Novel Touchless Soap Dispenser (V2 Coming Soon)

The Problem

Hand-washing and sanitation is a necessity in everyday life, especially with the recent implications of COVID-19. The designs for soap bottle and dispensers are ubiquitous worldwide, but there is still room for a more elegant and functional design. My design offers a modern, functional and aesthetic design to dispense soap with an additional function to increase usability and entice and remind users to wash their hands using soap and for at least 20 seconds.

Despite the guidelines of washing hands using soap, many still fail to appropriately adhere to them often forgetting to use soap or to spend at least 20 seconds washing hands.

Additionally, enticing children to wash their hands can often be an arduous task, and a solution to aid this issue is required.

Design Aims

Overall my design aims to:

1) Improve the function and aesthetics of the soap dispenser

2) Remind users to wash their hands

3) Helps users to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds

4) Entice children to wash their hands using soap

Design Overview

The solution is an elegant and functional; automated soap dispenser which provides soap autonomously (touchless), whilst informing users to wash their hands using soap for a certain time. The device also helps for individual users to collect data via an app (Bluetooth) and also offices via a cloud data system. Additionally, the lid can be customised to add toys or other child-friendly designs to entice children to use soap.

USP

Unlike existing solutions, this device provides a functional, aesthetic solution which not only automates soap dispensing, but increases likelihood to wash hands properly with soap whilst seamlessly collecting hygiene ritual data to help prepare offices for re-opening. It even helps children to use soap ! The device is customisable based on office or domestic use.

Aesthetics

The product is very aesthetically pleasing with a minimalistic design and relatively small form factor. The solo design enhances tactile senses via the textured surface, which also draws the user in visually. The designs aesthetics are optimised for these sensory modalities.

TargetMarket

This product’s market is quite general and can be used for both domestic and public purposes. Offices can benefit from the design to help reduce spread as well as collecting data to determine hygiene rituals and trends within the office cohort.

Domestic use also helps to reduce the spread, whilst also helping children to wash their hands effectively 20 (seconds) and develop a more positive attitude towards hygiene.

Ergonomics

The product has been ergonomically sized to fit in the average hand breath based on anthropometric data to allow for a more ergonomics dispensation.

Safety

The product is very safe to use and poses no physical or chemical harm to the user at all as it is all waterproofed accordingly.

Multi-Sensory Design

This design implements cross modal perception by involving an interaction between touch, vision and hearing. By playing the auditory message to remind the user to wash their hands, they are then enticed by the design’s aesthetics and the tactile appearance which they will interact but not touch. This not helps to entice the user to use the device but also enhances the user's interaction with the design.

Main Features

Motorised Delivery of Soap: The device will use a motor (servo or stepper) to deliver the soap which is housed in a dispenser, which will rotate to provide soap. Timer: Buzzer which will play beeps every second for 20 seconds

Reminder Message: Buzzer which will play a melody to remind the user to wash their hands (this may be replaced with a speaker depending on the effect on the overall cost) when they are near the device (ultrasonic distance sensor)

Data Collection: This is where the true power of the Arduino MKR wifi 1010 will be used. For individuals a companion app will communicate via BLE whenever near the device/using the device and will store data such as time washing hands and soap used or not. This app will also send notifications reminding people about the importance of washing hands! The office data collection will be achieved via a cloud site (collecting data using AWS or Firebase)

Step 1: Connecting Hardware

Connect the hardware as shown in the Frizzing Diagram above.

MKR

5V--> + Terminal Breadboard

GND--> - Terminal Breadboard

Ultrasonic Sensor

GND --> - Terminal Breadboard

VCC--> + Terminal Breadboard

Trig-->Pin 2 MKR

Echo-->Pin 3 MKR

PIR

GND --> - Terminal Breadboard

VCC--> + Terminal Breadboard

SIGNAL--> Pin 1 MKR

Buzzer

GND --> - Terminal Breadboard

+Pin--> Pin 4 MKR

Servo

Black/Brown-->- Terminal Breadboard

Red-->+ Terminal Breadboard

Yellow/Orange --> Pin 5 MKR

Step 2: Programming and IoT Cloud

The basic logic for the code is above, you can see there the simple changes required. However, for the project we want to push the timer values to IoT cloud.

1) Download Arduino Create and Link MKR WIFI 1010

2)Create a new thing using IoT cloud and create the new variable of time.

3)Generate code and alter any necessary info (e.g. auth credentials)

Step 3: 3D Printing + Assembly

Make sure to 3D print all parts, attatched. Most screws are m2, m2.5 or m3.

1) Insert servo motor inside the bracket

2) Add servo mounting screws

3) Attach bracket to cylinder

4) Repeat on other side (with or without the servo)

5) Add on the back plates and connect to the swivel

6) Place swivel onto base

Youtube Video: youtube.com/channel/UC1txRtSoBYFunvvwbC2i69Q

Troubleshooting

1) Check wires are connected securely. Replace any and all wires which may be damaged.

2) Check your power supply

3) Ensure all of your wires are connected to the correct pins. Especially make sure your trig and echo/ping pin is connected to the correct pin.

4) Double check each of your components work individually before adding them all together.

5) Check the program you run are there any errors ? Run an offline version before going to the cloud.

6) Check auth settings in code for WiFi

Alterations/Improvements

1) Print a customised lid design for your child. This may help them to develop their hygiene skills. You can also add a custom tune for 20 seconds for the buzzer.

2)Silicone seal all edges where the content of the device is stored. This can help with waterproofing.

3)Make the device "talk to you" using a chatbot(e.g. AWS Lex chatbot)