Perforated Plate Micro-Plug Scent Atomizer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scent delivery systems for gaming and entertainment suffer from residual scent issues, where scents linger and contaminate subsequent emissions, and mesh-based nebulizers face occlusion and spontaneous scent leakage problems.
Innovation Solution
An electronically controlled scent producing element featuring a perforated plate and micro-plugs that translate and vibrate to atomize scents, preventing residual scent buildup and occlusion, using a piezoelectric element to control the flow and cleaning of scents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a mesh-based nebulizer is used to atomize scent liquid, then scent can be delivered, but spontaneous scent leakage occurs and the mesh becomes occluded by aromatic molecules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic mesh structure from the system and replaces it with a chamber-based architecture. The scent liquid is contained in a chamber with a defined opening, eliminating the mesh that causes occlusion and spontaneous leakage while maintaining the atomization function through ultrasonic vibration of the chamber contents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a replaceable scent cartridge containing the scent liquid. When the scent is depleted or the liquid changes viscosity, the entire cartridge can be replaced rather than cleaning or maintaining the mesh structure, avoiding the reliability issues of mesh occlusion and extending system reliability.
2Productivity
If scent is released into the environment, then the desired scent effect is achieved, but residual scent lingers and contaminates subsequent emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic ultrasonic vibration to atomize the scent liquid in controlled bursts rather than continuous release. This periodic action allows the scent to be delivered in discrete emissions, reducing residual buildup and preventing contamination of subsequent scent emissions, as each burst is followed by a pause where no scent is present.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a heating element that can vaporize and eliminate residual scent liquid in the chamber after the desired scent emission is complete. This discarding of residual scent prevents contamination of subsequent emissions, allowing the system to maintain scent purity by actively removing unwanted residues between different scent deliveries.
3Manufacturing precision
If a fixed mesh aperture is designed for a particular molecule size and viscosity, then atomization is achieved, but the nebulizer cannot be used for liquids with different viscosities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fixed mesh aperture with a dynamic system where ultrasonic vibration frequency and amplitude can be adjusted based on the scent liquid's viscosity. The replaceable cartridge system also allows physical replacement of the atomization chamber configuration, enabling adaptation to different liquid properties while maintaining precise atomization through electronic control parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls atomization by adjusting ultrasonic vibration parameters (frequency, amplitude, duty cycle) rather than relying on a fixed physical aperture. This allows the system to adapt to different liquid viscosities by changing the vibration parameters electronically, maintaining precise atomization across a wide range of scent liquid formulations without physical modifications.
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 solution effectively prevents residual scent contamination and occlusion, allowing for precise and efficient scent delivery, suitable for individual gaming environments and adaptable to various liquid viscosities.
Implementation Method 1
a vibrator in communication with at least one of the plate and the plurality of micro-plugs
Implementation Method 2
using a piezoelectric element to control the flow and cleaning of scents
Implementation Method 3
a translation mechanism in communication with one of the plate and the plurality of micro-plugs, the translation mechanism arranged to translate the plurality of micro-plugs in relation to the plate
Data Source
AI summary
An electronically controlled scent producing element (800) constituted of: a plate (860) exhibiting a plurality of perforations extending from a first face of the plate to a second face of the plate opposing the first face; a plurality of micro-plugs (870) juxtaposed with the plate (860), each of the plurality of micro-plugs (870) extending longitudinally from a base end to a tip end, and arranged to mate with one of the plurality of perforations; a translation mechanism in communication with one of the plate (820, 860) and the plurality of micro-plugs (870); and a vibrator in communication with at least one of the plate (820, 860) and the plurality of micro-plugs.