SOAP DISPENSER PROJECT
Goals
- Design an automatic soap dispenser for EPIC* that delivers a controlled volume with no contact points to enhance hygiene and user convenience.
- Develop a modular, sensor-driven system.
- Optimize for reliability, cost efficiency, and ease of maintenance to support large-scale implementation.
Role
- Head of IR Laser Break Sensor team. Tasked with Coding, Wiring, and Implementing Sensor into our Design.
- Assistant on 3D Modeling and Designing Housing for Product. (Desogned and printed soap pump cover).
Timeline
September 2025 - December 2025
Tools
- Solidworks and OnShape
- TinkerCad
- Arduino
- Soldering
- 3D Printing
Results
- Built an automatic GOJO soap dispenser that consistently detected hand presence and dispensed soap with reliable timing and volume control.
- Verified stable operation across repeated trials with no mechanical jams or false triggers, though actuator became weaker after multiple trials.
- Identified opportunities to improve enclosure compactness and sensor calibration for enhanced consistency, while demonstrating strong potential as a practical, touch-free hygiene solution.
Design Process
- Used TinkerCad to model wiring setup.
- Use of diagrams such as a Glass Box and Code Flow chart to get thoughts onto paper before coding or physical prototyping began.
- Measured dimensions of GoJo Soap bottle for future housing design.
Soap Dispenser Prototype Results
Our protype could successfully pump the soap but we realized major flaws that needed to be fixed such as:
- Weight being added to keep the linear actuator down
- Better contact between the linear actuator and the head of the pump
- Improved location of Laser Break Sensors to help influence hand position
Final Product
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