Aroma Diffuser Cascade Separation Clogging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aroma dispensers face issues with diversified fragrance emission intensity due to varying fragrance densities, leading to condensation and clogging, as 'heavy' fragrances partially condense before leaving the dispenser, while 'light' fragrances are over-emitted, causing uneven aroma distribution.

Innovation Solution

A diffuser design featuring an elliptical cylinder casing with an atomising chamber and cascade separation system, using spray nozzles and separating discs to generate aerosols and separate particles, allowing smaller volatile particles to escape while larger particles condense and return to the chamber for re-use, with a condensate drainage system to prevent clogging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a simple atomiser structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but fragrance emission intensity becomes uncontrolled with condensation and clogging occurring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediffuser structureVSAvoidfragrance emission consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The diffuser is divided into functionally independent segments: an atomising chamber for generating aerosol, a separation chamber for particle separation, and a condensate drainage system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with others, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A separation chamber with separating discs acts as an intermediary between the atomising chamber and the outlet. This intermediary component captures and redirects condensate before it can reach the outlet, preventing clogging while maintaining the overall simplicity of the device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If no particle separation system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but light fragrances are over-emitted and heavy fragrances condense and clog the outlet

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediffuser structureVSAvoidcondensate clogging
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The separation chamber is positioned before the fragrance outlet to perform preliminary separation of aerosol particles. By capturing condensate and larger particles before they reach the outlet, the system prevents clogging in advance, addressing the harmful effect without requiring complex post-processing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The separation chamber discards larger condensate particles that would cause clogging, while the drainage system recovers this condensate and returns it to the atomising chamber. This selective discarding and recovering process eliminates clogging while maintaining fragrance emission consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Device complexity

If condensate is not drained, then device complexity is reduced, but the atomiser becomes clogged and fragrance emission is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediffuser structureVSAvoidfragrance emission continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The condensate drainage system is designed to automatically drain condensate from the separation chamber back to the atomising chamber without external intervention. This self-service mechanism continuously removes harmful condensate while maintaining fragrance emission productivity, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and operational continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Effectively prevents clogging and ensures consistent fragrance emission by releasing particles <10 µm, while larger particles condense and re-enter the process, maintaining aroma quality and dispenser functionality, with up to 20% savings of light oils depending on oil characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

A diffuser design featuring an elliptical cylinder casing with an atomising chamber and cascade separation system, using spray nozzles and separating discs to generate aerosols

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAtomization:

Implementation Method 2

cascade separation system, using spray nozzles and separating discs to generate aerosols and separate particles, allowing smaller volatile particles to escape while larger particles condense

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCascade separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 3

allowing smaller volatile particles to escape while larger particles condense and re-enter the process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 4

larger particles condense and re-enter the process, maintaining aroma quality

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoalescence:

Implementation Method 5

with a condensate drainage system to prevent clogging

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity drainage: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3988133A1Aroma diffuser
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 AROMA GENERAL SP ZOO
  • EP3988133A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3988133A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3988133A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The aroma diffuser which is preferably round, oval or elliptical in shape, consisting of a base which widens in the upper part, an inner atomising chamber, a separation chamber where the aerosol undergoes condensation and a hole in the casing. The lower separation chamber (19) has a lower disc (8) equipped with at least two lower rings (10) of different sizes, mounted substantially concentrically, between which there are holes of the lower disc (23), and above there is an upper disc (9) equipped with at least two upper rings (11) mounted substantially concentrically, each of different size, and their sizes differing from those of the lower rings (10), as a result of which the lower rings (10) and the upper rings (11) mesh together. Between the lower rings (10) and the upper disc (9) and between the upper rings (11) and the lower disc (8) there are ring slots (22). In the surface of the upper disc (9) there is at least one through hole (12) connecting the lower separation chamber (19) with the upper separation chamber (14). The spray nozzle (2) connected to the atomising chamber (3) is positioned substantially in parallel to the surface of the essential oil, and the atomising chamber (3) spreads lengthwise.