Heater assembly with a printed circuit board

Abstract

To provide a heater assembly for an aerosol-generating device.SOLUTION: A heater assembly 30 includes: an elongate electrical heater 12 having a first end 22 and a second end; and a printed circuit board 32 including a main portion 34 and a connection portion extending from the main portion 34. The connection portion overlaps the first end 22 of the elongate electrical heater 12 and is directly soldered to the first end of 22 the elongate electrical heater 12. At least part of the connection portion is flexible, and the main portion 34 is rigid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heater assembly for an aerosol generating device. The present invention also relates to an aerosol generating device comprising the heater assembly.

Background Art

[0002] One type of aerosol generation system is an electrically operated smoking system. Well-known handheld electrically operated smoking systems typically comprise an aerosol generating device comprising a battery, a control electronic circuit, and an electric heater for heating a smoking article specifically designed for use in the aerosol generating device. In some examples, the smoking article comprises a plug of an aerosol forming substrate, such as a tobacco plug, and the heater included within the aerosol generating device is inserted into the aerosol forming substrate when the smoking article is inserted into the aerosol generating device.

[0003] The control electronic circuit is typically provided on a printed circuit board that is electrically connected to the heater by an electrical wire extending between the printed circuit board and the heater. However, positioning the electrical wire between the printed circuit board and the heater and soldering the components together makes the manufacturing process more complex. Further, due to the relatively small size of the handheld aerosol generating device, the electrical wire typically has a small diameter. Thus, if the wire is subjected to mechanical stress during at least either the manufacture or use of the aerosol generating device, one or more of the wires may break, preventing the supply of current to the electric heater.

[0004] It is desirable to provide a heater assembly for an aerosol generating device that reduces or overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of known heater assemblies for aerosol generating devices.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a heater assembly for an aerosol generating device is provided. The heater assembly comprises an elongate electrical heater having a first end and a second end, and a printed circuit board comprising a connection portion. The connection portion overlaps the first end of the elongate electrical heater, and the connection portion is directly soldered to the first end of the elongate electrical heater.

[0006] Advantageously, directly soldering the elongate electrical heater to the printed circuit board eliminates the need to provide any intervening electrical connection (such as one or more electrical wires). Thus, the heater assembly according to the present invention provides a more robust electrical connection between the electrical heater and the printed circuit board compared to the arrangement of the heater and the printed circuit board in a well-known aerosol generating system.

[0007] Advantageously, overlapping the connection portion of the printed circuit board with the first end of the elongate electrical heater can facilitate a desired orientation of the heater with respect to the printed circuit board. For example, overlapping the connection portion of the printed circuit board with the first end of the elongate electrical heater can facilitate a parallel orientation of the heater with respect to the connection portion.

[0008] Advantageously, overlapping the connection portion of the printed circuit board with the first end of the elongate electrical heater can increase the surface area of the soldered electrical connection between the heater and the connection portion. Advantageously, the increase in the surface area of the soldered electrical connection provides a more robust electrical connection between the electrical heater and the printed circuit board. Advantageously, the increase in the surface area of the soldered electrical connection can reduce the electrical resistance of the electrical connection between the electrical heater and the printed circuit board. Advantageously, reducing the electrical resistance of the soldered electrical connection can reduce the power required to operate the electrical heater. Advantageously, reducing the electrical resistance of the soldered electrical connection can reduce undesirable resistive heating of the soldered electrical connection.

[0009] The connection portion of the printed circuit board is preferably substantially planar. The connection portion preferably extends substantially parallel to the first end of the elongated electric heater. Advantageously, the parallel arrangement between the connection portion of the elongated electric heater and the first end can facilitate directly soldering the connection portion to the first end of the elongated electric heater.

[0010] The printed circuit board may be substantially planar. The printed circuit board preferably extends substantially parallel to the elongated electric heater. Advantageously, the parallel arrangement between the printed circuit board and the elongated electric heater can provide an elongated heater assembly. Advantageously, the elongated heater assembly can facilitate inserting the heater assembly into the housing of the aerosol generating device. For example, in an embodiment where the aerosol generating device comprises a tubular housing, the elongated heater assembly can facilitate inserting the heater assembly into the housing.

