Telescopic Waste Container With Visible Lock Engagement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing telescopic waste containers lack a clear visual indication of whether the latching claws have fully engaged, making it difficult to confirm if the segments are securely locked, especially under external forces or when the bin is filled with waste.

Innovation Solution

A telescopic container design where a recess in the outer segment allows the locking claw to be visible externally, ensuring that the latching claws snap into place on a shoulder, providing a clear visual confirmation of the lock engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the locking claw is designed to engage securely with the shoulder, then the reliability of the telescopic container is improved, but the ability to visually verify engagement is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidvisual verification difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary element (the indicator formed by the recess and locking claw arrangement) that mediates between the internal locking mechanism and the external observer. The recess in the outer segment wall acts as a window through which the locking claw's engagement with the shoulder can be visually confirmed, allowing users to verify proper latching without exposing the entire locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a visual copy or representation of the locking state through the recess. When the locking爪 engages the shoulder, this engagement is replicated visually through the recess, allowing external observation of the internal locking condition without direct exposure of the mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If the segments are designed to be fully telescopic for compact storage, then the ease of operation is improved, but the structural stability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetelescopic operation easeVSAvoidsegment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by providing run-in slopes on the locking爪 and corresponding shoulders that guide the segments into proper alignment during telescopic movement. This preliminary guiding action ensures that the locking surfaces engage correctly before final latching occurs, maintaining stability during the dynamic telescoping operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by designing the locking mechanism to transition from a dynamic state during telescoping (where segments move relative to each other) to a static locked state (where segments are fixed in position). The spring-loaded locking爪 and run-in slopes enable smooth transition between these states, maintaining operational ease while ensuring stability when extended.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables users to easily verify if the segments are securely locked, preventing accidental collapse and ensuring the container remains in the extended configuration, enhancing user confidence and safety.

Implementation Method 1

the locking claw, when in this recess, is visible on the outside of the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2801289B1Telescopic container for waste collector
Publication Date: 2016.07.27 NINKAPLAST
  • EP2801289B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2801289B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2801289B1 patent drawingFigure 4~8

AI summary

Waste collector with a support (12) that can be built into a piece of furniture (24) and has at least one receptacle (18) into which a container (20) for collecting the waste can be placed, characterized in that the container (20) is a telescopic container with a plurality of interlocking, telescopically extendable segments (20; 22a, 22b, 22c).