Device and method for dispensing volatile substances

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for dispensing volatile substances, in particular fragrances and / or active ingredients, and comprises a housing (2), a container (5) for the substance (6) to be dispensed and a wick (18) as a capillary element, which is in contact with the substance (6) to be dispensed and has a wick-side substance dispensing region (20). According to the invention, the device (1) has a temperature measuring device for the direct or indirect measurement of the wick temperature (TD) at the wick-side substance dispensing region (20), which has at least one temperature sensor (13, 14) and has a measurement value output at which, during operation, an electrical wick temperature measurement signal is supplied which corresponds to the currently measured wick temperature (TD). The device (1) also has an open-loop control device or a closed-loop control device for controlling the wick temperature (TD) at the wick-side substance dispensing region (20). The control device comprises a control module (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing (particularly for vaporization) volatile substances (particularly fragrances and / or active substances) according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, this invention relates to a method for dispensing (particularly for vaporization) volatile substances (particularly fragrances and / or active substances) according to the preamble of claim 15. Background Technology

[0002] Apparatus for dispensing (particularly for vaporization) volatile substances (especially fragrances and / or active substances) is generally known, and generally comprises a housing and a container in which the substance to be dispensed is contained, and the container is at least partially inserted into the housing. A wick is arranged in the container as a capillary element, extending out of the container with its free wick end in contact with the substance to be dispensed, such that the substance is conveyed toward the free wick end by capillary action of the wick. A heating element (particularly an electric heating element) is regularly associated with the free wick end, through which heat can be applied to the free wick end to rapidly release the substance accumulated therein into the environment or evaporate it. Such a structure is known, for example, from WO 2017 / 215726 A1. Furthermore, it is generally known to regulate the degree of evaporation by altering the heat transfer to the free wick end, and thus the evaporation power. For this purpose, it is generally known to regulate the electric power supply to the heating element, particularly in the three heating stages (low, medium, and high). Furthermore, as is known from WO 98 / 58692A1, in order to adjust the degree of evaporation and evaporation output, the container and the wick can be mounted together in a highly adjustable manner in the housing of the device, such that the relative position of the wick end with respect to the heating device and thus the heat transfer can be changed.

[0003] The evaporation rate of the substance to be transported and, consequently, the transport rate, can be influenced using the known individual and manual settings described above; however, the following issues are associated with this:

[0004] If the heating power is set too low, the evaporation rate and therefore evaporation performance will be low, resulting in the desired effect being only insufficiently achieved. To avoid this, users of the device often select and set a high, typically the highest possible, heating power from the outset. This can have the disadvantage of drying and dehumidifying the free wick tip to an unacceptably high degree, which can damage the capillary structure in the wick tip by sticking and / or baking it together. Contrary to the user's intention, the high heating power setting thus significantly reduces the evaporation rate and therefore the dispensing rate of the material to be dispensed, and in extreme cases, no material is evaporated, and the still partially filled container must be replaced. This negative effect can be exacerbated by other unfavorable boundary conditions, particularly high ambient temperature and low humidity. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In contrast, the object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for dispensing (particularly for vaporization) volatile substances (particularly fragrances and / or active substances) in a way that enables efficient and stable delivery of the substance, or achieves a high degree of delivery, particularly under varying boundary conditions.

[0006] This objective is achieved using the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments thereof are the subject of the relevant dependent claims.

[0007] Claim 1 claims an apparatus for dispensing (particularly for vaporization) volatile substances (particularly fragrances and / or active substances), the apparatus having a housing and a container for the substance to be dispensed, the container being at least partially inserted into the housing. The apparatus further includes a wick as a capillary element in contact with the substance to be dispensed, the wick being at least partially arranged in the container and forming part of the container, and furthermore, the wick includes a wick-side substance dispensing region. Additionally, the apparatus has at least one electrically heating element in the region of the wick-side substance dispensing region, through which a substance-airflow enriched with the substance can be generated and flow out of the apparatus and out of the housing via heat transfer to the substance dispensing region.

