Device and method for dispensing volatile material

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for dispensing a volatile substance, comprising a housing (2), a container (5) for the substance to be dispensed, a core which is received in the container (5) and of which the core end (6) protrudes from the container (5) so as to form a substance dispensing region, and comprising an electric heating device (8), the heating device (8) has an electrical heating circuit, the heating device (8) being displaceable relative to the core end (6) in order to set a substance delivery rate. According to the invention, the electrical heating circuit of the heating device (8) comprises a thermal switch (16) which can be opened by thermal exposure at a predetermined switching temperature and which is arranged at a distance from the core end (6), the thermal switch (16) being switchable depending on the distance between the heating device (8) and the thermal switch (16).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for dispensing volatile substances, in particular perfumes and / or active ingredients, according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a method for operating a device for dispensing volatile substances, in particular perfumes and / or active ingredients, according to the preamble of claim 13. Background Art

[0002] A known device for evaporating volatile substances, in particular perfumes and / or active substances (EP1108358B1) comprises a housing and a container, in which the substance to be dispensed is arranged and which can be at least partially inserted into the housing and can be connected to the housing. A wick is arranged in the container as a capillary element, the free core end of the wick protruding beyond the container and in contact with the substance to be dispensed, so that the substance is transported toward the free core end by means of the capillary action of the wick. In addition, an electric heating device with at least one electric heating element is arranged in the housing, the electric heating device is associated with the free core end and by means of the electric heating device, heat can be applied to the free core end so that the substance accumulated in the free core end can be quickly released into the environment.

[0003] The heating device can be displaced and fixed in different positions relative to the core end in the housing in order to set the substance delivery rate, i.e. the release rate at which the substance is to be released, so that at a position close to or near the core (hereinafter referred to as the near-core position), there is a high heat transfer between the heating device and the core end, with a high substance delivery rate, and at a position far from the core (hereinafter referred to as the far-core position), a relatively low substance delivery rate is set, with a correspondingly low heat transfer. In this case, the heating device is displaceably mounted on a linear sliding guide.

[0004] For the strongest possible effect, the user of the device very often sets the highest substance delivery rate with the minimum distance between the heating device and the wick. This can have the disadvantage that, due to the very high temperature of the wick, the free wick ends dry out and are strongly dehumidified, so that the capillary structures in the wick ends can be damaged by sticking and / or bonding together, so that the substance delivery rate is greatly reduced and, in extreme cases, the substance no longer evaporates, so that the still partially filled container has to be replaced.

[0005] On the other hand, if the heating device is set in the other extreme position, at which the distance from the end of the core is the greatest, although this avoids damage to the core, the substance delivery rate may be so low that the desired effect cannot be fully achieved. If necessary, the user can try to find an intermediate position of the heating device by conducting his own experiments to compromise between the two disadvantages explained above, but this requires time-consuming adjustments and is not usually done.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to create a device which has a simple, inexpensive construction, is also easy to operate and provides the consumer with a simple method of individually setting the substance delivery rate.A further object of the present invention is to propose a suitable method for operating such a device.

[0007] This object of the invention is achieved with respect to a device by means of the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments thereof are the subject matter of the dependent claims to which they are referred back. Summary of the invention

[0008] According to claim 1, a device for dispensing, in particular for evaporating volatile substances, such as perfumes and / or active ingredients, is provided, the device comprising a housing and a container for the substance to be dispensed. According to a preferred embodiment, the container can be coupled to the housing, preferably detachably connected, and / or can be at least partially inserted into the housing.

[0009] Furthermore, a wick is provided, the wick having a portion received in the container and a wick end of the wick also extending from the container, thereby forming a substance dispensing portion.

[0010] Furthermore, an electric heating device is provided, preferably arranged in the housing, the electric heating device comprising an electric heating circuit. The electric heating device preferably comprises at least one electric heating element, the electric heating element forming part of the electric heating circuit.

[0011] The electrical heating device may be displaceable relative to the core end when a container is inserted and / or in order to set a substance delivery rate.

[0012] According to the present invention, the electric heating circuit of the heating device includes a thermal switch (i.e., a thermal-controlled switch), which can be opened by thermal exposure to a predetermined switching temperature and is arranged at a certain distance from the core end. The thermal switch can be switched according to the distance between the heating device and the thermal switch, for example, being opened, maintained open or becoming open, or being closed, maintained closed or becoming closed.

