Waste Collection Coupling Arm Layout for Fast Bilateral Emptying

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing waste collection systems require inefficient and costly bilateral handling and emptying of containers on both sides of a vehicle, often leading to prolonged operation times and potential damage due to telescopic arm stresses.

Innovation Solution

A system with a coupling device featuring a first arm rotating 360° about a parallel axis and a second arm rotating 360° about another parallel axis, eliminating the need for telescopic elements and allowing quick, damage-free handling and emptying of containers on both vehicle sides.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rotary base is used to rotate the entire arm about a vertical axis for bilateral container handling, then containers on both sides of the motor vehicle can be handled, but the execution time is prolonged due to the time necessary for rotating the entire arm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebilateral container handling capabilityVSAvoidexecution time for container handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The arm is divided into multiple segments (first arm and second arm) that can rotate independently about parallel axes. The first arm rotates about a first axis and the second arm rotates about a second axis, allowing each segment to be positioned independently to handle containers on either side of the vehicle without requiring rotation of the entire arm structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single vertical rotation axis to multiple parallel rotation axes. By introducing a second arm that rotates about a second axis parallel to the first axis, the system gains the ability to reach containers on both sides of the vehicle without the time penalty of rotating the entire arm structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a rotary base is used to rotate the entire arm about a vertical axis, then bilateral container handling is enabled, but the manufacturing costs and difficulties increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebilateral container handling capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The arm is divided into multiple segments (first arm and second arm) that can rotate independently about parallel axes. The first arm rotates about a first axis and the second arm rotates about a second axis, allowing each segment to be positioned independently to handle containers on either side of the vehicle without requiring rotation of the entire arm structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single vertical rotation axis to multiple parallel rotation axes. By introducing a second arm that rotates about a second axis parallel to the first axis, the system gains the ability to reach containers on both sides of the vehicle without the time penalty of rotating the entire arm structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a rotary base is used for rotating the entire arm, then bilateral collection is achieved, but interference between the arm and motor vehicle prevents 180° rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebilateral collection capabilityVSAvoidrotation range of the arm

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The arm is divided into multiple segments (first arm and second arm) that can rotate independently about parallel axes. The first arm rotates about a first axis and the second arm rotates about a second axis, allowing each segment to be positioned independently to handle containers on either side of the vehicle without requiring rotation of the entire arm structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single vertical rotation axis to multiple parallel rotation axes. By introducing a second arm that rotates about a second axis parallel to the first axis, the system gains the ability to reach containers on both sides of the vehicle without the time penalty of rotating the entire arm structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20260021961A1System for Waste Collection, In Particular for Differentiated Waste Collection, and Method Thereof

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 NORD ENG SRL

AI summary

A system for waste collection includes: a waste container equipped with a hooking mechanism for moving it, a motor vehicle that defines a direction of advancement and two lateral portions or areas, wherein the motor vehicle includes a coupling device having a gripping mechanism adapted to be coupled to the hooking mechanism for handling and/or emptying the container, and wherein the coupling device includes a first arm connected to a vertical wall of the motor vehicle by way of a first articulation, the first articulation being adapted to allow the first arm to rotate about a first axis of rotation that is parallel to the direction of advancement and to allow the first arm to move in a transversal plane that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of advancement. The first articulation is configured to allow the first arm to rotate by approximately 360° about the first axis of rotation.