Bottle Detection Chute With Stop Member And Dual Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bottle collection and recycling systems are prone to tampering and false sensor detections due to the placement of sensors near the outlet of the chute, which can be triggered by external factors like lightning, birds, or wind, leading to unauthorized receipt issuance and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a chute with a stop member that engages the bottle as it moves through, combined with multiple sensors positioned at different points within the chute to ensure a specific sequence of detection, preventing false signals and tampering by requiring a bottle to pass through in a predetermined manner before a receipt is dispensed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an optical sensor is placed near the outlet of the chute to detect bottles, then the sensor can detect bottles that have exited the chute, but the sensor becomes vulnerable to false detections from external factors like lightning, birds, or wind
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is divided into multiple segments: a first sensor positioned inside the chute at an intermediate position, and a second sensor positioned at the outlet. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between legitimate bottle passages and false detections by requiring sequential activation of both sensors in the correct temporal order.
Solution Approach 2:
The chute structure itself serves as an intermediary protective element. By positioning the first sensor inside the chute rather than exposed externally, the chute acts as a shield that blocks external factors like lightning, birds, or wind from directly triggering the sensor, while still allowing bottles to pass through and be detected.
2Reliability
If the sensor is placed near the outlet to detect bottles exiting the chute, then bottle detection is possible, but users can tamper with the device by moving bottles back and forth across the sensor to obtain unauthorized receipts
Solution Approach 1:
The detection process is segmented into two distinct stages: first detection inside the chute and second detection at the outlet. The controller requires both detections to occur in the correct sequence, making it impossible to obtain unauthorized receipts by merely moving bottles back and forth across a single sensor location.
Solution Approach 2:
The first sensor performs a preliminary detection inside the chute before the bottle reaches the outlet. This preliminary action verifies that a bottle is actually present in the chute before the second sensor at the outlet is activated, preventing false receipts from tampering attempts.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors are positioned at different points within the chute to ensure proper sequence detection, then false signals and tampering are prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Both sensors utilize the same optical detection technology and follow the same detection logic, allowing the system to maintain consistency and simplify programming. The controller uses identical evaluation criteria for both sensors, reducing the complexity of managing different detection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback through sequential detection validation. The controller continuously monitors the activation sequence of both sensors and only dispenses a receipt when the correct temporal sequence is confirmed. This feedback mechanism ensures detection accuracy while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture.
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
This configuration securely receives bottles, reduces false detections, and prevents unauthorized receipt issuance by ensuring that only valid bottle movements trigger the dispensing of tickets, enhancing the security and accuracy of the bottle collection process.
Implementation Method 1
the means for sensing the return of the bottle is provided by an optical sensor placed near an outlet of the bottle receiving chute
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for receiving and detecting a bottle. The device includes a chute, a bottle inlet for receiving the bottle into the chute, and a bottle outlet through which the bottle exits the chute. A stop member is disposed to engage the bottle within the chute, the stop member being biased to allow the bottle to pass in one direction, but to move into and grip the bottle if the bottle is moved in the other direction. Sensors detect the position of the bottle within the chute, and can indicate that the bottle was received within the device. A method for receiving and detecting the bottle is also provided.