Dispensing device with improved motor assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dispensers for viscous liquids suffer from friction and vibration during operation, leading to wear and breakage, as well as generating offensive noise.

Innovation Solution

The dispenser incorporates an improved motor assembly with elastomeric members and a cam shaft design that reduces friction and vibration transfer, featuring a rocker arm and cam shaft configuration to minimize eccentric loads, along with elastomeric members and gaskets to enhance stability and quiet operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional motors and motor housing are used in dispensers, then the dispenser can dispense product, but friction and vibration during motor operation cause wear and breakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor durabilityVSAvoidfriction and vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces elastomeric members as intermediary elements between the motor and motor housing, and between the cam shaft and rocker arm. These elastomeric intermediaries absorb friction and vibration, preventing direct transmission to rigid components. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining motor functionality while protecting against wear and breakage through cushioning intermediaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies elastomeric cushioning members in advance at critical interfaces (motor-housing interface, cam shaft-rocker arm interface) to prevent wear and breakage before they occur. This beforehand cushioning approach addresses the reliability issue by pre-positioning protective elements that will absorb future friction and vibration during motor operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Productivity

If conventional motors and motor housing are used in dispensers, then the dispenser can dispense product, but friction and vibration generate offensive noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing functionVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric members serve as noise-absorbing intermediaries between the motor and motor housing, and between moving components. These intermediaries dampen vibration and reduce noise generation while allowing the motor to continue dispensing product effectively. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining productivity while eliminating offensive noise through vibration isolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the cam shaft is not properly supported, then the motor assembly is simpler, but eccentric motion causes wear on the cam shaft

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecam shaft durabilityVSAvoidmotor assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces elastomeric members as intermediaries at the cam shaft support points, providing cushioning and wear protection. This adds minimal structural elements (the elastomeric members) while significantly improving cam shaft durability by absorbing eccentric motion forces and reducing direct metal-to-metal contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter at critical contact points by using elastomeric members instead of rigid supports. This material parameter change allows the support structure to deform elastically, accommodating eccentric motion and reducing wear on the cam shaft while adding minimal complexity to the overall assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution effectively reduces friction and vibration, minimizing wear and noise, ensuring a quieter and more reliable operation of the dispenser.

Implementation Method 1

The first elastomeric member can, advantageously, reduce vibration transfer between the motor and the motor holder during operation of the motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

A first elastomeric member is disposed between the motor and the motor holder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The first elastomeric member can, advantageously, reduce vibration transfer between the motor and the motor holder during operation of the motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4358813B1Dispensing device with improved motor assembly
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 KIMBERLY CLARK WORLDWIDE INC
  • EP4358813B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4358813B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4358813B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A dispenser for viscous liquid is provided. The dispenser includes a housing having an interior volume so as to retain at least one internal liquid reservoir; and a dispensing mechanism contained within the housing for dispensing the viscous liquid. The dispensing mechanism comprising a motor assembly including: a motor having a motor shaft coupled to a motor holder; a first elastomeric member disposed between the motor and the motor holder; a cam having a cam shaft disposed on the motor shaft, the cam shaft having a first end coupled to the cam and a second end coupled to the motor housing; and a rocker arm coupled to the motor housing. The rocker arm has a slot configured to receive the cam shaft and a first end coupled to the internal liquid reservoir such that actuation of the cam shaft moves the rocker arm to dispense the viscous liquid.