Tissue Dispenser Dual-Sensor Level Detection for Waste Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washroom consumable dispensers face challenges in accurately monitoring and reporting the level of consumables, leading to material waste due to over-refilling and inconsistent dispensing, with a need for a cost-effective and energy-efficient solution that can determine the type and quality of products.
Innovation Solution
A tissue dispenser equipped with a detection device comprising processing units, communication interfaces, and sensor elements with light sources and detectors, allowing for accurate and flexible monitoring of tissue levels through reflectivity analysis, enabling wireless communication and alerting service personnel when refills are needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If automatic dispensing is used to monitor consumable levels, then material waste is reduced through precise tracking, but material waste increases due to pre-defined dispensing amounts that are not appropriate for each guest
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the dispensing amount based on real-time sensor feedback about the actual need, transitioning from static pre-defined amounts to adaptive variable amounts that match guest requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor provides feedback about consumable levels and guest presence to the control unit, which then adjusts dispensing parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes both waste reduction and adaptability
2Reliability
If janitors refill dispensers on regular service intervals to ensure consumables are available, then guest convenience is improved, but material waste increases due to over-refilling
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system provides real-time feedback on actual consumable levels to janitors via mobile devices, enabling them to refill only when necessary rather than following fixed schedules, thus eliminating over-refilling waste while maintaining availability
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-monitoring of consumable levels through sensors and automatic notification to janitors, reducing the need for manual inspection and enabling precise intervention only when refilling is actually needed
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensor elements are used to accurately determine tissue levels and product quality, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple sensor elements serve multiple functions: detecting tissue level, determining product quality through reflectivity analysis, and identifying product type, allowing a single sensor array to perform several measurement tasks that would otherwise require separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines light sources, light detectors, and processing units into an integrated detection device that performs multiple measurement functions simultaneously, reducing overall system complexity compared to using separate devices for each measurement type
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 cost-effective and energy-efficient method for accurately determining tissue levels, reducing waste by ensuring timely refills and optimizing consumable usage, while also identifying product type and quality, thus enhancing the washroom experience and reducing inconvenience.
Implementation Method 1
The detection device is arranged to transmit light from the light source and detect reflected light in the light detector
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue dispenser, a method, system, and a sensor unit for detecting level of a consumable tissue product (201, 301) in a tissue dispenser (103, 106) located in a washroom. This includes provided a sensor unit utilizing two sensor elements (420, 430) each arranged to measure light reflected from a reflection field located on the tissue product, reflected directly from the tissue product, or measure the absence of the tissue product. Data from the sensor elements are wirelessly transmitted to a server (901) for further handling, such as for instance notification to a janitor in charge of service of the washroom.