[0011] The printed circuit board comprises a main portion, and preferably the connection portion extends from the main portion. Advantageously, the main portion can form a part of the printed circuit board where one or more electrical components can be mounted. The heater assembly can comprise one or more electrical components mounted on the main portion of the printed circuit board. Suitable electrical components include, but are not limited to, resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors, transformers, integrated circuits, and combinations thereof. The one or more electrical components may be surface-mounted on the main portion of the printed circuit board. The one or more electrical components may be soldered to the main portion of the printed circuit board.

[0012] At least a part of the connection portion is preferably flexible. Advantageously, the flexible portion of the connection portion can accommodate relative movement between the elongated electric heater and the main part of the printed circuit board. Advantageously, accommodating relative movement between the elongated electric heater and the main part of the printed circuit board provides a more robust electrical connection between the elongated electric heater and the printed circuit board. Advantageously, accommodating relative movement between the elongated electric heater and the main part of the printed circuit board can facilitate the correct positioning of the printed circuit board and the elongated electric heater within the housing of the aerosol generating device.

[0013] The connection portion of the printed circuit board is preferably formed integrally with the main part of the printed circuit board. Advantageously, forming the connection portion integrally with the main part eliminates the need for an electrical connection (such as a soldered connection) between the connection portion and the main part. Advantageously, this eliminates the risk of a poor electrical connection between the connection portion and the main part.

[0014] The main part of the printed circuit board is preferably substantially rigid. Advantageously, the rigid main part of the printed circuit board can facilitate mounting one or more electrical components on the main part of the printed circuit board. Advantageously, the rigid main part of the printed circuit board can facilitate mounting the heater assembly within the housing of the aerosol generating device. For example, the rigid main part of the printed circuit board can be fixed to the housing of the aerosol generating device. The rigid main part of the printed circuit board can be fixed to the housing of the aerosol generating device by interference fit.

[0015] In an embodiment where at least a part of the connection portion is flexible, the connection portion may comprise a flexible portion dependent on the main part and a rigid portion dependent on the flexible portion, and the first end of the elongated electric heater is directly soldered to the rigid portion of the connection portion. Advantageously, the rigid portion of the connection portion can facilitate soldering the first end of the elongated electric heater to the connection portion.

[0016] The flexible portion of the connection part has a first end and a second end, and it is preferable that the flexible portion extends from the main part of the printed circuit board at its first end, and the rigid portion of the connection part extends from the second end of the flexible portion.

[0017] The rigid portion of the connection part is preferably formed integrally with the flexible portion of the connection part. Advantageously, forming the rigid portion integrally with the flexible portion eliminates the need for an electrical connection (such as a soldered connection) between the rigid portion and the flexible portion. Advantageously, this eliminates the risk of a poor electrical connection between the rigid portion and the flexible portion.

[0018] The elongated electric heater may be formed from a resistive heating wire. The elongated electric heater may be in a coil shape. The elongated electric heater may be configured to heat a fluid conveyance structure. The heater assembly may include a fluid conveyance structure, and the elongated electric heater is disposed to heat the fluid conveyance structure. The fluid conveyance structure may include a core. The elongated electric heater may be in a coil shape and the elongated electric heater is wound around the fluid conveyance structure.

[0019] The elongated electric heater may be in a blade shape. The elongated electric heater may be in a pin shape. The elongated electric heater may be in a conical shape. The elongated electric heater is preferably in a blade shape. Advantageously, the blade-shaped elongated electric heater can facilitate directly soldering the first end of the elongated electric heater to the connection part of the printed circuit board. For this reason, the blade-shaped elongated electric heater may be particularly preferred in embodiments where the connection part of the printed circuit board is substantially planar.

[0020] The second end of the elongated electric heater may form a tapered portion of the elongated electric heater. Advantageously, the tapered portion can facilitate inserting the second end of the elongated electric heater into the aerosol-generating article during use of the heater assembly in the aerosol-generating device.

[0021] The elongated electric heater may be a resistance heater.

