Fragrance dispensing device

Abstract

Fragrance dispensing device for dispensing at least one fragrance substance, comprising a housing (1) through which air can flow, with at least one fragrance cartridge (2) arranged therein, wherein a drawer (3) is slidably provided in the housing (1) for receiving and holding at least one fragrance cartridge (2), wherein the drawer (3) can be at least partially pulled out of the housing (1) for changing the at least one fragrance cartridge (2), characterized in that the fragrance cartridge (2) can be connected to the drawer (3) by means of magnetic force, wherein the drawer (3) has an end wall (8) on which the magnetic element(s) and / or the metallic and / or magnetizable element(s) are provided.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a fragrance dispensing device, in particular for a motor vehicle. State of the art

[0002] Fragrance dispensing devices for motor vehicles are known in the prior art, for example, through DE 10 2012 009 676 A1. Fragrance dispensing devices are becoming increasingly widespread because the fragrance they emit has a very noticeable effect on the well-being of vehicle occupants.

[0003] State-of-the-art fragrance dispensing systems allow vehicle passengers to personalize their vehicle's fragrance experience according to their preferences and mood. For example, systems with two fragrance cartridges are now available, allowing the dispensed fragrance to be changed by swapping the cartridges. Switching between the two fragrances is quick and easy, even while driving, using the controls.

[0004] The fragrance cartridges are arranged in a drawer that extends from a housing. If the drawer is horizontally oriented, the fragrance cartridges can simply be inserted. If, however, the drawer is vertically oriented, the fragrance cartridges are removed from the side, and special precautions must be taken to prevent them from falling out.

[0005] Due to space constraints, when using two fragrance cartridges, they are positioned very close together, making them difficult to remove. The cartridges are simply placed in the drawer, so their swivel angle must be limited to prevent them from falling out.

[0006] US patent 2008 / 0093474A1 discloses a housing with sliders, wherein the sliders have circular windows into which a fragrance cartridge can be inserted, which is held in the window by means of a magnetic effect.

[0007] US Patent 5,358,822 A discloses a fragrance device with a housing in which a fragrance block can be inserted. The fragrance device has a magnet on the back of the housing for attachment to a room air outlet of a building air conditioning system.

[0008] DE 10 2005 025 755 A1 discloses a fragrance device with a receptacle for a fragrance substance in the form of a solid, wherein the receptacle is designed in the manner of a drawer.

[0009] US patent 2007 / 0194368A1 discloses a fragrance element made of a laminar material in which a volatile fragrance substance is arranged. The fragrance element can be adhered to many surfaces, such as a wooden door, using an adhesive, or attached to a refrigerator door, for example, using an integrated magnet. Description of the invention, problem, solution, advantages

[0010] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to create an improved fragrance dispensing device, which is improved in particular with regard to the intake of fragrance cartridges.

[0011] The object of the present invention is achieved by a fragrance dispensing device with the features according to claim 1.

[0012] One embodiment of the invention relates to a fragrance dispensing device for dispensing at least one fragrance, comprising a housing through which air flows and containing at least one fragrance cartridge. The housing includes a slidably provided drawer for receiving and holding at least one fragrance cartridge. The drawer can be at least partially pulled out of the housing for changing the at least one fragrance cartridge, and the fragrance cartridge can be connected to the drawer by magnetic force. This allows for secure attachment while still ensuring easy removal.

[0013] It is particularly advantageous if a magnetic element is provided on the cartridge and / or the drawer. This magnetic element is preferably a magnet that exerts a magnetic force. Magnets containing rare earth elements are especially advantageous for this purpose because they achieve a high degree of magnetization.

[0014] It is also advantageous if a metallic and / or magnetizable element is provided on the cartridge and / or the drawer. This metallic and / or magnetizable element is then preferably attracted to a magnet.

[0015] According to the invention, the drawer has an end wall on which the magnetic element(s) and / or the metallic and / or magnetizable element(s) are provided. This allows the fragrance cartridge to be attached to the end wall.

[0016] It is also advantageous if the magnetic element(s) and / or the metallic and / or magnetizable element(s) are either permanently attached to the end wall or arranged to be movable relative to it. The permanent connection is easy to achieve during assembly, while the movable arrangement allows for some flexibility when removing the fragrance cartridges.

[0017] It is particularly advantageous if the end panel in the drawer is mounted on a hinge and / or arranged in a way that allows it to be moved.

