Adjustable retaining member for an aerosol-generating device

An aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article;

• the aerosol-generating device comprising:
• a device housing defining a cavity;
• an adjustable retaining element positioned in or adjacent to the cavity and defining a passage;
• and
• an actuation means comprising a housing engaged with the adjustable retaining element, wherein the actuation means is configured to actuate the adjustable retaining element between a receiving position and a retaining position,
• wherein a cross-sectional dimension of the passage is greater when the adjustable retaining element is in the receiving position than when the adjustable retaining element is in the retaining position,
• wherein the adjustable retaining element defines a passage entrance and a passage exit and comprises a surface defined between the passage entrance and the passage exit, a longitudinal cross-section of the surface having a curved shape, a portion of the curved shape comprising a convex curve defining a constriction in the passage at a turning point of the convex curve between the passage entrance and the passage exit, the convex curve having a curvature that is greater when the adjustable retaining element is in the retaining position than when the adjustable retaining element is in the receiving position,
• wherein the adjustable retaining element is compressed in a longitudinal direction when the adjustable retaining element is actuated from the receiving position to the retaining position, and
• wherein the aerosol-generating article is received in the cavity.

A method of retaining an aerosol-generating article in an aerosol-generating device;

• the aerosol-generating device comprising a device housing defining a cavity, an actuation means comprising a housing engaged with an adjustable retaining element, and the adjustable retaining element positioned in or adjacent to the cavity, the adjustable retaining element defining a passage, the method comprising the steps of:
• inserting the aerosol-generating article into the cavity;
• and
• actuating the adjustable retaining element from a receiving position to a retaining position,
• wherein a cross-sectional dimension of the passage is greater when the adjustable retaining element is in the receiving position than when the adjustable retaining element is in the retaining position,
• wherein the adjustable retaining element defines a passage entrance and a passage exit and comprises a surface defined between the passage entrance and the passage exit, a longitudinal cross-section of the surface having a curved shape, a portion the curved shape comprising a convex curve defining a constriction in the passage at a turning point of the convex curve between the passage entrance and the passage exit, the convex curve having a curvature that is greater when the adjustable retaining element is in the retaining position than when the adjustable retaining element is in the receiving position, and
• wherein the adjustable retaining element is compressed in a longitudinal direction when the adjustable retaining element is actuated from the receiving position to the retaining position.