Hands-Free Soap Dispenser Refill Sealing for Leak-Free Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing devices for viscous liquid compositions, such as hand soap, face challenges in easy and mess-free refill replacement and efficient packaging and transport due to complex designs and leakage issues.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device with a base unit and refill unit configured for inverted installation, featuring a capacitive proximity sensor for hands-free operation, an articulated arm for compact storage, and a simplified refill mechanism using a spigot and annular seal with resiliently biased valve elements to prevent leakage during refill insertion and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the dispensing device uses a complex refill mechanism to prevent leakage, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing device is divided into separate functional modules: a base unit and a removable refill unit. The refill unit can be independently replaced without affecting the base unit, simplifying the refilling operation while maintaining reliable leakage prevention through the spigot-seal- valve mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The refill unit is extracted as a separate, removable component from the base unit. This allows users to simply remove and replace the entire refill unit without dealing with complex internal mechanisms, making the operation simple while the internal spigot-seal-valve system ensures reliable leakage prevention.
2Volume of moving object
If the dispensing device is designed for compact packaging and transport, then volume efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to the articulated arm mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated arm is designed as a movable mechanism that can transition between extended and retracted positions. When retracted, the arm reduces the overall device volume for compact packaging and transport, while when extended, it provides the necessary dispensing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated arm mechanism is designed to nest or fold back into the base unit when not in use, reducing the external dimensions of the device for compact packaging. The arm segments can be positioned within the base unit's housing, effectively nesting the dispensing mechanism within itself.
3Ease of operation
If the spigot enters the annular wall during refill insertion to open the flow path, then ease of operation is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to potential leakage during the opening process
Solution Approach 1:
The annular seal is pre-positioned to engage with the annular wall before the valve element is lifted from the wall. This preliminary sealing action prevents liquid leakage during the subsequent opening process when the spigot enters and the flow path is established, while still allowing simple refill insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The resiliently biased valve element is pre-configured to be lifted by the spigot entry, and the annular seal is pre-positioned to seal beforehand. This anticipatory arrangement ensures that the flow path opens smoothly without causing leakage, cushioning against the potential harmful effect before it occurs.
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
Enables easy, mess-free refill replacement and compact packaging, facilitating user convenience and efficient transport while maintaining effective liquid dispensing.
Implementation Method 1
it is preferably provided with a proximity sensor based on a capacitive-type sensor which senses the presence of the user's hand in the near proximity of the base of the dispensing device
Implementation Method 2
the valve element being biased onto the annular wall by at least one resilient member
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a dispensing device comprising a base unit and an articulated arm portion which extends from a part of the base unit, the base unit further comprises an actuation mechanism which includes a capacitive-type sensor for dispensing liquid and adapted to receive a refill unit insertible into the base unit in an inverted configuration with its outlet lowermost for the supply of liquid to the base unit.