[0018] It is also advantageous if the end wall in the drawer housing is hinged and / or arranged to be movable.

[0019] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the front panel is guided in rails of the drawer housing. This allows for control of the drawer's movement when removing or inserting it.

[0020] It is also advantageous if the front panel is connected to the drawer housing via at least one lever arm and guided on both sides by rails.

[0021] Furthermore, it is advantageous to provide a separate end wall for each insertable cartridge. This allows for improved individual removal or insertion of the fragrance cartridge.

[0022] The invention, through the embodiments described above, allows for the simple attachment of fragrance cartridges in the drawer, essentially independent of the drawer's orientation. This largely prevents the fragrance cartridge from accidentally falling out.

[0023] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims and the following description of the figures. Brief description of the drawings

[0024] The invention will now be explained in detail using an exemplary embodiment and with reference to a drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a perspective view of the housing of a fragrance dispensing device, Fig. 2 a perspective view of a drawer for use in the housing according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a perspective view of a drawer for use in the housing according to Fig. 1, Fig. 4. an end wall of the drawer, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of the arrangement of the front wall with its possible pivot positions, Fig. 6 a schematic representation of the arrangement of the front wall with its possible pivot positions, and Fig. 7 A perspective partial view of a housing of a fragrance dispensing device with the drawer partially pulled out during the removal of a fragrance cartridge. Preferred embodiment of the invention

[0025] The invention relates to a fragrance dispensing device, in particular for a motor vehicle, for dispensing at least one fragrance. In the Fig. Figures 1 to 7 show different illustrations to explain the invention.

[0026] The fragrance dispensing device comprises a housing 1 through which air can flow, wherein at least one fragrance cartridge 2 can be arranged in the housing 1. Preferably, two or more fragrance cartridges can also be provided, which can be arranged in the housing. To select a fragrance for scenting the air flowing through the housing, a fragrance cartridge can be chosen whose fragrance is released into the air.

[0027] The housing 1 includes at least one drawer 3 which is slidable and serves to hold and support at least one fragrance cartridge 2.

[0028] To replace a fragrance cartridge 2, at least one drawer 3 is designed to be at least partially removable from the housing 1. The drawer can be guided within the housing by means of rails or similar mechanisms. The fragrance cartridge 2 is magnetically connected to the drawer to hold it in place.

[0029] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a housing 1 for receiving a drawer. The housing has a base 4 and three walls 5, 6, 7 arranged around its sides, with walls 6, 7 serving as side walls that hold the drawer between them. Wall 5 acts as the end wall and has pins for inserting the housing 1 into the vehicle or other housing components. A movable end wall 8 is provided between walls 6, 7, which is guided in grooves 9, 10 of the housing in the area of ​​walls 6, 7. The end wall 8 is also mounted so that it can be tilted. The end wall 8 has a lever arm 11 with a pin 12, which is guided in the grooves 9, 10. Since the grooves 9, 10 do not have a linear progression, but rise at the end area of ​​the housing, this causes the end wall 8 to tilt as soon as the pin 12 enters the rising part 13 of the groove 9, 10 and is moved in it.

[0030] The Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows drawer 3, in which the end panel 8 is pivotably mounted. The end panel 8 is guided in a groove by means of lateral bolts 14 as pins 12 and pivotably mounted on axis 18. Fig. 2 shows an operating position in which the front wall of the Fig. 4 is essentially vertically oriented, as seen in Fig. 4 is shown. Fig. 3 is the front wall of the Fig. 4 pivoted forward into a removal position.

[0031] To attach the fragrance cartridge 2 to the end wall 8, a magnetic element is provided on the fragrance cartridge 2 and / or on the drawer 3, particularly on the end wall 8. This element is, for example, a permanent magnet, such as one made of or containing a magnet, particularly rare earth elements. For attachment, it is advantageous if a metallic and / or magnetizable element is provided on the fragrance cartridge 2 and / or on the drawer 3, particularly on the end wall 8. This element is attracted to and attached by the magnetic element, such as a magnet.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the drawer 3 has an end wall 8 on which the magnetic element(s) and / or the metallic and / or magnetizable element(s) are provided. Fig. Figure 4 shows such an end wall 8 enlarged in detail. The end wall 8 has a surface 16 against which the fragrance cartridge can be placed and secured by means of magnetic elements. Furthermore, the end wall 8 is pivotally mounted at the openings 17 along the axis 18 by means of bolts. The lever arm 11 with the pin 12 is provided to control any displacement.

