Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
  • A61L9/015—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone
  • A61L9/04—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone using substances evaporated in the air without heating
  • A61L9/12—Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
  • B60H3/00—Other air-treating devices
  • B60H3/0007—Adding substances other than water to the air, e.g. perfume, oxygen
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L2209/00—Aspects relating to disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
  • A61L2209/10—Apparatus features
  • A61L2209/13—Dispensing or storing means for active compounds
  • A61L2209/133—Replaceable cartridges, refills
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
  • B60H3/00—Other air-treating devices
  • B60H3/0007—Adding substances other than water to the air, e.g. perfume, oxygen
  • B60H2003/0064—Adding substances other than water to the air, e.g. perfume, oxygen adding more than one substance
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H2300/00—Orthogonal indexing scheme relating to electric switches, relays, selectors or emergency protective devices covered by H01H
  • H01H2300/042—Application rejection, i.e. preventing improper installation of parts
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H2300/00—Orthogonal indexing scheme relating to electric switches, relays, selectors or emergency protective devices covered by H01H
  • H01H2300/044—Application rejection 1: coded interacting surfaces, polarising, e.g. to avoid insertion of a circuit breaker or fuse or relay or rating plug of the wrong caliber or in the wrong direction
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H27/00—Switches operated by a removable member, e.g. key, plug or plate; Switches operated by setting members according to a single predetermined combination out of several possible settings
  • H01H27/10—Switch operated by setting members according to a single predetermined combination out of several possible settings

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a diffusion device, in particular for motor vehicles, and a removable cartridge for such a device.
• An improvement of the air quality of a motor vehicle is of paramount importance for a passenger. Better air quality not only improves passenger comfort but can also affect the health of the passenger.
• Different diffusion device for an air treatment of the vehicle cabin exist. These can be directly connected to the ventilation, heating or air conditioning system but they can also be devices independent of pre-existing systems such as those mentioned above. In this case, they are often hidden under the dashboard, for example in a glove box or empty-pocket. The treated air, or perfumed, comes out of a ventilation grille that can be fixed on the dashboard or elsewhere.
• Such devices are provided with a system for inserting cartridges comprising a volatile agent. These cartridges are removable and are usually changed when the cartridge no longer contains volatile agent.
• the diffusion device In order to ensure good exploitation of the cartridge, it is advantageous for the diffusion device to be controlled by a processing unit.
• the applicant has pointed out that different problems then arise. It is first preferable that the processing unit is informed of the presence of the cartridge. Indeed, if the processing unit tries to control the cartridge while it is absent, this can lead to malfunction. To improve the impression of comfort, the applicant has also highlighted that it is interesting to use different types of cartridges. To ensure proper control of the cartridge used, it is then preferable that the processing unit is informed of the type of cartridge set up.
• the invention proposes a diffusion device, in particular for motor vehicles, said device comprising a housing for a removable cartridge, containing one or a plurality of volatile agents, in particular fragrances, said housing being configured to receive said cartridge, in a position of use, and allow extraction of said cartridge out of said device, said device comprising a system for identifying said cartridge.
• the invention makes it possible to ascertain the presence, or even the type of cartridge used, in particular with a view to its control.
• identification system is meant a system for establishing a recognition of the cartridge such as, for example, a system for determining the origin of the cartridge and / or the nature of the volatile agent (s).
• said system comprises at least one or switches, able to be actuated by one or more pins of said cartridge when the latter is in use position.
• the one or more switches are electrical switches, the one or more switches are configured to close under the effect of a pressure exerted by the one or more pins and / or to open in the absence of said pressure,
• said system further comprises a printed circuit formed of a substrate having electrical conduction tracks, said one or more switches being fixed on said substrate and electrically connected to said tracks,
• said system further comprises a processing unit, configured to receive a signal dependent on a closed or open state of said one or more switches
• said processing unit is distant
• said switches are arranged next to each other in a row or in several parallel rows.
• said device further comprises a selector provided with an input and an output of an air flow, said selector being configured to put said input and said output in communication with each other, with one or more cavities in which the volatile agent or agents are located so that said cartridge is traversed by the flow of air.
• the air flow to be treated is brought into contact with the volatile agent or agents they contain more effectively than if it was only licking one of the faces of the cartridge.
• the invention also relates to a removable cartridge for use in a diffusion device as described above, in particular a cartridge comprising a plurality of cavities containing volatile agents.
• said pieces are made from material of a body of said cartridge
• said cartridge is configured to be installed in said housing in an insertion direction and said pins extend in said insertion direction
• said pieces are located next to one another, in a row or in several parallel rows.
• the invention further relates to an assembly of a diffusion device and a cartridge as described above.
