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Automatic Toilet Paper Dispenser Proposal

Page history last edited by Melissa Tovin 12 years, 4 months ago

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ENGN1000 Project Proposal: Automated In-Home Toilet Paper Dispenser

Alex Grosvenor and Melissa Tovin

Executive Summary

The design of the automated toilet paper dispenser that we propose is an engineering solution to a common problem. This device will fix the problems that exist with the typical home toilet paper dispensers, while adding convenience with the automated sensor feature.

We propose to tackle the following issues with the standard home dispenser: the current devices leave the paper exposed to the air and bacteria creating an unsanitary bathroom accessory, waste time and require more effort due to lack of storage for rolls, create both cost and environmental problems due to wasted toilet paper and are not well constructed or structurally durable. We plan to solve these problems by creating a toilet paper dispenser that has a built-in no-touch sensor with additional paper storage, a warning mechanism when you are short on paper, and an aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly ergonomic design that one would want in a private bathroom.

Our design will require Engineering Theory, Technology and Design. We will be using Engineering Theory in prototyping the aesthetically pleasing and ergonomic design using CAD in order to create a model using rapid prototyping. Using Engineering Technology we will be able to create the mechanics behind our design, which will include a sensor, a motor, a battery and a mechanical spring system. Finally we will use Engineering Design in order to create a product that caters to people on the extremes of the spectrum, from germaphobes to those who are elderly or those who are disabled. We believe that our project will be 25% Engineering Theory, 30% Engineering Technology and 45% Engineering Design.

The team for this project consists of Alex Grosvenor and Melissa Tovin, who are both studying mechanical engineering.

Statement of Problem

The typical toilet paper dispenser has two major problems: sanitation and convenience. In a home, one would see the standard toilet paper dispenser that leaves the toilet paper roll exposed to the air so that the toilet paper can and will be touched by any previous user. This is not only unappealing but also unsanitary. In addition, the normal toilet paper dispenser quickly runs out of toilet paper with no backup rolls, can become easily unraveled so that much toilet paper is wasted (an environmental and cost concern) and is easily disconnected from the wall.

Design Objectives

We propose to design a sensor controlled toilet paper dispenser with added features in order to make the ultimate toilet paper dispenser. Other features will be additional toilet paper roll storage, a warning mechanism when you are short on toilet paper, and an aesthetically pleasing and user friendly ergonomic design that one would want in a private bathroom.

Proposed Engineering Content

Engineering Theory: Our design will require engineering theory, not operationally but in order to plan the aesthetically pleasing and ergonomic design. CAD will be essential in visualizing the engineering theory that will later be used in rapid prototyping to create iterations of the design.

Engineering Technology: We plan on using the existing standard technology for toilet paper dispensers (toilet paper rod and paper ripping device). In addition, we will be using a sensor, motor, battery and a mechanical spring system.

Engineering Design: The constraints that we are setting for our dispenser are focused towards the extreme end of the spectrum for user capabilities, as the film Objectified showed was essential. Therefore, the toilet paper dispenser will maximize convenience and ease of use to be completely user friendly without being overly mechanical, while also being sure to fit the needs of germaphobes. We will be optimizing our project so that it meets or exceeds these extreme requirements.

Engineering Theory Content:        25%
Engineering Technology Content:    30%
Engineering Design Content:        45 %
Total:                    100%

Team Qualifications

Alexander Valentine Grosvenor

Yes, my middle name is Valentine. I am concentrating in Mechanical Engineering (aerospace). I spent a good part of my recent summer in Russia studying the Russian space program, developing my aerospace knowledge, and would be interested in pursuing something space oriented after graduating. For now, I am designing an automatic home toilet paper dispenser. I hail from Vermont and my extracurricular passions include outdoor activates and winter sports, including skiing and ice hockey.

Melissa Blaine Tovin

I am a senior concentrating in Mechanical Engineering from Boston, MA. I spent last semester in Paris not studying engineering and this past summer working in social media and product development for Sexy Period. I do still study engineering despite my interests outside of engineering and previously did research in nanotechnology and plan to pursue a career working for a tech-focused company. I also work for a food blog and enjoy cooking, crafting, farmers markets, casual bike riding and bikram yoga.

