EP4119467A1 - Refuse collection vehicle - Google Patents

Refuse collection vehicle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP4119467A1
EP4119467A1 EP22185128.0A EP22185128A EP4119467A1 EP 4119467 A1 EP4119467 A1 EP 4119467A1 EP 22185128 A EP22185128 A EP 22185128A EP 4119467 A1 EP4119467 A1 EP 4119467A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hydraulic
refuse
driven
collection vehicle
switch
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP22185128.0A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Mike WARDENIER
Jasper Alexander COSTER
Ivan Theodoor ROOSENDAAL
Deonicius Johannes NIESSEN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Geesink BV
Original Assignee
Geesink BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Geesink BV filed Critical Geesink BV
Publication of EP4119467A1 publication Critical patent/EP4119467A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
    • B65F3/00—Vehicles particularly adapted for collecting refuse
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
    • B65F3/00—Vehicles particularly adapted for collecting refuse
    • B65F3/14—Vehicles particularly adapted for collecting refuse with devices for charging, distributing or compressing refuse in the interior of the tank of a refuse vehicle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
    • B65F3/00—Vehicles particularly adapted for collecting refuse
    • B65F3/14—Vehicles particularly adapted for collecting refuse with devices for charging, distributing or compressing refuse in the interior of the tank of a refuse vehicle
    • B65F2003/146—Sensors, e.g. pressure sensors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to refuse collection vehicle having a lifting device for lifting refuse bins and emptying these refuse bins into the collection vehicle and having a compactor for compacting the refuse collected in the vehicle.
  • a refuse collection vehicle is a truck designed for collecting refuse offered in refuse bins placed at the side of the road.
  • a truck is in general considered to consist of two main structures:
  • the components associated to the driving functions and the super-structure are provided on the chassis frame.
  • the 'components associated to the driving functions' may depend on customer requirements, but may in general be common for trucks with different specific functions.
  • the 'components associated to the driving functions' of the truck may comprise:
  • the 'driving functions system' of a refuse collection vehicle may, according to the invention, comprise one or more of:
  • the super-structure of a truck highly depends on the specific function(s) for which the truck is intended.
  • the super-structure typically comprises a floor, walls, and a roof enclosing a load space for cargo; in a concrete truck, the super-structure typically comprises a rotating drum on an inclined axis; in a dump truck, the super-structure typically comprises an open-box bed, which is hinged at the rear and lifts at the front, allowing the material in the bed to be unloaded on the ground behind the truck; in a tank truck, the super-structure typically comprises a cylindrical tank for liquids or gasses; and in a refuse collection vehicle, like the one according to the invention, the super-structure typically comprises a collecting body for collecting refuse, a lifting device configured for lifting refuse bins and emptying the refuse bins into the collecting body, and a compactor configured for compacting refuse received in the collection body.
  • a refuse collection vehicle is typically driven by a combustion engine, and provided with a compactor, a lifting device, and a refuse collection body - further called 'collection body' -, into which the contents of the refuse bins is deposited by means of the lifting device.
  • the lifting device is configured to lift one or more refuse bins from the street into a position where the contents of the bins is emptied into the collection body, after which the refuse bin is lowered again and placed back on the street.
  • the compactor is configured to compact the refuse in the collection body so that more refuse can be collected in the collection body. This collection process is carried out multiple times.
  • the refuse collection vehicle drives to a refuse collection station to empty the collection body, after which the refuse collection vehicle is ready again for collecting refuse that is offered along the road.
  • the refuse collection vehicle according to the invention may optionally be provided with an ejector configured for pushing the refuse out of the collection vehicle and a tailgate configured for swivelling away to allow unloading of refuse at the back of the refuse collection vehicle.
  • Actuators for the tailgate, compactor, ejector and lift are frequently hydraulically driven cylinders, which require a hydraulic pump.
  • the power for the hydraulic pump is usually derived from a Power Take Off (PTO), which takes power from the combustion engine and provides power to the hydraulic pump. This results in additional load on the combustion engine whilst the collection vehicle is (about) stationary for emptying refuse bins into the collection body , leading to undesirable noise and exhaust emissions.
  • PTO Power Take Off
  • EP2072421 details a solution for using electric power to actuate the hydraulic actuators, using additional batteries 11 which are charged in the night-time when the vehicle is not in use (see [0022] of EP2072421 ) using an additional charging infrastructure.
  • a downside of using electrical batteries to perform the hydraulic actuations is that the power and capacity needed for actuating all said hydraulic devices electrically is such that a separate battery is required. This increases the weight of the vehicle, resulting in a lower refuse collection capacity.
  • EP2192055 discloses a refuse collection truck. This truck has - see [0022] of EP2192055 - a pressing system/press or so called packer (44), which is hydraulically driven and hydraulically controlled by a first pump (46). This first pump (46) is mechanically driven by the power take off (48), abbreviated as PTO. This truck further has - see [0019] of EP2192055 - a loading system (4) for emptying containers (6). This loading system is - see [0022] of EP2192055 - driven by a second pump (52) which is also mechanically driven by the PTO and which is necessarily variably controllable.
  • This electrically driven pump/second energy source is - see EP2192055 column 3 lines 26-27 - only set to a maximum required power of the loading system and thus not variably driven and, when the combustion engine supplies insufficient oil, the electric motor is witched on - see EP2192055 column 7 lines 37-39 - so that the power for the loading system is provided by the second, variably controllable, PTO driven pump (52) as well as the third electrically driven pump (54).
  • the truck of EP2192055 has quite a complex control which necessarily requires three pumps, a PTO driven, first pump for the press, a PTO driven, second pump for the loading system, and an electrically driven, third pump for the loading system, which electrically driven third pump must be able to operate the loading system at the same time as the PTO driven, second pump operates the loading system.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a refuse collection vehicle which overcomes one or more of the above problems.
  • a refuse collection vehicle comprising a sub-structure and a super-structure
  • PTO power take off
  • the mechanically driven hydraulic pump is hydraulically connected to i) the compactor actuator system, and to ii) the lift actuator system. Further, the lift actuator system can be driven by the electrically driven hydraulic pump or by the mechanically driven hydraulic pump For this purpose:
  • the lifting operation of the refuse collection vehicle according to the invention may be in its primary modus of lifting when the hydraulic switch is in the second condition and in its secondary or backup modus of lifting when the hydraulic switch is in the first condition.
  • the secondary or back-up modus of the lifting operation may be used for example when the remaining charge of the chassis battery might be too low. Switching between the first condition and second condition may be done manually or - as further addressed below - automatically.
  • connection between the lift actuator system and the hydraulic switch is provided by the hydraulic lift feedline extending from the hydraulic switch up to the lift actuator system.
  • the upstream end of this hydraulic lift feedline thus is so to say attached to an outlet of the hydraulic switch, and the downstream end of this hydraulic lift feedline thus is so to say attached to the lift actuator system.
  • Actuation of the compactor - i.e. its compactor actuator(s) - requires high hydraulic power, whilst the actuation of the lifting device - i.e. its lift actuator(s) - requires relatively low hydraulic power. It has been found that several lifting actions can be performed with a hydraulic pump electrically driven by a usual chassis battery without depleting the chassis battery, whilst the high hydraulic power required for the compactor overloads a chassis battery resulting not only about directly in the chassis battery being empty and consequently failure of the driving functions systems, but also in damaging the internals of the chassis battery.
  • this invention saves weight by not using additional batterie(s) whilst reducing noise and/or exhaust emissions with respect to conventional lifting actuations. Additionally, using the chassis battery eliminates the need for any additional or other and heavier charging infrastructure.
  • the hydraulic switch allows using the battery when said usage is suitable, and using the power take off when using the battery is not suitable.
  • the hydraulic switch may be a 3-way valve with one inlet port and two outlet ports. More specifically, the hydraulic switch may according to a further embodiment of the invention be a shuttle valve.
  • the basic structure of a shuttle valve is - see Wikipedia - like a tube with three openings; one on each end, and one in the middle. A ball or other blocking valve element moves freely within the tube. When pressure from a fluid is exerted through an opening on one end it pushes the ball/blocking valve element towards the opposite end. This prevents the fluid from traveling through that opening, but allows it to flow through the middle opening. In this way two different sources can provide pressure without the threat of back flow from one source to the other.
  • the pressure of the inlet fluid pushing the ball/blocking valve element away' may be lower than the pressure of the other inlet fluid. This may for example be achieved by supporting the lower pressure with a spring and/or by configuring the surface onto which the lower pressure acts larger than the surface onto which the higher pressure acts.
  • a shuttle valve as such is a passive valve without any incorporated (electric) actuator, but it switches depending on the difference between the pressures of the fluid at the two inlets.
  • the vehicle may further comprises a control system configured to switch the hydraulic switch between the first and second condition on the basis of a sensor signal.
  • the control system may comprise according to a further embodiment of the invention:
  • said 'mechanism' may comprise the electric motor of the electrically driven hydraulic pump and the shuttle valve, with the control signal for example an electromagnetic 3-way valve, said 'mechanism' may comprise the electromagnetic 3-way valve with the control signal being the signal operating the electromagnetic switch element of the electromagnetic 3-way valve.
  • said 'one or more parameters' comprise a parameter representative of the presently remaining capacity of the chassis battery, i.e. the battery charge status indicating how much residual capacity a battery still has at a given moment.
  • the battery charge status may for example be determined based on the battery voltage of the battery.
  • the residual capacity is considered to be 100% at a voltage of about 12.7 V and is considered to be zero (0%) at a voltage of about 10.8 V.
  • these values may be 25.4 V and 21.6 V, respectively. In case of other types of batteries similar but different values are known from practise.
  • the concentration of sulfuric acid may for example form a measure of the amount of capacity that is still available and can be easily determined with an acid scale without requiring the battery being decoupled.
  • the controller is configured to:
  • the sensor signal drops below a predetermined low value. This may happen when the lifting device is driven by the electrically driven pump which in turn is driven by the chassis battery. In case this happens the control signal changes from the second signal (corresponding to the lifting device being driven by the chassis battery) to the first signal in order to bring the hydraulic switch in the first condition to prevent the battery from being de-charged any further by the lifting device.
  • the controller is further configured to change from the first control signal to the second control signal when said one or more sensor signals are indicative of the presently remaining capacity of the battery exceeding a predetermined high value, the predetermined high value being larger than the predetermined low value.
  • the chassis battery is normally charged when the combustion engine is running..
  • the hydraulic switch is switched to the second condition so that the lifting device is driven by the chassis battery (i.e. by the electrical pump driven by the chassis battery).
  • said one or more parameters may comprise an instantaneous voltage of the chassis battery.
  • this may be a voltage during operation of the combustion engine with the refuse collection vehicle stationary and the electrically driven hydraulic pump turned off. When the electrically driven hydraulic pump is in operation, this will cause the voltage of the chassis battery to drop and being dependent from the load being lifted by the lifting device. As this lifted load will vary from bin to bin, a voltage measured when the electrically driven hydraulic pump is turned off will give a reliable value for purpose of controlling the hydraulic switch.
  • the instantaneous voltage of the chassis battery may be a voltage of the chassis battery at a predetermined time after turning off the electrically driven hydraulic pump.
  • This predetermined time may for example be 1, 3, 5 or 10 seconds.
  • said instantaneous voltage of the chassis battery may also be taken or in addition also be taken during operation of the electrically driven hydraulic pump.
  • This may for example be a safety measure to allow the controller to ensure that the hydraulic switch switches to first condition in case the capacity of chassis battery may drop below a predetermined safety value.
  • This safety value may for example be chosen such that the chassis battery is prevented from being damaged and/or that it is ensured that continued operation of the driving functions system is guaranteed.
  • the said one or more parameters are measured or determined continually: a continuous signal in the case of an analogue measurement, and a digital signal in the case of a digital measurement.
  • a digital measurement the measurement is taken so frequently - i.e. the sample interval is taken so short - that the switching to the second condition happens before the battery would reach a value below the first critical value, at which value the lifting actuation or the driving functions would be compromised.
  • the driving functions system may comprise one or more of:
  • the fuel for the combustion engine may be any fuel suitable.
  • the fuel may be diesel, petrol (as it is called in Europe +or gasoline as it is called in the USA), or a fuel gas.
  • a 'fuel gas' is any one of a number of fuels that under ordinary conditions are gaseous, but may be liquified for storage in a fuel tank. Examples of fuel gases are hydrogen and hydrocarbons.
  • the chassis battery is a battery which is designed to have a nominal charge of about 24 Volt - a so called 24V battery - , which is the standard for chassis batteries of trucks.
  • the chassis battery may for example be a 24V 300 Ah battery, or a 24V battery with a capacity of less than 300 Ah.
  • the refuse collection vehicle may further comprise:
  • the refuse collection vehicle additionally comprises a tailgate and/or an ejector, both of which function to assist in eject the refuse from the collection body, and both of which draw power from the power take off following the same reasoning as the compactor: the actuation of the tailgate and the ejector requires high hydraulic power which would deplete the battery too drastically. Further, the action occurs much less frequent.
  • the electrically driven hydraulic pump and its associated electric motor are located in front of the collection body, such as between the collection body and the drivers cab.
  • Fig. 1 schematically illustrates refuse collection vehicle 100 according to the invention.
  • the refuse collection vehicle 100 comprises a frame 102, a driver's cab 103, a collection body 104 for collecting refuse, a tailgate 105 and a lifting device 101.
  • the driver's cab 103 is provided on the frame 102, at the front of the vehicle.
  • the collection body 104 is provided on the frame 102, behind the driver's cab 103.
  • the tailgate 105 is provided at the rear side of the vehicle with the collection body 104 arranged between the tailgate 105 and the driver's cab 103.
  • the frame 102 is further provided with a fuel tank 106, front wheels 107 and double rear wheels 108.
  • FIG. 2 shows the lifting device 101 in some more detail.
  • Figure 2a shows the lifting device in lowermost position ready for receiving a refuse bin 202 .
  • Figure 2b shows the lifting device in uppermost position with the refuse bin 202 in lifted and tilted position such that the contents of a refuse bin 202 is emptied into the refuse collection vehicle 100.
  • the lifting and tilting of the refuse bin 202 is achieved by means of hydraulic lift actuators 201.
  • Fig. 3 schematically shows the hydraulic system 300, as well as the combustion engine 301, in fluid connection with the fuel tank 106, which combustion engine 301 mechanically drives, via a power take off 304, a mechanically driven hydraulic pump 305.
  • the combustion engine 301 further drives the dynamo 302 which in turn charges the chassis battery 303.
  • Fig. 3 further schematically shows a electrically driven hydraulic pump 307, which is driven by an electric motor 306.
  • the electric motor 306 is controlled by the control system 500 and is driven by the chassis battery 303, i.e. supplied with electrical energy from the chassis battery 303.
  • the mechanically driven hydraulic pump 305 and the electrically driven hydraulic pump 307 are in fluid connection with an oil tank 308 for sucking in hydraulic fluid.
  • a hydraulic compactor feedline 351 connects the mechanically driven hydraulic pump 305 with the compactor actuator system 310, which drives the compactor 311.
  • a hydraulic first switch feedline 354 connects the mechanically driven hydraulic pump 305 to the first inlet port of the hydraulic switch 309.
  • the electrically driven hydraulic pump 307 is connected to the second inlet port of the hydraulic switch 309 by a hydraulic second switch feedline 353.
  • the lift actuator system 201 configured for actuating the lifting device 101, is connected to the outlet port of the hydraulic switch 309 by a hydraulic lift feedline 352.
  • the hydraulic pump 305 is further connected to the tailgate actuator system 314, configured for actuating the tailgate 105, and to the ejector actuator system 312, configured for actuating the ejector 313.
  • the hydraulic switch 309 is depicted as a shuttle valve having a shut off element 320 - depicted as a ball - movable between a first condition and a second condition.
  • the shut off element 320 is shown in the first condition, with the shut off element 320 in its most right position in which it i) closes the second inlet port connected with the electrically driven hydraulic pump 307, and ii) provides hydraulic connection between outlet port connected with the lift actuator system and the first inlet port connected with the mechanically driven pump 305.
  • shut off element 320 When the shut off element 320 is in the second condition, the shut off element 320 will - in figure 3 - be in its most left position in which it i) closes the first inlet port connected with the mechanically driven pump 305 and ii) provides hydraulic connection between outlet port connected with the lift actuator system and the second inlet port connected with the electrically driven pump 307.
  • Fig. 4 schematically illustrates the chassis battery 303 which supplies electrical energy to the driving functions system 400, including in this example:
  • Fig. 5 schematically illustrates the control system 500, comprising:
  • the sensor system may be configured to sense the instantaneous voltage of the chassis battery, in this example a 24V chassis battery.
  • a first predetermined low voltage is chosen well above the voltage at which the chassis battery is considered to be in empty condition. This first predetermined low voltage may for example be set about 2.5 V higher than the voltage associated to the empty condition. Let's say this predetermined low voltage is 24.0 V.
  • the sensor system is configured to measure the voltage when the combustion engine is in operation with the vehicle stationary and at a moment that the electrically driven hydraulic pump has been switched off for a predetermined time of for example 5 seconds.
  • the controller switches from the second control signal to the first control signal resulting in the hydraulic switch assuming its first condition in which the hydraulic lift actuator system is driven by the mechanically driven hydraulic pump (driven by the PTO).
  • the chassis battery will be recharged by the dynamo driven by the combustion engine and the sensor system will continue to do its measurements when the combustion engine is in operation with the vehicle stationary and at moments that the electrically driven hydraulic pump has been switched off for a predetermined time of for example 5 seconds.
  • the controller switches from the first control signal (back) to the second control signal resulting in the hydraulic switch assuming its second condition in which the hydraulic lift actuator system is driven by the electrically driven hydraulic pump powered by the chassis battery.
  • the sensor system may be configured to continually measure the voltage of the chassis battery and the controller may be configured to change from the second control signal to the first control signal when the voltage of the chassis battery drops below a predetermined safety voltage which is between the voltage associated to the empty condition and the predetermined low voltage.
  • This predetermined safety value may for example be in the range of 0.5 to 1 V higher than the voltage associated to the empty condition of the chassis battery.
  • a feedline is here understood to be a piping through which pressurized hydraulic fluid is transported, for example to an actuator which is hydraulically powered.
  • feedline has in general an upstream end and downstream end as may have been defined in this application for a specific feedline.
  • a feedline may be provided with hydraulic components - like valves, pumps, etcetera - arranged between its upstream and downstream end.
  • a 24V battery may be formed by:
  • this specific voltage is the nominal voltage.
  • the voltage of this battery in fully charged condition will in practice be about 25.4 V whilst this battery is considered to be empty and needing recharge when the voltage is about 24.8 V.
  • the voltage of this battery in fully charged condition will in practice be about 12.7 V whilst this battery/battery unit is considered to be empty and needing recharge when the voltage is about 12.4 V.

