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

The aerosol-generating material may be stored in a cartridge provided separately from the cigarette. The aerosol-generating material stored in the cartridge may be heated separately from the cigarette to generate an aerosol, and the cartridge may be replaced to replenish the aerosol-generating material consumed by repeated smoking, and thus the aerosol-generating device may be used continuously.

The above-mentioned background art is technical information possessed by the inventor for the derivation of embodiments of the present disclosure or acquired in the derivation process, and may not be a known technology disclosed to the general public before the application of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

<CIT> describes an atomizer suction nozzle. A smoke flow cavity extends through a suction nozzle body in the longitudinal direction. One end of the smoke flow cavity is provided with a smoke inlet, the other end of the smoke flow cavity is provided with a smoke outlet. An accommodation cavity is provided in the smoke flow cavity. During smoking, the smoke in the atomizer device flows into the accommodation cavity through the smoke inlet and heats the tobacco in the accommodation cavity to produce mixed smoke that flows out of the smoke outlet to be inhaled by a user. The aerosol generating device includes an atomizer nozzle with a nozzle body which may be installed on an atomizer <NUM>.

<CIT> relates to a cigarette case with pivot mechanism.

<CIT> describes an electronic cigarette comprising a main body part with a main body cover and a suction part which generates aerosol by power supply.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an aerosol-generating device in which a vaporizer is capable of being attached to and detached from a case for storing an aerosol-generating material.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an aerosol-generating device and method, which are capable of providing a user with a variety of experiences and ease of use by utilizing a combination of an aerosol-generating source and a cigarette.

In addition, in embodiments of the present disclosure, an aerosol containing a rich flavor, nicotine, and the like may be provided by passing an aerosol, which is generated by heating the aerosol-generating source, through a cigarette.

An embodiment of the present disclosure according to the invention is set out in claim <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the detachment manipulation unit may include: a first link member slidable in a horizontal direction according to the user's manipulation, and a second link member engaged with the first link member and slidable in a vertical direction by a sliding movement of the first link member, wherein the first link member may include a button member exposed to the outside of the case and sliding the first link member in the horizontal direction according to the user's manipulation.

In an embodiment, the second link member may include a protruding member protruding toward the first link member, wherein the first link member may further include an accommodating groove that accommodates the protruding member, and a portion of a surface where the protruding member and the accommodating groove contact each other may be an inclined surface.

In an embodiment, the detachment manipulation unit may further include an elastic member that elastically presses the second link member in a direction toward the first link member.

In an embodiment, the case may include a base unit that supports the elastic member.

In an embodiment, the first link member may further include a first rail member extending in the horizontal direction, and the second link member may further include a second rail member extending in the vertical direction, wherein the case may include: a first guide member accommodated in the first rail member, and a second guide member accommodated in the second rail member, wherein the first rail member may move along the first guide member with a sliding movement of the first link member in the horizontal direction, and the second rail member may move along the second guide member with a sliding movement of the second link member in the vertical direction.

In an embodiment, the first rail member and the second rail member may have shapes of stepped grooves formed at a predetermined interval from surfaces of the first link member and the second link member or shapes of through-holes penetrating the first link member and the second link member, to accommodate the first guide member and the second guide member, respectively.

In an embodiment, when the detachment manipulation unit is in the first operating state, the first guide member may be engaged with one end of the first rail member to limit sliding movement in a direction in which the first link member is separated from the case.

In an embodiment, when the detachment manipulation unit is in the second operating state, the first guide member may be engaged with the other end of the first rail member to limit sliding movement in a direction in which the first link member is inserted into the case.

In an embodiment, when the detachment manipulation unit is in the first operating state, the second guide member may be engaged with one end of the second rail member to limit a sliding movement of the second link member in a direction toward the first link member.

In an embodiment, when the detachment manipulation unit is in the second operating state, the second guide member may be engaged with the other end of the second rail member to limit a sliding movement of the second link member in a direction opposite to a direction toward the first link member.

In an embodiment, the second link member may include a fastening protrusion protruding toward the vaporizer, wherein the vaporizer may include a fastening groove that accommodates the fastening protrusion.

In an embodiment, the fastening protrusion may include a stopper protruding upward, wherein the fastening groove may be formed upward to accommodate the stopper when the stopper moves upward, wherein the stopper may be accommodated in the fastening groove when the detachment manipulation unit is in the first operating state and thus limit the movement of the vaporizer in the horizontal direction, and may move downward to be separated from the fastening groove when the detachment manipulation unit is in the second operating state and thus allow the vaporizer to move in the horizontal direction.

In an embodiment, the stopper may include an inclined surface, and when the vaporizer is being installed in the case, the vaporizer may contact the inclined surface and move the stopper downward by sliding over the inclined surface.

In an embodiment, the case may include a guide hole that exposes the fastening protrusion to the outside as the fastening protrusion penetrates the case, wherein the guide hole may be formed to extend in the vertical direction and thus the fastening protrusion may be movable in the vertical direction along the guide hole.

In an embodiment, the detachment manipulation unit may include: a first button member exposed outside one side of the case to be manipulable by the user and slidable in a vertical direction according to the user's manipulation, a second button member exposed outside the other side of the case to be manipulable by the user and slidable in the vertical direction according to the user's manipulation, a first sliding member connected to the first button member and installed to be slidable in the vertical direction in one side of the case, and a second sliding member connected to the second button member and installed to be slidable in the vertical direction in the other side of the case.

In an embodiment, the case may include: a first sliding groove that accommodates the first button member to be slidable in the vertical direction and defines an upper threshold position and a lower threshold position between which the first button member is slidable, and a second sliding groove that accommodates the second button member to be slidable in the vertical direction and defines an upper threshold position and a lower threshold position between which the second button member is slidable.

In an embodiment, the detachment manipulation unit may further include: a first elastic member that elastically presses the first sliding member in the vertical direction, and a second elastic member that elastically presses the second sliding member in the vertical direction.

