Hands-Free Dispenser Sensor Duty Cycle for Power and Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hands-free fluid dispensers face inefficiencies in power management, leading to wasted battery life and reduced soap dispensing opportunities due to fixed duty cycles that do not adapt to usage patterns, resulting in excessive power consumption during non-use and inadequate response times during busy periods.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a controller that adjusts the duty cycle of sensors based on usage patterns, employing multiple duty cycles (conserve, normal, and heavy use) managed by timers and sensors to optimize power consumption and response times, ensuring the dispenser remains calibrated and ready for use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a fixed high duty cycle is used to ensure rapid response during busy periods, then response time is improved, but power consumption increases excessively during non-use periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the duty cycle adjustable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically changes the duty cycle based on detected usage patterns - using a first duty cycle during busy periods to ensure rapid response, and a second (lower) duty cycle during non-use periods to conserve power. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt its operational characteristics to current conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter (duty cycle) based on usage conditions. By monitoring usage patterns and adjusting the duty cycle parameter accordingly, the system achieves fast response when needed while reducing power consumption during idle periods. This parameter adaptation directly addresses the technical contradiction between response speed and power usage.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a fixed low duty cycle is used to reduce power consumption during non-use, then power consumption is reduced, but response time becomes inadequate during busy periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the duty cycle based on real-time usage detection. When usage patterns indicate busy periods, the controller switches to a higher duty cycle to ensure adequate response time. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by preventing the system from being locked into a suboptimal low-duty-cycle state during periods requiring fast response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by monitoring usage patterns and using this information to adjust the duty cycle. The controller continuously assesses whether the dispenser is experiencing busy or non-use periods and modifies the sensor duty cycle accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the system responds appropriately to changing conditions, resolving the contradiction between power savings and response adequacy.
3Reliability
If battery replacement is performed on a predetermined schedule to ensure continuous operation, then reliability is improved, but battery life is wasted as full capacity is not utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from usage pattern monitoring to determine when battery replacement is actually needed, rather than following a predetermined schedule. By tracking actual usage conditions and power consumption patterns, the system can extend battery life by replacing batteries only when necessary, eliminating the waste associated with premature replacement while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-assessment of its operational needs and battery status through usage pattern analysis. Rather than requiring external scheduling, the dispenser autonomously determines optimal battery replacement timing based on its actual usage conditions, maximizing battery utilization while ensuring continuous operation when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for managing power consumption of a battery-powered device such as a fluid dispenser are disclosed. One method includes setting a duty cycle of a sensor used by the device to a first range and setting a timer upon detection of a triggering event and also setting the duty cycle to a triggering event and also setting the duty cycle to a second range. The method continues by checking for another triggering event during the second range. The checking step is repeated if the timer has not lapsed, but if the timer has lapsed the process returns to the setting step. Related methods may be used to adjust the duty cycle based upon a detected characteristic such as light, sound, motion or time.