[0013] This advantageously achieves that in the open state of the thermoswitch, the electrical heating circuit of the heating device is interrupted, or in other words, in the open state of the thermoswitch, the heating device is disconnected, in particular temporarily. This results in advantageous individual setting options for the user, which is also particularly illustrated again in the following description of preferred embodiments.

[0014] It is understood that, even if not explicitly mentioned each time, a thermal switch can be opened by thermal exposure to a predetermined switching temperature and can be (re)closed when the temperature cools below the switching temperature, possibly with a hysteresis. The thermal switch used according to the invention is also preferably designed to detect a temperature and to assume a preset, specific switching state depending on the detected temperature. The thermal switch can be designed as a thermistor, for example a PTC resistor (positive temperature coefficient resistor) or particularly preferably as a bimetallic switch.

[0015] According to a particularly preferred specific embodiment, it is provided that, in order to set the substance delivery rate, the heating device can be shifted relative to the core end into a near-core position and a far-core position, the heating device is arranged to be closer to the core end in the near-core position than in the far-core position, and in its activated state, the heating device transfers more heat to the core end in the near-core position than in the far-core position, and accordingly, the substance delivery rate is greater in the near-core position than in the far-core position. In addition, it is provided that the distance between the heating device and the thermal switch is greater in the near-core position than in the far-core position. Accordingly, in the near-core position, the distance between the heating device and the thermal switch corresponds to a position far away from the switch, and in the far-core position, the distance between the heating device and the thermal switch corresponds to a position close to or approaching the switch.

[0016] Furthermore, in this specific embodiment, it is provided that the thermal switch can be switched depending on the distance between the heating device and the thermal switch, so that the heating power of the heating device and the switching temperature of the thermal switch are set such that:

[0017] a) In the near-core position of the heating device (corresponding to the position far from the switch), the heat transfer to the thermal switch is too low to reach the switching temperature, and accordingly, the thermal switch is closed or remains closed. Therefore, in this near-core position, the device can be continuously operated with a high core temperature and a high substance delivery rate because the thermal switch is always closed in this near-core position. With this arrangement, the user achieves a large effect with a high substance delivery rate, but there may be a risk that the capillary structure at the core end may be damaged after the device is operated for a long time. However, if the device is quickly switched to the far-core position, this risk is low and controllable.

[0018] b) In a remote core position of the heating device (corresponding to a position close to or proximal to the switch), the heat transfer to the thermal switch is sufficient to reach the switching temperature and, accordingly, the thermal switch opens to switch off the electric heating device. Preferably, this is done in such a way that, in this remote core position of the heating device, the thermal switch is repeatedly switched on and off so as to achieve alternating operation of the device, in particular so that: in each case, the thermal switch is disconnected (opened) after a heating time and is switched on (closed) again after a cooling time. In this way, core protection, substance consumption and long-term operation of the device can be achieved with sufficient substance delivery rates. In addition, here, the core temperature thus preferably oscillates above and below the average core temperature, between the maximum and minimum temperatures that can be substantially achieved.

[0019] As an alternative to the embodiments according to points a) and b) above, it can be provided that the thermal switch can be switched depending on the distance between the heating device and the thermal switch, so that the heating power of the heating device and the switching temperature of the thermal switch are set so that both at the distal position of the heating device and at the proximal position of the heating device, the heat transfer to the thermal switch is sufficient to reach the switching temperature, and correspondingly, when the switching temperature is reached, the thermal switch opens in order to disconnect the electric heating device, so that both at the distal position of the heating device and at the proximal position of the heating device, the thermal switch is repeatedly switched on or off in order to achieve alternating operation of the device, but with the difference that the switching on and off cycles at the distal position are different from, in particular shorter than, those at the proximal position. This provides different switching on and off cycles, which can also lead to disconnection at the proximal position, which means that at the proximal position the user can still achieve a greater effect with a high substance delivery rate, but with a lower risk of damaging the capillary structure of the wick end compared to continuous operation. In the near-core position, due to the greater distance of the heating device from the thermal switch, the time required for the thermal switch to reach the switching temperature is longer, in particular with respect to a comparable identical initial or reference state (i.e., for example, with reference to heating the heating device starting from room temperature in each of the near-core position and the far-core position), so that the time required to open the thermal switch and thus disconnect the heating device in the near-core position is correspondingly longer than in the far-core position. Therefore, the heating phase of the heating device in the near-core position is generally longer than in the far-core position, and correspondingly, the heating device in the near-core position generally reaches a higher heating temperature than in the far-core position. In this regard, the heating device in the near-core position also generally requires a longer time to cool down to the switching temperature, so that correspondingly, the cooling phase in the near-core position is also generally longer than the cooling phase in the far-core position. Consistent with this assumption, the on and off cycles in the far-core position are shorter than in the near-core position.

