Intelligent garbage can

Abstract

The utility model discloses an intelligent garbage can, it includes inner bucket body, outer bucket body, apron, foot stool, motor, controller, first inductor and second inductor, the outer bucket body is equipped with the chamber that can hold the inner bucket body, and it is top bucket mouth place cooperation and is connected with the middle ring spare, and the middle ring spare has the putting-in mouth that can supply the inner bucket body to go out, the apron its back side is rotatively connected with the middle ring spare, and the cover is established on the putting-in mouth, the foot stool is fixed in the bottom of outer bucket body, and the foot stool is equipped with four support legs, the motor fixed mounting is on the middle ring spare, and the output shaft of motor is fixedly connected with the apron through the hinge, and can drive the apron to open and shut up and down, the first inductor is embedded in the top surface front side of the middle ring spare, and the second inductor is embedded in the bottom surface front side of outer bucket body, and the controller is electrically connected with motor, first inductor and second inductor respectively. Adopt the utility model, can effectively reduce the false trigger rate, and provide more ergonomics, nimble and convenient trigger mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of waste disposal equipment technology, specifically to an intelligent trash can with an automatic opening and closing lid function. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional trash cans typically require users to manually open the lid, which can be inconvenient when disposing of trash, especially when hands are dirty or items are being handled. Furthermore, frequent contact with the trash can lid may increase the risk of bacterial transmission. To address this, smart trash cans with automatic lid opening and closing functions have emerged on the market, typically using sensors to detect user movements and control the lid's opening.

[0003] However, existing smart trash cans still have significant shortcomings in terms of sensor placement and ease of use. Some products place sensors on the front of the can, which can detect the actions of users directly in front, but when people walk past the can without intending to throw away trash, they can easily enter the sensing range, causing the lid to open accidentally. This false triggering not only wastes energy and causes unnecessary wear and tear on mechanical parts, but also affects the user experience.

[0004] Some products attempt to move the sensing area downwards, creating an inward-recessed sensing groove at the bottom front of the bin to prevent false triggers. However, this design introduces new problems: due to the small space in the groove, users need to precisely insert their feet into a specific area in front of the groove for it to be effectively sensed, making operation less convenient and flexible. The user experience is particularly poor when the user's standing angle is off-center or not directly facing the trash can.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to design an intelligent trash can that can effectively prevent accidental triggering and adapt to natural and convenient operating postures. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned defects of the prior art and provide an intelligent trash can. By optimizing the layout of the sensors and the collaborative control logic, it aims to effectively reduce the false trigger rate and provide a more ergonomic, flexible and convenient triggering method.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: A smart trash can includes an inner bin, an outer bin, a cover, a leg, a motor, a controller, a first sensor, and a second sensor. The inner bin is used to load garbage; the outer bin has a chamber that can accommodate the inner bin, and a middle ring fitting is connected to its top opening. The middle ring fitting has a dispensing port for the inner bin to enter and exit; the rear side of the cover plate is rotatably connected to the middle ring fitting and covers the dispensing port; the legs are fixed to the bottom of the outer bin and have four support legs with a height of 16cm-30cm to suspend the bottom of the outer bin; the motor is fixedly installed on the middle ring fitting, and the output shaft of the motor is fixedly connected to the cover plate through a hinge and can drive the cover plate to open and close up and down; the controller is electrically connected to the motor and is used to control the start, stop and rotation direction of the motor; the first sensor is embedded in the front top of the middle ring fitting and is electrically connected to the controller, and is used to send a sensing signal to the controller when an object is detected approaching; the second sensor is embedded in the front bottom of the outer bin and is electrically connected to the controller, and is used to send a sensing signal to the controller when an object is detected approaching. The controller is configured as follows: When a sensing signal is received from the first sensor or the second sensor, the motor is controlled to open the cover. After the cover is opened, if no sensing signal is received from the first sensor or the second sensor within a preset time period, the motor is controlled to close the cover.

[0008] Compared with existing technologies, one of the key improvements of this smart trash can lies in the spatial layout of its sensors, which has the following advantages: the first sensor for hand sensing is located on the front side of the top central ring accessory, and the second sensor for foot sensing is located on the front side of the bottom of the bin. This separate layout clearly distinguishes the hand sensing area (above) and the foot sensing area (below) in space. Users must intentionally extend their hands above the bin opening or their feet into the space under the bottom of the bin to trigger the sensor, effectively avoiding false triggering caused by simply passing by the front or side of the bin. Simultaneously, the bottom sensing area is formed by four supporting legs, eliminating the need for a narrow recess; users can trigger the sensor simply by approaching the bottom of the bin from a larger angle with their feet, making operation more natural and convenient.

[0009] Preferably, the sensing end of the first sensor is arranged facing upwards to optimize the detection of hand movements; the sensing end of the second sensor is arranged facing downwards to optimize the detection of foot movements.

[0010] Furthermore, a touch switch is embedded on the front top of the central ring. This touch switch is electrically connected to the controller and is used to respond to user touch operations and send control signals to the controller. The controller is configured to: upon receiving a control signal from the touch switch, control the motor to open the cover; and after the cover is opened, if another control signal is received from the touch switch, control the drive mechanism to close the cover. The touch switch provides a third control method, increasing flexibility in use.

[0011] Preferably, the outer barrel is further provided with a power module that supplies power to the motor, controller, first sensor, second sensor and touch switch.

[0012] Preferably, in order to achieve reliable control of the opening and closing of the cover plate, the middle ring fitting is also provided with a limit switch or position sensor for detecting the opening and closing limit position of the cover plate. The limit switch or position sensor is electrically connected to the controller to prevent motor overload.

[0013] Preferably, two motors are provided, arranged symmetrically from left to right, to ensure smooth opening and closing of the cover. A torsion spring is fitted onto the output shaft of each motor. The first torsion arm of the torsion spring abuts against the middle ring fitting, and the second torsion arm abuts against the cover, assisting in closing the cover and providing cushioning. Two torsion springs may be provided, arranged symmetrically from left to right. After the cover is closed, the pressure on the torsion springs is greater than the sum of the elastic forces of the two torsion springs, ensuring a tight closure of the cover.

[0014] Preferably, the inner ring of the middle ring fitting is provided with an annular positioning boss, and the top outer edge of the inner barrel is provided with an outwardly protruding overlapping part. When the inner barrel is placed inside the outer barrel, the overlapping part rests on the positioning boss to achieve stable positioning of the inner barrel.

[0015] Preferably, the inner bin is provided in one or more parts to meet the needs of waste sorting.

[0016] Preferably, both the first sensor and the second sensor are infrared photoelectric sensors. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the accompanying drawings of the embodiments will be briefly described below.

[0018] Figure 1 is an isometric view of the smart trash can in the closed state provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an isometric view of the smart trash can in the open state provided in the embodiment of this utility model; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the controller electrically connected to the motor, the first sensor, the second sensor, and the touch switch respectively; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the motor and torsion spring on the cover plate; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the intelligent trash can provided in an embodiment of this utility model; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the power module arrangement on the back panel of the outer barrel.

[0019] Marked in the image: 1-Inner barrel body; 11-Overlapping part; 2-Outer barrel body; 3-Middle ring fitting; 31-Positioning boss; 4-Cover plate; 5-Foot bracket; 51-Supporting leg; 6-Motor; 7-Controller; 8-First sensor; 9-Second sensor; 10-Touch switch; 12-Torsion spring; 13-Power module. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, this utility model embodiment proposes an intelligent trash can, which mainly includes an inner bin 1, an outer bin 2, a central ring fitting 3, a cover plate 4, a leg 5, a motor 6, a controller 7, a first sensor 8, a second sensor 9, a touch switch 10, a torsion spring 12, and a power module 13.

[0022] The outer bin 2, serving as the main support and outer shell structure, is typically made of materials such as plastic or stainless steel, and its interior forms a chamber with an opening at the top. The inner bin 1 is used to directly hold garbage and can be inserted or removed from the top of the outer bin 2, facilitating cleaning and replacement of garbage bags. To achieve garbage sorting, one or more inner bins 1 can be provided (for example, two inner bins arranged side by side), with each inner bin corresponding to different types of garbage.

[0023] To ensure stable positioning of the inner bin 1, a middle ring fitting is connected to the top opening of the outer bin 2. This middle ring fitting has an inlet for the inner bin to enter and exit, as well as for waste disposal. The inner ring fitting 3 has an annular positioning boss 31 on its inner circumference. Correspondingly, the outer edge of the top of the inner bin 1 has a horizontally protruding overlapping portion 11. When the inner bin 1 is placed inside the cavity of the outer bin 2, its overlapping portion 11 precisely overlaps the positioning boss 31, thus suspending the inner bin 1 in mid-air. This prevents the inner bin 1 from directly contacting the bottom of the outer bin 2 and facilitates its removal.

[0024] The cover plate 4 is rotatably connected to the support fixed on the central ring fitting 3 via a hinge (or pivot) on its rear side, so that it can rotate up and down around a horizontal axis to open or close the injection port in the center of the central ring fitting 3.

[0025] The core component driving the opening and closing of the cover plate 4 is the motor 6. In a preferred embodiment, the motor 6 can be a low-speed DC geared motor, which has forward, reverse, and stop control functions. The motor 6 is fixed to a concealed position below or to the side of the central ring fitting 3 via a mounting bracket. The output shaft of the motor 6 is connected to the hinge shaft of the cover plate 4 via a coupling or directly, thereby converting the rotational motion of the motor into the flipping motion of the cover plate 4.

