Refuse Container Sliding Arm Internal Nesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intermediate containers with side loading robotic arms are not optimized for a streamlined design, as the sliding mechanism is typically mounted on the outer wall, which can increase the arm's width and affect the container's overall efficiency and maneuverability.
Innovation Solution
A sliding arm mechanism is positioned inside the intermediate container, with a channel to house the slide portion, allowing it to move laterally and project externally through a slot in the rear wall, reducing the arm's external width and enhancing maneuverability while maintaining functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sliding mechanism is mounted on the outer wall of the container, then the arm can be easily accessed and maintained, but the arm's external width increases and maneuverability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding mechanism is nested inside the container by positioning it within an interior channel formed in the rear wall. The channel houses the slide portion, allowing the arm to extend and retract while maintaining a streamlined external profile. This nesting approach resolves the contradiction by hiding the mechanism internally while preserving its functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding mechanism is repositioned from an external mounting on the outer wall to an internal mounting within the container's rear wall channel. This dimensional relocation moves the mechanism from the external dimension to the internal dimension, reducing the external width while maintaining operational accessibility through the slot in the rear wall.
2Ease of manufacture
If the sliding mechanism is mounted on the outer wall of the container, then installation and maintenance are simplified, but the container's streamline appearance and maneuverability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding mechanism is nested within the container's rear wall channel, creating a streamlined external appearance. The channel is formed as an interior feature of the rear wall, allowing the mechanism to be integrated into the container's structure rather than attached externally, thus achieving a sleek, streamlined shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding mechanism is merged with the container's rear wall structure by forming the channel as an integral part of the wall. This integration combines the structural element (rear wall) with the functional element (sliding mechanism housing), eliminating the need for separate external mounting and achieving a streamlined appearance.
3Length of moving object
If the sliding mechanism is positioned inside the container, then the external width is reduced and maneuverability is improved, but accessibility for maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The rear wall is segmented to include a slot that provides access to the sliding mechanism housed within the channel. This segmentation allows the maintenance access function to be separated from the structural function of the rear wall, enabling technicians to access the mechanism for repairs while maintaining the streamlined external profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The slot in the rear wall acts as an intermediary access point that connects the external maintenance environment with the internal sliding mechanism. This intermediary feature allows maintenance operations to be performed on the internally positioned mechanism without requiring external mounting or complex disassembly procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A refuse collection container has a box shape. A movable arm is movably mounted on the container. The movable arm grasps refuse cans and dumps the refuse cans into the container. A slot is formed on a rear wall of the container to enable a portion of the arm to extend through the container. The arm is positioned adjacent the slot such that a movable portion of the arm is positioned inside of the container. The arm moves horizontally in and out of the container to grasp and return refuse cans.