[0020] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, which is simple in design and can be controlled in a functionally reliable manner by providing a thermal switch, it is provided that the heating device can be displaced only between a distal position and a proximal position, and in this respect, only two setting positions are provided. However, with regard to the different setting positions, the following applies in principle: Admittedly, the concept of the invention is described and explained in more detail herein, in particular with regard to the naming of the preferred setting positions as the proximal position and the distal position. However, this does not explicitly mean that the device designed according to the invention must always have only these two setting positions, although, as already explained above, this can certainly be the case, since this is a particularly preferred embodiment in this respect. On the contrary, it is of course also possible to set and / or pre-set other setting positions, such as an intermediate position between these two positions, in which, for example, the effect brought about or expected by the interaction with the thermal switch with respect to the distal position or the proximal position is more or less produced, or, as the case may be, the effect is not produced at all or only in a modified form. These embodiments also explicitly do not represent a workaround solution, but should be explicitly regarded as being included in the inventive concept of the invention.

[0021] The thermal switch can be arranged in or on the housing at basically any suitable location. The protective arrangement of the thermal switch inside the housing is particularly functionally reliable.

[0022] The thermal switch is also preferably arranged in a fixed position. This means that a fixed distance to the core end is thus predetermined and set, and the device can be constructed and manufactured to be correspondingly simple. However, in principle, embodiments are also possible in which the thermal switch is displaceable, for example in order to be able to variably set the distance to the core end.

[0023] In a first specific embodiment, the heating device comprises a single electric heating element that can be switched by the thermal switch. The electric heating element is preferably formed by a heating resistor. In such an embodiment, the core temperature at the remote core position thus preferably oscillates above and below an average temperature value, which is, for example, in the range of 70° to 90°C. In a practical embodiment, for example, this average temperature value is about 80°C and is therefore approximately halfway between a maximum temperature value of about 90°C above and a minimum temperature value of about 70°C below.

[0024] Instead of the specific first embodiment, in a specific second embodiment, the heating device may have two electric heating elements arranged in parallel, in particular with heating resistors as the electric heating elements, one of the two electric heating elements being switchable by the thermal switch, while on the other hand, the other heating element is continuously heated. Here, too, the core temperature oscillates around the mean value, so that the cooling time can be longer and the temperature range can be set larger than in the first embodiment with a single heating element above, for example, so that at the remote core position, the core temperature can also oscillate around the temperature mean value (preferably about 80° C.) as in the first embodiment, between an upper temperature value of, for example, about 100° C. and a lower temperature value of, for example, about 60° C.

[0025] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the heating device can have a heating body, which is preferably disc-shaped and / or quasi-cube-shaped and / or annular, with a core receiving opening for the core end, which is preferably formed as a through-hole, or the heating device can be formed by such a heating body. For such a heating device, its outer contour is clearly defined, so that it can be well adapted to it in order to structurally arrange and design the remaining components, in particular the thermal switch. The core receiving opening can be designed in different ways, only a few specific examples are mentioned, for example, it can be designed as a central or middle core receiving opening, or it can be designed as a core recess located at the edge.

[0026] It can also be provided that, for example, an electric heating element, preferably a resistor as an electric heating element, is embedded in the heating body and is part of the electric heating circuit, the heating body being made at least in some areas, preferably predominantly, most preferably completely, of a heat-conducting material, in particular an electrically conductive ceramic or plastic material. Such a heating body can be manufactured simply, quickly and cheaply.

[0027] In principle, the displacement or, for example, height adjustment of the heating device can be realized in different ways, for example by a rotational adjustment, in which the heating device is rotated in a screw-like manner and displaced to different set positions. However, according to a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the heating device can be linearly displaced on or along a sliding guide. Such a linear sliding guide enables a simple and rapid and, above all, functionally reliable adjustment between the respectively provided set positions, in particular the preferred set positions, which are the distal core position and the proximal core position. In this case, a specific embodiment is particularly preferred, wherein, in the proximal core position, the core end extends into the core receiving opening, and wherein, in the distal core position, the core receiving opening is located at a certain distance above the core end relative to the vertical axis direction of the core and has a correspondingly smaller distance to the thermal switch than in the proximal core position.

