Level sensor for sanitary consumables

Abstract

A sensor device for detecting a fill state of a reservoir of hygiene consumables, comprising: a set of sensors arranged along a depletion direction of the reservoir, each sensor configured to detect a presence of a hygiene consumable in a respective proximity thereof; a processing section coupled to the set of sensors for obtaining a presence detection from each sensor of the set of sensors; and a housing comprising at least an elongate housing rod housing the set of sensors, where the housing rod comprises a front side that faces the reservoir of hygiene consumables in operation, and where the front side comprises a recess toward one of the set of sensors.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the detection of fill levels in reservoirs for hygiene consumables (such as soap, disinfectant, tissue paper, towels, and the like). In particular, this invention relates to the reliability of level sensing of hygiene consumables in hygiene equipment (such as dispensers for these consumables). Background Technology

[0002] The benefits of proper hygiene, especially forms of hand hygiene, are widely recognized. It is common practice that restrooms in public or commercial facilities (such as public buildings, offices, restaurants, airports, hospitals, shopping malls, etc.) are equipped with dispensers for various hygiene consumables, such as paper towels, liquid soap, disinfectants, tissues, toilet paper, or sanitary napkins.

[0003] These consumables are typically stored in dispensers, which can be fixedly positioned in a suitable location within the washroom or other designated areas. Dispensers may take the form, for example, holders for tissues or tampons, holders for toilet paper, holders for diapers, or containers for liquid soap, disinfectants, or other consumables. Furthermore, used items, such as towels or tampons, can still be considered hygiene consumables, and the appropriate equipment for receiving such used consumables may be a trash can or other container for receiving and holding them.

[0004] In the above context, it is generally desirable to know the fill level of sanitary equipment (such as dispensers or bins). Knowing the fill status is typically necessary to initiate and schedule refilling of the dispenser, emptying of bins or other containers, or other service activities. For this purpose, it is known to provide level sensors for said sanitary equipment, configured to measure and report the fill status of the corresponding consumables. Such sensors are typically equipped with sensor devices capable of detecting a measured graph related to the fill status (such as distance, weight, presence, and the like), and some form of recording and / or reporting functionality to provide relevant information to an applicable service entity. For example, the sensor reports the corresponding fill status to a service center, from which refilling or replacement can be initiated.

[0005] However, the consumables mentioned are often provided and handled in a slightly irregular manner; in a sense, although a clearly defined quantity of consumables is provided, the external dimensions and / or shape of the refill or consumable supply can vary. For example, a stack of paper towels may contain a clearly defined number of paper towels, but its height and stacking may differ from refill to refill. Similarly, liquid consumables can be precisely measured by their volume, but their optical appearance and density can still vary substantially.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for an improved sensor device for detecting the fill status of hygiene consumables, which can be incorporated into hygiene fixtures that provide high-quality sensing output regardless of variations and irregularities in the consumables. In other words, there is a need for a sensor device that can provide reliable information about the quantity and fill status of the consumables while tolerating variations in their appearance. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problems mentioned are addressed by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, a sensor device for detecting the fill status of a reservoir of hygiene consumables is provided, the sensor device comprising: a set of sensors arranged along a depletion direction of the reservoir, each sensor configured to detect the presence of hygiene consumables at its respective proximity; a processing section coupled to the set of sensors for obtaining presence detection from each of the sensors in the set of sensors; and a housing comprising at least an elongated housing rod for receiving the set of sensors, wherein the housing rod includes a front side facing the reservoir of hygiene consumables in operation, and wherein the front side includes a recess toward one of the sensors in the set of sensors.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, a sanitary device for dispensing and / or receiving sanitary consumables is provided, including a sensor device according to one of the disclosed embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are presented to better understand the inventive concept and should not be considered as limiting the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1A and Figure 1B An overall device embodiment of the sensor apparatus of the present invention for detecting the fill status of a reservoir for hygiene consumables is shown; Figures 2A to 2F Different types of sanitary devices according to various embodiments of the present invention are shown, wherein the filling status of a reservoir for sanitary consumables is detected; Figure 3 , Figure 3 A and Figure 3 B illustrates the overall measurement concept involved in detecting the fill status of a storage container for sanitary consumables according to various embodiments of the present invention; as well as Figure 4A and Figure 4B Further details of an embodiment of the sensor device of the present invention for detecting the fill status of a reservoir for hygiene consumables are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0011] Figure 1A and Figure 1B An overall device embodiment of the sensor apparatus of the present invention for detecting the fill status of a reservoir for hygiene consumables is shown. Although Figure 1A The sensor device is shown in a side-view perspective, but Figure 1B Showing along cross section B Figure 1A A sensor device is shown. Specifically, a sensor device 1 for detecting the fill status of a reservoir of hygiene consumables is illustrated. The sensor device 1 includes a set of sensors 100-1, 100-2, ... 100-n arranged along the depletion direction D of the reservoir being measured. Each sensor 100-i is configured to detect the presence of hygiene consumables at its corresponding proximity. In this way, the fill status can be deduced from information indicating which sensor(s) in the set "see" the consumables (i.e., detect their presence) and which sensor(s) in the set do not "see" the consumables (i.e., do not detect their presence or detect their absence).

