Time-Delay Product Dispenser Using Linear Damper for Controlled Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing systems for hygiene products in public environments, such as tampons and menstrual pads, lack a cost-effective and easily adjustable time-delay mechanism that prevents overexploitation and ensures products of various shapes and sizes are readily accessible while maintaining a controlled dispensing rate.
Innovation Solution
A wall-mounted time-delay product dispenser featuring a set of containers, a feeding mechanism actuated by a user-operable assembly, and a linear damper as a movement damping device to slow down the actuation, allowing for adjustable and cost-effective time-delayed dispensing of products like tampons and menstrual pads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a time delay mechanism is implemented to prevent overexploitation, then product depletion is controlled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple, inexpensive time delay mechanism using a dashpot (pneumatic or hydraulic damper) rather than complex electronic systems. The dashpot is a straightforward mechanical component that provides time delay through fluid resistance, making the overall system less complex and more reliable while preventing overexploitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic time delay systems with a purely mechanical dashpot-based system. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for electronics, sensors, and control circuits, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the time delay function to control product dispensing.
2Ease of manufacture
If a linear damper is used for movement damping, then cost is reduced and ease of repair is improved, but device complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a linear damper (dashpot) which is a simple, inexpensive mechanical component compared to electronic damping systems. This component is readily available, easy to manufacture, and can be easily replaced if needed, reducing overall system cost while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear damper provides automatic movement damping without requiring external control systems, power sources, or complex adjustments. It self-regulates the actuator assembly's movement speed through inherent fluid resistance, eliminating the need for additional control mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If the actuator assembly movement is slowed down, then time delay is achieved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The dashpot creates a periodic, controlled movement pattern where the actuator assembly moves slowly during the time delay period, then quickly resets when ready for the next dispensing cycle. This periodic action achieves reliable time delay control while maintaining overall productivity by enabling rapid cycling between dispensing events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts movement speed based on operational phase: the dashpot provides slow, controlled movement during the time delay period for reliability, then allows rapid movement during reset phases to maintain productivity. This dynamic speed variation resolves the contradiction between time delay and dispensing rate.
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 reliable, low-cost, and easily maintainable dispenser that prevents rapid depletion of products, ensures controlled access, and reduces noise and wear, enhancing user experience by allowing adjustable time delays and accommodating diverse product sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a movement damping device to slow down a movement of the actuator assembly
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
This disclosure presents a time delay product dispenser (1) comprising a set of containers (10) each adapted for containing a product (60), a feeding mechanism (20) that is configured to move the set of containers (10) such that the products are successively accessible to a user, an actuator assembly (30) for actuating the feeding mechanism (20), and a movement damping device (40) to slow down a movement of the actuator assembly (30).