Constricting assembly, packing device, and smart trash can

Abstract

A constricting assembly for a smart trash can, comprising: a constricting member and a driving structure. One end of the constricting member is a first end and is fixedly mounted or is drivingly connected to the driving structure, and the other end of the constricting member is a second end and is fixedly mounted or is drivingly connected to the driving structure; and the constricting member bends to form a constriction region, and the driving structure drives the first end and / or the second end to operate so as to increase or decrease the constriction area of the constriction region, thereby constricting the opening of a trash bag. The constricting assembly reduces the number of parts of the constricting assembly, and increases the area utilization rate of a trash inlet.

Description

Tie-off assembly, packaging device and smart trash can Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of intelligent trash cans, and more particularly to a tie-mouth assembly and a packing device in an intelligent trash can and an intelligent trash can using the structure. Background Art

[0002] Smart trash cans are a new generation of trash cans on the market that can automatically store trash, pack and seal trash bags, and replace new bags. They can automatically pack and replace bags, eliminating the need for human contact, improving hygiene and overall quality of life.

[0003] The subject matter of this invention is a cinch assembly for compressing the openings of garbage bags into a bundle. Numerous cinch assemblies with similar functions exist in the prior art. For example, Chinese Patent Publication No. CN108974714A discloses an automatic garbage bag packaging device and method. The cinch assembly employed in this automatic packaging device utilizes a first pressure rod and a second pressure rod to compress the opening of the garbage bag to a corner position in mutually perpendicular directions, respectively, along the X and Y directions. This cinch assembly utilizes the pressure rods to cinch the opening of the garbage bag at the corner, allowing for the subsequent sealing and packaging operations.

[0004] However, there are some practical technical problems with the tie-mouth assembly in the above-mentioned prior art. First, the tie-mouth assembly has a large number of parts and a complex structure, so the production and assembly processes are also relatively complicated. At the same time, the assembled packaging tie-mouth assembly is prone to reduced reliability of the overall function due to the large number of parts assembly structures, and the more complex the structure, the higher the manufacturing cost. Secondly, since the tie-mouth assembly in the prior art is a square structure in the X and Y directions, when the shape of the trash can is circular, the square tie-mouth assembly is installed inside the circular trash can, and the center area S1 of the square tie-mouth assembly must be smaller than the center area S2 of the circular trash can (as shown in Figure 1). Therefore, when this structure is applied to a circular trash can, the actual entrance area that can be used for throwing away garbage is S1, and the circular area S2 of the trash can cannot be fully utilized, and there is room for improvement.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of certain technical problems existing in the conventional grommet assembly mentioned in the background art, the present invention adopts a grommet assembly with a new structure to achieve the purpose of simplifying the number of parts and improving the utilization rate of the garbage inlet area.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object of the invention, the present invention provides the following technical solution 1:

[0008] The mouthpiece and the driving structure;

[0009] One end of the closing piece is a first end and is fixedly mounted or drivingly connected to the driving structure, the other end of the closing piece is a second end and is fixedly mounted or drivingly connected to the driving structure, the closing piece is bent to form a closing area, and the driving structure drives the first end and / or the second end to move so that the closing area of ​​the closing area increases or decreases to achieve the closing of the garbage bag opening.

[0010] The above technical solution transforms the conventional cinch assembly, which consists of multiple X- and Y-axis components, into a cinch assembly with flexible bending properties. A drive mechanism then drives the second end of the cinch to contract, thereby achieving the purpose of cinching the garbage bag opening. Because the cinch is a contracting cinch, its application in circular trash cans maximizes the container's entrance area, resolving the technical issues mentioned in the background. Furthermore, the cinch assembly is not limited to the technical field of cinching garbage bags; it may also be used in other fields.

[0011] Furthermore, the invention further comprises: a bottom plate having an opening extending through the bottom plate in a thickness direction; a middle portion between the first end and the second end of the closing member, wherein the initial closing position of the middle portion is set at the periphery of the opening;

[0012] Furthermore, the shape of the opening is a shape having an arc side and a straight side, and the straight side is a chord of a virtual circle of the arc side.

