Foot Actuated Trash Door with Collapsible Louvers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing trash compactor systems on-board passenger transport vehicles require manual operation of the trash door, which can be inconvenient and inefficient, especially when attendants need to dispose of trash quickly with their hands full.

Innovation Solution

A foot-actuated trash door with collapsible accordion-like side louvers that opens hands-free using a foot pedal, allowing the door to stay open during loading and close automatically when the pedal is released, enabling hands-free operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a hand-operated trash door is used, then the door can be opened and closed manually, but the attendant must empty hands, open the door, and pick up trash, reducing operational efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidconvenience of trash disposal

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A foot pedal acts as an intermediary mechanism between the attendant and the trash door. The pedal is connected via a linkage system to the door assembly, allowing the attendant to operate the door with foot pressure while keeping hands occupied with trash items. This mediator transfers the opening/closing action from hand operation to foot operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The trash door system provides self-service through automatic door opening when the pedal is depressed and automatic closing when the pedal is released. The linkage mechanism and door assembly work together to automatically position the door in the open or closed state based on pedal position, eliminating the need for manual hand manipulation of the door.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Speed

If the trash door remains open during trash loading, then quick disposal is enabled, but the door must be manually held open or requires continuous hand operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of trash disposalVSAvoidease of door operation

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The trash door system transitions from a static closed position to a dynamic open position based on foot pedal input. The door is designed to be held open dynamically during the trash disposal process, allowing rapid loading, and then automatically returns to the closed static position when the pedal is released. This dynamic behavior enables quick disposal without continuous manual effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a foot pedal mechanism is added, then hands-free operation is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free operation capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of door actuation mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The foot actuated trash door assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the foot pedal, the linkage mechanism, and the door assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed and optimized. The pedal provides foot actuation, the linkage transfers motion, and the door assembly executes the opening/closing action, reducing overall system complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2563583B1Foot actuated trash door for trash compactor

Publication Date: 2014.11.05 MAG AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES LLC

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AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a foot actuated trash door that creates a chute for a trash compactor.