ES2778868T3 - Loading system for lifting and emptying a container - Google Patents

Abstract

Loading system (4) to lift and empty a container (6, 118, 120) in a collector (3), comprising: - a frame (5) with couplings (34) that can be mounted on the collector (3) ; - a lifting mechanism connected to the frame (5) for lifting the container (6, 118, 120), in which the lifting mechanism comprises first and second seats; - a drive system (36, 70) functionally connected to the lifting mechanism, the drive system (36, 70) comprising: - connection means (40, 112) to functionally connect the drive system (36, 70) to an external power source (38); - a first electric motor (46, 78) operatively connected to the first load seat, and a first motor controller (44, 74) for controlling the first electric motor (46, 78); - a first hydraulic pump (48, 86) driven by the first electric motor (46, 78) to hydraulically control a first lift cylinder (52, 98) of the lift mechanism; and - a hydraulic fluid reservoir (54) functionally connected to the first hydraulic pump (48, 86); the charging system being characterized in that the drive system (36, 70) comprises a second electric motor (62, 80) functionally connected to the second charging seat, further comprising a second motor controller (60, 76) to control the second electric motor (62, 80) and a second hydraulic pump (64, 88) driven by the second electric motor (62, 80) to hydraulically control a second lift cylinder (68, 100), with the reservoir (54) of hydraulic fluid functionally connected to the hydraulic pump (48, 86), wherein the frame (5) is releasably connected to the manifold (3) with the couplings (34), and wherein the connecting means (40, 112) are such that they can be decoupled from the external power source (38).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Loading system for lifting and emptying a container

The present invention relates to a loading system for lifting and emptying a container into a collector according to the preamble of claim 1.

One such loading system is particularly used for emptying containers, for example filled with garbage or refuse, into a collector of a garbage truck.

Containers filled, for example, with waste, such as household garbage, waste paper or vegetable waste, are usually collected from companies and private homes using garbage trucks. Said garbage trucks are usually provided in practice with a loading system with which the containers can be lifted and emptied into a collector of the garbage truck with a pivoting movement. Garbage trucks known in practice control the loading system for lifting the containers hydraulically by means of a so-called PTO pump from the fuel engine of the vehicle. The charging system depends on the vehicle's fuel engine for its operation.

GB-A-602 569 describes a loading system for lifting and emptying a container into a collector according to the preamble of claim 1.

The present invention has for its object to provide a charging system with which it is possible to allow the charging system to function more independently of a vehicle.

This object is achieved with the loading system for lifting and emptying a container into a collector according to the invention. The charging system comprises the features of claim 1.

By providing a collector, preferably in the form of a collection container, in a garbage truck, receptacles containing garbage, including household garbage, vegetable waste and paper, can be emptied into this collector. The container can be lifted, tilted and emptied in an efficient manner by connecting the frame of the loading system to this manifold. Lifting of the lifting mechanism is made possible using a drive system. The drive system has a first electric motor and a motor controller therefor. An efficient and effective charging system is obtained through the use of the electric motor. This also achieves a per se "clean" operation of the electric drive during emptying of the containers. In the case of a garbage truck provided with a collector and with a loading system according to the invention, this means that, during the collection of, for example, household garbage, there is no emission of polluting substances in residential areas where garbage is being collected. A further additional advantage, when an electric drive system is used, is that noise production is also reduced. Drive system connection means connects the drive system to an external power source during use. This is, for example, a garbage truck battery. This may also involve connection to a charging system of a battery or rechargeable accumulator arranged in the charging system itself. By arranging the first electric motor with the first motor controller, the first electric motor can be control based on demand. The first electric motor is functionally connected to the first loading seat and drives the first hydraulic pump to control the first lift cylinder of the lift mechanism. In this way the first lift cylinder is controlled hydraulically in such a way that the drive mechanism performs the desired lift movement. The first hydraulic pump is functionally connected to a hydraulic fluid reservoir. This achieves that the loading system can function more independently, thus being the advantage of using a hydraulic pump, that a container is emptied better, for example by "shaking" the container, so that it can therefore be placed in the ground again having been better emptied.

Therefore, the charging system is provided with a combined electro-hydraulic drive. By having a hydraulic fluid reservoir, this drive works regardless of its situation, for example a garbage truck fitted with it. This further achieves that the loading system can function independently of the propulsion of said garbage truck, that is, independently of the fuel engine and / or the electric drive of the vehicle. The vehicle drive therefore does not have to remain active to allow the charging system to function.

