EP3476768B1 - Waste collecting and emptying system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is in the field of waste collection, and it relates more particularly to a system and a method for collecting household waste. These are temporarily stored in dedicated places in the municipalities in which are grouped, on the ground or buried, storage containers allocated to the various types of most common household waste (plastic, paper-cardboard, glass, metal, garbage housewives etc).

The waste is then periodically collected by means of specialized vehicles which are responsible for emptying the containers before replacing them, empty, for renewed use. The vehicles comprise for this purpose means for lifting the containers allowing them to be moved above dumpsters/waste storage tanks which are fitted to the rear part of their chassis, and into which the contents of the containers are dumped. These lifting means can for example take the form of a crane or equivalent located at the rear of the cockpit of the vehicle and with the aid of which the containers are lifted and transported to place them above a dumpster for emptying them. In this case, when the container arrives above an upper opening of the bucket, at least one hatch fitted to the bottom of the container is opened to allow it to be emptied from below. This is for example what is disclosed in the document FR 2 461 664 , which discloses a system according to the preamble of claim 1.

A variant is described in the patent US 3,207,343 , which presents a solution in which the lifting system consists mainly of articulated arms whose rotation, perpendicular to the main axis of the vehicle, is controlled by a first motorized pulley and cable system. A second motorized pulley/cable assembly allows the containers to be lifted, a cable which also participates in the opening of a hatch when emptying. The collection/emptying is done in an axial direction, i.e. the treated containers must be placed in front of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, lifted above it before being emptied and making the reverse journey to be redeposited on the ground.

Alternatively, there are containers of another design which cooperate with lifting means in the form of arms which grip laterally, that is to say at the level of vertically oriented walls, the containers and tilt them in the waste collection tanks. The arms lift the container to move it above the truck, then turn them over to empty them from the top, after retracting the lid.

The respective configurations of the two aforementioned lifting means lead to different treatment times, the lifting and emptying operations carried out by a crane requiring from 3 to 5 minutes while the side arms carry out an emptying in about 45 seconds, due to the automation of gripping and of the kinematics specific to the corresponding means. This time advantage is however tarnished by certain consequences of emptying from the top, which means in any case that the waste emptying function takes place in the upper part of these containers, which is also the one used by users to the function of posting their waste.

However, the particular nature of these two functions makes it difficult to reconcile them in the same location, in particular because the upper part of the containers is that which is seen by the users, and that if it is also used for emptying, it is inevitably soiled. Emptying the containers by turning them over means that the emptying hatch must be located at the level of the upper lid and, in this case, the emptying operation very often leaves traces of dripping since household waste contains in many cases liquid residues. This considerably harms the attractiveness of the container, users do not like to see and even less to touch the dirty surfaces at the places where their waste is posted.

In this case of tipping of the container, taking into account the mechanical constraints linked to the emptying operations, and for reasons of durability, the upper part must also be expected to be robust. The overturning of the containers in fact produces a sudden tilting of the lid-hatch, leading to repetitive shocks which cause premature aging of the structure, without it being possible to provide additional mechanisms limiting the forces undergone by the emptying hatch, for example by making the opening progressive. The necessary robustness in the upper part of the containers translates in practice into the use of massive, unattractive parts, at a time when the design of street furniture has become an unavoidable issue, particularly for commercial purposes.

Moreover, because of these violent shocks to which the cover-discharge hatch is subjected, it is not possible to install potentially fragile components therein, such as electronic access controls. However, the trend in this field too is towards the automation of operations, the collection of operating data and the digital management of container parks, which require the installation in the containers of suitable electronics.

The invention overcomes these drawbacks, by proposing an innovative solution based on fast kinematics of the type used in the turning solution, without the functions of unloading and posting the waste being located in the same place, thus avoiding the mutual limitations due to their cohabitation and described above.

Thus, the waste collection and emptying system of the invention is defined in claim 1.

The solution of the invention actually avoids any reversal operation, and keeps the two functions separate, in particular by distinguishing their locations on the container, which are in practice opposite one another. The lifting means applied laterally, however, have the same qualities of diligence of the emptying operations, because allowing the use of an adapted kinematics. It is therefore no longer necessary to pass the containers over the passenger compartment of the vehicle, which considerably simplifies the management of movements, and saves considerable time. In reality, it is the combination of the location of the lifting means and the vertical holding of the containers that makes the system efficient.

