WO2024103283A1

WO2024103283A1 - Aerosol-generating device with two-piece internal housing

Info

Publication number: WO2024103283A1
Application number: PCT/CN2022/132203
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michel BESSANT; Liu Liu
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
Priority date: 2022-11-16
Filing date: 2022-11-16
Publication date: 2024-05-23

Abstract

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

Description

AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE WITH TWO-PIECE INTERNAL HOUSING

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device.

It is known to provide an aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable vapor. Such devices may heat aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate are volatilised without burning the aerosol-forming substrate. Aerosol-forming substrate may be provided as part of an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may have a rod shape for insertion of the aerosol-generating article into a cavity, such as a heating chamber, of the aerosol-generating device. A heating element may be arranged in or around the heating chamber for heating the aerosol-forming substrate once the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise further components such as a battery, a PCB and heater casing. It is necessary to protect these elements from damage such as resulting from a potential device drop.

It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating device with improved protection of the internal components of the device. It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating device with simplified protection of the internal components of the device. It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating device with a cost-effective protection of the internal components of the device.

According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided an aerosol-generating device comprising internal components. The aerosol-generating device may further comprise an internal housing. The internal housing may comprise a first housing shell and a second housing shell. The first housing shell and the second housing shell may be configured to be laterally attachable to each other. The first housing shell and the second housing shell may be configured to provide an internal enclosure when attached to each other. The internal enclosure may be configured to house the internal components of the aerosol-generating device.

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

The internal housing securely protects the internal components of the aerosol-generating device. In case, for example, of an accidental drop of the aerosol-generating device, damage to the internal components of the aerosol-generating device can be prevented due to the provision of the internal housing.

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

The internal enclosure of the internal housing may be dimensioned such that all of the internal components of the aerosol-generating device fit into the internal enclosure. Particularly, the internal enclosure may be dimensioned such that a heater casing, electric circuitry such as a PCB and a power supply such as a battery of the aerosol-generating device fit into the internal enclosure.

One or more of the first housing shell and the second housing shell may directly abut one or more of the internal components of the aerosol-generating. In this way, movement of the internal components within the internal housing of the aerosol-generating device may be prevented.

One or more of the first housing shell and the second housing shell may be made from a thermally insulating material. The internal components of the aerosol-generating device may thus be the protected from the outside environment.

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

The aerosol-generating device may further comprise an external housing. The external housing may be configured to be arranged around the internal housing. The external housing may be in direct abutment with the internal housing. The external housing may provide a visually appealing aerosol-generating device. The internal housing may protect the internal components of the aerosol-generating device. The internal housing, particularly the first housing shell and the second housing shell, may facilitate dimensional stability of the aerosol-generating device.

The external housing may comprise a first external housing shell and a second external housing shell.

The first external housing shell and the second external housing shell may be configured to be axially attachable to each other. In other words, the first external housing shell may be a top housing shell and the second external housing shell may be a bottom housing shell or vice versa. The external housing may fully enclose the internal housing.

The first housing shell may comprise a first connection element and the second housing shell may comprise a second connection element. The first connection element and the second connection element may be configured to be connected with each other to facilitate the attachment between the first housing shell and the second housing shell.

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

One or both of the first connection element and the second connection element may be configured as a snap-fit connection element.

One or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell may comprise a third connection element, wherein the third connection element may be configured to connect one or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell with at least one of the internal components of the aerosol-generating device or to facilitate the attachment between the first housing shell and the second housing shell.

The third connection element may secure the internal components of the aerosol-generating device inside of the internal housing. At least one of the internal components of the aerosol-generating device may comprise a corresponding connection element such that the third connection element may be securely connected with this internal component.

The third connection element may have a lateral extension. The third connection elements may be arranged in a side surface of one or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell. The side surface may be a large side surface. One or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell may comprise a single corresponding large side surface and one or more small side surfaces.

The third connection element may be distanced from a distal end of one or more of the first housing shell and the second housing shell. The third connection element may be distanced from the distal end by at least 30%of the longitudinal length of one or more of the first housing shell and the second housing shell.

The third connection element may be distanced from a proximal end of one or more of the first housing shell and the second housing shell. The third connection element may be distanced from the proximal end by at least 30%of the longitudinal length of one or more of the first housing shell and the second housing shell.