[0008] According to the present invention, the device includes a temperature measuring device for directly or indirectly measuring the wick temperature at the material distribution area on the wick side. The temperature measuring device has at least one temperature sensor and a measurement output terminal, at which an electro-wick temperature measurement signal corresponding to the currently measured wick temperature is output during operation.

[0009] Furthermore, the device has an open-loop or closed-loop control unit for controlling the wick temperature in the material distribution area on the wick side. This open-loop or closed-loop control unit then has a control module where the wick temperature setpoint (preferably within a functionally permissible range without damaging the capillary structure at the wick end) can be set via a setpoint actuator. This setpoint is preferably preset and (fixed or variable) adjustable. The current wick temperature measurement signal is input as the actual wick temperature value at this control module. The heating power of the electric heating element is changed and adjusted using a comparator unit and a stored control algorithm to achieve and maintain the wick temperature setpoint.

[0010] Therefore, this invention is based on the knowledge that if the free wick tip is subjected to an unacceptably high temperature, the capillary action at the free wick tip will be irreversibly damaged, or in extreme cases, destroyed. An effective, long-term stable, and uniform evaporation rate is achieved by adjusting a setpoint within the allowable wick temperature range (at which damage or destruction of the capillary action at the free wick tip does not occur).

[0011] Directly measuring the wick temperature in the material delivery area on the wick side is theoretically possible, but it is technically difficult and / or costly (e.g., due to limited installation space). Therefore, in the following embodiments, a suitable, indirect, analogous, and highly accurate measurement of the wick temperature in the material delivery area on the wick side is proposed:

[0012] For particularly accurate measurements, the heat transfer to the material delivery area on the wick side, which is used to reach and maintain the wick temperature setpoint, occurs on the one hand through thermal radiation (and, if necessary, thermal conduction) from the heating element to the material delivery area, but on the other hand through convection of the ambient air currently contained in the housing (which flows through the material delivery area and carries thermal energy with it).

[0013] A temperature measuring device for simulating and indirectly measuring the precise wick temperature at the material distribution area on the wick side has at least two temperature sensors, preferably formed of thermistors. At least one temperature sensor (preferably one or two NTC temperature sensors as heating element temperature sensors) for measuring the temperature of the heating element is arranged on or within the heating element. Furthermore, at least one temperature sensor (preferably a (pre-calibrated) semiconductor temperature sensor) is arranged in the housing at a distance from the heating element as an ambient temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of ambient air.

[0014] The temperature measuring device also has a functional module, preferably in the form of a microcomputer unit (MCU) with computing and / or storage functions, to which the at least two temperature sensors are connected for inputting the measured temperature of the heating element and the measured temperature of the ambient air. A high-precision wick temperature (TD) at the material distribution area on the wick side is indirectly determined using the functional module from the measured temperature (TH) of the heating element and the measured temperature (TU) of the ambient air.

[0015] A functional relationship exists between the measured temperature of the heating element (TH) and the measured temperature of the ambient air (TU) to determine the wick temperature (TD):

[0016] TD = f(TH, TU)

[0017] This is determined experimentally beforehand using sampling devices from a series of devices, thereby storing corresponding functions in each functional module of the device series, specifically as algorithms and / or as feature maps and / or as feature curves. During device operation, the current wicking temperature measurement signal is then determined by evaluating the stored functions and output at the functional module (operating as a wicking temperature simulator), which can be further used as the actual wicking temperature value signal.

[0018] For sufficiently accurate determination of wick temperature, a simple linear equation can be used:

[0019] TD=f(TH,TU)=A x TH+B x TU+C,

[0020] The quantities A, B, and C can be pre-determined experimentally on at least one sampling device, for example, having characteristic magnitudes of A = 0.9; B = 0.1; and C = -10. To improve the accuracy of wick temperature measurement, nonlinear functions can also be stored in the functional module.

