Wearable Odor Device Using Segmented Manipulation Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable electronic devices for providing or affecting smell are often bulky, rigid, and limited in the number of scents they can produce, making them unsuitable for various applications, particularly for users with sensory impairments such as vision and hearing loss.
Innovation Solution
A wearable electronic device featuring multiple odor manipulation units, a flexible substrate, and a control circuit arrangement that allows for independent or simultaneous operation of these units to create diverse spatial and temporal odor profiles, enabling the delivery of complex scent combinations suitable for users with sensory impairments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If existing wearable electronic devices for providing smell are used, then odor can be provided to the user, but the device becomes bulky and rigid
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the odor provision function into multiple independent odor manipulation units (first odor manipulation unit and second odor manipulation unit), each capable of providing different odors. This segmentation allows the device to maintain functionality while reducing the size and flexibility burden of any single unit, enabling integration onto flexible substrates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible substrates to mount the odor manipulation units and control circuit arrangement. The substrate itself is designed to be flexible, allowing the entire device to conform to the user's facial contours and be worn comfortably without being bulky or rigid.
2Quantity of substance
If existing wearable electronic devices for providing smell are used, then odor can be provided to the user, but the device can only provide simple smell or limited number of smells
Solution Approach 1:
The odor provision system is segmented into multiple independent odor manipulation units, where each unit can provide a specific odor. The first unit provides a first odor and the second unit provides a second odor, allowing combination of multiple simple units to achieve complex odor profiles without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each odor manipulation unit is designed with universal functionality to manipulate odor through phase change materials, heating elements, and cooling mechanisms. This multi-functionality within each unit allows them to be combined in various configurations to provide diverse odor combinations while maintaining a standardized, manageable device architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple odor manipulation units are added to provide diverse smells, then odor variety increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into a centralized control circuit arrangement that independently controls each odor manipulation unit. This segmentation allows for simplified individual unit control while achieving complex overall odor profiles through coordinated operation of multiple units, managing complexity through modular control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic control capabilities where the control circuit arrangement can adjust the operation of different odor manipulation units in real-time based on desired odor profiles. The system can dynamically activate, deactivate, or modulate individual units to create diverse spatial and temporal odor patterns without requiring complex mechanical structures.
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 device provides a flexible, compact, and versatile means to convey information through scent, enhancing communication and perception for users with sensory impairments by offering a range of odor profiles that can be precisely controlled and remotely managed.
Implementation Method 1
The odor may be provided by odorant included in a phase change medium (phase change material(s)) carried by the electronic device. When the phase change medium dissolves or vaporizes, the odorant can be released, volatilized, or diffused into the environment.
Implementation Method 2
The odor may be provided by odorant included in a phase change medium (phase change material(s)) carried by the electronic device. When the phase change medium dissolves or vaporizes, the odorant can be released, volatilized, or diffused into the environment.
Implementation Method 3
The odor manipulator may include a heating element arranged to heat the phase change medium
Implementation Method 4
The odor manipulator may include a cooling mechanism arranged to cool the phase change medium to condense the odorant included in the phase change medium, so as to reduce or stop release of the odorant from the body
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable electronic device for providing or affecting smell. The wearable electronic device includes one or more odor manipulation units and a control circuit arrangement operably coupled with the one or more odor manipulation units for operating the one or more odor manipulation units. Each of the one or more odor manipulation units is respectively operable to provide or affect smell perceivable by a user of the wearable electronic device.