WO2022117639A1

WO2022117639A1 - Aerosol generation assembly and associated aerosol generation set and activating method

Info

Publication number: WO2022117639A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/083754
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alec WRIGHT; Andrew Robert John ROGAN
Original assignee: Jt International S.A.
Priority date: 2020-12-04
Filing date: 2021-12-01
Publication date: 2022-06-09

Abstract

The present invention concerns an aerosol generation assembly (10), comprising: - a cartridge (14) forming a cartridge body (51) comprising a valve (71) moveable by a switching element (75) between an unlocked position and a locked; - an aerosol generation device (12) forming a device body (21) defining a cartridge fixing end (24) and a male portion (40) extending from the cartridge fixing end (24) and defining a recess (42) configured to receive an unlocking element (45); the cartridge body (51) further comprising a female portion (70) configured to receive the male portion (40) when the cartridge (14) is fixed; the switching element (75) being arranged in the female portion (70) and configured to cause the unlocked position of the valve (71) when the unlocking element (45) is received in the recess (42) and the cartridge (14) is fixed.

Description

Aerosol generation assembly and associated aerosol generation set and activating method

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an aerosol generation assembly.

The present invention also concerns an aerosol generation set and an activating method associated to such an aerosol generation assembly. The aerosol generation assembly comprises notably an aerosol generation device and a cartridge.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Different types of aerosol generation devices are already known in the art. Generally, such devices comprise a storage portion for storing a vaporizable material, which can comprise for example a liquid or a solid. A heating system is formed of one or more electrically activated resistive heating elements arranged to heat said vaporizable material to generate the aerosol. The aerosol is released into a flow path extending between an inlet and outlet of the device. The outlet may be arranged as a mouthpiece, through which a user inhales for delivery of the aerosol.

In some aerosol generation devices, the vaporizable material is stored in a removable cartridge. Thus, when the vaporizable material is consumed, the cartridge can be easily removed and replaced. In order to attach the removable cartridge to the device body, a screw-threaded connection can for example be used.

In some cases, while using a liquid vaporizable material, leakage from a cartridge may occur when it is being carried separately from the corresponding aerosol generation device or attached to it. Particularly, there is no guarantee that the cartridge will be always in an upright position and the motion whilst travelling can aid the vaporizable material to exit. If the user knows when the device will be required and when it will be carried it is possible and a significant benefit to the user to take steps with the device to prevent leakage.

Some cartridges known in the art are provided with an integrated valve which prevents leakage when the cartridge is not being used. In some cases, such a valve can be actuated automatically from a closed to an open position while attaching the cartridge to the device. However, this does not prevent leakage when the device is being carried together with the attached cartridge. In some other cases, the valve can be actuated manually by the user using for example a special key element. However, such a key element can be easily forgotten or lost so as the using of the valve is not very practical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the aims of the present invention is to propose an aerosol generation assembly preventing leakage or any other undesirable loss of the vaporizable material from the cartridge, which is very practical to use in any position or state of the cartridge.

For this purpose, the invention relates to an aerosol generation assembly, comprising:

- a cartridge forming a cartridge body comprising a storage portion for storing a vaporizable material, a flow channel and a valve moveable by a switching element between an unlocked position allowing flow passage from the storage portion to the flow channel and a locked position inhibiting flow passage from the storage portion to the flow channel;

- an aerosol generation device forming a device body defining a cartridge fixing end and a male portion extending from the cartridge fixing end and defining a recess configured to receive an unlocking element, the cartridge fixing end being configured to fix the cartridge; the cartridge body further comprising a female portion configured to receive the male portion when the cartridge is fixed on the cartridge fixing end ; the switching element being arranged in the female portion and configured to cause the unlocked position of the valve when the unlocking element is received in the recess and the cartridge is fixed on the cartridge fixing end.

Indeed, thanks to these features, the cartridge valve is unlocked when the unlocking element is received in the recess and the cartridge is fixed on the cartridge fixing end of the device which means that the cartridge is ready to be used with the device. The cartridge valve can be locked in any other position of the cartridge or unlocking element. Additionally, no special unlocking element is needed to unlock the valve. Any element having a suitable shape for being received into the recess can be used. According to some embodiments, the switching element is configured to cause the locked position of the valve when the cartridge is fixed on the cartridge fixing end without the unlocking element in the recess.

