B65F2003/025

Electrically actuated side loader arm designs for electric refuse vehicle

A refuse vehicle comprises a chassis, a body assembly, a battery system, and a side-loading lift assembly. The body assembly is coupled to the chassis and defines a refuse compartment configured to store refuse material. The battery system is configured to be charged via at least one of an on-board electrical energy generator, an external power source, or a power regenerative braking system. The side-loading lift assembly comprises a refuse container engagement mechanism and at least one electrically-driven actuation mechanism. The refuse container engagement mechanism is configured to selectively engage a refuse container. The at least one electrically-driven actuation mechanism is powered by the battery system and is configured to selectively actuate the side-loading lift assembly between an extended position, a retracted position, and a refuse-dumping position.

Automated alignment and dumping of refuse cans

A system for detecting and engaging a refuse can includes at least one sensor positioned on a refuse collection vehicle and configured to detect objects on one or more sides of the refuse vehicle, an actuator assembly configured to actuate to engage the refuse can, and a controller configured to detect, using a single-stage object detector, the presence of the refuse can based on first data received from the at least one sensor, determine, based on the first data, a position of the refuse can with respect to the refuse collection vehicle, generate a first trajectory from the refuse collection vehicle to the position of the refuse can, generate a second trajectory for the actuator assembly, and initiate a control action to move at least one of the refuse collection vehicle along the first trajectory or the actuator assembly along the second trajectory to engage the refuse can.

Electric grasping apparatus for refuse vehicle

A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, multiple tractive elements, a reach assembly, and a lift assembly. The multiple tractive elements are coupled with the chassis and configured to support the refuse vehicle. The reach assembly is coupled with the refuse vehicle. The lift assembly is coupled with the reach assembly. The lift assembly includes a track and a fully-electric grabber assembly. The track includes a straight portion and a curved portion. The fully-electric grabber assembly can ascend or descend the track and includes a carriage, a first grabber arm, a second grabber arm, and an electric motor. The carriage is configured to movably couple with the track. The first grabber arm and the second grabber arm are pivotally coupled with the carriage at opposite ends of the carriage. The electric motor is configured to drive the first grabber arm and the second grabber arm to rotate relative to the carriage.

REFUSE VEHICLE BODY ASSEMBLY
20190360600 · 2019-11-28 ·

A vehicle includes a chassis, a cab coupled to the chassis, a body coupled to the chassis rearward of the cab, a bracket, and a valve assembly. The body defines a compartment and includes a front wall. The bracket has an arm coupled to the front wall. The arm extends rearward of the front wall into the compartment. The valve assembly is coupled to the bracket such that at least a portion of the valve assembly is disposed within the compartment.

AUTOMATED ALIGNMENT AND DUMPING OF REFUSE CANS

A system for detecting and engaging a refuse can includes at least one sensor positioned on a refuse collection vehicle and configured to detect objects on one or more sides of the refuse vehicle, an actuator assembly configured to actuate to engage the refuse can, and a controller configured to detect, using a single-stage object detector, the presence of the refuse can based on first data received from the at least one sensor, determine, based on the first data, a position of the refuse can with respect to the refuse collection vehicle, generate a first trajectory from the refuse collection vehicle to the position of the refuse can, generate a second trajectory for the actuator assembly, and initiate a control action to move at least one of the refuse collection vehicle along the first trajectory or the actuator assembly along the second trajectory to engage the refuse can.

AUTOMATED CONTAINER HANDLING SYSTEM FOR REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLES
20190344963 · 2019-11-14 ·

A fully automated container handling system for a refuse vehicle is provided that utilizes a vehicle-includes an extending, pivoting arm with a base equipped with a converging grabber to seize and empty the container. The base that grabs the container includes a sonar transducer that functions with a hydraulic system that operates the arm and grabber using a programmable mounted video camera which feeds video to a cab-mounted monitor to inform a driver of the location of a container of interest enabling accurate alignment of the vehicle. The system is operated by a single button in the cab and logic controller (PLC) computer program to run the hydraulic controls.

ELECTRIC GRASPING APPARATUS FOR REFUSE VEHICLE

A fully-electric grabber assembly includes a first grabber arm, a second grabber arm, an electric motor, and a plurality of gears. The plurality of gears includes a first gear coupled with the electric motor, an intermediate gear coupled with the first gear, and an arm gear coupled with the first grabber arm and the intermediate gear to facilitate pivoting the first grabber arm. The first gear is configured to rotate about an axis radially offset from a center thereof.

Front lift assembly for electric refuse vehicle

A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a body assembly coupled to the chassis where the body assembly defines a refuse compartment, and a lift assembly pivotably coupled to the body assembly. The lift assembly includes a first lift arm, a second lift arm, a pin having a first end coupled to the first lift arm and an opposing second end coupled to the second lift arm, a pair of forks pivotably coupled to the first lift arm and the second lift arm, an electric lift actuator coupled to the pin, and an electric fork actuator coupled to the pair of forks. The electric lift actuator is configured to rotate the pin to lift the first lift arm and the second lift arm. The electric fork actuator is configured to pivot the pair of forks relative to the first lift arm and the second lift arm.

LIFT ASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRIFIED REFUSE VEHICLE

An electrified refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a cab coupled to the chassis, a body coupled to the chassis, an on-vehicle electrical power source, and a lift assembly coupled to the body and extending in front of the cab. The lift assembly includes a first lift arm, a second lift arm, and one or more electric lift actuators powered by the on-vehicle electrical power source. The one or more electric lift actuators positioned to pivot the first lift arm and the second lift arm.

LIFT ASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRIFIED REFUSE VEHICLE

An electrified refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a cab coupled to the chassis, a body coupled to the chassis, an on-vehicle electrical power source, and a lift assembly coupled to the body and extending in front of the cab. The lift assembly includes a first lift arm, a second lift arm, and one or more electric lift actuators powered by the on-vehicle electrical power source. The one or more electric lift actuators positioned to pivot the first lift arm and the second lift arm.