Autonomous Waste Bin Locking and Self-Movement for Efficient Pickup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Municipal waste collection inefficiencies include unsecured waste receptacles leading to vandalism, identity theft, and increased carbon emissions due to improper placement and prolonged collection times, as well as clutter and accidents caused by bins left at difficult access locations.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous waste bin with driving wheels, a locking mechanism, and communication modules that can move to designated collection points, secure its contents, and optimize its path using sensors and motors, ensuring efficient collection and reducing human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If waste receptacles are left unsecured at pickup locations, then waste collection vehicles can easily access and empty them, but the receptacles become vulnerable to vandalism, identity theft, and unwanted interference
Solution Approach 1:
The waste receptacle incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism that transitions between locked and unlocked states based on the presence of a waste collection vehicle. The system uses sensors to detect when a collection vehicle is present and automatically unlocks the receptacle, then relocks it after collection, providing both security and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If residents manually position waste bins at pickup locations, then the bins can be placed in convenient locations, but this leads to bins being placed in difficult to access locations that increase collection time and carbon emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The waste receptacle is equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities including driving wheels, motors, and sensors that enable it to move itself to the optimal pickup location and return to its storage location after collection, eliminating the need for manual positioning by residents and ensuring efficient collection routes.
3Loss of time
If waste bins are left at difficult access locations for extended periods, then residents avoid moving them, but this causes clutter on streets or alleys and increases risk of traffic delays and accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous waste receptacle automatically returns to its designated storage location after waste collection, eliminating the need for residents to manually move bins and preventing prolonged presence at pickup locations that could cause street clutter or traffic safety issues.
4Productivity
If waste receptacles are unsecured during collection, then collection vehicles can quickly empty them, but this leads to increased waste spillage when bins are overturned
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism dynamically adjusts between locked and unlocked states based on collection vehicle presence, allowing quick access during collection while maintaining security during transport, thereby preventing waste spillage from overturned bins.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are devices, systems and methods related to automated waste management. Aspects of the present disclosure include devices, systems, and methods comprising an autonomous waste bin. The autonomous waste bin may include a first and second driving wheels connected to a base of a hollow receptacle. The autonomous waste bin may include a first and second driving motor connected to the first and second driving wheels respectively, the first and second driving motor configured to provide a driving force to the first and second driving wheels. The autonomous waste bin may include at least one controller in communication with the first and second driving motors, the at least one controller configured to control the movement of the autonomous waste bin, via the first and second driving wheels.