Touchless Paper Dispenser Control for Hygiene and Paper Usage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toilet paper dispensers manually dispense paper, risking the transfer of harmful microorganisms and lack automatic monitoring for maintenance, leading to downtime and inefficient paper usage.
Innovation Solution
An automatic touchless paper product dispenser with dual motors, sensors, and a controller for adjusting paper length and interval, network connectivity for maintenance alerts, and antimicrobial features to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If manual dispensing is used, then device complexity is reduced, but harmful microorganisms are transferred from user hands to the toilet paper roll
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical interaction with an automated motorized system. A motor drives a roller to automatically dispense toilet paper when a sensor detects hand presence, eliminating the need for users to touch the dispenser or hold the paper roll, thus preventing microorganism transfer while maintaining simple operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sensor as an intermediary between the user and the dispenser mechanism. The sensor detects hand presence and triggers automatic dispensing, serving as a mediator that eliminates direct contact between users and the dispenser, thereby preventing contamination while keeping the system relatively simple
2Loss of time
If automatic monitoring is added, then maintenance response time is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensors continuously monitor paper levels and transmission status, and automatically notify maintenance personnel when intervention is needed. This feedback loop reduces maintenance downtime by enabling proactive refilling and repair scheduling while keeping the monitoring system integrated and manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser performs self-monitoring of its own status (paper levels, transmission functionality) and automatically communicates when maintenance is required. This self-service capability reduces the need for manual checking and enables timely maintenance responses without requiring complex external monitoring infrastructure
3Ease of operation
If unlimited dispensing is allowed, then user convenience is improved, but excess paper usage and contamination spread increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements controlled dispensing that provides sufficient paper for normal use needs without allowing excessive consumption. The motorized mechanism dispenses a predetermined or sensor-controlled amount of paper, preventing both insufficient dispensing and wasteful over-dispensing, thus optimizing paper usage while maintaining user convenience
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual control of paper dispensing with automated motorized control. The motor drives the roller to dispense paper based on sensor input, eliminating the ability for users to manually pull excessive paper while ensuring adequate dispensing for legitimate needs, thus preventing waste and contamination spread
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
Reduces the transfer of microorganisms, ensures continuous operation by alerting maintenance, and optimizes paper usage through automatic dispensing and monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a motor that rotates the paper roll to dispense the toilet paper
Implementation Method 2
automatic touchless paper product dispenser
Data Source
AI summary
A paper product dispenser that includes a motor adapted to dispense a paper product and a controller. A network interlace card is in communication with the controller and is adapted to connect the paper product dispenser to a network. DIP switches are connected to the motor to adjust the length of the paper product and the interval between the activation of the motor. A power roller is connected to the motor and an idle roller is face-to-face with the power roller. The paper product passes between the power roller and the idle roller. A paper sensor is positioned below the power roller to detect the presence or absence of the paper product. A thermopile sensor is also provided to detect the presence of a human being adjacent to the dispenser.