Thanks to these features, the cartridge valve is in an unlocked position only when the cartridge is fixed on the device and the unlocking element is received in the recess of the device. Thus, for example, it is possible to carry the cartridge attached to the device and prevent leakage when the unlocking element is extracted from the recess.

According to some embodiments, the switching element comprises biasing means and a moveable member mounted on the basing means and configured to cause the locked position of the valve when it is biased by the biasing means.

According to some embodiments the moveable member is configured to overcome the biasing means by cooperating with the unlocking element when it is received in the recess and the cartridge is fixed on the cartridge fixing end.

Thanks to these features, the cartridge valve can be locked automatically when the cartridge is removed from the aerosol generation device.

According to some embodiments, the female portion is delimited by an internal wall, the moveable member protruding from the internal wall.

According to some embodiments, the dimensions of the recess are adapted to receive the unlocking element so as to abut the moveable member against the internal wall.

Thanks to these features, the cartridge valve can be easily actuated by the unlocking element when it is received in the recess.

According to some embodiments, the valve comprises a closing member connected to the moveable member of the switching element and configured to close or open a pass section formed between the storage portion and the flow channel, guided by the moveable member. Thanks to these features, it is possible to prevent leakage or any other undesirable exit of the vaporizable material in a simple and safe way.

According to some embodiments, the biasing means comprise a hinge member connecting the closing member to the moveable member and a spring controlling the hinge member.

Thanks to these features, the biasing means can be simply and uncostly implemented inside the cartridge. This is particularly important for replaceable cartridges.

According to some embodiments, the female portion forms a cavity extending inside the cartridge body.

According to some embodiments, the cartridge body further defines a cavity opening, the male portion being configured to slide into the cavity through the cavity opening while fixing the cartridge to the cartridge fixing end.

Thanks to these features, the cartridge can be easily fixed on the device despite the recess protruding from the device body.

According to some embodiments, the recess defines a complementary shape to at least a part of the shape of the unlocking element.

Thanks to these features, the unlocking element can be fixed inside the cartridge which prevents for example its undesirable movement inside when the assembly is being carried or used.

According to some embodiments, the unlocking element is a coin.

Thanks to these features, the user can always find a suitable unlocking element to be used with the assembly.

The invention also relates to an aerosol generation set comprising an aerosol generation assembly according as describe here above; and an unlocking element configured to be received in the recess of the male portion of the aerosol generation device to cause the unlocked position of the valve when the cartridge is fixed on the cartridge fixing end.

The invention also relates to an activating method comprising the following steps:

- put an unlocking element into the recess;

- slide the male portion of the aerosol generation device into the female portion of the cartridge;

- fix the cartridge on the cartridge fixing end;

- activate the aerosol generation device to generate aerosol.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following description, which is given solely by way of non-limiting example and which is made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generation assembly according to the invention, the aerosol generation assembly comprising a cartridge and an aerosol generation device, the cartridge being removed from the aerosol generation device;

- Figure 2 is a view similar to the view of Figure 1 where the cartridge is fixed to the aerosol generation device and an unlocking element is received in a recess defined by the aerosol generation device; and

- Figure 3 is a view similar to the view of Figure 1 where the cartridge is fixed to the aerosol generation device without the unlocking element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before describing the invention, it is to be understood that it is not limited to the details of construction set forth in the following description. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. As used herein, the term “aerosol generation device” or “device” may include a vaping device to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for vaping, by means of aerosol generating unit (e.g. an aerosol generating element which generates vapor which condenses into an aerosol before delivery to an outlet of the device at, for example, a mouthpiece, for inhalation by a user). The device may be portable. “Portable” may refer to the device being for use when held by a user. The device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol, e.g. by activating a heater system for a variable amount of time (as opposed to a metered dose of aerosol), which can be controlled by a trigger. The trigger may be user activated, such as a vaping button and/or inhalation sensor. The inhalation sensor may be sensitive to the strength of inhalation as well as the duration of inhalation to enable a variable amount of vapour to be provided (so as to mimic the effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article such as a cigarette, cigar or pipe, etc.). The device may include a temperature regulation control to drive the temperature of the heater and/or the heated aerosol generating substance (aerosol pre-cursor) to a specified target temperature and thereafter to maintain the temperature at the target temperature that enables efficient generation of aerosol.