The lifting means comprise at least one lifting arm rotatably mounted on the frame along an axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the free end of which is capable of hooking onto a gripping system projecting at least at least one face of the container, said arm being moved by drive means between a deployed position with a view to attachment and an emptying position in which the hatch is above an opening giving access to the means for storing the waste.

More precisely still, the lifting means may comprise two lifting arms arranged symmetrically on each side of the container, so that the load of the container is distributed between these arms. The axis of rotation of the arm(s) can then be located on or in the vicinity of one of the sides of the truck, and implement optimal and fast kinematics mainly based on a single rotary path to be performed in both directions. The axis of rotation can also be movable vertically.

According to one possible configuration, the lifting arm comprises two sections, a first section, the free end of which comprises an articulation on the chassis of the vehicle and a second section, the free end of which is unciform and designed to cooperate with the attachment means of the gripping system container, said sections being mutually oriented so as to place the container vertically above an opening of the storage means in the emptying position.

In this position, the container and the lifting means are preferably held inside the surface formed by the footprint of the vehicle. It is also the storage position of the lifting means when they are not activated, and which therefore do not come out of the volume of the vehicle, at least in the width.

Preferably, the opening and closing of the container emptying hatches is done, according to a configuration specific to the invention, in a progressive manner and controlled by the lifting arm or arms which vertically actuate a lifting beam located inside the container and is connected to the emptying hatch via tie rods. The actuation of the lifter can be carried out in particular by means such as at least one hydraulic or electric cylinder, or by any other appropriate solution.

The mechanical structure is therefore designed so that the movement induces an automatic opening/closing of the emptying hatch(es), without any other human intervention, when the container is in the vicinity or in line with the opening of the storage tanks of the waste.

This opening can for example take the form of a hopper with an upper opening, often provided with means for crushing the waste.

1. a. déplacement du ou des bras de levage depuis une position de rangement contenue au moins latéralement dans le volume du véhicule vers une position déployée hors dudit volume ;
2. b. accrochage du conteneur ;
3. c. déplacement inverse du ou des bras de levage vers la position de vidange du conteneur;
4. d. Ouverture de la trappe de vidange du conteneur;
5. e. Fermeture de la trappe de vidange du conteneur;
6. f. déplacement du ou des bras de levage vers la position déployée pour reposer le conteneur ;
7. g. décrochement du conteneur ;
8. h. déplacement du ou des bras de levage vers la position de rangement du ou des bras.

The invention also relates to a method for collecting and emptying waste using the system described above for emptying containers, and which comprises the following steps:

1. To. displacement of the lifting arm(s) from a storage position contained at least laterally in the volume of the vehicle to a deployed position outside of said volume;
2. b. hooking the container;
3. vs. reverse movement of the lifting arm(s) to the container emptying position;
4. d. Opening of the container emptying hatch;
5. e. Closing the container emptying hatch;
6. f. movement of the lifting arm(s) to the deployed position to rest the container;
7. g. container detachment;
8. h. movement of the lift arm(s) to the storage position of the arm(s).

This method allows an implementation of the emptying of a container with increased speed and robustness, the steps can individually be implemented in an easy and reliable manner, the kinematics and mechanical structures involved being simplified.

Generally, the advantages of the invention are numerous. The fact that the emptying hatches are in the low position, placed on the ground when the containers are parked in their usual areas, making possible in particular a massive design and a realization for example in galvanized steel of the hatch or hatches. The system implemented also makes it possible to make the opening of the hatches progressive, eliminating the brutality and shocks of previous solutions and de facto lengthening the life of the containers.

The separation of functions also allows the upper part to benefit on the one hand from improved aesthetics, and on the other hand from the installation of sensitive equipment such as electronic components or assemblies participating in the individual or collective management of the or containers. Thus, the orifices for introducing household waste could for example be equipped with a double drum with access control, which was impossible in the event of a configuration undergoing repeated and intense mechanical stresses.

