Power device for a product dispenser
First Claim
1. A product dispenser comprising:
- a housing;
a photoelectric power device disposed on an external surface of the housing, wherein the photoelectric power device is configured to receive light and convert the received light to output a system voltage;
a power storage device configured to store energy provided via an electrical connection with the photoelectric power device, wherein the power storage device is configured to operate at the system voltage such that no voltage adjustment relative to an output of the photoelectric power device is needed; and
a dispensing mechanism comprising an electric motor that operates to cause dispensing of product from the product dispenser, wherein the electric motor is powered by the power storage device and configured to operate at the system voltage such that no voltage adjustment relative to the output of the photoelectric power device is needed;
wherein operating voltage alignment of the photoelectric power device, the power storage device, and the electric motor at the system voltage reduces electric power losses.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatuses regarding an improved product dispenser are provided herein. The product dispenser includes a housing and a photoelectric power device disposed on an external surface of the housing. The product dispenser may include a power storage device configured to store energy provided via the photoelectric power device. The product dispenser may also include a motor or pump configured to operate to provide a dispense of the product. The product dispenser components, including the photoelectric power device, the power storage device, and the electric motor may be aligned to operate at a system voltage such that no voltage adjustment relative to an output of the photoelectric power device is needed. This reduces electric power losses. The product dispenser may be configured to perform an installation routine to aid in proper placement of the product dispenser with respect to receiving light for powering the photoelectric power device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A product dispenser comprising:
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a housing; a photoelectric power device disposed on an external surface of the housing, wherein the photoelectric power device is configured to receive light and convert the received light to output a system voltage; a power storage device configured to store energy provided via an electrical connection with the photoelectric power device, wherein the power storage device is configured to operate at the system voltage such that no voltage adjustment relative to an output of the photoelectric power device is needed; and a dispensing mechanism comprising an electric motor that operates to cause dispensing of product from the product dispenser, wherein the electric motor is powered by the power storage device and configured to operate at the system voltage such that no voltage adjustment relative to the output of the photoelectric power device is needed; wherein operating voltage alignment of the photoelectric power device, the power storage device, and the electric motor at the system voltage reduces electric power losses. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A product dispenser comprising:
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a housing; a photoelectric power device disposed on an external surface of the housing, the photoelectric power device being configured to receive light and provide an output power signal indicative of an amount of light being received by the photoelectric device, wherein the output power signal is configured to provide power to at least an electric motor of the product dispenser for operation thereof; a user interface; and a controller configured to; receive an input signal, the input signal being based on the output power signal of the photoelectric power device; compare a characteristic value of the input signal to a light quantity threshold, wherein the light quantity threshold corresponds to an amount of light received by the photoelectric power device sufficient to support operation of the product dispenser; and operate, in an instance in which the characteristic value of the input signal satisfies the light quantity threshold, the user interface to indicate that sufficient light is being received by the photoelectric power device to support operation of the product dispenser. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising:
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receiving, at a controller, an electrical input signal, wherein the electrical input signal is based on an output power signal of the photoelectric power device, wherein the output power signal is configured to provide power to at least one power consuming component of a product dispenser for operation thereof; comparing a characteristic value of the electrical input signal to a light quantity threshold, wherein the light quantity threshold corresponds to an amount of light received by the photoelectric power device sufficient to support operation of the product dispenser; and operating, by the controller, in an instance in which the characteristic value of the input signal satisfies the light quantity threshold, a user interface to indicate that sufficient light is being received by the photoelectric power device to support operation of the product dispenser. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification