Diffuser device designed to disperse a substance in liquid or solid form into the air in vapor form at ambient temperature

Abstract

The invention relates to a diffuser apparatus (1) for dispersing in the air, in vapor form, a substance in liquid or solid form at ambient temperature, the diffuser apparatus comprising: - a porous body (30, 30A, 430) having an evaporation surface (33, 433) for evaporating the substance into the ambient air; and - a heating device (90) for controlling a flow of the substance through the porous body (30, 30A, 430), in which the heating device (90) comprises an electrically conductive heating element (92) and an inductor (L), the inductor (L) being configured to heat the heating element (92) by induction, and the heating element (92) being configured to heat the porous body (30, 30A, 430) when the heating element (92) is heated by induction by the inductor (L). Figure for the abridged version: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Diffuser apparatus for dispersing a substance in liquid or solid form into the air in vapor form at ambient temperature technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of diffusing devices intended to disperse in the air, in vapor form, a substance in liquid or solid form at ambient temperature.

[0002] The invention further relates to the field of removable assemblies that can be used in such diffusing devices. Technological background

[0003] A diffuser device of the aforementioned type is known for example from document WO 2019 / 243734 Al or from document WO 2020 / 254733 AL A heating element heats a porous body so as to control a flow of the substance through the porous body.

[0004] In the embodiment examples described in these documents, the heating element is an electrical resistance. Summary

[0005] One idea underlying the invention is to propose an improved heating method for the porous body.

[0006] According to an embodiment conforming to a first variant, the invention provides a diffuser for dispersing a substance in liquid or solid form at ambient temperature into the air in vapor form, the diffuser comprising: - a porous body with an evaporation surface to evaporate the substance into the surrounding air; and - a heating device to control the flow of the substance through the porous body, in which the heating device comprises an electrically conductive heating element and an inductor, the inductor being configured to heat the heating element by induction, and the heating element being configured to heat the porous body when the heating element is heated by induction by the inductor.

[0007] The heating device allows the flow of the substance through the porous body to be controlled simply by heating or not heating the porous body. The physical principles underlying this control of the flow of the substance through the porous body are described in the documents WO 2019 / 243734 A1 and WO 2020 / 254733 A1 cited above.

[0008] Since the heating element is heated by induction, the porous body can be heated without contact with a heating element such as an electrical resistor. The design of the porous body is therefore more flexible, as it is no longer constrained by consideration of such contact and the resulting thermal contraction differentials, particularly in terms of manufacturing tolerances. Thus, the design of the porous body can be improved in other respects, for example, the design of the evaporation surface in order to increase the amount of substance evaporated.

[0009] According to embodiments, such a diffusing device may include one or more of the following characteristics.

[0010] In one embodiment, the porous body comprises pores that form micro-channels opening onto the evaporation surface. A "micro-channel" is defined as a channel whose cross-sectional area is between 10⁴ and 10⁶ pm². In one embodiment, said pores have a diameter between 0.01 and 10 pm.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the porous body is made of wood, textile, ceramic, polymer, or a porous metallic material obtained by sintering a metallic powder or a metallic alloy powder.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the porous body has a uniform porosity.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the diffuser device further comprises a container of storage containing the substance, the porous body being connected to the storage container, and the evaporation surface being located outside the storage container.

[0014] In one embodiment, the porous body has an internal surface in contact with the substance, the evaporation surface being separated from the internal surface by a portion of the thickness of the porous body, and the internal surface has a concave shape delimiting an internal volume within the porous body, the internal volume containing the substance, the substance being in a liquid state at ambient temperature. In one embodiment, the heating element is disposed within the internal volume.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the diffusing element further comprises a closure element hermetically fixed to the porous body, the porous body and the closure element together forming a closed envelope containing the substance. The term "closed envelope containing the substance" means that, at ambient temperature, the substance in its liquid state cannot escape from the closed envelope by flowing.

[0016] In one embodiment, the closure element is made of wood, textile, ceramic, polymer, or a porous metallic material obtained by sintering a metal powder or a metal alloy powder. In one embodiment, the closure element is made of the same material as the porous body.

