Electric soap dispenser

Abstract

The invention relates to a soap dispenser with an electric motor (2) and with a rotatable drive cylinder (6) with an inner wall (22) with an inner profile (23) for receiving a solid soap bar (7), and with an advancing plate (9) arranged so as to be driveable along a threaded rod (8), with an outer profile (26) which forms a force fit with the inner profile (23) during operation of the soap dispenser (1), and can be set in rotation by the rotational movement of the drive cylinder (6) and thus undergoes an advancing movement, and with a drive cylinder (6) which is rotatably arranged in an outer housing (15), and with a cutting unit (11) provided on the outer housing (15), and the electric motor (2) drives the drive cylinder (6) for rotation.

Description

[0001] Electric soap dispenser

[0002] The invention relates to a soap dispenser with a rotatable drive cylinder having an inner wall with an inner profile for receiving a solid bar of soap and with a feed plate arranged on a threaded rod having an outer profile which, in operation of the soap dispenser, forms a force-fit with the inner profile and is thus also set into rotation by the rotational movement of the drive cylinder and is therefore fed, wherein the drive cylinder is rotatably arranged in an outer housing and a cutting mechanism is provided on the outer housing.

[0003] Soap dispensers for holding solid bars of soap are generally known in the prior art.

[0004] In KR 102009504 B1, an electrically operated soap dispenser is disclosed with a square bar of soap which is pressed against a rasping disc by a spring-loaded plunger.

[0005] From DE 202021 003799 U1 a manually operated soap dispenser is known, the outer housing of which has two sections rotatable against each other.

[0006] CN 203195573 U discloses a soap dispenser with a bar of soap that is mechanically pressed against a vibrating plate.

[0007] From DE 102022 116669 B3, a soap dispenser for a solid bar of soap is known, in which an electric motor drives a cutting mechanism via a shaft, and a solid bar of soap arranged in a storage chamber is advanced by a feed plate, which is coupled to the shaft via a gearbox, pressing the solid bar of soap against the cutting mechanism. This causes a portion of solid soap to be dispensed in a metered manner via the rotary motion of the cutting mechanism. Disadvantages of the solid soap dispenser include the relatively complex internal design of the feed mechanism and the dispenser's considerable height.

[0008] Furthermore, a manually operated mobile soap dispenser for a solid bar of soap is known from DE 20 2021 003 799.3. This dispenser features a threaded rod on which a feed plate is mounted. A rotary motion pushes the feed plate towards a grating disc, thus dispensing the solid soap in a controlled manner. A disadvantage of this soap dispenser is that it requires both hands to hold it simultaneously in order to manually rotate the housing and the grating disc against each other. This makes it impractical and unhygienic to use, as no free hand is available to collect the dispensed soap. Additionally, refilling the dispenser requires manually rotating the feed plate completely in reverse to refill the bar of soap, a time-consuming process.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a soap dispenser that at least reduces the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0010] The problem is solved by a soap dispenser mentioned at the outset, having the features of claim 1.

[0011] The soap dispenser according to the invention is designed to hold a solid bar of soap. The term "solid soap" is to be interpreted broadly. It can refer to solid shampoo, solid cleaning agents of any kind, toothpaste, and other products. The solid soap is preferably in the form of a single piece.

[0012] The soap dispenser comprises an electric motor and a rotatable drive cylinder with an inner wall, with an inner profile for receiving the solid soap bar, and a feed plate which is mounted on a threaded rod and can be advanced, with an outer profile which, in operation of the soap dispenser, forms a force-fit with the inner profile and is thus also set into rotation by the rotational movement of the drive cylinder, and the drive cylinder is rotatably arranged in an outer housing, and a cutting mechanism is provided on the outer housing, and the electric motor drives the drive cylinder to rotate.

[0013] The cutting mechanism can be designed as a cutting disc with angled blades. It can also be designed as a rasping disc.

[0014] The soap dispenser according to the invention has the advantage that it is driven by an electric motor. The electric motor drives a drive cylinder.

[0015] The drive cylinder has an inner profile designed such that the solid soap bar can preferably be inserted into the drive cylinder from one end and, once inserted, is fixed in a rotationally stable position relative to the drive cylinder. During operation, a frictional connection is established between the inner profile of the drive cylinder and the outer profile of the solid soap bar, allowing the drive cylinder to transfer its rotational motion to the solid soap bar and thus drive the bar along. The feed plate is similarly driven by the rotational movement of the drive cylinder. Therefore, the feed plate also has an outer profile. The outer profile of the feed plate preferably has a cross-sectional profile identical to that of the solid soap bar.The outer profiles of the solid soap bar and the feed plate can differ in cross-section. However, it is essential that the feed plate, with its outer profile, forms a frictional connection with the inner profile of the drive cylinder during operation, so that the feed plate, like the solid soap bar, can be driven by the rotational movement of the drive cylinder. Furthermore, the feed plate is mounted on a threaded rod. The rotation of the feed plate causes it to be fed along the threaded rod, which pushes the solid soap bar towards the cutting mechanism and preferably onto it.