By providing the frame of the loading system according to the invention with releasable couplings, it is also possible to transfer a loading system from a garbage truck with a fuel engine to an electrically driven garbage truck. Additional advantages of providing a more independent loading system is that relatively few operations are required to connect the loading system to a garbage truck, as no hydraulic connection is required, for example. This also has the additional advantage that there is also less risk of, for example, leaks of hydraulic fluid. The location and subsequent repair of malfunctions is also greatly simplified by the fact that the different systems operate independently of each other.

Also, the drive can be optimally utilized by using drive electro-hydraulic charging system.

In conventional drives, in which a fuel engine is used, this fuel engine does not operate at an optimal operating level in all cases. Therefore, the efficiency of the charging system can be further increased. In the case of an electrically powered garbage truck, a fully electrically powered system is obtained with the loading system, since the hydraulic fluid for the loading system remains fully internal, preferably even completely within the loading system. This ensures that the benefits of a fully electrically driven system are achieved, while maintaining the properties of the hydraulic lift system with the lift cylinder for emptying and agitating the container.

The lifting mechanism is provided with a first and a second bucket seat. This achieves that two containers can be emptied simultaneously, when these containers are of the two-wheel type. The two cargo seats work independently here. This means that one cargo seat can be used for emptying while another is used to place a container yet to be emptied, or the two cargo seats are each emptying an individual container simultaneously. It is also possible, preferably, that the two loading seats operate synchronously to empty a single four-wheel-type container. The control is preferably such that the charging system according to the invention can be set for independent or synchronized operation according to the wishes of the user.

An additional advantage of using an electro-hydraulic drive is that it also maintains the robustness of conventional charging systems. This is important in the case, among others, of collisions or breakage of the loading system, as can occur when a garbage truck equipped with such a loading system is reversing.

According to the present invention, the system further comprises a second electric motor functionally connected to the second cargo seat.

With the drive system in which a separate electric motor is arranged for each cargo seat, therefore, in the case of two cargo seats, also with two electric motors, exact control of the lifting mechanism is performed. With synchronized operation in the two positions, a more effective lifting movement is likewise performed by the lifting mechanism, for example with respect to the evacuation of the heat produced during lifting, when two electric motors and two hydraulic pumps are used.

A further additional advantage, obtained by also controlling individually separated cargo seats with a motor and a pump, is the reduction of noise. This is achieved due to the absence of flow control valves, whereby the typical squeaking sound associated with them no longer occurs. Energy loss and heat production are also reduced, since it is possible, according to the invention, to dispense with hydraulic flow control valves and / or directional valves. This significantly reduces restrictions and resistances. This results in an energy efficient system, with increased reliability of operation due to a reduction in the number of components susceptible to failure or malfunction. Surprisingly, it has also been seen that, when a separate motor is applied, the energy consumption for each cargo seat is reduced compared to conventional systems with a central motor for all cargo seats. This is due to the fact that separate motors can be adjusted to the particular load on the load seat, whereas the conventional system must withstand a wider range of loads at the expense of drive efficiency.

The loading system further preferably comprises a controller for controlling the first and second electric motors in such a way that both enable independent and synchronized operation of the first and second loading seats. In this way, maximum flexibility of the charging system according to the invention is obtained.

At least one of the first and second electric motors is preferably a three-phase motor. Use is here advantageously made of a carbon brushless three-phase asynchronous motor. This prevents sparking and wear. A further advantage is that, contrary to DC motors used in conventional systems, such three-phase motors do not exhibit any significant connection spikes during starting under load. The on-board electrical system is therefore not unnecessarily heavily loaded and a "soft" starting class is obtained without a reduction in oil flow that is required as in conventional systems and with additional losses.

The motors are preferably driven directly by battery voltage through the motor controller. For this reason, no additional components are required and an efficient and robust system is obtained with which the containers can be emptied when the vehicle engine is switched off.

In an advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the hydraulic fluid reservoir for the drive system is arranged in one or more parts of the frame. By arranging the fluid reservoir in one or more parts of the frame, for example inside a tubular profile, a compact loading system is obtained that also achieves great independence due to the reservoir being arranged within it.

In a further preferred, advantageous embodiment, according to the present invention, the continuous connection to an external power source is made by connecting the drive system of the charging system to the battery of a garbage truck through the connection means. Such a garbage truck battery can be used in an electrically powered garbage truck as well as a fuel powered garbage truck.

