Delayed Dispenser Activation to Reduce Over-Ingestion Risk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dispensing systems often lead to excessive dispensing of sanitizing materials, increasing the risk of over-ingestion, particularly in environments like prisons, jails, and mental health facilities, where controlling the dispensing of materials is crucial to prevent misuse.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing system with a control mechanism that includes a movable actuation device and a control system with a pressure regulation mechanism, which restricts further dispensing for a predetermined time period after initial use, preventing excessive material release and ensuring controlled access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuation device is freely movable without delay restriction, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of excessive dispensing and over-ingestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control portion is configured to detect actuation within a predetermined time period and restrain subsequent movement during this period. This preliminary action of detecting and timing the first actuation prevents excessive dispensing by blocking rapid repeated actuations, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and prevention of over-ingestion
2Loss of substance
If the control system restrains movement after first actuation, then the loss of substance is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements periodic action by allowing actuation during normal periods and restraining it during predetermined time periods following actuation. This periodic enablement and restriction reduces excessive material dispensing while maintaining ease of operation during acceptable use periods
3Productivity
If the dispenser allows continuous actuation, then the productivity is improved, but the object-generated harmful factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control portion performs preliminary detection and timing of actuation events, then proactively restrains subsequent actuation within the predetermined time period. This preliminary action prevents rapid repeated dispensing that would harm the user, while still allowing productive dispensing at normal rates
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 system effectively reduces the likelihood of excessive material dispensing, thereby minimizing the risk of over-ingestion by limiting further dispensing until the pressure equalization period has passed, ensuring controlled and safe usage.
Implementation Method 1
As the actuation device is moved between the first position and the second position a second time within a predetermined time period after the first time, the control portion is configured to restrain movement of at least one of the engagement portion or the actuation device
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing system includes a container within which a material is contained and an actuation device movably supported with respect to the container. The actuation device is movable between a first position and a second position. The dispensing system includes a control system. The control system includes an engagement portion in movable engagement with the actuation device. The control system includes a control portion. As the actuation device is moved from the first position to the second position a first time, the control portion does not restrain movement of either the engagement portion or the actuation device. As the actuation device is moved between the first position and the second position a second time within a predetermined time period after the first time, the control portion restrains movement of at least one of the engagement portion or the actuation device.