Refuse Hopper Person Detection for Safe Waste Compaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waste disposal systems, particularly those with compaction devices in refuse collection vehicles, pose safety risks due to the potential for increased force exertion on waste, which can injure individuals inside the filling hopper, and lack comprehensive monitoring to prevent accidents.
Innovation Solution
A system with detection means, including cameras and sensors, is integrated into the filling housing and lifting device to identify persons, connected to a safety control system that interrupts the compaction device if a person is detected, ensuring safe operation by stopping the press device and lifting mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a compaction device is used to compress waste in the filling hopper, then the loading capacity is increased, but the safety risk increases due to potential injury to persons inside the filling hopper
Solution Approach 1:
The detection means (cameras, sensors) are activated before the compaction device operates to scan the filling hopper for persons. The system performs preliminary detection and evaluation to determine if it is safe to proceed with compaction, preventing injury before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety control system continuously receives feedback from detection means during the emptying and compaction process. If a person is detected in the filling hopper, the system immediately interrupts the compaction device operation, creating a closed-loop safety mechanism that responds to real-time conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If detection means are integrated into the filling housing to monitor persons, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection means are designed to perform multiple functions: detecting persons, monitoring the emptying process, and providing data to the safety control system. The camera units and sensors serve both safety monitoring and process control purposes, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety control system integrates multiple detection means (cameras, sensors) and combines their outputs with the compaction device control. The system merges person detection, position monitoring, and safety decision-making into a unified control architecture, managing complexity through integration rather than separate systems.
3Measurement precision
If the detection area is directed towards the interior of the waste container, then the person detection capability is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases due to limited access and harsh conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple camera units positioned at different locations and angles within the filling hopper to create overlapping detection areas. By adding spatial dimensions to detection coverage, the system overcomes limited access points and ensures comprehensive monitoring of the container interior from multiple perspectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection means act as intermediaries between the harsh environment inside the filling hopper and the safety control system. The cameras and sensors are designed to withstand harsh conditions (dust, moisture, vibration) while transmitting detection data to the control system, mediating the challenging detection environment.
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
Enhances operational safety by preventing injuries during waste emptying processes, improves compliance with safety regulations, and increases efficiency through automated monitoring, reducing the need for manual oversight.
Implementation Method 1
Detection means for identifying persons are arranged on the filling housing such that a detection area is directed towards an interior of the waste container and/or an interior of the filling housing
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for monitoring the emptying process of waste containers (12) into a filling housing (16), in particular of a refuse collection vehicle (14) for waste transport, wherein the filling housing (16) has a compaction device (18) for compressing the waste received in the filling housing (16). Detection means (20) for identifying persons are arranged on the filling housing (16) such that a detection area (22) is directed towards an interior (24) of the waste container (12) and/or an interior (26) of the filling housing (16), wherein the detection means (20) are connected to a safety controller (28) for data evaluation, and wherein the safety controller (28) interrupts the operation of the compaction device (18) if a person is detected in the waste container (12) and/or the filling housing (16). The invention further relates to a method.