Water-Driven Soap Dispenser Pump for Compact Concentrate Refills
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soap dispensers face challenges with bulky refill units, difficult maintenance access, high energy consumption, and inefficiency in using concentrated products, particularly in counter-mounted systems where aesthetic and practical issues arise from large bulk containers and complex power requirements.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser system utilizing a pressurized water source to drive pump mechanisms and dilute concentrated products, reducing the need for energy input and allowing for a compact, faucet-shaped refill unit that can be easily accessed and replaced, with options for manual or sensor-activated actuation and foaming capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If bulk containers are used to hold liquid soap, then a sufficient number of dispensing doses can be provided, but the containers become voluminous and aesthetically unpleasing when mounted above a counter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies concentration changes by switching from liquid soap to concentrated soap paste. This parameter change allows the same number of dispensing doses to be achieved in a much smaller volume, eliminating the aesthetic problem of bulky containers mounted above counters.
2Area of stationary object
If refill units are mounted under the counter, then space above the counter is freed for aesthetic purposes, but maintenance personnel must access awkward spaces under the counter to replace refill units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter from liquid soap to concentrated soap paste, which enables the refill unit to be compact enough to be mounted above the counter on the exposed surface. This resolves the contradiction by making the refill unit small enough for aesthetic mounting positions while maintaining easy accessibility for maintenance personnel.
3Extent of automation
If electronic sensors and motors are used to actuate the pump mechanisms, then automatic dispensing is achieved, but energy consumption increases and batteries must be replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by using the existing pressurized water supply to automatically actuate the pump mechanism. The water pressure itself drives the pumping action without requiring external electrical power, batteries, or electronic sensors, thereby eliminating energy consumption while maintaining automatic dispensing functionality.
4Productivity
If liquid soap is dispensed, then the dispensing process is simple, but a significant amount of liquid (typically water) is used in each dose
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of the soap from liquid form to concentrated paste form. This eliminates the excessive water content in traditional liquid soaps while maintaining effective dispensing efficiency, as the concentrated paste is delivered in controlled amounts and can be diluted by the user if needed.
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 system achieves efficient dispensing of diluted or foamed products with reduced energy consumption, smaller refill units, and improved accessibility, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics in counter-mounted installations.
Implementation Method 1
a water chamber that receives water under pressure from a pressurized water source... wherein, in said staging state, water from said pressurized water source is fed to said water chamber, increasing the volume thereof and causing the actuating of said pump mechanism
Implementation Method 2
a dilution chamber... wherein water is advanced to said dilution chamber and mixes with said dose of product to create diluted product
Implementation Method 3
water is advanced to said dilution chamber and mixes with said dose of product
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser for dispensing a diluted form of a concentrated product includes: a supply of concentrated product; a dilution chamber; an actuation assembly and a product pump mechanism having a water staging chamber. The actuation assembly receives water under pressure from a pressurized water supply. In a staging state, water from the pressurized water supply is fed to the water staging chamber, increasing the volume thereof and causing the actuating of the pump mechanism thereby driving a dose of product into the dilution chamber. In a return state, (a) water within the water staging chamber exits the water staging chamber, (b) water is advanced to the dilution chamber and mixes with the dose of product to create diluted product, and (c) a dose of concentrated product is drawn from the supply of concentrated product into the product pump mechanism.