Volatile Material Dispenser With Interchangeable Cover And Regulating Plate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers for volatile materials are not adaptable to different refill cartridge sizes and aesthetics, requiring manufacturers to redesign and consumers to purchase new dispensers to meet changing market preferences, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser system with a base and interchangeable cover that accommodates various sized refill cartridges through a regulating plate with bores and ports, allowing for adjustable diffusion control and aesthetic customization, featuring a stepped-in profile for reduced visual weight and easy cartridge alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single dispenser design is used for all markets, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but the dispenser cannot accommodate different sized refill cartridges from various localities
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser is designed with a universal base that can accommodate multiple cartridge sizes through a standardized receptacle interface. The base includes a volatile material reservoir receptacle configured to receive different sized cartridges, allowing a single dispenser design to serve multiple markets and preferences without requiring redesign or additional components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the dispenser size is increased to accommodate larger cartridges, then cartridge compatibility improves, but the visual weight and aesthetic appeal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser is divided into two functional segments: a permanent base containing the electronics, control circuitry, and cartridge receptacle, and an interchangeable cover that provides the aesthetic appearance. This segmentation allows the base to be optimized for functionality and cartridge compatibility while the cover can be designed with lightweight materials and aesthetically pleasing shapes that minimize visual weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is designed with local quality principles, using transparent or translucent portions in specific areas to reduce perceived weight and enhance aesthetic appeal. The cover materials are selected to provide visual lightness while the base maintains the structural integrity needed for accommodating different cartridge sizes.
3Ease of manufacture
If the dispenser design is fixed to meet current aesthetic preferences, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the ability to adapt to changing market trends is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser incorporates dynamic adaptability through the interchangeable cover system, allowing the aesthetic appearance to change over time while the base remains constant. Manufacturers can produce different cover designs with varying shapes, colors, and styles that can be attached to the same base unit, enabling the product to adapt to evolving market trends and consumer preferences without requiring complete redesigns.
4Ease of operation
If a regulating plate with multiple bores is used for diffusion control, then dispensing adjustability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating plate is designed to be self-configuring through a simple insertion mechanism. The plate includes multiple bores of different sizes that automatically align with corresponding ports in the cover when the plate is inserted, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms. The user simply selects the appropriate regulating plate for the desired diffusion rate and inserts it, and the system self-configures the appropriate bore-port alignments.
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
Enables the use of different sized refill cartridges without performance compromise, provides adjustable diffusion control, and allows for aesthetic updates without replacing the dispenser, enhancing user convenience and market adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
a refill cartridge (110) held within the chamber (108) and including a reservoir (112) having a volatile material therein
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
A dispenser includes a base for receiving a volatile material containing reservoir. A cover is attached to the base having at least one aperture and at least one series of ports. A regulating plate is operatively attached to the cover and has at least one window and at least one series of bores. Manipulation of the regulating plate allows for the registration of the bores and the ports to release a volatile material therethrough.