Waste compaction device

Abstract

The invention relates to a waste compaction device, comprising: - a frame for receiving a waste container, - a waste compression unit comprising: -- a compression plate (3) arranged to move vertically inside the container and, in use, to compress the waste, -- an articulated structure (4) connected to the compression plate (3) for moving said plate vertically, said structure comprising two pairs of articulated arms, characterized in that: - the arms of one pair mesh with the arms of the other pair at gears arranged on the upper and lower arms of the articulated structure (4), - a system of cables and pulleys is arranged to unfold the articulated structure (4) to lower the compression plate (3) and to fold it back to raise said plate. Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Waste compaction device technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a waste compaction device.

[0002] It relates to the technical field of waste management, and more specifically to the technical field of compaction devices that reduce the volume of waste in dedicated containers. This type of device finds applications in urban environments, local authorities, and industrial facilities, where reducing the volume of waste facilitates its transport, storage, and subsequent treatment. State of the art

[0003] US patent document 2016130082A1 discloses a waste compaction device comprising a frame in which a container is installed. The frame is equipped with a compression unit including a compression plate that moves vertically within the container to compress the waste. The plate is moved by an articulated pantograph-type structure. When the structure extends, the plate descends into the container and compresses the waste. When the structure retracts, the plate rises, leaving the container unobstructed. The articulated structure is driven by a system of motorized worm gears.

[0004] The motorized screw system for moving the compression plate can cause desynchronization of the pantograph arm movements, particularly in the presence of an asymmetrical or uneven distribution of waste in the container. The plate can then tilt, leading to uneven compression of the waste.

[0005] The invention aims to remedy all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks and aims to achieve all or part of the following objectives: to provide a compaction device that is reliable and allows optimal compression of waste; to provide a compaction device whose design is simple, easy to use and inexpensive. Presentation of the invention

[0006] The solution proposed by the invention is a waste compaction device, comprising: - a frame designed to receive a waste container, - a waste compression unit comprising: — a compression platform arranged to move vertically inside the container and, in use, compress the waste, — an articulated structure connected to the compression platform for moving said platform vertically, said structure comprising two pairs of articulated arms, and in which: - the arms of one pair mesh with the arms of the other pair via gears located on the upper and lower arms of the articulated structure, - a system of cables and pulleys is arranged to unfold the articulated structure to lower the compression plate and fold it back up to raise said plate.

[0007] The gear system arranged on the upper and lower arms of the articulated structure allows for precise synchronization of the arm movements, thus ensuring that the compression plate remains horizontal throughout its movement, even in the presence of an asymmetrical or uneven distribution of waste in the container. The quality of waste compression is therefore improved compared to the aforementioned prior art compaction device.

[0008] In addition, the cable and pulley system for operating the deployment and folding of the articulated structure offers a particularly simple, reliable, inexpensive mechanical solution with simplified maintenance.

[0009] Other advantageous features of the invention are listed below. Each of these features may be considered alone or in combination with the notable features defined above. Each of these features contributes, where appropriate, to solving specific technical problems defined further in the description and in which the other features defined above do not necessarily participate. The following features may thus be the subject, where appropriate, of one or more divisional patent applications:

[0010] According to one embodiment, a plurality of pulleys is arranged in the articulated structure so as to form a force multiplication device of the pulley type.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the cable and pulley system is associated with counterweights acting to assist the folding of the articulated structure.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the cable and pulley system is disengageable so that in the disengaged position, the articulated structure folds automatically under the action of the counterweights and causes the compression plate to rise.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the frame includes a lower support to support a bottom wall of the container.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the lower support is height adjustable.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the compression plate is provided with a plurality of liquid drainage holes present, in use, in the waste during compression.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the building is equipped with photovoltaic cells.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the waste container is removable from the building.