[0016] The rotation can be clockwise or counterclockwise, and the feed plate can move forward or backward, or vice versa. The feed plate moves within the drive cylinder toward or away from the cutting unit in the direction of maximum filling. The feed plate can return automatically after a predefined amount of solid soap has been consumed. The motor can preferably reverse the direction of rotation automatically.

[0017] Preferably, the feed plate for filling the drive cylinder with a fresh bar of solid soap is arranged in a maximum return position. In the maximum return position, a maximum filling volume is released in the drive cylinder for a fresh bar of solid soap whose size fits within this maximum filling volume.

[0018] The rotation by the electric motor preferably occurs in a pulsed manner. This allows soap to be grated off the solid soap bar in a preferably portioned way.

[0019] The outer profile of the solid soap bar and / or the feed plate can have circumferential indentations and protrusions; in particular, it can be wavy, star-shaped, serrated, or grooved. Other shapes or combinations of these shapes are also conceivable, e.g., polygonal, square, or especially rectangular. The inner profile of the drive cylinder is designed accordingly; preferably, it is radially slightly larger, preferably about 1 mm or 2 mm, than the outer profile of the solid soap bar and / or the feed plate. The indentations and / or protrusions extend along the entire length of the solid soap bar and / or the feed plate and / or the inner profile to allow the solid soap bar and / or the feed plate to be inserted into the drive cylinder.

[0020] Preferably, the soap dispenser has a mounting surface for attachment to a wall, with the electric motor positioned between the mounting surface and the drive cylinder in a view along the longitudinal axis. This spatial design of the soap dispenser positions the outer housing a certain distance from the wall on which the dispenser is mounted, namely at least by the installation depth of the electric motor and its surrounding housing. This distance makes it easy to hold one or both hands directly under the drive cylinder and the cutting mechanism, so that the shaved solid soap falls by gravity from the bar of soap onto the user's hand without touching the device.

[0021] The mounting surface is essentially flat and without any curvature extending across its entire area. The mounting surface preferably has several mounting points for simultaneous attachment to the wall and is preferably flat.

[0022] Advantageously, mounting hardware for attaching the soap dispenser to the wall is provided on or next to the mounting surface. This hardware can consist of eyelets, holes, or similar features, preferably located on the dispenser housing, through which screws, nails, or similar fasteners can be inserted to permanently secure the dispenser to the wall. Self-adhesive pads are also a possibility. The soap dispenser is preferably removable from the wall via a quick-release mechanism, particularly for battery replacement or charging.

[0023] The soap dispenser is preferably mounted essentially vertically on the wall, such that a first axis of rotation of the electric motor shaft and a second axis of rotation of the drive cylinder are each perpendicular to the ground, i.e., in the direction of gravity. The cutting mechanism is then located on one side of the bottom of the soap dispenser. "Bottom" here refers to the ground or the floor of a building located vertically below the soap dispenser. "Perpendicular" here means in the direction of gravity.

[0024] Advantageously, the solid soap bar is inserted into the drive cylinder up to the feed plate and preferably touches it. It has an outer profile that forms a frictional connection with the inner profile during operation. Because the solid soap bar is inserted up to the feed plate, it preferably receives an immediate feed during operation, allowing soap shavings to be scraped off. Due to the frictional connection, the solid soap bar is carried along by the rotational movement of the drive cylinder and moves relative to the non-rotating cutting unit, which is stationary relative to the outer housing. This relative movement between the base of the solid soap bar and the cutting unit scrapes off small pieces, preferably in portions.

[0025] Advantageously, the threaded rod is arranged to be rotationally fixed relative to the outer housing. It is preferably provided that the electric motor does not drive the threaded rod, but rather that the threaded rod remains relatively rotationally and positionally fixed relative to the outer housing, and that the drive cylinder is driven instead.

[0026] Preferably, the cutting unit is therefore also arranged in a rotationally fixed manner relative to the outer housing.

[0027] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one motion sensor is provided on the bottom of the soap dispenser, which supplies a control unit of the electric motor with motion measurement data. The motion sensor makes it possible to operate the soap dispenser without touching it with the hand. By holding the hands under the soap dispenser, preferably below the bottom of the soap dispenser, a start signal is generated by the control unit, which drives the electric motor for a predetermined time and preferably dispenses a predetermined quantity of solid soap shavings.

