[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to industrial control and dispensing systems. More specifically, relates to an apparatus and method for controlling and monitoring a dispensing unit.
BACKGROUND
[002] "Controlled dispensing" refers to the concept of permitting a user to dispense some item according to a predetermined schedule or set of rules, rather than permitting unrestrained access. A significant application of the art of controlled dispensing relates to gasket dispensing in automobile industry. Conventionally, gaskets are used to provide a seal between differential housing and a suction pipe. This gasket is intended to keep rear-end grease and oil contained within the housing. Further, the gasket is used for reducing dirt, debris or other harmful particles from entering the rear end differential. Absence of the gasket creates an entrance of dirt particles and causes leakage of hydraulic oil from the differential. Thereby leading to outflow of transmission oil in rear end of the differential.
[003] Conventionally, while assembling a differential housing in an automobile plant, an operator chooses a gasket from a trolley containing plurality of gaskets and then transfers the gasket to cover a rear side of the differential housing where a shifter is placed. In this assembling process sometimes the operator may fail to remember to install the gasket on to the differential housing and may fit the shifter without any gasket. Also at times, the operator may choose a rejected gasket or gasket having uneven thickness to cover the differential housing, thus leading to leakage of transmission oil.

[004] Therefore, there exists a need for an apparatus and method for controlling and monitoring a dispensing unit which eliminates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an apparatus for controlling and monitoring a dispensing unit.
[006] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an apparatus which is inexpensive and easy to manufacture.
[007] Yet another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an apparatus to prevent usage of rejected gasket or oversized gasket and gasket having uneven thickness.
[008] Still another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a method for controlling and monitoring a dispensing unit.
[009] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 2 depicts another perspective view of the apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the apparatus with a lid, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0014] FIG. 4a depicts an electronic circuit diagram for operating the apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0015] FIG. 4b depicts a mechanical circuit diagram for operating the apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0016] FIG. 4c depicts a schematic diagram of the controller of the apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0017] FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart showing a method for controlling and monitoring a dispensing unit, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0019] The embodiments herein achieve an apparatus for controlling and monitoring a dispensing unit. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve a method for controlling and monitoring a dispensing unit. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 5, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0020] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the apparatus (100) includes a housing (102) or a storage compartment, an aperture (102a), at least one sensor (104), a controller (106) (as shown in FIG. 4c) in communication with the sensor (104), and a lid (108).
[0021] The apparatus (100) for controlling and monitoring the dispensing unit includes the housing (102) (as shown in FIG. 1). The housing (102) is formed in a shape of a storage compartment for example, the housing in fabricated in a square shape. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any desired shape without otherwise deterring the intended function of dispensing as can be deduced from the description and drawings. The housing (102) includes an enclosed space