[0022] The elongated electric heater may include a resistive heating element. The elongated electric heater may include an electrically insulated substrate, and the resistive heating element is provided on the electrically insulated substrate.

[0023] The electrically insulated substrate is preferably stable at the operating temperature of the elongated electric heater. The electrically insulated substrate is preferably stable at a temperature of up to about 400°C, more preferably about 500°C, more preferably about 600°C, more preferably about 700°C, and more preferably about 800°C. The operating temperature of the resistive heating element during use can be at least about 200°C. The operating temperature of the resistive heating element during use can be less than about 700°C. The operating temperature of the resistive heating element during use can be less than about 600°C. The operating temperature of the resistive heating element during use can be less than about 500°C. The operating temperature of the resistive heating element during use can be less than about 400°C.

[0024] The electrically insulated substrate may be a ceramic material such as zirconia or alumina. The electrically insulated substrate preferably has a thermal conductivity of 2 watts per meter per kelvin or less.

[0025] Suitable materials for forming a resistive heating element include, but are not limited to, semiconductors such as doped ceramics, "conductive" ceramics (e.g., molybdenum disilicide, etc.), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys, and composite materials made of ceramic materials and metal materials. Such composite materials may include doped ceramics or undoped ceramics. An example of a suitable doped ceramic is doped silicon carbide. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and platinum group metals. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-containing, cobalt-containing, chromium-containing, aluminum-containing, titanium-containing, zirconium-containing, hafnium-containing, niobium-containing, molybdenum-containing, tantalum-containing, tungsten-containing, tin-containing, gallium-containing, manganese-containing, and iron-containing alloys, as well as nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel-based superalloys, Timetal (registered trademark), and iron-manganese-aluminum-based alloys.

[0026] In some embodiments, the resistive heating element includes one or more stamped portions of an electrically resistive material (such as stainless steel). Alternatively, the resistive heating element may include a heating wire or filament (e.g., a Ni-Cr (nickel-chromium), platinum, tungsten, or alloy wire).

[0027] The elongated electric heater preferably comprises first and second electrical contacts positioned at a first end of the elongated electric heater, the first and second electrical contacts being electrically connected to the resistive heating element and the first and second electrical contacts being directly soldered to a connection portion of a printed circuit board. The first and second electrical contacts preferably may have at least one of a larger surface area and a smaller electrical resistance compared to the resistive heating element.

[0028] The first and second electrical contacts may be integrally formed with the resistive heating element. The first and second electrical contacts may be formed from the same material as the resistive heating element. The first and second electrical contacts may be formed from a different material compared to the resistive heating element.

[0029] The heater assembly may include a bushing, and the elongate electric heater extends through the bushing. Advantageously, providing a heater assembly with a bushing can facilitate installing the heater assembly within the housing of the aerosol generating device. That is, the bushing can be sized and shaped to fit within the housing of the aerosol generating device. Preferably, a first end of the elongate electric heater extends from a first side surface of the bushing, and a second end of the elongate electric heater extends from a second side surface of the bushing.

[0030] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising a housing defining a recess for receiving an aerosol generating article according to any of the embodiments described herein, and a heater assembly according to the first aspect of the present invention. The heater assembly is disposed within the housing such that a second end of the elongate electric heater extends into the recess. The aerosol generating device also includes a power source disposed within the housing and electrically connected to the printed circuit board of the heater assembly, the printed circuit board being configured to supply power from the power source to the elongate electric heater.

[0031] The heater assembly may be fixed to the housing by at least one of an adhesive and an interference fit. The printed circuit board of the heater assembly may be received within the housing by an interference fit. In embodiments where the printed circuit board is fixed to the housing, the printed circuit board preferably comprises a rigid main portion as described herein.

[0032] The heater assembly may include a bushing as described herein. The bushing may be fixed to the housing. The bushing may be adhered to the housing. The bushing may be received within the housing by interference fit.

[0033] The aerosol generating device preferably includes a control circuit configured to control the supply of power from a power source to an elongate electric heater. The control circuit is preferably disposed on a printed circuit board. In embodiments where the printed circuit board has a main portion, the control circuit is preferably disposed on the main portion.

