Hands-Free Rolled Sheet Dispenser With Static Charge Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic dispensers for flexible sheet materials in public restroom facilities accumulate static electricity, posing risks of static shocks to users and damaging electronic components, and often require manual activation which raises hygiene concerns.
Innovation Solution
An electronic dispenser with a proximity detection mode and a butler mode, featuring a control circuit, adjustable proximity sensor, and a pivotally mounted pawl member, which allows for hands-free operation and automatic dispensing, along with a static electricity dissipation mechanism using an antenna to prevent shocks and maintain component integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual activation is used, then ease of operation is improved, but hygiene is worsened due to bodily contact in public restroom facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical activation with an optical sensing system. The sensor detects the presence of a user and automatically triggers the dispensing mechanism, eliminating the need for physical contact with the dispenser while maintaining ease of use through automatic operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If electronic dispensers are used for hands-free operation, then hygiene is improved, but static electricity accumulation worsens causing shocks and component damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful static electricity from the electronic dispenser system by providing a dedicated grounding path. The grounding mechanism safely dissipates accumulated static charge to ground, separating the harmful electrical effect from the beneficial electronic control functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a grounding mechanism as an intermediary between the electronic components and the environment. This intermediary provides a controlled path for static charge dissipation, mediating between the charge-generating components and the external environment to prevent harmful shocks and damage.
3Quantity of substance
If static charge is not dissipated, then energy retention is improved, but user safety and component integrity are worsened due to static shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful static charge into a beneficial controlled dissipation process. By providing a designated grounding path, the system safely channels the static charge that would otherwise cause shocks or damage, transforming a harmful byproduct into a controlled electrical flow that protects users and components.
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 dispenser effectively reduces static electricity buildup, ensuring user safety and preventing damage to electronic components while providing a hygienic, hands-free dispensing solution for flexible sheet materials.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna electrically isolated and disposed so as to dissipate the static charge via a corona discharge
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic dispenser for dispensing flexible sheet material. A control circuit in the housing receives a plurality of signals and controls dispensing of the sheet material from the housing. A tear bar is mounted within the housing for severance of sheet material by the user. A pivotally mounted pawl member is located proximate to the tear bar such that movement of sheet material into the tear bar for severance pivots the pawl member from a first position to a second position. A signal means associated with the pawl member is located such that movement of the pawl member to the second position causes the signal means to send a signal to notify the control circuit that the sheet material has been removed.