Electric soap dispenser
Patent No. US8096445 (titled "Electric soap dispenser") on Feb 1, 2008. The application was issued on Jan 17, 2012.
What is this patent about?
’445 is related to the field of automated liquid dispensers, specifically battery-powered electric soap dispensers. These devices are designed to provide hands-free operation in residential and public environments to improve hygiene and reduce the transmission of germs. The technical challenge addressed involves ensuring consistent performance and reliable triggering in varying environmental conditions, such as fluctuating ambient light and declining battery voltage.
The underlying idea behind ’445 is that an automated dispenser must be able to distinguish between an intentional user trigger and environmental noise while maintaining a consistent output volume as its power source depletes. The invention achieves this by integrating a light read module that calibrates the system against ambient light levels and a power supply sense module that adjusts the motor’s operation based on real-time battery health. This ensures that the pump delivers a uniform dose of soap regardless of whether the batteries are fresh or nearly exhausted.
The claims of ’445 focus on a control architecture that utilizes a pulsed infrared signal at a predetermined frequency to detect the presence of an object. By requiring the receiver to detect a specific frequency of reflected light pulses, the system can filter out constant or random light interference. The independent claims specifically protect the combination of this frequency-based sensing with a light read module that stores ambient values to create a baseline for comparison, effectively eliminating false triggers caused by lamps or sunlight.
In practice, the dispenser employs a power supply sense module that applies a load to the battery before a dispensing cycle to measure its true voltage. Based on this reading, the electronic control unit calculates a scaled motor drive time, extending the duration of the pump's operation as the voltage drops to ensure the volume of soap ejected remains constant. This mechanism prevents the common problem of automated dispensers becoming sluggish or under-dispensing as the batteries age.
The invention differentiates itself from prior art by moving beyond simple motion detection to a more robust frequency-matched reflection and calibration logic. While traditional dispensers might be fooled by a bright flash of light or provide inconsistent doses as power fades, this system uses its internal logic to compensate for both environmental and electrical variables. Furthermore, the inclusion of a fault detection module ensures the device stops operation and alerts the user when the power level is no longer sufficient to guarantee a proper dispense cycle.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical Landscape
In the late 2000s when ’445 was filed, automated washroom fixtures were increasingly common in public facilities, at a time when hands-free operation was typically implemented using infrared sensors to trigger discrete, fixed-volume dispensing cycles. When systems commonly relied on simple binary logic to activate pumps, hardware constraints made it non-trivial to maintain consistent performance as battery voltage decayed or to prevent clogs caused by soap drying in the nozzle during periods of inactivity. Furthermore, at a time when sensor modules were often continuously powered, power management was typically limited to basic sleep modes rather than high-frequency, low-duration polling cycles to conserve energy.
Prosecution Position
The disclosed invention represents a technical advancement in automated dispensing through an architectural shift that integrates adaptive control logic with a multi-modal mechanical system. By incorporating a power supply sense module that applies a load to determine a scaled motor drive time, the system overcomes the technical constraint of inconsistent dispensing volumes caused by fluctuating battery voltage. Additionally, the integration of a reversible pump enables a suck-back capability that prevents dripping and facilitates a cyclic clog-clearing mode, while the use of a light read module for ambient light calibration enhances sensor reliability against false triggers. These features collectively enable a more robust, energy-efficient device capable of both automated proximity-based dispensing and manual override for continuous flow.
Claims
This patent contains a total of 20 claims, with claims 1, 2, 6, 11, 16, and 18 serving as the independent claims. These independent claims generally focus on a portable, battery-powered electric soap dispenser featuring an infrared trigger sensor that utilizes specific pulse frequencies and ambient light comparison modules to prevent false activations, while also incorporating electronic control units for managing motor actuation and power supply monitoring. The dependent claims serve to further define specific operational parameters, such as battery power sources, detailed light calibration routines, motor drive time scaling based on voltage, and fault detection behaviors including reset protocols and timeout checks during the dispensing cycle.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Litigation Cases New
US Latest litigation cases involving this patent.
Patent Family
File Wrapper
The dossier documents provide a comprehensive record of the patent's prosecution history - including filings, correspondence, and decisions made by patent offices - and are crucial for understanding the patent's legal journey and any challenges it may have faced during examination.
Get instant alerts for new documents
US8096445
- Application Number
- US12024945A
- Filing Date
- Feb 1, 2008
- Publication Date
- Jan 17, 2012
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO , Google Patents