Touch-free dispenser with single cell operation and battery banking

• US 8,960,498 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2011
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Wegelin, Jackson W., Curtis, Chip W.
• Primary Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US13/175,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20130001250A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,334 Days
• Field of Search: 222/52, 222/63, 222/333, 700/282, 700/297, 307/52, 426/3
• US Class Current: 222/52
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/10 Parallel operation of dc sources
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/20 Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007182 in response to battery voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/155 using semiconductor devices only

Abstract

An electrically powered device includes at least one electrically powered component and a power source having at least two cells. One cell powers the electrically powered component and the remaining cells are held in reserve. A control circuit is connected to the electrically powered component and the power source. The control circuit includes a controller which generates a charge signal, a boost regulator circuit connected to the controller which receives power from the power source and generates a boost signal for conversion into a charge signal. A capacitor is connected to the controller and receives the charge signal and provides a predetermined voltage to the electrically powered component. A boost regulator circuit and the controller monitor the power source and draw power from one of the remaining cells held in reserve when the cell is fully depleted.

Claims

1. An electrically powered device, comprising:

at least one electrically powered component;

a power source comprising at least two cells, wherein at least one cell powers said electrically powered component and the remaining cells are held in reserve; and

a control circuit connected to said at least one electrically powered component and said power source, said control circuit comprising;

a controller generating a charge signal;

a boost regulator circuit connected to said controller and receiving power from said power source and generating a boost signal received by said controller for conversion into said charge signal;

a supercapacitor connected to said controller and directly receiving said charge signal therefrom, said supercapacitor providing a predetermined voltage to said at least one electrically powered component; and

a cell selection circuit connected between said power source and said controller, wherein said controller generates selection signals received by said cell selection circuit to connect whichever one of said at least two cells has the lowest voltage to said boost regulator circuit which causes said boost regulator circuit to charge said supercapacitor to directly power said at least one electrically powered component, wherein said boost regulator circuit and said controller monitoring said power source and drawing power from at least one of said remaining cells held in reserve when said one cell is fully depleted and wherein said controller and said boost regulator circuit are interposed between said power source and said supercapacitor and wherein said controller and said selection signals select the lowest operational voltage cell available.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least two cells are of different types and sizes selected from the group consisting of alkaline, NiMH, AA, AAA, C and D.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least two cells are connected in parallel.

4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a housing adapted to receive a fluid refill container, wherein said at least one electrically powered component assists in dispensing fluid from said fluid refill container.

5. The device according to claim 4, further comprising:

a cell indicator circuit comprising a light element associated with each said cell and connected to said controller, said light element indicating whether said associated cell is depleted or not.

6. The device according to claim 5, further comprising:

a cover associated with said housing; and

a cover switch coupled to said cover and connected to said controller, said controller illuminating said light element depending on whether said associated cell is depleted or not.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said supercapacitor has a value greater than 1 Farad, wherein said supercapacitor powers said at least one electrically powered device.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein said power source powers said electrically powered component in the event said supercapacitor has insufficient charge.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said controller uses said selected cell, through said boost regulator circuit, to charge said supercapacitor until a desired charge level is obtained.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said controller periodically checks a charge value of said supercapacitor and if an insufficient charge value is detected then said boost regulator recharges said supercapacitor.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said boost regulator circuit is controlled only by said controller and output of said boost regulator circuit is only received by said controller.