[0028] The means may also preferably be in the form of a plug member having plug contacts extending from the housing, the plug contacts being insertable into an electrical socket for supplying electrical power and for holding the housing in place.

[0029] The object of the invention is achieved with respect to a method having the features of claim 12. Advantageous embodiments thereof are the subject matter of the dependent claims to which they are referenced.

[0030] According to claim 12, there is provided a method of operating a device for dispensing a volatile substance, the device comprising a housing, a container for the substance to be dispensed, a wick, the wick being received in the container and the wick end of the wick protruding from the container to form a substance dispensing area, and the device further comprising an electric heating device, the electric heating device in turn comprising an electric heating circuit, the heating device being displaceable relative to the wick end to adjust the substance delivery rate. According to the invention, it is provided that the electric heating circuit of the heating device comprises a thermal switch, the thermal switch being able to be opened by thermal exposure to a predetermined switching temperature, and the thermal switch being arranged at a certain distance from the wick end, the thermal switch being switched according to the distance between the heating device and the thermal switch.

[0031] The advantages obtained by the method are the same as those of the device according to the invention. In this respect, in order to avoid repetitions, reference is made to the advantages of the device described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The present invention will be further explained by way of example embodiments with reference to the following drawings:

[0033] Figure 1a shows a perspective view of a device for dispensing a volatile substance as a connector component;

[0034] Figure 2 A heating device is shown which is displaceable in the housing;

[0035] Figure 3 A schematic partial cross-sectional view in the region of the core end is shown, in a near-core position as a first setting position;

[0036] Figure 4 The remote core position corresponding to the second setting position is shown. Figure 3 pictorial diagram;

[0037] Figure 5 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a case where the heating device is in a near-core position;

[0038] Figure 6 a diagram showing a temperature profile at a near-core location;

[0039] Figure 7 A schematic circuit diagram of a heating device in an embodiment in a remote core position is shown, wherein the heating device has a heating resistor;

[0040] Figure 8 Shows the display according to Figure 7 A diagram of a temperature profile of an arrangement structure;

[0041] Fig. 9 A schematic circuit diagram of a heating device in an embodiment in a remote core position is shown, wherein the heating device has two heating resistors; and

[0042] Fig.10 Shows the display according to Fig. 9 Graph of the temperature profile of the arrangement structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Figure 1 A perspective view of a device 1 for dispensing volatile substances, in particular perfumes and / or active substances, as a plug component is shown (to be understood only as an example). The device 1 comprises a housing 2, from which protrudes a plug contact 3, which can be plugged into an electrical socket (not shown) for power supply and for holding the housing 2, and which can be activated, for example, by a button 4.

[0044] The container 5 is inserted into the housing 2, here exemplarily from below, and is connected to the housing 2, preferably in a replaceable and detachable manner. The container 5 contains the substance to be dispensed and a core, the core end 6 of which protrudes upward from the container 5 (see Figure 3 , 4An outlet opening 7 for the substance to be dispensed is formed in the upper wall of the container 5 .

[0045] Figure 2 An exemplary electric heating device 8 is shown as a separate component, which has an exemplary cube-like and annular heating body 9, which is made of a heat-conducting ceramic material, for example, and one or two heating resistors 19, 20 are embedded in the heating body 9 as an example of a heating element. The heating body 9 has a cylindrical opening as a core receiving opening 10 aligned with the displacement direction of the heating device 8, according to Figure 3 , the core end 6 can be inserted into the core receiving opening 10 in a near-core position as a first setting position. The heater 9 can be displaced on a vertically arranged sliding guide between an upper (second) and a lower (first) setting position, for which purpose the heating body is attached to a guide bracket 11 which can be displaced on a vertical guide rail 12 of the housing 5.

[0046] exist Figure 3 and 4 , the heating device 8 with its heating body 9 is schematically shown in the housing 2 in only two possible setting positions shown here:

[0047] exist Figure 3 , the heater 8 is shown in a lower position corresponding to a first setting position as a near-core position, in which the core end is inserted into the core receiving opening 10 so that maximum heat transfer from the heating body 9 to the core end 6 occurs during operation of the device 1.