The third connection element may be distanced from the radial ends of one or more of the first housing shell and the second housing shell. The third connection element may be distanced from the radial ends by at least 30%of the radial extension of one or more of the first housing shell at the second housing shell.

In other words, the third connection element may be arranged in a central portion of the large side surface of one or more of the first housing shell at the second housing shell.

The third connection element may comprise a threaded segment facilitating a threaded connection. A screw may be used to connect the third connection element of one of the first housing shell and the second housing shell with at least one of the internal components of the aerosol-generating device or the other housing shell.

The internal components may comprise one or both of a heater casing and an air-flow tube. The heater casing and the air-flow tube may be configured as described in WO 2022/090154 A1, the respective content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The third connection element may be configured to connect one or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell with the heater casing.

One or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell may comprise a lateral opening.

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

The lateral opening may be dimensioned to enable the power supply, preferably in the form of a battery, to be received in the internal housing. The outer diameter of the power supply may be larger than a small inner diameter of the internal housing. Due to the provisioning of the lateral opening, the power supply may still fit inside of the internal housing. The lateral opening may thus enable a relatively compact device which still is able to fit a comparatively large power supply. The power supply received in the lateral opening may partly form the outer periphery of the internal housing.

The lateral opening may extend over at least 20%, preferably of at least 30%, more preferably over at least 40%, most preferably over at least 50%, of the peripheral circumference of one or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell.

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

As used herein, the terms ‘proximal’ and ‘distal’ are used to describe the relative positions of components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating device in relation to the direction in which a user draws on the aerosol-generating device during use thereof.

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

As used herein, an ‘aerosol-generating device’ relates to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article, for example part of a smoking article. An aerosol-generating device may be a smoking device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user’s lungs thorough the user's mouth. An aerosol-generating device may be a holder. The device may be an electrically heated smoking device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing, electric circuitry, a power supply, a heating chamber and a heating element. These may all be internal components of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a self-supporting component by mounting one or more of the internal components of the aerosol-generating device to each other. The self-supporting component is described in WO 2022/090154 A1, the respective content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

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

The aerosol-generating device may comprise electric circuitry. The electric circuitry may comprise a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The microprocessor may be part of a controller. The electric circuitry may comprise further electronic components.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power supply, typically a battery, within a main body of the aerosol-generating device. In one embodiment, the power supply is a Lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be a Nickel-metal hydride battery, a Nickel cadmium battery, or a Lithium based battery, for example a Lithium-Cobalt, a Lithium-Iron-Phosphate, Lithium Titanate or a Lithium-Polymer battery. As an alternative, the power supply may be another form of charge storage device such as a capacitor. The power supply may require recharging and may have a capacity that enables to store enough energy for one or more usage experiences; for example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to continuously generate aerosol for a period of around six minutes or for a period of a multiple of six minutes. In another example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to provide a predetermined number of puffs or discrete activations of the heating element.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article comprising aerosol-forming substrate. The cavity of the aerosol-generating device may have an open end or opening into which the aerosol-generating article is inserted. The open end may be formed in the external housing and the internal housing. The open end may be a proximal end. The cavity may have a closed end opposite the open end. The closed end may be the base of the cavity. The closed end may be closed except for the provision of air apertures arranged in the base. The base of the cavity may be flat. The base of the cavity may be circular. The base of the cavity may be arranged upstream of the cavity. The open end may be arranged downstream of the cavity. The cavity may have an elongate extension. The cavity may have a longitudinal central axis. A longitudinal direction may be the direction extending between the open and closed ends along the longitudinal central axis. The longitudinal central axis of the cavity may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device.

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

An airflow channel may run through the cavity. Ambient air may be drawn into the aerosol-generating device, into the cavity and towards the user through the airflow channel. Downstream of the cavity, a mouthpiece may be arranged or a user may directly draw on the aerosol-generating article. The airflow channel may extend through the mouthpiece.

As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-generating article’ refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. For example, an aerosol-generating article may be a smoking article that generates an aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user’s lungs through the user's mouth. An aerosol-generating article may be disposable.

As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-forming substrate’ relates to a substrate capable of releasing one or more volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. Such volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol-forming substrate may conveniently be part of an aerosol-generating article or smoking article.

