Patent classifications
B65F2003/025
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.
Refuse vehicle with electric reach apparatus
A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, tractive elements, a lift apparatus, and a reach assembly. The tractive elements couple with the chassis and support the refuse vehicle. The lift apparatus includes a track and a grabber assembly. The track includes a straight portion and a curved portion. The grabber assembly releasably grasps a refuse container and ascends or descends the track to lift and empty refuse into a body of the refuse vehicle. The reach assembly includes an outer member, a first extendable member, and a second extendable member. The first extendable member is received within an inner volume of the outer member and translates relative to the outer member. The second extendable member is received within an inner volume of the first extendable member and translates relative to the first extendable member. The lift apparatus is fixedly coupled at an outer end of the second extendable member.
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.
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.
REFUSE VEHICLE BODY ASSEMBLY
A refuse body assembly includes a body, a bracket, and a valve assembly. The body defines a compartment. The body includes a bottom wall defining a horizontal plane and a front wall defining a vertical plane. The bracket has an arm that is coupled to and extends rearward from the front wall into the compartment at an angle such that the arm is neither parallel with the horizontal plane nor parallel with the vertical plane. The valve assembly is coupled to the bracket.
REFUSE TRUCK WITH HELICAL PUMP
A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, an energy storage device, a body, a first electric power take-off system, and a second electric power take-off system. 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 body is supported by the chassis. The first electric power take-off system is coupled to at least one of the body and the chassis, and includes a first motor that is configured to drive a helical gear pump to convert electrical power received from the energy storage device into hydraulic power. The second electric power take-off system is coupled to at least one of the body and the chassis, and includes a second motor that is configured to drive the helical gear pump to convert electrical power received from the energy storage device into hydraulic power.
REFUSE VEHICLE WITH FRAME RAIL SERVICE LIFT
A vehicle includes a chassis, a body pivotally coupled to the chassis by a pivot assembly, and a lift actuator. The lift actuator includes a base portion positioned within the body and an actuator rod extending from the body and coupled to the chassis, such that the lift actuator is configured to lift and pivot the body relative to the chassis.
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.
ROUTE PLANNING BASED CONTROL OF A REFUSE VEHICLE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
A refuse vehicle includes an electric motor powered by a battery, a hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor, a hydraulic actuator powered by the hydraulic pump, and one or more processing circuits being configured to: determine a location of the refuse vehicle including a global position system coordinate, determine a position on a route map using the location, control the hydraulic actuator based on the position on the route map, determine a state of charge of the battery and a threshold for the state of charge below which operation of the electric motor, the hydraulic pump, or the hydraulic actuator is adjusted, and dynamically update the threshold based on the position on the route map or a weight of refuse in a refuse compartment.
CYCLE TIME CONTROL FOR A REFUSE VEHICLE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
A refuse vehicle including an electric motor powered by a battery, a hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor, a hydraulic actuator powered by the hydraulic pump, 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 target cycle time for the hydraulic actuator, and control a speed of the electric motor to achieve the target cycle time.