Apparatus for diffusing volatile substances

Abstract

An apparatus for dissipating a volatile substance, comprising: a vessel (1) containing a liquid containing the volatile substance; a capillary element (2) partially contained within the vessel (1); a perforated element (3) through which the volatile substance is dissipated; and a piezoelectric element (4) in contact with the perforated element (3) and with the capillary element (2), the piezoelectric element (4) causing vibration of the capillary element (2), the dissipation apparatus also comprising an elastic element (5) to which the piezoelectric element (4) is attached, the elastic element (5) being attached to the vessel (1) or to a housing (6) surrounding the vessel (1), the elastic element ensuring that the piezoelectric element is perfectly centered with respect to the capillary element.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for emitting volatile substances. [Background technology]

[0002] Electrical systems powered by cells or batteries are known for diffusing volatile materials. Electrical diffusers are devices for diffusing volatile materials in a closed environment using electrical energy that is used to operate heating elements, diffuser elements, or dispensing elements to provide optimal efficiency, optimal control over dosage, and optimal control over dispensed volume by the user.

[0003] This type of device is specifically designed to be used without the need for airflow coordination and without inherent temperature limitations, and provides good evaporation and / or dissipation of volatile materials.

[0004] Some of these devices include motors, heaters, or solenoid valves that allow the vapor to escape through a dispensing or dispensing system such as nozzles or wicks. These devices are based on a container of volatile material, an electrical system that allows the dissipation, and a battery or cell that powers the system.

[0005] In some cases, the volatile substance is contained in a container in liquid form, and an electrical system is used to dispense the dose by heating to vaporize it, or by spraying, atomizing, nebulizing, or other means.

[0006] In other cases, the container is usually present in a pressurized metal housing which acts as protection and support and contains the propellant gas of the volatile substance that is intended to be dissipated.

[0007] Among the various systems for dissipating active substances, electrical systems stand out as having a major advantage in that they require less energy to operate and therefore have a longer battery life.

[0008] These are electronic devices that power a perforated metal disk attached to a piezoelectric element placed over a capillary element that carries the active substance in liquid form from a container or reservoir that is replaced when all the substance has been released.

[0009] The piezoelectric element vibrates when supplied with an AC voltage at a frequency close to the element's resonant frequency, and this vibration drives the fluid contained in the capillary element through the holes in the metal disk.

[0010] Particle size is directly proportional to pore size, and the range and flow of the spray is directly dependent on the amplitude at which the piezoelectric element vibrates.

[0011] The amplitude of this vibration can be affected by excess or imperfections in the pressure exerted by the capillary element against the piezoelectric element.

[0012] This variation is a result of the different elements that form the structure that supports them and their variations that depend on their different manufacturing processes: manufacturing tolerances of the capillary elements, the fluid reservoir, geometric tolerances of the piezoelectric elements, etc.

[0013] Excessive pressure can reduce the amplitude of the vibration, resulting in a reduction in range and flow, and in extreme cases the disc may not be able to vibrate at all, thus ceasing operation of the device.

[0014] Conversely, very low pressure or lack of contact between the perforated piezoelectric disc and the capillary element also results in a reduced range and flow rate of the active material to be diffused.

[0015] For this reason, a known solution is that described in US Pat. No. 5,629,999, in which a spring is added to exert a sufficient, but not excessive, pressure on a piezoelectric disc placed on the capillary element.

[0016] The metal disc has a series of tiny holes that create an overall porous surface that is directly proportional to the spray flow: the larger the overall surface, the larger the spray. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0017] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2005 / 97349 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0018] A drawback of the device described in US Pat. No. 5,649,399 is that, to obtain the best atomization performance, the capillary elements containing the fluid to be atomized must completely cover the same perforated surface.

[0019] However, the device does not include any elements to ensure accurate centering between the foraminous surface and the surface of the capillary element.

[0020] Additionally, the presence of metal parts can cause noise, which can be unpleasant for the user of the device.

[0021] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for diffusing volatile substances that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0022] The device for diffusing volatile materials of the present invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and provides other advantages as described below.

[0023] The device for emitting volatile substances according to the present invention comprises: a container for containing a liquid containing the volatile substance; a capillary element partially contained within the container; a perforated element through which the volatile material is diffused; a piezoelectric element in contact with the perforated element and in contact with the capillary element, the piezoelectric element causing vibration of the capillary element; Including, The dissipation device also includes a resilient element to which the piezoelectric element is attached, the resilient element being attached to the container or to a housing surrounding the container.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the capillary element defines a central longitudinal axis and the elastic element is a body that rotates about the central longitudinal axis of the capillary element.

[0025] Furthermore, advantageously, said elastic element comprises a hole centrally located relative to a central longitudinal axis of said capillary element, in which said piezoelectric element is mounted.

[0026] For example, the elastic element is a bellows, the side wall of the bellows is curved and defines two sections forming an acute angle or includes multiple folds, and the width of the bellows is smaller towards the piezoelectric element than towards the container.

