Patent Application
20140004783
Vehicles, such as automobiles, have been known to include air fresheners to provide desired scents within the interior of the vehicle. One known type of air freshener clips to a vent within a vehicle cabin. Another known type of air freshener is incorporated into an air filter of an HVAC system. Buildings, such as homes and offices, also make use of air fresheners, such as plug-in air fresheners.
One aspect of this disclosure relates to an air freshener system. The system includes a housing providing an air flow path. The system further includes a plurality of scented objects. A selector is configured to move the scented objects into the air flow path. In one example, a control is operable to instruct the selector to move a particular one of the scented objects into the air flow path to provide air within the air flow path with a desired scent.
In another aspect of this disclosure, an air freshener system includes a housing providing an air flow path. The system further includes a plurality of scented objects, and a selector configured to move the scented objects from a stowed position into the air flow path. In this example, the selector is manually operable.
Yet another aspect of this disclosure relates to a method. The method includes establishing an air flow, and introducing one of a plurality of scented objects into the air flow to provide the air flow with a desired scent.
These and other features of the present disclosure can be best understood from the following drawings and detailed description.
The drawings can be briefly described as follows:
With further reference to
Notably, the housing 12 could be incorporated at any point within an HVAC system 14, depending on the intended application. For example, in the automotive context, the housing 12 could, in one example, be mounted in a location that is easily accessed for installation or for the replacement of scented discs. The HVAC system 14 could be sourced with either outside air, such as air from outside a vehicle, or recycled air from the cabin interior 24.
Further, it should be understood that while the exterior of the housing 12 is illustrated in a particular shape, that the shape of the housing 12 is not critical and can be changed as desired.
Also within the housing 12 is a plurality of other air freshener discs, D2-D6. In this example, six discs D1-D6 are shown, however this example is not limited to any particular number of discs. Any number of scented objects can be incorporated into this disclosure. As illustrated, the discs D2-D6 are supported by a tray 32 which includes a number of slots 34 for supporting each of the plurality of discs. While discs D1-D6 are shown, this application extends to other scented objects that are not provided in a “disc” shape (e.g., the scented objects could be rectangular, triangular, etc.).
The housing 12 further incorporates a selector 36, which in one example includes an arm and a motor, which is capable of traveling axially within the housing (e.g., on a track) to selectively move the discs from a stowed position in the tray 32 into the air flow path 30, and to move the discs from the air flow path 30 back to the tray 32. In one example, the selector 36 moves one disc at a time, and operates similar to a CD changer. In this example, D1 is positioned in the main flow path, and the air flowing through the flow path 30 is scented depending on the scent associated with the disc D1.
The selector 36 is in communication with a control 38. The control 38 is a known type of computer, including a processor, memory, etc., and operable to instruct the selector 36 to move a particular one of the scented objects in response to a user input, as desired.
Discs D1-D6 are, in one example, scented differently from one another, and a user is able to select one of the discs D1-D6 depending on a desired scent for the air intended for the cabin interior 24. In another example, at least one of the discs D1-D6 is scented differently from at least one of the other discs. In yet another example, the discs D1-D6 have the same scent, and the user can select a new air freshener as the discs become depleted. It is further possible for a user to select more than one of the discs D1-D6 for entry into the flow path 30, thereby permitting a user to mix the scents of the discs together to provide air with a unique scent.
While the fan 26 is shown, the fan 26 is not necessarily required, as HVAC systems 14 typically provide air at a sufficient flow rate. That is, the air freshener housing 12 could be mounted at a point that takes advantage of an existing blower within the HVAC system 14, for example. The fan 26 can be used to accelerate an existing air flow, as desired by the user, via an instruction from the control 38 to the fan motor 28.
The fan 26 and motor 28 can, in some examples, be operable independent of operation of the HVAC system 14. In the case where the air freshening system 10 is used with an automobile, the fan motor could be powered by the automobile battery, and thus could operate independent of engine/HVAC 14 operation.
The control 38 can be incorporated into the cabin interior 24 such that a user can select, via some interface such as a touch-screen, between one or more scents (e.g., the scents associated with the discs D1-D6). The user further has control over operation of the fan 26. In one example where the vehicle is an automobile, the interface is a touch screen monitor available to the driver of the vehicle at the center console. In other examples, such as when the vehicle is a limousine, passengers that are separated from the driver are capable of having access to the interface. Further, while a control is illustrated in
It is possible that the housing 12 can be incorporated into an existing vehicle. That is, this disclosure is capable of being retrofit into an existing HVAC system 14. Accordingly, the details of the structure of the housing 12 are subject to change depending on the desired use of the air freshener system 10.
The units 44, 46 each include a manual selector. The manual selectors include a linkage 54 and a corresponding handle 56. The handle 56 is manually moveable, and movement of the handle 56 translates into movement of the linkage 54. The linkage 54 is attached to a corresponding disc D1, D2, and deploys the discs D1, D2 into the duct 48 in response to movement of the handle 56. In this example, the disc D1 is deployed, while the disc D2 is in a retracted position within the unit 46. A slit is formed in the duct 48 to allow the discs D1, D2 to be selectively moved in and out of the duct 48.
Similar to the above, as the discs D1, D2 are moved into the airflow passage 50 the airflow is freshened by way of the discs D1, D2. It should be understood that while only two units 44, 46 are illustrated in
Among other things, this disclosure provides a system which allows a user to effectively control the type of scent delivered to a cabin interior. The disclosed air freshener further provides extended air freshener life, and avoids clutter within a cabin interior.
Although the different examples have the specific components shown in the illustrations, embodiments of this invention are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from one of the examples in combination with features or components from another one of the examples.
One of ordinary skill in this art would understand that the above-described embodiments are exemplary and non-limiting. That is, modifications of this disclosure would come within the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the following claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content.
This disclosure claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/665,440 filed Jun. 28, 2012. The entirety of this provisional application is herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61665440 | Jun 2012 | US |