As used herein, the term “aerosol” may include a suspension of vaporizable material as one or more of: solid particles; liquid droplets; gas. Said suspension may be in a gas including air. Aerosol herein may generally refer to/include a vapour. Aerosol may include one or more components of the vaporizable material.

As used herein, the term “vaporizable material” or “precursor” or “aerosol forming substance” or “substance” is used to designate any material that is vaporizable in air to form aerosol. Vaporization is generally obtained by a temperature increase up to the boiling point of the vaporization material, such as at a temperature less than 400°C, preferably up to 350°C. The vaporizable material may, for example, comprise or consist of an aerosol-generating liquid, gel, wax, foam or the like, an aerosol-generating solid that may be in the form of a rod, which contains processed tobacco material, a crimped sheet or oriented strips of reconstituted tobacco (RTB), or any combination of these. The vaporizable material may comprise one or more of: nicotine, caffeine or other active components. The active component may be carried with a carrier, which may be a liquid. The carrier may include propylene glycol or glycerin. A flavoring may also be present. The flavoring may include Ethylvanillin (vanilla), menthol, Isoamyl acetate (banana oil) or similar. Referring to Figure 1 , an aerosol generation assembly 10 according to the invention comprises an aerosol generation device 12 and a cartridge 14 configured to store a vaporizable material.

As shown on Figure 1 , the aerosol generation device 12 comprises a device body 21 extending between a battery end 22 and a cartridge fixing end 24 along a device axis X. The cartridge fixing end 24 is configured to receive the cartridge 14 and may define fixing means to fix the cartridge 14 in this position. The fixing means may be formed by one or several tabs protruding from the cartridge fixing end 24 along the device axis X. According to another embodiment, the fixing means can be formed by lateral walls of the device body 21 extending also along the device axis X. In this last case, the cartridge fixing end 24 forms a cavity configured to receive the cartridge 14 through an opening formed perpendicularly to the device axis X or extending along this axis X, for example in a lateral wall of the device body 21 .

The device body 21 can form a parallelepiped or a cylindrical shape. The device body 21 delimits an interior part of the aerosol generation device 12 comprising for example a power block 32 designed to power the device 12, at least a device part 34 of a heating system designed to heat the vaporizable material comprised in the cartridge 14 and a controller 36. The device body 21 may further comprise other internal components performing different functionalities of the device 12 known in the art. The device body 21 may also define a flow path (not-shown on Figure 1) extending from a device inlet arranged for example on the battery end 22 of the device 12 or on a lateral wall of the device 12, and a device outlet arranged on the cartridge fixing end 24.

It should be noted that Figure 1 presents only a schematic diagram of different components of the aerosol generation device 12 and does not necessarily show the real physical arrangement and dimensions of these components. Particularly, such an arrangement can be chosen according to the design of the aerosol generation device 12 and technical features of its components.

The power block 32 comprises a battery and a battery charger. The battery is for example a known battery designed to be charged using the power supply furnished by an external source and to provide a direct current DC of a predetermined voltage. The battery charger is able to connect the battery to the external source and comprises for this purpose a power connector (like for example a mini-USB connector) or wireless charging connector. The battery charger is also able to control the power delivered from the external source to the battery according for example a predetermined charging profile. Such a charging profile can for example define a charging voltage of the battery depending on its level of charge.

The heating system is connected to the power block 32 through the controller 36. Depending on the type of the heating system, the device part 34 of this system may be formed by a heating plate, an inductive coil or a pair of contacts. In the first case, the heating system is configured to heat the vaporizable material by heat transfer from the heating plate to another heating element comprised in the cartridge 14. In the second case, the heating system is configured to heat the vaporizable material by magnetic induction further to magnetic cooperation of the coil with a susceptor comprised in the cartridge. In the third case, electrical power is transferred from the pair of contacts to a heating element comprised in the cartridge 14. The pair of contacts may protrude from the cartridge fixing end 24 in order to be able to cooperate with corresponding contacts of the cartridge 14. This third case is shown on the Figures and will be explained below in further detail. However, it should be understood that the invention can be applied in combination with any other type of heating system.

