Modular Soap Dispenser Layout With Peristaltic Pump Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic soap dispensers require specific proprietary components and direct contact with soap, leading to reduced pump life and moisture loss, and necessitate a vertical linear alignment of components, limiting flexibility and compatibility with different soap containers.
Innovation Solution
A modularized fluid dispensing system with a flow-out member and reservoir that can have a nonlinear relationship and be positioned remotely, using a peristaltic pump with isolated fluid flow to prevent direct contact and allow for flexible placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a gear type pump or reciprocating pump is used to displace soap by direct contact, then the pump mechanism can effectively move the fluid, but the life of the pump is reduced and moisture is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: a reservoir module containing the soap container, a pump module with the peristaltic pump, and a dispensing module with the flow-out member. These modularized components can be positioned independently, allowing the pump to be isolated from direct soap contact while maintaining fluid displacement functionality through flexible tubing.
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible tubing acts as an intermediary between the soap reservoir and the peristaltic pump. The pump compresses and releases the tubing to displace soap through the tubing without the pump's internal components directly contacting the soap, thereby extending pump life and preventing moisture loss.
2Productivity
If conventional pump mechanisms are used with direct soap contact, then fluid can be displaced, but the soap dries out and becomes solid stuck to internal components
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful interaction between the pump's internal components and the soap is extracted by removing the direct contact pathway. The peristaltic pump's external compression mechanism displaces soap through flexible tubing without internal gears or moving parts touching the soap, preventing drying and solidification.
3Ease of operation
If a vertical linear alignment of components is used, then the system can operate with close proximity connectivity, but the clearance requirement under the vanity is minimal and flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a rigid vertical linear alignment to a dynamic flexible configuration. Flexible tubing and modular components allow the system to adapt to various spatial arrangements, enabling installation in different locations and orientations while maintaining operational connectivity between reservoir, pump, and dispensing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system moves from one-dimensional vertical linear alignment to multi-dimensional flexible positioning. Components can be arranged in three-dimensional space with nonlinear relationships, allowing remote positioning and flexible routing through walls or across surfaces while maintaining functional connectivity.
4Device complexity
If proprietary components are used in a tight closed-system design, then the system integrates well, but compatibility with different soap containers is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs universal interfaces and standardized connections that allow compatibility with various soap container types and sizes. The modular reservoir module can accommodate different container configurations, and the flexible tubing system can adapt to different connection points, enabling the same pump mechanism to work with multiple container types from different manufacturers.
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 system extends the life of the pump by isolating fluid flow from internal components, reduces moisture loss, and allows for the use of generic soap containers and flexible placement, enhancing compatibility and space efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A peristaltic pump may be used that uses flexible tubing within which the fluid is transferred
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a fluid dispensing system that includes modularized components such as a flow-out member from which fluid dispenses, fluid displacement mechanism, including electronics associated therewith and a reservoir for storage of fluid. The flow-out member, fluid displacement mechanism, and components constituting the fluid dispensing system including the reservoir may have one of a linear or nonlinear cooperative relationship in terms of connectivity and operation, and may be positioned in one of a close proximity or remote locations from one another. Flow out member is provided that may moved in more that one direction to refill reservoir.