DK2824045T3 - Waste Collection Vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a refuse collection vehicle comprising a loading opening preferably arranged at the rear and having at least one running board for a refuse collector arranged in the rear area, wherein at least one grab handle in which a sensor is integrated is arranged above the running board at the refuse collection vehicle in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.

Known refuse collection vehicles having a loading opening arranged at the rear have running boards arranged in the rear area on which the refuse collectors can ride along in a standing position during the ride.

In accordance with current accident prevention guidelines, it is prescribed that in the event that a refuse collector is riding along in a standing position on one of the running boards, the refuse collection vehicle may no longer reverse and in addition may not exceed a prescribed maximum speed while driving forwards. This maximum speed is currently 30 k.p.h. A refuse collection vehicle is already known from DE 37 29 107 C in which a contact switch reduces the speed of the engine from a specific load of the running board onwards. A refuse collection vehicle is known from DE 39 18 971 C in which a speed limitation for the engine is provided on the mounting of the running board such that the vehicle speed is upwardly restricted. Various contacts or sensing elements are prescribed there with which it can be determined whether a refuse collector is standing on a running board. These contacts or sensing elements are configured as light barriers or as ultrasonic transmitters or ultrasonic receivers. A refuse collection vehicle of the initially named kind is known from DE 41 21 720 C in which support arm that can be manually folded or pivoted and that supports the running board is equipped with an actuating lever that is connected to a contact switch fastened to the holding part. This contact switch switches a relay that in turn establishes a connection between the reversing light switch or a contactor for a limit speed and the brake valve via operating contacts so that the brake valve is activated if the standing positions are not upwardly folded or pivoted around or if reverse gear is engaged or if the limit speed of the brake valve is exceeded.

The known refuse collection vehicle requires a comparatively expensive and complicated arrangement of the contact switch because the latter is only functional with a precise arrangement of the parts actuating the contact switch. A refuse collection vehicle is in turn known from the German utility model DE 200 11 220 U in which the tilt of the running board is determined via a tilt sensor such that a signal is generated that cancels the drive restrictions for the refuse collection vehicle when the running board has been pivoted upwardly over an angle that makes a mounting of the running board impossible.

Whereas the upwardly folding and pivoting down of the running board took place manually in earlier embodiments, it is currently already usual as a facilitation for the refuse collector to operate the pivoting of the running board via pneumatic cylinders or hydraulic cylinders. The running board as a rule receives the signal for a downward folding or an upward folding via a keyboard that is provided in the rear region of the refuse collection vehicle, or alternatively from the operator's cabin.

In accordance with EP 1 334 925 B1, however, it has already been proposed to integrate a contact sensor in a grab handle arranged above the at least one running board at the refuse collection vehicle on whose actuation a signal can be output to fold the running board down. The sensor addressed there is configured as a capacitive sensor such that the command to fold the running board down is emitted on contact with the refuse collector's glove or hand. If the grab handle is now no longer held tight, the running board can again be automatically folded up.

The previously presented safety systems are frequently bypassed by the refuse collectors to avoid, where possible, the drive restrictions of the refuse collection vehicle that are felt to be annoying.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a safety device for refuse collection vehicles that is as secure against manipulation as possible.

The object is solved in accordance with the invention by the combination of the features of claim 1.

In this respect, in a refuse collection vehicle of the category a sensor having more than one signal transmitter designed with an actuable ready display is fitted in the at least one grab handle arranged above the running board at the refuse collection vehicle. The sensor is connected to an electronic control that has a random generator via which the individual signal transmitters can be activated.

In accordance with the invention, at least one signal transmitter per hand that has to be actuated is always activated in the electronic control on a random basis. The refuse collector therefore has to observe which signal transmitter is activated. However, he has to actuate exactly this signal transmitter to activate the desired response of the waste collection container, that is, for example, driving at a specific speed. A manipulation can thus be prevented by this random activation of different signal transmitters in the sensor provided in the handle. The actuation of the sensor namely has the consequence that, as previously stated, the refuse collector actively responds to a demand of the system to emit the desired actuation signal.

Preferred embodiments of the invention result from the dependent claims following on from the main claim.

The signal transmitters can accordingly advantageously indicate via optical and/or acoustic and/or tactile elements that they are activated. The refuse collector is prompted by this display to actuate the signal transmitters within the sensor. An optical display can, for example, comprise an LED light flashing here when the signal transmitter is activated. The refuse collector must grip the correspondingly optically designated signal transmitter within the sensor to activate it. This can naturally take place in the same manner via acoustic or tactile elements, with it also being possible that combinations of the optical, acoustic and/or tactile elements are required to activate the signal transmitter.

