Operator Presence Water Flow Control for Food Waste Disposal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food waste handling systems lack an automated and adaptive mechanism to control water flow effectively, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to manual intervention, and are not suitable for all types of waste handling systems, especially those without motor current draw indicators.
Innovation Solution
A system that automatically controls water flow into a food waste handling system based on the physical presence of an operator, using a combination of sensors and timers to maintain optimal flow rates for a pre-established period, ensuring continuous handling process facilitation even after the operator has stepped away.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual water flow control is used, then the operator can adjust flow when needed, but the operator may forget to adjust flow causing handling problems or water waste
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically senses operator presence and controls water flow without manual intervention. The sensor detects when the operator is present and automatically adjusts water flow to appropriate levels, eliminating the need for manual control and preventing both water waste and handling problems caused by operator forgetfulness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses operator presence sensing as feedback to automatically control water flow. When the sensor detects operator presence, it triggers appropriate water flow levels; when presence ceases, flow is reduced or stopped. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliable handling while preventing water waste.
2Productivity
If continuous water flow is provided to facilitate handling, then handling operations are supported, but overall water usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous water flow, the system provides water flow periodically based on detected operator presence. Water flow is activated when the operator approaches and deactivated when presence ceases, maintaining handling efficiency while significantly reducing overall water consumption through this on-demand periodic action.
Solution Approach 2:
The water flow system transitions from a static continuous state to a dynamic on-demand state. The flow rate and duration are adjusted dynamically based on real-time operator presence detection, allowing the system to provide adequate water for handling operations only when needed, thereby optimizing both productivity and water conservation.
3Productivity
If increased water flow is provided during difficult grinding operations, then grinding is facilitated, but water is wasted during easy operations
Solution Approach 1:
The water flow system dynamically adjusts flow rates based on real-time operator presence detection rather than operating at fixed high flow rates. This allows the system to provide increased water flow during intensive handling operations when needed while reducing or eliminating flow during lighter operations, optimizing the balance between productivity and water conservation.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for minimizing overall water use in a food waste handling system while maximizing flow rate when needed by controlling a flow of water into the handling system based on or in response to a physical presence of an operator. The control system substantially automatically senses, detects, or otherwise determines the presence of the operator, wherein such presence is assumptively associated with use of the waste handling system (i.e., the deposition of waste thereinto), and, in response to said presence, automatically controls the flow of water accordingly and for a pre-established period of time following cessation of said presence in order to facilitate the on-going handling process.