Smart Waste Bin with Category Feedback Loop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional waste collection methods are not suitable for efficient waste sorting, leading to inadequate environmental protection.

Innovation Solution

A waste collecting device with an inlet unit, acquisition unit, control unit, and output unit that acquires waste information, specifies waste categories, and determines whether the waste matches predetermined categories, providing feedback to users to encourage proper sorting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional waste collection methods are used, then waste can be collected, but waste sorting efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste sorting efficiencyVSAvoidwaste category information

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides feedback to users by displaying the determined waste category and whether it matches the predetermined category through the output unit. This feedback mechanism enables users to learn correct sorting practices and improve their sorting accuracy over time, directly addressing the waste sorting efficiency problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual waste sorting with an automated system that uses sensors to detect waste properties, processes the information through a control unit, and automatically determines waste categories. This substitution of mechanical/manual sorting with an automated detection and determination system significantly improves sorting efficiency and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If waste sorting is implemented, then environmental protection is improved, but user compliance is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoiduser compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides immediate feedback to users by displaying determination results that show whether their waste sorting is correct. This real-time feedback mechanism guides users to comply with proper sorting practices by showing them the correct category, making waste sorting easier to perform correctly and thereby improving user compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables users to perform waste sorting themselves with guidance from the automated determination system. By providing clear category information and compliance feedback, the system empowers users to independently sort waste correctly without requiring extensive external supervision or complex procedures, thus improving ease of operation and compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11762955B2Waste collecting device, building, and method

Publication Date: 2023.09.19 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A waste collecting device includes an inlet unit, an acquisition unit configured to acquire waste information on waste thrown into the inlet unit, and a control unit configured to specify a category of the waste based on the waste information, determine whether the category of the waste matches a predetermined category, and output a determination result via an output unit.