Aerosol generating device comprising vibrator

Abstract

An aerosol generating device includes a cartridge including a storage in which an aerosol generating material is stored, a wick that absorbs the aerosol generating material stored in the storage, an atomizer for generating ultrasonic vibration to atomize the aerosol generating material absorbed by the wick into an aerosol, an airflow path through which the aerosol passes, a mouthpiece including an outlet for discharging the aerosol passing through the airflow path to outside, and a mesh-type heater arranged in the airflow path in a direction across another direction in which the airflow path extends; and a main body including a controller and a coupling portion to which the cartridge is detachably coupled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device, and more specifically, to an aerosol generating device capable of further miniaturizing particles of an aerosol generated by an ultrasonic vibration method using a vibrator.Background Art

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods of solving shortcomings of the general cigarettes. Research has been conducted on methods for generating an aerosol from a liquid, solid, or gel-state aerosol generating material or for supplying an aerosol with a flavor by generating vapor from a liquid-state aerosol generating material and then passing the generated vapor through a solid-state flavoring medium.Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[0003] According to various embodiments, an aerosol generating device using an ultrasonic vibration method may provide a further miniaturized aerosol.

[0004] Problems to be solved by embodiments are not limited to the problems described above, and problems not described above may be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong from the present specification and the attached drawings.Solution to Problem

[0005] An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes a cartridge including a storage in which an aerosol generating material is stored, a wick for absorbing the aerosol generating material stored in the storage, an atomizer for generating ultrasonic vibration to atomize the aerosol generating material absorbed by the wick into an aerosol, an airflow path through which the aerosol passes, a mouthpiece including an outlet for discharging the aerosol passing through the airflow path to the outside, and a mesh-type heater arranged in the airflow path in a direction across another direction in which the airflow path extends; and a main body including a controller and a coupling portion to which the cartridge is detachably coupled.Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0006] According to an aerosol generating device according to embodiments, a more atomized aerosol may be generated by an aerosol generating device using an ultrasonic vibration method.

[0007] The aerosol generating device according to the embodiments may generate an aerosol at a relatively low temperature compared to when a heating method is used and may also provide an aerosol atomization effect. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a more satisfactory smoking experience to a user.

[0008] Effects of the embodiments are not limited to the effects described above, and effects that are not described may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong from the present specification and the attached drawings.Brief Description of Drawings

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device in which a cartridge is separated from a main body, according to another embodiment. FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the aerosol generating device illustrated in FIG. 2A in which a main body is coupled to a cartridge, according to another embodiment. FIG. 3A is a view illustrating an aspect of a cartridge according to the embodiment of FIG. 2A. FIG. 3B is a view illustrating another aspect of the cartridge according to the embodiment of FIG. 2A. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge according to the embodiment of FIG. 2A. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment of FIG. 2A. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an airflow path of a cartridge having a mouthpiece in an open state. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. Mode for Carrying out the Invention

[0010] Regarding 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, in certain cases, terms which can be arbitrarily selected by the applicant in particular cases. In such a case, the meaning of the terms will be described in detail at the corresponding portion in the description of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein.

[0011] In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms "-er", "-or", and "module" described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

[0012] As used herein, hen an expression such as "at least any one" precedes arranged elements, it modifies all elements rather than each arranged element. For example, the expression "at least any one of a, b, and c" should be construed to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.

[0013] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown such that one of ordinary skill in the art may easily work the present disclosure. But, the present disclosure may be implemented in a form that can be implemented in various different forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0014] Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements or components, these elements or components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element or component from another element or component.

[0015] Some components in the drawings may be illustrated by exaggerating their sizes or ratios. In addition, components illustrated on one drawing may not be illustrated on another.

[0016] As used herein, embodiments are arbitrary divisions for easily describing the disclosure, and the embodiments do not need to be exclusive to each other. For example, components disclosed in an embodiment may be applied and / or implemented in other embodiments, and may be changed and applied and / or implemented without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0017] In addition, the terms used herein are for describing embodiments and are not intended to limit the embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device 1 includes a cartridge 10 that accommodates an aerosol generating material and a main body 20 that supports the cartridge 10.

[0021] The cartridge 10, in which an aerosol generating material is accommodated, may be coupled to the main body 20. For example, the cartridge 10 and the main body 20 may be coupled to each other by inserting at least part of the cartridge 10 into the main body 20. In another example, the cartridge 10 may be coupled to the main body 20 by inserting at least part of the main body 20 into the cartridge 10.

[0022] The cartridge 10 may be coupled to the main body 20 in at least one of a snap-fit method, a screw-joint method, a magnetic coupling method, and a fitting method, but the method of coupling the cartridge 10 to the main body 20 is not limited to the examples described above.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the cartridge 10 may include a housing 100, a mouthpiece 10m, a storage 200, a wick 300, an atomizer 400, and a terminal 500.

[0024] The housing 100 may form the entire appearance of the cartridge 10 together with the mouthpiece 10m, and components for an operation of the cartridge 10 may be inside the housing 100. In one embodiment, the housing 100 may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the shape of the housing 100 is not limited to the embodiments described above. According to an embodiment, the housing 100 may also be formed in a polygonal column (for example, a triangular column or a pentagonal column) shape or a cylindrical shape.

[0025] The mouthpiece 10m may be in one region of the housing 100 and may include an outlet 10e for discharging an aerosol generated from an aerosol generating material to the outside. In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 10m may be in another region located at a region opposite to the one region of the cartridge 10 coupled to the main body 20, and a user may receive an aerosol from the cartridge 10 by contacting the mouthpiece 10m with the mouth and inhaling the aerosol.

[0026] A pressure difference may occur between the outside of the cartridge 10 and the inside of the cartridge 10 due to a user's inhalation or a puff motion, and the aerosol generated inside the cartridge 10 may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 10 through the outlet 10e due to the pressure difference between the inside of the cartridge 10 and the outside thereof.

[0027] The storage 200 is in an inner space of the housing 100 and may accommodate an aerosol generating material. In one embodiment, an outer wall of the storage 200 may be the housing 100 that forms an outer appearance of the cartridge 10.

[0028] In embodiments, "a storage that accommodates an aerosol generating material" may mean that the storage 200, such as a container, simply performs a function of storing an aerosol generating material. Alternatively, the above expression may mean that an element for impregnating (contains) an aerosol generating material, such as sponge, cotton, cloth, or a porous ceramic structure is stored inside the storage 200. Also, the above expression may be used below in the same meaning as above.

[0029] The storage 200 may accommodate an aerosol generating material, for example, in any one of a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, a gel state, or so on.

[0030] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating material may include a liquid composition. The liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may also be a liquid including a non-tobacco material.

[0031] The liquid composition may include, for example, any one or a mixture of water, solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, flavoring, a flavoring agent, and a vitamin mixture. The flavoring may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavoring components, and so on but are not limited thereto.

[0032] The flavoring agent may include ingredients that may provide a variety of flavors or savors to a user. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E but is not limited thereto. Also, the liquid composition may include aerosol forming agents, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0033] For example, the liquid composition may include a solution of glycerin and propylene glycol, to which a nicotine salt is added, in any weight ratio. The liquid composition may also include two or more nicotine salts. The nicotine salt may be formed by adding a suitable acid, including nicotine to which an organic acid or an inorganic acid is added. The nicotine may be naturally generated nicotine or synthetic nicotine, and may have any suitable weight concentration with respect to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

[0034] The acid for forming the nicotine salt may be appropriately selected in consideration of a blood nicotine absorption rate, an operation temperature of the aerosol generating device 1, flavor or savor, solubility, and so on. For example, the acid for forming the nicotine salt may be a single acid selected from a group consisting of benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid, and malic acid, or a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group but is not limited thereto.

[0035] The wick 300 may absorb an aerosol generating material. In one example, an aerosol generating material stored or accommodated in the storage 200 may be transferred from the storage 200 to the atomizer 400 through the wick 300, and the atomizer 400 may atomize an aerosol generating material of the wick 300 or an aerosol generating material transferred from the wick 300 to generate an aerosol. In this case, the wick 300 may include at least one of cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, and porous ceramic but is not limited to the embodiment described above.

[0036] The atomizer 400 is inside the housing 100 and may generate an aerosol by converting a phase of an aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 10. The atomizer 400 may generate an aerosol by vibrating, for example, an aerosol generating material.

[0037] According to an embodiment, the atomizer 400 of the aerosol generating device 1 may convert a phase of the aerosol generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method of atomizing the aerosol generating material with ultrasonic vibration.

[0038] For example, the atomizer 400 may include a vibrator that generates short-cycle vibration, and the vibration generated by the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibration. The frequency of an ultrasonic vibration may be about 100 kHz to 3.5 MHz but is not limited thereto.