[0048] On the other hand, Figure 4 In the embodiment, the heating device 8 has been respectively displaced to an upper position corresponding to the second possible setting position, which corresponds to the far-core position, in which the heating device 8 is further away from the core end 6 than in the near-core position, so that at least a part of the heating body 9 is located above the core end 6 relative to the vertical axis direction and is in contact with the core end 6. Figure 3 A lower heat transfer to the core end 6 occurs than in the near-core position as shown.

[0049] exist Figure 3 In the example, a possible upward shift is indicated by arrow 13, and in Figure 4 In FIG. 1 , a possible downward displacement is indicated by arrow 14 , so that in both setting positions the heating device 8 is in each case held against the housing side by a (schematically indicated) press-over detent 15 a , 15 b .

[0050] Above the heating device 8, as seen in the direction of the vertical axis, a thermal switch 16 (e.g. a bimetallic switch) is stationarily arranged in the housing 2 (here exemplarily arranged below the upper wall or top wall of the housing 2) both in the near-core position and in the far-core position. Figure 3 At the near core position, the distance 17a between the heating body 9 and the thermal switch 16 is significantly greater than that at the Figure 4 The distance from the core position is 17b, so that according to Figure 3 The heat transfer to the thermal switch 16 is correspondingly significantly less than that in the case of the remote core position according to Figure 4 Heat transfer near the core.

[0051] like Figure 2 As shown, the plug contacts 3 and the thermal switch 16 are stationary in the housing 2, so that the electrical supply line 18 to the heating body 9 must be long enough to allow and not hinder the linear displacement of the heater 8. Figure 3 and 4 For the sake of clarity, electrical conductors are not drawn.

[0052] Figure 5 A highly schematic and merely exemplary heating circuit is shown, which has a first heating resistor 19 and possibly a second heating resistor 20 connected in parallel (shown in dashed lines), which as heating elements can be part of the heating body 9 of the heating device 8. In this case, the thermal switch 16 is connected upstream of the first heating resistor 19. According to Figure 3 In the near-core position shown, the heating element 9 is positioned at a greater distance 17a below the thermal switch 16. Here, the heat transfer to the thermal switch 16 is insufficient to reach its switching temperature, for example 80° C., and to switch it from its closed position to its open position. Therefore, the heating by both the heating resistors 19 and 20 is continuous, resulting in the core temperature being maintained at a constant level, here for example about 100° C., after the initial rise after the device 1 is switched on.

[0053] Figure 7 Shown with Figure 5 A similar circuit, but with only one heating resistor 19 in the heating element 9 of the heating device 8. Here, the thermal switch 16 is connected upstream of the heating resistor. Here, the heating device 8 with the heating element 9 is connected according to Figure 4 The remote position of the core and therefore the distance 17b from the thermal switch 16 is relatively small. This results in, for example Figure 8 The temperature profile of the core temperature is shown.

[0054] After the device 1 is switched on, the core temperature and the temperature of the thermal switch rise to, for example, about 80° C., so that the thermal switch is heated to its predetermined or preset switching temperature and opens, causing the heating device 8 to be disconnected. Due to the heat stored in the heating body 9 and the temperature inertia of the arrangement, the core temperature actually continues to rise initially, for example to about 90° C. Then the cooling phase begins, and the core temperature cools down to, for example, about 70° C. Correspondingly, the thermal switch 16 also reaches its predetermined or preset switching temperature again, so that it is closed and the heating circuit is also closed again, so that the heating resistor is activated again and the core temperature rises again. Therefore, here, the core temperature oscillates above and below the average temperature value (here exemplarily about 80° C.) in the manner of a sawtooth curve. If the substance delivery rate is high enough, this avoids overheating of the core and damage to the core.

[0055] Fig. 9 Shown with Figure 7 A similar circuit is provided, which has a second heating resistor 20 connected in parallel with the first heating resistor 19, and the heating device 8 and the heating body 9 are also respectively connected in the following manner: Figure 4 This arrangement results in the following: Fig.10 The core temperature curve shown is also based on a sawtooth curve, but with Figure 8 In comparison, there is a larger temperature range and a longer cooling phase, because the parallel second heating element 20 continues to operate continuously when the heating resistor 19 is disconnected by the thermal switch 16. Therefore, the oscillating temperature curve of the core temperature can have different designs and ranges according to the situation.