References

2 existing automatic home TP dispensers

http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/09/automatic-toilet-paper-dispenser-doles-out-neater-wads/

Toilet Paper Dispenser: 150x more bacteria than toilet seat!

http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/news/2009/06/research-finds-average-toilet-paper-and-towel-dis.aspx

Airborne bacteria particles

http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2004/07/01/1143577.htm

Kimberly-Clark commercial automatic bath tissue dispenser

http://investor.kimberly-clark.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=252603

Multiple toilet paper holder and dispenser patent desc.

http://blog.gapatents.com/2009/03/multiple-toilet-paper-holder-and.html

Greek Version of commercial automatic bath tissue dispenser

http://www.finezza.gr/EN/index.php?ID=4MMpGJ7T3nWgR0xK_EN&Rec_ID=144

Brainstorming/To do Doc

Prototype 1:

Prototype one consists of a wooden base and mechanical spring system that keeps the toilet paper in place and uses a battery powered motor to unroll the toilet paper. The base has dimensions of 20cm X 18cm, and is constructed so that there is no bar through the middle of the paper to hold the roll in place, thus making it so that when the paper is finished the empty core will fall to the ground and be replaced by a new full roll from the top. From this prototype, we have discovered that we are going to need to use gears in order to create the correct about of power needed to roll the paper. In addition, we will buy a set of legos to use in order to do faster prototyping that will allow us to try out various different configurations without major reconstruction of the structure.

top view:

side view

Flaws in Prototype 1:

Prototype one was an important step in moving towards a new focus. In this prototype, the focus was on roll storage and not needing to insert a new roll manually. As shown in the explanation of the prototype, the toilet paper was being propelled forward and rolled using a mechanical spring contraption. The pros of the arrangement were the fact that the cardboard from the roll could be freely dispensed after being used up and that it could easily be loaded. However, the cons heavily outweighed the pros because the contraption wasn’t sturdy, there were problems with friction, there was no optimal place on which to put the motor, toilet paper was wasted when the “empty” roll was dispensed because there was no way to make the hole in the original design the exact size and there was lots of potential for trouble shooting problems for the user.

Direction and Progress: Looking Toward Prototype 2

It has been realized that a redesign is in order. Looking ahead at the finished product, we found it impractical and realized that it would be impersonal to store to store excess rolls in the toilet paper dispenser. It gives the impression of an industrial machine and frankly it causes a complicated design and functionality problem. Therefore, we are now designing for a one-roll TP dispenser. For this one-roll design (still automated and motion activated in its regular use), there are two ways that the user could add a new roll: through the top or the bottom. When adding it through the top, a lid would be required that the user could simply open and drop in the roll. This way of changing rolls allows for the roll to be positioned in the dispenser in two ways: on some sort of rod, which would have to be removed and threaded through the new roll or sit on a flat base, similar the design in prototype 1. The former is too inconvenient for the user, while the latter, as we saw from prototype one is flawed in multiple ways. Therefore, for prototype 2, it will be proposed to inser the new roll from the bottom with one easy motion, mounting it on a hinged rod, similar to seen here: http://www.amazon.com/EZ-EZ-Load-Toilet-Paper-Holder/dp/B001ONT90Y

With this new design idea, we will investigate how to mount the motor and components with simplicity and good looks in mind.

Movie of Lego Prototype
IMG_0420.MOV

Lego Designs

Lego Design 1

This design is somewhat reminiscent of our first design. Here the toilet paper rests on a stand, and there is not a rod through the center of the roll that it rotates around. Instead, the toilet paper would be dispensed by placing the motor at the "hands" that are located at the bottom of the roll on the open end of the paper as shown in figure 1b. These "hands" would pull at the paper to dispense the paper from the roll.

figure 1a: Top view of easy loading toilet paper model

figure 1b: side view of easy loading toilet paper model showing "hands" to dispense paper

Lego Design 2

This design is much simpler and similar to the standard toilet paper dispenser found in most homes. Although the design is very simple, it allows for easy loading and set up. The motor will be place on the rod that is in the center of the toilet paper roll, connected to a roller that will rotate the roll to dispense the toilet paper.

figure 2a: Top view of simple home design

figure 2b: side view of simple home design

figure 2c: Other side view of simple home design

Lego Design 3

Design 3 is similar to design 2 but instead is upright and has a sturdy base. This design would need to be placed on a table or have a built in stand. The motor would be at the base of the dispenser where the rod connects with the base, rotating the roll to dispense the paper.

figure 3a: side view of upright dispenser design

figure 3b: top view of upright dispenser design

In addition to modeling our design with legos, we purchased a toilet paper dispenser that is similar in design to what we want our final product to look like. Using this dispenser, we have added our sensor, motor systems and created a basic prototype to show that the sensor and motor system will be affective when connected to our dispenser.

Final Design Specifications

After finishing the first iteration, of the automated toilet paper dispenser and beginning work on the second iteration, we have cemented our specifications for our design project. The main goal of our project is to create a sensor operated toilet paper dispenser that works easily with the wave of the users hand, in order to create a no touch toilet paper experience. In addition to this goal, we plan to have simple and intuitive toilet paper loading design with little to no touch, as well as, a sleek and aesthetically pleasing, non industrial design.

First Sensor Circuit Design