Wet Wipe Dispenser with Roller-Driven Pump for Length-Adaptive Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wipe dispensing systems are limited to use with perforated wipes of a specific length, leading to inefficient use of wipes and dosing fluids, as they cannot dispense wipes of varying lengths or unperforated wipes, and require significant changes to accommodate different lengths, increasing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
An on-demand wet wipe dispensing system that doses wipes based on their length, allowing for the use of both perforated and unperforated wipes, with a mechanism where the dosing pump operates during the linear movement of the wipe, enabling the user to dispense wipes of any desired length by linking pump operation to the wipe's linear motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional dosing systems are configured to dispense fluid in discrete, predetermined volumes, then the dosing system has a relatively simple configuration, but it can only be employed with wipes of a known and consistent length
Solution Approach 1:
The pump operation is made dynamic by linking it to the linear movement of the wipe through the roller mechanism. As the wipe moves linearly during dispensing, the roller rotates and drives the pump to deliver fluid continuously. This dynamic coupling allows the system to adapt to any wipe length without requiring predetermined settings or complex programming.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the wipe's own movement to drive the dosing mechanism. The linear motion of the wipe during dispensing automatically rotates the roller, which in turn activates the pump to deliver the appropriate amount of fluid. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external control systems or complex sensors to determine when to dose.
2Ease of operation
If conventional dosing systems use a roller to rotate a pump in response to lid movement, then the system can dispense wipes, but it cannot accommodate wipes of varying lengths or unperforated wipes without significant changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static, predetermined dosing mechanism to a dynamic one where the pump operation duration is determined by the actual linear movement of the wipe. The roller converts the variable linear displacement of the wipe into rotational motion that drives the pump for the appropriate duration, automatically adapting to any wipe length.
Solution Approach 2:
The key parameter change is in how the dosing duration is determined. Instead of using fixed, predetermined volumes based on assumed wipe lengths, the system changes the control parameter to be based on the actual linear distance the wipe travels during dispensing. This parameter change allows the same mechanism to handle any wipe length.
3Ease of operation
If the pump is activated by lid movement, then the dosing mechanism is simple to operate, but the dose volume is not directly related to the actual wipe length dispensed
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a mechanical feedback loop where the linear movement of the wipe during dispensing is converted by the roller into rotational motion that drives the pump. The amount of fluid delivered is directly proportional to the distance the wipe travels, creating an automatic feedback mechanism that ensures dose volume accuracy matches the actual wipe length.
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
Enables efficient and flexible dispensing of wipes of any length, ensuring consistent dosing regardless of the wipe's length, allowing users to obtain a dosed wipe of the desired length on an as-needed basis without the constraints of predetermined lengths.
Implementation Method 1
A roller is provided that is configured to rotate in response to linear movement of a wipe during a wipe dispensing process
Implementation Method 2
A pump is provided that is configured to rotate in response to rotation of the roller and that, when rotated, delivers one or more liquids onto the wipe
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, a wipe dispensing system includes a housing that defines an internal wipe storage area, a lid connected to the housing, a fluid reservoir disposed within the housing, a pump in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, a fluid discharge manifold in fluid communication with the pump and located proximate a wipe dispensing path. The lid is operably disposed with respect to the pump such that depression of the lid causes the pump to discharge fluid from the fluid discharge manifold, and also causes dispensation of a portion of a wipe from the housing, and a return of the lid from a depressed position to a ‘ready’ position causes the pump to discharge fluid from the fluid discharge manifold, and also causes dispensation of portion of a wipe from the housing.