Method for Control of an Electronic Liquid Dispenser and Associated Dispenser System
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsPaul Francis Tramontina, Charles Agnew Osborne, JR.
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Abstract
A system and control method for an electronic liquid dispenser utilizes a motor to drive a pump mechanism from a home position in a dispense cycle for dispensing a metered dose of liquid from a reservoir. Upon initiation of the dispense cycle, the motor is started to operate the pump mechanism. Motor work performed by the motor during the dispense cycle is calculated as a function of motor current, motor voltage, and run time of the motor. Upon the calculated motor work exceeding a set point value during the dispense cycle, the motor is stopped and reversed to return the pump mechanism to the home position.
Claims5
An electronic liquid dispenser, comprising:
- a reservoir for storing a liquid to be dispensed in metered doses from the dispenser;
- a pump mechanism operably configured with the reservoir;
- a motor to drive the pump mechanism from a home position in a dispense cycle for dispensing the metered doses of liquid from the reservoir, the motor powered by a voltage source;
- a sensor configured to detect the presence of a user and initiate the dispense cycle;
- a controller connected to the sensor and motor;
- at least one of a current sensor or a voltage sensor connected to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to:
- upon initiation of the dispense cycle, calculate motor work performed by the motor immediately after motor start;
- upon the calculated motor work immediately after motor start exceeding a first set point work value during initiation of the dispense cycle, stopping and reversing the motor to return the pump mechanism to the home position;
- during the dispense cycle, separately detecting motor voltage and motor current;
- and
- upon the calculated motor work being greater than a second set point work value and less than the first set point work value, stopping and reversing the motor to return the pump mechanism to the home position when (a) detected voltage falls below a set point voltage value or (b) detected current exceeds a set point current value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.