HVAC FRAGRANCE SYSTEM

• US 20150030498A1
• Filed: 04/09/2014
• Published: 01/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lashell Ooten
• Original Assignee: Lashell Ooten
• Inventors: Ooten, Lashell
• Granted Patent: US 9,352,063 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/16 Connections to a HVAC unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/04 using substances evaporated in the air without heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/122 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/127 comprising a wick
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/50 by odorisation

Abstract

Fragrance systems are provided that can be used in conjunction with heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. The fragrance systems can inject a fragrance into an airstream that is supplied to a space such as a room of a building or a vehicle cabin. In some embodiments, the speed a fan of the fragrance system can be automatically modulated in a pre-determined relationship to the speed of a fan of the HVAC system. Accordingly, a desired level of fragrance can be automatically maintained as desired within the airstream that is supplied to the space, even when the HVAC fan speed or other conditions fluctuate.

Claims

1. A system for injecting a fragrance into an airstream of an HVAC unit, the system comprising:

a structure configured to receive one or more fragrance sources;

a fragrance system fan configured to move air past an active fragrance source of the one or more fragrance sources and to move the air into the airstream of the HVAC unit; and

a controller module including a user interface for receiving user input, the controller module configured to (i) receive an airflow input signal that indicates an amount of airflow in the airstream, (ii) determine a fragrance system fan speed signal based on the airflow input signal, (iii) output the fragrance system fan speed signal such that the fragrance system fan speed signal can control a speed of the fragrance system fan, and (iv) periodically adjust the fragrance system fan speed signal in response to a change in the airflow input signal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the airflow input signal comprises a signal indicating a speed of a fan of the HVAC unit.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the airflow input signal comprises a signal indicating an air pressure in the airstream, an air velocity in the airstream, or a volumetric airflow amount in the airstream.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the fragrance system comprises two or more fragrance sources

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the structure is an enclosure.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises a rotary actuator.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the user interface is configured to receive a user input that causes a rotation of the rotary actuator in response to a condition established by the user input.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the condition is a time of day.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the structure is configured to receive two or more fragrance sources.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured to have internet connectivity such that user input can be received by the user interface via the internet.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising the HVAC unit, and wherein the HVAC unit is configured for use in conjunction with a building.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising the HVAC unit, and wherein the HVAC unit is configured for use in conjunction with a vehicle.

13. A method for controlling a speed of a fan of a fragrance system that is configured to inject a fragrance into an airstream of an HVAC unit, the method comprising:

receiving, by a controller module of the fragrance system, an airflow input signal that indicates an amount of airflow in the airstream;

determining, by the controller module of the fragrance system, a fragrance system fan speed signal based on the airflow input signal; and

outputting, by the controller module of the fragrance system, the fragrance system fan speed signal such that the fragrance system fan speed signal controls a speed of the fragrance system fan.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the fragrance system fan speed signal is also based on a user input that establishes a relationship between the airflow input signal and the fragrance system fan speed signal.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the relationship comprises a ratio.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising adjusting the fragrance system fan speed signal by repeating the receiving, determining, and outputting steps.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the adjusting the fragrance system fan speed signal is performed on a periodic time-based basis.

18. A computer-readable storage device storing software comprising instructions executable by one or more computers which, upon such execution, cause the one or more computers to perform operations comprising:

receiving, by a controller module of a fragrance system, an airflow input signal that indicates an amount of airflow in an airstream of an HVAC system;

determining, by the controller module of the fragrance system, a fragrance system fan speed signal based on the airflow input signal; and

outputting, by the controller module of the fragrance system, the fragrance system fan speed signal such that the fragrance system fan speed signal controls a speed of a fragrance system fan.