[0017] In one embodiment, the closed envelope is a rigid closed envelope. This can be achieved by ensuring that both the porous body and the closing element are rigid. In another embodiment, the closing element comprises a rigid portion hermetically fixed to the porous body, and a flexible portion retained on the rigid portion. The flexible portion, the rigid portion, and the porous body then together form a closed envelope containing the substance, which is partly non-rigid.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the porous body comprises a collar surrounding an opening of the internal volume, the closure element covering the collar.

[0019] In one embodiment, a sealing gasket is disposed between the collar and the closing element. In one embodiment, the sealing gasket is a flat gasket. In another embodiment, the sealing gasket is received in a groove in the closing element, the groove being opposite the collar.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the porous body has a U-shaped cross-section, so as to present a flat outer surface opposite the collar.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the internal volume is a first internal volume, the thickness portion is a first thickness portion, and the porous body comprises a second internal surface having a concave shape delimiting a second internal volume in the porous body, the second internal surface being separated from the first internal surface by a second thickness portion of the porous body.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the inductor is disposed in a housing, the housing being integral with the diffuser device.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the heating element is placed directly on a surface of the porous body.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the porous body comprises a recess, and said surface of the porous body includes at least a part of an interior surface of the recess.

[0025] In one embodiment, the heating element is integral with the porous body. In another embodiment, the housing is separate from the porous body. This tends to simplify the manufacture of the diffuser, since it is no longer necessary to impose strict manufacturing tolerances to ensure contact between the porous body and a heating element such as an electrical resistor.

[0026] According to another embodiment, the heating element is integral with the housing.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the diffuser device further comprises an air inlet, at least one air outlet and at least one fan to drive an airflow from the air inlet to said at least one air outlet so that the airflow circulates around the evaporation surface of the porous body.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the diffuser device further comprises a control device configured to control an electrical supply to the inductor as a function of a setpoint temperature of the porous body.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the diffuser device further comprises at least one temperature sensor, connected to the control device, and the control device is configured to control the heating element according to a temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the control device is further configured to control the fan.

[0031] The heating element may be permanently installed in the diffuser. Alternatively, the heating element may be part of a removable assembly separable from the diffuser. Thus, according to an embodiment of the first variant, the invention also provides a removable assembly for a diffuser, the diffuser being intended to disperse a substance in liquid or solid form at ambient temperature into the air in vapor form. The removable assembly comprises a porous body having an evaporation surface for evaporating the substance into the ambient air, wherein the removable assembly includes an electrically conductive heating element, the heating element being configured to heat the porous body when the heating element is heated by induction.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the removable assembly further comprises a storage container containing the substance, the porous body being connected to the storage container, and the evaporation surface being located outside the storage container.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the removable assembly further comprises a housing in which the inductor is disposed, the heating element being integral with the housing, and the removable assembly further comprises an electrical contact associated with the inductor and intended to make an electrical connection with a fixed part of the diffuser device.

[0034] It is understood that the characteristics described above in relation to the diffuser device according to the first variant are also applicable to the removable assembly according to the first variant and vice versa.

[0035] According to an embodiment conforming to a second variant, the invention provides a diffuser for dispersing a substance in liquid or solid form at ambient temperature into the air in vapor form, the diffuser comprising: - a porous body having an evaporation surface for evaporating the substance into the ambient air; and - a heating device to control the flow of the substance through the porous body, in which the porous body is made of an electrically conductive porous metallic material, and in which the diffuser apparatus further comprises an inductor configured to heat the porous body by induction.

[0036] As in the first variant, the design of the porous body is thus more flexible since it is no longer constrained by taking into account such contact and the resulting differentials in thermal contraction, particularly in terms of manufacturing tolerances. Therefore, the design of the porous body can be improved in other respects, for example, the design of the evaporation surface in order to increase the amount of substance evaporated.

[0037] Moreover, unlike the first variant, the heating of the porous body does not depend on thermal conduction between the heating elements and the porous body.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the porous metallic material is obtained by sintering a metallic powder or a metallic alloy powder.

[0039] It should be noted that the characteristics described above in relation to the diffuser device according to the first variant are also applicable to the diffuser device according to the second variant.

