Cosmetic Dispensing Apparatus with Optical Encoder Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cosmetic formulation methods rely on subjective decision-making and manual input, leading to inconsistent and difficult-to-reproduce results due to limited awareness of cosmetic material traits and necessary proportions, resulting in a lack of precision and repeatability.
Innovation Solution
A cosmetic dispensing apparatus that receives multiple cartridges of different materials, uses a motor and optical encoder system to dispense precise amounts, and a user interface that selects colors based on user input and available materials, ensuring accurate formulation and real-time material tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional manual formulation methods are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but manufacturing precision and repeatability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the cosmetic formulation process into separate functional modules: a user interface for color selection, a control system for formulation calculation, and a dispensing assembly with multiple independent cartridges for material delivery. Each cartridge contains a different cosmetic material and can be controlled independently, allowing precise formulation without requiring a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing assembly is designed to receive multiple cartridges containing different cosmetic materials, enabling a single device to perform multiple formulation functions. The system can dispense various materials in specific proportions based on user-selected colors, making it versatile for different cosmetic applications while maintaining precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If automated dispensing with motor and optical encoder is used, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical dispensing with an automated motor-driven mechanism. A motor rotates a cartridge, and an optical encoder precisely detects the rotation position to control the dispensing amount. This substitution of manual operation with automated mechanical-optical control achieves high dispensing precision while keeping the mechanical structure relatively simple through the use of standard components.
3Productivity
If multiple cartridges are simultaneously dispensed, then productivity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing assembly is segmented into multiple independent cartridge units, each capable of being dispensed separately. The manifold structure divides the dispensing channels, allowing each cartridge to contribute its material independently to the receiving area. This segmentation enables simultaneous multi-material dispensing while keeping each individual cartridge simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple cartridge dispensing functions into a single integrated dispensing assembly. The manifold combines the output from multiple cartridges into a common receiving area, allowing simultaneous dispensing of multiple materials in one operation. This merging achieves high productivity by consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate dispensing operations.
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 apparatus enables precise and repeatable cosmetic formulations by accurately dispensing specific amounts of materials and suggesting necessary ingredients, improving the consistency and efficiency of cosmetic formulation processes.
Implementation Method 1
an optical encoder, disposed adjacent to at least one of the set consisting of the cartridge gear and the motor gear, and the circuitry dispenses a quantity of cosmetic material from cartridge and into the receiving area, by detecting the position of at least one of the set consisting of the cartridge gear and the motor gear with the optical encoder
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of magnet mounts are disposed between the base and the bottom lid, and the plurality of magnet mounts magnetically secure the enclosed container to the manifold
Implementation Method 3
each bottom lid through hole has a duckbill valve, allowing cosmetic material to be dispensed from the cartridge through the duckbill valve into the enclosed container, and preventing cosmetic material from flowing out of the enclosed container
Data Source
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AI summary
A system that includes an apparatus provided for dispensing cosmetic material. The apparatus includes a dispensing assembly configured to receive at least one cartridge that contains a cosmetic material and to dispense a specified amount of the cosmetic material from the cartridge into a receiving area; a memory configured to receive and store dispensing information which includes the specified amount of the cosmetic material to be dispensed for each cartridge disposed in the dispensing assembly to achieve a specified single use of a cosmetic application; and circuitry configured to obtain the dispensing information from the memory and to control the dispensing assembly to dispense the cosmetic material from each cartridge disposed in the dispensing assembly into the receiving area according to the one or more specified amounts included in the dispensing information. The system includes a user interface configured to receive a selection of a color from a user; and circuitry configured to receive the selection of the color received at the user interface, determine an amount of each of one or more cosmetic materials to form the selected color, transmit the determined amount of each of the one or more cosmetic materials to the dispensing apparatus, and control the dispensing apparatus to dispense the determined amount of each of the one or more cosmetic materials from a plurality of cartridges.