EP1748003B1 - Process and device for testing garbage for metallic elements - Google Patents

Abstract

The refuse searching process involves searching the refuse in a refuse container for metal waste. At least one metal probe (8, 9) is used for this purpose, moving it along the refuse container from below while the refuse container is raised by a lifting device (3, 4) on the dustcart (1), continuously or in stages, from bottom to top.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for the examination of garbage collected in a garbage container for metal components, in which the garbage container is scanned before emptying and pickup by a refuse collection vehicle by means of at least one metal probe, according to the preambles of claims 1 and 15.

More and more frequently, garbage container contents are automatically checked by means of metal probes immediately before emptying into a garbage truck for foreign and foreign matter, for example in the case of biowaste and waste paper. The known metal probes are usually arranged in the region of a lifting device of the refuse collection vehicle. The metal probes used hitherto are not suitable for each lifting device in terms of size and / or weight. There are lifting devices that have only a low robustness, so that they by the additional metal probe weight, z. B. at the bearings wear faster.

From the EP 0 633 862 B1 For example, variously designed metal probes are known for use in refuse collection vehicles. On the one hand, it is known to put a roughly annular probe, which is connected via a cable to the refuse collection vehicle, via a refuse container. However, this procedure is very time-consuming and time-consuming. Furthermore, it is disclosed in this document that a metal probe can be moved horizontally along the front of the refuse container. This means that the length of the metal probe must correspond approximately to the height of the refuse container. This results in a very high weight of the metal probe, which in turn, as described above, can adversely affect the lifting device. Furthermore, it is disclosed in the document that according to a further embodiment of the refuse container can be moved past several probes. From this Druckenchrift thus a method and an apparatus according to the preambles of claims 1 and 15 is known. The object of the present invention is to develop a method and a device which make it possible, when using a small metal probe, to examine the container contents of a refuse container effectively for metal components.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method of type, wherein the refuse container is already scanned during the recording by a lifting device of the refuse collection vehicle to the complete hanging of the refuse container to a container receptacle

By this measure, it is possible to use a smaller, in particular a shortened metal probe. A shortening of the metal probe would normally mean that the container contents to be tested would make up only a fraction of the test volume since then. Of course, such a reduction of the test volume is not desired by municipalities and composting companies. By passing a smaller metal probe on a container, a similar test volume can be checked as before. It can be provided that the metal probe moves continuously from bottom to top along the container and at several times a measurement is performed. Alternatively it can be provided that the probe is moved stepwise from bottom to top along the container and a measurement is performed in the intervals between the steps. It may therefore be provided in particular to carry out several time-discrete measurements for each refuse container.

The scanning is carried out until the trash container has been fully suspended from a container receptacle. As a result, the greatest possible test duration is achieved and a large container volume can be checked. In this case, the metal probe is moved together with the container receptacle for scanning along the refuse container. A separate operation for the scanning of the refuse container can thus be omitted.

Before the measuring process of the metal probes can be started, a compensation, ie an automatic zero-point correction of the metal probes must take place. This prevents incorrect measured values due to temperature drift or vibrations. The compensation can preferably be triggered when lowering the container receptacle by a mechanical, electronic or optical sensor.

Preferably, the complete suspension of the container, in particular mechanically, electronically or optically detected and terminated the scan with fully hinged container. Thus, it can be recognized when a measurement series has ended and a subsequent evaluation can take place.

A simple evaluation of the measured values can take place if the measured values recorded by the metal probe, in particular in tabular form, are stored.

Preferably, the measured values are sorted by time and there is a time-dependent evaluation of the measured values. In order to ensure the most reliable metal detection, an optimal measurement time must be found. This means that disturbing influences (eg manhole cover or metal axle of the refuse container) have to be recognized early. These interferences must be filtered out. On the other hand, the measurement period must not be too short in order to be able to check the largest possible part of the container. Since there are different speed lifting devices in garbage collection vehicles (both at the rear and on the side or the front) first several measurements per container recording, especially in a table of a computer of a detection system on the garbage truck, stored. These measured values are evaluated after completion of the measurement. If the stored measured values are sorted according to the order of their arrival, a time-dependent evaluation of the measured values from "young" to done "old". Thus, in particular measured values, which are falsified, for example, by wheel axles of the refuse containers or manhole covers, can be excluded.

The optimum number of measured values to be used depends on the speed of the lifting device. Therefore, advantageously, the number of measured values taken into account for the evaluation, as a function of the movement speed of the lifting device, is set. The number can be z. B. externally, supported by computer technology, can be influenced. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the pauses between the individual measurements can be set and thereby the resolution of the sampling can be influenced.

