Peroxide Foam Dispensing Without Batteries or Air Pumps
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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, eliminating the need for an air pump and allowing for a more compact design with a refill unit containing a foaming soap concentrate and hydrogen peroxide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If battery power sources are used to supply power to the pump, sensors, valves, and other components, then the dispenser can operate automatically, but the dispenser size increases and routine maintenance is required to replace batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the battery power source from the dispenser system entirely. Instead, it uses a chemical reaction between hydrogen peroxide and a catalyst to generate electrical power through a fuel cell, eliminating the need for replaceable batteries and reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining automatic operation
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogen peroxide serves multiple functions: it acts as the power source through the fuel cell reaction, provides oxygen for the pump to generate foam, and contributes water to the final product formulation, thereby eliminating the need for separate air pump and water supply systems
2Extent of automation
If replaceable batteries are provided within the dispenser, then automatic dispensing can be achieved, but the dispenser requires a larger size to accommodate the batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the battery component from the system. The fuel cell-powered hydrogen peroxide system provides a more space-efficient power source that generates electricity on-demand through chemical reaction, allowing automatic dispensing functionality in a more compact form factor
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of power source from stored chemical energy (batteries) to on-demand chemical energy conversion (fuel cell), which dramatically reduces the volume required for power supply while maintaining automatic operation capabilities
3Adaptability or versatility
If an air pump is added to draw air into the mixing chamber to generate foam, then foam product can be dispensed, but the dispenser size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogen peroxide system serves dual purposes: generating electrical power through the fuel cell and providing oxygen gas for foam generation. This eliminates the need for a separate air pump, as the oxygen from hydrogen peroxide decomposition is directly used in the foam mixing chamber
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the power generation function and the oxygen supply function into a single hydrogen peroxide-based system. The fuel cell reaction produces both electricity and oxygen, combining what would traditionally require separate components (power source and air pump) into one integrated system
4Loss of time
If larger volume refill units are used to reduce replacement frequency, then maintenance intervals increase, but the dispenser size increases to accommodate them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of the soap product to a highly concentrated formula. This allows smaller refill units to provide sufficient product volume for extended use, reducing replacement frequency without requiring larger dispenser capacity to accommodate bulk refills
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 the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to generate oxygen and water, enabling the production of a foamed product without an air pump and allowing for a more concentrated soap formulation, thereby minimizing space and costs.
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
a first pump for delivering a liquid or foam product
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.