Automated Receptacle Exchange Container for Household Oil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for collecting used household oil are inconvenient, as they often require users to manually pour oil into containers or lack a receptacle for storage, and may be hindered by dirt accumulation, making the process untidy and effortful.
Innovation Solution
A container with an input window for used oil receptacles, a receptacle compartment for storage, and an output window for returning empty receptacles, featuring actuating means controlled by sensors to automate the exchange of receptacles, ensuring easy and convenient disposal and retrieval without user effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanism with rotating axis is used to supply empty receptacles, then the container can return empty receptacles to users, but the rotation may be impeded by dirt accumulation requiring greater user effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical rotation system with an automated actuating mechanism. The control means detect when a receptacle is introduced and automatically activate the actuating means to rotate the axis and supply an empty receptacle, eliminating the need for users to manually overcome dirt-induced friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting receptacle introduction and triggering the receptacle supply mechanism without requiring user intervention. The control means monitor the system state and activate the appropriate mechanism when needed, making the system serve itself rather than requiring continuous user operation.
2Productivity
If users manually pour oil into containers, then oil collection is possible, but the operation becomes untidy and awkward
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary receptacle system where users place sealed receptacles containing oil into the container through the input window. The container then automatically exchanges these for empty receptacles through the output window, eliminating the need for users to manually pour oil and keeping the process tidy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the messy pouring operation from the oil collection process. By providing a separate receptacle exchange mechanism, the system removes the awkward manual pouring step entirely, allowing users to simply deposit sealed receptacles and receive empty ones without direct contact with the oil.
3Adaptability or versatility
If containers are placed in different locations for oil disposal, then users can dispose of oil at their convenience, but users lack a receptacle for storing generated oil
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single container system: it serves as both the disposal point for used oil receptacles and the supply point for empty storage receptacles. The container integrates the input window for depositing used receptacles, the receptacle compartment for temporary storage, and the output window for receiving empty receptacles, eliminating the need for separate locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a discard and recover cycle where users deposit used oil receptacles into the container and receive empty receptacles in return. The container temporarily stores the deposited receptacles in the receptacle compartment and supplies empty ones from its internal storage, creating a continuous cycle that ensures both disposal convenience and receptacle availability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Container for the collection of used household oil, comprising an input window (1) through which receptacles may be introduced into the container (100), a receptacle compartment where said receptacles are deposited, an output window (3) through which receptacles may be supplied outside, at least one receptacle storage compartment where the receptacles to be supplied outside are stored, and actuating means. The actuating means comprise an actuator upon which an user acts and control means adapted for detecting said actuation and to cause, when said actuation is detected, the receptacle introduced through the input window (1) to be deposited in the receptacle compartment and the supply of a receptacle stored in the storage compartment outside through the output window (3).