Device and method for dispensing and/or diffusing volatile substances, especially for dispensing and/or diffusing fragrances and/or active substances

The invention relates to a device for dispensing and/or diffusing volatile substances, comprising a housing (32), a storage tank (33) and an electrical heating device (30). The device further comprises a capillary element (34) which is coupled to the heating element in a heat-transferring manner, the capillary element (34) having a substance-receiving area (35) which is in contact with a substance received in the storage tank (33) and which substance is conveyable to a substance-discharging area (36) of the capillary element (34) at which the substance is dispensed. Furthermore, an air inlet (50) is provided, by means of which ambient air (53) enters from outside the housing (32) and forms a pure air flow (40) in the housing interior. An air duct (54) is provided which, starting from the air inlet (50), extends as far as the substance discharging area (36), at which a substance air flow (51) enriched with substance is generated, and which, starting from the substance discharging region (36), is led to an air outlet (38) via which the substance air flow (51) is discharged to the environment. In addition, a control device (39) is provided, by means of which the electrical heating device (30) can be controlled, preferably at intervals.