Rotatable Lid Indicator with Magnetic Lanyard
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current waste collection systems face issues with unfair pricing due to bins being emptied unnecessarily, as existing indicators are prone to damage and vandalism, leading to incorrect billing, especially when bins are left empty or misplaced.
Innovation Solution
A waste collection container with a rotatable lid and a lanyard-connected indicator that can be positioned inside or outside the tank, using a magnet to secure the indicator against the lid, ensuring it remains hidden when not in use and visible when collection is desired, along with a locking mechanism to prevent unauthorized access and waste deposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a colored fabric bandage is used as an indicator, then the user can indicate collection preference, but the indicator is easily torn off or damaged by weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the disposable fabric bandage with a durable metallic indicator member that is permanently attached to the bin via a lanyard, eliminating the need for repeated replacement while maintaining clear visibility of collection preferences
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator system combines a metallic member with a fabric lanyard, creating a composite structure that leverages the durability of metal and the flexibility of fabric to achieve both reliability and ease of operation
2Reliability
If the indicator member is placed inside the tank, then it is protected from vandalism, but it is not visible from outside the tank
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator member is designed to extend from the interior of the tank through the lid to the exterior, utilizing the third dimension (depth) to simultaneously achieve protection inside the tank and visibility outside the tank
Solution Approach 2:
The lid serves as an intermediary element that allows the indicator member to transition from the protected interior space to the visible exterior space, mediating between the conflicting requirements of protection and visibility
3Reliability
If the indicator member is pressed against the internal face of the lid, then it is protected from soiling, but additional holding means are required
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic holding mechanism is self-activating during the tilting operation - the member automatically engages with the magnet when the lid reaches vertical position, requiring no additional manual intervention or complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The holding mechanism operates periodically during the tilting cycle, automatically engaging the member against the lid face when the lid reaches the vertical position and releasing it when the tilting is complete
4Reliability
If a lock is used to prevent unauthorized access, then waste producers are protected, but the lid cannot be opened for emptying
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static locked state during normal operation to a dynamic unlocked state during the tilting operation, automatically enabling lid opening when the bin is being emptied while maintaining security at all other times
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
This solution provides a robust, weather-resistant, and vandal-proof indicator system that accurately communicates collection preferences, reducing unnecessary emptying and preventing unauthorized waste disposal, thus ensuring fair pricing and maintaining hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
the holding means consist of a magnet. The magnet is chosen so that the force it exerts on the member is greater than the weight of the member.
Implementation Method 2
a member (28) connected to a wall of the lid or of the tank by a lanyard (30) dimensioned so that, when the lid is in the closed position, the member is capable of assuming a rest position in which it is located inside the volume defined by the tank and the cover and an indicating position in which it is located outside this volume.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The bag has a tank (14) whose upper end is opened, and a cover (10) movable in rotation around a horizontal axis (20) and between a closed position and open position. An indication unit (28) is connected to a wall of the cover or the tank by a lanyard, where the indication unit is made of metal. The lanyard is dimensioned such that the indication unit is located at an interior of a volume defined by the tank and the cover when the unit takes rest position, and is located at an exterior of the volume when the unit takes an indication position.