Retrofit Hygiene Module Using Dispenser Signals for Compliance Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers lack hygiene compliance monitoring functionality, making it costly and impractical to replace them with new ones that have monitoring features, and there is a need for a user-friendly retrofit solution that can be powered by the dispenser and enabled/disabled based on authentication.
Innovation Solution
A hygiene compliance module that includes a card with a module controller, a transmitter, and receiver, which detects actuation signals from the dispenser and wirelessly transmits identification codes and dispensing event data to a monitoring station, allowing for retrofitting of existing dispensers with hygiene compliance monitoring capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing dispensers are replaced with new dispensers that have hygiene compliance monitoring features, then hygiene compliance monitoring capability is improved, but cost and implementation complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The hygiene compliance monitoring system is divided into separate functional modules: a dispenser unit that dispenses hygiene products and a separate monitoring module that tracks usage. This segmentation allows existing dispensers to be upgraded by adding only the monitoring module rather than replacing the entire system, reducing complexity and cost while maintaining monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring module is designed to be universally compatible with multiple types of existing dispensers through standardized interfaces. This multi-functionality approach allows a single monitoring module design to work with various dispenser models, reducing the need for custom solutions and lowering overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If existing dispensers are replaced with new dispensers that have hygiene compliance monitoring features, then hygiene compliance monitoring capability is improved, but implementation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into a existing dispenser component and a separate monitoring module, the implementation cost is reduced. Organizations can retain their existing dispenser infrastructure and only invest in the monitoring modules, avoiding the high cost of complete dispenser replacement while still achieving hygiene compliance monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring module is designed to be self-contained with its own power source and processing capabilities, allowing it to operate independently without requiring modifications to the existing dispenser's power or control systems. This self-service design simplifies installation and reduces implementation costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A hygiene compliance module is configured to be retrofit with a compatible dispenser to enable hygiene compliance monitoring functions. The hygiene compliance module is configured to be coupled to the dispenser via a communication interface to receive power, ground, and dispenser actuation signals therefrom. In addition, the hygiene compliance module is enabled to communicate with a wireless data tag that is worn by a user of the dispenser and with a remote hygiene compliance monitoring station.