ZA200807283B

ZA200807283B - Data unit for a bin lifting device

Info

Publication number: ZA200807283B
Application number: ZA200807283A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Gerald Dorrington
Original assignee: Mechlift Invest Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-08-22
Filing date: 2008-08-22
Publication date: 2009-10-28
Also published as: WO2010020894A1

Description

DATA UNIT FOR A BIN LIFTING DEVICE - ”

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a data unit for a bin lifting device.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a data unit for a bin lifting : 5 device being adapted to capture logistical data relating to the operation of the bin lifting device.

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION

Various bin lifting devices are known for use in the emptying of refuse bins into a refuse truck. Often municipalities or companies operating a refuse truck require logistical data relating to the operation of the bin lifting device so as to determine the work done by the bin lifting device. This data assists the municipalities in confirming that all refuse bins in an area have been emptied and also in - determining the amount of time to complete the task.

In first world countries, many refuse trucks have electronically controlled refuse bin lifting devices, wherein the electronic signals are monitored and reported by data loggers already fitted to the truck. These electronic signals count the number of refuse bins that are lifted per day. In such systems it is also common to record the precise GPS location at which a lifting operation took place.

However, in many third world countries the bin lifting devices are mostly manually controlled by the personnel by moving a control lever. Simple counters are often fitted to these bin lifting devices to count the number of times that they have been properly operated per day. ‘Due to fraudulent behaviour and laziness on the part of the refuse truck personnel, they sometimes attempt to increase the readings on the counters by simulating the lifting and emptying of a refuse bin without actually emptying consecutive bins. When performing a simulated lifting operation, the personnel repetitively and continuously raise and lower the same refuse bin leading to an incorrect count being recorded.

It is an object of the invention to suggest a data unit for a bin lifting device, which will assist in overcoming these problems.

DrG Ref: 672614

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the invention, a data unit for use with a bin lifting device that is attached to a refuse container on a refuse truck, includes sensing means being adapted to determine if a bin lifting device is in a raised or a lowered position; timing means being adapted to determine a first duration that the sensing means . indicates the bin lifting device is in the raised position and a second duration that the sensing means indicates the bin lifting device is in the lowered position; a processing unit being adapted to compare the first and second durations with pre-programmed constants; and counting means being adapted to count a valid operation cycle if the first and second durations exceed the pre-programmed constants.

The sensing means may include a single sensor being adapted to be activated when the bin lifting device is in the lowered position.

The sensing means may include a single sensor being adapted to be activated when the bin lifting device is in the raised position.

The sensing means may include a first sensor being adapted to determine if the bin lifting device is in a raised position and a second sensor being adapted to determine if the bin lifting device is in a lowered position.

The counting means may be adapted to count an invalid operation cycle if the first and second durations do not exceed the pre-programmed constants.

The pre-programmed constants may include a time of equal to or greater than 1%2 seconds for comparison with the first duration.

The pre-programmed constants may include a time of equal to or greater than 51> seconds for comparison with the second duration.

The data unit may include a tilt sensor being adapted to determine an orientation of a bin lifting device with respect to the vertical or horizontal.

The data unit may be adapted to record a discharge of a refuse container if the tilt sensor senses a change in orientation through an angle of between 40° - 60°.

DrG Ref: 672614

The data unit may be attached to a bin lifting device provided on a refuse truck.

The data unit may be attached to a tailgate of a refuse truck on which the bin lifting device provided. ’ The data unit may include a GPS locator being adapted to record a location at which a valid operation cycle, an invalid operational cycle or a discharge of a refuse container is counted.

The invention extends to a refuse truck or to a bin lifting device provided with a data unit as set out herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing.

In the drawing there is shown a perspective view of refuse truck provided with a data unit according to the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

Referring to the drawing, a refuse truck is shown being generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The refuse truck 10 includes a refuse container 12 having a tailgate 14 to which is attached a bin lifting device 16. A data unit 18 in accordance with the invention is operatively joined to the bin lifting device 16.

The data unit 18 is an electronic monitoring device with sensors that are able to determine if the bin lifting device 16 is in a raised or lowered position and further being able to record the length of time that the bin lifting device 16 is in such raised or lowered position. The data unit 18 has additional sensors being adapted to determine its orientation with respect to the vertical or horizontal and is preferably attached to either the bin lifting device 16 or to the tailgate 14.