[0021] To measure the ambient temperature inside the housing (for example, up to approximately 85°C), a commercially available pre-calibrated semiconductor temperature sensor with a measurement range of approximately -10 to 85°C can be used. However, the operating temperature at the heating element is significantly higher. For temperature measurements at the heating element, an NTC temperature sensor is preferably used, which can withstand these higher temperatures (here, for example, a measurement range of 0 to 160°C) without damage. However, temperature sensors (especially NTC temperature sensors) often vary due to manufacturing processes and have, for example, strongly nonlinear characteristic curves. Therefore, for accurate temperature measurements, the temperature sensor must be calibrated. Hereinafter, it will be generally pointed out how such calibration can be performed relatively easily and with less effort related to the manufacture of the device:

[0022] First, in calibration mode, the temperature sensor of the at least one heating element to be calibrated is combined with a pre-calibrated ambient temperature sensor. For this purpose, the heating element is heated to several calibration temperature values, which are measured using the pre-calibrated ambient temperature sensor. The corresponding electrical sensor values ​​determined by the combination are assigned to the calibration temperature values ​​and stored in the memory of a functional module preferably having an interpolation characteristic curve.

[0023] Regarding the preferred NTC temperature sensor, the following specific procedure is summarized:

[0024] First, in calibration mode, one or more NTC temperature sensors to be calibrated are measurably combined with a pre-calibrated semiconductor ambient temperature sensor. For this purpose, the heating element is heated to several calibration temperature values, preferably three calibration temperature values ​​of 30°C, 55°C, and 80°C, which are measured using the pre-calibrated semiconductor temperature sensor. The corresponding electrical NTC sensor values ​​determined by the combination are assigned to the calibration temperature values ​​and stored in the memory of the functional module, preferably in an interpolated NTC characteristic curve used throughout the measurement range in the temperature measurement of the heating element.

[0025] In principle, control without feedback is possible to achieve and maintain the wick temperature setpoint. However, to accurately maintain the wick temperature in the material dispensing region, control with feedback is preferably used, particularly preferably with a control algorithm that is a PID controller having a combination of proportional, integral, and derivative behaviors. In this case, the specified wick temperature setpoint is compared with the measured actual wick temperature, and a manipulated / actuated variable is formed on the output side based on the control algorithm and control parameters determined by previous experiments. This variable is fed to a controllable actuator for the heating element. In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least one thyristor in the form of a three-terminal bidirectional thyristor switch with phase angle control is used as the actuator in the AC supply to the electric heating element. The actuated variable is used to controllably change the phase angle control of the three-terminal bidirectional thyristor switch and thus the heating power of the heating element to achieve and maintain the wick temperature setpoint. The typical heating power of the heating element is between 3 and 5 watts.

[0026] The controller can operate continuously while adjusting the heating power over time. To reduce the amount of data and computational power required, the controller preferably operates discontinuously, whereby the control algorithm can be activated discontinuously at relatively short time intervals (preferably in the range of seconds) to evaluate definite increments in the control feedback. This discontinuous control here results only in small and therefore tolerable deviations, as the control action has only a very slow effect on the wick temperature.

[0027] To turn the device on and off, a common switch or button can be provided on the housing. Alternatively, a connection to a power source (e.g., plugging and unplugging a socket) can be used for this purpose.

[0028] In a simple embodiment, for example, the wick temperature setpoint value may be fixed by the manufacturer. To increase efficient operation and for individual adaptation of evaporation rates and / or for adaptation to different substances used, it is proposed that the wick temperature setpoint value be variable and adjustable within an permissible range. In a simpler embodiment, this can be achieved via a manually operable setting device attached to the housing, preferably as a switch and / or button.

[0029] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the device has a radio module, preferably as a WiFi module, for bidirectional wireless data connection between the device and an external display and control device (preferably a smartphone with an associated application).

[0030] This allows the screen on the display and control device to show the device's currently set wick temperature setpoint value and / or the current actual wick temperature value and / or the possible currently set on time, as well as any other possible information.

[0031] On the other hand, the display and control unit can be used to transmit commands to the device, such as a wick temperature setpoint value adapted to the substance currently to be evaporated. This can be done, for example, by manually entering a code (especially a QR code) indicated on the substance packaging or container via a keyboard or by reading the code using a scanner (i.e., transmitting it to the device).

[0032] Alternatively or additionally, start-up time and / or other setting commands can be provided to devices with timer functions. This makes it easy to operate devices with variable settings.

[0033] The device may have a mechanical structure known in principle, wherein the heating element is annular and has a central wick receiving opening for the wick, wherein the wick extends at least partially with its material distribution area, preferably not in contact with a gap at a distance from the receiving opening (not in contact with the receiving opening, having a certain distance relative to it), and wherein the material distribution area of ​​the wick is located in the housing near a material-air flow outlet opening from which the material-air flow flows to the outside of the housing.

[0034] The material distribution area on the side of the wick is formed by the free wick end extending beyond the container (especially the container opening), such that the heating element is associated with the wick in the area of ​​the free wick end.

[0035] The device is preferably designed as a plug component, particularly for its small size and ease of operation, and has plug contacts extending from the housing that can be inserted into an electrical socket for holding and for supplying electrical power, preferably with AC voltage. Adaptation to the available AC voltage and frequency in the area of ​​use can be fixed, for example, for 230V AC voltage and 50Hz, or can be designed to be preselectable in a manner known per se.

[0036] Heating elements are generally known in various designs. Preferably, the heating element herein is intended to be an electric heating element having a heating body made of a thermally conductive material and at least one resistive element (e.g., in the form of a heating coil) thermally connected to the heating body, preferably partially integrated into and / or embedded in the heating body, and the resistive element being connectable to an energy source for energy supply purposes and / or being supplied with electrical energy by the energy source.

[0037] The advantages arising from the claimed method according to the invention correspond similarly to the advantages of the device according to the invention, and therefore reference is made to the previous explanation to avoid repetition.

[0038] The advantageous embodiments and other embodiments of the invention explained above and / or reproduced in the dependent claims may be used alone or in any combination of each other—except, for example, in cases of explicit dependence or incompatible alternatives. Attached Figure Description

[0039] The invention and its advantageous and other embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference only to the exemplary and illustrative drawings.

[0040] These figures are shown below:

[0041] Figure 1 The fully assembled evaporation unit is shown.

[0042] Figure 2 It shows that according to Figure 1 An evaporator in which the upper part of the outer casing is removed.

[0043] Figure 3 It shows according to Figure 2 An evaporator in which the lower part of the outer casing is removed.

[0044] Figure 4 It shows along Figure 2 The longitudinal section of line AA, and

[0045] Figure 5 A block diagram is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0046] Figure 1 An evaporation device 1, serving as an insertion component, is shown, having a housing 2 formed by an upper housing 3 and a lower housing 4. (As shown from...) Figure 4 As can be seen, container 5 is inserted into outer casing 2 from below, containing the substance 6 to be vaporized. Opposite container 5 is plug 7, which has plug contacts 8 for insertion into an electrical socket, which here serves as a holder for the vaporization device 1 and a power supply source with alternating current.

[0047] In addition, an externally operable control button 9 is arranged on the housing 2 for turning the vaporization device 1 on and off, and for selecting other functions if necessary. An exemplary outlet opening 10 is provided on the upper side of the evaporation device 1, from which a substance-air stream enriched with the evaporated material can escape.

[0048] exist Figure 2 In the middle section, the upper part of the outer casing 3 has been removed, exposing part of the internal structure of the evaporator 1. In the upper region, the outlet opening 10 is visible again, with a partially visible annular heating element 11, the structure of which can be seen in the middle section. Figure 4 As can be seen, its temperature TH is controlled by controller module 12.

