Trash Can Lid Damping and Nesting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trash cans are noisy and wear-prone due to loud banging when opening and closing, and have bulky hinge assemblies that make them difficult to position and replace the lid.
Innovation Solution
A trash can assembly with a pivoting pedal bar and link rod positioned inside the outer shell, using elastic elements to dampen the lid's closing motion and a low-profile hinge assembly that allows the lid to be easily removed and replaced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional foot pedal and link rod mechanism is used to open the lid, then the lid can be opened hands-free, but loud banging noises occur and wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating a rubber bumper at the bottom of the outer shell and a foam strip along the inner surface of the lid. These cushioning elements are positioned in advance to absorb impact energy when the lid closes, preventing loud banging noises and reducing wear on the pedal and hinge mechanisms while maintaining hands-free operation capability
2Ease of operation
If the link rod extends through the interior and exterior of the outer shell, then the lid can be connected to the pedal, but the hinge assembly becomes large and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by routing the link rod entirely within the interior space of the outer shell, nesting the linkage mechanism inside the container rather than extending it externally. This allows the lid to remain connected to the pedal mechanism while significantly reducing the external footprint and overall size of the hinge assembly
3Strength
If a fixed hinge assembly is used to attach the lid, then the lid is securely connected, but lid replacement becomes difficult and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed, permanent hinge connection to a dynamic, removable connection system. The lid is attached through a hinge assembly that incorporates removable fastening elements, allowing the connection to be both strong during use and easily detachable when lid replacement is needed, thus providing adaptability between secure attachment and convenient maintenance
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
Reduces noise and wear during lid operation, allows for convenient lid replacement, and provides a compact design for easier placement and reduced packaging needs.
Implementation Method 1
An elastic element is provided inside the outer shell and is adapted to dampen the closing motion of the lid
Data Source
AI summary
A trash can assembly has a lid pivotably coupled to an upper end of an outer shell, and a pivoting pedal bar that is coupled to the lid via a link rod. The closing motion of the lid is dampened by counter-balancing the closing force of the lid, which can be accomplished by generating a counter-balance force against the pedal bar that is equal to or slightly less than the closing force of the lid. The counter-balance force can be made to vary during the closing motion of the lid. In addition, the entire link rod can be positioned inside the interior of the outer shell, and the pivot axis of the lid about the outer shell can also positioned inside the interior of the outer shell.