[0028] A lamp, preferably switched on by the motion sensor, is arranged on the bottom. Fill level or operational readiness indicators are preferably arranged on the side or on the top. These facilitate the handling of the soap dispenser. Preferably, the control unit is programmable, and the rotation speed of the drive cylinder and each triggering by the motion sensor are also programmable, preferably to determine the exact quantity of solid media in different applications.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electric motor has a drive shaft along a first axis of rotation, and the drive cylinder has a second axis of rotation, wherein the first and second axes of rotation are spaced apart from each other and parallel to one another. It is preferred that the electric motor and the drive cylinder are arranged at the same height in the horizontal direction when the soap dispenser is wall-mounted.

[0030] Advantageously, the electric motor's drive shaft is connected to the drive cylinder via a gearbox. The gearbox allows the rotational motion of the drive shaft to be converted into the preferably slower rotational motion of the drive cylinder, thereby also utilizing the gearbox's gear ratio.

[0031] The gearbox can be designed in different ways. Preferably, a second gear, rotationally fixed to the drive cylinder and connected to the gearbox, is provided at an end of the drive cylinder away from the ground.

[0032] Advantageously, a first gear is provided on the drive shaft, and the transmission has a toothed belt that engages with the first gear and then with the second gear. However, the transmission does not necessarily have to use a toothed belt; transmission designs with multiple meshing gears are also conceivable, thus preferably eliminating the need for a toothed belt.

[0033] Conveniently, the battery is located at the bottom of the electric motor. This allows for a particularly space-saving and compact design of the soap dispenser.

[0034] The battery can be charged in various ways, for example via a USB-C port or wirelessly using a charging station. The device could also be connected to a standard household electrical outlet. This is not an exhaustive list.

[0035] Particularly preferably, a triggering device is provided on a section of the drive cylinder located on the cutting unit side and / or on the opposite side, and a corresponding triggering device is provided on the feed plate. An electrical refill signal is emitted when the triggering device and the corresponding triggering device assume a predetermined release position relative to each other. The release signal can be transmitted via WLAN or a radio connection, via the internet, or directly to a supplier, who then incorporates the refilling schedule for a fresh bar of solid soap when the soap dispenser's fill level is sufficiently low. The feed plate thus provides precise signals to the control electronics, and the motor can then move the feed plate upwards to a specific point, preferably to the maximum return position, for refilling.

[0036] The invention is described with reference to an exemplary embodiment in four figures. These show:

[0037] Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a soap dispenser according to the invention.

[0038] Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the soap dispenser according to the invention in Fig. 1,

[0039] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view from below of the soap dispenser in Fig. 2 and

[0040] Fig. 4 shows a perspective top view of the soap dispenser in Fig. 2.

[0041] The soap dispenser 1 has a first drive train comprising an electric motor 2 and an accumulator 3 that supplies power to the electric motor 2, as well as a control unit 4 for the electric motor 2. The electric motor 2 has a drive shaft 10 which rotates about a first axis of rotation d_1 during operation.

[0042] The second drive train comprises a drive cylinder 6, which is designed to receive a solid soap bar 7, as well as a threaded rod 8 and a feed plate 9 which can be advanced and retracted by the threaded rod 8 and a cutting unit 11.

[0043] On a bottom-facing end face of the drive cylinder 6, a second gear 12 and a bearing 13 are mounted, the latter being rotationally fixed to the drive cylinder 6. The threaded rod 8 is guided through the bearing 13. The threaded rod 8 is rotationally fixed to an inner ring, and the second gear 12 is rotationally fixed to an outer ring of the bearing 13. The threaded rod 8 passes through the second gear 12 and the drive cylinder 6 along a second axis of rotation d_2, the second axis of rotation d_2 of the drive cylinder 6 passing centrally through the threaded rod 8. At one bottom end, the threaded rod 8 is rotationally fixed to the cutting unit 11 during operation. The cutting unit 11 is rotationally fixed. The cutting unit 11 is preferably connected to a cylindrical outer housing 15 by means of a bayonet fitting 14 or a quick-release fastener, which is also secured by a special key.The drive cylinder 6 is rotatable during operation, preferably arranged completely within the cylindrical outer housing 15, while the threaded rod 8 is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner relative to the outer housing 15, but the drive cylinder 6 rotates relative to the threaded rod 8 during operation.

[0044] The first drive train and the second drive train are coupled to each other via a gearbox 16, which is concealed in a gearbox housing 17 in Fig. 1.

