Dispensing System Magnet Sensor Compliance Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing systems lack effective tracking of dispense events, particularly in environments where hygiene protocols are critical, such as hospitals and schools.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing system with a compliance system that includes a magnet, a magnet sensor, a timer, and a transmitter, allowing for wireless tracking of dispense events by detecting the presence or absence of the magnet and transmitting compliance signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a compliance system with magnet sensor and transmitter is added to track dispense events, then measurement precision and reliability of dispense tracking is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical tracking mechanisms with a magnetic field-based detection system. A magnet is attached to the movable nozzle portion, and a magnet sensor detects its position to determine dispense events. This substitution of mechanical sensing with magnetic sensing simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining high measurement precision for tracking dispense events.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnet serves as an intermediary element that enables non-contact detection of nozzle position. By attaching the magnet to the movable portion and using a magnet sensor to detect its presence or absence, the system indirectly tracks dispense events without requiring direct mechanical contact or complex sensors, thus improving measurement precision while managing device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If wireless compliance signal transmission is implemented, then ease of operation and data collection is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter is configured to send compliance signals periodically or at specific intervals rather than continuously. This periodic transmission approach maintains ease of operation by ensuring compliance data is communicated regularly, while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous transmission modes.
3Measurement precision
If the system tracks all dispense events, then measurement precision and compliance monitoring is improved, but productivity decreases due to frequent tracking operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for compliance tracking - specifically whether the nozzle is in the open or closed position - rather than tracking every minor movement or operational detail. The magnet sensor system is designed to detect only significant positional changes that indicate actual dispense events, filtering out unnecessary data and maintaining productivity while ensuring accurate compliance monitoring.
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 tracks dispense events, ensuring compliance with hygiene protocols and providing valuable data for monitoring and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet sensor, coupled to the transmitter, configured to detect a presence of the magnet when the first portion of the nozzle with respect to the second portion of the nozzle is in the closed position, and configured to detect a non-presence of the magnet when the first portion of the nozzle with respect to the second portion of the nozzle is in the opened position
Data Source
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AI summary
A dispensing system includes a container within which a material is contained. The dispensing system includes a nozzle, attached to the container, having a first portion and a second portion. The dispensing system includes a magnet attached to the first portion and a compliance system attached to the second portion. The compliance system includes a transmitter and a magnet sensor, coupled to the transmitter, for detecting a presence of the magnet when the first portion with respect to the second portion is in a closed position, and for detecting a non-presence of the magnet when the first portion with respect to the second portion is in an opened position. The transmitter transmits a wireless compliance signal indicative of the magnet sensor detecting at least one of the presence or the non-presence of the magnet.