[0012] For this purpose, the sensor array is arranged along the depletion direction. Further details regarding the presence of measuring consumables are provided elsewhere in this disclosure, and specifically in conjunction with... Figure 3 A and Figure 3 Provided by B. The degree of proximity can be defined in terms of exclusive zones, in which one sensor monitors a zone in which it can detect the presence of hygiene consumables, while an adjacent sensor monitors another different zone. For example, proximity can be a zone Zi having a diameter ri of, for example, less than 10 cm, preferably less than 5 cm, and this zone Zi is oriented toward the reservoir and normal to the depletion direction D. The proximity zone can be partially spherical, conical, partially elliptical, or irregular, as long as it allows for differentiation of different filling states of the consumables.

[0013] The sensor device 1 includes a processing section 120 coupled to the set of sensors 100-i for obtaining presence detection from each of the individual sensors 100-i in the set of sensors. The sensor device 1 may further include a memory 130 that stores data related to the measurement and reporting process, including program data for instructing the processing section 120 to perform one or more actions and functions as described elsewhere in this disclosure. The sensor device 1 may further include a communication section 140 for accessing remotely stored data or information and / or forwarding reports on any measured or determined graph to a network 160, such as the “cloud” or the Internet. The sensor device 1 may further include a battery or other power source 150, in the form of any of the following: a battery cell, a rechargeable battery, a supercapacitor, an energy harvesting device, a solar cell or photovoltaic cell, an e / m wave receiver, and the like.

[0014] For example, processing unit 120 can be further configured to determine information about the fill status of the storage device based on the detected presence of hygiene consumables. Therefore, it can compile a report message based on the information indicating the fill status. This message can be sent to network 160 via communication unit 140. For this purpose, any suitable technology and / or protocol can be applied, including 2G, GPRS, 3G, UMTS, 4G, LTE, 5G, 6G, Wi-Fi, WLAN, and the like.

[0015] The sensor device 1 includes a housing 10, and at least an elongated housing rod 11 for housing the set of sensors 100-i, wherein the housing rod 11 includes a front side 12 facing the reservoir of the hygiene consumables during operation, and wherein the front side 12 includes a recess 121 facing one of the sensors in the set. For example, the sensors 100-i may be mounted on a printed circuit board PCB 170, possibly together with any other suitable components such as a battery 150 and / or a processing unit 120 and the like. The sensors 100-i may be configured to emit and receive detection signals for detecting the presence of the hygiene consumables at their respective proximity. Specifically, the detection signals may include any one of optical signals, infrared light signals, laser signals, electromagnetic signals, electric field signals, radar signals, sound signals, and ultrasonic signals.

