Waste Bin Closure Device with Segmented Access Doors

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current waste collection bin closure devices face challenges in providing controlled access for waste placement while ensuring efficient emptying, particularly in narrow spaces, and often suffer from structural weakening and lack of ergonomic waste collection due to integrated access doors within the emptying door.

Innovation Solution

A closure device with a covering assembly that oscillates about a support structure, allowing separate movement of the closure portion for waste placement and a wide opening during emptying, featuring auxiliary access doors for dual-sided waste collection and reduced stress on electronic devices, facilitated by selective engagement devices and electronic control units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If access doors are incorporated in the larger emptying door, then waste can be collected from the road side while keeping the emptying door closed, but the emptying door experiences structural weakening and increased weight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste collection accessVSAvoidemptying door structural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The closure device is divided into separate functional components: a covering element for the emptying door and separate access doors that are not incorporated into the emptying door structure. This segmentation prevents the structural weakening caused by integrating access doors into the emptying door while still providing controlled waste collection access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The access door functionality is extracted from the emptying door structure. Instead of incorporating access doors into the emptying door, the invention provides separate access mechanisms that can operate independently, thereby preserving the structural integrity and reducing the weight of the emptying door.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If access doors are incorporated in the emptying door, then electronic and electromechanical apparatuses can be installed, but the assembly experiences significant forces during tilting that reduce efficiency and reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrolled waste collectionVSAvoidapparatus efficiency during tilting
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic and electromechanical apparatuses are extracted from the emptying door assembly. The invention separates the access control functionality from the emptying mechanism, so that the apparatuses are not subjected to the significant forces experienced during tilting, thereby maintaining efficiency and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into independent functional modules: the emptying door mechanism and the access control system. This segmentation ensures that electronic and electromechanical apparatuses are not exposed to the mechanical stresses of tilting, preserving their operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the large door is arranged on the road side for emptying, then the bin can be emptied efficiently, but waste collection control is lost when placed in narrow spaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemptying efficiencyVSAvoidcontrolled waste collection in narrow spaces
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The closure device is segmented into a covering element for the large emptying door and separate access doors. This allows the large door to remain on the road side for efficient emptying while separate access doors provide controlled waste collection from either side, including narrow spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The covering element is designed to be movable and adaptable. It can be positioned to cover the large opening during emptying operations while allowing separate access doors to provide controlled access for waste collection in various spatial configurations, including narrow spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If a single closing element provides both controlled access and wide opening for emptying, then the structure is simplified, but it cannot maintain both functions effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosure device structureVSAvoiddual function performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The closure device is divided into distinct functional elements: a covering element for the large emptying door and separate access doors. This segmentation allows each element to optimize its specific function - the covering element provides a wide opening for emptying while separate access doors provide controlled access - without compromising overall structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 efficient and hygienic waste collection from both sides of the bin, maintaining structural integrity and operational reliability, even in constrained spaces, with controlled access and monitoring capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a covering element (11) having a proximal portion (11a) rotatably constrained to the support structure (4) in correspondence with a first pivoting axis (X), and a distal portion (11b) movable about the first pivoting axis (X) between a rest condition and an open condition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOscillation: Harmonic Oscillator

Implementation Method 2

an access door (13) rotatably constrained to the distal portion (11b) of the covering element (11) about a first joint axis (Y) parallel to the first pivoting axis (X), angularly movable between a rest condition and an open condition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation: Hinge

Implementation Method 3

The selective engagement devices (20) are configured to switch between a locked condition and a released condition in consequence of tilting of the waste collection bin (3) between a waste collection condition and a waste emptying condition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitational force: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3210913B1Closure device for waste collection bins and waste collection bin equipped with said device
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 ID&A
  • EP3210913B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3210913B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3210913B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A closure device for waste collection bins comprising a support structure (4) rigidly engageable with the top of a containment tank (2) and a covering assembly (10) operatively borne by the support structure (4) to close the top of the containment tank (2). The covering assembly (10) comprises at least one covering element (11) having a proximal portion (11a) rotatably coupled to the support structure (4) and a distal portion (11b) movable about a pivoting axis of the proximal portion (11a), and at least one access door 813) rotatably coupled to the distal portion (11b) of the covering element (11).