Multi-Sensor Waste Bin Monitoring for Accurate Fill Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current waste management systems lack accurate bin fill level detection due to sensor inaccuracies, poor cellular connections, environmental harshness, and contamination issues, leading to inefficient routing and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Innovation Solution
A waste management device with multiple sensors, including ultrasonic, camera, and radar sensors, encased in a protective housing, coupled with a processor and wireless transmitter, provides accurate fill level detection and contamination identification, utilizing cloud-based analytics for optimized routing and efficient waste collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical sensors (cameras, light based time of flight) are used to detect bin fill levels, then remote detection capability is provided, but the sensors become occluded by water or wet waste material coating the coverglass, preventing clear optical transmission
Solution Approach 1:
A heating element is introduced as an intermediary component between the optical sensor and the external environment. The heating element actively prevents water and wet waste material from coating the coverglass by maintaining a temperature that prevents condensation and evaporation of moisture, thereby preserving optical transmission clarity without requiring manual cleaning
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element operates periodically or continuously to prevent occlusion before it occurs, rather than cleaning after occlusion happens. This proactive periodic action maintains the optical path clear by preventing water accumulation in the first place
2Ease of operation
If fixed pickup schedules are used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but bins are picked up when empty or marginally filled, leading to over-servicing and increased greenhouse gas emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring bin fill levels using sensors and transmitting this data to a central system. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of pickup schedules based on actual bin status, allowing collections to occur only when necessary, thereby eliminating over-servicing and reducing emissions
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of bin fill levels and proactively schedules pickups before bins become full, rather than reacting to overflow conditions. This preliminary action optimizes routing and reduces the number of trips needed
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If manual visual inspection is used to detect contamination, then contamination detection capability is provided, but the process becomes time-intensive and challenging
Solution Approach 1:
Manual visual inspection is replaced with automated image capture using cameras and analysis using machine learning algorithms. This substitution transforms the contamination detection process from a manual, time-intensive task to an automated, rapid process that can analyze multiple bins simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies (images) of bin contents and analyzes these copies using machine learning models to detect contamination. This copying approach allows for rapid, repeatable analysis without requiring physical inspection of each bin
4Device complexity
If single sensor systems are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but accuracy in reported bin fill levels is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensor types (optical sensors, weight sensors, and other detection devices) are merged into a single integrated system. Each sensor type compensates for the weaknesses of others, providing cross-validation and more accurate fill level measurements through data fusion
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 device ensures precise waste bin fill level monitoring, reduces over-servicing, minimizes landfill disposal, and enhances recycling efficiency by allowing just-in-time pickups, thereby lowering costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic sensor configured to emit an ultrasonic wave towards a bottom of the waste bin and to measure a distance to the bottom of the waste bin
Implementation Method 2
a time of flight sensor that measures a distance to the bottom of the waste bin
Implementation Method 3
a radar sensor configured to sense the waste bin contents
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a waste management device including a housing attached to a waste bin. A plurality of sensors are configured to sense contents of the waste bin. The plurality of sensors are encased by the housing. A processor is electrically coupled to the plurality of sensors. The processor is configured to collect sensory information related to the contents of the waste bin from the plurality of sensors. The processor is encased by the housing. A wireless transmitter is electrically coupled to the processor. The wireless transmitter is configured to send the sensory information to a server, wherein the wireless transmitter is encased by the housing.