Dispenser for rolled sheet materials with motorized spindle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic dispensers for flexible sheet materials face issues such as high manufacturing costs due to complex mechanisms, static electricity accumulation, and noise during operation, while also requiring close tolerances and potentially causing user discomfort with static shocks.
Innovation Solution
An electronic dispenser with a motorized feed roll assembly, including a gear system and pressing rollers, that integrates a motor within the feed roller body, uses a gear reducer and hybrid clutch for efficient dispensing, and incorporates a pivotally mounted pawl member and adjustable sensors for controlled dispensing modes, reducing noise and static issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional electronic dispensers use motors and gears for controlled dispensing, then dispensing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the motor from the traditional separate mounting position and integrates it directly into the hollow interior cavity of the feed roller body. This extraction of the motor from its conventional separate location and placement within the feed roller itself eliminates the need for external gear assemblies and mounting structures, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining controlled dispensing capability through the motor's direct drive of the feed roller.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the motor and feed roller into a single integrated assembly where the motor is housed within the feed roller body. This combination eliminates separate gear mechanisms and reduces the number of discrete components, simplifying the overall device structure while preserving the ability to precisely control sheet material dispensing through electronic actuation of the integrated motor-roller unit.
2Measurement precision
If conventional electronic dispensers use motors and gears for controlled dispensing, then dispensing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the motor within the feed roller body reduces the total component count and eliminates the need for separate gear assemblies, mounting brackets, and external motor housings. This merging of components simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces assembly steps, and lowers overall manufacturing costs while maintaining the precision dispensing function through the motor's direct integration with the feed roller.
Solution Approach 2:
By extracting the motor from its traditional separate mounting position and placing it within the feed roller's hollow cavity, the design eliminates the need for complex external gear train assemblies and multiple mounting structures. This extraction and repositioning simplifies the bill of materials and reduces manufacturing complexity, thereby lowering production costs while preserving controlled dispensing capability.
3Ease of operation
If sheet material moves over rollers in conventional dispensers, then dispensing function is achieved, but static electricity accumulates causing shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a conductive coating to the surface of the feed roller, which converts the potentially harmful static electricity generated by sheet material contact into a beneficial effect. The conductive coating allows static charges to be safely dissipated through the roller to ground, preventing static shock accumulation while maintaining the roller's primary function of transporting and dispensing the sheet material through controlled rotation.
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 provides consistent, controlled dispensing of flexible sheet materials with reduced noise, lower manufacturing costs, and enhanced user safety by minimizing static shocks, while maintaining hygiene through hands-free operation.
Implementation Method 1
a motor that can be at least partially received within the internal chamber or recess of the feed roller body so as to be at least partially or substantially integrated therein, and can be operable in response to a signal(s) from the electronic sensor to rotate the feed roll
Implementation Method 2
one or more pressing rollers, the pressing rollers at least partially engaging the sheet material against the driving roller as sheet material is being dispensed
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic dispenser comprising a housing; a feed roller rotatably mounted within the housing; a motor operable to drive rotation of the feed roller, and wherein the motor is at least partially within the feed roller; and wherein actuation of the motor results in a noise level, external to the housing, of less than 53 A-weighted decibels.