Tractor-Mounted Curb Cleaner With Bottom and Side Wedges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trash collectors are not effectively mounted to vehicles to facilitate collecting trash from street curbs.
Innovation Solution
A housing with a bottom and side wedge mechanism is attached to a tractor, allowing trash to be separated from the street and curb surfaces as the tractor moves forward, collecting it into a chamber space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a trash collector is mounted to a vehicle, then trash collection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trash collector is divided into separate functional components: a housing chamber for collecting trash, a bottom wedge for separating trash from the street surface, and a side wedge for separating trash from the curb surface. These segmented components can be independently manufactured and assembled, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining trash collection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tractor-mounted system performs multiple functions: the bottom wedge separates trash from the street surface, the side wedge separates trash from the curb surface, and the housing chamber collects and stores the separated trash. This multi-functionality consolidates several operations into a single device, improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a tractor-mounted trash collector is used, then the reach of conventional trash collection methods is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trash collector is designed to be dynamically adjustable on the tractor platform. The wedges can be positioned at different angles and the housing chamber can be oriented to collect trash from both street surfaces and curbs, enabling the system to adapt to various collection scenarios and enhance reach without requiring multiple specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The tractor serves as an intermediary platform that provides mobility and power to the trash collection system. By mounting the housing and wedges to the tractor, the system leverages the tractor's existing engine and suspension to achieve enhanced reach and collection capability without designing a completely new vehicle, thus managing complexity.
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
Efficient collection of trash from both street surfaces and curbs by a tractor-mounted system, enhancing the reach of conventional trash collection methods.
Implementation Method 1
A bottom wedge extends outwardly from a bottom section of the front edge. The bottom wedge is configured to separate trash from the street surface when the tractor moves the bottom wedge forward adjacently to the street surface, wherein the bottom wedge is configured to ramp trash up through the opening into the chamber space.
Implementation Method 2
A side wedge extends outwardly from a side section of the front edge. The side wedge is configured to separate trash from a curb surface when the tractor moves the curb surface forward adjacently to the curb surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A street curb cleaning system for facilitating collecting trash from a street curb includes a tractor. A housing encloses a chamber space and includes a bottom wall, a back wall, a side wall, and a top wall. The bottom wall, the side wall, and the top wall form a front edge of the housing, wherein the front edge defines an opening into the chamber space. A mount attaches the housing to the tractor. A bottom wedge extends outwardly from a bottom section of the front edge. The bottom wedge separates trash from the street surface when the tractor moves the bottom wedge forward adjacently to the street surface. A side wedge extends outwardly from a side section of the front edge. The side wedge separates trash from a curb surface when the tractor moves the curb surface forward adjacently to the curb surface.