Adaptive Smell Delivery Channels for Precise Olfactory Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current smell delivery devices face limitations in accuracy, control, and adaptability, particularly in real-time adjustments for user interactions and environmental factors, leading to issues with spatial and temporal resolution, cross-contamination, and lack of modular design for consumer applications.
Innovation Solution
A smell delivery device with a flow controller that adjusts airflow based on feedback from sensors monitoring flow rate, environmental conditions, and user feedback, enabling precise control over smell intensity and duration, and featuring modular canisters and a miniaturized design for adaptable usage across various applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If transformational approach is used to deliver smell (atomization, jetting, evaporation), then smell delivery is achieved, but temporal and spatial control accuracy deteriorates and cross-contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the smell delivery into separate modular channels, each with its own pump and delivery path. This segmentation prevents cross-contamination between different smell substances while maintaining precise temporal and spatial control over each channel's output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic pumps to deliver smell substances through controlled airflow, replacing transformational methods like atomization. This allows precise control over when and where smells are delivered without the cross-contamination issues of shared heating or atomization components.
2Ease of operation
If carrier approach with external pressurized air is used, then smell delivery is achieved, but device portability and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the air supply function into the device itself by using small integrated pumps that generate airflow on-demand. This eliminates the need for external pressurized air supplies while maintaining the carrier approach for smell delivery, improving portability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device generates its own airflow using integrated pumps, making it self-sufficient without external air supplies. This self-service capability enables portable, standalone operation while maintaining controlled smell delivery through the carrier gas approach.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed delivery parameters are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to user interactions and environmental factors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect user responses and environmental conditions, feeding this information back to the control system. This enables real-time adjustment of smell delivery parameters to optimize the experience while accounting for user preferences and environmental factors like temperature and humidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of delivery parameters, allowing the system to adjust flow rates, timing, and intensity in real-time based on user interactions and environmental conditions. This transforms the device from a static to a dynamic system that adapts to changing requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides high spatial and temporal accuracy with real-time control, minimizing cross-contamination and operational latency, while being adaptable and configurable via a cloud platform, suitable for diverse applications including healthcare and consumer use.
Implementation Method 1
one or more airflow generating elements configured to generate airflow to transport the substance from the canister to the output component
Implementation Method 2
a sensor configured to sense the flow rate, or concentration of the substance, through the delivery channel
Implementation Method 3
an environmental sensor configured to sense environmental conditions
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a smell sensing system (100) comprising a smell delivery device (104) for delivering an olfactory output (110). The smell delivery device (104) comprises a delivery channel (3) for receiving a substance (5a) from a canister (5), the substance (5a) configured to produce an olfactory output (114). The smell delivery device (104) also comprises an output component (7) through which the substance (5a) is emitted. The smell delivery device (104) also comprises one or more airflow generating elements (13) configured to generate airflow to transport the substance (5a) from the canister (5) to the output component (7). The smell sensing system (100) also comprises a smell sensing device (102) for detecting the olfactory output (110) delivered by the smell delivery device (104). The smell sensing device (102) comprises at least one gas sensor (31, 32) configured to, in response to the olfactory output (110), generate sensor information (114) corresponding to the olfactory output (110). The smell sensing device (102) is configured to output the sensor information (114) to a processor (106).