Dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic soap and paper dispensers in wet environments, such as bathrooms and kitchens, face issues with switch malfunction due to corrosion and vandalism, making it difficult to clean surfaces without releasing the medium or paper.
Innovation Solution
A contactless, remote-controllable switch is integrated into the dispenser, using wireless communication standards like Bluetooth Low Energy or LAN/WLAN for secure command signal transmission, protecting it from environmental damage and tampering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a switch is attached to the dispenser for manual control, then the dispenser can be deactivated to allow cleaning, but the switch becomes accessible to tampering and vandalism
Solution Approach 1:
The switch functionality is extracted from the physical dispenser housing and relocated to a remote device (smartphone, tablet, or computer). The control interface is separated from the dispenser body, leaving only a wireless communication module in the dispenser. This extraction eliminates the vulnerability of having a physical switch accessible to users while maintaining the deactivation capability for cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communication system acts as an intermediary between the user and the dispenser's pump mechanism. Instead of direct mechanical contact through a physical switch, the control signal is transmitted wirelessly through a remote device that communicates with the dispenser via wireless protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other wireless standards). This intermediary layer protects the control functionality from direct user access while preserving operational control.
2Ease of operation
If a physical switch is provided on the dispenser, then cleaning can be enabled, but the switch is exposed to corrosion from moisture and aggressive substances
Solution Approach 1:
The switch functionality is extracted from the physical dispenser housing and relocated to a remote device (smartphone, tablet, or computer). The control interface is separated from the dispenser body, leaving only a wireless communication module in the dispenser. This extraction eliminates the vulnerability of having a physical switch accessible to users while maintaining the deactivation capability for cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical switch system is replaced with a wireless electronic communication system. Instead of using a physical switch that requires mechanical contact and is susceptible to corrosion, the system uses wireless signal transmission (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other wireless protocols) to send control commands from a remote device to the dispenser's control circuitry. This substitution eliminates the need for exposed mechanical components while maintaining full control functionality.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A dispenser (1) for a liquid medium or for paper has a dispensing opening (2), a sensor (3) which emits a sensor signal (3a) upon detecting a person, and a pump (4a) or drive (4b) which is triggered by the sensor signal from the sensor (3) to dispense a portion of the liquid medium or a sheet of paper. The dispenser (1) has a switch (5) whose actuation prevents the activation of the electric pump (4a) or electric drive by the sensor signal from the sensor (3). The switch (5) is a contactless, remotely controlled switch located inside the dispenser and comprises a switching unit (5a) and a command receiving unit (5b) that controls the switching unit (5a).The command receiving unit (5b) is configured to receive and evaluate command signals (B) directly or indirectly from a remote control transmitter (10) and to control the switching unit (5a) depending on the result of the evaluation.