Waste Container Sensor System for Reliable Emptying Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing garbage container systems face issues in accurately detecting the lifting and emptying processes, leading to potential misidentification of emptying status, which can result in unauthorized access or incomplete emptying due to frictional forces and reliance on communication with a garbage truck.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a sensor system with both motion and level sensors, allowing the electronic control device to generate locking device control signals for opening the locking mechanism, enabling timely unlocking during the tipping process, and includes a method for independent detection of emptying without relying on lifting detection, using wireless or physical signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single motion sensor is used to detect lifting and emptying, then the system is simple, but the detection accuracy is poor leading to false emptying status identification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection function into two separate sensors: a motion sensor for detecting lifting events and a level sensor for detecting emptying status. This segmentation allows each sensor to specialize in its specific detection task, improving overall measurement precision while maintaining reasonable system complexity through clear functional division.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic control device acts as an intermediary that receives signals from both the motion sensor and level sensor, processes these signals, and determines the actual emptying status. This intermediary processing layer integrates information from multiple sensors to achieve accurate detection while managing system complexity through centralized control logic.
2Reliability
If lifting detection is used to determine emptying status, then communication with garbage truck is reduced, but false emptying registration occurs when lifting is falsely detected
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring both motion sensor and level sensor signals, where the level sensor provides verification feedback to confirm whether lifting actually resulted in emptying. This feedback mechanism allows the electronic control device to distinguish between false lifting detections and genuine emptying events, improving reliability while reducing false information.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion sensor detects lifting events in advance and triggers the level sensor to activate before emptying occurs. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare for potential emptying detection, ensuring that the level sensor is ready to measure and confirm the actual emptying status, thereby preventing false registration.
3Productivity
If the locking mechanism is unlocked during lifting detection, then the container can be emptied, but friction during tipping prevents unlocking and incomplete emptying occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The motion sensor detects the lifting event in advance and triggers the electronic control device to unlock the locking mechanism before the tipping process begins. This preliminary unlocking action ensures that the locking mechanism is disengaged while friction is minimal, allowing smooth emptying without delay or mechanical obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical key-based locking system with an electronically controlled locking mechanism that can be remotely unlocked via wireless communication. This substitution allows for precise timing control of the unlocking action, enabling the system to unlock at the optimal moment during lifting/tipping to maximize emptying efficiency.
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
This solution ensures reliable detection of lifting and emptying, preventing mechanical obstruction and allowing for secure and efficient emptying operations by separating lifting and emptying detection, and reducing the need for a remote connection to the garbage truck.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor system (20) consisting of at least two sensors (25, 22), namely a motion sensor (25) and a level sensor (22)
Implementation Method 2
a sensor system (20) consisting of at least two sensors (25, 22), namely a motion sensor (25) and a level sensor (22)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a waste container (1) comprising an electronic control device (30), a motion sensor (25), and at least one locking device (2) for closing at least one opening (3) by means of at least one locking device (40). This waste container (1) is characterized in that it has a sensor system (20) consisting of at least two sensors, namely the motion sensor (25) and a level sensor (22), which forwards detected sensor signals (201) to the electronic control device (30), with which a locking device control signal (401) for opening the at least one locking device (40) can be generated from the sensor signals (201) of both sensors (22, 25).