ES2995121T3 - Equipment for emptying bins on a refuse collection vehicle, and vehicle comprising said equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

A kinematic group (20) is connected to a support assembly (10) fixed to the side (3) of the motor vehicle (2), which supports a guide frame (7), along which a carriage (13) slides carrying lifting arms (14) operatively coupleable with a box (15). The kinematic group (20) comprises two support arms (21) each of which has a proximal end (21a) restricted to the support assembly (10) and a distal end (21b) restricted to an upper end (7a) of the guide frame (7), two push arms (23) each of which has a proximal end (23a) restricted to the support assembly (10) and a distal end (23b) guided along a lower portion (7b) of the guide frame (7), and two struts (28) each of which has a lower end (28b) restricted near the proximal end (23a) of the push arm (23), and an upper end (28a) restricted near the proximal end (21a) of the support arm (21). (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Equipment for emptying containers on a refuse collection vehicle, and vehicle including such equipment

The present invention relates to equipment for emptying containers in a motorized garbage collection vehicle.

Another object of the invention is a garbage collection vehicle equipped with the aforementioned equipment.

More specifically, the equipment in question can be mounted on a motor vehicle to carry out the fully automated emptying cycle of containers used for waste collection.

As is known, one of the usual methods for carrying out waste collection in urban areas is to deliver waste into special containers conveniently distributed along the sidewalk or at the side of the road. The containers are suitable for being emptied periodically into appropriately equipped motor vehicles, which are responsible for transporting the waste to the disposal or recovery sites.

These motor vehicles are usually equipped with suitable equipment to pick up the container from the ground in order to lift it over a loading hopper and tip it over to empty the waste into the motor vehicle. Once emptying is complete, the equipment also replaces the container on the ground.

A known type of equipment, described for example in EP 1454848, comprises a pair of lifting arms rotatably carried by a carriage movable along an extendable guide frame structure. The guide frame is formed by a first frame with an upper end articulated horizontally near the access threshold of the hopper and a second frame sliding longitudinally relative to the first frame. In a rest state, the guide frame structure is longitudinally retracted and vertically juxtaposed against the side wall of the hopper, with the lifting arms extended vertically downwards relative to the carriage, located approximately halfway along the extension of the frame.

The operating cycle provides for the gripping arms to rotate angularly to adopt a horizontal orientation and, by means of the extension of the extendable structure and the sliding of the carriage along the second portion thereof, to descend to the level of the container in order to engage it with the respective gripping elements. An actuator operating on the first frame of the extendable guide frame is adapted to be activated to tilt the latter with respect to the side of the vehicle in order to reach the box, located at a certain distance from the vehicle itself. This distance varies from time to time depending on the stopped position of the vehicle.

When engaged, the extendable guide frame contracts, retracting the first frame into the second frame, and the trolley returns the gripping arms to the raised position to the upper end of the guide frame. A rotation of the gripping arms about their horizontal articulation axis determines the tipping of the container and the emptying of the hopper contents.

With a reverse operating cycle to that described, the container is repositioned on the ground and the equipment returns to the rest condition.

EP 1389591 proposes a device conceptually similar to that described above, in which, unlike the latter, the tipping of the container is actuated by the tipping of the extendable guide frame around its articulation axis near the access threshold to the hopper. A pair of simultaneously actuated fluid-dynamic actuators act between the side of the motor vehicle and the guide frame to tilt it until the gripping arms reach the container. The container engaged by the gripping arms is raised after the extendable guide frame is contracted and the carriage is translated towards the top of the same.

When the container has exceeded the access threshold of the hopper, a new activation of the aforementioned fluid dynamic actuators is ordered to determine the overturning of the hopper after a tipping action of the extendable guide frame on its articulation axis.

An apparatus is disclosed in EP 2530033 comprising an extendable structure articulated near the access threshold of the loading hopper of a motor vehicle, and rotatably carrying a pair of lifting arms operatively engageable with a container. An auxiliary structure rotatably held near the access threshold acts on the extendable structure to rotate the latter from an approach position with respect to a side wall of the hopper to a gripping position in which the lifting arms are spaced from the side wall. Tilting actuators act between the auxiliary structure and the extendable structure to rotate the latter between a rest position in which it extends below with respect to the access threshold and a tilting position in which it is raised with respect to the access threshold itself.

EP1142803 proposes a system in which the upper part of a guide frame is constrained with respect to the side of the motor vehicle by an articulated parallelogram system formed by an oscillating bulkhead arranged at the top of the frame, and a pair of articulated bars slightly lower with respect to the oscillating bulkhead. The extraction and re-entry movement of the guide frame is controlled by a hydraulic actuator articulated to the vehicle frame and operating at an intermediate point of the height extension of the guide frame.

Document CN109748015A discloses the object of the preamble of claim 1: equipment for emptying containers in a garbage collection vehicle.

The main object of the present invention is substantially to propose a new arrangement and cooperation of the constituent parts of the equipment, by virtue of which a structural simplification and a reduction in weight and dimensions can be achieved.

In particular, a new gripping system will be proposed, designed to optimise the distribution of loads on the various components involved in the gripping and movement of the container during the lifting and tipping action, in such a way as to allow dimensional containment of the same in favour of construction costs and usability of spaces, for example to increase the load capacity of the hopper and/or the storage box associated with it.

Another object of the invention is to propose a device in which the restrictions between the parts are geometrically combined to improve the mechanical stability of the system both during the lifting and tilting operations of the container, and in the position of approach to the side of the vehicle during its movements.

Another object of the invention is to provide equipment designed to be adaptable to different operational needs, for example in terms of the gripping distance of the container from the side of the motor vehicle and/or the manoeuvring spaces required on top of the equipment to move the container during the lifting and tipping stages.

These and other objects, which will become apparent in the course of the present disclosure, are substantially achieved by equipment for emptying containers in a refuse collection vehicle, according to claim 1.

According to another aspect, an object of the invention is a garbage collection vehicle according to claim 10.

In at least one of the above aspects, the invention may also comprise one or more of the following preferred features.

Preferably, the lower end of said at least one strut is constrained about a lower articulation axis proximate a restraining axis of the proximal end of the push arm.

Preferably, the upper end of said at least one strut is constrained about an upper articulation axis proximate a constraint axis of the proximal end of the support arm.

Preferably, the lower articulation axis of the strut is spaced toward the side of the vehicle, relative to an alignment direction joining the restriction axis of the proximal end of the push arm with the restriction axis of the proximal end of the support arm.

Preferably, the upper articulation axis of the strut is remote from the side of the vehicle, with respect to an alignment direction joining the restriction axis of the proximal end of the push arm with the restriction axis of the proximal end of the support arm.

Preferably, the upper and lower articulation axes of the strut are located on opposite sides with respect to a plane containing the restriction axes of the proximal ends of the support arm and the push arm. Preferably, said at least one strut has at least one adjustment device for changing the distance between its upper and lower ends.

Preferably, the push arm rotatably carries at least one slider along a sliding guide carried by the guide frame. Preferably, said control actuator has a first end articulated to a fixed point with respect to the support assembly, and a second end articulated with respect to the push arm, at a point between the proximal end and the distal end of the push arm itself.

Preferably, the kinematic group comprises a pair of said push arms and a pair of said support arms, operating on respective opposite sides of the guide frame and mutually interconnected by means of a pair of said struts.

Preferably, the kinematic group comprises at least one pair of said thrust arms and at least one transverse stiffening and synchronizing element mutually connecting the thrust arms.

Preferably, the second end of the control actuator acts on said at least one transverse stiffening element.

Preferably, in the approach position, said push arm and support arm are attached to the guide frame according to an orientation substantially parallel thereto.

Preferably, said at least one support arm has an arcuate extension in a vertical plane.

Preferably, a distance between the attachment points of the proximal and distal ends of the push arm is greater than a distance between the attachment points of the proximal and distal ends of the support arm.

Preferably, said kinematic group, in the movement between the approach position and the maximum distance position, moves away an upper end of the lateral guide frame according to a lower measurement with respect to a distance imposed on a lower portion of the lateral guide frame.

Preferably, the support assembly comprises at least one upper articulation bracket and one lower articulation bracket, integrated into the side of the vehicle and projecting externally therefrom. Preferably, the proximal end of the push arm is restricted to said at least one lower articulation bracket.

Preferably, the proximal end of the support arm is limited to said at least one upper articulation clamp.

Preferably, said support assembly is fixed to one side of the motor vehicle itself.

Preferably, the support assembly is fixed to a loading hopper having at its top an access threshold located near an upper end of the guide frame.

Other features and advantages will become more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, but not limiting, embodiment of the equipment for gripping and emptying containers in a garbage collection vehicle, in accordance with the present invention.

