dispenser

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated dispenser devices lack remote management capabilities, as local actions can override remote settings, disrupting control and maintenance efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that uses a non-volatile memory to store dispenser status and a communication module for remote operation, allowing remote managers to control dispensers via an external server, preventing local actions from overriding settings and enabling remote re-enablement and maintenance scheduling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a dispenser is equipped with remote management capabilities, then remote control and monitoring are improved, but local actions can override remote settings causing loss of control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote management capabilityVSAvoidcontrol authority

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by storing the remote manager's settings in non-volatile memory before any local power interruptions occur. This ensures that when power is restored, the original remote settings are automatically retrieved and re-applied, preventing local actions from permanently overriding remote control decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the dispenser status through sensors and communication modules, comparing current operational state with the stored remote manager's settings, and automatically correcting any deviations. This closed-loop feedback ensures remote control authority is maintained despite local disturbances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If local power interruption occurs, then device can be manually reset, but remote settings are lost and control is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual reset capabilityVSAvoidremote settings

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a copy of the remote manager's settings in non-volatile memory, separate from the volatile operational memory. This duplicate storage ensures that even if power is lost or local reset occurs, the settings information is preserved and can be restored, preventing loss of remote control configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If non-volatile memory is added to store dispenser status, then remote management reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesettings retentionVSAvoidmemory system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses inexpensive non-volatile memory components that are specifically designed for this purpose, accepting that the memory itself is a simple, replaceable component. The complexity is minimized by using standard, off-the-shelf non-volatile memory modules rather than attempting to maintain complex volatile memory systems with backup power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Extent of automation

If communication module is implemented, then remote monitoring capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote communication capabilityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The communication module is designed to perform multiple functions: transmitting dispenser status to remote managers, receiving new settings from remote managers, and enabling remote diagnostics. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional module rather than separate components, the system reduces overall complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining comprehensive remote management capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4074232B1dispenser

Publication Date: 2024.10.30 DELT PAPIR D O O

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A method for operating a dispenser (1) comprising a dispensing mechanism (2) for dispensing a predetermined quantity of at least one of liquid and sheet material (3), the method comprising: - retrieving a dispenser status; - storing the dispenser status in a non-volatile memory (4) of the dispenser (1); and - operating the dispensing mechanism (2) based on said dispenser status.