Wheelie Bin Lid Lock Lever for Secure Automated Emptying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lid locks for wheelie bins fail to securely maintain the lid closed during automated pickup, leading to potential spillage of contents due to mechanical failure, overloading, or animal interference, causing environmental pollution, animal harm, and unsightly mess.
Innovation Solution
A lid lock mechanism featuring a lever arm with a bin mount and biasing means, actuated by an automated pickup arm, that inhibits lid opening until triggered by the pickup mechanism, ensuring the lid remains closed until emptied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lid lock mechanism is made more secure to prevent accidental opening, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid lock mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a catch member with latch portion for securing the lid, a trigger member for actuation, and a biasing member for maintaining latch engagement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function reliably while keeping the overall design manageable and serviceable.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member automatically maintains the latch portion in its engaged position with the frame, providing self-locking functionality without requiring external power or complex control systems. The mechanism self-regulates through the interaction of spring force and gravitational force during bin inversion.
2Ease of operation
If the lid lock uses a free-swinging latch that changes position with bin orientation, then automated emptying becomes easier, but the lock becomes susceptible to dirt and rubbish obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The catch member is pre-configured with a latch portion that automatically engages with the frame when the bin is in its normal upright position, before any automated pickup operation occurs. This preliminary engagement ensures the lid is securely locked prior to any potential obstruction issues during the emptying process.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the latch swinging freely with bin orientation changes, the invention inverts the approach by having the latch remain substantially horizontal and fixed in orientation, while the bin itself is inverted during emptying. The trigger member is specifically designed to be actuated by the automated pickup arm during this inversion process.
3Reliability
If the lid lock remains engaged during automated pickup, then contents are contained, but the lid must be reliably unlocked for emptying
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger member acts as an intermediary between the automated pickup arm and the catch member. The pickup arm actuates the trigger member, which then releases the latch portion from the frame, providing a reliable and simple unlocking mechanism that bridges the external automated system and the internal locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism provides automatic unlocking through the interaction of the automated pickup arm with the trigger member during bin inversion. The gravitational force and mechanical leverage automatically actuate the trigger member to release the latch, eliminating the need for manual intervention or additional power sources.
4Reliability
If the lid lock is designed to resist overloading forces, then reliability improves, but the mechanism may fail to unlock when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The catch member is designed with a latch portion that provides strong local engagement with the frame to resist overloading forces and maintain lid security during normal operation. The trigger member is positioned and dimensioned to provide a localized weak point that can be easily actuated by the automated pickup arm, creating different mechanical properties in different parts of the same mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger member is pre-positioned to be actuated by the automated pickup arm during the inversion process, before any potential overloading or malfunction conditions can affect the latch engagement. This ensures reliable unlocking under all operating conditions.
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
Effectively prevents lid opening during normal use, automated emptying, and resistance to accidental opening, maintaining contents within the bin and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
biasing means configured to bias the lever arm into a position that interferes with pivotal movement of the lid
Implementation Method 2
a second portion configured to be actuated by an automated pick-up arm of a wasted disposal vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A lid lock for a waste receptacle having a lid mounted on a hinge and having a closed configuration with the lid covering an opening of the waste receptacle and an open configuration with the lid pivoted away from the opening to allow access to the receptable. The lid defines a pivot path about the hinge. The lid lock includes a lever arm comprising a first portion configured to inhibit pivoting of the lid away from the opening and a second portion configured to be actuated by an automated pick-up arm of a wasted disposal vehicle. It further includes a bin mount co-operable with the lever arm to form a lever action and biasing means configured to bias the lever arm into a position that interferes with movement of the lid from the closed configuration to the open configuration.