Abstract
The invention relates to a self-closing fragrance cartridge (1) for a fragrancer (20), which comprises a housing (3) having at least one housing opening (2). The housing (3) at least partially delimits a housing interior (4) on the inner side. In the housing interior (4), an actuating element (8) displaceable with respect to the housing (3) between a closed position (5) and a fragrancing position (6) and having at least one element opening (7) is at least partially arranged, which actuating element partially delimits an element interior (9). Here, in the closed position (5) of the actuating element (8) the element interior (9) is closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of the housing (3) of the fragrance cartridge (1). By comparison, in the fragrancing position (6) the housing opening (2) and the element opening (7) are arranged in a fluidically communicating manner, so that by means of the housing opening (2) and the element opening (7) the element interior (9) is connected in a fluid-permeable manner with an outer space (10) adjoining the housing (3) on the outer side.
Claims
1. A self-closing fragrance cartridge (1) for a fragrancer (20), with a housing (3) having at least one housing opening (2), which housing partially delimits a housing interior (4) on the inner side, with an actuating element (8) arranged at least partially in the housing interior (4) and displaceable with the respect to the housing (3) between a closed position (5) and a fragrancing position (6) and having at least one element opening (7), which actuating element partially delimits an element interior (9), wherein in the closed position (5) of the actuating element (8), the element interior (9) is closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of the housing (3) of the fragrance cartridge (1), wherein in the fragrancing position (6), the housing opening (2) and the element opening (7) are arranged in a fluidically communicating manner, in particular in alignment to one another, so that by means of the housing opening (2) and the element opening (7) the element interior (9) is connected in a fluid-permeable manner with an outer space (10) adjoining the housing (3) on the outer side.
2. The self-closing fragrance cartridge (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the closed position (5) the housing opening (2) is closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of the actuating element (8), and/or the element opening (7) is closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of the housing (3).
3. The self-closing fragrance cartridge (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the element interior (9) a fragrance source (11) is present for providing a fragrance (12), wherein in the fragrancing position (6) the fragrance (12) is able to be directed out form the element interior (9) and in the closed position (5) the element interior (9) is sealed in a fluid-impermeable manner.
4. The self-closing fragrance cartridge (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the actuating element (8) is mounted displaceably on the housing (3) via a clamping device (13) for generating a restoring force (14) acting on the actuating element (8), in such a way that on displacing of the actuating element (8) from the closed into the fragrancing position (5, 6), the restoring force (14) is built up.
5. The self-closing fragrance cartridge (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the actuating element (8) an opener (15) is arranged in a force-transferring manner, in particular is formed on integrally, which is activatable by means of a displacement force (16) for displacing the actuating element (8) from the closed position (5) into the fragrancing position (6), and in particular back.
6. The self-closing fragrance cartridge (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the opener (15) for displacing the actuating element (8) from the closed—into the fragrancing position (5, 6) on mounting of the fragrance cartridge (1) on a fragrancer (20) is formed in an activatable manner by means of an activating device (21), provided on the fragrancer (20), with the generating of the displacement force (16).
7. The self-opening fragrance cartridge (1) according to claim 5 or 6, with referral back to claim 4, characterized in that on a withdrawing of the displacement force (16), in particular to a zero value, the actuating element (8) is able to be automatically restored into closed position (5) by means of the restoring force (14).
8. The self-closing fragrance cartridge (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (8) is displaceable relative to the housing (3) in the manner of a slider (17), in particular in a straight line.
9. The self-closing fragrance cartridge (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (8) is rotationally displaceable relative to the housing (3) in the manner of a rotary slider (18), in particular about a rotation axis (A).
10. The self-closing fragrance cartridge (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (8) is guided on the housing (3) in a perfectly fitting manner, in particular in the manner of a clearance fit or transition fit, wherein preferably in the housing interior (4) a seal (19) is present between the actuating element (8) and the housing (3).
11. The self-closing fragrance cartridge (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (3) has two housing openings (2) and the actuating element (8) has two element openings (7), wherein each one of the housing openings (2) is arranged fluidically communicating with in each case a corresponding element opening (7) in the fragrancing position (6) of the actuating element (8).
12. The self-closing fragrance cartridge (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (3) has several housing openings (2) and the actuating element (8) has several element openings (7), wherein each one of the housing openings (2) is arranged fluidically communicating with in each case a corresponding element opening (7) in the fragrancing position (6) of the actuating element (8).
13. The self-closing fragrance cartridge (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that a number of housing openings (2) corresponds to a number of element openings (7).
14. The self-closing fragrance cartridge (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which referral back to claim 3, characterized in that the fragrance source (11) is arranged, in particular centrally, between the element openings (7).
