Fuel Pump Hand Sanitizer with Sensor Activation Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hand sanitizer dispensers are not commonly found in outdoor public locations, such as fuel pump stations, due to issues with abusive use and environmental durability, despite the need for cleanliness among fuel pump handlers who tend to be extremely dirty.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a hand sanitizer dispenser with a fuel pump dispenser, featuring an activation circuit that receives signals from a computer system to activate the sanitizer dispenser only during fuel pumping sessions, offering touch-free, manual, or sealed moist towelette dispensing options, and including features like infrared sensors and transparent panels for controlled access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hand sanitizer dispensers are placed in outdoor public locations like fuel pump stations, then cleanliness among fuel handlers is improved, but abusive use and environmental durability issues worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleanliness maintenanceVSAvoidabusive use and environmental damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with automated sensor-based activation. Infrared sensors and capacitive flux sensors detect hands or cards without physical contact, eliminating the need for mechanical buttons or levers that could be abused. The system automatically dispenses sanitizer based on detected signals, reducing opportunities for abusive use while maintaining cleanliness benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary signaling systems between the user and the dispenser mechanism. Cards with embedded capacitive flux sensors or infrared sensors act as intermediaries that trigger dispensing without direct contact with the dispenser. This intermediary layer prevents direct manipulation and abuse of the dispenser while enabling controlled access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If hand sanitizer dispensers are made accessible at fuel pump stations, then user convenience is improved, but control over abusive use worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess convenienceVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical control systems with electronic sensing and automated control. Infrared sensors, capacitive flux sensors, and microprocessors automatically manage dispensing based on detected signals, eliminating the need for complex mechanical locking mechanisms or manual authorization systems while maintaining both convenience and control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables self-service operation where the dispenser automatically detects user presence or authorization signals and dispenses sanitizer without requiring manual intervention. Users simply present their hand or card to the sensor, and the system autonomously controls the dispensing process, simplifying operation while maintaining control through automated detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If touch-free dispensing is implemented, then hygiene is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehygiene maintenanceVSAvoidsensor and activation circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based dispensing with sensor-based detection systems. Infrared sensors detect hand presence, capacitive flux sensors detect charged cards, and these signals automatically trigger the dispensing mechanism. This eliminates mechanical contact points that could harbor bacteria while the added electronic components are integrated into the existing dispenser structure, minimizing overall complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Provides controlled and convenient access to hand sanitizers at fuel pump stations, reducing the risk of abusive use and ensuring cleanliness among fuel handlers, while maintaining environmental durability and user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

features like infrared sensors and transparent panels for controlled access

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

capacitive flux sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive flux detection: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS8746299B2Hand sanitizer device for fuel pump dispenser

Publication Date: 2014.06.10 LIN DANIEL J

AI summary

A hand sanitizer dispenser is attached to a fuel pump dispenser to provide a patron with the option to cleanse his hands after pumping fuel. The hand sanitizer includes a circuit configured to receive an activation signal from a computer system of the fuel pump dispenser.