[0034] The power source may be a DC voltage source. In a preferred embodiment, the power source is a battery. For example, the power source may be a nickel metal hydride battery, a nickel cadmium battery, or a lithium-based battery (e.g., a lithium cobalt battery, a lithium iron phosphate battery, or a lithium polymer battery). Alternatively, the power source may be another form of charge storage device such as a capacitor. The power source may need to be recharged and may have a capacity that allows for sufficient energy storage to use the aerosol generating device with one or more aerosol generating articles.

[0035] The aerosol generating device preferably includes at least one air inlet. The at least one air inlet is preferably in fluid communication with the upstream end of the device recess. The elongate heater element preferably extends from the upstream end of the device recess into the device recess.

[0036] The aerosol generating device may include a sensor for detecting an airflow indicative of a consumer smoking. The sensor may be mounted on a printed circuit board. The airflow sensor may be an electromechanical device. The airflow sensor may be any of a mechanical device, an optical device, an optomechanical device, and a microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based sensor. The aerosol generating device may include a manual switch for a consumer to initiate smoking.

[0037] The aerosol generating device may be provided with a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may be mounted on a printed circuit board. The temperature sensor may detect the temperature of the elongated electric heater or the temperature of the aerosol generating article received in the device recess. The temperature sensor may be a thermistor. The temperature sensor may comprise a circuit configured to measure the specific resistance of the elongated electric heater and to derive the temperature of the elongated electric heater by comparing the measured specific resistance with a calibration curve of specific resistance versus temperature.

[0038] Advantageously, deriving the temperature of the elongated electric heater can facilitate the control of the temperature to which the elongated electric heater is heated during use. The aerosol generating device may be configured to adjust the supply of power to the elongated electric heater in response to a change in the measured specific resistance of the elongated electric heater.

[0039] Advantageously, deriving the temperature of the elongated electric heater can facilitate the detection of smoking. For example, a measured decrease in the temperature of the elongated electric heater may correspond to user smoking or suction at the aerosol generating device.

[0040] The aerosol generating device preferably comprises an indicator for indicating when the elongated electric heater is activated. The indicator may comprise a light that is activated when the elongated electric heater is activated. The indicator may be mounted on a printed circuit board.

[0041] The aerosol generating device may comprise at least one of an external plug or socket that enables the aerosol generating device to be connected to another electrical device, and at least one external electrical contact. For example, the aerosol generating device may comprise a USB plug or USB socket that enables the aerosol generating device to be connected to another USB-enabled device. For example, the USB plug or socket may be capable of connecting the aerosol generating device to a USB charging device to charge a rechargeable power source within the aerosol generating device. Additionally, or alternatively, the USB plug or socket may be capable of data transfer to or from the aerosol generating device, or both data transfer to and from the aerosol generating device. Additionally, or alternatively, the aerosol generating device may be connected to a computer to transfer data such as a new heating profile for a new aerosol product to the device.

[0042] In embodiments where the aerosol generating device comprises a USB plug or socket, the aerosol generating device may further comprise a removable cover that covers the USB plug or socket when not in use. In embodiments where the USB plug or socket is a USB plug, the USB plug may additionally, or alternatively, be selectively storable within the device.

[0043] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device according to a second aspect of the invention according to any of the embodiments described herein, and an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol forming substrate.

[0044] As used herein, the term "aerosol generating article" refers to an article comprising an aerosol forming substrate that releases a volatile compound capable of forming an aerosol when heated.

[0045] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco plug. The tobacco plug may comprise one or more of tobacco leaves, fragments of tobacco stems, reconstituted tobacco, homogenized tobacco, extruded tobacco, and expanded tobacco, in the form of one or more of powders, granules, pellets, pieces, spaghetti, shreds, or sheets. Optionally, the tobacco plug may contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds released upon heating of the tobacco plug. Optionally, the tobacco plug may also include capsules containing, for example, additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds. Such capsules may melt during heating of the tobacco plug. Alternatively or in addition, such capsules may be crushed before, during, or after heating of the tobacco plug.

