Modular Motor Drive for Waste Compactors and Shredders

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing waste management devices, such as shredders and compactors, face limitations in flexibility and efficiency due to fixed motor arrangements, which restrict their ability to adapt to varying types and quantities of waste materials, requiring either increased power or speed, and often compromise on torsional moment or rotation speed.

Innovation Solution

A modular power system that allows multiple motors to be attached and controlled individually at one end of a cylindrical component, enabling flexible power distribution and adjustment according to specific waste handling needs, using a combination of electrical and hydraulic motors with varying power outputs and transmission ratios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed motor arrangement is used in waste management devices, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot adapt to varying types and quantities of waste materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to varying waste materialsVSAvoidmotor arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power system is segmented into multiple independent motor units (first motor unit, second motor unit, third motor unit) that can be selectively activated. Each motor unit can be controlled independently to handle different waste material types and quantities, allowing the system to adapt its complexity to the specific task at hand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The motor arrangement transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic, selectively activatable system. The control system enables dynamic selection and activation of specific motor units based on waste material characteristics, allowing the device to optimize its performance and adaptability while managing complexity through intelligent control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If increased power is provided to handle heavy waste materials, then the device can process more challenging materials, but the rotation speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidrotation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The power delivery is segmented across multiple motor units with different power characteristics. When heavy waste materials need to be processed, specific high-power motor units can be activated while others remain inactive or operate at lower power, maintaining overall system flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by selectively activating different motor units based on the required power level. The control system adjusts which motors are active and at what power levels, enabling the device to optimize the power-speed trade-off dynamically according to waste material requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If multiple motors are used to increase power and speed, then the device can handle more waste material, but the torsional moment decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste handling capacityVSAvoidtorsional moment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The motor system is divided into multiple units that can be selectively activated based on the specific waste handling task. This segmentation allows the system to optimize the balance between productivity and torsional moment by activating only the necessary number and type of motors for each situation, rather than always operating with all motors at full capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts which motor units are active and their individual power outputs based on real-time waste material characteristics and handling requirements. This dynamic control enables optimization of the productivity-torsional moment relationship, activating additional motors only when increased waste handling capacity is needed while maintaining sufficient torsional moment for the specific task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3715667B1A waste management device and a modular power system for such
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 TANA OY
  • EP3715667B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3715667B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3715667B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The application relates to a waste management device and a modular power system for such. The waste management device may be a compactor or a shredder. A waste management device comprises a cylindrical component (555) for handling the waste, and a modular power system arranged to transmit power from one/more motors (505) to the cylindrical component (555). The modular power system comprises an internal gearwheel (508), a frame (506) and one or more motors (505) attached to the frame (506). Driving gear wheels of the motors (505) are operably connected to the internal gear wheel (508) such that power of the one or more motors (505) is transmitted from the driving gear wheel(s) to the internal gear wheel (508).