Yard Waste Collector Fill Indicator and Auto-Dump Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lawn care vehicles lack an efficient and automated system for indicating when the yard waste collector is full, which can lead to overfilling and potential clogging, and do not have a convenient mechanism for emptying the collector without manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
A yard waste collection system with an auger control system, electronic clutch, and sensors that provide a fill indication on a user interface, along with a telescopic seal and automated dump assembly, allowing for easy engagement and disengagement of the conveyor and automatic opening of the hatch door for dumping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no fill indication system is installed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the risk of overfilling and clogging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic sensor systems with a simple mechanical float indicator system. The float rises with the waste level and mechanically triggers a visual indicator, eliminating the need for electronic sensors, processors, and power systems while reliably preventing overfilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The float-based indicator system is self-actuating and requires no external power or control systems. The waste itself moves the float, which automatically triggers the visual indication, creating a self-service monitoring system that is both reliable and simple.
2Ease of operation
If manual emptying is required, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pushrod system automatically opens the hatch door using the motion already present in the dumping process. As the collector is tilted for dumping, the pushrod is pushed forward by the waste material or gravity, automatically triggering the hatch opening without requiring separate manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The pushrod is positioned and pre-loaded during the collection phase, so that when dumping begins, the stored mechanical potential is immediately converted to hatch-opening action. This preliminary positioning ensures the hatch opens automatically at the precise moment needed.
3Productivity
If the conveyor is permanently engaged, then the productivity is improved, but the ease of operation for maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor engagement mechanism transitions from a static permanent connection to a dynamic selectively engageable connection. The conveyor can be easily engaged or disengaged based on operational needs, combining the productivity of continuous operation with the maintenance benefits of easy access.
4Loss of time
If the hatch door is manually opened, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of time for dumping increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pushrod system uses the dumping motion itself to automatically open the hatch door. The mechanical energy from tilting the collector is directly converted to hatch-opening action, eliminating the need for separate manual opening actions and reducing total dumping time.
Data Source
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AI summary
A yard waste collection system is provided including a yard waste collector (200) configured to receive yard waste, a sensor (800) operably coupled to a top internal surface of the yard waste collector (200) and configured to provide an indication of fill level of the yard waste collector (200), and processing circuitry (50) configured to cause a collector fill indication to be displayed on a user interface (56) based on the indication of the fill level.