초록 ▼

The present invention is a device for playing a cartridge for dispersing scented materials into a room. The cartridge generally has a plurality of scent elements supported on a rotatable disk. The device includes a housing, a blower assembly, a platter, a motor, first and second sensors and a contro

The present invention is a device for playing a cartridge for dispersing scented materials into a room. The cartridge generally has a plurality of scent elements supported on a rotatable disk. The device includes a housing, a blower assembly, a platter, a motor, first and second sensors and a control unit. The housing has a cavity for receiving the cartridge and is formed with an air intake and an exhaust port. The blower assembly is mounted within the housing for generating an airflow by drawing air in through the air intake over the cavity to diffuse at least one of the plurality of scent elements out through the exhaust port. The platter is configured to engage the rotatable disk and is rotated by the motor. The platter, first and second sensors and a control unit cooperate to control the rotation of the disk. The device can also include a heating element for activating the scent elements.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for rotating a disk having a plurality of scent elements supported thereon, the apparatus comprising; a platter having a hub extending upwardly from a center thereof, said hub configured to removably engage the disk in a predetermined rotational position and defi

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for rotating a disk having a plurality of scent elements supported thereon, the apparatus comprising; a platter having a hub extending upwardly from a center thereof, said hub configured to removably engage the disk in a predetermined rotational position and defining an axis of rotation; a motor coupled to said platter for rotating said platter about said axis of rotation; a first position indicator disposed on said platter to rotate about said axis of rotation through a first circular path, wherein said first position indicator comprises at least one notch formed on a ring extending upwardly from said platter and concentric with said hub; a first sensor arranged adjacent to a first point on said first circular path and generating a signal when said first position indicator is rotated to said first point; and a control unit coupled to said first sensor and said motor, said control unit controlling current delivered to said motor to operate said motor and altering the current upon receiving said signal from said first sensor. 2. An apparatus for rotating a disk as defined by claim 1, wherein said first sensor is an optical sensor configured to detect said at least one notch. 3. An apparatus for rotating a disk as defined by claim 2, wherein said ring includes an edge and said optical sensor is formed with a slot for said edge to ride within. 4. An apparatus for rotating a disk having a plurality of scent elements supported thereon, the apparatus comprising: a platter having a hub extending upwardly therefrom, said hub configured to removably engage the disk in a predetermined rotational position and defining an axis of rotation; a motor coupled to said platter for rotating said platter about said axis of rotation; a first ring disposed on said platter concentric with said hub, said first ring having at least one notch formed therein to rotate about said axis of rotation through a first circular path; a second ring disposed on said platter concentric with said first ring, said second ring having a plurality of notches formed therein to rotate about said axis of rotation through a second circular path; a first sensor arranged adjacent to a first point on said first circular path and generating a first signal when said notch of said first ring is rotated to said first point; a second sensor arranged adjacent to a second point on said second circular path and generating a second signal when a notch of said plurality of second ring notches is rotated to said second point; and a control unit coupled to said first sensor, said second sensor and said motor, said control unit controlling current delivered to said motor to operate said motor and altering said current upon receiving said first signal from said first sensor and said second signal from said second sensor. 5. An apparatus for rotating a disk as defined by claim 4, wherein said notch of said first ring is associated with a home location of the disk. 6. An apparatus for rotating a disk as defined by claim 5, wherein each notch of said second ring is associated with an intermediate location of the disk. 7. An apparatus for rotating a disk as defined by claim 6, wherein said first sensor is an optical sensor configured to detect said first ring notch and said second sensor is an optical sensor configured to detect said plurality of second ring notches. 8. An apparatus for rotating a disk as defined by claim 6, wherein said first and second sensors are each formed with a slot for each respective ring to ride within. 