• the invention will be better understood in the light of the following description which is given only as an indication and which is not intended to limit it, accompanied by the appended drawings among which:
• FIG. 1 illustrates an overall perspective view of a diffusion device and a cartridge according to the invention
• FIG. 2 illustrates the cartridge of FIG. 1 and its device, here illustrated in part,
• FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the cartridge of the device of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 4 schematically illustrates, in top view, the different positions of a selector of the device of Figure 1.
• the invention relates to a diffusion device or diffuser for the treatment of an air flow with one or more volatile agents, including fragrances. It is particularly intended to equip motor vehicles.
• the volatile agents in particular the fragrances, comprise a substrate, in particular beads, loaded with volatile compound (s). It may in particular be fragrant beads.
• the diffuser is illustrated in this figure as a whole. It comprises here a housing 100 on which two orifices serve as inlet 105 and outlet 1 10 of the air. Therefore, the housing serves as an air guide and includes a plurality of components that will allow air to flow into the housing. Preferably, an interface on the orifices 105, 1 10 allows a tubing, not shown, to be attached while ensuring the airtightness of the system.
• the diffuser according to the invention comprises a housing 10 for a cartridge 130, removable, containing the volatile agent or agents. said housing 10 is configured to receive said cartridge, in a position of use, and allow extraction of said cartridge from said device,
• the cartridge comprises a single volatile agent. In this case, it is necessary to change the cartridge if you want to change the agent.
• the cartridge comprises several agents.
• the invention advantageously makes it possible to change agents without changing the cartridge.
• Said device comprises for this purpose a selector, which may be housed in said housing 100.
• the selector comprises, for example, an input selector 125a, an output selector 125b and a movable axis 135 driving them.
• Said diffuser further comprises here an actuating mechanism 150, allowing a drive of said axis 135.
• the housing 100 can be attached to different locations of the vehicle, preferably on the dashboard or in the glove box so that it is easily accessible to the passenger. Indeed, it is advantageous that the passenger can easily change the cartridge.
• the air outlet of the housing 1 10 is connected, for example, to a grid through which the treated or perfumed air comes out.
• This grid can be attached to different locations in the vehicle. Preferably, it is located on the dashboard or near the ventilation systems of the windshield, the gate being connected to the outlet of the housing by the tubing already mentioned.
• the housing 100 comprises a base 180, for example a rectangular parallelepiped.
• a pulser 1 15 located above the inlet 105 of the housing and at least a part of the mechanism 150.
• Said actuation mechanism may comprise a motor 140.
• the latter is fixed on the housing 100 above the blower 1 15, and is outside the housing.
• a second portion of the housing 170 has a substantially cubic shape for accommodating the fragrance selector and the cartridge 130.
• These housing parts are assembled to form only one part. 'only one. Airtightness is ensured throughout the housing.
• the inlet orifice 105 is therefore in the base of the housing 180, on the lower face and below the blower 1 15.
• the outlet orifice 1 10 is on the upper face of the second portion 170, above the 125b output selector.
• the air enters the housing through the inlet port 105, being sucked by the blower 1 15.
• This blower generates the flow of air that will finally exit the housing through the outlet port 1 10 after crossing the cartridge 130.
• the air flow is illustrated by the line 120 in FIG.
• the blower 1 is of radial type, but it can also be of axial type.
• the cartridge 130 is composed of a plurality of cavities in which different fragrances can be accommodated.
• the volatile agent, in particular the fragrance, contained in each of the cavities may comprise a single or a mixture of chemical compounds, natural and / or artificial, intended to treat, including perfume, the air flow.
• the selector 125a, 125b is configured so that one or more of these cavities are traversed by the air flow so that it is loaded with the volatile compounds of the selected fragrance or fragrances.
• the air flow 120 enters the cartridge 130 through an inlet of the input selector.
• the air flow then passes through the cartridge 130 through one or more of the cavities of said cartridge that it leaves through an outlet of said output selector 125b.
• the blower 1 15 allows the device to be independent of the ventilation system, air conditioning or heating of which the vehicle is possibly equipped. It can therefore be used independently of these systems, which makes it all the more flexible to use.
• it is connected to the ventilation system, air conditioning or heating of the vehicle.
• the inlet port 105 and the outlet port 1 10 would be connected to a conduit of said system.
• Figure 2 provides a more detailed view of Figure 1 without the housing 100.
• Figure 2 illustrates the details of the actuating mechanism 150, the movable axis 135 and the input selector 125a and 125b output.
• the cartridge 130 is illustrated in greater detail in FIG.
• the actuating mechanism 150 comprises, for example, in addition to the motor 140, a shaft 220, a transmission pinion 230 advantageously allowing reduction, and a pinion 240.
