Modular Waste Collection System with Interchangeable Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current modular waste and recyclable material collection systems lack flexibility and cost-effectiveness, as they require a large inventory of components and are not easily adaptable to different functions or repair.

Innovation Solution

A modular collection system with interchangeable system components, such as side walls, rear walls, lids, and door parts, designed with standardized fastening areas for easy assembly and repair, allowing for various functions and quick replacement of damaged parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a modular collection system with standardized fastening areas is used, then adaptability and ease of repair are improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple interchangeable components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different functionsVSAvoidcomplexity of modular components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collection container is divided into modular system components including side walls, rear walls, lids, and door parts that can be independently replaced. Each component has standardized fastening areas that enable easy assembly and disassembly, allowing flexible configuration for different functions while maintaining manageable complexity through standardization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized fastening areas and interchangeable components are designed to be universal across different collection container configurations. The same fastening mechanism and component interfaces are used throughout the system, enabling a single set of modular parts to serve multiple functions and applications, thereby improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of repair

If interchangeable system components are used for easy assembly and repair, then ease of repair is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper alignment and fastening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequick replacement of damaged partsVSAvoidprecision of fastening areas
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening areas are pre-designed and pre-positioned on each modular component during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that when components are assembled, the fastening areas automatically align without requiring complex adjustment procedures, thereby maintaining ease of repair while managing manufacturing precision requirements through standardized preliminary positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple differently designed side walls are provided as system components, then adaptability is improved for different functions, but inventory costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in producing collection containersVSAvoidinventory of system components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The side walls and other components are designed with universal interfaces and standardized fastening areas that allow the same basic components to serve multiple functions. By making components universal rather than creating entirely separate parts for each function, the system achieves high adaptability while minimizing the total inventory of unique components needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3018076B1Modular collection system for waste
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 ROBI AXIATA
  • EP3018076B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3018076B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3018076B1 patent drawingFigure 5~9

AI summary

Shown is an exploded view of an embodiment of a modular collection system (10) for waste with a rear wall (12), a left and right side wall (14, 16), a cover element (126), a lid (22) having a front panel (20) with waste insertion opening (92) and a roof part (22), a base part (25, 25A) suitable for freestanding mounting and an inner container (30) with a front part (98) designed as a door part (24) as system components for mounting a first embodiment of a collection container (26, 26A).