Design, Modelling, Simulation, Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of a Portable Foot Operated Dispenser

Abstract

Hand washing and sanitizing have become a very essential part of our
daily life especially in the era of COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the
existing hand washing facilities on campuses is such that, the hands of
the user is recontaminated after using the dispenser due to hand
control of the system. This article reports a portable pedal driven soap
and water dispenser which is developed for hand washing and
sanitizing. The focus and objective of this study is to mitigate the risk
of contracting or transmitting bacteria and virus during hand washing
and to promote effective and efficient hand washing and sanitization
practices across university campuses in line with COVID-19
protocols. The machine was designed based on a simple working
principle to accommodate a person at a time. Modelling, simulation,
fabrication and performance evaluation were considered in this study.
All necessary engineering design specifications were also considered.
An average standard height was used to position the tap at a height of
1.25m. The mechanism is very easy to operate due to the simplicity of
the foot pedal press. Hence, it can be conveniently used by almost
everyone regardless of their height. The performance evaluation of the
machine was analysed using computer aided design software called
Autodesk Inventor software for simulation to outline the places that
stress and strain would occur as regards to force application. The
efficiency of the machine is 90% and will replace the conventional
veronica bucket (hand-operating tap) popularly used in most
campuses in Nigeria. It is also very effective and will help to stop the
spread of the COVID-19 infections and promote good personal
hygiene.