Aromatherapy device for a motor vehicle, method for manufacturing an aromatherapy device, method for operating an aromatherapy device, and use of a plastic component

Abstract

The invention relates to a fragrance device (1) for a motor vehicle, having a fragrance substance carrier (2) for introducing fragrance substances into the interior of the motor vehicle. It is provided here that the fragrance substance carrier (2) is a plastic component composed of an electrically conductive plastic, which is provided with fragrance substances. The invention also relates to a method for producing a fragrance device (1) for a motor vehicle, a method for operating a fragrance device (1) for a motor vehicle, and the use of a plastic component as a fragrance substance carrier (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an aromatherapy device / fragrance device for motor vehicles, the device having a fragrance substance carrier for introducing fragrance substances into the interior space of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, this invention relates to a method for manufacturing an aromatherapy device for motor vehicles, a method for operating an aromatherapy device for motor vehicles, and the application of a plastic component. Background Technology

[0002] As is known from the prior art, for example, document DE 603 ​​18 910 T2. This document describes a device for adding fragrance to the interior of a vehicle by heating a substance capable of emitting vapor. The device comprises: a capsule made of a plastic material containing a scented gel; an upper surface made of silicone material, wherein the fragrance can be diffused through micropores; the capsule being introduced into the device from the outside through a suitable opening and placed on a carrier inside the device near electrical and / or electronic components to generate heat, wherein the electrical or electronic components are connected to a circuit powered by the vehicle's electrical system; means for turning the device on and off, wherein a switch is provided in the circuit, preferably connected to a light-emitting diode (LED) that reports the on / off status of the same device to the user; and a fuse that can be removed and replaced and is connected to the circuit to protect the circuit from possible overvoltage.

[0003] Furthermore, document DE 10 2011 001 637 A1 discloses an air freshener for a vehicle, which has a container for a fragrance substance, wherein the container for the fragrance substance has at least one opening, and discloses a retaining device for attaching the air freshener to an air vent in the interior space of a vehicle, wherein the retaining device includes at least one clamping member. The at least one clamping member is made of an elastic material, has an elliptical or circular cross-section, and is designed to be stably inserted into the air vent of the vehicle.

[0004] Finally, document DE 10 2009 006 192 A1 describes an aromatherapy device, particularly for the interior space of a vehicle, having a container for a fragrance substance by means of which a fragrance can be added to an airflow, wherein the container is housed within a space at least substantially surrounded by a housing device, wherein the housing device includes at least one air inlet opening and an air outlet opening. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an aromatherapy device for motor vehicles that has advantages over known aromatherapy devices, particularly in that it can quickly and effectively enhance the interior space with fragrance substances, and also allows for simple operation of the fragrance substance carrier.

[0006] According to the present invention, this is achieved by an aromatherapy device for motor vehicles having the features described in claim 1. Here, the fragrance carrier is defined as a plastic component made of conductive plastic and incorporating the fragrance substance.

[0007] Advantageous designs of the invention with suitable improvements are given in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the embodiments set forth in the specification are not restrictive; rather, any variations of the features disclosed in the specification, claims, and drawings may be implemented.

[0008] An aromatherapy device is used to introduce fragrance substances into the interior space of a motor vehicle. Preferably, the aromatherapy device is an integral part of the motor vehicle, but it can also exist independently of the motor vehicle. For example, the fragrance substance carrier is installed in the motor vehicle's air conditioning or ventilation system. The fragrance substance carrier is directed and / or circulated by air, which is then delivered to the interior space of the motor vehicle. As the fragrance substance carrier is directed or circulated by air, the carrier releases the fragrance substance into the air, or the air absorbs the fragrance substance from the carrier, thus delivering the fragrance substance along with the air to the interior space of the motor vehicle.

[0009] Liquid fragrance substances are typically used, stored in a fragrance carrier. This carrier is designed as a container or perfume bottle. However, this results in high development costs for aromatherapy devices; furthermore, the handling of liquid fragrance substances is quite cumbersome. Similarly, the cost of using liquid fragrance substances and the necessary construction can lead to significant delays in delivering the fragrance substance to the internal space.