[0046] When the tobacco plug contains homogenized tobacco material, the homogenized tobacco material may be formed by aggregating particulate tobacco. The homogenized tobacco material may be in the form of a sheet. The homogenized tobacco material may have an aerosol former content of more than 5 percent on a dry mass basis. Alternatively, the homogenized tobacco material may have an aerosol former content of 5 to 30 weight percent on a dry mass basis. The sheet of homogenized tobacco material may be formed by aggregating particulate tobacco obtained by grinding one or both of tobacco leaf laminas and tobacco leaf stalks, or by comminuting in another way, or alternatively or additionally, the sheet of homogenized tobacco material may contain one or more of, for example, tobacco dust, tobacco fines and other particulate tobacco by-products formed during the processing, handling and transport of tobacco. The sheet of homogenized tobacco material may contain one or more proprietary binders that are tobacco endogenous binders, one or more exogenous binders (i.e., tobacco-exogenous binders), or combinations thereof. Alternatively or in addition, the sheet of homogenized tobacco material may contain other additives including, but not limited to, tobacco and non-tobacco fibers, aerosol formers, humectants, plasticizers, flavorants, fillers, aqueous and non-aqueous solvents, and combinations thereof. The sheet of homogenized tobacco material is preferably formed by a casting process of the type generally comprising casting a slurry containing particulate tobacco and one or more binders onto a conveyor belt or other support surface, drying the cast slurry to form the sheet of homogenized tobacco material, and removing the sheet of homogenized tobacco material from the support surface.

[0047] The aerosol-generating article may have an overall length of approximately 30 millimeters to approximately 100 millimeters. The aerosol-generating article may have an outer diameter of approximately 5 millimeters to approximately 13 millimeters.

[0048] The aerosol generating article may comprise a mouthpiece positioned downstream of the tobacco plug. The mouthpiece may be located at the downstream end of the aerosol generating article. The mouthpiece may be a cellulose acetate filter plug. The mouthpiece preferably has a length of approximately 7 millimeters, but may have a length of from approximately 5 millimeters to approximately 10 millimeters.

[0049] The tobacco plug may have a length of approximately 10 millimeters. The tobacco plug may have a length of approximately 12 millimeters.

[0050] The diameter of the tobacco plug may be from approximately 5 millimeters to approximately 12 millimeters.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol generating article has an overall length of from approximately 40 millimeters to approximately 50 millimeters. The aerosol generating article preferably has an overall length of approximately 45 millimeters. The aerosol generating article preferably has an outer diameter of approximately 7.2 millimeters.

[0052] Here, by way of illustration only, the present invention will be further described with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0053]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0054] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a heater sub-assembly 10 including an elongate electric heater 12. The elongate electric heater 12 includes an electrically insulated substrate 14 and a resistive heating element 16 disposed on the substrate 14. First and second electrical contacts 18, 20 are also disposed on the substrate 14, and the first and second electrical contacts 18, 20 are electrically connected to the resistive heating element 16. The elongate electric heater 12 includes a first end 22 at which the first and second electrical contacts 18, 20 are disposed. The elongate electric heater 12 also includes a second end 24 at which the resistive heating element 16 is disposed. The second end 24 of the elongate electric heater 12 tapers to facilitate insertion of the elongate electric heater 12 into an aerosol generating article.

[0055] The heater sub-assembly 10 also includes a bushing 26 through which the elongate electric heater 12 extends.

[0056] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a heater assembly 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The heater assembly 30 includes the heater sub-assembly 10 of FIG. 1. The heater assembly 30 also includes a printed circuit board 32 having a main portion 34 and a connection portion 36 extending from an end of the main portion 34. The connection portion 36 is integrally formed with the main portion 34. The heater assembly 30 also includes a plurality of electrical components 38 mounted on a surface of the main portion 34 of the printed circuit board 32.

[0057] Figure 3 shows a side view of the heater assembly 30. The main portion 34 of the printed circuit board 32 is rigid and supports the electrical components 38 mounted thereon. The connection portion 36 of the printed circuit board 32 includes a flexible portion 40 and a rigid portion 42. The rigid portion 42 of the connection portion 36 is directly soldered by a solder joint 44 to the first and second electrical contacts 18, 20 at the first end 22 of the elongated heater element 12. The flexible portion 40 and the rigid portion 42 are integrally formed with each other. Advantageously, the flexible portion 40 accommodates relative movement between the elongated electrical heater 12 and the main portion 34 of the printed circuit board 32, for example, during insertion of the heater assembly 30 into the housing of an aerosol generator.