This description will be set out hereinafter with reference to the attached drawings, provided solely for illustrative purposes and therefore not limiting, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the equipment according to the present invention, arranged in the approach condition on the side of a refuse collection vehicle;

Figure 2 shows the equipment of Figure 1 in a side view in the approach position next to the partially sectioned motor vehicle, during an emptying cycle of a refuse collection container;

Figure 3 is an illustration similar to Figure 2, showing the equipment during the execution of the emptying cycle in a position of maximum distance from the side of the motor vehicle;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of Figure 3,

Figure 5 shows the detail of Figure 4 in perspective view;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail of Figure 4,

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the apparatus in a position of maximum distance from the side of the motor vehicle.

In the figures cited, the number 1 indicates globally an apparatus for emptying containers in a garbage collection vehicle, in accordance with the present invention.

The equipment 1 is suitable for installation in a motor vehicle 2 used for waste collection, for example along a side 3 thereof, in a loading hopper 4 operatively arranged between a driving cabin 5 and a box 6 for the transport and/or compaction of the waste itself.

In a known manner, a pressing assembly 4a operating at the bottom of the loading hopper 4 transfers the waste emptied into the hopper itself to the box 6 by means of the equipment 1.

The equipment 1 comprises a guide frame 7, which has, for example, a pair of mutually parallel guide uprights 8 interconnected with each other by respective cross members 9.

The guide frame 7 is coupled to a support assembly 10 suitable for being installed on the side 3 of the motor vehicle 2, in the loading hopper 4. In the illustrated example, the support assembly 10 is formed by a pair of upper hinge brackets 11 and a pair of lower hinge brackets 12, integrated in a side wall of the loading hopper 4 and projecting externally therefrom. In the illustrated example, each of the upper and lower hinge brackets 11 and 12 comprises a pair of plates projecting side by side from the side 3 of the motor vehicle 2, close to the loading hopper 4.

A carriage 13 is slidably engaged between the guide uprights 8, which rotatably carries, on opposite sides of the guide frame 7, a pair of lifting arms 14 each parallel to each other, which operatively engage with a waste box 15, which is to be emptied into the loading hopper 4.

In particular, by means of one or more suitable actuators 16 associated with the carriage 13 and not described in detail since they can be produced in a manner known per se, the lifting arms 14 are preferably movable towards and away from each other, as well as simultaneously rotatable about a horizontal axis so as to engage with the respective pin-shaped gripping elements 17, which respectively protrude from the opposite side walls of the box 15, possibly causing the floor to detach from the box itself.

A lifting actuator 18, which is also not described in detail since it can be manufactured in a known manner, acts on the carriage 13 to control its movement along the guide frame 7, in order to raise the box 15 to an upper end 7a of the frame itself, located at an access threshold 19 of the loading hopper 4.

Once the upper end 7a of the guide frame 7 has been reached, the box 15 is overturned by a new rotation of the lifting arms 14, to determine the emptying of the waste into the loading hopper 4. Suitable mechanisms, known per se and therefore not described in detail, can be associated with the lifting arms 14 to determine the opening of the lid of the box 15, in conjunction with the overturning action. Once emptying is complete, the box 15 is placed back on the ground, with a movement cycle inverse to that described above.

The guide frame 7 is restricted to the support assembly 10 by means of a kinematic group 20 that allows its movement between a position of approximation with respect to side 3, represented in figures 2, 4 and 5 and a position of maximum distance with respect to side 3 itself, represented in figures 3, 6 and 7.

In this way, effective coupling of the box 15 is permitted independently, within certain limits, of the distance between it and the side 3 of the motor vehicle 2.

The kinematic group 20 comprises two control levers 21, 23, 28 which are substantially identical to each other, each of which acts on one of the respectively opposite sides of the guide frame 7, i.e. on one of the guide uprights 8.

Each control lever 21, 23, 28 comprises at least one support arm 21 acting between the side 3 of the motor vehicle 2, close to the access threshold 19, and the guide frame 7. More particularly, each support arm 21 has a respective proximal end 21a rotatably attached to the support assembly 10 by means of a first pin 22 coupled to one of the upper articulation clamps 11, and a distal end 21b rotatably attached to the upper end 7a of the guide frame 7. The support arms 21, arranged side by side in positions laterally opposite to the guide frame 7, may conveniently have an arcuate development in a vertical plane, so as not to interfere with the movements of the lifting arms 14 and/or of the carriage 13 when the latter reaches the upper end 7a of the guide frame itself.

