Housing for heater assembly of aerosol generating device
The housing design for aerosol generating devices addresses insertion issues by guiding and compressing consumables, ensuring uniform heat transfer and steam generation through a sliding contact fit, enhancing device efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JT INTERNATIONAL SA
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing aerosol generating devices face challenges in efficiently inserting and compressing consumables, leading to potential bending or buckling during insertion, which affects uniform heat transfer and steam generation.
A housing design with an enlarged opening and specific dimensions that guides and compresses the consumable, ensuring a sliding contact fit within the cavity, facilitating uniform heat conduction and steam generation.
The housing design reduces the risk of consumable bending or buckling, enabling uniform distribution and efficient heat transfer, resulting in consistent steam generation.
Smart Images
Figure 2026512367000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
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[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a housing for a heater assembly of an aerosol generating device, such as a heat-not-burn device.
Background Art
[0006] During use, the consumable is manually inserted into the cavity of the housing, and the housing forms part of a heater assembly placed in an aerosol generating device such as a non-combustible heating device. The consumable comprises a flat, thin element having a rectangular shape and contains tobacco substrate material for vaporization by the heater assembly. The widened opening or lip / mouth of the hollow housing of the present invention acts as a guide for advancing the consumable into the cavity under the pressing force applied by the user of the device, thereby reducing the risk of the consumable bending or buckling during insertion and further compressing the inserted elastic consumable so that it fits tightly against the upper and lower walls of the housing, thereby ensuring efficient heat transfer from the upper and lower walls to the consumable during use of the device.
[0007] As used herein with respect to an enlarged opening in a housing, “continuous surface” means a surface that is substantially free of discontinuities such as large gaps, voids, or breaks compared to the consumables, so as to be suitable for guiding the consumables into the cavity substantially without obstruction.
[0008] In an alternative first aspect of the present invention, a housing for a heater assembly of an aerosol generating device, comprising an upper wall, lower wall, side walls, and end walls defining a cavity for housing a planar elastic consumable of the device and an enlarged opening for guiding the consumable into the cavity, wherein the height dimension of the cavity is smaller than the width dimension of the cavity such that the cavity is elongated in its width direction, the height dimension of the cavity is smaller than the height dimension of the consumable, and the width dimension of the cavity is such that when the consumable is inserted into the cavity by the user, an airflow channel is formed between at least one side wall of the consumable and at least one side wall of the housing. A housing is provided in which the airflow channel is larger than the width dimension of the consumable, and additionally extends between the consumable and the end wall of the cavity to allow air to flow to the end face of the consumable, and the widened opening has continuous upper and lower surfaces configured to transition from a first height dimension which is greater than or equal to the height dimension of the consumable to a second height dimension which is equal to the height dimension of the cavity, and as a result the consumable is compressible by the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the widened opening, reducing the height dimension of the consumable to be equal to the height dimension of the cavity, thereby providing a sliding contact fit of the consumable between the upper and lower walls of the cavity.
[0009] In this way, the cavity has a rectangular opening whose width is greater than its height. This is advantageous because it allows for a more uniform distribution of the compressed material in the consumable, potentially resulting in more uniform heat conduction and steam generation. This design has advantages over alternative designs where the consumable is not compressed uniformly, which can lead to a lack of uniformity in steam generation.
[0010] The continuous upper and lower surfaces of the widened opening may be curved. The continuous upper and lower surfaces of the widened opening may be flat. The continuous upper and lower surfaces of the widened opening may have both a curved portion and a flat portion.
[0011] The width dimension of the cavity may be greater than the width dimension of the consumable, and the widened opening may have a continuous side surface configured to transition from a first width dimension greater than the width dimension of the cavity to a second width dimension equal to the width dimension of the cavity, thereby further guiding the consumable into the cavity by the continuous side surface of the widened opening.
[0012] Each of the continuous sides of the widened opening may be curved. Each of the continuous sides of the widened opening may be flat. Each of the continuous sides of the widened opening may have a curved portion and a flat portion.
[0013] The width dimension of the cavity may be selected to be equal to the width dimension of the consumable when the consumable is positioned in a sliding contact fit between the upper and lower walls within the cavity.
