Spray Device Motion Sensor Sleep Period Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic discharge devices for aerosol containers often lead to over-spraying in heavily trafficked areas due to frequent activations, and they lack efficient control mechanisms to prevent undesired fluid discharge based on ambient light changes.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing unit with a sleep period interval and a motion sensor that detects high-to-low and low-to-high transitions in light intensity to initiate fluid discharge only when motion is confirmed, preventing unnecessary activation and conserving fluid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If motion sensor is continuously active to detect motion for fluid discharge, then responsiveness to motion is improved, but energy consumption increases and over-spraying occurs in heavily trafficked areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponsiveness to motionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The motion sensor operates intermittently rather than continuously, with a sleep period interval (e.g., 30 seconds) between activations. This periodic operation reduces energy consumption while still providing timely detection of motion events that require fluid discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enters a sleep mode after fluid discharge where the motion sensor is deactivated for a predetermined interval. This preliminary deactivation prevents unnecessary re-activation and energy waste when no motion is present, while still allowing quick response when motion occurs after the sleep period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of substance

If motion sensor activation interval is shortened to prevent over-spraying, then fluid conservation is improved, but detection responsiveness may be delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerosol content conservationVSAvoiddetection delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The motion sensor is activated periodically with optimized intervals that balance fluid conservation and detection responsiveness. The sleep period is set to prevent over-spraying in heavily trafficked areas while still allowing timely detection of genuine motion events requiring discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from motion detection to dynamically control fluid discharge timing. When motion is detected during the sleep period, the system can interrupt the sleep mode and activate fluid discharge, ensuring responsive action while maintaining overall fluid conservation through the structured sleep-wake cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 effectively reduces over-spraying by ensuring fluid discharge only when motion is detected after a sleep period, conserving aerosol content and preventing undesired activations, thus optimizing fluid usage.

Implementation Method 1

A different step includes activating a motion sensor disposed on the dispensing unit after completion of the sleep period interval to detect motion within a sensory path of the sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight intensity detection: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The released pressurized fluid acts upon a diaphragm within the valving mechanism to force hydraulic fluid from a first chamber into a second chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pascal's Law

Implementation Method 3

The container is provided with a magnetic material and a solenoid coil extending around the container. Energization of the solenoid coil causes the container to move upwardly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP2079647B1Compact spray device
Publication Date: 2017.05.03 SC JOHNSON & SON INC
  • EP2079647B1 patent drawingFigure 24
  • EP2079647B1 patent drawingFigure 25
  • EP2079647B1 patent drawingFigure 26

AI summary

An automatic discharge device (10) includes a housing (20) having a top portion (104) and a base (100) portion, wherein surfaces defining a recess (200) are provided there between for securely holding a container (60). At least one gear (404) is disposed substantially between the recess and a rear panel of the housing. A drive motor (40) is in association with the at least one gear. An actuator arm (30) is also provided. Activation of the drive motor and the at least one gear provides for movement of the actuator arm between at least one of a,pre-actuation position and a discharge position along a path that has a directional component parallel to a longitudinal axis of the recess.