9. A device for playing a cartridge having a plurality of scent elements supported on a rotatable disk, said device comprising: a housing having a cavity for receiving the cartridge and being formed with an air intake and an exhaust port; a blower assembly mounted within said housing for generating an airflow by drawing air in through said air intake over said cavity and out through said exhaust port; a heater for healing a scent element when a cartridge is positioned within said cavity; a spring for biasing said heater toward the cartridge when the cartridge is positioned within said cavity; a platter having a body defined by a perimeter and a center, a hub connected to said body at said center to define an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to said airflow generated by said blower and being configured to removably engage the rotatable disk of the cartridge in a predetermined rotational position, a first position indicator disposed on said body, and a second position indicator disposed on said body; a motor mounted within said housing and coupled to said platter for rotating said platter about said axis of rotation so that said first position indicator rotates through a first circular path and said second position indicator rotates through a second circular path; a first sensor for generating a first signal when said first position indicator is rotated to a first point; a second sensor for generating a second signal when said second position indicator is rotated to a second point; and a control unit coupled to said first sensor, said second sensor and said motor, said control unit controlling current delivered to said motor in response to said first signal from said first sensor and said second signal from said second sensor. 10. A device for playing a cartridge as defined by claim 9, wherein said first position indicator comprises at least one notch formed on a first ring extending upwardly from said platter and concentric with said hub, said notch corresponding with a home position of the rotatable disk of the cartridge. 11. A device for playing a cartridge as defined by claim 10, wherein said second position indicator comprises at least one notch formed on a second ring extending upwardly from said platter and concentric with said first ring, said notch corresponding with a location of at least one of the plurality of scent elements on the rotatable disk of the cartridge. 12. A device for playing a cartridge as defined by claim 11, wherein said first sensor is an optical sensor configured to detect said notch corresponding to the home position of the rotatable disk of the cartridge and said second sensor is an optical sensor configured to detect said at least one notch corresponding with a location of at least one of the plurality of scent elements on the rotatable disk of the cartridge. 13. A device for playing a cartridge as defined by claim 12, wherein said first and second optical sensors are each formed with a slot for each respective ring to ride within. 14. A device for playing a cartridge as defined by claim 9, wherein said first and second position indicators are magnets and said first and second sensors are magnetic sensors configured to detect said respective magnet. 15. A device for playing a cartridge as defined by claim 11, wherein said control unit is configured to sequentially rotate said hub from the home location through each of the locations corresponding to one of the plurality of scent elements on the rotatable disk and back to the home location. 16. A device for playing a cartridge as defined by claim 15, wherein said control unit is configured to stop the rotation of said hub for a play period at each of the plurality of scent elements. 17. A device for playing a cartridge as defined by claim 9, further comprising: a cover being hingedly connected to said housing for covering said cavity when in a closed position; a latch configured to maintain said cover in said closed position and being formed with a key; and wherein said perimeter of said platter is formed with a latch notch associated with a home location and configured to receive said key so that said latch can be translated to open said cover when said platter is at said home location. 18. An apparatus for rotating a disk as defined in claim 1, wherein said platter hub includes a groove extending perpendicularly to said axis of rotation. 19. An apparatus for rotating a disk as defined in claim 1, wherein said platter further includes a latch notch formed on a perimeter edge thereof; said latch notch being configured to release a latch when said platter is rotated to a home position. 20. An apparatus for rotating a disk as defined in claim 1, further comprising a heater disposed adjacent said platter and a spring for biasing said heater. 21. An apparatus for rotating a disk as defined in claim 4, wherein said platter hub includes a groove extending perpendicularly to said axis of rotation. 22. An apparatus for rotating a disk as defined in claim 4, wherein said platter further includes a latch notch formed on a perimeter edge thereof, said latch notch being configured to release a latch when said platter is rotated to a home position. 23. An apparatus for rotating a disk as defined in claim 4, further comprising a heater disposed adjacent said platter and a spring for biasing said heater. 24. A device for playing a cartridge as defined in claim 9, wherein said platter hub includes a groove extending perpendicularly to said axis of rotation.