Mechanical sheet product dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sheet product dispensers often experience issues such as jamming, misfeeding, and high pull force requirements, which can lead to damage and undesirable operation.
Innovation Solution
The dispenser incorporates a spring assembly with a crank arm, floater link, rocker link, and torsion springs to bias the knife drum, reducing the pull force and time required for dispensing, and includes a torque limiter to prevent over-torqueing of internal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a feed wheel mechanism is used to allow manual feeding of sheet product, then ease of operation is improved, but the mechanism becomes susceptible to over-torqueing by users which may cause damage to internal components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a torque limiter mechanism that is pre-configured to slip or disengage when a predetermined torque threshold is exceeded. This beforehand cushioning protects internal components from damage by users who may apply excessive force during manual feeding operations, while still allowing normal operation ease.
2Ease of operation
If traditional dispensing mechanisms are used, then device complexity is kept simple, but high pull force over long pull period is required which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring-loaded dispensing mechanism where a spring provides variable force assistance during the dispensing cycle. The spring force is highest when the sheet is initially pulled and decreases as the sheet is dispensed, dynamically reducing the pull force requirement throughout the operation while maintaining relatively simple mechanical components.
3Reliability
If component configurations are used that are simple to manufacture, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the dispenser becomes prone to jamming and misfeeding which reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary components such as guide rollers, alignment guides, and friction-reducing surfaces between the sheet product and mechanical components. These intermediary elements mediate the interaction between simple manufactured parts and the sheet product, preventing jamming and misfeeding while maintaining ease of manufacture of the core 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 solution ensures proper feeding and cutting of sheet products, reduces the force needed for dispensing, and prevents damage to the dispenser, resulting in efficient and user-friendly operation.
Implementation Method 1
The torsion spring is configured to charge during rotation of the knife drum in a feed direction in response to a user pulling on a free end of the sheet product. The torsion spring may be configured to discharge to cause the knife drum to rotate to the predetermined position.
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser for dispensing sheet product is provided including a housing that defines an interior configured to accommodate a source of sheet product and an outlet through which the sheet product is dispensed. The dispenser also includes a first roller that is rotatable and disposed in the housing. A portion of the sheet product is designed to be in contact with the first roller prior to being dispensed through the outlet. The dispenser also includes a knife drum that is rotatable and configured to cooperate with the first roller to dispense the sheet product. The knife drum includes a knife configured to cut the sheet product into individual sheets. The dispenser also includes a spring assembly that may be configured to bias the knife drum toward a predetermined position during rotation of the knife drum.