Abstract

The refuse collection vehicle (100) comprises a sub-structure and a super-structure. The sub-structure comprises: a chassis frame (102), a driver's cab (103), a combustion engine (301), a fuel tank (106), a PTO (304) and a dynamo (302) both driven by the combustion engine, a chassis battery (303) charged by the dynamo, and a driving functions system (400) powered by the chassis battery. The super-structure comprises: a refuse collection body (104), a refuse compactor (311), a lifting device (101) for lifting refuse bins (202), and hydraulics. The hydraulics comprise a mechanical pump (305) mechanically driven by the PTO, an electrical pump (307) electrically driven by an electric motor powered by the chassis battery, a compactor actuator (310) actuating the compactor, a lift actuator system (201) actuating the lifting device, a compactor feedline (251) downstream attached to the compactor actuator and upstream connected with the mechanical pump, a hydraulic switch (309) having an outlet, a first and second inlet. The switch is switching between: a first condition in which the first inlet is connected with the outlet whilst the second inlet is closed, and a second condition in which the second inlet is connected with the outlet whilst the first inlet is closed. The hydraulics further comprise a lift feedline (352) downstream attached to the lift actuator system and upstream attached to the outlet of the hydraulic switch, a first switch feedline (354) downstream attached to the first inlet and an upstream connected to the mechanical pump, and a second switch feedline (353) downstream attached to the second inlet and upstream connected to the electrical pump.

