Bellows Waste Compaction via Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waste compaction systems in vehicles, such as airplanes, require strong negative pressure to achieve effective compaction, which can be inefficient and lead to reduced compaction effectiveness if the vacuum is insufficient, especially when dealing with low-density waste like paper cups and cans that contain air volume.
Innovation Solution
A compacting system featuring a trolley with a bellows that unfolds into the waste container, creating airtight compaction by suctioning air through a lid channel, allowing for strong vertical compaction and repeated use, while also preventing odor escape by directing air outside the cabin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a compaction shell with rigid side panels is used, then waste can be compacted horizontally, but strong vacuum is required to achieve effective compaction, increasing system complexity and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using rigid side panels that require strong vacuum to move horizontally, the invention inverts the approach by using a flexible bellows that expands vertically to compact waste. The bellows interior volume increases to push waste downward, eliminating the need for rigid panels and strong vacuum systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from horizontal compaction (rigid panels moving sideways) to vertical compaction (bellows expanding upward and pushing waste downward). This dimensional change allows effective compaction using the bellows' volume increase rather than requiring strong horizontal vacuum forces.
2Quantity of substance
If strong vacuum is applied to compact waste in rigid compaction shells, then compaction effectiveness improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying strong vacuum to move rigid panels, the invention uses the bellows' own volume increase (expansion) to push waste downward. This inverts the mechanism from vacuum-driven panel movement to bellows-expansion-driven waste compaction, reducing vacuum energy requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows serves dual functions: it seals the container and simultaneously provides the compaction force through its own expansion. The bellows interior volume increase directly translates to compaction force on waste, making the system self-sufficient without requiring external strong vacuum sources.
3Quantity of substance
If the bellows interior volume is increased to improve compaction, then waste compaction effectiveness improves, but the device occupies more space when unfolded
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows is designed to be dynamically collapsible, transitioning between a compact folded state (when not in use) and an expanded unfolded state (during compaction). This dynamic property allows the bellows to occupy minimal space during transport while providing sufficient volume for effective compaction when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows can be folded into a compact form that nests within the container or trolley structure when not in use. This nesting capability allows the bellows to provide large compaction volume when needed while occupying minimal space during storage and transport.
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 system achieves effective waste compaction with a simple and efficient mechanism, allowing for increased waste storage capacity without the need for high negative pressure, while maintaining odor containment.
Implementation Method 1
fluid can be sucked out of the container interior by means of the first lid channel
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for compacting waste, having a trolley and a cabin monument, wherein the trolley or the cabin monument has a compacting device (16). The compacting device (16) has a cover (18, 132) with a bellows (22) that is arranged on the lower face of the cover and is designed to be movable between a folded-together position, in which the bellows interior (24) has a first volume, and an unfolded position, in which the bellows interior (24) has an enlarged second volume. By suctioning fluid from a container interior (26) formed in the trolley by means of a first cover channel (20) arranged in the cover of the trolley, the bellows can be moved into the unfolded position such that the bellows (22) protrudes far enough into the container interior (26) that the waste container (12) and/or waste in the waste container (12) is compacted.