Porous-Element Evaporator for Volatile Substances in Any Position

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wick-based volatile substance evaporators face issues with liquid leakage when tilted, posing risks to furniture and electrical components, and existing solutions do not adequately address this problem for devices in various orientations.

Innovation Solution

A device with a container housing volatile substances and a wick, featuring a porous element impregnated with the liquid and vents to balance pressure, allowing operation in any position and preventing leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the device uses a traditional wick-based structure, then it can evaporate volatile substances effectively, but it leaks liquid when tilted beyond a certain angle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage preventionVSAvoidposition flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a porous wick material that capillary-absorbs the liquid volatile substance and transports it to the evaporation zone. The porous structure allows the wick to retain liquid through capillary forces even when the device is tilted, preventing leakage while maintaining evaporation functionality across various orientations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a hydrophobic coating as an intermediary layer between the porous wick and the liquid volatile substance. This coating modifies the wick's surface properties to enhance capillary retention and prevent liquid from leaking out of the wick structure when the device is tilted, while still allowing liquid transport to the evaporation zone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the device is designed to work in any position, then position flexibility is improved, but liquid leakage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition flexibilityVSAvoidliquid leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The porous wick material provides position-independent liquid retention through capillary forces, allowing the device to be placed in any orientation without liquid leakage while maintaining evaporation performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrophobic coating acts as a mediator that prevents liquid from escaping the wick structure in tilted positions, enabling the device to achieve position flexibility without suffering from leakage problems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Prevents liquid leakage and ensures consistent evaporation performance regardless of device orientation, maintaining safety and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a porous element placed inside the container that is impregnated with said liquid with the volatile substances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

a wick in contact with said liquid and extending outside said container, through which the volatile substances are evaporated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillarity: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 3

two vents, which are placed on a top and bottom portion of the container, or one placed on the top portion of the container and the other placed on the side portion of the container, for balancing the pressure inside the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure balancing: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 4

through which the volatile substances are evaporated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3996756B1Device for evaporating volatile substances
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 ZOBELE HLDG SPA
  • EP3996756B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3996756B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3996756B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The device for evaporating volatile substances comprises a container (1) housing a liquid with the volatile substances, and wick (2) in contact with said liquid and extending outside said container (1), wherein the device also comprises a porous element (3) placed inside the container (1) that is impregnated with said liquid with the volatile substances. The presence of the porous element inside the container permits to place the evaporation device according to the present invention in any suitable position, preventing the leakage of the liquid and still allowing its correct performance.