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

If the aerosol-forming substrate is a solid aerosol-forming substrate, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise, for example, one or more of: powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghettis, strips or sheets containing one or more of: herb leaf, tobacco leaf, fragments of tobacco ribs, reconstituted tobacco, homogenised tobacco, extruded tobacco, cast leaf tobacco and expanded tobacco. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may be in loose form, or may be provided in a suitable container or cartridge. Optionally, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavour compounds, to be released upon heating of the substrate. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may also contain capsules that, for example, include the additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavour compounds and such capsules may melt during heating of the solid aerosol-forming substrate.

As used herein, homogenised tobacco refers to material formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco. Homogenised tobacco may be in the form of a sheet. Homogenised tobacco material may have an aerosol-former content of greater than 5%on a dry weight basis. Homogenised tobacco material may alternatively have an aerosol former content of between 5%and 30%by weight on a dry weight basis. Sheets of homogenised tobacco material may be formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco obtained by grinding or otherwise combining one or both of tobacco leaf lamina and tobacco leaf stems. Alternatively, or in addition, sheets of homogenised tobacco material may comprise one or more of tobacco dust, tobacco fines and other particulate tobacco by-products formed during, for example, the treating, handling and shipping of tobacco. Sheets of homogenised tobacco material may comprise one or more intrinsic binders, that is tobacco endogenous binders, one or more extrinsic binders, that is tobacco exogenous binders, or a combination thereof to help agglomerate the particulate tobacco; alternatively, or in addition, sheets of homogenised tobacco material may comprise other additives including, but not limited to, tobacco and non-tobacco fibres, aerosol-formers, humectants, plasticisers, flavourants, fillers, aqueous and non-aqueous solvents and combinations thereof.

Optionally, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may be provided on or embedded in a thermally stable carrier. The carrier may take the form of powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghettis, strips or sheets. Alternatively, the carrier may be a tubular carrier having a thin layer of the solid substrate deposited on its inner surface, or on its outer surface, or on both its inner and outer surfaces. Such a tubular carrier may be formed of, for example, a paper, or paper like material, a non-woven carbon fibre mat, a low mass open mesh metallic screen, or a perforated metallic foil or any other thermally stable polymer matrix.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises a gathered crimpled sheet of homogenised tobacco material. As used herein, the term ‘crimped sheet’ denotes a sheet having a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations. Preferably, when the aerosol-generating article has been assembled, the substantially parallel ridges or corrugations extend along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article. This advantageously facilitates gathering of the crimped sheet of homogenised tobacco material to form the aerosol-forming substrate. However, it will be appreciated that crimped sheets of homogenised tobacco material for inclusion in the aerosol-generating article may alternatively or in addition have a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations that are disposed at an acute or obtuse angle to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article has been assembled. In certain embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco material that is substantially evenly textured over substantially its entire surface. For example, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a gathered crimped sheet of homogenised tobacco material comprising a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations that are substantially evenly spaced-apart across the width of the sheet.

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

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a heater assembly. The heater assembly may be configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate received in the cavity in use. The controller may be configured to control the heater assembly. The control of the heater assembly may be based on the type of aerosol-forming substrate determined by the controller. Preferably, the controller may be configured to control the heater assembly according to a heating profile. The heating profile may be chosen or modified according to the type of aerosol-forming substrate at least partially received in the cavity.

The heater assembly may comprise a heating element. In use, power may be supplied to the heating element, causing the heating element to heat up. The heat may then be transferred to a received aerosol-forming substrate, for example by conduction through the device housing forming the chamber.

The heating element may be a resistive heating element. The heating element may comprise an electrically resistive material. Suitable electrically resistive materials include but are not limited to: semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrically “conductive” ceramics (such as, for example, molybdenum disilicide) , carbon, graphite, metals, metal allows and composition materials made of ceramic material and a metallic material. Such composite materials may comprise doped and undoped ceramics.

In another example, the heater assembly may comprise one or more inductor coils and the heating element may comprise one or more susceptor elements.

