Portable Fragrance Diffusion Measurement Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fragrance diffusers lack the ability to consistently and reproducibly measure fragrance diffusion, particularly during user movement, and there is a need for a method to quantify fragrance or fragrance raw material trails.

Innovation Solution

A portable device and system comprising a casing with a bio-sourced polymer and high-resistance epoxy resin, a diffusion tube, ventilation system, heating mat, nozzle, and sniffing port, along with a wireless HRF remote controller, are used to measure fragrance and raw material diffusion through olfactory intensity assessment and analytical methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing fragrance diffusers are used, then fragrance distribution is achieved, but reproducible and consistent diffusion measurement is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefragrance diffusion measurementVSAvoidreproducibility during movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the fragrance diffusion measurement process into controlled components: a diffusion tube for standardized fragrance release, a heating mat for controlled temperature, and a ventilation system for regulated air flow. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and controlled independently, enabling reproducible measurements even during user movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention controls key parameters including temperature (via heating mat at controlled temperatures), air flow rate (via ventilation system with adjustable speed), and fragrance concentration (via controlled deposition on solid support). By maintaining these parameters within specific ranges, the device achieves consistent and reproducible fragrance diffusion measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If fragrance is evaporated using thermal vaporizers, then fragrance is released as small droplets, but consistent diffusion performance during movement is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefragrance droplet releaseVSAvoiddiffusion consistency during movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates a ventilation system with adjustable fan speed that can adapt to different movement conditions. The dynamic adjustment of air flow rate allows the system to maintain consistent fragrance diffusion performance whether the user is stationary or moving, compensating for changes in ambient air flow and body movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device enables measurement and assessment of fragrance diffusion through olfactory intensity evaluation by trained panels or analytical instruments. This feedback mechanism allows optimization of ventilation speed and heating temperature to achieve target diffusion performance, ensuring consistency during movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Quantity of substance

If high frequency acoustic vibrations are used to improve diffusion, then fragrance droplet size is decreased, but reproducible measurement capability is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefragrance droplet sizeVSAvoiddiffusion quantification
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces complex mechanical vibration systems with a simpler, more controllable combination of thermal evaporation (heating mat) and controlled air flow (ventilation system). This substitution maintains effective fragrance atomization and diffusion while enabling precise control and reproducible measurement of diffusion parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If fragrance is incorporated into solid supports, then diffusion can be activated by heating and air flow, but quantitative trail measurement is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediffusion activationVSAvoidtrail quantification
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device combines multiple functions into a single integrated system: the solid support with fragrance, heating mat for activation, ventilation system for air flow, and measurement capability for quantification. This multi-functional design enables both easy operation (simple activation by heating and air flow) and precise quantitative measurement of fragrance trails.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device provides reliable and reproducible fragrance diffusion measurements, enabling accurate quantification of fragrance trails and raw material distribution.

Implementation Method 1

As the fragrant material evaporates in the compact diffuser, the fragrance is distributed around the area of the diffuser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

Diffusion is then activated by heating the surface and/or by passing an air flow on or through the surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

The air flow gradually drags fragrance molecules from the solid support and diffuses them into the surrounding air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 4

passing an air flow on or through the surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 5

Others compact diffusers that also include a fragrance reservoir are based on the Venturi effect, which results in fragrance atomization via a nozzle leading to small droplets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 6

Sometimes, evaporation is facilitated by high frequency acoustic vibrations that aims to improve diffusion by decreasing fragrance droplet size

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3862027B1A portable device and methods for measuring diffusion of fragrances and fragrance raw materials
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS & FRAGRANCES INC
  • EP3862027B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3862027B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3862027B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application discloses a portable device for measuring diffusion of fragrance or fragrance raw materials, and systems and methods for measuring fragrance or fragrance raw material diffusions using the device.