Sensor device for smart waste collection systems and method

1. A sensor system comprising a sensor device ( 40 ) for remote monitoring of a waste container ( 10 ), the sensor device ( 40 ) comprising:

one or more sensors ( 70 ) for sensing an amount of waste ( 80 ) and an environment within the waste container ( 10 );

a data processing unit ( 100 ) for processing sensor signals generated by the one or more sensors ( 70 ) indicative of the amount of waste ( 80 ) in the waste container ( 10 ) and the environment within the waste container ( 10 );

a communication interface ( 90 ) coupled to the data processing unit ( 100 ) for enabling the sensor device ( 40 ) to communicate information corresponding to the sensor signals to a remote location relative to the sensor device ( 40 );

a powering unit ( 110 ) to power up the sensor device ( 40 );

wherein the sensor system further comprises one or more spacing elements ( 50 ), a heat reflecting layer and a mounting arrangement for mounting the sensor device ( 40 ) to an underside surface of an upper lid ( 20 ) of the waste container ( 10 ) in a spaced apart manner by placing the one or more spacing elements ( 50 ) in combination with the heat reflecting layer arranged between the sensor device ( 40 ) and the upper lid ( 20 ) of the waste container ( 10 ) so as to provide a thermal barrier between an underside surface of the waste container lid ( 20 ) and an external surface of the sensor device ( 40 ); and

wherein the heat reflective layer arranged between the sensor device ( 40 ) and the upper lid ( 20 ) of the waste container ( 10 ) is a reflective metal foil to enable the sensor device ( 40 ) to maintain a workable operating temperature.

2. The sensor system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the one or more spacing elements ( 50 ) in combination with an air gap ( 60 ) is adapted to maintain the sensor device ( 40 ) at an acceptable temperature during operation.

3. A sensor system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the thermal barrier ( 60 ) includes the air gap between a majority of the area ( 402 ) of the sensor device ( 40 ) and the upper portion ( 20 ) of the waste container ( 10 ).

4. A sensor system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the thermal barrier ( 60 ) has a height in a range of 1 mm to 20 mm, when the sensor device ( 40 ) is mounted in operation to the upper portion of the [waste container ( 10 ).

5. A sensor system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the thermal barrier ( 60 ) has a height in a range of 2 mm to 10 mm, when the sensor device ( 40 ) is mounted in operation to the upper portion of the waste container ( 10 ).

6. A sensor system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the thermal barrier ( 60 ) includes the reflective metal foil for reflecting thermal radiation from the upper portion of the waste container ( 10 ) back towards the upper portion.

7. A sensor system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sensor device ( 40 ) is arranged to be attachable to the upper lid ( 20 ) of the waste container ( 10 ) through the mounting arrangement.

8. A sensor system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sensor device ( 40 ) is filled with a filler material in order to provide mechanical stability for the sensor device ( 40 ).

9. The sensor system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors comprises one or more of:

(a) a sensor for determining the quantity of waste ( 80 ) present within the waste container ( 10 );

(b) a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature within the waste container ( 10 );

(c) a gas sensor for monitoring atmospheric conditions within the waste container ( 10 ); and

(d) a humidity sensor for measuring humidity within the waste container ( 10 ).

10. A sensor system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the sensor for determining the quantity of waste ( 80 ) present within the waste container ( 10 ) is implemented by way of an ultrasonic sensor arrangement ( 300 ).

11. A sensor system as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the ultrasonic sensor arrangement ( 300 ) is included within a housing ( 200 , 202 ) of the sensor device ( 40 ) and has a port ( 300 ), wherein the ultrasonic radiation is emitted and received in operation, disposed inside an outwardly-tapered hole ( 206 ) implemented through the housing ( 200 , 202 ) through which condensation is ducted in operation.

12. A sensor system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the gas sensor for monitoring atmospheric conditions within the waste container ( 10 ) is implemented by way of a hydrocarbon gas sensor.

13. A sensor system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the ultrasonic arrangement is included within a housing ( 200 , 202 ) of the sensor device ( 40 ) and has a port ( 300 ), whereat ultrasonic radiation is emitted and received in operation, disposed inside an outwardly-tapered hole ( 206 ) implemented through the housing ( 200 , 202 ) through which condensation is ducted in operation.

14. A sensor system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sensor device ( 40 ) comprises one or more peripheral projections ( 400 A) for defining the thermal barrier ( 60 ) when the sensor device ( 40 ) is mounted to the waste container ( 10 ).

15. A sensor system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sensor device ( 40 ) comprises a coupling arrangement ( 400 B) for receiving a tool ( 500 ) for use in retaining the sensor device ( 40 ) to the waste container ( 10 ) for enabling one or more fasteners ( 210 ) to be installed to attach the sensor device ( 40 ) to the waste container ( 10 ).

16. A sensor system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic sensor arrangement ( 300 ) is included within a housing ( 200 , 202 ) of the sensor device ( 40 ) and the inside of the housing ( 200 , 202 ) is filled with a filler material with lower density than the material of the housing of the sensor device ( 40 ).

17. The sensor system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the data processing unit ( 100 ) is configured for transmitting information corresponding to one or more sensor signals in a constant manner or in a periodic manner to a remote monitoring station when the one or more sensor signals exceed a predefined threshold value.

18. A sensor system as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the filler material is polyurethane foam.

19. A sensor system comprising a sensor device ( 40 ) for remote monitoring of a waste container ( 10 ), the sensor device ( 40 ) comprising:

one or more sensors ( 70 ) for sensing an amount of waste ( 80 ) and an environment within the waste container ( 10 );

a data processing unit ( 100 ) for processing sensor signals generated by the one or more sensors ( 70 ) indicative of the amount of waste ( 80 ) in the waste container ( 10 ) and the environment within the waste container ( 10 );

a communication interface ( 90 ) coupled to the data processing unit ( 100 ) for enabling the sensor device ( 40 ) to communicate information corresponding to the sensor signals to a remote location relative to the sensor device ( 40 );

a powering unit ( 110 ) to power up the sensor device ( 40 );

wherein the sensor system further comprises one or more spacing elements ( 50 ), a heat reflecting layer and a mounting arrangement for mounting the sensor device ( 40 ) to an underside surface of an upper lid ( 20 ) of the waste container ( 10 ) in a spaced apart manner by placing the one or more spacing elements ( 50 ) in combination with the heat reflecting layer arranged between the sensor device ( 40 ) and the upper lid ( 20 ) of the waste container ( 10 ) so as to provide a thermal barrier between an underside surface of the waste container lid ( 20 ) and an external surface of the sensor device ( 40 ); and

wherein the thermal barrier includes a reflective metal foil for reflecting thermal radiation from the upper portion of the waste container ( 10 ) back towards the upper portion.

20. The sensor system according to claim 19 wherein the heat reflective layer arranged between the sensor device ( 40 ) and the upper lid ( 20 ) of the waste container ( 10 ) is a reflective metal foil to enable the sensor device ( 40 ) to maintain a workable operating temperature.