Disposal Lock Weighing Accuracy via Segmented Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disposal locks face inaccuracies in waste measurement due to the connection between the lock mechanism and the housing lid, leading to unreliable weighing results, especially with large amounts of waste, which can result in incorrect charging costs and overfilling of waste containers.
Innovation Solution
The disposal lock design supports both the container lid and closure element solely by a weighing device, ensuring accurate weight measurement regardless of how waste is positioned, with a separate lid for the container to prevent external interference and a cross-sectional design that allows for reliable emptying and measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lock means is connected to both the weighing device and the housing lid, then the lid can be operated, but weighing accuracy deteriorates due to interference from the lid connection
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the lid system into two separate components: an outer lid connected to the housing and an inner lid connected to the container. This segmentation allows the outer lid to be operated independently without affecting the weighing mechanism, while the inner lid remains isolated from the weighing process. The separation eliminates the interference between lid operation and weight measurement that plagues single-lid designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the weighing function from the housing structure and assigns it exclusively to the container-supporting scale. By removing the connection between the housing lid and the weighing mechanism, the lid can be operated freely without influencing the weight measurement. The scale now only supports the container and its contents, ensuring pure and accurate weighing.
2Ease of operation
If the container cross section widens towards the bottom for easy emptying, then waste emptying is improved, but weighing accuracy deteriorates as waste may rest against the container walls
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a scale as an intermediary support element between the container and the housing. This scale acts as a dedicated weighing platform that supports the entire container uniformly, regardless of how the waste is distributed within the container. By using this intermediary support, the system can accommodate containers with varying cross-sections (including those that widen at the bottom for easy emptying) without compromising weighing accuracy, as the scale measures the total weight rather than relying on uniform waste distribution.
3Device complexity
If a single weighing device supports both the container and the housing lid, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of measurement deteriorates due to multiple functions interfering with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the support functions by assigning different weighing responsibilities to different components. The container is supported by a dedicated scale for waste weighing, while the housing lid is supported separately. This functional segmentation ensures that operations on the lid (opening, closing, lifting) do not interfere with the waste weighing process, thereby improving measurement reliability without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the weighing function from the housing structure and assigns it exclusively to the container-supporting scale. By removing the connection between the housing lid and the weighing mechanism, the lid can be operated freely without influencing the weight measurement. The scale now only supports the container and its contents, ensuring pure and accurate weighing.
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 design ensures precise measurement of waste weight, preventing undercharging and overfilling by ensuring waste remains within the container, providing reliable and accurate weighing results.
Implementation Method 1
the entire lock means, including the container, is supported by the weighing device... the correct weight of the inserted waste is measured
Implementation Method 2
a support is attached to the outside of the container, which support is fastened to the housing by means of one or more load cells
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a disposal lock (1) for waste, comprising a housing (3), a lid (4) at the top side of the housing (3), a weighing device (8) for weighing waste, and a lock means (5) under the lid (4) for holding waste in the housing (3) or for discharging waste from the housing (3). The lock means (5) comprises a container (18) which is located in the housing (3) and is open at the top side, a closure element (15, 16) provided at the bottom side of the container (18), and a drive (7) for operating the closure element (15, 16). The container (18) is furthermore provided with a lid (19) at the top side. The open container (18), the closure element (15, 16) at the bottom of the container (18) and the lid (19) at the top side of the container (18) are supported solely by the weighing device (8).