Sheet product dispenser with spring assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sheet product dispensers often experience issues such as jamming, misfeeding, and high pull force requirements, which can lead to damage and undesirable operation.
Innovation Solution
The dispenser incorporates a spring assembly with a crank arm, floater link, rocker link, and torsion springs to bias the knife drum, reducing the pull force and time required for dispensing, and includes a torque limiter to prevent over-torqueing of internal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a feed wheel mechanism is used to allow manual feeding of sheet product, then ease of operation is improved, but the mechanism becomes susceptible to over-torqueing by users which may cause damage to internal components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a torque limiter mechanism that is pre-configured to slip or disengage when a predetermined torque threshold is exceeded. This beforehand cushioning protects internal components from damage by users who may apply excessive force during manual feeding operations, while still allowing normal operation throughout the acceptable torque range.
2Ease of operation
If traditional dispensing mechanisms are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but high pull force over a long pull period is required which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring assembly that dynamically stores energy during the dispensing cycle and releases it to assist with the next dispensing action. This dynamic mechanism reduces the pull force required by transforming the static resistance into a more manageable dynamic load, allowing sheets to be dispensed with less effort over a shorter pull period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical friction-based dispensing with a spring-assisted mechanical system. The spring assembly substitutes for part of the user-applied force, reducing the mechanical burden on the user while maintaining the overall mechanical simplicity of the dispenser structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If component configurations are used that reduce manufacturing complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the dispenser becomes prone to jamming and misfeeding which reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spring assembly as an intermediary element between the knife drum and the sheet product feed path. This intermediary component acts as a buffer and alignment mechanism that prevents direct contact issues between rigid components, thereby reducing jamming and misfeeding while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing requirements.
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 solution ensures proper feeding and cutting of sheet products, reduces the force needed for dispensing, and prevents damage to the dispenser, resulting in efficient and user-friendly operation.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one biasing element comprises a torsion spring disposed about a pivot point on the housing that defines a rotatable connection between the housing and the rocker link. The torsion spring is operably coupled to the housing and the rocker link. In some embodiments, the torsion spring is configured to charge during rotation of the knife drum in a feed direction in response to a user pulling on a free end of the sheet product. The torsion spring may be configured to discharge to cause the knife drum to rotate to the predetermined position.
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser for dispensing sheet product is provided. The dispenser includes a housing with an outlet through which sheet product is dispensed. A knife drum is rotatable with respect to the housing. A knife is movable between a retracted position within the knife drum and an extended position where the knife protrudes outside of the knife drum to cut the sheet product. A cam follower surface is fixed with respect to the housing. A cam follower is attached to the knife and operable to engage the cam follower surface and travel therealong to transition the knife between the retracted position and the extended position. A spring assembly biases the knife drum during rotation toward a predetermined position. The spring assembly comprises a first spring and a second spring. The spring assembly is attached at a single mount position that is fixed with respect to the housing.