Dispensing monitoring system and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand washing systems lack the ability to monitor the amount of product dispensed from containers and provide reminders for usage, leading to inadequate hygiene practices due to lack of awareness about product usage and reordering.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing system comprising a fluid container with a memory unit, sensor, processing unit, and communication unit that tracks fluid dispensing, calculates remaining quantity, and sends reminders via audio, visual, or tactile outputs, and communication networks for replenishment and reordering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor and processing unit are added to monitor fluid dispensing, then measurement precision of fluid quantity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sensor, processing unit, memory unit, and communication unit into an integrated electronic system that attaches to the existing dispensing pump. This merging approach allows multiple functions (detection, processing, storage, and communication) to be achieved through a consolidated unit, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electronic system that acts as a bridge between the simple mechanical dispensing pump and the user/external systems. This intermediary handles the complex tasks of sensing, processing, and communication, allowing the original pump to remain simple while achieving advanced monitoring capabilities.
2Loss of information
If monitoring and notification features are integrated into the dispensing pump, then information availability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dispensing system into two independent parts: the original mechanical pump (which remains simple to manufacture) and the add-on electronic monitoring system. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using existing processes, avoiding the need to redesign the entire system and thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while adding information tracking capabilities.
3Productivity
If automatic re-ordering capability is added through communication unit, then productivity of inventory management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality where the dispensing system automatically monitors its own fluid levels and places re-order requests without human intervention. The processing unit detects when fluid is low and the communication unit automatically communicates this information to external systems, enabling the system to manage its own inventory and improving productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a dispensing system. The dispensing system includes a fluid container adapted to store a fluid, and having a predefined storage capacity; a memory unit having a plurality of instructions and information pertaining to the fluid contained in the fluid container, stored therein; a dispensing pump associated with the fluid container, the dispensing pump adapted to selectively dispense fluid from the fluid container; a sensor configured to detect dispensing of fluid from the fluid container; and a processing unit in communication with each of the sensor and the memory unit. The processing unit is adapted to process the set of instructions stored in the memory unit to determine quantity of fluid dispensed from the fluid container, upon receiving a signal from the sensor.