Foot Pedal Trash Compactor for Aircraft Lavatories
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial aircraft lavatories lack a compact and efficient trash compactor system, leading to overflowing trash containers and the need for manual compaction by flight staff, as existing compactors are too large for the lavatory space.
Innovation Solution
A manually powered trash compactor system using a linkage assembly to couple a foot pedal to a compaction plate, allowing for simultaneous motion of the plate and a flap, which compacts trash within a retaining chamber without the need for a motor or electrical power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a powered compactor is used to compact trash, then compaction effectiveness is improved, but device size and weight increase, making it unsuitable for lavatory space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the motor and electrical power system from the compactor, extracting only the essential mechanical compaction function. The compaction plate is manually actuated through a foot pedal mechanism, eliminating the need for a powered system while maintaining compaction effectiveness in the reduced size suitable for lavatory installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The compactor system is designed to be manually operated by flight staff through foot pedal actuation. The mechanical linkage system converts foot pressure into compaction force, allowing the system to serve itself without external electrical power sources, thereby reducing overall system size and weight.
2Volume of moving object
If a manual compaction method is used, then device size is reduced, but compaction efficiency and capacity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The compaction plate is designed with dynamic movement capabilities, transitioning between a forward compaction position and a rearward retraction position. This dynamic positioning allows the plate to deliver effective compaction force when needed and then withdraw to allow trash disposal, maintaining high compaction efficiency within a compact manual design.
Solution Approach 2:
The compactor system is divided into functionally independent segments: the compaction plate for compacting, the foot pedal for actuation, and the linkage assembly for motion transmission. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while keeping the overall system compact and manually operable.
3Ease of operation
If the compaction plate moves simultaneously with the flap, then operation convenience is improved, but linkage assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foot pedal mechanism is designed to simultaneously actuate both the flap opening and the compaction plate movement through a single pedal motion. The linkage assembly merges these two functions into one operational input, allowing flight staff to open the flap and compact trash in a single action, thereby improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot pedal serves multiple functions: it acts as both a flap-opening mechanism and a compaction plate actuator. This multi-functionality is achieved through the linkage assembly, which translates the single pedal motion into coordinated movements of both the flap and compaction plate, reducing the need for separate controls and improving operational convenience.
Data Source
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AI summary
A trash compactor system includes a receptacle (102) defining a retaining chamber (118) that is configured to receive and retain trash, a compaction plate (108) moveably secured within the retaining chamber, and a foot pedal (104) operatively coupled to the compaction plate. Engagement of the foot pedal moves the compaction plate within the retaining chamber to compact the trash retained within the retaining chamber. A flap (106) may cover an opening into the retaining chamber. The foot pedal (104) may also be operatively coupled to the flap, such that the engagement of the foot pedal moves the flap into an open position that exposes the opening.