MXPA06004357A - Plug and heating element assembly for a diffusing device forvolatile substances - Google Patents

Abstract

In a diffusing device for volatile substances an assembly (1;100;200;300 ) comprising a plug (4) and a heating element (2) is provided. The plug (4) comprises a body (40) in which conducting poles (41;241) are mounted for the connection to an electrical socket and the heating resistance (2) comprises a body (20) in which at least one electricalheating element (23), connected by means of electrical wires (42) to the poles (41;241) of the plug, is provided, the body (20) of the heating eleme nt having a housing (22;222) to receive a wick impregnated with volatile substances. At least one bridge (5;205;305) connects the body (40) of the plug to the body (20) of the heating element, so as to avoid relative translation of the body (40) of the plug wi th respect to the body (20) of the heating element.

Description

PLUG ASSEMBLY AND HEATING ELEMENT FOR A SUBSTANCE DIFFUSION DEVICE VOLATILES DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a plug assembly and heating element for a volatile substance diffusing device.

A diffuser device of the heating type generally comprises a heating element consisting of a plastic or ceramic support in which electrical resistances are inserted which are heated when an electric current is passed to them.

The heating element is coupled to a wick immersed in a solution that will be diffused, contained in a container cover, or to a tablet impregnated with the solution that will be diffused. The electrical resistances of the heating element are connected by electric cables to the poles of an electrical plug capable of being coupled to an electrical socket connected to the main supply. To complete the assembly of the diffuser, the body of the electric plug must be coupled with the body of the container cover which must enclose the heating element.

Thus, the heating element and the plug are connected to each other only by electric cables. Since these electric cables are flexible, the heating element has a great freedom of movement with respect to the plug. As a result, the mechanical coupling between the plug and the container cover proves to be a bit complex and laborious. In fact, it should be considered that the heating element has three degrees of freedom with respect to the plug and that it can therefore move in any direction during handling and transport of the plug assembly and heating element. As a result, it is difficult to use robotic machines to assemble the plug to the container cover, since these robots do not know the relative position of the heating element with respect to the plug.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a plug assembly and heating element for a volatile substance diffusing device which is simple to assemble, also with the use of robotic machines. Another object of the present invention is to provide a plug assembly and heating element for a diffuser device that is economical and non-bulky and does not require extensive use of additional parts or elements.

These objects are achieved, according to the invention, with the features listed in the appended independent claim 1.

The suitable embodiments of the invention are apparent from the dependent claims.

The plug assembly and heating element for a volatile substance diffusing device comprises: - a plug comprising a body in which conductive poles are mounted for connection to an electric socket and - a heating element comprising a body in which at least one electric heating resistance connected by means of electric cables to the poles of the plug is arranged.

The heating element is designed to be placed near or in contact with a tablet or a wick impregnated with volatile substances to promote the diffusion of volatile substances.

According to the invention, at least one bridge connecting the body of the plug to the body of the heating element is provided, in order to avoid a relative translation of the plug body with respect to the body of the heating element.

In this way the plug assembly and heating element can be easily mounted on the outer cover of the diffuser device, without problems of relative movements of the heating element with respect to the plug.

The additional features of the invention will be made clearer by means of the following detailed description, which refers to purely exemplary and therefore non-limiting embodiments thereof, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a side view showing a first embodiment of a plug assembly and heating element for a volatile substance diffusing device according to the invention.

- Figure 2 is a top plan view of the plug assembly and heating element of Figure 1.

- Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along section line III-III of figure 1.

- Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along section line IV-IV of figure 3.

- Figure 5 is a side view showing a second embodiment of a plug assembly and heating element according to the invention.

- Figure 6 is a top plan view of the plug assembly and heating element of Figure 5.

- Figure 7 is a side view showing the plug assembly and heating element of figure 6 in which a printed circuit board is mounted which implements some additional functions.

- Figure 8 is a partially open perspective view, showing a third embodiment of a plug assembly and heating element according to the invention.

