Plastic Latch Flexure for Robotic Cart Unlatching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated waste disposal systems face inefficiencies as latches strong enough to prevent animal access also hinder robotic arms from opening trash carts, requiring manual operator intervention.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a plastic latch with an arched member capable of flexure, connected to a robotic lifting arm with an unlocking mechanism that uses gravity to disengage the latch, allowing the robotic arm to open the cart without manual operator intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a strong metal latch is used to prevent animal access, then security against animals is improved, but the robotic arm cannot open the cart automatically
Solution Approach 1:
The latch material is changed from metal to plastic, fundamentally altering the physical properties. The plastic latch maintains sufficient strength to prevent animal access while being flexible enough to be opened by the robotic arm's unlocking mechanism, thus resolving the contradiction between security and automatability
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic latch is designed with inherent flexibility allowing it to deform under the robotic arm's unlocking force and return to its original position. This dynamic behavior enables automated opening while maintaining the security function when latched, resolving the contradiction between being unlockable by robot and secure against animals
2Reliability
If a strong metal latch is used to prevent animal access, then security against animals is improved, but manual operator intervention is required to release the latch
Solution Approach 1:
Changing the latch material from metal to plastic alters its mechanical properties, making it sufficiently flexible to be opened by the robotic arm without requiring manual intervention. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining animal security while eliminating the time loss associated with manual operator action
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic latch is designed to be automatically opened by the robotic arm's unlocking mechanism without requiring manual operator intervention. The latch's flexible nature allows it to self-release when the robotic arm applies the unlocking force, eliminating the need for human time and effort
3Strength
If a rigid latch structure is used, then strength and security are improved, but the latch cannot be flexed to engage or disengage
Solution Approach 1:
The latch material is changed from rigid metal to flexible plastic, fundamentally altering the strength and flexibility parameters. The plastic provides sufficient strength for security while enabling the necessary flexibility for engagement and disengagement operations, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The latch is constructed as a flexible plastic component that can deform under applied force and return to its original position. This flexible structure maintains adequate strength for security while enabling easy engagement and disengagement through flexure, resolving the contradiction between rigid strength and operational flexibility
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
Enables automated and efficient emptying of trash carts by allowing the robotic arm to unlatch the cart using gravity, maintaining security against animal access without manual operator intervention.
Implementation Method 1
the arched member capable of flexure when a force is applied at a concave surface of the arched member
Implementation Method 2
The second position is when the lid of the container is substantially in facing relationship with the truck; an upside down position so that gravity moves the moving member to unlock the lid of the container
Data Source
AI summary
A method for unlatching a latch on a container includes providing a lifting arm for lifting a latched container. Moving the latched container from a first position to a second position with the lifting arm and unlatching the container by flexing the latch on the container by moving the container from the first position to the second position. The latch includes a first member which is pivotably mounted to a lid. A second member is adapted to selectively engage a projection on a body of the container. An arch member connects the first member to the second member and a handle extends in the direction opposite to the direction in which the arch member extends. The step of deflecting the handle is by movement of the moving member to the flex the latch.