[0010] For this reason, the fragrance carrier should now exist in the form of a plastic component, which itself contains the fragrance. This means that the fragrance is embedded in the plastic component, specifically in the plastic that constitutes the plastic component. Preferably, the fragrance is incorporated into the plastic component directly during its manufacturing process. Thus, the plastic and the fragrance are processed together to manufacture the plastic component. Particularly preferably, the fragrance is a component of a masterbatch, which is mixed into the plastic during the manufacturing process of the plastic component.

[0011] For example, plastic exists in the form of plastic pellets. Masterbatch is mixed into the plastic pellets, and then the mixture of plastic pellets and masterbatch is processed into plastic components, for example, by injection molding. The advantage of this approach or design is that the application of plastic components is very flexible and can be applied to areas where fragrance substances should be introduced into the interior space of a motor vehicle. For example, it can be specified that the use of the plastic component forms surfaces defining the interior space.

[0012] Particularly preferred is the use of one of the following plastics for the plastic components: silicone / silicone, polypropylene, polyethylene, or the like. Particularly preferred is the use of silicone, which has particularly good absorption capacity for fragrance substances and can also release fragrance substances in a targeted manner.

[0013] In order to regulate the release of fragrance substances from plastic components into the interior space of the vehicle, the plastic constituting the plastic components is conductive. For this purpose, the plastic has conductive components, such as the addition of carbon or similar substances. Particularly preferably, the plastic is conductive throughout; however, it can also be specified that conductivity is provided by means of a coating on the plastic. Therefore, in the latter case, only the surface of the plastic is conductive.

[0014] Preferably, the plastic component is electrically connected to the controller of the aromatherapy device, through which an electric current is applied to the plastic component, at least temporarily. Preferably, the application of the current is based on the intensity at which the fragrance substance should be released from the plastic component and / or introduced into the interior space of the vehicle. Preferably, at least two electrodes are arranged on the plastic component, or at least two electrodes are embedded in the plastic component, through which an electric current can be applied to the plastic component, particularly by the controller.

[0015] Particularly preferably, the temperature of the plastic component is regulated by applying an electric current to it. Specifically, applying the current to the plastic component causes its actual temperature, i.e., its current temperature, to be adjusted towards a target temperature, particularly until the target temperature is reached. For example, the actual temperature is controlled to reach the target temperature by adjusting the electrical power of the current flowing through the plastic component. For example, the adjustment of the electrical power can be achieved by adjusting the voltage and / or the current intensity.

[0016] In particular, the target temperature is selected in such a way that fragrance substances are emitted from the plastic component at a desired intensity. In this regard, it can be stipulated that this intensity is preset, and the target temperature is determined based on this intensity. Subsequently, the actual temperature of the plastic component is adjusted to the target temperature by adjusting the electrical power, and the fragrance substances are emitted from the plastic component accordingly at the desired intensity.

[0017] By combining the direct introduction of fragrance substances into plastic components with the use of conductive plastics for these components, it is possible to achieve highly targeted adjustment of the fragrance intensity within the vehicle's interior. Furthermore, the application of plastic components is significantly simpler than that of liquid fragrance substances. Moreover, plastic components can be directly applied to the areas where fragrance substances should be introduced into the interior space, ensuring that the fragrance reaches the vicinity of the vehicle occupant and is perceived by their sense of smell very quickly.

[0018] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that the plastic contains a fragrance substance as an additive, and / or the plastic contains a conductive material as another additive. Particularly preferably, the fragrance substance—as already described—is directly incorporated into the plastic, i.e., incorporated during the manufacture of plastic components from the plastic. Accordingly, the fragrance substance is added to the plastic in the form of an additive, particularly by mixing the additive with plastic pellets, followed by the manufacture of plastic components from the plastic pellet-fragrance substance mixture. Here, the additive is present, in particular, as a component of the masterbatch; correspondingly, the fragrance substance constitutes a component of the masterbatch.