In an embodiment, the case may include: a first rail member that extends in the vertical direction and accommodates the first sliding member to be slidable; a second rail member that extends in the vertical direction and accommodates the second sliding member to be slidable; and a base unit that supports the first elastic member and the second elastic member.

In an embodiment, the first sliding member may include a first fastening protrusion protruding toward the vaporizer, and the second sliding member may include a second fastening protrusion protruding toward the vaporizer, wherein the vaporizer may include: a first fastening groove that accommodates the first fastening protrusion, and a second fastening groove that accommodates the second fastening protrusion.

In an embodiment, the first fastening protrusion may include a first stopper protruding upward, and the second fastening protrusion may include a second stopper protruding upward, wherein the first fastening groove may be formed upward to accommodate the first stopper when the first stopper moves upward, and the second fastening groove may be formed upward to accommodate the second stopper when the second stopper moves upward, wherein the first stopper may be accommodated in the first fastening groove when the detachment manipulation unit is in the first operating state and thus limit the movement of the vaporizer in the horizontal direction, and may move downward to be separated from the first fastening groove when the detachment manipulation unit is in the second operating state and thus allow the vaporizer to move in the horizontal direction, wherein the second stopper may be accommodated in the second fastening groove when the detachment manipulation unit is in the first operating state and thus limit the movement of the vaporizer in the horizontal direction, and may move downward to be separated from the second fastening groove when the detachment manipulation unit is in the second operating state and thus allow the vaporizer to move in the horizontal direction.

In an embodiment, the first stopper and the second stopper may include inclined surfaces, and when the vaporizer is being installed in the case, the vaporizer may contact the inclined surfaces and move the first stopper and the second stopper downward by sliding over the inclined surfaces.

In an embodiment, the case may include: a first guide hole that exposes the first fastening protrusion to the outside as the first fastening protrusion penetrates the case, and a second guide hole that exposes the second fastening protrusion to the outside as the second fastening protrusion penetrates the case, wherein the first guide hole may be formed to extend in the vertical direction and thus the first fastening protrusion may be movable in the vertical direction along the first guide hole, and the second guide hole may be formed to extend in the vertical direction and thus the second fastening protrusion may be movable in the vertical direction along the second guide hole.

In an embodiment, the detachment manipulation unit may include: a first link member installed at one side of the case to be rotatable about a first rotation shaft extending from the case toward the vaporizer, and a second link member installed at the other side of the case to be rotatable about a second rotation shaft extending from the case toward the vaporizer, the second link member being engaged with the first link member and being rotatable with the first link member by a rotational movement of the first link member, wherein the first link member may include a button member exposed to the outside of one side of the case to rotate the first link member about the first rotation shaft according to the user's manipulation.

In an embodiment, the first link member may include a first protruding member extending in a direction toward the second link member, and the second link member may include a second protruding member extending in a direction toward the first link member and contacting the first protruding member, wherein, when the user presses the button member, the first protruding member may rotate about the first rotation shaft to rotate the second protruding member.

In an embodiment, a surface where the first protruding member and the second protruding member contact each other may be an inclined surface.

In an embodiment, the detachment manipulation unit may include: a first elastic member that elastically presses the first link member such that a position of the detachment manipulation unit is restored from a position when the detachment manipulation unit is in the second operating state to a position when the detachment manipulation unit is in the first operating state, and a second elastic member that elastically presses the second link member.

In an embodiment, the case may include a base unit that supports the first elastic member and the second elastic member.

In an embodiment, the button member may include a locking jaw that extends along an inner wall of the case and limits rotation of the first link member by being engaged with the inner wall of the case when the detachment manipulation unit is in the first operating state.

In an embodiment, the first link member may include a first fastening protrusion protruding toward the second link member, and the second link member may include a second fastening protrusion protruding toward the first link member, wherein the vaporizer may include: a first fastening groove formed at one side to accommodate the first fastening protrusion, and a second fastening groove formed at the other side to accommodate the second fastening protrusion, wherein the first fastening protrusion and the second fastening protrusion may be respectively accommodated in the first fastening groove and the second fastening groove when the detachment manipulation unit is in the first operating state and limit movement of the vaporizer in the horizontal direction, and may be separated from the first fastening groove and the second fastening groove by rotating about the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft, respectively, when the detachment manipulation unit is in the second operating state and allow the vaporizer to move in the horizontal direction.

In an embodiment, the first fastening protrusion and the second fastening protrusion may include inclined surfaces, wherein, when the vaporizer is being installed in the case, the vaporizer may be slid over the inclined surfaces to move the first fastening protrusion and the second fastening protrusion in a direction toward the position when the detachment manipulation unit is in the second operating state.

In an embodiment, the detachment manipulation unit may include: a first link member installed at one side of the case to be rotatable about a first rotation shaft extending from the case toward the vaporizer, and a second link member installed at the other side of the case to be rotatable about a second rotation shaft extending from the case toward the vaporizer, wherein the first link member may include a first button member exposed to the outside of one side of the case to rotate the first link member about the first rotation shaft according to the user's manipulation, and the second link member may include a second button member exposed to the outside of the other side of the case to rotate the second link member about the second rotation shaft according to the user's manipulation.

In an embodiment, the detachment manipulation unit may include: a first elastic member that elastically presses the first link member in a direction in which a position of the detachment manipulation unit is restored from a position when the detachment manipulation unit is in the second operating state to a position when the detachment manipulation unit is in the first operating state, and a second elastic member that elastically presses the second link member.

In an embodiment, the first button member may include a first locking jaw that extends along an inner wall of the case and limits rotation of the first link member by being engaged with the inner wall of the case when the detachment manipulation unit is in the first operating state, and the second button member may include a second locking jaw that extends along the inner wall of the case and limits rotation of the second link member by being engaged with the inner wall of the case when the detachment manipulation unit is in the first operating state.