In a preferred advantageous embodiment, the battery is a 24 volt battery. Dangerous situations for users and mechanics are avoided by using a 24 volt system in the preferred embodiment according to the invention. With this, respectful conditions with the workers are achieved. Such a 24 volt system can advantageously be arranged in a garbage truck driven by a combustion engine. Other voltages are possible for the system according to the invention. When the charging system according to the invention is used for example in an electrically driven vehicle, the system can advantageously be arranged to operate with a different voltage. The first and second motor controllers for controlling two electric motors are preferably functionally and directly connected to the battery. This means that the motor controllers are driven directly from the battery and therefore there is no need for a converter to be provided to convert the voltage of the battery being used, for example 24 V, into a higher voltage for the purpose of the electric motor. This limits the number of pieces or parts, and therefore the cost and complexity. In addition, safety is achieved by using the lowest voltages as described above.

In a further advantageous and preferred embodiment, according to the present invention, the lifting mechanism is provided with hydraulic pressure sensors operatively connected to the controller. Through the use of hydraulic pressure detectors the controller can control the drive based on loads occurring on the lift mechanism. This results in an efficient lifting mechanism and associated lifting movement.

In a further advantageous step in the method, hydraulic fluid is transported through the first and second hydraulic pumps when an emptied container is lowered, such that energy is generated or recovered.

By allowing the hydraulic fluid to circulate through the first and / or second pumps during placement on the ground, they will then function as a kind of dynamo with which a battery can, for example, be charged. This allows more lifting movements with the same amount of energy.

The invention also relates to a garbage truck provided with a collector and the loading system as described above.

Such a garbage truck provides the same effects and advantages as those discussed with respect to the loading system.

It has been found that the aforementioned kind of garbage truck according to the present invention can be advantageously combined with the modular embodiment of the loading system as described above. Therefore, the charging system can be functionally connected to the garbage truck by connecting only the power supply cable between the charging system and the garbage truck. Therefore, the garbage truck can be provided relatively easily with another loading system. This further increases the flexibility of both the shit system and the garbage truck.

Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method according to claim 10 for emptying a container. One such method provides the same effects and advantages as those discussed with respect to the garbage truck loading system.

Advantages, characteristics and additional details of the invention will be clarified on the basis of the various preferred embodiments thereof, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a charging system according to the invention;

- Figure 2 shows a schematic sketch of the electro-hydraulic drive of the charging system of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 shows a schematic sketch of an alternative drive;

- Figures 4 and 5 show views of a loading system with the diagram of Figure 3.

A garbage truck 2 (figure 1) with collector 3 provided with a loading system 4 is used to empty containers 6. The containers 6 are, among others, containers of the EN 840-1, -2, -3 and-4 type , with respective volumes of 80-360 liters, 500-1200 liters, 770, 1100 and 1300 liters, and 750-1700 liters. Furthermore, it is also possible to use the garbage truck 2 to place garbage bags in it.

The container 6 is emptied through a large loading opening 8. This loading opening 8 is delimited on the sides by side walls 10 of the garbage truck 2. In the embodiment shown, the loading system 4 is arranged for this purpose with the same width as the garbage truck 2, whereby the uprights 12 of the loading system 4 are essentially located in line with the side wall 10 of the garbage truck 2. Mounted on the uprights 12 are lifting arms 14 with which the coupling mechanism 16 can be moved in order to lift a container 6. When the container 6 is empty, the coupling mechanism 16 carries out a pivoting movement with the lifting shaft or shaft 18, with which the container 6 is tipped towards the loading opening 8. The garbage truck 2 is provided with two foot support plates 20, on which a garbage worker can stand during the movement of the garbage truck 2. The garbage truck 2 is also provided with two rubber bumpers or shock absorbers 22 on which the container 6 rests during e the pivoting movement. These buffers 22, with the plate on which they are mounted, are also incorporated in such a way that they can give way to a certain extent when they come into contact with obstacles on the ground surface 24. The loading system 4 is also provided with two guides 26 attached to the top of the loading system 4. The lid of a container can be pushed open with these guides 26 during the pivoting movement in such a way that the contents of the container 6 disappear into the loading opening 8 Also arranged at the top of the loading system 4 is a stop or stop member 28, essentially along the entire width of the loading opening 8. This stop member 28 prevents the container 6 from continuing to rotate during the pivoting movement. In the case of such a continued rotation, without the stop member 28, the container 6 would completely disappear through the loading opening 8 and thus into the garbage truck 2.

