Apparatus for collecting liquid waste resources and method for controlling same

Abstract

Disclosed are an apparatus for collecting liquid waste resources and a method for controlling same. The apparatus for collecting liquid waste resources comprises: a first connection part to which a first pump is connected; an air removal tank in which liquid waste resources are stored; a storage tank which receives the liquid waste resources that have been stored in the air removal tank through the first connection part and stores the liquid waste resources; and a flow meter which measures the amounts of the liquid waste resources flowing from the air removal tank to the storage tank through the first connection part.

Description

Liquid waste collection device and its control method

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a device for collecting liquid waste resources and a method for controlling the same.

[0002] Liquid waste, such as used cooking oil, is collected through a separate distribution process, not as general waste, for recycling or to prevent environmental pollution. Liquid waste sources, such as homes, restaurants, and factories, can dispose of liquid waste in various containers. Collectors can visit the sources to collect the liquid waste. Collectors can either collect the entire container or collect the liquid waste from each source in a large drum. When collecting liquid waste, collectors must accurately assess the amount of liquid waste at each source. If the containers are collected as they are, a separate process is required: weighing each container to determine the amount of liquid waste. Furthermore, if liquid waste is collected in drums, the amount must be measured before pouring it into the drum.

[0003] The technical problem to be achieved by an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a liquid waste resource collection device capable of accurately determining the amount of waste resources when collecting the liquid waste resources.

[0004] In order to achieve the above technical task, an example of a liquid waste collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first connection part to which a first pump is connected; an air removal tank for storing liquid waste; a storage tank for receiving and storing liquid waste stored in the air removal tank through the first connection part; and a flow meter for measuring the amount of liquid waste flowing from the air removal tank to the storage tank through the first connection part.

[0005] An example of a control method for a liquid waste resource collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above technical task includes: a step of driving a first pump to transfer liquid waste resources in an air removal tank to a storage tank; and a step of stopping the driving of the first pump when the level of liquid waste resources stored in the air removal tank is below a predefined reference value.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the amount of liquid waste can be accurately determined when collecting liquid waste resources. In another embodiment, when liquid waste resources such as waste oil are collected in a large container, the liquid waste resources from each discharge site can be easily collected by sucking them up through a pump. In another embodiment, the problem of air and foreign substances being sucked up together when sucking up liquid waste resources through a pump, causing errors in measuring the amount of liquid waste resources collected, can be solved through an air removal tank.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a liquid waste resource collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control method of a liquid waste resource collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and

[0009] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the configuration of another example of a liquid waste resource collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Hereinafter, a liquid waste collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the configuration of an example of a liquid waste resource collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, the liquid waste collection device includes an air removal tank (100), a storage tank (110), a first connection part (130), a second connection part (120), a first pump (135), a second pump (125), a flowmeter (140), an air discharge part (105), a water level sensor (150), a filter part (160, 165), and a check valve (170, 175). Depending on the embodiment, the liquid waste collection device may be implemented by omitting some of the components or adding other components. For example, at least one of the water level sensor (150), the filter part (160, 165), and the check valve (170, 175) may be omitted or the position may be changed. An example of the liquid waste resource is waste oil such as waste cooking oil. In addition, the present embodiment may be applied to the collection of various types of waste resources in a liquid state.

[0013] The storage tank (110) is a container for collecting and storing liquid waste resources. The shape and capacity of the storage tank (110) may vary depending on the embodiment. For example, the storage tank (110) may be located on one side of the truck.

[0014] The air removal tank (100) sucks in and stores liquid waste resources through the second connection portion (120). The shape and capacity of the air removal tank (100) may vary depending on the embodiment. In one embodiment, the air removal tank (100) is a space for temporarily storing liquid waste resources, and thus its size may be relatively smaller than that of the storage tank (110).

