Volatile Material Dispenser Alternating Emission Rates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing volatile material dispensers that alternate between multiple fragrances often emit them for short periods, leading to habituation and undesirable mixing of fragrances, as users prefer longer emission times to fully enjoy selected scents without combinations.

Innovation Solution

A method of operating a volatile material dispenser that alternates between two or more volatile materials by activating a first heater for a primary evaporation period, followed by a secondary evaporation period at a reduced rate, then deactivating and activating a second heater for a similar cycle, allowing each fragrance to dissipate before the next is emitted, with customizable time periods and emission rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple volatile materials are emitted alternately for short periods, then fragrance mixing is reduced, but user habituation increases and user satisfaction decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefragrance mixingVSAvoiduser satisfaction

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by alternating between emitting different volatile materials at different times. The system emits a first volatile material during a first time period, then emits a second volatile material during a second time period, creating a rhythmic emission pattern that prevents both habituation and fragrance mixing while maintaining user satisfaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Ease of operation

If volatile materials are emitted for extended periods, then user satisfaction increases, but fragrance mixing occurs when multiple materials are used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser satisfactionVSAvoidfragrance mixing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic action to alternate between different volatile materials, allowing each material to be emitted for extended periods independently without mixing. The time-separated emission pattern ensures that when the first volatile material is emitted, the second is not present, and vice versa, thus preventing fragrance mixing while maintaining long emission durations for user satisfaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the emission timeline into distinct segments where different volatile materials are emitted separately. The first volatile material is emitted during a first time period and the second volatile material is emitted during a second time period, creating temporal segments that prevent mixing while allowing each material to be enjoyed independently for extended periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If multiple volatile materials are emitted simultaneously, then device complexity is reduced, but fragrance mixing occurs and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheater configurationVSAvoidfragrance mixing

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by controlling multiple heaters to operate at different times rather than simultaneously. The system activates a first heater during a first time period and a second heater during a second time period, creating a time-based emission pattern that prevents fragrance mixing while maintaining simple device architecture with multiple heaters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 approach reduces habituation and minimizes fragrance mixing, allowing users to fully appreciate individual fragrances for extended periods, increasing user satisfaction and providing a wider range of fragrance options without compatibility concerns.

Implementation Method 1

emitting the first volatile material at a first primary evaporation rate and emitting the first volatile material at a first secondary evaporation rate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

activating a first heater to emit a first volatile material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS9474819B2Method of alternatingly emitting two or more volatile materials

Publication Date: 2016.10.25 SC JOHNSON & SON INC

AI summary

A method of alternatingly emitting two or more volatile materials comprises the steps of activating a first heater and emitting a first volatile material for a first period of time by emitting the first volatile material at a first primary evaporation rate and emitting the first volatile material at a first secondary evaporation rate after evaporation of the first volatile material at the first primary evaporation rate. The method further includes the steps of deactivating the first heater, activating a second heater, and emitting a second volatile material for a second period of time by emitting the second volatile material at a second primary evaporation rate and emitting the second volatile material at a second secondary evaporation rate after evaporation of the second volatile material at the second primary evaporation rate. The first and second secondary evaporation rates are less than the first and second primary evaporation rates.