The controller 36 is able to control the operation of the aerosol generation device 12. Particularly, the controller 36 is configured to power the device part 34 of the heating system from the power block 32 to generate vapour from the vaporizable material. The controller 36 can be actuated by the user via a vaping button or further to a trigger event as for example detection of a user puff. The controller 36 may perform any other additional functionality of the device 12 known per se. Such a functionality may for example concern a communication capacity of the device 12 with an external device, a maintenance capacity, an analysis capacity, etc.

According to the invention, the device body 21 further defines a male portion 40 extending from the cartridge fixing end 24, according for example to the device axis X. Particularly, the male portion 40 can be arranged on the cartridge fixing end 24 so as to be offset with the geometrical centre of the cartridge fixing end 24, according to an axis perpendicular to the device axis X. For example, when the shape of the device body 21 presents a parallelepiped, the male portion 40 can be arranged between the centre of the cartridge fixing end 24 and one of the lateral walls of the device body 21. According to a particular example of the invention, the male portion 40 is made of the same material as the device body 21 and forms for example a single piece with this device body 21. According to another example, the male portion 40 is fixed to the cartridge fixing end 21 in permanent or removable way. In the last case, suitable fixing means configured to be actuated by the user, like a screw, can be used to fix the male portion 40. According to still another example of the invention, the male portion 40 can form a moveable portion of the device body 21. Thus, according to some examples, the male portion 40 can be slide inside the device body 21 so as to not protrude from it when it is not being used. According to some other examples, the male portion 40 can be hinged to the cartridge fixing end 24 of the device body 21 and can for example be folded on the cartridge fixing end 24 when it is not being used.

The male portion 40 defines a recess 42 configured to receive an unlocking element 45 (shown on Figure 3). For example, the recess 42 extends along the device axis X and defines at least nearly complementary shape to at least a part of the shape of the unlocking element 45. In other words, the design of the recess 42 is chosen depending on the unlocking element 45 or on the type of unlocking elements which can be used.

As used herein, an “unlocking element” may refer to any suitable element able to lock/unlock a cartridge valve as it will be explained in further detail below. Advantageously, the unlocking element may refer to any element that can be easily found by the user and which is intended to be used normally for purposes other than locking/unlocking of the cartridge valve. Advantageously, the unlocking element can have a relatively flat shape which is able to be received and preferably, at least partially fixed by friction, in the recess 42. According to another example, the unlocking element can be fixed by fixing means provided with the recess 42. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the unlocking element may be formed by a coin, commonly used according to the currency of the territory where the aerosol generation assembly 10 is intended to be used. Advantageously, the unlocking element can be formed by each one of a plurality of coins of similar shapes but having different values. For example, an unlocking element can be formed by a 1 € or 2 € or 50 euro cents coin or by a 1 Fr. or 1 Fr. or 20 centimes coin. Moreover, the unlocking element can be formed by any element imitating a coin. In general case, one can conceive that the thickness of the unlocking element and eventually the depth of the recess 42 should be adapted in order to be able to actuate a switching element associated with the valve, as it will be explained in further detail below. Referring to Figure 1 , the cartridge 14 forms a cartridge body 51 extending between a device end 52 and a mouthpiece end 54 along a cartridge axis Y. The cartridge axis Y coincides with the device axis X when the cartridge 14 is received and fixed on the cartridge fixing end 24 of the device 12. The device end 52 is designed to cooperate with the cartridge fixing end 24 of the aerosol generation device 12 to fix the cartridge 14 on the aerosol generation device 12. For this purpose, the device end 52 can for example define fixing means configured to cooperate with the corresponding fixing means of the cartridge fixing end 24. The mouthpiece end 54 can for example define a mouthpiece intended to be in contact with the user’s mouth while using the assembly 10. According to another embodiment, the mouthpiece is arranged on the aerosol generation device 12. In this case, the mouthpiece end 54 is designed to be in contact with this mouthpiece when the cartridge 14 is fixed on the cartridge fixing end 24.

