TECHNICAL FIELD

The instant application is generally directed towards systems and techniques for powering a plurality of dispensers. In particular, an energy storage component is configured to discharge energy for powering dispensers when a load on a power distribution apparatus exceeds a supply current, and thus multiple dispensers may perform concurrent dispense events.

BACKGROUND

Many locations, such as hospitals, factories, casinos, expo centers, etc., may utilize devices for hygiene, such as dispensers. For example, a dispenser may dispense a liquid material, powder material, aerosol material, and/or other materials (e.g., soap, anti-bacterial gels, cleansers, disinfectants, lotions, etc.). Some dispensers, such as countertop installed dispensers, may operate based upon power supplied from an electrical outlet. For example, an alternating current to direct current power converter (AC to DC power converter) may convert AC power from the electrical outlet to DC power used to operate a dispenser. Unfortunately, many buildings may lack adequate numbers of power outlets and/or may resort to using unsightly amounts of power cords in order to operate a desired number of dispensers (e.g., a casino may install 8 countertop dispensers that are spaced 3 feet from one another, but the casino may only have 2 electrical outlets within 15 feet of the countertop dispensers).

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key factors or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for providing power to a plurality of dispensers are provided herein. For example, a power distribution apparatus comprises a supply coupler (e.g., an alternating current to direct current power converter configured to plug into an electrical outlet). The power distribution apparatus comprises an energy storage component (e.g., a super capacitor, a series of one or more capacitors, etc.) coupled to the supply coupler. The power distribution apparatus comprises a load coupler (e.g., a power rail, a power cord, a cooper trace, an electrical connection to a power cord, or other powered connection over which power is transferred to the plurality of dispensers for operation) that is coupled to the supply coupler and the energy storage component. The load coupler comprises a first coupling element (e.g., a first integrated power cord or a first electrical connection to a first detachable power cord) for coupling the load coupler to a first dispenser. The load coupler comprises a second coupling element (e.g., a second integrated power cord or a second electrical connection to a second detachable power cord) for coupling the load coupler to a second dispenser.

The supply coupler supplies power to the energy storage component (e.g., for energy storage) and to the load coupler (e.g., for providing the power to the first dispenser through the first coupling element and to the second dispenser through the second coupling element). The energy storage component is configured to discharge energy when a load on the power distribution apparatus by the first dispenser and/or the second dispenser exceeds a supply current of power provided by the supply coupler (e.g., the first dispenser and the second dispenser may concurrently attempt to perform dispense events of material, which may draw a current greater than the supply current). In this way, multiple concurrent dispense events may be facilitated for multiple dispensers because the energy storage component discharges energy to supply additional power used to perform such dispense events.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the following description and annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative aspects and implementations. These are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which one or more aspects may be employed. Other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the annexed drawings.