[0049] In order to determine the wick temperature TD, which is the actual wick temperature value fed to the controller module 12, the heating element temperature sensor 13 is arranged on the heating element 11, and at a certain distance therefrom, the ambient temperature sensor 14 is arranged in the housing 2. Figure 2 The diagram also shows a plug 7, which is electrically connected to a downstream electrical component of device 1. Furthermore, a radio module 15, for example in the form of a WiFi module, is mounted in housing 2 for example, to enable bidirectional radio connection with a smartphone (not shown).

[0050] exist Figure 3 In the middle, both the upper part of the outer shell 3 and the lower part of the outer shell 4 have been removed, showing the container 5 with its semi-cylindrical shape and its container neck 16, to which the (unspecified) horizontal sensor 17 is assigned.

[0051] Figure 4 It is shown as along Figure 2 The figure is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the center longitudinal section of line AA, which shows that the container 5 holds both the substance to be vaporized and the wick 18, which extends upward through the container neck 16 and the wick holder 19, and extends into the center wick receiving opening 21 of the annular heating element 11 at the free wick end, which serves as the substance dispensing area 20.

[0052] The heating element 11 has a heating element housing 22, in which a resistive element 24 (shown schematically) (e.g., a heating coil) is embedded in a thermally conductive potting material 23. A heating element temperature sensor 13 is also arranged on the heating element 11.

[0053] The presetable suction temperature, based on the suction temperature setpoint value 38 at the free suction tip 20, is determined according to... Figure 5 Controlled by the block diagram in the middle:

[0054] Heating element temperature sensor 13 detects the temperature TH of the heating element, and ambient air temperature TU in housing 2 is detected by ambient temperature sensor 14. Both temperature measurements are supplied to functional module 25, which uses a stored function to evaluate these two supplied temperature measurements to simulate and indirectly determine the wicking temperature TD at the end of the wick. The wicking temperature TD calculated in this way is fed to comparator unit 26 of the control unit as the current actual wicking temperature value. The wicking temperature setpoint value 28 set there is also fed to comparator unit 26 as a signal from setpoint actuator 27.

[0055] A control deviation signal 29 is then generated in comparator unit 26 and fed to PID controller 30. PID controller 30 outputs actuation variable 31 as an actuation signal to heating actuator 32 based on its control algorithm and stored control parameters. Heating actuator 32, for example, is designed here as a three-terminal bidirectional thyristor switch with phase angle control. Actuation variable 31 is also limited to an allowable value by signal limiter 33 to prevent unacceptable overshoot control. Resistive element 24 of heating element 11 is connected downstream of actuator 32, thereby controlling the heat output of heating element 11 (schematically shown by arrow 34), thus setting and maintaining the wick temperature setpoint value 28.

[0056] List of Attachments

[0057] 1 Evaporation apparatus

[0058] 2. Outer shell

[0059] 3. Upper part of the outer shell

[0060] 4. Lower part of the outer shell

[0061] 5 containers

[0062] 6. Substances

[0063] 7 plugs

[0064] 8. Plug contacts

[0065] 9. Operation Buttons

[0066] 10. Exit opening

[0067] 11 Heating element

[0068] 12 Control Modules

[0069] 13 Heating element temperature sensor

[0070] 14 Ambient temperature sensor

[0071] 15 Radio Modules

[0072] 16. Container neck

[0073] 17. Horizontal sensor

[0074] 18 suction tubes

[0075] 19. Cartridge Holder

[0076] 20. Suction core end

[0077] 21. Cartridge retainer opening

[0078] 22 Heating element housing

[0079] 23. Potting materials

[0080] 24 Resistor Element

[0081] 25 Functional Modules

[0082] 26 comparator units

[0083] 27 Setpoint Actuator

[0084] 28. Cartridge temperature setpoint value

[0085] 29 Control Deviation

[0086] 30 PID controller

[0087] 31 Actuation Variables

[0088] 32 Heating Actuator

[0089] 33 Signal limiter

[0090] 34 Arrows.

