Automatic Unlocking Mechanism for Front-Load Waste Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional front-load garbage and recycling containers are prone to being opened by animals due to lack of locking mechanisms, making them inconvenient for operation by garbage collectors in bear-infested areas, as they require manual unlocking and re-locking during waste collection.

Innovation Solution

A front-load container with automatic unlocking mechanisms in the slots on its sides that engage with the forks of a waste collection vehicle, allowing for automatic unlocking and re-locking of the rear lid when lifted and rotated, eliminating the need for manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a lockable rear lid is added to prevent animal access, then security against animals is improved, but operational convenience deteriorates as manual unlocking and re-locking is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity against animal accessVSAvoidoperational convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container lid automatically unlocks and locks itself through the engagement and disengagement of the vehicle's forks with the unlocking mechanisms, eliminating the need for manual intervention by the operator

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The unlocking mechanisms are pre-positioned in the slots to engage with the vehicle forks, so that the unlocking action occurs automatically when the forks are inserted, before the dumping operation begins

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the container is tipped to dump contents, then waste removal efficiency is improved, but the lid may close prematurely or fail to open properly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste removal efficiencyVSAvoidlid opening reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The unlocking mechanism provides feedback through the engagement of vehicle forks, ensuring the lid is properly unlocked before tipping begins and remains unlocked during the dumping operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The lid unlocking occurs in advance when forks engage the unlocking mechanisms, ensuring the lid is ready to open before the container is tipped for waste removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If manual unlocking and re-locking is required, then security is maintained, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer securityVSAvoidtime for unlocking and re-locking

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The container automatically performs both unlocking and re-locking operations through the mechanical engagement and disengagement of vehicle forks with the unlocking mechanisms, eliminating time-consuming manual operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The unlocking and re-locking operations occur periodically automatically - unlocking when forks engage and re-locking when forks disengage - without requiring separate manual actions at each stage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS9873560B2Automatically unlocking container

Publication Date: 2018.01.23 HAUL ALL EQUIP

AI summary

A container includes an enclosure housing an interior compartment for containing waste and further defining slots on sides of the enclosure for receiving lifting forks, a lockable rear lid pivotally connected to the enclosure, and an automatic unlocking mechanism actuated by lifting forks inserted into the slots for unlocking the rear lid to enable waste to be dumped from the container. The container may also be automatically re-locked when the forks are withdrawn from the slots.