Rotating Wick Emanator for Forced Evaporation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-freshener devices with wick-based systems require separate mechanical components, such as fans or helices, to enhance evaporation, increasing costs and restricting the shape and area of the diffusing surface, while also not providing a constant and linear release of volatile substances over time.
Innovation Solution
A device with a rotating wick/emanator assembly that integrates a motor-powered, solar or battery-driven mechanism for forced ventilation, eliminating the need for separate ventilation components and allowing a variable diffusing surface area, ensuring a constant and linear release of active composition over the device's lifetime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate mechanical components (fans, helices) are used to enhance evaporation, then evaporation rate is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ventilation function with the wick/emanator assembly by integrating a rotor member directly into the wick structure. The rotor member is formed as a single piece with the wick, eliminating the need for separate fans or helices. This integration maintains enhanced evaporation capability while reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor member serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural support for the wick and a ventilation mechanism through its rotation. The hollow interior of the rotor member allows air circulation, while the outer surface supports the wick material. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanical components.
2Productivity
If separate ventilation components are used, then evaporation is enhanced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wick and rotor into a single integrated assembly that can be manufactured as one piece or pre-assembled unit. This merging eliminates the need to manufacture and assemble separate ventilation components, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining enhanced evaporation performance.
3Area of stationary object
If the evaporation surface is restricted by the liquid container opening shape, then liquid spillage is prevented, but the diffusing surface area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional surface constrained by the container opening to a three-dimensional rotating rotor structure. The rotor member can be shaped in various forms (spiral, helical, radial) that are not limited by the container opening geometry. This dimensional change allows for increased diffusing surface area while the rotation mechanism ensures liquid is delivered controllably to the surface without spillage.
4Duration of action of moving object
If natural evaporation is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but release of volatile substance is not constant or linear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic rotation of the rotor member to create consistent and linear release of volatile substances. The rotation periodically brings different portions of the wick/emanator surface into contact with the liquid reservoir, ensuring uniform and controlled evaporation over time. This periodic action transforms irregular natural evaporation into a consistent, linear release pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating rotor member ensures continuous contact between the liquid reservoir and the evaporation surface throughout the rotation cycle. This continuous action maintains a steady supply of liquid to the evaporating surface, ensuring consistent and linear release of volatile substances over the device's operational lifetime.
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 provides enhanced evaporation of volatile substances into the atmosphere without additional moving parts, reducing costs and enabling a consistent release of fragrances or deodorizing agents, suitable for both aqueous and non-aqueous compositions, while being energy-efficient and adaptable to various environments.
Implementation Method 1
a wick member (4,4',4'') formed of, or carrying, a porous material part capable of being impregnated with said active volatile substance
Implementation Method 2
an emanating member (5,5',5'') carrying said evaporation surface... from which the liquid substance diffuses and evaporates into the device's surroundings
Implementation Method 3
means for forced ventilation of an evaporation surface... capable of causing repeated movement... of at least the emanating member relative to said reservoir
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of perfumery and more precisely it concerns a device, and the consumer articles associated therewith, for dispensing an active composition into the surrounding space. The device comprises an active liquid, a reservoir holding the active liquid, a wick-/emanator structure composed of a wicking part and an emitting part, the latter having an evaporative surface to be directly exposed to the surrounding space when the device is activated and being housed in a moveable housing assembly, activation of the device occurring without need to removing the housing assembly and or the wick-/emanator structure, the device further comprising rotor means arranged in a manner providing for rotation of wicking and/or emitting parts to allow forced evaporation of the active volatile upon activation of the device.