A carry can includes a container defining a refuse compartment and an articulating collection arm coupled to the container. The articulating collection arm includes an extension mechanism, a lift mechanism coupled to the extendable arm, and a grabber mechanism coupled to the lift arm. The extension mechanism includes an extendable arm and a first actuator positioned to facilitate extending and retracting the extendable arm. The lift mechanism includes a lift arm and a second actuator positioned to facilitate pivoting the lift arm about a pivot axis. The second actuator includes (i) a transmission device coupled to the lift arm and positioned along the pivot axis and (ii) a rotational actuator coupled to the transmission device and positioned along an offset axis that is parallel to and is offset from the pivot axis. The grabber mechanism includes grabber arms and a third actuator positioned to facilitate opening and closing the grabber arms.

A system for detecting and engaging a refuse can includes at least one sensor coupled to a refuse collection vehicle and configured to detect objects on one or more sides of the refuse vehicle, an actuator assembly coupled to the refuse collection vehicle and configured to actuate to engage the refuse can, and a controller configured to receive first data from the at least one sensor, input the first data to a single-stage object detector, identify, based on an output of the single-stage object detector, the refuse can, and initiate a control action to move the actuator assembly and the refuse collection vehicle to engage the refuse can.

A lift assembly includes a first lift arm including a first arm portion and a second arm portion, a second lift arm including a third arm portion and a fourth arm portion, a first actuator positioned to facilitate repositioning the second arm portion of the first lift arm relative to the first arm portion of the first lift arm, a second actuator positioned to facilitate repositioning the fourth arm portion of the second lift arm relative to the third arm portion of the second lift arm, and one or more pivot actuators positioned to facilitate pivoting the lift assembly between a stowed position and a working position. The first actuator is configured to reposition the second arm portion relative to the first arm portion and the second actuator is configured to reposition the fourth arm portion relative to the third arm portion when the one or more pivot actuators pivot the lift assembly between the stowed position and the working position.

A refuse vehicle includes a body coupled to a chassis and defining a refuse compartment configured to store refuse, a refuse collection arm configured to engage and lift a refuse container to unload refuse, and an object detection system configured to provide object detection data relating to locations of objects relative to the refuse vehicle. An actuator controls movement of the refuse collection arm. A controller is configured to use the object detection data to determine if the refuse container is present within an aligned zone relative to the chassis, the aligned zone representing a range of locations in which the refuse collection arm is capable of engaging the refuse container. In response to a determination that the refuse container is within the aligned zone, the controller is configured to provide an indication to an operator that the refuse container is within the aligned zone.

A refuse vehicle includes a body coupled to a chassis and defining a refuse compartment configured to store refuse, a refuse collection arm configured to engage and lift a refuse container to unload refuse, and an object detection system configured to provide object detection data relating to locations of objects relative to the refuse vehicle. An actuator controls movement of the refuse collection arm. A controller is configured to use the object detection data to determine if the refuse container is present within an aligned zone relative to the chassis, the aligned zone representing a range of locations in which the refuse collection arm is capable of engaging the refuse container. In response to a determination that the refuse container is within the aligned zone, the controller is configured to provide an indication to an operator that the refuse container is within the aligned zone.

A side-loading robotic arm for use with rear or mid-body mounted refuse containers. The robotic arm is configured for disposition forward of a container, but may be disposed behind or otherwise oriented relative to the container. The robotic arm includes a tipping arm pivotingly attached to and carried by a carriage body disposed on lateral rails. The tipping arm has a generally right-angle configuration. A lifting arm is pivotingly attached to the tipping arm distal from the carriage body. A pair of gripper arms is disposed on the lifting arm distal from the tipping arm. The right-angle configuration of the tipping arm facilitates pivoting and inversion of bins to be emptied into the refuse containers. The fixed shape of the tipping arm eliminates a mechanical movement operation of the prior art and minimizes potential mechanical interference with other parts of the robotic arm.

A side-loading robotic arm for use with rear or mid-body mounted refuse containers. The robotic arm is configured for disposition forward of a container, but may be disposed behind or otherwise oriented relative to the container. The robotic arm includes a tipping arm pivotingly attached to and carried by a carriage body disposed on lateral rails. The tipping arm has a generally right-angle configuration. A lifting arm is pivotingly attached to the tipping arm distal from the carriage body. A pair of gripper arms is disposed on the lifting arm distal from the tipping arm. The right-angle configuration of the tipping arm facilitates pivoting and inversion of bins to be emptied into the refuse containers. The fixed shape of the tipping arm eliminates a mechanical movement operation of the prior art and minimizes potential mechanical interference with other parts of the robotic arm.

The mechanical arm system can include a garbage container holder and at least one mast. The holder can have guiding wheels engaged with adjacent tracks of the mast, the two adjacent tracks both having a lower portion extending upwardly along the mast, the lower portion of the first track being located forwardly of the lower portion of the second track, the lower portion of both tracks leading into corresponding upper portions which are curved rearwardly. The system can have a primary mast and a secondary mast slidably mounted to the primary mast, with the garbage container slidable mounted to the secondary mast. A driving link can simultaneously connect the primary mast to the secondary mast, and the secondary mast to the holder in a manner that when the driving link is moved, both sliding movements are performed in the same direction.

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.

A vehicle system includes a refuse vehicle, a carry can, and an electric energy system. The refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a body assembly coupled to the chassis, and a lift assembly. The body assembly defines a vehicle refuse compartment. The carry can is selectively couplable to the lift assembly. The carry can includes a container defining a container refuse compartment and an articulating collection arm coupled the container. The articulating collection arm has an actuator positioned to facilitate manipulating the articulating collection arm. The electric energy system is at least one of positioned on the refuse vehicle or positioned on the carry can. The electric energy system is configured to facilitate operating the actuator of the articulating collection arm.