[0027] Preferably, the capillary element is a wick and the elastic element is made of a polymer material.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the piezoelectric element includes a central deformation defining a gap on the surface facing the capillary element.

[0029] The elastic element allows the piezoelectric element to be perfectly centered relative to the capillary element.

[0030] The geometry of said elastic element allows a deformation equal to the sum of the manufacturing and assembly tolerances of the element which characterize the quality and quantity of the fluid to be dispersed or atomized.

[0031] Additionally, the resilient element maintains adequate pressure to maintain the quality and quantity of the dispersion or atomization within required parameters. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] For a better understanding of what is being described, drawings are attached, in which practical cases of embodiments are shown diagrammatically and by way of non-limiting example. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the top of a device for emitting volatile substances of the present invention according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the top of an apparatus for emitting volatile materials of the present invention, according to a second embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the top of an apparatus for emitting volatile materials of the present invention, according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, the device for diffusing a volatile substance includes a container 1 containing a liquid containing a volatile substance and a capillary element 2, such as a wick, that is partially contained in the container 1, so that the liquid in the container 1 is moved by capillary action to the end of the capillary element 2 located outside the container 1.

[0034] The device for dissipating volatile substances includes a perforated element 3, such as a grid, through which the volatile substances pass and are dissipated into the environment, and a piezoelectric element 4, such as a piezoelectric disk, in contact with the perforated element 3 and the capillary element 2.

[0035] The piezoelectric element 4 vibrates and transmits the vibrations to the capillary element 2, increasing the evaporation of the volatile material.

[0036] Furthermore, the diffusion device also comprises, according to the embodiment shown, an elastic element 5 to which the piezoelectric element 4 is attached, the elastic element 5 being attached to the housing 6 surrounding the container 1 .

[0037] It should be noted, however, that the elastic element 5 may also be attached directly to the container 1. Furthermore, attachment of the elastic element 5 to the container 1 or to the housing 6 may be done in any suitable manner.

[0038] The capillary element 2 defines a central longitudinal axis (indicated as A in the figures), and the elastic element 5 is advantageously an object having a geometric shape that can rotate about the central longitudinal axis A of the capillary element 2 and deform when subjected to pressure.

[0039] The elastic element 5, preferably a bellows made of elastic material, includes a hole 7 centrally located relative to the central longitudinal axis A of the capillary element 2, in which the piezoelectric element 4 is mounted.

[0040] To facilitate the transmission of vibrations from the piezoelectric element 4, it can be seen that it includes a central deformation 8 on its face facing the capillary element 2, which defines a gap.

[0041] The geometry of the elastic element 5 allows a deformation equal to the sum of the manufacturing and assembly tolerances of the elements that make up the device, characterizing the quality and quantity of the spray fluid, which in turn maintains an appropriate pressure that keeps the quality and quantity of the spray within the required parameters.

[0042] According to a first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the side walls of the bellows 5 are curved.

[0043] In figure 2 a second embodiment is shown, in which the side walls of the bellows 5 define two sections forming an acute angle.

[0044] On the other hand, FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment, in which the side wall of the bellows 5 comprises a number of folds, and the width of the bellows 5 is smaller towards the piezoelectric element 4 than towards the container 1 .

[0045] These designs provide different responses to the pressure applied to the piezoelectric element 4 by the capillary element 2 .

[0046] Although reference has been made to specific embodiments of the present invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the described device for emitting volatile substances is susceptible to numerous variations and modifications, and that all of the above details can be replaced by technically equivalent alternatives without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for diffusing volatile materials, comprising: a container for containing a liquid containing the volatile substance; a capillary element partially contained within the container; a perforated element through which the volatile material is diffused; a piezoelectric element in contact with the perforated element, the perforated element contacting the top of the capillary element, the piezoelectric element causing vibration of the capillary element; an elastic element to which the piezoelectric element is attached, the elastic element being attached to the container or to a housing surrounding the container, the elastic element being a bellows including a sidewall; Including, the capillary element defines a central longitudinal axis, the elastic element being a body that rotates about the central longitudinal axis of the capillary element; The side wall of the bellows is Curved portion, Two sections that form an acute angle, or a plurality of folds, the width of the bellows being smaller towards the piezoelectric element than towards the container; Including, A device for emitting a volatile substance, wherein the curved portion, the two compartments, or the plurality of folds extend longitudinally relative to the central longitudinal axis.

2. 2. The device for dissipating volatile materials of claim 1, wherein the elastic element includes a hole centrally located relative to a central longitudinal axis of the capillary element, and the piezoelectric element is mounted therein.

3. 10. The device for diffusing volatile materials of claim 1, wherein said capillary element is a wick.

4. 10. The device for diffusing volatile substances according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element is made of a polymer material.

5. 5. A device for diffusing volatile substances according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric element includes a central deformation defining a gap on a surface facing the capillary element.

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