Claims

1. An apparatus for dispensing volatile substances (6), said apparatus having Outer shell (2), A container (5) for dispensing the substance (6), the container (5) being at least partially inserted into the outer shell (2). The wick (18), as a capillary element, is in contact with the substance (6) to be dispensed, and is at least partially disposed in the container (5) and forms a portion of the container (5), and has a wick-side substance dispensing area (20). At least one electric heating element (11) is provided in the material distribution area (20) on the side of the suction core, through which a material-air flow enriched with material (6) is generated by heat transfer to the material distribution area (20) and flows away from the device (1) and out of the housing (2). Its features The device (1) has a temperature measuring device for direct or indirect measurement of the wick temperature (TD) at the material distribution area (20) on the wick side, the temperature measuring device having at least one temperature sensor (13, 14) and a measurement value output terminal, at which, during operation, an electrical wick temperature measurement signal corresponding to the currently measured wick temperature (TD) is supplied. The device (1) has an open-loop control device or a closed-loop control device for controlling the wick temperature (TD) at the material distribution area (20) on the wick side, and The control device includes a control module (30), in which a setpoint value (28) for the wicking temperature is set by a setpoint actuator (27), and an actual wicking temperature measurement signal is input as an actual wicking temperature value (TD) in the control module (30). The control module (30) changes and adapts the heating power of the electric heating element (11) through a comparator unit (26) and a stored control algorithm to achieve and maintain the wicking temperature setpoint value (28).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature measuring device for simulating and indirectly measuring the wick temperature (TD) at the material distribution area (20) on the wick side has at least two temperature sensors (13, 14). At least one of the temperature sensors is arranged as a heating element temperature sensor (13) for measuring the temperature (TH) of the heating element (11) or the heating element within the heating element (11). At least one semiconductor temperature sensor is arranged as an ambient temperature sensor (14) for measuring ambient air in the housing (2) spaced apart from the heating element (11) in the housing (2). The temperature measuring device has at least one functional module (25) as an analog module, the at least one functional module (25) having calculation and / or storage functions, and the at least two temperature sensors (13, 4) for inputting the measured temperature of the heating element (TH) and the measured ambient air temperature (TU) are connected to the at least one functional module (25). The wick temperature (TD) at the material distribution area (20) on the wick side can be indirectly determined by the functional module from the measured temperature (TH) of the heating element and the measured temperature (TU) of the ambient air, such that the functional relationship TD = f(TH, TU) between the temperature of the heating element (TH) and the temperature of the ambient air (TU) used to determine the wick temperature (TD) has been experimentally determined in advance based on at least one sampling device (1) of the device series, and the corresponding function is stored in each functional module (25) of the device series. During the operation of the device (1), and by evaluating the stored function, the current wicking temperature measurement signal available as the actual value signal (TD) of the wicking temperature is determined and output at or using the functional module (25) that forms the wicking temperature simulator.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The wick temperature (TD) is determined in the functional module (25) as a function of the temperature (TH) of the heating element and the temperature (TU) of the ambient air, according to the following equation. TD = f(TH, TU) = A * TH + B * TU + C Variables A, B, and C are determined in advance through experiments using at least one sampling device (1).

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that... The heating element temperature sensor (13) is formed from at least one NTC temperature sensor and can be calibrated during the manufacture of the device (1) such that: The at least one heating element temperature sensor (13) to be calibrated is combined with a pre-calibrated ambient temperature sensor (14) in calibration mode. The heating element (11) is heated to multiple calibrated temperature values ​​measured using the pre-calibrated ambient temperature sensor (14), and The corresponding electrical sensor values ​​determined by the combination are assigned to the calibration temperature value and stored in the memory of the functional module (25).