[0015] The second connection part (120) can be implemented with various types and materials such as pipes and hoses. A second pump (125) is connected to the second connection part (120), and the second pump (125) sucks in liquid waste resources (185) discharged from various discharge containers (180) at the discharge location and stores them in the air removal tank (100). The shape of the discharge container (180) that discharges liquid waste resources from the discharge location can vary and is not limited to a specific form. This embodiment illustrates an example of collecting liquid waste resources through the second connection part (120) and the second pump (125). In another embodiment, a collector can directly pour liquid waste resources into the air removal tank (100) and store them without the second connection part (120) and the second pump (125), and an example of this is illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0016] The air removal tank (100) and the storage tank (110) are connected by a first connection part (130). The first connection part (130) can be implemented with various types and materials such as pipes and hoses. In the air removal tank (100), the connection position of the second connection part (120) is higher than the connection position of the first connection part (130). For example, the first connection part (130) is connected close to the bottom surface of the air removal tank (100), and the second connection part (120) is connected close to the top surface of the air removal tank (100). In one embodiment, the second connection part (120) and the first connection part (130) can be implemented with a PVC pipe.

[0017] When the liquid waste resource (185) contained in the discharge tank (180) is sucked through the second connection part (120), if there is not much liquid waste resource (185) left, air may be sucked together with the liquid waste resource (185) through the second connection part (120). That is, if the end of the second connection part (120) is not completely immersed in the liquid waste resource (185), air may be sucked into the second connection part (120). When air is sucked together with the liquid waste resource through the second connection part (120) and enters the air removal tank (100), the air is discharged to the outside through the air discharge part (105) of the air removal tank (100), and only the liquid waste resource remains in the air removal tank (100). The air discharge part (105) may be located on the upper side of the air removal tank as an opening for discharging air. This embodiment illustrates an elbow-shaped air discharge portion (105) above the second connecting portion (120), but this is only one example, and the shape and position of the air discharge portion (105) may be modified in various ways depending on the embodiment. In another embodiment, a filter portion (107) composed of a filter net may be present at the elbow end of the air discharge portion (105) to prevent the inflow of foreign substances.

[0018] One end of the first connecting portion (130) may be positioned near the inner bottom surface of the air removal tank (100) and the other end may be connected to the storage tank (110). When the first pump (135) is operated, the liquid waste stored in the air removal tank (100) is transferred to the storage tank (100) through the first connecting portion (130). This embodiment includes a fixing portion (137) for fixing the first connecting portion (130) to one side of the air removal tank (100), but this is only one example, and the connection form of the first connecting portion (130) between the air removal tank (100) and the storage tank (110) may be modified in various ways.

[0019] The flow meter (140) is located on one side of the first connection portion (130) and measures the amount of liquid waste flowing through the first connection portion (130). That is, the amount of liquid waste stored in the storage tank (110) can be determined through the flow meter (140). One end of the first connection portion (130) must be immersed in the liquid waste in the air removal tank (100) to prevent air from being sucked in. If air is sucked in as well, an error may occur in the measurement value of the flow meter (140). Therefore, it is necessary to control the operation of the first pump so that the end of the first connection portion (130) located in the air removal tank (100) is not exposed above the water surface of the liquid waste. In one embodiment, the first pump (135) can be manually operated by a collector.

[0020] In another embodiment, the operation of the first pump (135) can be automated using a water level sensor (150). For example, the first pump (135) can automatically stop operation when the level of the liquid waste in the air removal tank (100) detected by the water level sensor (150) falls below a preset reference height. The water level sensor (150) can be installed at a certain height from the bottom surface of the air removal tank (100). The reference height can be set to a position higher than the position of the end of the first connection portion (130) in the air removal tank (100). In this case, when the level of the liquid waste falls below the position of the water level sensor (i.e., the reference height), the first pump (135) can stop operation to prevent air from being sucked into the first connection portion (130).

[0021] In another embodiment, the second connection part (120) and / or the first connection part (130) may have a filter part (160, 165) to prevent the inflow of foreign substances. By filtering foreign substances through the filter part (160, 165), measurement errors of the flow meter (140) due to foreign substances can be prevented. For example, the filtration size of the first filter part (165) of the first connection part (130) may be smaller than the filtration size of the second filter part (160) of the second connection part (120).

[0022] In another embodiment, when the liquid waste collection device moves, the liquid waste remaining in the first connection part (130) may flow back into the air removal tank (100) due to shock such as driving vibration. In this case, air may flow into the first connection part (130), which may cause an error in calculating the exact amount of liquid waste using the flow meter (140). For example, a liquid waste collection device may be present in a collection truck, and a collector may collect liquid waste from various discharge sources while moving with the collection truck. At this time, there is a possibility that the liquid waste remaining in the first connection part (130) may flow back due to the movement of the collection truck. Therefore, at least one check valve (170, 175) may be present in the first connection part (130) to prevent backflow. In one embodiment, a check valve (170, 175) may be positioned at the end of the first connection (130) located within the air removal tank (100) and / or around the flow meter (140). Since the flow meter (140) is always filled with liquid waste, measurement errors due to air can be prevented.