[0040] According to an embodiment in accordance with the second variant, the invention also provides a removable assembly for a diffuser device, the diffuser device being intended to disperse in the air, in vapor form, a substance in liquid or solid form at ambient temperature, the removable assembly comprising a porous body having an evaporation surface for evaporating the substance in the ambient air, in which the porous body is made of a porous metallic material, the porous metallic material being electrically conductive, so that the porous body is suitable for being heated by induction.

[0041] It is understood that the characteristics described above in relation to the diffuser device according to the second variant are also applicable to the removable assembly according to the second variant and vice versa.

[0042] According to one embodiment, said substance comprises at least one compound selected from semiochemical molecules, pheromones, allomones, kairomones, synomones of natural or synthetic origin.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the substance is a solution containing at least one sexual or non-sexual pheromone, an allomone, a synomone, or a kairomone intended to elicit a positive or negative response with respect to the target species, the behavioral result of which may be sexual confusion, confusion of another kind, sexual attraction, attraction of another kind, or repulsion of any nature, in arthropods, including arachnids, or hexapods, among which insects, including harmful insects.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the substance is a solution containing at least one pheromone or sex pheromone, allomone, synomone or kairomone intended to provoke a positive or negative response in relation to the target species, the behavioral result of which may include appeasement, relaxation, euphoria or intimidation in the classes mammalia and aves.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the substance comprises a solvent selected from isopropyl myristate, dipropylene glycol, monomethyl dipropylene glycol ether, and an isoparaffin hydrocarbon, for example an L or P or N or V isoparaffin.

[0046] In one embodiment, the substance comprises at least one compound from the group consisting of odoriferous agents usable for human or animal use, semiochemical substances, cosmetic agents, essential oils, perfumes, disinfectants, odor neutralizers, and plant protection and agricultural agents. In another embodiment, the substance is a solution comprising at least one compound from this group.

[0047] In one embodiment, the substance comprises at least one compound from the group consisting of odoriferous agents usable for human use, cosmetic agents, essential oils, perfumes, disinfectants, and odor neutralizers. In another embodiment, the substance is a solution comprising at least one compound from this group.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the odoriferous agents usable for the animal are chosen from fatty acids or the esterified form of said fatty acids such as methyl oleate, methyl palmitate, dimethyl azelate, and dimethyl pimelate.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the substance in the liquid state has a viscosity greater than 1 cPa.s at 25°C, for example greater than 8 cPa.s at 25°C, and less than 1 cPa.s at 60°C.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the substance has a viscosity that varies with temperature, said viscosity being such that the substance does not flow through the portion of thickness of the porous body at any ambient temperature below a first temperature, the first temperature being above 0°C, and that the substance flows through the portion of thickness of the porous body at a second temperature above the first temperature.

[0051] The first temperature can be set within different ranges. If the diffuser is intended for outdoor use, the first temperature will in particular be chosen according to local climate data. Depending on the embodiment, the first temperature is for example between 1°C and 50°C, or between 5°C and 40°C or between 10°C and 35°C, or even between 15°C and 25°C.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the substance has a boiling point at atmospheric pressure between 30°C and 400°C.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the substance is in a liquid state at ambient temperature. For example, the substance may have a melting point at atmospheric pressure between -70°C and 0°C.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the substance is in a solid state at room temperature. For example, the substance may have a melting point above 30°C at atmospheric pressure, for example between 30°C and 40°C. Brief description of the figures

[0055] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent from the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0056] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a diffuser and a removable assembly according to one embodiment.

[0057] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is a functional block diagram of an inductor and various elements of a diffuser device.

[0058] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to the [Fig.1], showing another embodiment.

[0059] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to [Fig.1], showing another embodiment.

[0060] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to the [Fig.1], showing another embodiment.

[0061] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to [Fig.1], showing another embodiment.

[0062] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to [Fig.1], showing another embodiment.

[0063] [Fig.8] The [Fig.8] is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to the [Fig.1], showing another embodiment.

[0064] [Fig.9] The [Fig.9] is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to the [Fig.1], showing another embodiment. Description of the implementation methods

[0065] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a diffuser apparatus intended to disperse a substance in a liquid state into the air in vapor form. ambient temperature. This diffuser device bears the reference 1 on the drawings; it will be referred to hereafter as "device 1" for convenience.

