Force Transmission Structure for Waste Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing waste collection containers face issues with force transmission structures that encumber the storage volume, limit waste introduction orifice placement, and reduce robustness during lifting, leading to potential damage and inefficient use of space.

Innovation Solution

A force transmission structure that utilizes the side walls to transmit forces during lifting and hatch actuation, eliminating the need for reinforcing elements within the storage volume, allowing greater freedom in design and robustness, and enabling better balancing and increased payload capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If reinforcing elements extend from the axis of symmetry towards the edges of the bottom wall, then the force transmission structure provides structural support, but the useful storage volume is reduced and waste placement is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoiduseful storage volume
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The force transmission structure transitions from a planar arrangement (extending radially from the axis) to a three-dimensional configuration where arms extend vertically along the side walls. This dimensional change allows the structure to provide structural support without occupying horizontal storage space within the tank.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The force transmission elements are extracted from the interior volume of the tank and relocated to the exterior surfaces (side walls). This removes the conflicting element from the storage space while maintaining its structural function through the wall attachments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If reinforcing elements extend towards the edges of the bottom wall, then force transmission is achieved, but the placement of waste introduction orifices is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce transmissionVSAvoidorifice placement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By moving the force transmission structure to the side walls (vertical dimension), the horizontal surface area of the bottom wall remains fully available for orifice placement. This allows flexible positioning of waste introduction orifices without interference from structural elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If the force transmission structure is arranged in substantially the same plane, then the structure is simple, but the robustness and load capacity are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural arrangementVSAvoidrobustness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The structure gains robustness by extending into the vertical dimension along the side walls rather than remaining in a single plane. This three-dimensional arrangement distributes forces more effectively and increases load capacity while maintaining reasonable structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The force transmission arms follow the curved surface of the cylindrical side walls, allowing the structure to better withstand and distribute mechanical loads through the curved geometry, which naturally reinforces the transmission path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3795498B1Container with improved structure for transmitting forces
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 SULO FRANCE
  • EP3795498B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3795498B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a container (10) equipped with a tank (12) delimited by at least one side wall (14) and a bottom wall (16). The side wall (14) and the bottom wall (16) define a usable volume (V) of the tank. The container (10) is equipped with a gripping member (18) for lifting the container (10), the gripping member (18) being connected to the tank (12) by a force transmission structure (30). The force transmission structure (30) comprises a base (34) fixed to the gripping member (18) and at least two force transmission arms (36). Each arm (36) is connected, at one end (36P), to the base (34), and at the opposite end (36D), to said at least one side wall (14). The container is further equipped with a hatch actuation device (17) and the gripping member (18) is part of the hatch actuation device (17).