POWER SYSTEMS FOR DYNAMICALLY CONTROLLING A SOAP, SANITIZER OR LOTION DISPENSER DRIVE MOTOR

• US 20170049276A1
• Filed: 08/19/2016
• Published: 02/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Lightner, Bradley L., Bullock, Mark A.
• Application Number:
  US15/241,258
• Publication Number:
  US 20170049276A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1202 dispensing dosed volume A47K5/1201 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1211 using pressure on soap, e.g. with piston A47K5/1201 takes precedence; by squeezing A47K5/122
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/14 Foam or lather making devices for shaving A45D27/02
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0054 Cartridges, i.e. containers specially designed for easy attachment to or easy removal from the rest of the sprayer attachment arrangements between pump and container B05B11/1043
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0097 Means for filling or refilling the sprayer through additional openings in the container B05B11/0056
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1087 Combination of liquid and air pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/081 responsive to the weight of a reservoir or container for liquid or other fluent material; responsive to level or volume of liquid or other fluent material in a reservoir or container
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/122 responsive to presence or shape of target B05B12/124 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 7/29 using pulse modulation

Abstract

Exemplary power systems for dynamically controlling a dispenser drive motor for dispensing soap, sanitizing or lotion. An exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes a housing, a receptacle for receiving a container for holding a soap, sanitizing or lotion, a container of soap, sanitizing or lotion and a pump secured to the container. The exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes a power source, a motor and an actuator that couples the motor to the pump. In addition, the exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes pulse width modulation circuitry in circuit communication with the power source and the motor. Movement of the actuator one actuation cycle dispenses a dose of soap, sanitizing or lotion. The pulse width modulation circuitry provides a plurality of voltage pulses to the motor to move the actuator one actuation cycle.

Claims

1. A soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser comprising:

a housing;

a receptacle for receiving a container for holding a soap, sanitizing or lotion;

a container of fluid;

a pump secured to the container;

a power source;

a motor;

an actuator coupling the motor to the pump; and

pulse width modulation circuitry in circuit communication with the power source and the motor;

wherein movement of the actuator one actuation cycle dispenses a dose of fluid;

wherein the pulse width modulation circuitry provides a plurality of voltage pulses to the motor to move the actuator one actuation cycle.

2. The soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser of claim 1 wherein the duty cycle of the voltage pulses is a function of the charge level of the power source.

3. The soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser of claim 2 wherein the duty cycle is increased as the charge level of the power source decreases.

4. The soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser of claim 1 wherein the duty cycle is adjusted to limit the speed of the motor to its optimal speed point.

5. The soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser of claim 1 wherein the duty cycle is increased through a first portion of the actuation cycle and are decrease through a second portion of the actuation cycle.

6. The soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser of claim 1 wherein the duty cycle is a function of the motor efficiency curve.

7. The soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser of claim 1 wherein the power source comprises one or more capacitors.

8. A soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser comprising:

a housing;

a receptacle for receiving a container for holding a soap, sanitizing or lotion;

a power source;

a motor;

an actuator coupled to the motor; and

pulse width modulation circuitry in circuit communication with the power source and the motor;

wherein movement of the actuator one actuation cycle dispenses a dose of fluid;

wherein the pulse width modulation circuitry provides a plurality of voltage pulses to the motor to move the actuator one actuation cycle.

9. The soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser of claim 8 wherein the duty cycle is a function of the charge level of the power source.

10. The soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser of claim 9 wherein the duty cycle is increased as the charge level of the power source decreases.

11. The soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser of claim 8 wherein the duty cycle is adjusted to limit the speed of the motor to its optimal speed point.

12. The soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser of claim 8 wherein the duty cycle is increased through a first portion of the actuation cycle and are decrease through a second portion of the actuation cycle.

13. The soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser of claim 8 wherein the duty cycle is a function of the motor efficiency curve.

14. The soap or sanitizing dispenser of claim 8 wherein the power source comprises one or more capacitors.

15. A soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser comprising:

a housing;

a receptacle for receiving a container for holding a soap, sanitizing or lotion;

a power source;

a motor; and

pulse width modulation circuitry in circuit communication with the power source and the motor;

wherein the pulse width modulation circuitry provides a plurality of voltage pulses to the motor to dispense a fluid.

16. The soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser of claim 15 wherein the duty cycle is a function of the charge level of the power source.

17. The soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser of claim 16 wherein the duty cycle is increased as the charge level of the power source decreases.

18. The soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser of claim 15 wherein the duty cycle is increased through a first portion of the actuation cycle and are decrease through a second portion of the actuation cycle.

19. The soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser of claim 15 wherein the duty cycle is a function of the motor efficiency curve.

20. The soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser of claim 15 wherein the power source comprises one or more capacitors.