Rotating Aperture Scent Dispenser for Odor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scent dispensers and odor absorbers often require complex multi-component designs with assembly using independent fasteners and tools, making them inefficient, costly, and difficult to manufacture and operate.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical scent-dispensing/absorbing apparatus with coaxially arranged housing members that can be rotated relative to each other, featuring aligned and non-aligned aperture sets to control scent flow, allowing for efficient scent emission or odor absorption, and can be integrated with a pet collar for calming applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-component design with independent fasteners and tools is used for assembly, then the device can achieve functional complexity, but the manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple housing components into a single monolithic housing structure that contains all functional elements (apertures, chambers, scent means) built-in. This eliminates the need for separate fasteners, tools, and assembly steps while maintaining all required functions, directly resolving the contradiction between functional complexity and assembly complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, contains scent storage and dispensing mechanisms, enables rotation control, and integrates aperture systems for both scent emission and odor absorption. This multi-functionality within a single component achieves functional complexity without requiring multiple separate parts
2Device complexity
If a monolithic housing design is used, then assembly complexity is reduced, but the ability to service and replace components is limited
Solution Approach 1:
While the housing itself is monolithic, the patent incorporates removable and replaceable components within it, including the scent means, the rotatable inner housing, and the filter assembly. This internal segmentation allows easy servicing and replacement of consumable or wear-prone parts without compromising the overall simple housing structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs nested components where smaller functional units (scent means, filter, rotatable chamber) are contained within the monolithic housing. These nested elements can be independently accessed, removed, or replaced through designated openings, maintaining both assembly simplicity and serviceability
3Stability of the object's composition
If the housing members are fixed relative to each other, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to control scent flow is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a rotatable inner housing that can be rotated relative to the outer monolithic housing to different angular positions. This rotation dynamically controls the alignment between apertures in the inner housing and corresponding openings in the outer housing, enabling flow control while maintaining overall structural stability of the housing assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation of the inner housing changes the spatial parameter (angular position) of the aperture alignment, thereby controlling the flow rate and direction of scent emission or odor absorption. This parameter change enables versatile flow control without compromising the structural integrity of the housing
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 apparatus provides a simple, efficient, and cost-effective solution for scent dispensing and odor absorption, with the ability to be easily assembled and disassembled, and can be used in conjunction with a dog collar to provide calming effects by using canine pheromones.
Implementation Method 1
undesirable odors in the environment to flow into the scent means, where they can be absorbed
Implementation Method 2
desirable scents to flow from the scent means to the environment
Data Source
AI summary
A scent dispenser/absorber includes a pair of cylindrical housing members arranged coaxially about a common longitudinal axis such that the inner housing member is rotatably received in an interior chamber of the outer housing member. Each housing member has a peripheral sidewall provided with a set of radially extending apertures. A scent cartridge is removably disposed within an interior chamber of the inner housing member to absorb undesirable odors, or to emit desirable scents. By manually controlling the relative rotational positions of the housing members, a user can align or misalign the two sets of apertures, thereby enabling or disabling the transfer of scents or odors between the scent cartridge and the surrounding environment.