[0039] An aerosol generating material supplied from the storage 200 to the atomizer 400 may be vaporized and / or granulated by a short-cycle vibration generated by a vibrator and then, be atomized into an aerosol.

[0040] The vibrator may include, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic, and the piezoelectric ceramic may be a functional material that may convert electricity into mechanical force or vice versa by generating electricity (voltage) by a physical force (pressure) and, conversely, by generating vibration (mechanical force) when power is applied. That is, when power is applied to the vibrator, a short-cycle vibration (physical force) may be generated, and the generated vibration may split an aerosol generating material into small particles and atomize the small particles into an aerosol.

[0041] The vibrator may be electrically connected to other components of the aerosol generating device 1 through the terminal 500. The terminal 500 may be formed on one side of the cartridge 10. For example, the terminal 500 may be on a coupling surface of the cartridge 10 where the cartridge 10 is coupled to the main body 20 of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the terminal 500 may be on one side of the housing 100 facing the mouthpiece 10m.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the vibrator may be electrically connected to at least one of a battery 600 and a controller 700 of the main body 20, and a drive circuit of the aerosol generating device 1 through the terminal 500 in the housing 100 of the cartridge 10.

[0043] For example, the vibrator may be electrically connected to the terminal 500 in the cartridge 10 through a first conductor, and the terminal 500 may be electrically connected to the battery 600 and the controller 700, and / or other drive circuits of the main body 20 through a second conductor. That is, the vibrator may be electrically connected to components of the main body 20 through the terminal 500.

[0044] The vibrator may receive a current or a voltage from the battery 600 of the main body 20 through the terminal 500 and generate an ultrasonic vibration. Also, the vibrator may be electrically connected to the controller 700 of the main body 20 through the terminal 500, and the controller 700 may control an operation of the vibrator.

[0045] The terminal 500 may include at least one of, for example, a pogo pin, a wire, a cable, a printed circuit board (PCB), a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), and a C-clip, but the terminal 500 is not limited to the examples described above.

[0046] In another embodiment, the atomizer 400 may also be implemented with a mesh-shaped or plate-shaped vibration accommodation portion that performs both the function of absorbing an aerosol generating material without using another wick 300 and maintaining the aerosol generating material in an optimal state to convert the aerosol generating material into an aerosol and the function of transferring a vibration to the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol.

[0047] An aerosol generated by the atomizer 400 may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 10 through an airflow path 150 and provided to a user.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the airflow path 150 may be inside the cartridge 10 and may be connected to the atomizer 400 and the outlet 10e of the mouthpiece 10m. Accordingly, an aerosol generated by the atomizer 400 may flow along the airflow path 150 and be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 10 or the aerosol generating device 1 through the outlet 10e.

[0049] Although not illustrated in FIG. 1, the airflow path 150 may include at least one inlet for air to be introduced into the cartridge 10 from the outside of the cartridge 10. The inlet may be formed in at least part of the housing 100 of the cartridge 10. For example, the inlet may be formed in a coupling surface (for example, a bottom surface) of the cartridge 10 where the cartridge 10 is coupled to the main body 20.

[0050] Because at least one gap may be formed in a portion where the cartridge 10 is coupled to the main body 20, external air may be introduced into the gap between the cartridge 10 and the main body 20 and move into the cartridge 10 through the inlet.

[0051] The airflow path 150 may be connected from the inlet to a space where the aerosol is generated by the atomizer 400. The airflow path 150 may also be connected to the outlet 10e. Accordingly, the air flowed inside through the inlet may be transferred to the atomizer 400, and the transferred air may move to the outlet 10e together with the aerosol generated by the atomizer 400, and accordingly, an airflow may circulate inside the cartridge 10.

[0052] In one example, at least part of the airflow path 150 may be inside the housing 100 such that an outer surface of the airflow path 150 is surrounded by the storage 200. In another example, at least part of the airflow path 150 may be between an inner wall of the housing 100 and an outer wall of the storage 200. An arrangement structure of the airflow path 150 is not limited to the example described above, and the airflow path 150 may be arranged in various structures in which airflow circulates between the inlet, the atomizer 400, and the outlet 10e.

[0053] The main body 20 includes the battery 600 and the controller 700 therein, and one end of the main body 20 may be coupled to one end of the cartridge 10. For example, the main body 20 may be coupled to a bottom surface or a coupling surface of the cartridge 10.

[0054] The battery 600 supplies power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the battery 600 may supply power to the atomizer 400 when the main body 20 is electrically connected to the cartridge 10.

[0055] Also, the battery 600 may supply power required for an operation of other hardware components (for example, sensors, user interfaces, a memory, and the controller 700) provided in the aerosol generating device 1. The battery 600 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.

[0056] For example, the battery 600 may include a nickel-based battery (for example, a nickel-metal hydride battery or a nickel-cadmium battery), or a lithium-based battery (for example, a lithium-cobalt battery, a lithium-phosphate battery, a lithium titanate battery, a lithium-ion battery, or a lithium-polymer battery).

[0057] The controller 700 controls the entire operation of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the controller 700 may control the power supplied from the battery 600 to the atomizer 400, thereby controlling the amount of aerosol generated by the atomizer 400. In one example, the controller 700 may control a current or voltage supplied to the vibrator of the atomizer 400 such that the vibrator may vibrate at a preset frequency.

[0058] The controller 700 may be implemented with an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may also be implemented with a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that may be executed by a microprocessor. Also, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the controller 700 may be implemented with other types of hardware.

[0059] The controller 700 may analyze the results sensed by at least one sensor included in the aerosol generating device 1 and control the processing to be performed subsequently. For example, the controller 700 may control the power supplied to the atomizer 400 such that an operation of the atomizer 400 starts or ends based on the results sensed by at least one sensor. Also, the controller 700 may control the amount of power supplied to the atomizer 400 and the time during which the power is supplied such that the atomizer 400 may generate an appropriate amount of aerosol based on the results sensed by at least one sensor.

[0060] In one embodiment, a cross-sectional shape in a direction across a longitudinal direction of the cartridge 10 and / or body 20 of the aerosol generating device 1 may be a circle, an oval, a square, a rectangle, or a cross-sectional shape of various polygons. However, the cross-sectional shape of the cartridge 10 and / or the main body 20 is not limited to the shape described above, or does not have to be formed in a structure extending linearly when the aerosol generating device 1 extends in the longitudinal direction.

[0061] In another embodiment, a cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 1 may extend in a streamlined shape that is easy for a user to hold by hand or may be bent at a previously set angle in a certain region. Also, the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 1 may change in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0062] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device, in which a cartridge is separated from a main body, according to another embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the aerosol generating device illustrated in FIG. 2A, in which the main body is coupled to the cartridge, according to another embodiment.

[0063] An aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B may be a modification example of the aerosol generating device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, and a cartridge 10 according to another embodiment may be a modification example of the cartridge 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted below.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may include a main body 20 and the cartridge 10. The cartridge 10 may be detachably coupled to the main body 20. For example, at least part of the cartridge 10 may be coupled to the main body 20 by being inserted into the main body 20.

[0065] The cartridge 10 may include a mouthpiece 10m that is movable between an open position and a closed position. For example, the mouthpiece 10m may be opened and closed by rotating between the open position and the closed position.

[0066] The cartridge 10 may include a body portion 10b including various components necessary for generating an aerosol and discharging the generated aerosol. Although not illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the body portion 10b may include a storage (not illustrated), an atomizer (not illustrated), and a part of an airflow path (not illustrated). In addition, depending on embodiments, the atomizer may be outside the cartridge 10 (for example, the main body 20).

[0067] The main body 20 may include a coupling portion 20a to which the cartridge 10 is detachably coupled. For example, the main body 20 may include an accommodation groove 20ah in which at least part of the cartridge 10 may be accommodated. The body portion 10b of the cartridge 10 may be inserted into the accommodation groove 20ah.

[0068] For example, the coupling portion 20a may include a connection terminal (not illustrated) electrically connected to the atomizer 400 and a mesh-type heater 155 (see FIG. 5). One or more connection terminals may be provided to be respectively connected to the atomizer 400 and the mesh-type heater 155. When the cartridge 10 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 20ah of the main body 20, the connection terminal may be electrically connected to the atomizer 400 and the mesh-type heater 155.

[0069] For example, the body portion 10b of the cartridge 10 may be approximately in the shape of a square pillar, and corners of the square pillar may be chamfered or rounded. However, the shape of the body portion 10b of the cartridge 10 is not limited to the example described above and may also be in the form of a cylinder or polygonal column.

