Surfactant-Stabilized Perfume Composition for Piezoelectric Ceramic Diffusers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric fragrance diffusers using piezoelectric ceramics face issues with surfactant residue fouling and premature ceramic deterioration due to foaming, especially when using non-ionic surfactants, and require user-adjusted fragrance intensity.
Innovation Solution
A scented aqueous composition comprising 0.1-0.3% essential oil, 0.1-1% non-ionic surfactant (like polysorbate 20 sorbitan monolaurate), and 0.01-0.1% preservative (like 1,2-benzisothiazlin-3-one) is used, ensuring miscibility and stability without excessive foaming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a non-ionic surfactant is used to create a stable emulsion, then miscibility and thermodynamic stability are improved, but vaporization difficulty increases leading to residue fouling and ceramic deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the surfactant system by selecting specific non-ionic surfactants with optimized molecular structures and concentrations (0.1-10% by weight). This parameter optimization allows the emulsion to maintain stability while reducing the tendency to form residues during vaporization, thereby resolving the contradiction between emulsion stability and residue fouling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite surfactant systems combining multiple non-ionic surfactants with complementary properties. This composite approach creates an emulsion that leverages the synergistic effects of different surfactant molecules, achieving both thermodynamic stability and reduced residue formation during the vaporization process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If surfactant concentration is increased to improve emulsion stability, then miscibility is improved, but foaming increases causing greasy fallouts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the surfactant concentration parameter within a specific range (0.1-10% by weight) to achieve the minimum effective concentration for emulsion stability. This parameter control prevents excessive foaming and greasy fallouts while maintaining adequate emulsion stability, resolving the contradiction between stability and foaming.
3Quantity of substance
If essential oil quantity is increased to improve fragrance intensity, then olfactory intensity is improved, but the risk of excessive exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the surfactant-emulsion system as an intermediary that controls the release and vaporization of essential oils. The emulsion structure acts as a mediator that provides consistent, controlled diffusion of fragrance compounds, preventing both insufficient and excessive exposure while maintaining olfactory intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-formulated emulsion composition provides self-regulating fragrance release through its thermodynamically stable structure. The system automatically maintains consistent essential oil concentration and vaporization rate without requiring user adjustment, thereby preventing excessive exposure while ensuring adequate fragrance intensity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If user adjusts fragrance intensity manually, then customization is improved, but the risk of incorrect dosage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the pre-formulated emulsion automatically provides consistent fragrance intensity. The thermodynamically stable emulsion structure self-regulates the essential oil release, eliminating the need for user adjustment and ensuring reliable, accurate dosing without compromising customization through proper product selection.
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 composition reduces ceramic residue to less than 1% and maintains consistent fragrance intensity, preventing fouling and ceramic deterioration while eliminating user-adjustment needs.
Implementation Method 1
an electric fragrance diffuser operating with a piezoelectric ceramic
Implementation Method 2
the surfactant used in the scented composition is non-ionic, i.e. the surfactant molecule includes no net charge. Non-ionic surfactants have the advantages of being inexpensive, renewable, biodegradable, low toxicity and with a low foaming power
Implementation Method 3
The surfactant is an amphiphilic species i.e. having hydrophilic portions and a lipophilic portion
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the use of a scented aqueous composition, in an electric fragrance diffuser operating with a piezoelectric ceramic, characterised in that said scented aqueous composition comprises 0.1% to 0.3% by weight with respect to the total weight of said composition of a fragrance of an essential oil and/or of raw materials of natural or synthetic fragrance, 0.1 to 1% by weight with respect to the total weight of said composition of a fragrance of a non-ionic surfactant agent, and 0.01 to 0.1% by scented weight with respect to the total weight of said composition of a fragrance of a preserving agent.