[0026] To improve the smoothness and reliability of the opening and closing process of the cover plate 4, especially for larger cover plates, this utility model preferably provides two motors 6. These two motors 6 are arranged symmetrically about the vertical center line of the cover plate and adopt a synchronous control strategy (e.g., synchronously driven by the same controller signal) to share the driving torque, effectively preventing the cover plate 4 from jamming or tilting during the opening and closing process.

[0027] One of the key innovations of this utility model embodiment lies in the spatial layout design of the sensing system, which aims to solve the problems of easy accidental triggering and inconvenience of use in the prior art.

[0028] First sensor 8 (hand sensing area): This first sensor (preferably an infrared photoelectric sensor) is embedded in the front area of ​​the top of the central ring fitting 3, with its sensing lens or transmitting / receiving window facing upwards. This layout defines a non-frontal hand sensing area located above the bin opening. When a user needs to dispose of trash, they will consciously extend their hand or the trash object they are holding towards the area directly above the bin opening, at which point the first sensor 8 can effectively detect the signal. Because the sensing area is confined to a relatively small space above the bin opening, false triggering caused by the user's body or arm swinging into the sensing area of ​​the first sensor while walking normally past the front or side of the trash can is effectively avoided.

[0029] Second sensor 9 (foot sensing area): This second sensor (preferably an infrared photoelectric sensor) is embedded in the front area of ​​the bottom of the outer bin 2, with its sensing lens or transmitting / receiving window facing downwards. The four support legs 51 of the stand 5 provide a ground clearance of 16cm to 30cm (e.g., 21cm), creating an open, unobstructed foot sensing space between the bottom of the outer bin 2 and the ground. The detection beam of the second sensor 9 faces downwards towards the ground area. When the user wants to trigger it with their foot, they only need to naturally insert their foot into the space under the bottom of the bin, without needing to precisely align it with a narrow groove. This design not only conforms to the natural movement habits of the human body, but also, because the sensing area is located directly under the bin, it will only be triggered when the user intentionally stops in front of the bin and makes a foot-extending motion, greatly reducing accidental opening caused by normal leg swinging or passing by the bin.

[0030] In addition to automatic sensing control, this embodiment of the invention also integrates a manual control mode to meet the user's needs in different scenarios. Specifically, in the front area of ​​the top of the central ring accessory 3, in addition to installing the first sensor 8, a touch switch 10 is also embedded.

[0031] The touch switch 10 preferably employs capacitive touch sensing technology. Its touch sensing area can be a metal sheet / sensing area that is flat or slightly raised with respect to the surface of the central ring accessory 3, and may be covered with an insulating decorative layer. The touch switch 10 is electrically connected to the controller 7.

[0032] The controller 7 (e.g., microprocessor unit MCU) is the "brain" of the trash can, and it is electrically connected to the motor 6, the first sensor 8, the second sensor 9, the touch switch 10, the power module 13, etc.

[0033] Its basic working logic is configured as follows: Triggering the opening of the lid: When the controller 7 receives a sensing signal from the first sensor 8 (hand approaching) or the second sensor 9 (foot extending into the bottom space), it determines that the user intends to dispose of garbage. The controller 7 then issues a command to start the motor 6 to rotate in the opening direction, thereby smoothly opening the lid 4.

[0034] Delayed closing: After the cover 4 is opened, the controller 7 starts an internal timer (preset time period, such as 3 seconds, 5 seconds or adjustable). During this time period, the controller 7 continuously monitors whether it receives a signal from the first sensor or the second sensor again.

[0035] If no trigger signal is received again within the preset time period, it indicates that the user has completed garbage disposal and left. The controller 7 then controls the motor 6 to rotate in the closing direction to close the cover 4.

[0036] If a trigger signal is received again within the preset time period (e.g., when a user continuously throws away trash), the controller 7 will reset the timer and restart the timing, thus keeping the lid open until the last trigger signal is followed by a full preset time period before closing the lid. This design improves the convenience of continuous use.

[0037] Touch control: As a supplementary control method, users can also directly control the opening and closing of the cover by touching the touch switch 10 on the central ring accessory 3. One touch opens the cover, and a second touch closes it. This provides another flexible control option, especially when the sensing function is temporarily unavailable or when the user has specific preferences.

[0038] Limit protection: A limit switch or position sensor (such as a Hall sensor) is installed on the central ring fitting 3 to detect the fully open and fully closed positions of the cover plate 4. When the cover plate 4 moves to the limit position, the corresponding limit switch will be triggered. This signal is fed back to the controller 7, which will immediately cut off the power to the motor 6 to prevent the motor from stalling and being damaged, and to precisely control the opening and closing angle of the cover plate.

