Hygienic Sheet Dispenser Passive Mode for Low-Power Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic paper dispensers have high power consumption due to continuous user detection, limiting battery life, especially in low-usage periods.
Innovation Solution
The dispenser switches to a passive mode after a predetermined time without user detection, deactivating sensors and electronics to conserve energy, and reactivates when a piece of paper is removed, using a combination of active, low scan, and passive modes to manage power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the dispenser continuously scans for users using active sensor mode, then user detection capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser dynamically adjusts its operational state between active scanning mode and passive mode based on usage conditions. The control unit transitions the dispenser from continuous active scanning to passive state after detecting no user presence for a predetermined time, optimizing the balance between user detection reliability and power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser implements periodic active scanning intervals rather than continuous scanning. During passive mode, the dispenser periodically feeds out paper length while consuming minimal power, and transitions back to active scanning when paper removal is detected, creating a rhythmic pattern of high and low power states
2Use of energy by moving object
If the dispenser enters passive mode to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but user detection response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser performs preliminary paper feeding action during passive mode before transitioning to active scanning. By automatically feeding out a predetermined length of paper during low-power state, the system prepares the dispensing mechanism in advance, so when active mode resumes, paper is already positioned and ready for immediate user access, eliminating detection delay
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser serves itself by automatically feeding paper during passive mode without requiring active sensor operation. The system uses the paper feed mechanism to maintain paper availability independently of the sensor system, allowing the sensor to remain dormant while the dispensing function continues autonomously
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a hygienic sheet material dispenser (1) comprising a housing (2) with a dispensing opening (3), a compartment (4) for a sheet material product (5), a first sensor (6) arranged to assume an active mode in which it scans for the presence of a user, a dispensing motor (10) arranged to drive a driving mechanism (11,12), a second sensor (7) for sensing when a piece of said product (5) has been removed, and a microcontroller (9) connected to the first sensor (6), the second sensor (7) and the dispensing motor (10), said dispenser (1) also being configured to be switched to a passive mode. The dispenser (1) is arranged to switch to the passive mode after a first predetermined period of time has elapsed in the active mode without detection of a user; wherein, upon entering the passive mode, a length of said product (5) is fed from the dispenser (1) out of the dispensing opening (3) and the first sensor (6) and the microcontroller (9) are substantially deactivated; and wherein the dispenser (1) is arranged to switch back to the active mode when the second sensor (7) senses that said product (5) has been removed.