Movable Partition Waste Mail Vehicle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current waste collection and delivery vehicles face challenges in utilizing unused loading capacity due to unhygienic conditions and irregular delivery schedules, making it difficult to simultaneously collect and deliver postal items and waste.

Innovation Solution

A transport vehicle with two separate and coupled storage chambers, where the partition between them can change volume, allowing for efficient switching between mail and waste storage, along with a gripper robot and marker-based waste identification system for improved hygiene and logistics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single storage chamber is used for both mail and waste, then the vehicle structure is simple, but hygienic conditions deteriorate due to contact between different contents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle structureVSAvoidhygienic conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The storage space is divided into two separate chambers: a first storage chamber for mail items and a second storage chamber for waste. This segmentation prevents contact between different contents, maintaining hygienic conditions while keeping the vehicle structure relatively simple through the use of a movable partition wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the storage chamber volume is fixed, then the vehicle structure is simple, but loading capacity utilization deteriorates due to unused volume at different times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle structureVSAvoidloading capacity utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall between the two storage chambers is designed to be movable rather than fixed. This allows the volume of each chamber to be dynamically adjusted according to the actual loading requirements - the mail chamber can be expanded when delivering parcels, while the waste chamber is minimized, and vice versa during waste collection, thereby fully utilizing the vehicle's loading capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate vehicles are used for mail delivery and waste collection, then each vehicle can be optimized for its specific function, but operational efficiency deteriorates due to inability to simultaneously collect and deliver

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle function specializationVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The transport vehicle is designed with multi-functionality, capable of serving both as a mail delivery vehicle and a waste collection vehicle. The movable partition wall enables the vehicle to adapt its internal configuration for different tasks, allowing a single vehicle to perform multiple functions and operate efficiently in both mail delivery and waste collection roles.

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

4Device complexity

If manual waste identification and tracking is used, then the system is simple, but time consumption deteriorates due to manual recording and scheduling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking systemVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical process of waste identification and tracking is replaced with an automated electronic system. Markers with unique identifiers are attached to waste quantities, and a reading device automatically scans and records this information, replacing manual recording and scheduling processes with automated electronic data processing, thereby significantly reducing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

5Object-affected harmful factors

If vacuum packaging is used for waste, then hygiene is improved, but the complexity of waste handling increases due to additional packaging requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehygieneVSAvoidwaste handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum packaging function is merged with the waste storage chamber by creating a vacuum environment within the second storage chamber. This eliminates the need for separate vacuum sealing of individual waste items, as the entire chamber maintains vacuum conditions, thereby improving hygiene while simplifying waste handling procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3483091B1Method for identifying a quantity of waste
Publication Date: 2023.03.22 FAUN UMWELTTECHNIK GMBH CO KG
  • EP3483091B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b

AI summary

The invention relates to a vacuum packaging for waste comprising at least one marker linked to at least one piece of information, and to a method for identifying a quantity of waste using at least one marker.