Intelligent Recycling Chute Control for Source Waste Separation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current recycling systems in buildings lack efficient methods for sorting and managing recyclables at the source, leading to contamination and inefficient waste disposal, which contributes to environmental pollution and waste accumulation in landfills.

Innovation Solution

The Matrix Assisted Intelligent Recycling Chute Selector Devices utilize a centralized monitoring system with wireless and wired PLC controls, touch screen interfaces, and sensors to manage access, sort recyclables, and compact waste, ensuring proper disposal and notification of full bins, thereby optimizing recycling processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional trash chute system is used to consolidate garbage from building tenants, then waste collection is simplified and centralized, but waste materials accumulate and mix together causing contamination and making recycling difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste collection convenienceVSAvoidwaste sorting accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the waste collection process by providing separate chutes for different material types (paper, plastic, glass, metal, organic waste) on each floor, preventing mixing at the source while maintaining ease of disposal for tenants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intelligent control system acts as an intermediary between tenants and waste bins, using sensors to identify materials and automatically direct them to appropriate bins, resolving the contradiction between simple disposal and accurate sorting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If recyclables are sorted manually at the basement collection point, then recycling accuracy can be improved, but labor requirements and processing time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecyclable sorting accuracyVSAvoidwaste processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service sorting through automated material identification using sensors (optical, weight, RFID) that automatically classify waste materials and direct them to appropriate bins without human intervention, achieving high sorting accuracy while eliminating manual labor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual sorting operations are replaced with automated sensing and control systems that use optical sensors, weight sensors, and RFID readers to identify and sort materials, dramatically reducing processing time while maintaining or improving sorting accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If a compactor is used to compress waste into smaller blocks, then waste storage capacity is increased and disposal frequency is reduced, but compacted waste is difficult to separate and process for recycling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste storage capacityVSAvoidrecyclable material separability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system prevents the need for compaction by segmenting waste streams into separate bins at the point of disposal, allowing each material type to be collected separately in uncompressed form, maintaining both storage efficiency and recyclability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Waste materials are pre-sorted and pre-separated at the source before collection, eliminating the need for subsequent compaction and separation processes, thus preserving material separability while optimizing storage capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If multiple sensors and control systems are installed to enable intelligent sorting, then recycling efficiency and accuracy are improved, but system complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecycling processing efficiencyVSAvoidsystem structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system uses multi-functional sensors that can identify multiple material types (paper, plastic, glass, metal, organic waste) with a single device, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high recycling efficiency through centralized intelligent control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms where sensors continuously monitor waste material properties and automatically adjust sorting actions, achieving high processing efficiency through adaptive control that simplifies the overall system architecture by using information-based regulation rather than complex mechanical structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11378923B2Methods of matrix assisted intelligent recycling chute selector devices

Publication Date: 2022.07.05 YAMINE ELIAS

AI summary

This description relates to garbage chutes and more particularly to recycling of waste management utilizing intelligent software and computer hardware along with mechanical hardware to implement protocols to properly separate recycled waste into corresponding waste receptacles. Each deposit is logged into a database where software management of analytics aids in the proper management of disposal of waste and timing of separation of recyclable goods creating a more efficient recycling management system.