Position-Based Waste Sorting With Multi-Item Holding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional waste sorting methods, including color-coded recycling bins and smart bins, rely heavily on user behavior, leading to contamination and increased costs due to inefficient sorting and reliance on bulky conveyor belts, which discourages users and increases time commitment.
Innovation Solution
A position-based waste sorting apparatus using object detection and holding mechanisms, such as image recognition and tilting plates, to automatically sort multiple waste items simultaneously into separate receptacles, minimizing user interaction and reducing the need for bulky equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional bulk sorting methods are used, then sorting capability is achieved, but equipment size and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving compartment is divided into multiple sub-compartments, each dedicated to a specific waste type. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple waste types simultaneously in a compact configuration, eliminating the need for bulky conveyor belt systems while maintaining efficient sorting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from horizontal conveyor belt sorting to vertical compartment-based sorting. By utilizing the vertical dimension through stacked receiving compartments, the system achieves high sorting capacity without increasing horizontal footprint, thus reducing overall equipment size.
2Ease of operation
If color coded recycling bins are used, then source sorting is achieved, but contamination increases due to lack of monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors and detection mechanisms that provide real-time feedback on waste type identification and sorting accuracy. This feedback loop enables the system to monitor and correct sorting errors, preventing contamination while maintaining ease of use for residents.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart bin system automatically identifies and sorts waste types without requiring user intervention or knowledge of color-coding systems. The automated detection and sorting mechanisms perform the sorting function independently, eliminating contamination issues associated with manual sorting while maintaining simplicity for users.
3Extent of automation
If smart bins with incentive offerings are used, then automated sorting is achieved, but user time commitment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automated waste identification and sorting without requiring user participation in the sorting process. Residents simply place waste in the appropriate receiving compartment, and the automated system handles the rest, eliminating time commitment while maintaining high automation levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving compartments are pre-configured with specific waste type designations and visual indicators. This preliminary organization guides users to the correct compartments without requiring them to understand the automated sorting process, reducing time commitment while maintaining automation.
4Productivity
If bulk waste collection is used, then collection efficiency is achieved, but cleaning energy costs increase due to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments waste collection into separate receiving compartments for different waste types. This segmentation prevents contamination between waste streams, allowing efficient bulk collection of each pure stream without requiring energy-intensive cleaning operations to remove contaminants.
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
Enables efficient, compact, and fast sorting of multiple waste types without user intervention, reducing contamination and costs, and allowing for applications in smaller spaces with minimal reliance on incentives.
Implementation Method 1
object detection means associated with the receiving compartment and configured to classify the at least one object in one of a plurality of predetermined types of object
Implementation Method 2
holding means acting for selectively holding one or more of the simultaneously disposed items/objects
Implementation Method 3
holding means acting for selectively holding one or more of the simultaneously disposed items/objects
Implementation Method 4
a tilting motion is used to drop only the target material type into a target collecting receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a waste sorting apparatus having a receiving compartment for receiving at least one object disposed by a user, an object detection system associated with the receiving compartment and configured to classify the at least one object in one of a plurality of predetermined types of object, and a sorting system configured for selectively directing the at least one object to a respective one of a plurality of collecting receptacles based on the classification of the at least one object. The object detection system identifies a location of the at least one object in the receiving compartment. The sorting system has holding devices for holding one or more of the at least one object in the receiving compartment when selectively directing one or more other of the at least one object to a respective collecting receptacle, in case multiple objects of different types are detected in the receiving compartment.