[0023] In another embodiment, a temperature sensor may be further included to account for changes in the volume of liquid waste material depending on temperature. The temperature sensor may be located on one side of the flow meter, allowing the flow meter to measure temperature when measuring the amount of liquid waste material. Furthermore, the location of the temperature sensor may vary depending on the embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control method for a liquid waste resource collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 together, the liquid waste collection device drives the second pump (125) to suck in liquid waste (185) discharged from the discharge source and store it in the air removal tank (100) (S210). In another embodiment, in the liquid waste collection device discussed in FIG. 3, the collector can directly pour liquid waste into the air removal tank (100).

[0026] The liquid waste collection device drives the first pump (135) to transfer the liquid waste stored in the air removal tank (100) to the storage tank (110) (S210). In one embodiment, the second pump (125) and the first pump (135) may operate sequentially or simultaneously. Alternatively, the second pump (125) and the first pump (135) may operate independently according to the user's operation.

[0027] The liquid waste collection device can measure the amount of liquid waste flowing through the first connection part (130) with a flow meter (140). The liquid waste collection device determines in real time whether the height of the liquid waste in the air removal tank (100) is lower than a preset reference value through a level sensor (150) while the first pump (135) is operating (S220). If the height of the liquid waste is lower than the reference value, the liquid waste collection device stops the operation of the first pump (135) (S230). Thereafter, when the second pump (125) is operated and the height of the liquid waste in the air removal tank (100) rises above the reference height, the first pump (135) can be operated again.

[0028] When the level of the liquid waste stored in the air removal tank (100) becomes lower than the reference value, the operation of the first pump (135) is stopped, so that the liquid waste at the reference height always exists in the air removal tank (100). In addition, when the operation of the first pump (135) is stopped, the liquid waste remains in the first connection part (130). Therefore, when collecting liquid waste from a new discharge site, the amount of liquid waste discharged from the discharge site can be accurately determined through the flow meter (140). For example, when the amount of liquid waste at the discharge site is Aℓ, the liquid waste and air can be sucked together through the second connection part (120) and enter the air removal tank (100). The air is discharged from the air removal tank (100), and only the liquid waste accumulates at the bottom of the air removal tank (100). When the first pump (135) is operated, the liquid waste resource in the air removal tank (100) is transferred to the storage tank (110) through the first connection (130). At this time, the amount transferred is until the liquid waste resource height reaches the reference value height, so the amount measured by the flow meter (140) is Aℓ. That is, since the liquid waste resource height of the air removal tank (100) before the operation of the first pump (135) and the liquid waste resource height of the air removal tank after the operation of the first pump (135) is the same, the accurate amount of liquid waste resource discharged can be measured through the flow meter (140).

[0029] In another embodiment, when the liquid waste collection device is moved, the water level sensor (150) may be activated due to the shaking of the air removal tank (100). For example, when the collection truck is moved, a problem may occur in which the first pump (135) is operated due to a malfunction of the water level sensor (150). To prevent this, the power to the first pump (135) may be cut off when the liquid waste collection device is moved. Various methods for detecting the movement of the collection truck or the liquid waste collection device may be applied to the present embodiment, and the liquid waste collection device may stop the operation of the first pump (135) when it detects the movement. As another example, the liquid waste collection device may receive a command to stop the operation of the first pump from an external device such as a user terminal.

[0030] In another embodiment, the liquid waste collection device may transmit or store the measured amount of the flow meter (140) and / or the temperature measurement value of the temperature sensor to a user terminal, etc. For example, the flow meter (140) and / or the temperature sensor may transmit the measured value to the collector's terminal via wireless communication such as Bluetooth. In another embodiment, the liquid waste collection device may include a microprocessor (MCU) or the like to perform each step of the present embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the configuration of another example of a liquid waste resource collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 3, the liquid waste collection device includes an air removal tank (100), a storage tank (110), a first connection portion (130), a first pump (135), a flowmeter (140), a water level sensor (150), a filter portion (165), a check valve (170, 175), an opening portion (300), etc. Depending on the embodiment, the liquid waste collection device may be implemented by omitting some of the components or adding other components. For example, at least one of the water level sensor (150), the filter portion (165), and the check valve (170, 175) may be omitted or its location may be changed.

