Conveyor Collector Segmentation for Single-Object Waste Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waste sorting technologies are costly, inefficient, and struggle to accurately separate recyclable materials from non-recyclable materials, often requiring complex robotic systems and excessive sensor usage.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a conveyor belt with collectors, a camera for imaging, and a processor to determine object counts, along with a rejection apparatus, to selectively separate and sort recyclables by ensuring each collector contains only one object, using optical range cameras to reduce costs and improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex robotic systems with multiple sensors are used for sorting recyclables, then sorting accuracy may improve, but system cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sorting process into discrete segments by using individual collectors on the conveyor belt, each capable of holding a single object. This segmentation allows for simpler, more focused detection at each position rather than requiring complex systems to analyze multiple objects simultaneously, thereby maintaining sorting accuracy while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses optical copying (imaging) of objects in the collectors to determine whether each collector contains one or more objects. By creating optical copies rather than using complex physical sensors on each object, the system achieves accurate detection with simpler technology, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple objects are placed in a single collector, then collection efficiency increases, but sorting accuracy decreases due to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback by using cameras to image each collector and determine the number of objects it contains. This feedback mechanism allows the system to identify collectors with multiple objects (contamination) and reject them, thereby maintaining sorting accuracy while allowing the conveyor to operate at high collection efficiency. The feedback loop ensures that productivity gains do not compromise sorting precision.
3Measurement precision
If hand-sorting is used to ensure accurate separation of recyclables, then sorting accuracy is maintained, but processing speed decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical action of hand-sorting with an optical detection system using cameras and image processing. The cameras capture images of collectors, and processors analyze these images to determine object counts and identify recyclables. This substitution maintains the accuracy previously achieved by human hands while dramatically increasing processing speed, as the optical system can evaluate multiple collectors simultaneously and continuously.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to collecting, handling, and/or sorting of waste or other objects. For example, certain embodiments are generally directed to systems and methods for collecting and sorting objects such as trash, recyclables, compostables, etc. In some cases, such systems may be used at a MRF (materials recovery facility), a transfer station, a public facility, or other locations where various objects in a waste stream are to be sorted. In some cases, the system may be relatively small and compact. The waste stream may be singulated or separated into discrete objects to facilitate identification and sorting. For example, two or more discrete objects within the waste stream that are contacting one another or are proximate to one another may be separated, so as to facilitate identification and/or sorting of the objects. This may be useful, for example, for producing less contaminated streams of trash, recyclables, compostables, etc. from a waste stream.