Sensor and system for monitoring dispenser levels, traffic flow, and staff location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Property management companies face challenges with high labor costs and supply wastage due to manual checks on dispenser levels, inefficient labor allocation, and lack of real-time data on restroom usage, leading to increased expenses and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising material sensors that can be retrofitted to existing dispensers and waste receptacles, which wirelessly communicate with a base station to provide real-time data on material levels and traffic statistics, allowing for proactive maintenance and reduced manual checks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual checks on dispenser levels are performed regularly, then supply availability is maintained, but labor costs and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser system performs self-monitoring of supply levels through integrated sensors that automatically detect and report material quantities, eliminating the need for manual inspection by cleaning staff while ensuring continuous supply availability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback loops where sensors continuously monitor dispenser levels and transmit data to a central management platform, enabling proactive refilling decisions based on actual consumption patterns rather than scheduled manual checks
2Reliability
If cleaning staff refill dispensers proactively to prevent emptiness, then supply availability is ensured, but supply wastage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces subjective visual assessment by cleaning staff with objective electronic sensors that precisely measure remaining supply levels, eliminating the tendency to over-refill based on conservative estimates and reducing unnecessary product disposal
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary monitoring and prediction of supply depletion based on real-time data, enabling refilling actions to be timed precisely when needed rather than through premature proactive refilling that leads to wastage
3Ease of operation
If routine-based labor allocation is used for restroom maintenance, then staff scheduling is simplified, but labor efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static routine-based scheduling to dynamic demand-responsive scheduling, where cleaning staff assignments are automatically adjusted based on real-time restroom usage data, sensor readings, and predicted maintenance needs, optimizing both scheduling simplicity and labor efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters from fixed time-based schedules to variable demand-based schedules, using multiple input parameters (traffic patterns, dispenser levels, occupancy sensors) to dynamically determine optimal cleaning intervals and staff allocation
4Loss of information
If proprietary sensor technology from manufacturers is installed in dispensers, then real-time monitoring capability is achieved, but hardware replacement costs and supplier dependency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs universal, standardized sensor components and communication protocols that can be integrated into various dispenser types from different manufacturers, achieving real-time monitoring capability while avoiding proprietary lock-in and reducing hardware replacement complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary layer (sensor module with standardized interface) between the dispenser and the monitoring system, allowing real-time data access while decoupling the dependency on specific manufacturer proprietary technologies and simplifying hardware interoperability
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic material sensor for a container, such as a dispenser for paper or liquid materials, or a waste receptacle, in a facility such as a restroom. The material sensor may be adapted to fit inside an existing material dispenser. The material sensor provides wireless data transmission of the level of liquid or paper material in the container. A traffic sensor senses presence of people in the facility. An electronic beacon assigned to a user, such as a cleaning staff, tracks location of the user in the facility. In a system employing one or more sensors, including material sensors, traffic sensors, and beacons, the sensors send real-time data to a base station running a software application, to give details about levels of the materials and facility usage, and the location of cleaning staff. The system sends notifications to cleaning and maintenance staff when the materials need to be replenished and receptacles need to be emptied, and the system may be used by managers to schedule cleaning according to traffic and location of staff.