[0066] The device 1 comprises a fixed part generally designated by 2.

[0067] The fixed part 2 comprises a wall 3. The wall 3 delimits an internal space 4 of the fixed part 2. Various elements of the device 1 are received in this internal space 4 as will be described below.

[0068] Not shown in [Fig. 1], the wall 3 may be part of a housing or other suitable rigid container forming part of the fixed part 2. This housing or rigid container may contain various elements of the device 1, including a power outlet and / or a battery, one or more indicator lights for the user of the device 1, one or more buttons for the user of the device 1, etc.

[0069] Figure 1 also represents a removable assembly 50. The removable assembly 50 is intended to be inserted partially or fully into the internal space 4. The removable assembly 50 comprises a storage container 60 and a wick 30. The wick 30 is integral with the storage container 60 so that the removable assembly 50 can be inserted as a single unit into the internal space 4 by grasping the removable assembly 50.

[0070] The wick 30 extends in a longitudinal direction QQ. The longitudinal direction QQ is indicated by a solid line on [Fig.1].

[0071] In the remainder of this description, the longitudinal direction QQ is assigned an upward direction A and a downward direction D opposite to the upward direction A. The upward direction A and the downward direction D are indicated by arrows in [Fig. 1]. Expressions such as "lower than" and "downward" refer to the downward direction D along the longitudinal direction QQ. Expressions such as "higher than" and "upward" refer to the upward direction A along the longitudinal direction QQ.

[0072] Figure 1 shows that the device 1 can be used in an operating position in which the downward direction D is downwards and the upward direction A is upwards relative to the gravitational acceleration G. The direction and sense of the gravitational acceleration G are indicated by an arrow in Figure 1. More specifically, as shown in Figure 1, in the operating position, the longitudinal direction QQ is parallel to the direction of the gravitational acceleration G. Alternatively, other orientations are possible.

[0073] The drill bit 30 has a central recess 40 (hereinafter referred to as "the recess 40") and a peripheral surface 33 at a distance from the recess 40.

[0074] The wick 30 is made partially or entirely of a porous material, for example wood, textile, ceramic or polymer.

[0075] In a simple embodiment, the wick 30 is made entirely of a single porous material and has uniform porosity. This can simplify the manufacture of the wick 30.

[0076] Alternatively, the wick 30 can be made with non-uniform porosity and / or in several of the aforementioned porous materials.

[0077] Various cross-sections can be chosen for the drill bit 30.

[0078] For example, the cross-section may be annular, that is to say, the peripheral surface 33 and the wall delimiting the recess 40 are concentric cylinders. Such a cross-section further simplifies the manufacture of the drill bit 30.

[0079] Alternatively, the cross-section may be such that the peripheral surface 33 and / or the wall delimiting the recess 40 are concentric cylinders with a polygonal base, in particular with a regular polygonal base, more particularly with a regular hexagonal base.

[0080] In the example shown, the recess 40 has a constant cross-section. Alternatively, the recess 40 may have a non-constant cross-section, for example a conical or frustoconical cross-section.

[0081] The storage container 60 contains the liquid substance. The wick 30 is connected to the storage container 60 as will be detailed below.

[0082] Fig. 1 further shows that the device 1 includes a heating device 90. The heating device 90 is configured to heat the wick 30.

[0083] The heating device 90 performs electromagnetic induction heating, or induction heating. The heating device 90 will now be described with reference to [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 2], which is a functional block diagram showing various elements of the device 1. In [Fig. 2], the dashed lines indicate connections between the elements shown.

[0084] The heating device 90 comprises an inductor L (see [Fig. 2]) and an electrically conductive heating element 92 (see [Fig. 1]). The inductor L is powered by a frequency converter C (see [Fig. 2]) which delivers an alternating current at a desired frequency and current intensity. The inductor L thus generates a variable magnetic field. According to the known principle of induction heating, the variable magnetic field penetrates the electrically conductive heating element 92 (hereinafter referred to as the "heating element 92"), generating eddy currents in the heating element 92. Since the heating element 92 has a non-zero electrical resistance, heat is generated in the heating element 92 by Joule heating. In addition, heat can be generated by magnetic hysteresis in the heating element 92 if it is made of a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material.In any case, when the inductor L is . powered by the frequency converter C, the heating element 92 is heated by induction by the inductor L, and the heating element 92 heats the wick 30.