[0019] Additional or alternative additives may be incorporated into the plastic, which may be present in the form of a conductive material or at least contain a conductive material. These additional additives may also be present in the form of a masterbatch or as part of a masterbatch. For example, a fragrance substance as an additive and a conductive material as an additional additive together constitute a masterbatch supplied to the plastic or plastic pellets during the manufacture of plastic components. Conductive materials may be, for example, carbon or metal, particularly in the form of metal particles. Aluminum may be used as an example of a metal. If the plastic acquires conductivity due to such additives, it is called an exogenous conductive plastic. Of course, endogenous conductive plastics may also be used, that is, plastics that are conductive even without conductive additives.

[0020] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that the fragrance substance is present in a region of the plastic component where current can be applied via an electrical connection terminal / connection. The electrical connection terminal can also be referred to as an electrode. The electrical connection terminal is electrically connected to the plastic component, thereby establishing a circuit through the electrical connection terminal and the plastic component, specifically the region of the plastic component containing the fragrance substance, particularly during the application of current to the plastic component by a controller. For example, this region constitutes only a part of the plastic component, thus the plastic component contains the fragrance substance only partially or only regionally. This achieves a particularly high degree of flexibility in using the plastic component.

[0021] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that the region is a first region and the connecting terminal is a first connecting terminal, and the plastic component has a second region in which current can be applied via a second electrical connecting terminal. In the second region, the plastic component is provided with a different fragrance substance than the stated fragrance substance. Therefore, the plastic component is divided into multiple regions, i.e., at least a first region and a second region. In these two regions, the plastic component is provided with different fragrance substances; that is, the stated fragrance substance is provided in the first region, while a different fragrance substance is provided in the second region. In this regard, the stated fragrance substance may also be referred to as the first fragrance substance, and the different fragrance substance may be referred to as the second fragrance substance.

[0022] It goes without saying that the plastic component can be divided into any number of regions in which different fragrance substances are introduced. Therefore, there can also be more than two regions, especially at least three, four, or five regions, each containing a different fragrance substance. Such plastic components are particularly manufactured as multi-component plastic components, and thus composed of different materials. Here, these materials are preferably based on the same plastic but contain different fragrance substances, i.e., for example, masterbatches containing different fragrance substances are mixed into these materials. For example, the processing of multiple materials and thus the manufacture of the plastic component are carried out by a multi-component injection molding method.

[0023] Each of these regions is provided with a separate electrical connection terminal or electrode. The electrical connection terminals are arranged in such a way that current can be applied to these regions independently of each other, thereby selectively manipulating the respective regions to release the fragrance substances present therein. Particularly preferably, a region made of a non-conductive material is provided between two regions or between every two regions containing fragrance substances. For this material, the same plastic as the other regions is preferably used, but without conductive additives.

[0024] This avoids mutual interference between different areas and effectively prevents the simultaneous release of different fragrance substances from multiple areas, or allows for highly precise and targeted mixing of fragrance substances. The design of the described plastic components enables the release of different fragrance substances into the interior space of a vehicle, allowing the air purifier to operate in a particularly flexible manner. For example, it can be configured to simultaneously release the corresponding fragrance substances contained within multiple areas, thereby creating a mixture of various fragrance substances within the vehicle's interior space. This allows for highly targeted satisfaction of the user's preferences.

[0025] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that the plastic component is designed as a fluid conduit, which, in terms of flow technology, is connected to an air source on one hand and to the interior space of the vehicle on the other. Therefore, the plastic component surrounds or defines the fluid space. Air is transported through this fluid space, that is, air is transported from the air source toward the interior space of the vehicle, so that the air supplied by the air source flows through the fluid conduit, specifically the fluid space of the fluid conduit, and then flows into the interior space of the vehicle. During the flow through the fluid conduit, the air absorbs fragrance substances and transports them toward the interior space, specifically into the interior space.

[0026] Preferably, the plastic component is designed such that fragrance is released only from the inner circumferential surface defining the internal space of the fluid conduit. For example, the plastic component is constructed in a multi-layered manner, wherein only the inner layer forming the inner circumferential surface contains the fragrance, while the outer layer surrounding the inner layer does not. Therefore, the plastic component is designed with high specificity for the application field. In principle, the cross-sectional shape of the fluid conduit can be arbitrarily chosen. For example, the cross-sectional shape can be elliptical, especially circular, or polygonal, such as rectangular.

