Spindle assembly for sheet product dispensers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet product dispensers face challenges in providing consistent resistance to rotation, leading to issues such as over-spin, premature tearing, or excessive dispensing due to variable resistance caused by inconsistencies in the inner surface of the roll or core, which affects user experience and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A spindle assembly with friction elements at both ends that provide a constant contact force against the mandrel, independent of the roll's installation, ensuring consistent resistance to rotation and balanced rotation, thereby preventing over-spin and premature separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the spindle relies on compressive force from the roll's core or inner surface to provide resistance to rotation, then the structure is simple, but the resistance varies due to inconsistencies in the roll's inner surface or core
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces friction elements as an intermediary component between the spindle body and the mandrel. These friction elements provide a constant contact force against the mandrel, serving as a mediator that decouples the resistance to rotation from the roll's core or inner surface. This intermediary mechanism ensures consistent resistance regardless of variations in the roll's construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of contact force generation from passive compression (relying on roll weight and core fit) to active friction-based contact force. The friction elements are designed to engage with the mandrel and provide a predetermined constant contact force, transforming the resistance mechanism from variable to controllable and consistent.
2Loss of substance
If the spindle provides high resistance to rotation to prevent over-spin, then sheet product waste is reduced, but the sheet product may tear or separate prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls the resistance parameter through the friction elements' contact force against the mandrel. By adjusting the friction element design and engagement characteristics, the system achieves an optimal resistance level that prevents over-spinning and waste while remaining below the threshold that would cause sheet product tearing or perforation separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction-based resistance mechanism provides consistent feedback force during rotation, allowing the system to maintain optimal resistance levels. The constant contact force ensures that the resistance adapts smoothly to dispensing conditions, preventing both over-spinning and premature tearing through balanced force application.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the spindle is designed to work with different roll sizes and types, then versatility is improved, but maintaining constant resistance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The friction elements act as a universal intermediary that interfaces with the mandrel rather than directly with the roll's core or inner surface. This mediation allows the spindle to work with various roll sizes and types while maintaining constant resistance, as the friction-based contact force is independent of the specific roll characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The spindle design with friction elements provides universal functionality across different roll configurations. The friction elements engage with the mandrel in a consistent manner regardless of whether the roll is large or small, cored or coreless, ensuring that the same constant resistance is applied across all roll types.
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 spindle assembly ensures consistent and controlled dispensing of sheet products, preventing unnecessary waste and maintaining efficient usage by providing a pre-set resistance level that is not dependent on the roll's core or surface inconsistencies.
Implementation Method 1
The friction elements provide a contact force against the mandrel, thereby providing a desired resistance to rotation
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for supporting a roll of sheet product with respect to a sheet product dispenser is provided including a mandrel configured to be positioned within a housing of the dispenser and a spindle. The spindle includes a spindle body positioned over the mandrel and configured to be received within a central opening of the roll. The spindle includes first and second sets of friction elements extending away from respective ends of the spindle body. Each friction element is configured to extend radially inward from the spindle body so as to provide a contact force against the mandrel when the spindle is installed on the mandrel. The contact forces applied against the mandrel may be designed to be constant irrespective of whether the roll of sheet product is installed on the spindle and/or if the inner surface of the central opening of the roll of sheet product has any inconsistencies.