Description

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates to refuse collection vehicle having a lifting device for lifting refuse bins and emptying these refuse bins into the collection vehicle and having a compactor for compacting the refuse collected in the vehicle.
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • A refuse collection vehicle is a truck designed for collecting refuse offered in refuse bins placed at the side of the road. A truck is in general considered to consist of two main structures:
    • the sub-structure - in practise often called the chassis - comprising the chassis frame and the components associated to the driving functions of the truck, and
    • the super-structure - in practise often called the body - comprising the specialized equipment required for the specific function(s) of the truck.
  • The components associated to the driving functions and the super-structure are provided on the chassis frame.
  • The 'components associated to the driving functions' may depend on customer requirements, but may in general be common for trucks with different specific functions. In a refuse collection vehicle according to the invention, the 'components associated to the driving functions' of the truck may comprise:
    • a drivers cab for housing the driver,
    • a combustion engine,
    • a fuel tank in fluid connection with the combustion engine,
    • a power take off driven by the combustion engine,
    • a dynamo driven by the combustion engine,
    • a chassis battery configured for being charged by the dynamo,
    • front and rear wheels, and
    • a driving functions system configured to be powered by the chassis battery.
  • The 'driving functions system' of a refuse collection vehicle may, according to the invention, comprise one or more of:
    • electrically controlled and/or driven motor management components configured for operating the engine, such as a fuel valve and/or a fuel pump,
    • a brake system configured for slowing down the vehicle,
    • a cooling system for cooling the combustion engine,
    • a steering system configured for steering one or more wheels of the vehicle,
    • a manual and/or automatic shift configured for adjusting the transmission ratio between the motor shaft driven by the combustion engine and the driven wheels
    • safety systems,
    • a tyre management system,
    • a lighting system,
    • an information interface, configured to display information in the driver's cab.
  • The super-structure of a truck highly depends on the specific function(s) for which the truck is intended. In a box truck the super-structure typically comprises a floor, walls, and a roof enclosing a load space for cargo; in a concrete truck, the super-structure typically comprises a rotating drum on an inclined axis; in a dump truck, the super-structure typically comprises an open-box bed, which is hinged at the rear and lifts at the front, allowing the material in the bed to be unloaded on the ground behind the truck; in a tank truck, the super-structure typically comprises a cylindrical tank for liquids or gasses; and in a refuse collection vehicle, like the one according to the invention, the super-structure typically comprises a collecting body for collecting refuse, a lifting device configured for lifting refuse bins and emptying the refuse bins into the collecting body, and a compactor configured for compacting refuse received in the collection body.
  • Thus a refuse collection vehicle according to the invention is typically driven by a combustion engine, and provided with a compactor, a lifting device, and a refuse collection body - further called 'collection body' -, into which the contents of the refuse bins is deposited by means of the lifting device. The lifting device is configured to lift one or more refuse bins from the street into a position where the contents of the bins is emptied into the collection body, after which the refuse bin is lowered again and placed back on the street. The compactor is configured to compact the refuse in the collection body so that more refuse can be collected in the collection body. This collection process is carried out multiple times.
  • Once the collection body is full, the refuse collection vehicle drives to a refuse collection station to empty the collection body, after which the refuse collection vehicle is ready again for collecting refuse that is offered along the road. To facilitate emptying of the collection body at the collection station, the refuse collection vehicle according to the invention may optionally be provided with an ejector configured for pushing the refuse out of the collection vehicle and a tailgate configured for swivelling away to allow unloading of refuse at the back of the refuse collection vehicle.
  • Actuators for the tailgate, compactor, ejector and lift are frequently hydraulically driven cylinders, which require a hydraulic pump. The power for the hydraulic pump is usually derived from a Power Take Off (PTO), which takes power from the combustion engine and provides power to the hydraulic pump. This results in additional load on the combustion engine whilst the collection vehicle is (about) stationary for emptying refuse bins into the collection body , leading to undesirable noise and exhaust emissions. EP2072421 details a solution for using electric power to actuate the hydraulic actuators, using additional batteries 11 which are charged in the night-time when the vehicle is not in use (see [0022] of EP2072421 ) using an additional charging infrastructure.
  • A downside of using electrical batteries to perform the hydraulic actuations is that the power and capacity needed for actuating all said hydraulic devices electrically is such that a separate battery is required. This increases the weight of the vehicle, resulting in a lower refuse collection capacity.
  • EP2192055 discloses a refuse collection truck. This truck has - see [0022] of EP2192055 - a pressing system/press or so called packer (44), which is hydraulically driven and hydraulically controlled by a first pump (46). This first pump (46) is mechanically driven by the power take off (48), abbreviated as PTO. This truck further has - see [0019] of EP2192055 - a loading system (4) for emptying containers (6). This loading system is - see [0022] of EP2192055 - driven by a second pump (52) which is also mechanically driven by the PTO and which is necessarily variably controllable. This variable control is necessary in order to allow - in accordance with the teaching of EP2192055 , see [0004] and [0009] - the hydraulic power for the loading system to be adjusted to correspond to the power required to empty a container. Further, referring to [0012] lines 43-50 of column 2, it is not feasible to use the first pump of the press for the variable control of the loading system in case the first pump is driven by the PTO so that a second variably controllable hydraulic pump for the loading system is required. In addition a third, electrically driven pump (is provided as a second energy source for the loading system of EP2192055 . This electrically driven pump/second energy source is - see EP2192055 column 3 lines 26-27 - only set to a maximum required power of the loading system and thus not variably driven and, when the combustion engine supplies insufficient oil, the electric motor is witched on - see EP2192055 column 7 lines 37-39 - so that the power for the loading system is provided by the second, variably controllable, PTO driven pump (52) as well as the third electrically driven pump (54). The truck of EP2192055 has quite a complex control which necessarily requires three pumps, a PTO driven, first pump for the press, a PTO driven, second pump for the loading system, and an electrically driven, third pump for the loading system, which electrically driven third pump must be able to operate the loading system at the same time as the PTO driven, second pump operates the loading system.
  • It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative refuse collection vehicle. A further object of the invention is to provide a refuse collection vehicle which overcomes one or more of the above problems.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • One or more of the above objects are achieved by providing a refuse collection vehicle comprising a sub-structure and a super-structure;
    • wherein the sub-structure comprises:
      • a chassis frame,
      • a driver's cab provided on the chassis frame, at the front of the chassis frame,
      • a combustion engine,
      • a fuel tank in fluid connection with the combustion engine,
      • a power take off driven by the combustion engine,
      • a dynamo driven by the combustion engine,
      • a chassis battery configured for being charged by the dynamo, and
      • a driving functions system configured to be powered by the chassis battery;
    • wherein the super-structure comprises:
      • a collection body for collecting refuse, which body is provided on the frame, behind the driver's cab,
      • a compactor configured for compacting refuse received in the collection body,
      • a lifting device configured for lifting refuse bins, and
      • a hydraulic system;
        and
    • wherein the hydraulic system comprises:
      • a mechanically driven hydraulic pump driven by the power take off,
      • an electrically driven hydraulic pump driven by an electric motor powered by the chassis battery,
      • a hydraulic compactor actuator system configured for actuating the compactor,
      • a hydraulic lift actuator system configured for actuating the lifting device,
      • a hydraulic compactor feedline having a downstream end attached to the compactor actuator system and an upstream end hydraulically connected with the mechanically driven hydraulic pump,
      • a hydraulic switch having an outlet port, having a first and second inlet ports, and configured to be switched between:
        • a first condition in which the first inlet port is hydraulically connected with the outlet port whilst the second inlet port is closed such that the PTO driven pump drives the lifting device, and
        • a second condition in which the second inlet port is hydraulically connected with the outlet port whilst the first inlet port is closed such that the electrically driven pump drives the lifting device,
      • a hydraulic lift feedline having a downstream end attached to the lift actuator system and an upstream end attached to the outlet port of the hydraulic switch,
      • a hydraulic first switch feedline having a downstream end attached to the first inlet port and an upstream end hydraulically connected to the mechanically driven hydraulic pump, and
      • a hydraulic second switch feedline having a downstream end attached to the second inlet port and an upstream end hydraulically connected to the electrically driven hydraulic pump.
  • Basically, the invention provides a refuse collection vehicle with two hydraulic pumps: a mechanically driven hydraulic pump which is driven by the power take off (=PTO), and an electrically driven hydraulic pump which is driven by the chassis battery.
  • The mechanically driven hydraulic pump is hydraulically connected to i) the compactor actuator system, and to ii) the lift actuator system. Further, the lift actuator system can be driven by the electrically driven hydraulic pump or by the mechanically driven hydraulic pump For this purpose:
    • The compactor actuator system is connected to the mechanically driven hydraulic pump by a hydraulic compactor feedline extending from the mechanically driven hydraulic pump up to the compactor actuator system. The upstream end of this hydraulic compactor feedline thus is so to say attached to the mechanically driven hydraulic pump, and the downstream end of this hydraulic compactor feedline thus is so to say attached to the compactor actuator system.
      and
    • The lifting actuator is connected to a hydraulic switch configured to be switched between a first condition and a second condition. In the first condition, the hydraulic switch connects the mechanically driven hydraulic pump - driven by the PTO - and the lifting device whilst the electrically driven hydraulic pump is not connected with the lifting device mechanically drive. In the second condition, the hydraulic switch connects the electrically driven hydraulic pump and the lifting device, whilst the mechanically driven hydraulic pump is not connected with the lifting device. The hydraulic switch is thus switched such that the lifting actuator is hybrid driven either mechanically by the PTO or electrically by the chassis battery. The compactor actuator however is driven by the mechanically driven pump, and not hybrid either mechanically by the PTO or electrically by chassis battery.