The coupling mechanism 16 is applied, using a comb 30, under the edge of the container 6. During the lifting of the container 6 with the comb 30, the clamping plate or closure plate 32 is closed, whereby the edge of the container is clamped between the comb 30 and the clamping plate 32. A container 6 cannot detach from the comb 30 due to the clamping plate 32. The lifting axis 18 extends along the entire width of the loading opening 8 , and therefore over the entire width of the garbage truck 2. The loading system 4 is releasably connected with the frame 5 to the garbage truck 2 with couplings 34.

Electro-hydraulic drive system 36 is powered by a battery / dynamo 38 of garbage truck 2. In the embodiment shown, battery 38 is a 24 volt battery. Between the garbage truck 2 and the loading system 4, connection means 40 are arranged between the drive system 36 and the battery 38. The loading system 4 is functionally connected to the garbage truck 2 through the connection means. 40 in such a way that it can be uncoupled and, for example, exchanged, in a simple and efficient way. Power is supplied from the connection means 40 to the controller 42 and a controller 44 of the first motor. The engine controller 44 is controlled by the controller or control 42. The controller 42 controls, among other things, the independent or synchronized operation of the two loading seats of the loading system 4 shown. The motor controller 44 controls the electric motor 46. The electric motor 46 drives the hydraulic pump 48, which draws oil through the valve 50 to the lift cylinder 52 of the charging system 4 during the lift movement. The oil comes from the oil tank 54 disposed within the charging system 4. The oil tank 54 is functionally connected to the pump 48 with the supply line 56. A return line 58 is used during the descent to the ground of a empty container.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) according to the invention, the return oil is also carried through the pump 48, the latter acting as a dynamo to generate energy.

From the connection means 40, the energy is also supplied to a second motor controller 60, which is also connected to the controller 42. From the motor controller 60 the second electric motor 62 is controlled and in turn drives the hydraulic pump 64. During a lifting movement, the pump 64 brings oil through the valve 66 to the second lifting cylinder 68 of the charging system 4. The pump 64 is also provided with a supply conduit 56 and oil is fed back from valve 66 to reservoir 54 through return conduit 58.

If a garbage truck 2 is provided with a loading system 4, during the emptying of a container 6 this container is placed in such a position that it can be carried upwards by a load handle of the loading system 4. For this purpose , the electric motor 46, 62 is controlled by the motor controller 44, 60 under the control of a controller 42. The necessary power supply is provided by a battery 38. The electric motor 46, 60 drives a hydraulic pump 48, 64 , the oil being carried from the reservoir 54 by the supply conduit 56 through the valve 50, 66 to the lifting cylinder 52, 68 of the charging system 4. The lifting mechanism performs a lifting movement due to the oil supply to the lifting cylinder 52, 68. The container 6 is emptied into the garbage truck 2 by this lifting movement. The emptied container 6 is lowered to the ground by means of a reverse movement of the lifting mechanism, the lifting cylinder 52, 68 being returned to the starting position in which the oil is fed back through the valve 50 , 66 to reservoir 54 via return conduit 58. Container 6 is then replaced in place and a next container is placed to be emptied. Due to the independent operation of the drive system, a motor of the garbage truck 2 will be deactivated during the emptying of the container 6, for example in the case that the containers being emptied are located in a residential area.

An alternative drive system 70 (Figure 3) comprises a battery 71. The system 70 is controlled from controller 72. Controller 72 controls motor controllers 74, 76. In the embodiment shown, motor controllers 74, 76 are direct current controllers - three phase alternating current controllers preferably provided with a safety relay. The drivers 74, 76 control a relatively high efficiency high torque, whereby a small starting current during the lifting movement ensures that there is no unnecessarily heavy load on the on-board electrical system. The controllers 74, 76 control the asynchronous motors 78, 80 which are provided with a detector 82, 84 to measure the revolutions of the motor. Hydraulic pumps 86, 88 are driven by motors 78, 80. System 70 further has valve blocks 90, 92 consisting of switching valves, and a flow control valve for downward movement. If desired, additional cylinders can be controlled, for example for an adjustable container stopper and and / or a locking cylinder. Hydraulic pressure sensors 94, 96 deactivate the drive when the maximum lifting force is reached, this contrary to conventional safety valves, which consume a relatively large amount of energy. Cylinders 98, 100 provide the lifting and / or tilting movement of the container. A linear or rotational position detector 102, 104 is further provided for the loading system. Due to the drive 70, it is possible that a relatively small oil reservoir 106 is sufficient. The connection 108, 110 between the controller 72 and the motor controllers 74, 76 is preferably a CAN communication connection.

