Control of fragrance systems and why a break is taken at lunchtime

Smells often have a greater impact on our well-being than we consciously realize. They can awaken memories, change moods and even influence people's behavior. Bad smells can be effectively neutralized by modern scenting systems. Carefully selected fragrances can evoke positive feelings: Citrus scents have an invigorating effect, lavender calms, and woody notes convey a sense of security.

Whether at the mortician's, where unpleasant odors must be avoided, or in the wellness area, where relaxing or invigorating fragrances are specifically used: Scenting systems usually make rooms more pleasant to stay in. The targeted control of fragrances helps people to feel more comfortable in a wide variety of environments. Marc Schömenauer from Airscent, which manufactures fragrance systems that can be controlled using an app, provides an insight into how fragrance concepts can be implemented in a technically reliable and safe way. The app is available free of charge in the Apple App Store and will soon also be available in the Google Store.

How does your ventilation system work?

With our three-fan system, different fragrances can be used specifically at different times of the day. For example, the first fan can emit an activating fragrance in the morning, while the second fan emits a calming fragrance later on. The third fan is particularly powerful and can transport fragrances up to 20 meters away.

The entire system is based on a 12-volt system that can be supplied with power in two ways: Either classically via a direct power connection or via PoE (Power over Ethernet). The network cable not only transmits data, but also electrical energy. This is fed into the Ethernet cable either via a network switch with PoE function or via a so-called PoE injector.

At the other end – for example at a double network socket, as is often used in retirement homes for WLAN adapters – the power can be “tapped” using a special adapter or PoE splitter and converted into 12-volt DC voltage. This allows devices to be operated without the need for a conventional power socket or a separate power line. The advantage is that no additional power cabling is required. All settings can be controlled via our Airscent app.

How secure is the device?

If the device is integrated into the Wi-Fi network of a retirement home, it can potentially represent a weak point in the network – and we do not want to take responsibility for this. We therefore currently use a point-to-point connection that works completely without internet access. However, this approach is increasingly reaching its limits, as modern standards require internet access. For this reason, we are planning to switch to Bluetooth.

The days of the week can be freely configured in the app. You can select individual fragrances, set the intensity and define intervals, start and end times. In retirement homes, scenting typically takes place in the morning between 6:00 or 6:30 and 11:00 and in the afternoon from 13:00 to around 18:00 or 19:00.

Why is this the case?

Fragrances are usually deliberately avoided at lunchtime, as fragrances can cause irritation during this phase – especially for people with dementia. It is important for them to perceive natural scents, such as the smell of lunch, as these provide orientation and support the feeling of everyday life and structure.

In addition, the natural smell of food can be used therapeutically to stimulate appetite and thirst – both play an important role in the care of older people.

What kind of computer is built into the fragrance system?

The device is an industry-standard industrial computer – completely without moving parts. This eliminates the need for service-intensive components such as fans or hard disks, which considerably simplifies maintenance.

There are basically only two factors that could impair operation: a power surge or – dust deposits over many years –. However, both occur extremely rarely in practice.

Where are the fragrances produced?

Our fragrances are produced in Bavaria – where our specialized fragrance laboratory is located. We attach great importance to sustainability and transparency: the majority of the oils we use come from Germany. Only the Swiss stone pine oil is sourced directly from a distillery in Austria. For all other compositions, we work with two German suppliers, who blend the oils according to our specifications.

Some raw materials, such as oranges, cannot be grown in Germany. Our orange fragrance therefore consists of a carefully balanced blend of eleven different orange oils. This complex composition ensures that the fragrance remains constant over the long term – despite natural fluctuations in individual ingredients. The development is carried out by experienced fragrance specialists, who – combine different oils similarly to the cuvée in viticulture – to create a harmonious and balanced fragrance profile.

(mack)