Mobile Trash Receptacle Cleaning System with Water Recirculation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Trash and recycling receptacles often remain unclean, leading to the accumulation of filth and environmental pollution due to improper wastewater disposal during cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mountable system for cleaning trash receptacles using wash-water, which includes an enclosure with a spray head for impinging wash-water, a basin for accumulating drainage, and a sanitizing mechanism such as ozonation or chemical additives, along with a pump for recirculating wash-water, and an automated arm for engaging and disengaging receptacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users manually wash trash receptacles, then the receptacles are cleaned, but the wastewater runs down the gutter into storm drains causing environmental pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (mobile cleaning vehicle with containment basin) between the cleaning process and the environment. The basin captures wastewater during cleaning operations, preventing it from entering storm drains. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by allowing effective cleaning while eliminating environmental harm through proper wastewater containment and disposal.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a spray shield is used to reduce wash-water effluence, then environmental pollution is minimized, but the complexity of the cleaning system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is segmented into distinct functional components: spray heads for cleaning, a containment basin for wastewater collection, and a spray shield for effluence reduction. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability. The modular nature of the segmented design reduces complexity compared to an integrated monolithic system.
3Loss of substance
If wash-water is recirculated through sanitizing and filtering systems, then environmental impact is reduced, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers wash-water that would otherwise be discarded into the environment. The recirculation system collects used wash-water in the containment basin, sanitizes it through an ozonation system, filters it, and returns it to the spray heads for continued use. This recovery process reduces water loss and environmental impact, while the automated sanitization and filtration systems manage the added complexity through integrated design.
4Productivity
If an automated arm is used to engage and disengage receptacles, then productivity increases, but the device complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated arm system enables self-service operation where the cleaning vehicle autonomously engages trash receptacles, positions them for cleaning, and disengages them after the cleaning cycle. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual operation by workers, significantly increasing productivity. The automation mechanism, while complex, is managed through integrated control systems that coordinate the arm movements with the spray and containment systems.
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 system effectively cleans and sanitizes trash receptacles while minimizing environmental impact by recycling and sanitizing wash-water, reducing wastewater effluence and preventing pollution.
Implementation Method 1
A spray head is aligned to impinge wash-water against the trash receptacle
Implementation Method 2
the means for sanitizing is a wash-water tank having an ozonation recirculation loop
Implementation Method 3
the means for sanitizing is a wash-water tank having an ozonation recirculation loop
Implementation Method 4
a pump that is coupled in a wash-water circuit that consists of the holding tank, the spray head, and the basin, which thereby recirculates the wash-water
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle mountable system for cleaning trash receptacles with wash-water. The system includes an enclosure with an access opening, supported on the vehicle, and a carriage disposed within the enclosure. A spray head is aligned to impinge wash-water against the trash receptacle while it is engaged with the carriage. A basin is aligned to accumulate wash-water drainage from the spraying operation. A spray shield is operated to a closed position that reduces wash-water effluence from the enclosure. The system may include a filter and means for sanitizing wash-water that is accumulated by the basin and recirculated through a holding tank. An automated arm engages a trash receptacle to engage and disengage the trash receptacle with the carriage through the access opening in the enclosure. Plural trash receptacles can be engaged with the carriage and advanced through plural positions within the enclosure. A second spray head aligned to impinge rinse-water against the trash receptacle, and a second basin for accumulating rinse-water drainage may be included in the system. A trash receptacle drying means may also be included within the enclosure.