Animal-Resistant Container Latch with Tilt Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal-resistant containers are either difficult to use, not robust enough, or incompatible with fully-automated refuse collection systems, as they require manual re-engagement of latches and can be vulnerable to animal access during collection.
Innovation Solution
An animal-resistant container with a latch system that automatically engages and can be actuated by an automated refuse truck, featuring a tilt sensor to prevent animal access when the container is tipped, and a foam-reinforced design for added durability, manufactured using rotational molding for cost-effectiveness and light weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latch system is used to prevent animal access, then security against animals is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because users must manually unlatch and re-engage the latch
Solution Approach 1:
The latch system automatically re-engages after the container lid is closed, eliminating the need for users to manually re-engage the latch. The system performs the securing action in advance before the user completes the closing operation, ensuring security without additional user effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch system serves itself by automatically detecting when the lid is closed and autonomously re-engaging the locking mechanism. This self-service capability removes the burden from the user of having to manually operate the latch after each use.
2Strength
If heavy reinforcing components are added to make the container more robust, then strength and durability are improved, but weight increases making the container difficult to move and incompatible with automated collection systems
Solution Approach 1:
The container walls are foamed to change the density parameter of the material, creating a lightweight structure with reduced weight while maintaining adequate strength through the foamed material's structural properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The container uses a composite structure combining a rigid outer shell with foamed interior material, creating a lightweight composite that provides both strength and weight reduction. This composite approach allows the container to be durable yet compatible with automated collection systems.
3Productivity
If the container is designed for fully-automated collection, then collection efficiency is improved, but animal vulnerability increases when the container is placed in position and the latch must be disengaged
Solution Approach 1:
The latch system automatically re-engages as soon as the collection vehicle's manipulating arm releases the container, restoring security before the container is fully positioned. This preliminary re-engagement action prevents animal access during the brief window when the latch might be disengaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a sensor to detect when the lid is closed and provides feedback to the control mechanism, which then automatically re-engages the latch. This feedback loop ensures the latch is secured at the appropriate moment, maintaining security during automated collection operations.
4Reliability
If a tilt sensor is added to prevent latch actuation when tipped, then reliability against animal access is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex electronic control with a simple mechanical tilt sensor mechanism that physically prevents latch actuation when the container is tipped. This mechanical substitution achieves the desired reliability with minimal added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An animal-resistant container includes a body and a lid. The body has an interior volume in which refuse may be placed. At least one latch mechanism is secured in the body and at least one latch receptacle is secured in the lid. The latch mechanism is engaged with the latch receptacle to secure the lid to the body and prevent access to the interior volume. The latch mechanism can be actuated by a gripping arm of a refuse pickup vehicle to release the latch mechanism from the latch receptacle so that contents of the container can be emptied during automated collection. A tilt sensor detects tilting movement of the container, and the latch mechanism is prevented from actuation following detection of the tilting movement so that an animal intruder cannot tip over the container and gain entry into the container.