[0014] The inner surfaces of the housing walls and / or the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the widened opening may be generally smooth and free of any protruding features, in order to allow the consumable to be inserted into the cavity without obstruction. The continuous upper and lower surfaces of the widened opening may be elastically deformable by the insertion of the consumable to compress it and reduce its height.
[0015] The housing may be a single-piece structure; that is, it may consist of a single piece of material. The housing may be an extruded product. The housing may have a box-shaped cross-section.
[0016] A single-piece housing formed by extrusion is particularly advantageous because it generally provides a smooth surface without discontinuities or raised features, facilitating the transfer of consumables into the cavity through a widened opening. This further reduces the risk of bending or buckling when long, thin consumables are inserted into the widened opening and pressed into the cavity.
[0017] The housing may include stainless steel. The housing may include Grade 403 stainless steel. The housing may include any other suitable material, such as plastic or ceramic.
[0018] The cavity may have a length-to-height aspect ratio of approximately 8:1. The cavity may have a length-to-height aspect ratio of 8.6:1.
[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, a heater assembly for an aerosol generating device is provided, wherein the heater assembly comprises a housing as described herein.
[0020] Preferably, the heater assembly further includes a contact portion that restricts the insertion of the consumable into the cavity and maintains a gap between the end wall of the cavity and the end face of the consumable.
[0021] Preferably, the heater assembly further comprises two airflow channels formed between the respective side walls of the consumables and the respective side walls of the housing.
[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating device comprising the heater assembly described above is provided.
[0023] Here, I will explain an example while referring to the attached diagram. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0024] [Figure 1] This shows a housing for the heater assembly of an aerosol generating device. [Figure 2] A partial cutout diagram of the housing is shown. [Figure 3] This image shows a side view of a consumable inserted into a housing that forms part of a heater assembly located in an aerosol generating device such as a non-combustible heating device (the heater assembly and device are not shown). [Figure 4]A cross-sectional plan view of a consumable inserted into a housing that forms part of a heater assembly disposed in an aerosol generating device is shown.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a substantially planar box-shaped cross-section housing 100 includes a flat upper wall 110 disposed in a parallel relationship with a flat lower wall 120. The flat upper wall 110 and the flat lower wall 120 are spaced apart and are connected to each other by two flat side walls 130, 140 and a flat end wall 150. From the perspective of FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the flat upper wall 110 and the flat lower wall 120 is horizontally disposed in the X-Y plane, the two flat side walls 130, 140 are vertically disposed in the X-Z plane, and the end wall 150 is vertically disposed in the Y-Z plane. Thus, in this example, each of the two flat side walls 130, 140 and the flat end wall 150 is disposed at 90 degrees with respect to the flat upper wall 110 and the flat lower wall 120.
[0026] The box-shaped cross-section housing 100 has a length dimension (dimension in the X direction from the perspective of FIGS. 1 and 2) and a width dimension (dimension in the Y direction), and the length dimension is larger than the width dimension such that the shape of the box-shaped cross-section housing 100 is rectangular. The length dimension can be about 33 mm to 43 mm, more preferably about 34 mm to 37 mm, and the width dimension can be about 12 mm to 16 mm, more preferably about 12.5 mm to 15 mm. The box-shaped cross-section housing 100 also has a height dimension or thickness (dimension in the Z direction) that is smaller than each of the length dimension and the width dimension. The height dimension can be about 1.2 mm to 1.8 mm, more preferably about 1.5 mm to 1.7 mm. Therefore, the box-shaped cross-section housing 100 is generally flat and has an elongated shape. The length dimension and the height dimension of the box-shaped cross-section housing 100 can be selected such that the box-shaped cross-section housing 100 has a length-height aspect ratio of about 8:1, preferably about 8.6:1.