[0016] The material of the housing rod 11, and preferably also the material of the housing 10, is transparent to the detection signal in the sense that the detection signal can penetrate the material with only a small attenuation. Naturally, if the detection signal is, for example, light in the visible wavelength range, the material should be transparent in that wavelength range, but not necessarily in infrared (IR) or ultraviolet (UV). Preferably, the thickness of the housing rod 11 or the front side 12 can be smaller in at least a portion of the recess 121 compared to at least the remaining portion of the front side. For example, and as... Figure 1B As shown in the illustration, the thickness dR in at least a portion of the recess 121 can be smaller than the thickness dB.

[0017] Figures 2A to 2F Different types of sanitary devices according to various embodiments of the present invention are shown, wherein the filling status of a reservoir for sanitary consumables is detected. Figure 2A A schematic diagram of a dispenser 2-1 arranged to dispense hygiene consumables in liquid form is shown. For example, this could be a soap dispenser or a dispenser for disinfectants such as alcohol or alcohol gels. Primarily for this type of dispenser, the depletion direction D will be from top to bottom, as the supply of consumables will accumulate towards the bottom. The measured pattern can be correlated with the top surface of the supply and the maximum height of the reservoir. The sensor device 1, as described in the corresponding embodiment of this disclosure, can be arranged as shown.

[0018] Figure 2B A schematic diagram of a dispenser 2-2 is shown, which is arranged to dispense hygiene consumables, such as tissues or paper towels 2000. The dispenser 2-2 has a reservoir 200 containing a given supply 20 of the hygiene consumables, which in this exemplary case is a stack of paper towels 2000. A user can remove a paper towel from an opening on the bottom side 19 of the dispenser 2-2, which will cause the reservoir 200 to gradually deplete in a depletion region D as the supply 20 decreases. The sensor device 1, as described in a corresponding embodiment of this disclosure, can be arranged as shown.

[0019] Figure 2C A schematic diagram of a similar dispenser 2-3 is shown, which is arranged to dispense hygiene consumables such as napkins, tissues, or paper towels. Except that the exhaustion direction D can be from bottom to top, the arrangement shown can be similar to a combination... Figure 2B As shown, there is a tissue dispenser that pushes the supply upwards, allowing the user to pull out one or more tissues / cotton sheets from the top. When the consumable is dispensed, a mechanical spring action may be involved to push the tissue supply upwards. This configuration provides an opportunity to measure the distance between the sensor location and the location of a well-defined element, such as a support that pushes the consumable supply upwards. In this way, the sensor (e.g., TOF or light reflection / absorption) can be so much more independent of the consumable because the measurement does not depend on the optical or other physical properties of the consumable. The sensor device 1 described in the corresponding embodiment of this disclosure can be arranged as shown.

[0020] Figure 2D A schematic diagram of a dispenser 2-4 is shown, which is arranged to dispense hygiene consumables, such as tissues or paper towels 2000'. In this case, the consumables are an unlimited supply of paper towels 2000', which may have perforations between the individual paper towels to be dispensed. That is, the user can pull the supply from the bottom side 19 of the dispenser 2-4, where the supply is guided upwards and then downwards again over one or more rollers 18 (see partial cutouts at the front of the dispenser and the downward movement of the supply). The dispenser 2-4 again has a reservoir 200 with a given supply 20' of hygiene consumables, which in this exemplary case is an unlimited series of paper towels 2000'. Removing a paper towel from the opening on the bottom side 19 of the dispenser 2-4 will cause the reservoir 200 to gradually deplete in the depletion region D as the supply 20' decreases. Note that in this respect, the behavior is similar to that of a combination. Figure 2BThe dispenser 2-2 is described, although the consumable will move upwards first and then downwards. Specifically, the sensor device 1, as described in the corresponding embodiment of this disclosure, can be arranged in the sensor 2-4 and will operate as in the case of the dispenser 2-2. For this purpose, it can be assumed that the paper 2000' moves upwards and downwards relatively close to the front and rear dispenser housing walls, while the sensor 10 is generally arranged therebetween.

