Shape memory alloy actuated dispenser

Abstract

A dispensing system is provided including a dispensing device that dispenses a material stored within the dispensing system during a dispense event. A dimensionally adjustable element is coupled to the dispensing device. The dimensionally adjustable element can actuate the dispensing device to facilitate the dispense event based upon a dimensional adjustment of the dimensionally adjustable element. A sensor is coupled to the dimensionally adjustable element and can detect a presence of a user in proximity to the dispensing system. The sensor can activate the dimensional adjustment of the dimensionally adjustable element in response to detecting the presence of the user in proximity to the dispensing system. In this manner material can be dispensed from the dispensing system when the user is in proximity to the same.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispensing system comprising:
 a dispensing device configured to dispense a material stored within the dispensing system during a dispense event;   a dimensionally adjustable element coupled to the dispensing device, the dimensionally adjustable element configured to actuate the dispensing device to facilitate the dispense event based upon a dimensional adjustment of the dimensionally adjustable element; and   a sensor coupled to the dimensionally adjustable element and configured to detect a presence of a user in proximity to the dispensing system, the sensor configured to activate the dimensional adjustment of the dimensionally adjustable element in response to detecting the presence of the user in proximity to the dispensing system.   
     
     
         2 . The dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to cause a change in electrical current in the dimensionally adjustable element to activate the dimensional adjustment of the dimensionally adjustable element. 
     
     
         3 . The dispensing system of  claim 2 , wherein the change in electrical current causes a change in a temperature of the dimensionally adjustable element to activate the dimensional adjustment of the dimensionally adjustable element. 
     
     
         4 . The dispensing system of  claim 2 , wherein the dimensional adjustment of the dimensionally adjustable element comprises a change in a length of the dimensionally adjustable element. 
     
     
         5 . The dispensing system of  claim 4 , wherein the change in the length comprises increasing the length. 
     
     
         6 . The dispensing system of  claim 4 , wherein the change in the length comprises decreasing the length. 
     
     
         7 . The dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the dimensionally adjustable element comprises a shape memory alloy wire. 
     
     
         8 . The dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing device comprises an actuator portion coupled to the dimensionally adjustable element. 
     
     
         9 . The dispensing system of  claim 8 , wherein the actuator portion is configured to actuate the dispense event based upon a movement of the actuator portion. 
     
     
         10 . A dispensing system comprising:
 a dispensing device configured to dispense a material stored within the dispensing system during a dispense event, the dispensing device comprising an actuator portion configured to actuate the dispense event based upon a movement of the actuator portion;   a dimensionally adjustable element coupled to the actuator portion of the dispensing device, the dimensionally adjustable element configured to cause the movement of the actuator portion based upon a dimensional adjustment of the dimensionally adjustable element; and   a sensor coupled to the dimensionally adjustable element and configured to detect a presence of a user in proximity to the dispensing system, the sensor configured to activate the dimensional adjustment of the dimensionally adjustable element in response to detecting the presence of the user in proximity to the dispensing system.   
     
     
         11 . The dispensing system of  claim 10 , wherein the sensor is configured to cause a change in electrical current in the dimensionally adjustable element to activate the dimensional adjustment of the dimensionally adjustable element. 
     
     
         12 . The dispensing system of  claim 11 , wherein the change in electrical current causes a change in a temperature of the dimensionally adjustable element to activate the dimensional adjustment of the dimensionally adjustable element. 
     
     
         13 . The dispensing system of  claim 10 , wherein the dimensional adjustment of the dimensionally adjustable element comprises a change in a length of the dimensionally adjustable element. 
     
     
         14 . The dispensing system of  claim 13 , wherein the change in the length comprises increasing the length. 
     
     
         15 . The dispensing system of  claim 13 , wherein the change in the length comprises decreasing the length. 
     
     
         16 . The dispensing system of  claim 10 , wherein the dimensionally adjustable element comprises a shape memory alloy wire. 
     
     
         17 . A method of dispensing a material, comprising:
 detecting a presence of a user in proximity to a dispensing system from which the material is dispensed;   activating a dimensional adjustment of a dimensionally adjustable element in response to detecting the presence of the user in proximity to the dispensing system; and   dispensing the material from the dispensing system based upon the dimensional adjustment of the dimensionally adjustable element.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein activating the dimensional adjustment comprises causing a change in electrical current in the dimensionally adjustable element. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein activating the dimensional adjustment comprises causing a change in temperature in the dimensionally adjustable element. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein activating the dimensional adjustment comprises causing a change in length of the dimensionally adjustable element.