SIDE LOADING AUTOMATED RUBBISH BIN COLLECTION SYSTEM

Abstract

An automated rubbish bin collection system for a garbage truck having a detection means to detect the presence of a rubbish bin, a control means to receive input from the detection means and process the input to control the collection of a rubbish bin, and an actuation means to actuate the movement of the lifting arm to grab, lift and empty the rubbish from the rubbish bin into a hopper of the rubbish collection vehicle, wherein from the detection of the presence of the rubbish bin a coordinated sequence of steps automatically occurs to collect the rubbish bin, move the rubbish bin, empty the rubbish into the hopper and return the rubbish bin to the initial position.

Claims

1. An automated rubbish bin collection system for a rubbish collection vehicle including detection means to detect a presence of a rubbish bin; control means to receive input from the detection means and process the input to control the collection of the rubbish bin; actuation means to actuate the movement of a lifting arm to grab the rubbish bin, lift the rubbish bin, and empty rubbish from the rubbish bin into a hopper of the rubbish collection vehicle; and one or more sensors to determine a type of rubbish bin so that a correct hopper can be selected automatically for the rubbish of that bin type; wherein from the detection of the presence of the rubbish bin, a coordinated sequence of steps automatically occurs to collect the rubbish bin, move the rubbish bin, empty the rubbish into the hopper and return the rubbish bin to an initial position.

2. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 1, further including a vehicle control means which controls the movement of the vehicle when the presence of the rubbish bin is detected to position the vehicle so that a lifting arm aligns with the rubbish bin.

3. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors include a laser distance sensor and or a camera system.

4. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detection means includes one or more sensors to determine the presence of the rubbish bin and provide input to the control means.

5. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means includes a processor means that receives the input from the one or more sensors, processes the input in accordance with programming of the processor means and sends actuation signals to the actuation means.

6. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means provides one or more audible or visual signals to a driver of the rubbish collection vehicle to advise of the stage of the rubbish collection.

7. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuation means includes extension and retraction of a lifting arm, grabbing and release of a rubbish bin by the lifting arm, and raising and lowering of the lifting arm.

8. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuation means includes moving the lifting arm in any suitable position to empty the rubbish from the rubbish bin in a preferred hopper.

9. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means coordinates the movement of the lifting arm to sequentially reach for the rubbish bin, lift the rubbish bin, empty the rubbish from the rubbish bin, lower the lifting arm, release the rubbish bin and retract the lifting arm.

10. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the automated system is either not engaged or is disengaged when a driver of the rubbish collection vehicle uses a joystick or associated buttons, or if the automated system has been paused longer than for a predetermined period.

11. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control of the vehicle by the vehicle control means is not engaged or is disengaged when the vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed, if a brake is applied by a driver of the rubbish collection vehicle, if the rubbish bin is beyond a predetermined distance from the vehicle, and or if the driver accelerates the vehicle.

12. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the vehicle control means is automatically initiated and controls the vehicle when the presence of the rubbish bin is detected.

13. (canceled)

14. A method of collecting rubbish using a rubbish collection vehicle and employing the automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 1, including the steps of: positioning the rubbish collection vehicle adjacent the rubbish bin to align the lifting arm with the rubbish bin; moving the lifting arm to grab and lift the rubbish bin to empty the rubbish and then lower the rubbish bin; wherein the steps occur in an automatic and sequential manner after the presence of the rubbish bin has been detected.

15. An automated rubbish bin collection system for a rubbish collection vehicle including detection means to detect a presence of a rubbish bin; a vehicle control means which controls movement of the vehicle when the presence of the rubbish bin is detected to position the vehicle so that a lifting arm aligns with the rubbish bin, control means to receive input from the detection means and process the input to control the collection of the rubbish bin; and actuation means to actuate the movement of the lifting arm to grab the rubbish bin, lift the rubbish bin and empty rubbish from the rubbish bin into a hopper of the rubbish collection vehicle, wherein from the detection of the presence of the rubbish bin a coordinated sequence of steps automatically occurs to collect the rubbish bin, move the rubbish bin, empty the rubbish into the hopper and return the rubbish bin to the initial position.

16. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 15, wherein there are one or more sensors to determine a type of rubbish bin so that a correct hopper can be selected automatically for the rubbish of that bin type.

17. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the detection means includes one or more sensors to determine the presence of the rubbish bin and provide input to the control means.

18. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the one or more sensors include a laser distance sensor and or a camera system.

19. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the control means includes processor means that receives the input from one or more sensors, processes the input in accordance with programming of the processor means and sends actuation signals to the actuation means.

20. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the control means provides one or more audible or visual signals to a driver of the rubbish collection vehicle to advise of a stage of the rubbish collection.

21. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the actuation means includes extension and retraction of the lifting arm, grabbing and release of the rubbish bin by the lifting arm, and raising and lowering of the lifting arm.

22. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the actuation means includes moving the lifting arm in any suitable position to empty the rubbish from the rubbish bin in a preferred hopper.

23. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the control means coordinates the movement of the lifting arm to sequentially reach for the rubbish bin, lift the rubbish bin, empty the rubbish from the rubbish bin, lower the lifting arm, release the rubbish bin and retract the lifting arm.

24. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the automated system is either not engaged or is disengaged when a driver of the rubbish collection vehicle uses a joystick or associated buttons, or if the automated system has been paused longer than for a predetermined period.

25. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the vehicle control means is automatically initiated and controls the vehicle when the presence of the rubbish bin is detected.

26. An automated rubbish bin collection system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the control of the vehicle by the vehicle control means is not engaged or is disengaged when the vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed, if the brake is applied by a driver of the rubbish collection vehicle, if the rubbish bin is beyond a predetermined distance from the vehicle and or if the driver accelerates the vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

[0027] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of the system to collect a rubbish bin by a rubbish collection vehicle; and

[0028] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of part of the system to collect a rubbish bin by a rubbish collection vehicle as shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is a rubbish collection vehicle with an automated rubbish bin collection system.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the driver initiates a collection process when the vehicle is in an appropriate position relative to the target rubbish bin. Initiation is achieved by pressing a button on the cabin floor. Pressing the button electronically actuates the automated rubbish bin collection system.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the driver of the rubbish collection vehicle drives the vehicle so that the lifting arm on the side of the vehicle is aligned with rubbish bin. The driver uses a mounted camera system with a viewing screen inside the cabin to assist the driver with the alignment. Selection of the bins to be collected can be automatic by for example, lid colour or manually by driver selection. The driver then activates the collection system.

[0032] In an alternate embodiment, the movement of the vehicle is controlled by a vehicle control system working operatively and in conjunction with the collection system. The bins can be selected automatically by lid colour or similar criterion or manually by the driver. The vehicle control system moves the vehicle so that the lifting arm aligns with the rubbish bin. The vehicle control system is activated by the driver when the vehicle is within a predetermined distance from the rubbish bin (for example 10 meters) and the vehicle is travelling below a predetermined speed (for example 10 km per hour). The collection system is automatically initiated when the vehicle stops and the lifting arm is aligned with the rubbish bin.

[0033] In both embodiments the collection system as shown in FIG. 1 automatically performs sequential steps to extend the lifting arm, grab the rubbish bin, raise the lifting arm and move the bin to at least partially invert thereby emptying the rubbish bin, lower the rubbish bin, release the rubbish bin and retract the lifting arm. These steps occur without driver assistance or intervention. These steps occur at the same reproducible pace (consistent efficiency). The driver at any stage can interrupt the process and resume the process providing a predetermined period has not expired when paused (FIG. 2).

[0034] With the initial stage of rubbish bin detection, the collection system can determine the type of rubbish bin and coordinate with the rubbish collection vehicle to open the appropriate collection hopper so that recyclable rubbish is collected in the recyclable rubbish hopper and general rubbish is collected in the general rubbish hopper.

[0035] After the collection system has performed all its steps, the collection system turns off and the driver drives to the next rubbish bin and repeats the process.

[0036] In the alternate embodiment the vehicle control system returns the vehicle to its previous acceleration and then disengages. The process is then repeated.

[0037] Having a deliberate step of activating the initiation of the collection system prevents the unintentional collection of bins while in transit or in areas where there are bins but no schedule to collect at that time. These areas include depot, transfer station and residential areas where there is no scheduled collection.

Variations

[0038] It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

[0039] Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word comprise and variations of that word such as comprises and comprising, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.