[0085] In one embodiment, the frequency converter C delivers to the inductor L a higher frequency than the mains frequency (usually 50 Hz in Europe and 60 Hz in North America), for example between 5 kHz and 100 kHz.

[0086] The operation of the device 1 is now described when the removable assembly 50 is in its position shown in [Fig.1].

[0087] Since the wick 30 is made partially or entirely of a porous material and the wick 30 is connected to the storage container 60 in such a way as to be impregnated by the liquid substance contained in the storage container 60, the liquid substance having impregnated the wick 30 diffuses by capillary action through the wick 30 until it reaches the peripheral surface 33 (see [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 2]). The peripheral surface 33 then forms an evaporation surface for the substance.

[0088] The connection between the wick 30 and the storage container 60 can be achieved in a large number of ways, for example according to the teachings of documents WO 2019 / 243734 A1, WO 2020 / 254733 A1, WO 2023 / 073004 A1, or WO 2023 / 089019 A1

[0089] When the fan 6 is operating, it drives an airflow F, which is indicated by the dashed arrows in [Fig. 2]. The airflow F is driven from the air inlet 5 to the air outlet 6, here along the longitudinal direction QQ and in the upward direction A. The geometry of the wall 4 ensures that the airflow F circulates along the longitudinal direction QQ. The airflow F circulates around the peripheral surface 33, where it becomes laden with evaporated substance. The airflow F laden with evaporated substance exits through the air outlet 7 and disperses the evaporated substance into the ambient air.

[0090] When the heating element 92 is heated by induction by the inductor L, the heating element 92 heats the wick 30. The heating of the wick 30 tends to promote the evaporation of the substance at the level of the peripheral surface 33.

[0091] The quantity of substance evaporated by the device 1 can be adjusted by suitably adjusting the operating parameters of the fan 6 and / or the heating device 90.

[0092] Various designs can be used for the fan 6, including an axial fan, a centrifugal fan, or other types of fan. The fan 6 can be held in place in the device 1 in any suitable manner.

[0093] An air filter may optionally be placed between the air inlet 5 and the fan 6 in order to limit the risk of fouling of the wick 30 by undesirable external particles.

[0094] Returning to [Fig. 2], a control device 12, such as a microprocessor, controls the heating element 9 according to a temperature detected by a temperature sensor 10 suitably arranged in the device 1. For example, as shown in [Fig. 1], the temperature sensor 10 can be an infrared sensor placed in the internal space 4 at a distance from the wick 30. The control device 12 can then control the frequency converter C according to a setpoint temperature of the wick 30 detected by the temperature sensor 10.

[0095] The control device 12 is for example arranged on an electronic board, the electronic board also being able to provide the power supply to the heating element 9. The control device 12 can also control the fan 6, in particular an operating speed of the fan 6.

[0096] It should be noted that the elements described above with reference to [Fig.1] and [Fig.2] are represented schematically and can be located in various places in the device 1.

[0097] It should also be noted that many other constructions are conceivable for the device 1, in particular with several fans 6, and / or several air outlets 7 as described in document WO 2023 / 089019 Al, and / or several removable assemblies 50 each heated by a heating device 90 as described in document WO 2023 / 089019 Al, etc.

[0098] With reference to [Fig. 1], a heating element 92 is placed directly on each face of the recess 40, so as to cover either the entire face or only a portion of it. Thus, when the heating element 92 is heated by induction by the inductor L, the heating element 92 heats the wick 30 by thermal conduction.

[0099] With reference to [Fig.1] and [Fig.2], the inductor L is arranged in a housing 91. The housing 91 is attached to the fixed part 2 of the diffuser device 1, for example attached to the wall 3. The housing 91 is received in part or in whole in the recess 40 of the wick 30.

[0100] Figures 3, 4 and 5 are views similar to [Fig. 1], showing other embodiments. In each of these figures, the elements similar or identical to those described with reference to [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 2] bear the same reference numerals, and only the heating device 90 and the removable assembly 50 are shown.

