Mobile Waste Compaction with Vacuum and Air Pressure Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing waste collection and compaction technologies inefficiently utilize space and material due to low compression, primarily relying on atmospheric pressure or passive mechanisms, leading to unnecessary waste of space and resources.

Innovation Solution

A mobile waste container system that uses a combination of mechanical compression, vacuum extraction, and external air pressure to compact waste, featuring a container with seals, a movable base plate, and integrated air and vacuum generation systems to achieve high compaction efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If atmospheric pressure or passive spring mechanisms are used for waste compaction, then the device complexity is reduced, but the compaction efficiency and space utilization deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompaction mechanism complexityVSAvoidwaste compaction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a pneumatic system with a compressor, vacuum pump, and distributed air outlets to create controlled pressure zones within the container. This pneumatic mechanism efficiently compacts waste by sequentially applying compression and vacuum forces, achieving high compaction ratios while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular pneumatic components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes pressure parameters within the container by alternating between positive pressure (compression phase) and negative pressure (vacuum phase). This parameter variation enables progressive waste compaction, transforming the waste from loose to densely packed state through controlled pressure cycling, thereby significantly improving compaction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If larger container volume is used to accommodate more waste, then the waste collection capacity is improved, but the space utilization and resource efficiency deteriorate due to low compression

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste collection capacityVSAvoidspace and material waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The pneumatic compaction system applies distributed pressure through multiple air outlets positioned at different heights and locations within the container. This enables uniform compression of waste throughout the volume, maximizing the amount of waste that can be stored in the available space while minimizing empty voids, thereby improving both collection capacity and space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

By cycling through compression and vacuum phases, the system continuously optimizes waste density within the container. This parameter change approach ensures that the container volume is fully utilized with minimally compressed waste during collection, then progressively compacted during disposal phases, reducing the frequency of emptying and improving resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If active compression mechanisms are added to improve waste compaction, then the compaction efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste compaction efficiencyVSAvoidcompression mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pneumatic system serves multiple functions: it compresses waste during the compression phase, extracts air and moisture during the vacuum phase, and can be used for both initial waste loading and final compaction. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanical compression devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high compaction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the compressed air and vacuum cycles to automatically perform both compaction and air extraction functions without requiring separate mechanical actuators or complex control systems. The pneumatic pressure differences themselves drive the compaction process, making the system self-sufficient and reducing the need for additional active compression mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Use of energy by moving object

If only vacuum extraction is used for waste compaction, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the compaction efficiency and waste volume reduction deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidwaste volume reduction
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic cycles alternating between vacuum extraction and compressed air injection phases. During the vacuum phase, air and moisture are removed from waste; during the compression phase, compressed air forces waste into a denser configuration. This periodic action achieves superior volume reduction compared to vacuum alone, while the cyclic nature allows energy recovery and efficient operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines vacuum extraction and compressed air compression into a single integrated pneumatic system. By merging these two functions into one system that operates in alternating phases, the achievement high compaction efficiency through synergistic effect: vacuum removes air pockets and moisture, while compression forces waste into dense packing, together achieving greater volume reduction than either method alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively reduces waste volume by up to 70%, optimizing space utilization and resource efficiency through simultaneous mechanical compression and air pressure application.

Implementation Method 1

the lid device (7) has a suction opening (12) arranged on the lid device (7) such that, in the closed position, the gaseous atmosphere can be partially extracted from the interior of a waste bag placed in the container (2) by means of the means (10) to generate a vacuum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

the container (2) has an inlet opening (15) for compressed air which can be supplied with compressed air by means of an inlet valve (16) provided by the means (9) for generating compressed air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air pressure: Pressurisation

Implementation Method 3

the base plate (4) of the container is displaceable relative to the side walls (3), and in the closed position towards the lid device (7)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical compression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP4455051B1Mobile waste collection and compaction device
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 DLR GBR
  • EP4455051B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4455051B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4455051B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Mobile device (1) for collecting and compacting waste, comprising: a container (2) for receiving a waste bag, comprising a movable base plate (4) and a first seal (5) at the opening (6); a lid device (7) with a second seal (8); means (9) for generating compressed air; means (10) for generating a vacuum; means (11) for thermally welding the waste bag when the lid device is in the closed position;Means (31) for moving the mobile device (1), wherein the lid device (7) has a suction opening (12) arranged on the lid device (7) such that, in the closed position, the gaseous atmosphere can be partially extracted from the interior of a waste bag placed in the container (2) by means of the means (10) for generating a vacuum, wherein the container (2) has an inlet opening (15) for compressed air, which can be supplied with compressed air by means of an inlet valve (16) provided by the means (9) for generating compressed air.