Aerosol-generating device with a heater module holder

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device is provided, including: a heater casing having a heater casing downstream part and a heater casing upstream part, the heater casing housing a heater module, the heater module being mounted in the heater casing on a heater module holder, the heater module holder being connected to the heater casing upstream part, the heater module holder including a protruding upstream connection section configured to connect to the heater casing upstream part, the heater casing upstream part including a mounting recess configured to receive the protruding upstream connection section, and an inner surface of the mounting recess being spaced apart from an opposing outer surface of the protruding upstream connection section for creating a mounting gap. A method for assembling an aerosol-generating device is also provided.

1 .- 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . An aerosol-generating device, comprising:
 a heater casing having a heater casing downstream part and a heater casing upstream part, the heater casing housing a heater module,   wherein the heater module is mounted in the heater casing on a heater module holder,   wherein the heater module holder is connected to the heater casing upstream part,   wherein the heater module holder comprises a protruding upstream connection section configured to connect to the heater casing upstream part,   wherein the heater casing upstream part comprises a mounting recess configured to receive the protruding upstream connection section, and   wherein an inner surface of the mounting recess is spaced apart from an opposing outer surface of the protruding upstream connection section for creating a mounting gap.   
     
     
         14 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 13 , wherein the mounting gap is configured to allow a relative movement of the heater module holder in relation to the heater casing upstream part. 
     
     
         15 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 14 ,
 further comprising a longitudinal axis,   wherein the mounting gap is configured to allow a relative movement of the heater module holder in relation to the heater casing upstream part perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device.   
     
     
         16 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 13 , wherein a flexible sealing element is arranged between the protruding upstream connection section and the mounting recess, the flexible sealing element being configured to allow a relative movement of the heater module holder in relation to the heater casing upstream part. 
     
     
         17 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 16 , wherein the sealing element is further configured to allow a rotational movement of the heater module holder in relation to the heater casing upstream part. 
     
     
         18 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 13 , wherein the heater casing downstream part, the heater casing upstream part, and the heater module holder are tubular. 
     
     
         19 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 18 , wherein the mounting gap is a radial mounting gap. 
     
     
         20 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 18 ,
 wherein a flexible sealing element is arranged between the protruding upstream connection section and the mounting recess, the flexible sealing element being configured to allow a relative movement of the heater module holder in relation to the heater casing upstream part, and   wherein the flexible sealing element comprises an O-ring.   
     
     
         21 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 13 , wherein one or both of the heater casing upstream part and the heater casing downstream part comprises connections configured to mount the heater casing downstream part to the heater casing upstream part and for locking a position of the heater module holder relative to the heater casing upstream part. 
     
     
         22 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 21 ,
 wherein the heater module comprises a heating element, and   wherein the heating element further comprises electrical connections configured to connect to the control element.   
     
     
         23 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 22 , wherein the heater casing upstream part comprises through holes configured to direct the electrical connection through the heater casing upstream part. 
     
     
         24 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 13 ,
 wherein the heater casing upstream part further comprises an air-flow tube configured to provide air to the heater module,   wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises a control element configured to control operation of the aerosol-generating device, and   wherein the heater casing, the air-flow tube, and the control element are mounted to one another to form a self-supporting component of the aerosol-generating device.   
     
     
         25 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 24 ,
 further comprising an outer casing,   wherein the self-supporting component is at least partly housed within the outer casing.   
     
     
         26 . A method for assembling an aerosol-generating device, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a heater module and a heater module holder;   providing a heater casing downstream part, and a heater casing upstream part for assembly of a heater casing, the heater casing housing the heater module;   mounting the heater module on the heater module holder;   mounting the heater module holder on the heater casing upstream part, wherein the positioning of the heater module relative to the heater casing upstream part is done by positioning the heater module holder relative to the heater casing upstream part; and   connecting the heater casing downstream part to the heater casing upstream part with the mounted heater module to form the heater casing,   wherein the heater module holder comprises a protruding upstream connection section configured to connect to the heater casing upstream part,   wherein the heater casing upstream part comprises a mounting recess configured to receive the protruding upstream connection section,   wherein the protruding upstream connection section is positioned within the mounting recess when mounting the heater module holder on the heater casing upstream part,   wherein an inner surface of the mounting recess is spaced apart from an opposing outer surface of the protruding upstream connection section for creating a mounting gap, and   wherein the heater module holder and the heater casing upstream part are moved relative to each other within the mounting gap in the mounting recess in order to position the heater module holder relative to the heater casing upstream part.   
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 ,
 wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a longitudinal axis, and   wherein the heater module holder and the heater casing upstream part are moved relative to each other perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 26 ,
 wherein a flexible sealing element is arranged between the protruding upstream connection section and the mounting recess, and   wherein the heater module holder and the heater casing upstream part are moved relative to each other on the flexible sealing element in the mounting recess in order to position the heater module holder relative to the heater casing upstream part.   
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the heater module holder and the heater casing upstream part are rotated relative to each other on the flexible sealing element.