[0027] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that the plastic component is part of the in-vehicle device of a motor vehicle. Therefore, the plastic component at least faces the interior space of the motor vehicle and directly forms the boundary of the interior space. Here, the surface of the plastic component that releases fragrance substances faces the interior space so that the fragrance substances escaping from the plastic component directly reach the interior space. In principle, an in-vehicle device should be understood as any device arranged in the interior space and / or forming the boundary of the interior space.

[0028] In this regard, in-vehicle components may include, for example, the vehicle's dashboard, center console, door trim, or seats. For instance, a plastic component may be located at the headrest of the seat, allowing fragrance substances to quickly reach and be perceived by the vehicle's user. This achieves a particularly direct application of fragrance substances into the vehicle's interior space.

[0029] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that the plastic component is inserted into the receiving portion in a replaceable manner. The plastic component forms a reservoir for fragrance substances, which can be replaced from time to time. For this purpose, a receiving portion is provided, into which the plastic component is replaced. For example, the plastic component and the receiving portion are provided with a press-opening device by means of which the plastic component is secured in the receiving portion until an actuating force is applied to the press-opening device pointing inward into the receiving portion. If the actuating force exceeds a preset force, the device then pushes the plastic component out of the receiving portion, and the plastic component can be removed from the receiving portion. To insert the plastic component into the receiving portion, the plastic component is pressed into the receiving portion, and then the plastic component is held in the receiving portion. The described design of the aromatherapy device enables particularly simple replacement of the plastic component.

[0030] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that the plastic component has an RFID chip. This chip is used to identify the plastic component, and more particularly to identify fragrance substances contained within it. In this regard, the RFID chip describes a fragrance substance that can be diffused into the interior space of a motor vehicle via the plastic component. The fragrance device has a detection device that detects the RFID chip and transmits the identifier describing the plastic component or fragrance substance to a controller. The controller can then selectively operate the plastic component according to the presets of the motor vehicle user.

[0031] Of course, the present invention also relates to a motor vehicle having an aromatherapy device, i.e., an aromatherapy device as described within the scope of this specification. Advantages of such designs for motor vehicles or aromatherapy devices have been mentioned. Both the motor vehicle and the aromatherapy device can be improved based on the descriptions in this specification.

[0032] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an aromatherapy device for motor vehicles, particularly an aromatherapy device according to the description herein, wherein the aromatherapy device has an aromatherapy substance carrier for introducing fragrance substances into the interior space of the motor vehicle. It is specified herein that a plastic component made of conductive plastic and incorporating fragrance substances is used as the aromatherapy substance carrier.

[0033] The advantages of this design or practice for aromatherapy devices have been mentioned. Aromatherapy devices and their manufacturing methods can be improved based on the descriptions in this manual, and therefore can be referenced in this regard.

[0034] An improved embodiment of the present invention specifies that a fragrance substance is incorporated as a component of a masterbatch into plastic granules used in the manufacture of plastic components. Such practices have been previously mentioned and are described herein.

[0035] Similarly, the present invention relates to a method for operating an aromatherapy device for a motor vehicle, preferably according to the aromatherapy device described in the specification, wherein the aromatherapy device has an aromatherapy substance carrier for introducing the aromatherapy substance into the interior space of the motor vehicle. Here, it is again specified that a plastic component made of conductive plastic and incorporating the aromatherapy substance is used as the aromatherapy substance carrier.

[0036] For details on the advantages and possible improvements, please refer again to the description in the instruction manual.

[0037] Finally, the present invention also relates to the application of a plastic component made of conductive plastic as a fragrance carrier in air fresheners for motor vehicles, particularly in air fresheners according to embodiments described in the specification. Preferably, this plastic component is used in air fresheners for motor vehicles. For advantages and possible beneficial improvements, refer to the corresponding description.

[0038] The features and combinations thereof described in the specification, and especially those described and / or shown in the following description of the drawings, may be applied not only in the corresponding combinations given, but also in other combinations or individually, as long as they do not depart from the scope of the invention. Therefore, embodiments not explicitly shown or described in the specification and / or drawings, but which can be derived from or inferred from the described embodiments, are also considered to be included within the scope of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0039] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, but this does not constitute a limitation thereof. Wherein, the only...