Provision can be made in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention that two grab handles having corresponding sensors are provided for each running board. Associated with this, provision can be made that a previously fixed process routine can only be actuated when the sensors in both grab handles are activated. Such a process routine can, for example, comprise the refuse collection vehicle being able to drive faster than walking pace. It is ensured by this embodiment that the waste collection vehicle only drives faster than walking pace when the refuse collector is holding on securely with both hands.

It is particularly advantageous if the running boards are vertically adjustable. The respective refuse collector can hereby set the spacing from the respective grab handle in accordance with his height. A further feature likewise serving safety comprises a holder being fixedly anchored to the refuse collection vehicle into which a corresponding mating piece, for example a belt worn by or connectable to the refuse collector, can be threaded or hooked. Accidents caused by the falling of the refuse collector from the running board can be avoided by this additional holder.

The holding apparatus at the vehicle side particularly advantageously has a hook or an eyelet into which or through which the belt can be hooked or threaded.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention result from an embodiment shown in the drawing. There are shown:

Figure 1: a schematic side view of a refuse collection vehicle in accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 2 and Figure 3: respective representations of a refuse collector standing on a running board of the refuse collection vehicle to illustrate the use of the present application.

The refuse collection vehicle 10 shown in accordance with Figure 1 has in a customary manner a vehicle chassis 12 having an operator's cabin 14 and a reception space 16 for the refuse to be taken up. A rear-side lifting and tipping device 18 known in its design adjoins the reception space 16 for the refuse. A running board 20 is respectively laterally arranged at the rear terminal wall and can be pivoted about a pivot joint 22 from a folded-up position (drawn chain-dotted and provided with the reference numeral 24) into an outwardly folded position (shown in a solid line in the Figure). Corresponding piston-in-cylinder arrangements that serve the pivoting of the running board 20 are not shown here for reasons of simplification. The sensors for the positional detection of the running board 20, i.e. for the detection of the corresponding tilt at which the restriction for the travelling of the refuse collection vehicle is typically canceled, are also not shown in any more detail.

Two respective grab handles 26 per running board are arranged above the running board 20 and in the region of the lifting and tipping device. Respective sensors, not shown in any more detail here, are integrated in the grab handles 26.

In accordance with the invention, a sensor has more than one signal transmitter fitted with an actuable ready display. The respective signal sensors and thus also the signal transmitters to be operated are connected to an electronic control that has a random generator via which the individual signal transmitters can be activated.

On a corresponding activation of the signal transmitter, this is indicated externally via optical and/acoustic and/or tactile elements. The refuse collector now has to respond to this display if he desires the release of a specific controllable process.

Such a process can, for example, be the possibility that the refuse collection vehicle drives faster than walking pace. It can thus be possible as part of the present invention that, when the running board is folded down, the refuse collection vehicle can, as the typical restriction, not reverse and can only drive forwards at walking pace. In order now also to make a somewhat faster locomotion of the refuse collection vehicle possible during the collection, provision can be made in accordance with the present invention that as soon as the refuse collector is standing on the running board 20 (cf. Figure 2 and Figure 3), he has to activate the respective activated ready displays in both sensors of the grab handles 26 that he can grip with his hands, in order thus to allow a faster driving than walking pace.

As an additional safety feature, a holding apparatus in the form of a hook 28 that is fixedly arranged at the refuse collection vehicle is provided in the embodiment shown here. A belt 30, that is, for example, connected in the manner shown in Figure 2 to the belt of the refuse collector can be hooked into this hook. Accidents can hereby be avoided that may be caused by a falling from the running board when driving at a somewhat higher speed.

Claims (8)

A garbage collection vehicle having a loading opening preferably disposed on the stern, with at least one step board (20) for a refurbishment worker located in the stern area, where at least one handle (26) is placed above the step board (20) on the garbage collection vehicle; in which a sensor is integrated, characterized in that the sensor has more than one signal sensor equipped with an activatable contingency display and that the sensor is connected to an electronic control device through which the individual signal sensors can be activated. Waste collection vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the signal transmitters indicate that they are activated via optical and / or acoustic and / or tactile elements. Waste collection vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that for each step board (20) there are two handles (26) with associated sensors. Waste collection vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that a predetermined process run can only be controlled when the sensors in both handles (26) are activated. Waste collection vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the process run consists in the fact that the waste collection vehicle can run faster than step speed. Waste collection vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one step board (20) can be adjusted in height. Waste collection vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, as an additional safety device, there is provided a holder on the vehicle side and a harness (30), which can be connected to it, which can be worn by the waste worker or can be connected to it. Waste collection vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the vehicle-side holding device has a hook (28) or a ring which can be inserted into the harness (30).