Refuse Chute Separator Assembly With Aligned Multi-Chute Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refuse chutes handle a single waste stream, leading to environmental impact due to difficulty in separating materials for recycling, and existing separation methods like rotatable turrets are prone to damage from refuse impact.
Innovation Solution
A separator assembly with a set of vertically aligned chutes and a positioning mechanism that aligns each chute with a refuse chute outlet to direct waste to specific receptacles, reducing maintenance and enabling straightforward separation of different waste types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable turret or moveable deflector plate is used to separate refuse, then waste can be directed to different receptacles, but the turret/deflector is regularly damaged by heavy waste impact and requires frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the waste stream into multiple separate chutes, each handling a specific category of waste. Instead of one large moveable component, multiple fixed chutes are positioned to receive different types of refuse, eliminating the need for a single large turret while achieving the same separation function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving a large turret to redirect waste, the invention inverts the approach by keeping chutes fixed and moving only the smaller inlet gates that control waste flow into each chute. This reverses the traditional mechanism, reducing the size and vulnerability of moveable parts.
2Device complexity
If a single outlet refuse chute is used, then the system is simple, but waste cannot be separated into different categories and most waste ends up in landfill
Solution Approach 1:
The single outlet is segmented into multiple outlets, each leading to a separate chute for different waste categories. This segmentation allows waste separation while maintaining relative system simplicity by using a modular approach where each chute is a straightforward vertical channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single vertical dimension to multiple vertical dimensions by positioning several chutes side-by-side. Each chute handles a different waste category, effectively adding spatial separation in the horizontal plane while maintaining vertical waste flow paths.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual sorting of waste is performed after collection, then recyclability is reduced, but the system requires only a single outlet chute
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs waste separation at the source, before waste is collected and transported. By separating waste into different categories at the point of disposal, the system eliminates the need for later manual sorting and ensures recyclable materials are properly directed from the beginning.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual sorting operations with an automated mechanical separation system. The inlet gates and chute positioning mechanism automatically direct different waste types to appropriate receptacles, substituting human labor with a automated mechanical system that improves both efficiency and material recovery.
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 assembly facilitates efficient waste categorization at the source, reducing maintenance needs and enhancing recycling potential by allowing separate disposal of waste types without frequent damage.
Implementation Method 1
a rail (144) configured to receive the bearing/wheel/cog and allow movement of the same up and down its length
Data Source
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AI summary
There is described a separator assembly (100, 200, 300, 400) for a refuse chute (10). The separator assembly (100, 200, 300, 400) comprises a set of separating chutes (110, 120, 130), each comprising an inlet (112, 122, 132) for receiving refuse and an outlet (114, 124, 134) for outputting refuse. The assembly (100, 200, 300, 400) also comprises a positioning mechanism (140) configured to locate the set of separating chutes (110, 120, 130) relative to the refuse chute (10) to align an inlet (112) from one of the set of separating chutes (110) with an outlet (12) of the refuse chute (10). Suitably, each of the set of separating chutes (110, 120, 130) are arranged to direct refuse to a different location when the corresponding inlet (112, 122, 132) is aligned with the outlet (12) of the refuse chute (10). There is also described a separator system (1000) comprising the aforementioned assembly (100, 200, 300, 400).