- Figure 9 is a top plan view of the plug assembly and heating element of Figure 8.

- Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along the section plane X-X of Figure 9.

- Figure 11 is a perspective view showing an assembled diffuser device, which uses the plug assembly and heating element of Figure 8.

- Figure 12 is a side view showing a fourth embodiment of a plug assembly and heating element for a device for diffusing volatile substances according to the invention and - Figure 13 is a top plan view of the plug assembly and heating element of figure 12.

A first embodiment of a plug assembly and heating element for a volatile substance diffusing device according to the invention is described with reference to figures 1-4.

This assembly is completely indicated with the reference number 1 and comprises a heating element 2 and a plug 4.

The heating element 2 comprises a support or body 20 which can be made of plastic, ceramic material or any other electrically insulating material with characteristics of heat resistance and heat conduction. The support 20 is shown in a parallelepiped shape but may also have a cylindrical or other shape.

The support 20 of the heating element 2 comprises a cylindrical tail 22 defining a circular hole 21. A cylindrical wick (not shown) that is immersed in a volatile solution contained in a container cover (not shown) is inserted into the hole 21 of the heating element 2.

Even when specific reference has been made to a wick, it is obvious that the heating element can have a seat for receiving a tablet impregnated with the substance to be diffused and in any case the heating element is intended to be placed near or in contact with a support impregnated with the substance that will be diffused.

Seatings are formed in the support 20 of the heating element to receive electrical resistors 23 that are heated when an electric current is passed to them. The electric resistors 23 are arranged closely close to the tail 22 to thereby heat it through heat conduction. In turn, the tail 22 of the heating element heats the wick through heat conduction. As a result, the heating of the wick promotes the diffusion of the volatile substances contained therein.

Two resistors 23 arranged in diametrically opposite positions with respect to the hole 21 and connected in series to one another have been shown in the figures; however, it is obvious that a single resistor or more than two resistors can be arranged in the holder 20.

The resistors 23 can be locked in position by laying them on the support 20, or by using other sealing materials.

The plug 4 comprises a body 40 generally of insulating plastic having housings in which conducting poles 41 are placed. By way of example, two cylindrical poles are shown in the figures; however, it is obvious that according to the regulations in force in the different countries, the plug 4 can also have flat poles or three poles.

The poles 41 of the plug 4 are connected by electrical cables 42 to the respective resistors 23. The wire strands of the electric cables 42 are covered with an insulating sheath.

The body 40 of the plug has at its rear end a circular rim 43, arranged along a plane at right angles to the axis of the poles 41. Along the perimeter of the circular rim 43 a groove 44 is formed.

The plug 4 is capable of rotatingly coupling with the outer cover of the diffuser device. For this purpose the outer cover has a circular hole defined by a circular frame that is rotatably engaged in the slot 44 of the flange 43 of the plug. In this way the outer cover can be rotated with respect to the plug, so that the wick is always oriented in a vertical position, regardless of the orientation of the socket that receives the plug, to avoid a possible spill of the solution from the Container cover.

According to the invention, a bridge 5 is connected to the front edge of the support 20 of the heating element 2 and protrudes forwardly therefrom. The bridge 5 can have the shape of a straight bar 50 with a reinforcing rib 51. The bridge 5 has at its free end a splice flange 53 from which a cylindrical pin 54 protrudes forward (figures 3 and 4).

The bridge 5 can be made in one piece with the support 20 of the heating element, for example by injection molding. Alternatively, the bridge 5 can be made integral with the support 20 of the heating element in any other way, such as by welding, by gluing, forced coupling and the like.

A cylindrical seat 45 (Figures 3 and 4), designed to receive in a rotary coupling relationship the cylindrical pin 54 of the bridge 5, is formed in the rear wall of the body 40. In this way, the cylindrical pin 54 of the bridge is inserted. in the cylindrical seat 45, until the connecting flange 53 of the bridge connects against the rear wall of the plug 4 around the cylindrical seat 45.