The cartridge body 51 defines an interior part of the cartridge comprising a storing portion 62, a flow channel 63 and a cartridge part 64 of the heating system. The storing portion 62 is configured to store the vaporizable material in a liquid and/or solid form. The storing portion 62 defines a pass section 66 opening to the flow channel 63 and allowing releasing of the vaporizable material to the flow channel 63. In the example of Figure 1 , the cartridge part 64 of the heating system is arranged between the pass section 66 of the storing portion 62 and the flow channel 63. In this example, the cartridge part 64 of the heating system is formed by a wick and a heating element arranged for example around the wick. Thus, when the vaporizable material passes through the pass section 66, it is vaporized at least partially into the flow channel 63 by the heating element. The flow channel 63 extends through the cartridge body 51 between a cartridge inlet formed on the device end 52 and a cartridge outlet formed on the mouthpiece end 54. The cartridge inlet is designed to be in fluid communication with the flow path of the aerosol generation device 12 via the device outlet, when the cartridge 14 is fixed on the fixing cartridge end 24 of the device 12. Thus, in this position of the cartridge 14, the flow path of the device 12 is extended by the flow channel 63 of the cartridge 14 and makes it possible to conduct air from the exterior of the device 12 while user puffs.

According to the invention, the cartridge body 51 further comprises a female portion 70 configured to receive the male portion 40 of the aerosol generation device 12 and a valve 71 configured to be actuated from the female portion 70 as it will be explained in further detail below. Particularly, the female portion 70 forms a cavity extending inside the cartridge body 51 extending along the cartridge axis Y and forming an opening for example on the device end 52 of the cartridge 14. The dimensions and the shape of the cavity are adapted so as the cavity can receive the male portion 40 of the aerosol generation device with or without the unlocking element 45 received in the recess 42, when the male portion 40 is slide into the cavity through the opening. The cavity is delimited by an internal wall 73. This internal wall 73 is formed for example in a continuous way with external walls of the cartridge body 51.

The valve 71 is moveable by a switching element 75 between an unlocked position allowing flow passage from the storage portion 62 to the flow channel 63 and a locked position inhibiting flow passage from the storage portion 62 to the flow channel. For this purpose, the valve 71 comprises for example a closing member 81 arranged moveable across the pass section 66 of the cartridge 14 and able to close the storage portion 62 by sealing the pass section 66 and open the storage portion 62 to flow channel 63 by opening the pass section 66. As shown on Figure 1 , the closing member 81 can cross the pass section 66 to open or seal it while it moves according to an axis perpendicular to the cartridge axis Y.

The switching element 75 is arranged in the female portion 70 and configured to cause the unlocked position of the valve 71 when the male portion 40 is received in the female portion 70 with the unlocking element 45. Additionally, the switching element 75 is configured to cause the locked position of the valve 71 when the male portion 40 is received in the female portion 70 without the unlocking element 45 or when the male portion 40 is extracted from the female portion 70. For this purpose, the switching element 75 comprises biasing means 83 and a moveable member 85 mounted on the basing means 83 and configured to cause the locked position of the valve 73 when it is biased by the biasing means 83. Particularly, the biasing means 83 can comprise a hinge member connecting the closing member 81 to the moveable member 85 and a spring controlling the hinge member. In this case, the moveable member 85 can for example protrudes from the internal wall 73 of the female portion 70 and form a non-zero angle with the cartridge axis Y when it is biased by the biasing means 83. When the male portion 40 with the unlocking element 45 is slide in the female portion 70, the moveable member 85 is adapted to rotate around a rotation axis formed by the hinge member to reduce its angle with the cartridge axis Y. While this rotation, the moveable member 85 is configured to overcome the biasing force exerting by the spring by cooperating with the unlocking element 45. In this case, the unlocking element 45 actuates the moveable member 85 by abutting it against the internal wall 73. According to another example, the unlocking element 45 does not abut the moveable member 85 but the spring or the hinge member against a stop arranged in an appropriate way. Other embodiments of the switching element 75 can also be used.

An activating method of the aerosol generation assembly 10 will now be explained in reference to Figures 2 and 3.

Initially, it is considered that the cartridge 14 is not fixed to the aerosol generation device 12. In this case, the moveable member 85 is biased by the biasing means 83 and causes the closing member 81 to seal the pass section 66. The valve 71 is thus in the locked position and no leakage or other undesirable loss of the vaporizable material is possible from the storage portion 62. The valve 71 remains in this position if the cartridge 14 is fixed to the aerosol generation device 12 without the unlocking element 45. Indeed, as it is shown on Figure 2, in this position, the male portion 40 is received in the female portion 70 but nothing allows overcoming the force exerted by the biasing means 83 on the moveable member 85.

