Underground Waste Housing Closing Device with Rotating Trapdoor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing underground waste housing closing devices are cumbersome, expensive, and inefficient, with maintenance being labor-intensive and posing safety risks due to complex mechanisms and encumbrances that hinder the removal and insertion of waste containers.

Innovation Solution

A closing device with a simple structure featuring a trapdoor mechanism connected to a frame via compliant constraint means, allowing rotation and automatic opening and closing, and a post that contacts the trapdoor to facilitate easy access and maintenance, reducing stress on components and eliminating unnecessary encumbrances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex locking mechanisms with revolving doors and springs are used to ensure safety, then safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcomplexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential safety function from complex revolving door mechanisms and implements it through a simple trapdoor that automatically opens when waste container is inserted and closes when removed. The safety function is retained (preventing unauthorized access) while the complex mechanical structure is eliminated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The trapdoor mechanism is designed to automatically open and close based on the insertion and removal of the waste container, without requiring manual operation or complex control systems. The gravitational force and simple hinge mechanism enable self-service operation, reducing both complexity and maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If heavy doors with locking mechanisms are used to prevent falling into the receptacle, then safety is improved, but ease of maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidease of maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The closing device is segmented into distinct functional components: the trapdoor, the hinge mechanism, and the frame. This segmentation allows the trapdoor to be easily removed and replaced independently without affecting the entire assembly, significantly improving maintenance ease while retaining safety functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The trapdoor is designed as a simple, easily replaceable component rather than a permanent heavy door. When wear or damage occurs, the entire trapdoor assembly can be quickly replaced with a new simple unit, reducing maintenance time and cost compared to repairing complex heavy door mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of repair

If doors are made removable for maintenance, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional removal mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of maintenanceVSAvoidcomplexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trapdoor is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to be easily moved between closed and open positions through simple manual manipulation. The hinge mechanism enables the trapdoor to be lifted and removed without requiring complex fastening or fastening mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while enabling maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If encumbrancing structures are included in the housing, then safety is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes encumbrancing structures from the housing interior by designing the trapdoor mechanism to operate from the exterior. The trapdoor can be opened and closed without internal obstructions, and the waste container can be freely inserted and removed without encountering internal encumbrances, thereby improving productivity while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 is economical, safe, and efficient, allowing for easy maintenance and operation with reduced steps and time required for maintenance tasks, while ensuring safe and unobstructed access to the waste housing.

Implementation Method 1

The trapdoor (3) is connected in a compliant way to the frame (2) ... the rotation of the trapdoor (3) occurs mainly when the device (1) is in a configuration of use

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

connected in a compliant way to the frame (2) ... first opposition means (31) which oppose the rotation of the trapdoor (3) from a given position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4148001A1Closing device for underground waste housing
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 ICOVERDE SRL
  • EP4148001A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4148001A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4148001A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

It is provided a closing device (1) for underground waste housing comprising a frame (2) extending along a support plane (2a) and defining an opening (10) suitable for providing an access to an underground housing (11), at least one trapdoor (3) connected in a compliant way to the frame (2) at least by means of first constraint means (30) defining a first rotation axis (3a) around which the trapdoor (3) can rotate, in a configuration of use, with respect to the frame (2) in opposition to first opposition means (31) from a closed position in which the trapdoor (3) obstructs the opening (10) to an opening position in which the trapdoor (3) is rotated around said rotation axis (3a) towards the inside of the housing (11) freeing said opening (10), and at least one connector (5) extending along a main axis (5a) and constrained in a compliant way to the trapdoor (3) by means of first constraint means (30) and to the frame (2) by means of third constraint means (50) spaced from the first constraint means (30) along the main axis (5a) and defining a third rotation axis (5b) around which the connector (5) can rotate with respect to the frame (2) in such a way that the connector (5) can define at least the configuration of use in which the main axis (5a) is transverse to the support plane (2a) and the connector (5) protrudes within the housing (11), and a service configuration in which the main axis (5a) is transverse to the support plane (2a), the connector (5) protrudes outwards from the housing (11) and the trapdoor (3) is positioned outside the frame (2).