Hands-Free Waste Disposal Unit Sensor Motor Lid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waste disposal units require physical contact, which can lead to the spread of germs and infections when disposing of personal care products like feminine hygiene items.
Innovation Solution
A hands-free waste disposal unit that uses a controller, sensor, and motor to open and close the lid without requiring user contact, allowing for the automatic disposal of waste products without manual engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If physical contact with the disposal unit is required to open the lid, then the device structure remains simple, but germs and infections can spread from the used products to the individual
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical push-to-open system with an automated sensor-motor system. A sensor detects the user's approach or hand gesture, and a motor automatically opens the lid without requiring physical contact. This eliminates germ transmission while managing the added complexity through integrated control circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposal unit performs the lid-opening action automatically in response to sensor detection, making the system self-serving. The unit detects when a user needs to dispose of waste and autonomously opens the lid, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing cross-contamination risks.
2Reliability
If a motor with gear system is used to open the lid, then the lid can be opened reliably, but the device complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the gear system from the motor assembly, using a motor that directly drives the lid opening mechanism. This simplification maintains reliable lid operation while reducing the number of moving parts, potential failure points, and overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a motor to actively drive the lid open through gears, the system uses a sensor-triggered motor that directly actuates the lid mechanism. This inverted approach—simpler direct coupling rather than complex gear transmission—achieves reliable operation with fewer components.
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
Prevents the spread of germs and infections by eliminating direct contact with the disposal unit during the disposal process, ensuring hygienic handling of personal care waste.
Implementation Method 1
A motor is operatively connected to the sensor wherein the motor includes a shaft that rotates in response to the sensed physical movement
Implementation Method 2
A sensor is configured to sense physical movement provided by a user
Data Source
AI summary
A hands free waste disposal unit for receiving disposed waste product. The hands free waste disposal unit includes a body defining a cavity configured to hold the disposed waste product and a lid having a closed position and an open position. The lid is rotatably coupled to the body. A control circuit is located in the lid, wherein the control circuit includes a sensor and a motor each coupled to a controller, wherein the controller is configured to receive an open signal from the sensor and to transmit a motor signal to the motor in response to the open signal to move the lid from the closed position to the open position. The controller is configured to execute program instructions stored in a memory to identify a period of time to move the lid from the open position to the closed position.