[0040] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an air freshener for a motor vehicle is shown, the air freshener having an air freshener carrier for introducing fragrance substances into the interior space of the motor vehicle. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an air freshener 1 for a motor vehicle is shown. As an important component, the air freshener has a fragrance material carrier 2, which is loaded with airflow in the direction of arrow 3. Therefore, the fragrance material carrier 2 is either directed towards or around the airflow. The air is transported from the direction of the air source towards the interior space of the motor vehicle. The fragrance material carrier 2 has a region 4 where electrodes 5 and 6 are electrically connected. The controller 7 of the air freshener 1 is connected to the fragrance material carrier 2 via electrodes 5 and 6.

[0042] The fragrance carrier 2 is at least regionally constructed of conductive plastic containing a fragrance substance. The intensity of the fragrance substance output from the fragrance carrier 2 is adjusted by energizing the fragrance carrier 2 in region 4 via a controller 7 and electrodes 5 and 6. In the illustrated embodiment, in addition to region 4, the fragrance carrier 2 also has another region 8, which is electrically connected to the controller 7 via electrodes 9 and 10. In region 8, the fragrance carrier 2 contains a different fragrance substance than the stated fragrance substance.

[0043] Therefore, by selectively manipulating or energizing regions 4 and 8 using controller 7, a desired fragrance substance can be emitted from fragrance carrier 2, carried by the air towards the interior space. Alternatively, an electric current can be applied to fragrance carrier 2 to output the corresponding fragrance substance from both regions 4 and 8, thereby creating a fragrance mixture that is transported by the air towards the interior space. The composition of this mixture can be adjusted by correspondingly energizing regions 4 and 8, for example, by controller 7 adjusting the composition of the mixture to a preset composition. Thus, a specific fragrance can be provided highly targeted to the interior space of the vehicle.

[0044] List of reference numerals

[0045] 1 Aromatherapy device

[0046] 2 Fragrance Carriers

[0047] 3 arrows

[0048] 4 regions

[0049] 5 electrodes

[0050] 6 electrodes

[0051] 7 controllers

[0052] 8 regions

[0053] 9 electrodes

[0054] 10 electrodes

Claims

1. A fragrance diffuser (1) for a motor vehicle, the fragrance diffuser having a fragrance substance carrier (2) for introducing fragrance substances into the interior space of the motor vehicle, characterized in that, The fragrance carrier (2) is a plastic component made of conductive plastic containing fragrance substances.

2. The aromatherapy device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plastic contains fragrance substances as additives, and / or the plastic contains conductive materials as additional additives.

3. The aromatherapy device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The fragrance substance is present in the region (4) of the plastic component where current can be applied via electrical connection terminals (5, 6).

4. The aromatherapy device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The region (4) is a first region (4), the connecting terminals (5, 6) are first connecting terminals (5, 6), the plastic component has a second region (8) in which current can be applied by means of a second electrical connecting terminal (9, 10), in which the plastic component is provided with a different fragrance substance than the fragrance substance.

5. The aromatherapy device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The plastic components are designed as fluid conduits, which, in terms of flow technology, are connected to an air source on one hand and to the interior space of the vehicle on the other.

6. The aromatherapy device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Plastic components are part of the interior design of motor vehicles.

7. The aromatherapy device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The plastic component is inserted into the receiving part in a replaceable manner.

8. A method for manufacturing an aromatherapy device (1) for motor vehicles, particularly an aromatherapy device (1) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, The aromatherapy device (1) has an aroma substance carrier (2) for introducing aroma substances into the interior space of a motor vehicle, characterized in that a plastic component made of conductive plastic and incorporating aroma substances is used as the aroma substance carrier (2).

9. A method for operating an aromatherapy device (1) for a motor vehicle, particularly an aromatherapy device (1) according to any one or more of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The aromatherapy device (1) has an aroma substance carrier (2) for introducing aroma substances into the interior space of a motor vehicle, characterized in that a plastic component made of conductive plastic and incorporating aroma substances is used as the aroma substance carrier (2).

10. The use of a plastic component made of conductive plastic as a fragrance carrier (2) in a fragrance device (1) for use in motor vehicles, particularly in a fragrance device (1) according to any one or more of claims 1 to 7.

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