In order to suppress disturbances of the metal probe by electromagnetic fields of other systems on the vehicle, as well as interference from unwanted eddy currents in the metal parts of the vehicle, on the other hand not disturb foreign systems on the vehicle as possible and to focus the field of view only on the container, the actual metal probe by a enclosed massive aluminum tub. The only free opening points to the container and is formed by a non-metallic lid. In this are the windings (coils), which generate the measuring field. For the purposes of the invention, metal probe means both a transmitting / receiving coil arrangement and an arrangement consisting of shielding, coils arranged therein, associated circuit and non-metallic lid.

In particular, when an identification system for container identification and, where appropriate, a container weighing system are used on the refuse collection vehicle, it is advantageous if, when fully suspended Container the measuring field of the metal probe is switched off. The use of a metal probe can lead to disruptions in the simultaneous use of an identification and optionally weighing system, in particular in the case of a low-frequency electronic identification and possibly weighing system. These are created by the measuring field of the metal probe. The measuring field can make the identification and optionally the weighing difficult or even impossible. By switching off the measuring field of the metal probe after the complete hanging of the container, this can be avoided.

The switching off and on of the measuring field can be effected as a function of a sensor signal. The sensor signal for switching off may be the same sensor signal, which signals the complete hanging of the refuse container and thus the end of a series of measurements.

The scope of the invention also includes a refuse collection vehicle with a device for inspecting garbage collected in garbage containers for metal components, comprising at least one metal probe, wherein the metal probe travels at least in a section along a garbage container to be emptied, in particular continuously or stepwise, from below upwards is movably arranged. As a result, metal detection is already possible during the reception of the refuse container by the refuse collection vehicle. In addition, the metal probe can be made significantly smaller than heretofore known and practicable.

The metal probe is arranged in or on a container receptacle. The container receptacle is moved along the refuse container anyway, if this is to be absorbed by the container receptacle. This already performed hub -... can be exploited to simultaneously perform a metal detection.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a sensor, in particular a mechanical, electronic or optical sensor, be provided for detecting the complete hanging of the refuse container to the container receptacle. Through this sensor, a signal can be emitted, which stops the measurement and shuts off the metal probe. Subsequently, an evaluation of the measured values and an identification of the refuse container can take place.

An evaluation of the measured values can take place if a computing unit in contact with the metal probe is provided with allocated memory for storing the measured values of the metal probe. In this context, it is also advantageous if the arithmetic unit has a sorting device for sorting the measured values and the arithmetic unit comprises an evaluation device.

An identification of the refuse containers can take place if a reading device is provided for detecting a coding of the refuse container. The reading device can be designed, for example, as a bar code reader or as a reading device for an electronic active or passive transponder.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the figures of the drawing, which shows details essential to the invention, and from the claims. The individual features may be implemented individually for themselves or for a plurality of combinations in variants of the invention.

In the schematic drawing embodiments of the invention are shown, which are explained in more detail in the following description.

Fig.1

stark schematisiert die Rückansicht eines Müllsammelfahrzeugs;

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht eines Teils eines Müllsammelfahrzeug, das im Begriff ist, einen Müllbehälter aufzunehmen;

Fig. 3

ein Blockschaltbild zur Erläuterung der Funktion des Müllsammelfahrzeugs.

Show it:

Fig.1

strongly schematized the rear view of a refuse collection vehicle;

Fig. 2

a side view of a portion of a refuse collection vehicle that is about to receive a refuse container;

Fig. 3

a block diagram for explaining the function of the refuse collection vehicle.

In Fig. 1 a refuse collection vehicle 1 is shown, which has an opening 2 through which the contents of refuse containers can be emptied into the interior of the refuse collection vehicle 1. The refuse collection vehicle 1 has lifting devices 3, 4, on which container receptacles 5, 6 for receiving in Fig. 1 Not shown garbage containers are arranged. During the reception of a refuse container, the container receptacles 5, 6 carry out a movement in the direction of the arrow 7, that is, upwards. As a result, metal probes 8, 9 are moved from bottom to top. The metal probes 8, 9 have approximately the width of a refuse container. This will ensure that scanning across the entire width of the bin can be done. In the exemplary embodiment, the container receptacles 5, 6 are formed as a receiving comb. However, other container receptacle forms are conceivable, for example a triangular shape. In this case, the previously common triangular shape is divided into two parts, the lower, non-positive to the lifting device 3, 4 Part through which metal probe is formed. The triangular shape placed on the metal probe can be designed universally so that instead of the metal probe, a load cell or holder can also be used.

Of the Fig. 2 , in which the refuse collection vehicle 1 is only partially shown, it can be seen that the metal probe 8 is significantly shorter than the height of the refuse container 10. About the lifting device 3, the container receptacle 5 is moved in the direction of arrow 7 until the container receptacle 5 under the edge 11th the refuse container 10 passes. As a result, the metal probe 8 is moved along the refuse container 10. During this lifting movement, metal detection can take place by measuring at several points in time.

