Porous Emanator Element for Controlled Volatile Liquid Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for dispensing active volatile liquids, such as fragrances, face challenges in achieving controlled release and maintaining olfactory quality over time, often requiring complex setups and large amounts of liquid, which can lead to either insufficient or overpowering fragrance distribution.
Innovation Solution
An assembly comprising an emanator element with a high surface area, made of absorbent materials like cellulose filter paper or non-woven materials, housed within a tubular body member that allows air flow, combined with a wicking element and an air moving component like a fan or blower to control the evaporation and dispersion of the volatile liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wick-based device is used for dispensing volatile liquid, then the liquid can be transported to the emanating body, but the release of fragrance cannot be controlled and the olfactive quality varies over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous emanator body made of materials such as porous ceramic, sintered metal, or porous plastic. The porous structure provides capillary channels that control liquid transport and evaporation rates, enabling consistent fragrance release without requiring complex mechanical control systems. The pore size and distribution are engineered to maintain stable olfactive quality over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies physical parameters of the emanator system, including the surface area of the emanating body, pore size distribution, and material thermal properties. These parameter changes optimize the balance between liquid supply and evaporation rate, achieving controlled release with consistent fragrance quality without additional control mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If special films or occluding systems are used to regulate the evaporative surface, then controlled release can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex occluding systems and regulatable covers with a inherently porous emanator body. The porous structure itself provides the regulation function through capillary action and controlled diffusion, eliminating the need for additional mechanical components while maintaining controlled release capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous emanator body performs the regulation function autonomously through its material properties. The capillary channels and pore structure automatically control liquid flow and evaporation rates without requiring external control mechanisms, simplifying the overall device structure.
3Quantity of substance
If aqueous solution or emulsion is used in wick-based devices, then large amounts of liquid can be stored, but the effective releasing performance deteriorates due to surfactants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a porous emanator body that can store significant amounts of volatile liquid through capillary absorption in its pore structure. The porous material directly absorbs and releases the liquid without requiring aqueous solutions or emulsions, eliminating surfactant interference and maintaining high releasing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the problematic aqueous component and surfactants from the liquid composition. By using pure volatile liquid in the porous structure, the system achieves both adequate storage capacity and optimal releasing performance without the detrimental effects of water-based formulations.
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 provides a controlled and efficient release of fragrance, ensuring consistent olfactory quality over time with minimal liquid usage, allowing for precise fragrance distribution without the need for heating elements or complex occluding systems.
Implementation Method 1
a wicking element in communication with the volatile liquid and with the emanator element so that the volatile liquid is transported across and along the entire surface of the emanator element
Implementation Method 2
an emanator element having an open structure and high surface area and made of a material that is able to absorb and evaporate volatile liquids
Implementation Method 3
for evaporating and dispensing of a volatile liquid... the evaporated volatile liquid volatiles out of the body member
Implementation Method 4
an air moving component for directing air flow though the tubular portion and around and through the open structure of the emanator element, thus carrying evaporated liquid volatiles out of the body member
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 4
AI summary
An assembly for evaporation and dispensing of a volatile liquid. The assembly includes an emanator element and a body member. The emanator element has an open structure with a high surface area and is made of a material that is able to absorb and evaporate volatile liquids. The body member includes a tubular portion which has an interior wall for receiving the emanator element, the latter possibly being therein spaced from the interior wall to allow air flow therethrough. A reservoir of volatile liquid and a wicking member are also provided with the wicking element extending from the emanator element into the volatile liquid. The assembly is further associated with an air moving component for directing air flow though the tubular portion and around and through the open structure of the emanator element, thus carrying evaporated liquid volatiles out of the body member.