US20140209631A1 - Energy saving electric soap dispenser - Google Patents
Energy saving electric soap dispenser Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140209631A1 US20140209631A1 US14/251,675 US201414251675A US2014209631A1 US 20140209631 A1 US20140209631 A1 US 20140209631A1 US 201414251675 A US201414251675 A US 201414251675A US 2014209631 A1 US2014209631 A1 US 2014209631A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- electric motor
- valve
- electric
- gear system
- arm
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K5/00—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste, or the like
- A47K5/06—Dispensers for soap
- A47K5/12—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap
- A47K5/1217—Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K5/00—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste, or the like
- A47K5/06—Dispensers for soap
- A47K5/12—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap
- A47K5/1202—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap dispensing dosed volume
- A47K5/1204—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap dispensing dosed volume by means of a rigid dispensing chamber and pistons
- A47K5/1207—Dispensing from the bottom of the dispenser with a vertical piston
Definitions
- the invention relates to soap dispensers and more particularly to a battery-powered electric soap dispenser capable of greatly reducing the power demand when in use.
- a soap dispenser is mounted on the wall of a bathroom or a shower room adjacent to a sink.
- electric soap dispensers powered by a plurality of batteries commercially available.
- soap reservoir, valve, and nozzle of the conventional electric soap dispenser are not optimally devised in term of force applications and energy saving.
- only a limited times of use can be made due to limited power from the batteries.
- a large compartment for receiving more batteries is not possible due to crowded interior of the electric soap dispenser.
- a frequent replacement of the depleted batteries is required for maintaining a normal operation of the electric soap dispenser. This is very inconvenient and is not economical.
- an electric soap dispenser comprising a housing; a cover releasably secured to the housing; a reservoir configured to store liquid soap; a valve communicating with the reservoir; a nozzle communicating with the valve; an electric motor; a gear system; an arm having one end rotatably disposed in the gear system; a link having one end pivotably secured to an other end of the arm and loosely put on the nozzle; an electric control unit for controlling actuation of the electric motor; a trigger sensor for detecting the presence of an object and generating a trigger signal; and a power source electrically connected to both the electric control unit and the electric motor; wherein the electric control unit actuates the electric motor upon receiving the trigger signal from the trigger sensor, the actuated electric motor rotates the gear system, one end of the arm rotates 180-degree to move the link upward to open the valve thereby flowing a predetermined amount of liquid soap from the reservoir to the nozzle via the valve, and one end of the arm rotates further 180-degree to move the link downward
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an energy saving electric soap dispenser according to the invention
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the energy saving electric soap dispenser
- FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the discharge mechanism
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the electric soap dispenser with the cover and the reservoir removed;
- FIG. 5 is an exploded view of FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the assembled valve, the link, the arm, the gear system and the electric motor;
- FIG. 7 is a front view in part section of FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing an upward movement of the link to open the valve for dispensing liquid soap.
- FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing a downward movement of the link to close the valve for stopping the dispensing.
- an energy saving electric soap dispenser 1 in accordance with the invention comprises a cover 2 , a discharge mechanism, an activation mechanism, and a housing 5 as discussed in detail below.
- the activation mechanism is disposed on the housing 5 .
- the cover 2 is releasably secured to the housing 5 by snapping.
- the discharge mechanism includes a reservoir 31 configured to store liquid soap, a valve 32 disposed under the reservoir 31 and communicating with the reservoir 31 , and a nozzle 33 at a bottom of the valve 32 and communicating with the valve 32 .
- the activation mechanism includes a power source (e.g., a plurality of batteries) 41 disposed in a compartment, a circuit board (i.e., electric control unit) 42 , an electric motor 43 , a gear system 44 , a mounting member 45 , and a support 46 having a recess 461 .
- the circuit board 42 includes a trigger sensor 421 .
- the gear system 44 includes an arm 441 having one end rotatably disposed therein, and a link 442 having one end pivotably secured to the other end of the arm 441 and loosely put on the nozzle 33 .
- the power source 41 , the circuit board 42 , the electric motor 43 , and the gear system 44 are mounted on the support 45 .
- the power source 41 , the circuit board 42 , and the electric motor 43 are electrically interconnected.
- the valve 32 is anchored in the recess 451 .
- the trigger sensor 421 generates a trigger signal when the hand of a user approaches the nozzle 33 .
- the trigger signal is transmitted to the circuit board 42 which in turn activates the electric motor 43 .
- the activated electric motor 43 rotates the gear system 44 .
- one end of the arm 441 rotates 360-degree in the gear system 44 prior to stopping.
- the link 442 moves up and down in which the upward movement of the link 442 opens the valve 32 .