Finally, and this is not the least of the expected benefits, the upper part of each container will be able to remain clean and therefore adapted to its main objective: to encourage users to deposit their household waste there for recycling.

• la figure 1 représente, en double vue perspective et en section, un véhicule et un conteneur de déchets encore au sol dans l'aire de collecte des déchets, les moyens de levage déployés et accrochés au conteneur ;
• la figure 2 montre, en double vue perspective et en section, une phase intermédiaire de levage ;
• la figure 3 illustre, toujours en double vue perspective et en section, la fin du déplacement, conteneur positionné au-dessus d'une ouverture d'une trémie donnant accès aux moyens de stockage des déchets du véhicule, avant que ceux-ci n'y soient déversés ;
• la figure 4 reprend les éléments de la figure précédente, les trappes équipant le conteneur étant à présent ouvertes pour libérer les déchets ;
• la figure 5 représente de façon plus détaillée le mode de fonctionnement desdites trappes en lien avec les moyens de levage, à l'aide de vues de côté du conteneur respectivement trappes fermées et ouvertes ; et
• la figure 6 reprend les éléments de la figure précédente, avec des vues à l'intérieur du conteneur montrant la structure de commande à palonnier de la position des trappes.

The invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended figures which represent a non-limiting example of implementation of the invention, and for which:

• there figure 1 shows, in double perspective view and in section, a vehicle and a waste container still on the ground in the waste collection area, the lifting means deployed and attached to the container;
• there figure 2 shows, in double perspective view and in section, an intermediate phase of lifting;
• there picture 3 illustrates, still in double perspective view and in section, the end of the trip, container positioned above an opening of a hopper giving access to the vehicle's waste storage means, before they are dumped therein ;
• there figure 4 repeats the elements of the previous figure, the hatches fitted to the container now being open to release the waste;
• there figure 5 shows in more detail the mode of operation of said hatches in connection with the lifting means, with the aid of side views of the container respectively with the hatches closed and open; And
• there figure 6 repeats the elements of the previous figure, with views inside the container showing the structure for controlling the position of the hatches.

With reference to the figure 1 , the vehicle 10, in this case a waste collection truck, comprises means 11 for lifting a container 20 placed on the ground in a waste collection area. It also comprises waste storage means in the form of an enclosed volume 12 located in the rear part, on the vehicle chassis 10. Access to these storage means 12 is via a hopper 13, generally provided with a compactor (not shown), which directs the waste towards the volume 12. The lifting means in this case consist of twin arms 14, the free ends of which are hooked to hooking means in the form of gripping systems 21 arranged symmetrically on two opposite vertical faces of the container 20. The sectional view of this figure 1 shows that the arms 14 are driven in rotation by a motor shaft 15 which may be the case optionally be driven vertically arranged parallel to and in the vicinity of a side of the vehicle 10. The bottom of the container 20 is provided with two hatches 22 pivoting along two opposite lower edges of the container 20, in this case located at the bottom of the faces equipped means for hooking the arms 14.

The following figures help to understand the progress of the collection phases, the figure 2 showing the lifting means 11 in the process of moving the container 20, in this case raised to a height above the ground such that it is at a level higher than that of the upper opening of the hopper 13, although said container 20 is still outside the vehicle.

On the contrary, in the picture 3 , the container 20 is now located in line with the hopper 13, ready to dump the waste it contains. The lower hatches 22 are however still closed, which is no longer the case in the figure 4 . It should be noted that in the configurations of the figures 3 and 4 , when the container 20 is in the emptying position, centered above the hopper, it is in abutment in a position which is also that of the "storage" of the lifting means 11 when empty. In this case, the section of the lifting arms 14 which is contiguous to the rotation shaft 15 is vertical in appearance and does not protrude outside the chassis of the vehicle 10, but on the contrary remains within the volume of the vehicle 10. In fact, and this contributes to the simplicity of the configuration, the lifting means 11, and consequently the arms 14, always perform the same and unique path, whether it is to pick up a container or return to a stored rest position in the vehicle 10 after having redeposited it, therefore empty, or to move a container towards the hopper 13 or redeposit it, therefore loaded.

THE figures 5 and 6 provide details on the operation and more specifically the control of the position of the hatches 22 with respect to the rest of the container 20.

With reference now to figures 5 and 6 , the hatches 22 are actually controlled by a crossbar 24 to which are fixed tie rods 25, the distal ends of which are pivotally connected in brackets 26 projecting from the upper face of the each hatch 22. The ends of the lifter 24 slide in slideways 27 made in the two opposite walls of the container 20 to which the gripping systems 21 are also fixed. abutment at the upper end of the slide 27, the hatches 22 are completely closed, whereas when they are in contact with the lower end of the slide 27, the hatches 22 are fully open. The lifter 24 can be moved, as mentioned before and in a non-limiting way, by means of at least one hydraulic or electric cylinder. The operation appears seen from inside the container 20 in figure 6 , and seen from the outside in FIG. 7, without these drive means.

In this exterior representation, each lateral gripping system 21 is in the form of an external upright 23 whose upper part which protrudes from the container 20 has a lateral cylindrical stud 28 provided to cooperate with the unciform free end of each arm 14 A hook open towards the top of the arms 14, of such a shape that the block 28 marries its interior profile, lifts the container 20 from below on both sides, the correspondence of shape ensuring a degree of freedom in rotation which makes it possible to preserve at each instant the verticality of the container 20 which rests there by gravity.

The uprights 23 also guide the movement of a vertically movable hook 29, also open upwards, and which supports on each side an end of the lifting beam 24 which protrudes from the container 20 outside the slide 27. According to one possibility , the outer upright 23 is secured to the opposite faces of the container 20 by means of a fixed hook 30.

It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the example described and explained with reference to the figures, which should only be considered as a simple non-exhaustive illustration of the invention. On the contrary, it encompasses the variants, in particular of form, falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims (8)

1. A waste collection and emptying system combining a truck-type vehicle (10) comprising, on the one hand, a chassis equipped with container (20) lifting means (11) and waste storage means (12), and, on the other hand, containers (20) parked in waste collection areas and the bottom of which includes at least one emptying hatch (22), the lifting means (11) are applied to at least one lateral face of the container (20), provided with hooking means (21) capable of holding the container (20) substantially vertical during movements between a parked position and an emptying position, characterized in that the lifting means (11) include at least one lifting arm (14) rotatably mounted on the chassis along an axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (10), said axis of rotation being located on or in the vicinity of one of the sides of the truck (10).
2. The system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the free end of said at least one lifting arm (14) is capable of hooking onto a gripping system (21) protruding from at least one face of the container (20), said arm (14) being moved by drive means between a deployed position with a view to hook onto it and an emptying position in which the hatch (22) is above an opening (13) giving access to the waste storage means (12).
3. The system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it includes two lifting arms (14) arranged symmetrically on each side of the container (20).
4. The system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axis of rotation is vertically movable.
5. The system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lifting arm (14) includes two sections, a first section, the free end of which includes an articulation to the chassis of the vehicle and a second section, the free end of which is hook-shaped and intended to cooperate with the hooking means (28) of the gripping system (21) of the container (20), said sections being mutually oriented so as to place the container (20) vertically above an opening (13) of the storage means (12) in the emptying position.
6. The system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening and closing of the emptying hatches (22) of the container (20) is done gradually and controlled by the one or more lifting arms (14) which vertically actuate a spreader bar (24) located inside the container (20) and connected to each emptying hatch (22) via tie rods (25).
7. The system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the actuation of the spreader bar (24) is carried out by means such as at least one hydraulic or electric cylinder.
8. A waste collection and emptying method using the system of the preceding claims for emptying the containers (20), characterized in that it includes the following steps:

   a. moving the one or more lifting arms (14) from a stowed position contained at least laterally within the volume of the vehicle (10) to a deployed position outside said volume;

   b. hooking the container (20);

   c. moving in the opposite direction the one or more lifting arms (14) to the emptying position of the container (20);

   d. opening the emptying hatch (22) of the container (20);

   e. closing the emptying hatch (22) of the container (20);

   f. moving the one or more lifting arms (14) to the deployed position to replace the container (20);

   g. unhooking from the container (20);

   h. moving the one or more lifting arm (14) to the stowing position of the one or more arms (14).

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