The one or more susceptor elements may be configured to be heatable by an alternating magnetic field generated by the inductor coil or coils. In use, electrical power supplied to an inductor coil (for example, by a power source of the device) may result in the inductor coil inducing eddy currents in a susceptor element. These eddy currents, in turn, result in the susceptor element generating heat. The electrical power is supplied to the inductor coil as an alternating magnetic field. The alternating current may have any suitable frequency. The alternating current may preferably be a high frequency alternating current. The alternating current may have a frequency between 100 kilohertz (kHz) and 30 megahertz (MHz) . When an aerosol-forming substrate is received in the chamber, the heat generated by the susceptor element may heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature sufficient to cause aerosol to evolve from the substrate. The susceptor element may be formed of a material having an ability to absorb electromagnetic energy and convert it into heat. By way of example and without limitation, the susceptor element may be formed of a ferromagnetic material, such as a steel.

The power supply may be configured to supply current to the inductor coils or resistive heating element.

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

The heating element may be arranged on the substrate layer. The heating element may contain wire connections configured for being connected with a controller of the aerosol-generating device. The heating element may comprise heating tracks arranged on the substrate layer. The heating tracks may comprise a thermally conductive material, preferably a metal such as stainless steel. The heating tracks may be electrically connected to said wire connections.

The heating element may take other forms. For example, a metallic grid or grids, a flexible printed circuit board, a molded interconnect device (MID) , ceramic heater, flexible carbon fibre heater or may be formed using a coating technique such as plasma vapour deposition, on a suitably shaped substrate.

Features described in relation to one embodiment may equally be applied to other embodiments of the invention.

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

Fig. 1 shows an external housing of an aerosol-generating device;

Figs. 2A and 2B show first and second housing shells of an internal housing of the aerosol-generating device;

Figs. 3A and 3B show first, second and third connection elements;

Fig. 4 shows the attachment of the third connection element to internal components of the aerosol-generating device; and

Fig. 5 shows a power supply of the aerosol-generating device arranged in a lateral opening of the internal housing.

Figure 1 shows an aerosol-generating device 10. The aerosol-generating device 10 comprises an external housing. The external housing is the most outward layer of the aerosol-generating device 10. The external housing comprises two shells, a first external housing shell 12 and a second external housing shell 14.

The first external housing shell 12 is a top shell. The first external housing shell 12 is covering the proximal half of the aerosol-generating device 10. The second external housing shell 14 is a bottom shell. The second external housing shell 14 is covering the distal half of the aerosol-generating device 10. The first external housing shell 12 can be attached to the second external housing shell 14 so that the internal housing and the internal components (both described in the following with reference to Figures 2 to 5) of the aerosol-generating device 10 are housing inside of the external housing.

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

Figure 1 further shows a button 20 which can be pressed by a user to active the device. Activation of the device leads to activation of a heating element that is arranged at least partly surrounding the cavity so as to heat the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity and to generate an inhalable aerosol.

Figure 2A shows a first housing shell 22 and Figure 2B shows a second housing shell 24 together forming an internal housing.

The internal housing is arranged inside the external housing as the next layer of the aerosol-generating device 10. The internal housing houses the internal components of the aerosol-generating device 10 and protects the same. The internal housing also improves the dimensional stability of the aerosol-generating device 10.

The first housing shell 22 can be attached to the second housing shell 24 to create an internal enclosure. The internal components of the aerosol-generating device 10 are then housed in the internal enclosure.

Figure 2 shows a lateral opening 26 in both the first housing shell 22 and the second housing shell 24. The lateral opening 26 is used to house the power supply 36 of the aerosol-generating device 10 which has a larger outer diameter than a small inner diameter of the internal housing once the first housing shell 22 is attached to the second housing shell 24. This will be described in more detail below with reference to Figure 5.

Figure 3A shows the first housing shell 22 and the second housing shell 24 after attachment with each other. The first housing shell 22 and the second housing shell 24 thus form the internal housing. The first housing shell 22 and the second housing shell 24 are attached to each other utilizing a first connection element 28 and a second connection element 30. The first connection element 28 comprises three male snap-fit connection elements and the second connection element 30 comprises three corresponding female snap-fit connection elements. This number can however be varied depending upon the specific needs of a specific device. After attachment of the first housing shell 22 and the second housing shell 24, the first housing shell 22 and the second housing shell 24 cannot be detached from each other. The first housing shell 22 and the second housing shell 24 are then fixed together to form a stable internal housing. This connection is establishing a secure mechanical connection.

Figure 3B shows a third connection element 32. The third connection element 32 is a threaded connection element enabling a secure connection between the first housing shell 22 and the internal components of the aerosol-generating device 10.

