Peroxide Foam Dispenser Powering Without Batteries or Air Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dispensing systems for liquid and foam products face challenges due to the size and maintenance requirements of battery power sources, as well as the need for additional components like air pumps and larger refill volumes, which increase the size and cost of the dispensers.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing system that utilizes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to produce oxygen gas and water, integrating a decomposition chamber with a catalyst, a mixing chamber, and pumps to create a foamed product, while also incorporating a scavenger to generate electricity and rechargeable batteries, eliminating the need for separate air pumps and reducing the size and maintenance of the dispenser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If battery power sources are used in dispensers, then power can be supplied to pump, sensors, valves, and other components, but the dispenser size increases and routine maintenance is required to replace batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power supply function with the product dispensing system by integrating a small rechargeable battery with a scavenger device that harvests energy from the dispensing mechanism's motion. This merges the energy storage and energy generation functions into a single compact system, eliminating the need for separate large battery compartments while maintaining continuous power supply for pumps, sensors, and valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The scavenger device enables the dispenser to generate its own power through the motion of dispensing products. The mechanical energy from the pump or valve operation is converted to electrical energy to recharge the battery, creating a self-sustaining power system that requires minimal external intervention and eliminates routine battery replacement maintenance.
2Ease of operation
If air pumps are added to foam product dispensing systems, then air can be drawn into the mixing chamber to generate foam, but the dispenser size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing pump serve multiple functions: it delivers both the liquid soap product and draws in air for foam generation. By configuring the pump to create a vacuum that draws air through a filter into the mixing chamber while simultaneously delivering liquid product, the system eliminates the need for a separate air pump, reducing dispenser size while maintaining effective foam generation capability.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If larger volume refill units are used, then less frequent replacement is required, but the dispenser size increases to accommodate them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the refill system into separate, modular components: a liquid product container, an air filter, and a mixing chamber. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently in size and enables users to replace only the liquid product container when empty, while keeping the air filter and mixing chamber in place. The modular design accommodates larger liquid product volumes without proportionally increasing overall dispenser size.
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 reduces the size and maintenance needs of dispensers by using hydrogen peroxide decomposition to generate oxygen and water for foaming, allowing for a more compact and efficient dispensing of foam products, and enables the use of concentrated soap formulations, thereby increasing product capacity without increasing dispenser size.
Implementation Method 1
a decomposition chamber containing a catalyst for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide
Implementation Method 2
containing a catalyst for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to produce oxygen gas and water
Implementation Method 3
incorporating a scavenger to generate electricity and rechargeable batteries
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing system includes a decomposition chamber having a catalyst for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide and a foaming soap are provided in separate first and second chambers of a product reservoir portion of a refill unit. Decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide produces oxygen gas and water, that may be used as a propellant for the creation of the foamed product, or may be used to power a pump. Additionally, the oxygen gas may be used to power a scavenger for the creation of electricity for charging a battery within the dispenser.