Inline Push-Button Foam Soap Dispenser With Compact Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional automated foam soap dispensers are bulky and aesthetically unpleasing due to large motors required for motorized actuation, necessitating mounting underneath sinks and limiting design flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A compact automatic foam soap dispenser using a motorized inline push button system with gears and linkages to translate rotational motion into linear movement, eliminating the need for additional motors and allowing for more versatile mounting options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a motorized actuation system is used to depress the nozzle perpendicular to the central axis, then the foam soap can be dispensed, but the dispenser becomes bulky and requires large motors that are aesthetically unpleasing and require mounting underneath sinks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated foam dispensingVSAvoiddispenser size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of depressing the nozzle perpendicular to the central axis as in conventional dispensers, this invention orients the nozzle inline with the central axis and uses a push button that moves linearly along this axis to actuate the pump. This inversion of the actuation direction eliminates the need for large motors and complex linkages, significantly reducing the dispenser volume while maintaining automated operation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If a motorized actuation system with perpendicular nozzle orientation is used, then foam soap dispensing is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to additional motors and mechanical work requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated foam dispensingVSAvoidmotor and linkage system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the unnecessary perpendicular nozzle orientation and associated large motorized actuation system. By reorienting the nozzle inline with the central axis, the system removes the need for complex motors and linkages, simplifying the device while maintaining the automated dispensing function through a more efficient push button mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the complex motorized mechanical actuation system with a simpler push button mechanism that translates rotational motor movement into linear motion directly along the central axis. This substitution of the mechanical system architecture reduces device complexity while achieving the same automated dispensing effect with fewer and smaller components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If a perpendicular nozzle orientation is used, then foam soap can be pumped out, but the mounting options are limited to underneath sink areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoam soap dispensing functionVSAvoidmounting location flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the conventional perpendicular nozzle orientation to an inline central axis orientation, the invention fundamentally changes the spatial requirements of the actuation mechanism. This allows the dispenser to be mounted in diverse locations including above sinks, on walls, or on countertops, rather than being restricted to underneath sink mounting, thereby significantly improving adaptability and versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 results in a more compact, aesthetically pleasing, and versatile foam soap dispenser that can be mounted in various orientations, reducing the need for large motors and enhancing usability and installation flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

a motorized push button system further comprising a plurality of gears and linkages able to translate the rotational motion of a motor into an reciprocating linear movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMotion translation mechanism: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 2

a pump able to pump the liquid soap from the fluid reservoir to the outlet nozzle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPumping action: Pump

Data Source

PatentUS10349786B2Automatic foam soap dispenser

Publication Date: 2019.07.16 MAERCOVICH JORGE

AI summary

An automatic foam soap dispenser includes a liquid soap dispenser, an activation unit, and an actuation unit. The liquid soap dispenser includes an outlet, a fluid reservoir for containing liquid soap, and a pump being depressed for dispensing the liquid soap in the fluid reservoir to the outlet. The activation unit includes a sensor for detecting a presence of a user of the liquid soap dispenser, and a motor having a transmission shaft, wherein the motor is activated by the sensor for generating a rotational power to the transmission shaft. The actuation unit includes a pressing member and a linkage system arranged to transmit the rotational power from the motor to a linear movement to the pressing member so as to drive the pressing member to depress the pump.