Portable Can Crusher Housing for Clean Pickup and Safe Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for picking up and crushing used beverage cans expose users to contamination and physical strain, as they often fail to effectively empty the can, protect the operator during crushing, or minimize the volume of the crushed can, leading to inefficient collection and potential injury.
Innovation Solution
A portable device with a circular housing, weighted plunger, and ejecting rod that stands cans upright, crushes them along the longitudinal axis, shields the operator from debris, and ejects the crushed cans into a receptacle without direct contact, using common PVC pipe and fittings for construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a grasping device is used to pick up cans, then the operator is protected from direct contact with contaminated cans, but the device does not effectively expel remnant liquid and debris from the can
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the grasping function from the crushing function, with the can being held in a cup-shaped receptacle and then crushed by a separate plunger mechanism. This segmentation allows the operator to control the crushing action remotely while ensuring complete compression and debris expulsion.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger applies increasing compressive force to the can, changing the pressure parameter from initial contact to maximum compression. This progressive parameter change ensures that remnant liquid and debris are effectively expelled during the crushing process.
2Device complexity
If the can is crushed without standing it upright, then the crushing operation is simpler, but the can is not crushed into the smallest practical volume
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically stands the can upright in the cup-shaped receptacle before the crushing operation begins. This preliminary action prepares the can in the optimal orientation for compression, ensuring maximum volume reduction without adding complexity to the crushing mechanism itself.
3Ease of operation
If the operator is positioned close to the crushing operation, then control of the device is easier, but the operator is exposed to injury from the crushing operation and expelled debris
Solution Approach 1:
The device housing serves as an intermediary barrier between the operator and the crushing operation. The plunger moves within the confined space of the housing, and the cup-shaped receptacle contains the can during crushing. This intermediary structure allows the operator to control the device from a safe distance while maintaining effective control.
4Quantity of substance
If a large collection receptacle is used to collect cans, then all cans can be collected, but the operator must haul a large volume receptacle causing physical strain
Solution Approach 1:
The device changes the volume parameter of the can from its original state to a compressed state, reducing it to approximately one-tenth of its original volume. This allows multiple crushed cans to be collected in a small receptacle, eliminating the need to haul large-volume containers.
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 device safely crushes cans into the smallest volume, protects the operator from debris and injury, and facilitates efficient collection by standing and ejecting cans without manual handling, addressing the shortcomings of prior devices.
Implementation Method 1
a weighted plunger or slide hammer contained therein... crush the can into the smallest desired volume along its longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
an ejecting rod that runs inside the plunger handle through to the end of the weight... ejection of the can into a receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
A combination can crushing and retrieving device having a circular or tubular housing containing a plunger and having a rectangular opening in its side wall. The housing has a knife-edged slightly concave indent on the bottom of the housing, which indent generally conforms to the arch section of the necked down portion of a beverage can. When the concave indent is placed on the lip of a can laying on its side and forced down the can will “snap” upright, through the rectangular opening and into the housing. The can is then retained in the housing around the necked down portion by a foam/rubber lining located at the lower inside end of the housing. Then the weighted plunger is forced down onto the can, crushing the can. By placing the end of the device holding the can into a larger receptacle the can may then be ejected from the device by pressing an ejector rod.