When the user wishes to activate the operation of the aerosol generation assembly 10 to generate vapour, he/she puts the unlocking element 45 into the recess 42, slides the male portion 40 into the female portion 70 and fixes the cartridge 14 on the cartridge fixing end 24 of the aerosol generation device 12. In this position, shown on Figure 3, the unlocking element 45 abuts the moveable member 85 against the internal wall 73 and overcomes the biasing force exerted by the biasing means 83. The moveable member 85 causes thus the closing member 81 to unseal at least partially the pass section 66. Thus, the valve 71 is moved into the unlocked position. The user can then activate the aerosol generation device 12 to generate vapour.

Claims

1. An aerosol generation assembly (10), comprising:

- a cartridge (14) forming a cartridge body (51) comprising a storage portion (62) for storing a vaporizable material, a flow channel (63) and a valve (71 ) moveable by a switching element (75) between an unlocked position allowing flow passage from the storage portion (62) to the flow channel (63) and a locked position inhibiting flow passage from the storage portion (62) to the flow channel (63);

- an aerosol generation device (12) forming a device body (21) defining a cartridge fixing end (24) and a male portion (40) extending from the cartridge fixing end (24) and defining a recess (42) configured to receive an unlocking element (45), the cartridge fixing end (24) being configured to fix the cartridge (14); the cartridge body (51) further comprising a female portion (70) configured to receive the male portion (40) when the cartridge (14) is fixed on the cartridge fixing end (21); the switching element (75) being arranged in the female portion (70) and configured to cause the unlocked position of the valve (71 ) when the unlocking element (45) is received in the recess (42) and the cartridge (14) is fixed on the cartridge fixing end (24).

2. The aerosol generation assembly (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the switching element (75) is configured to cause the locked position of the valve (71) when the cartridge (14) is fixed on the cartridge fixing end (24) without the unlocking element (45) in the recess (42).

3. The aerosol generation assembly (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the switching element (75) comprises biasing means (83) and a moveable member (85) mounted on the basing means (83) and configured to cause the locked position of the valve (71 ) when it is biased by the biasing means (83).

4. The aerosol generation assembly (10) according to claim 3, wherein the moveable member (85) is configured to overcome the biasing means (83) by cooperating with the unlocking element (45) when it is received in the recess (42) and the cartridge (14) is fixed on the cartridge fixing end (24).

5. The aerosol generation assembly (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the female portion (70) is delimited by an internal wall (73), the moveable member (85) protruding from the internal wall (73).

6. The aerosol generation assembly (10) according to claim 5, wherein the dimensions of the recess (42) are adapted to receive the unlocking element (45) so as to abut the moveable member (85) against the internal wall (73).

7. The aerosol generation assembly (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the valve (71) comprises a closing member (81) connected to the moveable member (85) of the switching element (75) and configured to close or open a pass section (66) formed between the storage portion (62) and the flow channel (63), guided by the moveable member (85).

8. The aerosol generation assembly (10) according to claim 7, wherein the biasing means (83) comprise a hinge member connecting the closing member (81 ) to the moveable member (85) and a spring controlling the hinge member.

9. The aerosol generation assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the female portion (70) forms a cavity extending inside the cartridge body (51).

10. The aerosol generation assembly (10) according to claim 9, wherein the cartridge body (51 ) further defines a cavity opening, the male portion (40) being configured to slide into the cavity through the cavity opening while fixing the cartridge (14) to the cartridge fixing end (24).

11. The aerosol generation assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess (42) defines a complementary shape to at least a part of the shape of the unlocking element (45).

12. The aerosol generation assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the unlocking element (45) is a coin.

13. An aerosol generation set, comprising:

- an aerosol generation assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims; 15

- an unlocking element (45) configured to be received in the recess (42) of the male portion (40) of the aerosol generation device (12) to cause the unlocked position of the valve (71 ) when the cartridge (14) is fixed on the cartridge fixing end (24).

14. An activating method of an aerosol generation assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising the following steps:

- put an unlocking element (45) into the recess (42);

- slide the male portion (40) of the aerosol generation device (12) into the female portion (70) of the cartridge (14); - fix the cartridge (14) on the cartridge fixing end (24);

- activate the aerosol generation device (10) to generate aerosol.