[0013] The openings on the base plate of the present invention are formed by a combination of arcuate and straight edges. This not only allows the openings of the garbage bags to be clustered at the midpoint of the straight edges, but also maximizes the area of ​​the openings while maintaining the guiding effect of the straight edges. For details, please refer to the detailed implementation section.

[0014] Further: wherein the cinch member and the driving structure constitute a one-way cinch assembly, and the cinch directions of two or more groups of the one-way cinch assemblies are opposite or the same.

[0015] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object of the invention, the present invention provides the following technical solution 2:

[0016] A packaging device having the above-mentioned strap assembly;

[0017] Also included: a sealing / cutting component, the sealing / cutting component including:

[0018] a mounting seat, wherein the first end of the constricting member is fixed to the mounting seat, and the second end of the constricting member can allow the middle portion to abut against the mounting seat when fully retracted under the driving action of the driving structure;

[0019] A heating wire is fixed on the surface of the mounting seat, and the middle portion can be driven to contact the heating wire under the driving action of the driving structure.

[0020] The above technical solution is a packaging device equipped with the cinch assembly of the present invention. The core functions of the packaging device are cinch and sealing / cutting functions. Therefore, the packaging device uses the cinch assembly of the present invention to achieve the cinch function and is equipped with a sealing / cutting principle that utilizes a heating wire to melt to achieve the sealing / cutting function. Trash cans using the packaging device with the above structure can also achieve the inventive objectives of the present invention.

[0021] To achieve the above-mentioned object of the invention, the present invention provides the following technical solution three:

[0022] A smart trash can includes the above-mentioned tie-mouth assembly or the above-mentioned packing device.

[0023] Technical effects of the present invention:

[0024] (1) The present invention adopts a constricting piece with bending elasticity, which is bent into a closing shape and distributed around the opening, and drives the second end of the constricting piece to reduce the area of ​​the closing region to achieve the constriction of the garbage bag opening. Compared with the existing technology with a large number of parts in the X direction and Y direction, the technical solution of the present invention has fewer parts.

[0025] (2) When the opening assembly of the present invention is used on a trash can, the utilization rate of the trash entrance can be increased.

[0026] (3) The opening provided on the bottom plate of the present invention is in a shape composed of arc edges and straight edges. Not only can the guiding effect of the straight edge chord be utilized to concentrate the openings of the garbage bags at the midpoint of the chord into a cluster, but the area of ​​the opening can also be expanded as much as possible under the premise of having the guiding effect of the straight edge chord. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG1 is a background art reference, showing that the area of ​​S1 is smaller than the area of ​​S2;

[0028] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a packaging device using the tie-end assembly of the present invention;

[0029] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the split structure of a packaging device using the tie-end assembly of the present invention;

[0030] FIG4 is a top view of a packaging device using the tie-opening assembly of the present invention, with the tie-opening member in an initial state;

[0031] FIG5 is a top view of a packaging device using the tie-end assembly of the present invention, with the tie-end member in a final state;

[0032] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the structure in FIG2 without the constriction piece;

[0033] FIG7 is a top view of FIG6;

[0034] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the mounting base;

[0035] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the base plate;

[0036] FIG10 is a schematic diagram showing a small opening structure;

[0037] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure using two one-way cinch assemblies and reverse cinch;

[0038] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure using two one-way constriction opening components and constriction openings in the same direction.