  • In practice, the lifting operation of the refuse collection vehicle according to the invention may be in its primary modus of lifting when the hydraulic switch is in the second condition and in its secondary or backup modus of lifting when the hydraulic switch is in the first condition. The secondary or back-up modus of the lifting operation may be used for example when the remaining charge of the chassis battery might be too low. Switching between the first condition and second condition may be done manually or - as further addressed below - automatically.
  • The connection between the lift actuator system and the hydraulic switch is provided by the hydraulic lift feedline extending from the hydraulic switch up to the lift actuator system. The upstream end of this hydraulic lift feedline thus is so to say attached to an outlet of the hydraulic switch, and the downstream end of this hydraulic lift feedline thus is so to say attached to the lift actuator system.
  • Actuation of the compactor - i.e. its compactor actuator(s) - requires high hydraulic power, whilst the actuation of the lifting device - i.e. its lift actuator(s) - requires relatively low hydraulic power. It has been found that several lifting actions can be performed with a hydraulic pump electrically driven by a usual chassis battery without depleting the chassis battery, whilst the high hydraulic power required for the compactor overloads a chassis battery resulting not only about directly in the chassis battery being empty and consequently failure of the driving functions systems, but also in damaging the internals of the chassis battery. By using the chassis battery, which is already present in the vehicle superstructure for powering driving functions, this invention saves weight by not using additional batterie(s) whilst reducing noise and/or exhaust emissions with respect to conventional lifting actuations. Additionally, using the chassis battery eliminates the need for any additional or other and heavier charging infrastructure. The hydraulic switch allows using the battery when said usage is suitable, and using the power take off when using the battery is not suitable.
  • According to the invention, the hydraulic switch may be a 3-way valve with one inlet port and two outlet ports. More specifically, the hydraulic switch may according to a further embodiment of the invention be a shuttle valve. The basic structure of a shuttle valve is - see Wikipedia - like a tube with three openings; one on each end, and one in the middle. A ball or other blocking valve element moves freely within the tube. When pressure from a fluid is exerted through an opening on one end it pushes the ball/blocking valve element towards the opposite end. This prevents the fluid from traveling through that opening, but allows it to flow through the middle opening. In this way two different sources can provide pressure without the threat of back flow from one source to the other. It is not necessarily required that 'the fluid pushing the ball/blocking valve element away' from one end to the other end has a higher pressure than the fluid at the opposing other end. In sophisticated designs the pressure of the inlet fluid pushing the ball/blocking valve element away' may be lower than the pressure of the other inlet fluid. This may for example be achieved by supporting the lower pressure with a spring and/or by configuring the surface onto which the lower pressure acts larger than the surface onto which the higher pressure acts. A shuttle valve as such is a passive valve without any incorporated (electric) actuator, but it switches depending on the difference between the pressures of the fluid at the two inlets.
  • According to the invention, the vehicle may further comprises a control system configured to switch the hydraulic switch between the first and second condition on the basis of a sensor signal. More specifically, the control system may comprise according to a further embodiment of the invention:
    • a sensor system configured to sense one or more parameters influencing the present condition of the chassis battery and to emit one or more sensor signals representative of said one or more parameters,
    • a controller configured to generate, in response to the one or more sensor signals, a control signal,
    • a mechanism configured to cause, depending on the control signal, the hydraulic switch to switch between the first and second condition.
  • In case of a shuttle valve, said 'mechanism' may comprise the electric motor of the electrically driven hydraulic pump and the shuttle valve, with the control signal for example an electromagnetic 3-way valve, said 'mechanism' may comprise the electromagnetic 3-way valve with the control signal being the signal operating the electromagnetic switch element of the electromagnetic 3-way valve.
  • According to another further embodiment of the invention, said 'one or more parameters' comprise a parameter representative of the presently remaining capacity of the chassis battery, i.e. the battery charge status indicating how much residual capacity a battery still has at a given moment. In general, the battery charge status may for example be determined based on the battery voltage of the battery. As an example from general practise, in case of a 12V lead-acid battery: the residual capacity is considered to be 100% at a voltage of about 12.7 V and is considered to be zero (0%) at a voltage of about 10.8 V. For a 24V lead-acid battery these values may be 25.4 V and 21.6 V, respectively. In case of other types of batteries similar but different values are known from practise. As a further example in relation to a lead-acid battery, as an alternative of measuring the voltage or in addition to measuring a voltage, it is known that the concentration of sulfuric acid may for example form a measure of the amount of capacity that is still available and can be easily determined with an acid scale without requiring the battery being decoupled.
  • According to a further embodiment using the 'said one or more parameters' , the controller is configured to:
    • generate a first control signal or a second control signal, the first control signal causing the hydraulic switch to assume the first condition (i.e. the first inlet is connected with the outlet and thus the PTO driven pump drives the lifting device) and the second control signal causing the hydraulic switch to assume the second condition (i.e. the second inlet is connected with the outlet and thus the electrically driven pump drives the lifting device), and
    • to change from the second control signal to the first control signal when said one or more sensor signals are indicative of the presently remaining capacity of the battery falling below a predetermined low value.
  • When the battery does not have enough charge or capacity to actuate the lifting actuator, and/or when continuing to actuate the lifting actuator would drain the battery to an extent where this charge would not be sufficient to allow continued operation of the driving functions - which uses power from the chassis battery - , the sensor signal drops below a predetermined low value. This may happen when the lifting device is driven by the electrically driven pump which in turn is driven by the chassis battery. In case this happens the control signal changes from the second signal (corresponding to the lifting device being driven by the chassis battery) to the first signal in order to bring the hydraulic switch in the first condition to prevent the battery from being de-charged any further by the lifting device.
  • According to another further embodiment using the 'said one or more parameters', the controller is further configured to change from the first control signal to the second control signal when said one or more sensor signals are indicative of the presently remaining capacity of the battery exceeding a predetermined high value, the predetermined high value being larger than the predetermined low value. The chassis battery is normally charged when the combustion engine is running.. When the battery condition is such that the chassis battery is capable of safely providing the power for the hydraulic lifting actuation, as indicated by a sensor value exceeding a predetermined high value larger than the predetermined low value, the hydraulic switch is switched to the second condition so that the lifting device is driven by the chassis battery (i.e. by the electrical pump driven by the chassis battery).
  • According to another further embodiment of the invention, said one or more parameters may comprise an instantaneous voltage of the chassis battery. According to a further embodiment this may be a voltage during operation of the combustion engine with the refuse collection vehicle stationary and the electrically driven hydraulic pump turned off. When the electrically driven hydraulic pump is in operation, this will cause the voltage of the chassis battery to drop and being dependent from the load being lifted by the lifting device. As this lifted load will vary from bin to bin, a voltage measured when the electrically driven hydraulic pump is turned off will give a reliable value for purpose of controlling the hydraulic switch. In order to allow the voltage to recover at an about stable value after turning off the electrically driven hydraulic pump, the instantaneous voltage of the chassis battery may be a voltage of the chassis battery at a predetermined time after turning off the electrically driven hydraulic pump. This predetermined time may for example be 1, 3, 5 or 10 seconds. It is however to be noted that said instantaneous voltage of the chassis battery may also be taken or in addition also be taken during operation of the electrically driven hydraulic pump. This may for example be a safety measure to allow the controller to ensure that the hydraulic switch switches to first condition in case the capacity of chassis battery may drop below a predetermined safety value. This safety value may for example be chosen such that the chassis battery is prevented from being damaged and/or that it is ensured that continued operation of the driving functions system is guaranteed.
  • According to a further embodiment of the invention, the said one or more parameters are measured or determined continually: a continuous signal in the case of an analogue measurement, and a digital signal in the case of a digital measurement. In case of a digital measurement the measurement is taken so frequently - i.e. the sample interval is taken so short - that the switching to the second condition happens before the battery would reach a value below the first critical value, at which value the lifting actuation or the driving functions would be compromised.
  • According to a further embodiment of the invention, the driving functions system may comprise one or more of:
    • electrically controlled and/or driven motor management components configured for operating the engine, which components may for example be a fuel valve and/or a fuel pump of a fuel system,
    • a brake system,
    • a cooling system,
    • a steering system,
    • a gearbox,
    • manual shift and/or automatic shift for the gearbox,
    • safety systems,
    • a tyre management system,
    • a lighting system,
    • an information interface, configured to display information in the driver's cab.
  • According to the invention the fuel for the combustion engine may be any fuel suitable.. According to a specific further embodiment of the invention, the fuel may be diesel, petrol (as it is called in Europe +or gasoline as it is called in the USA), or a fuel gas. Referring to Wikipedia a 'fuel gas' is any one of a number of fuels that under ordinary conditions are gaseous, but may be liquified for storage in a fuel tank. Examples of fuel gases are hydrogen and hydrocarbons.
  • According to a further embodiment of the invention, the chassis battery is a battery which is designed to have a nominal charge of about 24 Volt - a so called 24V battery - , which is the standard for chassis batteries of trucks. Such a 24V battery may for example be a battery with a nominal capacity (= capacity in fully loaded condition) of up to 500 Ah (i.e. Ampere-hour), such as a nominal capacity of 140-300 Ah or 200-300 Ah. Thus the chassis battery may for example be a 24V 300 Ah battery, or a 24V battery with a capacity of less than 300 Ah.
