Quick-Release Connecting Piece for Liquid Waste Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for collecting liquid waste materials face complexity in connecting and disconnecting, leading to potential contamination risks during emptying and require additional suction lines, making the process cumbersome and hazardous.

Innovation Solution

A quick-release fastener system is integrated, allowing the connecting piece to automatically connect to the collecting container when positioned correctly, eliminating the need for manual screwing and ensuring a secure seal, while a ventilation opening and fill level sensor enhance safety and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a common connection head is used for filling and emptying, then the device can handle both operations, but the connecting process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling both filling and emptying operationsVSAvoidconnecting process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection head is divided into separate filling and emptying connection pieces, each with independent quick-release mechanisms. This segmentation allows simple automatic connection for filling while maintaining the ability to handle emptying operations through the same modular interface, reducing overall connection complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The quick-release fastener with resilient bias automatically connects the connection piece to the collecting container when the container is positioned correctly, eliminating the need for manual screwing or complex alignment procedures. The system self-activates upon proper positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If canisters remain in place for filling, then positioning is simplified, but additional suction lines are required for emptying which increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning simplicityVSAvoidadditional suction lines
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The same quick-release connection piece serves dual functions: it automatically connects during filling operations when the container is positioned, and it can be quickly disconnected for emptying operations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate suction lines and connection mechanisms.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The emptying operation is simplified by extracting the need for complex suction lines and transport containers. The quick-release mechanism allows the collecting container itself to be easily removed and emptied without requiring additional dedicated emptying infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If separate transport containers are used for emptying, then waste can be emptied, but contamination risk increases during the emptying process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemptying capabilityVSAvoidcontamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The collecting container is designed to be self-emptiable through the quick-release connection system. The container can be easily removed, emptied, and reconnected without requiring transfer to separate transport containers, thereby eliminating the contamination risk associated with intermediate handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows for easy discarding of the collecting container after use and recovery of a clean container for the next filling operation. The quick-release mechanism facilitates rapid replacement of containers, ensuring that contaminated containers are promptly removed and replaced with clean ones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 solution simplifies the collection and disposal process, reduces contamination risks, and allows for easy monitoring of fill levels, ensuring reliable and safe handling of hazardous substances without the need for additional attachments or complex suction lines.

Implementation Method 1

The connecting piece is spring-loaded in the connection direction. In this way, the collecting container can simply be pushed under the connection head when arranging it in the collecting position. The connecting piece moves back against the spring tension against the connecting direction in order to cause the connecting piece to move back in the connecting direction when the collecting position is reached by the spring tension

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring tension: Spring

Implementation Method 2

By means of this ventilation opening, volatile components or the gases in the collecting container can be sucked out during filling, so that harmful gaseous components of the hazardous substances cannot or can only enter the environment to a very limited extent when the waste materials are collected.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP2407398B1Apparatus for collecting liquid waste materials
Publication Date: 2016.09.21 WESEMANN
  • EP2407398B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2407398B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2407398B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for collecting liquid waste materials, in particular hazardous substances, comprising a collection container (32, 43, 44) having a collection opening for the waste materials, and a connecting piece (53) that interacts with the collection opening and has a filling opening for filling the waste materials into the collection container (32, 43, 44), wherein the filling opening is connected to a line (34, 35, 36) for the waste materials. To reliably collect liquid waste materials and allow them to be easily removed for disposal without the risk of contamination, the device is characterized in that the connecting piece (53) is designed as a quick-release fastener which, when the collection container (32, 43, 44) is positioned in a collection position, causes the connecting piece (53) to automatically connect to the collection container (32, 43, 44).