Touchless Ice Dispenser Using Proximity Sensing for Hygienic Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ice dispensing systems require physical contact, leading to inaccuracies in starting and stopping dispensing, potential splashes, and a need for touchless interactions due to hygiene concerns.
Innovation Solution
A touchless ice dispensing system using a sensor to detect the proximity of an object within a cone-shaped beam, controlling an electromechanical dispense component to initiate and stop ice dispensing based on object position, and providing visual feedback through an LED for operational status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical contact is used to trigger dispensing, then the system is simple to operate, but accuracy in starting and stopping dispensing deteriorates and hygiene concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based triggering with an optical sensing system. A sensor detects the presence of a cup through optical means, eliminating the need for physical contact to initiate dispensing. This substitution improves measurement precision for detecting when to start and stop dispensing while maintaining operational simplicity through automatic detection.
2Reliability
If physical contact is required for dispensing, then the device structure is simple, but hygiene concerns worsen and splashing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical contact between the user and the dispensing mechanism by using an optical sensor to detect cup presence. This non-contact approach improves hygiene reliability by preventing contamination transmission while the added optical sensing components increase device structural complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional contact-based dispensing is used, then the system is easy to manufacture, but dispensing accuracy and mess control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical lever-based triggering with an optical sensing system that detects cup presence and automatically controls dispensing start and stop points. This improves manufacturing precision for dispensing accuracy while requiring additional optical components that complicate the manufacturing process.
4Ease of operation
If no visual feedback is provided, then the device is simpler, but user experience and operational confirmation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual feedback through an LED indicator that communicates the dispensing state to the user. The LED provides confirmation that dispensing has been triggered and is in progress, improving ease of operation and user experience by making the system's status clear without adding significant complexity.
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
Ensures accurate and hygienic dispensing of ice without physical contact, reducing mess and enhancing user experience by precisely controlling the dispensing process.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor is configured to produce a beam within the dispense area... The sensor is configured to provide a signal indicative of a proximity of an object within the beam to the sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
An example of a system for touchlessly dispensing ice into a receptacle includes a dispense chute configured to direct dispensed ice therethrough to a dispense area. A visual feedback device is configured to present a visual indication of an operational status of the system. A sensor is configured to produce a beam within the dispense area and to provide a signal indicative of a proximity of an object within the beam to the sensor. A controller is configured to receive the signal and to determine the proximity of the object to the sensor from the signal. The controller is configured to operate the system to initiate a dispense of ice through the dispense chute based upon the determined proximity of the object. The controller is configured to operate the visual feedback device to present a visual indication of the initiated ice dispense.