[0027] As described later in this specification, the flat top wall 110, the flat bottom wall 120, the two flat side walls 130 and 140, and the flat end wall 150 together define an internal space or cavity C for receiving consumables for heating. The cavity C has a uniform height dimension HC between the flat top wall 110 and the flat bottom wall 120, and a uniform width dimension WC between the long side walls 130 and 140. The height dimension HC of the cavity C is selected to be smaller than the initial height dimension of the consumable. The cavity C may have a height dimension HC of about 1.2 mm to 1.6 mm. In this example, the width dimension WC of the cavity C is selected to be larger than the width dimension of the consumable. The cavity C may have a width dimension WC of about 12 mm to 16 mm. The cavity C may have a length-to-height aspect ratio of about 8:1, preferably about 8.6:1.
[0028] The end portions of the box-shaped cross-section housing 100 are provided with an upper surface 110A and a lower surface 120A, which intersect with two side surfaces 130A and 140A at their ends. The upper surface 110A curves upward (in the -X and +Z directions from the XY plane), and the lower surface 120A curves downward (in the -X and -Z directions from the XY plane). In this example, the upper surface 110A and the lower surface 120A are both continuously curved. In this example, the two side surfaces 130A and 140A are also curved outward (one side surface 130 curves outward in the -X and +Y directions from the XZ plane, and the other side surface 140 curves outward in the -X and -Y directions from the XZ plane). Furthermore, in this example, the two side surfaces 130A and 140A are both continuously curved.
[0029] The curved upper surface 110A, lower surface 120A, and side surfaces 130A and 140A all form an enlarged opening 100A into the cavity C.
[0030] In this example, the box-section housing 100 is constructed from stainless steel, for example, Grade 403 stainless steel. Also in this example, the box-section housing 100 is a single-piece structure formed by extrusion. The upper surface 110A, lower surface 120A, and sides 130A, 140A of the flared opening 100A are formed by deforming the end portions of the flat upper wall 110, flat lower wall 120, and long flat side walls 130, 140 of the extruded box-section housing 100, with each surface 110A, 120A, 130A, 140A of the flared opening 100A inclined outward relative to the respective flat walls 110, 120, 130, 140. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the deformation may be carried out by a mechanical forming process, for example, cold working. Therefore, in this example, each surface 110A, 120A, 130A, and 140A of the widened opening 100A is effectively a continuous extension of one of the flat upper wall 110, the flat lower wall 120, and the long flat side walls 130 and 140.
[0031] Referring here to Figure 3, at the (-X) end of the box-shaped cross-section housing 100, the flared opening 100A has a maximum height dimension H100A and a maximum width dimension W100A. The maximum height dimension H100A is selected to be greater than (or at least equal to) the initial maximum height dimension H200 or thickness of the uninstalled consumable 200. The maximum height dimension H100A of the flared opening 100A may be about 1.5 mm to 8 mm, more preferably about 1.8 mm to 5 mm, and the initial maximum height dimension H200 of the uninstalled consumable 200 may be about 1.3 mm to 1.8 mm. Also in this example, the maximum width dimension W100 is selected to be greater than the initial width dimension W200 of the consumable 200. The maximum width dimension W100A of the widened opening 100A may be approximately 13mm to 16mm, more preferably approximately 13.5mm to 15mm, and the initial width dimension W200 of the (uninstalled) consumable 200 may be approximately 11mm to 14mm, more preferably approximately 11.5mm to 13.5mm.
[0032] The height and width dimensions of the widened opening 100A gradually decrease in the (+X) direction toward the cavity C. At the points where the curved surfaces 110A, 120A, 130A, and 140A of the widened opening 100A transition to the flat upper wall 110, the flat lower wall 120, and the long flat side walls 130 and 140, the height and width dimensions of the widened opening 100A are equal to the height dimension HC and width dimension WC of the cavity C.
[0033] The consumable 200 comprises a tobacco base material and a support element held in a high-GSM paper wrapper (neither of which is shown). The support element may include corrugated cardboard or paper. The consumable 200 is rectangular and has a shape similar to the cavity C of the box-shaped cross-section housing 100. Thus, the consumable 200 is substantially flat and elongated in shape. Furthermore, the consumable 200 is generally flexible and compressible such that compressive forces applied to its top and bottom surfaces tend to reduce the height dimension H200 of the consumable.
[0034] Here, the insertion of consumable 200 into cavity C will be explained with particular reference to Figure 3.