[0101] In the embodiment shown in [Fig.3], a single heating element 92 is placed directly on one of the faces of the recess 40, so as to cover the whole of this face or only a part of this face.

[0102] In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 4], the wick 30 does not have the recess 40, and the wick 30 has a flat surface 41 opposite the storage container 60. A heating element 92 is placed directly on the flat surface 41, so as to cover the whole of the flat surface 41 or only a part of the flat surface 41.

[0103] Figure 5 shows another embodiment in which the removable assembly 50A is made according to the teaching of document WO 2023 / 073004 A1a. In this figure, elements similar or identical to those described with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 bear the same reference numerals, and only the heating device 90 and the removable assembly 50A are shown. The storage container 60A has a concave external shape that at least partially surrounds a central free space 62. The wick 30A has a recess 40A, preferably blind, located in the extension of the central free space 62. The heating device 90 has a rod 93 carrying the housing 91 at one of its ends. Due to the presence of the central free space 62, the rod 93 can extend through the central free space, so that the housing 91 can be received in the recess 40A.Similar to recess 40, the heating elements 92 are placed on some or all of the faces of recess 40A.

[0104] In the embodiments shown in figures 1, 3, 4 and 5, the housing 91 is in contact with the heating element(s) 92.

[0105] The heating elements 92 can be either attached to the wick 30, for example by being glued to the wick 30 or by being deposited on the wick 30 in the form of a layer by means of an appropriate coating technique, or attached to the housing 91.

[0106] Since the heating elements 92 are heated by induction by the inductor L housed in the casing 91, contact between the casing 91 and the heating elements 92 is not essential. Thus, as shown by way of example in [Fig. 6], the casing 91 is located at a distance from the heating elements 92 attached to the wick 30. This tends to simplify the manufacture of the device 1, since it is no longer necessary to impose strict manufacturing tolerances to ensure contact between the wick 30 and a heating element such as an electrical resistor.

[0107] Alternatively, all or some of the heating elements 92 may be provided on the peripheral surface 33 of the wick 30.

[0108] Figure 7 shows a removable assembly 50B according to yet another embodiment. In this figure, elements analogous or identical to those described with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 bear the same reference numerals, and only the heating device 90 and the removable assembly 50B are shown. The wick 30B is made of an electrically conductive porous metallic material. For example, the porous metallic material is obtained by sintering a metal powder or a metal alloy powder. Since the wick 30B is made of an electrically conductive material, the wick 30B can be heated by induction. As a result, the heating elements 92 can be omitted, so that the heating of the wick 30B does not depend on thermal conduction between the heating elements 92 and the wick 30B.

[0109] In this embodiment also, since contact between the housing 91 and the drill bit 30B is not essential, the housing 91 is at a distance from the drill bit 30B.

[0110] Embodiments have been described so far in which the substance is in a liquid state at room temperature. Alternatively, the substance may be in a solid state at room temperature. For example, the substance may have a melting point above 30°C at atmospheric pressure, for example, between 30°C and 40°C. In this case, the storage container 60, 60A contains the substance in a solid state at room temperature. Heating the wick 30, 30A, 30B by the heating element(s) 92 causes local melting of the substance. The substance, now liquid, then saturates the wick 30, 30A, 30B and is subsequently dispersed into the ambient air as described above.

[0111] The [Fig.8] represents a removable assembly 420 according to yet another embodiment.

[0112] The removable assembly 420 comprises a drill bit 430 and a cap 450. The drill bit 430 extends in the longitudinal direction QQ. The longitudinal direction QQ is indicated by a dashed line in bold on [Fig.8].

[0113] The wick 430 has an internal volume 431. The internal volume 431 is delimited by an internal surface 432 having a concave shape. The internal volume 431 is intended to receive the substance in its liquid state. The internal surface 432 is in contact with the substance when the internal volume 431 is filled with the substance.

[0114] The wick 430 further comprises a peripheral surface 433. The peripheral surface 433 is separated from the internal surface 432 by a wall 434. Equivalently, the peripheral surface 433 is separated from the internal volume 431 by the wall 434.