[0021] Figure 2E A schematic diagram of a dispenser 2-5 is shown, which is arranged to dispense hygiene consumables in the form of rolls, such as toilet paper. In this type, the diameter of the roll can serve as the end or limit of the supply, and for any distance measurement, the sensor position can again be a fixed point. It should be noted that this concept can be applied to two types of roll dispensers: rolls supplied from the outside (drainage direction D, considering the distance between the outer roll diameter and the sensor position) and rolls supplied from the inside (drainage direction D', considering the distance between the inner roll diameter and the sensor position). The sensor device 1, as described in the corresponding embodiment of this disclosure, can be arranged as shown.

[0022] Figure 2F A schematic diagram of a sanitary device in the form of bins 2-6 is shown, which are arranged to receive used sanitary consumables in the form of towels, tissues, and the like. In this type, the reservoir is for used consumables, and the fill level will increase over time, rather than decreasing as in the case of sanitary device types previously discussed. A full reservoir then indicates the need to empty the bin or replace the full liner with a new one. However, the general concept of the invention naturally applies accordingly. In particular, any considerations related to the fill level and the direction of depletion are taken into account, since the reservoir is considered to have a free capacity to receive consumables for further use. Thus, during the use of this type of sanitary device, the reservoir will also deplete along the depletion direction, as, for example, the reservoir used to hold additional materials will deplete upwards, and as... Figure 2F The depletion direction D is shown in the diagram, while the box is in use. The sensor device 1, as described in the corresponding embodiment of this disclosure, can be arranged as shown.

[0023] Figure 3 , Figure 3 A and Figure 3 B illustrates the overall measurement concept involved in detecting the fill status of a reservoir for hygiene consumables according to various embodiments of the present invention. In the main... Figure 3The image shows a sensor device 1 having a set of sensors 100 arranged along the depletion direction D of some reservoirs 200. In such a configuration, each sensor 100 is configured to detect the presence of a hygiene consumable at its corresponding proximity. This can be achieved by means of a light sensor that produces a distinguishable output related to the presence of a supply of the consumable next to it (i.e., at its corresponding proximity). In the example shown, the sensor may emit a detection signal P, such as a light signal, and measure the reflected signal to detect the presence of the consumable at its corresponding proximity. For the upper sensor 100-A, it is assumed that no consumable is present at its corresponding proximity, while for the lower sensor 100-B, it is assumed that a consumable is present at its corresponding proximity.

[0024] exist Figure 3 In the enlarged view of A, it is shown that the upper sensor 100-A is not present in its corresponding proximity in this exemplary scenario. Sensor 100-A can be mounted on PCB 170 and can face the storage container 200 to detect the presence of a consumable therein by, for example, emitting a probe signal P and detecting a corresponding response. In the current scenario, the probe signal P will not hit the consumable, and thus no response is expected. According to various embodiments of the invention, an elongated housing rod 11 is provided to house sensor 100-A, wherein the housing rod 11 includes a front side 12 facing the storage container 200 of the sanitary consumable 20 in operation. The front side 12 includes a recess 121 toward sensor 100-A to minimize the distance of the gap between sensor 100-A and the inner surface of the front side 12. Compared to the case without the recess 121, see the dashed lines, the reflection R of the probe signal P can be minimized. Specifically, in the current scenario, the probe signal P can thus travel in an empty storage container and potentially attenuate, and no reflection R or a significantly reduced reflection R may be mistakenly assumed as the presence of a consumable.

