WIRELESSLY-POWERED DISPENSER SYSTEM

• US 20100237096A1
• Filed: 02/23/2010
• Published: 09/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Wegelin, Jackson W.
• Application Number:
  US12/710,587
• Publication Number:
  US 20100237096A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/52
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/005 Mechanical details of housing or structure aiming to accommodate the power transfer means, e.g. mechanical integration of coils, antennas or transducers into emitting or receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/05 using capacitive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/30 using light, e.g. lasers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]

Abstract

A wirelessly-powered dispenser system includes a power receiver that is configured to receive a wireless power signal sent from a remotely-located power transmission module. The received wireless power signal is used by the dispenser to power a controller and pump to enable the automatic output of material, such as soap, provided by a replaceable refill container. As such, the dispenser can be installed in a wide range of locations where wired power is unavailable and without the need of battery replacement.

Claims

1. A wirelessly-powered dispenser to dispense material from a refill container comprising:

a dispenser comprising;

a pump adapted to be fluidly coupled to the refill container;

a power receiver;

a controller coupled to said pump and said power receiver; and

an actuator coupled to said controller; and

a power transmission module that generates a wireless power signal;

wherein upon receipt of said wireless power signal by said power receiver, said controller is energized, such that said pump dispenses the material from the refill container when said actuator is engaged.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said power transmission module converts AC (alternating current) power into said wireless power signal.

3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said power transmission module generates said wireless power signal from a battery maintained thereby.

4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said power receiver converts said wireless power signal into DC (direct current) power.

5. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said power transmission module and said power receiver are maintained in separate housings.

6. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a portable power source coupled to said power receiver and said controller, wherein said wireless power signal charges said battery.

7. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein said power transmission module stops transmission of said wireless power signal when said portable power source is charged, and resumes transmission of said wireless power signal when the charge of said portable power source falls below a predetermined value.

8. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said actuator comprises a hand-detection sensor.

9. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said wireless power signal comprises a signal type selected from the group consisting of an RF (radio frequency) signal, an infrared signal, an evanescent wave coupling signal, an inductive coupling signal, an inductive coupling signal, or a capacitive coupling signal.

10. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said power transmission module formats said power transmission signal to prevent interference with at least one other transmitted signal.

11. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a setup indicator coupled to said controller to determine the strength of said wireless power signal.

12. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said power transmission module comprises a wireless communication base station.

13. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said power transmission module comprises a wireless communication network.

14. A wirelessly-powered dispenser to dispense material from a refill container comprising:

a dispenser comprising;

a pump adapted to be fluidly coupled to the refill container;

a power receiver;

a controller coupled to said pump and said power receiver; and

an actuator coupled to said controller; and

a power transmission module that includes a portable module power source, said power transmission module generating a wireless power signal;

wherein upon receipt of said wireless power signal by said power receiver, said controller is energized, such that said pump dispenses the material from the refill container when said actuator is engaged.

15. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein said power transmission module and said power receiver are maintained in separate housings.

16. The dispenser of claim 14, further comprising a portable dispenser power source coupled to said power receiver and said controller, wherein said wireless power signal charges said portable dispenser power source.

17. The dispenser of claim 16, wherein said power transmission module stops transmission of said wireless power signal when said portable dispenser power source is charged, and resumes transmission of said wireless power signal when said portable dispenser power source falls below a predetermined value.

18. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein said actuator comprises a hand-detection sensor.

19. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein said wireless power signal comprises a signal type selected from the group consisting of an RF (radio frequency) signal, an infrared signal, an evanescent wave coupling signal, and inductive coupling signal, an inductive coupling signal, or a capacitive coupling signal.

20. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein said power transmission module formats said power transmission signal to prevent interference with at least one other transmitted signal.