[0018] According to one embodiment, one or more pressure sensors are associated with the compression plate, said sensor(s) being configured to measure, in use, the pressure exerted by said plate on the waste and transmit the data to a control unit configured to stop the movement of said plate when a pre-parameterized compaction pressure is reached. Brief description of the figures

[0019] Other advantages and features of the invention will become clearer upon reading the description of the embodiments that follow, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples and on which:

[0020] [Fig-1] illustrates a compaction device according to the invention associated with a container of waste, with the compression plate in the raised position.

[0021] [Fig.2] illustrates a compaction device according to the invention associated with a container of waste, with the compression plate in the lowered position.

[0022] [Fig.3] shows the compaction device of [Fig.1], without the waste container.

[0023] [Fig.4] shows the compaction device of [Fig.2], without the container of waste.

[0024] [Fig.5] shows one embodiment of the articulated structure.

[0025] [Fig.6] illustrates a system of cables and pulleys arranged to unfold / fold the structure articulated, the frame not being shown. Description of the implementation methods

[0026] For the sake of clarity, the following clarifications are provided for certain terms used in the description and claims: - Unless otherwise indicated, the use of ordinal adjectives "first", "second", etc., to describe an object simply indicates that different occurrences of similar objects are being mentioned and does not imply that the objects so described must be in any given sequence, whether in time, space, ranking, or any other way. - Similarly, the use of adjectives "right / left", "front / back", etc., allows us to simply describe the position of an object in the configuration of the attached figures, but does not necessarily imply that in practice, similar objects are in the same position. - "X and / or Y" means: X alone or Y alone or X+Y. - In general, it is appreciated that the different drawings are not drawn to scale from one figure to another or within a given figure, and in particular that elements of the invention can be arbitrarily drawn to facilitate reading the drawings.

[0027] With reference to figures 1 and 2, the compaction device of the invention comprises a frame 1 intended to receive a waste container 2.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the frame 1 comprises a support consisting of a post 10 and a cross member 11 placed at a right angle. The post 10 and the cross member 11 may be metal profiles. The frame 1 may be equipped with structural reinforcements to improve its stability and prevent deformation under load.

[0029] The container 2 is of a known type. It is generally parallelepiped or cylindrical in shape, with a bottom wall 20. It can be made of metal or plastic. The container 2 is removable from the frame 1 and can be fitted with handles and / or casters to facilitate its handling. Alternatively, the container 2 can be fixed to the frame 1.

[0030] The compaction device includes a waste compression unit comprising a compression plate 3 arranged to move vertically inside the container 2 and, in use, compress the waste.

[0031] The platform 3 may have a rectangular, square, circular, or other shape, this shape corresponding to the internal cross-section of the container 2. The platform 3 is dimensioned to maintain a peripheral clearance between its edge and the internal walls of the container 2 so as to reduce or avoid any friction against said walls. Its dimensions vary depending on the size of the container 2.

[0032] The platform 3 is rigid so as to resist, without deforming, the stresses exerted during the compression of the waste. It is, for example, made from an assembly of steel or aluminum profiles and / or plates.

[0033] The lower surface of the tray 3 intended to come into contact with the waste can be flat or have ribs or specific patterns to improve compaction.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the tray 3 is provided with a non-stick coating or a surface treatment to prevent waste from sticking.

[0035] On [Fig.5], a plurality of orifices 30 are provided on the plate 3 to allow the evacuation, during compression, of liquids contained in the waste.

[0036] The vertical movement of the platform 3 is ensured by an articulated structure 4. In the accompanying figures, this structure is fixed to the cross member 11 so as to position the platform 3 above the container 2 while leaving unobstructed access for loading and unloading waste. When the structure 4 is unfolded, the platform 3 descends (Figures 2 and 4), and when it is folded, the platform 3 rises (Figures 1 and 3).

[0037] With particular reference to [Fig. 5], structure 4 comprises two pairs of arms, respectively a first pair 40 and a second pair 4L. arms 40 of one pair engage with arms 41 of the other pair at gears arranged on the upper and lower arms of the articulated structure 4.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment, the arms are connected to each other to form a diamond-shaped configuration, providing a compact and efficient mechanism for vertically moving the tray 3 into the container 2.

