Hand towel dispenser
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hand towel dispensers in psychiatric wards face challenges in preventing ligature attachment while maintaining easy access and stock replacement, as existing designs do not adequately address the risk of self-harm through ligature use.
Innovation Solution
A hand towel dispenser with a unique retaining mechanism featuring angled surfaces and a locking mechanism, formed from folded sheets with welded edges, which reduces the risk of ligature attachment by allowing towels to slide out and preventing external hooking, while being mounted securely to a wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional hand towel dispenser designs are used, then easy access and stock replacement are achieved, but the risk of ligature attachment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser is divided into separate functional components: a removable cassette for stock storage, a fixed housing with opening, and a locking mechanism. This segmentation allows the cassette to be easily removed for stock replacement while the fixed housing maintains anti-ligature features, resolving the contradiction between safety and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism that can transition between locked and unlocked states. When unlocked, the cassette can be easily removed for stock replacement; when locked, it prevents ligature attachment. This dynamic state change allows the system to adapt between safety mode and ease-of-operation mode.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent ligature use, then patient safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is extracted as a separate, self-contained component rather than being integrated into the main body structure. This allows the safety function to be added without significantly increasing the complexity of the overall dispenser design, as the locking mechanism operates independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism serves multiple functions: it prevents ligature attachment by securing the cassette, and it enables easy stock replacement by allowing controlled access to the unlocked state. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing both safety and operational convenience.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the dispenser housing is made fully enclosed for safety, then ligature prevention is improved, but access to hand towels becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser uses a nested structure where a removable cassette (inner element) is placed within a fixed housing (outer element). The opening is provided in the fixed housing, allowing access to hand towels while the nested cassette can be securely locked to prevent ligature attachment. This nesting resolves the contradiction by providing both access and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable cassette acts as an intermediary element between the user and the hand towels. It provides a controlled access point through the opening in the fixed housing, allowing hand towel retrieval while preventing direct access to the interior for ligature purposes. The mediator cassette thus enables safe access.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for storing hand towels, the apparatus comprising a receiving portion for receiving hand towels, a first retaining member comprising a first retaining portion, the first retaining portion defining a first retaining surface for retaining the hand towels within the receiving portion, a second retaining member comprising a second retaining portion, the second retaining portion defining a second retaining surface for retaining the hand towels within the receiving portion, wherein the first and second retaining members define an opening for providing access to the hand towels and wherein an angle between the first and second retaining surfaces is less than 180 degrees.