Out Fig. 3 it can be seen that the metal probe 8 is connected to a computing unit 20. The measured values of the metal probe 8 are forwarded via the arithmetic unit 20 to a memory 21, where the measured values are stored. The measured values stored in the memory device 21 can be sorted, in particular temporally sorted, by a sorting device 22 before or after the storage. As soon as the container receptacle 5 has completely received the refuse container 10, that is, the container receptacle 5 has come into engagement with the edge 11, this is detected by a sensor 23. The sensor 23 may be formed, for example, as an electrical or mechanical sensor. An evaluation device 24 can then perform an evaluation of the measured values stored in the memory device 21 in the arithmetic unit 20. At the same time, for example, via the computing unit 20, the metal probe 8, in particular their electromagnetic field, are turned off. Thus, it is possible to detect a coding of the refuse container 10 via a reading device 25 and if necessary to perform a weighing. Via a device 26, for example an external PC system, it can be influenced how many of the measured values stored in the memory device 21, in particular how many of the last stored measured values, are taken into account in the evaluation. A sensor 27 detects the lowering of the lifting device and outputs a signal that triggers a compensation of influences by temperature and vibration at the metal probe 8.

Claims (21)

1. Process for checking refuse collected in a refuse container (10) for metallic contents, wherein the refuse container (10) is scanned by means of at least one metal detector (8, 9) before being emptied, and having its contents collected, by a refuse collection vehicle (1), characterized in that scanning of the refuse container (10) is effected in particular continuously or in steps as the container (10) is picked up by a lifter (3, 4) of the refuse collection vehicle (1) and until it is completely coupled to a container holder (5, 6), by moving at least one metal detector (8, 9) upwards along the refuse container (10) in at least one section, in particular continuously or in steps, together with the container holder (5, 6).
2. Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that a compensation for effects of temperature and vibration on the metal detector (8, 9) is made prior to the scan.
3. Process according to Claim 2, characterized in that the compensation is made when the container holder (5, 6) is lowered.
4. Process according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, characterized in that the compensation is triggered mechanically, electronically or optically by a sensor (27).
5. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the complete coupling of the container (10) is detected, in particular mechanically, electronically or optically, and scanning ceases when the refuse container (11) is completely coupled.
6. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensing field of the metal detector (8, 9) is switched off when the refuse container (10) is completely coupled.
7. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the number of readings subject to evaluation is set.
8. Process according to Claim 7, characterized in that the number is set as a function of the rate of rise of the lifter (3, 4).
9. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the readings taken by the metal detector (8, 9) are stored, in particular in the sequence in time in which they are obtained.
10. Process according to Claim 9, characterized in that in particular the latest readings are evaluated before earlier readings.
11. Process according to any one of Claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the sensing field is switched off and on in response to a sensor signal.
12. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the event of metallic contents' being detected in the refuse container, this attribute is stored in the corresponding record of an ident and/or weighing system.
13. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the event of a positive metal detection, the raised refuse container is lowered again without being emptied.
14. Refuse collection vehicle (1) with an apparatus for checking refuse collected in refuse containers (10) for metallic contents, comprising at least one metal detector (8, 9), the metal detector (8, 9) being arranged movably upwards along a refuse container (10) to be emptied, in at least one section, in particular continuously or in steps, characterized in that the metal detector (8, 9) is arranged in or on a container holder (5, 6).
15. Refuse collection vehicle according to Claim 14, characterized in that a first sensor (27), in particular a mechanical, electronic or optical sensor, triggers a compensation of effects of temperature and vibration on the metal detector (8, 9) upon the downwards movement of the container holder (5, 6).
16. Refuse collection vehicle according to either of Claims 14 and 15, characterized in that a second sensor (23), in particular a mechanical, electronic or optical sensor, is provided to to detect the complete coupling of the refuse container (10) to the container holder (5, 6).
17. Refuse collection vehicle according to any one of the preceding Claims 14 to 16, characterized in that a computer (20) in contact with the metal detector (8, 9), with a dedicated memory (21) for storing the readings of the metal detector (8, 9), [is] provided.
18. Refuse collection vehicle according to Claims 17, characterized in that the computer (20) has a sort facility for sorting the readings obtained.
19. Refuse collection vehicle according to Claim 17 or Claim 18, characterized in that the computer (20) has an evaluator (24).
20. Refuse collection vehicle according to any one of the preceding Claims 14 to 19, characterized in that a reading device (25) for recording a code of the refuse container (10) is provided.
21. Refuse collection vehicle according to any one of the preceding Claims 14 to 20, characterized in that where a triangle-shaped container holder is provided, the metal detector (8, 9) located underneath is configured as a beam of this container holder.

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