Hydraulic Compactor Blade Void Elimination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current waste compactor systems and vehicles face inefficiencies due to the need for heavy metal structures, manual cleaning, incomplete filling of containers, and leakage issues, leading to increased maintenance and unnecessary trips for unloading.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulically operated compactor blade positioned above the floor of waste containers, guided by rails, which levels and compacts waste materials as they are introduced, reducing voids and promoting denser packing, and can be used in both freestanding and vehicle-mounted systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If heavy and strong metal structures are used to adequately compact trash and waste materials, then compaction effectiveness is improved, but device weight and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompaction effectivenessVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The compaction system is divided into multiple blade members positioned at different locations within the container. Each blade member independently compacts waste materials in its specific zone, distributing the compaction function across multiple lighter components rather than requiring one heavy structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Hydraulic actuation systems are used to power the blade members, replacing heavy mechanical linkages and transmission components. The hydraulic system provides compact, lightweight actuation while delivering sufficient force for effective compaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If present compactor systems are used, then waste materials can be compacted, but significant voids and open areas remain in the compacted loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling efficiencyVSAvoidcontainer volume utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple blade members are positioned at different longitudinal locations within the container, with each blade creating compaction zones that work together to eliminate voids throughout the entire container volume, achieving more complete filling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blade members are positioned to compact waste materials as they are being loaded into the container, performing preliminary compaction before the container is fully loaded. This prevents void formation from the beginning and maintains denser packing throughout the loading process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If present collection containers are used, then waste materials can be collected, but liquids in the waste materials leak out

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste collection capabilityVSAvoidliquid leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible liner is installed within the container to contain waste materials and their liquids. The liner prevents liquid leakage while maintaining the container's waste collection and compaction functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible liner is pre-installed in the container before waste loading, creating a liquid-tight barrier in advance that prevents leakage during subsequent waste collection and compaction operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If manual cleaning is performed to remove loose materials, then hygiene is improved, but time and labor requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovehygieneVSAvoidcleaning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The compactor blade members automatically perform cleaning functions during their normal compaction operations. As the blades move through the container, they scrape and push loose materials toward the discharge end, self-cleaning the container without requiring separate manual cleaning operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution enhances filling efficiency, reduces maintenance needs, and minimizes de-densification, allowing for more waste to be compacted within the same volume, while preventing liquids from leaking, thus improving operational efficiency and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

The blade member is hydraulically operated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS10421243B2Method and delivery of compacting materials

Publication Date: 2019.09.24 WILLIAMS RICHARD T

AI summary

A method and system for compacting waste materials in a collection container. The container can be a freestanding waste container, a self-container compaction container, or a container on a waste collection vehicle. A hydraulically operated compactor blade is positioned in the raised upper portion of the container with its bottom edge a distance above the floor. A platform with a hinged portion can be included to divide the container volume into two separate compartments in order to collect different types of waste materials.