Receptacle Spring Hinge Forward Lean Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional waste receptacles with lids often tip over when opening due to uneven weight distribution and lack of stability, and they fail to effectively seal odors and retain bag liners.
Innovation Solution
A receptacle design featuring a container with a forward lean and small radius curvature at the back edge, a spring-loaded lid with a hinge outside the rim, and a bag lock mechanism to maintain upright positioning and secure bag liners, while ensuring complete closure for odor retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid is secured with a spring hinge to enable automatic opening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability of the container deteriorates as the container tips over when opening
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs asymmetric wall angles where the front wall portion diverges at a greater angle (first angle) than the back wall portion (second angle). This asymmetric geometry creates a forward lean that positions the center of gravity forward, preventing the container from tipping backward when the spring hinge opens the lid automatically.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the lid is made large to cover the entire opening for odor retention, then the odor retention is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for precise hinge positioning outside the rim
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge axis is positioned outside the rim of the container opening, moving the rotation axis from within the opening plane to an external location. This dimensional repositioning allows the lid to pivot externally, enabling complete coverage of the opening for odor retention while simplifying the hinge mechanism by eliminating the need for complex internal mounting structures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the back edge radius is reduced to prevent tipping, then the stability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs asymmetric wall angles where the front wall portion diverges at a greater angle (first angle) than the back wall portion (second angle). This asymmetric geometry creates a forward lean that positions the center of gravity forward, preventing the container from tipping backward when the spring hinge opens the lid automatically.
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 design prevents tipping and enhances odor retention by maintaining the container upright and sealing the lid directly on the rim, reducing odor escape by approximately 63% compared to traditional designs.
Implementation Method 1
A force generated by the spring hinge may be selected such that the force moves the lid from the closed position to the open position
Data Source
AI summary
A receptacle includes a container having a bottom wall and a side wall extending from the bottom wall. The side wall defines an opening and is comprised of a front wall portion and a back wall portion. A lid is secured to the container along the back wall portion at a spring hinge where the lid covers the opening. The front wall portion diverges as it extends away from the base at a first angle and the back wall portion diverges as it extends away from the base at a second angle where the first angle is greater than the second angle. The spring hinge defines an axis of rotation of the lid where the axis of rotation of the lid is outside of the rim of the opening. The lid is shaped and dimensioned such that the lid contacts the rim for substantially the entire periphery thereof.