Electronic residential tissue dispenser

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic tissue dispensers fail to function properly with perforated tissue paper due to breakage inside the dispenser, and they often accumulate static electricity, posing hygiene and operational issues.

Innovation Solution

An electronic tissue dispenser with a dual pressing roller mechanism that allows self-feeding of perforated tissue paper and incorporates a static release system to prevent static shocks, ensuring continuous operation and user safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If electronic dispensers are used with perforated tissue paper, then hands-free operation and measured dispensing are achieved, but the tissue paper breaks inside the dispenser causing malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free operationVSAvoidtissue paper integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dispenser mechanism is segmented into multiple independent feeding paths with separate pressing rollers. Each roller independently processes the tissue paper, so if one path experiences a break, the other paths can continue feeding tissue, maintaining overall system reliability while preserving automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dispenser incorporates redundant feeding mechanisms and multiple pressing rollers that act as backup systems. When tissue paper breaks in one location, the redundant rollers and feeding paths provide alternative routes to continue dispensing, cushioning against the failure and preventing complete system malfunction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If multiple pressing rollers are added to prevent tissue breakage, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous dispensingVSAvoidmechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multiple pressing rollers are designed to perform multiple functions: they apply pressure to feed tissue paper through the dispenser, guide the tissue along the dispensing path, and act as sensors to detect tissue presence and breakage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing rollers are merged with the feeding mechanism and positioning system into a single integrated assembly. By combining these functions into unified components rather than separate elements, the overall structural complexity is minimized while still achieving continuous reliable dispensing through the redundant roller configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If tissue paper is fed through rollers, then automated dispensing is achieved, but static electricity accumulates causing shocks and affecting electronics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated dispensing speedVSAvoidstatic electricity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dispenser incorporates conductive materials and grounding paths that convert the harmful static electricity generated by roller-tissue friction into a controlled electrical flow. The static charge is redirected through conductive rollers and grounding elements to a safe discharge path, transforming the harmful effect into a controlled electrical phenomenon that no longer causes shocks or electronic interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Conductive intermediary elements are introduced between the rolling mechanism and the tissue paper to mediate the static charge generation. These conductive rollers or coatings act as intermediaries that capture and redirect static electricity away from the tissue and user, preventing charge accumulation while allowing the rolling mechanism to continue its automated dispensing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 dual pressing rollers ensure uninterrupted dispensing of tissue paper by re-feeding it if perforations break between the rollers, and the static release system eliminates static electricity, enhancing hygiene and operational reliability.

Implementation Method 1

The dispenser can include a static release to reduce static charge in the dispenser

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStatic discharge: Electrostatic Discharge

Data Source

PatentUS9756992B2Electronic residential tissue dispenser

Publication Date: 2017.09.12 KIMBERLY CLARK WORLDWIDE INC

AI summary

An automatic electronic dispenser for dispensing a roll of paper product. A dispenser module drives paper from the roll through a discharge chute at the bottom of the module. A front cover hinged on each side rotates to an open position for loading a paper roll. A back cover enables mounting the electronic dispenser to a vertical surface such as a wall. A paper roll holder is attached to the sides of the dispenser module. A driving roller unrolls the paper from the paper holder in response to a signal from an electronic sensor. A plurality of pressing rollers engages the driving roller as paper is being dispensed along a path between the pressing and driving rollers to a discharge chute.