Free-Standing Hand Cleaner Stand With Fall-Arrest Bumper

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor-supported free standing fluid dispenser assemblies are complex and costly, prone to damage when tipped over, and not suitable for widespread deployment in locations like schools and hospitals due to their susceptibility to being knocked over.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a fall arrest bumper member that engages the floor upon tipping to absorb impact and reduce damage to the dispenser assembly, along with a pole member with an interior cavity to house the fluid dispenser, and a base member with a wide footprint to prevent tipping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional base-supported stand structure is used, then the dispenser assembly can be supported on the floor, but it is prone to damage when tipped over during normal use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage resistanceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A bumper member is attached to the stand at a height above the base, extending radially outwardly to engage the floor before the dispenser assembly impacts the floor during tipping. This beforehand cushioning protects the dispenser assembly from damage by absorbing impact forces during accidental tipping events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of manufacture

If the stand structure is simplified to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the dispenser assembly becomes more susceptible to tipping over

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidanti-tipping stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The bumper member extends radially outwardly from the stand in a direction perpendicular to the tipping motion, creating a physical barrier in a different dimensional plane. This radial extension intercepts the tipping dispenser assembly before it can complete the tipping motion, providing anti-tipping protection without requiring a wider base or more complex stabilization structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the bumper member extends far radially outwardly, then impact protection improves, but the stand occupies more space and may interfere with user access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact protectionVSAvoidfloor space occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The bumper member's radial extension distance is optimized to provide sufficient impact protection while minimizing floor space occupation. The bumper member extends radially outwardly from the stand at a controlled distance that intercepts tipping motion without creating excessive clearance requirements or interfering with user access to the dispenser assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides a cost-effective, durable, and user-friendly dispenser assembly that minimizes damage from accidental tipping, ensuring the dispenser remains functional and aesthetically intact, suitable for widespread deployment in various settings.

Implementation Method 1

a fall arrest bumper member which will engage with the floor to reduce damage from any impact with the floor should the stand or dispenser assembly be tipped over

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP3903654B1Free standing hand cleaner dispenser
Publication Date: 2023.04.19 OP HYGIENE IP GMBH
  • EP3903654B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3903654B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3903654B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A floor supported free standing dispenser assembly including a fluid dispenser coupled to an upper end of the dispenser assembly and a fall arrest bumper member which will engage with a floor to reduce damage from any impact with the floor should the stand or dispenser assembly be tipped over.