- liquid soap in the reservoir 31 flows to the nozzle 33 via the valve 32 .
- a predetermined amount of liquid soap is discharged to drop on the hand.
- the application of liquid soap is stopped when the link 42 moves downward.
- the electric motor 43 is deactivated as controlled by the circuit board 42 . This can save electric energy.
- the electric soap dispenser 1 is characterized by employing the law of the lever.
- the point of the link 442 joining the valve 32 is taken as a fulcrum.
- Length of a portion of the arm 441 i.e., from the fulcrum to the joining point of the arm 441 and the link 442
- the length from the joining point of the link 442 and the valve 32 to the other end of the link 442 is taken as the other distance (i.e., output).
- a small input force at the joining point of the arm 441 and the link 442 can be amplified to provide a greater output force at the other end of the link 442 .
- the valve 32 can be opened or closed by applying a small force.
- the small force means less electricity is required to rotate the gear system 44 by activating the electric motor 43 (i.e., saving energy). It has been proved that operating time of the electric soap dispenser 1 of the invention is about four times greater than that of a typical electric soap dispenser when both are subject to the same electric power (i.e., having the same batteries). In short, the electric soap dispenser 1 of the invention can save three quarters of electric energy as compared with the typical electric soap dispenser.
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
Abstract
An electric soap dispenser is provided with a housing; a cover; a reservoir; a valve; a nozzle; an electric motor; a gear system; an arm having one end rotatably disposed in the gear system; a link having one end pivotably secured to an other end of the arm and loosely put on the nozzle; an electric control unit; a sensor; and a power source. The electric control unit actuates the electric motor upon receiving a signal from the sensor, the actuated electric motor rotates the gear system, one end of the arm rotates 180-degree to move the link upward to open the valve thereby flowing liquid soap from the reservoir to the nozzle, and one end of the arm rotates further 180-degree to move the link downward to close the valve thereby stopping the flowing and deactivating the electric motor. Power demand is greatly reduced when in use.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The invention relates to soap dispensers and more particularly to a battery-powered electric soap dispenser capable of greatly reducing the power demand when in use.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- Conventionally, a soap dispenser is mounted on the wall of a bathroom or a shower room adjacent to a sink. There are electric soap dispensers powered by a plurality of batteries commercially available. However, soap reservoir, valve, and nozzle of the conventional electric soap dispenser are not optimally devised in term of force applications and energy saving. Thus, only a limited times of use can be made due to limited power from the batteries. Further, a large compartment for receiving more batteries is not possible due to crowded interior of the electric soap dispenser. Thus, a frequent replacement of the depleted batteries is required for maintaining a normal operation of the electric soap dispenser. This is very inconvenient and is not economical.
- Thus, the need for improvement still exists.
- It is therefore one object of the invention to provide an electric soap dispenser comprising a housing; a cover releasably secured to the housing; a reservoir configured to store liquid soap; a valve communicating with the reservoir; a nozzle communicating with the valve; an electric motor; a gear system; an arm having one end rotatably disposed in the gear system; a link having one end pivotably secured to an other end of the arm and loosely put on the nozzle; an electric control unit for controlling actuation of the electric motor; a trigger sensor for detecting the presence of an object and generating a trigger signal; and a power source electrically connected to both the electric control unit and the electric motor; wherein the electric control unit actuates the electric motor upon receiving the trigger signal from the trigger sensor, the actuated electric motor rotates the gear system, one end of the arm rotates 180-degree to move the link upward to open the valve thereby flowing a predetermined amount of liquid soap from the reservoir to the nozzle via the valve, and one end of the arm rotates further 180-degree to move the link downward to close the valve thereby stopping the flowing and causing the electric control unit to deactivate the electric motor.