[0070] As described in FIG. 1, the cartridge 10 may be coupled to the main body 20 in at least one of a snap-fit method, a screw-fit method, a magnetic coupling method, or a fitting method. For example, the cartridge 10 may include a first magnetic body, and the main body 20 may include a second magnetic body such that the cartridge 10 may be magnetically coupled to the main body 20. However, strengths of a first magnetic body and a second magnetic body may be designed in consideration of the ease of attachment / detachment of the cartridge 10 and the main body 20 and / or operational stability of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0071] The main body 20 may include a button 20b. The button 20b may be on one surface of the main body 20. For example, the button 20b may be on one surface of the main body 20 corresponding to one end 20c-1 of a cover 20c. When the aerosol generating device 1 is used, a user may control an operation of the aerosol generating device 1 by using the button 20b.

[0072] The main body 20 may further include a storage portion 20s that may store the mouthpiece 10m when the mouthpiece 10m of the cartridge 10 is moved to the closed position. The storage portion 20s may be on one surface of the main body 20 and may have a shape or size corresponding to the mouthpiece 10m.

[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the mouthpiece 10m moved to the closed position may minimize a portion protruding outward from the aerosol generating device 1 from the closed position, that is, a portion protruding outward from an outer surface of the main body 20, and accordingly, portability may be improved.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 2A, in one embodiment, the main body 20 may further include a cover 20c coupled to a part of the main body 20. The cover 20c may be coupled to at least one surface of the main body 20. For example, the cover 20c may be coupled to one side of the main body 20 where the coupling portion 20a is located. Also, the cover 20c may be coupled to one side of the main body 20 where the storage portion 20s is located.

[0075] The cover 20c may include an opening 20c-3. The cover 20c may have an opening 20c-3 of a size corresponding to the mouthpiece 10m. For example, the opening 20c-3 may have a preset length and width. Here, the width of the opening 20c-3 may be less than or equal to a width of a body of the cartridge 10 and greater than or equal to a width of the mouthpiece 10m. The length of the opening 20c-3 may be greater than or equal to a length of the mouthpiece 10m.

[0076] The cover 20c may extend from one end 20c-1 to the other end 20c-2 and be on a mounting portion 20f of the main body 20. For example, the mounting portion 20f may have a size and shape corresponding to a size and shape of the cover 20c. The mounting portion 20f may extend in both directions from an inlet side of the coupling portion 20a and the storage portion 20s to be coupled to the cover 20c, and may be recessed to a preset depth.

[0077] When the cartridge 10 is coupled to the main body 20, the cover 20c may be coupled to the main body 20 after the cartridge 10 is coupled to the main body 20. The cover 20c may be coupled to one side of the main body 20 in at least one of a snap-fit method, a fitting method, or a magnetic coupling method but is not limited thereto.

[0078] Because the cover 20c includes the opening 20c-3 through which the mouthpiece 10m may pass, the cover 20c may protect the cartridge 10 without interfering with an opening and closing operation of the mouthpiece 10m in a state where the cartridge 10 is coupled to the main body 20, and may maintain the coupling between the cartridge 10 and the main body 20.

[0079] FIG. 2B illustrates the aerosol generating device 1 in which both the cartridge 10 and the cover 20c are coupled to the main body 20 and the mouthpiece 10m is in a closed position.

[0080] As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the main body 20 may include the storage portion 20s having a size and shape corresponding to a size and shape of the mouthpiece 10m and include the mounting portion 20f having a size and shape corresponding to a size and shape of the cover 20c, and the cover 20c may include the opening 20c-3 having a size and shape corresponding to a size and shape of the mouthpiece 10m. Through the shape, the entire finish of the aerosol generating device 1 may be completed firmly and elegantly, as illustrated in FIG. 2B.

[0081] According to one embodiment, when the cartridge 10 is separated from the main body 20, the cover 20c may be separated first from the main body 20, and then the cartridge 10 may be separated from the main body 20. In this way, the cover 20c and the cartridge 10 may be sequentially separated from the main body 20 or sequentially coupled to the main body 20.

[0082] FIG. 3A is a view illustrating one aspect of the cartridge according to the embodiment of FIG. 2A, and FIG. 3B is a view illustrating another aspect of the cartridge according to the embodiment of FIG. 2A.

[0083] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the body portion 10b of the cartridge 10 may be coupled to the mouthpiece 10m through a rotational axis. The mouthpiece 10m may rotate between an open position and a closed position.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 3A, in one aspect, the mouthpiece 10m may be placed in the open position. An open state of the mouthpiece 10m may indicate a state in which the mouthpiece 10m is unfolded in a longitudinal direction of the cartridge 10 such that a user's mouth may easily come into contact with the mouthpiece 10m. Here, the longitudinal direction may mean a direction (for example, the z-axis direction in FIG. 3A) in which the cartridge 10 extends the longest among several directions.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 3B, in another aspect, the mouthpiece 10m may be in a closed position. The closed state of the mouthpiece 10m may indicate a state in which the mouthpiece 10m is folded in a direction (for example, the x-axis direction in FIG. 3B) across the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 10 such that the mouthpiece 10m may be stored in the main body 20 of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0086] In another example, the mouthpiece 10m may be opened and closed by sliding between the open position and the closed position, but the movement type of the mouthpiece 10m is not limited to the example described above.

[0087] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge according to the embodiment of FIG. 2A.

[0088] A cartridge 10 illustrated in FIG. 4 may be the cartridge 10 illustrated in FIG. 2A or a modification example thereof, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted below.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the cartridge 10 may include a mouthpiece 10m and a body portion 10b.

[0090] In one embodiment, the body portion 10b of the cartridge 10 may include at least some of a housing 100, a wick 300, and an atomizer 400.

[0091] In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 10m may be coupled or connected to the body portion 10b of the cartridge 10 to be movable with respect to the body portion 10b. Components of the cartridge 10 according to an embodiment are not limited to the examples described above, and another component may be added thereto or some of the components may be omitted depending on embodiments.

[0092] In one embodiment, the housing 100 may form the entire appearance of the cartridge 10 and has an internal space in which components (for example, at least some of the storage 200, the wick 300, and the atomizer 400) of the cartridge 10 may be accommodated.

[0093] The housing 100 of the aerosol generating device 1 may include a first housing 110, a second housing 120 connected to one region of the first housing 110, and a third housing 130 connected to another region of the first housing 110.

[0094] For example, the second housing 120 may be coupled to one region of a lower end (for example, the -z direction) of the first housing 110, and the internal space, in which components of the cartridge 10 may be provided, may be formed between the first housing 110 and the second housing 120.

[0095] In one embodiment, the third housing 130 may be coupled to one region of an upper end (for example, the +z direction) of the first housing 110 and at least part of the mouthpiece 10m may be on one side of the third housing 130.

[0096] In the present disclosure, the "upper end" may indicate the "+z" direction of FIG. 4, and the "lower end" may indicate the "-z" direction of FIG. 4 which is an opposite direction of the upper end, and the expressions may be used below in the same meaning as above.

[0097] The coupling between the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 may form a first airflow path (151) through which an airflow (for example, air or an aerosol) moves within the body portion 10b. For example, the first housing 110 may form a part of the first airflow path 151, and the second housing 120 may form the other parts of the first airflow path 151.

[0098] Also, the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 may be coupled to each other to form an internal space, and various components required for an operation of the cartridge 10 may be accommodated or provided in the internal space.

[0099] The first housing 110 and the second housing 120 may protect the components accommodated in the internal space, and the third housing 130 may protect the mouthpiece 10m and other components coupled or connected to the mouthpiece 10m.

[0100] In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 10m is a portion that comes into contact with a user's mouth and may be provided in or coupled to one region of the housing 100. For example, the mouthpiece 10m may be connected to the third housing 130.

[0101] The mouthpiece 10m may be moved between an open position and a closed position. The cartridge 10 may further include a first elastic body 10m-1 that provides elasticity to the mouthpiece 10m. For example, the first elastic body 10m-1 may elastically support the mouthpiece 10m toward the open position.

[0102] The first elastic body 10m-1 may be around a rotation axis of the mouthpiece 10m. The mouthpiece 10m may be moved from the closed position to the open position by an elastic force of the first elastic body 10m-1. The first elastic body 10m-1 may be made of a metal material (for example, SUS).

[0103] In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 10m may be rotatable around the rotation axis, and the first elastic body 10m-1 may be a torsion spring on the rotation axis of the mouthpiece 10m. The first elastic body 10m-1 may have a relatively large deformation when the mouthpiece 10m is in the closed position, and have a relatively small deformation when the mouthpiece 10m is in the open position. Accordingly, the mouthpiece 10m may be provided with a biased elastic force to be opened from the closed position to the open position.

[0104] In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 10m may be rotatably coupled to the third housing 130 together with a support portion 10m-2. The support portion 10m-2 may be between the mouthpiece 10m and the third housing 130 and surround at least part of the other side of the mouthpiece 10m.

[0105] The mouthpiece 10m, the support portion 10m-2, and the third housing 130 may be connected to each other by a rotational axis. Accordingly, the mouthpiece 10m not only may be firmly coupled to the third housing 130 but also may be rotatably moved with respect to the third housing 130 between the open position and the closed position.

[0106] In one embodiment, the cartridge 10 may further include a first sealing member 161 that maintains the coupling of the first housing 110 and the third housing 130 and seals the storage 200.

[0107] The first sealing member 161 may be between the first housing 110 and the third housing 130. For example, the first sealing member 161 may be coupled to an upper end of the first housing 110 and coupled to a lower end of the third housing 130 to firmly maintain the coupling of the first housing 110 and the third housing 130.

[0108] Also, the first sealing member 161 may have a structure in which the storage 200 is sealed without sealing the first airflow path 151. For example, the first sealing member 161 may have a structure in which, in a state where the first sealing member 161 is coupled to an upper end of the first housing 110, a hole is included in a portion where the first airflow path 151 is provided and a hole is not included in a portion where the storage 200 is provided. Accordingly, the first sealing member 161 may prevent a first airflow path 151-1 from being blocked and enables the storage 200 to be separated or isolated from the first airflow path 151 at the upper end of the first housing 110.

[0109] The cartridge 10 may further include a second sealing member 162 coupled to the third housing 130 to seal a periphery of a connection hole 111 (illustrated in FIG. 5). The second sealing member 162 may be coupled to an upper end of the third housing 130. The second sealing member 162 may include a hole having a size corresponding to the connection hole 111 (illustrated in FIG. 5) and seal a region around a connection between the first airflow path 151 and the second airflow path 152 while preventing the connection hole 111 (illustrated in FIG. 5) from being blocked.

[0110] The cartridge 10 may include both the first sealing member 161 and the second sealing member 162. The first sealing member 161 and the second sealing member 162 may be respectively coupled to the upper end and a lower end of the third housing 130, and the first sealing member 161 may be partially coupled to the second sealing member 162 at an inner portion of the third housing 130. Accordingly, the first housing 110 may be more firmly coupled to the third housing 130 through the first sealing member 161 and the second sealing member 162.

[0111] The first sealing member 161 and the second sealing member 162 may be coupled to the first housing 110 and / or the third housing 130 in a forcible fitting manner, but the method of coupling the first sealing member 161 to the second sealing member 162 is not limited to the example described above.

[0112] In addition, the first sealing member 161 and the second sealing member 162 may each include a material (for example, silicone) with a preset rigidity and waterproofness to be firmly coupled to the first housing 110 and / or the third housing 130 and may also function as a part of an inner wall of the first airflow path 151.

[0113] In one embodiment, an aerosol atomized by the atomizer 400 may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 10 through the first airflow path 151, the second airflow path 152, and the outlet 10e to be supplied to a user.

[0114] For example, the aerosol generated by the atomizer 400 may flow along the first airflow path 151 connecting or communicating an atomization space (for example, 401 of FIG. 5) with the second airflow path 152 of the mouthpiece 10m, flow through the second airflow path 152, and be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 10 through an outlet (for example, 10e of FIG. 5).

[0115] In one embodiment, the first airflow path 151 may be connected (for example, connected in the +z direction) to the mouthpiece 10m along internal structures of the second housing 120 and the first housing 110.

[0116] In one embodiment, the storage 200 may be inside the first housing 110.

[0117] In one embodiment, the wick 300 may be between the storage 200 and the atomizer 400. An aerosol generating material stored in the storage 200 may be supplied to the atomizer 400 through the wick 300.

[0118] According to an embodiment, the wick 300 may receive an aerosol generating material from the storage 200 and transfer the received aerosol generating material to the atomizer 400. For example, the wick 300 may absorb an aerosol generating material of the storage 200, and the aerosol generating material absorbed by the wick 300 may be transferred to the atomizer 400.

[0119] According to an embodiment, the wick 300 may include a transfer member 310. According to another embodiment, the wick 300 may further include an absorption plate 320.

[0120] The transfer member 310 may be adjacent to the storage 200 and receive a liquid aerosol generating material from the storage 200. For example, an aerosol generating material stored in the storage 200 may be discharged to the outside of the storage 200 through a liquid supply hole (not illustrated) formed in a region of the storage 200 facing the transfer member 310, and the transfer member 310 may absorb the aerosol generating material from the storage 200 by absorbing at least part of the aerosol generating material discharged from the storage 200.

[0121] The absorption plate 320 may receive an aerosol generating material through the transfer member 310. As the cartridge 10 further includes the absorption plate 320, the aerosol generating material may be absorbed not only by the transfer member 310 but also by the absorption plate 320, and accordingly, the amount of the aerosol generating material absorbed may be increased.

[0122] The absorption plate 320 may be made of a material capable of absorbing an aerosol generating material. For example, the absorption plate 320 may include at least one material among SPL 30(H), SPL 50(H)V, NP 100(V8), SPL 60(FC), and melamine.

[0123] Also, as the absorption plate 320 covers at least part of the atomizer 400, the absorption plate 320 may function as a physical barrier for preventing "liquid splash", in which particles that are not sufficiently atomized during an aerosol generation process are immediately discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1. Here, the "liquid splash" may mean that particles of an aerosol generating material which are not sufficiently atomized and have relatively large sizes are discharged to the outside of the cartridge 10. As the cartridge 10 further includes the absorption plate 320, the possibility that the liquid splash occurs may be reduced, and thus a user's smoking satisfaction may be increased.

[0124] In one embodiment, the absorption plate 320 may be between one surface of the atomizer 400 for generating an aerosol and the transfer member 310 to transfer the aerosol supplied to the transfer member 310 may be transferred to the atomizer 400.

[0125] For example, one region of the absorption plate 320 may be in contact with one region of the transfer member 310 facing the -z direction, and another region of the absorption plate 320 may be in contact with one region of the atomizer 400 facing the +z direction. That is, the absorption plate 320 may be on an upper end surface (for example, in the +z direction) of the atomizer 400, such that an aerosol generating material absorbed by the transfer member 310 may be supplied to the atomizer 400.

[0126] The transfer member 310, the absorption plate 320, and the atomizer 400 may be sequentially arranged in a longitudinal direction (for example, the z-axis direction) of the cartridge 10 or the housing 100, and as a result, the absorption plate 320 and the transfer member 310 may be sequentially stacked on the atomizer 400.

[0127] Through the arrangement structure described above, at least part of the aerosol generating material supplied from the storage 200 to the transfer member 310 may move to the absorption plate 320 in contact with the transfer member 310, and the aerosol generating material moved to the absorption plate 320 may move along the absorption plate 320 to reach a region adjacent to the atomizer 400.

[0128] Accordingly, the aerosol generating material may be stably transferred to the atomizer 400 such that a uniform amount of aerosol may be continuously generated, and through the arrangement structure described above, a physical double barrier for preventing a liquid from flowing out may be implemented by the transfer member 310 and the absorption plate 320.

[0129] Although FIG. 4 illustrates only an embodiment in which the wick 300 includes one transfer member 310 and one absorption plate 320, the cartridge 10 according to another embodiment may include two or more transfer members 310 and / or two or more absorption plates 320.

[0130] The cartridge 10 according to an embodiment may further include a first support 330 for supporting the wick 300 and / or the atomizer 400 within the first housing 110. The first support 330 may be between the first housing 110 and the second housing 120.

[0131] The first support 330 may surround at least part of outer surfaces of the transfer member 310, the absorption plate 320, and / or the atomizer 400 and accommodate the transfer member 310, the absorption plate 320, and / or the atomizer 400.

[0132] According to an embodiment, the first support 330 may include a material (for example, silicone or rubber) with a preset rigidity and waterproofness. Accordingly, not only the wick 300 and the atomizer 400 may be fixed to the first housing 110, but also an aerosol generating material may be prevented from leaking from the storage 200. For example, the first support 330 may seal a region where the storage 200 is adjacent to the wick 300 or the atomizer 400, and thus, it is possible to prevent an aerosol generating material from leaking out. Also, the first support 330 includes an elastic material, such as rubber, to absorb an ultrasonic vibration generated by the atomizer 400.

[0133] The atomizer 400 may atomize a liquid aerosol generating material supplied from the wick 300 to generate an aerosol.

[0134] For example, the atomizer 400 may include a vibrator that generates the ultrasonic vibration. A frequency of the ultrasonic vibration generated by the vibrator may be about 100 kHz to about 10 MHz, and preferably about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz.

