Diffusion device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air diffusion devices for volatile compounds, such as fragrances, suffer from non-uniform diffusion and limited area coverage, leading to uneven scent distribution and concentration hotspots.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a casing with an air circulation circuit featuring three fluidly independent chambers, each connected to its own air outlet, and a substrate movement path for easy maintenance, ensuring uniform diffusion and wide-area coverage by increasing the section of chambers downstream and using a guide rail for substrate handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single air outlet is used in the diffusion device, then the device structure is simple, but the diffusion is non-uniform and concentration hotspots occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoiddiffusion uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The single air outlet is divided into multiple air outlets (first, second, and third air outlets) arranged at different positions and orientations. Each outlet is connected to the reception area through separate pathways, enabling air to be discharged in multiple directions simultaneously. This segmentation transforms the concentrated single-point discharge into distributed multi-point discharge, achieving uniform diffusion across the diffusion surface without creating concentration hotspots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the air outlet section is small, then the device compactness is improved, but the volatile substance accumulation is insufficient for adequate diffusion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidvolatile substance accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The air outlets are extended into elongated slots rather than simple circular openings. The first air outlet extends along the first side wall, the second air outlet extends along the second side wall, and the third air outlet extends along the third side wall. This dimensional extension increases the effective discharge area and volatile substance release capacity without significantly increasing the overall device volume, maintaining compactness while achieving adequate substance accumulation and diffusion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This configuration achieves uniform air diffusion over a larger area, preventing concentration hotspots and allowing for easy maintenance by ensuring effective distribution of volatile substances across the desired space.

Implementation Method 1

a ventilation means arranged in the air circuit of the casing and capable of circulating a flow of air from the air inlet to the air outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir circulation: Convection

Implementation Method 2

a reception area arranged in the air circuit downstream of the ventilation means and intended to receive a substrate retaining a volatile substance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3328449B1Diffusion device
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 ATELIER ELIO SA
  • EP3328449B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3328449B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP3328449B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (10) for diffusing a volatile substance, including: a housing which internally defines an air flow system between at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet (42a, 42b, 42c), a ventilation means (44) arranged in the system and capable of causing an air flow to flow from the inlet to the air outlet, and a receiving area arranged, in the air system, downstream of the ventilation means (44) and intended for receiving a substrate holding a volatile substance. According to the invention, the air system includes at least one chamber (54a, 54b, 54c), arranged downstream of said receiving area and upstream of an air outlet (42a, 42b, 42c) of the housing.