[0039] At the lateral vertices of the diamond-shaped structure 4, the arms of one pair 40 and the arms of the other pair 41 are connected by articulation axes, respectively 400 and 410, ensuring relative rotation of said arms. These articulation axes may be equipped with bushings or bearings to reduce friction.

[0040] At the upper and lower vertices of the diamond-shaped structure 4, the arms 40, 41 of the two pairs are connected by gears that synchronize their movements. In [Fig. 5], the end of the upper arm 40 of the first pair is provided with one or more gears 401 that mesh with one or more complementary gears 411 arranged at the end of the upper arm 41 of the second pair. Similarly, the end of the lower arm 40 of the first pair is provided with one or more gears 402 that mesh with one or more complementary gears 412 arranged at the end of the lower arm 41 of the second pair.

[0041] This gear system ensures that the arms 40, 41 extend and retract in a perfectly coordinated manner, allowing the platform 3 to remain horizontal and move strictly vertically, even in the presence of an asymmetrical or uneven distribution of waste in the container 2. When the structure 4 is unfolded, the arms move apart around the lateral axes 400, 410, while the upper gears 401, 411, and lower gears 402, 412 ensure symmetrical movement of the two pairs of arms. When retracting, the same mechanism ensures a return to the initial position, while maintaining perfect synchronization of the arms.

[0042] With reference to figures 3 and 4, the lower arm 40 of the first pair and the lower arm 41 of the second pair are also connected by articulation axes to a plate 31 fixed on the plate 3. And the upper arm 40 of the first pair and the upper arm 41 of the second pair are connected by articulation axes to a plate 110 fixed on the cross member 11.

[0043] A system of cables and pulleys is arranged in the frame 1 to unfold the structure 4 to lower the platform 3 and fold it back up to raise said platform.

[0044] A preferred embodiment of the cable and pulley system is partially shown in [Fig. 6]. A plurality of pulleys 50, 51 are mounted inside the structure 4, respectively on the articulation axes 400, 410, and between which a cable 6 is wound. Each axis 400, 410 can, for example, carry from 2 to 6 pulleys. The cable 6 winds onto a reel 60 mounted on the frame 1 by passing through one or more pulleys 61 fixed on said frame.

[0045] The winder 60 can be operated manually or by an electric motor. When the cable 6 winds onto the winder 60, the pivot points 400, 410 move closer together so that the structure 4 unfolds and the platform 3 descends. Conversely, when the cable 6 unwinds, the pivot points 400, 410 move apart so that the structure 4 folds and the platform 3 rises.

[0046] The plurality of pulleys 50, 51 forms a pulley-type force multiplication device, allowing the load to be distributed and the force required to move the platform 3 to be reduced. In particular, the manual effort required to operate the winder 60 can be significantly reduced. Similarly, if the winder 60 is motorized, the energy required to operate it can be optimized. To this end, the frame 1 can be equipped with photovoltaic cells to supply all or part of this energy. Thanks to this force multiplication, a relatively moderate force, whether manual or generated by a low-power motor, is sufficient to produce significant pressure on the waste, enabling effective compaction, even under high load conditions.

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment, the cable and pulley system is associated with counterweights 7 (visible in Figures 3 and 4) which act to assist the folding of the structure 4. More specifically, these counterweights 7 ensure the automatic raising of the platform 3. When the platform 3 is in the lowered position, the winder 60 can then be disengaged, preferably by means of a freewheel, so that the cable 6 unwinds automatically under the action of the counterweights 7 and causes the structure 4 to fold and the platform 3 to rise. The counterweights 7 are advantageously adjustable to adapt to the weight of the platform 3.

[0048] The pressure exerted by the plate 3 to properly compact the waste depends on several factors, including the type of waste (household, recyclable, organic), its initial density, and the desired level of compaction. According to an embodiment suitable for municipal household waste, the structure 4 and the cable and pulley system are dimensioned so that the pressure exerted by the plate 3 is advantageously between 1 t / m² (tonnes per square meter) and 20 t / m², preferably between 5 t / m² and 10 t / m².