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that... The control module has a control algorithm in which a predetermined wick temperature setpoint value (28) is compared with the actual wick temperature value (TD) in a comparator unit (26), and an actuation variable (31) is formed on the output side according to the control algorithm and adjustment parameters determined in advance through experiments. The actuation variable (31) is fed to a controllable actuator (32) for the heating element (11), such that the actuator is at least one thyristor in the AC supply source of the electric heating element (11) in the form of a three-terminal bidirectional thyristor switch with phase angle control, such that the phase angle control of the three-terminal bidirectional thyristor switch and thus the heating power of the heating element (11) are variable in a controlled manner with respect to the actuation variable (31) in order to reach and maintain the wick temperature setpoint value (28).

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The control algorithm can be activated discontinuously at predetermined time intervals to evaluate the detected increments of the feedback of the closed-loop control.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, A manually operable setting device is arranged on the housing (2) for turning on / off and / or for setting different wick temperature setpoint values ​​(28).

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The device (1) has a radio module for bidirectional and wireless data connection between the device (1) and an external display and control device.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The current setpoint value (28) of the suction temperature of the device and / or the current actual value of the suction temperature (TD) and / or the current set start time and / or optional other information can be displayed on the screen of the display and control device.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The start time can be preset using the timer function, and / or the wick temperature setpoint value (28) adapted to the current substance (6) to be evaporated can be set via the wireless data connection using the display and control unit of the device (1).

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that... The heating element (11) is annular and has a central wick receiving opening (21) for the wick (18), the wick (18) extending at least partially into the central wick receiving opening (21) with its material distribution region (20). The material distribution area (20) of the suction core (18) is located in the housing (2) in the area of ​​the material-air flow outlet opening (10), and the material-air flow flows from the material-air flow outlet opening (10) to the outside of the housing (2).

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that, The material distribution area (20) on the side of the suction core is formed by a free suction core end extending beyond the container (5), such that the heating element (11) is distributed to the suction core (18) in the area of ​​the free suction core end.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The device (1) is designed as a plug component having plug contacts (8) extending from the housing (2), the plug contacts (8) being able to be inserted into an electrical socket for holding and for supplying electrical power.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The at least one heating element is an electric heating element (11), which has a heating body including a heating element housing (22) and a thermally conductive material (23) and at least one resistive element (24). The at least one resistive element (24) is thermally connected to the heating body and is capable of being connected to an energy source for energy supply and / or can be supplied with electrical energy by the energy source.

15. A method for distributing volatile substances (6), said method having Device (1) with a casing (2), A container (5) for dispensing the substance (6), the container (5) being at least partially inserted into the outer shell (2). The wick (18), as a capillary element, is in contact with the substance (6) to be dispensed, and is at least partially disposed in the container (5) and forms a portion of the container (5), and has a wick-side substance dispensing area (20). At least one electric heating element (11) is provided in the material distribution area (20) on the side of the suction core, through which a material-air flow enriched with material (6) is generated by heat transfer to the material distribution area (20) and flows away from the device (1) and out of the housing (2). Its features The wick temperature (TD) at the material distribution area (20) on the wick side is measured directly or indirectly using at least one temperature sensor (13, 14) and an electro-wick temperature measurement signal corresponding to the current wick temperature (TD) is output at the output terminal of the temperature measurement device during operation. The wick temperature (TD) at the material distribution area (20) on the wick side is controlled using an open-loop control device or a closed-loop control device, and The control device includes a control module (30), in which a setpoint actuator (27) is used to set a wick temperature setpoint value (28), and in which the current wick temperature measurement signal is input as the actual wick temperature value (TD), and the control module (30) changes and adapts the heating power of the electric heating element (11) through a comparator unit (26) and a stored control algorithm to achieve and maintain the wick temperature setpoint value (28).

Images