Material roll dispenser with adjustable support arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toilet paper dispensers are unable to accommodate rolls of varying sizes and require significant strength and coordination to load and reload, making them inaccessible to individuals with physical limitations such as the elderly, young, or disabled.
Innovation Solution
The development of a material dispenser device with adjustable support arms and retractable plungers that can be repositioned to accommodate different roll sizes, allowing for easy loading and unloading, and featuring a spring-loaded mechanism for secure roll retention and easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed arms are used, then the structure is simple, but the dispenser cannot accommodate rolls of varying sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The support arms are made adjustable and movable rather than fixed, allowing the width between arms to be changed to accommodate different roll sizes. The arms can be repositioned along the backing plate and locked into place, providing adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed cross-bar mechanism is used, then the dispenser structure is simple, but significant strength and coordination are required to load and reload
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-bar compression mechanism is replaced by individual plungers that can be independently depressed. This extracts the difficult two-handed coordination task into simpler single-handed operations, where each plunger can be pushed in separately to release rolls without requiring simultaneous bilateral force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The single cross-bar mechanism is segmented into multiple independent plungers, one on each support arm. This segmentation allows independent operation of each plunger, reducing the coordination complexity and force requirements compared to compressing a single rigid cross-bar with both hands.
3Reliability
If retractable plungers are added, then roll retention is secure, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plungers are designed to be spring-loaded, providing automatic reset functionality. After a plunger is depressed to release a roll, the spring automatically returns it to its protruding retention position without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining secure roll retention while minimizing operational complexity.
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 device enables the use of rolls of varying sizes and simplifies the loading and reloading process, making it accessible and user-friendly for individuals with physical limitations by allowing adjustable width settings and secure roll retention.
Implementation Method 1
featuring a spring-loaded mechanism for secure roll retention and easy removal
Data Source
AI summary
Material roll dispenser devices having adjustable support arms. Exemplary devices include those suitable for dispensing paper products such as toilet paper.