Problem Statement & Conceptual Designs September 6, 2006 Team Moondogs Chris Culver Rahul Kirtikar Elias Krauklis Christopher Sampson Michael Widerquist

Problem Statement A typical trash bag holds about 13 gallons, a lot of which is empty space A typical trash bag holds about 13 gallons, a lot of which is empty space For the average family, this equates to taking out the trash once or twice per day For the average family, this equates to taking out the trash once or twice per day The most viable solution is to compact the trash and minimize the empty space The most viable solution is to compact the trash and minimize the empty space Current automatic trash compactors exist but cost over $400 and require installation Current automatic trash compactors exist but cost over $400 and require installation

Problem Statement A manual trash compactor can perform the same duty without the high cost and permanent fixture A manual trash compactor can perform the same duty without the high cost and permanent fixture A manual trash compactor will reduce the frequency of replacing the trash bag by at least half, per day A manual trash compactor will reduce the frequency of replacing the trash bag by at least half, per day Trash can should be relative in size to a typical kitchen trash can of 13”x10”x30” Trash can should be relative in size to a typical kitchen trash can of 13”x10”x30” It should also be aesthetically pleasing and easy to operate It should also be aesthetically pleasing and easy to operate

Piston Concept The design for the manual trash compactor is based on the moving piston inside of an engine The design for the manual trash compactor is based on the moving piston inside of an engine The handle on the outside of the trash can rotates the shaft The handle on the outside of the trash can rotates the shaft This shaft rotates with a fixed crank linkage at the end of it This shaft rotates with a fixed crank linkage at the end of it This fixed crank linkage rotates with the shaft and is like the crankshaft in an engine This fixed crank linkage rotates with the shaft and is like the crankshaft in an engine Handle Shaft

Piston Concept The fixed crank linkage pushes the long linkage and the flat plate it is connected to up and down The fixed crank linkage pushes the long linkage and the flat plate it is connected to up and down This long linkage and flat plate is like the piston rod and piston in a car engine This long linkage and flat plate is like the piston rod and piston in a car engine The actual trash container is accessible by rolling it out when the piston assembly is all the way up The actual trash container is accessible by rolling it out when the piston assembly is all the way up Fixed crank Long linkage Flat plate Trash container Roller guides

Advantages / Disadvantages 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 Design Similar technology to that in older car jacks Similar technology to that in older car jacks Press the lever down, which moves the ratchet one slot down, while at the same time stabilizing the bar until the handle is lifted again Press the lever down, which moves the ratchet one slot down, while at the same time stabilizing the bar until the handle is lifted again To lift the plate back up after compression, either a set of springs or another linkage will be used To lift the plate back up after compression, either a set of springs or another linkage will be used

More Views of Ratchet Lever Pressure Plate Lever Arm Ratchets Stabilizing Mechanism

Advantages / Disadvantages 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 Design

This concept uses a scissor type jack installed in the lid of the trash can. This concept uses a scissor type jack installed in the lid of the trash can. As the crank is turned the ram is forced downward thus compacting the trash. As the crank is turned the ram is forced downward thus compacting the trash. The crank is geared down in order to speed up the compacting process. The crank is geared down in order to speed up the compacting process. The lid is latched down to produce a reactance force on the crushed trash. The lid is latched down to produce a reactance force on the crushed trash.

Advantages / Disadvantages 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 Design Utilizes a cylindrical trash container with a crank used to compact Utilizes a cylindrical trash container with a crank used to compact Lid of the trash container includes hole in center which is threaded. Lid of the trash container includes hole in center which is threaded. Threaded hole is connected to a long screw-plate combination Threaded hole is connected to a long screw-plate combination Crank placement at the top of the screw Crank placement at the top of the screw Turn of crank lowers the screw plate combination Turn of crank lowers the screw plate combination

Compacting Process Non-use Compacting

Advantages / Disadvantages 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 Additions Add gear system to lessen use time Add gear system to lessen use time Add hinging crank arm to increase leverage Add hinging crank arm to increase leverage

Hydraulic Bottle Jack Design Inverted hydraulic Bottle Jack attached to inside of lid Inverted hydraulic Bottle Jack attached to inside of lid Easy to operate by pumping the lever to extend the jack arm Easy to operate by pumping the lever to extend the jack arm Capable of applying several thousand pounds of force Capable of applying several thousand pounds of force Easy to retract the arm by a turn of the lever to release hydraulic pressure Easy to retract the arm by a turn of the lever to release hydraulic pressure Side removal of trash bags Side removal of trash bags Retracted Bottle Jack

Hydraulic Bottle Jack Design Extended Bottle JackBottle Jack Close-Up

Advantages / Disadvantages 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