System and method for controlling flap of trash receptacle of aircraft lavatory

A system for controlling a compression action of a trash receptacle in an aircraft lavatory, the system comprising:

• a carriage assembly coupled to a first actuator and disposed in a housing of the trash receptacle, wherein the housing defines an interior volume to receive trash in the trash receptacle;
• a plate coupled to the carriage assembly in the interior volume of the housing, wherein the plate is configured to conform with a diameter of an interior of the housing, wherein the plate is configured to move from a retract position by the carriage assembly to a variable position in the housing, wherein, in response, to a command from a controller upon closure of a flap coupled to the housing, the first actuator is configured to cause the carriage assembly to vertically move the plate to the variable position to exert a force on a space in the interior volume that is uncompressed, wherein the space is configured between the variable position of the plate and a bottom of the interior volume in the housing, wherein the space is reduced by movement of the plate causing the compression action to the trash in the space to cause an increase in space available in the interior volume of the trash receptacle for a subsequent deposit, wherein the controller is configured to command the first actuator to cause the compression action in response to a detection by a lavatory sensor of an ignitable material in a trash deposit in the trash receptacle to deplete a volume of air in the interior volume of the trash receptacle for consumption by the ignitable material;
• and
• a lavatory occupancy sensor electrically coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to command the first actuator to move the plate to the retract position after the compression action and to maintain the flap in a closed position in response to the lavatory occupancy sensor reporting a vacancy of the aircraft lavatory, wherein the controller is configured to command the first actuator to perform a closing actuation in response to a door of the aircraft lavatory changing from locked to unlocked and then is configured to command the first actuator to perform the compression action of the trash deposit.