Touchless Soap Dispenser Control With Distance-Based Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Public washroom fixtures often require manual operation, increasing the risk of germ transmission due to direct contact, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed through automation.
Innovation Solution
A liquid dispenser, such as a soap dispenser, equipped with a proximity sensor and electronic processor that adjusts the dispensation volume based on the distance of an object from the sensor, using a removable cartridge with a built-in battery for autonomous operation and reduced contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If manual operation of washroom fixtures is used, then device complexity is reduced, but germ transmission risk increases due to direct contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated sensor-based system. A proximity sensor detects the user's approach and triggers a motor-driven pump to dispense liquid automatically, eliminating the need for manual button pressing or valve handling. This substitution of mechanical manual operation with automated sensing and actuation directly reduces germ transmission risk while managing the complexity through integrated control circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the dispenser automatically detects user presence and initiates dispensing without human intervention. The control circuit autonomously processes sensor signals and activates the motor pump accordingly, allowing the system to serve itself and the user without requiring manual activation, thereby reducing contact points and germ transmission opportunities.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If automated sensor-based dispensing is implemented, then germ transmission risk is reduced, but device complexity increases due to sensors and electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the proximity sensor, control circuit, motor pump, and liquid reservoir into a single integrated dispenser unit. This consolidation combines multiple functional components (sensing, processing, actuation, and storage) into one cohesive device, managing the inherent complexity through unified design rather than separate distributed systems, thereby reducing germ transmission risk while keeping the overall system manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit is designed to be universally applicable, processing signals from the proximity sensor and controlling the motor pump operation based on detected conditions. This multi-functional control architecture handles both sensing and actuation tasks within a single electronic system, efficiently managing complexity by making the control circuit serve multiple functions within the automated dispensing system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed liquid reservoir is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability decreases when different liquid types are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the liquid storage function into a separate removable cartridge that can be independently replaced. The dispenser is divided into a permanent housing containing the motor and control circuit, and a replaceable cartridge containing the liquid reservoir. This segmentation allows different liquid types to be accommodated by simply swapping cartridges rather than modifying the entire system, enhancing adaptability while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid cartridge is designed as a disposable or replaceable component that can be easily swapped when depleted or when a different liquid type is needed. This approach uses inexpensive, short-lived cartridges instead of permanent, complex multi-liquid storage systems, allowing high adaptability for different liquid types (soap, sanitizer, lotion) while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through simple cartridge replacement rather than complex internal reconfiguration.
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 reduces the risk of germ transmission by enabling hands-free operation and ensuring consistent soap supply through the removable cartridge, which is designed for easy replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a proximity sensor or a reflective type sensor configured to generate a signal representing the distance between an object and the sensor
Implementation Method 2
The motor can be disposed in the housing. The motor can be configured to drive the pump
Implementation Method 3
The pump can be configured to allow air disposed therein to pass through the opening. The motor can be disposed in the housing. The motor can be configured to drive the pump, which can be configured to encourage a flow of liquid from the reservoir into the inlet and out of the outlet of the fluid passage
Data Source
AI summary
A soap dispenser can be configured to dispense an amount of liquid soap, for example, upon detecting the presence of an object. Certain embodiments of the dispenser include a housing, reservoir, pump, motor, sensor, electronic processor, and nozzle. In certain embodiments, the sensor can be configured to generate a signal based on a distance between an object and the sensor. In certain embodiments, the electronic processor can be configured to receive the signal from the sensor and to determine a dispensation volume of the liquid. The dispensation volume can vary as a function of the distance between the object and the sensor. The processor can be configured to control the motor to dispense approximately the dispensation volume of the liquid.