Electronic dispenser for flexible rolled sheet material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic dispensers for paper products in public restroom facilities face hygiene concerns due to bodily contact and accumulate static electricity, which can cause shocks and affect electronic components.
Innovation Solution
An electronic dispenser with proximity detection and butler modes, featuring a control circuit, adjustable proximity sensor, tear bar, and paper detection sensor, along with a drive mechanism and static electricity dissipation system, allowing hands-free operation and ensuring safe and efficient dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional electronic dispensers use mechanical paper feeding mechanisms actuated by user contact, then paper dispensing function is achieved, but hygiene concerns arise due to bodily contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based activation with electronic sensing systems. Specifically, capacitive sensors detect the user's hand approach and trigger the dispensing mechanism without physical contact, while optical sensors verify paper depletion. This substitution eliminates hygiene concerns associated with tactile contact while maintaining automated paper delivery functionality.
2Ease of operation
If electronic dispensers operate in hands-free mode with sensors, then hygiene is improved, but static electricity accumulation occurs causing shocks and affecting electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful static electricity accumulation into a useful detection mechanism. The capacitive sensor that would otherwise be affected by static charge is repurposed to detect the user's hand approach through capacitance changes. Additionally, the system uses optical sensors to detect paper presence, creating a multi-sensing approach that transforms potential interference into functional detection capabilities.
3Extent of automation
If proximity sensors are used for hand detection, then hands-free operation is enabled, but false activation may occur when no user is present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback-based control system where capacitive sensors continuously monitor for hand presence and trigger dispensing only when activation thresholds are met. Optical sensors provide feedback on paper depletion status, and the system incorporates delay mechanisms and threshold adjustments to prevent false activation. The control circuit processes sensor signals with hysteresis and timing filters to ensure reliable detection while avoiding spurious activations from environmental factors.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic dispenser for dispensing flexible sheet material. A control circuit receives a plurality of signals and controls dispensing of the sheet material. A tear bar is mounted within the housing for severance of the sheet material. A pivotally mounted pawl member is located proximate to the tear bar such that movement of the sheet material into the tear bar for severance pivots the pawl member from a first position to a second position, such movement causing a signal to be sent to the control circuit. The dispensing mechanism is operative in a first mode to be responsive to a signal from a proximity sensor to dispense a sheet of material, and is operative in a second mode to dispense a next sheet in response to the signal activated by movement of the pawl member to the second position in response to dispensed sheet material being removed from the dispenser.