Sensing arrangement for indicating the depletion of a coreless roll of absorbent paper web material in a dispenser, a dispenser and a method for arranging a coreless roll
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers for absorbent paper web materials lack accuracy in detecting the depletion of coreless rolls, leading to unnecessary discarding of remaining web material, which becomes significant with multiple dispensers over time.
Innovation Solution
A sensing arrangement with a roll support featuring a roll expanding portion and a sensing portion, where the sensing element can differentiate between partially depleted and completely depleted rolls by sensing the offset distance between two radii, enhancing accuracy by providing a longer sensing length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional sensing arrangement is used to detect roll depletion, then the dispenser can identify when a roll is depleted, but the accuracy is insufficient causing remaining web material to be discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a radial dimension to the sensing arrangement by positioning the sensing element at a different radius from the roll center than the roll support. This creates a sensing offset that amplifies the detection signal - when the roll depletes, the sensing element moves radially outward by the offset distance, providing a measurable dimensional change that improves detection accuracy and prevents premature discarding of remaining material
2Measurement precision
If the sensing element is positioned close to the roll support, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sensing length is insufficient for accurate depletion detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the roll support structure by introducing an offset distance between the sensing element radius and the roll support radius. This parameter modification extends the sensing length without adding complex mechanical components - the offset itself creates a longer measurement path that improves detection accuracy while maintaining structural simplicity
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sensing arrangement for indicating the depletion of a coreless roll of absorbent paper web material in a dispenser, the sensing arrangement (100) comprising a roll support (1), configured for supporting an inner circumference of said coreless roll (2) over a roll support length (L), said roll support (1) extending along a longitudinal centre axis (X), the roll support (1) comprising at least one roll expanding portion (12, 14) extending over a part of said roll support length (L) and having a maximum radial extension defining a first radius (r1) from said centre axis (X), and at least one sensing portion (20), extending longitudinally over another part of said roll support length (L) and having a maximum radial extension defining a second radius (r2) from said centre axis (X),wherein said first radius (r1) is greater than said second radius (r2) by a sensing offset length (l), and a sensing element (3) arranged to sense at said sensing portion (20) the amount of web material remaining on the roll (2) when arranged over said roll support length (L).