Problem Statement Problem Statement & Conceptual & Conceptual

DesignsDesignsSeptember 6, 2006September 6, 2006Team MoondogsTeam MoondogsChris Culver Chris Culver Rahul KirtikarRahul KirtikarElias KrauklisElias KrauklisChristopher SampsonChristopher SampsonMichael WiderquistMichael Widerquist

Problem StatementProblem Statement A typical trash bag holds about 13 gallons, A typical trash bag holds about 13 gallons,

a lot of which is empty spacea lot of which is empty space For the average family, this equates to For the average family, this equates to

taking out the trash once or twice per daytaking out the trash once or twice per day The most viable solution is to compact the The most viable solution is to compact the

trash and minimize the empty spacetrash and minimize the empty space Current automatic trash compactors exist Current automatic trash compactors exist

but cost over $400 and require installationbut cost over $400 and require installation

Problem StatementProblem Statement A manual trash compactor can perform A manual trash compactor can perform

the same duty without the high cost the same duty without the high cost and permanent fixtureand permanent fixture

A manual trash compactor will reduce A manual trash compactor will reduce the frequency of replacing the trash the frequency of replacing the trash bag by at least half, per daybag by at least half, per day

Trash can should be relative in size to a Trash can should be relative in size to a typical kitchen trash can of typical kitchen trash can of 13”x10”x30”13”x10”x30”

It should also be aesthetically pleasing It should also be aesthetically pleasing and easy to operateand easy to operate

Piston ConceptPiston Concept The design for the manual The design for the manual

trash compactor is based trash compactor is based on the moving piston inside on the moving piston inside of an engine of an engine

The handle on the outside The handle on the outside of the trash can rotates the of the trash can rotates the shaft shaft

This shaft rotates with a This shaft rotates with a fixed crank linkage at the fixed crank linkage at the end of it end of it

This fixed crank linkage This fixed crank linkage rotates with the shaft and is rotates with the shaft and is like the crankshaft in an like the crankshaft in an engine engine

Handle

Shaft

Piston ConceptPiston Concept The fixed crank linkage The fixed crank linkage

pushes the long linkage pushes the long linkage and the flat plate it is and the flat plate it is connected to up and downconnected to up and down

This long linkage and flat This long linkage and flat plate is like the piston rod plate is like the piston rod and piston in a car engine and piston in a car engine

The actual trash container The actual trash container is accessible by rolling it is accessible by rolling it out when the piston out when the piston assembly is all the way up assembly is all the way up

Fixed crankLong

linkage

Flat plate

Trash container

Roller guides

Advantages / Advantages / DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Advantages  

Mechanically it is a simply motion+

Dimensions on everything could be easily changed +

Disadvantages

Can not create a lot of force - 

It has a limited range of motion (Depends on crank linkage length)

-

Interesting

It takes an engine motion and uses it in a trash can

Front View

Wheels

Ratchet Lever DesignRatchet Lever Design Similar technology to Similar technology to

that in older car jacks that in older car jacks Press the lever down, Press the lever down,

which moves the ratchet which moves the ratchet one slot down, while at one slot down, while at the same time stabilizing the same time stabilizing the bar until the handle the bar until the handle is lifted againis lifted again

To lift the plate back up To lift the plate back up after compression, either after compression, either a set of springs or a set of springs or another linkage will be another linkage will be used used

More Views of Ratchet More Views of Ratchet LeverLever

Pressure Plate

Lever Arm

Ratchets

Stabilizing Mechanism

Advantages / Advantages / DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Advantages  

Creates substantial force with little effort +

Rectangular lid hides mechanism while the shape allows a large amount of trash compaction +

Easy to use +

Disadvantages  

Ratchet Lever system will wear down over time -

bringing the plate back up poses a problem -

in order to have maximum trash compaction, the ratchet needs to be lengthened -

Interesting

A simple design that could truly be forceful

Scissor Jack Crank Scissor Jack Crank DesignDesign

Scissor Jack Crank Scissor Jack Crank DesignDesign

This concept uses a scissor type jack This concept uses a scissor type jack installed in the lid of the trash can.installed in the lid of the trash can.

As the crank is turned the ram is As the crank is turned the ram is forced downward thus compacting the forced downward thus compacting the trash.trash.

The crank is geared down in order to The crank is geared down in order to speed up the compacting process.speed up the compacting process.

The lid is latched down to produce a The lid is latched down to produce a reactance force on the crushed trash.reactance force on the crushed trash.

Advantages / Advantages / DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Advantages  

Solid and reliable design +

Strong compacting ability +

Easy to use +

Disadvantages  

Large lid not very aesthetically pleasing -

Crank may take some time to compact trash all the way down -

Shape of the scissor jack makes the dimensions of the trash can bulky and odd. -

Interesting

Incorporates inexpensive scissor jack technology.

Cylindrical Crank DesignCylindrical Crank Design Utilizes a cylindrical Utilizes a cylindrical

trash container with a trash container with a crank used to compactcrank used to compact

Lid of the trash Lid of the trash container includes hole container includes hole in center which is in center which is threaded. threaded.

Threaded hole is Threaded hole is connected to a long connected to a long screw-plate combinationscrew-plate combination

Crank placement at the Crank placement at the top of the screwtop of the screw

Turn of crank lowers the Turn of crank lowers the screw plate combinationscrew plate combination

Compacting ProcessCompacting Process

Non-use Compacting

Advantages / Advantages / DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Advantages  

Simple Concept +

Ergonomic Design +

Easy Assembly +

Disadvantages  

Only compacts 12” to make lid less cumbersome -

Threading on the lid may need to be very strong to support plate -

May not be enough force for adequate compaction -

Possible AdditionsPossible Additions Add gear system to lessen use timeAdd gear system to lessen use time Add hinging crank arm to increase Add hinging crank arm to increase

leverageleverage

Hydraulic Bottle Jack Hydraulic Bottle Jack DesignDesign

Inverted hydraulic Bottle Inverted hydraulic Bottle Jack attached to inside of Jack attached to inside of lidlid

Easy to operate by Easy to operate by pumping the lever to pumping the lever to extend the jack armextend the jack arm

Capable of applying several Capable of applying several thousand pounds of forcethousand pounds of force

Easy to retract the arm by Easy to retract the arm by a turn of the lever to a turn of the lever to release hydraulic pressurerelease hydraulic pressure

Side removal of trash bagsSide removal of trash bags

Retracted Bottle Jack

Hydraulic Bottle Jack Hydraulic Bottle Jack DesignDesign

Extended Bottle JackBottle Jack Close-Up

Advantages / Advantages / DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Advantages  

Capable of applying at least 1-½ tons of force +Lever is easy to handle and operate without being

cumbersome +

Bottle jacks are easy to operate and require almost no maintenance +

Disadvantages   Bottle jack will be heavy (6lbs) and will have to be secured

tightly -

Range of motion is dependent on size of the jack (so a greater range of motion requires a larger jack) -

Trash would have to be inserted from the side as opposed to the top eliminating the option of throwing away oversized objects

-

Interesting

Amount of force that can be applied is the greatest out of current concepts, but walls of the container would have to be able to withstand such a great amount of pressure