Articulated Push Bar Bin-Full Sensor for Paper Shredders
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bin-full detection devices for paper shredders are either expensive, unstable, or have complex structures, with mechanical types being inflexible and optical types prone to malfunctions due to blockages or dirt, necessitating a more reliable and cost-effective solution.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical bin-full detector using a push bar with a conductive element and sensing contact assembly, coupled with a sweeper and biasing element, which generates a bin-full signal when a predetermined shredded material force is reached, causing the motor to stop, thus addressing the limitations of current detection methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electronic bin-full detection device is used, then detection sensitivity is improved, but cost increases and stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bin-full detection device is segmented into multiple independent components: push bar, conductive element, sensing contact assembly, and signaling contact. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function reliably while maintaining overall detection sensitivity, resolving the contradiction between precision and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic sensors with an electromechanical system using conductive elements and sensing contacts. This substitution maintains detection sensitivity through precise mechanical positioning while improving stability by eliminating electronic component failures, directly addressing the contradiction.
2Measurement precision
If optical bin-full detection device is used, then detection sensitivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to blockages or dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical sensors with an electromechanical contact system. The conductive element and sensing contact assembly provide direct physical detection that is immune to dust and dirt blockages, maintaining detection sensitivity while dramatically improving reliability in harsh environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The push bar with conductive element is designed to be self-cleaning through its mechanical movement and the push bar sweeper mechanism. This self-service capability ensures the detection system remains reliable without requiring external maintenance, resolving the reliability issue caused by dirt accumulation.
3Area of stationary object
If mechanical bin-full detection device with long paper filling plate is used, then detection coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection mechanism is segmented into a push bar with conductive element and a separate sensing contact assembly. This segmentation eliminates the need for a long paper filling plate, reducing structural complexity while maintaining detection coverage through the articulated push bar's movement range.
Solution Approach 2:
The push bar is designed as an articulated, movable structure rather than a static long plate. This dynamic design allows the detection mechanism to cover the necessary area through movement, reducing the need for complex fixed structures and simplifying the overall device design.
4Ease of manufacture
If mechanical bin-full detection device is used, then cost is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inflexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated push bar with conductive element provides mechanical simplicity for cost-effectiveness while introducing operational flexibility through its ability to move and adapt to different bin-full conditions, resolving the contradiction between low cost and ease of operation.
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 solution provides a simple, durable, and inexpensive bin-full detection system that is insensitive to dust and dirt, offering high sensitivity, reliability, and effective bin-full condition detection, improving upon the limitations of existing mechanical and optical detection devices.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element coupled to the push bar sweeper far end, wherein the biasing element elastically resists a shredded material force
Implementation Method 2
a conductive element mechanically coupled to the reverse side of the push bar, a sensing contact assembly adjacent to and normally set apart from the conductive element
Data Source
AI summary
A paper shredder bin-full sensor with a push bar, a conductive element coupled to the push bar, a sensing contact assembly normally set apart from the conductive element, and a signaling contact coupled to the sensing contact assembly. Sensor includes a push bar sweeper between the conductive element and the push bar, and a biasing element coupled to the push bar sweeper, the biasing element elastically resists the shredded material force. A predetermined shredded material force presses the push bar, causing the conductive element to couple to the sensing contact assembly, in turn causing a waste bin-full signal to emanate. Push bar can be articulated and non-articulated. Articulated push bars include upper and lower push bars, and respective tensioning element connecting the respective upper and lower push bars. Lower push bar is extended from upper push bar. Paper shredder can have articulated or non-articulated push bars.