[0025] exist Figure 3In the enlarged view of B, the presence of a consumable at its corresponding proximity is shown in this exemplary configuration of the lower sensor 100-B. Sensor 100-B can be mounted on the same PCB 170 as sensor 100-A, and thus a lateral configuration can be applied accordingly, particularly towards the housing portion. Sensor 100-B can face the storage 200 for detecting the presence of a consumable therein by, for example, re-emitting the detection signal P and detecting the corresponding response. In the current configuration, the detection signal P will hit the consumable and thus a reflected response is expected. Compared to the case without the recess 121, see the dashed lines, the reflection R of the detection signal P can be minimized. Specifically, in the current configuration, the detection signal P can thus travel into the storage, and any detected reflection can be attributed to feedback of the consumable's presence, whereas no reflection R or a significantly reduced reflection R might be mistakenly assumed as a learned presence of the consumable. Thus, compared to a configuration without the recess 121 at the location of sensor 100, the embodiments provide substantially higher detection reliability (fidelity) in both cases.

[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, the processing section 120 may be configured, for example, in conjunction with the power supply 150 of the sensor device 1 to specifically facilitate power saving during operation. A specific search routine may be implemented, considering a sequence of at least steps a) to d) as described below: In the first step a), initial information indicating a single sensor to be used as the starting sensor may be obtained. For example, the initial information may instruct the processing section which of the group of sensors to address first, i.e., from which sensor a presence measurement is obtained. In step b), the sensor indicated by the initial information may be addressed, and a first presence detection result may be obtained from the addressed sensor. Note that this may consume a considerable amount of power from the power supply 150. In step c), it may have been determined that the first presence detection result indicates the absence of a hygiene consumable, and then subsequent sensors arranged downstream of the previously addressed sensor and in the depletion direction are addressed, and subsequent presence detection results are obtained from the addressed sensors. In step d), if a subsequent presence detection result indicates the presence of a hygiene consumable, the information indicating the addressed subsequent sensor may be stored as initial information. In this way, at least from the point in time where the above sequence is repeatedly executed, the fill status can be determined with minimal power consumption. Further search routines and sequences can be applied to iteratively search a pair of adjacent sensors, one of which detects the presence of consumables while the other does not, thus indicating the level of the consumable supply in the storage.

[0027] In a related embodiment, processing section 120 may be configured to periodically repeat steps a) through d) and reduce the time interval between two consecutive runs related to the fill status. In this way, enhanced responsiveness is achieved once the reservoir is emptied. This may be due to increasing focus on the timing of understanding the fill status, as refilling becomes increasingly imminent as the reservoir empties. Processing section 120 may be further configured to determine information indicating the fill status of the reservoir for hygiene consumables based on and / or on the stored initial information.

[0028] In yet another embodiment, the sensors 100-i can be arranged at a smaller distance from each other toward the endpoints in the depletion direction compared to the distances between their starting points toward each other. (Refer again) Figure 1A The distance between sensors 100-1 and 100-2, which are at the starting point of the depletion direction D, can be greater than the distance between sensors 100-n and 100-(n-1), which are at the ending point of the depletion direction D. In this way, enhanced responsiveness and / or granularity can be obtained once the reservoir is emptied. This may be increasingly relevant to understanding the filling state, as refilling becomes increasingly imminent as the reservoir empties. Such embodiments increase measurement resolution for situations where the reservoir is relatively empty and refilling becomes more imminent.

[0029] Figure 4A Further details of an embodiment of the sensor device of the present invention for detecting the fill status of a reservoir of hygiene consumables are shown. Specifically, an excerpt of the sensor device having a housing is shown again, the front side 12 of which faces the reservoir of hygiene consumables in operation. The front side 12 includes a recess 121 facing the sensor 100. In this embodiment, the inner surface 1210 of the recess 121 is in direct contact with the outer surface 1001 of the sensor 100. Both surfaces 1210 and 1001 may be provided with at least planar portions that can establish direct contact, such that these surfaces expel most of the ambient air and form an adhesion that avoids an air gap between the sensor 100 and the front side 12 of the sensor device 1 to eliminate any air / material interface reflections. Another option is that the surfaces form direct contact as shown in the enlarged illustration at least at some points or areas. This considers the case where at least one surface (e.g., the surface of the sensor or the surface of the recess as shown) provides surface irregularities. However, this arrangement allows for at least partial direct contact (see point X), which also reduces undesirable reflections.

