Automatic roll transfer dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue dispensers require user intervention to replace rolls, leading to potential damage and waste of tissue rolls, as well as health concerns due to manual interaction with mechanical parts.
Innovation Solution
A tissue dispenser with a roll sensor mechanism and motor that automatically rotates the roll support assembly to position a new roll when the previous one is near exhaustion, ensuring seamless access without user input and minimizing contact with dispenser parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanical knob is used for manual rotation of the roll support assembly, then the user can position a new roll near the opening, but the user may damage the roll or waste tissue when operating the dispenser
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser automatically detects when a roll is exhausted and rotates the roll support assembly without user intervention. The system serves itself by using a sensor to detect roll status and a motor to automatically position the next roll, eliminating the need for manual knob operation and preventing user-caused damage or waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical knob system is replaced with an automated electromechanical system. A sensor detects roll exhaustion and triggers a motor to rotate the roll support assembly, substituting human mechanical interaction with an automated sensing and actuation system that prevents roll damage.
2Ease of operation
If a mechanical knob is used for manual rotation, then the user can access rolls, but health concerns arise from requiring users to touch the mechanical knob and reach into the dispenser interior
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser performs the roll positioning function automatically without requiring user contact with the mechanical knob or dispenser interior. The system detects roll status and executes rotation autonomously, allowing users to maintain distance and avoid contact, thereby addressing health concerns while preserving access functionality.
3Reliability
If automatic rotation is implemented using a motor and sensor, then user safety is enhanced and roll damage is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The simple manual knob is replaced with an automated system comprising a sensor to detect roll exhaustion and a motor to execute rotation. This substitution increases device complexity but eliminates user contact requirements and prevents roll damage, achieving the desired safety and reliability improvements.
4Productivity
If the roll support assembly is automatically rotated when a roll is exhausted, then uninterrupted tissue supply is ensured, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when the sensor detects that a roll is exhausted. This periodic operation ensures uninterrupted tissue supply by automatically positioning the next roll when needed, while minimizing energy consumption by keeping the motor idle during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Various consumable material dispensing apparatus including automatic roll transfer features are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes a housing, a roll support assembly, a motor, a roll sensor mechanism, and a controller. The housing can include a cabinet, an interior, and an opening. The roll support assembly can support a plurality of rolls. The motor can rotate the roll support assembly from a first position where a first roll is proximate the opening to a second position where a second roll is proximate the opening. The roll sensor mechanism can detect whether a diameter of the first roll is less than a threshold value when the roll support assembly is in the first position. In response, the controller can instruct the motor to rotate the roll support assembly from the first position to the second position.