Through-the-wall dispensers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soap and sanitizer dispensers in commercial restrooms face challenges such as contamination and bacterial buildup in bulk systems, and maintenance difficulties in high-traffic areas, as well as sensor failures due to dirt and debris accumulation in touch-free dispensers.
Innovation Solution
The development of through-the-wall touch-free dispensers with an elongated wall mounting base, a spout, and a base housing, featuring a liquid inlet conduit that extends through the wall, a pump in fluid communication with a reservoir, and control circuitry for sanitary and efficient fluid dispensing, along with an object sensor and conduits for air and liquid, which prevent contamination and reduce maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If bulk fill systems are used, then multiple dispensers can be fed from a common reservoir, but contamination and bacterial buildup occur in the systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the bulk reservoir into multiple separate dispensing units, each with its own pump and conduit. This segmentation prevents contamination from spreading across multiple dispensers while maintaining efficient fluid delivery to each location independently.
Solution Approach 2:
Individual pumps serve as intermediary devices between the bulk reservoir and each dispenser. These pumps create isolated fluid pathways that prevent direct contact between the bulk fluid and multiple dispensing points, eliminating cross-contamination while preserving bulk storage efficiency.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If individually filled systems are used, then contamination and bacterial buildup are prevented, but maintenance personnel must be in the restroom filling and maintaining the systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation through automated sensors that detect user presence and trigger dispensing without manual intervention. The enclosed reservoirs are designed to be filled through sealed access points that can be serviced remotely or automatically, eliminating the need for maintenance personnel to be present in the restroom.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual filling and maintenance operations are replaced with automated pumping systems and sensor-controlled dispensing. The mechanical act of manual refilling is substituted with automated fluid transfer mechanisms that can be serviced externally without requiring access to the dispenser locations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If touch-free dispensers with sensors are used, then hygiene is improved, but sensors collect dirt and debris resulting in touch-free dispensers failing to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is extracted from its vulnerable position and relocated to a protected environment. By positioning the sensor inside the enclosed dispenser housing rather than exposing it on the external surface, the system maintains touch-free hygiene benefits while protecting the sensor from accumulating dirt and debris that would cause failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser utilizes an enclosed housing structure that acts as a protective shell for the sensor. This enclosure allows the sensor to detect users through the housing material while remaining physically isolated from contaminants, maintaining both hygiene and operational reliability.
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 provides a sanitary and low-maintenance dispensing system that effectively prevents contamination and bacterial buildup, while ensuring reliable operation even in high-traffic areas by using a through-the-wall design that reduces sensor failures and simplifies maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
A pump is in fluid communication with the liquid inlet
Implementation Method 2
An object sensor is located in the base housing below the spout
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary through-the-wall touch-free dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary through-the-wall touch-free dispensers system includes an elongated wall mounting base. The elongated wall mounting base has a length and a width, the length is greater than the width and the wall mounting base is configured such that the length is in the vertical direction when the touch-free dispenser is mounted on a wall. Also included is a spout and a base housing. The spout extends further outward from the wall than the base housing and the base housing extends below the spout. An object sensor is located in the base housing below the spout. A liquid inlet conduit that is configured to extend through at least a portion of the wall is also included. A pump is in fluid communication with the liquid inlet. A reservoir for holding liquid is in fluid communication with the pump. In addition, the dispenser includes control circuitry for causing the touch-free dispenser to dispense fluid.