NUM>) is rotatably coupled to the outer cylinder (<NUM>), or
wherein the inner cylinder (<NUM>) is movably coupled to the outer cylinder (<NUM>) such that the inner cylinder (<NUM>) moves linearly with respect to the outer cylinder (<NUM>).