Automatic foam soap dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated foam soap dispensers are cumbersome due to the need for large motors to actuate and pump foam soap, making them aesthetically unpleasing and requiring mounting underneath sinks, whereas a more compact and simpler design is needed to improve aesthetics and mounting options.
Innovation Solution
A motorized inline push button system translates rotational motion into linear movement to actuate and return the dispenser nozzle, eliminating the need for additional motors and allowing for a more compact and versatile mounting arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional automated foam soap dispenser uses a motorized actuation to depress the nozzle perpendicular to the central axis, then the foam soap can be dispensed, but the device becomes large and cumbersome requiring mounting underneath the sink
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional nozzle orientation from perpendicular to the central axis to inline with the central axis. This reversal of the traditional design approach eliminates the need for complex side-mounted motorized actuation mechanisms, allowing for a compact inline pump design that fits within the dispenser body without requiring mounting underneath the sink.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the motor, pump, and nozzle actuation mechanisms into a single integrated inline unit. By combining these functions into one compact assembly aligned with the central axis, the device eliminates separate motor housings and complex linkage systems, significantly reducing the overall volume of the dispenser.
2Productivity
If a conventional automated foam soap dispenser includes a large motor to pump foam soap through a tube, then the foam soap can be delivered to the user, but the device becomes aesthetically unpleasing and requires specific mounting locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the excessive complexity from conventional designs by eliminating the large external motor and extensive tubing arrangements. The inline pump design delivers foam soap directly through a streamlined path aligned with the central axis, removing unnecessary mechanical components and simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the pump and nozzle arrangement from a perpendicular side-mounted configuration to an inline central configuration. This parameter change allows the motor and pump to be miniaturized and integrated within the dispenser body, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective foam soap delivery.
3Ease of operation
If a conventional automated foam soap dispenser uses a perpendicular nozzle configuration, then foam soap can be dispensed, but additional motors are required increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal inline pump-motor-nozzle assembly that performs multiple functions (pumping, actuating, and directing foam soap) through a single integrated mechanism. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate motors for different operations, reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of automated operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution results in a more compact, aesthetically pleasing, and versatile automatic foam soap dispenser that can be mounted in various ways, including on top of sinks, reducing the need for multiple units and enhancing ease of use and refilling.
Implementation Method 1
A motorized push button system translates rotational motion into linear movement to actuate and return the dispenser nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic foam soap dispenser includes a liquid soap dispenser, an activation unit, and an actuation unit. The liquid soap dispenser includes an outlet, a fluid reservoir for containing liquid soap, and a pump being depressed for dispensing the liquid soap in the fluid reservoir to the outlet. The activation unit includes a sensor for detecting a presence of a user of the liquid soap dispenser, and a motor having a transmission shaft, wherein the motor is activated by the sensor for generating a rotational power to the transmission shaft. The actuation unit includes a pressing member and a linkage system arranged to transmit the rotational power from the motor to a linear movement to the pressing member so as to drive the pressing member to depress the pump.