Automatic towel dispenser

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional towel dispensers are limited in their ability to efficiently dispense towels of varying lengths and types, particularly with perforated towels, as they often require pre-programmed lengths and do not adapt well to different towel sizes or user preferences.

Innovation Solution

A towel dispenser system that includes a motor assembly and sensor to extend and retract towels, with a learning sequence to determine the optimal towel length based on user interaction, allowing for adjustable dispensing of up to multiple towels at once, and featuring a guide system with toothed rollers for precise control and a sensor to detect the leading edge of the towel for accurate retraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional towel dispensers use pre-programmed fixed lengths, then the dispensing control is simple, but the adaptability to different towel sizes and user preferences is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different towel sizesVSAvoiddispensing control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dispenser transitions from fixed pre-programmed lengths to dynamic adjustable lengths. The motor assembly can be programmed with different towel lengths based on user preferences and towel types, allowing the dispensing system to adapt dynamically rather than being static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor detects the leading edge of the towel during retraction and provides feedback to the controller. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically determine optimal towel lengths through a learning sequence, improving adaptability without requiring complex manual programming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the dispenser uses a learning sequence to determine optimal towel length, then the adaptability improves, but the operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to user preferencesVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The learning sequence is performed during the initial setup or first few operations to establish optimal towel lengths. Once learned, the system stores this information and uses it for subsequent dispensing operations, so the time investment occurs only once rather than with every dispensing event.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The dispenser performs the learning sequence autonomously by detecting towel characteristics and determining optimal lengths without requiring manual intervention. The system self-adjusts based on sensor feedback, eliminating the need for users to spend time programming or adjusting settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If the dispenser retracts towels completely into the housing, then the neatness is improved, but the risk of jamming increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetowel arrangement neatnessVSAvoidjamming risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces mechanical retraction with a controlled motor-driven process. The motor assembly extends and retracts towels in a controlled manner with precise positioning, reducing the mechanical forces that could cause jamming while maintaining neat arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The dispenser adjusts retraction parameters dynamically based on towel type and length. The motor control system modifies retraction speed, force, and final position to optimize between neatness and jamming prevention, changing operational parameters rather than using a fixed retraction mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If the dispenser accommodates multiple towel types and sizes, then the versatility improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetowel type accommodationVSAvoidguide system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide system and motor assembly are designed as universal components that can handle multiple towel types and sizes through programmable control. Rather than having separate mechanisms for different towel types, a single multi-functional system adapts its parameters based on the detected towel characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10694900B2Automatic towel dispenser

Publication Date: 2020.06.30 GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

Dispensing towels includes, using a motor assembly configured to cause a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from a housing of the dispenser and to cause the toweling to be subsequently retracted back into the housing, (a) the step of extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user; and (b) subsequent thereto, the steps of (1) retracting the toweling into the housing using the motor assembly; (2) sensing a leading edge of the toweling, using a sensor, while retracting the toweling; and (3) ceasing retracting of the toweling into the housing using the motor assembly as a function of sensing the leading edge of the toweling using the sensor. The toweling is advanced by the motor assembly such that a line of perforations in the toweling, along which the user tears the toweling, is located downstream of the sensor.