Pivotable Fan for Volatile Substance Dispersion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for releasing volatile substances, such as air fresheners, face inefficiencies in scent dispersion when the evaporation surface moves, as the fixed fan position fails to effectively align with the changing evaporation surface, leading to reduced control over evaporation intensity.

Innovation Solution

A system with a fan that can pivot between 0° and 45° angles relative to a ventilation surface within the receptacle, ensuring optimal airflow alignment with the volatile substance, enhancing evaporation control and efficiency by adjusting the fan's position manually or through electronic control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a fixed fan position is used in the system, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but the evaporation effectiveness deteriorates when the evaporation surface moves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidevaporation effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The fan is mounted on a pivotable support that allows it to move between a first position (substantially 90° angle with respect to the ventilation surface) and a second position (substantially 45° angle with respect to the ventilation surface). This dynamic positioning enables the fan to adapt to the moving evaporation surface as the volatile substance gradually evaporates, maintaining effective airflow alignment and controlling evaporation intensity throughout the product's lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the fan position is made adjustable to follow the evaporation surface, then the evaporation effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevaporation effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fan is mounted on a pivotable support that allows it to move between a first position (substantially 90° angle with respect to the ventilation surface) and a second position (substantially 45° angle with respect to the ventilation surface). This dynamic positioning enables the fan to adapt to the moving evaporation surface as the volatile substance gradually evaporates, maintaining effective airflow alignment and controlling evaporation intensity throughout the product's lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the spatial parameter of the fan's angular position relative to the ventilation surface. By adjusting the fan's angle from 90° to 45°, the system optimizes the airflow's interaction with the volatile substance at different evaporation stages, thereby controlling evaporation effectiveness without requiring complex multi-component mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the fan speed is increased to enhance scent dispersion, then the fragrance release is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefragrance releaseVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fan is mounted on a pivotable support that allows it to move between a first position (substantially 90° angle with respect to the ventilation surface) and a second position (substantially 45° angle with respect to the ventilation surface). This dynamic positioning enables the fan to adapt to the moving evaporation surface as the volatile substance gradually evaporates, maintaining effective airflow alignment and controlling evaporation intensity throughout the product's lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the spatial parameter of the fan's angular position relative to the ventilation surface. By adjusting the fan's angle from 90° to 45°, the system optimizes the airflow's interaction with the volatile substance at different evaporation stages, thereby controlling evaporation effectiveness without requiring complex multi-component mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution significantly improves and controls the evaporation effectiveness of volatile substances by ensuring direct airflow interaction with the volatile substance, increasing fragrance release and maintaining vapor equilibrium, while allowing for adjustable fan operation modes to prevent user desensitization.

Implementation Method 1

a fan for inducing the ventilation of the scent of said volatile substance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

a fan for generating an airflow with a scent generated by a volatile substance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3085392B1System for releasing volatile substances
Publication Date: 2020.10.28 ZOBELE ESPANA
  • EP3085392B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3085392B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a system (1) for releasing volatile substances comprising a receptacle (2) housing a volatile substance; a ventilation surface (3) arranged in said receptacle (2) provided with ventilation windows; and a fan (4) for inducing the ventilation of the scent of said volatile substance, characterized in that said fan (4) can move between at least a first position and a second position. The effectiveness with which the perfume evaporates during the work cycle of the device can be improved and controlled with the system of the invention.