In an embodiment, the first link member may include a first fastening protrusion protruding toward the second link member, and the second link member may include a second fastening protrusion protruding toward the first link member, wherein the vaporizer may include a first fastening groove formed at one side to accommodate the first fastening protrusion, and a second fastening groove formed at the other side to accommodate the second fastening protrusion, wherein the first fastening protrusion and the second fastening protrusion may be respectively accommodated in the first fastening groove and the second fastening groove when the detachment manipulation unit is in the first operating state and limit movement of the vaporizer in the horizontal direction, and may be separated from the first fastening groove and the second fastening groove by rotating about the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft, respectively, when the detachment manipulation unit is in the second operating state and allow the vaporizer to move in the horizontal direction.

According to an aerosol-generating device according to embodiments of the present disclosure as described above, a vaporizer may be easily attached and detached to and from a case through a simple button operation.

In addition, by passing, through a cigarette, an aerosol flow generated after an aerosol is generated by an aerosol-generating source, an aerosol containing a flavor and nicotine suitable for users may be provided.

The present disclosure provides an aerosol-generating device including a case into which a cigarette is insertable, a vaporizer installed to be detachable from the case, and a detachment manipulation unit installed in the case and performing, according to a user's manipulation, a first operation of maintaining a state in which the vaporizer is installed in the case and a second operation of allowing separation of the vaporizer from the case.

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, the appearance of a new technology, and the like.

In addition, the terms "-er", "- or", and "module" described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

The disclosure can, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

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

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

Also, <FIG> illustrate that the aerosol generating device <NUM> includes the heater <NUM>. However, according to necessity, the heater <NUM> may be omitted.

<FIG> illustrates that the battery <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, the vaporizer <NUM>, and the heater <NUM> are arranged in series. In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the battery <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, the vaporizer <NUM>, and the heater <NUM> may be differently arranged.

When the cigarette <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may operate the vaporizer <NUM> to generate aerosol from the vaporizer <NUM>. The aerosol generated by the vaporizer <NUM> is delivered to the user by passing through the cigarette <NUM>. The vaporizer <NUM> will be described in more detail later.

For example, the battery <NUM> may supply power to heat the heater <NUM> or the vaporizer <NUM> and may supply power for operating the controller <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate that the heater <NUM> is positioned outside the cigarette <NUM>, but the position of the cigarette <NUM> is not limited thereto.

Also, some of the plurality of heaters <NUM> may be inserted into the cigarette <NUM>, and the others may be arranged outside the cigarette <NUM>.

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 liquid storage may be formed to be attached/detached to/from the vaporizer <NUM> or may be formed integrally with the vaporizer <NUM>.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, and the heater <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.

Alternatively, only a portion of the first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, or a portion of the first portion and a portion of the second portion may be inserted thereinto.

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 impression 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> is a drawing illustrating 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 described above with reference to <FIG> may include the tobacco rod <NUM>, 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 doubly 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.

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.

Hereinafter, a structure in which a case <NUM> and a vaporizer <NUM> of an aerosol-generating device <NUM> according to embodiments of the present disclosure are combined will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is an exploded side view illustrating the appearance of the aerosol-generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state in which the vaporizer <NUM> of the aerosol-generating device <NUM> shown in <FIG> is separated from the case <NUM>.

The aerosol-generating device <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> may include the case <NUM>, the vaporizer <NUM>, and a cover <NUM>. The cover <NUM> may be coupled to one end of the case <NUM> such that the case <NUM> and the cover <NUM> may together form the appearance of the aerosol-generating device <NUM>.

The case <NUM> forms a portion of the exterior of the aerosol-generating device <NUM> and has a function of accommodating and protecting various components including a battery <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and a heater <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In addition, an outer hole <NUM><NUM> into which a cigarette <NUM> may be inserted is formed in an upper surface of the cover <NUM> coupled to the case <NUM>.

The case <NUM> and the cover <NUM> may include a plastic material that does not transfer heat well, or a metal material coated with a thermal barrier material on its surface. The case <NUM> and the cover <NUM> may be manufactured by, for example, injection molding, three-dimensional (3D) printing, or assembling small parts manufactured by injection molding.

A holding device (not shown) may be installed between the case <NUM> and the cover <NUM> to maintain a coupling state between the case <NUM> and the cover <NUM>. The holding device may include, for example, a protrusion and a groove. By maintaining a state in which the protrusion is inserted into the groove, the cover <NUM> and the case <NUM> may be held in a coupled state, and the protrusion may be separated from the groove by moving the protrusion by an operation button that may be pressed by a user.

In addition, the holding device may include, for example, a magnet and a metal member that adheres to the magnet. When the magnet is used in the holding device, the magnet may be installed in one of the case <NUM> and the cover <NUM> and the metal member that adheres to the magnet may be installed in the other. Otherwise, the magnet may be installed in both the case <NUM> and the cover <NUM>.

In the aerosol-generating device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the cover <NUM> is not an essential component, and thus, the cover <NUM> may not be installed if necessary.

In addition, the vaporizer <NUM> is installed to be detachable at one end of the case <NUM>. A button member <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a part of a detachment manipulation unit <NUM> shown in <FIG>, which will be described later, and the user may arbitrarily press the button member <NUM> to release a fastening relationship between the case <NUM> and the vaporizer <NUM>.

The detachment manipulation unit <NUM> will be described in detail below. Referring to <FIG>, when the user presses the button member <NUM>, a fastening protrusion <NUM> insertable into the vaporizer <NUM> may slide in a vertical direction along a guide hole <NUM> formed in the case <NUM>. As a result, the case <NUM> and the vaporizer <NUM> may be fastened to each other or separated from each other.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a state in which the vaporizer <NUM> approaches the side of the case <NUM> and is installed in the case <NUM>. However, the embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the vaporizer <NUM> may be installed in the case <NUM> by approaching in the vertical direction from the upper side of the case <NUM> like the cover <NUM>. However, hereinafter, the description will be made based on a structure in which the vaporizer <NUM> approaches the side of the case <NUM> and is installed in the case <NUM>, for convenience of description.