  • According to a further embodiment of the invention, the refuse collection vehicle may further comprise:
    • a tailgate having a hydraulic tailgate actuator system in hydraulic connection with the mechanically driven hydraulic pump, configured to move the tailgate between an open and closed position to aid in the refuse ejection from the collection body,
      and/or
    • an ejector having a hydraulic ejector actuator system in hydraulic connection with the mechanically driven hydraulic pump, configured for movement of the ejector to-and-fro between a retracted and an extended position ejecting the refuse from the collection body.
  • In this embodiment, the refuse collection vehicle additionally comprises a tailgate and/or an ejector, both of which function to assist in eject the refuse from the collection body, and both of which draw power from the power take off following the same reasoning as the compactor: the actuation of the tailgate and the ejector requires high hydraulic power which would deplete the battery too drastically. Further, the action occurs much less frequent.
  • According to a further embodiment of the invention, the electrically driven hydraulic pump and its associated electric motor are located in front of the collection body, such as between the collection body and the drivers cab.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
  • The invention will be explained further with reference to the drawing. In this drawing:
    • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a refuse collection vehicle according to the invention.
    • Figure 2a shows the rear side of the refuse collection vehicle of figure 1, with the lifting device in the inactive (lowermost) position, and a refuse bin ready to be lifted.
    • Figure 2b shows the rear side of the refuse collection vehicle of figure 1, with the lifting device gripping and lifting a refuse bin, where the lifting device is in its uppermost position with the refuse bin tilted for emptying.
    • Figure 3 shows a schematic overview of the refuse collection vehicle of figure 1, showing schematically components associated to the driving functions and equipment required for the refuse collection functions.
    • Figure 4 schematically illustrates the chassis battery in relation to components of the sub-structure and super-structure of the refuse collection vehicle of figure 1.
    • Figure 5 schematically illustrates the control system of the refuse collection vehicle of figure 1.
    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT
  • Fig. 1 schematically illustrates refuse collection vehicle 100 according to the invention. The refuse collection vehicle 100 comprises a frame 102, a driver's cab 103, a collection body 104 for collecting refuse, a tailgate 105 and a lifting device 101. The driver's cab 103 is provided on the frame 102, at the front of the vehicle. The collection body 104 is provided on the frame 102, behind the driver's cab 103. The tailgate 105 is provided at the rear side of the vehicle with the collection body 104 arranged between the tailgate 105 and the driver's cab 103. The frame 102 is further provided with a fuel tank 106, front wheels 107 and double rear wheels 108.
  • Fig. 2 shows the lifting device 101 in some more detail. Figure 2a shows the lifting device in lowermost position ready for receiving a refuse bin 202 . Figure 2b shows the lifting device in uppermost position with the refuse bin 202 in lifted and tilted position such that the contents of a refuse bin 202 is emptied into the refuse collection vehicle 100. The lifting and tilting of the refuse bin 202 is achieved by means of hydraulic lift actuators 201.
  • Fig. 3 schematically shows the hydraulic system 300, as well as the combustion engine 301, in fluid connection with the fuel tank 106, which combustion engine 301 mechanically drives, via a power take off 304, a mechanically driven hydraulic pump 305. The combustion engine 301 further drives the dynamo 302 which in turn charges the chassis battery 303.
  • Fig. 3 further schematically shows a electrically driven hydraulic pump 307, which is driven by an electric motor 306. The electric motor 306 is controlled by the control system 500 and is driven by the chassis battery 303, i.e. supplied with electrical energy from the chassis battery 303.
  • The mechanically driven hydraulic pump 305 and the electrically driven hydraulic pump 307 are in fluid connection with an oil tank 308 for sucking in hydraulic fluid. A hydraulic compactor feedline 351 connects the mechanically driven hydraulic pump 305 with the compactor actuator system 310, which drives the compactor 311. A hydraulic first switch feedline 354 connects the mechanically driven hydraulic pump 305 to the first inlet port of the hydraulic switch 309. The electrically driven hydraulic pump 307 is connected to the second inlet port of the hydraulic switch 309 by a hydraulic second switch feedline 353. The lift actuator system 201, configured for actuating the lifting device 101, is connected to the outlet port of the hydraulic switch 309 by a hydraulic lift feedline 352.
  • Optionally, the hydraulic pump 305 is further connected to the tailgate actuator system 314, configured for actuating the tailgate 105, and to the ejector actuator system 312, configured for actuating the ejector 313.
  • In figure 3 the hydraulic switch 309 is depicted as a shuttle valve having a shut off element 320 - depicted as a ball - movable between a first condition and a second condition. In figure 3 the shut off element 320 is shown in the first condition, with the shut off element 320 in its most right position in which it i) closes the second inlet port connected with the electrically driven hydraulic pump 307, and ii) provides hydraulic connection between outlet port connected with the lift actuator system and the first inlet port connected with the mechanically driven pump 305. When the shut off element 320 is in the second condition, the shut off element 320 will - in figure 3 - be in its most left position in which it i) closes the first inlet port connected with the mechanically driven pump 305 and ii) provides hydraulic connection between outlet port connected with the lift actuator system and the second inlet port connected with the electrically driven pump 307.
  • Fig. 4 schematically illustrates the chassis battery 303 which supplies electrical energy to the driving functions system 400, including in this example:
    • a brake system 401,
    • a cooling system 402,
    • a steering system 403,
    • a gearbox 404
    • safety systems 405,
    • a tyre management system 406,
    • a lighting system 407,
    • an information interface 408,
    • motor management components 409, configured for operating the engine 301 as well as fuel system 410,
  • Fig. 5 schematically illustrates the control system 500, comprising:
    • a sensor 502 sensing a parameter representative of the present condition of the battery 303, which sensing is indicated with the dash-dotted line between the chassis battery 303 and the sensor 502; and
    • a controller 501 receiving electrical energy from the chassis battery 303 as indicated by the diagonal solid line, receiving a control signal (indicated with a dotted line) from the sensor 502, and sending a control signal (indicated with a dotted line) to the electric motor 306.
  • As an example of a control system according to the invention, the sensor system may be configured to sense the instantaneous voltage of the chassis battery, in this example a 24V chassis battery. A first predetermined low voltage is chosen well above the voltage at which the chassis battery is considered to be in empty condition. This first predetermined low voltage may for example be set about 2.5 V higher than the voltage associated to the empty condition. Let's say this predetermined low voltage is 24.0 V. The sensor system is configured to measure the voltage when the combustion engine is in operation with the vehicle stationary and at a moment that the electrically driven hydraulic pump has been switched off for a predetermined time of for example 5 seconds. When this measured voltage drops below said predetermined low voltage of say 24.0 V, the controller switches from the second control signal to the first control signal resulting in the hydraulic switch assuming its first condition in which the hydraulic lift actuator system is driven by the mechanically driven hydraulic pump (driven by the PTO).
  • According to a further elaboration of this example, the chassis battery will be recharged by the dynamo driven by the combustion engine and the sensor system will continue to do its measurements when the combustion engine is in operation with the vehicle stationary and at moments that the electrically driven hydraulic pump has been switched off for a predetermined time of for example 5 seconds. Once the thus measured voltage exceeds a predetermined high voltage of say 24.5 V, the controller switches from the first control signal (back) to the second control signal resulting in the hydraulic switch assuming its second condition in which the hydraulic lift actuator system is driven by the electrically driven hydraulic pump powered by the chassis battery.
  • In order to avoid in this example that the remaining capacity of the chassis battery drops too low because of the electrically driven hydraulic pump is for whatever reason in operation without being shut off for at least the predetermined time of, in this example 5 seconds, the sensor system may be configured to continually measure the voltage of the chassis battery and the controller may be configured to change from the second control signal to the first control signal when the voltage of the chassis battery drops below a predetermined safety voltage which is between the voltage associated to the empty condition and the predetermined low voltage. This predetermined safety value may for example be in the range of 0.5 to 1 V higher than the voltage associated to the empty condition of the chassis battery.
  • This application uses the term 'feedline' in relation to the hydraulic system, for example - whether or not preceded by the word 'hydraulic' - 'compactor feedline', 'lift feedline', 'first switch feedline', 'second switch feedline'. A feedline is here understood to be a piping through which pressurized hydraulic fluid is transported, for example to an actuator which is hydraulically powered. As used in this application, such feedline has in general an upstream end and downstream end as may have been defined in this application for a specific feedline. Further, as used in this application, a feedline may be provided with hydraulic components - like valves, pumps, etcetera - arranged between its upstream and downstream end.
  • Further, in this application the term 'battery' is understood to be a single battery unit or a multiple of battery units which are electrically arranged in series to form said battery. As an example, a 24V battery may be formed by:
    • a single battery unit of nominally 24V; or
    • two battery units of each nominally 12V, the units being arranged in series with the positive pole of one unit electrically connected with the negative pole of the other unit so that 12V+12V=24V.
  • Further, where in this application a battery of a specific voltage is mentioned this specific voltage is the nominal voltage. For example in case of a (nominally) 24V battery, the voltage of this battery in fully charged condition will in practice be about 25.4 V whilst this battery is considered to be empty and needing recharge when the voltage is about 24.8 V. Similar in case of a (nominally) 12V battery or a (nominally) 12V battery unit, the voltage of this battery in fully charged condition will in practice be about 12.7 V whilst this battery/battery unit is considered to be empty and needing recharge when the voltage is about 12.4 V.
  • Embodiments and further embodiments of the present invention may be expressed in words as set out in the following clauses:
    • clause 1] Refuse collection vehicle (100),
      • wherein the vehicle (100) comprises a sub-structure and a super-structure;
      • wherein the sub-structure comprises:
        • a chassis frame (102),
        • a driver's cab (103) provided on the chassis frame (102), at the front of the chassis frame (102),
        • a combustion engine (301),
        • a fuel tank (106) in fluid connection with the combustion engine (301),
