Automatic Paper Towel Dispenser With Perforation-Sensing Feed Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional towel dispensers are not designed to accommodate pre-perforated toweling and can be difficult to load, as they are typically configured for continuous rolls and require complex threading of toweling through guide systems.
Innovation Solution
A towel dispenser with a housing that contains two connected towels separable at a perforation, equipped with a motor and perforation sensor, where the motor is activated and deactivated based on the presence of the perforation to dispense individual towels, and includes a guide system with drive and sensor rollers to facilitate easy loading and tensioning of the toweling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional dispensers are configured for continuous rolls, then they can dispense towels, but they cannot accommodate pre-perforated toweling
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser detects the presence of perforations in the toweling and changes its operating parameters accordingly. When a perforation is detected by the sensor, the motor stops dispensing, allowing the perforated section to be separated. This parameter change enables the dispenser to accommodate pre-perforated toweling without requiring complete redesign of the dispensing mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If conventional dispensers use complex guide systems, then they can control toweling path, but they are difficult to load
Solution Approach 1:
The guide system is segmented into discrete components including rollers and guides positioned at specific locations. The drive roller, sensor roller, and separation device are arranged in a simplified sequence that guides toweling through the housing in a straightforward path. This segmentation makes the system easier to load while maintaining control over the dispensing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor roller automatically detects perforations in the toweling and triggers the motor to stop, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex mechanical stop mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the perforation detection to control the dispensing cycle, simplifying both the guide system and the loading process.
3Manufacturing precision
If motor operates continuously, then towels can be dispensed, but towel length cannot be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The perforation sensor provides feedback to the control system about the position of perforations in the toweling. When the sensor detects a perforation, it sends a signal to stop the motor, ensuring that each dispensed towel has a precise length determined by the distance between perforations. This feedback mechanism maintains both precision and productivity by automatically controlling the dispensing cycle.
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
Enables easy loading and automatic dispensing of pre-perforated towels, ensuring consistent towel length and simplifying the loading process by using a motor and sensor system to detect and actuate the perforation for separation, improving user convenience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a perforation sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the presence of the perforation
Implementation Method 2
a motor configured to move the toweling along the path to the exterior of the housing
Implementation Method 3
the drive roller is configured to operate such that it has a first surface speed and the sensor roller is configured to operate such that it has a second surface speed. the first surface speed of the drive roller is greater than the second surface speed of the sensor roller such that the toweling is in tension between the drive roller and the sensor roller
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a towel dispenser that includes a housing for containing toweling. The toweling includes a first towel and a second towel that are connected together and separable at a perforation formed between the first and second towel. The housing is configured to define a path P for the toweling. A motor and a perforation sensor are provided for dispensing the toweling and are electrically connected together. The perforation sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of the presence of the perforation and the motor is configured to deactivate in response to the signal.