<FIG> is an exploded front view illustrating a state in which the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> of the aerosol-generating device <NUM> of <FIG> is in a first operating state, and <FIG> is an exploded front view illustrating a state in which the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> of the aerosol-generating device <NUM> of <FIG> is in a second operating state.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the aerosol-generating device <NUM> includes the detachment manipulation unit <NUM>. The detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is installed in the case <NUM> and performs, according to a user's manipulation, a first operation (see <FIG>) of maintaining a state in which the vaporizer <NUM> is installed in the case <NUM>, and a second operation (see <FIG>) of allowing separation of the vaporizer <NUM> from the case <NUM>.

Specifically, the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> includes a first link member <NUM> slidable in a horizontal direction according to a user's manipulation and a second link member <NUM> engaged with the first link member <NUM> and slidable in the vertical direction by a sliding movement of the first link member <NUM>.

In addition, the first link member <NUM> includes a button member <NUM> exposed to the outside of the case <NUM> and sliding the first link member <NUM> in the horizontal direction according to a user's manipulation.

The second link member <NUM> includes a protruding member <NUM> protruding toward the first link member <NUM>. The first link member <NUM> includes an accommodating groove <NUM> accommodating the protruding member <NUM> of the second link member <NUM>, and a portion of a surface where the protruding member <NUM> and the accommodating groove <NUM> contact each other may be an inclined surface SP.

In addition, the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> further includes an elastic member <NUM> that elastically presses the second link member <NUM> in a direction toward the first link member <NUM>, and the case <NUM> includes a base unit <NUM> that supports the elastic member <NUM>.

The first link member <NUM> further includes a first rail member <NUM> extending in the horizontal direction, and the second link member <NUM> further includes a second rail member <NUM> extending in the vertical direction. The case <NUM> includes a first guide member <NUM> accommodated in the first rail member <NUM> and a second guide member <NUM> accommodated in the second rail member <NUM>.

The first rail member <NUM> may move along the first guide member <NUM> with the sliding movement of the first link member <NUM> in the horizontal direction, and the second rail member <NUM> may move along the second guide member <NUM> with the movement of the second link member <NUM> in the vertical direction.

In the drawings, the first rail member <NUM> and the second rail member <NUM> are depicted as the shapes of through-holes penetrating the first link member <NUM> and the second link member <NUM> to accommodate the first guide member <NUM> and the second guide member <NUM>, respectively. However, the embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the first rail member <NUM> and the second rail member <NUM> may be formed as stepped grooves in the surfaces of the first link member <NUM> and the second link member <NUM> at a predetermined interval in a thickness direction, to accommodate the first guide member <NUM> and the second guide member <NUM>, respectively.

As shown in <FIG>, when the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is in the first operating state, the first guide member <NUM> may be engaged with one end of the first rail member <NUM> and thus limit sliding in a direction away from the case <NUM> so that the first link member <NUM> is not separated from the case <NUM>. In addition, as shown in <FIG>, when the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is in the second operating state, the first guide member <NUM> may be engaged with the other end of the first rail member <NUM> and thus limit sliding movement in a direction in which the first link member <NUM> is inserted into the case <NUM>.

That is, in the first operating state of the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> in which the user does not press the button member <NUM>, the first guide member <NUM> may be arranged to engage a right end portion in the first rail member <NUM> to prevent the first link member <NUM> from being separated from the case <NUM> due to the movement of the first link member <NUM> to the left. According to this structure, the first rail member <NUM> may not move further left than the position of the first guide member <NUM>. That is, since the first link member <NUM> may not move further left than a position defined by the first guide member <NUM>, the first link member <NUM> may slide in the case <NUM> without being separated from the case <NUM> under any circumstances.

In addition, in the second operating state of the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> in which the user presses the button member <NUM>, the first guide member <NUM> may be arranged to engage a left end portion in the first rail member <NUM> to prevent the first link member <NUM> from being inserted in an inner space of the case <NUM> due to the movement of the first link member <NUM> to the right. According to this structure, the first rail member <NUM> may not move further right than the position of the first guide member <NUM>. That is, since the first link member <NUM> may not move further right than a position defined by the first guide member <NUM>, the first link member <NUM> may prevent the button member <NUM> from being inserted into the inner space of the case <NUM> under any circumstances.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, when the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is in the first operating state, the second guide member <NUM> may be engaged with a lower end of the second rail member <NUM> and thus limit the sliding movement of the second link member <NUM> in an upward direction. In addition, as shown in <FIG>, when the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is in the second operating state, the second guide member <NUM> may be engaged with an upper end of the second rail member <NUM> and thus limit the sliding movement of the second link member <NUM> in a downward direction.

That is, in the first operating state of the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> in which the user does not press the button member <NUM>, the second guide member <NUM> may be arranged to engage a lower end portion in the second rail member <NUM> to prevent the first link member <NUM> from being pressed upward due to the movement of the second link member <NUM> upward. According to this structure, the second rail member <NUM> may not move up further than the position of the second guide member <NUM>. That is, since the second link member <NUM> may not move up further than a position defined by the second guide member <NUM>, the second link member <NUM> may restrict the sliding movement thereof in the vertical direction to prevent the first link member <NUM> from being damaged by applying more force than necessary to the first link member <NUM> due to the movement of the second link member <NUM> upward.

In addition, in the second operation state of the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> in which the user presses the button member <NUM>, the second guide member <NUM> may be arranged to engage an upper end portion of the second rail member <NUM> to prevent the base unit <NUM> from being pressed downward due to the movement of the second link member <NUM> downward. According to this structure, the second rail member <NUM> may not move down further than the position of the second guide member <NUM>. That is, since the second link member <NUM> may not move down further than a position defined by the second guide member <NUM>, the second link member <NUM> may restrict the sliding movement thereof in the vertical direction to prevent the base unit <NUM> from being damaged by applying more force than necessary to the base unit <NUM> due to the movement of the second link member <NUM> downward.

The second link member <NUM> includes a fastening protrusion <NUM> protruding toward the vaporizer <NUM>. The fastening protrusion <NUM> may move up and down with the vertical sliding movement of the second link member <NUM>. The vaporizer <NUM> may be installed in or separated from the case <NUM> according to the up-and-down movement of the fastening protrusion <NUM>. The structure in which the fastening protrusion <NUM> and the vaporizer <NUM> are fastened will be described in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

According to the above-described structure, the user may change the fastening structure of the case <NUM> and the vaporizer <NUM> by pressing the button member <NUM> exposed to the outside of the case <NUM>. <FIG> depicts how each component of the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> moves when the user presses the button member <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, when the user presses the button member <NUM>, the first link member <NUM> connected to the button member <NUM> may also slide in a direction in which the user presses the button member <NUM>, that is, to the right. In this case, the button member <NUM> and the first link member <NUM> are connected to each other not only when the button member <NUM> and the first link member <NUM> include different materials, but also when the button member <NUM> and the first link member <NUM> include the same material and are integrally formed.

When the first link member <NUM> slides to the right, the second link member <NUM> in engagement with the first link member <NUM> through the inclined surface SP slides downward according to the sliding of the inclined surface SP. In accordance with this operation, the fastening protrusion <NUM> also moves downward, and thus, when the vaporizer <NUM> is installed in the case <NUM>, the separation of the vaporizer <NUM> from the case <NUM> may be allowed, and when the vaporizer <NUM> is separated from the case <NUM>, the installation of the vaporizer <NUM> into the case <NUM> may be allowed.

As shown in <FIG>, when the second link member <NUM> is slid downward, the elastic member <NUM> is compressed, and with the restoring force thereof, the elastic member <NUM> may press the second link member <NUM> in an upward direction. That is, when the user installs the vaporizer <NUM> in the case <NUM> while pressing the button member <NUM> and then releases the button member <NUM>, the fastening protrusion <NUM> may move upward by the restoring force of the elastic member <NUM> to fix the vaporizer <NUM> to the case <NUM>.

Hereinafter, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, how the vaporizer <NUM> is installed in or separated from the case <NUM> by the up-and-down movement of the fastening protrusion <NUM> will be described in detail.

<FIG> is a cutaway side view illustrating a state in which a vaporizer is installed in a case through coupling with a detachment manipulation unit while the user does not press a button member, and <FIG> is a cutaway side view illustrating a state in which a vaporizer is installed in a case through coupling with a detachment manipulation unit while the user presses a button member.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the vaporizer <NUM> includes a fastening groove <NUM> that accommodates the fastening protrusion <NUM>.

The fastening protrusion <NUM> includes a stopper 1323_st protruding upward, and the fastening groove <NUM> is formed upward to accommodate the stopper 1323_st when the stopper 1323_st moves upward (a first operating position). That is, when the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is in the first operating state, the stopper 1323_st is accommodated in the fastening groove <NUM> to limit the movement of the vaporizer <NUM> in the horizontal direction. In addition, when the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is in the second operating state, the stopper 1323_st moves downward (a second operating position) to be separated from the fastening groove <NUM> and allows the vaporizer <NUM> to move in the horizontal direction.

Specifically, the stopper 1323_st includes an inclined surface 1323_ip, and when the vaporizer <NUM> is being installed in the case <NUM> without the user pressing the button member <NUM>, the vaporizer <NUM> may contact the inclined surface 1323_ip of the stopper 1323_st and move the stopper 1323_st downward by sliding over the inclined surface 1323_ip, as shown in <FIG>.

In this state, when the vaporizer <NUM> is continuously pushed toward the case <NUM>, the stopper 1323_st may be fitted into the fastening groove <NUM> and thus the vaporizer <NUM> may be installed in the case <NUM>.

According to the above structure, the user may mount the vaporizer <NUM> in the case <NUM> without pressing the button member <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, in a state in which the button member <NUM> is pressed, the vaporizer <NUM> may be easily mounted in the case <NUM> without the inclined surface 1323_ip of the stopper 1323_st contacting the vaporizer <NUM>. On the contrary, when the vaporizer <NUM> is to be separated from the case <NUM>, the user has to press the button member <NUM> to move the stopper 1323_st downward.

<FIG> is a side view illustrating the appearance of an aerosol-generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

The aerosol-generating device <NUM> shown in <FIG> may include a first button member <NUM> and a second button member <NUM> installed to be slidable in the vertical direction on both sides of a case <NUM>. The user may manipulate the first button member <NUM> and the second button member <NUM> to attach a vaporizer <NUM> to or detach the vaporizer <NUM> from the case <NUM>. The first button member <NUM> and the second button member <NUM> shown in <FIG> are some components of a detachment manipulation unit <NUM> of <FIG>, which will be described later. The user may release a fastening relationship between the case <NUM> and the vaporizer <NUM> by simultaneously pressing the first button member <NUM> and the second button member <NUM>.

Although not illustrated in <FIG>, the same configuration is shown in <FIG>, and the case <NUM> may include a first guide hole exposing a first fastening protrusion <NUM> to the outside as the first fastening protrusion <NUM> penetrates the case <NUM>, and a second guide hole exposing a second fastening protrusion <NUM> to the outside as the second fastening protrusion <NUM> penetrates the case <NUM>. The first guide hole and the second guide hole have the same structure as the guide hole <NUM> in <FIG>. The first guide hole is formed to extend in the vertical direction and thus the first fastening protrusion <NUM> may be movable in the vertical direction along a first guide groove, and the second guide hole is formed to extend in the vertical direction and thus the second fastening protrusion <NUM> may be movable in the vertical direction along a second guide groove.

The detachment manipulation unit <NUM> will be described in detail below. Referring to <FIG>, when the user presses both the first button member <NUM> and the second button member <NUM> at both sides of the case <NUM>, the first fastening protrusion <NUM> and the second fastening protrusion <NUM>, which may be inserted into the vaporizer <NUM>, may respectively slide in the vertical direction along the first guide hole and the second guide hole formed in the case <NUM>. As a result, the case <NUM> and the vaporizer <NUM> may be fastened to each other or separated from each other.

<FIG> is an exploded front view illustrating a state in which the detachment manipulation unit of the aerosol-generating device <NUM> shown in <FIG> is in a first operating state, and <FIG> is an exploded front view illustrating a state in which the detachment manipulation unit of the aerosol-generating device <NUM> shown in <FIG> is in a second operating state.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> includes a first button member <NUM>, which is exposed outside one side of the case <NUM> so as to be manipulable by the user and is slidable in the vertical direction according to the user's manipulation, and a second button member <NUM>, which is exposed outside the other side of the case <NUM> so as to be manipulable by the user and is slidable in the vertical direction according to the user's manipulation. User handles <NUM> and <NUM> protruding to allow the user to easily slide the first button member <NUM> and the second button member <NUM> may be formed on the surfaces of the first button member <NUM> and the second button member <NUM>.

In addition, the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> includes a first sliding member <NUM> connected to the first button member <NUM> and installed to be slidable in the vertical direction in one side of the case <NUM>, and a second sliding member <NUM> connected to the second button member <NUM> and installed to be slidable in the vertical direction in the other side of the case <NUM>.

In addition, the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> may include a first elastic member <NUM> elastically pressing the first sliding member <NUM> in the vertical direction, and a second elastic member <NUM> elastically pressing the second sliding member <NUM> in the vertical direction.

The case <NUM> includes a first sliding groove <NUM>, which accommodates the first button member <NUM> to be slidable in the vertical direction and defines an upper threshold position P1 and a lower threshold position P2 between which the first button member <NUM> is slidable, and a second sliding groove <NUM>, which accommodates the second button member <NUM> to be slidable in the vertical direction and defines an upper threshold position P1 and a lower threshold position P2 between which the second button member <NUM> is slidable.

In addition, the case <NUM> includes a first rail member <NUM> extending in the vertical direction and accommodating the first sliding member <NUM> to be slidable, and a second rail member <NUM> extending in the vertical direction and accommodating the second sliding member <NUM> to be slidable. The case <NUM> may further include base units <NUM> and <NUM> that support the first elastic member <NUM> and the second elastic member <NUM>.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, the base unit <NUM> supporting the first elastic member <NUM> and the base unit <NUM> supporting the second elastic member <NUM> are illustrated separately, but are not limited thereto. The base units <NUM> and <NUM> may be integrally formed so that one side may support the first elastic member <NUM> and the other side may support the second elastic member <NUM>.

In addition, the first sliding member <NUM> may include a first fastening protrusion <NUM> protruding toward the vaporizer <NUM>, and the second sliding member <NUM> may include a second fastening protrusion <NUM> protruding toward the vaporizer <NUM>. The vaporizer <NUM> may include a first fastening groove (not shown) accommodating the first fastening protrusion <NUM> and a second fastening groove (not shown) accommodating the second fastening protrusion <NUM>.

Specifically, the first fastening protrusion <NUM> includes a first stopper 2331_st that protrudes upwards, and the second fastening protrusion <NUM> includes a second stopper 2341_st that protrudes upwards. The first fastening groove is formed upward to accommodate the first stopper 2331_st when the first stopper 2331_st moves upward, and the second fastening groove is formed upward to accommodate the second stopper 2341_st when the second stopper 2341_st moves upward.

When the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is in the first operating state, the first stopper 2331_st is accommodated in the first fastening groove to limit the movement of the vaporizer <NUM> in the horizontal direction. When the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is in the second operating state, the first stopper 2331_st moves downward to be separated from the first fastening groove and thus may allow the vaporizer <NUM> to move in the horizontal direction.

In addition, when the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is in the first operating state, the second stopper 2341_st is accommodated in the second fastening groove to limit the movement of the vaporizer <NUM> in the horizontal direction. When the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is in the second operating state, the second stopper 2341_st move downward to be separated from the second fastening groove and may allow the vaporizer <NUM> to move in the horizontal direction.

The first stopper 2331_st and the second stopper 2341_st include inclined surfaces, and when the vaporizer <NUM> is being installed in the case <NUM>, the vaporizer <NUM> may contact the inclined surfaces and move the first stopper 2331_st and the second stopper 2341_st downward by sliding over the inclined surfaces.

A method of fastening and separating the case <NUM> and the vaporizer <NUM> by the up-and-down movements of the first fastening protrusion <NUM> and the second fastening protrusion <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG> is substantially the same as a method of fastening and separating the case <NUM> and the vaporizer <NUM> by the structures of the fastening protrusion <NUM> and the fastening groove <NUM> described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. However, there is a difference in that the first fastening protrusion <NUM> and the second fastening protrusion <NUM> in <FIG> slide in the vertical direction only when the user presses both the first button member <NUM> and the second button member <NUM>.

That is, in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the user presses the button member <NUM>, all of the fastening protrusions <NUM> arranged on both sides of the case <NUM> slide in the vertical direction. However, in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, in order to slide both the first fastening protrusion <NUM> and the second fastening protrusion <NUM> in the vertical direction, the user has to press both the first button member <NUM> and the second button member <NUM>.

Except for this difference, an operation of inserting or separating the first and second fastening protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> shown in <FIG> into or from the first and second fastening grooves is substantially the same as an operation of inserting or separating the fastening protrusion <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> into or from the fastening groove <NUM>, and thus, detailed description of the operation will be omitted.

<FIG> is an exploded side view illustrating the appearance of an aerosol-generating device <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state in which a vaporizer of the aerosol-generating device <NUM> shown in <FIG> is separated from a case.

The aerosol-generating device <NUM> shown in <FIG> may include a case <NUM>, a vaporizer <NUM>, and a detachment manipulation unit <NUM>. Since the descriptions of the case <NUM> and the vaporizer <NUM> are substantially the same as those of the cases <NUM> and <NUM> and the vaporizers <NUM> and <NUM>, the following description will focus on structural features that are distinguished from the foregoing.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a method of manipulating a button member <NUM> of the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is the same as a method of manipulating the button member <NUM> shown in <FIG>. That is, the user may press the button member <NUM> at the side thereof. However, a feature distinguished from that of the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> is that, in the case of the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, when the user presses the button member <NUM>, a first fastening protrusion <NUM> does not move up and down but rotates about a first rotation shaft <NUM> (see <FIG>) installed in the case <NUM>. According to the rotation, the first fastening protrusion <NUM> may be inserted into a first fastening groove <NUM> formed on the side of the vaporizer <NUM>, thereby fastening the vaporizer <NUM> to the case <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is an exploded front view illustrating a state in which the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> of the aerosol-generating device <NUM> shown in <FIG> is in a first operating state, and <FIG> is an exploded front view illustrating a state in which the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> of the aerosol-generating device <NUM> shown in <FIG> is in a second operating state.