[0035] The user grasps the proximal (-X) end of the consumable 200 and inserts its distal end into the widened opening 100A. Note that the maximum height dimension H100A and maximum width dimension W100A of the widened opening 100A are greater than the initial height dimension H200 and initial width dimension W200 of the consumable 200. Therefore, the user can easily guide the distal end of the consumable 200 so that it is positioned and in contact with the curved surfaces 110A, 120A, 130A, and 140A of the widened opening 100A at the outermost (-X) end of the box-section housing 100, while the consumable 200 is oriented approximately horizontally (in the XY plane as seen in Figures 1 to 3).
[0036] The user applies a pressing force F1 to the proximal end of the consumable 200, causing it to move through the widened opening 100A in the direction of the cavity C (+X). Note that the height dimension of the widened opening 100A gradually decreases in the direction toward the cavity C (+X), and the height dimension HC of the cavity C is smaller than the height dimension H200 of the consumable. Therefore, as the consumable 200 passes through the widened opening 100A under the pressing force F1 applied by the user, the curved surfaces 110A and 120A apply a compressive or compressive force F2 to the consumable 200, thereby deforming the elastic consumable 200, for example, gradually decreasing its height dimension H200 until it becomes equal to the height dimension HC of the cavity C. The curved surfaces 110A and 120A may include thin metal that can be elastically deformed to move ("bend") the curved surfaces 110A and 120A away from each other in order to accommodate the consumable 200, while continuing to provide a compressive force F2 to the consumable 200 during the elastic deformation described above. Thus, the distal end of the consumable 200 is guided into the cavity C by the curved surfaces 110A and 120A.
[0037] As the user continuously applies a pressing force F1, the consumable 200 moves along the cavity C toward the end wall 150. As the consumable 200 moves through the cavity C, the flat upper wall 110 and the flat lower wall 120 apply a compressive or compressive force F3 to the consumable 200, thereby maintaining a (reduced) height dimension of the consumable 200 equal to the height dimension HC of the cavity C. The flat upper wall 110 and the flat lower wall 120 may contain thin metal that can be elastically deformed to move the flat upper wall 110 and the flat lower wall 120 toward each other ("bend") in order to accommodate the consumable 200, while continuing to provide the compressive force F3 to the consumable 200 during the elastic deformation described above.
[0038] Inserting the consumable 200 into cavity C is completed when the proximal end of the consumable 200 reaches the entrance region to cavity C and the distal end of the consumable 200 is in the end region of cavity C where the end wall 150 is located. At this point, the consumable 200 is fully (or nearly fully, as shown in Figure 3) housed within cavity C. Furthermore, at this position, the upper and lower surfaces of the elastic consumable 200 exert outward reaction forces against the compressive force F3 exerted by the flat upper wall 110 and the flat lower wall 120, which are constant and proportional to the deformation of the consumable 200. Therefore, the upper and lower surfaces of the consumable 200 are in sliding contact with the flat upper wall 110 and the flat lower wall 120, respectively, thereby enabling efficient heat transfer from the flat upper wall 110 and the flat lower wall 120 when the flat upper wall 110 and / or flat lower wall 120 are heated in order to heat the tobacco base material of the consumable 200 and release the aerosolizable material therefrom.
[0039] In this example, note that the maximum width dimension W100A of the widened opening 100A is greater than the initial width dimension W200 of the consumable 200. Also, the width dimension of the widened opening 100A is equal to the width dimension WC of the cavity C at the point where the curved surfaces 130A and 140A of the widened opening 100A transition to the respective long flat side walls 130 and 140. Furthermore, the width dimension WC of the cavity C is selected to be greater than the initial width dimension W200 of the consumable 200. Thus, the decrease in the height dimension H200 of the consumable 200 caused by the compressive force F3 applied to the consumable 200 by the flat upper wall 110 and the flat lower wall 120 can be compensated for by the increase in the width dimension W200 of the consumable 200. In other words, the consumable 200 can become thinner and wider as it is compressed. Furthermore, the width dimension WC of the cavity C is selected such that when the consumable 200 is fully compressed in the cavity C, each side of the consumable 200 comes into contact with the long, flat side walls 130, 104, thereby further improving the efficiency of heat transfer to the consumable 200.