[0056] Furthermore, if the distance between the heating device 8 and the thermal switch 16, the heating power of the heating device 8, and the switching temperature of the thermal switch 16 are set so that even at the near-core position of the heating device 8, the heat transfer to the thermal switch 16 is sufficient to reach the switching temperature, then the switching temperature can be achieved at the near-core position. Figure 7 and 9 Thus, in the near-core position, when the switching temperature is reached, the thermal switch 16 will also open to disconnect the electric heating device 8, which results in the alternating operation of the device and its repeated switching on and off, but the difference is that the switching on and off cycle in the position far from the core, i.e. the far-core position, is different from the switching on and off cycle in the near-core position, in particular, shorter.

[0057] List of Reference Numerals

[0058] 1 device

[0059] 2 Shell

[0060] 3 plug contacts

[0061] 4 buttons

[0062] 5 Containers

[0063] 6-core terminal

[0064] 7 Exit openings

[0065] 8Heating device

[0066] 9 Heating element

[0067] 10-core receiving opening

[0068] 11 Guide bracket

[0069] 12 Guide Tracks

[0070] 13 Arrows

[0071] 14 Arrows

[0072] 15a, 15b stopper

[0073] 16 Thermal switch

[0074] 17a, 17b distance

[0075] 18 Supply Lines

[0076] 19 First heating resistor

[0077] 20 Second heating resistor

Claims

1. A device for dispensing a volatile substance, Having a housing (2), having a container (5) for the substance to be dispensed, having a core which is received in the container (5) and at which a core end (6) of the core protrudes from the container (5) so as to form a substance dispensing region, An electric heating device (8) is provided, the heating device (8) having an electric heating circuit, the heating device (8) being displaceable relative to the core end (6) in order to set the substance delivery rate, It is characterized in that The electric heating circuit of the heating device (8) comprises a thermal switch (16), which can be opened by thermal exposure to a predetermined switching temperature and is arranged at a certain distance from the core end (6), and the thermal switch (16) can be switched according to the distance between the heating device (8) and the thermal switch (16).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The heating device (8) is displaceable relative to the core end (6) into a proximal position and a distal position in order to set a substance delivery rate, the heating device (8) being arranged closer to the core end (6) in the proximal position than in the distal position, and in its activated state, the heating device (8) transfers more heat to the core end (6) in the proximal position than in the distal position, and correspondingly, the substance delivery rate is greater in the proximal position than in the distal position, The distance between the heating device (8) and the thermal switch (16) is greater at the near-core position than at the far-core position. The thermal switch (16) can be switched depending on the distance between the heating device (8) and the thermal switch (16), so that the heating power of the heating device (8) and the switching temperature of the thermal switch (16) are set such that: - at the near-core position of the heating device (8), the heat transfer to the thermal switch (16) is too low to reach the switching temperature and, accordingly, the thermal switch (16) closes or remains closed, and - In the remote position of the heating device (8), the heat transfer to the thermal switch (16) is sufficient to reach the switching temperature, and accordingly, when the switching temperature is reached, the thermal switch (16) opens to disconnect the electric heating device (8), preferably so that in this remote position of the heating device (8), the thermal switch (16) is repeatedly turned on and off so as to achieve alternating operation of the device (1).

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The heating device (8) is displaceable relative to the core end (6) into a proximal position and a distal position in order to set a substance delivery rate, the heating device (8) being arranged closer to the core end (6) in the proximal position than in the distal position, and in its activated state, the heating device (8) transfers more heat to the core end (6) in the proximal position than in the distal position, and correspondingly, the substance delivery rate is greater in the proximal position than in the distal position, The distance between the heating device (8) and the thermal switch (16) is greater at the near-core position than at the far-core position. The thermal switch (16) can be switched depending on the distance between the heating device (8) and the thermal switch (16), so that the heating power of the heating device (8) and the switching temperature of the thermal switch (16) are set such that: At both the distal position of the heating device (8) and the proximal position of the heating device (8), the heat transfer to the thermal switch (16) is sufficient to reach the switching temperature, and accordingly, when the switching temperature is reached, the thermal switch (16) opens to disconnect the electric heating device (8), so that at both the distal position of the heating device (8) and the proximal position of the heating device (8), the thermal switch (16) is repeatedly turned on or off to achieve alternating operation of the device (1), but the difference is that the on and off cycle at the distal position is different from that at the proximal position, and is particularly shorter.