Each control lever 21, 23, 28 further comprises at least one push arm 23 acting between the side 3 of the vehicle and the guide frame 7. More particularly, it is preferably provided that each push arm 23 has a proximal end 23a rotatably attached to the support assembly 10 by means of a second pin 24 coupled to one of the lower articulation brackets 12. In turn, a distal end 23b of the push arm 23 is rotatably attached and slidably guided along a lower portion 7b of the guide frame 7, spaced from the upper end 7a. To this end, it is preferably provided that the distal end 23b of the push arm 23 rotatably carries at least one slider, for example in the form of a sliding roller 25, or another type slidably coupled along a sliding guide 26 fixed to one side of the respective guide upright 8 facing outwards of the guide frame 7.

The push arms 23 of both control levers 21, 23, 28 may be mutually interconnected by one or more transverse stiffening and synchronizing elements 27.

For each control lever 21, 23, 28 there is also at least one strut 28 operating between the support arm 21 and the push arm 23.

More particularly, each strut 28 has an upper end 28a rotatably constrained proximate the proximal end 21a of the support arm 21, about an upper articulation axis X1 parallel and proximal to the restriction axis represented by the first pin 22. With respect to an alignment direction T passing through the restriction axes defined by the first and second pins 22, d124, the upper articulation axis X1 of the strut 28 is preferably spaced therefrom, moving away from the side 3 of the motor vehicle 2.

In turn, a lower end of the strut 28 is rotatably limited near the proximal end 23a of the push arm 23, about a lower articulation axis X2, parallel and proximal to the limitation axis represented by the second pin 24. With respect to the aforementioned alignment direction T, the lower articulation axis X2 of the strut 28 is preferably spaced therefrom, towards the side 3 of the motor vehicle 2.

In other words, the lower articulation axes X1 and upper X2 are located on opposite sides with respect to a plane containing the restriction axes of the proximal ends of the support arm 21 and the push arm 23.

At least one adjustment device 29, for example of the threaded type, is conveniently associated with each strut 28 to modify the distance between its upper and lower ends 28a and 28b. By intervening on the adjustment device 29 it is therefore possible to make the appropriate adjustments, for example to adjust and/or stabilise the orientation of the guide frame 7 with respect to the side 3 in the approach position, and/or to recover mechanical clearances caused by wear or other factors.

At least one control actuator 30 acts on the kinematic group 20, based on the action of which the movement of the guide frame 7 between the approach position and the position of maximum distance from the side 3 of the motor vehicle is determined.

A single control actuator 30, for example a hydraulic cylinder, may conveniently be included which acts on the push arms 23. More particularly, in the illustrated example, the control actuator 30 is provided with a first end 30a hinged to a fixed point relative to the support assembly 10, for example on the frame of the motor vehicle or beneath the loading hopper. A second end 30b of the control actuator 30 is in turn hinged to the transverse stiffening element 27 located in an intermediate zone between the proximal end 21a and the distal end 21b of each of the push arms 23.

During operation of the motor vehicle 2, the control actuator 30 keeps the equipment in a rest state with the guide frame 7 in a position approaching the side 3. In this situation, it is advantageously provided that on each control lever 21, 23, 28 the push arm 23, as well as the support arm 21, are substantially adjacent to the guide frame 7 according to an orientation substantially parallel thereto. In turn, the same guide frame 7 maintains an orientation substantially vertical and/or parallel to the side 3 of the motor vehicle 2, as shown in Figure 2.

Thus, a minimum footprint condition of the equipment 1 is achieved, contained within the contour of the footprint of the motor vehicle 2. The possibility of adjusting the length of the struts 28 by means of the adjustment devices 29 makes it possible to optimise the orientation of the guide frame 7 and its stability thanks to the recording of any mechanical clearance, favouring safety during operation.

If the motor vehicle 2 stops at a minimum distance from the box 15 to be emptied, the rotation of the lifting arms 14 can be controlled directly starting from the rest condition in which they are oriented downwards, to determine the engagement of the box 15 without the need to activate the control actuator 30. In this case, as illustrated in Figure 2, the entire cycle of emptying and repositioning of the box 15 can be performed by keeping the guide frame 7 in the approach position.

When, on the other hand, the motor vehicle 2 stops at a certain distance from the box 15 to be emptied, it is possible to determine, by actuating the control actuator 30, the distancing of the guide frame 7 from the side 3 according to a measure suitable for the lifting arms 14 to come into contact with the respective gripping elements 17 of the box 15. The guide frame 7 can stop in any position between the approach position and the maximum distance position, depending on the distance between the side 3 of the motor vehicle 2 and the box 15.

