The purpose of our project is to eliminate the problem of running out of toilet paper while in the bathroom. Our toilet paper holder will automatically replace the toilet paper when used in the bathroom, so that the user doesn’t have to worry about it themselves.

Supplies

Plastics sheets
Tape
Hot Glue
Screws
Cardboard
Plywood
Ball bearing
An already existing toilet paper roll holder
Plastic welder

Step 1: Brainstorming

For the brainstorming process of our project, we all used the whiteboard to write our ideas down and went through about 3 or 4 different designs that didn't work. But, we finally ended up with a prototype where the toilet paper rolls would go down a tube, which has ramps in it to slow down its fall, and land on top of a platform in the tube. The platform then in the tube would be able to slide out onto your roll holder and you could easily replace your toilet paper.

Step 2: Research

Our research consisted of looking at already convenient methods of replacing our toilet paper easily enough. We looked at toilet paper holders that also function as the roll holder when using the toilet paper, toilet paper holders that the school uses, and holders usually used in home bathrooms. They were all great examples of where we wanted to go with our project, however this also gave us proof that our toilet paper holder would be more convenient than all of them since it would hold more toilet paper and also automatically replace it for convenience.

Step 3: Prototype/Testing

For our prototype, we went with a cardboard design. This would allow for an easier and simpler way to make it, and being able to fix it even if we mess up. But, these images are a extremely simple first design of our tube, later on we made the tube the size of our toilet paper rolls.

Step 4: Evaluate/Redesign

In this part of the process we added ramps onto our tubing on the inside. Adding the ramps would allow our toilet paper to not slam down to the bottom of the tube, but slowly glide down so we wouldn't rip the toilet paper. We also made it so that the distance from each ramp was about the size of a toilet paper roll.

Step 5: Final Design

The final design of our prototype enclosed the tubing. Not only that, but we added a sliding pvc pipe at the bottom of our design so that we could stop the rolls of toilet paper from dropping out of the bottom. You could slide the pvc in and out of place, so that either it allowed a roll of toilet paper to go through or kept them from going through and just storing them instead.