Movable-Cover Towel Dispenser for Easier Replenishment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing towel dispensers are cumbersome and time-consuming to replenish, with poor visibility of the stock, leading to potential incorrect placement and inefficiency in managing towel material.
Innovation Solution
A towel dispenser design with a movable cover that brings the stock space to a more accessible position for easier filling and checking, incorporating sensors to determine dispensing patterns based on markings on the towel material, allowing for customizable loop lengths and replenishment settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the receiving means is positioned in the lower part of the dispenser, then the structure is compact, but the ease of operation for replenishing towel material deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving means is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned in different locations. The receiving means can be moved to a position where it is easily accessible for replenishing operations, and the movement is guided by guide means to ensure proper positioning without requiring complex manual adjustment
2Ease of operation
If the stock space is in a fixed position, then the device structure is simple, but the ease of operation for laying and checking towel material deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stock space is made movable relative to the dispenser housing, allowing it to be positioned at different locations for optimal accessibility. The stock space can be moved to a position that facilitates easy laying and checking of towel material, with guide means ensuring proper positioning during movement
3Productivity
If manual replenishment is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity for managing towel material deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The towel dispenser is equipped with sensors that automatically detect when the stock is running low and initiate replenishment operations without manual intervention. The system monitors the stock level, activates the receiving means to obtain additional towel material, and transfers it to the stock space automatically, significantly improving replenishment efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor provides continuous feedback about the stock level to the control system. When the stock falls below a predetermined threshold, the sensor triggers the replenishment mechanism, creating a closed-loop system that automatically maintains adequate stock levels without requiring manual monitoring or intervention
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A towel dispenser for dispensing towel material in a loop from a stack or roll, which towel dispenser has a back part and a cover part movably connected with the back part, the cover part being provided with receiving means for receiving at least one roll or one stack of folded towel material, wherein the back part is provided with collecting means for taking up towel material dispensed from said at least one stack or one roll.