In this way, the heating element 2 and the plug 4 are restricted to each other with two degrees of freedom. That is, the heating element 2 can rotate only with respect to the plug 4, about the axis of the pin 54. Thus, any movement of translation of the heating element 2 with respect to the plug 4 by the coupling of the pin 54 of the bridge is prevented. inside the cylindrical seat 45 of the plug.

Thus, the assembly of the diffuser device is simplified, thanks to the fixed position of the heating element with respect to the plug. In fact, the outer cover can be easily coupled with the plug 4 and the heating element 2. Moreover, it should be considered that it is possible to have a rotating coupling between the plug and the outer cover and a fixed coupling between the heating element and the outer cover, precisely because the heating element is rotatably coupled with respect to the plug.

Hereinafter the elements equal or corresponding to those already described are indicated with the same reference numbers and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

A plug assembly and heating element according to a second embodiment of the invention, indicated completely with the reference number 100 is described in the figures -7.

The heating element 2 and the plug 4 of the assembly 100 are substantially the same as those of the assembly 1 of the first embodiment. A bridge 5, which is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, is rotatably coupled to the plug 4. A rectangular plate 150 extending upwards on a plane at right angles to the plane of the poles 41 of the plug is connected to the bridge 5. The upper end of the plate 150 is fixed to the front surface of the body 20 of the heating element.

The plate 150 can be made of a plastic material and attached to the bridge 5 fixedly or rotatably.

A printed circuit board 151, on which a switch 152 which can be operated by the user is mounted, is fixed on the plate 150. Other optional devices, such as light devices (LED lamps) and / or timers can be mounted on the circuit board 151.

A plug assembly and heating element according to a third embodiment of the invention, indicated completely with the reference number 200, is illustrated in Figures 8-10.

In this case the poles 241 of the plug 4 are flat according to the standards of the United States. The heating element 2 comprises a parallelepiped body 20 within which the electric resistors 23 are placed. Two seats 230, substantially with a U-shaped cross section, capable of receiving and guiding the electric cables 42 of the poles 241 to the resistors 23, protrude from the body 20.

The body 20 has a circular connection 229 in which a cylindrical tail 222 defining a hole 221 for receiving the wick is rotatably mounted. The tail 222 acts as a heat regulating element and for this purpose has a slot 228 for the passage of heat from the resistors 23 to the wick. In this way, the flow of heat to the wick is regulated by rotating the tail 222.

As shown in Figure 11, two outer cover halves 207, 208 are mounted on the assembly 200. The first cover half 207 is rotatably coupled to the flange 43 of the body of the plug 4 and the second cover half 208 is coupled to the cover. heating element 2 and first cover half 207. The two cover halves define a hole 209 designed to be arranged tied with a hole 221 that receives the wick. A hole 210 for promoting the diffusion of volatile substances is formed on the front surface of the cover half 208.

The assembly of the diffuser device is extremely simple and can be done automatically, precisely because the heating element is fixed integrally to the plug. After assembly of the outer covers 107 and 108, the weakened portion 206 of the bridge 205 is cut with a tool such that the heating element is free of the plug and can therefore rotate with respect to the plug in accordance with the arrangement of the electric socket The body 20 of the heating element 2 is connected to the circular rim 43 of the plug 4 by means of a substantially L-shaped bridge 205. In this way the axis of the tail 222 of the wick is maintained substantially parallel to the plane of the rim 43 of the plug.

The bridge 205 permanently connects the heating element 20 to the plug 4. Thus, the bridge 205 has reinforcement ribs 256 and 257 respectively provided on the front surface of the body 20 of the heating element and on the circular flange 43 of the plug. The elbow portion of the bridge 205 has a weakening portion 206 that has a reduced thickness such that it can be easily broken.

In Figures 8-10 a single bridge 205 is illustrated; however, it is obvious that a plurality of bridges 205 can be seen, distributed over the circular rim 43 of the plug and on the front surface of the body 20 of the heating element.

In Figures 12 and 13 there is illustrated a plug assembly and heating element according to a fourth embodiment of the invention - fully indicated with the reference numeral 300 -, in which the plug 4 and the heating element 2 are substantially the same as those illustrated in the first and second embodiments of the invention.

In this case the plug 4 and the heating element 2 are connected by a removable bridge 305. The bridge 305 has at its ends two pins 354 and 354 'designed to engage, in a snap-coupling relationship, in a projection 325 of the heating element and in a queue 345 disposed on the rear surface of the plug 4.

In this way, the bridge 305 keeps the heating element 2 and the plug 4 fixed in place during their movement and can be removed before assembling them inside the cover of the diffuser, so that they are able to turn in this way. use or be discarded.

In the embodiments of the invention described above, the plug assembly and heating element can be arranged in plastic trays with special preformed seats. Thus, mechanical arms, robots or support and positioning arms are responsible for lifting the assembly and placing it correctly inside the outer cover of the diffuser device. This operation is possible thanks to the fact that the heating element is connected to the plug.

Numerous changes and modifications in detail within the scope of a person skilled in the art can be made to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention as shown in the appended claims.

Claims (11)

1. An assembly (1; 100; 200; 300) comprising a plug (4) and a heating element (2) for a device diffusing volatile substances, wherein: - the plug (4) comprises a body (40) on which conductive poles (41; 241) are mounted for connection to an electric socket and - the heating element (2) comprises a body (20) in which at least one electric heating resistor (23) connected by electric cables (42) to the poles (41; 241) of the plug is disposed, and the body (20) of the heating element is intended to be placed near or in contact with a support impregnated with volatile substances that will be diffused, characterized in that it also comprises - at least one bridge (5; 205; 305) connecting the body (40) of the plug to the body (20) of the heating element, in order to avoid a relative translation of the body (40) of the plug with respect to the body (20) of the heating element.

2. The assembly (1; 100; 200; 300) according to claim 1, further characterized in that the body (40) of the plug has a rear circular flange (43) capable of rotationally coupling with an outer cover of the diffuser device.

3. The assembly (1; 100; 300) according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that the bridge (5; 305) is rotatably mounted with respect to the body (40) of the plug and / or to the body (20) of the element of heating to allow rotation of the heating element with respect to the plug.

4. The assembly (1; 100; 300) according to claim 3, further characterized in that the bridge (5; 305) comprises at one end a cylindrical pin (54; 354 ') capable of rotatingly engaging in a cylindrical hole (45). formed on the rear wall of the body (40) of the plug, so as to define an axis of rotation substantially coinciding with the axis of the plug (4).

5. The assembly (1; 100; 200) according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the bridge (5; 205) has an integral end with the body (20) of the heating element.

6. The assembly (300) according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the bridge (305) has the ends (354, 354 ') removably mounted on the body (20) of the heating element and the body of the plug, to be able to be removed before the assembly of the diffuser device.

7. The assembly (1; 100) according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the bridge (5) has the shape of a straight bar with a reinforcing rib (51).

8. The assembly (1; 100) according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that a rectangular plate (150), on which a printed circuit board (151) is fixed on which are mounted devices that implement additional functions of the diffuser device, is connected to the bridge (5).

9. The assembly (200) according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that the bridge (205) is integral with the body (40) of the plug and with the body (20) of the heating element to prevent any relative movement of the element of heating with respect to the plug, and in that the bridge (205) comprises a breakable weakened part (206).

10. The assembly (200) according to claim 9, further characterized in that the bridge (205) is substantially L-shaped, and also because the breakable weakened part (206) is disposed at the "L" elbow.

11. The assembly (200) according to claim 9 or 10, further characterized in that the bridge (205) has ribs (256, 257) disposed in proximity to the body of the heating element and to the body of the plug.