• the motor 140 drives the downstream elements: the shaft 220, directly connected to an actuator motor, drives the transmission pinion 230, which drives the pinion 240.
• the movable axis 135 is directly attached to the pinion 240 and is therefore also driven by the latter.
• the input selector 125a and the output selector 125b are in the form of rotating plates, the movable axis 135 piercing the two rotating plates at their center.
• the shape of the hole piercing the rotating plates corresponds to the shape of a section of the movable axis, preferably of square shape so that when the movable axis rotates, the rotating plates also rotate.
• the turntables are separated by a distance corresponding to the height of the cartridge 130 to allow the cartridge to be inserted.
• the latter are advantageously pressed against the cartridge by springs, not shown, to ensure airtightness.
• the inlet and the outlet of the air flow on the rotating plates located respectively upstream and downstream of the cartridge are in the form of through openings 260b (the opening 260a upstream of the cartridge n ' is not visible) whose size is comparable to that of an inlet, respectively an air outlet, a cavity of the cartridge.
• the openings of the two rotating plates are arranged vis-à-vis so as to ensure the continuity of the air flow.
• the positions of the openings of said rotating plates remain synchronized during their movement through the movable axis 135 which connects them.
• FIG. 3 provides a view of the insulated cartridge 130.
• the cartridge 130 is a removable element relative to the casing 100. The passenger of the vehicle can then easily change the cartridge, especially when it is empty, the service life a cartridge being approximately 3 months for normal use.
• vacuum is meant the fragrances are exhausted and no longer release volatile compounds.
• the cartridge is here provided with an introduction facade 310 in said housing, which is similar to the front of a drawer.
• This facade 310 facilitates the insertion of said cartridge 130 into the housing 100, according to a direction of introduction I.
• the cartridge 130 is also provided with a longitudinal guide rib 315 located along the three vertical faces which will fit into the casing 100.
• the The housing also has guide grooves 160, shown in Figure 1, on either side of the cartridge housing in the housing and above the lower turntable 125a.
• a slot 320 allows the passage of the axis when the cartridge is inserted into the housing between the two turntables 125a and 125b illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In the position of use, the movable axis 135 is in the center of the cartridge in the bottom of the slot.
• the cartridge comprises a body 360 and a lid 350 whose parallelepipedal shape and the base is substantially square.
• the body is compartmentalized to define said cavities, the bottom of said body comprises the air flow inlets of said cavities, and the cover comprises the airflow outlets of said cavities.
• the cartridge is preferably made of plastic. Said openings may be coated with a mesh or a porous film to retain the substrate of said fragrances while allowing the flow of air through.
• cavities occupied by a fragrance and empty cavities alternate.
• the alternation of empty cavities and cavities housing a fragrance makes it possible to go from each of the cavities comprising a fragrance to a cavity that does not include one, without going through a cavity comprising another fragrance.
• the different cavities of the cartridge and their respective apertures form angular portions of a ring.
• five cavities are provided, of which three to house a fragrance 340a, 340c, 340e and two are intentionally left empty 340b, 340d.
• the angle swept by the apertures of each angular portion is in this embodiment slightly less than 60 degrees.
• the openings 260a, 260b of the trays are also in the form of an angular portion, each plate here comprising a single opening 260a, respectively 260b.
• the passenger can choose between three different fragrances according to his tastes: different moods are possible during the trip, which can be particularly pleasant for long trips. These different fragrances can also be very useful to mask or filter an unwanted smell of tobacco for example. The passenger can also choose to leave the ventilation system running without being in the presence of a fragrance.
• Such a distribution of the cavities, in the form of angular portions ring, can easily increase the number of cavities without having to change the associated actuating mechanism.
• the only change to be made to increase the number of fragrances available to the passenger is the size of the cavities of the cartridge and the size of the apertures of the rotating plates that correspond to them.
• Figures 4a to 4e illustrate a top view of the mechanism for the change of fragrance performed by the assembly comprising the cartridge 130 and the selector 125a, 125b.
• the figure shows only the turntable 125b located on the cartridge 130. However, the bottom view would be shown in the same way.
• the movable axis 135 and the slot 320 of the cartridge 130 are also visible in the figure.
• Figures 4a to 4e illustrate the passage of the opening 260b of the turntable 125b on each of the five positions.
• FIG. 4a illustrates the first position of the turntable where the released fragrance comes from the cavity 340a of FIG. 3.
• FIG. 4b To move to the second position, illustrated in FIG. 4b, the turntable will turn counterclockwise of a angle of about 60 degrees.
• This position corresponds to an empty cavity of the cartridge corresponding to the cavity 340b of FIG. 3.