In a presently preferred embodiment a garbage truck is provided with a loading system with a drive system 70 (Figures 4 and 5). The system 70 here makes use of the power supply of a battery 71 of the garbage truck. In the embodiment shown, the connection is made by means of a plug 112 and cables 114, 116. The plug 112 acts as a connecting means and constitutes the only connection between the garbage truck and the loading system, at least for the actuation of the same.

System 70 can be used in a synchronous or parallel mode to empty large containers 118 (FIG. 4), as well as in a separate mode to empty small containers 120 (FIG. 5).

The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within which many modifications can be contemplated.

Claims (11)

1. Loading system (4) to lift and empty a container (6, 118, 120) into a collector (3), comprising: - a frame (5) with couplings (34) that can be mounted on the manifold (3); - a lifting mechanism connected to the frame (5) for lifting the container (6, 118, 120), wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a first and a second seat; - a drive system (36, 70) functionally connected to the lifting mechanism, the drive system (36, 70) comprising: - connection means (40, 112) for functionally connecting the drive system (36, 70) to an external power source (38); - a first electric motor (46, 78) operatively connected to the first load seat, and a first motor controller (44, 74) for controlling the first electric motor (46, 78); - a first hydraulic pump (48, 86) driven by the first electric motor (46, 78) to hydraulically control a first lift cylinder (52, 98) of the lift mechanism; and - a reservoir (54) of hydraulic fluid functionally connected to the first hydraulic pump (48, 86); the charging system being characterized in that the drive system (36, 70) comprises a second electric motor (62, 80) functionally connected to the second charging seat, further comprising a second motor controller (60, 76) to control the second electric motor (62, 80) and a second hydraulic pump (64, 88) driven by the second electric motor (62, 80) to hydraulically control a second lift cylinder (68, 100), with the reservoir (54) of hydraulic fluid functionally connected to the hydraulic pump (48, 86), wherein the frame (5) is releasably connected to the manifold (3) with the couplings (34), and wherein the connecting means (40, 112) are such that they can be decoupled from the external power source (38). Charging system (4) according to claim 1, further comprising a controller (42, 72) for controlling the first and second motor controllers (44, 60) that control, respectively, the first and second electric motors ( 46, 78, 62, 80) of the lifting mechanism in such a way that the first and second cargo seats operate independently and synchronously. Charging system (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the first and second electric motors (46, 78, 62, 80) is a three-phase motor. Charging system (4) according to one of claims 1-3, in which the hydraulic fluid reservoir (54, 106) is arranged internally in one or more parts of the frame (5): Charging system (4) according to one or more of claims 1-4, wherein the connection means (40, 112) are to functionally connect the drive system (36) to a battery (38, 71) of a garbage truck (2) as the external power source (38). Charging system (4) according to claim 5, wherein the connection means (40, 112) are for functionally connecting the drive system (36) to a 24 volt battery of a garbage truck (2) as the external power source (38). Charging system (4) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first and second motor controllers (44, 60) for controlling the two electric motors (46, 78, 62, 80) are connected to the battery for direct operation. Loading system (4) according to one or more of claims 2-7, as they depend on claim 2, in which the lifting mechanism is provided with hydraulic pressure sensors (94, 96), functionally connected to the controller (42, 72) such that the controller (42, 72) can control the drive system (36, 70) based on loads occurring in the lifting mechanism. Garbage truck (2) provided with a loading system according to one or more of claims 1-8 and with a collector (3). 10. Method for emptying a container (6, 118, 120), comprising: - providing a charging system (4) according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, which is mounted with the coupling means (34) on a manifold (3); - placing the container (6) in a position such that it can be picked up and lifted by the first and / or second loading seats of the loading system; - driving the first and / or second hydraulic pumps (48, 86, 64, 88) by means of the first and / or second electric motors (46, 78, 60, 76) to hydraulically control the first and / or second lift cylinders (52, 98, 68, 100) of the lift mechanism; - carry out a lifting and emptying movement of the container (6, 118, 120); - lowering the container (6, 118, 120) by means of a reverse movement; and - replace the container (6, 118, 120). The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of generating energy by transporting hydraulic fluid through the first and / or second hydraulic pumps (48, 86, 64, 88) when lowering an empty container (6, 118 , 120).