15. A fragrancer (20) for dispensing a fragrance (12), in particular for the fragrancing of a vehicle interior, with a fragrance inlet (22), on which a fragrance cartridge (1) according to one of the preceding claims is able to be mounted, with an activating device (21), by means of which the actuating element (8) of the fragrance cartridge (1) on mounting of the fragrance cartridge (1) is displaceable from the closed into the fragrancing position (5, 6) of the actuating element (8).
Description
[0026] There are shown, respectively schematically
[0027] FIG. 1 in a sectional view, an example of a self-closing fragrance cartridge according to the invention, with an actuating element situated in a closed position,
[0028] FIG. 2 in a sectional view, an example of a fragrancer according to the invention, on which a fragrance cartridge, shown by way of example, is mounted with an actuating element situated in a fragrancing position,
[0029] FIG. 3 a further example of a self-closing fragrance cartridge according to the invention in a sectional view.
[0030] In FIG. 1 an example of a self-closing fragrance cartridge 1 according to the invention for a fragrancer 20 is shown in a roughly schematic sectional view. The self-closing fragrance cartridge 1 has a housing 3 on which at least one housing opening 2 is present. In the example shown, two such housing openings 2 are present on the housing 3 of the self-closing fragrance cartridge 1. The housing 3 at least partially delimits a housing interior 4 on the inner side. An actuating element 8 of the self-closing fragrance cartridge 1 is received at least partially in the housing interior 4. The actuating element 8 is displaceable in the housing interior 4 with respect to the housing 3 between a closed position 5 and a fragrancing position 6.
[0031] In FIG. 1, the actuating element 8 is situated in the closed position 5. The actuating element 8 at least partially delimits an element interior 9. In the example shown, it can be seen that in the closed position 5 of the actuating element 8, the element interior 9 of the actuating element 8 is closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of the housing 3 of the fragrance cartridge 1. Here, the element interior 9 in the closed position 5 is closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of the housing 3 in such a way that the element interior 9 is expediently closed in a fragrance-tight manner.
[0032] In FIG. 2, by comparison, also in a roughly schematic sectional view, a further example of a self-closing fragrance cartridge 1 according to the invention is shown, which is mounted on a fragrancer 2 according to the invention and likewise illustrated by way of example. In the example of FIG. 2, the actuating element 8 of the self-closing fragrance cartridge 1 is situated in the fragrancing position 6. It can be seen that in the fragrancing position 6 the housing opening 2 and the element opening 7 are arranged in a fluidically communicating manner. In the shown example the housing opening 5 and the element opening 7 are arranged in alignment to one another. The fact that the housing opening 2 and the element opening 7 in the fragrancing position 6 are arranged in a fluidically communicating manner is expediently achieved in that the housing opening 2 and the element opening 7 are arranged in an at least partial overlap. In the example shown, the housing opening 2 and the element opening 7 are arranged in complete overlap. Here, in the fragrancing position 6, the housing opening 2 and the element opening 7 are arranged in a fluidically communicating manner in such a way that by means of the housing opening 2 and the element opening 7, the element interior 9 of the actuating element 8 is connected in the fluid-permeable manner with an outer space 10 adjoining the housing 3 on the outer side. This means that in the fragrancing position 6, the housing opening 2 and the element opening 7 can form a fragrance-permeable passage, through which a fragrance 12 can arrive from the element interior 9 into the outer space 10.
[0033] With the aid of FIG. 1 it can be seen in addition that in the closed position 5 of the actuating element 8 the housing opening 2 is closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of the actuating element 8. Alternatively or additionally, in accordance with the shown example, the element opening 7 is closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of the housing 3. In the element interior 9 of the actuating element 8 a fragrance source 11 is present for providing a fragrance 12. The fragrance 12 here in the fragrancing position 6 is able to be directed out from the element interior 9, where, on the other hand, the element interior 9 in the closed position 5 is sealed in a fluid-impermeable manner. Such a fluid-impermeable sealing is, in particular, fragrance-tight.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows likewise in a roughly schematic manner an example of a self-closing fragrance cartridge 1 according to the invention in a sectional view. According to the example of the self-closing fragrance cartridge 1 shown here, the actuating element 8 is formed in the manner of a rotary slider 18. The actuating element 8, formed as rotary slider 18, is rotationally displaceable relative to the housing 3. In the example shown, the actuating element 8 is rotationally displaceable relative to the housing 3 in the manner of a rotary slider 18 about a rotation axis A. In FIG. 3 in addition it can be seen that a seal 19 is present in the housing interior 4 between the actuating element 8 and the housing 3.