[0039] Figure markings: 0, one-way opening assembly; 1, bottom plate; 1-1, opening; 1-1', small opening; 1-11, arc edge; 1-12, straight edge; 1-2, position limiting guide ring; 2, opening piece; 2-1, first end; 2-2, second end; 2-3, middle part; 3, driving structure; 3-1, coupling; 3-11, first rotating axis; 3-12, second rotating axis; 3-13, extrusion gap; 3-2, motor; 4, mounting seat; 5, heating wire. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments and drawings, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0041] A cuff assembly, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, includes: a base plate 1, a cuff member 2, and a drive structure 3. One end of the cuff member 2 is a first end 2-1, and the other end is a second end 2-2. In this embodiment, the first end 2-1 is set as a fixed end, and the second end 2-2 is set as a free end. The main working principle of the cuff assembly of this embodiment is: the first end 2-1 of the cuff member 2 is fixed to the base plate 1, the second end 2-2 is a free end, and the first end 2-1 and the second end 2-2 of the cuff member 2 are always bent into a closing area. The second end 2-2 is driven by the drive structure 3. Under the action of the drive structure 3, the movement of the second end 2-2 makes the closing area smaller and smaller, and finally forms a final cuff with restraint near the first end 2-1.

[0042] In other embodiments, the first end 2-1 and the second end 2-2 may both be free ends, and two sets of driving structures 3 may be used to drive the first end 2-1 and the second end 2-2 to move respectively, so as to achieve the effect of gradually reducing the area of ​​the closing area and finally constricting the opening. However, at least one of the first end 2-1 and the second end 2-2 may be a free end.

[0043] The specific installation structure and performance requirements are as follows:

[0044] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 9, the base plate 1 is used as a mounting carrier for the entire constriction assembly. Of course, even without a mounting carrier, the drive structure 3 and the constriction member 2 can still achieve the basic constriction function. In order to install the constriction assembly in a smart trash can, it is generally necessary to add the base plate 1. The base plate 1 has an opening 1-1 that passes through it along the thickness direction. The purpose of providing the opening 1-1 is that the opening 1-1 needs to pass through the object to be constricted (such as a garbage bag) in order for the constriction member 2 to function. Preferably, the shape of the base plate 1 can be set to any shape, including but not limited to circular, elliptical, square, and polygonal, as long as it can meet the installation requirements and usage needs of the constriction member 2.

[0045] The cuff 2 is an important part of the cuff assembly. It needs to be a workpiece with bending elasticity, such as common plastic strips, metal strips, and metal wires. The cuff 2 can be in the shape of a strip, a wire, a twist, etc., but the most important requirement is that the cuff 2 needs to have good recovery elasticity when bent. Bending elasticity here is not tensile elasticity, and the two are different. For example, if a straight plastic strip is bent, it will definitely return to its original straight shape. If a straight steel wire is bent, it will also definitely return to its original straight shape. However, for example: iron wire and aluminum wire, these two types of metal wires do not have bending elasticity. If they are bent, they will not have the property of returning to their original shape.

[0046] Therefore, in this embodiment, one end of the binding piece 2 is fixed on the base plate 1 and is called the first end 2-1, the other end of the binding piece 2 is called the second end 2-2, and any part in the middle of the binding piece 2 (no matter how close to the first end 2-1 and the second end 2-2, as long as it is not an endpoint) is called the middle part 2-3. Since the second end 2-2 needs to be driven, a driving structure 3 is installed on the base plate 1, the second end 2-2 of the binding piece 2 is driven and connected to the driving structure 3, and the middle part 2-3 of the binding piece 2 is set on the periphery of the opening 1-1. The driving structure 3 drives the second end 2-2 to move so that the middle part 2-3 of the binding piece 2 moves inward to achieve binding of the items in the opening 1-1.

[0047] In the present invention, drive structure 3 includes a coupling 3-1 and a motor 3-2. Coupling 3-1 is connected to second end 2-2, and motor 3-2 drives coupling 3-1 to cause reciprocating motion of second end 2-2. Coupling 3-1 is the component that couples to the second end, while motor 3-2 provides the power source. Motor 3-2 can, of course, be replaced with other power sources known to those skilled in the art.

[0048] In this embodiment, the coupling 3-1 includes a first rotating shaft 3-11 and a second rotating shaft 3-12. The first rotating shaft 3-11 and the second rotating shaft 3-12 are parallel to each other and are rotatably installed on the base plate 1. An extrusion gap 3-13 is provided between the first rotating shaft 3-11 and the second rotating shaft 3-12. The second end 2-2 of the closing piece 2 is interference fit in the extrusion gap 3-13. The first rotating shaft 3-11 and the second rotating shaft 3-12 rotate toward each other under the driving action of two motors 3-2 to provide power for the reciprocating movement of the closing piece 2.

[0049] In this embodiment, the axial directions of the first rotating shaft 3-11 and the second rotating shaft 3-12 are perpendicular to the plane of the base plate 1. However, this installation method is not limited to this. When the axial directions of the first rotating shaft 3-11 and the second rotating shaft 3-12 are parallel to the plane of the base plate 1 and power supply can be achieved, an installation structure in which the axial directions of the first rotating shaft 3-11 and the second rotating shaft 3-12 are parallel to the plane of the base plate 1 can also be adopted. This is not impossible.

[0050] In another embodiment, one or both of the first rotating shaft 3-11 and the second rotating shaft 3-12 can be configured as gears, and one side surface of the opening member 2 can be configured as a tooth surface, thereby making the driving effect of the driving structure 3 more precise.

[0051] Since the items to be tied are generally bag-shaped objects such as garbage bags, which tend to spread out into a linear or flat shape when tied and are difficult to form into a cluster, the embodiment of the present invention has the opening 1-1 shaped as a shape consisting of an arc edge 1-11 and a straight edge 1-12. The straight edge 1-12 is a chord of a virtual circle formed by extending the arc edge 1-11, and the straight edge 1-12 is tangent to the side surface of the mounting seat 4. The tangent chord can be used as a guide to cluster the garbage bag openings at the midpoint of the chord, thereby facilitating subsequent packaging.

[0052] However, the configuration of the opening 1-1 in the present invention, which is formed of arcuate edges 1-11 and straight edges 1-12, is not solely for utilizing the guiding effect of the chord to cluster the openings of the garbage bags at the chord's midpoint. This configuration also serves to expand the area of ​​the opening 1-1, thereby increasing the utilization rate of the entrance area, consistent with the purpose of the invention.

[0053] The reason why the utilization rate of the entrance area can be improved is that the shape of the normal circular opening 1-1 should be set to the shape shown in Figure 10 as a small opening 1-1'. The edge of the small opening 1-1' is tangent to the mounting seat 4, thereby guiding the bag openings of the garbage bags to form a cluster. By comparison, it can be seen that the area of ​​the small opening 1-1' is smaller than that of the opening 1-1.

[0054] Conversely, if the opening 1-1 is directly configured as a maximum circular shape, when the binding member 2 constrains the garbage bag opening to a specific surface, as mentioned above, the garbage bag is likely to spread out into a linear / surface shape, making it difficult to cluster the garbage bags. However, when the opening 1-1 is configured as a minimum circular shape (small opening 1-1'), the arc-guided binding member 2 constrains the garbage bag opening to a specific surface, facilitating clustering of the garbage bags into a single point. However, the area of ​​the opening 1-1 in this configuration is very small.

[0055] Therefore, the present invention adopts an opening 1-1 with a circular shape of the maximum diameter, and is auxiliaryly provided with a straight edge 1-12 with a tangent structure. When the binding piece 2 binds the bag opening of the garbage bag to a specific surface, the straight edge 1-12 plays a guiding role, so that the garbage bag can be clustered at the center point of the straight edge 1-12.

[0056] In this embodiment of the present invention, a limiting guide ring 1-2 is provided on the surface of the base plate 1. This ring is positioned outside the opening 1-1, and the initial position of the closing member 2 is located inside the limiting guide ring 1-2. When the closing area at the second end 2-2 is reduced in size, the limiting guide ring 1-2 guides the retraction of the second end 2-2. When the closing area at the second end 2-2 is expanded (during the shape recovery process of the closing member 2), the limiting guide ring 1-2 limits the final position of the middle portion 2-3.

[0057] The closing member 2 and the driving structure 3 constitute a one-way closing assembly 0 , and the closing directions of two or more one-way closing assemblies 0 are opposite or the same.

