Treadable Sanitizing Mat with Electromechanical Dispensing Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitizing doormats face issues with uncontrolled dispensing of sanitizing substances, excessive wetting of soles, quick wear of sponge or porous layers, and complexity in automated systems, making them unsuitable for domestic use.
Innovation Solution
A treadable mat with sanitizing portions featuring a metal support grid, pressurized tanks with dispensing nozzles and electromechanical actuators for controlled sanitizing substance dispensing, and optional vaporization or nebulization means, allowing adjustable and automatic sanitizing treatment without mechanical moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a spongy or porous layer is used to dispense sanitising substance, then the substance is released due to user weight, but the amount dispensed is uncontrolled and excessive wetting occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical absorption system (spongy/porous layer relying on user weight) with an active electromechanical dispensing system. A pump mechanism controlled by a microprocessor reads weight sensor data and activates the pump to dispense a precise, pre-determined amount of sanitising substance, eliminating uncontrolled release and excessive wetting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates weight sensors that detect user weight and feed this information to a microprocessor. The microprocessor then adjusts the pump operation to dispense the appropriate amount of sanitising substance based on the detected weight, creating a closed-loop feedback system that prevents both under-dosing and over-dosing.
2Reliability
If a spongy or porous layer is used for sanitising, then the layer soaks with sanitising substance, but the layer wears quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sanitising substance from the porous layer itself and places it in a separate, replaceable reservoir or tank. The porous layer is replaced with a rigid support structure that does not degrade. This separation allows the sanitising function to be maintained while eliminating the wear problem of the original porous layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and delivery mechanism of the sanitising substance from absorption into a porous matrix to controlled dispensing via a pump system. This parameter change allows precise control over substance release and eliminates the degradation issues inherent in saturated porous materials.
3Reliability
If automated systems with rotating rollers are used for sanitising, then cleaning and sanitising is achieved, but the system becomes complex and suitable only for professional applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex rotating roller mechanism from the system. Instead, it uses a simple flat mat surface with an integrated pump-based dispensing system that applies sanitising substance directly to the user's feet or shoes, achieving effective sanitising without the mechanical complexity of rollers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses weight sensors and a microprocessor to automatically control the dispensing process without user intervention. When a user steps on the mat, the system automatically detects their presence, calculates the appropriate dose based on weight, and dispenses the sanitising substance, eliminating the need for manual operation or complex mechanical cleaning mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If pressurised tanks with electromechanical actuators are used, then controlled dispensing is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single unified system: the weight sensors serve both as presence detectors and as dosing calculators; the microprocessor controls both the timing and quantity of dispensing; the pump system handles both substance delivery and dosage control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture.
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 mat provides controlled and efficient sanitizing of shoe soles, reducing excessive wetting, prolonging the mat's lifespan, and ensuring ease of use and maintenance, while being compact and economical for widespread domestic application.
Implementation Method 1
The sanitisation means comprise at least one tank (22) containing the sanitising substance mixed with a gaseous propellant under pressure
Implementation Method 2
The vaporization means are operable to vaporise a liquid sanitising substance to be dispensed in the form of a vapor jet
Implementation Method 3
The nebulisation means are operable to nebulise a liquid sanitising substance to be dispensed in the form of a nebulised jet
Data Source
AI summary
A treadable mat comprises at least one sanitisation portion (10; 110) treadable by a user and provided with sanitisation means suitable to dispense a sanitising substance. The sanitisation portion comprises a treadable support surface (14). The sanitisation means are housed in a sanitisation seat (16) formed in the sanitisation portion below said support surface 14. The sanitisation means comprise at least one tank (22; 120) containing the sanitising substance, at least one dispensing nozzle (24; 122) in fluidic communication with said tank (22; 120), said dispensing nozzle having an open end on said support surface, and actuator means (30; 130) operable to generate a spray or a vaporized or nebulised jet of the sanitising substance in the presence of a sanitisation command signal.