System and method for the metered dispensing of a fragrance in a closed room, in particular in a lavatory of a vehicle

Abstract

A system for the metered dispensing of a fragrance in a toilet, in particular in a lavatory of a vehicle, comprises a fragrance container having a fragrance stored in a receptacle, and a port carrying the fragrance and joined with the receptacle for guiding the fragrance out of the receptacle. The port is connectable with a flushing pipe for the toilet.

Claims

1. A system for the metered dispensing of a fragrance in a toilet, in particular in a lavatory of a vehicle, comprising: a fragrance container having a fragrance stored in a receptacle, a dispensing device for metered dispensing of the fragrance, the dispensing device connected with the receptacle; a control unit coupled to the dispensing device and configured to actuate the dispensing device for dispensing a metered quantity of the fragrance, wherein the control unit is couplable with a device for activating a flushing of the toilet; a port carrying the fragrance and joined with the receptacle for guiding the fragrance out of the receptacle, wherein the port is connectable with a flushing pipe for the toilet; and an odor measuring device that is securable in the lavatory, wherein the control unit is connected with the odor measuring device and is configured to actuate the dispensing device for dispensing the metered quantity of the fragrance depending on at least one odor determined by the odor measuring device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is set up to initiate the dispensing of the fragrance delayed by a predetermined time after starting the process of flushing the toilet.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a delivery valve, which is situated underneath the receptacle, so that the fragrance flows through the port through exposure to a gravitational force as soon as the delivery valve has been opened.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the dispensing device comprises a piston, which is movably guided in the receptacle, and determines space occupied by the fragrance in the receptacle.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a pre-loaded spring, which is situated in the receptacle, and presses against a side of the piston facing away from the fragrance.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the receptacle is connected with a source for pressurized fluid on a side of the piston facing away from the fragrance.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a Venturi nozzle, which is fluidly connected with the flushing pipe, and comprises an insertion site in a constricted location, which is fluidly connected with the port.

8. A method for the metered dispensing of a fragrance in a toilet, in particular in a lavatory of a vehicle, comprising a fragrance container with a fragrance stored in a receptacle, a dispensing device for metered dispensing of the fragrance, the dispensing device connected with the receptacle, a control unit coupled to the dispensing device and configured to actuate the dispensing device for dispensing a metered quantity of the fragrance, wherein the control unit is couplable with a device for activating a flushing of the toilet, a port carrying the fragrance and joined with the receptacle for guiding the fragrance out of the receptacle, in which fragrance is fed into a flushing pipe of the toilet, and an odor measuring device that is securable in the lavatory, wherein the control unit is connected with the odor measuring device and is configured to actuate the dispensing device for dispensing the metered quantity of the fragrance depending on at least one odor determined by the odor measuring device.

9. A lavatory for a vehicle, comprising: a toilet; a flushing pipe coupled to the toilet, a fragrance container having a fragrance stored in a receptacle, a dispensing device for metered dispensing of the fragrance, the dispensing device connected with the receptacle; a control unit coupled to the dispensing device and configured to actuate the dispensing device for dispensing a metered quantity of the fragrance, wherein the control unit is couplable with a device for activating a flushing of the toilet; a port carrying the fragrance and joined with the receptacle for guiding the fragrance out of the receptacle, the port connectable with the flushing pipe; and an odor measuring device that is securable in the lavatory, wherein the control unit is connected with the odor measuring device and is configured to actuate the dispensing device for dispensing the metered quantity of the fragrance depending on at least one odor determined by the odor measuring device.

10. The lavatory of claim 9, wherein the toilet comprises a spraying ring, which is connectable with the flushing pipe.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The various embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and:

(2) FIG. 1A shows a schematic depiction of an airplane toilet with integrated system for the metered dispensing of a fragrance.

(3) FIG. 1B shows schematic depictions of various dispensing devices.

(4) FIG. 1C shows schematic depictions of various dispensing devices.

(5) FIG. 1D shows schematic depictions of various dispensing devices.

(6) FIG. 1E shows a valve for opening or closing a flow cross section for conveying a fragrance stream.

(7) FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic depiction of a dependency function between odors and fragrance metering.

(8) FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a lavatory.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the disclosed embodiments or the application and uses thereof. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background detailed description.