The third connection element 32 may additionally or alternatively facilitate a connection between the first housing shell 22 and the second housing shell 24. In this case, a screw screwed into the threads of the third connection element 32 would connect the first housing shell 22 and the second housing shell 24. The third connection element 32 would in this case encompass corresponding threads at the first housing shell 22 and at the second housing shell 24. A through hole may in this case provided in the internal components to enable the third connection element 32 or the screw to pass through the internal components to connect the first housing shell 22 and the second housing shell 24 with each other.

To connect the first housing shell 22 with the internal components of the aerosol-generating device 10 via the third connection element 32, the third connection element 32 comprises corresponding threads at the first housing shell 22 and at the internal components. Alternatively, the second housing shell 24 may comprise corresponding threads of the third connection element 32 to enable securing the internal components with the second housing shell 24.

As a further option, the third connection element 32 may be configured to connect the first housing shell 22, the internal components and the second housing shell 24 with each other. In this case, all three components comprise matching threads such that a screw can be utilized to connect all three components with each other.

Figure 4 shows the internal components of the aerosol-generating device 10. The reference sign 34 shows an internal component that is configured as a heater casing or air-flow tube as described in WO 2022/090154 A1, the respective content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Other internal components shown in Figure 5 are the power supply 36 and a PCB 38 arranged between the power supply 36 and the heater casing. The third connection element 32 is also shown connected with the heater casing. In the presence of one or both of the first heater shell and the second heater shell, the heater casing, and thus the internal components of the aerosol-generating device 10, will be connected with the internal housing via the third connection element 32. This connection is establishing a secure mechanical connection.

Figure 5 shows the internal housing when the internal components are assembled enclosed by the first housing shell 22 and the second housing shell 24 forming the internal housing. The power supply 36 is arranged in the lateral opening 26. The assembly of the aerosol-generating device 10 would be completed after enclosing these components in the external housing as shown in Figure 1. The main focus of Figure 5 is to show the optimized arrangement of the power supply 36 in the lateral opening 26 to allow a relatively large power supply 36 be arranged in the aerosol-generating device 10. In the area of the lateral opening 26, the outer periphery would partly for the outer periphery of the internal housing.

Claims

An aerosol-generating device comprising:

internal components, and

an internal housing, the internal housing comprising:

a first housing shell, and

a second housing shell,

wherein the first housing shell and the second housing shell are configured to be laterally attachable to each other, wherein the first housing shell and the second housing shell are configured to provide an internal enclosure when attached to each other, and wherein the internal enclosure is configured to house the internal components of the aerosol-generating device.
The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises an external housing, wherein the external housing is configured to be arranged around the internal housing.
The aerosol-generating device according to claim 2, wherein the external housing comprises a first external housing shell and a second external housing shell.
The aerosol-generating device according to claim 3, wherein the first external housing shell and the second external housing shell are configured to be axially attachable to each other.
The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first housing shell comprises a first connection element and the second housing shell comprises a second connection element, wherein the first connection element and the second connection element are configured to be connected with each other to facilitate the attachment between the first housing shell and the second housing shell.
The aerosol-generating device according to claim 5, wherein the first connection element is configured as a male connection element and the second connection element is configured as a female connection element or vice versa.
The aerosol-generating device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein one or both of the first connection element and the second connection element is configured as a snap-fit connection element.
The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell comprises a third connection element, wherein the third connection element is configured to connect one or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell with at least one of the internal components of the aerosol-generating device or to facilitate the attachment between the first housing shell and the second housing shell.
The aerosol-generating device according to claim 8, wherein the third connection element comprises a threaded segment facilitating a threaded connection.
The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the internal components comprise a heater casing.
The aerosol-generating device according to claim 10, wherein the third connection element is configured to connect one or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell with the heater casing.
The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell comprise a lateral opening.
The aerosol-generating device according to claim 12, wherein the lateral opening extends over at least 20%, preferably of at least 30%, more preferably over at least 40%, most preferably over at least 50%, of the axial length of one or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell.
The aerosol-generating device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the lateral opening extends over at least 20%, preferably of at least 30%, more preferably over at least 40%, most preferably over at least 50%, of the peripheral circumference of one or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell.
The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or both of the first housing shell and the second housing shell axially extend at least 80%, preferably of at least 85%, more preferably over at least 90%, most preferably over at least 95%, of the axial length of the aerosol-generating device.