[0045] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the transmission 16 comprises a first gear 18, which is mounted at ground level on the drive shaft 10 of the electric motor 2, which is powered by the accumulator 3 and controlled by the control unit 4, and the second gear 12, which is mounted on the drive cylinder 6. The first gear 18 and the second gear 12 are connected to each other via a toothed belt 19, which transmits the rotation of the drive shaft 10 of the electric motor 2 to a rotational movement of the drive cylinder 6 at a predetermined gear ratio. Fig. 2 also shows the threaded rod 8, the cutting unit 11, and the feed plate 9. The solid soap bar 7, which is arranged in the drive cylinder 6, is also shown in Fig. 2.

[0046] The drive cylinder 6 has an inner wall 22 with an inner profile 23. The inner profile 23 of the drive cylinder 6 and an outer profile 24 of the solid soap element 7 form a force-fit connection during operation. The solid soap element 7 has a profile that is not completely rotationally symmetrical in cross-section perpendicular to the second axis of rotation d_2, for example, a star-shaped or angular profile, or one or more grooves extending along the second axis of rotation d_2. The solid soap element 7 can be translationally invariant along the second axis of rotation d_2, but this is not strictly necessary. However, it must have indentations and protrusions extending completely along the second axis of rotation d_2, allowing the solid soap element 7 to be fully inserted into the inner profile 23 of the drive cylinder 6 from the bottom side.During operation, the drive cylinder 6 is driven to rotate about the second axis of rotation d_2 and, through its own rotational movement, carries the solid soap bar 7 along via the frictional connection between the outer profile 24 of the solid soap bar 7 and the inner profile 23 of the drive cylinder 6. For the necessary feed of the solid soap bar 7 onto the cutting unit 11, the feed plate 9 is arranged on the threaded rod 8. The feed plate 9 is reciprocating and can be driven forward and backward on the threaded rod 8 and is driven by the rotation on the threaded rod 8. The feed plate 9 also has an outer profile 26, which forms a frictional connection with the inner profile 23 of the drive cylinder 6. During the rotational movement of the drive cylinder 6, the feed plate 9 is also carried along by the frictional connection and is fed by the rotational movement through the threaded rod 8, on which it is rotatably mounted.

[0047] The soap dispenser 1 has a favorable spatial design, in that, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, it has a contact surface 27 against a wall, which is preferably formed by a housing of the first drive train. The contact surface 27 need not be continuous; it can, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, have recesses or be made up of multiple parts. Overall, however, it is designed to rest against a wall and has fastening devices (not shown), for example, in the form of eyelets or holes through which nails or screws, or self-adhesive surfaces, are inserted to attach the soap dispenser 1 to the wall. The soap dispenser 1 can also be quickly removed from the wall for replacing or charging the battery 3.

[0048] During operation of the soap dispenser 1, the electric motor 2 and the accumulator 3 are positioned between the drive cylinder 6 and the wall. This means that the drive cylinder 6 and the cutting mechanism 11 are spaced from the wall by the depth of the first drive train, allowing the hands to be comfortably and completely positioned under the cutting mechanism 11.

[0049] A motion sensor 28 according to Fig. is located on a bottom side of the soap dispenser 1, preferably on a bottom side of a housing part in which the accumulator 3 is provided.

[0050] 3 is provided, which determines motion measurement data and preferably outputs a start signal when a user's hand is held under the soap dispenser 1.

[0051] A lamp 28a and a fill indicator 28b are also provided on the bottom side of the soap dispenser 1.

[0052] The start signal starts the electric motor 2 via the control unit 4; this is preferably a stepper motor, which drives a specific number of steps, or a specific number of revolutions, or partial revolutions, via the gearbox 16 of the drive cylinder 6. The number of revolutions is programmable, whereby a specific, predetermined amount of soap is scraped from the solid soap bar 7.

[0053] The control unit 4 can be programmed via WLAN or a radio connection; it can also report fill levels and operating states.

[0054] A corresponding triggering device 33, e.g. a magnet, is arranged on the outside of the feed plate 9. A triggering device 31, 32 in the form of a magnetic field detector is arranged along the drive cylinder 6 on both the cutting-side and cutting-side sections.

[0055] An electrical filling signal is emitted when the cutter-side release device 31 and the corresponding release device 33 assume a predefined release position relative to each other. The control unit 4 starts the electric motor 2 via the filling signal, which moves the feed plate 9 back to the maximum filling position. At the maximum filling position, an electrical stop signal is emitted when the cutter-side release device 32 and the corresponding release device 33 assume a predefined stop position relative to each other. The control unit 4 stops the electric motor 2 via the stop signal at the maximum filling position of the feed plate 9.