        • a power take off (304) driven by the combustion engine (301),
        • a dynamo (302) driven by the combustion engine (301),
        • a chassis battery (303) configured for being charged by the dynamo (302), and
        • a driving functions system (400) configured to be powered by the chassis battery (303);
      • wherein the super-structure comprises:
        • a collection body (104) for collecting refuse, which body is provided on the frame (102), behind the driver's cab (103),
        • a compactor (311) configured for compacting refuse received in the collection body (104),
        • a lifting device (101) configured for lifting refuse bins (202), and
        • a hydraulic system (300);
          and
      • wherein the hydraulic system (300) comprises:
        • a mechanically driven hydraulic pump (305) driven by the power take off (304),
        • an electrically driven hydraulic pump (307) driven by an electric motor (306) powered by the chassis battery (303),
        • a hydraulic compactor actuator system (310) configured for actuating the compactor (311),
        • a hydraulic lift actuator system (201) configured for actuating the lifting device (101),
        • a hydraulic compactor feedline (351) having a downstream end attached to the compactor actuator system (310) and an upstream end hydraulically connected with the mechanically driven hydraulic pump (305),
        • a hydraulic switch (309) having an outlet port, having a first and second inlet ports, and configured to be switched between:
          • a first condition in which the first inlet port is hydraulically connected with the outlet port whilst the second inlet port is closed, and
          • a second condition in which the second inlet port is hydraulically connected with the outlet port whilst the first inlet port is closed,
        • a hydraulic lift feedline (352) having a downstream end attached to the lift actuator system (201) and an upstream end attached to the outlet port of the hydraulic switch (309),
        • a hydraulic first switch feedline (354) having a downstream end attached to the first inlet port and an upstream end hydraulically connected to the mechanically driven hydraulic pump (305), and
        • a hydraulic second switch feedline (353) having a downstream end attached to the second inlet port and an upstream end hydraulically connected to the electrically driven hydraulic pump (307).
    • clause 2] Refuse collection vehicle (100),
      • wherein the vehicle (100) comprises a sub-structure and a super-structure;
      • wherein the sub-structure comprises:
        • a chassis frame (102),
        • a driver's cab (103) provided on the chassis frame (102), at the front of the chassis frame (102),
        • a combustion engine (301),
        • a fuel tank (106) in fluid connection with the combustion engine (301),
        • a power take off (304) driven by the combustion engine (301),
        • a dynamo (302) driven by the combustion engine (301),
        • a chassis battery (303) configured for being charged by the dynamo (302), and
        • a driving functions system (400) configured to be powered by the chassis battery (303);
      • wherein the super-structure comprises:
        • a collection body (104) for collecting refuse, which body is provided on the frame (102), behind the driver's cab (103),
        • a compactor (311) configured for compacting refuse received in the collection body (104),
        • a lifting device (101) configured for lifting refuse bins (202), and
        • a hydraulic system (300);
          and
      • wherein the hydraulic system (300) comprises:
        • a hydraulic compactor actuator system (310) configured for actuating the compactor (311),
        • a hydraulic lift actuator system (201) configured for actuating the lifting device (101),
        • a mechanically driven hydraulic pump (305) driven by the power take off (304), the mechanically driven hydraulic pump having a hydraulic connection with the compactor actuating system (310) and a hydraulic connection with the lift actuator system (201),
        • an electrically driven hydraulic pump (307) driven by an electric motor (306) powered by the chassis battery (303),
        • a hydraulic compactor feedline (351) having a downstream end attached to the compactor actuator system (310) and an upstream end hydraulically connected with the mechanically driven hydraulic pump (305) to provide the hydraulic connection between mechanically driven pump and the compactor actuator system,
        • a hydraulic switch (309) having an outlet port, having a first and second inlet ports, and configured to be switched between:
          • a first condition in which the first inlet port is hydraulically connected with the outlet port whilst the second inlet port is closed, and
          • a second condition in which the second inlet port is hydraulically connected with the outlet port whilst the first inlet port is closed,
        • a hydraulic lift feedline (352) having a downstream end attached to the lift actuator system (201) and an upstream end attached to the outlet port of the hydraulic switch (309),
        • a hydraulic first switch feedline (354) having a downstream end attached to the first inlet port and an upstream end hydraulically connected to the mechanically driven hydraulic pump (305) to provide the hydraulic connection between the mechanically driven pump and the lift actuator system when the hydraulic switch is in the first condition;, and
        • a hydraulic second switch feedline (353) having a downstream end attached to the second inlet port and an upstream end hydraulically connected to the electrically driven hydraulic pump (307) to provide a hydraulic connection between the electrically driven hydraulic pump and the lift actuator system when the hydraulic switch is in the second condition.
    • clause 3] Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to clause 1 or 2,
      wherein the hydraulic switch (309) is a shuttle valve.
    • clause 4] Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to any of the preceding clauses,
      • wherein the vehicle further comprises a control system (500), and
      • wherein the control system (500) comprises:
        • a sensor system (502) configured to sense one or more parameters influencing the present condition of the chassis battery (303) and to emit one or more sensor signals representative of said one or more parameters,
        • a controller (501) configured to generate, in response to the one or more sensor signals, a control signal,
        • a mechanism configured to cause, depending on the control signal, the hydraulic switch (309) to switch between the first and second condition.
    • clause 5] Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to clause 4,
      wherein said one or more parameters comprise a parameter representative of the presently remaining capacity of the chassis battery (303).
    • clause 6] Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to one of clauses 4-5,
      wherein the controller (501) is configured to:
      • generate a first control signal or a second control signal, the first control signal causing the hydraulic switch (309) to assume the first condition and the second control signal causing the hydraulic switch (309) to assume the second condition, and
      • to change from the second control signal to the first control signal when said one or more sensor signals are indicative of the presently remaining capacity of the chassis battery (303) falling below a predetermined low value.
    • clause 7] Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to clause 6,
      wherein the controller (501) is further configured to change from the first control signal to the second control signal when said one or more sensor signals are indicative of the presently remaining capacity of the chassis battery (303) exceeding a predetermined high value, and wherein the predetermined high value is larger than the predetermined low value.
    • clause 8] Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to one of clauses 4-7,
      wherein said one or more parameters comprise an instantaneous voltage of the chassis battery.
    • clause 9] Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to clause 8, wherein said instantaneous voltage of the chassis battery is a voltage during operation of the combustion engine with the refuse collection vehicle stationary and the electrically driven hydraulic pump turned off.
    • clause 10] Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to clause 9, the instantaneous voltage of the chassis battery is a voltage of the chassis battery at a predetermined time after turning off the electrically driven hydraulic pump.
    • clause 11] Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to one of the clauses 4-10 in combination with clause 2, wherein the mechanism comprises the electric motor (306) and wherein the control signal is configured to operate the electric motor (306).
    • clause 12] Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to one of the clauses 4-11,
      wherein the control system (500) continually measures or determines said one or more parameters.
    • clause 13] Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the driving functions system (400) comprises one or more of:
      • electrically controlled and/or driven motor management components (409) configured for operating the engine, such as a fuel system (410) which may comprise a fuel valve and/or a fuel pump,
      • a brake system (401),
      • a cooling system (402),
      • a steering system (403),
      • a gearbox (404),
      • manual shift and/or automatic shift for the gearbox (404),
      • safety systems (405),
      • a tyre management system (406),
      • a lighting system (407),
      • an information interface (408), configured to display information in the driver's cab (103).
    • clause 14] Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the fuel for the combustion engine (301) is diesel, petrol, or a fuel gas.
    • clause 15] Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the chassis battery (303) is configured to operate at a voltage of about 24 volt.
    • clause 16] Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the vehicle (100) further comprises:
      • a tailgate (105) having a hydraulic tailgate actuator system (314) in hydraulic connection with the mechanically driven hydraulic pump (305), configured to move the tailgate (105) between an open and closed position to aid in the refuse ejection from the collection body (104),
        and/or
      • an ejector (313) having a hydraulic ejector actuator system (312) in hydraulic connection with the mechanically driven hydraulic pump (305), configured for movement of the ejector (313) to-and-fro between a retracted and an extended position ejecting the refuse from the collection body (104).
    • clause 17] Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the electrically driven hydraulic pump (307) and its associated electric motor (306) are located in front of the collection body (104), such as between the collection body (104) and the driver's cab (103).
    Part list
    • 100
    refuse collection vehicle
    101
    lifting device
    102
    frame
    103
    driver's cab
    104
    collection body
    105
    tailgate
    106
    fuel tank
    107
    front wheels
    108
    rear wheels
    201
    hydraulic lift actuator system
    202
    refuse bin
    300
    hydraulic system
    301
    combustion engine
    302
    dynamo
    303
    chassis battery
    304
    Power take off (PTO)
    305
    mechanically driven hydraulic pump
    306
    electric motor
    307
    electrically driven hydraulic pump
    308
    oil tank
    309
    hydraulic switch
    310
    compactor actuator system
    311
    compactor
    312
    ejector actuator system
    313
    ejector
    314
    tailgate actuator system
    320
    shut off element
    351
    hydraulic compactor feedline
    352
    hydraulic lift feedline
    353
    hydraulic second switch feedline
    354
    hydraulic first switch feedline
    400
    driving functions system
    401
    brake system
    402
    cooling system
    403
    steering system
    404
    gearbox
    405
    safety systems
    406
    tyre management system
    407
    lighting system
    408
    information interface
    409
    motor management components
    410
    fuel system
    500
    control system
    501
    controller
    502
    sensor system

