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Industrial Technology Waste Sorting Robot Unveiled
Aluminum cans, toothpaste tubes, light bulbs, batteries… For those dedicated to sustainable living, correctly sorting various types of waste has become a matter of considerable technical challenge. However, an "automatic sorting trash can," independently developed by students from the School of Mechanical Engineering at Shanghai University of Engineering and Technology, offers a solution to make waste disposal more efficient. This morning, reporters visited the Engineering Training Center at the university's Songjiang campus to explore this intelligent trash bin.
Inspiration from Garbage Classification Challenges
At the event site, reporters observed that a student sequentially placed aluminum cans, glass medicine bottles, plastic bottles, and waste paper into this "automatic trash can." The internal separation mechanism within the bin identified the waste items and directed them to appropriate sections. Zhao Zhenfeng, the project leader and a student in mechanical engineering and automation, shared, "For several years now, the city has been promoting garbage classification, yet some individuals either lack knowledge on proper sorting or simply do not prioritize it. An automatic trash can could alleviate these concerns by helping people determine where to dispose of their waste." Long Gang, one of the key designers, mentioned that after conducting research, the team discovered that while there are existing automatic trash cans available commercially, they tend to be overly complex and are primarily used in industrial settings. Thus, they decided to focus on public spaces like communities and parks. Their goal is to create an automatic trash can capable of detecting, identifying, and sorting waste, making the process simpler for everyone.Automatic Sorting with High Accuracy
Turning ideas into physical prototypes proved challenging. Zhao Zhenfeng explained that they had to iterate on the structural design multiple times, continually refining the circuit boards and controllers until they achieved optimal performance. Issues like selecting the right motor, balancing its static torque with the load, and addressing torque decay at startup were just a few hurdles to overcome in the engineering process. Since most team members were sophomores with limited exposure to advanced coursework due to their freshman status, they encountered numerous obstacles. "Many concepts cannot be fully grasped through reading alone," Zhao Zhenfeng noted. "Experiments are essential." Through diligent research, tutorials, and hands-on experimentation, Zhao and his peers improved their understanding and enhanced the trash can's recognition accuracy to 90%. "We often found ourselves lying on the lab floors during breaks, waking up refreshed to continue working. When we finally noticed the time was well past midnight, we realized we had been at it for hours!" Team members committed themselves to maintaining continuous progress, ensuring someone was always present at the workstations.Energy-Saving and Smart Trash Can
Interestingly, as the team worked on creating this "automatic trash can," they frequently teased each other, saying, "Please ensure proper waste segregation until our invention becomes a reality!" Based on the material composition of different wastes, they classified electrical constants and powered the trash can using solar panels outdoors. The designers emphasized that such eco-friendly automatic trash cans not only conserve energy but also reduce emissions, achieving the goal of recycling resources. To cut down on the costs associated with producing the "automatic sorting trash can," students optimized its design, reducing manufacturing expenses by 30%. Long Gang remarked, "Since garbage classification emphasizes sustainability, affordability is crucial." Zhang Chunyan, the project supervisor, added that student innovation projects prioritize practicality over theoretical perfection. Although this "eco-friendly automatic sorting trash can" won an award in the Shanghai Mechanical Design Innovation Competition, she believes further improvements are necessary before widespread adoption. Factors such as environmental influences on automatic identification accuracy and user habits must be addressed. Student designers remain determined to refine the "automatic trash can" and enhance its functionality. (By Zhu Mengxue)Tuya Wifi Wireless Doorbell,Wifi Video Wireless Doorbell,Wifi Wirelss Doorbell,Cordless Door Bell With Camera
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