[0039] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a power module 13 is installed inside the outer casing 2. For example, a dry cell battery compartment or a rechargeable battery (such as a lithium battery) can be designed on the back panel of the outer casing 2, or it can be designed to be powered by an AC adapter. The power module 13 provides the necessary electrical energy for the entire system (motor, controller, sensors, etc.).

[0040] In some specific embodiments, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, a torsion spring 12 is fitted onto the output shaft of the motor 6 (i.e., the cover plate shaft). The two torsion arms of the torsion spring 12 abut against the fixed part of the middle ring fitting 3 and the movable part of the cover plate 4, respectively. The torsion spring 12 is pre-loaded with a certain torque. Its main function is as follows: during the closing process of the cover plate 4, the elastic force of the torsion spring 12 assists the motor 6, enabling the cover plate 4 to close more gently and smoothly, reducing impact noise; after the cover plate 4 is fully closed, its own weight will exert pressure on the torsion spring 12, ensuring that this pressure is greater than the sum of the elastic forces of the torsion springs, so that the cover plate can be tightly closed, avoiding accidental opening due to slight external forces or vibrations. When two symmetrical torsion springs are set, their elastic forces need to be calculated together to ensure the reliability of the closure.

[0041] In summary, this embodiment of the invention achieves physical separation and targeted definition of the sensing areas by placing the hand sensing area above the bucket opening and the foot sensing area below the open bottom space of the bucket. Combined with intelligent delay control logic, it effectively distinguishes between "intentional operation" and "unintentional passage," significantly reducing the probability of false triggering. Simultaneously, the integration of multiple control methods (hand sensing, foot sensing, touch) provides a flexible and convenient user experience. Symmetrical motor drive, torsion spring assistance, and limit protection designs ensure the smoothness and reliability of the mechanism's operation.

[0042] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the present invention.

[0043] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, if these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this utility model and their equivalents, this utility model also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A smart trash can, characterized in that, include: The inner container is used to hold garbage; The outer barrel has a cavity for accommodating the inner barrel, and a middle ring fitting is connected to the top opening of the outer barrel. The middle ring fitting has a dispensing port for the inner barrel to enter and exit. A cover plate, the rear side of which is rotatably connected to the middle ring fitting, and is placed over the dispensing port; The tripod is fixed to the bottom of the outer barrel and has four supporting legs with a height of 16cm-30cm to suspend the bottom of the outer barrel. The motor is fixedly installed on the middle ring fitting. The output shaft of the motor is fixedly connected to the cover plate via a hinge and can drive the cover plate to open and close up and down. A controller, electrically connected to the motor, is used to control the start, stop, and rotation direction of the motor; The first sensor is embedded in the front top of the central ring fitting and electrically connected to the controller, and is used to send a sensing signal to the controller when an object is sensed approaching. The second sensor is embedded in the front bottom of the outer barrel and electrically connected to the controller, and is used to send a sensing signal to the controller when an object is sensed approaching.

2. The intelligent trash can according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensing end of the first sensor is arranged facing upwards; the sensing end of the second sensor is arranged facing downwards.

3. The intelligent trash can according to claim 1, characterized in that, A touch switch is embedded on the front top of the middle ring. The touch switch is electrically connected to the controller and is used to respond to the user's touch operation and send control signals to the controller.

4. The intelligent trash can according to claim 3, characterized in that, The outer barrel is also equipped with a power module that supplies power to the motor, controller, first sensor, second sensor and touch switch.

5. The intelligent trash can according to claim 1, characterized in that, The central ring fitting is also equipped with a limit switch or position sensor for detecting the opening and closing limit position of the cover plate, and the limit switch or position sensor is electrically connected to the controller.

6. The intelligent trash can according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are two motors, arranged symmetrically from left to right.

7. The intelligent trash can according to claim 6, characterized in that, A torsion spring is fitted on the output shaft of the motor. The first torsion arm of the torsion spring abuts against the middle ring fitting, and the second torsion arm of the torsion spring abuts against the cover plate.

8. The intelligent trash can according to claim 7, characterized in that, Two torsion springs are provided, arranged symmetrically from left to right.

9. The intelligent trash can according to claim 8, characterized in that, After the cover plate is closed, the pressure on the torsion spring is greater than the sum of the elastic forces of the two torsion springs.

10. The intelligent trash can according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner ring of the dispensing port is provided with an annular positioning boss, and the top outer edge of the inner barrel is provided with an outwardly protruding overlapping part. When the inner barrel is placed inside the outer barrel, the overlapping part rests on the positioning boss.

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