(not shown). The enclosed space is utilized for disposing a plurality of gaskets (not shown). The plurality of gaskets are disposed inside the enclosed space in a predetermined manner.
[0022] FIG. 2 depicts another perspective view of the apparatus,
5 according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The
housing (102) further defines the aperture (102a). The aperture (102a) is defined at a bottom portion of the housing (102). The aperture (102a) is adapted to dispense the gasket from the housing (102). In an embodiment, the aperture (102a) is made up of predetermined dimensions to allow the
10 gasket one at a time to be dispensed from the housing (102). For example
the aperture (102a) may be of 1mm, which facilitates in dispensing the gasket having 1mm dimension. The aperture (102a) is made up of predetermined dimension so that no defective gasket is dispensed from the housing (102). For example, if more than 1mm gasket is placed in the
15 housing (102), the gasket is not dispensed from the housing (102) it will get
stuck, thus the operator visually checks for the gasket and replaces the faulty gasket with the correct dimensioned gasket.
[0023] The housing (102) further includes the lid (108). The lid (108) is configured to cover a top portion of the housing (102). The lid
20 (108) is connected to the housing (102) by a hinge assembly (108a). The
housing (102) is provided with the lid (108) to avoid dirt and other particles depositing on the gasket being used for any mechanical assembly. The lid (108) is operable to an open position and a closed position by a handle (108b) as shown in FIG. 3 to provide access for disposing the plurality of
25 gaskets.
[0024] The apparatus (100) for controlling and monitoring the dispensing unit includes at least one sensor (104). In an embodiment, the sensor (104) is a proximity sensor. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type of sensor without otherwise deterring the
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intended function of detecting a movement as can be deduced from the
description and drawings. The sensor (104) is coupled to the housing at a
predetermined position such that it detects any movement occurring around
the sensor (104). The sensor (104) is provided in communication with the
5 controller (106). The sensor (104) is configured to provide an inactivity
data (a signal indicative of a period of inactivity) to the controller (106). The inactivity data refers to a period of time for which the operator does not withdraw at least one of the gasket from the housing (102).
[0025] FIG. 4c depicts a schematic diagram of the controller of the
10 apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.
The apparatus (100) for controlling and monitoring the dispensing unit includes the controller (106). In an embodiment, the controller may be an On Delay Timer (112). The controller (106) is configured to receive a signal indicative of a period of inactivity from the sensor (104). The
15 controller (106) includes an integrated memory unit which is configured to
store a standard predefined time period. In an embodiment, the standard predefined time for an operation can be reset using the controller (106). The standard predefined time period is a maximum time period within which an operator needs to withdraw at least one gasket from the housing
20 (102). The controller (106) is configured to compare the period of
inactivity with the standard predefined time period to generate at least one signal indicative of action to be taken by an operator. The action of the operator is to withdraw at least one gasket from the housing (102). The controller (106) is adapted to actuate an alarm (110) if the period of
25 inactivity exceeds the standard predefined time period. In an embodiment,
the alarm (110) includes one of a buzzer, a visual alarm, an audible alarm and a vibrator alarm. The visual alarm may be in a form of light indication. In an embodiment, the controller (106) may be integrated with a conveyor (not shown) and/or other similar to stop the functioning of the conveyor
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(i.e. the controller is configured to stop any interlocked and integrated system such as conveyor), in the case of fault condition is discovered by the controller (106).
[0026] FIG. 4a depicts an electronic circuit diagram for operating
5 the apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed
herein. The electronic circuitry for the apparatus includes the proximity sensor Px1 which is connected to an On Delay Timer (112). The On Delay Timer (112) is configured to start a time counting when the gasket is withdrawn from the housing (102). If On Delay Timer (112) completes its
10 time i.e. if the On Delay Timer (112) completes a predefined standard time
period, a hooter or an alarm (110) is configured to ring. Meanwhile if the gasket is withdrawn from the housing (102), the sensor (104) senses or detects a movement thereby cutting off a supply to the hooter and restarting the above process. Thus the operator is notified about withdrawing the
15 gasket from the housing (102) and assembling the gasket to the mechanical
assembly. In an embodiment, the sensor (104), controller (106), the alarm (110) and the On Delay Timer (112) are connected by switches (114a) and wire connection (114b) (as shown in FIG. 4c).
[0027] FIG. 4b depicts a mechanical circuit diagram for operating
20 the apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed
herein. Initially, AC power supply is transferred to SMPS which further transforms the AC power supply to DC power supply. For example, power supply i.e. P and N, 220 V ac supply is transferred to SMPS i.e. Sinusoidal mode power supply which is then transformed to a 24 V DC supply through
25 positive (+ve) and negative (–ve) supply. The (+ve) supply is passed to the
proximity sensor (104) which is a capacitive type sensor. And the (–ve) supply is passed to the On Delay Timer (112). The On Delay Timer (112) is connected to the sensor and Hooter relay of 24 V supply. The On Delay Timer (112) starts counting time once it receives the power supply from
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SMPS. If an operator does not withdraw at least one of the gasket from the
housing (102) before the predefined standard time, for example he
predefined time may be 3min 10 sec, the Timer will complete the standard
time, then the power supply is transferred to hooter relay. Finally the
5 hooter relay actuates an alarm (110). Meanwhile, if the operator withdraws
the gasket from the housing (102) the sensor (104) detects the movement, whereby the supply to the hooter relay is cut off and the On Delay Timer (112) restarts counting time again to continue the dispensing process.
[0028] FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart showing a method for controlling
10 and monitoring a dispensing unit, according to an embodiment of the
invention as disclosed herein. A method (200) for controlling and
monitoring a dispensing unit is disclosed. The method, at step (202) includes providing at least one sensor (104) in near vicinity of a housing (102), the housing (102) defining a space for containing a plurality of
15 gaskets and an aperture (102a) allowing the gasket to be dispensed from the
housing (102). At step (204) the method includes detecting a movement of the gasket by the sensor (104). At step (206) the method includes receiving a signal indicative of a period of inactivity by a controller (106) from the sensor (104). At step (208) the method includes actuating an alarm (110) if
20 the period of inactivity exceeds a standard predefined time period by the
controller (106).
[0029] The method (200) for controlling and monitoring the
dispensing unit is explained below. The method initially includes
supplying power to sensor (104) and to the On Delay Timer (112) through
25 the sinusoidal mode power supply (SMPS). The sensor (104) is mounted on
the housing (102). The housing (102) encloses the plurality of gaskets and the aperture (102a) defined in the housing allows the gasket to be dispensed from the housing (102). The On Delay Timer (112) starts counting time once it receives the power supply from SMPS. If the operator withdraws
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the gasket from the housing (102) the sensor (104) detects the movement, whereby the supply to the hooter relay is cut off and the On Delay Timer (112) restarts counting time again to continue the dispensing process. If the operator does not withdraw at least one of the gasket from the housing (102) the signal indicative of the period of inactivity is detected by the sensor (104) and transferred to the On Delay Timer (112). The Timer provided in the On Delay Timer (112) completes the standard predefined time, and the power supply is transferred to hooter relay which actuates the alarm (110). And thus the operator is notified about withdrawing the gasket from the housing (102) and assembling the gasket to the mechanical assembly.
[0030] The advantages of the embodiments described herein include prevent gasket missing error from the mechanical assembly, eliminate human error, and to provide defect free gasket in the mechanical assembly.
[0031] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

We claim,

An apparatus (100) for controlling and monitoring a dispensing
unit, said apparatus (100) comprising:
a housing (102) defining a space for containing a plurality of gaskets and an aperture (102a) allowing said gasket to be dispensed from said housing (102);
at least one sensor (104) disposed in near vicinity of said housing (102), said sensor (104) configured to generate a signal indicative of a period of inactivity by detecting a movement of said gasket associated with said housing (102); and
a controller (106) in communication with said sensor (104), said controller (106) configured to:
receive said signal indicating said period of inactivity from said sensor (104); and
actuate an alarm (110) if said period of inactivity exceeds a standard predefined time period.
2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller (106) includes an integrated memory unit which is configured to store a standard predefined time period.
3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said controller (106) is configured to compare said period of inactivity with said standard predefined time period to generate at least one signal indicative of action to be taken by an operator.

4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing (102) includes a lid (108) covering a top portion of said housing (102), said lid (108) is connected to said housing (102) by a hinge assembly (108a).
5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said lid (108) is operable to an open position and a closed position by a handle (108b) to provide access for handling said plurality of gaskets.
6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said aperture (102a) is defined at bottom portion of said housing (102).
7. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing (102) defines said aperture (102a) of predetermined dimensions to allow said gasket one at a time to be dispensed from said housing (102).
8. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said alarm (110) includes one of a buzzer, a visual alarm, an audible alarm and a vibrator alarm.
9. A method (200) for controlling and monitoring a dispensing unit, said method (200) comprising:
providing at least one sensor (104) in near vicinity of a housing (102), said housing (102) defining a space for containing a plurality of gaskets and an aperture (102a) allowing said gasket to be dispensed from said housing (102);
generating a signal indicative of a period of inactivity by detecting a movement of said gasket associated with said housing (102) by said sensor (104);

receiving a signal indicative of a period of inactivity by a controller (106) from said sensor (104); and
actuating an alarm (110) if said period of inactivity exceeds a standard predefined time period by said controller (106).
10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said controller (106) is configured to compare said period of inactivity with said standard predefined time period to generate at least one signal indicative of action of an operator.