Flexible Floating Body for Open Water Garbage Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies are inadequate for efficiently cleaning large amounts of floating garbage in open waters, as they are often expensive, inefficient, and unsuitable for severe marine conditions, posing ecological and health risks due to the accumulation of microplastics and toxic substances.
Innovation Solution
A floating garbage cleaning device comprising flexible floating bodies, stabilizing buoys, interception net aprons, garbage collection nets, and a mooring system, designed to intercept and collect garbage using wind, waves, and streams, with a mooring system for fixed-point arrangement, automation, and portability, utilizing polymer materials and ultra-high molecular weight nets for enhanced stability and corrosion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional garbage cleaning devices are used in open waters, then they can remove floating garbage, but they are expensive and inefficient for large-scale open water areas
Solution Approach 1:
The floating body is divided into multiple modular sections that can be connected in sequence. Each section includes standardized components (floating modules, collection nets, interception nets) that can be independently manufactured and assembled, reducing overall device complexity while enabling scalable deployment for large water areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs flexible floating bodies and adjustable mooring systems that can adapt to varying water conditions and garbage accumulation patterns. The modular design allows dynamic reconfiguration of the device length and shape to match different operational requirements, improving efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Reliability
If fixed garbage cleaning structures are deployed, then they can continuously clean garbage, but they are difficult to install and relocate in open waters
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is constructed from modular sections that can be easily assembled and disassembled. Each module contains integrated components (floating elements, collection mechanisms) that maintain functional continuity during assembly, enabling reliable deployment without complex installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes flexible floating bodies made from buoyant materials that can bend and adapt to handling during installation and relocation. This flexibility allows the structure to be maneuvered by small vessels and repositioned easily while maintaining its integrity and continuous cleaning function.
3Reliability
If rigid floating structures are used, then they provide stable garbage collection, but they cannot adapt to severe marine conditions and wave actions
Solution Approach 1:
The floating body is designed with inherent flexibility that allows it to dynamically respond to wave actions and current forces. The structure can bend and deform elastically under load, then return to its original shape, preventing structural failure while maintaining garbage collection effectiveness in severe marine conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible floating modules are used instead of rigid structures. These modules can withstand repeated flexing from waves and currents without cracking or breaking, providing both stability for garbage collection and adaptability to varying marine environmental conditions.
4Productivity
If conventional cleaning devices are deployed, then they can collect garbage, but they allow garbage to escape from under the floating bodies
Solution Approach 1:
Interception nets are specifically positioned at the bottom edges of the floating body where garbage escape is most likely to occur. These localized net structures create a barrier that prevents garbage from sliding underneath while minimizing interference with the overall floating and collection function of the device.
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 achieves high cleaning efficiency, automation, and portability, effectively collecting and packing garbage in large open waters, even in adverse conditions, while reducing ecological impact and health risks associated with microplastics.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of buoyancy balls are arranged in each single-section flexible floating body
Implementation Method 2
counterweights are arranged at the bottoms of the intercepting net aprons (thus having the ability to prevent floating garbage from escaping from under the floating bodies)
Data Source
AI summary
A floating garbage cleaning device for floating garbage on water comprises a plurality of single-section flexible floating bodies which are sequentially connected to form an ultra-long flexible floating body main body; every two adjacent single-section flexible floating bodies are connected through a butt joint device; two ends of longitudinal flexible rods; flexible transverse nets and flexible longitudinal nets are arranged between the longitudinal flexible rods in a spaced and covering manner; stabilizing buoys are fixed with the ultra-long flexible floating body main body; intercepting net aprons are arranged at the bottom of the ultra-long flexible floating body main body; counterweights are arranged at the bottoms of the interception net aprons; garbage collection nets are arranged between two adjacent single-section flexible floating bodies; and the ultra-long flexible floating body main body is provided with a mooring system.