[0030] Figure 4BFurther details of an embodiment of the sensor device of the present invention for detecting the fill status of a reservoir of hygiene consumables are shown. Specifically, an excerpt of the sensor device with a housing, the front side 12 of which faces the reservoir of hygiene consumables in operation, is shown again. The front side 12 includes a recess 121 facing the sensor 100. In this embodiment, the sensor device further includes a cast element 180 that vents air between the inner surface 1210 of the recess 121 and the outer surface 1001 of the sensor 100. For example, the housing element 180 may be formed of a certain amount of transparent potting material applied to the sensor 100 or the recess 121 before the sensor is fixed relative to the housing. The potting material may include resin, epoxy resin or acrylic resin, thermoplasticized compound, and similar materials. In this way, ambient air is vented between the sensor 100 and the front side 12 of the sensor device 1 to eliminate any air / matter interface reflection. Note that the element 180 is drawn in black for illustrative purposes only, as it should have sufficient transparency for any detection signal employed.

[0031] Although detailed embodiments have been described, these embodiments are only intended to provide a better understanding of the invention as defined by the independent claims and should not be considered limiting.

Claims

1. A sensor device for detecting the fill status of a reservoir for hygiene consumables, comprising: A set of sensors arranged along the depletion direction of the reservoir, each sensor being configured to detect the presence of hygiene consumables at its corresponding proximity; A processing section is connected to the set of sensors to obtain presence detection from each of the sensors in the set of sensors; as well as A housing, comprising at least an elongated housing rod for housing the set of sensors, wherein the housing rod includes a front side facing the reservoir of the hygiene consumable in operation, and wherein the front side includes a recess facing one of the sensors in the set of sensors.

2. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to transmit and receive detection signals to detect the presence of hygiene consumables at their respective proximity.

3. The sensor device according to claim 2, wherein the detection signal includes any one of optical signal, infrared light signal, laser signal, electromagnetic signal, electric field signal, radar signal, sound signal and ultrasonic signal.

4. The sensor device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the material of the housing rod, and preferably the material of the housing, is transparent to the detection signal.

5. The sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the thickness of the housing rod is smaller in at least a portion of the recess compared to at least the remaining portion of the front side.

6. The sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the processing section is further configured to determine information about the filling status of the reservoir based on the detected presence of sanitary consumables.

7. The sensor device of claim 6, wherein the processing section is further configured to compile a report message based on the information indicating the filling state.

8. The sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the processing section is configured to: a) Obtain the initial information of the individual sensor that is to be used as the starting sensor; b) Address the sensor indicated by the starting information and obtain a first presence detection result from the addressed sensor; c) If the first presence detection result indicates that there are no sanitary consumables, then address the subsequent sensor that is arranged downstream of the previously addressed sensor and in the depletion direction, and obtain the subsequent presence detection result from the addressed sensor; d) If the subsequent detection result indicates the presence of a hygiene consumable, the information indicating the subsequent addressed sensor is stored as the starting information.

9. The sensor device according to claim 8, wherein the processing section is further configured to periodically repeat a) to d), and reduce the time period relative to the filling state.

10. The sensor device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the processing section is further configured to determine the information indicating the filling status of the reservoir of the hygiene consumable based on the stored starting information and / or about the stored starting information.

11. The sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the sensors are arranged at a smaller distance from each other toward the endpoints of the depletion direction compared to the distances between their starting points toward each other toward the depletion direction.

12. The sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the inner surface of the recess is in direct contact with the outer surface of the sensor.

13. The sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a cast element that discharges air between the inner surface of the recess and the outer surface of the sensor.

14. A sanitary device for dispensing sanitary consumables, preferably a dispenser for dispensing the sanitary consumables, comprising a sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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