Trash Can Fill Level Sensor Using Laser Time of Flight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring the fill level of trash cans in busy environments is challenging, as the rate of waste accumulation varies by time of day, leading to potential overflow issues, and employees may be too busy to manage emptying effectively.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system using a laser diode and photodetector to measure the fill level, transmitting data to a computer system that calculates the percentage of waste and compares it to dynamic thresholds based on historical foot traffic data, sending alerts when the threshold is exceeded, and optionally actuating a trash compactor to reduce the fill level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If employees manually monitor trash can fill levels, then they can respond to overflow conditions, but employees are too busy during peak times to effectively manage emptying
Solution Approach 1:
The trash can system performs self-monitoring through the sensor that automatically detects fill levels and triggers alerts without requiring employee attention. The system serves itself by autonomously tracking waste accumulation and communicating status to relevant parties, freeing employees from manual monitoring duties while ensuring reliable overflow prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback through the sensor that monitors fill level and provides real-time data to the processor. When the fill level exceeds the threshold, the system generates an alert that feeds back to employees or maintenance systems, enabling timely response without constant human observation and allowing employees to focus on higher-priority tasks.
2Reliability
If trash cans are emptied frequently to prevent overflow, then overflow risk is reduced, but employee time for other tasks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor detects fill levels proactively and generates alerts before the trash can reaches overflow conditions. This preliminary action allows employees to schedule emptying at convenient times rather than responding to urgent overflow situations, reducing the frequency and urgency of emptying tasks while maintaining reliable overflow prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts monitoring and alerting based on actual fill levels rather than following a fixed emptying schedule. The processor compares real-time sensor data against thresholds and triggers alerts only when necessary, optimizing the timing of emptying operations to balance overflow prevention with minimal disruption to employee productivity.
3Ease of operation
If a fixed emptying schedule is used, then employee tasks are simplified, but the schedule cannot adapt to varying foot traffic patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static fixed schedules to dynamic adaptive monitoring. The sensor continuously measures fill levels and the processor adjusts alert timing based on actual waste accumulation rates, which vary with foot traffic patterns. This maintains operational simplicity while achieving adaptability to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of emptying timing from predetermined fixed intervals to variable intervals based on measured fill levels. The processor monitors the fill level parameter and triggers alerts when thresholds are exceeded, allowing the emptying schedule to automatically adapt to varying foot traffic and waste generation rates without complex manual adjustment.
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 system provides timely alerts and automatic waste management, preventing overflows by adjusting emptying schedules based on peak usage times and allowing employees to focus on other tasks during less busy periods.
Implementation Method 1
The laser diode is operable to produce a laser beam pulse that travels towards a bottom end of the trash can, wherein the laser beam pulse is reflected back to the sensor
Implementation Method 2
The first processor is communicatively coupled to the laser diode and to the photodetector and configured to determine a distance measurement based on a difference in time between production of the laser beam pulse and reception of the reflected laser beam pulse
Data Source
AI summary
A system for measuring a fill level of a trash can comprises a processor operable to receive a distance measurement from a network, wherein a sensor communicatively coupled to the processor through the network is operable to determine the distance measurement. The processor is operable to calculate a percentage of waste in the trash can based on the received distance measurement and a difference between a first setpoint and a second setpoint. The processor is operable to determine a threshold for a first period of time based on entity information. The processor is operable to compare the percentage of waste in the trash can to the threshold for the first period of time and to send an alert for display on a user device when the percentage of waste is greater than the threshold for the first period of time.