Self-sensing dispensing device

Abstract

The present self-sensing dispensing device includes: power supply means, a liquid dispensing element comprising an actuator and a dispensing aperture through which liquid is to be dispensed by activation of the actuator, electronic control means operable to control the actuator, liquid supply means connecting with a liquid reservoir to supply liquid to the liquid dispensing element, valving means allowing or blocking liquid to flow from the reservoir to the liquid dispensing element, wherein the actuator operates to execute in itself at least a dispensing function and a detecting function, the detecting function detecting at least characteristics external to the self-sensing dispensing device and causing the actuator to generate a command signal, and wherein the electronic control means is operable to control the valving means and the actuator based on the reception of the command signal.

1 . A self-sensing dispensing device comprising:
 (a);   (a) a liquid dispensing element comprising an actuator and a dispensing aperture through which liquid is to be dispensed by activation of the actuator;   (b) power supply means operably connected to power the actuator;   (c) electronic control means operable to control the actuator;   (d) liquid supply means for connecting with a liquid reservoir to supply liquid from the reservoir to the liquid dispensing element;   valving means for allowing or blocking liquid flow from the reservoir through the liquid supply means to the liquid dispensing element,   wherein the actuator is operable to execute in itself at least a dispensing function and a detecting function, wherein the detecting function detects at least characteristics external to the self-sensing dispensing device and causes the actuator to generate a command signal, and   wherein the electronic control means is operable to control the valving means and the actuator based on the reception of the command signal.   
     
     
         2 . A self-sensing dispensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein said electronic control means is operable to open, or close, or to open and close, said valving means based on said command signal. 
     
     
         3 . A self-sensing dispensing device according to  claim 2 , wherein said electronic control means is operable to turn on and off said self-sensing dispensing device based on said command signal. 
     
     
         4 . A self-sensing dispensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein said electronic control means is operable to analyze a time-frequency response of said command signal, wherein the result of said analysis allows triggering of said valving means. 
     
     
         5 . A self-sensing dispensing device according to  claim 4 , wherein said electronic control means comprises memory means for storing results of said analysis for self-learning purposes. 
     
     
         6 . A self-sensing dispensing device comprising:
 (a) a liquid dispensing element comprising an actuator and a dispensing aperture through which liquid is to be dispensed by activation of the actuator;   (b) power supply means operably connected to power the actuator;   (c) electronic control means operable to control said actuator;   (d) liquid supply means connecting with a liquid reservoir to supply liquid from the reservoir to the liquid dispensing element;   wherein the actuator is operable to execute in itself at least a dispensing function and a detecting function, wherein the detecting function detects at least characteristics external to the self-sensing dispensing device and causes the actuator to generate a command signal, and   wherein the electronic control means is operable to control the actuator based on reception of the command signal.   
     
     
         7 . A self-sensing dispensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein said actuator is a piezoelectric actuator. 
     
     
         8 . A self-sensing dispensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein said actuator is an electromagnetic actuator. 
     
     
         9 . A shower apparatus comprising:
 a showerhead; and   a water flow detector, wherein said water flow detector consists of a self-sensing dispensing device as defined in  claim 7 .   
     
     
         10 . A respiratory treatment device comprising:
 a self-sensing dispensing device as defined in  claim 7 ;   a mouthpiece; and   a fluidic interface,   wherein the electronic control means and the piezoelectric actuator are arranged to detect a breathing pattern of a user through the mouthpiece.   
     
     
         11 . A liquid dispenser comprising:
 a self-sensing dispensing device as defined in  claim 7 , wherein   said dispensing element has at least one outlet for dispensing said liquid as a flow, and   said electronic control means and said piezoelectric actuator are arranged to detect presence or movement of an object in a proximity of said piezoelectric actuator.   
     
     
         12 . A liquid dispenser comprising:
 a self-sensing dispensing device as defined in  claim 7 , wherein   said dispensing element has at least one outlet for dispensing said liquid as a flow, and   said electronic control means and said electromagnetic actuator are arranged to detect presence or movement of an object in a proximity of said electromagnetic actuator.   
     
     
         13 . A household appliance comprising a self-sensing dispensing device as defined in  claim 6 . 
     
     
         14 . A self-sensing dispensing device according to  claim 2 , wherein said electronic control means is operable to analyze a time-frequency response of said command signal, wherein the result of said analysis allows triggering of said valving means. 
     
     
         15 . A self-sensing dispensing device according to  claim 3 , wherein said electronic control means is operable to analyze a time-frequency response of said command signal, wherein the result of said analysis allows triggering of said valving means.