[0040] In the above example, the widened opening comprises a continuously curved upper and lower surface, whereas in other examples, the upper and lower surfaces take different forms. In one example, each of the upper and lower surfaces comprises one or more curved portions and one or more flat portions. In another example, each of the upper and lower surfaces is flat such that the contour of the widened opening is tapered. All such configurations are within the scope of the present invention as described in the claims, provided that the widened opening comprises a continuous upper and lower surface configured to transition from a first height dimension greater than or equal to the height dimension of the consumable to a second height dimension equal to the height dimension of the cavity.
[0041] In the example above, the two sides of the widened opening are curved outward (one side is curved outward from the XZ plane in the -X and +Y directions, and the other side is curved outward from the XZ plane in the -X and -Y directions), but in other examples, the two sides are flat and lie in the XZ plane. In one example, the two sides are flat and inclined outward from the XZ plane.
[0042] Different forms of the upper and lower surfaces of the widened opening may be combined with different forms of the side surfaces of the widened opening, and all feasible combinations are within the scope of the present invention as described in the claims. Thus, in one example, the upper and lower surfaces are curved, but the side surfaces are flat. In another example, the upper and lower surfaces are flat, but the side surfaces are curved. In yet another example, one or both of the upper and lower surfaces and the side surfaces comprise one or more curved portions and one or more flat portions.
[0043] Preferably, the inner surfaces of the flat upper and lower walls of the housing, as well as the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the widened opening, are generally smooth and free of any protruding features, so that consumables can be inserted into the cavity without obstruction.
[0044] In the example above, the box-section housing includes short flat side walls (or end walls) connecting the long flat side walls, but in other examples, the short flat side walls may be omitted.
[0045] In the example above, the box-shaped housing is formed by extrusion molding, but in other examples, the housing is formed by a different method, such as casting or milling.
[0046] In the example above, the housing is a box-section housing with flat top and bottom walls and flat right-angle side walls, but in other examples, the housing is hollow and defines a cavity for consumables, but has a different shape. Thus, in some examples, the flat right-angle side walls are chamfered or filleted. In some examples, the side walls are curved outward to be convex. In some examples, the side walls are curved inward to be concave.
[0047] In the example above, consumable 200 is equipped with a high-GSM paper wrapper, but it should be understood that a wide variety of different types of wrappers may be used, but are not limited to, aluminum-coated wrappers and cigarette paper.
[0048] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional plan view of a consumable 200 inserted into a housing 100 that forms part of a heater assembly located in an aerosol generating device (not shown). Components that share reference numbers with components in other drawings are defined similarly. The configuration in Figure 3 shows the housing 100 as seen by an observer located along the +Y axis, whereas Figure 4 shows the housing 100 as seen by an observer located along the +Z axis. In this view, the top wall 110 of the housing 100 faces the observer in Figure 4. The top wall 110 is not visible in the cross-sectional view of Figure 4. The side walls 130 and 140 of the housing 100, along with the end wall 150, extend into the plane of paper in Figure 4. A mouthpiece end 180 is shown at the end of the housing 100 where the flared opening 100A is located. The mouthpiece end 180 is configured to align with the mouthpiece of the aerosol generating device that houses the housing 100. The width dimension WC of the cavity is shown and is perpendicular to the plane of paper in Figure 4. Similarly, the width dimension W200 of the consumable 200 is shown. Three airflow channels 160, 162, and 164 are positioned between the side walls 130, 140, and end wall 150 and the corresponding walls 230, 240, and 250 of the consumable 200 when the consumable 200 is inserted into the cavity C. Two contact portions 170 are positioned inside the cavity C and are fixed to the side walls 130, and 140 of the housing 100. A schematic airflow channel 166 is shown, defining the path that air takes through the airflow gaps 160, 162, and 164 during the operation of the device.
