Waste Container Actuator-Grip Integration for Compartment-Specific Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waste containers with multiple compartments cannot be emptied individually and independently due to the coupled operation of bottom flap elements, requiring manual intervention and complex lifting mechanisms, which is time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a movable actuator device that functions as both a gripping and actuating unit, allowing independent operation of bottom flap elements and eliminating the need for a separate gripping device, enabling automated and efficient compartment-specific discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate gripping device and actuator device are used in waste containers with multiple compartments, then the bottom flap elements can be actuated, but the operation becomes coupled and requires manual intervention, increasing device complexity and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gripping device and actuator device into a single integrated unit. The actuator device serves dual functions: it acts as the gripping mechanism for lifting the waste container and simultaneously serves as the actuator for opening/closing the bottom flap elements. This integration eliminates the need for separate gripping and actuating mechanisms, reducing device complexity while enabling independent operation of multiple compartments.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a gripping element for the lifting device and as an actuator for the bottom flap elements. This universal design allows a single device to perform multiple functions that were previously requiring separate components, thereby simplifying the overall system structure.
2Extent of automation
If multiple separate actuator elements are used for each bottom flap element, then independent actuation is possible, but the number of components increases and manual intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator device is segmented into multiple actuator elements, with each element corresponding to a specific compartment and bottom flap element. This segmentation allows independent actuation of each compartment while maintaining a unified integrated design. Each actuator element can be individually controlled to open or close its corresponding bottom flap, enabling automated compartment-specific discharge without requiring fully separate gripping devices for each compartment.
3Device complexity
If a unified actuator device serves as both gripping and actuating mechanism, then component count is minimized and automation is enabled, but the device must perform multiple functions simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a gripping mechanism for the lifting device and as an actuator for the bottom flap elements. This universal design allows a single device to perform multiple functions that were previously requiring separate components, thereby simplifying the overall system structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a waste container (10) for the temporary storage of waste and/or valuable materials and to a method for discharging the same. The waste container (10) has a container body (11), comprising a ceiling area (12), a side wall (13) and a container bottom (14), which delimit a receiving space (15), a partition device (16) within the receiving space (15), which is provided to divide the receiving space (15) into two or more compartments (15a, 15b) separated from one another, a bottom flap device (17) in the region of the container bottom (14), which has two or more bottom flap elements (17a, 17b) which are movable, in particular pivotable, at the lower end of the receiving space (15), whereby the two or more bottom flap elements (17a, 17b) are movable in the region of the container bottom (14), in particular pivotably, at the lower end of the side wall (13) or at the container bottom (14), and an actuator device (20) which is provided such that it is capable of actuating the individual bottom flap elements (17a, 17b) individually and independently of one another, wherein the actuator device (20) has a number of two or more individual actuator elements (21), and wherein each actuator element (21) is connected to at least one bottom flap element (17a, 17b) via an actuating device (18). In order that the bottom flap elements assigned to the compartments can be handled by means of a structurally simple actuator device, the actuator device (20), in particular the actuator elements (21), is/are additionally also designed as a gripping device, which is provided for lifting and moving the waste container (10).