Autonomous Waste Receptacle With Trash Compaction and Self-Sanitizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a waste disposal system that promotes social distancing and sanitized removal of refuse, particularly in the context of minimizing the spread of harmful microorganisms like COVID-19, which traditional trash cans may facilitate due to close proximity and shared use.
Innovation Solution
An autonomously propelled waste receptacle equipped with sensors, a camera, motorized and unmotorized wheels, a collapsible lid that acts as a masher, and a disinfectant spray system, allowing for navigation and automated waste collection and disposal while maintaining social distancing and sanitizing surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional trash cans are used for waste collection, then waste disposal is simple and cost-effective, but social distancing cannot be maintained and microorganism transmission risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waste receptacle is equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities including sensors, processors, and motorized wheels that enable it to move independently to collect and transport waste without human intervention, thereby eliminating the need for close contact between users and waste collectors
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional manual waste collection mechanisms are replaced with an automated system featuring electronic sensors, communication modules, and motorized propulsion that enable the receptacle to navigate autonomously and perform waste management functions without mechanical human operation
2Ease of operation
If manual waste collection is used, then the system is simple to operate, but sanitation and social distancing cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle performs self-sanitization through an integrated disinfectant spray system that automatically dispenses sanitizing agents into the waste compartment, and through UV-C lighting that sterilizes the interior surfaces, maintaining sanitation without human intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The waste receptacle pre-sanitizes its interior compartments and surfaces before waste deposition using disinfectant spray and UV-C lighting, preventing microorganism transmission before contact can occur
3Productivity
If waste is not compacted, then the bin capacity is maximized for loose waste, but waste volume occupies more space and requires more frequent emptying
Solution Approach 1:
Manual compaction operations are replaced with an automated trash compactor system featuring motorized compression mechanisms that automatically compress waste within the receptacle, reducing waste volume without requiring human intervention or increasing structural complexity
4Adaptability or versatility
If the bin remains in a fixed receiving position, then waste deposition is simple, but the bin cannot be emptied or repositioned
Solution Approach 1:
The bin is designed with motorized rotation capabilities that enable it to dynamically change its orientation between a receiving position for waste deposition and an emptying position for waste removal, allowing the same structure to serve multiple functional states without requiring separate fixed installations
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
The autonomously propelled waste receptacle effectively navigates and compacts waste while ensuring social distancing and sanitizing surfaces, reducing the risk of microorganism transmission through efficient and automated waste management.
Implementation Method 1
a trash compactor with threaded rods connected to the collapsible lid
Implementation Method 2
The bottom may include a pair of motorized wheels, and a pair of unmotorized wheels
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention are related to an autonomously propelled waste receptacle including a top, a collapsible lid, a housing, an exterior, an interior, and a bottom. The housing includes a circuit board panel, a door, and doorway. The exterior includes a user interface, a plurality of sensors, at least one antenna, and a camera. The interior includes a bin, a trash compactor with a plurality of threaded rods connected to the collapsible lid, an upper can platform, and a bottom tech platform. The bottom includes a plurality of wheels used to drive the autonomously propelled waste receptacle.The collapsible lid also acts as a descending masher compacting trash within the interior bin and the bin is structured to rotate through the doorway to empty. The autonomously propelled waste receptacle may navigate using at least one of sensors, camera, WiFi communication, cellular communication, and GPS communication.