Modular Aromatherapy Evaporator with Magnetic Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing evaporators for essential oils are difficult to clean and maintain due to their one-piece design, which hampers efficient evaporation and requires cumbersome handling of the oil container.
Innovation Solution
A modular evaporator design featuring a housing with a removable container, a heat transfer mechanism using a metal heat conductive material, and a retaining mechanism involving a magnet for secure and efficient heat transfer, along with temperature control and a rechargeable battery for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a one-piece ceramic evaporator design is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the container is difficult to clean and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator is divided into separate components: a removable container (15) and a housing (2) with a receiving recess (14). The container can be detached from the housing, allowing easy access for cleaning and maintenance while keeping the overall structure relatively simple for manufacturing.
2Ease of operation
If a removable container design is used, then the container is easy to clean and replace, but the engagement and retention mechanism becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining means (48) uses magnetic attraction instead of complex mechanical fasteners, clips, or screws to secure the container (15) in the receiving recess (14). This magnetic retention system simplifies the overall mechanism while ensuring secure engagement and easy removal.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a heat transfer means is introduced, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A heat transfer means (30) made of heat-conductive material is introduced as an intermediary component between the heating means (25) and the container (15). This intermediate element improves thermal coupling and heat transfer efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through direct thermal contact.
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 modular design allows for easy cleaning and replacement of the container, enhances heat transfer efficiency, maintains a constant operating temperature, and reduces energy consumption while ensuring safe evaporation of essential oils.
Implementation Method 1
a heat transfer means (30) for transferring heat from the heating means (25) to the container (15), the heat transfer means (30) being configured to co-operate with the container (15) for the transfer of heat from the heat transfer means (30) to the container (15)
Implementation Method 2
a retaining means (48) for releasably retaining the container (15) in the receiving means (14) with the container (15) in heat conducting engagement with the heat transfer means (30)
Implementation Method 3
a heating means (25),... The burner chamber is located in the housing beneath the essential oil container for accommodating a burner in order to heat the essential oil container
Implementation Method 4
The open mouth of the container faces upwardly for accommodating the evaporate of the essential oil from the container
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
Figure 8~9
AI summary
An evaporator (1) comprises a housing (2) having a top wall (7) in which a receiving recess (14) is formed for receiving a container (15) for a liquid to be evaporated. A heat transfer element (30) having a first heat transfer abutment face (35) located in the receiving recess (14) transfers heat from an electrically powered heating element (25) to the container (15) through a second heat transfer abutment face (36) of a base (16) of the container (15). The heating element is planar and is located between the heat transfer element (30) and a locating element (40), which retains the heating element (25) tightly between the heat transfer element (30) and the locating element (40). A retaining magnet (48) located in the locating element (40) extends into a bore (52) in the heat transfer element (30) and co-operates with a complementary element (49) of magnetic material located in the base (16) of the container (15) for releasably retaining the container (15) in the receiving recess (14).