Electronic Tissue Dispenser Rollers to Prevent Paper Breakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic tissue dispensers face issues with breaking or premature tearing of perforated tissue paper, leading to operational failures and hygiene concerns due to bodily contact and static electricity accumulation.

Innovation Solution

An electronic tissue dispenser with a dual pressing roller mechanism and a belt-driven system that prevents paper breakage by engaging the tissue paper at multiple points, reducing static electricity through a static release mechanism, and allowing hands-free operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional mechanical dispensing mechanisms are used, then the tissue can be dispensed, but hygiene is compromised due to required bodily contact

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovehygieneVSAvoidmanual contact requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical activation with an electronic sensing system. A sensor detects the user's presence or gesture, triggering an electronic control circuit that activates a motor-driven dispensing mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for direct bodily contact with the dispenser while maintaining automated tissue delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If electronic dispensers are used for thin perforated tissue, then hands-free operation is achieved, but the tissue breaks inside the dispenser causing operational failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free operationVSAvoidtissue breakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a support mechanism that provides structural reinforcement to the thin perforated tissue as it passes through the dispensing path. This cushioning support prevents the tissue from breaking at vulnerable points before it reaches the user, ensuring reliable operation of the hands-free electronic dispenser.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different structural properties to different parts of the dispensing system. The tissue support mechanism provides enhanced structural integrity specifically in areas where the thin perforated tissue is most vulnerable to breaking, while maintaining the overall electronic automated dispensing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If conventional dispensing mechanisms are used, then tissue can be dispensed, but static electricity accumulates causing shocks and affecting electronic circuitry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing functionVSAvoidstatic electricity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a static dissipation mechanism that converts the harmful static electricity generated during tissue dispensing into a harmless form. This may involve grounding paths or static-dissipative materials that safely discharge accumulated static charge, preventing both user shocks and interference with the electronic control circuitry while maintaining continuous dispensing operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 dispenser ensures continuous operation without manual refeeding, maintains hygiene by eliminating bodily contact, and reduces static shocks by effectively managing static electricity, providing reliable and efficient tissue dispensing.

Implementation Method 1

The dispenser can include an adjustable proximity sensor. The dispensing mechanism is operative to be responsive to a signal from the proximity sensor to dispense a sheet of material.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProximity sensing:

Implementation Method 2

Conventional electronic dispensers accumulate and discharge static electricity during the dispense cycle. Static charge can be generated by various components or operations such as the movement of sheet material over rollers, interactions between rollers, etc.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStatic electricity dissipation: Electrostatic Discharge

Data Source

PatentUS10136769B2Electronic residential tissue dispenser

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 KIMBERLY CLARK WORLDWIDE INC

AI summary

The present disclosure is, in one aspect, directed to a sheet material dispenser assembly including a dispenser housing with at least one support and a discharge. The dispense assembly has a supply sheet material at least partially supported by the at least one support, and at least one driving roller driven to direct sheet material from the supply of sheet material to the discharge. In addition, the dispenser assembly includes a plurality of pressing rollers at least partially engaging the sheet material against the at least one driving roller as the at least one driving roller is driven to direct the sheet material towards the discharge, which pressing rollers are held in a substantially tensioned arrangement to facilitate a consistent drawing or pulling of the sheet material.