- The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an energy saving electric soap dispenser according to the invention; -
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the energy saving electric soap dispenser; -
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the discharge mechanism; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the electric soap dispenser with the cover and the reservoir removed; -
FIG. 5 is an exploded view ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the assembled valve, the link, the arm, the gear system and the electric motor; -
FIG. 7 is a front view in part section ofFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 8 is a view similar toFIG. 7 showing an upward movement of the link to open the valve for dispensing liquid soap; and -
FIG. 9 is a view similar toFIG. 7 showing a downward movement of the link to close the valve for stopping the dispensing. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 to 9 , an energy savingelectric soap dispenser 1 in accordance with the invention comprises acover 2, a discharge mechanism, an activation mechanism, and ahousing 5 as discussed in detail below. - The activation mechanism is disposed on the
housing 5. Thecover 2 is releasably secured to thehousing 5 by snapping. The discharge mechanism includes areservoir 31 configured to store liquid soap, avalve 32 disposed under thereservoir 31 and communicating with thereservoir 31, and anozzle 33 at a bottom of thevalve 32 and communicating with thevalve 32. - The activation mechanism includes a power source (e.g., a plurality of batteries) 41 disposed in a compartment, a circuit board (i.e., electric control unit) 42, an
electric motor 43, agear system 44, amounting member 45, and asupport 46 having arecess 461. Thecircuit board 42 includes atrigger sensor 421. Thegear system 44 includes anarm 441 having one end rotatably disposed therein, and alink 442 having one end pivotably secured to the other end of thearm 441 and loosely put on thenozzle 33. Thepower source 41, thecircuit board 42, theelectric motor 43, and thegear system 44 are mounted on thesupport 45. Thepower source 41, thecircuit board 42, and theelectric motor 43 are electrically interconnected. Thevalve 32 is anchored in the recess 451. - Operations of the
electric soap dispenser 1 are described below. Thetrigger sensor 421 generates a trigger signal when the hand of a user approaches thenozzle 33. The trigger signal is transmitted to thecircuit board 42 which in turn activates theelectric motor 43. As shown inFIGS. 8 and 9 , the activatedelectric motor 43 rotates thegear system 44. Thus, one end of thearm 441 rotates 360-degree in thegear system 44 prior to stopping. In the same time, thelink 442 moves up and down in which the upward movement of thelink 442 opens thevalve 32. Thus, liquid soap in thereservoir 31 flows to thenozzle 33 via thevalve 32. Thus, a predetermined amount of liquid soap is discharged to drop on the hand. Finally, the application of liquid soap is stopped when thelink 42 moves downward. Also, theelectric motor 43 is deactivated as controlled by thecircuit board 42. This can save electric energy. - The
electric soap dispenser 1 is characterized by employing the law of the lever. In detail, the point of thelink 442 joining thevalve 32 is taken as a fulcrum. Length of a portion of the arm 441 (i.e., from the fulcrum to the joining point of thearm 441 and the link 442) is taken as one distance (i.e., input) and the length from the joining point of thelink 442 and thevalve 32 to the other end of thelink 442 is taken as the other distance (i.e., output). A small input force at the joining point of thearm 441 and thelink 442 can be amplified to provide a greater output force at the other end of thelink 442. Thus, thevalve 32 can be opened or closed by applying a small force. The small force means less electricity is required to rotate thegear system 44 by activating the electric motor 43 (i.e., saving energy). It has been proved that operating time of theelectric soap dispenser 1 of the invention is about four times greater than that of a typical electric soap dispenser when both are subject to the same electric power (i.e., having the same batteries). In short, theelectric soap dispenser 1 of the invention can save three quarters of electric energy as compared with the typical electric soap dispenser. - While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims (1)
1. An electric soap dispenser comprising:
a housing;
a cover releasably secured to the housing;
a reservoir configured to store liquid soap;
a valve communicating with the reservoir;
a nozzle communicating with the valve;
a gear system;
an electric motor for driving the gear system;
an arm having one end rotatably disposed in the gear system;
a link having one end pivotably secured to an other end of the arm and loosely put on the nozzle;
an electric control unit for controlling actuation of the electric motor;
a trigger sensor for detecting the presence of an object and generating a trigger signal; and
a power source electrically connected to both the electric control unit and the electric motor;
