Automatic Can Crusher Pneumatic Ram and Ultrasonic Sensor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing can crushing devices require manual activation for each can or are large machines, lacking automation for efficient recycling.
Innovation Solution
An automatic can crushing device with a pneumatic ram system, a can positioner, and a feeder chute, where an ultrasonic sensor automatically moves cans from a load position to a crush position within a housing, allowing for continuous crushing of cans without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual activation is used for each can, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The can crusher is designed to automatically detect cans using ultrasonic sensors and activate the pneumatic ram without manual intervention. The system serves itself by automatically positioning cans, detecting their presence, and executing the crushing action, thereby increasing productivity while keeping the automation system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated control system that uses ultrasonic sensors for detection and a pneumatic cylinder for actuation. This substitution of manual mechanical systems with automated sensing and actuation systems resolves the contradiction by enabling continuous operation without increasing overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If large machines are used for recycling, then crushing capability is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a pneumatic cylinder to generate the crushing force, replacing large mechanical press systems. The pneumatic system provides high crushing capability in a compact form factor, as pneumatic actuators can generate significant force from small components, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing the overall machine size.
Solution Approach 2:
The can crusher is designed as a compact, integrated unit with separated functional components (feeder, sensor, pneumatic ram, crusher) that work together in a small footprint. By segmenting the functions into discrete, space-efficient components rather than using a large monolithic machine, the system achieves high crushing capability without requiring large machine size.
3Ease of operation
If automated positioning is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ultrasonic sensors as intermediaries to detect can presence and position automatically. The sensor acts as a mediator between the can and the control system, enabling automatic positioning without complex mechanical positioning mechanisms. This approach improves ease of operation while keeping the positioning mechanism simple and sensor-based rather than mechanically complex.
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
Enables efficient and automated crushing of multiple cans, improving recycling efficiency by eliminating the need for manual activation and reducing the size and complexity of the crushing mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The ram has a pneumatic cylinder body coupled to the housing left side
Implementation Method 2
An automatic can crushing device with a pneumatic ram system, a can positioner, and a feeder chute, where an ultrasonic sensor automatically moves cans
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic can crusher apparatus for crushing cans for recycling includes a housing having a ram aperture extending through to a housing inside. A ram has a pneumatic cylinder body, a ram arm extending through the ram aperture, and a ram head coupled to the ram arm. The ram moves the ram head between a load position and a crush position adjacent a housing right side. A can positioner is coupled to a housing left side within the housing inside to secure a can adjacent the ram head in the load position. A feeder chute is coupled to the housing top side to receive a plurality of cans through a chute top end and dispense each can through a chute bottom end onto the can positioner when the ram head is in the load position.