Touch Sensor Dispensing Mechanism for Hygiene Products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vending machines for feminine hygiene products require physical effort, such as turning knobs or depositing coins, which can be challenging for older individuals or those with disabilities, and lack efficient mechanisms to prevent continuous dispensing of products.
Innovation Solution
A vending machine design featuring touch sensors and a computer-controlled mechanism that allows dispensing of sanitary pads and tampons without physical effort, incorporating a time delay to prevent continuous dispensing and using magnets and reed switches for low-stock alerts, ensuring easy access and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional vending machines use physical knobs or coin deposit mechanisms, then product dispensing can be controlled, but the operation becomes difficult for older individuals or those with disabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical interaction mechanisms (knobs, coin slots) with electronic touch sensors that detect user presence or input through capacitive coupling. This substitution eliminates the need for physical manipulation while maintaining controlled dispensing through electronic circuitry that can be programmed with time delays and detection algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch sensor provides feedback about user interaction with the dispensing mechanism. The system monitors sensor activation and uses this feedback to control the dispensing cycle, including implementing time delays to prevent continuous dispensing. The feedback loop ensures that dispensing occurs only when appropriate user interaction is detected.
2Ease of operation
If touch sensors are used for dispensing, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of continuous dispensing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by programming time delays into the dispensing control system. After a product is dispensed, the system waits for a predetermined time period before allowing another dispensing cycle to begin. This periodic restriction prevents continuous or excessive dispensing while still maintaining ease of operation through touch sensor activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the dispensing mechanism and sensor activation to control subsequent dispensing cycles. The control circuit monitors whether a product has been successfully dispensed and uses this information, combined with time delay parameters, to determine when the next dispensing is permitted, thereby preventing over-dispensing.
3Loss of information
If conventional vending machines lack stock alert mechanisms, then the structure remains simple, but users are not aware of low stock levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color changes in LED indicators to communicate stock levels to users. Different colors (e.g., green for adequate stock, yellow for low stock, red for out of stock) provide intuitive visual feedback about product availability. This approach conveys information efficiently while adding minimal complexity to the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The stock alert system provides continuous feedback about inventory levels to users through visual indicators. The system monitors stock levels and automatically activates appropriate alerts when thresholds are reached, informing users of low stock conditions without requiring manual checking or complex interfaces.
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
Enables easy and effortless dispensing of feminine hygiene products, reducing physical strain and preventing over-dispensing, while ensuring users are aware of low stock levels through visual alerts, thus improving accessibility and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
When a user places his or her hand near or upon the touch sensor, a capacitive coupling is created between the user and the touch sensor, thereby completing an electrical circuit.
Implementation Method 2
A door switch which is at the lower portion of the door is also hardwired to female connectors on the motherboard
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser of feminine pads and tampons activated by a touch sensor or a proximity sensor. The touch of or the proximity of a person's hand closes an electronic circuit causing a motor to rotate. The motor is attached to a shaft which rotates. The shaft retains a feminine product dispenser. The feminine product dispenser transports a feminine napkin or tampon to a retrieval tray. The improved design enables the sanitary napkin rail and tampon rail to be adjacent to each other, thereby reducing the width requirements for the cabinet housing the rails. The activation by a touch screen or a proximity sensor significantly improves the selection and dispensing of the desired feminine napkin product and tampon product.