Claims (15)

  1. Refuse collection vehicle (100),
    wherein the vehicle (100) comprises a sub-structure and a super-structure;
    wherein the sub-structure comprises:
    • a chassis frame (102),
    • a driver's cab (103) provided on the chassis frame (102), at the front of the chassis frame (102),
    • a combustion engine (301),
    • a fuel tank (106) in fluid connection with the combustion engine (301),
    • a power take off (304) driven by the combustion engine (301),
    • a dynamo (302) driven by the combustion engine (301),
    • a chassis battery (303) configured for being charged by the dynamo (302), and
    • a driving functions system (400) configured to be powered by the chassis battery (303);
    wherein the super-structure comprises:
    • a collection body (104) for collecting refuse, which body is provided on the frame (102), behind the driver's cab (103),
    • a compactor (311) configured for compacting refuse received in the collection body (104),
    • a lifting device (101) configured for lifting refuse bins (202), and
    • a hydraulic system (300);
    and
    wherein the hydraulic system (300) comprises:
    • a hydraulic compactor actuator system (310) configured for actuating the compactor (311),
    • a hydraulic lift actuator system (201) configured for actuating the lifting device (101),
    • a mechanically driven hydraulic pump (305) driven by the power take off (304), the mechanically driven hydraulic pump having a hydraulic connection with the compactor actuating system (310) and a hydraulic connection with the lift actuator system (201),
    • an electrically driven hydraulic pump (307) driven by an electric motor (306) powered by the chassis battery (303),
    • a hydraulic compactor feedline (351) having a downstream end attached to the compactor actuator system (310) and an upstream end hydraulically connected with the mechanically driven hydraulic pump (305) to provide the hydraulic connection between mechanically driven pump and the compactor actuator system,
    • a hydraulic switch (309) having an outlet port, having a first and second inlet ports, and configured to be switched between:
    - a first condition in which the first inlet port is hydraulically connected with the outlet port whilst the second inlet port is closed, and
    - a second condition in which the second inlet port is hydraulically connected with the outlet port whilst the first inlet port is closed,
    • a hydraulic lift feedline (352) having a downstream end attached to the lift actuator system (201) and an upstream end attached to the outlet port of the hydraulic switch (309),
    • a hydraulic first switch feedline (354) having a downstream end attached to the first inlet port and an upstream end hydraulically connected to the mechanically driven hydraulic pump (305) to provide the hydraulic connection between the mechanically driven pump and the lift actuator system when the hydraulic switch is in the first condition;, and
    a hydraulic second switch feedline (353) having a downstream end attached to the second inlet port and an upstream end hydraulically connected to the electrically driven hydraulic pump (307) to provide a hydraulic connection between the electrically driven hydraulic pump and the lift actuator system when the hydraulic switch is in the second condition.
  2. Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to claim 1,
    wherein the hydraulic switch (309) is a shuttle valve.
  3. Refuse collection vehicle (100) according claim 1 or 2,
    wherein the vehicle further comprises a control system (500), and
    wherein the control system (500) comprises:
    • a sensor system (502) configured to sense one or more parameters influencing the present condition of the chassis battery (303) and to emit one or more sensor signals representative of said one or more parameters,
    • a controller (501) configured to generate, in response to the one or more sensor signals, a control signal,
    • a mechanism configured to cause, depending on the control signal, the hydraulic switch (309) to switch between the first and second condition.
  4. Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to claim 3,
    wherein said one or more parameters comprise a parameter representative of the presently remaining capacity of the chassis battery (303).
  5. Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to one of claims 3-4,
    wherein the controller (501) is configured to:
    - generate a first control signal or a second control signal, the first control signal causing the hydraulic switch (309) to assume the first condition and the second control signal causing the hydraulic switch (309) to assume the second condition, and
    - to change from the second control signal to the first control signal when said one or more sensor signals are indicative of the presently remaining capacity of the chassis battery (303) falling below a predetermined low value.
  6. Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to claim 5,
    wherein the controller (501) is further configured to change from the first control signal to the second control signal when said one or more sensor signals are indicative of the presently remaining capacity of the chassis battery (303) exceeding a predetermined high value, and wherein the predetermined high value is larger than the predetermined low value.
  7. Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to one of claims 3-6,
    wherein said one or more parameters comprise an instantaneous voltage of the chassis battery.
  8. Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to claim 7, wherein said instantaneous voltage of the chassis battery is a voltage during operation of the combustion engine with the refuse collection vehicle stationary and the electrically driven hydraulic pump turned off.
  9. Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to claim 8, the instantaneous voltage of the chassis battery is a voltage of the chassis battery at a predetermined time after turning off the electrically driven hydraulic pump.
  10. Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to one of the claims 3-9 in combination with claim 2, wherein the mechanism comprises the electric motor (306) and wherein the control signal is configured to operate the electric motor (306).
  11. Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to one of the claims 3-10,
    wherein the control system (500) continually measures or determines said one or more parameters.
  12. Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to any of the preceding claims,
    wherein the driving functions system (400) comprises one or more of:
    • electrically controlled and/or driven motor management components (409) configured for operating the engine, such as a fuel system (410) which may comprise a fuel valve and/or a fuel pump,
    • a brake system (401),
    • a cooling system (402),
    • a steering system (403),
    • a gearbox (404),
    • manual shift and/or automatic shift for the gearbox (404),
    • safety systems (405),
    • a tyre management system (406),
    • a lighting system (407),
    • an information interface (408), configured to display information in the driver's cab (103).
    wherein the fuel for the combustion engine (301) is diesel, petrol, or a fuel gas.
  13. Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the chassis battery (303) is configured to operate at a voltage of about 24 volt.
  14. Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to any of the preceding claims,
    wherein the vehicle (100) further comprises:
    • a tailgate (105) having a hydraulic tailgate actuator system (314) in hydraulic connection with the mechanically driven hydraulic pump (305), configured to move the tailgate (105) between an open and closed position to aid in the refuse ejection from the collection body (104),
    and/or
    • an ejector (313) having a hydraulic ejector actuator system (312) in hydraulic connection with the mechanically driven hydraulic pump (305), configured for movement of the ejector (313) to-and-fro between a retracted and an extended position ejecting the refuse from the collection body (104).
  15. Refuse collection vehicle (100) according to any of the preceding claims,
    wherein the electrically driven hydraulic pump (307) and its associated electric motor (306) are located in front of the collection body (104), such as between the collection body (104) and the driver's cab (103).
EP22185128.0A 2021-07-16 2022-07-15 Refuse collection vehicle Pending EP4119467A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2028755A NL2028755B1 (en) 2021-07-16 2021-07-16 Refuse collection vehicle

