IP Library Granted Patent US 8,006,918
Granted Patent B2
US 8,006,918 · App. 12/245,270 · Granted Aug 30, 2011

Alternating current powered delivery system

Assignee: The Proctor & Gamble Company
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,006,918
App. No.
12/245,270
Granted
Aug 30, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

An air treatment device having a piezoelectric actuator powered by a transformer. The transformer has dual inputs comprising oppositely wound coils and input power signals 180 degrees out of phase. This arrangement provides a stronger drive signal to the actuator.

Claims (13)

1. An electronic driving circuit coupled to an air treatment device for emitting an air treatment into a space, said driving circuit comprising:

an actuating element and a power source, said actuating element comprising a piezoelectric element, wherein said piezoelectric element comprises a round piezoelectric disc having a round hole concentrically disposed therethrough, said piezoelectric element being juxtaposable with the air treatment material;

a step up transformer, said transformer having a dual input with clockwise and counter-clockwise windings and a common center tap in electrical communication with a power supply;

two input signals provided to the transformer 180 degrees out of phase with each other, and wherein said transformer provides an AC signal to said piezoelectric element; and

an inductor connected to the transformer and disposed intermediate said transformer and said piezoelectric element;

wherein said inductor uses the AC signal generated by the transformer to drive the piezoelectric element with a substantially pure sinusoidal waveform, and wherein the inductor and the piezoelectric element comprises a LC circuit having a resonant frequency and being operable at a frequency generally equivalent said resonant frequency, thereby causing movement of said piezoelectric element relative to the air treatment material.

2. An electronic driving circuit according to claim 1 , wherein said air treatment device is an air freshening system.

3. An electronic driving circuit according to claim 2 wherein said air freshening system comprises a liquid active material, said liquid active material is selected from the group consisting of perfumes, fragrances, insecticides, and mixtures thereof.

4. An electronic driving circuit according to claim 3 further comprising at least one passive component selected from the group consisting of a transistor, inductor, diode, capacitor, resistor, or combinations thereof.

5. An air treatment device for emitting an air treatment into a space, said device comprising:

an actuating element and a power source,

said actuating element comprising a piezoelectric element having a concentrically disposed hole therethrough, said piezoelectric element each having a resonant frequency, said piezoelectric element being juxtaposable with a fluid air treatment material, whereby movement of said piezoelectric element relative to the material causes the material to be expelled from said device;

said power source comprising a transformer having two input coils, a first input coil with clockwise windings and a second input coil with counter-clockwise-windings, said input coils being joined at a common tap electrically connected to a power supply, and an output, wherein said transformer provides a sinusoidal AC signal from said output to said piezoelectric element, said signal having a frequency generally equivalent to said resonant frequency of said piezoelectric element or said driver, thereby causing movement of said piezoelectric element relative to the material.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 9, 2009
From: MAHONEY, III, WILLIAM PAUL; TOLLENS, FERNANDO RAY
To: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
Reel/Frame 022080/0819 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100084488A1 · Apr 8, 2010