[0049] According to an embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 6], the platform 3 can be associated with one or more pressure sensors 32 for measuring in real time the pressure exerted by said platform on the waste. This or these sensors 32 can be integrated into the structure of the platform 3 or positioned on one of the connection points between said platform and the structure 4.

[0050] The data from the sensors 32 are then transmitted to a control unit configured to stop the movement of the plate 3 when a pre-set compaction pressure is reached. For example, the compaction pressure can be set to 5 t / m². As long as this pressure has not been reached, the structure 4 continues to unfold so that the plate 3 descends into the container 2 and compacts the waste. As soon as the compaction pressure is reached, the control unit stops the cable and pulley system to halt the unfolding of the structure 4. The control unit can then command the retraction of the structure 4 (for example, by disengaging the motor of the winder 60) as soon as the compaction pressure is reached, or after a certain period of time (for example, a few seconds).This pressure control ensures optimal compaction of waste, but also protects the mechanical components of the device against excessive loads that could lead to damage.

[0051] During the compression of the waste, the pressure exerted by the platform 3 on the waste is transmitted directly to the bottom wall 20. This wall 20 is then at risk of giving way, deforming or cracking, compromising the physical integrity of the container 2. This risk is even higher if the bottom wall 20 is detached from the ground, for example when the container 2 is mounted on wheels.

[0052] To remedy this, the frame 1 advantageously includes a lower support 12 to support the bottom wall 20. The support 12 may be in the form of forks or a rigid plate, for example made of steel. Reinforcements may be provided to increase its rigidity. It is positioned at the inner base of the frame 1 so as to fit under the container 2, against the bottom wall 20. The support 12 advantageously has a shape corresponding to that of the bottom wall for a homogeneous distribution of mechanical stresses, thus reducing the risks of localized deformation or breakage.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the support 12 is height-adjustable to fit containers 2 of various sizes.

[0054] The arrangement of the various elements and / or means and / or steps of the invention, in the embodiments described above, should not be understood as requiring such an arrangement in all implementations. In any event, it will be understood that various modifications may be made to these elements and / or means and / or steps, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0055] Furthermore, one or more features shown only in one embodiment can be combined with one or more other features shown only in another embodiment. Similarly, one or more features shown only in one embodiment can be generalized to other embodiments, even if this or these characteristics are described only in combination with other characteristics.

Claims

Demands

1. A waste compaction device comprising: - a frame (1) for receiving a waste container (2), - a waste compression unit comprising: - a compression plate (3) arranged to move vertically inside the container (2) and, in use, to compress the waste, - an articulated structure (4) connected to the compression plate (3) for moving said plate vertically, said structure comprising two pairs of articulated arms (40, 41), characterized in that: - the arms (40) of one pair mesh with the arms (41) of the other pair at gears (401, 402, 411, 412) arranged on the upper and lower arms of the articulated structure (4), - a system of cables and pulleys (6, 50, 51, 61) is arranged to unfold the articulated structure (4) to lower the compression plate (3) and fold it back to raise the said tray.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of pulleys (50, 51) are arranged in the articulated structure (4) so ​​as to form a force multiplication device of the pulley type.

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable and pulley system (6, 50, 51, 61) is associated with counterweights (7) acting to assist the folding of the articulated structure (4).

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the cable and pulley system (6, 50, 51, 61) is disengageable so that in the disengaged position, the articulated structure (4) folds automatically under the action of the counterweights (7) and causes the compression plate (3) to rise.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (1) includes a lower support (12) for supporting a bottom wall (20) of the container (2).

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the lower support (12) is height-adjustable.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compression plate (3) is provided with a plurality of orifices (30) for evacuating liquids present, in use, in the waste during compression.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (1) is equipped with photovoltaic cells (10).

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the waste container (2) is removable from the frame (1).

10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more pressure sensors (32) are associated with the compression plate (3), said sensor(s) being configured to measure, in use, the pressure exerted by said plate on the waste and transmit the data to a control unit configured to stop the movement of said plate when a pre-set compaction pressure is reached.

Images