Organic waste separator for under a sink
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waste separation technologies for kitchen waste under sinks are inefficient, often releasing odors, attracting vermin, and requiring frequent emptying, while also being energy-intensive and prone to clogging.
Innovation Solution
A compact, microprocessor-controlled, in-line organic waste separator with a non-cutting auger and a closed system design, featuring a normally-closed flap valve and a telescoping bin, which separates wastewater into solid and liquid components without cutting or drying the waste, reducing odors and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a motor driven auger member is used to separate food waste into liquid and solid components, then separation efficiency is improved, but the system becomes complex and prone to clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the motor driven auger member from the system and replaces it with a simple screen separator that uses gravity and flow dynamics to separate solids from liquids. This extraction of the complex mechanical component resolves the contradiction by maintaining separation functionality while eliminating the complexity and clogging issues associated with the auger mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If solid waste is retained in an open storage bin, then waste collection is simplified, but odours are released and vermin are attracted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a removable lid with a filter that closes over the storage bin, creating a barrier that prevents odours and vermin access while allowing for easy removal and cleaning. This flexible closure mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation for waste collection while eliminating the harmful effects of open waste storage.
3Productivity
If the exit tube for solid waste is placed at the bottom of the cup, then waste discharge is facilitated, but the auger directs solid waste down into the bottom causing plugging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the auger mechanism that causes waste to be directed downward into the exit tube, and instead uses a screen separator with the exit tube positioned to receive waste laterally. This extraction eliminates the plugging problem while maintaining efficient waste discharge through gravity-assisted flow.
4Volume of moving object
If liquid waste tube and solid waste exit tube are positioned close together, then system compactness is improved, but liquid preferentially exits through the solid waste exit tube
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the screen separator with different aperture sizes and orientations at different locations - the screen structure selectively allows liquid to pass through while blocking solids, and the exit tubes are positioned to receive their respective waste streams based on local flow dynamics. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by maintaining compactness while ensuring proper separation based on the local properties of each waste stream.
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 separates organic solid waste from liquid waste, reducing odors and water escape, while being energy-efficient and easy to use, with a low power requirement and minimal moving parts, allowing for a larger bin capacity and improved waste management.
Implementation Method 1
a motor driven auger which urges the organic solid waste into the collection bin
Implementation Method 2
While gases are trapped within the unit when the collection bin is attached to the waste separator
Data Source
AI summary
A waste separator for attachment to a sink drain pipe is provided, the waste separator comprising: a transverse pipe, the transverse pipe including a proximal end, a distal end, a sidewall therebetween, a solid waste outlet at the distal end and a flange on the sidewall, the transverse pipe defining a transverse bore; a motor-driven, non-cutting auger which is housed in the transverse bore; a cylindrical filter around the motor-driven, non-cutting auger; a water collector below the cylindrical filter and terminating in a wastewater outlet; a sink wastewater inlet in a vicinity of the proximal end, the sink wastewater inlet normal to the transverse bore and in fluid communication with the transverse bore; a normally-closed flap valve, the normally-closed flap valve hingedly attached to transverse pipe proximate the distal end; a hinge actuator for the normally-closed flap valve; and a microprocessor, the microprocessor in electronic communication with the hinge actuator.