[0115] In the example shown, the drill bit 430 has a collar 436 surrounding an opening 435 of the internal volume 431, and the cap 450 is fixed to the drill bit 430 such that the cap 450 covers the collar 436 as shown in [Fig. 8]. Consequently, the largest dimension of the cap 450 is strictly greater than the largest dimension of the collar 436. Furthermore, a sealing gasket 460, for example a flat gasket, is received in a groove 451 in the cap 450 to ensure a seal between the cap 450 and the drill bit 430.

[0116] Thus, the capsule 450 is hermetically fixed to the wick 430, so that the wick 430 and the capsule 450 together form a rigid, closed envelope containing the substance. A "closed envelope containing the substance" is understood to mean "that, at room temperature, the substance in liquid state cannot escape from the closed container by flowing.

[0117] To manufacture the removable assembly 420, the wick 430 and the capsule 450 are manufactured, then the wick 430 is filled with the liquid substance through the mouth 435 surrounded by the collar 436, then the capsule 450 is fixed in a hermetic manner to the wick 430.

[0118] The wick 430 is made partially or entirely of a porous material, for example wood, textile, ceramic or polymer.

[0119] In a simple embodiment, the 430 wick is made entirely of a single porous material and has uniform porosity. This can simplify the manufacture of the 430 wick.

[0120] Alternatively, the 430 wick can be made with non-uniform porosity and / or in several of the aforementioned porous materials.

[0121] Various cross sections can be chosen for the 430 drill bit.

[0122] For example, the cross-section may be annular, so that the internal volume 431 is cylindrical and the peripheral surface 433 forms a concentric cylinder with the internal volume 431. Such a cross-section further simplifies the manufacture of the drill bit 431.

[0123] Alternatively, the cross-section may be such that the internal volume 431 and the peripheral surface 433 form concentric cylinders with a polygonal base, in particular with a regular polygonal base, more particularly with a regular hexagonal base.

[0124] The drill bit 430 has a U-shaped cross-section, so that the drill bit 430 has a flat outer surface 440 opposite the collar 436.

[0125] A heating element 92 is placed directly on the flat outer surface 440, so as to cover the entire flat outer surface 440 or only a portion of it. When the heating element 92 is heated by induction by the inductor L, the heating element 92 heats the wick 430 by thermal conduction. The removable assembly 420 can thus be used in a manner analogous to the removable assemblies 50, 50A, 50B, the peripheral surface 433 of the wick 430 forming an evaporation surface for the substance in a manner analogous to the peripheral surface 33 of the wick 30.

[0126] In addition to or in place of the heating element 92, an internal electrically conductive element 492 can be disposed in the internal volume 431. When the internal electrically conductive element 492 is heated by induction by the inductor L, the internal electrically conductive element 492 heats the wick 430 by thermal conduction.

[0127] Alternatively, the capsule 450 can be replaced by a closure element comprising a rigid portion fixed hermetically to the wick 430 in such a way analogous to capsule 450, and a flexible portion attached to the rigid portion. The flexible portion, the rigid portion and the wick 430 then form a closed envelope containing the substance which is partly non-rigid.

[0128] The capsule 450 can be made of various materials, including polymer. Alternatively, the capsule 450 can be made of a porous material similar to that of the wick 430, for example the same porous material as the wick 430.

[0129] Figure [Fig. 9] represents a removable assembly 520 according to yet another mode of realization. In this figure, elements analogous or identical to those in [Fig. 8] bear the same reference numerals increased by 100 and are not described again. The removable assembly 520 differs from the removable assembly 420 in that the wick 530 is made of an electrically conductive porous metallic material, similarly to the wick 30B. Since the wick 530 is made of an electrically conductive material, it can be heated by induction. Consequently, the heating elements 92 can be omitted, so that the heating of the wick 530 does not depend on thermal conduction between the heating elements 92 and the wick 530.

[0130] In some embodiments, the heating elements 92 and the housing 91 may be part of the removable assembly 50, 50A, 50B, 420, 520. In this case, the removable assembly includes an electrical contact associated with the inductor L and intended to make an electrical connection with the fixed part 2 of the device 1.

