Refuse collection apparatus

A refuse collection apparatus comprising:

• a main body unit and a main door;
• a refuse slot formed at the main door and configured to receive refuse into which a refuse is inserted;
• a removable refuse storage container inside the main body unit configured to store the refuse;
• a solar energy reception plate;
• a power supply unit comprising a charge battery charged by solar energy received via the solar energy reception plate;
• a driving unit comprising a driving motor powered by the power supply unit;
• an electronic control unit powered by the power supply unit and configured to control operations of the storage container;
• a refuse compression unit installed in the main body and including a compression plate configured to compress the refuse stored in the removable refuse storage container;
• a sensor configured to detect whether the main door is open or closed, the electronic control unit stopping operation of the refuse compression unit in response to the sensor detecting an opening of the main door during operation of the refuse compression unit;
• the refuse compression unit comprising a chain belt coupled to the driving motor via a rotation driving axis to cause the compression plate to move up and down relative to a height of the storage container during operation of the driving motor;
• a movement range detection unit comprising a rotation plate and a rotation detection sensor, wherein the rotation plate is connected to the rotation driving axis so that the rotation plate rotates together when the rotation driving axis rotates, and wherein the rotation detection sensor is separately located from the rotation plate and is configured to detect a rotation of the rotation plate,
• a communication unit powered by the power supply unit and configured to transmit wirelessly to an external server an accumulation state of the refuse in response to an accumulation amount of refuse in the removable refuse storage container exceeding a certain range or another criterion, wherein the communication unit is further configured to transmit wirelessly to the external server a state of the power supply unit;
• a display unit;
• a first guide block and a second guide block configured to mechanically constrain a position of the compression plate between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position while suppressing left and right direction movements during up and down movements of the compression plate;
• and
• a second sensor for ascending height regulation separately configured to be located from at least one of the first guide block or the second guide block and to detect an approach of at least one of the first guide block or the second guide block for controlling of an ascending height of the compression plate;
• wherein the electronic control unit is configured to determine the accumulation amount of refuse based on the detected rotation of the rotation plate in correlation with a location where the compression of the refuse compression plate is stopped, and
• wherein the accumulation amount of the refuse is externally indicated by the display unit.