Adjustable Trash Receptacle Sensors for Adaptive Compaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current waste collection solutions are inefficient due to static design and operational parameters, leading to frequent unnecessary collections, high operational costs, and poor utilization of resources, as they lack dynamic adaptation to waste levels and environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing dynamically adjustable sensors and emitters/receivers within trash receptacles to determine optimal compaction frequencies based on waste levels and environmental factors, allowing for adaptive operation modes and reduced energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If static design and operational parameters are used in trash receptacles, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to waste levels and environmental conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamically adjustable sensors that can change their operational parameters (such as detection thresholds, sensitivity levels, and activation frequencies) based on real-time waste levels and environmental conditions. This allows the system to adapt to varying conditions without requiring complete system redesign, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by making the system flexible rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters of the sensors (detection thresholds, sensitivity, sampling rates) based on waste accumulation levels and environmental factors. This allows the same physical sensor infrastructure to adapt to different conditions by modifying its operational characteristics, achieving adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Productivity
If frequent compactions are performed, then waste management effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs sensors that continuously monitor waste levels and provide feedback to the compaction control system. This feedback mechanism enables the system to perform compactions only when actually needed based on real-time conditions, rather than following a fixed schedule. This resolves the contradiction by optimizing compaction frequency to match actual waste accumulation, improving effectiveness while reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from continuous or fixed-schedule compaction to periodic action triggered by sensor detections. Compactions are performed at variable intervals based on waste level thresholds and environmental conditions, allowing the system to maintain effectiveness while minimizing energy use during low-waste periods.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are positioned lower in the receptacle, then waste detection sensitivity is improved, but false triggering from debris increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamically adjustable sensors that can modify their detection parameters and positioning based on environmental conditions and waste characteristics. This allows the system to optimize the trade-off between sensitivity and false triggering by adapting sensor behavior rather than using fixed settings, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and reliability.
4Power
If costly components such as motors and batteries are used, then compactor performance is improved, but implementation and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes component utilization by dynamically adjusting operational parameters based on actual needs. This allows the use of high-performance components when necessary while reducing their usage intensity and frequency, thereby maintaining compactor performance while lowering overall implementation and operational costs through efficient resource utilization.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach optimizes waste collection by reducing unnecessary compactions, lowering operational costs, and improving resource utilization through intelligent and adaptive waste management.
Implementation Method 1
A storage receptacle, such as a trash compactor or receptacle, sends a signal from a transmitter on a first module in the storage receptacle to a receiver on a second module in the storage receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for dynamically adjusting sensors for use in compactors and receptacles. A receptacle first sends a signal from a transmitter on a first module in a receptacle to a receiver on a second module in the receptacle, wherein the first module is located on a first inner wall of the receptacle and the second module is located on a second inner wall of the receptacle, and wherein at least part of the first module and the second module is located a distance above a bin inside the receptacle. Next, the receptacle determines a signal-detection characteristic including a signal detection status or a number of signal pulses associated with a signal detection. Based on the signal-detection characteristic, the receptacle determines an operating condition of the receptacle, the operating condition including a fullness level or an obstruction level associated with the first or second sensors.