As stated above, when a simulated lifting operation is performed, the same refuse bin is left on the bin lifting device 16 and is repetitively and continuously raised and lowered to cause an incorrect count to be recorded by a conventional simple counter. However, when a refuse bin is properly emptied, it should be in :

DrG Ref: 672614 the inverted raised position for a certain length of time, being at least 1¥2 seconds, to allow the refuse therein to fall out into the container 12.

Thereafter, once the bin lifting device 16 is lowered, it again takes a certain length of time, being at least 5%2 seconds, for the now empty refuse bin to be - 5 interchanged with a new full refuse bin. . The data unit 18 includes a processing unit that is programmed with a mathematical algorithm that calculates the length of time that the bin lifting device 16 is in the raised and lowered positions. :

If the bin lifting device 16 is in the raised position for less than 1Y2 seconds or is subsequently in the lowered position for less than 5% seconds, then the data unit 18 will not record the operational cycle as a proper cycle but may record it as a potentially false operational cycle. The data unit 18 will only record the operational cycle as being proper if the bin lifting device 16 is in the raised position for more than 1%. seconds and is subsequently in the lowered position for more than 52 seconds.

Once the refuse container 12 is full or if all the required refuse bins have been emptied, the refuse truck 10 will discharge its load at a suitable landfill, incinerator, transfer point, etc. Again, the municipalities often require data relating to the place and time where the load was discharged.

Normally in order to empty the refuse container 12, the tailgate 14 must be raised by pivoting it around hinge 20 through an angle of more than 40° - 60°.

Since the data unit 18 is mounted to either to the tailgate 14 or to the bin lifting device 16, which is in turn mounted to the tailgate 14, the data unit 18 will itself also be rotated through 40° - 60 degrees during discharge of a load from the refuse container 12.

Optionally the data unit 18 can include a GPS locator for recording the position at which a valid lifting operation is performed or the position of discharge of the load from the refuse container 12. 3

The data unit 18 can be retrofitted to any existing refuse truck 10.

DrG Ref: 672614

Claims

6 | im, ~...._. CL E CLAIMS TT

1. A data unit for use with a bin lifting device that is attached to a refuse container on a refuse truck, the data unit including sensing means being adapted to determine if a bin lifting device is in a raised or a lowered position; timing means being adapted to determine a first duration that the

. sensing means indicates the bin lifting device is in the raised position and a second duration that the sensing means indicates the bin lifting device is in the lowered position; a processing unit being adapted to compare the first and second durations with pre-programmed constants; and counting means being adapted to count a valid operation cycle if the first and second durations exceed the pre-programmed constants.

2. A data unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the sensing means includes a single sensor being adapted to be activated when the bin lifting device is in the lowered position.

3. A data unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the sensing means includes a single sensor being adapted to be activated when the bin lifting device is in the raised position.

4. A data unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the sensing means includes a first sensor being adapted to determine if the bin lifting device is in a raised position and a second sensor being adapted to determine if the bin lifting device is in a lowered position.

5. A data unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the counting means is adapted to count an invalid operation cycle if the first and second durations do not exceed the pre-programmed constants.

6. A data unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the pre- programmed constants include a time of equal to or greater than 1%: seconds for comparison with the first duration.

7. A data unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the pre- programmed constants include a time of equal to or greater than 5% seconds for comparison with the second duration. DrG Ref: 672614

8. A data unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a tilt sensor being adapted to determine an orientation of a bin lifting device with respect to the vertical or horizontal.

9. A data unit as claimed in claim 8, which is adapted to record a discharge of a refuse container if the tilt sensor senses a change in orientation through . an angle of between 40° - 60°.

10. A data unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is attached to a bin lifting device provided on a refuse truck.

11. A data unit as claimed in any one claims 1 to 9, which is attached to a tailgate of a refuse truck on which the bin lifting device provided.

12. A data unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a GPS locator being adapted to record a location at which a valid operation cycle, an invalid operational cycle or a discharge of a refuse container is counted.

13. A data unit substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

14. A bin lifting device for a refuse truck including a data unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A refuse truck including a data unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13. Date: 22 August 2008 John Spicer DR GERNTHOLTZ INC Patent Attorneys of/Applicant(s) PO Box 8; Cape Town 8000; South Africa Union Road; Milnerton 7441; South Africa Tel: (021) 551 2650 Fax: (021) 551 2960 DrG Ref.: 639014 30 t:\files\14\672614\672614 spec.docx DrG Ref: 672614