Waste Deposit Drum Locking Mechanism for Tamper-Resistant Disposal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing waste disposal devices are vulnerable to unauthorized access and mechanical failures, require electrical power, and are inefficient in energy consumption, leading to malfunctions and increased maintenance needs.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical locking mechanism using a pivoting lever, gravity brake, and sliding stops ensures secure waste disposal without electricity, preventing unauthorized access and mechanical failures, with a simple design requiring minimal maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking mechanism with lever and foot lever is used, then waste disposal control is enabled, but the device becomes vulnerable to unauthorized access by inserting thin elements between movable parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste disposal controlVSAvoidunauthorized access
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a lockable disposal opening, a lever for opening, and a foot lever for activation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while reducing vulnerability to tampering, as malicious elements cannot easily bypass the entire segmented system simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates preliminary protective measures by designing the locking mechanism to require specific sequential actions (locking the disposal opening, then using the lever and foot lever in order). This preliminary anti-action prevents unauthorized access by making it difficult to insert thin elements between movable parts before the proper locking sequence is completed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Adaptability or versatility

If battery power is used for independent operation, then electrical supply network connection is eliminated, but energy consumption increases and regular maintenance is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent operationVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed to be self-service by using passive mechanical components that do not require external power sources. The locking mechanism operates through manual manipulation of the lever and foot lever, eliminating the need for battery power and associated maintenance, while still providing independent operation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If electronic interface with code recognition is used, then user identification is enabled, but the device requires electrical power and becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser identificationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electronic code recognition with a mechanical identification system. The user identifies themselves through physical manipulation of the lever and foot lever in a specific sequence, which mechanically activates the unlocking process. This substitution eliminates electronic components and power requirements while maintaining user identification functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If mechanical parts are designed for easy operation, then user convenience is improved, but the device becomes vulnerable to malfunction when force is applied before identification completion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidmechanical operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device requires preliminary identification completion before allowing operational force to be applied. The locking mechanism is designed so that the disposal opening must be locked first, then the lever and foot lever can be properly activated. This preliminary action sequence prevents malfunction by ensuring the system is in the correct state before force is applied, while still maintaining ease of operation through clear mechanical guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 device provides secure, reliable, and efficient waste disposal by ensuring high security against tampering and mechanical failures, while reducing energy consumption and maintenance needs.

Implementation Method 1

a gravity brake

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4647362A1A device for controlled waste depositing
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 EOL EKOS D O O
  • EP4647362A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4647362A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4647362A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for controlled waste depositing (1) comprising a device housing (17) fixedly connected to a waste collection container (2), a waste deposit drum (3) adapted for depositing a waste rotatably engaged with respect to the device housing (17), mechanism carriers (6, 22) arranged parallel to each of a first and second side surface (3a, 3b) of the waste deposit drum (3), where the mechanism carriers (6, 22) are fixedly attached to the device housing (17) and at the same time hold the waste deposit drum (3). The device housing (17) comprises a lock (5) fixed to a body of the device housing (17) enabling inserting of the waste in the waste deposit drum (3) by means of a coded user key for unlocking the device for controlled waste disposal (1) and a handle (4) arranged on an outer side of the waste deposit drum (3) enabling rotating and opening the waste deposit drum (3) within the device housing (17). The cylindrical surface of the waste deposit drum (3) comprises a disposal opening (26) in a form of a cylinder section and a curved drum pivoting bottom door (23) configured to close or open the disposal opening (26) of the waste deposit drum (3). The first side surface (3a) of the waste deposit drum (3) is provided with a mechanism operating the curved drum pivoting bottom door (23) for opening or closing the disposal opening (26) of the waste deposit drum (3), and an opposite second side surface (3b) of the waste deposit drum (3) is provided with a locking mechanism enabling disposing the waste into the waste deposit drum (3) by using the coded user key for unlocking the device for controlled waste disposal (1).