4. The device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The heating device (8) is displaceable only between the distal position and the proximal position and, in this respect, only two setting positions are provided.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The thermal switch (16) is arranged inside the housing (19) and / or is arranged stationarily.

6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The thermal switch (16) is a bimetallic switch.

7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The heating device (8) comprises a single electric heating element (19) which can be switched by means of the thermal switch (16).

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The heating device comprises two electric heating elements (19, 20) arranged in parallel, one electric heating element (19) being switchable by means of the thermal switch (16).

9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The heating device (8) comprises or is formed by a heating body (9), which is preferably disk-shaped and / or cube-like and / or ring-shaped, and has a core receiving opening (10) for the core end (6).

10. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Electrical heating elements (19, 20) are embedded in the heating body (9), which is part of the electrical heating circuit, and the heating body (9) is made of heat-conducting material at least in some areas, preferably predominantly, most preferably completely.

11. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The heating device (8) is capable of linearly shifting on the sliding guide (12), preferably so that in the near-core position, the core end (6) extends into the core receiving opening (10), and so that in the far-core position, the core receiving opening (10) is located at a certain distance above the core end (6) relative to the vertical axis direction of the core, and correspondingly has a smaller distance from the thermal switch (16) than in the near-core position.

12. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The device (1) is designed as a plug component and has plug contacts (3) which protrude from the housing (2) and can be inserted into an electrical socket for supplying power and for holding the housing (2).

13. A method of operating a device for dispensing a volatile substance, the device, Having a housing (2), having a container (5) for the substance to be dispensed, having a core which is received in the container (5) and at which a core end (6) of the core protrudes from the container (5) so as to form a substance dispensing region, An electric heating device (8) is provided, the heating device (8) having an electric heating circuit, the heating device (8) being displaceable relative to the core end (6) in order to set the substance delivery rate, It is characterized in that The electric heating circuit of the heating device (8) comprises a thermal switch (16), which can be opened by thermal exposure to a predetermined switching temperature and is arranged at a certain distance from the core end (6), and the thermal switch (16) can be switched according to the distance between the heating device (8) and the thermal switch (16).

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The heating device (8) is displaceable relative to the core end (6) into a proximal position and a distal position in order to set a substance delivery rate, the heating device (8) being arranged closer to the core end (6) in the proximal position than in the distal position, and in its activated state, the heating device (8) transfers more heat to the core end (6) in the proximal position than in the distal position, and correspondingly, the substance delivery rate is greater in the proximal position than in the distal position, The distance between the heating device (8) and the thermal switch (16) is greater at the near-core position than at the far-core position. The thermal switch (16) can be switched depending on the distance between the heating device (8) and the thermal switch (16), so that the heating power of the heating device (8) and the switching temperature of the thermal switch (16) are set such that: - in the near-core position of the heating device (8), the heat transfer to the thermal switch (16) is too low to reach the switching temperature, and accordingly, the thermal switch (16) closes or remains closed and the device (1) operates continuously, and - In the remote position of the heating device (8), the heat transfer to the thermal switch (16) is sufficient to reach the switching temperature, and accordingly, the thermal switch (16) opens to disconnect the electric heating device (8), preferably so that in this remote position of the heating device (8), the thermal switch (16) is repeatedly turned on and off to achieve alternating operation of the device (1).

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The heating device (8) is displaceable relative to the core end (6) into a proximal position and a distal position in order to set a substance delivery rate, the heating device (8) being arranged closer to the core end (6) in the proximal position than in the distal position, and in its activated state, the heating device (8) transfers more heat to the core end (6) in the proximal position than in the distal position, and correspondingly, the substance delivery rate is greater in the proximal position than in the distal position, The distance between the heating device (8) and the thermal switch (16) is greater at the near-core position than at the far-core position. The thermal switch (16) can be switched depending on the distance between the heating device (8) and the thermal switch (16), so that the heating power of the heating device (8) and the switching temperature of the thermal switch (16) are set such that: At both the distal position of the heating device (8) and the proximal position of the heating device (8), the heat transfer to the thermal switch (16) is sufficient to reach the switching temperature, and accordingly, when the switching temperature is reached, the thermal switch (16) opens to disconnect the electric heating device (8), so that at both the distal position of the heating device (8) and the proximal position of the heating device (8), the thermal switch (16) is repeatedly turned on or off to achieve alternating operation of the device (1), but the difference is that the on and off cycle at the distal position is different from that at the proximal position, and is particularly shorter.

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