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4119467A1 true EP4119467A1 (en) 2023-01-18

Family

ID=77519716

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22185128.0A Pending EP4119467A1 (en) 2021-07-16 2022-07-15 Refuse collection vehicle

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4119467A1 (en)
NL (1) NL2028755B1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1746049A1 (en) * 2005-07-18 2007-01-24 Harald Artmann Device for charging a refuse vehicle
EP2072421A1 (en) 2007-12-19 2009-06-24 Norba AB System for driving hydraulic components of a vehicle superstructure
EP2192055A1 (en) 2008-11-27 2010-06-02 Terberg Machines B.V. Loading system for a refuse collection truck

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1746049A1 (en) * 2005-07-18 2007-01-24 Harald Artmann Device for charging a refuse vehicle
EP2072421A1 (en) 2007-12-19 2009-06-24 Norba AB System for driving hydraulic components of a vehicle superstructure
EP2192055A1 (en) 2008-11-27 2010-06-02 Terberg Machines B.V. Loading system for a refuse collection truck

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL2028755B1 (en) 2023-01-17

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US11772890B2 (en) Refuse vehicle with electric reach apparatus
US11505404B2 (en) Electric side loader arms for electric refuse vehicle
US9145905B2 (en) Independent load sensing for a vehicle hydraulic system
US20230265866A1 (en) Refuse vehicle control systems and methods
US20220009338A1 (en) Refuse vehicle with range extension
US20230294915A1 (en) Electric power take-off pump control systems
US20230023747A1 (en) Operational modes for a refuse vehicle
US11926474B2 (en) Refuse vehicle
EP4119467A1 (en) Refuse collection vehicle
US20230415986A1 (en) Refuse vehicle with a hopper fill sensor
US20230278785A1 (en) Hybrid electric hydraulic refuse vehicle
US20230145238A1 (en) Vin based diagnostic and fleet management analysis
US20220097962A1 (en) Thermal stress mitigation system for electric refuse vehicle
JP2014223994A (en) Installation of garbage collector
US20230356938A1 (en) Hydraulic system for refuse vehicles
US20230356937A1 (en) Pump control system for a refuse vehicle
US20230312238A1 (en) Hydraulic system for a refuse vehicle
WO1998042597A1 (en) Refuse compactor
KR200415504Y1 (en) Safty device of pefuse collector truck
JP6301124B2 (en) Work vehicle bodywork
CN102815486A (en) Output control device for electric operation vehicle
DE102008001273A1 (en) Charge transport device of an industrial vehicle
CN113631420A (en) System for supplying fluid to customers
JPS6323081B2 (en)

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20230718

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR