Construction Waste Conveying System with Selective Sorting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for conveying construction waste from renovation sites into containers do not effectively sort waste by category, leading to increased handling costs due to the need to process all waste as if it belonged to the most expensive category, even when only small amounts of hazardous materials like asbestos are present.

Innovation Solution

A system with shut-off means in the outlet pipes allows for selective conveyance of construction waste into different containers based on material type, enabling separate processing of reusable, mixed, and hazardous waste, reducing processing costs by preventing the mixing of materials with different processing expenses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If all waste is conveyed into the same receptacle, then the system is simple to operate, but processing costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidprocessing costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides waste sorting into separate streams by providing multiple receptacles (at least two) and enabling selective conveyance of different waste types into different receptacles based on their category (e.g., asbestos-containing waste versus non-asbestos waste), thereby avoiding the need to process all waste as the most expensive category

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic control through shut-off means that can be opened or closed based on the type of waste being conveyed, allowing the waste stream to be dynamically directed to appropriate receptacles. The control system responds to waste type detection to adjust the configuration of shut-off means in real-time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If shut-off means are added to outlet pipes for selective conveyance, then processing costs are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing costsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system serves multiple functions: it detects waste type, controls shut-off means, and manages the conveying process. The same control system coordinates both the identification of waste categories and the operational control of shut-off mechanisms, reducing the need for separate dedicated components for each function

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

3Device complexity

If manual control of shut-off means is required, then system complexity is reduced, but operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidoperation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control system automatically detects the type of waste being conveyed and autonomously controls the shut-off means without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by using waste type detection information to automatically adjust the configuration of shut-off means, eliminating the need for operators to physically move between locations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 enables cost savings by allowing materials with cheaper processing costs to be separated from those with more expensive processing requirements, optimizing waste handling and processing costs by ensuring only hazardous waste is treated as such.

Implementation Method 1

construction waste is conveyed pneumatically by means of suction from two or more input locations into two or more containers simultaneously with one suction device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic conveying: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3577048B1System and method for conveying construction waste
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 JOKILA JARI
  • EP3577048B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3577048B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3577048B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

System (1) for conveying construction waste, which system (1) comprises at least two containers (2, 3, 4), into which the construction waste is arranged to be conveyed from at least two different input locations (5, 6), a suction device (7), which is connectable into a flow connection with the selected containers (2, 3, 4) by means of a suction pipe (13). The system further comprises a pipe arrangement (8) connected to the containers (2, 3, 4) for forming a flow connection between the selected containers (2, 3, 4) and the input locations (5, 6), whereby the construction waste is arranged to be conveyed from the input locations (5, 6) into the selected containers (2, 3,4) by means of the suction of the suction device (7).