• FIG. 4c illustrates the effect of an additional rotation in the counterclockwise direction of about 60 degrees with respect to the second position allowing to release the second fragrance housed in the cavity 340c.
• Figures 4d and 4e illustrate the opening of the turntable located respectively on the cavities 340d for the fourth position and 340th for the fifth position of the cartridge.
• the turntable will rotate clockwise. Indeed, there is an area through which the turntable does not pass during its use. This zone is located above the slot 320, or between the cavities 340a and 340e.
• the alternation of empty cavities and cavities housing a fragrance allows the passenger to adjust the intensity of the fragrance diffused by an actuation of the selector back and forth.
• the speed of the turntable from a fragrance to a use without fragrance is 0.5 seconds.
• the transition speed to move from the first position to the fifth position, and vice versa is 2.5 seconds.
• the motor 140 is of the stepper motor reducer type. This type of standard engine is chosen for reasons of cost and availability on the market.
• the shaft and the transmission pinion are angular portion. Indeed, the rotation range of the rotating plates is not 360 °, but 240 ° as discussed above.
• a control system of the device may include a programming module and the associated electronics to allow the passenger to control the blower and the motor of the electric actuation mechanism.
• the passenger can control the fragrance dispenser from a steering wheel control.
• the control system allows the driver to turn on the fragrance dispenser, select the intensity of the fragrance dispensed, select the flow rate of the airflow and / or select the fragrance.
• the control system indicates when a fragrance of the cartridge is empty.
• control system allows the passenger to choose the fragrance he wants to broadcast. Then, it can also adjust the air flow rate generated by the blower. The control system also allows the passenger to adjust the intensity of the fragrance he wants to broadcast.
• the control system allows the passenger to preprogram a desired broadcast sequence by choosing a diffusion duration, a fragrance and its intensity.
• the intensity may also vary over time; it is therefore possible to begin with a total diffusion that becomes partial over time.
• the control system also makes it possible to choose a broadcast frequency. For example, the passenger may choose to broadcast a certain fragrance for a chosen period of time, and then not broadcast for another period.
• said diffuser comprises a system 400 for identifying said cartridge 130.
• said identification system 400 comprises one or more switches 402, in particular electrical, capable of being actuated by a or pins 404 of said cartridge 130, when the latter is in the use position. Said switches 402 and said pins 404 are, for example, present in the same number and associated in pairs.
• the at least one switch 402 is preferably configured to close under the effect of a pressure exerted by the at least one pin 404, during the insertion of said cartridge 130, when the latter is correctly positioned, and / or open in the absence of said pressure. They operate for example for this purpose by spring effect so as to remain open under said effect, in the absence of the pressure exerted by the pins 404.
• Said switches here have in this sense a fixed part and a movable part with respect to said fixed part, the moving part coming into contact with the fixed part under said spring effect to establish the desired electrical contact.
• Said identification system may further comprise a printed circuit 406 formed of a substrate having electrical conduction tracks, for example a FR4 type printed circuit.
• the at least one switch 402 is attached to said substrate and electrically connected to said tracks.
• Said printed circuit 406 is here substantially oriented orthogonally to the insertion direction I of the cartridge. It is fixed on a support 407 having the same orientation.
• a processing unit, not shown, of said identification system is advantageously configured to receive a signal depending on a closed or open state of said one or more switches 402.
• Said processing unit is preferably distant, for example integrated in said control system.
• Said identification system here comprises a connection cable 408 between the processing unit and the switches 402, more precisely between the processing unit and a non-visible connector connected to the conduction tracks of the printed circuit 406.
• Said switches 402, like the pins 404, are preferably arranged next to each other, in a row, as here, or in several parallel rows, this with possible locations free of pins depending on the cartridge to be identified.
• Said pins 404 are, for example, made from material.
• one of the pins comes from the cover 350 and the other two bodies 360 of said cartridge 130. They preferably extend in said direction of introduction I of the cartridge. They have, for example, a cylindrical or slightly pyramidal shape, of substantially square section.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Disinfection, Sterilisation Or Deodorisation Of Air (AREA)
• Air-Conditioning For Vehicles (AREA)
• Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=52627284

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Families Citing this family (1)

Family Cites Families (7)

• 2014
  • 2014-09-30 FR FR1459307A patent/FR3026304B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2015
  • 2015-09-21 CN CN201580053103.7A patent/CN107073158A/zh active Pending
  • 2015-09-21 EP EP15766169.5A patent/EP3200835A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2015-09-21 JP JP2017517060A patent/JP2017531479A/ja active Pending
  • 2015-09-21 WO PCT/EP2015/071565 patent/WO2016050545A1/fr active Application Filing

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