[0135] As the vibrator generates the ultrasonic vibration having a frequency band described above, the vibrator may vibrate in a longitudinal direction (for example, the z-axis direction) of the cartridge 10 or the housing 100. However, the embodiments are not limited to the direction in which the vibrator vibrates, and the direction in which the vibrator vibrates may be changed in various directions (for example, one of the x-axis direction, the y-axis direction, and the z-axis direction, or a combination of the directions).

[0136] The atomizer 400 may generate an aerosol at a relatively low temperature compared to a method of heating an aerosol generating material by atomizing an aerosol generating material in an ultrasonic method. For example, when using a method of heating an aerosol generating material with a heater, the aerosol generating material may be unintentionally heated to a temperature of 200 °C or higher, and accordingly, a user may feel a burnt taste in an aerosol.

[0137] In contrast to this, the cartridge 10 according to an embodiment may generate an aerosol at a temperature range of about 100 °C to 160 °C, which is relatively low compared to a temperature range when the aerosol generating material is heated with a heater, by atomizing an aerosol generating material in an ultrasonic method. Accordingly, the burnt taste in the aerosol may be reduced, and thus, a user's smoking satisfaction may be increased.

[0138] According to an embodiment, the atomizer 400 may be electrically connected to an external power supply through the terminal 500, and the terminal 500 may include an electrical board.

[0139] The atomizer 400 may generate ultrasonic vibration by the power supplied from an external power supply. For example, the atomizer 400 may be electrically connected to the terminal 500 in the cartridge 10, and the terminal 500 may be electrically connected to the main body 20, and accordingly, the atomizer 400 may receive power from the battery 600.

[0140] According to an embodiment, the atomizer 400 may be electrically connected to the terminal 500 through a first electrode 410 and the second electrode 420.

[0141] In one embodiment, the first electrode 410 may include an electrically conductive material (for example, metal) and may be at an upper end of the atomizer 400 to connect the atomizer 400 to the terminal 500.

[0142] For example, a part (for example, an upper end) of the first electrode 410 may surround at least part of an outer circumferential surface of the atomizer 400 and be in contact with the atomizer 400, and another part (for example, a lower end) of the first electrode 410 may extend in a direction toward the terminal 500 and be in contact with one region of the terminal 500. The atomizer 400 may be electrically connected to the terminal 500 by the contact structure of the first electrode 410.

[0143] In one example, an opening is formed in a portion of the first electrode 410, and accordingly, at least part of the atomizer 400 may be exposed to the outside of the first electrode 410. One region of the atomizer 400 exposed to the outside of the first electrode 410 through the opening of the first electrode 410 may be in contact with the wick 300 to atomize an aerosol generating material held by the wick 300.

[0144] In one embodiment, the second electrode 420 may include an electrically conductive material and be at a lower end of the atomizer 400 or between the atomizer 400 and the terminal 500 to electrically connect the atomizer 400 to the terminal 500. For example, the second electrode 420 may have one end in contact with a lower end region of the atomizer 400 and the other end in contact with one region of the terminal 500 facing the atomizer 400. The atomizer 400 may be electrically connected to the terminal 500 by the contact structure of the second electrode 420.

[0145] In one embodiment, the second electrode 420 may include a conductive material with elasticity not only to electrically connect the atomizer 400 to the terminal 500 but also to elastically support the atomizer 400. For example, the second electrode 420 may include a conductive spring but is not limited to the embodiment described above.

[0146] In one embodiment, the terminal 500 may be inside the second housing 120. The terminal 500 may be electrically connected to the atomizer 400 through the first electrode 410 and the second electrode 420 and may be electrically connected to the main body 20 of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0147] In addition, when power starts to be supplied to the atomizer 400 or while the power is supplied to the atomizer, unintended noise may occur in an electrical circuit between the atomizer 400 and an external power supply. For example, noise may occur in a voltage signal supplied to the atomizer 400, and thereby, a voltage higher than a specified value may be applied to the atomizer 400, and accordingly, the temperature of the atomizer 400 may rapidly increase (for example, increase above the Curie temperature), which may cause damage to the atomizer 400.

[0148] In one embodiment, the cartridge 10 may further include a resistor R for removing noise included in a signal applied to the atomizer 400. For example, the resistor R for removing the noise generated in the process of supplying power from an external power supply to the atomizer 400 or filtering the noise may be in one region of the terminal 500.

[0149] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to the embodiment of FIG. 2A.

[0150] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment in which the mouthpiece 10m of the cartridge 10 is in an open position, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted below.

[0151] In one embodiment, when a user's mouth comes into contact with the mouthpiece 10m and performs an inhalation motion, the pressure inside the cartridge 10 is lower than the atmospheric pressure, and accordingly, external air may be introduced into the cartridge 10.

[0152] In one embodiment, a preset gap may be formed at a portion where the first housing 110 is coupled to the third housing 130, and another preset gap may be formed at a portion where the first housing 110 is coupled to the second housing 120. Through the gaps, external air may be introduced into the cartridge 10.

[0153] The housing 100 may include at least one inlet 10i through which external air may be introduced into the cartridge 10. In one embodiment, the second housing 120 may include the inlet 10i. For example, the inlet 10i may be formed in a lower end surface of the second housing 120 in which the cartridge 10 is coupled to the main body 20.

[0154] An aerosol generated in an atomization space 401 may be mixed with the air introduced from the outside through the inlet 10i and move in a direction toward the outlet 10e. The atomization space 401 may be in one surface of the atomizer 400, and the atomization space 401 may communicate with the first airflow path 151 at an upper end of the atomizer 400. Accordingly, the cartridge 10 has a straight-line aerosol discharge path, and thus, the generated aerosol may be easily discharged to the outside of the cartridge 10.

[0155] In one embodiment, a mesh-type heater 155 may be on the first airflow path 151. An aerosol generated by the atomizer 400 may be heated while passing through the mesh-type heater 155.

[0156] The mesh-type heater 155 may include any suitable electro-resistive material to generate heat by electro-resistance. For example, the suitable electro-resistive material may be metal including, for example, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, or so on, or a metal alloy thereof but is not limited thereto.

[0157] The mesh-type heater 155 may include a plurality of pores through which an aerosol passes. The mesh-type heater 155 may include a single line or a plurality of lines including an electro-resistive material. The single line may be bent or a plurality of lines may intersect to form a pore. The pore may be formed in a square or rectangular shape. However, the pore is not limited thereto, and a shape of the pore may be formed in various ways.

[0158] An aerosol may be heated while passing through the pore of the mesh-type heater 155. The mesh-type heater 155 may be provided on a printed circuit board (PCB) or a flexible printed circuits board (FPCB) to be electrically connected to the aerosol generating device 1. The mesh-type heater 155 may include a contact element electrically connected to the aerosol generating device 1.

[0159] A specific description of an arrangement of the mesh-type heater 155 is described below with reference to FIG. 6.

[0160] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an airflow path in a cartridge including an open mouthpiece.

[0161] The airflow path illustrated in FIG. 6 indicates an airflow movement direction when a user inhales an aerosol through the mouthpiece 10m.

[0162] In one embodiment, an aerosol atomized by the atomizer 400 may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 10 through the airflow path 150 (illustrated in FIG. 1) and supplied to a user. For example, the aerosol generated by the atomizer 400 may flow along the airflow path 150 connect or communicate an atomization space 401 to or with the outlet 10e of the mouthpiece 10m, and then may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 10 through the outlet 10e.

[0163] In one embodiment, the airflow path 150 (illustrated in FIG. 1) may be connected to the inlet 10i, the atomization space 401 where an aerosol is generated, and the outlet 10e. The airflow path 150 (illustrated in FIG. 1) may be formed by at least one component (for example, the first housing 110, the second housing 120, and the mouthpiece 10m) of the cartridge 10. Alternatively, by modifying the airflow path 150, at least part of the airflow path 150 (illustrated in FIG. 1) may also be formed as a tube inserted into the housing 100.

[0164] An airflow may move in a direction from the inlet 10i toward the outlet 10e through the atomization space 401. For example, the direction may indicate a direction from the inlet 10i toward the atomization space 401 and a direction from the atomization space 401 toward the outlet 10e.

[0165] In one embodiment, the airflow path 150 (illustrated in FIG. 1) may include a first airflow path 151 extending from the inlet 10i to a connection hole 111 connected to the body portion 10b and the mouthpiece 10m through the atomization space 401, and a second airflow path 152 inside the mouthpiece 10m.

[0166] The first airflow path 151 may be connected from the inlet 10i to the connection hole 111 through the atomization space 401 along internal structures of the second housing 120 and the first housing 110.

[0167] The first airflow path 151 may be connected to the second airflow path 152. The second airflow path 152 may indicate a path inside the mouthpiece 10m.

