Waste Collection Vehicle Optical Sensor Contamination Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current waste collection systems lack the ability to automatically determine the type of waste collection tour and calculate waste contamination rates in real-time, relying on manual configurations and potentially inaccurate methods.
Innovation Solution
A waste management apparatus equipped with optical sensors and a processing unit that analyzes images of waste entering the vehicle, detects new objects, classifies them based on sorting rules, and determines the actual type of waste collection tour, while also calculating waste contamination rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual configuration and determination methods are used for waste collection tour types, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and productivity deteriorate due to lack of real-time automated determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual configuration and determination methods with an automated optical sensing system. Optical sensors capture images of waste, and a processing unit automatically analyzes these images to determine waste collection tour types in real-time, eliminating the need for manual intervention and improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the waste collection vehicle to automatically determine its own tour type through onboard optical sensors and processing units. The apparatus independently analyzes waste composition and identifies the appropriate tour type without requiring external configuration or manual input, thereby improving both precision and operational efficiency.
2Productivity
If real-time automated analysis of waste images is implemented, then productivity and measurement precision improve, but use of energy and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system processes waste images in real-time only when needed for tour type determination, rather than continuously analyzing all waste material. The optical sensors and processing unit activate selectively based on operational requirements, achieving high productivity while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.
3Measurement precision
If optical sensors and automated processing are deployed, then measurement precision and productivity improve, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased technical complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system performs contamination rate calculation and tour type determination independently without requiring operator intervention. The processing unit automatically analyzes waste images, calculates contamination rates, and identifies tour types, thereby maintaining high measurement precision while simplifying operator tasks to minimal supervision.
4Loss of time
If automated determination of waste collection tour types is implemented, then loss of time is reduced and productivity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming manual determination processes with automated optical sensing and image processing. The system captures waste images, analyzes composition automatically, and determines tour types in real-time, eliminating delays associated with manual configuration and significantly reducing time loss while improving productivity.
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 solution enables automated determination of waste collection tour types and real-time contamination rate calculation, reducing manual intervention, improving sorting accuracy, and enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one optical sensor configured to acquire images of waste entering the waste collection vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
At a waste management apparatus mounted on a waste collection vehicle, images of the waste dumped into a hopper are acquired. Objects are detected and a class is assigned to each object in a predefined classification e.g. by using an Al module. New objects are determined amongst the detected objects. Each new object is mapped to an expected type of waste collection tour, using a mapping table where sorting rules are stored. An actual type of waste collection tour is obtained. And a rate of waste contamination is calculated for a given location of the waste collection vehicle during a given waste collection tour as a function of the number of new objects identified at said given location which classes are mapped with an expected type of waste collection tour other than the actual type of the given waste collection tour.