[0058] It can be understood that the number of the cinch piece 2 in the present invention is not limited to a single cinch piece. The present technical solution can also be expanded to include two cinch pieces 2, three cinch pieces 2, four cinch pieces 2, and so on. The cinch directions of different cinch pieces 2 can be the same, opposite, or have a certain angle. Of course, when using different numbers of cinch pieces 2, or changing the cinch directions of cinch pieces 2, the final cinch packaging position may be different. However, the scope of protection of the present invention should protect the form of multiple cinch pieces 2.

[0059] For example, in one embodiment, two closing members 2 (or two one-way closing assemblies 0) are provided, and the closing directions of the two closing members 2 are set in opposite directions, so that the closing position is finally located in the middle position. Alternatively, if the closing directions of the two closing members 2 are set in the same direction, the closing position is still at the periphery. Two or more closing members 2 can be equipped with a separate drive structure 3 or share a common drive structure 3.

[0060] As shown in Figure 11, the cinch member 2 and the drive structure 3 constitute a one-way cinch assembly 0, and the cinch directions of the two sets of one-way cinch assemblies 0 are opposite. As shown in Figure 12, the cinch member 2 and the drive structure 3 constitute a one-way cinch assembly 0, and the cinch directions of the two sets of one-way cinch assemblies 0 are the same.

[0061] For example, in another embodiment, three closing members 2 (or three one-way closing assemblies 0) are provided, and the closing directions of the three closing members 2 are set at an angle of 120 degrees, so that the final closing position is closed at the middle position.

[0062] A packaging device, in this invention, is used to package garbage bags for smart trash cans. In the field of smart trash cans, the packaging device utilizes the aforementioned tie-down assembly, combined with a sealing / cutting assembly, to form the packaging device. The sealing / cutting assembly can utilize a melting principle or a tape sealing / cutting tape structure. In short, the sealing / cutting assembly in the packaging device can be implemented using various technologies well known to those skilled in the art.

[0063] In one embodiment, the sealing / cutting assembly includes a mounting base 4 and a heating wire 5. The mounting base 4 is fixed to the base plate 1. The first end 2-1 of the closing member 2 is fixed to the mounting base 4. When the second end 2-2 of the closing member 2 is fully retracted under the action of the driving mechanism 3, the middle portion 2-3 contacts the mounting base 4. The heating wire 5 is installed in this contact position. That is, the heating wire 5 is fixed to the surface of the mounting base 4. When driven by the driving mechanism 3, the middle portion 2-3 contacts the heating wire 5.

[0064] The mounting seat 4 is a high-temperature resistant mounting seat, or a heat-resistant layer is provided between the mounting seat 4 and the heating wire 5 .

[0065] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the working state of the closing member 2 is shown. Figure 4 shows the initial working state, and Figure 5 shows the final working state. In the final state, the middle part 2-3 of the closing member 2 close to the first end 2-1 is completely in contact with the outer surface of the mounting seat 4, and the second end 2-2 of the closing member 2 drives the remaining middle part 2-3 to be stored on the outside of the limiting guide ring 1-2.

[0066] 6 and 7 , the structure without the opening piece 2 is shown, and the structure of the bottom plate 1 and the like is more clearly shown.

[0067] FIG8 is a separate structure of the mounting base 4 , and FIG9 is a separate structure of the base plate 1 , in order to more clearly understand the three-dimensional structural arrangement of the mounting base 4 and the base plate 1 .

[0068] A smart trash can includes the aforementioned packaging device. The typical structure of a smart trash can consists of a body, a lid, and a consumables assembly. The body and lid are hingedly connected, and the lid is provided with a through-hole trash inlet. The packaging device and consumables assembly are both installed inside the lid, with the consumables assembly positioned above the packaging device. The consumables assembly downwardly delivers trash bags, and the packaging device seals / packages the bags directly below the consumables assembly. For more information, please refer to existing patent documents.