Specifically, the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> includes a first link member <NUM> and a second link member <NUM>. The first link member <NUM> is installed at one side of the case <NUM> to be rotatable about a first rotation shaft <NUM> extending from the case <NUM> toward the vaporizer <NUM>. The second link member <NUM> is installed at the other side of the case <NUM> to be rotatable about a second rotation shaft <NUM> extending from the case <NUM> toward the vaporizer <NUM>, and is engaged with the first link member <NUM> and rotatable therewith by the rotational movement of the first link member <NUM>.

The first link member <NUM> includes a button member <NUM> exposed to the outside of one side of the case <NUM> to rotate the first link member <NUM> about the first rotation shaft <NUM> according to a user's manipulation.

The first link member <NUM> includes a first protruding member <NUM> extending in a direction toward the second link member <NUM>, and the second link member <NUM> includes a second protruding member <NUM> extending in a direction toward the first link member <NUM> and contacting the first protruding member <NUM>. When the user presses the button member <NUM>, the first protruding member <NUM> may rotate about the first rotation shaft <NUM> to rotate the second protruding member <NUM>.

Although a surface where the first protruding member <NUM> and the second protruding member <NUM> contact each other is illustrated as an inclined surface SP, the embodiment is not limited thereto. The inclined surface SP is only a structure for more effectively engaging the first protruding member <NUM> with the second protruding member <NUM>, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, a surface where the first protruding member <NUM> and the second protruding member <NUM> are engaged with each other may be close to the horizontal direction.

The detachment manipulation unit <NUM> includes a first elastic member <NUM> and a second elastic member <NUM>. The first elastic member <NUM> elastically presses the first link member <NUM> such that the position of the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is restored from a position when the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is in a second operating state (see <FIG>) to a position when the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is in a first operating state (see <FIG>). The second elastic member <NUM> elastically presses the second link member <NUM>. The case <NUM> includes a base unit <NUM> supporting the first elastic member <NUM> and the second elastic member <NUM>.

That is, as shown in <FIG>, when the user presses the button member <NUM>, the first elastic member <NUM> is compressed, and with the restoring force thereof, the first elastic member <NUM> may elastically press the button member <NUM>. Accordingly, the first link member <NUM> may receive a force in a clockwise direction about the first rotation shaft <NUM> as a whole. In other words, the first link member <NUM> may receive a force by which the state of the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> is restored to the first operating state.

Similarly, when the user presses the button member <NUM>, the second elastic member <NUM> is also compressed, and with the restoring force thereof, the second elastic member <NUM> may elastically press the second link member <NUM>. Accordingly, the second link member <NUM> may receive a force in a counterclockwise direction about the second rotation shaft <NUM> as a whole. In other words, the second link member <NUM> may receive a force by which the state of the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> is restored to the first operating state.

Specifically, the button member <NUM> includes a locking jaw 3312p that extends along the inner wall of the case <NUM> and limits the rotation of the first link member <NUM> by being engaged with the inner wall of the case <NUM> when the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is in the first operating state. That is, as shown in <FIG>, the button member <NUM> receives a force that rotates in a clockwise direction about the first rotation shaft <NUM> by the first elastic member <NUM>, but may maintain the first operating state illustrated in <FIG> as the locking jaw 3312p is engaged with the inner wall of the case <NUM> to limit the rotation of the first link member <NUM>.

The first link member <NUM> includes a first fastening protrusion <NUM> protruding toward the second link member <NUM>, and the second link member <NUM> includes a second fastening protrusion <NUM> protruding toward the first link member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the vaporizer <NUM> includes a first fastening groove <NUM> formed at one side to accommodate the first fastening protrusion <NUM>, and a second fastening groove <NUM> formed at the other side to accommodate the second fastening protrusion <NUM>.

When the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is in the first operating state (see <FIG>), the first fastening protrusion <NUM> and the second fastening protrusion <NUM> are respectively accommodated in the first fastening groove <NUM> and the second fastening groove <NUM> to limit the movement of the vaporizer <NUM> in the horizontal direction. When the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is in the second operating state (see <FIG>), the first fastening protrusion <NUM> and the second fastening protrusion <NUM> may be separated from the first fastening groove <NUM> and the second fastening groove <NUM> by rotating about the first rotation shaft <NUM> and the second rotation shaft <NUM>, respectively, and thus may allow the vaporizer <NUM> to move in the horizontal direction.

In addition, the first fastening protrusion <NUM> and the second fastening protrusion <NUM> include an inclined surface 3314_ip and an inclined surface 3324_ip, respectively. When the vaporizer <NUM> is being installed in the case <NUM>, the vaporizer <NUM> may move the first fastening protrusion <NUM> and the second fastening protrusion <NUM>, in a direction toward a position when the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is in the second operating state, by sliding about the inclined surfaces 3314_ip and 3324_ip.

That is, the vaporizer <NUM> and the inclined surface 3314_ip of the first fastening protrusion <NUM> contact each other, the vaporizer <NUM> and the inclined surface 3324_ip of the second fastening protrusion <NUM> contact each other, and the vaporizer <NUM> slides about the inclined surface 3314_ip of the first fastening protrusion <NUM> and the inclined surface 3324_ip of the second fastening protrusion <NUM>, and thus, the first fastening protrusion <NUM> may rotate counterclockwise about the first rotation shaft <NUM> and the second fastening protrusion <NUM> may rotate clockwise about the second rotation shaft <NUM>.