wherein the electric control unit actuates the electric motor upon receiving the trigger signal from the trigger sensor, the actuated electric motor rotates the gear system, one end of the arm rotates 180-degree to move the link upward to open the valve thereby flowing a predetermined amount of liquid soap from the reservoir to the nozzle via the valve, and one end of the arm rotates further 180-degree to move the link downward to close the valve thereby stopping the flowing and causing the electric control unit to deactivate the electric motor.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/251,675 US20140209631A1 (en) | 2014-04-14 | 2014-04-14 | Energy saving electric soap dispenser |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/251,675 US20140209631A1 (en) | 2014-04-14 | 2014-04-14 | Energy saving electric soap dispenser |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20140209631A1 true US20140209631A1 (en) | 2014-07-31 |
Family
ID=51221821
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/251,675 Abandoned US20140209631A1 (en) | 2014-04-14 | 2014-04-14 | Energy saving electric soap dispenser |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20140209631A1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD770800S1 (en) * | 2015-06-26 | 2016-11-08 | The Clorox Company | Dispenser |
CN106073592A (en) * | 2016-08-11 | 2016-11-09 | 江门市爱威特电器有限公司 | A kind of drive dynamic control device for automatic soap dispenser |
CN106264261A (en) * | 2016-08-11 | 2017-01-04 | 江门市爱威特电器有限公司 | A kind of automatic soap dispenser |
USD791074S1 (en) * | 2016-04-19 | 2017-07-04 | Faraday & Future Inc. | Electric vehicle charging station |
WO2019005506A3 (en) * | 2017-06-30 | 2019-04-11 | Gpcp Ip Holdings Llc | Hands-free flowable material dispensers and related methods |
US10420444B2 (en) | 2015-12-30 | 2019-09-24 | Gpcp Ip Holdings Llc | Hands-free flowable material dispensers and related methods |
US10875043B1 (en) * | 2020-09-29 | 2020-12-29 | Ableman International Co., Ltd. | Lotion pump |
US11903536B2 (en) * | 2018-03-26 | 2024-02-20 | The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. | Automatic liquid soap supplying mechanism for aircraft lavatory unit |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2008093213A1 (en) * | 2007-01-30 | 2008-08-07 | Technical Concepts, Llc | Automatic dispenser |
US20100051640A1 (en) * | 2008-09-03 | 2010-03-04 | Bobson Hygiene International Inc. | Liquid dispenser |
US20110095051A1 (en) * | 2009-10-28 | 2011-04-28 | Wei-Ta Liao | Structure of automatic foam soap dispenser |
US20120061415A1 (en) * | 2009-04-20 | 2012-03-15 | Hans Georg Hagleitner | Sanitary dispenser with capacitive sensor |
US8342369B2 (en) * | 2009-10-29 | 2013-01-01 | Hokwang Industries Co., Ltd. | Pressing structure of soap dispenser capable of adjusting output soap amount |
US20140027468A1 (en) * | 2012-07-30 | 2014-01-30 | Ableman International Company Ltd. | Countertop automatic foam soap dispenser |
US8905265B2 (en) * | 2012-02-16 | 2014-12-09 | Dispensing Dynamics International | Dispenser apparatus for dispensing liquid soap, lotion or other liquid |
-
2014
- 2014-04-14 US US14/251,675 patent/US20140209631A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2008093213A1 (en) * | 2007-01-30 | 2008-08-07 | Technical Concepts, Llc | Automatic dispenser |
US20100051640A1 (en) * | 2008-09-03 | 2010-03-04 | Bobson Hygiene International Inc. | Liquid dispenser |
US20120061415A1 (en) * | 2009-04-20 | 2012-03-15 | Hans Georg Hagleitner | Sanitary dispenser with capacitive sensor |
US20110095051A1 (en) * | 2009-10-28 | 2011-04-28 | Wei-Ta Liao | Structure of automatic foam soap dispenser |
US8342369B2 (en) * | 2009-10-29 | 2013-01-01 | Hokwang Industries Co., Ltd. | Pressing structure of soap dispenser capable of adjusting output soap amount |
US8905265B2 (en) * | 2012-02-16 | 2014-12-09 | Dispensing Dynamics International | Dispenser apparatus for dispensing liquid soap, lotion or other liquid |
US20140027468A1 (en) * | 2012-07-30 | 2014-01-30 | Ableman International Company Ltd. | Countertop automatic foam soap dispenser |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD770800S1 (en) * | 2015-06-26 | 2016-11-08 | The Clorox Company | Dispenser |
US10420444B2 (en) | 2015-12-30 | 2019-09-24 | Gpcp Ip Holdings Llc | Hands-free flowable material dispensers and related methods |
US10863872B2 (en) * | 2015-12-30 | 2020-12-15 | GPCP Holdings LLC | Hands-free flowable material dispensers and related methods |
USD791074S1 (en) * | 2016-04-19 | 2017-07-04 | Faraday & Future Inc. | Electric vehicle charging station |
CN106073592A (en) * | 2016-08-11 | 2016-11-09 | 江门市爱威特电器有限公司 | A kind of drive dynamic control device for automatic soap dispenser |
CN106264261A (en) * | 2016-08-11 | 2017-01-04 | 江门市爱威特电器有限公司 | A kind of automatic soap dispenser |
WO2019005506A3 (en) * | 2017-06-30 | 2019-04-11 | Gpcp Ip Holdings Llc | Hands-free flowable material dispensers and related methods |
US11903536B2 (en) * | 2018-03-26 | 2024-02-20 | The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. | Automatic liquid soap supplying mechanism for aircraft lavatory unit |
US10875043B1 (en) * | 2020-09-29 | 2020-12-29 | Ableman International Co., Ltd. | Lotion pump |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ABLEMAN INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., TAIWAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LIN, PO-HUI;REEL/FRAME:032662/0835 Effective date: 20140414 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |