Removable Hygiene Compliance Module for Dispensing Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hygiene compliance monitoring systems require costly, permanently-installed dispensers and specialized training, making them unsuitable for widespread use in disposable or refillable dispensing containers, which limits their accessibility and affordability.
Innovation Solution
A removable point-of-care hygiene compliance module with a housing, pivotable actuation arm, switch, controller, memory unit, and data port that can be attached to dispensing containers, allowing for actuation of the nozzle to update a count value and communicate with remote devices, enabling tracking of hygiene compliance without the need for permanent installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If permanently-installed dispensers are used for hygiene compliance monitoring, then monitoring reliability is improved, but device cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hygiene compliance monitoring system is divided into separate modular components: a reusable monitoring module containing the actuation arm, switch, controller, and memory unit, and a dispensing container portion. This segmentation allows the monitoring functionality to be detached from permanent installation requirements, reducing installation complexity while maintaining monitoring reliability through consistent modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation arm serves as an intermediary mechanical element that transfers the actuation force from the user's pressing action on the dispensing nozzle to the switch. This intermediary mechanism ensures reliable switch actuation and accurate compliance tracking without requiring complex direct coupling or permanent installation infrastructure.
2Reliability
If permanently-installed dispensers are used for hygiene compliance monitoring, then monitoring reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing container is designed as a disposable or refillable unit with an integrated removable monitoring module, eliminating the need for expensive permanent installation infrastructure. The modular design allows the monitoring functionality to be manufactured as a separate, more economical component that can be attached to standard dispensing containers, significantly reducing overall system manufacturing cost while maintaining reliable monitoring through consistent module design.
3Ease of operation
If removable compliance modules are used, then ease of installation and cost are improved, but measurement precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation arm is designed to engage directly with the dispensing nozzle actuation mechanism, merging the user's pressing action with the switch actuation. This direct mechanical coupling ensures that each press of the dispensing nozzle reliably triggers the switch, maintaining accurate actuation count measurement despite the removable nature of the module. The controller and memory unit are integrated into a single cohesive module that simplifies installation while preserving measurement precision through this direct mechanical linkage.
Data Source
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AI summary
A point-of-care hygiene compliance module includes a housing that is adapted to be attached to a dispensing container that dispenses material through a dispensing nozzle when actuated. The housing includes a pivoting actuation arm that is configured so as to be placed in operative contact with the dispensing nozzle. Thus, when the actuation arm is actuated, material is dispensed from the dispensing container, and a switch in operative contact with the actuation arm is actuated. The triggering of the switch updates a count value that is maintained by a controller, which may then be displayed or acquired by a remote computer to assess the amount of usage of the dispensing container.