[0033] The magnetic element(s) and / or the metallic and / or magnetizable element(s) can be rigidly connected to the end wall 8 or arranged to be movable relative to it. It is advantageous if the magnetic element or the metallic or magnetizable element is connected to the wall surface 16, particularly by gluing. The metallic or magnetizable elements are preferably metal plates, which can be provided on the fragrance cartridges.

[0034] By controlling the inclination of the front wall by means of the lever arm 11 with the groove 9, 10, a particularly wide swing-out of the fragrance cartridges can be achieved when opening the drawer for easy gripping of the fragrance cartridges.

[0035] To assist in removing one fragrance cartridge, the other, especially adjacent, fragrance cartridge can be pushed back in without much effort, and can swing out again on its own when released.

[0036] When the drawer is closed, the fragrance cartridges automatically swing back into the drawer without touching the housing. This extended swing-out is achieved by the rotating end panel 8 of the drawer 3. The end panel 8 is connected to the drawer housing via lever arms 11 and guided on both sides by rails 9 and 10. When the drawer is opened, the end panel 8 of the drawer 3 rotates until the fragrance cartridges 2 swing out of the drawer 3. When the drawer 3 is closed, the positive guide rotates the end panel 8 back into its original position, and the fragrance cartridges 2 swing back into the drawer 3.

[0037] The retraction of the fragrance cartridge is achieved solely through magnetic force. For this purpose, the magnets are positioned so that their leverage ensures the fragrance cartridge fits snugly against the end wall.

[0038] The Fig. Figure 5 illustrates this. The end panel 8 is in position A with the drawer closed. In position B, the end panel is in the open drawer position. Position C shows the position with the drawer open but the cartridge depressed.

[0039] To achieve larger swivel angles, the end panel is advantageously spring-mounted, and the guide rails are adapted accordingly. Additional spring elements, such as torsion springs, act on the end panel in such a way that it tends to swivel the fragrance cartridges out of the drawer. As soon as the drawer is opened, the lever of the end panel moves into the extended area of ​​the guide rail, and the spring can rotate the end panel accordingly. By pressing on a fragrance cartridge, it can then swivel against the spring force, and the other cartridge can be easily removed. The magnetic and spring forces are coordinated so that the cartridge does not fall out and can also overcome the spring force. Slight detachment from the end panel in the area of ​​the magnet is compensated for by the magnet's return action.

[0040] The Fig.Figure 6 shows an embodiment in which the magnetic elements 20 are movably connected to the end wall 8. The end wall 8 with the magnetic element 20 is in position A, in the closed drawer position. In position B, the end wall is in the open drawer position, with the magnetic element lifting off the end wall 8 when pushed away, as shown. Due to the spring force, and without pushing away, the magnetic element 20 would be in contact with the end wall 8.

Claims

[1] Fragrance dispensing device for dispensing at least one fragrance substance, comprising a housing (1) through which air can flow, with at least one fragrance cartridge (2) arranged therein, wherein a drawer (3) is slidably provided in the housing (1) for receiving and holding at least one fragrance cartridge (2), wherein the drawer (3) can be at least partially pulled out of the housing (1) for changing the at least one fragrance cartridge (2), characterized by , that the fragrance cartridge (2) can be connected to the drawer (3) by means of magnetic force, wherein the drawer (3) has an end wall (8) on which the magnetic element(s) and / or the metallic and / or magnetizable element(s) are provided. [2] Fragrance dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized by , that a magnetic element (20) is provided on the fragrance cartridge (2) and / or on the drawer (3). [3] Fragrance dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that a metallic and / or magnetizable element is provided on the fragrance cartridge (2) and / or on the drawer (3). [4] Fragrance dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the magnetic element(s) and / or the metallic and / or magnetizable element(s) are or are fixedly connected to the end wall (8) or arranged to be movable relative to it. [5] Fragrance discharge device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the end wall (8) is mounted in the drawer (3) in a hinged manner and / or is arranged to be movable. [6] Fragrance dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the end wall (8) is pivotally mounted and / or movable in the housing (1) of the drawer. [7] Fragrance dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the end wall (8) is guided in rails of the drawer housing (3). [8] Fragrance dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the end wall (8) is connected to the housing (1) of the drawer (3) via at least one lever arm (11) and is guided on both sides by rails. [9] Fragrance dispensing device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that one end wall (8) is provided for each placeable cartridge.

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