[0035] It can be seen in addition from FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 that the actuating element 8 is mounted displaceably on the housing 3 via a clamping device 13 for generating a restoring force 14 acting on the actuating element 8. Such an actuating element 8 can be an elastically deformable spring element. Such a spring element can be a helical spring, a leaf spring, a spiral spring, an elastomer block or similar. The actuating element 8 is mounted displaceably on the housing via the clamping device 13 in such a way that on displacing of the actuating element 8 from the closed position 5 into the fragrancing position 6, the restoring force 14 is built up. Here, in a dismantled state of the fragrance cartridge (shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3), the restoring force 14 can hold the actuating element 8 in the closed position 5. It can be seen in addition that an opener 15 is arranged in a force-transmitting manner on the actuating element 8. In the examples shown, the opener 15 is formed integrally for this on the actuating element 8, therefore is designed in the same material and in one piece with the actuating element 8. The opener 15 is activatable by means of a displacement force 16 for displacing the actuating element 8 from the closed position 5 into the fragrancing position 6. The opener can also be activatable for displacing back from the fragrancing position 6 into the closed position 5 of the actuating element 8.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the opener 15 is activatable for displacing the actuating element 8 from the closed position into the fragrancing position 6 on mounting of the fragrance cartridge 1 on a fragrancer 20 by means of an activating device 21, provided on the fragrancer 20, with the generation of the displacement force 16. This means that a mounting force applied for mounting the fragrance cartridge 1 on the fragrancer 20 serves on the one hand to position the fragrance cartridge 1 on the fragrancer 22 and, on the other hand, brings about the generating of the displacement force 16. On mounting of the fragrance cartridge 1 on the fragrancer 20, the actuating element 8 is therefore displaced from the closed position 5 into the fragrancing position 6, without further measures being necessary for this, such as a manual displacing of the actuating element 8. Here, with a withdrawing of the displacement force 16 the actuating element 8 is automatically able to be restored into the closed position 5 by means of the restoring force 14. This means that on a dismantling of the fragrance cartridge 1 from the fragrancer 20, the actuating element 8 is automatically restored into the closed position 5 by means of the restoring force 14.
[0037] In accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2, the actuating element 8, alternatively to the variant of FIG. 3, is displaceable relative to the housing 3 in the manner of a slider 17. Here, in the example shown, the actuating element 8 is displaceable in the manner of a slider 17 substantially in a straight line relative to the housing 3. Of course, a combination of the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2 and of the example of FIG. 3 is also conceivable, in which the actuating element 8 is displaceable both in a translatory and rotatory manner relative to the housing 3. In addition, alternatively to the examples shown in the figures, the actuating element 8 and the housing 3 can form a cock-like fitting of the fragrance cartridge 1, wherein the actuating element 8 is designed in the manner of a plug of the cock-like fitting.
[0038] In accordance with the examples of FIGS. 1 to 3, the actuating element 8 is guided in a perfectly fitting manner on the housing 3. Here, the actuating element 8 is expediently guided on the housing 3 in the manner of a clearance fit or transition fit. The housing 3 and the actuating element 8 can have respectively a rotationally symmetrical shaping. This rotationally symmetrical shaping of the housing 3 and of the actuating element 8 can correspond to that of a hollow cylinder. According to the examples shown, the housing 3 has two housing openings 2 and the actuating element 8 has two element openings 7. Here, each one of the housing openings 2 is arranged in a fluidically communicating manner with in each case a corresponding actuating element opening 7 in the fragrancing position 6 of the actuating element 8. The housing 3 can also have several housing openings 2 and the actuating element 8 can have several element openings 7, which, however, is not shown in the figures for reasons of clarity. Here, also, each one of the housing openings 2 is arranged in a fluidically communicating manner with in each case a corresponding actuating opening 7 in the fragrancing position 6 of the actuating element 8. It can further be seen from the illustrated examples that a number of housing openings 2 corresponds to a number of element openings 7. In addition, it can be seen that the fragrance source 11 is arranged between the element openings 7. For example, the fragrance source 11 is arranged centrally between the element openings 7.
[0039] In addition, the invention relates to a fragrancer 20, shown roughly schematically in FIG. 2, which is arranged for dispensing a fragrance 12. The fragrancer 20 can serve for the fragrancing of a vehicle interior. The fragrancer 20 has a fragrance inlet 22, on which a fragrance cartridge 1 according to the invention, shown by way of example in FIGS. 1 to 3 and explained above by way of example, is able to be mounted. It can be seen in FIG. 2 that the fragrance inlet 22 of the fragrancer 20 forms the outer space 10 of the fragrance cartridge 1. The fragrancer 20 comprises in addition an activating device 21, by means of which the actuating element 8 of the fragrance cartridge 1 is displaceable from the closed position 5 into the fragrancing position 6 of the actuating element 8 on mounting of the fragrance cartridge 1. In FIG. 2 the fragrance cartridge 1 is shown in a mounted state, so that accordingly the actuating element 8 is displaced into the fragrancing position 6 by means of the activating device 21.
