Scent Warmer with Filamentless Light Source and Electrical Heat
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional candles pose risks and inefficiencies, while existing scent warmers either lack light or use inefficient incandescent bulbs, necessitating a safer, more efficient alternative that combines aroma release with ambient lighting.
Innovation Solution
A scent warmer design featuring a hollow base with an electrical heat source and a filamentless light source, such as LEDs, which thermally couples with a heat plate to warm scented materials and produce light, optionally allowing light to pass through the base structure for aesthetic and cooling purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional candles are used to produce aroma and light, then aroma release and ambient lighting are achieved, but safety risks including burns, fires, and smoke increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful flame element from the traditional candle system while retaining the useful functions of aroma release and ambient lighting. The electrical heating element replaces the flame for heating scented material, and the LED provides ambient lighting without combustion, thereby eliminating burns, fires, and smoke hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/chemical combustion system (flame) with an electrical heating system and an LED lighting system. This replacement eliminates the harmful effects of combustion while maintaining the desired functions of warming scented material and providing ambient light.
2Productivity
If incandescent light bulbs are used as heat source in scent warmers, then aroma release is achieved, but energy efficiency deteriorates and replacement costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the inefficient incandescent bulb from the scent warmer system and replaces it with a dedicated electrical heating element and a separate LED light source. This separation allows the heating function to be performed efficiently without the energy waste of incandescent lighting, while the LED provides ambient lighting with minimal energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies multi-functionality by using an electrical heating element that efficiently heats the scented material for aroma release, while a separate LED provides ambient lighting. This multi-functional approach replaces the single incandescent bulb that performed both heating and lighting inefficiently, thereby improving overall energy efficiency.
3Loss of energy
If resistive heating element is used to heat scented material, then energy efficiency improves, but ambient lighting function is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate functional systems: an efficient resistive heating element for warming scented material and an LED light source for ambient lighting. Both components are integrated into the same scent warmer device, allowing the system to achieve both efficient heating and ambient lighting without the trade-offs of using a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by combining the heating function (performed efficiently by the resistive heating element) and the lighting function (performed by the LED) in a single scent warmer device. This allows the system to maintain high heating efficiency while simultaneously providing ambient lighting.
4Adaptability or versatility
If incandescent bulbs are used in scent warmers, then both heating and lighting functions are provided, but operational costs and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the incandescent bulb from the scent warmer system and replaces it with more efficient and durable components: a dedicated electrical heating element for thermal function and an LED for lighting. This replacement reduces operational costs through lower energy consumption and eliminates frequent bulb replacements, while maintaining dual heating and lighting functions.
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 design provides a safer, more efficient aroma release with ambient lighting, reducing costs and hazards associated with traditional candles and incandescent bulbs, while enhancing aesthetic appeal and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The heating element heats the plate primarily by conduction
Implementation Method 2
The incandescent light bulb heats the bottom of the plate primarily through radiation and convection
Implementation Method 3
The incandescent light bulb heats the bottom of the plate primarily through radiation and convection
Implementation Method 4
heats the wax or oil, thus releasing the scent into the surrounding area by increasing the rate of evaporation or dissipation of the scented material
Data Source
AI summary
A scent warmer has a base structure including a lower portion and a scented material-holding portion. The lower portion may include at least one sidewall and be at least substantially hollow. An electrical heat source and a filamentless electrical light source may be disposed in the base structure lower portion. The scent warmer may include a power supply input element for providing electrical power to the electrical heat source and the filamentless electrical light source. Methods of the invention may include methods of warming a scented material and methods of forming a scent warmer.