[0049] The width dimension of the cavity W200 is smaller than the width dimension of the cavity WC so that when the consumable 200 is inserted into the cavity C, the side walls of the consumables 230 and 240 do not come into contact with the side walls of the housings 130 and 140. As a result, two airflow gaps 160 and 162 are formed between the side walls of the consumables 230 and 240 and the side walls of the housings 130 and 140. The contact portion 170 prevents the end wall of the consumable 250 from coming into contact with the end wall 150 of the housing 100 to form a third gap, and thus a third airflow channel 164. When the user inhales through the mouthpiece while the device is in operation, air is drawn into the housing 100 through the widened opening 100A and flows into the two airflow gaps 160 and 162. Air travels through these gaps 160, 162, where it reaches the contact portion 170 and passes through a slit (not shown) located on the surface of the contact portion 170, which extends in the plane of the paper (along the -Z axis). The air then enters the third airflow channel 164 and begins to move away from the end wall 150, returning towards the mouthpiece end 180 of the housing 100. Thus, the air returns through the consumable 200, where it mixes with the aerosol formed therein and exits through the widened opening 100A, which is then inhaled by the user. This air path is indicated by arrow 166 in Figure 4. In other embodiments, there may be only one gap between the consumable 200 and one of the side walls 130, 140.
[0050] While the present invention has been described in relation to its preferred embodiments, it should be understood that it may be modified in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A housing for a heater assembly of an aerosol generating device, wherein the housing is A cavity for housing a planar elastic consumable of the aforementioned device, The cavity has a widened opening for guiding the consumables and It comprises an upper wall, lower wall, side wall, and end wall that define the boundary, The height dimension of the cavity is smaller than the width dimension of the cavity, such that the cavity is elongated in the width direction. The height dimension E of the cavity is smaller than the height dimension of the consumable. The width dimension of the cavity is greater than the width dimension of the consumable such that when the consumable is inserted into the cavity by the user, an airflow channel is formed between at least one side wall of the consumable and at least one side wall of the housing, and the airflow channel further extends between the consumable and the end wall of the cavity, allowing air to flow into the end face of the consumable. The widened opening comprises a continuous upper and lower surface configured to transition from a first height dimension, which is greater than or equal to the height dimension of the consumable, to a second height dimension, which is equal to the height dimension of the cavity. As a result, the consumable is compressible by the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the widened opening, reducing the height dimension of the consumable to be equal to the height dimension of the cavity, thereby providing a sliding contact fit of the consumable between the upper wall and the lower wall in the cavity.
2. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the widened opening are each curved.
3. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the widened opening are each flat.
4. The housing according to claim 1, wherein each of the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the widened opening comprises a curved portion and a flat portion.
5. The widened opening has a continuous side surface configured to transition from a first width dimension, which is larger than the width dimension of the cavity, to a second width dimension, which is equal to the width dimension of the cavity. As a result, the consumables can be further guided into the cavity by the continuous side surface of the widened opening, according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
6. The housing according to claim 5, wherein each of the continuous sides of the widened opening is curved.
7. The housing according to claim 5, wherein each of the continuous sides of the widened opening is flat.
8. The housing according to claim 5, wherein each of the continuous sides of the widened opening comprises a curved portion and a flat portion.
9. The housing according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the width dimension of the cavity is selected to be equal to the width dimension of the consumable 200 when the consumable is positioned in the cavity by sliding contact fitting between the upper wall and the lower wall.
10. The housing according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the inner surface of the wall of the housing and / or the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the widened opening are generally smooth and free of any raised features, so as to allow the consumable to be inserted into the cavity without obstruction, and optionally the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the widened opening are elastically deformable by the insertion of the consumable so as to compress the consumable and reduce the height dimension of the consumable.
11. The housing according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the housing is a single-piece structure, optionally the housing is an extruded product, and optionally the housing has a box-shaped cross-section.
12. The housing according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the housing comprises stainless steel, optionally grade 403 stainless steel.
13. The housing according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the cavity has a length-to-height aspect ratio of approximately 8:1, or optionally 8.6:
1.
14. A heater assembly for an aerosol generating device, wherein the heater assembly comprises a housing according to any one of claims 1 to 13.
15. The heater assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a contact portion that restricts the insertion of the consumable into the cavity and maintains a gap between the end wall of the cavity and the end face of the consumable.
16. The heater assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising two airflow channels formed between the respective side walls of the consumables and the respective side walls of the housing.
17. An aerosol generating device comprising the heater assembly described in claim 14.