Slotted Axle Bearing Web for Quieter Wheeled Waste Bins

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wheeled waste-collection bins produce noise due to vibrations transmitted by the axle and wheels, especially over rough surfaces, which existing solutions attempt to mitigate with tight bearing tolerances or additional parts like springs and elastomer linings, but these solutions increase manufacturing costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A wheeled waste-collection bin design featuring a bearing with a radial slot web that deforms elastically to maintain the axle in place, reducing vibration transmission and noise without requiring additional parts or complex assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If tight bearing tolerances are used to reduce radial clearance, then noise is reduced, but mounting difficulty increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidmounting difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the tolerance parameters of the bearing opening, initially providing a relatively large radial clearance to facilitate easy mounting of the axle, while compensating for noise through the elastic deformation capability of the web structure rather than relying on tight tolerances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The web acts as an intermediary element between the bearing opening and the axle, absorbing vibrations and reducing noise transmission through its elastic deformation, thereby eliminating the need for tight tolerance mounting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If radial clearance is increased to ease mounting, then mounting becomes easier, but noise increases due to axle movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting easeVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The web is designed with elastic deformation capability beforehand to cushion and absorb the vibrations and movements of the axle within the bearing opening, preventing noise generation while maintaining easy mounting conditions with larger radial clearance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If additional parts like springs or elastomer linings are added to reduce noise, then noise is reduced, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The noise reduction function is merged into the web structure that is already part of the bearing assembly, eliminating the need for separate springs or elastomer linings. The web itself provides the vibration absorption and noise reduction through its elastic deformation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The web structure serves dual purposes: supporting the bearing opening structure and simultaneously absorbing vibrations to reduce noise, making the system self-sufficient without requiring additional dedicated noise reduction components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 web effectively absorbs vibrations and reduces noise generation, simplifying manufacturing and assembly while avoiding the drawbacks of previous solutions, resulting in a significant decrease in noise levels during bin operation.

Implementation Method 1

a web comprising at least one radial slot, such that the web it is able to receive and maintain the axle within the opening by deforming elastically when the axle is introduced into the opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

By virtue of the presence of such a web, the axle is maintained within the opening by a flexible element such that the mechanical vibrations of the axle and/or of the wheels are not transmitted, or at best faintly, to the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4382453A1Waste-collection bin including noise-reduction means
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 SULO FRANCE
  • EP4382453A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4382453A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4382453A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention concerns a wheeled waste-collection bin comprising : - an axle carrying at least one wheel; and - a container provided with at least one bearing (22) for supporting the axle, said bearing being provided with an opening (24) in which said axle can be introduced. The bearing (22) also comprises, around the opening (24), a web (30) comprising at least one radial slot (34), such that the web (30) is able to receive and maintain the axle within the opening (24) by deforming elastically when the axle is introduced into the opening (24).