Perimetric detection system and automated container

What is this patent about?

’983 is related to the field of object detection systems for automatically-actuated devices, specifically focusing on waste containers with motorized lids. The background context involves the need for hands-free operation to prevent contamination while simultaneously solving the problem of false triggerings common in proximity-based sensors. Traditional systems often rely on wide-angle sensors that react to passing traffic or require physical bays that are difficult to clean, creating a need for a more precise, non-physical detection boundary.

The underlying idea behind ’983 is the creation of a continuous, vertically oriented collimated light curtain that precisely mirrors the geometry of the container’s opening. By using a specialized optical ring to transform divergent light into parallel beams, the invention establishes a virtual boundary that only triggers the lid when an object actually crosses the threshold of the opening. This engineering approach allows for a highly defined detection zone that can be adjusted in height to suit the environment, effectively eliminating the 'dead zones' and false positives associated with diffuse infrared sensors.

The claims of ’983 focus on a detection system comprising a plurality of light sources and a unitary optical element that directs and collimates light into a continuous volume of space. This optical element features discrete lens surfaces, such as Fresnel lenses, each paired with a specific light source located at its focal point to ensure the emitted light is perfectly vertical. The claims also cover the integration of this optical system with a container housing, utilizing opaque internal walls to prevent light leakage and ensure that only reflected light from an intruding object triggers the motorized doors.

In practice, the invention utilizes a series of infrared LEDs positioned beneath a multi-lens transparent ring that circumscribes the container rim. Each LED transmits light through a Fresnel lens section, which refracts the rays into a vertical column; these columns join end-to-end to form a seamless light wall. When an object enters this curtain, it reflects the infrared pulses back toward phototransistors or a large-area solar cell ring. The system’s logic circuitry is tuned to the specific pulse frequency of the emitters, allowing it to ignore ambient light fluctuations and maintain reliable operation in various lighting conditions.

This approach differentiates itself from prior art by replacing multiple, complex planar curtains with a single, inexpensive molded part that can approximate any opening shape, including curved perimeters. Unlike traditional sensors that create a broad 'bubble' of detection, this system uses refractive geometry to constrain the sensing field to the logical minimum—the area directly above the lid. Furthermore, the implementation includes flexible, motor-driven doors that slide along curved guides to minimize the device's footprint, combined with spring-loaded mechanisms that store energy during closing to enable high-speed opening without excessive power draw.