(10) FIG. 1A presents a system 2 for the metered dispensing of a fragrance in a toilet, in particular in a lavatory of an airplane. The system 2 comprises a fragrance container 4, an odor measuring device 6 and a controller 8, wherein a dispensing device is not shown on FIG. 1A in order to simplify the illustration. The fragrance container 4 is joined by the dispensing device (not shown) with a flushing pipe 10, which leads to a spraying ring 12 installed in the bowl of a toilet 14. The flushing pipe 10 is coupled upstream with a flushing valve 16, which is connected by an actuator 18 with the controller 8. Another check valve 20 situated further upstream prevents liquids from flowing back to a reservoir (not shown), a supply line or the like. A discharge valve 22 is in in turn connected with a discharge 24 of the toilet 14, and also comprises an actuator 26 joined with the control unit 8.

(11) When flushing, the user presses a button, and a command from the control unit 8 correspondingly actuates the flushing valve 16, guiding a flushing liquid into the spray ring 12 via the flushing pipe 10. Subsequently, at the same time and/or thereafter, a vacuum is applied to the inside of the toilet 14 by actuating the discharge valve 22. All liquids or solids in the toilet 14 are conveyed out of the toilet 14 through the discharge 24.

(12) Odors arising in the toilet 14 may be masked by admixing a fragrance located in the fragrance container 4, which in particular is a liquid fragrance comprising a scented oil or the like. Establishing a connection with the flushing pipe 10 causes the fragrance to be dispensed only as needed, which limits the required supply of fragrance, and prevents both an excessive metering and too high a fragrance concentration.

(13) Fragrance metering may further be adjusted based upon an odor detected by the odor measuring device 6. As a result, more or less fragrance may be dispensed in the flushing process, as needed. Stronger odors in the lavatory in which the toilet is located may in this way be better masked or balanced out. Dispensing preferably takes place toward the end of the flushing process, in order to at least partially prevent the siphoning of liquid fragrance.

(14) FIG. 1B to ld show various dispensing devices. FIG. 1B depicts a fragrance container 4 with a fragrance situated therein, which is designed as a liquid fragrance 28, which may be dispensed by a height difference through exposure to a gravitational force via a port 30 lying underneath the fragrance container 4 into the flushing pipe 10. Reference number 32 is used to label this dispensing device without active components, and points to the entire arrangement of the fragrance container 4 and port 30.

(15) FIG. 1C shows a dispensing device 36. The system 2 is modified in such a way that the fragrance container 4 holding the fragrance designed as a liquid fragrance 28 incorporates a piston 34, which limits the expansion of the fragrance 28 in the fragrance container 4 at one surface via the overlying piston 34. By applying a pressurized fluid, for example compressed air, to the side of the piston 34 lying opposite the fragrance 28, the liquid fragrance 28 itself may be pressurized, so that it may thereby be dispensed. Alternatively or additionally, an actuator or pre-loaded spring 35 may exert a force on the piston 34, so that the liquid fragrance 28 is conveyed to the port 30.

(16) The dispensing unit 38 shown on FIG. 1D is an injector in the form of a Venturi nozzle, which is connected with the port 30 at a constricted location 39. In particular a fragrance designed as a liquid fragrance 28 is siphoned out of the fragrance container 4 with flushing water as it flows through the Venturi nozzle 38, and admixed directly to the flushing water stream.

(17) All embodiments of the dispensing device may have allocated to them a valve 40 shown on FIG. 1E, which may be coupled with the control unit 8 via an actuator 42, and only dispenses the flushing water as needed.

(18) FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary function 42 for metering the fragrance. The concentration of the fragrance 28 may be selected depending on the strength of the determined odor. The vertical (y) axis shows a concentration of the fragrance 28, while the horizontal (x) axis presents the chronological progression of fragrance dispensing. The lower curve includes the surface 44, and represents the determined odor inside the lavatory. As the odor intensifies, the fragrance dosage may be increased, as represented by the upper curve, wherein the distance from the lower curve represents the dosage of the fragrance 28. This area includes the surface 46, which is preferably proportional to the consumed quantity of fragrance 28.

(19) FIG. 3 exemplarily depicts a lavatory 52 of a vehicle with a toilet 14 installed therein, along with a system 2 according to the embodiment. A fragrance container 4 is here exemplarily installed in a service module 50, which is situated laterally inside the lavatory 52. An odor measuring device 6 may be secured to a wall 48 of the lavatory 52, and be connected with a control unit 8 not illustrated in this depiction.

(20) In addition, let it be noted that comprise does not preclude any other elements or steps, and that a or an do not rule out a plurality. Let it further be noted that features described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments may also be used in combination with other features from other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference numbers in the claims are not to be regarded as a limitation.

(21) While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the embodiment in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the embodiment as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.