The distance D2 between the attachment points of the proximal end 23a and the distal end 23b of the push arm 23 is conveniently greater than a distance D1 between the attachment points of the proximal end 21a and the distal end 21b of the support arm 21.

The restrictions imposed by the kinematic group 20 ensure that, in the movement between the approach position and the maximum distance position, the upper end 7a of the guide frame 7 moves away from the side 3 according to a relatively small measure, however smaller with respect to the distance imposed on a lower end of the guide frame 7 itself.

Consequently, the guide frame 7 in the distanced condition adopts an inclined orientation, so that its lower end approaches the box to be picked up, while its upper end 7a is displaced only slightly with respect to the vertical plane containing the access threshold 19 of the loading hopper 4.

After the box 15 has been engaged by the lifting arms 14, the cycle of emptying and repositioning the box 15 can advantageously be completed by keeping the guide frame 7 motionless in the position assumed in order to engage the box 15 itself.

The absence of movement of the guide frame 7 with respect to the side 3 of the motor vehicle 2 while the box 15 remains attached to the lifting arms 14, favours a precise repositioning of the box 15 itself in the same position from which it was picked up.

Furthermore, since the movement of the lifting arms 14 occurs autonomously and independently of that of the guide frame 7, it is advantageously possible to carry out the entire emptying and repositioning cycle while keeping the box 15 oriented appropriately to limit the spaces required for the movement of the box 15.

Claims (10)

1. Equipment for emptying containers in a garbage collection vehicle, comprising: a guide frame (7); a carriage (13) movable along the guide frame (7) and provided with a pair of lifting arms (14) operatively engageable to respective gripping elements (17) carried by respectively opposite side walls of a box (15); a support assembly (10) that can be fixed to a side (3) of a motor vehicle (2); a kinematic group (20) connecting the guide frame (7) to the support assembly (10); at least one control actuator (30) acting on the kinematic group (20) to move the guide frame (7) between an approach position with respect to said side (3) and a position of maximum distance with respect to said side (3); characterized in that said kinematic group (20) comprises: at least one support arm (21) with a respective proximal end (21a) rotatably attached to the support assembly (10) and a distal end (21b) rotatably constrained to an upper end (7a) of the guide frame (7); and at least one pushing arm (23) having a proximal end (23a) rotatably attached to the support assembly (10), and a distal end (23b) slidably guided along a lower portion (7b) of the guide frame (7), spaced apart from said upper end (7a); at least one strut (28) having a lower end (28b) restricted near the proximal end (23a) of the push arm (23), and an upper end (28a) restricted near the proximal end (21a) of the support arm (21). 2. Equipment according to claim 1, wherein the upper end (7a) of said at least one strut (28) is restricted about an upper articulation axis (X1) proximate a restriction axis of the proximal end (21a) of the support arm (21), and the lower end (7b) of said at least one strut (28) is preferably restricted about a lower articulation axis (X2) proximate a restriction axis of the proximal end (21a) of the push arm (23). 3. Equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper (X1) and lower (X2) articulation axes of the strut (28) are located on opposite sides with respect to a plane containing the restriction axes of the proximal ends (21a, 23a) of the support arm (21) and the push arm (23). 4. Equipment according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one strut (28) has at least one adjustment device (29) for modifying the distance between its upper (28a) and lower (28b) ends. 5. Equipment according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the push arm (23) rotatably carries at least one slider (25) which slides along a sliding guide (26) carried by the guide frame (7). 6. Equipment according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said control actuator (30) has a first end (30a) articulated to a fixed point with respect to the support assembly (10), and a second end (30b) articulated with respect to the push arm (23), preferably at a point between the proximal end (23a) and the distal end (23b) of the push arm itself. 7. Equipment according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one support arm (21) has an arched development in a vertical plane. 8. Equipment according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a distance (D2) between the fixing points of the proximal (23a) and distal (23b) ends of the push arm (23) is greater than a distance (D1) between the fixing points of the proximal (21a) and distal (21b) ends of the support arm (21). 9. Equipment according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the support assembly (10) comprises at least one upper articulation bracket (11) and one lower articulation bracket (12), integral with the side (3) of the motor vehicle (2) and projecting externally therefrom, wherein the proximal end (23a) of the push arm (23) is restricted to said at least one lower articulation bracket (12), and wherein the proximal end (21a) of the arm support (21) is restricted to said at least one upper articulation bracket (11). 10. Motor vehicle for waste collection, comprising equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims.