Sensor-Controlled Impeller Dispenser to Prevent Cross-Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dispensing systems face issues with cross-contamination due to soiled handles, inaccurate product measurement, and inability to control the volume of product dispensed, leading to waste and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing system with a sensor-controlled impeller that uses a touchless sensor to detect receptacles and a controller to manage the impeller's operation, correlating rotations with known product volumes and nutritional data to accurately dispense specific amounts of product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual handle is used to operate the impeller, then the user can dispense product, but the handle becomes soiled leading to cross-contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical handle operation with an automated sensor-triggered motor system. The sensor detects when a receptacle is positioned and automatically activates the motor to rotate the impeller, eliminating the need for users to touch and manually operate the dispensing mechanism, thereby preventing cross-contamination while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the user estimates the product output manually, then dispensing is simple, but the amount of product cannot be accurately measured or controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a sensor that detects the presence of a receptacle and provides feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically control the motor operation and impeller rotation to dispense a precise, predetermined amount of product, eliminating the need for user estimation while maintaining simple operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is pre-programmed with the exact rotational duration and speed required to dispense a specific volume of product. Before dispensing begins, the controller has already determined the precise parameters needed, allowing it to automatically execute the correct dispense amount once the sensor detects the receptacle, thus ensuring measurement precision without complicating the user interface.
3Productivity
If the impeller rotates freely, then product flows easily, but the user cannot determine the volume dispensed prior to dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The controller pre-calculates and stores the exact rotational parameters (duration, speed, number of rotations) required to dispense a specific volume of product based on the impeller's segment volume correlation. Before the dispensing action occurs, the system has already determined the precise volume to be dispensed, allowing it to control the motor to rotate the impeller for the exact amount needed, thus providing volume information control without restricting product flow.
4Measurement precision
If the sensor is placed close to the impeller for detection, then receptacle detection is accurate, but product may bounce out or escape the receptacle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the sensor at an optimal distance that balances detection accuracy with product containment. The sensor is placed close enough to accurately detect the receptacle's presence and trigger dispensing, but at a distance that allows the product to be deposited gently into the receptacle without excessive force or height that would cause bouncing or escaping, thus maintaining both detection precision and product containment reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to a device that allows for dispensing of products from one or more hoppers. The system utilizes a hopper or hoppers to hold product. An impeller is enclosed within an outlet chute of the hopper. A sensor monitors the area surrounding the port of the outlet chute and, when a receptacle is sensed, the sensor transmits a signal to a controller that in turn controls the operation of a motor to move the impeller and dispense product.