[0168] The second airflow path 152 may be connected to the first airflow path 151 when the mouthpiece 10m is in an open position. The second airflow path 152 may be disconnected from the first airflow path 151 when the mouthpiece 10m is in a closed position.

[0169] In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 10m may include the second airflow path 152 for discharging an aerosol generated inside the cartridge 10 to the outside of the cartridge 10. For example, the second airflow path 152 may have one side (for example, the outlet 10e) connected to the outside and the other side connected to the first airflow path 151 at the open position. A user may receive an aerosol discharged to the outside through the second airflow path 152 of the mouthpiece 10m and the outlet 10e by contacting the mouthpiece 10m with the mouth and inhaling the aerosol.

[0170] In addition, the cartridge 10 according to an embodiment may generate an aerosol at a relatively low temperature compared to the method of heating an aerosol generating material with a heater by atomizing the aerosol generating material in an ultrasonic method. Accordingly, a burnt taste in an aerosol may be reduced greatly.

[0171] However, when an aerosol is generated in an ultrasonic method, there is a possibility that aerosol particles are formed relatively large because the aerosol is generated at a relatively low temperature. Also, some of the atomized aerosols may be liquefied inside the airflow path 150 (illustrated in FIG. 1) to generate droplets. Alternatively, a part of the aerosol generating material may not be sufficiently atomized, and accordingly, relatively large droplets may be generated. Due to this, a user's convenience and smoking satisfaction may be reduced.

[0172] The cartridge 10 according to an embodiment may include the mesh-type heater 155 in the airflow path 150 (illustrated in FIG. 1) such that relatively large droplets may not pass through the airflow path 150, and thus, a user's smoking satisfaction may be increased.

[0173] Specifically, the mesh-type heater 155 may be provided in the airflow path 150 (illustrated in FIG. 1) in a direction across the direction in which the airflow path 150 (illustrated in FIG. 1) extends. Accordingly, air may flow in a direction toward the mouthpiece 10m through a pore of the mesh-type heater 155. That is, a direction in which an aerosol and / or droplets pass may cross the mesh-type heater 155. However, the mesh-type heater 155 may be arranged in various ways and is not limited thereto.

[0174] In one embodiment, the mesh-type heater 155 may include a plurality of gaps, each having a short side length of 0.5 mm to 5 mm. The short side length of the pore of the mesh-type heater 155 may be 0.5 mm to 8 mm, or 0.5 mm to 3 mm, or 0.5 mm to 1 mm.

[0175] A diameter of an aerosol generated by the atomizer 400 including a vibrator according to an embodiment may be 0.2 mm to 15 mm. As the aerosol passes through the pore of the mesh-type heater 155 and is heated, particles of the aerosol may be atomized.

[0176] For example, the mesh-type heater 155 may be on the first airflow path 151. The mesh-type heater 155 in the first airflow path 151 may heat an aerosol atomized to some extent by the atomizer 400. Because the mesh-type heater 155 is provided in the first airflow path 151, an aerosol may be atomized into small particles even with a relatively small amount of heat.

[0177] The mesh-type heater 155 may have a multilayer structure in which respective layers are arranged in a direction in which the first airflow path 151 extends. Each of the mesh-type heater 155 may include multiple layers formed by bending a single metal wire, or may include respective layers, each formed with a separate metal wire. Each layer of the mesh-type heater 155 may be individually heated by being electrically connected to a power supply, such as the battery 600 (illustrated in FIG. 1), or may be heated collectively by being connected to a single power supply.

[0178] In one embodiment, when the mesh-type heater 155 has more than one layer, which may all be arranged in the first airflow path 151. The mesh-type heater 155 may efficiently atomize an aerosol including relatively large particles by heating the aerosol from both directions and prevent the aerosol including large particles from escaping to the mouthpiece 10m. However, when the mesh-type heater 155 has the multilayer structure, not all multiple layers are arranged in the first airflow path 151.

[0179] In another embodiment, the cartridge 10 may further include an absorber 152a for absorbing droplets generated in the airflow path 150. The absorber 152a absorbs the droplets, and accordingly, it is possible to prevent an inner wall of the airflow path 150 from being narrowed or blocked by the droplets, and to increase a user's smoking satisfaction.

[0180] The absorber 152a may include at least one of felt, cotton, cloth, and activated carbon that absorbs or adsorbs liquid or solid residues but is not limited thereto.

[0181] For example, the absorber 152a may be arranged in the second airflow path 152. By arranging the mesh-type heater 155 in the first airflow path 151 and arranging the absorber 152a in the second airflow path 152, an aerosol generating material may be efficiently used. As the mesh-type heater 155 is arranged in the first airflow path 151, an aerosol that is atomized to some extent by the atomizer 400 is further atomized, and thus, an atomization efficiency may be increased, and as the absorber 152a is arranged in the second airflow path 152, the amount of aerosol that is not inhaled by a user but absorbed by the absorber 152a may be reduced. However, the position and number of absorbers 152a are not limited.

[0182] In another embodiment, one or more absorbers 152a may be arranged on an inner wall of the second airflow path 152. By arranging the one or more absorbers 152a on the inner wall of the second airflow path 152, droplets may be absorbed without affecting smooth flow of an aerosol. For example, the one or more absorbers 152a may be arranged on the inner wall of the second airflow path 152 at a portion adjacent to the outlet 10e of the mouthpiece 10m.

[0183] An operation of the mesh-type heater 155 may be controlled by the controller 700. The controller 700 may analyze the results sensed by at least one sensor included in the aerosol generating device 1 and control the processes to be performed subsequently. The controller 700 may control whether the mesh-type heater 155 operates, an operation time, a heating temperature, and so on, based on the results sensed by at least one sensor.

[0184] For example, when the controller 700 may operate the mesh-type heater 155 for a certain period of time when recognizing that smoking ends, and accordingly, the droplets remaining in the airflow path 150 (illustrated in FIG. 1) may be dried. That is, the mesh-type heater 155, which operates for atomization of an aerosol after smoking starts, may continuously operate for a preset period of time even after smoking ends. When the controller 700 recognizes that smoking ends, the controller 700 may control the heating temperature of the mesh-type heater 155 after smoking ends to be lower than the heating temperature of the mesh-type heater 155 during smoking.

[0185] In another embodiment, when the controller 700 recognizes that smoking ends and operates the mesh-type heater 155 for a preset time, the controller 700 may control the heating temperature of the mesh-type heater 155 to be gradually decreased as the preset time elapses. For example, the controller 700 may control the heating temperature of the mesh-type heater 155 to be decreased by 3 °C every time 30 seconds elapse after smoking ends, but the control is not limited thereto and may be performed in various forms. Also, when the heating temperature is lowered by a certain temperature or more, the operation of the mesh-type heater 155 may be controlled to end.

[0186] In one embodiment, the main body 20 of the aerosol generating device 1 may further include an input unit (not illustrated) that may manually control the heating temperature of the mesh-type heater 155. A user may increase or decrease the heating temperature of the mesh-type heater 155 through the input unit, and thus, the smoking satisfaction may be increased.

[0187] For example, the input unit may include a button, a key pad, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, a touch panel, or so on but is not limited thereto.

[0188] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment.

[0189] The aerosol generating device 1 may include a power source 11, a controller 12, a sensor 13, an output unit 14, an input unit 15, a communicator 16, a memory 17, and at least one atomizer 18. However, an internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to the illustration of FIG. 7. That is, it may be understood by those skilled in the art that some of the components shown in FIG. 7 may be omitted or new components may be added, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0190] The sensor 13 may sense a state of the aerosol generating device 1 or a state of the surroundings of the aerosol generating device 1 and may transmit information corresponding to the sensed state to the controller 12. The controller 12 may control the aerosol generating device 1 so that various functions, such as operation control of the atomizer 18, smoking restrictions, determination as to whether the stick S and / or the cartridge 19 is inserted, and an alarm display, may be performed, based on the information corresponding to the sensed state.

[0191] The sensor 13 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 131, a puff sensor 132, an insertion detection sensor 133, a reuse detection sensor 134, a cartridge detection sensor 135, a cap detection sensor 136, and a movement detection sensor 137.

[0192] The temperature sensor 131 may detect a temperature of atomizer 18. The aerosol generating device 1 may include a separate temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the atomizer 18, or the atomizer 18 may serve as a temperature sensor.

[0193] The temperature sensor 131 may output a signal corresponding to the atomizer 18. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may include a resistor element of which resistance value changes according to a change in the temperature of the atomizer 18. The temperature sensor 131 may be implemented by a thermistor, etc. which is an element using a property in which resistance changes according to a temperature. In this case, the temperature sensor 131 may output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the resistor element as a signal corresponding to the temperature of the atomizer 18. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may include a sensor for detecting the resistance value of the atomizer 18. In this case, the temperature sensor 131 may output the signal corresponding to the resistance value of the atomizer as a signal corresponding to the temperature of the atomizer 18.

[0194] The temperature sensor 131 may be disposed around the power source 11 to monitor a temperature of the power source 11. The temperature sensor 131 may be disposed adjacent to the power source 11. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may be attached to one surface of a battery, which is the power source 11. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may be mounted on one surface of a printed circuit board.

[0195] The temperature sensor 131 may be disposed inside the body 10 to detect an internal temperature of the body 10.

[0196] The puff sensor 132 may detect the user's puff, based on various physical changes in an airflow path. The puff sensor 132 may output a signal corresponding to the puff. For example, the puff sensor 132 may be a pressure sensor. The puff sensor 132 may output a signal corresponding to internal pressure of the aerosol generating device. The internal pressure of the aerosol generating device 1 may correspond to pressure of the airflow path on which gas flows. The puff sensor 132 may be disposed to correspond to the airflow path on which gas flows, in the aerosol generating device 1.

[0197] The cartridge detection sensor 135 may detect insertion and / or removal of the cartridge 19. The cartridge detection sensor 135 may be implemented by an inductance-based sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistance sensor, a hall sensor (hall IC) using a hall effect, etc.

[0198] The cap detection sensor 136 may detect mounting and / or removal of a cap. When the cap is separated from the body 10, a portion of the cartridge 19 and the body 10 covered by the cap may be exposed to the outside. The cap detection sensor 136 may be implemented by a contact sensor, a hall sensor (hall IC), an optical sensor, etc.

[0199] The movement detection sensor 137 may detect a movement of the aerosol generating device. The movement detection sensor 137 may be implemented with at least one of an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor.

[0200] The sensor 13 may further include at least one of a humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a global positioning sensor (GPS), and a proximity sensor, in addition to the above-described sensors 131 through 137. Functions of the sensors would be instinctively understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in view of their names and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted herein.

[0201] The output unit (output interface) 14 may output information about the state of the aerosol generating device 1 and may provide the information to the user. The output unit 14 may include at least one of a display 141, a haptic unit 142, and a sound output unit 143, but embodiments are not limited thereto. When the display 141 forms a layer structure together with a touch pad to construct a touch screen, the display 141 may be used as an input device as well as an output device.

[0202] The display 141 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user. For example, the information about the aerosol generating device 1 may refer to various pieces of information, such as the charging / discharging state of the power source 11 of the aerosol generating device 1, an insertion / removal state of the cartridge 19, a mounting / removal state of the cap, or a state in which use of the aerosol generating device 1 is limited (e.g., detection of an abnormal article), and the display 141 may output the information to the outside. For example, the display 141 may have a shape of a light-emitting diode (LED). For example, the display 141 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting display (OLED) panel, or the like.

[0203] The haptic unit 142 may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or electrical stimulus and may tactually provide information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user. For example, when initial power is supplied to the atomizer 18 for a set time, the haptic unit 142 may generate vibration corresponding to completion of initial preheating. The haptic unit 142 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, and / or an electrical stimulation device.

[0204] The sound output unit 143 may acoustically provide the information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user. For example, the sound output unit 143 may convert the electrical signal into a sound signal and may output the sound signal to the outside.

[0205] The power source (power supply) 11 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1. The power supply 11 may supply power to the atomizer 18 to operate. In addition, the power source 11 may supply power required for operations of the sensor 13, the output unit 14, the input unit 15, the communication unit 16, and the memory 17, which are other components provided in the aerosol generating device 1. The power source 11 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the power source 11 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0206] Although not shown in FIG. 7, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power supply protection circuit. The power supply protection circuit may be electrically connected to the power source 11 and may include a switching element.

[0207] The power supply protection circuit may cut off an electric path for the power source 11 according to certain conditions. For example, when a voltage level of the power source 11 is greater than or equal to a first voltage corresponding to overcharging, the power supply protection circuit may cut off the electric path for the power source 11. For example, when a voltage level of the power source 11 is less than a second voltage corresponding to overdischarging, the power supply protection circuit may cut off the electric path for the power source 11.

[0208] The atomizer 18 may receive power from the power supply 11 and atomize an aerosol generating material. Although not shown in FIG. 7, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC / DC converter) for converting power of the power source 11 to supply the converted power to the atomizer 18.

[0209] The controller 12, the sensor 13, the output unit 14, the input unit 15, the communication unit 16, and the memory 17 may perform functions by receiving power from the power source 11. Although not shown in FIG. 7, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit for converting the power of the power source 7 to supply the converted power to components, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit. The input unit (input interface) 15 may receive information input from the user or may output the information to the user. For example, the input unit 15 may be a touch panel. The touch panel may include at least one touch sensor that detects touch. For example, the touch sensor may include a capacitive touch sensor, a resistive touch sensor, a surface acoustic wave touch sensor, an infrared touch sensor, or the like, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0210] The display 141 and the touch panel may be implemented as one panel. For example, the touch panel may be inserted (on-cell type or in-cell type) into the display 141. For example, the touch panel may be added on (add-on type) the display panel.

[0211] The input unit 15 may include a button, a key pad, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, or the like, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0212] The memory 17 is hardware for storing various kinds of data processed in the aerosol generating device 1, and may store pieces of data that have been processed and are to be processed by the controller 12. The memory 17 may include at least one type of storage medium selected from among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, a secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (XD) memory), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory 17 may store data about the operating time of the aerosol generating device 1, a maximum number of puffs, a current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

[0213] The communication unit (communication interface, communicator) 16 may include at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 16 may include at least one of a short-range wireless communication unit and a wireless communication unit.

[0214] Examples of the short-range wireless communication unit may include, but are not limited to, a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication unit, a near field communication (NFC) unit, a wireless local area network (WLAN) (e.g., Wi-Fi) communication unit, a ZigBee communication unit, an infrared Data Association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi direct (WFD) communication unit, an ultra wideband (UWB) communication unit, and an Ant+ communication unit.

[0215] The wireless communication unit may include a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., a LAN or a WAN) communication unit, or the like, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0216] Although not shown in FIG. 7, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a connection interface, such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and may transmit / receive information by being connected to another external device through the connection interface, such as a USB interface, or may charge the power source 11.

[0217] The controller 12 may control overall operations of the aerosol generating device 1. According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented by an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented by a combination of a general-use microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the general-use microprocessor is stored. It will also be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present embodiment pertains that the processor may be implemented by other types of hardware.

[0218] The aerosol generating device 1 may include a power supply circuit (not shown) electrically connected to the power source 11 between the power source 11 and the atomizer 18. The power supply circuit may include at least one switching element. The switching element may be implemented by a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), a field effect transistor (FET), or the like. The controller 12 may control the power supply circuit.

[0219] The controller 12 may control switching of the switching element of the power supply circuit, thereby controlling the supply of power. The power supply circuit may be an inverter that converts direct current power output by the power source 11 into alternating current power. For example, the inverter may include a full-bridge circuit or half-bridge circuit including a plurality of switching elements.

[0220] The controller 12 may turn on the switching element so that power may be supplied from the power source 11 to the atomizer 18. The controller 12 may turn off the switching element so that the supply of power to the atomizer 18. The controller 12 may adjust a current supplied by the power source 11 by adjusting a frequency and / or duty ratio of a current pulse input to the switching element.

[0221] The controller 12 may control a voltage output by the power source 11 by controlling switching of the switching element of the power supply circuit. The power conversion circuit may convert the voltage output by the power source 11. For example, the power conversion circuit may include a Buck-converter that drops the voltage output by the power source 11. For example, the power conversion circuit may be implemented through a Buck-boost converter, a Zener diode, etc.

[0222] The controller 12 may adjust the level of the voltage output by the power conversion circuit by controlling an on / off operation of the switching element included in the power conversion circuit. When an on state of the switching element is continued, the level of the voltage output by the power conversion circuit may correspond to the level of the voltage output by the power source 11. A duty ratio with respect to the on / off operation of the switching element may correspond to a ratio of the voltage output by the power conversion circuit to the voltage output by the power source 11. As the duty ratio with respect to the on / off operation of the switching element is decreased, the level of the voltage output by the power conversion circuit may be reduced. The atomizer 18 may be operated based on the voltage output by the power conversion circuit.

[0223] The controller 12 may control power to be supplied to the atomizer 18, by using at least one method of a pulse width modulation (PWM) method and a proportional-integral-differential (PID) method.

[0224] For example, the controller 12 may control supply of a current pulse having a certain frequency and a duty ratio, by using the PWM method. The controller 12 may control power supplied to the atomizer 18 by adjusting the frequency and duty ratio of the current pulse.

[0225] The controller 12 may control charging / discharging of the power source 11. The controller 12 may check the temperature of the power source 11, based on an output signal of the temperature sensor 131.

[0226] When a power wire is connected to a battery terminal of the aerosol generating device 1, the controller 12 may check whether the temperature of the power source 11 is greater than or equal to a first limit temperature that is a basis for blocking charging of the power source 11. When the temperature of the power source 11 is less than the first limit temperature, the controller 12 may control the power source 11 to be charged, based on a preset charging current. When the temperature of the power source 11 is equal to or greater than the first limit temperature, the controller 12 may block charging of the power source 11.

[0227] When power of the aerosol generating device 1 is in an on state, the controller 12 may check whether the temperature of the power source 11 is greater than or equal to a second limit temperature that is a basis for cutting off discharging of the power source 11. When the temperature of the power source 11 is less than the second limit temperature, the controller 12 may control the power stored in the power source 11 to be used. When the temperature of the power source 11 is greater than or equal to the second limit temperature, the controller 12 may stop using the power stored in the power source 11.

[0228] The controller 12 may calculate the remaining capacity of the power stored in the power source 11. For example, the controller 12 may calculate the remaining capacity of the power source 11, based on a voltage and / or current sensing value of the power source 11.

[0229] The controller 12 may determine whether the cartridge 19 is combined and / or removed, through the cartridge detection sensor 135. For example, the controller 12 may determine whether the cartridge 19 is combined or removed, based on the sensing value of a signal of the cartridge detection sensor.

[0230] The controller 12 may perform determination on the user's inhaling through the puff sensor 132. For example, the controller 12 may determine whether a puff occurs, based on a sensing value of a signal of the puff sensor. For example, the controller 12 may determine the intensity of the puff, based on the sensing value of the signal of the puff sensor 132. When the puff frequency reaches the preset maximum puff frequency or puffs are not sensed for a preset time period or more, the controller 12 may cut off the supply of power to the atomizer 18.

[0231] The controller 12 may determine whether the cap is combined and / or removed, through the cap detection sensor 136. For example, the controller 12 may determine whether the cap is combined or removed, based on a sensing value of a signal of the cartridge detection sensor.

[0232] The controller 12 may control the output unit 14, based on a result of the sensing performed by the sensor 13 For example, when the number of puffs counted by the puff sensor 132 reaches a preset number, the controller 12 may notify the user in advance that the aerosol generating device 1 is ended soon, through at least one of the display 141, the haptic unit 142, and the sound output unit 143. For example, the controller 12 may notify the user through the output unit 14, based on a determination that the cartridge 19 and / or the cap is not mounted. For example, the controller 12 may transmit information on the temperature of the atomizer 18 or the frequency of ultrasonic vibration to a user through the output unit 14.

[0233] The controller 12 may store and update a history of an event occurred in the memory 17, based on certain event occurrence. The event may include insertion detection of the puff detection, puff end, overheat detection of the atomizer 18, detection of overvoltage application to the atomizer 18, an operation such as power on / off of the aerosol generating device 1, charging start of the power source 11, detection of overcharging of the power source 11, and charging end of the power source 11, which are performed by the aerosol generating device 1. The history of the event may include, for example, a date and time of the event, log data corresponding to the event. For example, when a preset event detects overheating of the atomizer 18, log data corresponding to the event may include data on a temperature of the atomizer 18, a voltage applied to the atomizer 18, a current flowing through the atomizer 18, and so on.

[0234] The controller 12 may control a communication link to be formed with an external device, such as the user's mobile terminal. When receiving data on authentication from an external device through the communication link, the controller 12 may remove limitation of the use of at least one function of the aerosol generating device 1. The data on authentication may include data indicating completion of user authentication with respect to a user corresponding to the external device. The user may perform user authentication through the external device. The external device may determine whether user data is valid, based on the user's birthday and a unique number representing the user, and may receive data about use authority of the aerosol generating device 1 from an external server. The external device may transmit data indicating the completion of the user authentication to the aerosol generating device 1, based on the data about the use authority. When the user authentication is completed, the controller 12 may remove limitation of the use of the at least one function of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, when the user authentication is completed, the controller 12 may_remove the limitation of the use of a heating function of supplying power to the atomizer 18.

[0235] The controller 12 may transmit data on the state of the aerosol generating device 1 to the external device through the communication link formed with the external device. Based on the received state data, the external device may output the remaining capacity, the operation mode, etc. of the power source 11 of the aerosol generating device 1 through a display of the external device.

[0236] The external device may transmit a position search request to the aerosol generating device 1, based on an input of starting a position search of the aerosol generating device 1. When receiving a position search request from the external device, the controller 12 may control at least one of output devices to perform an operation corresponding to a position search, based on the received position search request. For example, the haptic unit 142 may generate vibration in response to the position search request. For example, in response to the position search request, the display 141 may output an object that corresponds to position search and search end.

[0237] The controller 12 may control firmware update to be performed, when receiving firmware data from the external device. The external device may check a current version of the firmware of the aerosol generating device 1 and determine whether a new version of the firmware is present. When receiving an input of requesting for firmware download, the external device may receive the new version of the firmware data and transmit the new version of the firmware data to the aerosol generating device 1. As the controller 12 receives the new version of the firmware data, the controller 12 may control the firmware update of the aerosol generating device 1 to be performed.

[0238] The controller 12 may transmit data on a sensing value of the at least one sensor 13 to an external server (not shown) through the communication unit 16, and may receive and store a learning model generated by learning sensing values from a server through machine learning, such as deep learning. The controller 12 may perform, for example, an operation of determining the user's inhaling pattern and an operation of generating a temperature profile, by using the learning model received from the server. The controller 12 may store, for example, sensing value data of the at least one sensor 13 and data for training an artificial neural network (ANN) in the memory 17. For example, the memory 17 may store a database for each component provided in the aerosol generating device 1, a weight that forms an ANN structure, and biases, which are for training the ANN. The controller 12 may learn data on a sensing value of at least one sensor 13, the user's inhaling pattern, the temperature profile, etc. stored in the memory 17, and may generate at least one learning model used for, for example, determination of the user's inhaling pattern and generation of the temperature profile.

[0239] Any embodiment or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct. Any embodiment or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be commonly used or combined with each other in their respective configurations or functions.

[0240] For example, a configuration A described in a certain embodiment and / or drawing may be combined with a configuration B described in another embodiment and / or drawing. That is, even when a combination between components is not directly described, a combination can be made, except in a case where a combination is described as impossible.

[0241] The detailed description given above should not be construed as limiting in all respects, but should be considered illustrative. The scope of the present disclosure should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the present disclosure are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device comprising: a cartridge including a storage in which an aerosol generating material is stored, a wick that absorbs the aerosol generating material stored in the storage, an atomizer for generating ultrasonic vibration to atomize the aerosol generating material absorbed by the wick into an aerosol, an airflow path through which the aerosol passes, a mouthpiece including an outlet for discharging the aerosol passing through the airflow path to outside, and a mesh-type heater arranged in the airflow path in a direction across another direction in which the airflow path extends; and a main body including a controller and a coupling portion to which the cartridge is detachably coupled.

2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the airflow path includes a first airflow path having one side connected to the atomizer and another side connected to the mouthpiece, and a second airflow path formed within the mouthpiece and having one side connected to the first airflow path and another side connected to an outside.

3. The aerosol generating device of claim 2, wherein the mouthpiece is movable between an open position and a closed position, and the second airflow path is connected to the first airflow path in the open position.

4. The aerosol generating device of claim 2, wherein the mesh-type heater is arranged in the first airflow path.

5. The aerosol generating device of claim 4, wherein the cartridge further includes one or more absorbers that absorb droplets, and the one or more absorbers are arranged in the second airflow path.

6. The aerosol generating device of claim 5, wherein the one or more absorbers are arranged on an inner wall of the second airflow path.

7. The aerosol generating device of claim 4, wherein the mesh-type heater has a multilayer structure in which respective layers are arranged in a direction in which the first airflow path extends.

8. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the mesh-type heater includes a plurality of pores each having a short side length of about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm.

9. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the wick includes a transfer member arranged adjacent to the storage and configured to receive the aerosol generating material from the storage; and an absorption plate arranged between the transfer member and the atomizer and configured to transfer the aerosol generating material supplied to the transfer member to the atomizer.

10. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the coupling portion includes a connection terminal electrically connected to the atomizer and the mesh-type heater.

11. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein, when the controller recognizes that smoking ends, the controller is further configured to operate the mesh-type heater for a preset time to dry droplets remaining in the airflow path.

12. The aerosol generating device of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configured to causes a temperature of the mesh-type heater to decrease as the preset time elapses.

13. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the main body further includes an input unit capable of manually controlling a temperature of the mesh-type heater.

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