Bin Emptying Equipment With Dual Locking Couplings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing equipment for emptying waste bins is unsafe and unreliable, particularly when handling large quantities of waste, as it can lead to accidental disengagement and structural damage, and is not adaptable to non-bell-shaped containers, causing spills during transfer.
Innovation Solution
A support structure with a lifting arm that includes upper and lower locking devices to securely engage the bin, a gripping element with elastic return, and a conveyor chute to manage spills, allowing for safe and stable emptying into various types of waste containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the base coupling is made movable to allow engagement/disengagement of the bin, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential accidental disengagement during tipping
Solution Approach 1:
The base coupling is designed to be movable during engagement and disengagement operations, then locks into a fixed stable position during the tipping operation. The rod can slide within the lifting arm to allow base coupling movement, but once engaged, the coupling becomes stable and secure, providing dynamic adaptability that resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
2Reliability
If the coupling mechanism is protected against foreign objects and tampering, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted access
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into separate functional components: the base coupling for initial engagement, the rod for transmitting motion, and the upper coupling with coupling eyelet for secure retention. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the base coupling remains accessible for engagement while the upper coupling mechanism can be positioned and designed for protection, resolving the contradiction between reliability through protection and ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If the lifting arm is designed for bell-shaped containers with upward sloping walls, then the ease of emptying is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates when used with dumpster containers having downward-facing walls
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting arm equipment is designed with universal applicability to work with both bell-shaped containers and dumpster containers. The support structure can be rigidly engaged to different container types, and the lifting arm geometry allows it to function effectively regardless of whether the container has upward sloping walls or downward-facing walls. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between optimized performance for a specific container type and adaptability to various container types.
Data Source
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AI summary
The equipment (1) comprises a lifting arm (9) having an upper end portion (9a) rotatably engaged to a support structure (6) about a horizontal overturning axis (X1), between a lowered position and an emptying position wherein it extends in an upward inclined direction. The lifting arm (9) provides at the bottom a base coupling (15) configured to engage a lower edge (22) of a bin (3). The upper end portion (9a) provides an upper coupling (23) for the engagement of a coupling eyelet (25) provided at the top of the bin (3). To prevent accidental falling of the bin (3) to the benefit of safety, upper locking devices (38) lock the upper coupling (23) during tipping, while lower locking devices (50) comprising a harpoon (52) cooperating with a matching seat (51) lock the base coupling (15) to the lifting arm (9).