B65F2003/025

Processed used-material collection and transfer system and method
11738943 · 2023-08-29 ·

A content collection system and method for curbside collecting of multiple segregated recycled material streams stored in a product storage container. The product storage container can include a compartment and a door associated with the compartment. A product collection interface is associated with a product collection vehicle, and is configured to engage with any configuration of product storage container. A product transfer module is associated with the product collection interface and is configured to receive content from the product storage container. The product transfer module includes weight sensors to calculate the weight of content in the product transfer module. A release mechanism is configured to discharge the content from the product transfer module to a bulk product holding unit associated with the vehicle. Software application can be utilized to request collection and/to receive collection data. Computer systems can be utilized to control operations of the system.

Automatic control of a refuse front end loader

An automatic control system for a refuse vehicle includes a mode select switch disposed within the vehicle that generates a mode select signal based on input from an operator of the vehicle, a control mechanism disposed within the vehicle that operates in response to the mode select signal, and a plurality of sensors adapted to sense a plurality of characteristics of the vehicle and adapted to communicate the plurality of sensed characteristics. The system further includes a control module that receives control instructions from the control mechanism and selectively controls at least one component of a plurality of components of the vehicle based on the mode select signal, at least one of the plurality of sensed characteristics, and the control instructions.

CARRY CAN FOR REFUSE VEHICLE

A carry can includes a container and a collection arm coupled to the container. The container defines a refuse compartment. The container includes a base and a container wall extending around a periphery of the base. A side of the container wall and the base define a recess. The collection arm includes an extension mechanism and a refuse container engagement mechanism configured to engage with a refuse container. The extension arm mechanism includes an extendable arm positioned beneath the container wall and extending laterally through the base, a chain or a rack disposed along the extendable arm, a rotational actuator positioned within the recess, and a pinion coupled to the rotational actuator. The pinion is positioned to interface with the chain or the rack disposed along the extendable arm. The pinion is selectively driven by the rotational actuator to facilitate extending the extendable arm laterally outward from the side and the recess.

ELECTRIC POWER TAKE-OFF PUMP CONTROL SYSTEMS

A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, an energy storage device, a vehicle body, an electric power take-off system, and a hydraulic component. The energy storage device is supported by the chassis and is configured to provide electrical power to a prime mover. Activation of the prime mover selectively drives the refuse vehicle. The vehicle body is supported by the chassis, and includes an on-board receptacle for storing refuse therein. The electric power take-off system is positioned on the vehicle body, and includes an electric motor configured to drive a hydraulic pump to convert electrical power received from the energy storage device into hydraulic power. An amount of electrical power at least one of received by and provided to the electric motor is limited by a controller to control an output characteristic of the hydraulic pump. The hydraulic component is in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump and configured to operate using hydraulic power from the electric power take-off system.

REFUSE VEHICLE WITH RANGE EXTENSION

A range extension system for a refuse vehicle includes a battery, and a controller. The battery is configured to provide electrical energy for accessories of the refuse vehicle. The controller is configured to obtain a state of charge of the battery and limit operation of at least one of the accessories in response to the state of charge of the battery to extend a transportation range of the refuse vehicle.

REFUSE VEHICLE WITH INDEPENDENTLY OPERATIONAL ACCESSORY SYSTEM

A refuse vehicle includes multiple tractive elements, a prime mover, and an independent accessory system. The prime mover is configured to generate mechanical energy to drive one or more of the tractive elements. The independent accessory system includes one or more storage tanks configured to store a fuel, and an accessory primary mover. The accessory primary mover is configured to fluidly couple with the one or more storage tanks to receive the fuel from the one or more storage tanks and operate to pressurize a hydraulic fluid to drive an accessory of the refuse vehicle. The accessory primary mover is configured to pressurize the hydraulic fluid to drive the accessory of the refuse vehicle independently of operation of the prime mover.

EXTENDABLE LIFT ARM ASSEMBLY FOR A FRONT END LOADING REFUSE VEHICLE

A lift assembly includes a lift arm having a first arm portion, a second arm portion, a first actuator, and a second actuator. The first arm portion has a first end coupled to a chassis and/or a body of a vehicle. The second arm portion interfaces with the first arm portion and terminates with a second end. The first actuator facilitates repositioning the second arm portion relative to the first arm portion. The second actuator facilitate pivoting the first arm portion about the first end. The first actuator is configured to reposition the second arm portion relative to the first arm portion when the second actuator pivots the lift arm between a stowed position and a working position such that a relative distance between the first end and the second end changes as the second actuator pivots the lift arm between the stowed position and the working position.

Electric tailgate for electric refuse vehicle

Another implementation of the present disclosure is a refuse vehicle. The refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a body coupled with the chassis, a tailgate, an electric lock, and a fully electric tailgate actuator assembly. The body assembly defines a refuse compartment. The tailgate is coupled with a rear of the body and is transitionable between a first position to limit access to the refuse compartment and a second position to allow access to the refuse compartment. The electric lock is operable between an engaged state and a disengaged state to limit movement of the tailgate out of the first position when the electric lock is in the engaged state. The fully electric tailgate actuator assembly is configured to transition the tailgate between the first position and the second position.

REGENERATION CONTROL FOR A REFUSE VEHICLE PACKER SYSTEM

A refuse vehicle including an electric motor powered by a battery, a hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor, a manifold including a plurality of electrically actuated solenoid valves receiving hydraulic power from the hydraulic pump, a hydraulic actuator powered by the hydraulic pump via the manifold, and one or more processing circuits comprising one or more memory devices coupled to one or more processors, the one or more memory devices configured to store instructions thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: determine a load applied to the hydraulic actuator, operate the manifold to provide regenerative flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator when the load is less than a threshold load, and operate the manifold to provide non-regenerative flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator when the load is greater than or equal to the threshold load.

RETURN ASSIST SYSTEM FOR REFUSE VEHICLE

A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a body coupled to the chassis, a cab coupled to the chassis, and a lift assembly. The lift assembly includes a positioning member, an interface member coupled to a distal end of the positioning member and configured to engage with a refuse container, an actuator coupled to the positioning member to facilitate repositioning of the interface member and one or more position sensors configured to measure a position of the interface member. The refuse vehicle also includes a return assist system configured to receive a user input to engage the interface member with the refuse container, determine an original position of the refuse container based on the position of the interface member when the user input is received, reposition, using the actuator, the interface member to empty the refuse container into the body, and return the refuse container to the original position.