[0033] The embodiment of Fig. 3 is largely identical to the configuration of the liquid waste collection device of Fig. 1. The embodiment of Fig. 3 omits the second connection portion (120) and the second pump (125) of Fig. 1, and has a structure in which a collector can directly pour liquid waste through the opening (300) of the air removal tank (100). The opening (300) may be implemented in a funnel shape, and a filter portion (310) capable of filtering out foreign substances may be present in the opening (300).

[0034] In one embodiment, the storage tank (110) and the air removal tank (100) may be located on a collection truck. At this time, a hose or pipe may be additionally connected to the opening (300) of the air removal tank (100) and fixed to one side of the truck so that the collector can easily pour the liquid waste resources contained in the discharge container of the discharge location into the air removal tank (100). In addition, the opening (300) of the air removal tank (100) may be modified into various structures that allow the liquid waste resources to be easily poured.

[0035] The control method of Fig. 2 can be applied to the liquid waste collection device of Fig. 3. Since the liquid waste collection device of Fig. 3 does not have a second pump (125), the control method of Fig. 2 can be applied except for the control portion of the second pump (125). That is, the liquid waste collection device drives the first pump (135) to transfer the liquid waste in the air removal tank (100) to the storage tank (110), and when the height of the liquid waste stored in the air removal tank (100) is below a predefined reference value, the driving of the first pump (135) can be stopped.

[0036] In another embodiment, a temperature sensor may be further included to account for changes in the volume of liquid waste resources depending on temperature. The temperature sensor may be located on one side of the flow meter, allowing the flow meter to measure temperature when measuring the amount of liquid waste resources. Furthermore, the location of the temperature sensor may vary depending on the embodiment.

[0037] The present invention has been described above, focusing on preferred embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in modified forms without departing from its essential characteristics. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered illustrative rather than limiting. The scope of the present invention is set forth in the claims, not the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being encompassed by the present invention.

Claims

1. First connection part to which the first pump is connected; Air removal tank for storing liquid waste resources; A storage tank that receives and stores liquid waste resources stored in the air removal tank through the first connecting section; and A liquid waste collection device characterized by including a flow meter that measures the amount of liquid waste flowing from the air removal tank to the storage tank through the first connecting portion.

2. In paragraph 1, A liquid waste collection device characterized in that the air removal tank further includes an opening into which liquid waste can be poured.

3. In the second paragraph, the opening and / or the first connecting portion, A liquid waste collection device characterized by further including a filter section capable of filtering out foreign substances.

4. In paragraph 1, further comprising a second connection portion to which a second pump is connected; A liquid waste collection device characterized in that the above air removal tank sucks in and stores liquid waste through the second connecting portion.

5. In paragraph 4, A liquid waste collection device, characterized in that the second connecting part is connected above the first connecting part in the air removal tank.

6. In paragraph 4, A liquid waste collection device characterized in that the air removal tank further includes an air discharge unit for discharging air on one side.

7. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a water level sensor installed at one side height of the above air removal tank; A liquid waste collection device characterized in that the first pump stops operating when the level of the liquid waste in the air removal tank detected by the water level sensor becomes lower than a preset standard height.

8. In paragraph 1, the first connecting part, A liquid waste collection device further comprising a check valve that prevents liquid waste from flowing back from the storage tank to the air removal tank.

9. In paragraph 1, A liquid waste collection device characterized in that it further includes a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the liquid waste when the flow meter measures the amount of the liquid waste.

10. A step of driving the first pump to transfer the liquid waste resource from the air removal tank to the storage tank; and A control method for a liquid waste collection device, characterized in that it includes a step of stopping the operation of the first pump when the height of the liquid waste stored in the air removal tank is below a predefined reference value.

11. In paragraph 10, A control method for a liquid waste collection device, characterized in that it further includes a step of measuring the amount of liquid waste transferred from the air removal tank to the storage tank using a flow meter and transmitting the measured value to the outside via wired or wireless communication.

12. In paragraph 10, A method for controlling a liquid waste collection device, characterized in that it further includes a step of stopping the operation of the first pump when movement of the waste collection device is detected.

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