[0131] Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is clearly evident that it is by no means limited to them and that it includes all technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

[0132] The use of the verb "comprise", "comprendre" or "include" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those stated in a claim.

[0133] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses shall not be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

Demands

1. Diffuser apparatus (1) for dispersing in the air, in vapor form, a substance in liquid or solid form at ambient temperature, the diffuser apparatus (1) comprising: - a porous body (30, 30A, 430) having an evaporation surface (33, 433) for evaporating the substance in the ambient air; - said substance contained in a storage container (60, 60A), the porous body (50, 50A) being connected to the storage container (60, 60A), and the evaporation surface (33) being located outside the storage container or said substance in liquid form at ambient temperature being contained in an internal volume of the porous body (430) delimited by an internal surface (432) of the porous body, said internal surface being in contact with the substance, the evaporation surface (433) being separated from the internal surface (432) by a portion of thickness (434) of the porous body (430),and - a heating device (90) for controlling the flow of the substance through the porous body (30, 30A, 430), wherein the heating device (90) comprises an electrically conductive heating element (92) and an inductor (L), the inductor (L) being configured to heat the heating element (92) by induction, and the heating element (92) being configured to heat the porous body (30, 30A, 430) when the heating element (92) is heated by induction by the inductor (L), the substance having a viscosity that varies with temperature, said viscosity being such that the substance does not flow through the porous body (30, 30A, 430) at any ambient temperature below a first temperature, the first temperature being above 0°C, and that the substance flows through the porous body (30, 30A, 430) at a second temperature above the first temperature.

2. Diffuser device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the inductor (L) is disposed in a housing (91), the housing (91) being integral with the diffuser device (1).

3. Diffuser device (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the heating element (92) is placed directly on a surface of the porous body (30, 30A, 430).

4. Diffuser apparatus (1) according to claim 3, wherein the porous body (30, 30A) has a recess (40, 40A), and said surface of the porous body (30, 30A) includes at least a portion of an inner surface of the recess (40, 40A).

5. Diffuser apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 4, wherein the heating element (92) is integral with the porous body (30, 30A, 430).

6. Diffuser device (1) according to claim 5 or according to any one of claims 3 to 4 taken in combination with claim 2, wherein the heating element (92) is integral with the housing (91).

7. Diffuser apparatus (1) for dispersing in the air, in vapor form, a substance in liquid or solid form at ambient temperature, the diffuser apparatus (1) comprising: - a porous body (30B, 530) having an evaporation surface (33, 533) for evaporating the substance in the ambient air; and - a storage container (60) containing the substance, the porous body (30B) being connected to the storage container (60), the evaporation surface (33) being located outside the storage container (60), or the porous body (530) having an internal surface (532) in contact with the substance, the evaporation surface (533) being separated from the internal surface (532) by a thickness portion (534) of the porous body (530), the internal surface (532) having a concave shape delimiting an internal volume (531) in the porous body (530), the internal volume (531) containing the substance, the substance being in a liquid state at ambient temperature,and - a heating device (92) for controlling the flow of the substance through the porous body (30B, 530), wherein the porous body (30B, 530) is made of an electrically conductive porous metallic material, and wherein the diffusing apparatus (1) further comprises an inductor (L) configured to heat the porous body (30B, 530) by induction, the substance having a viscosity that varies with temperature, said viscosity being such that the substance does not flow through the porous body (30B, 530) at any ambient temperature below a first temperature, the first temperature being above 0°C, and that the substance flows through the body, porous (30B, 530) at a second temperature higher than the first temperature.

8. Diffuser apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the diffuser apparatus (1) further comprises an air inlet (5), at least one air outlet (7) and at least one fan (6) to drive an airflow (F) from the air inlet (5) to said at least one air outlet (7) such that the airflow (F) circulates around the evaporation surface (33, 433, 533) of the porous body (30, 30A, 30B, 430, 530).

9. Diffuser device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the diffuser device (1) further comprises a control device (12) configured to control an electrical supply to the inductor (L) as a function of a setpoint temperature of the porous body (30, 30A, 30B, 430, 530).

10. Diffuser device (1) according to claim 9 taken in combination with claim 8, wherein the control device (12) is further configured to control the fan (6).

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