In this state, when the vaporizer <NUM> is continuously pushed toward the case <NUM>, the first fastening protrusion <NUM> may be fitted into the first fastening groove <NUM> and the second fastening protrusion <NUM> may be fitted into the second fastening groove <NUM>, and thus, the vaporizer <NUM> may be installed in the case <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view illustrating the appearance of an aerosol-generating device <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

The aerosol-generating device <NUM> shown in <FIG> may include a case <NUM>, a vaporizer <NUM>, and a detachment manipulation unit <NUM>. Since the descriptions of the case <NUM> and the vaporizer <NUM> are substantially the same as those of the cases <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and the vaporizers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> the following description will focus on structural features that are distinguished from the foregoing.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, a method of manipulating a first button member <NUM> and a second button member <NUM> of the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is the same as a method of manipulating the button member <NUM> shown in <FIG>. That is, the user may press the first button member <NUM> and the second button member <NUM> at the sides thereof, respectively. However, a feature distinguished from that of the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> is that, in the case of the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the user has to simultaneously press the first button member <NUM> and the second button member <NUM>.

Specifically, the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> includes a first link member <NUM> and a second link member <NUM>. The first link member <NUM> is installed at one side of the case <NUM> to be rotatable about a first rotation shaft <NUM> extending from the case <NUM> toward the vaporizer <NUM>. The second link member <NUM> is installed at the other side of the case <NUM> to be rotatable about a second rotation shaft <NUM> extending from the case <NUM> toward the vaporizer <NUM>.

The first link member <NUM> includes a first button member <NUM> exposed to the outside of one side of the case <NUM> to rotate the first link member <NUM> about the first rotation shaft <NUM> according to a user's manipulation.

The second link member <NUM> includes a second button member <NUM> exposed to the outside of the other side of the case <NUM> to rotate the second link member <NUM> about the second rotation shaft <NUM> according to a user's manipulation.

In addition, the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> includes a first elastic member <NUM> and a second elastic member <NUM>. The first elastic member <NUM> elastically presses the first link member <NUM> in a direction in which the position of the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is restored from a position when the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is in the second operating state (see <FIG>) to a position when the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is in the first operating state (see <FIG>). The second elastic member <NUM> elastically presses the second link member <NUM>. The case <NUM> includes a base unit <NUM> supporting the first elastic member <NUM> and the second elastic member <NUM>.

That is, as shown in <FIG>, when the user presses the first button member <NUM>, the first elastic member <NUM> is compressed, and with the restoring force thereof, the first elastic member <NUM> may elastically press the first button member <NUM>. Accordingly, the first link member <NUM> may receive a force in a clockwise direction about the first rotation shaft <NUM> as a whole. In other words, the first link member <NUM> may receive a force by which the state of the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> is restored to the first operating state.

Similarly, when the user presses the second button member <NUM>, the second elastic member <NUM> is compressed, and with the restoring force thereof, the second elastic member <NUM> may receive a force in a counterclockwise direction about the second rotation shaft <NUM> as a whole. In other words, the second elastic member <NUM> may receive a force by which the state of the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> is restored to the first operating state.

Specifically, the first button member <NUM> includes a first locking jaw 4312p that extends along the inner wall of the case <NUM> and limits the rotation of the first link member <NUM> by being engaged with the inner wall of the case <NUM> when the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is in the first operating state. That is, as shown in <FIG>, the first button member <NUM> receives a force that rotates in a clockwise direction about the first rotation shaft <NUM> by the first elastic member <NUM>, but may maintain the first operating state illustrated in <FIG> as the locking jaw 4312p is engaged with the inner wall of the case <NUM> to limit the rotation of the first link member <NUM>.

In addition, the second button member <NUM> includes a second locking jaw 4322p that extends along the inner wall of the case <NUM> and limits the rotation of the second link member <NUM> by being engaged with the inner wall of the case <NUM> when the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is in the first operating state. That is, as shown in <FIG>, the second button member <NUM> receives a force that rotates in a counterclockwise direction about the second rotation shaft <NUM> by the second elastic member <NUM>, but may maintain the first operating state illustrated in <FIG> as the locking jaw 4322p is engaged with the inner wall of the case <NUM> to limit the rotation of the second link member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the vaporizer <NUM> includes a first fastening groove <NUM> formed at one side to accommodate the first fastening protrusion <NUM>, and a second fastening groove <NUM> formed at the other side to accommodate the second fastening protrusion <NUM>.

In addition, the first fastening protrusion <NUM> and the second fastening protrusion <NUM> include an inclined surface 4313_ip and an inclined surface 4323_ip, respectively. When the vaporizer <NUM> is being installed in the case <NUM>, the vaporizer <NUM> may move the first fastening protrusion <NUM> and the second fastening protrusion <NUM>, in a direction toward a position when the detachment manipulation unit <NUM> is in the second operating state, by sliding about the inclined surfaces 4313_ip and 4323_ip.

That is, the vaporizer <NUM> and the inclined surface 4313_ip of the first fastening protrusion <NUM> contact each other, the vaporizer <NUM> and the inclined surface 4323_ip of the second fastening protrusion <NUM> contact each other, and the vaporizer <NUM> slides about the inclined surface 4313_ip of the first fastening protrusion <NUM> and the inclined surface 4323_ip of the second fastening protrusion <NUM>, and thus, the first fastening protrusion <NUM> may rotate counterclockwise about the first rotation shaft <NUM> and the second fastening protrusion <NUM> may rotate clockwise about the second rotation shaft <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An aerosol-generating device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a case (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) into which a cigarette (<NUM>) is insertable, the case (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) forming a portion of the exterior of the aerosol-generating device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and accommodating a battery (<NUM>), a controller (<NUM>) and a heater (<NUM>), characterized by
a vaporizer (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) detachably installed on the case (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
a detachment manipulation unit (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) installed in the case (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and configured to perform, according to manipulation by a user, a first operation of maintaining a state in which the vaporizer (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is installed on the case (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and a second operation of allowing separation of the vaporizer (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) from the case (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).