[0069] The shapes of the barrel body, barrel cover and consumable components include but are not limited to circular, oval, square and polygonal.

[0070] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. All technical solutions based on the concept of the present invention are within the scope of protection of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, various improvements and modifications that do not depart from the principles of the present invention should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. Drawstring assembly, It is characterized in that include: A constricting member (2) and a driving structure (3); One end of the closing piece (2) is a first end (2-1) and is fixedly mounted or connected to the driving structure (3); the other end of the closing piece (2) is a second end (2-2) and is fixedly mounted or connected to the driving structure (3); the closing piece (2) is bent to form a closing area; the driving structure (3) drives the first end (2-1) and / or the second end (2-2) to move so as to increase or decrease the closing area of ​​the closing area so as to close the opening of the garbage bag.

2. The cuff assembly according to claim 1, Features: The closing piece (2) is a workpiece with bending elasticity.

3. The cuff assembly according to claim 1, Features: The driving structure (3) comprises a coupling member (3-1) and a motor (3-2); the coupling member (3-1) is connected to the first end (2-1) and / or the second end (2-2); the motor (3-2) drives the coupling member (3-1) to move so as to drive the first end (2-1) and / or the second end (2-2) to reciprocate.

4. The cuff assembly according to claim 3, Features: The combining member (3-1) comprises a first rotating shaft (3-11) and a second rotating shaft (3-12); the first rotating shaft (3-11) and the second rotating shaft (3-12) are parallel to each other and are rotatably mounted; an extrusion gap (3-13) is provided between the first rotating shaft (3-11) and the second rotating shaft (3-12); the second end (2-2) of the closing member (2) is mounted in the extrusion gap (3-13); the first rotating shaft (3-11) and the second rotating shaft (3-12) rotate under the driving action of the two motors (3-2) to provide power for the closing member (2) to move back and forth.

5. The cuff assembly according to claim 4, Features: One or both of the first rotating shaft (3-11) and the second rotating shaft (3-12) can be configured as gears.

6. The cuff assembly according to claim 1, Features: Also includes: A bottom plate (1), the bottom plate (1) having an opening (1-1) extending through the bottom plate along a thickness direction; A middle part (2-3) is located between the first end (2-1) and the second end (2-2) of the closing member (2), and the middle part (2-3) is arranged on the periphery of the opening (1-1) at the initial closing position.

7. The cuff assembly according to claim 6, Features: The shape of the opening (1-1) is a shape having a circular arc side (1-11) and a straight side (1-12), and the straight side (1-12) is a chord of a virtual circle of the circular arc side (1-11).

8. The cuff assembly according to claim 6, Features: A limiting guide ring (1-2) is provided on the surface of the bottom plate (1), and the limiting guide ring (1-2) is located on the outside of the opening (1-1). The initial position of the closing member (2) is located on the inside of the limiting guide ring (1-2). When the driving structure (3) drives the closing action, the second end (2-2) is gradually retracted to the outside of the limiting guide ring (1-2).

9. The cuff assembly according to claim 1, Features: The cinch member (2) and the driving structure (3) constitute a one-way cinch assembly (0), and the cinch directions of two or more groups of the one-way cinch assemblies (0) are opposite or the same.

10. Packing device, Features: A cinch assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9; Also included: a sealing / cutting component, the sealing / cutting component includes: A mounting seat (4), the first end (2-1) of the constricting member (2) being fixed on the mounting seat (4), and the second end (2-2) of the constricting member (2) being fully retracted under the driving action of the driving structure (3) so that the middle portion (2-3) can abut against the mounting seat (4); A heating wire (5), wherein the heating wire (5) is fixed on the surface of the mounting seat (4), and under the driving action of the driving structure (3), the middle part (2-3) can be made to contact the heating wire (5).

11. The packaging device according to claim 10, Features: The straight edge (1-12) is parallel to or tangent to the side surface of the mounting seat (4).

12. Smart trash can, Features: A strap assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or a packaging device according to any one of claims 10 to 11.

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