Volatile Material Dispenser with Wireless Control and Concealed Refill
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing volatile material dispensers are manually configurable and lack efficient control over dispensation characteristics, with visible refills that may not be desirable in certain implementations, limiting user convenience and control.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing system with a controller connected to an electronic device via wireless communication, allowing for remote adjustment of heater temperature and volatile material release rates based on user settings, environmental factors, and location, while concealing the refill from direct view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the refill is made visible from multiple viewing angles to allow users to determine liquid content, then users can easily monitor material levels, but the aesthetic appearance is compromised and the design becomes less desirable in certain implementations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-changing illumination elements (LEDs) that change color or illumination pattern to indicate refill status. The controller activates different illumination elements based on the amount of volatile material remaining, providing clear visual feedback about liquid content while keeping the refill itself hidden from view, thus maintaining aesthetic appearance.
2Ease of operation
If the dispenser is manually configurable with basic visual cues, then the device structure remains simple, but user control over dispensation characteristics is limited and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical configuration with an electronic control system. The controller receives input from users (potentially via wireless communication as mentioned in the summary) and automatically adjusts heater temperature and volatile material release rates. This substitution of mechanical controls with electronic control enables precise adjustment of dispensation characteristics while maintaining reasonable device complexity through integrated control circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically changes operational parameters (heater temperature, release rates, illumination patterns) based on user preferences and environmental factors. The system can adjust the temperature of the heater assembly and the rate at which volatile material is released, providing flexible control over dispensation characteristics without requiring complex mechanical adjustments.
3Ease of operation
If the dispenser provides real-time communication of heating duration and status to an electronic device, then user convenience and control are improved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the controller communicates the amount of time the refill has been heated and current operational status to an external electronic device via wireless communication. This feedback loop allows users to monitor and control the dispenser remotely, improving ease of operation. The communication system integrates standard wireless modules and protocols, managing device complexity through established communication frameworks.
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
Enhances user control over volatile material dispensation, improves convenience by allowing remote adjustment of release characteristics, and maintains a clean aesthetic by hiding the refill from direct view.
Implementation Method 1
a heater assembly that is disposed within the rear portion and is configured to heat a volatile material disposed in the refill
Implementation Method 2
The one or more illumination elements are configured to communicate a status of the dispenser to a user based on an operational status of the dispenser
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing system includes a dispenser having a front portion that is configured to illuminate one or more illumination elements and a rear portion from which a plug deck extends, the rear portion defining a receiving port that is configured to receive a refill, a heater assembly that is disposed within the rear portion and configured to heat a volatile material disposed in the refill, and a printed circuit board having a controller and being electrically coupled with the heater assembly. The controller is configured to control a temperature of the heater assembly, receive instruction via wireless communication from an electronic device, and communicate an amount of time that the refill has been heated by the heater assembly to the electronic device. The one or more illumination elements are configured to communicate a status of the dispenser to a user based on an operational status of the dispenser.