[0058] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generator 50 comprising the heater assembly 30. The aerosol generator 50 comprises a housing 52 defining a recess 54 for receiving an aerosol-generating article. The heater assembly 30 is positioned within the housing 52 and is retained within the housing by an interference fit. Specifically, the bushing 26 is received within the housing 52 by an interference fit, and the main portion 34 of the printed circuit board 32 is received within a slot 56 formed within the housing 52 by an interference fit.

[0059] The aerosol generator 50 also comprises a power source 58 in the form of a rechargeable battery positioned within the housing 52. The power source 58 is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 32 by an electrical connector 60. In use, a control circuit comprising at least a portion of the electrical components 38 on the printed circuit board 32 controls the supply of power from the power source 58 to the resistive heating portion 16 of the elongated electrical heater 12.

[0060] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generation system 70 including the aerosol generator 50 of FIG. 4 and an aerosol generation article 72 removably received within the recess 54. The aerosol generation article 72 includes an aerosol-forming substrate 74 in the form of a tobacco plug, a hollow acetate tube 76, a polymer filter 78, a mouthpiece 80, and an outer wrapper 82. When the aerosol generation article 72 is received within the recess 54 of the aerosol generator 50, the elongated electric heater 12 of the heater assembly 30 is received within the tobacco plug. During use, the elongated electric heater 12 heats the tobacco plug to generate an aerosol.

Claims

1. A heater assembly for an aerosol generating device, comprising: An elongated electric heater having a first end and a second end; A bushing through which the elongated electric heater extends; A printed circuit board having a main portion and a connection portion extending from the main portion, the connection portion being directly soldered to the first end of the elongated electric heater, at least a part of the connection portion being flexible, and the main portion being rigid.

2. The heater assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the elongated electric heater extends from a first side surface of the bushing, and the second end of the elongated electric heater extends from a second side surface of the bushing.

3. The heater assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bushing has a cylindrical shape.

4. The heater assembly according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the printed circuit board is planar and extends parallel to the elongated electric heater.

5. The heater assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connection portion is integrally formed with the main portion.

6. The heater assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connection portion comprises a flexible portion dependent on the main portion and a rigid portion dependent on the flexible portion, and the first end of the elongated electric heater is directly soldered to the rigid portion of the connection portion.

7. The heater assembly according to claim 6, wherein the rigid portion of the connection portion is integrally formed with the flexible portion of the connection portion.

8. The heater assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the elongated electric heater is in the shape of a blade, a pin or a cone.

9. The heater assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the elongated electric heater comprises a resistive heating element.

10. The heater assembly according to claim 9, wherein the elongated electric heater comprises first and second electrical contacts positioned at the first end of the elongated electric heater, the first and second electrical contacts being electrically connected to the resistive heating element, and the first and second electrical contacts being directly soldered to the connection portion of the printed circuit board.

11. An aerosol generating device, comprising: A housing defining a recess for receiving an aerosol generating article; A heater assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the heater assembly is disposed within a housing such that a second end of the elongate electric heater extends into the recess. An aerosol generating device comprising: a power source disposed within the housing and electrically connected to the printed circuit board of the heater assembly, the printed circuit board being configured to supply power from the power source to the elongate electric heater.

12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 11, wherein the bushing is fixed to the housing.

13. The aerosol generating device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the bushing is received within the housing by an interference fit.

14. The aerosol generating device according to claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the bushing divides the housing into a first portion on a first side of the bushing and a second portion on a second side of the bushing, and the first end of the printed circuit board and the elongate electric heater are positioned within the first portion of the housing, and the recess is defined by the second portion of the housing.

15. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the printed circuit board of the heater assembly is received within the housing by an interference fit.

16. An aerosol generating system, comprising: an aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 11 to 15; and an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate.

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