[0056] The refill signal is also transmitted via a Wi-Fi or radio connection so that soap dispenser 1 can be refilled with a new solid soap bar 7. Reference list

[0057] Soap dispenser

[0058] electric motor

[0059] accumulator

[0060] Control unit

[0061] Drive cylinder

[0062] solid soap bar

[0063] threaded rod

[0064] feed plate

[0065] . drive shaft

[0066] Cutting unit

[0067] second gear

[0068] . warehouse

[0069] Bayonet fitting

[0070] . Outer casing

[0071] . gearbox

[0072] Gearbox housing

[0073] first gear

[0074] Timing belt

[0075] inner wall

[0076] . Inner profile

[0077] . Outer profile of the solid soap bar

[0078] . Outer profile of the feed plate

[0079] . Plant area

[0080] Motion sensor

[0081] a lamp

[0082] b Fill indicator

[0083] cutting unit-side release mechanism cutting unit-offside release mechanism corresponding release mechanism d_1 first axis of rotation d_2 second axis of rotation

Claims

1. Patent claims 1. Soap dispenser with an electric motor (2), and with a rotatable drive cylinder (6) with an inner wall (22) with an inner profile (23) for receiving a solid soap bar (7), and with a feed plate (9) arranged on a threaded rod (8) that can be driven forward, with an outer profile (26) which in operation of the soap dispenser (1) forms a force-fit with the inner profile (23) and is thus also set into rotation by the rotational movement of the drive cylinder (6) and thus receives a feed, and with the drive cylinder (6) rotatably arranged in an outer housing (15) and with a cutting unit (11) provided on the outer housing (15), and the electric motor (2) drives the drive cylinder (6) to rotation.

2. Soap dispenser according to claim 1 , characterized in that the drive cylinder (6) is rotatable relative to the threaded rod (8).

3. Soap dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the drive cylinder (6) is arranged completely in the outer housing (15).

4. Soap dispenser according to claim 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that the threaded rod (8) is designed to be rotationally fixed relative to the outer housing (15).

5. Soap dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a contact surface (27) for mounting on a wall and by the fact that the electric motor (2) is arranged between the contact surface (27) and the drive cylinder (6).

6. Soap dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that fastening means for attaching the soap dispenser (1) to the wall are provided on the mounting surface (27).

7. Soap dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the solid soap bar (7) is inserted into the drive cylinder (6) up to the feed plate (9) and has an outer profile (24) which forms a force-fit connection with the inner profile (23) during operation.

8. Soap dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotational movement can take place in clockwise or counterclockwise directions and the feed plate (9) thereby experiences a feed or a return or vice versa.

9. Soap dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed plate (9) for filling the drive cylinder (6) with a fresh solid soap bar (7) is arranged in a maximum filling position.

10. Soap dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the threaded rod (8) is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner relative to the outer housing (15).

11. Soap dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one motion sensor (28) is provided on a bottom side of the soap dispenser (1), which supplies a control unit (4) of the electric motor (2) with motion measurement data.

12. Soap dispenser according to claim 11, characterized in that the control unit (4) is programmable and the number of revolutions of the drive cylinder (6) for each triggering by the motion sensor (28) is adjustable.

13. Soap dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electric motor (2) has a drive shaft (10) along a first axis of rotation (d_1) and the drive cylinder (6) has a second axis of rotation (d_2) and the first and second axes of rotation (d_1, d_2) are spaced apart from each other and lie parallel to each other.

14. Soap dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive shaft (10) of the electric motor (2) is connected to the drive cylinder (6) via a gearbox (16).

15. Soap dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second gear (12) is provided at an end away from the ground of the drive cylinder (6) and is connected to the drive cylinder (6) in a rotationally fixed manner and is connected to the gearbox (16).

16. Soap dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first gear (18) is provided on the drive shaft (10) and the transmission (16) has a toothed belt (19) which engages in the first gear (18) and which engages in the second gear (12).

17. Soap dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an accumulator (3) is arranged on the bottom side of the electric motor (2).

18. Soap dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cutting-side and a cutting-side release means (31, 32) are provided on a cutting-side and a cutting-side section, respectively, and a corresponding release means (33) is provided on the feed plate (9), and an electrical filling signal can be issued when the cutting-side release means (31) and the corresponding release means (33) assume a predetermined release position relative to each other, and the control device (4) starts the electric motor (2) by means of the filling signal, which moves the feed plate (9) to the maximum filling position, and an electrical stop signal can be issued when the cutting-side release means (32) and the corresponding release means (33) assume a predetermined stop position relative to each other, and the control device (4) stops the electric motor (2) by means of the stop signal in the maximum filling position of the feed plate (9).

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