Dispenser for rolled sheet materials with cutting system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic dispensers for flexible sheet materials face issues such as high manufacturing costs due to complex mechanisms, static electricity accumulation, noise during operation, and hygiene concerns in public environments.
Innovation Solution
A motorized feed roll assembly with a gear reducer and integrated motor within the feed roller body, along with pressing rollers and a pivotally mounted pawl member, allows for controlled dispensing of sheet material with reduced noise and static issues, and includes a sensor system for hands-free operation and adjustable dispensing modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional electronic dispensers use motors, gears and drive systems for controlled dispensing, then dispensing control is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the motor, gear reducer, and feed roller into a single integrated assembly where the motor is mounted directly on the feed roller housing. This merging of components reduces the number of separate parts, simplifies the overall mechanism, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining controlled dispensing functionality through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed roller assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both the driving element for sheet material advancement and the housing for the motor and gear reducer. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate drive mechanism housings and reduces overall device complexity while achieving precise dispensing control.
2Extent of automation
If sheet material moves over rollers in electronic dispensers, then automated dispensing is improved, but static electricity accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a conductive roller or grounding mechanism that converts the harmful static electricity generated by friction between sheet material and rollers into a beneficial grounding path. This allows static charge to be safely dissipated to ground, preventing static shock to users and damage to electronic components while maintaining automated dispensing operation.
3Productivity
If motorized feed roll assembly operates at high speed for productivity, then dispensing speed is improved, but noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates vibration damping elements and noise-reducing features into the motor and gear reducer assembly before operation. These include rubber mounts, foam insulation, and dampening materials that are pre-installed to absorb vibrations and reduce noise generation during high-speed operation, allowing productive dispensing speeds without excessive noise.
Data Source
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AI summary
A dispenser for dispensing a flexible, rolled sheet material can include a housing and a supply of the sheet material supported within the housing for feeding the sheet material along a path defined through the housing. A feed roller can be rotatably mounted within the housing and have a body that engages the sheet material to pull the sheet material from the supply to dispense a selected amount of the sheet material therefrom. The dispenser also can include pressing rollers positioned adjacent the feed roller and biased to engage the sheet material between the pressing rollers and the feed roller, and a cutting mechanism arranged along the body of the feed roller that can have a cutting blade operatively connected to the body of the feed roller and actuated with rotation thereof to at least partially cut or perforate a selected portion of the sheet material.